Baloch activists rallying in Islamabad issue three-day ultimatum for release of all protesters

Special Baloch activists rallying in Islamabad issue three-day ultimatum for release of all protesters
Baloch protestors stage a sit-in outside the National Press Club in Islamabad on December 23, 2023, against the arrests of its marchers earlier this week. (Photo courtesy: X/@BYCislamabad)
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Updated 23 December 2023
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Baloch activists rallying in Islamabad issue three-day ultimatum for release of all protesters

Baloch activists rallying in Islamabad issue three-day ultimatum for release of all protesters
  • Protesters say they will continue their sit-in in Pakistan’s federal capital until all their demands are met
  • Demonstrators from Balochistan have come to Islamabad after the killing of a 24-year Turbat resident

ISLAMABAD: Dozens of rights activists from Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province issued a three-day ultimatum to the authorities in Islamabad on Saturday, seeking the release of their supporters and demanding the dismissal of all the cases against them while threatening to continue a sit-in until all their demands were met.
The Islamabad Police on Thursday arrested over 200 Baloch demonstrators, including women and children, who were rallying in the federal capital against what they called “enforced disappearances” and “genocide” of ethnic Baloch people in the resource-rich province.
The arrests were made only days after Dr. Mahrang Baloch, 30, led a 1,600-kilometer march from Pakistan’s Turbat district in Balochistan to Islamabad, under the banner of Baloch Yakjehti – or Solidarity – Committee (BYC).
The march was initiated after a 24-year-old resident of Turbat, Balach Baloch, was killed in the custody of the provincial Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) that said he had links with militants and was involved in a number of attacks in the region. However, his family and civil society activists denied the CTD claim and described it as a case of extrajudicial murder.
“We are issuing a three-day ultimatum to state for the withdrawal of [cases] registered against peaceful protesters and releasing the 100-plus Baloch students, whose status is still missing and who were arrested by the police in Islamabad during a crackdown,” Dr. Baloch said in a news conference.
Otherwise, she added, “the long march will be compelled to take harsh steps and the state and its administration shall be responsible for this.”
Dr. Baloch said the police arrested some 350 students and activists during the crackdown while 33 of them had been granted bail the next day.
“More than 250 of our students are still in jail,” she continued. “Out of which, more than 100 have still not been presented before any court and their status is missing.”
The arrests were made after clashes broke out between the marchers and the police on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital. While the protesters said the police attacked their peaceful rally, Islamabad’s top cop said some demonstrators had pelted stones at the law enforcers.
Dr. Baloch vowed to continue the movement “in the form of a sit-in at the National Press Club, Islamabad, till our demands are met.”
“We are persistent and will resist politically till our last breath,” she added.
Some fifty families of the Baloch missing persons have joined the sit-in, carrying the portraits of their loved ones who they claimed had either been killed or picked up by the security agencies. Most of the protesters include Baloch students who are enrolled in different universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad Police said in a statement it had presented 162 arrested Baloch protesters before a judicial magistrate, Mureed Abbas, and they had all been granted bail and released.
The police said that around 200 protesters had gathered in a ground outside the National Press Club and had been allowed to hold “peaceful protest” as per the rules and regulations.
“It is not permitted to take out a rally or gathering toward the high security zone,” the police said, adding that dozens of male and female police personnel had been deployed there for protection of the demonstrators.
Political leaders, human rights activists and families of victims have for decades spoken against killings in Balochistan by security agencies in what they call staged encounters, a practice where officials claim the victims were killed in a gunfight though they were summarily executed.
Authorities deny involvement in such incidents.


Pakistan announce squad for first England Test, retain Shan Masood as captain

Pakistan announce squad for first England Test, retain Shan Masood as captain
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Pakistan announce squad for first England Test, retain Shan Masood as captain

Pakistan announce squad for first England Test, retain Shan Masood as captain
  • Masood was retained as captain despite media reports suggesting he had faced an axe after Pakistan’s 2-0 loss to Bangladesh
  • Pakistan had never lost to Bangladesh before the twin defeats took Masood’s record to five losses since replacing Babar Azam

ISLAMABAD: Shan Masood will lead Pakistan in the upcoming Test series against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Tuesday, despite the national side losing five Tests under his captaincy.
The Pakistan cricket selectors announced a 15-player squad on Tuesday for the first Test against England, set to take place in Multan from 7-11 October.
Masood was retained as captain despite some media reports suggesting the 34-year-old had faced an axe after Pakistan’s shocking 2-0 loss to Bangladesh last month.
“Following the squad announcement and based on the recommendation of head coach Jason Gillespie, the selected players have been withdrawn from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to allow them some rest ahead of the series,” the PCB said in a statement.
“The squad will assemble in Multan on Monday, 30 September, with the training camp commencing on 1 October.”
Pakistan had never lost to Bangladesh before the twin defeats took Masood’s record to five losses since replacing Babar Azam as skipper in November last year. He lost his first series 3-0 in Australia.
The first of three Tests against England starts in Multan from October 7, the second will be played in the same city from October 15 and the third in Rawalpindi from October 24.
“With a busy domestic and international cricket schedule, it makes sense to give our players some much-needed rest ahead of the Test series against England,” Gillespie was quoted as saying by the PCB.
“We are very much looking forward to the series against England here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin. We are excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters.”
Pakistan squad:
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi


Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression against Lebanon after airstrikes kill over 500

Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression against Lebanon after airstrikes kill over 500
Updated 24 September 2024
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Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression against Lebanon after airstrikes kill over 500

Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression against Lebanon after airstrikes kill over 500
  • The Israeli military carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah on Monday which Lebanese authorities said killed 558 people
  • Pakistan calls on international community to take urgent steps to hold Israel to account for ‘alarming adventurism’ in region

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday condemned Israel’s latest military actions against Lebanon, its foreign office said, a day after Israeli airstrikes killed more than 500 people.
After nearly 12 months of war against the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza on its southern border, Israel is shifting its focus to the northern frontier, where Hezbollah has been firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas.
The Israeli military carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah on Monday which Lebanese authorities said killed 558 people, including 50 children and 94 women. A further 1,835 were wounded, they said, and tens of thousands more have fled for safety.
“This act of aggression against the Republic of Lebanon is a grave violation of the UN Charter and international law,” Pakistan’ foreign office said in a statement. “It is a dangerous escalation that has further endangered peace and security in an already volatile region.”
The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has raised fears that the United States, Israel’s close ally, and regional power Iran, which has proxies across the Middle East — Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis and armed groups in Iraq — will be sucked into a wider war.
Hezbollah last week suffered heavy losses when thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by its members exploded in the worst security breach in its history.
Pakistan stood in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and for their right to live in peace and security, the foreign office said, reaffirming Islamabad’s full support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We call upon the international community to take urgent steps to hold Israel to account for its alarming adventurism in the region and its acts of aggression and genocide,” it added.


Pakistan election regulator indecisive over allocation of reserved seats to ex-PM Khan party

Pakistan election regulator indecisive over allocation of reserved seats to ex-PM Khan party
Updated 24 September 2024
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Pakistan election regulator indecisive over allocation of reserved seats to ex-PM Khan party

Pakistan election regulator indecisive over allocation of reserved seats to ex-PM Khan party
  • In its detailed verdict, the top court observed election commission’s denial of recognition to Khan’s party infringed upon electorate’s rights
  • Legal experts urge the election commission to ‘side with the constitution’ and implement the ruling to allocate reserved seats to the PTI party

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election regulator has yet to decide about the allocation of reserved seats to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, ana election official said on Tuesday, despite the issuance of a detailed judgment by the Supreme Court on the subject.
The Supreme Court on July 12 declared Khan’s PTI party eligible for allocation of reserved parliamentary seats, months after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) forced the PTI candidates to contest the February 8 national election as independents. The ECP took the decision after the PTI lost its election symbol in the wake of a prolonged legal battle for not holding proper intra-party polls. Subsequently, the election body refused reserved seats to the PTI on technical grounds, saying they were only meant for political parties and not for independent candidates.
The Supreme Court overturned the ECP’s decision and said it had misconstrued an earlier verdict relating to election symbols by depriving the PTI of reserved seats. Instead of giving the seats to the party, however, the election body filed a petition to seek guidance on the matter and questioned the validity of the party’s organizational structure under the circumstances. The detailed judgment by the Supreme Court clarified that a party’s constitutional right to participate in elections was not impacted by the absence of an electoral symbol.
“The ECP held a sixth meeting at its headquarters in Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss the matter that remained inconclusive,” an ECP official told Arab News on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to media. “The ECP will have another meeting tomorrow [Wednesday] to reach a conclusion over the allocation of the reserved seats.”
The official said the ECP was consulting its legal team on the detailed judgment of the Supreme Court and the Elections Act that the ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, amended to bar independent lawmakers from joining a political party after a stipulated period. The National Assembly speaker and the Punjab Assembly have written separate letters to the ECP urging it to follow the parliamentary law over the Supreme Court ruling on the reserved seats.
“It is a complex issue and that’s why the election commission is taking into consideration all possible aspects of the constitution, laws and the court ruling before deciding on the matter,” the official said.
Legal experts have urged the election regulator to “side with the constitution” instead of the ruling coalition and implement the Supreme Court’s majority verdict that ordered allocation of reserved seats to the PTI in the National Assembly and all four provincial assemblies.
Justice (retired) Nasira Iqbal said the election regulator should have implemented the court’s short order shortly after it was announced on July 12 to avert speculations and conspiracies on the matter.
“The election commission is setting dangerous precedents by trying to frustrate the Supreme Court rulings through different delaying tactics,” she told Arab News. “The election commission should side with the constitution instead of trying to become a party in this matter.”
“The ruling coalition has taken a position over the constitutional matter and they want the fulfilment of their desire by getting the reserved seats,” Amanullah Kanrani, former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, told Arab News.
He urged the ECP to follow the constitution and allocate the reserved seats to the PTI as per the court ruling. “We expect the ECP to act independently and follow the constitution to avert a new crisis,” Kanrani added.
Speaking about possible consequences for the ECP if it failed to implement the majority judgment, Kanrani said the top court bench could initiate contempt proceedings against the chief election commissioner and other members.


Pakistan’s army chief vows support for police during South Waziristan visit

Pakistan’s army chief vows support for police during South Waziristan visit
Updated 24 September 2024
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Pakistan’s army chief vows support for police during South Waziristan visit

Pakistan’s army chief vows support for police during South Waziristan visit
  • General Asim Munir received a briefing on security situation and development initiatives in the region
  • He applauded the ‘pivotal role’ of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s residents in helping maintain the area’s peace

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir applauded the role of security forces and law enforcement agencies during his visit to Wana in South Waziristan district on Tuesday, saying the army would provide technical assistance to the province’s police for capacity building.
Militant factions operating in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, where South Waziristan is located, have targeted the police in recent months, leading to protests by law enforcement personnel against these killings.
The area’s security has mostly been dominated by the army, which has been fighting proscribed militant factions like Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban for about two decades, with the police seeking greater government support to empower them to deal with extremist violence.
The army chief received a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security situation, ongoing counterterrorism operations and development initiatives in the northwestern region.
“COAS paid heartfelt tribute to the security forces and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) who have made ultimate sacrifices in the line of duty,” the army media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement. “He emphasized that Pakistan Army will continue to provide steadfast support and technical assistance to LEAs, particularly KPK Police, to enhance their capacity.”
The army chief acknowledged the “pivotal role” of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in maintaining peace and advancing various projects under the South Waziristan Integrated Development Plan.
He also expressed gratitude for the support of tribal elders in Wana who helped combat militancy and provided unwavering backing to the army.


15 killed in Pakistan sectarian tribal clashes

15 killed in Pakistan sectarian tribal clashes
Updated 24 September 2024
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15 killed in Pakistan sectarian tribal clashes

15 killed in Pakistan sectarian tribal clashes
  • Violence hit Kurram district near border with Afghanistan where same tribes fought in July
  • The last clashes in July had killed 35 people and ended only after a jirga called a ceasefire

PESHAWAR: At least 15 people have been killed in clashes between two tribes in northwestern Pakistan, a local official said Tuesday, as a deadly feud over land is reignited.
With heavy weapons including mortar shells, the violence hit Kurram district near the border with Afghanistan where the same tribes fought in July.
“The conflict, initially over land, involves two tribes — one Sunni and the other Shia — which has turned the dispute into a sectarian clash,” a senior administrative official stationed in Kurram told AFP on condition of anonymity.
He said 15 people had been killed since Saturday.
The Associated Press of Pakistan, the official news agency, reported around twenty other people had been wounded.
The Kurram district, formerly a semi-autonomous area, has a history of bloody clashes between tribes belonging to the Sunni and Shiite sects of Islam that have claimed hundreds of lives over the years.
The last clashes in July killed 35 people and ended only after a jirga (tribal council) called a ceasefire, with officials attempting to broker a new truce.
Tribal and family feuds are common in Pakistan.
However, they can be particularly protracted and violent in the mountainous northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where communities abide by traditional tribal honor codes.
In Pakistan, a predominantly Sunni Muslim country, the Shiite community says they have long suffered discrimination and violence.