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PM among thousands at Islamabad funeral in absentia for slain Hamas leader

Update PM among thousands at Islamabad funeral in absentia for slain Hamas leader
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (C) offers funeral prayers in absentia for assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, at the Parliament House in Islamabad on August 2, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 02 August 2024
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PM among thousands at Islamabad funeral in absentia for slain Hamas leader

PM among thousands at Islamabad funeral in absentia for slain Hamas leader
  • Pakistan observes ‘Day of Mourning’ in solidarity with Palestine after killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran
  • Pakistan parliament passes resolution demanding global community deliver justice to Palestinian people
Updated 02 August 2024
Aamir Saeed
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, parliamentarians and thousands of people on Friday offered funeral prayers in absentia for Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, condemning Israeli military actions in Palestinian territories.
Haniyeh and a bodyguard were killed in the pre-dawn attack on their accommodation in Tehran early on Wednesday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said. He had traveled to Iran to attend Tuesday’s swearing-in of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The Hamas leader’s assassination came just hours after Israel struck a southern suburb of Beirut, killing Fuad Shukr, the military commander of Hamas-allied Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, deepening fears of a wider regional escalation.
Sharif along with Pakistani lawmakers offered prayers at Parliament House in Islamabad, which were broadcast live by the state television. Separately, hundreds of people offered funeral prayers in absentia for Haniyeh at Islamabad’s iconic Faisal Mosque.
“An incident of worst brutality has come to the fore, which the entire world, including Pakistan, Turkiye, Malaysia, China and Russia, has condemned in the strongest words,” Sharif said at an earlier press talk on Friday, referring to Haniyeh’s assassination.
“The world peace institutions, which were formed decades ago to establish law and order, I believe their conscience must be awaken today.”
Funeral prayers for the slain Hamas chief were offered elsewhere in the South Asian country as well.
Separately, Pakistan’s National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, passed a unanimous resolution expressing its “unified grief and anger” over the ongoing Israeli oppression and brutality against Palestinians for the last nine months.
“This house strongly condemns the ongoing state oppression and brutality by Israel in Palestine as a tragedy for the Muslim Ummah and the world,” read the resolution passed by the National Assembly, expressing solidarity with the Palestinians and extending condolences to the family of Haniyeh.
The resolution called on the international community to take “collective action” to halt Israel’s oppression and brutalities and deliver justice to the Palestinian people.
“This house calls for the immediate admission of the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations,” the resolution added.
The Pakistan parliament also decided to continue to supply aid to Palestine and take effective measures for medical assistance to the oppressed Palestinian brothers and sisters, including treatment in Pakistan.
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza in October last year, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations and demanded international powers and multilateral bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza. The South Asian country has also dispatched several aid consignments for the Palestinians.
Separately, Sharif told Pakistan’s parliament on Friday that his country would continue to provide relief goods and medical assistance to the Palestinians.
“It has been decided to continue providing relief goods to Palestine and will undertake measures for the wounded Palestinians through which arrangements will be made to bring them to Pakistan for treatment,” he said.
“We have also decided Palestinian medical students will be admitted to Pakistani medical colleges.”
Israel launched a war on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023 in response to an attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. Militants also took around 200 Israelis hostage.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign against Hamas has killed at least 39,480 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Topics: Shehbaz Sharif Pakistan Ismail Haniyeh

Pakistan PM sympathizes with Malaysian counterpart over loss of lives in recent floods

Pakistan PM sympathizes with Malaysian counterpart over loss of lives in recent floods
Updated 17 sec ago
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Pakistan PM sympathizes with Malaysian counterpart over loss of lives in recent floods

Pakistan PM sympathizes with Malaysian counterpart over loss of lives in recent floods
  • The floods have killed at least four people and forced over 122,000 people out of homes in several states of Malaysia
  • The number, which surpassed the 118,000 evacuated during one of Malaysia’s worst floodings in 2014, is feared to rise
Updated 17 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday telephoned his Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and offered his deepest sympathies over the loss of lives and damage caused to property in recent floods in several states of Malaysia, Sharif’s office said.
At least four people have been killed and more than 122,000 people forced out of their homes as massive floods caused by relentless rains swept through Malaysia’s northern states, disaster management officials said Saturday.
The number surpassed the 118,000 evacuated during one of the country’s worst floodings in 2014, and disaster officials feared it could rise further as there was no let-up in torrential downpours.
During his telephonic conversation, Sharif told his Malaysian counterpart that the people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with their Malaysian brothers and sisters in these testing times.
“The Prime Minister offered all possible assistance to Malaysia and announced the immediate dispatch of humanitarian assistance as a token of Pakistan’s support to their Malaysian brethren,” Sharif’s office said.
The prime minister also expressed admiration for the swift response of the Malaysian government in dealing with this natural calamity.
Pakistan and Malaysia enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, rooted in shared Islamic values and historical ties. Since 1957, they’ve fostered economic cooperation, defense collaborations, and cultural exchange. The Pakistan-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement of 2008 boosted trade and investment, while regular high-level visits have solidified their partnership, underpinned by mutual respect and trust.
Recalling the recent visit to Pakistan by PM Ibrahim in October this year, Sharif expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
He also noted with satisfaction that some of the trade related issues identified during the Malaysian prime minister’s visit had already been resolved amicably.
Trade between Malaysia and Pakistan currently stands at $1.4 billion, including in palm oil, apparel, textiles, chemical and chemical-based products, and electrics and electronic products. Among South Asian countries, Pakistan is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner.
“The Malaysian Prime Minister thanked the Prime Minister for his support and agreed that the two countries need to continue to work closely on advancing ties in all important areas,” Sharif’s office said.
“Both leaders also agreed to continue the momentum of high level visits, with both the Prime Minister as well as Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister expected to visit Kuala Lumpur early next year.”

Participation of foreign nationals in political activities in Pakistan ‘unacceptable,’ FO says

Participation of foreign nationals in political activities in Pakistan ‘unacceptable,’ FO says
Updated 12 min 34 sec ago
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Participation of foreign nationals in political activities in Pakistan ‘unacceptable,’ FO says

Participation of foreign nationals in political activities in Pakistan ‘unacceptable,’ FO says
  • Statement comes after government accuses ex-PM Khan’s party of deploying Afghan nationals in this week’s protests in Islamabad
  • Pakistan has said that Afghan nationals won’t be allowed to stay in Islamabad without proper authorization after December 31
Updated 12 min 34 sec ago
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said that the participation of foreign nationals in any political activity in Pakistan is “unacceptable,” days after authorities said they had arrested dozens of Afghan nationals during violent protests in Islamabad this week.
Clashes broke out between law enforcers and supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party this week after they set out for Islamabad in caravans from different parts of the country to demand the release of Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023.
The government accused the PTI of deploying Afghan nationals to take part in the anti-government protests and said authorities had arrested over 1,100 Khan supporters, including 60 Afghan nationals living illegally in the country, who had stormed the Pakistani capital earlier this week.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Moh­sin Naqvi on Wednesday announced that Afghan nationals would not be allowed to stay in the federal capital of Islamabad without proper authorization after December 31, 2024.
Asked about the impact of seeking permission to stay in Islamabad for even the 3 million legal Afghan refugees, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the Pakistani interior ministry would soon issue details of the policy.
“We expect all foreigners in Pakistan to respect Pakistani laws and customs,” she said at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Friday. “Details of the policy with regards to continued stay of Afghan nationals in Islamabad will also be released by the Ministry of Interior.”
The move comes as the latest blow to Afghans living in Pakistan, with nearly 800,000 that Islamabad says were residing in the country ‘illegally’ expelled since November last year when the government launched a deportation drive that has drawn widespread criticism from international governments and rights organizations.
Pakistan began expelling illegal foreigners from Nov. 1, 2023, following a spike in bombings which the government said were carried out by Afghan nationals or by militants who crossed over into Pakistan from neighboring Afghanistan.
Islamabad has also blamed illegal Afghan immigrants and refugees for involvement in smuggling and other crimes. The Taliban government in Kabul says Pakistan’s security and other challenges are a domestic issue and cannot be blamed on the neighbor.
“I am not aware of any communication that has taken place,” Baloch said, when asked if the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had contacted Pakistan about the deadline announced for Afghan refugees living in Islamabad.
“The Ministry of Interior will share with the media the details of these Afghan nationals and their status in Pakistan.”

Topics: Pakistan foreign office PTI protest Islamabad Protest Afghan Nationals Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party

Pakistan court grants bail to journalist, critical of government, in terrorism and narcotics case

Pakistan court grants bail to journalist, critical of government, in terrorism and narcotics case
Updated 30 November 2024
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Pakistan court grants bail to journalist, critical of government, in terrorism and narcotics case

Pakistan court grants bail to journalist, critical of government, in terrorism and narcotics case
  • Matiullah Jan was arrested from outside a hospital in Islamabad where he was investigating alleged fatalities during this week’s protests
  • Jan has a history of criticizing Pakistan’s government and military, while he was also briefly detained in 2020 during ex-PM Khan’s tenure
Updated 30 November 2024
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Pakistan on Saturday granted bail to journalist Matiullah Jan, critical of the Pakistani government and military, in a terrorism and narcotics case.
Jan, a presenter for TV channel Neo News with a popular YouTube channel, was “picked up” from outside a hospital in Islamabad on Wednesday where he was investigating alleged fatalities during this week’s protests in Islamabad in support of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan, his son said.
The FIR registered against Jan included Code of Criminal Procedure’s sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to the committing of the theft), 427 (mischief causing damage), 506 (criminal intimidation) along with 7ATA (terrorism-related section) and a narcotics-related section.
On Saturday, ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who presided over the hearing of Jan’s bail petition, approved the plea against surety bonds worth Rs10,000 ($36), according to Jan’s lawyer.
“He [judge] listened to the prosecutor and to us during arguments on bail and then he granted bail while ordering to deposit surety bonds of Rs10,000,” Jan’s counsel Hadi Ali told reporters outside the court.
Jan has a history of criticizing Pakistan’s government and the powerful military establishment. He was also briefly detained by uniformed men in the middle of Khan’s four-year tenure in 2020.
Successive Pakistan governments have often been criticized by rights monitors for using overbroad anti-terrorism legislation to quash dissent.
More than 1,000 marchers were arrested over the three days of unrest in Islamabad this week, according to police.
Amnesty International said security forces used “unlawful and excessive force” on crowds, but Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told reporters on Wednesday the PTI was “lying saying people have died.”
The protesters’ main demand was the release of Khan, who has been jailed since August 2023 and snarled in a succession of legal cases he insists were orchestrated to prevent his comeback in the February 8 election.
The PTI won more seats than any other party in the vote but were shut out of power by a coalition of parties many believed to be backed by the military. The party has since staged regular protests alleging the vote was rigged, an allegation denied by authorities.

Topics: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party matiullah jan Pakistani journalists PTI protest Islamabad Protest

Ex-PM Khan party dares Pakistan government to impose governor’s rule in province it administers

Ex-PM Khan party dares Pakistan government to impose governor’s rule in province it administers
Updated 30 November 2024
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Ex-PM Khan party dares Pakistan government to impose governor’s rule in province it administers

Ex-PM Khan party dares Pakistan government to impose governor’s rule in province it administers
  • Under the governor’s rule, a provincial chief minister loses all of their administrative powers for up to six months
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government says it will resort to street protests and move courts if governor’s rule is imposed
Updated 30 November 2024
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Saturday dared the federal government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to impose governor’s rule in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, which the PTI has been ruling for the last more than 10 years.
In Pakistan, the federal government can impose the governor’s rule in a province and hand over all administrative powers to the governor, a representative of the federation, for up to six months in case the provincial government fails to tackle a “grave emergency.” Under the governor’s rule, the provincial chief minister and his cabinet lose all administrative powers and virtually stand suspended.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between the KP government, led by Khan’s party, and the federation following violent protests in Islamabad this week by PTI supporters, who sought to pressure the central government to release Khan from jail. The protests resulted in clashes that Pakistan’s government said killed three paramilitary soldiers and a police officer. The PTI says at least 20 of its supporters were killed after being shot by law enforcers, an allegation denied by authorities.
“We know the federal government is considering options to impose the governor’s rule in KP, but we warn them to refrain from this adventure,” Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, the KP government spokesperson, told Arab News.
The statement came a day after local media widely reported that a majority of members in PM Sharif’s cabinet had supported the idea of imposing the governor’s rule in KP after the Islamabad protests.
Saif said the provincial government would “react strongly” to any such move as they had “multiple options” available to deal with it, including street protests.
“We will obviously move the courts against this illegal and unconstitutional move if imposed on us,” he added.
Under Article 232 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the president can issue a proclamation of emergency if he is satisfied that “a grave emergency exists in which the security of Pakistan, or any part thereof, is threatened by war or external aggression, or by internal disturbance beyond the power of a Provincial Government to control.”
The constitution says a resolution from the provincial assembly was required for the imposition of emergency, which the KP Assembly would not pass as Khan’s PTI has a two-third majority in the house.
“If the President acts on his own, the Proclamation of Emergency shall be placed before both Houses of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) for approval by each House within ten days,” the article says.
Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of Pakistan Institution of Legislative Development (PILDAT) in Islamabad, said the coalition government of PM Sharif was in a position to impose the governor’s rule in KP as they had majority in both houses, the National Assembly and the Senate, of parliament to pass a resolution for the purpose.
“At the moment, sufficient justification is available for the federal government to declare emergency in the KP province following the violent protests in Islamabad,” he told Arab News.
As per the constitution, Mehboob said, the federal government could impose the governor’s rule only for a maximum of six months, initially for two months and then it could twice extend it for a period of two months following approval of a resolution from parliament.
He, however, urged political parties to find a political solution to the issue.
“Political forces should find out political solutions for the issues instead of invoking specific laws and articles of the constitution against each other,” he said. “This will only vitiate the ongoing political crisis in the country.”
Legal experts said the imposition of the governor’s rule in any province would ultimately be challenged in the respective high court or the Supreme Court for a final judgment.
“The imposition of the governor’s rule by the center is not a piece of cake,” advocate Sharafat Ali told Arab News. “The government has to fulfil certain legal and constitutional requirements to justify the proclamation of emergency, otherwise it would be turned down by the courts.”
In 2009, the then federal government, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party, had imposed the governor’s rule in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province to suspend the administrative powers of then chief minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, the Supreme Court had later voided the proclamation and reinstated the Sharif government in the province.
Khan’s PTI has staged several protests this year to demand the release of the ex-premier, who has been in jail since August last year on a slew of charges, as well as to challenge results of the Feb. 8 national election, which it says were manipulated to keep the party from coming to power in the country. The Pakistani government and election authorities deny this.

Topics: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party Imran Khan Ali Amin Khan Gandapur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)

13 more killed in Pakistan sectarian fighting

13 more killed in Pakistan sectarian fighting
Updated 30 November 2024
AFP
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13 more killed in Pakistan sectarian fighting

13 more killed in Pakistan sectarian fighting
  • Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country, but Kurram district has a large Shiite population and the communities have clashed for decades
  • Fresh fighting broke out last Thursday when two separate convoys of Shiite Muslims traveling under police escort were ambushed
Updated 30 November 2024
AFP

PESHAWAR: Sectarian feuding in northwest Pakistan killed 13 more people, a local government official said Saturday, as warring Sunnis and Shiites defied repeated ceasefire orders in recent conflict claiming 124 lives.
Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country, but Kurram district — in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, near the border with Afghanistan — has a large Shiite population and the communities have clashed for decades.
Fresh fighting broke out last Thursday when two separate convoys of Shiite Muslims traveling under police escort were ambushed, killing more than 40.
Since then, 10 days of fighting with light and heavy weapons has brought the region to a standstill, with major roads closed and mobile phone services cut as the death toll surged.
A Kurram local government official put the death toll at 124 on Saturday after 13 more people were killed in the past two days.
Two were Sunni and 11 Shiite, he said, whilst more than 50 people have been wounded in fresh fighting which continued Saturday morning.
“There is a severe lack of trust between the two sides, and neither tribe is willing to comply with government orders to cease hostilities,” he told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Police report that many people want to flee the area due to the violence, but the deteriorating security situation makes it impossible,” he added.
A seven-day ceasefire deal was announced by the provincial government last weekend but failed to hold. Another 10-day truce was brokered Wednesday but it also failed to stymie the fighting.
A senior security official in the provincial capital of Peshawar, also speaking anonymously, confirmed the total death toll of 124.
“There is a fear of more fatalities,” he said. “None of the provincial government’s initiated measures have been fully implemented to restore peace.”
Police have regularly struggled to control violence in Kurram, which was part of the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas until it was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 79 people had been killed in the region between July and October in sectarian clashes.
The feuding is generally rekindled by disputes over land in the rugged mountainous region, and fueled by underlying tensions between the communities adhering to different sects of Islam.

Topics: Kurram Agency kurram district

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