You are here

  • Home
  • Ex-PM Khan’s party postpones Lahore rally saying administration not granting permission

Ex-PM Khan’s party postpones Lahore rally saying administration not granting permission

Ex-PM Khan’s party postpones Lahore rally saying administration not granting permission
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) chief Imran Khan, wave flags during a rally to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Pakistan's independence day in Lahore on August 13, 2022. (AFP/File)
Short Url

https://arab.news/4r98p

Updated 26 August 2024
Follow

Ex-PM Khan’s party postpones Lahore rally saying administration not granting permission

Ex-PM Khan’s party postpones Lahore rally saying administration not granting permission
  • Last week the Islamabad chief commissioner disallowed PTI from holding Aug. 22 rally citing security threats, lack of resources
  • Islamabad rally now rescheduled for Sept. 8, PTI officials say will focus on Islamabad gathering and hold rally in Lahore afterwards 
Updated 26 August 2024
Aamir Saeed
Follow

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s party has postponed its rally in Lahore that was scheduled to be held on August 27, a party member said, adding the administration refused to grant permission for the gathering despite the Lahore High Court (LHC) directives.
This is the second setback suffered by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of the jailed former premier in less than a week. The party previously deferred its rally in Islamabad.
PTI Punjab Information Secretary Shaukat Basra told Arab News they would request the Lahore High Court for permission to hold the rally in Lahore after the Islamabad gathering.
“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will hold a public gathering in Lahore after the Islamabad rally on September 8. At the moment, we want to fully focus on Islamabad public gathering,” Basra told Arab News on Monday.
“The PTI will be filing a contempt of court petition in the Lahore High Court against the administration. We will be requesting the court for permission for a public gathering in Lahore.”
On Thursday, the PTI announced postponement of its rally in Islamabad, a day after the Islamabad chief commissioner denied permission for the event, citing security threats and a lack of resources with security agencies. The rally was initially planned for July to build pressure for Khan’s release from prison following his arrest over a year ago, but the party had rescheduled it for August 22.
The PTI has struggled to hold rallies across the country since August last year when Khan was arrested on multiple charges and subsequently convicted in four cases, all of which have since been quashed by higher courts. New cases have since been filed against Khan and he remains in prison.
The party says it is facing a state-backed crackdown and the mass arrest of its members and supporters for standing by Khan. Pakistani authorities deny this.

Topics: PTI Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Ex-PM Imran Khan

Dhaka’s National Press Club marks 76th death anniversary of Pakistan’s founder

Dhaka’s National Press Club marks 76th death anniversary of Pakistan’s founder
Updated 13 September 2024
Follow

Dhaka’s National Press Club marks 76th death anniversary of Pakistan’s founder

Dhaka’s National Press Club marks 76th death anniversary of Pakistan’s founder
  • Participants say Bangladesh would have been treated like Kashmir if it had not been part of Pakistan in 1947
  • They emphasize the need for closer relations with Pakistan and China, asking their country to honor MA Jinnah
Updated 13 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, the National Press Club in Dhaka arranged an event in remembrance of Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, to mark his 76th death anniversary with Urdu songs, poetry, and recitals this week, according to a report published by a Bangladeshi newspaper on Thursday.
The tribute to Jinnah comes at a time of profound political change in Bangladesh, where just weeks ago, a student-led protest toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s government, marking the end of her 15-year rule.
The unrest led to the toppling of statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding father and Wajid’s father, amidst widespread dissatisfaction with his daughter’s increasingly autocratic governance.
The event in remembrance of Pakistan’s founding leader is particularly striking, given Bangladesh’s historical resentment toward Pakistan over the events of the 1971 independence war, signaling a re-evaluation of the country’s political and historical narratives, driven by a turbulent domestic environment and evolving sentiments toward its neighbors.
“If Bangladesh had not been part of Pakistan in 1947, we would have been in the same position as Kashmir today, with the Indian junta holding weapons to our necks,” one of the speakers identified as Muhammad Samsuddin was quoted as saying by the newspaper. “Bangladesh gained independence because of Pakistan, which Jinnah helped create.”
“Why should we change the name of Allama Iqbal Hall or Jinnah Avenue,” he asked. “These changes were made because [New] Delhi wanted them, but we did not. Bangladesh must foster strong relations with China and Pakistan.”
Another speaker, Nazrul Islam, said Bangladesh should continue to have good relations with Pakistan.
“If Jinnah had not been there, Pakistan would not have existed, and without Pakistan, Bangladesh would not exist,” he continued. “Jinnah is the father of our nation, but we do not acknowledge it.”
“We must preserve our brotherhood, and I hope that both Jinnah’s birth and death anniversaries will continue to be observed here every year,” he added.
The Bangladeshi newspaper informed the Pakistani high commissioner was invited to the event, though he could not attend the ceremony and sent his deputy.
Two Pakistani students studying in Bangladesh were present at the gathering and performed Urdu songs dedicated to their country’s founding father.
 

Topics: National Press Club National Press Club Dhaka Pakistan Bangladesh Ties Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Pakistan’s army chief vows support to police amid rising militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan’s army chief vows support to police amid rising militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Updated 13 September 2024
Follow

Pakistan’s army chief vows support to police amid rising militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan’s army chief vows support to police amid rising militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  • Militant factions have relentlessly targeted the cops in the province, leading to police protests in KP
  • General Munir vows to maintain ‘the hard-earned peace’ during his visit to the Orakzai tribal district
Updated 13 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir praised the police and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province during a visit to the Orakzai tribal district on Friday, vowing to provide all possible support to them in performing their duties.

The army chief’s visit comes at a time when militant factions operating in the area have relentlessly targeted the police, killing over 75 of them since the beginning of the year, leading to protests by law enforcement personnel in various parts of the province against these killings.

Security in the region 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 in the area.

The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), informed General Munir received a briefing on the security situation in the area along with the ongoing intelligence-based counterterrorism operations that have been undertaken to ensure stability in the restive tribal district.

“Pak Army will continue to provide all out support to KPK Police and other LEAs in enabling them to perform their duties in newly merged districts,” the army chief said, referring to the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan that were integrated into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa nearly six years ago.

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir (left in first row) receives briefing on the security situation during his visit to the Orakzai tribal district, Pakistan, on September 13, 2024. (ISPR)

He paid tribute to all the uniformed personnel of the police and security forces who had laid down their lives while performing their duties, saying “the hard-earned peace” achieved through their sacrifices would be maintained at all costs.

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir (right) interacts with troops in Orakzai tribal district, Pakistan, on September 13, 2024. (ISPR)

The army chief also appreciated the support of the local population in assisting the security forces with their efforts, noting that their positive role was essential in sustaining peace in the region.

Earlier, General Munir laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial and interacted with troops in Orakzai who had participated in recent counterterrorism operations in the area.

Topics: Pakistan army chief Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan stocks rally after policy rate cut, positive developments on IMF front

Pakistan stocks rally after policy rate cut, positive developments on IMF front
Updated 13 September 2024
Follow

Pakistan stocks rally after policy rate cut, positive developments on IMF front

Pakistan stocks rally after policy rate cut, positive developments on IMF front
  • The benchmark KSE-100 index rose by more than 800 on Friday morning
  • It declined in the afternoon session to close at 79,333, up by 315 points
Updated 13 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday rallied by more than 300 points, according to the PSX website, following a policy rate cut by the central bank and positive developments with regard to the country’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

The benchmark KSE-100 index rose by more than 800 on Friday morning, but declined in the afternoon trading session to close at 79,333, up by 315 points.

A day earlier, the central bank cut its key policy rate by 200 basis points to 17.5 percent — the third straight reduction since June as the country looks to spur growth as inflation eases.

“The MPC assessed the real interest rate to still be adequately positive to bring inflation down to the medium-term target of 5–7 percent and help ensure macroeconomic stability,” the State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee said in a statement, announcing the cut.

“This would be essential to achieve sustainable economic growth over the medium term.”

Separately, the IMF said its board would meet at the end of this month to discuss Pakistan’s new $7 billion bailout program that was agreed in July.

“All matters with the IMF have been settled amicably,” Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said in a statement on Thursday. “These matters will be finalized in the meeting of the IMF board this month.”

Pakistan’s sovereign dollar bonds also rallied on Thursday, with the 2031 maturity trading 1 cent higher to bid at 79.93 cents on the dollar, according to Tradeweb data.

Topics: Pakistan Pakistan IMF Ties Pakistan Stock Exchange

Pakistan steps up health security at Karachi airports after fifth mpox case

Pakistan steps up health security at Karachi airports after fifth mpox case
Updated 13 September 2024
Follow

Pakistan steps up health security at Karachi airports after fifth mpox case

Pakistan steps up health security at Karachi airports after fifth mpox case
  • Border Health Services at Jinnah International screened 146,722 passengers during the month of August
  • The airport authority disinfects immigration and lounge areas after international flights two to three times
Updated 13 September 2024
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has bolstered health security measures at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, one of the busiest in the country, to prevent the spread of the mpox virus, an official statement said on Friday, following the confirmation of the fifth case of the disease earlier this week.

Mpox, a viral disease causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, has prompted global concern, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring it a public health emergency on August 14. A new strain of the virus, which first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has since spread to several countries, leading to increased monitoring and preventive measures worldwide.

Pakistani health authorities have also maintained they have implemented stringent screening protocols at airports and border entry points to prevent the spread of the disease. However, local media reported this week the latest mpox case had gone undetected at Islamabad airport, and the patient on an international flight had continued to travel to the nearby province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“The number of Border Health Services staff at Jinnah International has been increased,” the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), headquartered in Karachi, announced in its statement. “Two doctors will now be on duty instead of one.”

It said the number of medical assistants had also been increased from five, and at least eight to ten of them will be deployed for duty at the airport.

“During August, 146,722 passengers were screened at Jinnah International,” the statement added. “Since the monitoring began, only one passenger was found to be a suspect on August 31.”

The PAA informed that disinfectant spraying is carried out two to three times in the immigration and lounge areas after every international flight.

It added that additional cabins have also been installed for the screening and isolation of suspected passengers.

“Awareness stands have been placed in the international arrivals walkway area at Jinnah International,” the statement said, adding that additional mpox awareness sessions have also been introduced at the airport’s resource center.

Speaking to Arab News earlier this week, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s health ministry, Sajid Hussain Shah, said the country’s Border Health Services were fully equipped to screen mpox patients.

“Four of five mpox cases were detected by health officials after screening suspects at different airports,” he said, adding it usually takes ten to twelve days to develop symptoms, making it possible for a patient to occasionally slip through the scanning process and develop symptoms later.

“Our Border Health Services officials have been following WHO guidelines at all airports and borders to screen and scan passengers for the disease,” he added.

Topics: MPOX Karachi Pakistan Monkeypox

Military-opposition standoff threatens Pakistan’s stability

Military-opposition standoff threatens Pakistan’s stability
Updated 13 September 2024
AFP
Follow

Military-opposition standoff threatens Pakistan’s stability

Military-opposition standoff threatens Pakistan’s stability
  • Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has been sparring with the military since Khan was deposed two years ago
  • The confrontation come to a head after the former cricket star’s first arrest on graft charges in May 2023
Updated 13 September 2024
AFP

ISLAMABAD: After Pakistan police stormed parliament’s premises to arrest several opposition lawmakers on terrorism charges, analysts say a standoff between former prime minister Imran Khan’s party and the country’s powerful military threatens to reduce politics to a clash between the two sides.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party staged a rare demonstration in the capital Islamabad this week, the largest since the former cricketer was jailed last year.
Shortly after the rally, police cut power to the parliament compound and plainclothes officers forced their way in, where PTI lawmakers were taking refuge to avoid possible arrest.
“It is increasingly becoming a clash between the opposition and the military,” political analyst Zahid Hussain told AFP.
“The way lawmakers were arrested will further escalate the politics of confrontation... it will further polarize the country,” he added.
“This approach is creating a dangerously unstable situation.”
PTI has been sparring with the military since Khan was deposed two years ago.
The confrontation come to a head after the former cricket star’s first arrest on corruption charges in May 2023.
His supporters waged days of sometimes violent protests and attacked military installations, sparking a sweeping crackdown on the PTI led by the army — Pakistan’s most powerful institution.
But the clampdown failed to diminish Khan’s popularity and candidates backed by the former premier won the most seats in 2024 polls — marred by allegations of widespread rigging.
A coalition government was cobbled together at the eleventh hour to stop PTI from returning to power, with the army-backed Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) taking control of the nation of over 240 million people.
The standoff has birthed an unprecedented backlash against the military, particularly among Pakistan’s social media-savvy youth who overwhelmingly support Khan.
“This is a particularly nasty confrontation in the sense that Khan has been unusually withering and personal in his criticism of the army,” said Michael Kugelman, a Pakistan specialist at the US-based Wilson Center.
Khan rose to power in 2018 with military support but was removed in 2022 after a fallout with the generals.
He was banned from the February elections, and while three of his convictions have been partially overturned on appeal, remains in prison on other charges.
The military “is unable to dissipate the anger the anxiety among people and reduce support for Khan,” military analyst and author Ayesha Siddiqa told AFP.
“There is nothing to indicate the situation will improve.”
Analysts say the military — which has ruled the nation for nearly half its history and pulls the strings even when not governing — barred several social media platforms to restrict pro-Khan messaging ahead of the elections.
Social media platform X has been banned since the polls when it was used to air allegations of rigging, and Internet disruptions have been ongoing for the past month.
Authorities in July also raided PTI’s headquarters in Islamabad over alleged “anti-state digital campaigns.” The military said it is battling so-called “digital terrorism.”
Kugelman said that while the military has imprisoned Khan and his allies — tactics it has employed successfully against past opponents — widespread Internet availability and soaring social media usage in Pakistan means “it’s not as easy for the army as it used to be.”
There are online “bastions of dissent,” where Khan’s supporters continue their standoff with the military.
An ongoing economic crisis has sent prices soaring and the government running to the International Monetary Fund for assistance, while militant groups have made a resurgence, meaning Pakistan is stretched in several directions.
“One of the most practical consequences of this ongoing confrontation is that other policy challenges, urgent policy challenges are being overlooked,” Kugelman said.
However, analysts say Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lacks the capacity to initiate dialogue with Khan, who has accused the coalition government of operating with a stolen mandate.
“It’s a political existential issue,” political analyst Rasul Baksh Rais told AFP.
“The government’s political survival lies in its current actions, while the PTI’s survival depends on its resistance.”

Topics: Pakistan Army PTI Imran Khan National Assembly Arab News Pakistan

Latest updates

Jordan’s Safadi and EU’s Borrell meet in Madrid to discuss Palestinian statehood
Jordan’s Safadi and EU’s Borrell meet in Madrid to discuss Palestinian statehood
Spain hosts meeting on Israel-Palestinian two-state solution
Spain hosts meeting on Israel-Palestinian two-state solution
Toronto festival drops Russian war film screenings over threats
Toronto festival drops Russian war film screenings over threats
Former DG of Public Security sentenced to prison, fined SR1m for forgery and bribery crimes
Former DG of Public Security sentenced to prison, fined SR1m for forgery and bribery crimes
Guardiola ‘happy’ Man City hearing finally set to start
Guardiola ‘happy’ Man City hearing finally set to start

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2024 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.