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Islamabad police dismiss three cops for harassment, illegal detention of couple

Islamabad police dismiss three cops for harassment, illegal detention of couple
In this file photograph, taken and released by the Islamabad Police on September 3, 2024, security officials check vehicles entering the Red Zone of Pakistan’s federal capital. (Photo courtesy: Islamabad Police)
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Updated 4 min 27 sec ago
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Islamabad police dismiss three cops for harassment, illegal detention of couple

Islamabad police dismiss three cops for harassment, illegal detention of couple
  • A police team humiliated and harassed the couple as well as demanded bribe from them after they failed to provide a marriage certificate
  • Last year, Transparency International Pakistan's National Corruption Perception Survey identified police as the 'most corrupt institution'
Updated 4 min 27 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR
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ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad police have dismissed three cops for harassing, blackmailing and illegally detaining a married couple who was visiting a picnic spot in Pakistan's federal capital, a police spokesman said on Sunday.
The couple was en route to Shahdara picnic spot this month and were stopped by a police mobile team in the jurisdiction of the Bharakahu police station, which asked for their marriage certificate. The policemen on duty humiliated and harassed the couple and demanded bribe after they failed to furnish the marriage certificate, according to Islamabad police spokesman Jawad Taqi.
Police constables Asfand Ayaz, Nayab and Sami Ullah separated the woman from her husband and sat her in a police vehicle, where one officer harassed her and took her phone number. Later, another constable, Naimatullah Baloch, repeatedly contacted her on her phone and threatened her for refusing his demands. The couple lodged a complaint with Islamabad's deputy inspector-general for operations and an inquiry confirmed the officers' misconduct.
“As soon as the complaint was lodged, the SSP [senior superintendent of police] investigated the matter and after a thorough inquiry, the three officers involved were terminated from their jobs this week,” Taqi told Arab News on Sunday.
To ensure internal accountability, the spokesman shared, the Islamabad police had a dedicated department, called the Internal Accountability Unit, within the office of the Islamabad police chief.
“Additionally, there is a separate IG [Inspector-General] Islamabad helpline 1715, where complaints against the police can be made in case of any misconduct,” he added.
Taqi emphasized the importance of a proper self-accountability mechanism to ensure that “any individuals damaging the institution's reputation or abusing their authority are held accountable through departmental procedures.”
In a separate case last month, Asim Zaidi, in-charge of the Sangjani police station in Islamabad, was arrested over illegal detention of two citizens, Muhammad Saeed and Shahbaz, for 19 days, without any charges, according to the Islamabad police. The illegal detention came to light after families of the detainees approached a local court. A police inquiry revealed that a case filed by Zaidi against the detainees was "delayed and improper."
In Pakistan, police harassment of citizens has been a pressing issue for years, with numerous reports of citizens facing mistreatment, abuse and unlawful detention. According to the National Corruption Perception Survey 2023 conducted by the Transparency International Pakistan (TIP), police were the "most corrupt institution" in the South Asian country.

Topics: islamabad police

Attack on foreign diplomats’ convoy in Pakistan kills police officer, police say

Attack on foreign diplomats’ convoy in Pakistan kills police officer, police say
Updated 10 min 25 sec ago
Reuters
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Attack on foreign diplomats’ convoy in Pakistan kills police officer, police say

Attack on foreign diplomats’ convoy in Pakistan kills police officer, police say
  • Another four police officers were wounded in the attack, official says
  • All diplomats were safe and were heading back to capital Islamabad
Updated 10 min 25 sec ago
Reuters

PESHAWAR: A roadside bomb hit a convoy of foreign diplomats visiting northwest Pakistan on Sunday, killing a police officer in their security detail, police said.
Swat district police officer Zahidullah Khan said the diplomats were visiting the Swat valley area on the invitation of local chamber of commerce.
“The squad that was leading the convoy was hit by a roadside bomb,” he said.
Another four police officers were wounded, Khan said.
All the nearly dozen diplomats were safe and were heading back to Islamabad, police said.
“All the ambassadors remained safe in the attack and had been shifted to a safe place before their departure to Islamabad,” Deputy Inspector General of police Mohammad Ali Gandapur told Reuters.
The nationality of the diplomats was not immediately clear. A Pakistani foreign office spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.
No one claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pakistani counter-terrorist forces maintain a strong presence in the Swat valley, which has long been a hotbed of Islamist militant insurgency. The militants have stepped up their attacks since late 2022 after breaking a ceasefire with the government.
In 2012, Islamist militants shot and wounded Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai in the valley.

Saudi embassy holds cultural exhibition in Lahore to mark Kingdom’s 94th National Day

Saudi embassy holds cultural exhibition in Lahore to mark Kingdom’s 94th National Day
Updated 45 min 48 sec ago
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Saudi embassy holds cultural exhibition in Lahore to mark Kingdom’s 94th National Day

Saudi embassy holds cultural exhibition in Lahore to mark Kingdom’s 94th National Day
  • The Saudi National Day is celebrated each year on September 23 to commemorate the proclamation of the Kingdom in 1932 by King Abdulaziz
  • The Lahore event was attended by Saudi ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan and other dignitaries
Updated 45 min 48 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Pakistan said on Sunday it had held an exhibition in Pakistan’s cultural heart of Lahore to celebrate the Kingdom’s 94th National Day.
The Saudi National Day is celebrated each year on September 23 to commemorate the proclamation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 by King Abdulaziz.
The Saudi National Day event in Lahore included an exhibition of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, which was attended by Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan and other dignitaries.
“Pakistani brothers showed their presence and feelings of love with us [at the event],” the Saudi embassy said on X.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong economic, defense and religious ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top source of remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
Saudi Arabia has also often come to cash-strapped Pakistan’s aid by regularly providing it oil on deferred payments and offering direct financial support to help stabilize its economy and shore up its forex reserves.
“Saudi Arabia supported Pakistan in difficult circumstances and stood by Pakistan in every hour of need,” Governor Khan said, highlighting the strong ties between the two counties.

Topics: 94th Saudi National Day Pakistan Saudi Ties

Three counter-terrorism officials killed in militant attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Three counter-terrorism officials killed in militant attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan
Updated 22 September 2024
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Three counter-terrorism officials killed in militant attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan

Three counter-terrorism officials killed in militant attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan
  • Militant ambushed an Anti-Terrorist Force vehicle in Balochistan’s Zhob district late on Saturday night
  • Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has been the site of a decades-long separatist insurgency
Updated 22 September 2024
Saadullah Akhtar

QUETTA: Unidentified militants attacked a vehicle of the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) and killed three officials in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, a senior police official said on Sunday.
Pakistan’s largest province of Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan and is home to major China-led projects such as a strategic port and a gold and copper mine, has been the site of a decades-long separatist insurgency by ethnic Baloch militants.
The militants ambushed the ATF vehicle in Zhob, a remote district bordering the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, late on Saturday night, according to Superintendent of Police Saboor Agha. The ATF members were en route to Dera Ismail Khan after handing over a prisoner to authorities in Zhob.
“One soldier was killed at the ambush site, while two others succumbed to gunshot wounds on their to provincial headquarters of Quetta,” SP Agha told Arab News. “A fourth soldier injured in the attack is being treated in Quetta.”
Saturday’s attack occurred on the Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan highway close to Balochistan’s border with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where militants, particularly from the Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have intensified attacks against security forces in recent months.
Last month, separatist militants hit several civil and military targets in a string of coordinated attacks in Balochistan, killing more than 50 people. The attacks prompted Pakistani military to gun down a dozen militants in separate operations in the province.
The separatists accuse the central government of exploiting Balochistan’s mineral and gas resources. The Pakistani state denies the allegation and says it is working to uplift the region through development initiatives.
Islamabad says militants mainly associated with the banned TTP frequently launch attacks from Afghanistan and has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for facilitating anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies the charges.

Topics: Balochistan Attacks Zhob

PCB announces ‘Connection Camp’ to restore Pakistan cricket to former glory

PCB announces ‘Connection Camp’ to restore Pakistan cricket to former glory
Updated 22 September 2024
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PCB announces ‘Connection Camp’ to restore Pakistan cricket to former glory

PCB announces ‘Connection Camp’ to restore Pakistan cricket to former glory
  • PCB chairman to lead camp’s meeting on Monday with cricketers including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and coaching staff
  • Development takes place after Pakistan suffered a string of humiliating losses, most recently a 2-0 Test series loss to Bangladesh
Updated 22 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that its Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will head a high-level “Connection Camp” on Monday that will feature the country’s elite cricketers and coaching staff aimed at restoring the country’s cricket to its former glory.

The camp, which will be held at a local hotel, will bring together Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Test captain Shan Masood. They will also be joined by national team head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood and high performance specialist David Reid.

The development takes place with fans and critics alarmed at the state of affairs of the sport in the country. Since 2023, Pakistan has lost to Afghanistan, Ireland, United States and Bangladesh in all three formats of the game. 

The green shirts were whitewashed 2-0 by Bangladesh earlier this month. Pakistan have not won a single Test match at home since December 2021, leading many to wonder whether the sport is headed for a certain decline in the country. 

“The Connection Camp is a critical step toward unifying our approach to restore Pakistan cricket to its former glory,” Naqvi said in a statement. “Our aim is to identify key issues, foster open dialogue and collectively agree on a strategic path forward.”

The session will focus on fostering stronger collaboration between players and the PCB, the board said, adding it will reaffirm its commitment to supporting players in meeting strategic goals. 

“The ultimate aim is for players to take a leading role in inspiring the next generation of cricketers through outstanding performances,” it said. 

Masood said the discussions will help the cricketers set a strong course for the future. The Pakistani Test skipper said he was excited to be a part of this collaborative effort.

“The outcomes of the session will include performance benchmarks, player development programs and strategies to enhance grassroots cricket,” he said. 

Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Gillespie described the camp as a “valuable opportunity” for open dialogue and alignment between the coaching staff and players. 

“We’re all striving toward the same goal— raising the standard of Pakistan cricket and creating a culture of winning,” he said. 

Kirsten noted it was his responsibility to provide the best environment where players thrive. 

“We will focus on refining our approach in white-ball cricket to meet the standards of the highest levels of international competition,” he said. 

While critics and experts have pointed to a lack of quality pitches and infrastructure in the country for Pakistan’s lackluster performances, many blame frequent changes in the PCB’s management in the past year and a lack of unity in the team for the poor performances. 

Topics: Pakistan Cricket Board

Pakistan police arrest six women in Karachi for using hypnosis to rob people 

Pakistan police arrest six women in Karachi for using hypnosis to rob people 
Updated 22 September 2024
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Pakistan police arrest six women in Karachi for using hypnosis to rob people 

Pakistan police arrest six women in Karachi for using hypnosis to rob people 
  • Police say inter-provincial gang has conducted robberies in Lahore, Sukkur, Hyderabad and Karachi cities 
  • Numerous cases have been reported in Karachi in the past where victims claimed they were hypnotized
Updated 22 September 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Pakistani police arrested a gang of six suspected female robbers in the southern port city of Karachi on Sunday, accusing them of using hypnosis to rob their victims. 

Dr. Uzair Ahmed, the senior superintendent of police for investigation in the city’s Malir district, disclosed that the inter-provincial gang of women had previously committed robberies in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Lahore and other cities of Punjab by hypnotizing their victims. 

While the scientific validity of hypnosis as a crime-inducing tool is often debated, numerous cases have been reported in Karachi in the past where victims have claimed to have been hypnotized before being robbed.

“We have arrested a gang leader and five other women for looting citizens while using hypnosis to manipulate them,” Dr. Ahmed told Arab News. 

He said the remaining members of the 25-member gang are still at large. 

“The modus operandi of the gang was that they would come to Karachi, stay in low-priced hotels in downtown Saddar, conduct robberies in various parts of the city and then return to their homes in Punjab,” Dr. Ahmed revealed.

He said the women would enter people’s homes by using various excuses, often asking for jobs or offering to sew clothes. 

“Once inside, the gang leader, an expert in hypnosis, would engage the women while others would loot them,” the police officer said.

He said the gang also had male members, whose job was to provide logistics and transportation to the women.

The arrested women have been identified as Sahiba alias Hina, Babli Maqbool, Kaneez Fareed, Sahiba Fatma, Lubna Shah, and Salman Hussain. Police said they had recovered Rs4 million [$14,418] from their possession.

“Two families of victims have also identified these women,” Dr. Ahmed said.

Various robberies over the years have been reported from Karachi in which the victims claimed they were hypnotized before robbers made away with their valuable items. 

Last year, a shopkeeper in Karachi said he was hypnotized and robbed on the city’s busy Burns Road. The suspect was later arrested and charged with the crime. 

In another incident reported from the port city in 2021, a man was robbed of Rs 3.5 million [$12,616] after being hypnotized in the city’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. 

Topics: hypnosis Robbery police Karachi Police

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