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Former Pakistan PM Khan’s wife released on bail after nine months of incarceration

Update Former Pakistan PM Khan’s wife released on bail after nine months of incarceration
People look a convey carrying Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan's imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, leave following her release from prison a day after a court granted her bail in a graft case, in Rawalpindi on October 24, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 24 October 2024
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Former Pakistan PM Khan’s wife released on bail after nine months of incarceration

Former Pakistan PM Khan’s wife released on bail after nine months of incarceration
  • Bushra Bibi released from prison after securing bail in case related to sale of state gifts 
  • Rawalpindi prison authorities allow Imran Khan to meet lawyers in jail on court’s directions
Updated 24 October 2024
Aamir Saeed
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ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, was released from the central prison in Rawalpindi on Thursday a day after being granted bail in a case related to the sale of state gifts, ending nine months of her detention while her husband met his legal team in jail on the high court’s directions.
Bibi was released from jail after spending 265 days in the case after the Islamabad High Court granted her bail on Wednesday. Her release also takes place six months after an appeals court suspended a 14-year sentence the couple received after being found guilty of retaining and selling state gifts in violation of government rules when Khan was Pakistan’s prime minister. 
The former prime minister and his wife, however, were charged in July with new counts of retaining state gifts and kept in detention pending trial. Both deny any wrongdoing.
“Bushra BiBi, the former first lady, has been released from prison,” Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said in a statement. 
Following her release, Bibi traveled to her residence in Islamabad’s Bani Gala area in a motorcade from the jail, where she was greeted by the party’s charged supporters.
KHAN MEETS LAWYERS IN PRISON
Earlier on Thursday, the IHC directed Central Prison Rawalpindi’s administration to produce Khan in court by 3:00 p.m. to facilitate a meeting with his lawyers.
“Bring Imran Khan to Islamabad High Court at 3 p.m. to arrange his meeting with his lawyers,” Justice Ijaz Ishaq Khan remarked during a hearing. “I know you won’t implement my orders, but let me issue directions.”
The development followed Khan’s legal team moving the court, complaining that prison officials were preventing them and the ex-premier’s family from meeting him. Khan has been imprisoned for over a year, facing various charges, including corruption and sedition.
The prison authorities did not present Khan before the court by 3 p.m. but allowed the PTI founder to meet his lawyers at the Rawalpindi prison. 
“Imran Khan is being kept in a six by eight cell [in the jail] and taken out of that cage for an hour and a half,” advocate Faisal Fareed told reporters after meeting Khan with PTI secretary-general Salman Akram Raja.
Fareed said he would file a petition in the high court regarding the dismal condition in which Khan was being kept in jail. 
Currently, the former prime minister is incarcerated in the state repository case, involving the possession of a jewelry set comprising a ring, bracelet, necklace and earrings gifted to his wife by a foreign dignitary. The couple allegedly undervalued the set and retained it at a lower price.
The judge’s remark to produce Khan in court came amid an ongoing tussle between the executive and the judiciary, with the latter accusing the country’s powerful military and intelligence agencies of exerting pressure to secure favorable verdicts in political cases, particularly those involving Khan.
The military and intelligence agencies have denied these allegations, maintaining that they do not interfere in political matters.
Khan has not physically appeared in a court since August last year, with all hearings being held in the high-security Rawalpindi prison due to security concerns.
For the last two weeks, the Punjab government has banned all meetings with Khan and other prisoners in the jail, citing security reasons.
Khan’s legal team has struggled to secure his release, arguing that all charges against him are fabricated to keep him out of politics.

Topics: PTI islamabad high court Imran Khan Islamabad High Court (IHC) Bushra Bibi

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Pakistani actor Fawad Khan signs up for two dark comedy, crime thriller projects

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan signs up for two dark comedy, crime thriller projects
Updated 57 sec ago
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Pakistani actor Fawad Khan signs up for two dark comedy, crime thriller projects

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan signs up for two dark comedy, crime thriller projects
  • Khan to essay key role in a crime drama series based on Omar Shahid’s “The Prisoner”
  • Actor enjoys heartthrob status in both India and Pakistan after string of successful hits
Updated 57 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani superstar Fawad Khan has ventured into two new upcoming projects, a crime thriller series and a dark comedy film, renowned American magazine Variety reported this week. 
Khan enjoys heartthrob status in both Pakistan and India and has played the lead in Bollywood hits “Khoobsurat” (2014) and “Kapoor & Sons” (2016). He also starred in “Ms. Marvel” (2022) and “The Legend of Maula Jatt” (2022), Pakistan’s biggest hit of all time. 
“Behind the Scenes, a newsroom thriller, is being developed by producers Bilal Sami, Raza Namazi and Suri Gopalan of Film Lab++, in collaboration with Khan,” Variety reported on Tuesday, adding that the announcement was made at the Tasveer Film Market in Seattle. 
The dark comedy will feature Mehreen Jabbar (Jackson Heights), Sarmad Khoosat (Joyland) and Mohammed Ali Naqvi (Insha’Allah Democracy) behind the camera, Variety said. 
Khan’s second project is a crime thriller series for the production company Awedacious Originals. The series is based on Omar Shahid’s bestseller, “The Prisoner,” in which he will play one of two daring cops who embark on a covert mission to topple Karachi’s powerful mafia-like political party.
The drama has been created by Parisa Siddiqi and Ahmer Khan. 
Khan was last seen as the lead of the hit Zindagi series “Barzakh,” which debuted at Series Mania in 2023.

Topics: Fawad Khan

Smith, late wickets rescue England in third Pakistan Test

Smith, late wickets rescue England in third Pakistan Test
Updated 9 min 23 sec ago
AFP
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Smith, late wickets rescue England in third Pakistan Test

Smith, late wickets rescue England in third Pakistan Test
  • England fight back to reduce Pakistan to 73-3 after being bowled out for 267
  • Thirteen wickets fell on day one of dry and spin-friendly pitch at Rawalpindi
Updated 9 min 23 sec ago
AFP

RAWALPINDI: England fought back to reduce Pakistan to 73-3 on the first day of the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi Thursday, after off-spinner Sajid Khan took six wickets.
Sajid finished with 6-128 and left-arm spinner Noman Ali took 3-88 after a rearguard 89 by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith enabled England to recover to 267 from a precarious 110-5 at lunch.
At the close, Pakistan captain Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel were both unbeaten on 16, with the home team trailing by 194 and the match in the balance.
On a dry and spin-friendly Rawalpindi pitch, 13 wickets fell on day one with all but one going to spin bowlers.
In the final session, England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir dismissed Abdullah Shafique for 14 and left-armer Jack Leach accounted for Saim Ayub who had made 19.
Gus Atkinson was the only fast bowler to take a wicket, dismissing Kamran Ghulam for three.
“The pitch helped us for the first 25 overs, but when the ball got softer it was difficult to spin the ball,” said Sajid, who took nine wickets in the second Test victory in Multan.
“Smith played a brilliant knock otherwise we could have got them out for under 200. We need a good first-innings lead to win this Test,” admitted Sajid.
England were in huge trouble at 118-6 after they lost captain Ben Stokes in the third over of the second session, caught by Sajid for 12.
But Smith, who reached his fifty off 94 balls, and Atkinson (39) added 105 for the seventh wicket to rescue their side.
Smith fell 11 runs short of his second Test century after enabling England to add 149 for their last four wickets.
Smith smashed six towering sixes and five fours in his 119-ball knock before he was caught off a miscued slog against spinner Zahid Mahmood in the last over before tea.
“I want to be someone who does well in all conditions, not just at home,” said Smith, who is playing his first Test series overseas.
“To come out here and to put in that performance is quite pleasing.”
After tea, Sajid removed Rehan Ahmed for nine to complete his third five-wicket haul before also dismissing Leach for 16.
The morning session was dominated by second Test heroes Sajid and Noman who bowled unchanged for 42 overs at the start of England’s innings.
After England won the toss and opted to bat, Pakistan opened with the spin duo, who benefited from the parched pitch offering turn and low bounce from the first ball.
It was only the fourth time in Test cricket history the new ball on the first morning had been taken by two spinners and the first time in Pakistan.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett raced to 56 in a confident start but England lost Crawley (29), Ollie Pope (three) and Joe Root (five) for just 24 runs to be 80-3.
Noman had Crawley caught off a miscued drive while Sajid removed Pope and Root leg before.
Duckett, who completed a half-century off 76 balls, was trapped lbw by Noman for 52 after hitting four fours and a six to leave England 98-4.
That became 98-5 five balls later when first Test triple centurion Harry Brook was bowled behind his legs by Sajid for five attempting a sweep.
Both teams included three spinners on a grassless pitch which the hosts dried with fans and heaters in the build-up.
Sajid and Noman shared all 20 wickets in Pakistan’s second Test win to level the series at 1-1 after England won the first by an innings, with both matches taking place in Multan.

Topics: Rawalpindi Test Pakistan vs England

Pakistan’s power minister explores energy cooperation with China, Iran at BRI conference

Pakistan’s power minister explores energy cooperation with China, Iran at BRI conference
Updated 24 October 2024
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Pakistan’s power minister explores energy cooperation with China, Iran at BRI conference

Pakistan’s power minister explores energy cooperation with China, Iran at BRI conference
  • Awais Leghari meets Iran’s power minister, senior officials of Power China and China Energy at sidelines of conference
  • Leghari discusses cross-border collaboration with Iranian counterpart, improving dispatch and power transmission system
Updated 24 October 2024
Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari on Thursday met his counterpart from Iran and Chinese energy officials to discuss cross-border collaboration and energy cooperation, the Power Division said in a statement. 
Pakistan has suffered from a prolonged energy crisis that stems largely from a gap in the energy the country’s energy supplies and electricity demand. 
Cash-strapped Pakistan lacks adequate resources to run its oil- and gas-powered plants and imports most of its energy needs. The country’s energy crisis has taken a toll on its economy as it struggles with a chronic balance of payments crisis, inflation and currency devaluation.
Leghari met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Ali Abadi on the sidelines of the Third Belt & Road Ministerial Conference held in Qingdao, China. 
“Minister Awais Leghari underscored the importance of cross-border energy projects in boosting connectivity and trade,” the Power Division said. “Both sides discussed future collaboration, particularly focusing on the development of electricity projects in Gwadar, Balochistan.”
Both stressed the importance of strengthening energy cooperation in power plant operations and maintenance, the statement said, adding that they emphasized the need for regular coordination and communication.
Separately, Leghari held separate meetings with Yao Huan, vice president of Power China and Ni Zhen, the general manager of Energy China, in Qingdao. 
“Recalling historic visit of Premier Li Qiang to Pakistan, Minister for Power conveyed Pakistan’s desire to modernize power dispatch and transmission systems, aimed at cutting lines and other losses,” the Power Division said. 
In the meeting with Huan, both sides discussed establishing a state-of-the-art research and development center in Pakistan to facilitate the integration of advanced technologies and best practices into the country’s energy framework.
With Zhen, both representatives discussed enhancing the energy mix and advancing new technologies into power generation and dispatch systems, the Power Division said.

Topics: Pakistan China Ties China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Pakistan army chief witnesses Indus Shield 2024 aerial exercise involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt

Pakistan army chief witnesses Indus Shield 2024 aerial exercise involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt
Updated 24 October 2024
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Pakistan army chief witnesses Indus Shield 2024 aerial exercise involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt

Pakistan army chief witnesses Indus Shield 2024 aerial exercise involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt
  • Air forces from 24 countries are taking part in region’s biggest aerial warfare exercise, says military’s media wing
  • Pakistan’s army chief expresses satisfaction over national air force’s combat readiness, stresses inter-service collaboration
Updated 24 October 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir on Thursday witnessed the Indus Shield regional aerial warfare exercises in Rawalpindi, the military’s media wing said, expressing satisfaction over the national air force’s combat readiness and modernization. 
Indus Shield-2024 is the largest multinational regional exercise in which air forces from 24 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkiye and others are taking part. The exercise aims to foster interoperability and training through state-of-the-art facilities. 
Pakistan frequently holds exercise drills with its regional allies, including those from the Middle East, to strengthen defense ties and bolster regional security. 
“COAS expressed his satisfaction over the combat readiness of Pakistan Air Force and the progress made through various modernization and up-gradation programs,” the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. 

In this handout photograph, taken and released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on October 24, 2024, Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir watches aerial exercise during the Indus Shield-2024 in Rawalpindi. (Photo courtesy: ISPR)

Munir was briefed about the PAF’s modernization efforts to stay abreast with security challenges, the ISPR said, adding that he also witnessed exercise operations with the static display of various technologies.
“COAS also interacted with the aircrew and appreciated the resolve of PAF personnel to safeguard the aerial frontiers of Pakistan,” the ISPR said. “He emphasized the critical role of inter-service collaboration, which he believes is essential for achieving operational success.”

In this handout photograph, taken and released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on October 24, 2024, Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir meets security personnel at the Indus Shield-2024 in Rawalpindi. (Photo courtesy: ISPR)

Air Chief Marshal Sidhu briefed Munir about the modernization and indigenization drive being undertaken by the PAF by inducting state-of-the-art weapons.
“While speaking at the occasion, the air chief highlighted that the ongoing exercise Indus Shield-2024 will go a long way in bolstering interoperability among the participating nations and will train their air & ground crews to face contemporary warfare challenges,” the military’s media wing concluded.

Topics: Pakistan Army ISPR

‘Fake news’ of Pakistan rape ignites real protest movement

‘Fake news’ of Pakistan rape ignites real protest movement
Updated 24 October 2024
AFP
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‘Fake news’ of Pakistan rape ignites real protest movement

‘Fake news’ of Pakistan rape ignites real protest movement
  • Protests began this month after online posts alleged Lahore college student had been raped by staffer
  • Student protests broke out over allegations, with police arresting over 380 after clashes and unrest
Updated 24 October 2024
AFP

LAHORE, Pakistan: For Pakistani police, reports of a college campus rape that went viral this month are “fake news” fomenting unrest. For protesting students, the social media posts offer a rare public reckoning with sexual assault.
But as the clashing accounts have spilled from the Internet and onto the streets, both sides agree the case has ignited a tinderbox of legitimate fears.
“Girls who go to campuses definitely feel threatened,” 21-year-old Khadija Shabbir told AFP at a Monday protest in eastern Lahore city that was swiftly dismantled by authorities.
Senior officer Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi is charged with probing the case police insist has been conjured from unverifiable online rumors.

Students carry placards as they march during a demonstration to condemn the alleged rape of a female student in Lahore on October 16, 2024. (AFP)

But she admits it has struck a real chord on the issue of harassment in Pakistan, a patriarchal country where open discussion of abuse is taboo.
“All of us somewhere have experienced it,” she says. “It’s an extremely sensitive subject.”
It began earlier this month with a swirl of social media posts alleging a staff member had raped a woman in the basement of a Punjab College campus in Lahore.
When police and local media were unable to trace a victim, the local government and school administration dismissed the claims as a hoax.
But student protests broke out last Monday, escalating into unrest in Lahore and other cities later in the week that led to the arrests of at least 380 people over vandalism and arson.

Students throw stones toward police during clashes as they protest over an alleged on-campus rape in Punjab, in Rawalpindi on October 17, 2024. (AP)

Educational institutes were shut across Punjab province last Friday — when protests are generally staged after prayers — and political gatherings were banned for two days, although officials gave no reason.
As a result, about 26 million children were out of school as well as many more university and college students in the country’s most populous province.
But students, banned from officially organizing in unions for the past four decades, have continued to come out this week.
“I haven’t seen it grow into a movement like this or this sort of anger or reaction from them before,” said Fatima Razzaq, a member of the Aurat March women’s rights group.
The Punjab government has a women-only police emergency line where they report receiving 1,300 calls daily from women concerned about their safety.
But with 80 percent of women saying they have been harassed in public places, according to the UN, there is little trust that authorities take the matter seriously.
Razzaq said “a deep-rooted frustration” is surfacing as a result.
While protesters’ opinions vary about the veracity of the rape claim that has sparked the movement, many cite their own experience as more pivotal in their decision to turn out.

Students throw stones toward police during clashes as they protest over an alleged on-campus rape in Punjab, in Rawalpindi on October 17, 2024. (AP)

“A girl I know in my university committed suicide because she was being harassed,” student Amna Nazar told AFP.
“My professor keeps asking me out and calling me to his office,” said another University of the Punjab student, asking to remain anonymous. “This is something I do not want to do.”
On the campus where the crime is alleged to have happened, activists painted the walls with red hand prints and demands of “justice for the rape victim.” But it was quickly painted over.
“If we go and complain about an incident, we are told that nothing happened and we should stop talking about it,” said one female student at another university.
Lahore’s High Court has announced a new committee of judges to investigate campus sexual harassment, indicating authorities are conceding the protests have a point.
But the face-off between students and police is taking place amid a broader crackdown on dissent from political and ethnic activists across Pakistan.
Student social media pages and online chat groups created to mobilize protesters have disappeared and officials have pledged that those spreading misinformation will be prosecuted.

In this photograph taken on October 19, 2024, Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, a Pakistani senior police officer, speaks during an interview with AFP at her office in Lahore. (AFP)

Naqvi — the police officer — said there was “less tendency of people to believe somebody in uniform” and that the confrontation had spiraled into the “state versus the students.”
Meanwhile, the women whose experiences with harassment have placed them at the center of the movement are finding themselves sidelined as the protests spill into violence often led by men.
As crowds of male students threw rocks at police in the city of Rawalpindi last week, officers returned fire with rubber bullets, and women fearing for their safety cowered away in side-streets.
Nevertheless, 19-year-old female student Inshai said: “We are standing up for our rights.”

Topics: Lahore rape case students protest fake news

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