Pakistani opposition parties say will launch drive to oust government after Eid

Senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) meet at Bilawal House in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 20, 2020 (PPP Twitter handle)
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Updated 20 July 2020
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Pakistani opposition parties say will launch drive to oust government after Eid

  • Leaders of two major opposition parties, PPP and PML-N, meet at Bilawal House and say have agreed to topple PM Imran Khan-led government 
  • Government spokesman says PPP and PMLN had several chances to run the country but did “nothing” for the masses 

LAHORE: Two major Pakistani opposition political parties said on Monday they would hold a joint conference after the Eid Al-Adha holiday to kickstart a campaign to oust the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan. 

The decision was taken at a meeting of senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) at Bilawal House in Lahore. 

“The leadership of the two major opposition parties, PPP, PML-N, agreed on the point that it is necessary to get rid of the Imran-led government,” PMLN leader Ahsan Iqbal told media after the meeting.

“The two parties are unanimous on toppling the PTI [ruling party] government and a strategy will be finalized at the multi parties’ conference to be held after Eidul Adha,” senior PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said. “A joint opposition coordination committee will be formed that will have representatives from all opposition parties.”
A cricket legend and firebrand nationalist who is hero-worshipped by supporters, PM Khan swept to power in 2018 on a populist platform vowing to root out corruption among a venal elite and lift people out of poverty.
But he inherited control of a volatile nation facing mounting problems at home and abroad, including a growing economic crisis and a fracture with historic ally the United States and fraught ties with neighbor Afghanistan and nuclear-armed rival India.
Leaders from the PPP and PMLN said they had agreed that the Khan government had failed to deliver on its promises to the masses. An anti-graft crusade promoted Khan by has led to swathes of arrests of politicians, which opponents have called ‘political victimization.’ 
The PPP and the PMLN have both ruled Pakistani multiple times since its inception in 1947 while Khan’s PTI won its first election two years ago.
“They [PPP and PMLN] have ruled the country for several decades but did nothing for the people,” PTI leader and Punjab information minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan told Arab News. “The two parties who have looted the country ruthlessly are making such efforts to save themselves from accountability.” 


Pakistan, Oman navies hold bilateral exercise to strengthen maritime security cooperation

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Pakistan, Oman navies hold bilateral exercise to strengthen maritime security cooperation

  • Royal Navy of Oman flotilla arrives in Karachi for annual Thamar Al Tayyib exercise, says Pakistan Navy
  • Both navies’ personnel held professional dialogues, exchanged experiences during exercise, says navy

ISLAMABAD: A Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) flotilla visited Karachi to take part in the annual bilateral Thamar Al Tayyib (TAT) 2025 exercise, the Pakistan Navy said on Saturday, with both sides aiming to enhance maritime security cooperation. 

Pakistan Navy and the RNO have been conducting the TAT series of exercises regularly since 1980. TAT-2023 was conducted in Omani waters in December 2023. 

The 12th edition of the exercise saw the participation of RNO vessels Al-Rasikh and Al-Shinas, which were part of the flotilla. Upon their arrival at the port in Karachi, the Omani vessels were warmly received in a ceremony attended by senior officials of the Pakistan Navy. 

“Exercise TAT-2025 served as an important platform for mutual learning, enhanced interoperability and professional development,” the navy said. 

It said the flotilla’s visit included meetings with senior members of the Pakistan Navy leadership, onboard receptions and visits to key naval installations and training facilities. 

Personnel from both navies engaged in professional dialogues, operational discussions and exchanged experiences across various maritime domains, the navy added. 

The Omani flotilla’s visit concluded with naval ships from both forces conducting advanced operational maneuvers and joint exercises encompassing major facets of modern maritime warfare.

“Pakistan Navy remains committed to fostering regional maritime cooperation and strengthening ties with partner navies worldwide,” the navy said.

“The Royal Navy of Oman’s participation in TAT-2025 reflects the growing defense partnership between the two friendly nations and their shared resolve to promote regional peace, stability, and maritime collaboration,” it added. 

Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with Gulf nations, including Oman. The Pakistan Army, navy and air force regularly organize and participate in international exercises to strengthen defense ties with other countries, particularly those in the Middle East.