LAHORE: Opposition leaders and political analysts have warned of potential violent clashes in Islamabad as the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan gave a call for a million-strong rally of the ruling party’s supporters in Islamabad ahead of a vote of no confidence in parliament against the PM, expected to take place later this month.
Pakistan’s opposition parties last Tuesday moved a no-confidence motion seeking the ouster of Khan, accusing him of bad governance and mismanagement of the economy in what is being seen as the toughest challenge the PM has faced since coming to power in a 2018 general election.
Following the filing of the no confidence request with parliament, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain suggested “one million” supporters of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party would gather at Islamabad’s D-Chowk ahead of voting day. Lawmakers who wanted to vote against Khan, he said, would “have to pass through these people on their way in and out of the Parliament building.”
In response, the opposition Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) has called on its own supporters to gather in Islamabad from March 25, setting the stage for a potentially violent clash.
“A million people gathering on D-Chowk a day before the no confidence motion will be a referendum [on PM Khan] and a referendum is important,” Hussain said, reiterating that supporters at the rally would stop defecting members of the ruling party from going to parliament.
When asked if the party had instructed supporters to prevent disgruntled members from going to vote in parliament, Hussain replied: “Workers are already indignant at the betrayal by the defecting parliamentarians so they would stop them themselves.”
The information minister dismissed the reminder that a no confidence vote was a constitutional right and a legitimate part of parliamentary politics: “The parliamentary party process is subservient to politics and this [holding a rally] is how politics is shaping.”
Responding to alarm about possible violence on voting day, Hussain said the government would take care of security:
“Will manage the law and order, don’t worry!”
A leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl, whose leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman heads the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of opposition parties, said the opposition’s supporters would gather at the same spot as the government rally, Islamabad’s D-Chowk, and stay there until the vote took place.
“We know well how to tackle the blackmailing of the government,” JUI-F leader Rashid Soomro told Arab News. “And if the situation in the federal capital spirals out of control that day, the onus will be on the ruling party.”
Azma Bukhari, a provincial spokesperson for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party, also added: “A clash is imminent but the responsibility will lie with the government not us. They cannot always arm-twist opponents.”
She said the opposition parties would move toward parliament on the day of the vote “in the form of a convoy.”
“We will see to it that no disgruntled ruling party’s member is stopped from voting against this government,” Bukhari said. “All the opposition will be there outside the parliament and it has been decided that all MNAs will move together toward the parliament.”
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senator Sherry Rehman said the government’s announcement to hold a rally on D-Chowk to block parliamentarians from voting was “downright reprehensible.”
“The government claims to have a majority in the National Assembly, so why panic now? This is a testament to the triumph of the no-confidence motion,” he said. “It is rather unprecedented for the ruling party’s first response to be resorting to mob violence.”
The Pakistan Constitution empowers legislators of the National Assembly, whether they belong to the ruling or opposition parties, to vote on a no-confidence resolution according to their conscience, though legislators who vote contrary to party direction face the threat of losing their membership in the National Assembly under Article 63A which deals with disqualification on the grounds of defection.
“Threatening members [of disqualification] and preventing them from voting is a violation of the constitution and rules,” Rehman said. “Even the National Assembly secretariat has told the speaker that preventing any parliamentarian from casting their vote is unconstitutional.”
Veteran journalist and political commentator Sohail Warraich told Arab News it was the responsibility of Asad Qaiser, the National Assembly speaker, to ensure the government or ruling party did not take steps that would block legislators from their constitutional right to vote.
“The speaker is the custodian of the house and he should make sure that this matter is resolved within the precincts of the national assembly and not outside,” Warriah said. “If a clash takes place, it will not only jeopardize the government but the whole democratic process.”
Warriach gave the example of then prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, who was subjected to an unsuccessful no confidence vote in November 1989.
“This is a constitutional and democratic process. Malik Mairaj Khalid was speaker of the national assembly when a no confidence motion was moved against Benazir and he handled the matter in such a non-partisan way that PPP started doubting its own speaker of being partisan in favor of the opposition. That’s the way Asad Qaiser should tread here.”
Commenting on the information minister’s remarks that the D-Chowk rally would be a referendum on PM Khan, Warriach said: “What should be settled in parliament must be settled in parliament.”
Fears of violence as Pakistani PM plans rally to block defectors from no confidence vote
https://arab.news/cx4s6
Fears of violence as Pakistani PM plans rally to block defectors from no confidence vote
- Information minister says lawmakers who want to vote against Khan in parliament would have to pass through million-strong rally
- Opposition has called its own supporters to gather in Islamabad from March 25, setting stage for potential clashes
New Zealand outclass Pakistan to win 4th T20I
- Opener Tim Robinson hit a half-century to ensure New Zealand reached 178-7 in 20 overs
- Pacer William O’ Rourke returned figures of 3-27 to keep Pakistan down to 174-8 in 20 overs
LAHORE: Experienced allrounder Jimmy Neesham kept his cool to defend six off the last ball to clinch a four-run victory for New Zealand on Thursday in the fourth Twenty20 international against Pakistan in Lahore.
Pakistan needed 18 off the last over in their chase of 179 but Neesham came out in flying colors despite being hit for a boundary off the first ball, giving a packed Qaddafi Stadium crowd heartbreaks.
Opener Tim Robinson hit a maiden half century to lift New Zealand to 178-7 in 20 overs before pacer William O’Rourke claimed 3-27 to keep Pakistan down to 174-8.
Returning allrounder Imad Wasim (22 not out) managed to hit the last ball for a single as New Zealand take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series with the last game on Saturday, also in Lahore.
Pakistan also lost the third match by seven wickets after winning the first by the same margin while the first match was abandoned after just two balls — all three in Rawalpindi.
The defeats are a jolt to a full-strength Pakistan side in their preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the United States and the West Indies in June.
New Zealand, missing a host of players due to Indian Premier League, injuries and unavailability, can feel elated at their bench strength going into the World Cup.
Pakistan sensed they were in with a chance when Fakhar Zaman, who made 45-ball 61 with three sixes and four boundaries, lifted Pakistan from 79-4 with a 59-run stand for the fifth wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed who made a 20-ball 23.
But O’Rourke, playing only his fourth T20I, dismissed Ahmed to add to his wickets of Babar Azam (five) and Saim Ayub (20) to give New Zealand a boost.
Fellow pacer Ben Sears (2-27) claimed Zaman’s wicket with 33 needed off 14 balls.
Earlier, Robinson batted with aggression.
Robinson’s 36-ball 51 with two sixes and four fours lifted New Zealand — who were sent in to bat — to 93-1 in 10 overs before Abbas Afridi’s career best 3-20 helped Pakistan pull back.
New Zealand started briskly with Robinson and Tom Blundell, who made 28 off 15, putting on 56 for the opening stand in five overs.
But from 94-1 New Zealand lost three wickets, including that of dangerman Mark Chapman for eight, as Pakistan’s fielders held catches to back some good bowling by Abbas.
Dean Foxcroft chipped in with 34 off 26 deliveries and skipper Michael Bracewell added 27 to keep the scoreboard ticking as New Zealand managed 43 in the last five overs.
Pakistan were forced to make five changes as wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Muhammad Irfan Khan were injured while they rested Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed.
Pakistani, US officials discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment
- Pakistani, American officials hold inter-sessional meeting under Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
- Both sides discussed regulatory practices, digital trade, textiles and investments, says US Embassy in Pakistan
KARACHI: Pakistani and American officials held an inter-sessional meeting under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) on Thursday, with both sides discussing options to enhance bilateral trade and investment, the US Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement.
TIFA serves as a platform for Pakistan and the US to improve market access, promote bilateral trade and investment, resolve trade disputes, and work on trade-related issues between the two countries.
Pakistan and the US took part in high-level trade talks in Feb. 2023 when both countries participated in the 9th Pakistan-United States Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council meeting. That meeting took place after seven years.
As per a statement by Acting US Mission Spokesperson Thomas Montgomery, both sides discussed a “broad range of areas” to enhance bilateral trade and investment on Thursday.
“The dialogue focused on good regulatory practices, digital trade, the protection of intellectual property, women’s economic empowerment, labor, textiles, investment, and agricultural issues,” Montgomery said.
He added the discussions also included progress on access for US biotechnology products and beef.
The US official said that the meeting was key for both countries to move forward on shared goals of deepening their economic relationship.
“The United States has long been Pakistan’s largest export market, with potential for further growth,” he said, adding that the US has been a leading investor in Pakistan for the past 20 years.
Pakistan’s relationship with Washington has experienced fluctuations over the decades, characterized by periods of close partnership and notable estrangement.
Despite Islamabad’s recent initiatives to enhance and deepen its ties with Washington, until recently, President Joe Biden’s administration had remained reluctant to engage with Pakistan’s top leadership.
Ties between the two countries have improved since former prime minister Imran Khan’s government was ousted via a parliamentary vote on Apr. 2022. Khan had accused Washington of colluding with his political rivals to oust him from power via a “foreign conspiracy.” Washington has consistently denied the allegations.
Pakistan’s defense minister rejects claim ex-PM Khan being pressurized to accept ‘deal’
- Chairman of Khan’s party this week said cricketer-turned-politician was being kept in jail so he would agree to a “deal” with the government
- Khan, who has been in jail since August last year after multiple convictions, has vowed not to agree to a “deal” with his political adversaries
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Thursday rejected claims that former prime minister Imran Khan was being pressurized to accept a “deal” and come to the negotiating table with the government.
Khan, who was prime minister from 2018-2022, remains jailed in multiple cases, including a 14-year jail sentence for him and his wife for the illegal sale of state gifts. Khan fell out with Pakistan’s powerful military after he was ousted from office via a parliamentary vote in Apr. 2022.
Asif was responding to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan’s interaction with reporters on Tuesday when he said that the way the former prime minister and his wife were being kept in jail, “these are all [forms of] pressure that Khan somehow agrees to a deal.”
Speaking exclusively to Independent Urdu, Asif rejected claims Khan was being pressurized to come to the negotiating table.
“There is no such thing,” Asif said, claiming that PTI leaders were issuing such statements to stay relevant. “That is why these statements are being issued. There is no truth to them.”
Asif said senior members of the PTI had given statements recently rejecting the possibility of a deal with the government.
“Now if their leadership is issuing contradictory statements themselves, then what comment do we give on it,” he said. “I think their contradictory statements are validating our point.”
Khan’s multiple convictions mean he is banned from holding public office and ruled the 71-year-old out of general elections earlier this year. Arguably Pakistan’s most popular politician, Khan says all cases against him are motivated to keep him out of politics.
Elephant Madhubala to be shifted to Karachi’s Safari Park in May— state media
- Madhubala has been in solitary confinement since April 2023 when her companion, elephant Noor Jehan, died
- International animal rights organization warns solitary confinement has taken a toll on Madhubala’s mental health
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani elephant Madhubala, who has been in solitary confinement at Karachi Zoo since last year, will be shifted to Karachi’s Safari Park in May where she will be in the company of two other elephants, state-run media Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Thursday.
Madhubala, one of only three captive elephants alive in Pakistan, was brought to the South Asian country with three other elephants from Tanzania in 2009. However, has been in solitary confinement at Karachi Zoo since April 2023 after her companion, elephant Noor Jehan passed away from illness.
International animal rights organization FOUR PAWS, which has been involved in efforts to have Madhubala relocated to Karachi Safari Park, said last week the solitary confinement has taken a strong toll on her mental condition, with boredom being her biggest stressor.
Animal rights activists have long campaigned against the plight of animals in Pakistan, especially elephants, and demanded they be shifted to “species-appropriate” locations such as the Safari Park.
“According to Zoo administration, the arrangements for the transfer have been completed,” APP said. “Madhubala will join two other elephants, Sonia and Malika after relocation to Safari Park.”
A FOUR PAWS spokesperson said the organization was thrilled to see Madhubala finally getting the treatment she deserves.
“Her story is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of animal welfare,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying by APP.
FOUR PAWS says the elephant enclosures at Safari Park would have water elements for bathing, skincare and thermoregulation. Enrichments such as hay nets, varying substrates like soil, sand, clay, and sawdust will be provided for Madhubala to dust bathe while the area is secured by elephant-proof fencing.
Madhubala will be carried from the Karachi Zoo to the Safari Park in a huge transport crate. The elephant is currently being trained to enter and exit the crate by herself and sit inside it.
‘Politically motivated’: Pakistan rejects US State Department report on rights abuses
- Annual assessment identified arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances
- Pakistan government and state agencies deny involvement in missing persons cases, other rights abuses
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday it “categorically” rejected the 2023 country report on human rights practices issued by the US State Department, saying the report was politically motivated, lacking in objective evidence and followed an agenda of “politicization of international human rights.”
The annual human rights assessment released earlier this week identified arbitrary killings, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearance, torture and “cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government or its agents” in Pakistan last year.
The report also said the government “rarely took credible steps” to identify and punish officials who may have committed rights abuses.
“The contents of the report are unfair, based on inaccurate information and are completely divorced from the ground reality,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement, adding that the assessment used a “domestic social lens to judge human rights in other countries in a politically biased manner.”
“This year’s report is once again conspicuous by its lack of objectivity and politicization of the international human rights agenda. It clearly demonstrates double standards thus undermining the international human rights discourse.”
The foreign office said it was “deeply concerning” that a report purported to highlight human rights issues around the world was ignoring or downplaying the “most urgent hotspots of gross human rights violations” like Gaza and Kashmir. It also called on the US demonstrate the “requisite moral courage” to speak the truth about all situations and play a constructive role in supporting international efforts to end human rights violations.
“In line with its constitutional framework and democratic ethos, Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthen its own human rights framework, constructively engage to promote international human rights agenda, and uphold fairness and objectivity in the international human rights discourse,” the FO added.
Political leaders, rights groups and families of victims have long accused the government, the army and intelligence agencies of being behind cases of arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, among other rights abuses. Families say people picked up by security forces on the pretext of fighting militancy or crime often disappear for years, and are sometimes found dead, with no official explanation. Pakistani state agencies deny involvement in such cases.
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s law minister said the government would reconstitute a committee to address enforced disappearances, hours after the release of the US report.
“Now the work is being initiated on this again on the directives of the prime minister. A committee is going to be reconstituted, there will be parliamentary presence in that committee,” Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said.
“There is no lack of seriousness on the government’s part to resolve this issue.”
