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Islamabad High Court reserves decision to hold in-camera hearing on Khan’s bail plea

A convoy of Pakistani army passes the Islamabad High Court building in Islamabad on August 29, 2023. (Photo courtesy: AFP/File)
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Updated 02 October 2023
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Islamabad High Court reserves decision to hold in-camera hearing on Khan’s bail plea

  • The Federal Investigation Agency requested IHC on Sunday to hold in-camera briefing of Khan’s bail petition
  • Khan is charged with disclosing contents of a confidential cable sent by Pakistan’s ambassador to the US
Updated 02 October 2023
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its judgment on Monday on a request by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that sought holding an in-camera hearing of former prime minister Imran Khan’s bail plea in the “cipher case,” his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said. 

Cricketer-turned-politician Khan is charged with disclosing the contents of a confidential cable— which is popularly known as the “cipher case“--sent by Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States last year and using it for political gain, according to the FIA. Khan alleges the cable proves the United States had pressed Pakistan’s military to orchestrate the fall of his government because he had visited Russia shortly before its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both Washington and the Pakistani military have denied Khan’s accusations.

Last week, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq pas­sed an order stating that Khan’s bail application would be heard in an open court. On Sunday, the FIA filed an application at the IHC seeking an in-camera hearing of Khan’s bail plea. According to local media reports, the FIA feared an open hearing into the case would expose sensitive information and documents involved in the case. 

“Court has reserved the decision on, if or not it should be an in-camera hearing,” Khan’s PTI party said in a statement. The PTI labelled the FIA’s move to seek an in-camera hearing of Khan’s bail plea “another gimmick” by the agency to keep the former prime minister behind bars for as long as possible. 

“Because FIA could have advocated the in-camera hearing at an earlier stage (trial court) and not now when the bail petition hearing was getting in order,” the PTI added.

According to Geo News, the IHC reserved its verdict on the petition to hold an in-camera session after hearing arguments from both sides, with Justice Farooq stating that the court would announce a new date for the hearing.

Khan has been in jail since Aug. 5 after a trial court in Islamabad found him guilty of “corrupt practices” in a case involving the unlawful sale of state gifts during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. However, he served his sentence at a high-security prison in Attock instead of Rawalpindi jail. On Aug. 29, the IHC dismissed Khan’s conviction in the sale of unlawful state gifts case but he continued to remain in prison for the cipher case. 

Last Tuesday, the former prime minister was shifted from the Attock prison to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on the IHC’s orders 

On Saturday, the FIA filed a challan, or charge sheet, in a special court set up under the Official Secrets Act hearing the cipher case against Khan, declaring the PTI leader and ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi as the principal accused. 
 

Topics: Imran Khan #pakistan cipher case islamabad high court IHC

Pakistani FM, Digital Cooperation Organization’s secretary-general discuss economic cooperation in Riyadh

Updated 7 sec ago
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Pakistani FM, Digital Cooperation Organization’s secretary-general discuss economic cooperation in Riyadh

  • Digital Cooperation Organization is an inter-governmental body that seeks to bridge digital gap in member states 
  • Foreign Minister Dar meets DCO secretary-general at sidelines of World Economic Forum meeting in Riyadh 
Updated 7 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Digital Cooperation Organization’s (DCO) Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya on Sunday resolved to continue their joint collaboration and cooperation for economic development, the foreign ministry said in a statement. 

The DCO is an inter-governmental body established in 2020 which is dedicated to achieving social prosperity and growth of digital economic. The DCO aims to achieve this by unifying the efforts of its member states to advance digital transformation and promote common interests of member states. DCO member states include Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Jordan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus and Djibouti. 

AlYahya is a Saudi digital economy expert and the founding secretary-general of the organization since her election to the post in April 2021. As DCO secretary-general, AlYahya is responsible for connecting heads of state, government ministers and private sector digital economy leaders to bridge the digital gap in member states. 

She called on Foreign Minister Dar at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s Special Meeting in Riyadh on Sunday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said. 

“The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan and the SG DCO affirmed their resolve to continue close collaboration and cooperation for the economic development and digital transformation of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and other DCO member states,” MoFA said. 

AlYahya recounted her visit to Pakistan earlier this month and spoke of the country’s “great potential” for technological advancement and digital transformation of its economy, MoFA said. “She emphasized that as founding member of DCO, Pakistan brings great value to the organization and has a significant role to play in its rise and progress,” it added. 

Dar stressed the need for DCO member states to achieve capabilities in emerging technologies in the fast-evolving tech landscape, MoFA said. “In this connection, he appreciated DCO for providing the suitable platform to its member states for their digital advancement,” the statement said. 

AlYahya separately posted about her “great meeting” with Dar on the social media platform X. 

“With 64 percent of the population below 30 years old, many of whom are actively involved in the freelance industry, it is critical to ensure we undertake all collaborative efforts that will enable an ecosystem which lets the youth thrive and prosper in the new digital landscape,” she wrote on X. 

Topics: Pakistan Ishaq Dar Digital Cooperation Organization DCO

PM Sharif, Saudi crown prince discuss bilateral ties and regional situation in Riyadh

Updated 48 min 54 sec ago
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PM Sharif, Saudi crown prince discuss bilateral ties and regional situation in Riyadh

  • PM Sharif attends Special Dialogue and Gala Dinner hosted by Saudi crown prince in Riyadh
  • Sharif is in Riyadh to attend two-day World Economic Forum meeting, engage with world leaders 
Updated 48 min 54 sec ago
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Sunday evening during which the two leaders discussed bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the regional situation and Israel’s war on Gaza, Sharif’s office said in a statement. 

Sharif, who arrived in Riyadh on Saturday to attend a two-day special meeting of the World Economic Forum, attended a Special Dialogue and Gala Dinner hosted by the Saudi crown prince in Riyadh. Sharif congratulated the Saudi crown prince for successfully organizing the WEF Special Meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. 

“The Prime Minister conveyed his prayers and good wishes for the health, happiness and long life of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” the PMO said. “In addition to bilateral ties, the regional situation, particularly with regards to the crisis in Gaza, was also discussed.”

Sharif thanked the Saudi crown prince for sending a high-powered delegation, headed by Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Minister Faisal bin Farhan, to Pakistan earlier this month. The delegation held key meetings with Pakistani ministers and businesspersons to enhance economic cooperation between the Kingdom and the South Asian country. 

“To continue the discussion, the Prime Minister said that he has brought with him a high-powered delegation to Riyadh, including key Ministers responsible for investment, so that follow-up meetings could take place between relevant officials,” the PMO said. 

Sharif reiterated his invitation to the Saudi crown prince to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience, the PMO added. 

Separately, Sharif met Saudi Arabia’s ministers of finance, investment and industry on Sunday at the sidelines of the WEF meeting. In his meeting with the Saudi finance minister, the two sides agreed that Saudi Arabia would explore more opportunities for investment in Pakistan.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan reiterated the Kingdom’s support for Pakistan’s economic development, Sharif’s office had said in a statement. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the top source of remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian country.

Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been closely working to increase their bilateral trade and investment, and the Kingdom recently reaffirmed its commitment to expedite an investment package worth $5 billion discussed previously with Islamabad.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties #WEF Riyadh Arab News Pakistan

Gunmen kill two laborers from Punjab province in southwest Pakistan — official

Updated 29 April 2024
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Gunmen kill two laborers from Punjab province in southwest Pakistan — official

  • The two laborers were working inside a garage in Tump area of Balochistan's Kech district when they came under attack
  • No group immediately claimed responsibility, but Baloch separatists have previously targeted people from other provinces
Updated 29 April 2024
Saadullah Akhtar

ISLAMABAD: Unidentified gunmen on Sunday shot dead two laborers, who hailed from the eastern Punjab province, in the country's restive Balochistan province, a local official said.

The two laborers were working inside a garage in Tump area of Balochistan's Kech district when they came under fire by gunmen riding motorbikes, according to Saeed Umrani, commissioner of Makran Division where Kech is located.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but Baloch separatists have previously targeted people from other provinces on suspicion of spying for state agencies.

"Both laborers, who were residents of the Punjab province, were killed on the spot," the official said.

Umrani said bodies of the deceased had been sent to their hometowns and the district administration was hunting for the perpetrators.

The attack came two weeks after armed men abducted nine passengers, who hailed from Punjab, from a bus and killed them near Balochistan's Noshki district.

The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had information that plain-clothed spies were on the bus. The group offered no evidence to support its claim.

Balochistan has been the scene of a long-running insurgency by separatist militants who seek independence from the central government in Islamabad.

Although the government says it has quelled the insurgency, violence has continued to persist in the province.

Topics: Pakistan

Pakistan PM, Kuwaiti emir discuss transformation of bilateral ties into economic partnership

Updated 28 April 2024
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Pakistan PM, Kuwaiti emir discuss transformation of bilateral ties into economic partnership

  • The meeting came on the sidelines of a two-day World Economic Forum summit in Riyadh
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif assured of efficient implementation of Pakistan-Kuwait deals signed in Nov.
Updated 28 April 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday met with Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Riyadh and discussed with him transformation of Pakistan-Kuwait ties into an economic partnership, Sharif’s office said.
The meeting came on the sidelines of a two-day World Economic Forum (WEF) summit on global collaboration, growth and energy on April 28-29.
PM Sharif thanked Sheikh Mishal for his congratulatory letter upon his re-election and congratulated him on assuming the role of the emir of Kuwait.
“The Prime Minister expressed his desire to work closely with His Highness to transform bilateral ties into a mutually beneficial economic partnership that would serve the best interests of the peoples of both countries,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
The development came months after Pakistan and Kuwait signed several trade and investment agreements worth $10 billion during the visit of caretaker Pakistan PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar to the Gulf country.
Besides these agreements, the two countries had signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in the fields of culture, environment and sustainable development.
Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, had also accompanied the caretaker prime minister on the Kuwait visit in November, which was part of the Pakistani leadership’s ambitious plan to attract investment from the Middle East amid an economic slowdown at home.
“The Prime Minister assured the Kuwaiti leadership that these MoUs and agreements would be implemented in an efficient and timely manner,” the statement added.
“In addition to bilateral ties, the regional situation, particularly with regards to the crisis in Gaza, was also discussed.”

Topics: World Economic Forum (WEF) WEF2024 Pakistan Kuwait ties

PM Sharif, IMF chief discuss Pakistan’s new loan program on WEF sidelines in Riyadh

Updated 28 April 2024
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PM Sharif, IMF chief discuss Pakistan’s new loan program on WEF sidelines in Riyadh

  • Pakistan’s $3 billion IMF loan program, which helped Islamabad avert a default last year, is due to end this month
  • Pakistan faces a chronic balance of payments crisis, with nearly $24 billion to repay in debt over next fiscal year
Updated 28 April 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Riyadh, where the two figures discussed a new loan program for the cash-strapped South Asian country, Sharif’s office said.
The meeting between PM Sharif and the IMF managing director took place on the sidelines of a two-day World Economic Forum (WEF) summit on global collaboration, growth and energy in the Saudi capital on April 28-29.
Sharif thanked Georgieva for her support to Pakistan in securing a $3 billion IMF loan program last year that is due to expire this month. The IMF executive board is expected to meet on Monday to decide on the disbursement of the final tranche of $1.1 billion to Pakistan.
“MD IMF shared her institution’s perspective on the ongoing program with Pakistan, including the review process,” PM Sharif’s office said in a statement.
“Both sides also discussed Pakistan entering into another IMF program to ensure that the gains made in the past year are consolidated and its economic growth trajectory remains positive.”
Sharif informed the IMF chief that his government was fully committed to put Pakistan’s economy back on track, according to the statement.
He said he had directed his financial team, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, to carry out structural reforms, ensure strict fiscal discipline and pursue prudent policies that would ensure macro-economic stability and sustained economic growth.
Pakistan secured the $3 billion IMF program in June last year, which helped it avert a sovereign default. Islamabad says it is seeking a loan over at least three years to help achieve macroeconomic stability and execute long-overdue reforms.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb has said Islamabad could secure a staff-level agreement on the new program by early July, though he has declined to detail what size of the program it seeks. If secured, it would be Pakistan’s 24th IMF bailout.
The $350 billion South Asian economy faces a chronic balance of payments crisis, with nearly $24 billion to repay in debt and interest over the next fiscal year — three-time more than its central bank’s foreign currency reserves.
Pakistan’s finance ministry expects the economy to grow by 2.6 percent in the fiscal year ending in June, while average inflation for the year is projected to stand at 24 percent, down from 29.2 percent the previous fiscal year.

Topics: Pakistan IMF Talks World Economic Forum WEF2024

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