Pakistani-American fashion designer still in prison despite getting bail — lawyer

An undated file photo of Pakistani-American fashion designer Khadijah Shah. (Photo courtesy: okpakistan.com)
Short Url
Updated 21 October 2023
Follow

Pakistani-American fashion designer still in prison despite getting bail — lawyer

  • Lahore High Court granted Khadija Shah bail in two cases of vandalism, arson earlier this week
  • Shah's lawyer, husband confirm she has been detained for investigation in another case

ISLAMABAD: Prominent Pakistani-American fashion designer Khadija Shah, who was arrested in May following nationwide protests over former prime minister Imran Khan's brief detention, has not been released despite getting bail by a high court earlier this week, her lawyer and family said on Saturday.

Shah, the founder of the luxury fashion brand Elan, was granted bail in two cases of vandalism and arson by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday, her lawyer said, adding that police had told the court on Oct. 10 that she was not wanted in any other case. 

Shah was arrested on May 25 after being on the run for almost two weeks following the May 9 violence, when angry Khan supporters attacked government and military properties in many parts of the country after his brief arrest in a land graft case. 

Shah was accused in two cases of vandalism and arson at the Lahore Corps Commander House as well as the Askari Tower in Gulberg. The fashion designer denies any wrongdoing and says she protested peacefully.

"The circus continues: #KhadijahShah got bail from #LHC but she has not been released," Sameer Khosa, her lawyer, wrote on social media platform X. 

"The LHC ordered that she not be harassed. Yet, they have sought from #ATC to interrogate her in another #FIR now."

 

 

 

He did not specify the details of the new case registered against Shah.

Her brother, Asif Nawaz Shah, took to Twitter to lament that Shah's daughter was without her mother for the past five months. 

"The Pakistani authorities continue to display full-chested disregard and contempt for our constitution, for justice, for due process, for civil liberties," he wrote on X. 

 

 

Shah's husband, Jehanzeb Amin, confirmed his wife had not been released and that an anti-terror court had ordered that she be investigated in another case.

"She remains incarcerated and her children are devastated," he said. 

 

Shah is the daughter of Dr. Salman Shah, a member of the finance team of former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf. Her father had also served as an adviser in the Punjab government during Khan’s tenure as prime minister. She is the granddaughter of a former Pakistani army chief.

Many Khan supporters and aides have been rearrested in new cases in recent months moments after getting bail.

Khan, who is serving a three-year jail sentence in a separate graft case, says a slew of legal cases against him since he was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022 are fabricated and politically motivated. The former prime minister also alleges that his associates are being forced out of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party under duress by the military in a maneuver to dismantle his party before elections scheduled early next year. The army denies this.


Pakistan discusses economic cooperation with Middle Eastern countries at AlUla conference

Updated 5 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan discusses economic cooperation with Middle Eastern countries at AlUla conference

  • Pakistan’s finmin holds discussion with counterparts from UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco and other GCC countries 
  • Discussions revolved around financial policies, development strategies and sustainable growth, says Finance Division

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb participated in a group discussion with his counterparts from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to discuss regional economic cooperation and development strategies, the Finance Division said on Monday, as the Pakistani finmin attends day two of the Emerging Markets Conference 2025 in AlUla city. 

Aurangzeb is in Saudi Arabia to attend the two-day conference, which has been organized by the Saudi finance ministry in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The event brings together emerging market finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers, public and private sector leaders, international institutions and academics.

The Pakistani finance minister participated in a group discussion with his counterparts from the Middle Eastern countries at the sidelines of the conference, the Finance Division said. 

“The discussion focused on regional economic cooperation, financial policies, and development strategies, with participating countries exchanging views on shared economic goals and sustainable growth opportunities,” it said.

The global conference takes place at a time when the world economy is facing persistent shocks, trade tensions between major world powers, geopolitical instability and tight financial conditions. 

Pakistan is navigating a fragile economic recovery under a $7 billion IMF loan program secured in September 2024, after implementing austerity measures and policy reforms to avert a sovereign default in 2023.

To facilitate Pakistan’s economic recovery, Saudi Arabia signed 34 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth $2.8 billion last October to boost private sector investment in key areas, including energy, infrastructure and technology.

Speaking to Arab News on Sunday, Aurangzeb emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s leadership in economic reforms offers important lessons for Pakistan as it embarks on its own structural changes.

“As we go through our own structural reforms at this point in time, on the back of the macroeconomic stability that we have achieved, there’s a lot to learn from Vision 2030,” the minister said. He added that the Kingdom is well ahead of its targets of Vision 2030, “so there’s so much to learn in Pakistan from our partners in Saudi Arabia.”
 


Imran Khan announces nationwide protest in Pakistan after Ramadan for ‘restoration of democracy’

Updated 17 February 2025
Follow

Imran Khan announces nationwide protest in Pakistan after Ramadan for ‘restoration of democracy’

  • Khan asks party’s negotiation committee to expedite communication with opposition parties, people from all walks of life
  • Pakistan’s ruling coalition government accuses Khan and his party of leading violent protests, particularly in 2023 and 2024

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan has announced that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party will launch a nationwide protest movement with other opposition parties for “the restoration of democracy” and Pakistan’s constitution after the holy month of Ramadan. 

Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 on a slew of charges that he says are politically motivated, claims the February 2024 general elections were rigged by the caretaker government at the time and the election commission, who had the army’s backing, to keep him away from power. All three deny the allegations, with the army repeatedly saying it refrains from interfering in political matters. 

The former premier and his party have been accused of leading violent anti-government protests in the past, particularly in May 2023 and November 2024. On May 9, 2023, frenzied mobs across the country carrying the PTI’s flags attacked government and military installations while in November last year, Khan supporters gathered in Islamabad to demand his release from prison. The government says four troops were killed in clashes with Khan supporters. The PTI denies it instigated its followers to violence in both instances, accusing the military and its political rivals of resorting to rights abuses, including torture and a nationwide crackdown against its supporters. 

“After the holy month of Ramadan, we will formulate a strategy in collaboration with all opposition parties and launch a nationwide protest movement,” a statement posted from Khan’s social media account on X said on Sunday night. 

The cricketer-turned-politician said he has directed his party’s negotiation committee to expedite communications with other parties, adding that the PTI would invite individuals from all sectors of Pakistan including lawyers, farmers, laborers, scholars and students to participate in the protest. 

“This protest will be for the restoration of democracy and the constitution, and for our genuine freedom and sovereignty,” he added. 

Khan’s party held negotiations with the government in December 2024 to ease political tensions in the country. However, talks between both sides broke down in January after the PTI pulled away, accusing the government of not fulfilling its two principal demands of forming judicial commissions to investigate the 2023 and 2024 protests. 

The government rubbished the PTI’s allegations, accusing the party of “unilaterally” abandoning talks without waiting for the government to respond to its demands. 

“Despite our repeated demands, no judicial commission has been formed to investigate the events of May 9th and November 26th (2024),” Khan’s statement read. “The truth would have been revealed to the public if such a commission had been established.”

Khan alleged his supporters were being denied their right to visit him in prison, describing it as a fundamental violation of his rights. 

“Even my own children are not allowed to speak with me, all in an attempt to exert pressure on me,” the former premier claimed. 

The government has so far not reacted to Khan’s call for protests. 

Khan’s ouster from office since April 2022 has plunged Pakistan into a political crisis, particularly after he was sent to jail in 2023. The former prime minister fell out with Pakistan army’s top leaders in the lead-up to his ouster and has since led an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the institution.

He continues to remain popular among the masses, with his party’s rallies drawing thousands of people in various cities. 


ODI World Champions Australia arrive in Pakistan for Champions Trophy tournament 

Updated 17 February 2025
Follow

ODI World Champions Australia arrive in Pakistan for Champions Trophy tournament 

  • Australia will kick off Champions Trophy campaign by facing England in Lahore on Feb. 22
  • Injuries have ruled out matchwinners Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Marsh from event 

ISLAMABAD: Led by their captain Steve Smith, the Australian cricket team arrived in Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy tournament on Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said days before they are scheduled to take on England in the 50-over event. 

The Australian cricket team will arrive in Pakistan in two batches, the PCB said. A 14-member squad comprising Australian coaches, captain Smith and the sports staff reached Lahore from Colombo via Dubai while a 17-member squad, including 15 players of the Australian cricket team, will arrive in Lahore at 8 am on Monday, the board said.

“Australia will play their first match in the ICC Champions Trophy against arch-rivals England on Feb. 22 at the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore,” the PCB said. 

The Australian cricket team has arrived in Pakistan after suffering a 2-0 away ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka. Smith’s squad lost the first ODI to Sri Lanka by 49 runs on Feb. 12 before losing the second one as well on Feb. 14 by a huge 174 runs. 

Before that, the 2023 World Cup winners lost a home ODI series to Pakistan 2-1 in November last year, with Pakistan’s pace attack and opening batter Saim Ayub demolishing the Australians to take home their first away series in the country in 22 years. 

Injuries have also impacted the Australian cricket team ahead of the key Champions Trophy tournament. Smith’s squad will be without matchwinners Mitchell Starc, regular skipper Pat Cummins and key seamer Josh Hazlewood, and all-rounder Mitch Marsh. Cummins, Hazlewood and Marsh have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries while Starc has pulled away due to personal reasons. The surprise retirement of Marcus Stoinis has forced Australia to call-up back-up players. 

After facing England in Lahore on Feb. 22, Australia are set to clash against South Africa in Rawalpindi on Feb. 25 before heading back to Lahore to face Afghanistan on Feb. 28. 

Squad: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa. Traveling reserve: Cooper Connolly


Pakistan’s deputy PM arrives in New York to attend Security Council meeting on multilateralism 

Updated 17 February 2025
Follow

Pakistan’s deputy PM arrives in New York to attend Security Council meeting on multilateralism 

  • Pakistan to reaffirm strong commitment to multilateralism in meeting scheduled to be held on Feb. 18 
  • Summit comes at a time of growing concerns about multilateralism amid increasing conflicts worldwide

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived in New York to attend a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on multilateralism and global governance, state-run media reported on Monday. 
The meeting will be chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Feb. 18, as China holds the council’s rotating presidency for the month. The deliberations come at a time of growing concerns about multilateralism, particularly after United States President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, and a growing number of conflicts around the world.
“Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM), Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, flew into New York on Sunday afternoon to participate in the high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on multilateralism and global governance set for Tuesday,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Monday. 
APP said Pakistan welcomes the “timely initiative” by China to hold the meeting, saying that it underscores the critical importance of multilateralism in addressing today’s global challenges.
The Pakistani deputy prime minister will reaffirm Pakistan’s strong commitment to the principles of multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations in promoting international peace, security, and sustainable development, the state-run media said. He will also highlight Pakistan’s priorities as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and inclusive global governance. 
Pakistan was elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2025-2026 term in June 2024 with 182 out of 193 votes and officially began its two-year tenure on January 1, 2025.
“On the sidelines of the UNSC meeting, the DPM/FM is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts, as well as senior UN officials,” APP said. 
Dar is also expected to give interviews to media and hold a press conference for US-based Pakistani journalists.


Champions Trophy set for liftoff after India-Pakistan row, boycott calls

Updated 17 February 2025
Follow

Champions Trophy set for liftoff after India-Pakistan row, boycott calls

  • This is the first global cricket tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades 
  • India’s matches will be played in Dubai after they refused to visit neighbor Pakistan 

KARACHI: The Champions Trophy begins Wednesday after a turbulent build-up that saw the tournament split between Pakistan and Dubai, and with England facing calls to boycott their match against Afghanistan.

The event, regarded as second only to the World Cup in the one-day game, runs until March 9 and is the first global cricket tournament hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades.

India’s matches will however be played in the United Arab Emirates after the sport’s financial superpower refused to visit their neighbor over long-standing political tensions.

A month-long impasse ended in December when the International Cricket Council said that India would play their games in Dubai.

It raises the prospect of the final of the eight-nation showpiece taking place there, rather than in Pakistan, if India get that far — a good chance given they are favorites to lift the trophy.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan, who only face off in international competitions because of the politics, clash in Dubai on February 23 in the group phase.

England play Afghanistan three days later in Lahore in a match that has been met with a backlash in some quarters in Britain.

More than 160 British politicians called for a boycott in response to the Taliban government’s ban on women in sport.

England Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson vowed the match would go ahead, saying a “coordinated international response” by the cricket community would achieve more than unilateral action.

The Champions Trophy will be Pakistan’s first ICC event since co-hosting the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

Karachi and Rawalpindi are the other Pakistani cities that will stage games.

Pakistan became a no-go area for foreign teams after the visiting Sri Lankan squad were attacked by gunmen in 2009, leaving eight people dead and wounding several touring players.

But with improved security across most of the country, international cricket returned to Pakistan in 2020.

India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh form Group A while Australia, England, Afghanistan and South Africa are in Group B.

Two teams from each group qualify for the semifinals in Dubai and Lahore.

Pakistan are reigning champions, having defeated India in the final in 2017 at The Oval in London.

But it is two-time winners India who are favorites, with superstar batsman Virat Kohli hoping to overcome a poor run of form by his sky-high standards.

It could be the 36-year-old’s last hurrah on the international stage, with captain Rohit Sharma also likely to retire after the tournament.

“India is playing superb all-round cricket and so are among the favorites for the Champions Trophy,” former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar told AFP.

“The other teams, in my opinion, to watch out for are defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa.”

India will however be missing ace pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Australia beat hosts India to win the one-day World Cup in 2023 but they are missing several key players.

Their formidable pace attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are all out.

Coupled with the sudden retirement from ODIs of Marcus Stoinis and injury to Mitchell Marsh — both key all-rounders — and Australia suddenly look vulnerable.

They were well beaten 2-0 in Sri Lanka in a two-match series last week. Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan will open the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy with a match against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday.

The co-hosts are unpredictable, as they showed in the last edition of the tournament, losing to India by 124 runs in the opening match before winning the final against them by 180 runs.

England go into the competition under a cloud, having been outclassed by India in both a T20 and one-day series in the lead-up.

With quality spinners led by Rashid Khan, Afghanistan are dangerous.

They shocked England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup and reached the semifinals of the Twenty20 World Cup last year.