Islamabad seeks ‘further details’ as US charges Pakistani with alleged ties to Iran in foiled assassination plot

This image provided by the Justice Department, contained in the complaint supporting the arrest warrant, shows Asif Merchant. The Pakistani man alleged to have ties to Iran has been charged in a plot to carry out political assassinations on U.S. soil, the Justice Department said August 6, 2024. (Justice Department via AP)
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Updated 07 August 2024
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Islamabad seeks ‘further details’ as US charges Pakistani with alleged ties to Iran in foiled assassination plot

  • Asif Merchant, 46, was allegedly trying to recruit people in the US in retaliation for Qassem Soleimani’s killing
  • Merchant sought assistance from an individual who reported it to law enforcement and became an informant

ISLAMABAD: The foreign office said on Wednesday it was in touch with the United States authorities after reports emerged that a Pakistani national with alleged ties to Iran had been charged in the US in connection with a foiled plot to assassinate an American politician or government officials.

The media reported an announcement by the Justice Department that a 46-year-old Pakistani, Asif Merchant, wanted to recruit people in the US to carry out the plot in retaliation for killing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ top commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020.

Soleimani, a key figure in Iran’s military and political influence across the Middle East, particularly in countries like Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad that was ordered by former American President Donald Trump, which significantly heightened tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan’s foreign office issued a brief statement in response to the queries about the development.

“We have seen the media reports,” the spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, said. “We are in touch with the US authorities and await further details. We have also noted the statements by US officials that this is an ongoing investigation.”

“Before giving our formal reaction, we also need to be sure of the antecedents of the individual in question,” she added.

Merchant, who prosecutors allege spent time in Iran before traveling to the United States from Pakistan, was charged with murder for hire in federal court in New York’s Brooklyn borough.

A federal judge ordered him detained on July 17, according to court records.

According to a Reuters report that quoted “a person familiar with the matter,” Trump was discussed as a potential target of the plot, but the scheme was not conceived of as a plot to assassinate the former president.

Earlier, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement the Justice Department remained vigilant against such Iranian plots after Soleimani’s assassination.

“For years, the Justice Department has been working aggressively to counter Iran’s brazen and unrelenting efforts to retaliate against American public officials for the killing of Iranian General Soleimani,” he said.

Court documents do not name the alleged targets of the plot. Merchant told a law enforcement informant that there would be “security all around” one target, according to the criminal complaint.

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment further when reached by Reuters.

“We have not received any reports on this matter from the US Government,” the Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York was quoted as saying by Reuters. “However, it is evident that the modus operandi in question contradicts the Iranian Government’s policy of legally prosecuting the murderer of General Soleimani.”

Trump, the Republican candidate in the November 5 presidential election, was wounded in an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania last month.

The US attorney general said investigators had found no evidence that Merchant had any connection to the shooting, which officials have said was carried out by a lone 20-year-old gunman.

Reuters said law enforcement thwarted Merchant’s plan before any attack was carried out. An individual Merchant contacted in April to help assist with the plot reported his activities to law enforcement and became a confidential informant, according to the complaint.

Merchant told the informant his plans also included stealing documents from one target and organizing protests in the United States, prosecutors alleged.

- With input from Reuters


Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff: China corridor is ‘stabilizing force’ for South Asia

Updated 13 September 2024
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Pakistan Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff: China corridor is ‘stabilizing force’ for South Asia

  • General Sahir Shamshad Mirza emphasizes Pakistan’s strategic bond with China at a major Beijing forum
  • He hails CPEC as a game-changing initiative to ensure greater regional connectivity and economic growth

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza said on Friday the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not just beneficial for his country’s economy but also a “stabilizing force” for South Asia.

CPEC is a massive infrastructure and economic development initiative that was launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It aims to enhance connectivity between the two states through a network of roads, railways, energy projects, and special economic zones.

The primary goal of CPEC is to improve Pakistan’s infrastructure, boost trade, and create jobs while providing China with direct access to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan’s Gwadar Port.

It is widely viewed as a strategic partnership between the two countries that has the potential to reshape the region’s economic geography.

“Our relations with [the] People’s Republic of China are truly special and time-tested relationship that not only serves as a testament to our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership but also as a cornerstone for peace and stability, both for Pakistan and the region that are today fraught with challenges,” Mirza said while addressing the Security Cooperation and Asia-Pacific Prosperity and Stability Session of the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China.

“Ladies and gentlemen, [the] China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative,” he continued. “It is an initiative of enhanced regional connectivity and economic development. Indeed, CPEC is not only a game changer for Pakistan’s economy, but also a stabilizing force in South Asia.”

The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum is being held from September 12 to 14, with unprecedented participation from over 100 countries and organizations. Under the theme of “Promoting Peace for a Shared Future,” this year’s event features critical discussions on global security, regional stability, and innovative technologies in defense.

The Pakistan government is already negotiating “CPEC 2.0” to mark the second phase of the joint corridor project carried out by the two countries, shifting the focus from infrastructure and energy projects to industrial cooperation, agriculture, socio-economic development and technological advancements.

CPEC 2.0 also aims to develop new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to attract foreign investment and boost industrial growth, as part of Pakistan’s economic revitalization strategy.

– With input from China News Service via Reuters


Pakistan launches probe into ex-PM Khan’s ‘threatening’ social media post targeting state institutions

Updated 13 September 2024
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Pakistan launches probe into ex-PM Khan’s ‘threatening’ social media post targeting state institutions

  • Khan criticized powerful people, saying they were putting the country’s stability at stake to maintain power
  • Information minister say FIA is investigating who is operating Khan’s social media account and from where

ISLAMABAD: The government has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate a “threatening” social media post by former Prime Minister Imran Khan in which he criticized Pakistan’s military and judiciary, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Friday, adding a team of interrogators was currently questioning him in prison.

Since the collapse of his government in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, Khan has repeatedly alleged that his ouster was orchestrated by US officials in Washington with the complicity of Pakistan’s military, accusations that both the US and Pakistani authorities have denied.

Khan, who has been imprisoned for over a year on multiple charges, has continuously criticized Pakistan’s military and intelligence services, accusing them of involvement in a failed assassination attempt on him during a protest in November 2022.

In a recent social media post, he likened the current military leadership to General Yahya Khan, accusing them of risking the country’s stability to maintain power. He also named Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa among the powerful individuals who he said were upholding the “system of injustice and brutality” against his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

“The FIA is investigating the matter of the threatening post by PTI’s founding chairman,” the information minister said in a statement.

“The founding chairman of PTI shared an anti-state post on social media and posted material against Pakistan’s integrity,” he continued, adding he had targeted the institutions of military and judiciary.

The minister said that an FIA team had arrived at Adiala Jail to determine who was operating Khan’s social media account and from where.

Tarrar did not elaborate on why he considered the ex-premier’s lengthy post threatening, though it urged Pakistanis to “come out for a street movement to protect our freedom.”

Khan’s legal spokesperson, Naeem Haider Panjutha, also confirmed that a “four-member team” from the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing had gone to the prison to interrogate the former prime minister while condemning the development.


Dhaka’s National Press Club marks 76th death anniversary of Pakistan’s founder

Updated 53 min 43 sec ago
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Dhaka’s National Press Club marks 76th death anniversary of Pakistan’s founder

  • Participants say Bangladesh would have been treated like Kashmir if it had not been part of Pakistan in 1947
  • They emphasize the need for closer relations with Pakistan and China, asking their country to honor MA Jinnah

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, the National Press Club in Dhaka arranged an event in remembrance of Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, to mark his 76th death anniversary with Urdu songs, poetry, and recitals this week, according to a report published by a Bangladeshi newspaper on Thursday.
The tribute to Jinnah comes at a time of profound political change in Bangladesh, where just weeks ago, a student-led protest toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s government, marking the end of her 15-year rule.
The unrest led to the toppling of statues of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding father and Wajid’s father, amidst widespread dissatisfaction with his daughter’s increasingly autocratic governance.
The event in remembrance of Pakistan’s founding leader is particularly striking, given Bangladesh’s historical resentment toward Pakistan over the events of the 1971 independence war, signaling a re-evaluation of the country’s political and historical narratives, driven by a turbulent domestic environment and evolving sentiments toward its neighbors.
“If Bangladesh had not been part of Pakistan in 1947, we would have been in the same position as Kashmir today, with the Indian junta holding weapons to our necks,” one of the speakers identified as Muhammad Samsuddin was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune. “Bangladesh gained independence because of Pakistan, which Jinnah helped create.”
“Why should we change the name of Allama Iqbal Hall or Jinnah Avenue,” he asked. “These changes were made because [New] Delhi wanted them, but we did not. Bangladesh must foster strong relations with China and Pakistan.”
Another speaker, Nazrul Islam, said Bangladesh should continue to have good relations with Pakistan.
“If Jinnah had not been there, Pakistan would not have existed, and without Pakistan, Bangladesh would not exist,” he continued. “Jinnah is the father of our nation, but we do not acknowledge it.”
“We must preserve our brotherhood, and I hope that both Jinnah’s birth and death anniversaries will continue to be observed here every year,” he added.
The Bangladeshi newspaper informed the Pakistani high commissioner was invited to the event, though he could not attend the ceremony and sent his deputy.
Two Pakistani students studying in Bangladesh were present at the gathering and performed Urdu songs dedicated to their country’s founding father.
 


Pakistan’s army chief vows support to police amid rising militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Updated 13 September 2024
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Pakistan’s army chief vows support to police amid rising militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

  • Militant factions have relentlessly targeted the cops in the province, leading to police protests in KP
  • General Munir vows to maintain ‘the hard-earned peace’ during his visit to the Orakzai tribal district

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir praised the police and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province during a visit to the Orakzai tribal district on Friday, vowing to provide all possible support to them in performing their duties.

The army chief’s visit comes at a time when militant factions operating in the area have relentlessly targeted the police, killing over 75 of them since the beginning of the year, leading to protests by law enforcement personnel in various parts of the province against these killings.

Security in the region has mostly been dominated by the army, which has been fighting proscribed militant factions like Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban for about two decades, with the police seeking greater government support to empower them to deal with extremist violence in the area.

The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), informed General Munir received a briefing on the security situation in the area along with the ongoing intelligence-based counterterrorism operations that have been undertaken to ensure stability in the restive tribal district.

“Pak Army will continue to provide all out support to KPK Police and other LEAs in enabling them to perform their duties in newly merged districts,” the army chief said, referring to the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan that were integrated into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa nearly six years ago.

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir (left in first row) receives briefing on the security situation during his visit to the Orakzai tribal district, Pakistan, on September 13, 2024. (ISPR)

He paid tribute to all the uniformed personnel of the police and security forces who had laid down their lives while performing their duties, saying “the hard-earned peace” achieved through their sacrifices would be maintained at all costs.

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir (right) interacts with troops in Orakzai tribal district, Pakistan, on September 13, 2024. (ISPR)

The army chief also appreciated the support of the local population in assisting the security forces with their efforts, noting that their positive role was essential in sustaining peace in the region.

Earlier, General Munir laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial and interacted with troops in Orakzai who had participated in recent counterterrorism operations in the area.


Pakistan stocks rally after policy rate cut, positive developments on IMF front

Updated 13 September 2024
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Pakistan stocks rally after policy rate cut, positive developments on IMF front

  • The benchmark KSE-100 index rose by more than 800 on Friday morning
  • It declined in the afternoon session to close at 79,333, up by 315 points

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday rallied by more than 300 points, according to the PSX website, following a policy rate cut by the central bank and positive developments with regard to the country’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

The benchmark KSE-100 index rose by more than 800 on Friday morning, but declined in the afternoon trading session to close at 79,333, up by 315 points.

A day earlier, the central bank cut its key policy rate by 200 basis points to 17.5 percent — the third straight reduction since June as the country looks to spur growth as inflation eases.

“The MPC assessed the real interest rate to still be adequately positive to bring inflation down to the medium-term target of 5–7 percent and help ensure macroeconomic stability,” the State Bank of Pakistan’s Monetary Policy Committee said in a statement, announcing the cut.

“This would be essential to achieve sustainable economic growth over the medium term.”

Separately, the IMF said its board would meet at the end of this month to discuss Pakistan’s new $7 billion bailout program that was agreed in July.

“All matters with the IMF have been settled amicably,” Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said in a statement on Thursday. “These matters will be finalized in the meeting of the IMF board this month.”

Pakistan’s sovereign dollar bonds also rallied on Thursday, with the 2031 maturity trading 1 cent higher to bid at 79.93 cents on the dollar, according to Tradeweb data.