ISLAMABAD: The Registrar Office of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised objections against a petition filed by jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan against his possible military trial in relation to riots last year in which his followers were allegedly involved, state news agency APP reported on Wednesday.
Protesters linked to Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after his brief arrest that day in a land graft case. Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many continue to remain behind bars as they await trial. The military has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.
Last month, the army arrested retired general Faiz Hameed, former head of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, who was widely believed to be close to Khan when he was PM from 2018-2022. Other than charges relating to a land development case, the military also said “multiple instances” of violation of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement had been found against Hameed, in what was widely seen as a veiled reference to his continued support for Khan and his party, including in planning the May 9 riots. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has even referred to Hameed as a “strategic adviser” to the PTI during the violence.
“Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has filed a petition at IHC, against the possible military custody and military court trial citing the May 9 incident,” the PTI said in a statement to media.
“He’s been very clear about disassociating himself from the incident or that of anyone from the party, repeatedly asking for a judicial commission to launch a transparent investigation, so the real culprits that plotted it, could be brought to justice.”
In his petition, Khan referred to Hameed’s arrest and to widespread media reports and speculation that the former spy chief would “be made an approver against the petitioner [Khan] in cases pertaining to May 9 and 10, 2023 and the petitioner will be transferred to military custody on this basis.”
Khan also referred to a statement made by the federal government’s spokesman for legal affairs, Aqeel Malik, on a TV show on Aug 23 in which he said the ex-premier should “absolutely” be tried in a military court, and that provisions of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, were applicable to him. He also referred to a statement issued by federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar that it would be the Punjab government’s prerogative to decide whether or not to refer the May 9 cases against the ex-premier to a military court.
Pakistan’s APP news agency reported that the registrar of the IHC had “raised objections against petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder seeking to stop his possible trial in army courts in the cases regarding May 9 incidents.”
“The Registrar Office stated how a relief could be demanded by the petitioner without giving reference of any particular FIR,” APP said.
Khan and the PTI say the May riots have been used as a ruse by political rivals and the military to crack down on the party, which is arguably the most popular in Pakistan. Khan has also been indicted under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism law in connection with the violence. A section of Pakistan’s 1997 anti-terrorism act prescribes the death penalty as maximum punishment. Khan has denied the charges under the anti-terrorism law, saying he was in detention when the violence took place.
Khan has been in jail since August 2023 on a slew of charges that he says are politically motivated to keep him out of power and suppress the popularity of the PTI. He was convicted in four cases since he was first taken into custody, all of which have been either suspended or overturned by the courts. Khan remains in jail, however, on new charges brought by the national accountability watchdog regarding the illegal sale of gifts from a state repository while he was prime minister.
Islamabad court raises objection to Imran Khan’s petition against possible military trial
https://arab.news/m2j6h
Islamabad court raises objection to Imran Khan’s petition against possible military trial
- Ex-PM fears arrested former spy chief will be made an approver in May 9 riots cases and Khan transferred to army custody
- Khan, in jail since August 2023, has been indicted under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism law in connection with the violence last year
‘History has been made’: Sirbaz Khan becomes first Pakistani to summit world’s 14 tallest peaks
- The Pakistani climber has summitted 11 of the 14 highest mountains without using supplemental oxygen
- His fellow climbers praise him for his skill and say his name is etched in history and will inspire everyone
KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: Renowned Pakistani climber Sirbaz Khan made history on Friday by becoming the first Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, with his successful ascent of Shishapangma, standing at 8,027 meters, as confirmed by Pakistan’s Alpine Club and Imagine Nepal.
The 14 peaks, often referred to as the “eight-thousanders,” are over 8,000 meters high and are considered the ultimate test in high-altitude mountaineering. Khan, who was born and raised in Hunza, embarked on this journey in 2017 with the ascent of Nanga Parbat, one of the deadliest mountains in the world.
Over the years, he has climbed formidable peaks, including K2, Everest and Annapurna, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s elite mountaineers. He also completed 11 of these summits without supplemental oxygen, demonstrating his remarkable endurance and skill.
“Sirbaz Khan has become the first Pakistani mountaineer to conquer all 14 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 meters, in an incredible display of courage and determination,” Karrar Haidri, the general secretary for the Alpine Club of Pakistan, told Arab News in a text message. “This extraordinary accomplishment demonstrates his unwavering passion and dedication to the sport of mountaineering.”
Haidri said Khan had faced the most extreme conditions during his mountaineering career.
“Faced with freezing temperatures, treacherous avalanches, oxygen-depleted altitudes, and the constant threat of crevasses, he has repeatedly demonstrated his resilience and strength,” he added. “His success not only represents personal triumph but also serves as an inspiration to mountaineers worldwide.”
Khan’s achievement was also acknowledged by Imagine Nepal, the tour company that organized the expedition, in a social media post.
“In an extraordinary achievement, 11 climbers from Imagine Nepal reached the true summit of Mt. Shishapangma (8,027m) at 4:06 p.m. CST [Central Standard Time] on 04 October 2024,” it wrote on Facebook.
“Mr. Sirbaz Khan has earned his place in history by summiting all 14 of the highest peaks, making him the first Pakistani climber to achieve this feat,” the company added.
Speaking to Arab News, Shahbaz Khan, the Pakistani climber’s brother, said the whole family was celebrating the moment.
“We are gathered to attend the marriage ceremony of our cousin,” he said. “All of our relatives are here and celebrating Sirbaz’s achievement.”
He said everyone was praying for his safe descent from the treacherous mountain, adding the next step would be to warmly receive him upon his arrival in Pakistan.
Khan also started receiving congratulations from fellow climbers soon after the news of his success began to spread.
“I salute your monumental achievement,” Shehroz Kashif, a young climber who has already conquered 13 of the world’s tallest peaks, said in a Facebook post. “Becoming the first Pakistani to summit all 14 8,000ers is a testament to your unwavering determination, resilience, and mountaineering prowess.”
“Your name etched in history inspires a nation,” he added.
Kashif noted that he will be following in Khan’s footsteps “in a few days,” as he prepares to summit the last of the 14 peaks on his list in Tibet.
Pakistan’s prominent female mountain climber Naila Kiani also applauded the development on social media.
“First Pakistani to summit all 14 X 8,000m peaks,” she said without naming Khan. “History has been made.”
Pakistan issues dengue prevention advisory as outbreak expected in 10 cities this month
- Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Larkana, Multan at risk
- Dengue fever is endemic to Pakistan, which experiences year-round transmission with seasonal peaks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government-run National Institute of Health (NIH) on Friday issued a dengue prevention advisory after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned at least 10 Pakistani cities could face an outbreak in October.
Over 21,000 dengue cases were reported in Pakistan last year while 8,909 cases have been reported so far this year, the NIH said.
Dengue is an illness that spreads through vectors, carried by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is currently no cure or vaccine for dengue fever, which in its most severe form can lead to fatalities. People affected by dengue go through intense flu-like symptoms including high fever, intense headache, muscle and joint pain, and nausea and vomiting, typically persisting for approximately a week.
“It is imperative to work on prevention while staying vigilant for detection of cases and ensuring preparedness to launch response activities for curtailing the transmission of dengue fever,” the NIH said, urging the strengthening of disease surveillance and awareness campaigns by authorities and personal protection by members of the public. It also called on hospitals to improve preparedness.
“Based on the analysis, the environment has become conducive from mid of September 2024 for dengue onset and it is predicted that it may outbreak in October 2024, particularly in ten major cities of Pakistan i.e., Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Larkana and Multan as well as in post monsoon rainfall affected areas of Pakistan,” the PMD said in an advisory last week.
“It is advised to all stakeholders to take preemptive measures for the dengue outbreak in the districts. National Health agencies and Dengue control centers are advised to keep themselves updated on the PMD website.”
The PMD said dengue outbreaks occurred in the post-monsoon season, which usually falls between Sept. 20 and Dec. 5 if conditions are favorable. It added that the active period for dengue attacks was two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset, while breeding stopped once the temperature fell below 16°C.
Dengue fever is endemic to Pakistan, which experiences year-round transmission with seasonal peaks.
Indian external affairs minister to visit Pakistan for SCO summit amid strained relations
- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visit comes at a time when Pakistan has criticized Indian elections in Kashmir
- The last high-level visit between the two countries took place in 2023 when Bilawal Bhutto went to Goa
ISLAMABAD: Indian authorities announced on Friday their External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will visit Pakistan amid frosty relations between the two countries to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit scheduled for this month.
This will be the first visit by an Indian external affairs minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade, though it is unclear whether he will meet Pakistani officials on the sidelines of the event.
Relations between India and Pakistan hit a major low in 2019 when New Delhi revoked Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Muslim-majority state of Kashmir.
Jaishankar’s visit comes at a time when India has held elections in the disputed Himalayan region, a process criticized by Pakistan as illegitimate and an attempt to normalize its control over the territory.
“The external affairs minister will lead a delegation to Pakistan to participate in the SCO summit which will be held in Islamabad on October 15 and 16,” Indian external affairs ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal announced during a news conference.
The South Asian neighbors have fought three wars, including two over control of the disputed Kashmir region in the Himalayas. New Delhi accuses Islamabad of aiding and abetting Islamist militants fighting Indian rule in the region, a charge Pakistan denies.
The last high-level visit between the two countries took place in May 2023 when Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistan’s foreign minister at the time, attended the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting in India’s coastal state of Goa.
While Bhutto-Zardari did not meet any Indian leaders, he and Jaishankar used the forum to trade blame for their frosty ties.
- With input from Reuters
Pakistan calls for ‘comprehensive’ global counter-terrorism reforms
- Pakistan’s representative made the call in his statement at the sixth committee of the UN General Assembly in New York
- Usman Jadoon emphasized Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism and its key contribution in dismantling Al-Qaeda
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s acting permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Usman Jadoon regretted insufficient progress on evolving and diverse forms of terrorism and called for “comprehensive” global counter-terrorism reforms, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.
The Pakistani diplomat said this in his statement at the sixth committee of the UN General Assembly in New York, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
Jadoon emphasized Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism and its key contribution in dismantling Al-Qaeda as well as the 80,000 casualties it suffered in the war on terror.
“He raised concerns about state-sponsored terrorism from across Pakistan’s borders, highlighting threats posed by groups like the TTP, Daesh, and the [Baloch separatist] Majeed Brigade,” the report read.
“He urged the international community to ensure that counter-terrorism measures are not misused to violate human rights and international humanitarian law as is occurring in occupied Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir.”
Pakistan, which has fought militants for decades, has strengthened its protocols and agreed to enhance cooperation with multiple countries in counter-terrorism domain in recent years.
In January, Pakistan and Britain agreed to further enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism at a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Secretary Aftab Akbar Durrani and Simon Ridley, second permanent secretary of the British Home Office, in Islamabad.
In Dec. 2023, Islamabad hosted an inaugural session of the Pakistan-UK Counter-Terrorism dialogue, according to the Pakistani Foreign Office. The Pakistani side was led by Director-General (Counter-Terrorism) Abdul Hameed, while the UK delegation was led by Chris Felton, head of Counter-Terrorism and Extremism Network (CTEN) for Asia.
The dialogue covered a wide range of areas, reflecting the depth and breadth of counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, the Pakistani Foreign Office said.
Pakistan can be Malaysia’s ‘gateway’ to Central, West Asia — PM Anwar Ibrahim
- Ibrahim concludes three-day state visit to Islamabad, Pakistan to open Malaysian Trade Office in Karachi
- Pakistan says will export halal meat worth $200 million, 100,000 tons of basmati rice annually to Malaysia
ISLAMABAD: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday Pakistan had the “potential” to be a gateway for Malaysian companies wanting to venture out into the Central and West Asian markets.
Ibrahim left Pakistan on Friday after concluding a three-day visit accompanied by a delegation of ministers and senior officials who held wide-ranging talks with Pakistani counterparts on trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, the halal food industry, tourism, and cultural and educational exchanges. The visit came as Islamabad is pushing for foreign investment from allies and beyond in a bid to shore up its $350 billion economy while navigating tough reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
During a joint press stakeout on Thursday, Ibrahim and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced setting up a Malaysian trade office in Karachi. It was also agreed that Pakistan would export halal meat worth $200 million and 100,000 tones of basmati rice to Malaysia per year.
“I believe Pakistan has the potential to be a gateway for Malaysian companies that want to expand the market in Central Asia and West Asia,” Ibrahim said in a farewell message posted on X.
He said his state visit had “opened the widest possible space” for Malaysia and Pakistan to discuss and explore cooperation in various fields, including economic zones, trade and market issues, transport, halal industry, tourism, education, skilled labor and others.
Trade between Malaysia and Pakistan currently stands at $1.4 billion, including in palm oil, apparel, textiles, chemical and chemical-based products, and electrics and electronic products. Among South Asian countries, Pakistan is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner.
“As part of the efforts to boost bilateral trade, both leaders agreed that Pakistan would export Halal meat worth $200 million per annum and 100,000 metric tones of Basmati Rice to Malaysia,” state news agency APP reported after Sharif and Ibrahim addressed a joint press stakeout on Thursday evening.
In his remarks to reporters, Sharif said the two leaders had discussed the export of Pakistani basmati rice as well as of halal meat from Pakistan to Malaysia worth $200 million per annum.
“He said the Malaysian PM had also assured to address the discrepancies in the import of Pakistan’s rice into his country,” APP reported, saying the two leaders also discussed cooperation in defense, tourism, agriculture, green energy, skilled labor and youth empowerment.
In his remarks, Ibrahim said both sides had agreed on a number of issues and follow-up discussions would be held in an upcoming joint commission meeting in Kuala Lumpur later this month “to ensure swift implementation of the decisions.”
“He assured that a Malaysian trade office would be opened in Karachi soon to strengthen economic collaboration between the two countries,” APP said. “He said Malaysia was seeking more skilled labor in various sectors including IT, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors and Pakistan could also be a source for such skilled labor.”
“Our focus is on professionals required to satisfy new demands, massive investments, probably the largest in the ASEAN region in terms of information technology, digital and artificial intelligence,” Ibrahim told reporters.
The two prime ministers also witnessed the exchange of signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and a Letter of Cooperation. This included an MoU between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Cooperation (MATRADE) on trade cooperation, and an MoU for cooperation in halal trade between the Pakistan-Malaysia Business Council (PMBC) in Pakistan and the Malaysia-Pakistan Business Council (MPBC) in Malaysia.
A Letter of Cooperation between the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was also signed. Pakistan’s aviation ministry and Malaysian airline AirAsia also signed an agreement for four weekly flights.
