Speaker opens investigation into arrests of opposition MPs from inside Pakistan parliament 

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly, chairs a session of National Assembly of Pakistan in Islamabad, Pakistan, on September 10, 2024. (@NAofPakistan/X/File)
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Updated 10 September 2024
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Speaker opens investigation into arrests of opposition MPs from inside Pakistan parliament 

  • Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf says 13 MNAs arrested on Monday night in connection with rally held on Sunday
  • Speaker asks for video footage to ascertain responsibility, says will not take the reports of arrests “lightly”

ISLAMABAD: Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly, on Tuesday opened an investigation into the arrests of opposition lawmakers from inside the parliament building on Monday evening. 

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has confirmed the arrests of Gohar Khan, who is the party chairman, as well as 12 other lawmakers, though it was unclear if all of them were arrested from the parliament building. Police told Arab News three MPs including Gohar Khan has been arrested from the National Assembly over charges of violating a new law to regulate public gatherings in the Pakistani capital. 

The PTI had held a rally on Sunday to demand Khan’s release. The gathering was mostly peaceful, but there were clashes between some PTI supporters and police en route to the rally venue, in which one police officer was injured. The rally also went on longer than the 7pm deadline given by the district administration.

Under Pakistani law, the concerned judge or magistrate needs to inform the speaker of reasons for the arrest of an MNA, while lawmakers cannot be arrested from within the precincts of parliament without the speaker’s permission.

“Whatever is being said about what happened in parliament last night, definitely, a stand must be taken on this,” Sadiq told parliament after opposition lawmakers raised the issue of the arrests on the floor of the house. 

“I have not only requested videos of all the gates [but also] I want video footage from inside [the parliament] so we can put responsibility on the concerned.”

Sadiq said he would file a report with police against officers responsible for entering parliament and arresting MNAs and urged lawmakers from the treasury and opposition benches to meet him in his chamber and discuss the way forward.

“We have to take this up seriously,” Sadiq said. “This is not going to be something taken lightly.”

Local media widely reported that Sadiq had summoned senior police officials, including the Islamabad Inspector General of Police, to his chamber to provide an explanation for Monday evening’s events. 

Defense minister Khawaja Asif, a key member of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet, said the speaker’s suggestion on the way forward was “acceptable” and his ruling PML-N party would agree with whatever course of action was decided by other political parties and the house. 

Before the speaker’s remarks, PTI lawmaker Ali Muhammad delivered a fiery speech in parliament, calling the arrests an “attack on democracy and on Pakistan’s constitution.”

In a video released on social media, PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the party had launched a “campaign to uphold the law and constitution of Pakistan.” 

“The way they arrested [PTI] chairman Barrister Gohar [Khan] from inside parliament, I am extremely disappointed by the weakness shown by the Speaker [National Assembly],” he said. “We won’t back down from this. We won’t be frightened or suppressed.”

The chief minister of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is ruled by the PTI, was also “missing” since he arrived in Islamabad for meetings on Monday night, the PTI said, but his family said on Tuesday morning that he was back in contact and had returned to Peshawar, the provincial capital. 

“DANGEROUS PRECEDENT”

The government last week passed the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024, to “regulate” holding public gatherings in Islamabad, including by specifying timings for rallies and designating specific areas. The law has set three-year jail terms for participants of ‘illegal’ assemblies, with ten-year imprisonment for repeat offenders.

The Islamabad administration had allowed the PTI to hold Sunday’s rally from 4pm till 7pm but the gathering went on until nearly 11pm. 

“They were arrested due to the violation of the new law, the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, in the PTI gathering on September 8,” Islamabad police spokesperson Taqi Jawad told Arab News on Monday evening, confirming three arrests.

Police did not respond to phone calls seeking comment on the three additional arrests claimed by the PTI.

In a statement on Tuesday, Amnesty International said the new law passed on public gatherings in the federal capital threatened the “right to protest” and had set a “dangerous precedent” that could be replicated elsewhere in the country. 

Khan, jailed since last August, was ousted from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military, which denies being involved in politics. Since his removal, Khan and his party have waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the military. 

The ex-PM faces a slew of legal charges and was convicted in four cases since he was first taken into custody, all of which have been either suspended or overturned by the courts. He remains in jail, however, on new charges brought by Pakistan’s national accountability watchdog regarding the illegal sale of gifts from a state repository while he was prime minister from 2018 till 2022.

The PTI says it has faced an over year-long crackdown since protesters allegedly linked to the party attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after Khan’s brief arrest that day in a land graft case. Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military, which says Khan and his party were behind the attacks, has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.

The party says it was not allowed to campaign freely ahead of the Feb. 9 general election, a vote marred by a mobile Internet shutdown on election day and unusually delayed results, leading to accusations that it was rigged and drawing concern from rights groups and foreign governments.

The PTI says it won the most seats but its mandate was “stolen” by PM Shebaz Sharif’s coalition government which formed the government with the backing of the all-powerful military. Both deny the claim.

Police did not respond to phone calls seeking comment on the 10 additional arrests claimed by the PTI.


Pakistan dismissed for 556 after Salman Agha hits hundred in first Test

Updated 5 sec ago
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Pakistan dismissed for 556 after Salman Agha hits hundred in first Test

  • Left-arm spinner Jack Leach was the most successful of all English bowlers with 3-160
  • Agha remained unbeaten on 104 as last man Abrar Ahmed was caught by Ben Duckett

MULTAN: Pakistan were dismissed for a mammoth 556 in their first innings on the second day of the opening Test against England on Tuesday, after Salman Agha hit a century.

Agha remained unbeaten on 104 – his third Test hundred – as last man Abrar Ahmed was caught by Ben Duckett off Joe Root for three after Pakistan resumed the day in Multan at 328-4.

Pakistan lost Naseem Shah (33) and Mohammad Rizwan (naught) in the first session. Saud Shakeel scored 82 while Shaheen Shah Afridi made 26.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach was the most successful English bowler with 3-160 while Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse took two wickets apiece.


Imran Khan, KP chief minister named in police complaint over constable’s death in Islamabad

Updated 53 min 42 sec ago
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Imran Khan, KP chief minister named in police complaint over constable’s death in Islamabad

  • The cop lost his life during a clash with PTI supporters who wanted to protest for Khan’s release in the capital
  • Police specifically mention the PTI president of Islamabad, accusing him of torturing the constable who died

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur have been named in a police complaint after the death of a constable in Islamabad during the recent protest by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Clashes erupted in the federal capital and nearby cities on Friday and Saturday as police tried to stop PTI supporters from entering Islamabad, with officials accusing protesters of throwing stones, firing bullets and launching tear gas shells, causing dozens of injuries and one death.
PTI supporters, mainly arriving from KP under Gandapur’s leadership, were responding to Khan’s call to gather in Islamabad and protest near the parliament building.
The police complaint, filed over the weekend and reported by the media on Tuesday, also named PTI stalwarts Omar Ayub, Azam Swati and Islamabad president Aamir Mughal, accusing some of inciting the violent protests while others of actively participating in them.
“Through court orders, Imran Khan has been given unusual and unnecessary contact and meeting facilities outside of the jail manual, due to which he continues to incite his political workers to violence against the state and its institutions,” the police complaint read.
“He directs the PTI to lead such violent crowds that could create chaos and disorder in the country,” it added. “Acting on these orders, Ali Amin Gandapur, using provincial government resources, provided support and directly and indirectly led the protesters, ordering them to reach D-Chowk [in Islamabad for protest] and attack or kill any security personnel who stood in their way to free Imran Khan.”
The official document particularly mentioned the PTI’s Islamabad president, accusing him of direct involvement in the death of the police constable.
“Aamir Mughal, along with other participants, forcibly grabbed Constable Abdul Hameed and assaulted him with kicks, punches, sticks and stones,” it said while referring to a clash at the entry point of the capital.
The police said that violence occurred despite warnings to PTI supporters that the government had imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits large gatherings.
It claimed that Constable Hameed was “kidnapped” and tortured.
He was later found unconscious by his colleagues but succumbed to his injuries.


Pakistan to sign agreements worth over $2 billion with Saudis later this week — PM

Updated 08 October 2024
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Pakistan to sign agreements worth over $2 billion with Saudis later this week — PM

  • Saudi Arabia’s investment minister is scheduled to visit Pakistan from Oct. 9-11 with high-level delegation 
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif vows government will not let opposition “sabotage” Pakistan’s economic progress 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will sign agreements worth over $2 billion with an incoming delegation from Saudi Arabia later this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday, vowing that his government will not let the opposition derail the country from its path to economic progress. 

Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih is scheduled to visit Pakistan with a high-level delegation from Oct. 9-11, Pakistan’s foreign office confirmed on Monday. The Saudi delegation will arrive in Islamabad ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit scheduled to be held in the capital from Oct. 15-16. Pakistan’s foreign office said the Saudi delegation’s visit is aimed at boosting economic cooperation between the two countries. 

Addressing his cabinet members, Sharif took aim at former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, saying that its protests last week were aimed at hurting the country’s current economic gains. 

“And now that a Saudi delegation is coming and we are to sign agreements or MoUs worth more than $2 billion with them, to sabotage all these efforts is the biggest enmity against Pakistan,” the prime minister said during his televised address. 

“We will not allow this, we will not tolerate this and under no circumstances this will be allowed. Under any rate, under any cost,” he added. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been closely working in recent months to increase bilateral trade and investment deals, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to expedite an investment package of $5 billion to the South Asian country earlier this year.

Pakistan has been eyeing closer cooperation in trade, defense, energy and other sectors of the economy with regional allies as it seeks to escape a prolonged economic crisis that has drained its foreign exchange reserves and weakened its currency. 

The South Asian country formed the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a hybrid civil-military body, last year to fast-track decisions related to investment. The SIFC seeks to attract foreign investment, particularly from Gulf countries, for its viral economic sectors. 

'UNBREACHABLE SECURITY'

The Pakistani prime minister also spoke about the Karachi blast on Sunday night that killed three people, including two Chinese nationals. The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which routinely targets Chinese interests in Pakistan, had claimed responsibility for the incident.

Sharif said when a suicide bomber killed five Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project in Pakistan during March this year, the Chinese government sent Pakistan a “concerning” message, asking Islamabad to strengthen security measures for its citizens. 

The Pakistani prime minister said he had informed Chinese officials that Pakistan regretted the incident and was embarrassed by it. 

“But this does not mean that we will let go of matters. Our spirits are higher than they were before,” Sharif said. “And we will not spare any effort in strengthening these matters and to make security unbreachable [for Chinese nationals],” he added. 

The Pakistani prime minister said he had informed China’s ambassador in Islamabad regarding the security measures being taken by Pakistan ahead of the SCO summit. 

China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan, having pledged over $65 billion in road, infrastructure and development projects in Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, that aims to connect China to the Arabian Sea and help Islamabad expand and modernize its economy.


Pakistani woman, cousin arrested for poisoning 13 family members over marriage dispute

Updated 08 October 2024
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Pakistani woman, cousin arrested for poisoning 13 family members over marriage dispute

  • Incident took place in a settlement in Sindh after the girl’s father opposed the marriage
  • Police initially suspected that the family had died after consuming contaminated milk

KARACHI: Pakistani police have arrested a woman and her cousin for allegedly poisoning 13 family members to death after facing opposition to their marriage, a police official said on Tuesday.

Ameer Bux Brohi and Shaista Brohi, cousins from a small settlement in Sindh, had hoped to marry each other, but their families disapproved of their decision. Last month, Ameer brought poison, which Shaista mixed into the dough, killing six people instantly. Seven more died later while receiving medical treatment.

Initially, authorities believed the victims had died from consuming contaminated milk. However, chemical analysis conducted by the Sukkur Chemical Laboratory confirmed the presence of toxic substances, including insecticide and benzodiazepine, in the bodies of the deceased.

“We have arrested both Ameer Bux Brohi and Shaista Brohi, who have confessed to their crime,” Dr. Samiullah Soomro, Senior Superintendent of Police in Khairpur, told Arab News. “They told the police that they loved each other and together poisoned their family members.”

Talib Hussain Junejo, Station House Officer in the area where the incident happened, said both families lived together in the same house and consumed the poisoned food. He also informed that 15 members of both families, including Ameer and Shaista, were present when the meals were served, making the law enforcement officials suspicious.
The couple informed the police that Gul Baig, Shaista’s father, had refused the marriage.

“We both decided not to flee to get married,” the police officer said while quoting the suspects’ statement. “Instead, we chose to kill everyone so we could marry freely.”

Junejo said that man and the woman also expressed regret over the actions during the interrogation.

The incident echoes a similar case from 2017, when 21-year-old Aasia Bibi was accused of poisoning her husband’s milk, resulting in the deaths of 17 members of his extended family.

Bibi had repeatedly rejected the man’s marriage proposal but was ultimately forced to marry him. After the wedding, she decided to poison her husband but also caused the death of the rest of the family.


A hand-written Qur’an with Sindhi translation passed down over generations in Pakistan’s Karachi

Updated 22 min 30 sec ago
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A hand-written Qur’an with Sindhi translation passed down over generations in Pakistan’s Karachi

  • Abdul Latif Sultan Dino Bhojani completed the manuscript in 1932 after working on it for two decades
  • Rajasthani-speaking family tries to daily read from Sindhi Qur’an copy to keep grandfather’s work alive

KARACHI: Saghir Hussain Bhojani, a 76-year-old retired statistician, read out the Sindhi translation at his home in Karachi earlier this month as his teenage nephew Mashhood Shoaib Bhojani recited an Arabic verse from a handwritten copy of the Holy Qur’an.

This daily ritual serves not only as a spiritual practice for the Marwari family but also as a bridge to connect them with the Qur’an translation Bhojani’s grandfather, Abdul Latif Sultan Dino Bhojani, took over two decades to write by hand and complete in 1932.

“This [copy of] Holy Qur’an, which Allah has given us through our grandfather, is the greatest treasure for us,” Bhojani, the current custodian of the holy book, told Arab News about the handwritten Qur’anic copy with Sindhi translation. 

Bhojani, whose family is Rajasthani-speaking, said he had received the copy from his mother who had gotten it from her father-in-law when she was 20. 

“My father-in-law trusted me,” Zaitoon Bhojani, 95, told Arab News, recalling how Abdul Latif believed she would take care of the translation he had spent decades preparing and handed her the holy book in 1948, just months before he passed away on January 20, 1949, at age 65.

Zaitoon said her father-in-law sought help in preparing the book from a trunk-full of papers that he carried with him as he moved homes in the cities of Hyderabad, Rohri and finally Karachi, where the Silawat community from Jaisalmer in present day India settled after migrating for business to the region some two centuries ago.

Zaitoon preserved the Qur’an copy and made it a point to ensure her nine children, three daughters and six sons, read it regularly, but as she grew older, she decided to pass it on to her eldest son, Bhojani.

“PRECIOUS INHERITANCE”

Born in 1886, Abdul Latif was the first Muslim mayor of Dadu district in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province and was elected chairman of the Kotri municipality several times. But being a close associate of Soreh Badshah, a champion of Hindu-Muslim unity and a freedom fighter executed by the British, cost him much of his property.

“We do not regret this loss because Allah has bestowed upon us a far more precious inheritance, the Holy Qur’an,” said Bhojani. “No matter how much we take pride in it, it is never enough.”

Abdul Latif spoke Marwari but chose to write in Sindhi for two reasons, according to his grandson: firstly, Marwari itself was not a formal language at the time, and secondly, he was far more proficient in Sindhi.

“He was the most prominent personality in Kotri,” Bhojani said, regretting that the Sindhi manuscript, a rarity at the time it was completed, was never printed.

“My parents were not very educated and didn’t have much understanding, which is why they couldn’t do it,” Bhojani, who retired as a Grade-18 chief statistician in Sindh, told Arab News. 

“It’s also my own incompetence that I didn’t pay attention to [printing] it later ... It should be preserved and read the way my grandfather worked hard to prepare it.”

Bhojani’s nephew, Mashhood, an 18-year-old computer science student, said he would strive to continue the family tradition of reading from and preserving the inherited book. 

“Our native language is Rajasthani and the [copy of] this Qur’an is in Sindhi,” he said as he took a brief pause from recitation.

“I still continue to read it with my uncle so that people like me remain in our family who can continue to read and understand it.”