‘DEALS BLOW’ TO PTI’S PROTEST CALL , RULES AGAINST ANY PROTEST OVER WEEKEND IN CAPITAL
g Belarus President arriving on Nov 24 and their protection is of utmost importance: Court
g Directs state respondents to submit a report before the next hearing on Nov 27
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
TH E Islamabad High Court on Thursday ruled that no protest or rally in violation of the recent law regulating public gatherings in the capital would be allowed over the weekend amid the Belarusian president’s visit dealing a blow to the PTI s call for a do or die protest in the capital on November 24 (Sunday)
Incarcerated PTI founder Imran
Khan has issued a final call for the Sunday protest last week, denouncing what he described as the stolen mandate, the unjust arrests of people and the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment which he said has strengthened a dictatorial regime
Islamabad High Court Chief Justice
Aamer Farooq presided over the hearing of a petition filed by Islamabad traders association requesting that the PTI’s protest call be declared illegal and the respondents federal government Islamabad chief commissioner, Islamabad district magistrate and the Islamabad police be directed to restrain the party from holding the protest The court order said that the recently enacted Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 outlines that if anyone wished to hold an assembly in Islamabad, they must submit an application in writing to the district magistrate not later than seven days before the intended event
Negotiations, threats can’t go side by side, says interior minister
ISLAMABAD
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday denied any negotiations taking place with the Pakistan tehreek-eInsaf emphasizing that negotiations are not held under threats Negotiations should be conducted in a personal and respectful manner, as threats are counterproductive to dialogue” the interior minister stated while speaking to media persons after attending the Islamabad High Court (IHC) hearing regarding the PTI protest Naqvi said that he was in favour of talks, however, holding talks after giving threats is not possible The Interior Minister ’s statement comes shortly after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan confirmed to have received an offer from the government to postpone Islamabad protest, The PTI founder said that he was told “everything will be alright” if he accepted the offer “[I] received an offer via Barrister Gohar and [KP CM]
“The referred application is to be processed and an appropriate order is to be given regarding permission for the assembly, the order added However, it said that the court was informed that no such application was made till now “This court was also informed that the president of Belarus with his delegation of more than 60 persons is arriving on Nov 24 and their protection and freedom of movement is of utmost importance and directly involves relationship
Gandapur to postpone the protest and everything will be alright, he said “No negotiations are taking place with the PTI founder,” the interior minister insisted saying that the PTI should inform us if it wants to hold talks However he added the negotiations were not possible with the PTI if it announced staging sit-ins The nation should decide on the protests because why do they hold protests on specific dates?” he asked referring to the upcoming visit of foreign delegates Naqvi further said that whatever the court orders they will implement it The security czar warned the PTI supporters against gathering at D-Chowk in the federal capital, saying
with another country, hence the larger public interest is involved ” The order said that the court was also informed that though there was some communication with the PTI leadership, no formal engagement as such has been made
38 massacred in attack on passengers’ convoy in Kur ram
PESHAWAR/KURRAM S TA
F R E P O R T At least 38 people were killed and 30 others sustained gunshot wounds when a convoy of passenger van was ambushed by unidentified assailants in the Ochut area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa s Lower Kurram region on Thursday, according to the security officials and administration The incident occurred when two convoys one belonging to the Tori Bangash tribes heading to Peshawar and another travelling in the opposite direction to Parachinar, were ambushed by armed assailants According to police and hospital sources the attackers opened indiscriminate fire on the vehicles leaving a scene of devastation The injured include two women, with 21 of the victims transported to CMH and another 28 taken to Alizai Tehsil Hospital for treatment Tribal leader Jalal Bangash revealed that many passengers remain trapped in the area and called for urgent rescue operations We have been pleading with the government for over a month and a half to ensure the safety of transportation routes said Bangash Dozens of passengers are still stranded and immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of life
Kurram Deputy Commissioner
(DC) Javedullah Mehsud told AFP that “two separate convoys of the Shia community members were targeted by the terrorists in the Kurram district Both convoys consisted of around 40 vehicles travelling under police escort DC Mehsud further said that “women and children sought refuge in local houses and we are currently searching for [the attackers] in the area Sectarian attacks had occurred in the past but this time around, civilians have also been targeted in the current attack”, Mehsud pointed out asserting it could be the result of terrorism” he told the local media adding that there were land disputes between tribes in Kurram
According to police, the gunmen attacked the convoy while lying in ambush in the surrounding hills targeting several vehicles with automatic gunfire The authorities said that the attack left 38 dead, including a woman, and children while several of the wounded are in critical condition raising concerns that the death toll may rise Medical teams
in 2018 had failed to take meaningful action
Pakistan presses Afghanistan on terror group crackdown
children are now taking to the streets in protest Justice
Mandokhail observed Justice Musarrat Hilali questioned the report from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that claimed zero cases of sex trafficking She expressed disbelief at the claim pointing out that child trafficking remains a widespread issue in the region Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar asked whether there were any provincial bodies or commissions specifically addressing the issue of missing children, especially in the wake of the 18th Amendment, which transferred significant powers to the provinces Justice Mandokhail also noted that Balochistan had been paralyzed by protests over the abduction, yet authorities appeared to be unmoved He expressed frustration at the lack of preparation from government lawyers on this critical issue
The court was informed that a Supreme Court-appointed committee tasked with addressing child abductions which was formed
The petitioner argued that the committee had not even been properly established In response, the Additional Advocate General of Balochistan promised to provide a report on the matter
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar made it clear that the court expected more than just reports it wanted concrete measures to address the crisis Justice Mandokhail called for a broader investigation, questioning why the authorities were not taking more decisive action
The role of law enforcement agencies was also scrutinized with Justice Mandokhail raising concerns about the Frontier Corps involvement in social welfare programs despite substantial financial allocations Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi also highlighted the disturbing sight of children begging at traffic signals in Karachi underscoring the neglect of child welfare across the country
Justice Ameenuddin Khan expressed disappointment over the international issue of Pakistani beggars being sent abroad, describing it as a source of national shame The court adjourned the case until November 28 directing all provinces to
PM FOR ENSURING THIRD PART Y VALIDATION IN ALL GOVT PROCUREMENTS
is to ensure transparency in the procurement process and to align them with contemporary requirements, the meeting was told Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema Petroleum Minister Dr Musadik Malik Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PPRA Board members, World Bank Country Director and other relevant high officials attended the meeting NEW YORK r e u t e r s Gautam Adani, the billionaire chair of Indian conglomerate Adani Group and one of the world s richest people has been indicted in New York over his role in an alleged multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme U S prosecutors said on Wednesday Authorities said Adani and seven other defendants, including his nephew Sagar Adani agreed to pay about $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to obtain contracts expected to yield $2 billion of profit over 20 years and develop India s largest solar power plant project Prosecutors also said the Adanis and another executive at Adani Green Energy, former CEO Vneet Jaain raised more than $3 billion in loans and bonds by hiding their corruption from lenders and investors According to an indictment some conspirators referred privately to Gautam Adani with the code names Numero uno and “the big man,” while Sagar Adani allegedly used his cellphone to track
specifics about the bribes Adani Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours in India, where the charges were announced early Thursday morning India’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment and the lawyers for the defendants could not immediately be identified Gautam Adani Sagar Adani and Jaain were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, and the Adanis were also charged in a U S Securities and Exchange Commission civil case The other five defendants were charged with conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act a U S anti-bribery law, and four were charged with conspiring to obstruct justice None of the defendants is in custody, a spokesperson for U S Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn said Gautam Adani is believed to be in India
B U I LT E M P I R E: According to Forbes magazine, the 62-year-old Adani is worth
$69 8 billion and is one of the few billionaires formally accused in the United States of criminal wrongdoing His fortune makes him the world s 22nd-richest person, and second-richest in India behind Reliance Industries Chair Mukesh Ambani, Forbes said Adani grew up in India’s Gujarat state and dropped out of school at age 16 He founded Adani Group in 1988 as a commodities trading firm and built
A H S A N S U G G E S T S L I N K I N G G S P W I T H
Pakistan unveils ‘National Intellec tual Proper ty S trategy ’
The Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) successfully concluded its two-day consultative sessions for the development of Pakistan s National Intellectual Property Strategy Chairman IPO-Pakistan, Ambassador (R) Farukh Amil emphasized IPO-Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation creativity and respect for intellectual property rights Intellectual property is no longer a peripheral concern; it is a vital component of a nation s economic and social development, he stated Ambassador Amil highlighted the significance of integrating IP education into industries and academia particularly among youth Awareness in youth and students is essential for promoting innovation and creativity He expressed gratitude to WIPO for their invaluable partnership and expertise in shaping Pakistan’s National IP Strategy The consultative sessions featured insightful panel discussions on three key areas: Summary of Main Challenges and Recommendations for National Intellectual Property Strategy (NIPS)
Impact of IP Strategies on Pakistan s GeoEconomic Situation and Way Forward for National IP Strategy Development Renowned experts and stakeholders participated, providing valuable insights and recommendations Mr David Simmions, Counsellor, Division for Asia and Pacific WIPO presented detailed insights on WIPO’s support for implementing National IP strategies The consultative sessions marked the beginning of a knowledge-based economy in Pakistan, promoting innovation and ingenuity
“Together, we can build an IP framework that not only protects but also prompts the innovations and creations of our people making Pakistan a hub for ingenuity and excellence Ambassador Amil concluded Later shields were presented to the panelists
COMMENT
Winter power package
The scheme to encourage power use in winter may end up costing too much
TH E government introduced a special winter package to get users to consume electricity during the winter months when demand is low because of turned-off air conditioners and other cooling devices However, that package, according to NEPRA, could lead to an escalation in the fuel adjustment charge, thus driving up the cost of generation by gas-fired generation plants The plants will be paid the capacity charge whether or not they generate any power, and if they do, the fuel will be a pass-through item, charged from the consumer As the gas will be imported in the form of liquefied natural gas It will prove expensive, and thus price the winter package out of the range of the consumer causing him or her to avoid using electricity with the result tht the distribution companies will have filed in their attempt to generate revenue in winter to turn over to the independent power plants It should be remembered that capacity charges still have to paid, whether there is any generation or not, or even demand
The contradiction lies in the IMF conditionalities Whereas it demands that capacity charges be paid, and thus is opposed to solarization because of the resulting lower bills for consumers, it is also deadly opposed to captive power plants, which are gas-fired, which generate power for industrial units and which sell their excess generation to the DISCOs CPPs had been set up so that industrial units could avoid the loadshedding which was crippling them Now that the CPPs have been shut down as inefficient what can be done with the gas that has been ordered? It can be used for power generation but that will drive up the fuel adjustment charge
The LNG cargoes ordered may reflect an oversupply, because of over-ordering induced by last year s shortages, when gas cargoes There may be a reduction in demand because of the switching off of the vans, but there is also a reduction in supply, and that too of cheap hydel, as dams only release water when the provinces demand, something they do according to irrigation needs As luck would have it, the winter rains are yet to arrive, meaning that the Rabi crop sowing will see greater demands from the provinces and thus more hydel generated The government must not expect great things from its winter package Instead it must ensure that the average consumer is not burdened because of it
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
Not with a bang but a whimper
H E
does show how in one part of the world the sort of change that would occur The premise of the novel is deceptively simple: that it has stopped raining This according to the novel has occurred because a layer of microplastics has formed on the surfaces of the oceans, and the water cycle, which needs ocean evaporation, has been interrupted Ballard is a British author, and thus shows the effect on a community in the British countryside inland but along the banks of a river One of the effects is the breakdown of law and order another is how people flee to the seashore (with horrific experiences on the way), and their struggles to survive involving the development of new power structures to replace the old ones Indeed that was one of the themes of COP29 as the developed West tried to twist climate finance in ways that would maintain their existing dominance while the underdeveloped countries tried to use the climate change crisis to get out from under existing burdens Ballard was no longer a novice when he wrote The Burning World, but was still to reach the great heights he did when considering a post-nuclear world which was perhaps a greater concern at the time but did explore how humanity itself would be devastated That devastation should have been visible at the COP29 Summit, but perhaps was less visible there than lobbyists from the oil industry Technically speaking, this was the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change The debate seems to have shifted from how much should countries reduce their emissions
Chinese conspiracy to stop America becoming great again Holocaust denial is a criminal offence in several European counties and Canada but not the USA But catch Trump denying the Holocaust! Because the US government is going to be in denial, the Paris Accord of 2016, at COP21, is in danger because the USA had initially signed then pulled out under Trump in 2017 and returned in 2021 under Biden and may well pull out again after Trump takes over The USA China and Europe must agree to curb their greenhouse gas emissions, because that is what is driving climate change The industrialized nations want not to curb emissions so they can grow further,
and several industrialising countries, among them India and Pakistan, also dislike what some see as curbs on their development COP 28 and 29 have been held in oil countries Dubai is the capital of the UAE and Baku the present host is that of Azerbaijan Its oilfields are older than Dubai s being the subject of intense fighting in World War II, with their capture one of the main German operations when it launched Operation Barbarossa in 1941 The next COP is to be held in Belem, Brazil Belem is right across the country which is huge from the oil-producing areas of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo but does not totally conceal the fact that Brazil is one of the largest oil producers in the world, and though the country does not export much, it is self-sufficient Belem is the headquarters of Belem Bioenergie, which was into biofuels So while the next COP will be held in a major world oil producer it will be away from the national oil industry One of the aspects of the crisis that is not stressed enough is that it is not going to affect only developing countries This is something that Ballard managed to make evident in The Burning World, which was set in the UK, in a quintessentially English setting It did not show the UK as suffering because of the failure of Third-World-based supply chains but very directly because of the lack of water it was experiencing Britain without rain? Horror surely more than science fiction! It is possible to argue that this has not happened, but that is to miss the point of science fiction It is an attempt to look into the future; and another name for it is ‘speculative fiction’ However, this reflects the irrefutable fact that climate change will not affect the Third World and miraculously leave the developed countries
Eing a push to expand its global nuclear network aiming to position itself as a leader in the peaceful nuclear domain However the discernable pattern of nuclear materials being stolen from within its borders and sold on nuclear black markets every so often raises concerns not only for India but also beyond its borders Unsafeguarded radioactive materials pose a global risk particularly given the proclivity of non-state-actors to exploit the smallest of gaps While these radioactive materials are not enriched enough to make a fullfledged nuclear weapon, they can be used to create dirty bombs which could lead to environmental contamination and global panic Pakistan’s Foreign Office has time and again raised concerns fearing the spillover effect of such thefts into its territory and the South Asian region, however, the issue continues to persist Many such cases are not even reported by India to the Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB), which is the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) information system on incidents of illicit trafficking and unauthorised activities involving nuclear or radioactive materials While India s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has laid down some guidelines for the handling and safety of radioactive materials enforcement remains a weak link In addition the nuclear power programme in India is complex divided into three distinct streams
The first stream consisting of military nuclear facilities, does not have any international oversight as it falls outside the preview of the IAEA
The second stream consisting of civilian Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) is fully
under IAEA safeguards whereas the third stream which consists of the Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR) for producing plutonium falls into the most vulnerable category since these are only partially safeguarded Thus, while the facilities are monitored, the materials can still be diverted to the military side These multiple streams provide greater opportunities for malicious actors to gain access to radioactive materials especially once they leave regulated environments
This raises doubts, not only about India s ability to ensure adequate nuclear safety and regulatory oversight over its own programme, but also its role as a provider of regulatory expertise to other nations such as in its latest deal with the UAE
This systemic problem of theft of radioactive materials requires the country to do a serious reevaluation of its internal security frameworks This cannot be resolved by simply tightening security at major installations; the entire system which governs the handling storage and disposal of radioactive materials needs better scrutiny
Within this context the question remains whether India can be a trusted and reliable authority of nuclear safety and regulation With its endemic problems pertaining to theft of radioactive materials and an evident lack of full regulatory oversight the country’s ability to provide credible expertise on nuclear issues is far from assured
Nida Shahid is a Senior Researcher at Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies Lahore She can be reached at info@casslhr com
With
Controlling stray dogs
A shared responsibilit y
NIdA ShAhId
Suppor ting Imran Khan
One of the most
CPEC for
ture
throughout the
is
will
costs, and increase trade efficiency Given Pakistan’s strategic location at the crossroads of Central Asia the Middle East and South Asia improved connectivity with China and other regions could open access to new untapped markets CPEC is also expected to provide a boost to Pakistan s industrial sector, with new economic zones and industries emerging along it This could generate thousands of jobs and help diversify the economy Furthermore the development of Gwadar port alongside its supporting infrastructure is poised to transform it into a major regional trade and logistics hub
Another key strength of Pakistan is its strong and professional military The Pakistan Army, established in 1947 shortly after the country’s independence has played a central role in shaping the nation’s history security and development While its primary responsibility is to protect Pakistan s sovereignty and territorial integrity, The ongoing rivalry with India, which has led to multiple wars and conflicts, underscores the army’s critical role in defending Pakistan’s borders In addition to conven-
tional defense, the army is tasked with safeguarding Pakistan’s nuclear assets This responsibility is vital to Pakistan’s defense strategy as the army s role extends to the protection of the country s nuclear arsenal in an uncertain regional security environment Internally, Pakistan has faced substantial security challenges, particularly from extremist and militant groups Insurgencies in regions such as Balochistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal areas have posed serious threats to the nation s internal stability The Pakistan Army has been instrumental in counterinsurgency efforts, conducting operations to neutralize these threats and restore law and order Its role in combating terrorism particularly in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks has been critical to Pakistan’s efforts in the global fight against terrorism Military operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ulFasaad have played a key role in dismantling terrorist networks They have significantly reduced terrorist activities, improved security in major cities, and contributed to a safer environment Beyond its military duties the army has also been pivotal in providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief during crises such as natural disasters, floods, and earthquakes
The military holds a unique and respected position within Pakistani society, admired for its discipline professionalism and strong sense of duty Serving in the army is regarded as a prestigious career
Another major strength of Pakistan is its nuclear programme Pakistan s nuclear capabilities are crucial to its security, geopolitical positioning, and even its economic outlook Since the 1970s, the country’s pursuit of nuclear weapons has been motivated by national security concerns and regional power dynamics The core motivation is to safeguard national security particularly in light of its long-standing rivalry with India India s nuclear tests in 1974 and its accelerated nuclear development in the late 1990s prompted Pakistan to fast-track its own programme The acquisition of nuclear weapons has provided Pakistan with a credible deterrent against potential aggression from its much larger neighbour For Pakistan, nuclear deterrence is seen as essential for maintaining strategic stability in South Asia, where the conventional military imbalance between India and Pakistan is substantial
Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine, particularly its concept of “Full Spectrum Deterrence” (FSD) underscores that nuclear weapons are not just for large-scale warfare but also serve to counter conventional and tactical threats This aligns with Pakistan s strategy of maintaining a minimum credible deterrence, aimed at preventing escalation and ensuring that any military conflict with India carries the risk of nuclear escalation thereby deterring full-scale war Pakistan takes pride in its nuclear assets viewing them as essential for defence and peace The country and its people stand firm in their belief that their nuclear programme serves only to protect Pakistan from external threats External adversaries have consistently sought to weaken and destabilize Pakistan often targeting its core strengths from within One prominent figure in this context is Imran Khan whose actions have clearly demonstrated that he is working against Pakistan s interests The events of 9 May 2023, where Imran Khan and his party allegedly orchestrated attacks on the General Headquarters and military installations are a glaring example of this During his time in power CPEC projects were disrupted and had he remained in office it is likely he would have targeted Pakistan s nuclear program as well His main agenda appears to be to tarnish and destabilize Pakistan by discrediting its state institutions on the international stage an objective aligning with the interests of Zionist forces who have been actively supporting the founding of PTI Prior to the protest call issued by PTI s founder on November 24, 46 members of the US Congress, from both Republican and Democratic parties, wrote to President Joe Biden, urging him to push for Imran Khan’s release Earlier a letter was sent to President Biden by 60 Congress members Now more
than 100 have called on him to take action for Imran Khan s release, which can be seen as a clear interference in Pakistan s internal affairs
Political analysts have long suggested that Imran Khan and his party have deep ties with the Zionist lobby viewing him as a pawn to improve relations with Israel A recent Israeli article even described Imran Khan as the most suitable person for this There is also a glaring contradiction: while these U S congressmen vocalize their concerns about the treatment of Imran Khan, they remain conspicuously silent on Israel’s human rights abuses in Palestine and Kashmir
Some analysts further argue that the recent letter issued just before the November 24 protest call, is a direct indication of Zionist powers attempting to revive Operation Goldsmith” – a failed initiative due to PTI’s internal disarray and waning public support Diplomatic experts also view the repeated letters as overt interference in Pakistan s sovereign affairs contrary to diplomatic norms Pakistan s higher courts, they emphasize, operate independently and make decisions based on the Constitution, and no external pressure can override the legal process regarding those involved in corruption terrorism or incitement against the state The cases are currently in court and the decisions lie with the judiciary
The frequent lobbying efforts by the PTI, appealing to foreign forces for intervention, undermine Pakistan s sovereignty and should be taken seriously by the courts Foreign affairs experts also note that some PTI members who have fled abroad are actively engaging in anti-Pakistan and anti-state propaganda using international lobbies and social media Major global media outlets like Inter-Sat, Financial Times, Al Jazeera, and the BBC have historically supported PTI’s efforts and are expected to continue playing a role in mobilizing support for PTI protests This letter from Congress is the second of
The people of Pakistan are fully aware of Imran Khan and his par tyÊs true intentions and have distanced themselves from their anti-Pakistan ag enda. The entire nation desires peace and prosperity, firmly rejecting any forces that seek to sow division, hatred, and anarchy in the countr
o l a c e
Why does the US Bureau of Prisons refuse to allow Dr Aafia Siddiqui visits from an imam?
Today Clive and his colleagues have filed a suit in federal cour t to force the issue, yet it should not take a lawsuit for the Carswell authorities to respec t fundamental religious rights – they could just read the Bible, the Q uran or maybe even just the First Amendment to the US Constitution
Saudi reforms: The show must go on
O f course, not ever yone is happy with this new openness, or with the choices now available to S audi citizens and expats in the Kingdom
The beaut y of the Vision 2030 reforms is, each to his own this is why women across the kingdom today are free to be veiled, don a headscar f, or wear no abaya at all
People who have not downloaded the latest software and upgraded to Saudi Arabia 2.0 either seem blind, or are deliberately ignoring that all this is going on while the Kingdom successfully hosts millions of pilgrims ever y year during Hajj
the only person to be shot Regardless, it is a common thread in most faiths that we should remember those in distress, and that’s part of what brings the two of us together in this struggle for Aafia In the Quran we are told “And they give food from their sustenance in spite of their love for it to the needy the orphan and the captive (Insaan The Human 76:8) The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) famously taught that no one of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (Bukhari) In the Bible, a verse reads that we should “continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering (Hebrews 13:3)
Empathy is a pronounced value in our traditions and if ever there was someone who needs religious solace right now, it is Aafia Siddiqui So when she told her volunteer lawyer (Clive Stafford Smith) that she had not had an imam during her 16 years in prison, let alone the five years of torture before that Clive reached out to Imam Omar who immediately agreed to visit her every couple of weeks to give her spiritual assistance
This was months ago and each time we chased up the prison authorities, they came up with a new reason to do nothing First, they wanted their form filled out We did that Then they said they needed a driver ’s licence and proof of being an imam Then they said they did not have the documents they needed and we asked what else they needed Months went by and they requested strange documentation that demonstrated they had no intention to facilitate Aafia s request
Last month Clive s team demanded to know when this was going to get resolved We were told nothing Then this week we were told that they had denied Omar s right to help
Aafia: “This memorandum is to advise of the denial of visiting for Imam Suleiman ” The memorandum is dated September 26 – meaning it was written two months ago but they had not bothered to tell us until now No reason is given The Biden administration has laboured long and hard to alienate Muslim Americans in its blinkered support for Israel s war crimes in Gaza, but it is difficult to understand why this request would be denied Is it because of other human rights advocacy? Could it be precipitated by previous tweets and protests demanding that there should be justice for Aafia? Or could it be that demanding an end to the atrocities against the Palestinian people has once again alienated us from yet another basic space in which to function? Today Clive and his colleagues have filed a suit in federal court to force the issue, yet it should not take a lawsuit for the Carswell authorities to respect fundamental religious rights – they could just read the Bible the Quran or maybe even just the First Amendment to
WI T H the speed and magnitude of the accomplishments of the recent Saudi reforms, it is hardly surprising that many people may be overwhelmed The metaphor I like to use is that they have not downloaded the latest software update: for them Saudi Arabia is still a place where women are not permitted to drive where cinemas are banned and the ultra conservatives dominate society That is why an event such as the Elie Saab fashion show in Riyadh last week, marking the 45th anniversary of the Lebanese haute couture icon’s brand was perhaps a little too much for some to comprehend Eight short years ago even a fashion show on its own in the Kingdom would have been unthinkable: but a fashion show with live performances by A-List entertainers Jennifer Lopez, Camila Cabello and Celine Dion was up there with the largest and most glamorous in the world However, that is the new Saudi Arabia a country on a mission to compete in almost every aspect on a global level While entertainment is only a part of it it tends to attract more attention given the very nature of celebrity and showbusiness On
Abdul bAsit Alvi
“History
hands to veto the draft resolution Robert Wood, deputy U S ambassador to the UN, said Washington had made clear it would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of hostages as part of a ceasefire A durable end to the war must come with the release of the hostages These two urgent goals are inextricably linked This resolution abandoned that necessity, and for that reason, the United States could not support it,” he said Wood said the U S had sought compromise but the text of the proposed resolution would have sent a dangerous message to Palestinian
CM Mar yam meets delegation of 26th National securit y workshop of NDU
tunately the governments are not allowed to function properly ” She added Every work that has a positive impact on the lives of 15 crore people is my priority We want to control smog as soon as possible Positive effects of government s measures are coming to light People lose their lives due to lack of health and treatment facilities We are all Pakistanis irrespective of our political af-
filiations Our aim is to promote patriotism Inflation is low and foreign exchange reserves are increasing in Pakistan The stock market has broken all records IT exports are increasing With increasing exports, dependence on foreign aid decreases, we will be able to live our lives with pride and dignity ” She said, “Controlling inflation is an uphill task bringing it down from 38 percent to 7 percent is a mega achievement We want to serve the people by increasing financial resources People from all over Pakistan come to Punjab for a better future, employment, jobs and treatment Mismanagement of resources after 77 years is regrettable Infrastructure is very important for development The example of Dubai is in front of us Low literacy rate in South Asia is shameful Those embracing martyrdom in other provinces are also Pakistanis Threats of terrorism prevail, maintaining law and order is our foremost priority ” The CM added “Rs 45 billion were saved in the road rehabilitation program through e-tendering and transparency Rs 800 billion have been saved by not purchasing wheat The Punjab government will not provide support price but farmers will be given subsidies on agricultural inputs and equipment on Kisan cards Patients gets affected due to the behavior of doctors and staff in hospitals After the Sahiwal incident fire extinguishers were made functional in all hospitals It is not children of the rich who die by falling into sewers, but children of the poor ”
India warns of ‘fur ther damage’ to Canada ties
She said, “Change cannot come overnight Capacity building has not been done as a nation We need to find a solution to extremism problem There is a special focus on the protection of minorities Regardless of religion and sect, protection of every individual is our responsibility It is highly regrettable to appreciate a child abuser on his release We apprehend thieves and robbers but they escape from the courts No matter how much we spend on health and agriculture it seems less Punjab is the only province which gives a surplus budget CM Punjab said, Air ambulance service was launched to transport patients to big hospitals during golden hour I decide to initiate a project by talking directly to the common people Everything looks good while sitting in the office, but the ground realities are different No patient will be denied admission in the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital worth Rs 16 billion A special ward will be built for incurable cancer patients Pakistan s first Artificial Intelligence University will be built in the Nawaz Sharif IT City A safe city will be built across Punjab and pink buttons will be installed everywhere She added, “Five thousand people have applied for the Punjab Dhee Rani program for mass marriages Punjab is the first province to implement the Sikh Marriage Act I feel pleased to see girls traveling on e-bikes comfortably Corruption is my red line The government has sent insulin sellers to jail on selling in-
Honhaar scholarship The Pun-
Nijjar but three other individuals as well
The National Assembly s Standing Committee on Industries and Production, led by the Chairman Syed Hafeezuddin, visited Indus Motor Company (IMC) on Thursday, November 21st, 2024, for a comprehensive briefing on its operations The delegation toured IMC’s state-of-the-art plant witnessing its advanced manufacturing processes localization efforts and recent milestones The delegation included the following Members of the National Assembly; Mr Shahid Usman, Ms Kiran Imran, Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, Mr Abdul Hakeem Baloch, Ms Naz Baloch, Mr Muhammad Iqbal Khan Mr Muhammad Saad Ullah Mr Muhammad Arshad Sahi and Dr Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto attended the meeting virtually The delegation was also accompanied by Mr Asad Islam Malhani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, along with Engr Khuda Bukhsh, Chief Executive Officer, Engineering Development Board IMC has reaffirmed its commitment to localization in Pakistan's automotive sector and highlighted further investment of PKR 4 1 billion in 2024 The development is planned to be completed in year 2026 This move bolsters the national economy, curtails import dependence, and generates employment opportunities and will further enhance IMC’s localization initiatives under “Make in Pakistan”
PAKISTAN NEEDS TO ADOPT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
LAHORE
An open court session was held at the central office of NA-127 constituency, organized by the honorable mother of Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar A large number of individuals from the constituency participated in the session During the session, the minister s mother listened to the concerns of the attendees and issued immediate directives for resolving their issues
Addressing the gathering she emphasized that every resident of the constituency is deserving of respect and that efforts are being made day and night to solve their problems She highlighted a special focus on slum areas within the constituency ensuring that essential facilities are provided on an urgent basis She also stated that each union council (UC) in the constituency will be developed into a model
EBM Champions Ever y Child’s Equal Right to Happiness
GOVT PL ANS PARTIAL INTERNET, MOBILE SUSPENSIONS IN ISL AMABAD, KP, AND PUNJAB
IG Islamabad requests additional police support from Punjab ahead of PTI protest
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, has requested additional personnel from Punjab police in preparation for PTI s planned protest on November 24
The request reportedly includes the deployment of two Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), ten District Police Officers (DPOs), heavy contingents shells and elite force vehicles to ensure security and maintain order in the federal capital Punjab police have already stationed officers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Murree, and surrounding districts, and are considering sending more personnel to Islamabad in response to the situation
stance against
“deals” and reaffirmed their commitment to
for their
to a
Qaiser confirmed that PTI s leadership including Imran
remains resolute in their position to stay in Pakistan and fight for
Imran Khan will stay in the country and will not go to London or any other country,” he stated, stressing that the leadership’s imprisonment in what they consider to be fabricated cases should be addressed on merit Qaiser dismissed any claims of a relief deal in the case involving Imran Khan s bail particularly in the Toshakhana case-II calling it a false case He commended some members of the judiciary, particularly Justice Aurangzeb, for making decisions based on courage and justice, free from external pressures “If decisions are made according to the constitution and law the country will move forward ” he added On the political front Qaiser revealed that PTI had been in contact with key figures including Ali Amin who was recently incarcerated in Adiala Jail While the specifics of these contacts remain unclear, Qaiser hinted at possible negotiations, though he emphasized that any such discussions would not undermine PTI’s stance “Whatever is to be done will progress beyond negotiations and only Ali Amin can tell who contacted him he said confirming that the government was behind these talks
Ahead of the November 24 protest, Qaiser stated that PTI s preparations are complete He emphasized that the protest will be led exclusively by PTI and will not involve other parties, such as JUI-F or Mahmood Achakzai Qaiser condemned the government’s handling of inflation and unemployment highlighting the worsening situation in the country More than a hundred soldiers have been martyred in a month and the government has shown no real effort to address the crisis, he added Qaiser confirmed that the protest would be led by Hammad Azhar from Punjab and Ali Amin from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Despite anticipated government obstacles PTI plans to carry out the protest wherever necessary It is our legal right to protest and we will reach Islamabad no matter how long it takes Our target is Islamabad, and we will achieve our goal through protest,” he asserted
To ensure public safety Punjab police have also completed their preparations and designated focal persons for each district
In a related development, Section 144 has been enforced in Rawalpindi due to concerns about potential unrest
ahead of PTI s protest The decision followed a meeting of the district intelligence committee chaired by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheem The imposition of Section 144 prohibits public gatherings rallies and assemblies of more than four people in Rawalpindi due to concerns over extremism and terrorism
PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, has called for nationwide protests on November 24 adding to the tension Meanwhile the party has outlined its conditions for holding negotiations with the government to potentially withdraw the protest call According to sources, PTI has demanded immediate relief for Imran Khan in exchange for halting the protest These demands include the quashing of all fabricated cases against him and his immediate release
One of the conditions set by PTI is that if legal proceedings delay his release, he should be transferred to Peshawar Jail The party also called for the immediate
release of other PTI leaders currently imprisoned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur emphasized that negotiations would only begin after Imran Khan’s release
Earlier in the day in a strong stance towards the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf s (PTI) do or die call for protest on Nov 24, the Punjab government has decided to deal with the protesters as they do with terrorists
Talking to journalists outside the Lahore High Court Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said: While they [PTI] might have plans A, B, and C, the state possesses the entire ABC
The Punjab minister ’s remarks come in the run-up the PTI’s call for “do-or-die protest” and the party has started preparations for the protest outing as very significant
Talking about government s strategy, Bokhari declared that on November 24, the government would respond to protesters in the same manner it deals with terrorists
ECP seeks Imran Khan’s vir tual presence in contempt hearing on December 17
ISLAMABAD
N E W S D E S K
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday directed former PTI leader Imran Khan to ensure his participation in the upcoming contempt case hearing on December 17, via a video link
The directive was issued during a session chaired by a four-member bench led by the Sindh member
At the hearing the Sindh member confirmed that authorities had provided written assurances that arrangements would be made for Khan’s virtual attendance The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa member also mentioned that Khan had been granted bail in another case
Imran Khan s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry, expressed concerns about the possibility of Khan being arrested in connection with other legal matters stressing that his presence was vital for recording evidence and hearing witness testimonies
The Election Commission confirmed that the hearing on December 17 would proceed with the collection
of evidence, contingent on Khan s participation through the video link
This latest hearing is part of the ongoing legal challenges faced by Imran Khan which include the contempt of the Election Commission case and other related charges stemming from his time as PTI s leader
In a separate development, the ECP had earlier sought a report from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding internet connectivity issues at Adiala Jail after Khan failed to appear virtually for his previous hearing due
to the service disruption The matter was discussed during the hearing, where PTI’s legal team, including Shoaib Shaheen and Faisal Chaudhry along with jail authorities were present
The counsel for the ECP questioned the jail staff regarding the internet outage, and they confirmed that the service had been disrupted Chaudhry requested the commission to allow a meeting between Imran Khan and his legal team but the ECP clarified that such decisions were beyond their scope
