FA ZL THREATENS ‘MARCH ON ISL AMABAD’ IF MADRASAH BILL NOT PASSED
JA M I AT Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday took a dig at the federal government, calling it “illegitimate” and “forcefully imposed ” warning his party would stage a protest in Islamabad if Madrasah Registration Bill is not passed
Speaking to the media in Peshawar on Friday, he warned that the party was serious about staging a protest in Islamabad if the Madrasah Registration Bill is not passed However he stated that the party’s full position would be announced on Sunday during a gathering in Peshawar
Rehman explained that discussions regarding the madrasah bill as part of the 26th Constitutional Amendment had taken place before with key political figures, including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari
He confirmed that talks had been held with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership He noted that the government had initiated contact with his party and dialogue was ongoing He shared that the party was also in touch with the madrasah federation and other allied religious organisations The JUI-F chief stated that if the government reneged on its commitments it would cause a loss of confidence in the political process He expressed his frustration with the
PM assures JUI-F chief of addressing Madrasah Registration Bill issue
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister She-
hbaz Sharif on Friday assured JUI-F
Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman that all concerns related to the Madrasah Registration Bill would be addressed In a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman raised concerns over the inordinate delay in the passage of the Madrasah Registration Bill According to JUI spokesperson Aslam Ghauri Rehman informed the Prime Minister of his reservations regarding the bill During the conversation, PM Shehbaz assured the JUI leader that all concerns related to the bill would be addressed
government’s handling of the issue
claiming that while the Madrasah Registration Bill had been agreed upon before the formation of the current government unnecessary interference had stalled the legislative process Rehman pointed out that the bill had received wide consensus, including meetings with Nawaz Sharif at Bilawal House and discussions with PTI but questioned why objections had surfaced at this late stage We are still open to dialogue, and we want to resolve matters, but how can
Jirga-led peace effor
Rehman emphasised that the government should avoid turning the agreed-upon bill into a contentious issue “We stand firm on our position, and we will not allow any infringement on the freedom and independence of madrasas he stated Meanwhile Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri another JUI-F leader, has issued a warning that the party will take further action if the Madrasah Registration Bill is not passed by the federal government by the deadline of December 8 Haideri who also serves as the General Secretary of JUI-F stated that if the bill is not approved by the set date, the party will march towards Islamabad to protest S
we be flexible with just a phone call?” he said highlighting that any meaningful change would require more than just superficial negotiations He further accused the federal government of being an imposed administration, adding that if there were any changes, JUI-F would not be part of it and would instead make its decision through strength
Turning to the issue of law and order in the province Rehman criticised the provincial government s failure to establish its authority
ts
finally bring indefinite ceasefire to Kur ram
Following weeks of violent conflict in Kurram tribal district that claimed over 131 lives, a grand jirga of tribal elders has declared an indefinite ceasefire, ensuring that trenches will remain vacant until a final decision is reached The jirga comprising more than 100 tribal elders convened under the supervision of KhyberPakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur The Commissioner of Kohat Division Mutasim Billah Shah and DIG Shir Akbar Khan led the deliberations After extensive individual and collective meetings with all parties involved, the jirga announced the ceasefire as a critical step towards achieving sustainable peace in the conflict-ridden region The participants emphasized that peace cannot be achieved through violence and committed to working toward a long-term resolution of the deeply rooted issues plaguing Kurram In a collective statement the jirga declared We will remain in
session until full and lasting peace is established in Kurram carrying the message of peace to our respective areas Kohat Commissioner Mutasim Billah Shah affirmed the government s commitment to maintaining state authority and supporting durable peace Ahead of the jirga’s decision Chief Minister Gandapur had met with the grand jirga members to discuss formal negotiations and conflict resolution strategies During Monday s K-P Assembly session, the government announced plans to disarm Kurram and dis-
mantle bunkers in the district as part of restoring law and order Law Minister Aftab Alam emphasized the need to establish government authority stating An operation will be conducted to make Kurram weapon-free, and all bunkers will be demolished ” The conflict which began in October has devastated the region opposition member Riaz Shaheen reported during the session He highlighted the widespread destruction, including the closure of all routes, displacing over 10 000 people
appropriate channels for further investigation Another key issue discussed was the persistent connectivity problems in the Dheri Mera area Abbottabad where residents have been facing challenges with 4G data and voice call services Senator Kamran Murtaza, who had raised the issue, expressed frustration over the lack of resolution The committee acknowledged that connectivity issues were widespread especially in Balochistan and Waziristan and recommended that these regions be included in future resolutions A follow-up on this issue is expected in the next committee meeting The committee also reviewed other ongoing issues, including the status of an MRI machine at the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital and
WHY IS JA ZZ HANDING OVER ITS TOWERS TO ENGRO?
factors including rate cut expectations and investor sentiment The market s future trajectory will depend on sustained economic stability and further improvements in inflation and macroeconomic conditions Nonetheless, the recent performance signals a strong recovery with investors closely watching the monetary policy announcement later this month The KSE-100 s previous close stood at 108 238 96 with the day s movement suggesting continued investor enthusiasm for Pakistani equities
Global billionaire count grows 17%, wealth reaches $14t
D ubai S outh par tners with Bahria Town for luxur y gated communit y in Golf D istric t
of biogas up to 95-99% Both institutes would collaborate to design and develop organic fertilizer place and organic fertilizer products along with development of sales channel of organic fertilizer products Both institutes would also engage
Power division lif
students in collaborative projects to cooperate in research collaboration in the areas of mutual interest like international seminars awareness campaigns, workshops, and conferences, spokesman added Mr Hiroshi Kawamura said that they were committed to addressing the different issues for the people The MoU will come up with tangible result to promote biogas and bio-fertilizer he added Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar said that UAF was taking all possible measures for the clean and green technology It is housing Punjab Bioenergy Institute (PBI) a step to flourish the biogas he said adding that solar system is in the place in the varsity He termed green technology crucial in the era that is in the grip of serious environmental degradation and said that each inch of environment depleting poses a serious threat to the ecosystem UAF experts including Dr Muhammad Naveed Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences; Prof Dr Imran Arshad, Director ORIC; Prof Dr Muhammad Kashif Saleemi, Director External Linkages; Dr Muhammad Rizwan Tabassum Assistant Professor PBI; Dr Muhammad Ashraf Consultant PBI Dr Muhammad Ghaffar Dogar Consultant PBI and Pak Suzuki officials including Ghulam Hussain Agha, General Manager Business Development; Fahad Qamar, Manager Business Development; Waqar Majeed Manager Sales Management Central Punjab and Syed Wajahat Ali General Manager MKTG & Sales Central Punjab and others were also present during MoU signing ceremony
Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Sialkot, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad
Hubco and BYD seem strange bedfellows, but there is an underlying logic
Amay
and
and
technology This agreement may also be seen as symbolic of how it is possible in this globalized world to bypass nationalistic barriers Who would have imagined a joint venture between two Pakistani firms involving a Chinese and a US investor? If the incoming Trump Administration tries to strangle BYD with tariffs, what is to stop Xentergy, Hubco’s American investor, from lobbying for relaxation?
Hubco is clearly looking to a future where oil is no longer king, and in that respect is proving itself worthy of the many awards it has won from the Marketing Association of Pakistan, not just for showing corporate responsibility, but also for being forward-looking There is a storm of innovation coming, and those following previous paradigms, like strident nationalism, re going to be left behind in the dust of the innovators In a way the government did Hubco a favour by turfing it out of the power generation business
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
I N Muhammad Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty as well as its first Emperor of India was born in Ferghana Uzbekistan on 14 February 1483 in what is now Uzbekistan and died on 26 December 1530 in Agra India at the age of only 47 and was buried in the Bagh i Babar, Kabul By descent he came from famous lineages His mother Qutlugh Nigar Khanum was directly descended from Genghis Khan and his father Umaer Sheikh Mirza II was directly descended from Tamerlane The author of the Ramayana which is the most ancient epic poem telling the entire story of Ramchander, the king of Ayodhya, was Ratanakar, famously known as Valmiki or Balmeek Maharishi Valmiki’s birth, death and biographical details are in the dark Reserchers are silent about it is related tht Valmiki was born in a full moon in a Bengali month Ashwain in a Brahmin family His father s name was Pracheta Ayodhya, today s city in India s Uttar Pradesh state, has both Muslim nd non-Muslim populations Traditionally, it was the capital of the Koshala Kingdom In the era of Siddartha (Gautam Buddha) in the fifth and six centuries BC Saraswati became the chief city of that kingdom Researchers have told that Ayodhys is the same as Sakela a town where the Budhha is said to have resided for a time Ramchandra was the eldest son of Raja Dasrath, the Aryan Kshetri (later Rajput) king of Ayodhya known latterly as Oudh Ram’s mother Kaushalya was the Hed Queen and her son Ramchandra was the
ON December 3 South Korean President
Yoon Suk Yeol took the extraordinary step of declaring martial law accusing the opposition Democratic Party of engaging in anti-state activities and attempting to obstruct governmental operations This sudden decision sparked an immediate response from lawmakers with 190 of South Korea’s 300 parliamentarians convening to demand its revocation Under the South Korean Constitution the president is obligated to respect such an order, and Yoon ultimately rescinded the declaration within hours This event posed a critical test of South Korea’s democratic resilience, its regional geopolitical role and the durability of its alliances The invocation of martial law is not unprecedented in South Korea s history Such measures have been implemented during periods of intense political turmoil often coinciding with military coups Notable examples include the 1979 declaration of martial law, which was accompanied by widespread protests and repression This period ultimately catalyzed the pro-democracy movement that culminated in South Korea’s full transition to democracy in 1987 However the 2024 declaration marked the first use of martial law in nearly 45 years and occurred under significantly different circumstances
Unlike previous instances, Yoon s declaration of “emergency martial law” was not a response to war or rebellion Instead, it was framed as a necessary step to address a multifaceted crisis including legislative gridlock medical strikes and alleged threats from North Korea The decision raised questions about the appropriateness of martial law as a tool to resolve political and social disputes in a democratic society Martial law in South Korea suspends civilian authority and grants broad powers to the military Under such a regime the president can dissolve parliament restrict public demonstrations and impose additional measures deemed necessary to restore order In this case Yoon s declaration included the dissolution of parliament, a ban on public demonstrations, and an order for striking medical interns and residents to return to work within 48 hours The president justified these measures by citing a
constitutional crisis and accusing the opposition of undermining the state However, the opposition Democratic Party argued that the declaration was an overreach designed to stifle dissent and consolidate executive power The swift parliamentary vote against the declaration underscored the strength of South Korea s democratic institutions and the commitment of its lawmakers to preserving constitutional norms
At the heart of Yoon s decision was the political impasse between his administration and the opposition-controlled parliament The Democratic Party had blocked critical legislation including the 2025 budget bill which left the government unable to address urgent economic and social issues Additionally efforts to impeach prosecutors who had declined to charge Yoon s wife with alleged investment fraud further exacerbated tensions
Beyond political gridlock, labor unrest, particularly in the healthcare sector contributed to the sense of crisis Striking junior doctors and other medical workers disrupted essential medical services creating public discontent By declaring martial law Yoon sought to reassert control and compel a return to normalcy However, his framing of these issues as antistate” activities drew criticism for conflating legitimate political opposition with subversive threats While Yoon’s declaration did not explicitly reference North Korea developments on the Korean Peninsula likely influenced the decision Pyongyang s increased military activities, including missile tests and rhetorical threats, have heightened security concerns in South Korea By linking domestic opposition to North Korea sympathizers, Yoon attempted to portray martial law as a safeguard against both internal and external threats This strategy however risked deepening domestic divisions Critics argued that equating political dissent with national security threats undermined democratic freedoms and diverted attention from genuine security challenges posed by North Korea Moreover, a government preoccupied with internal disputes would be less effective in addressing external threats potentially emboldening Pyongyang to exploit the situation The
For South Korea, the incident underscores the need for continued vigilance in protecting democratic norms and institutions. It also points to the impor tance of dialogue and compromise in resolving political and social conflicts. In the absence of such mechanisms, crises are likely to recur, with potentially destabilizing consequences for the nation and the region.
B a b r i M a s j i d : b e f o r e a n d a f t e r
The first drop of rain?
a burning question History proves there was nol opposition no protest no negative demonstration was made by the Hindus as well as all non-Muslims of that entire time So it shows as well as proves that the dispute was created by the British according to their ‘divide and rule’ strategy to divide the vMuslims and non-Muslims and the exemplary unity the two had After the British left and the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the dispute was framed as a political tool to gain power in modern India, by the Hindus, especially the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSSS) and BJP whose President was Lal Kishan Advani Home Minister of India and Narinder Modi former Gujrat CM and presently PM The other orgnisations based on Hindutva; extremist Hindus, including the Bajrang Dal, the Shiv Sena, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, were directly involved in the dispute Even in the 19th venturi, the decisions of Indian courts played a vital role On 6 December 1992 the Hindu extremists led by the BJP and its Hindutva allies launched
an attack on the Babri Masjid and demolished it in the course of the next few days As a result riots commenced all over the Indian Subcontinent which led to two or three thousand people being killed Some thought that an old dispute had been settled But one Hindu extremist published a list of thousands of mosques which he claimed were built on mandirs A claim has been laid to the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi to the Taj Mahal and now to the dargah of Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer These are all claims newly made, on buildings which are several centuries old These claims are as ridiculous as the Babri Mosque claim when it was first raised in a suit before the Agra sessions court in 1883 though the dispute had first arisen in 1953 when there was an attempt to take over the mosque by violence
Another approach is to demolish mosques as encroachments That approach has been tried in New Delhi recently The claim against the Taj shows that Babri Mosque was not demolished because it was a mosque but because it was a symbol of Muslim culture How long before other symbols turn out to have been built on temples?
The writer is a freelance columnist
On 6 December 1992, the Hindu extremists, led by the BJP and its Hindutva allies, launched an attack on the Babri Masjid, and demolished it in the course of the next few days As a result, riots commenced all over the Indian Subcontinent, which led to two or three thousand people being killed
Embracing diversit y
O R Pakistan s transgender community each day brings a new challenge, driven by societal prejudices and a
among them remains overwhelmingly high There are no separate hospital wards or specific healthcare initiatives for their needs Without addressing this, we fail both as a healthcare system and as a compassionate society A transformative step forward would be to dedicate a day to celebrating transgender identity in Pakistan As the worldwide calendar designates many days for acknowledgement our local context lacks such acknowledgement for the transgender community Establishing a national ‘Transgender Recognition Day’ would create a meaningful space to enhance awareness, celebrate diversity, and push for inclusive reforms We must also work collectively to challenge misconceptions and reshape societal attitudes Schools workplaces and media platforms should actively promote awareness and
Irrigation crisis in Sindh
Dr MuhaMMaD afZaal
Tariffs and tensions
By Dr iMran khaliD
days after pledging steep tariff increases on imports from Mexico Canada and
China Trump claims these dramatic measures set to take effect on his first day in office are a direct response to illegal immigration and the flow of crime and drugs across the border Donald Trump has once again taken his signature approach to international relations: the art of the economic ultimatum In his latest fiery declaration Trump announced plans for sweeping tariff hikes on goods from Mexico Canada and China vowing to implement these changes on his first day back in office His reasoning? A self-proclaimed crusade against illegal immigration, crime, and the relentless flow of drugs across US borders Never one to shy away from bold proclamations Trump framed the tariffs as a direct retaliation against nations he claims have turned a blind eye to the chaos spilling into America We re not going to stand by while our borders are overrun and our economy undermined,” Trump asserted, setting the stage for a policy that would undoubtedly rattle global supply chains and provoke economic tensions with key trading partners Critics of course were quick to point out the potential fallout Such tariff hikes could escalate prices for US consumers, disrupt trade agreements, and strain relations with allies who have long been essential to the US economy Yet in true Trump fashion the former president seems unfazed relying on his populist mantra that tough rhetoric and aggressive measures are what s needed to protect American sovereignty Whether this is a calculated strategy or political bluster, Trump’s latest pledge underscores
G
RE C E N T reports from Reuters have unveiled the covert strategies employed by the United States, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia concerning Syria Before the recent uptick in terrorist activities these countries proposed lifting sanctions on Syria if President Bashar al-Assad distanced himself from Iran and the Axis of Resistance, according to Reuters This offer, if true, is part of a broader strategy by these countries to undermine Syria and its allies
THE U S AGENDA AGAINST IRAN AND SYRIA: From the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011 the U S opposed Iran s involvement in confronting terrorists in Syria Washington s primary objective was to remove Assad, as his alliance with Iran posed a significant obstacle to their regional plans The U S and its allies supported various terrorist factions, hoping to destabilize Syria and alter the power dynamics in West Asia Operation Timber Sycamore a clandestine CIA program backed by a coalition of Western and regional allies including Israel the Persian Gulf monarchies the U K France, Germany, and Turkey in 2012, funneled billions into arming terrorists in Syria
This program bolstered one of history’s most impactful insurgencies, primarily fueled Al Qaeda affiliates and foreign fighters played a major role in the formation of ISIS and intensified the conflict rather than resolving it The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria is a direct result of this operation and similar undertakings However, the situation changed dramatically when Iran and Russia intervened, providing significant support to Syria in its battle against ISIS and other foreign-backed terrorist groups This cooperation effectively disrupted U S and Israeli efforts to sow discord between Tehran and Moscow over Syria Despite numerous attempts by the U S and its allies to fabricate a rift between Iran and Russia, the partnership on the Syrian battleground remained robust, frustrating American and Israeli strategies
CONFESSIONS FROM U S OFFICIALS: The strategic use of extremist groups as geopolitical tools has been openly acknowledged by U S officials In a leaked audio released by Wikileaks in 2017 John Kerry admitted We saw that Daesh [ISIS] was growing in strength We thought, however, that we could probably manage You know, that Assad might then negotiate Furthermore, then-Vice President Joe Biden noted in a 2014 interview with the Washington Post: “The Turks the Saudis the Emirates were so determined to take down Assad what did they do? They poured hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of tons of weapons into anyone who would fight against Assad – except that the people who were being supplied, [they] were [Jabhat] al-Nusra, and al-Qaeda, and the extremist elements of jihadis who were coming from other parts of the world ” Such acknowledgments emphasize the cruel and callous decision-making by the U S leading to the deaths of thousands of civilians including women and children
THE CALAMITOUS IMPACT OF THE CAESAR ACT: Reuters reports that the U S and the U A E have
sought to persuade Assad to sever connections with Iran and the Resistance by offering not to renew The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act which expires on December 20
Known as The Caesar Act, this legislation constitutes one of the most stringent U S sanctions against Syria Enacted in 2019, when the West finally realized it could not bring Syria to its knees through terrorism, the act aims to force the Syrian President to kowtow to the West by targeting vital sectors such as oil construction and banking resulting in a devastating impact on Syrian civilians
These sanctions have exacerbated the economic plight of ordinary Syrians, leading to hyperinflation, unemployment, and a crumbling infrastructure Essential goods have become scarce, and the cost of living has skyrocketed plunging millions into poverty The humanitarian situation in Syria has worsened with the sanctions impeding the delivery of aid and stifling economic recovery
TRIED AND FAILED: This attempt to lure Syria away from the Axis of Resistance is not a new strategy As the martyred General Qassem Soleimani said years ago in a speech during the 2010s at the peak of ISIS’s threat in Syria Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman met with Assad in Moscow Bin Salman offered to end ISIS and other terrorist groups if Syria agreed to cut ties with Iran and the Resistance Assad rejected this proposition, understanding the deceptive nature of such promises The recent diplomatic overtures from the U S , UAE, and Saudi Arabia also resemble previous strategies that have led to turmoil in other nations
Libya s Muammar Gaddafi s downfall can be largely attributed to his misplaced trust in the West during his later years After years of defiance, Gaddafi attempted to reconcile with Western powers However, this shift left him vulnerable Western countries, which he had hoped to appease, instead supported the NATO intervention that ultimately led to his capture and death leaving the people of Libya with years of instability and suffering
DISTINGUISHING ALLIES FROM CONNIVERS: Assad has been clear in his assessment that the deplorable state of Syria today is a direct result of the sustained support for terrorism by these external actors and that the alliance with Iran has been crucial in maintaining the Arab country’s sovereignty In a recent conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian the Syrian leader expressed gratitude for Iran s unwavering support, noting that during Syria s most challenging years, it was Iran that stood by them when much of the world turned away Assad’s approach appears to reflect a deep understanding of the pitfalls of aligning with
AL-Q A E D A is back on the rampage once again in Syria, and sounding like their monkey bar training exercises were replaced with a social justice brainwashing course So what have they been up to lately since they dropped off the radar a few years ago? How Syria s diversity-friendly jihadists plan on building a state reads a headline from Britain s Telegraph Well that explains it The piece also cites torture documented by human rights groups in the areas of Idlib that the Al-Qaeda successor group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has controlled for the past few years Which may also describe the meetings required to come up with diversity policies Facelifted Al-Qaeda in Syria now sounds like it swallowed an equity and inclusion manual written by a nose-ringed, purple-haired, gender-fluid Western activist Diversity is a strength, said the group s head, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, after rampaging through Aleppo
Does the CIA now require proof of quotas and an equity and inclusion policy for proxy groups getting billion-dollar contracts to do its regime change dirty work abroad – like the much-hyped moderate Syrian rebels, many of whom then turned around and defected to Al-Qaeda? What a hassle to have to worry about all that window dressing when you’re trying to do terrorism
Not to mention a distraction This sounds like something that only the Western national security complex could come up with It s not like those moderate rebels, who just happened to have abandoned their US-supplied weapons to this group the last time they tried and failed at Syrian regime change in a billion-dollar CIA operation were a resounding success when all they really had to focus on was the mission Now it sounds like they d want to make sure to get everyone s pronouns straight too Also, don t call them terrorists That hurts their feelings, according to a recent piece published in Britain’s Telegraph, in which the group’s leader called the label “unfair ” I guess he has a point It would be like showering someone with cash and gifts (weapons in this case) and then describing them as a crazy stalker the minute you re caught in
H O M S
Asked whether he was worried about HTS s Islamist agenda, he said: It doesn t matter to me who is conducting this The devil himself could be behind it What people care about is who is going to liberate the country On the other side of the sectarian divide however there was fear among Homs s Alawite community Haidar, 37, who lives in an Alawite-majority neighbourhood, told AFP by telephone that “fear is the umbrella that covers Homs now”
never seen this scene in my life We are extremely afraid we don t know what is
Perdue
WASHINGTONTON Ag e n c e s
US president-elect Donald Trump said on Thursday he has chosen former Senator David Perdue to be ambassador to China, tapping a former politician with business experience to help steer relations riven by deep mistrust and trade tensions He will be instrumental in implementing my strategy to maintain Peace in the region and a productive working relationship with China s leaders Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social Trump, who takes office on Jan 20, 2025, has said he will impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods unless Beijing does more to stop the trafficking of the highly addictive narcotic fentanyl He also threatened tariffs in excess of 60pc on Chinese goods while on the campaign trail Perdue a Republican from Georgia who served in the Senate from 2015-2021 previously lived in Hong Kong during a 40-year career as a business executive Perdue s nomination marks a return to the frequent practice over recent decades of sending former politicians to the US
the impeachment vote set for tomorrow the hours leading up to it are extremely precarious opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung told AFP Tonight will be the most critical period, he said at the National Assembly where according to an aide buses have been strategically parked to stop helicopters from landing ‘GREAT DANGER’ Yoon declared martial law late Tuesday and sent soldiers and choppers to the parliament in a doomed bid to stop MPs from voting down his suspension of civilian government The opposition on Wednesday put forward the impeachment motion now scheduled for a vote around 5:00pm (0800 GMT) Saturday, after it was brought forward two hours but Han initially said he would oppose it On Friday, however, the once staunchly loyal head of Yoon’s PPP broke with the president Considering the newly emerging facts I believe that a swift suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol s duties is necessary to safeguard the Republic of Korea and its people, said Han PROTESTS Police expect tens of thousands of people to attend anti-Yoon rallies on Saturday ahead of the impeachment vote which needs a two-thirds majority Organisers are hoping 200 000 people will take to the streets The opposition bloc holds 192 seats in the 300-strong parliament, while the PPP has 108 A successful vote would suspend Yoon from office pending a ruling by the Constitutional Court Han’s U-turn was “significantly influenced by the gravity of the situation particularly the mobilisation of intelligence agencies to arrest politicians, Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, told AFP A fresh opinion poll released Friday put backing for the 63-year-old president who has lurched from crisis to crisis since taking office in 2022 at a record low of 13 per cent On Friday night at least 15 000 anti-Yoon protesters braved the cold weather to gather in Seoul s Yeouido district, where the National Assembly is located They held candles and signs that read “Yoon Suk Yeol should resign (for) crimes of insurrection while calling for his arrest In
nearby Gwanghwamun area 47-year-old Seoul resident Kim Hye-ryeong told AFP that she was very worried Regardless of what happens to President Yoon tomorrow, it seems that Korean politics will be quite chaotic for the foreseeable future ” she said ‘ANTI-STATE ELEMENTS’
Tuesday Yoon had said that martial law would safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea s communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements plundering people’s freedom and happiness” Security forces sealed the National Assembly helicopters landed on the roof and almost 300 soldiers tried to lock down the building
But as parliamentary staffers blocked the soldiers with sofas and fire extinguishers enough MPs got inside many climbed walls to enter and voted down Yoon s move
strongly deplores this and has made serious démarches to the U S side he said The one-China principle is the political foundation of China-U S relations and a basic norm in international relations The Taiwan question is the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U S relations CrossStraits peace and stability and ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities are irreconcilable as water and fire Lin said
D istor ting fac ts, misleading public histor y of Jamaat- e -Islami: Memon
the decay of the transport system at the University of Karachi is an inherited issue and the government is working with the university administration and all relevant stakeholders to restore and modernize it Regarding the Red Line BRT Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel
Inam Memon stated that the Red Line BRT is a historic project designed to address public transport challenges delays in mega projects are often caused by inevitable challenges, including technical issues He mentioned that the BRT project was also running behind schedule because of the suspension of work on the Red Line BRT during the caretaker government and issues related to utilities in Karachi Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said, "The main reasons for increasing costs of the Red Line are global inflation price rise of material and the devaluation of rupee
ABBASI CALLS FOR POLITICAL UNIT Y AND ACCOUNTABILIT Y TO RESOLVE COUNTRY’S CRISES
IHC questions arrests of ‘innocent’ people in wake of PTI protest
Imran Khan, Sheikh Rashid reconcile as latter advocates for release of political prisoners
S TA F F R
Islamabad High Court s (IHC) Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on Friday expressed dismay over the arrests of individual not involved in recent PTI protest, questioning how the police could “arrest people who were not even part of the protest ” Following the PTI recent protests the capital and Rawalpindi police arrested more than 1 400 suspects Justice Tahir s remarks come amid PTI s claims that the police have been discriminating against and racially profiling Pakhtuns as well as invading citizens privacy by conducting mobile checks of ordinary citizens to trace party supporters Justice Tahir was hearing
as well as the brother and father of the detained vendor, appeared before the court The judge then disposed of the petition ordering Advocate Azaad to plead the case as the complainant s counsel and directing the police to oversee the matter Expressing his dismay over the police conduct Justice Tahir asked: What are you all doing, arresting people like these? This is totally wrong How can you arrest people who were not even part of the protest?” he added To this Advocate Azaad claimed: “IG sahib is busy chanting political slogans Batteries have been stolen from lawyers cars in G-10 but the police are busy chanting political slogans He went on to say that the police s job is to protect people
Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court Rashid described his brief but heartfelt interaction with Khan Imran Khan hugged me and said, ‘You and I are one Forget what happened ” he shared Rashid expressed joy at meeting the PTI leader after a long hiatus emphasizing the warmth of their encounter
During their conversation, Imran Khan highlighted the pivotal role of overseas Pakistanis in rescuing the country from its current economic turmoil Rashid noted his advocacy for granting voting rights to overseas Pakistanis aligning with Khan s vision Addressing reporters, Rashid predicted significant political shifts before December 30 hinting at po-
tential changes within Pakistan s major political parties the PML-N and PPP He distanced himself from aligning with any political faction but called for the resolution of the nation’s ongoing political crisis Rashid stressed the importance of releasing political prisoners including Imran Khan to uphold constitutional integrity and justice Rashid also voiced his concerns over Pakistan’s economic challenges blaming the ruling elite for the country’s financial collapse He criticized the wealthy for evad-
ing taxes while the poor bear the brunt of economic hardship The IMF delegation is leaving, but the suffering of the poor will persist, he lamented
The AML chief revealed that many accused in political cases including PTI members lacked legal representation About 102 accused individuals have not hired lawyers yet, and legal proceedings are delayed due to incomplete documentation,” he said He also noted that 11 cases were still pending against him
On a positive note Sheikh Rashid reiterated his commitment to education, especially for underprivileged children He highlighted his party’s efforts in establishing 60 educational institutions and pledged to cover admission fees for girls in Rawalpindi The poor are my priority and I will continue working for their betterment he stated Rashid concluded by calling for unity among political leaders to steer the country out of its current crisis reaffirming his stance for justice and economic stability
g MPA S ’ SALARIES TO RISE TO RS500,000; MINISTERS AND SPEAKER TO RECEIVE UP TO RS1 MILLION
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
CHARSADDA
F F R E P O R T
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
founder Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has said that everyone left her alone at D-Chowk in Islamabad after authorities launched a crackdown on the protesters last month
As per reports, the PTI workers were frustrated with the ones leading the November 24 protest, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi after they retreated abruptly in the wee hours of November 27
The party leadership suspended the protest after the authorities launched a late-night crackdown on the protesters who had forced their way to D-Chowk despite several hurdles along the way
Although she appeared only rarely in official photos, shielded from view during court appearances by large white sheets and always wearing a face veil Bushra Bibi led the rally demanding her husband s release
When the protest was put off Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told the media that Bushra, CM Gandapur, and others had “made a run for it” after the crackdown Meanwhile a video also surfaced showing Bushra Bibi moving from her own car to CM Gandapur s vehicle following the protest s culmination However,
the former first lady said the vehicle was changed as Bushra s car had a flat tyre Today, when Bushra went to visit the family members of deceased PTI worker Tajuddin she told the party supporters that she had been in pain for the last few days as so many deaths had taken place, due to which I was confused and could not figure out why people were lying”
“I am not a woman who runs away I would especially not leave those who had come out for Khan
No one knew which car was mine
At D-Chowk, I was all alone in my car till 12:30am, she said “Several cars had come there because they were forcefully pushed out of D-Chowk Bibi did not move because Khan did not say I had told everyone not to leave me alone but everyone left me alone I was all alone Present on the occasion, a PTI worker backed her story, saying that he was a witness to the situation At this she said there were several witnesses
