Military trials for civilians: Pakistan court says won’t allow army to take ‘illegal steps’

Military trials for civilians: Pakistan court says won’t allow army to take ‘illegal steps’
People are gathered outside the building of Supreme Court in Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 15, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 03 August 2023
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Military trials for civilians: Pakistan court says won’t allow army to take ‘illegal steps’

Military trials for civilians: Pakistan court says won’t allow army to take ‘illegal steps’
  • Supreme Court hearing petitions filed by ex-PM Khan, others against civilians being tried under army laws
  • Justice Munib Akhtar says holding civilian trials in military courts will amount to running parallel judicial system

ISLAMABAD: Hearing a landmark case on the constitutionality of civilians being tried in military courts, Pakistan’s top court said on Thursday it would not let the country’s armed forces take “illegal steps.”

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest in a land fraud case last month sparked widespread protests by his supporters who ransacked, among other properties, military facilities and installations. While Khan has since been released on bail, the military and government have said those who attacked army installations, including a top commander’s house, an air base, and the military’s headquarters in Rawalpindi, would be tried in military courts.

The military has since said 102 people were being tried by its courts in connection with the May 9 riots while 17 such courts were already functional. Khan’s party and others have filed petitions challenging the legality of civilian trials under army laws.

At the start of Thursday’s hearing, Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandial praised the military for practicing restraint during the May 9 protests while its properties were being damaged.

“However, the military will not be allowed to take any illegal steps,” he was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper and other local media outlets. 

Justice Bandial said the court needed to hear Attorney General (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan’s arguments but the court would not be able to do so for at least two weeks due to the unavailability of judges on summer holidays. In the meantime, he instructed the AGP: “No military trials of civilians will be conducted.”

The CJP then adjourned the hearing indefinitely.

Justice Munib Akhtar, another justice on the six-member bench, said, “the concept of fundamental human rights is such that the state cannot take them back even if it wants to.”

He said civilian trials in military courts would amount to running a parallel judicial system.

Local and international human rights bodies have also raised alarm about the use of military courts for civilian cases, saying they infringe on due legal process. 


Pakistan PM arrives in Dubai to attend major UN climate conference

Pakistan PM arrives in Dubai to attend major UN climate conference
Updated 29 November 2023
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Pakistan PM arrives in Dubai to attend major UN climate conference

Pakistan PM arrives in Dubai to attend major UN climate conference
  • Pakistan will set up its own pavilion at the event and focus on building climate resilience with other states
  • Prime Minister Kakar will attend the World Climate Action Summit beginning on Dec. 1 at COP28 conference

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday arrived in Dubai to attend the United Nations climate conference scheduled to be held between Nov. 30 and Dec. 12, with the participation of around 70,000 people, including global leaders, academics and youth representatives.
According to officials in Islamabad, Pakistan will set up its own pavilion and focus on critical issues to help countries across the world build climate resilience together.
Mitigating the impact of climate change has become a major priority for the government after the country was hit unprecedented monsoon rains and floods that caused massive infrastructure and agricultural losses last year.
Kakar will attend the COP28 conference where he will spearhead Pakistan’s delegation and present its case.
Minister for Justice of the United Arab Emirates H.E. Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE and the Pakistani diplomatic staff welcomed the Prime Minister at Dubai’s Al-Maktoum Airport,” said a brief statement issued after the Pakistani PM’s arrival.
“The Prime Minister will attend the World Climate Action Summit on December 1 and 2,” it added.
Kakar, who is on a week-long visit to the Middle East to sign multibillion-dollar deals, is accompanied by Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Climate Change Minister Ahmed Irfan Aslam and Energy Minister Muhammad Ali.
The Pakistani delegation plans to call for an early operationalization of the loss and damage fund to help countries vulnerable to climate change deal with natural disasters caused by erratic weather conditions.
It also intends to argue for the inclusion of developing countries in the fund, diverging from developed nations’ focus only on the least developed states.
Prior to arriving in Dubai, the prime minister held some vital meetings with the top Kuwaiti leaders and witnessed the signing of ten major investment deals in the Gulf country.


Pakistan’s central bank announces extension of $3 billion Saudi deposit for another year

Pakistan’s central bank announces extension of $3 billion Saudi deposit for another year
Updated 29 November 2023
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Pakistan’s central bank announces extension of $3 billion Saudi deposit for another year

Pakistan’s central bank announces extension of $3 billion Saudi deposit for another year
  • Saudis extended the financial support in November 2021 under an agreement with State Bank of Pakistan
  • The deposit’s rollover is expected to help Pakistan with its gross financing needs in the current fiscal year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central bank on Wednesday announced the Saudi decision to extend the term of a $3 billion deposit for yet another year to help the economy of the South Asian state which has been striving for increased foreign investment.

The Saudi authorities extended the financial support in November 2021 under an agreement signed between the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to support Pakistan’s dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

The SBP also announced the deposit’s extension last year, saying that Saudi Arabia had agreed to continue its financial assistance to Pakistan.

“The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has extended the term for the deposit of USD 3 billion maturing on 05 December 2023 for another one year,” the central bank said in a brief statement.

“The extension of the term of the deposit is a continuation of the support provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which will help to maintain the foreign currency reserves of Pakistan and contribute to the economic growth of the country,” it added.

The announcement comes at a time when Pakistan’s interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is on a week-long visit to the Gulf region where the country has signed multibillion-dollar deals with the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Earlier this year, Pakistan managed to secure a short-term loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) amounting to $3 billion in a move that was widely viewed as an attempt to stave off sovereign debt default.

The international lender recently conducted the country’s economic review under the same facility and is likely to release the next tranche of $700 million in December.

The IMF has also raised concerns about Pakistan’s external financing.

The Saudi decision to extend the term of its deposit with the SBP is likely to help Pakistan’s economy in the same context.

“The $3 billion rollover is an important move in securing $25 billion in gross financing needs estimated by Pakistan for FY-24,” former adviser to the finance ministry, Khaqan Najeeb, explained the significance of the development while speaking to Geo News.


Massive rally in Karachi expresses support for Gaza on International Palestinian Solidarity Day

Massive rally in Karachi expresses support for Gaza on International Palestinian Solidarity Day
Updated 29 November 2023
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Massive rally in Karachi expresses support for Gaza on International Palestinian Solidarity Day

Massive rally in Karachi expresses support for Gaza on International Palestinian Solidarity Day
  • The participants of the civil society rally demanded immediate and complete cease-fire in Gaza
  • The rally garnered support from businesspeople, journalists, artists, traders and political leaders

KARACHI: Pakistan’s southern Karachi port city witnessed a huge rally on Wednesday, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds in support of the residents of Gaza on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
The United Nations General Assembly designated November 29 for this observance by adopting a resolution in 1977. This year’s Palestinian solidarity day comes at a time when more than 15,000 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and ground offensive in Gaza since October 7.
As millions around the world protested against Israel’s ongoing war in major cities, civil society groups and organizations in Karachi also initiated the call for Wednesday’s rally, which garnered support from businesspeople, journalists, artists, traders, and political leaders.
“We are here to express solidarity with Palestinians and condemn Israel for killing innocent people in Gaza,” Fahim Zaman, former administrator of Karachi and one of the rally’s organizers, told Arab News.
He demanded a total cease-fire, compensation for the dead and wounded Palestinians, reconstruction of Gaza and a trial for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the International Criminal Court.
Most rally participants carried placards with slogans like “Free Palestine,” “Cease-fire Now,” “Save Gaza,” and “End Palestinian Genocide.”

People hold a big Palestinian flag during a demonstration against Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, on International Palestinian Solidarity Day, in Karachi on November 29, 2023. (AP)

Veteran journalist and writer Ghazi Salahuddin said there was increased global awareness regarding the Palestine issue.
“Everyone knows about Gaza,” he said. “Everyone knows about the issues at stake.”
“I think this conflict has brought like-minded people worldwide together in a larger kind of movement,” he continued.
Eman Al Hajj, a Palestinian woman at the march, voiced the shared responsibility to support Palestine.
“It’s our duty toward our brothers and sisters in Palestine and Gaza to be part of this march and to raise our voices to stop the genocide and the war,” she said.
Laila, another participant who did not share her full name, stressed the importance of continuous protest.
“We should protest until Palestine is free,” she said. “We must fight for the freedom of all oppressed people around the world.”
Notable politicians, including Karachi’s mayor Murtaza Wahab, former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, Awami National Party’s Shahi Syed and Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Kishwar Zehra, also participated in the rally.

Pakistani civil society and political parties chant slogans during a demonstration against Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, on International Palestinian Solidarity Day, in Karachi on November 29, 2023. (AP)

 


Ex-PM Khan nominates Barrister Gohar Khan for party chairman’s position ahead of national polls

Ex-PM Khan nominates Barrister Gohar Khan for party chairman’s position ahead of national polls
Updated 29 November 2023
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Ex-PM Khan nominates Barrister Gohar Khan for party chairman’s position ahead of national polls

Ex-PM Khan nominates Barrister Gohar Khan for party chairman’s position ahead of national polls
  • The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party will hold internal elections on Saturday for new office bearers
  • The decision has been taken by PTI leaders to retain cricket bat as its election symbol for next polls

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan will not contest the intra-party polls scheduled for Saturday, his party colleagues said on Wednesday, announcing Barrister Gohar Khan as the “nominated caretaker” for the chairman’s position ahead of the national elections next year in February.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ordered Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party last week to hold intra-party elections within 20 days to retain cricket bat as its election symbol. This led to divisions within the party ranks on how to deal with the ECP requirement, with some suggesting that Khan should not run for the party position after being disqualified to hold public office in a case involving the illegal sale of state gifts during his tenure in power.

The former prime minister was convicted in the case – popularly called the Toshakhana (state repository) reference – in August and sentenced to three years in prison by a local court. The controversy over Khan’s candidature as party chairman erupted a day earlier after a senior PTI leader said the ex-premier would not be running for the slot due to legal issues.

“Imran Khan is not contesting this [intra-party] election temporarily until a final judgment comes in the Toshakhana case,” Barrister Ali Zafar, a PTI core committee member, announced in a press briefing.

Khan’s legal team has appealed the judgment in the state repository case in the Islamabad High Court.

“Barrister Gohar Khan is our important legal office bearer and he will fulfil the temporary nomination,” Zafar added.

He said the top party leadership had also approved the nomination for the position of party chairman since everyone wanted a non-controversial person who could temporarily handle the responsibilities that accompanied the position.

“This is not a minus-one formula or a coup,” he said. “He [Gohar] is Imran Khan’s nominee and suitable for the temporary arrangement.”

“PTI is Imran Khan and Imran Khan is PTI,” he continued. “It does not matter whether you are the party chairman on paper or not. Imran Khan is the permanent leader.”

Zafar said his party had decided to fulfil the “election commission’s illegal and unconstitutional order” while also going into an appeal against it in court.

He informed the ex-PM had approved the caretaker nomination for the party chairman since he did not “want to give any excuse to the election commission to withhold bat as PTI’s symbol.”

Speaking at the occasion, Barrister Gohar thanked Khan for his trust while promising to fulfil the PTI chairman’s responsibility effectively.

“I am speechless … I’ll be the nominee of Imran Khan,” he said. “Imran Khan is the [PTI] leader whether he is in prison or outside the jail.”

“It has been decided that Imran Khan will remain lifetime chairman,” he continued. “I will fulfil the responsibility till Khan returns to his position.”

The former Pakistani prime minister has been in jail since August in a separate case involving a leaked diplomatic memo while his party has been struggling to stay afloat amid a massive crackdown on his leaders and workers ahead of the elections.

The 71-year-old former cricket star became entangled in political and legal battles since his ouster from Pakistan’s top political office in April 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence.


Pakistan’s new Test captain says team ‘well settled’ ahead of series in Australia

Pakistan’s new Test captain says team ‘well settled’ ahead of series in Australia
Updated 29 November 2023
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Pakistan’s new Test captain says team ‘well settled’ ahead of series in Australia

Pakistan’s new Test captain says team ‘well settled’ ahead of series in Australia
  • Shan Masood calls Babar Azam Pakistan’s ‘best batter,’ says his position will be the same in batting order
  • Masood replaced Azam as captain following Pakistan’s fifth-place finish in the Cricket World Cup in India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s newly appointed Test captain Shan Masood expressed optimism on Wednesday about the team’s prospects for the upcoming series in Australia, emphasizing that the squad was well-settled and that the team management was not considering many changes.

Masood shared these thoughts at a news conference in Lahore, just a day before the Pakistani players are scheduled to depart for Australia to play three Test matches from December 14 to January 7.

Asked about the team’s selection process, he highlighted the consistency in the Test squad’s recent performances.

“Abdullah [Shafique] and Imam [Ul Haq] have done really well for Pakistan in the opening slot for some time now,” he said. “I have been batting at number three, both in domestic and national level, since Azhar Ali retired, so I have settled well. Saim Ayub has done well in domestic cricket and his batting reflects the ideal way of playing, so he has been rewarded for his performances.”

Describing Babar Azam as Pakistan’s “best batter,” Masood stressed that teams were built around such players and assured that Azam’s position in the batting order would remain unchanged.

“We will not be making many changes to the settled team but we will be going with the intent to win so that will reflect in how the team plays,” he noted. “When the team is settled, you only make changes if conditions or injuries demand it.”

Masood, who replaced Azam as captain following Pakistan’s fifth-place finish in the Cricket World Cup in India, mentioned his strong relationship with Azam, both on and off the field, fostered by years of playing together.

However, he acknowledged challenges in Pakistan’s bowling lineup.

“Our bowling is not as well settled as we would have liked, especially with Naseem Shah missing,” he admitted. “Our success in Sri Lanka came due to Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah bowling together as the two of them brought us wickets up top and in the middle too.”

“Haris Rauf could have helped with his pace but he is not available either,” he added. “Our fast-bowling combination will only become clear once we arrive in Australia.”