Pakistan says will hold social media propagandists accountable over ‘fake’ protest deaths

Pakistan says will hold social media propagandists accountable over ‘fake’ protest deaths
A supporter of the jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) throws an object toward security force personnel during a protest rally demanding Khan’s release, in Islamabad on November 26, 2024. (REUTERS/File)
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Updated 01 December 2024
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Pakistan says will hold social media propagandists accountable over ‘fake’ protest deaths

Pakistan says will hold social media propagandists accountable over ‘fake’ protest deaths
  • Statement comes days after ex-PM Imran Khan’s party led supporters to Islamabad, resulting in clashes with law enforcers
  • Government denies PTI’s account of casualties, says social media propagandists are bent upon creating divisions in country

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government on Sunday said it would hold social media users accountable for propagating “fake” deaths during anti-government protests by former prime minister Imran Khan’s party in Islamabad, reiterating that law enforcers deployed to disperse violent protesters did not have live ammunition.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party this week led thousands of supporters to Islamabad, seeking to pressure the government to release the ex-premier from jail. The protests resulted in clashes that Pakistan’s government says killed three paramilitary soldiers and a police officer, and injured hundreds of others. The PTI has named 12 people and says it has evidence they lost their lives during the crackdown, however, several PTI members have given varied accounts of casualties during the protests. Pakistani authorities deny the claims.
On Sunday, the Pakistani interior ministry said violent protesters “aggressively engaged LEAs repeatedly using fire arms and all sorts of other weaponry including steel sling shots, stun grenades, tear gas shells and nail studded batons” throughout the protest march from Peshawar to Islamabad. It said police and Rangers were employed without live ammunition to disperse the violent mobs, while army, deployed under Article 245 of the constitution to secure key government installations and foreign diplomats in the Red Zone, neither came in direct clash with the protesters, nor was it employed for riot control.
“Unfortunately, social media accounts of PTI resorted to planned and coordinated massive fake propaganda of deaths caused by LEAs (law enforcement agencies) so as to divert attention from this senseless, violent and failed activity. There have been multiple false claims of deaths ranging from tens to hundreds to thousands on social media as well as PTI political leadership and their official pages,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
“PTI and its social media propagandists are bent upon to create divisions and confusion within the society. Such elements, whether inside the country or abroad, will surely be held accountable under relevant laws and no one will be allowed to sow divisions, hatred and propagating fake news.”
It said major hospitals in Islamabad rubbished reports of alleged gunshot casualties inflicted by the LEAs after due diligence, but a “sustained fabricated social media campaign,” using old and AI-generated clips, was undertaken by the PTI.
Government functionaries, including ministers as well as Islamabad chief commissioner and senior police officials who were directly involved in these riot control operations, repeatedly explained and clarified the actual situation and events unfolding with credible evidence, according to the ministry.
“It may also be noted that use of lethal means by LEAs, if at all to be employed, was best suited at multiple enroute blocks rather than within Red Zone under complete media and public glare,” it said.
Khan’s PTI has staged several protests this year to demand the release of the ex-premier, who has been in jail since August last year on a slew of charges, as well as to challenge results of the Feb. 8 national election, which it says were manipulated to keep the party from coming to power in the country. The Pakistani government and election authorities deny this.
This week’s protest was by far the largest to grip the capital since the poll and the Pakistani government said it caused Rs192 billion per day indirect losses to the economy.
“It is concerning to note that 39 lethal weapons including 18 automatic weapons have been recovered from the violent protesters and that among the apprehended offenders there are more than three dozen paid aliens,” the interior ministry added.


Pakistan court to announce £190 million bribe case verdict against Imran Khan, wife today

Pakistan court to announce £190 million bribe case verdict against Imran Khan, wife today
Updated 5 sec ago
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Pakistan court to announce £190 million bribe case verdict against Imran Khan, wife today

Pakistan court to announce £190 million bribe case verdict against Imran Khan, wife today
  • Khan, wife are accused of receiving land worth millions of dollars as bribe from real estate tycoon for favor
  • Accountability court in Islamabad hearing the case has postponed announcement of the verdict twice before

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Pakistan’s capital is set to announce the long-awaited verdict today, Monday, in a case involving former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Khan, in which the two are accused of receiving land worth millions of dollars as bribe from a real estate tycoon through a trust. 

The Islamabad accountability court had reserved the case’s verdict and was to announce it on Dec. 23, 2024. However, the decision was delayed to Jan. 6 due to winter vacations. The court delayed the decision for a second time till Jan. 13, drawing criticism from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. 

The Al-Qadir Trust case, as it has popularly come to be known, involves a charitable trust set up by Khan and his third wife Bushra Khan in 2018 when he was still in office. Pakistani authorities have accused Khan and Bushra of receiving the land, worth up to 7 billion rupees ($25 million), from property developer Malik Riaz, who was charged in Britain with money laundering.

Authorities accused Khan of getting the land in exchange for a favor to the property developer by using 190 million pounds repatriated by Britain in the money laundering probe to pay fines levied by a court against the developer. Khan’s aides have previously said that the land was donated to the trust for charitable purposes and that neither he nor his wife personally benefited from it. Riaz has also denied any wrongdoing.

“Not beneficiary, not owner, no illegal gratification taken or given, no authority misused, no loss caused and no crime committed — period,” Gohar Ali Khan, the PTI chairman, wrote on social media platform X on Monday. 

Khan’s party last week said the repeated delays in announcing the verdict puts a question mark on the legitimacy of the merits of the trial, alleging that it was conducted based on “phony evidence.”

Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 in a slew of cases, says the cases against him are politically motivated to keep him and his party away from power. Since his ouster from office, the former prime minister has led a campaign of unprecedented defiance against the country’s powerful military, accusing them of colluding with his rivals to orchestrate his removal.

The military has denied Khan’s allegations and insisted strongly it does not interfere in politics. 


Pakistan religion minister in Saudi Arabia to attend Global Hajj and Umrah Conference

Pakistan religion minister in Saudi Arabia to attend Global Hajj and Umrah Conference
Updated 21 min 19 sec ago
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Pakistan religion minister in Saudi Arabia to attend Global Hajj and Umrah Conference

Pakistan religion minister in Saudi Arabia to attend Global Hajj and Umrah Conference
  • The fourth edition of the Global Hajj and Umrah Conference and Expo is being held in Jeddah on Jan. 13-16
  • Hussain will deliver a speech at the summit that aims to enhance pilgrim services and promote competitiveness

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain has arrived in Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit to attend the Global Hajj and Umrah Conference and Expo, and sign the Hajj Agreement 2025, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said on Sunday.

The fourth edition of the Global Hajj and Umrah Conference and Expo, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, is being held in Jeddah on Jan. 13-16.

Hussain will deliver a speech at the conference, which will have participation of ministers, distinguished personalities, and diplomats from 90 countries.

“The conference aims to enhance services for pilgrims and promote transparency and competitiveness in related industries,” the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said in a statement.

“It will feature 47 panel discussions, 50 workshops, and exhibitions showcasing the latest Hajj technologies and services with 280 displays.”

On Sunday, Hussain also met with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umra Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabi’ah and the two figures reviewed arrangements for Hajj 2025. He praised the efforts of the Saudi leadership in providing excellent facilities to pilgrims.

“There is further potential to strengthen economic and investment cooperation between the two countries,” Hussain was quoted as saying by his ministry.

“This year, measures have been taken to provide better facilities for Pakistani pilgrims compared to previous years, and instructions have been given to the Hajj Affairs Office in Jeddah to ensure the best services for the pilgrims.”

The Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister remarked that a large number of pilgrims come from Pakistan each year, and assured that every possible cooperation would be provided to Pakistani pilgrims, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry.

Saudi Arabia has allocated a quota of 179,210 Hajj pilgrims for Pakistan in 2025, divided equally between government and private schemes.

For the first time, Pakistan’s Hajj policy allowed pilgrims last year to make payments in installments. Under this scheme, the first installment of Rs 200,000 ($717) had to be submitted with the application, the second installment of Rs 400,000 ($1,435) within 10 days of balloting and the remaining amount by February 10 this year.

The Pakistani religious affairs ministry has also launched the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile application, available for both Android and iPhone users, to guide pilgrims. Additionally, the government announced a reduction in airfare, lowering ticket prices for federal program pilgrims to Rs 220,000, down from last year’s Rs 234,000.

Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, and private carriers have agreed to transport pilgrims this year.


Thousands march in Pakistan’s Karachi in solidarity with Palestinians, demand ceasefire in Gaza

Thousands march in Pakistan’s Karachi in solidarity with Palestinians, demand ceasefire in Gaza
Updated 12 January 2025
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Thousands march in Pakistan’s Karachi in solidarity with Palestinians, demand ceasefire in Gaza

Thousands march in Pakistan’s Karachi in solidarity with Palestinians, demand ceasefire in Gaza
  • The march, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami party, was attended by members of the civil society, professionals and common people
  • Pakistan does not recognize Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on ‘internationally agreed parameters’

KARACHI: Tens of thousands of people, including women and children, on Sunday marched in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi to express solidarity with the Palestinians and demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The march, organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) religious party, was attended by members of the civil society, professionals and a large number of families.
The participants carried placards and banners, and chanted slogans against Israel as they marched along Karachi’s Seaview beach.
“Palestinians have been facing a bloodshed, genocide, bombardment, death and hunger for the past 450 days,” JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar said, calling for a cessation of Israeli military actions.
“The tragedy that unfolded in Gaza has divided the world into two poles: the people of conscience and the followers of might.”
Israel began pounding Gaza since October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, according to official Israeli figures. Israeli attacks on Gaza have since killed 46,537 people, the majority civilians, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.”
The South Asian country has dispatched several relief consignments for Gaza, besides establishing the ‘Prime Minister’s Relief Fund’ that aims to collect public donations for the war-affected people.
Zafar hailed the people of Karachi for their show of solidarity with the Palestinians, urging them to continue boycotting Israeli products.
“It’s an obligation for the [Pakistani] nation to take side with the oppressed Palestinians,” he added.
During the march, the participants chanted slogans against continuing Israeli military actions in Gaza and urged the world to ensure a ceasefire in the territory.
Former provincial health minister of Sindh, Saad Khalid Niaz, criticized Israel for bombing hospitals and schools in Gaza.
“For the first time in the history, hospitals were bombed to ashes in a conflict,” he said, adding that expressing solidarity with the Palestinians has become a national obligation.


Pakistan to finish Gaddafi Stadium renovation this month for upcoming Champions Trophy

Pakistan to finish Gaddafi Stadium renovation this month for upcoming Champions Trophy
Updated 12 January 2025
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Pakistan to finish Gaddafi Stadium renovation this month for upcoming Champions Trophy

Pakistan to finish Gaddafi Stadium renovation this month for upcoming Champions Trophy
  • The Champions Trophy tournament is set to begin on Feb. 19 in Karachi with Pakistan taking on New Zealand
  • The stadium will feature over 34,000 seats, brand-new scoreboards and laser light shows during night games

ISLAMABAD: The renovation of Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan’s eastern Lahore city will be completed this week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday, with all major structural work finished and final touches being applied ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
The PCB has been renovating stadiums in Lahore and Karachi for the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in Feb. across three venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. This will be the first ICC tournament held in Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup.
Pakistani fans have long expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s stadiums, particularly the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, citing a lack of basic facilities and a subpar viewing experience for spectators.
On Sunday, the PCB chairman paid a visit to Gaddafi Stadium and inspected the upgradation, renovation and finishing work on the ground, expressing his satisfaction over the pace of work at the iconic venue.
“Gaddafi Stadium, with all its modern facilities, will be ready this month. The work is being carried out at a swift pace,” he said.
“We are set to install brand new and comfortable seats for the fans, with an enhanced view, and work on new LED lights on the light towers is well underway.”
The stadium is set to transform into a world-class facility, featuring over 34,000 seats, brand-new scoreboards on both sides and state-of-the-art floodlights, ensuring exceptional visibility for both players and spectators after sunset.
“The fans will now be able to enjoy laser light shows during night games as well,” Naqvi said. “We are striving to make the ICC Champions Trophy a memorable event in Pakistan.”
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will take place from February 19 till March 9, with matches hosted across Pakistan and Dubai in a hybrid model.
The tournament’s structure follows a compromised decision after India refused to play in Pakistan, citing “security concerns.” Exercising its rights as the host nation, Pakistan designated Dubai as the neutral venue for India’s matches, ensuring all teams’ participation.
In Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi will host three group-stage games each. Lahore is also set to host the second semifinal. Dubai will host all three of India’s group matches and the first semifinal, should India qualify.
The tournament opener on Feb. 19 will feature Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi, while India will face Bangladesh in Dubai on Feb. 20.
This will be the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, after an eight-year hiatus. The last tournament took place in England in 2017. The event will feature top eight teams in world cricket competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles.


Cyprus orders probe into alleged police shooting of Pakistani man

Cyprus orders probe into alleged police shooting of Pakistani man
Updated 12 January 2025
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Cyprus orders probe into alleged police shooting of Pakistani man

Cyprus orders probe into alleged police shooting of Pakistani man
  • Police found the 24-year-old’s body in a field in a suburb of the capital Nicosia on January 6, a national holiday
  • Announcement follows postmortem exam that contradicted initial forensic analysis ruling out criminal circumstances

NICOSIA: Cyprus’ chief prosecutor appointed an independent investigator Sunday to oversee a criminal probe into the death of a Pakistani man who was allegedly shot by police earlier this month.
Attorney General George L. Savvides said in a statement that the decision followed a briefing by the chief of police regarding the ongoing inquiry into the incident.
Savvides said he had appointed an independent “criminal investigator in relation to the circumstances of the death of a young man from Pakistan.”
“Senior Counsel of the Republic, Mr. Ninos Kekkos, will lead the investigations being conducted by the police.”
The move comes a day after authorities said the Pakistani national was fatally shot with a police service weapon.
The announcement followed a postmortem exam that contradicted an initial forensic analysis ruling out criminal circumstances.
According to the postmortem, a bullet wound was found on the right side of the man’s back.
Police found the 24-year-old’s body in a field in a suburb of the capital Nicosia on January 6, a national holiday.
Several days later, police disclosed an earlier incident in which officers had fired shots during an attempt to intercept and arrest suspects, saying the death could be connected.
Local news website Phileleftheros reported Sunday that three police officers were being questioned over the shooting, which happened in a different place from where the body was found.
Phileleftheros reported that police had said shots were fired at the tires of a vehicle believed to be involved in illicit migrant smuggling near the line that divides the island into the UN-recognized south and the Turkish-backed north.
Irregular migrants frequently cross the so-called Green Line from the Turkish Cypriot north into the more affluent Greek-speaking Cyprus Republic.
Phileleftheros reported that the health ministry has requested a report from the police on the incident so it can review the forensic expert’s findings.