LAHORE: Ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam were arrested on Friday after flying back to the country to face lengthy prison sentences, in a high-stakes gamble to galvanize their beleaguered party ahead of a July 25 election.
Uniformed men escorted the Sharifs, who were sentenced in absentia on corruption charges last week, from their airplane after it touched down in the central city of Lahore at around 8:45 p.m. (1645 GMT), a Reuters reporter on board said.
A spokesman for Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party confirmed they were arrested soon afterwards. Local Geo TV said Sharif and his daughter were taken to another waiting aircraft to be flown out of Lahore, where more than 10,000 Sharif supporters were gathered to greet him.
Their return could shake up an election race marred by accusations Pakistan’s powerful military is working behind the scenes to skew the contest in favor of ex-cricket hero Imran Khan, who describes Sharif as a “criminal” who deserves no support.
Clashes broke out Friday evening at the main highway entry point to Lahore between pro-Sharif protesters and police who had been deployed in their thousands, a Reuters witness said. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Mobile phone service had been cut off in mid-afternoon, as Sharif’s brother, Shehbaz, led around 10,000 party supporters on a march toward the city center in defiance of a citywide ban on public gatherings, according to a Reuters witness.
Nawaz Sharif decried the tactics ordered by the caretaker government that took over in June ahead of the general election, as Pakistan’s constitution requires.
“What credibility will these elections have when the government is taking such a drastic action against our people and this crackdown is taking place all over the country?” he told Reuters at the airport in Abu Dhabi as he waited for a connecting flight to Lahore.
Pakistan’s third major political movement, the Pakistan Peoples Party, joined the criticism of the crackdown, with its prime ministerial candidate Bilawal Bhutto Zardari questioning why Sharif’s supporters would be prevented from gathering.
“Why is Lahore under siege? Right to peaceful protest is fundamental for democracy,” tweeted Bhutto Zardari, the son of two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated at a political rally in 2007.
The country’s media regulator warned local news channels to abstain from airing statements “by political leadership containing defamatory and derogatory content targeting various state institutions specifically judiciary and armed forces,” the regulator said in a statement.
Adding to the tension surrounding the upcoming poll, a suicide bomber hit an election rally of a regional party in southwestern Pakistan, killing 85 people. The bombing was the biggest attack in Pakistan in more than a year and the third incident of election-related violence this week.
Ousted Pakistani PM Sharif arrested after flying home to face jail
Ousted Pakistani PM Sharif arrested after flying home to face jail
Pakistan pledges to sustain economic gains after inflation hits six-year low
- Finance minister says economic progress made so far will serve as foundation for future successes
- Consumer Price Index in Pakistan fell to 4.9 percent this month, marking its lowest level since Apr. 2018
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday vowed to maintain the country’s economic momentum after the Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell to 4.9 percent earlier this month, marking the lowest inflation rate since April 2018.
The pledge comes as Pakistan navigates a recovery from years of severe economic challenges, including soaring inflation, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, currency depreciation and a persistent fiscal deficit.
In recent months, however, the country has witnessed a steady improvement in macroeconomic indicators, taking measures to restore investor confidence, as it undertakes structural reforms under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
“The Finance Minister expressed optimism that the progress made so far would serve as a foundation for future successes, as the government remains dedicated to building a prosperous and stable Pakistan,” the finance ministry said in a statement released after the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) meeting.
The meeting evaluated on the overall economic situation of the country and particularly mentioned the improvement in CPI.
“The current CPI figure marks the lowest in the past 78 months, signaling a positive shift in the country’s inflationary trends,” the statement added. “The decline in CPI reflects the government’s success in managing inflationary pressures and restoring price stability, particularly for essential commodities.”
Aurangzeb assured the public the government would continue its efforts to support economic stability and strengthen key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure.
The ECC also discussed plans to pursue economic diversification and ensure better living standards for Pakistan’s population.
Syria rescuers say bodies found in warehouse
- “We received a report about the presence of bodies, bones and a foul smell at the site,” White Helmets official Ammar Al-Salmo said
DAMASCUS: A Syrian civil defense official said Wednesday that White Helmets rescuers discovered unidentified bodies and remains in a medicine warehouse in a Damascus suburb, 10 days after Bashar Assad’s ouster.
An AFP video journalist at the scene said the warehouse strewn with medicine boxes was located just around 50 meters (yards) from the Sayyida Zeinab shrine, a revered site for Shiite Muslims.
“We received a report about the presence of bodies, bones and a foul smell at the site,” White Helmets official Ammar Al-Salmo told AFP.
South Damascus’s Sayyida Zeinab suburb was a stronghold of pro-Iran fighters including Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group before militants took the capital on December 8 in a lightning offensive.
“In the warehouse, we found a refrigerated room containing decomposing corpses,” Salmo said, adding that some appeared to have died more than a year and a half earlier.
He said human bones were also scattered on the ground, estimating there were around 20 “victims.”
AFP saw men in white suits removing bodies and remains in black bags and placing them onto a truck.
Salmo said the words Aleppo-Hraytan — Syria’s second city in the north, and a nearby location — and numbers were written on bags where the unidentified bodies were found.
“We are going to establish the age of the victims” then take samples for DNA tests “and try to locate their families,” Salmo added.
AFP was unable to independently ascertain the reason for the presence of the remains or the identities of the bodies.
Since Assad’s ouster, a number of mass graves have been uncovered in the country.
The fate of tens of thousands of prisoners and missing people remains one of the most harrowing parts of the Syrian conflict, which has claimed more than 500,000 lives.
In 2022, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor estimated that more than 100,000 people had died in prison, mostly due to torture, since the war began.
Manga pavilion a big hit at Jeddah Book Fair
- Japanese art form inspiring a new generation in the Kingdom, experts say
- Nouf Al-Hussein highlighted the urgent need for Arabic content that resonates with young people
JEDDAH: A colorful array of manga characters and comic books is capturing the attention of passers-by at the Jeddah Book Fair’s Manga Arabia pavilion.
The fair, themed “Jeddah Reads,” has dedicated a significant portion of its space to manga, with the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the event organizer, setting up 26 stands showcasing a range of manga characters and stories.
Mahmoud Attar, an animation expert visiting the fair, told Arab News that manga’s influence in Saudi Arabia is undeniable.
“From ‘Duke Fleed’ and ‘Treasure Island’ captivating ’80s children to the ‘Captain Majid’ and ‘Pokemon’ craze of the ’90s, these animated series, adapted from Japanese manga, have been a staple in Saudi homes for decades,” he said.
Attar added this popularity reached new heights with “Detective Conan” and other shows, drawing children to the screen to unravel intricate mysteries.
Fares Sambawa, a vendor at the manga pavilion who has been selling anime and manga since 2014, said that manga, which originated in Japan, is now inspiring other countries.
“Japanese manga has gained worldwide popularity because it addresses values and seeks to instill them in young people. This makes it appealing not only to children, but also older age groups,” he said.
Speaking about his own approach as a vendor in the Manga space, Sambawa said: “The characters I sell in my store are part of an interconnected chain. It starts with a novel, which is adapted into manga, then animated into a cartoon or series.”
The fair also hosted a seminar entitled “Manga: Between Word and Image,” exploring the world of graphic novels.
Industry leaders Abbas Hamidaddin and Nouf Al-Hussein, guided by moderator Taghreed Al-Tassan, shared insights on essential techniques and the future of the genre.
Al-Hussein highlighted the urgent need for Arabic content that resonates with young people.
She described manga as an innovative and exciting medium for enriching Arabic storytelling, underscoring its potential to bring Arab culture to a global audience.
“Manga provides a dynamic visual medium that resonates with children and young adults, especially those between the ages of 9 and 15,” she said.
“However, when translating or adapting manga for Arabic-speaking audiences, it’s essential to ensure the content aligns with our cultural values and ethics.”
Al-Hussein underscored the importance of nurturing young people’s creativity.
She believes artificial intelligence can be a powerful ally, enhancing creative output and helping children develop essential skills for innovation and success in today’s competitive world.
Al-Hussein said that manga magazines are cultivating a new generation of Saudi and Arab artists, providing a platform for them to share their voices with the world. This global reach is achieved through meticulous translation, editing, and proofreading processes handled by Saudi professionals.
Hamidaddin spoke about how manga can inspire a love of reading in children and teens. He emphasized the dedication of key figures in fostering a thriving Saudi animation industry, powered by local talent.
“Exporting Saudi culture through manga requires cultivating a conscious generation capable of effectively communicating with the world. This will bolster manga’s position as a soft power tool for disseminating our culture,” he said.
The seminar showcased manga’s potential as a dynamic tool for cultural expression and creativity. It presented a bold vision for the future, one that aims to strengthen Arab identity and share its rich culture with the world.
“To truly share Saudi culture through manga, we need to foster a generation of young people who are not only creative but also globally aware and able to connect with audiences worldwide,” Hamidaddin said.
“This will establish manga as a powerful platform for showcasing our culture on a global stage.”
Hamidaddin said that creating exciting and engaging stories is crucial for any comic when it comes to capturing the attention of readers.
“If we want to use manga effectively as a way to share our culture, we need a constant flow of fresh ideas and a commitment to sustainable growth. This will pave the way for a vibrant future for this exciting art form.”
The event runs until Dec. 21 and features over 450 pavilions, with more than 1,000 publishing houses and agencies from 22 countries taking part.
Entry is free with admission from 11 a.m. to midnight daily, except on Fridays when it opens from 2 p.m. until midnight.
Closing Bell: Saudi indices close in green
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index edged up on Wednesday, gaining 12.33 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 11,961.05.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.5 billion ($1.2 billion), as 117 of the listed stocks advanced, while 106 retreated.
The MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 0.40 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 1,498.37.
The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also gained 95.94 points, or 0.31 percent, to close at 31,196.25. This comes as 47 of the listed stocks advanced, while 39 retreated.
The best-performing stock of the day was Savola Group, with its share price surging by 9.98 percent to SR33.60.
Other top performers included United International Holding Co., which saw its share price rise by 9.01 percent to SR171.80, and Batic Investments and Logistics Co., which saw a 6.05 percent increase to SR3.68.
Alkhaleej Training and Education Co. saw its share price surge by 4.35 percent to SR32.35, while Fitaihi Holding Group recorded a 3.58 percent rise, closing at SR4.34.
Red Sea International Co. saw the biggest decline of the day, with its share price dropping 7.05 percent to SR56.70.
Jahez International Co. for Information System Technology saw its shares drop 5.07 percent to SR29, while Zamil Industrial Investment Co. declined 3.95 percent to SR32.80.
Moreover, Sumou Real Estate Co. dropped 3.83 percent to SR46.50, while Al-Baha Investment and Development Co. fell 3.12 percent to SR0.31.
On the parallel market Nomu, the top performer was View United Real Estate Development Co. with its share price surging by 30 percent to reach SR9.88.
Leen Alkhair Trading Co. saw a 9.62 percent surge in its share price to SR25.65, placing second, followed by Yaqeen Capital Co., which rose 8.13 percent to SR26.60.
Dar Almarkabah for Renting Cars Co. saw a 7.71 percent increase, reaching SR17.75, while Abdulaziz and Mansour Ibrahim Albabtin Co. rose 7.59 percent to SR17.80.
Nomu’s two biggest decliners for the day were Enma AlRawabi Co., with its share price falling 11.65 percent to SR22, and Knowledge Net Co., which dropped 8.70 percent to SR31.50.
Leaf Global Environmental Services Co. followed with a dip of 8.40 percent in its share price reaching SR97.10.
Bena Steel Industries Co. and Advance International Company for Communication and Information Technology were also among the worst performers with a 7.16 percent and 6.25 percent decline respectively.
On the announcement front, Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority has approved Saudi Fisheries Co.’s request to reduce its capital from SR400 million to SR66.99 million, representing a reduction in the number of shares from 40 million to 6.7 million. The move aims to restructure the company’s capital base.
Saudi Fisheries Co.’s share price closed Wednesday with a 0.44 percent drop to settle at SR22.56.
Additionally, the CMA has approved Makkah Construction and Development Co.’s request to increase its capital from SR1.65 billion to SR2 billion.
The capital increase will be achieved by issuing 0.213 bonus shares for every existing share owned by registered shareholders, with a total of 35.18 million new shares to be issued.
The increase will be funded by transferring SR351.84 million from the company’s statutory reserve account to its capital.
Makkah Construction and Development Co.’s share price dropped 1.46 percent on Wednesday to settle at SR107.80.
In a separate announcement, Yaqeen Capital Co., acting as the financial advisor and lead manager for ITMAM Consulting Co., disclosed the firm’s intention to offer 3 million ordinary shares, representing 14.29 percent of its total capital, in an initial public offering.
The company plans to list its shares on the parallel market, subject to regulatory approval.
UN calls for ‘free and fair’ elections in Syria
- UN special envoy Geir Pedersen said “there is a lot of hope that we can now see the beginning of a new Syria”
- Calling for immediate humanitarian assistance, he also said he hoped to see an end to international sanctions
DAMASCUS: The UN envoy to Syria called on Wednesday for “free and fair” elections after the ouster of president Bashar Assad, as he voiced hope for a political solution for Kurdish-held areas.
Assad fled Syria following a lightning offensive spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), more than 13 years after his crackdown on democracy protests precipitated one of the deadliest wars of the century.
He left behind a country scarred by decades of torture, disappearances and summary executions, and the collapse of his rule on December 8 stunned the world and sparked celebrations around Syria and beyond.
Years of civil war have also left the country heavily dependent on aid, deeply fragmented, and desperate for justice and peace.
Addressing reporters in Damascus, UN special envoy Geir Pedersen said “there is a lot of hope that we can now see the beginning of a new Syria.”
“A new Syria that... will adopt a new constitution... and that we will have free and fair elections when that time comes, after a transitional period,” he said.
Calling for immediate humanitarian assistance, he also said he hoped to see an end to international sanctions levied against Syria over Assad’s abuses.
Pedersen said a key challenge was the situation in Kurdish-held areas in Syria’s northeast, amid fears of a major escalation between the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkiye-backed groups.
Turkiye accuses the main component of the SDF, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), of being affiliated with Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants at home, whom both Washington and Ankara consider a “terrorist” group.
The United States said Tuesday it had brokered an extension to a fragile ceasefire in the flashpoint town of Manbij and was seeking a broader understanding with Turkiye.
“I’m very pleased that the truce has been renewed and that it seems to be holding, but hopefully we will see a political solution to that issue,” Pedersen said.
Rooted in Syria’s branch of Al-Qaeda and proscribed as a terrorist organization by several Western governments, HTS has sought to moderate its rhetoric by assuring protection for the country’s many religious and ethnic minorities.
It has appointed a transitional leadership that will run the country until March 1.
HTS military chief Murhaf Abu Qasra said Kurdish-held areas would be integrated under the country’s new leadership, adding that the group rejects federalism.
“Syria will not be divided,” he told AFP, adding that “the Kurdish people are one of the components of the Syrian people.”
He said HTS would be “among the first” factions to dissolve its armed wing and integrate into the armed forces, after the leader of the group ordered the disbanding of militant organizations.
“All military units must be integrated into this institution,” Abu Qasra said.
HTS has also vowed justice for the crimes committed under Assad’s rule, including the disappearance of tens of thousands of people into the complex web of detention centers and prisons that was used for decades to silence dissent.
“We want to know where our children are, our brothers,” said 55-year-old Ziad Alaywi, standing by a ditch near the town of Najha, southeast of Damascus.
It is one of the locations where Syrians believe the bodies of prisoners tortured to death were buried — acts that international organizations say could constitute crimes against humanity.
“Were they killed? Are they buried here?” he asked.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, more than 100,000 people died or were killed in custody from 2011.
