ISLAMABAD: Custodians of shrines, commonly known as pirs (spiritual leaders), are considered as vital part of Pakistani politics.
They enjoy a vast support of their followers both in rural and urban areas of the country that makes them power players in electoral politics.
The shrines of spiritual leaders are spread across Pakistan, especially in Punjab and Sindh provinces, besides the country’s federal capital – Islamabad.
The custodians of these shrines either contest elections from platforms of different political parties or announce their support for a particular candidate or a political party.
Their influence over the thousands of devotees make them a power players in electoral politics as devotees look to the pirs for guidance during the elections. Leaders of the key political parties visit them to seek their support.
“Basically, we are a conservative society and people still consider the pirs as their spiritual guide and take pride in becoming their devotees,” Professor Tahir Malik, political analyst and academic, told Arab News.
He said that in Punjab and Sindh provinces some pirs not only contest the elections, but are elected to the Parliament with ease as well. “They are electable candidates in their respective constituencies and change their political loyalties to remain in power and keep hold on their devotees-cum-constituents,” he said.
He added that shrine guardians participated in 1937 and 1946 elections of the subcontinent (partitioned into the two separate countries of India and Pakistan in 1947), emerging as a formidable force on the basis of their strong religious following.
“The pirs and their politics will keep thriving in Pakistan while superstitions and illiteracy persist,” he said, adding that control over the devotees is, however, waning with the increasing sway of the Internet and social media.
According to a research by Dr. Adeel Malik, a professor of development economics at the University of Oxford, there are around 64 shrines in Punjab province with direct political connections.
Multan district in Pakistan’s Punjab province has the highest number of shrine families in politics followed by Jhang, Rahim Yar Khan, Okara, Taunsa Sharif and Chishtian.
This research found that around 16 percent of the 342 members of the National Assembly that completed its five-year term in May belonged to shrine families.
For the 2018 elections, many shrine families are contesting the election from South Punjab while others support candidates and political parties of their choice.
Punjab remains the major battlefield for political parties for its number of seats in the National Assembly.
The province has 141 seats in the Lower House of the Parliament out of the 272 in which candidates contest direct elections.
It is said that the party to win Punjab can easily form a government in the center. This increases importance of the pirs and landlords in the province who emerge as the electable candidates for every political party.
The pirs, besides being guardians of the shrines, own vast extracts of agricultural land in their respective areas and collect donations from followers. This makes them virtually invincible in their constituencies.
Fayyaz Raja, a political analyst at a private television channel, said that the pirs and their followers traditionally supported two major political parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party – in the polls.
“This time the majority of them have switched to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf due to the Khatam-e-Nabuwat issue,” he told Arab News.
An amendment in Khatam-e-Nabuwat (finality of Prophethood) clause, now withdrawn, prompted a row in November last year and will cost the outgoing ruling party, PML-N, in this election, Raja believes.
Custodians of some shrines are contesting elections as independent candidates, he said, adding they would become part of a political wheeling and dealing after the elections to form the government and get ministries of their choice.
Raja said that in the past couple of months, PTI chairman Imran Khan has been exploiting the issue of Khatam-e-Nabuwat and has succeeded in getting support of different shrines.
“It is quite normal for these pirs to switch political loyalties ahead of the elections,” he said, “this time they have used Khatam-e-Nabuwat as the pretext and switched to PTI to become part of the power game.”
Shrines; the other invisible power in Pakistani politics
Shrines; the other invisible power in Pakistani politics
- According to research, around 64 shrines in Punjab alone have political connections
- Political analysts say pirs change their political loyalties before elections to retain political influence and a keep a hold on followers
Ex-PM Khan’s party vows to hold public rally in Lahore despite crackdown, arrests of workers
- PTI claims the law enforcement agencies have arrested 49 of its leaders and workers from across the city
- Uncertainty surrounds the PTI rally as permission remains pending with administration despite court order
ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party vowed on Friday to hold a public rally in the eastern city of Lahore despite a police crackdown and arrests of its workers and leaders ahead of their planned gathering at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan monument tomorrow.
The PTI aims to mount pressure on the authorities by holding public rallies to get the ex-premier released from prison. Khan has been in jail since August last year on multiple charges including corruption, sedition and terrorism.
Earlier this month, the PTI held a rally on the outskirts of Islamabad after which the local administration registered criminal cases against its leadership for violating their agreement with it. About 10 party lawmakers were arrested from the Parliament House in Islamabad on charges of intimidating the police at the venue of the rally.
“We will be holding the public rally in Lahore tomorrow, come what may,” Ayesha Ali Bhutta, PTI secretary-information Lahore, told Arab News over the phone. “The security agencies have arrested our 49 leaders and workers so far in Lahore in a crackdown, but we are committed to mobilizing the public for a stunning show.”
Bhutta said the Lahore administration had blocked numerous roads in the city with shipping containers to prevent the movement of the PTI workers to prevent them from visiting the venue.
“We have clear instructions from Imran Khan to hold this rally, and we are ready to organize it on the venue given by the local administration,” she continued.
“The purpose of this rally is to highlight the atrocities of the fascist government against our party workers and leaders, and demand the release of Imran Khan who has been held illegally in jail for over a year now,” she added.
The Lahore High Court had directed the city’s deputy commissioner to decide by 5pm on the PTI’s application for a permission to hold the rally in the provincial capital. However, there was no development on that till the filing of the story.
The party’s local leadership reached the Minar-e-Pakistan to make arrangements for the rally, but the local administration denied them the entry. The party has already mobilized its supporters from across the country to reach Lahore for the public gathering.
“Our caravans from Wazirabad and other far-flung areas have already left for Lahore to participate in the rally,” Bhutta said, adding that hundreds of the PTI workers had already reached the provincial capital to participate in the gathering.
“Some of our caravans will reach Lahore tonight while the remaining will converge on the venue by tomorrow afternoon,” she continued, urging the provincial government to remove all the blockades in the city and release the arrested party workers and leaders ahead of the rally.
Chinese group to set up textile parks in Pakistan, aiming for $5 billion boost in exports
- Textile parks will utilize solar energy, modern automated technology and will operate with zero carbon emissions
- The foundation stone of the parks will be laid by the end of the year and they will employ up to 500,000 people
ISLAMABAD: A major Chinese business group unveiled its plan to set up textile parks in two Pakistani provinces during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, saying these “international-standard” facilities will help generate up to $5 billion in textile exports from the country.
China’s Ruyi Shandong Group, one of the largest textile and clothing manufacturers, has expanded globally over the past decade through acquisitions and investments. It has also benefited from the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the past by investing in a coal power plant in the country.
The group’s chairman, Qiu Yafu, held a meeting with the prime minister to discuss the investment proposal and highlight its details.
“Ruyi Group will establish international-standard textile parks in Sindh and Punjab provinces, inviting around 100 major Chinese textile industries to invest,” he said in his briefing, according to an official statement circulated after the meeting.
“The primary focus of these textile parks is to boost Pakistan’s textile exports and make Pakistan a global hub for textiles and garments,” he continued.
The Chinese businessman added these parks will utilize solar energy, operate with zero carbon emissions and employ modern automated technology.
“In the first phase, these parks are expected to generate $2 billion in exports, with $5 billion anticipated in the second phase,” he noted. “The parks will create employment opportunities for 300,000 to 500,000 local individuals.”
According to the briefing, the foundation stone for the textile parks will be laid by the end of the year, with completion expected within three years.
Ruyi Group will also establish wholesale commodity centers in both Karachi and Lahore.
It was decided during the meeting to establish working groups in Islamabad and Beijing to advance matters between Pakistan and the Chinese business group.
“China has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times,” the prime minister said during the meeting. “Economic relations between China and Pakistan are growing stronger with each passing day.”
He also formed a special committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to oversee the initiative.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Pakistan’s Board of Investment and Ruyi Shandong Group regarding the establishment of the parks, with the prime minister in attendance.
PCB shifts second Test between Pakistan and England from Karachi to Multan
- The decision is taken due to the renovation of the cricket stadium in Karachi
- England will be visiting Pakistan for three-match series between Oct. 7-28
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced a revised schedule of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship between Pakistan and England, changing the venue of the second Test beginning on October 15 from Karachi to Multan due to the renovation of the National Bank Stadium.
England will be visiting Pakistan from October 7 to 28 and play three Tests, with the first and second match scheduled to be held in Multan between October 7 and 19 followed by the third Test in Rawalpindi from October 24 and 28.
“The second Test, which was originally planned at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from Oct 15-19, will now be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium,” the PCB said in a statement. “The match has been shifted from Karachi to Multan as the National Bank Stadium is undergoing a major facelift for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025.”
The remaining two Tests will be played as originally planned in Multan and Rawalpindi, it said.
The PCB said it was thrilled to welcome the England men’s cricket team back to Pakistan.
“Despite minor adjustments, we are committed to supporting fans and ensuring a memorable tour,” it said. “We look forward to a fiercely competitive Test series and showcasing Pakistan’s renowned hospitality.”
The England cricket team last visited Pakistan in 2022-2023, marking their first tour in 17 years that consisted of seven Twenty20 International matches, followed by three-match Test series.
England won the Tests 3-0, achieving a historic clean sweep in Pakistan.
Prior to that, England’s last visit to Pakistan was in 2005. They were also scheduled to visit in 2021 but pulled out at the last minute due to security concerns after New Zealand canceled their tour.
Six soldiers killed in militant attack in Pakistan’s northwest — army
- Pakistan has seen rise in attacks in recent weeks which it blames on militants operating from Afghanistan
- Afghan Taliban say they do not allow Afghanistan’s territory to be used by militants against other nations
ISLAMABAD: Militants opened fire on a security post in northwest Pakistan late on Thursday, killing at least six personnel, the military said in a statement on Friday.
Pakistan has seen a rise in militant attacks in recent weeks, with many of them taking place in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan where Islamabad says groups like the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, are hiding and from where they daily target security forces convoys and check posts, and carry out targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials.
Militants, particularly from separatist groups, have also repeatedly struck in the southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran.
“In general area Ladha, South Waziristan District, a group of [militants] attacked a security forces’ post,” the military’s media wing said in a statement.
“Own troops fought bravely, foiling the attempts of intrusion and killed five [militants]. However, during intense exchange of fire, six brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat.”
In a second incident on Sept. 19, the army said it foiled an attempt by a group of seven militants to infiltrate the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area of Spinwam in the North Waziristan district:
“The infiltrators were surrounded, effectively engaged and after an intense fire exchange, all seven [militants] were sent to hell. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered.”
Islamabad says militants mainly associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently launch attacks from Afghanistan and has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for facilitating anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies the charges.
On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the international body was “particularly worried” about the penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan, calling on Kabul not to allow its soil to be used by terror groups.
“We are particularly worried… when we look into the neighboring countries, we are particularly worried with the fact that there is a penetration of terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistan and that that is creating, of course, many innocent victims and being a threat to Pakistani security,” Guterres told reporters in response to a question about what the UN planned to do about militants using safe havens in Afghanistan to launch attacks in Pakistan.
“So, one of the things that is absolutely essential is that Afghanistan controls its territory and doesn’t allow terrorist groups from any other country to operate from Afghanistan.”
Much-debated Pakistan Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Ordinance becomes law
- Supreme Court cases to be heard by bench comprising chief justice, next most senior judge and SC judge nominated by CJ
- The law is widely seen as curtailing the powers of the senior judiciary to initiate cases on their own through suo moto proceedings
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed into law the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Ordinance 2024, legislation widely believed to have curtailed the powers of the country’s senior judiciary and which was passed by parliament last year but blocked by the top court.
The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 was passed in the last days of the first term in government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, before the law could be enacted on April 21, 2023, an eight-member bench constituted by then Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial issued a stay order on it on April 13, 2023.
“Every cause, appeal, or matter before the Supreme Court shall be heard and disposed of by a Bench comprising the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the next most senior judge of the Supreme Court and a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice of Pakistan from time to time,” the ordinance, which was signed into law, said.
One provision, which is widely seen as limiting the power of Supreme Court judges to initiate cases of public importance or fundamental laws on their own through suo moto proceedings, said a bench hearing a matter under Article 184(3) of the constitution would decide and identify through a “reasoned and speaking order” the question of public importance in the case and what fundamental right it was seeking to enforce.
Article 184 of the constitution confers original jurisdiction, the authority to hear a case at its initiation, often referred to as Public Interest Litigation, in the form of judicial review to Pakistan’s Supreme Court. Clause (3) of Article 184 is cited as the source of suo motu powers. In essence, it gives the apex court the extraordinary power to assume jurisdiction over any “question of public importance with reference to the enforcement of any fundamental right”.
Under the new law, each case would be heard in turn, that is the cases filed first will be heard first, and a reason furnished for taking up cases out of turn. All hearings will be recorded and transcripts publicly available.
Hearings on petitions against the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 began in September 2023 and were broadcast live by Pakistan’s state television.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had taken up the petitions challenging the law as his first order of business shortly after taking oath the same month and had constituted a full-court bench of the apex court comprising all 15 judges.
