KARACHI: The historic press club building in Pakistan’s seaside megacity of Karachi was formally handed over to its governing body on Monday.
The transfer of the ownership of the building, which went through five years of restoration and preservation work, took place in a ceremony which was attended by the Chairman of the Endowment Fund Trust (EFT), Jehangir Siddiqui, managing trustee Hameed Haroon, senior members of the journalist fraternity, members of the civil society, and other officials of the trust.
“The entire building was almost in ruins and required preservation work. So, the press club reached out to the EFT for the restoration of this British-era building,” Aamir Latif, the club’s former secretary, told Arab News.
Mohanlal S. Ochani, EFT’s supervising engineer who has helped with the restoration work of more than a 100 other historical buildings — including Karachi’s Mohatta Palace — said that more than Rs10 million were spent for the process which took five years to complete.
“When we started working, the dampness of the stones was decaying the building. The rotten stones were replaced with stones of the same size and shape, which were brought from Jung Shahi (a town in Sindh’s Thatta District),” Ochani told Arab News, adding that the second important restoration element was of the woodwork for which Burma Teak and Mahogany Philippines, which have a shelflife of hundreds of years, were used.
The building has a conference hall, dining facilities, two small rooms, front and rear verandas on the ground floor, committee rooms, a library, and offices on the first floor, he added. It also has 37 doors and more than 50 window fanlights.
“The EFT also restored a large mural painted by a famous Indian painter, M.F. Hussain, which is on the wall of Ibrahim Jalees Hall. Other images restored by the EFT include portraits of Habib Jalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz, a mural and Ya Rab Calligraphy by Shakil Ismail,” Ochani said.
Karachi Press Club Secretary, Maqsood Yousuf said that the facility had a rich history and had been a hub of various freedom-of-press movements in Pakistan. “Not only is the building remarkable but the history of the club, which began its activities here in 1958, is also a matter of pride for the journalist community,” Yousuf told Arab News.
Once the residence of Pakistan’s former president, Iskandar Mirza, it was this historic building where the movement for the restoration of democracy and political alliance was formed during General Zia-ul-Haq’s military rule, he said, adding: “The restored heritage building and the proud legacy of our predecessors will go on for centuries.”
Karachi Press Club handed over to journalists after restoration
Karachi Press Club handed over to journalists after restoration
- Colonial-era building was witness to plenty of political upheavals in the country’s history
- The place had become a hub of various freedom movements in Pakistan
Army major, 13 militants killed during separate operations in northwestern Pakistan — military
- Major Muhammad Awais, 31, killed while battling militants in South Waziristan district, says military
- Sixteen soldiers were killed on Saturday in northwest Pakistan as Islamabad grapples with militancy
ISLAMABAD: An army major and 13 militants were killed during three separate intelligence-based operations in northwestern Pakistan, the military’s media wing said on Thursday, vowing to eliminate militancy from the country.
Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which lies on the country’s border with Afghanistan, has witnessed frequent attacks by the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups that targeted security forces convoys and check posts in recent months.
The latest killings were reported after three separate gunbattles between militants and Pakistani security forces from Dec. 25-26, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. Two militants were killed in Bannu district while five others were killed in the North Waziristan district in a separate operation.
“However, during this operation, Major Muhammad Awais (age: 31 years, resident of District Narowal), a brave officer, who was leading his troops from the front, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat [martyrdom],” the ISPR said.
In the third operation in South Waziristan district, six militants were gunned down by the security forces while eight others were injured.
“Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthens our resolve,” the military said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to Pakistan’s security forces for battling militants and offered condolences for Major Awais’s killing.
“The entire nation salutes martyred Major Owais,” he said in a statement. “We remain resolute in our desire to eliminate all forms of terrorism.”
Pakistan has struggled to contain militancy in its northwestern KP province. Sixteen Pakistani soldiers and eight militants were killed in a gunfight on Saturday in South Waziristan, the military reported.
The attack was claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.
Islamabad has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
KSrelief distributes food aid to displaced persons from Pakistani district facing sectarian clashes
- 500 food packages distributed to people from Kurram district currently residing in Tehsil Thall and facing urgent food insecurity
- KSrelief has implemented 210 projects in Pakistan worth millions of dollars to improve the lives of vulnerable communities
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) on Thursday launched a food security initiative in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, distributing food packages to people from a district marred by sectarian clashes since last month.
Kurram — a tribal district of around 600,000 in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where federal and provincial authorities have traditionally exerted limited control — has frequently experienced violence between its Sunni and Shia communities over land and power. Travelers to and from the town often ride in convoys escorted by security officials. The latest violence erupted on Nov. 21 when gunmen ambushed a vehicle convoy, killing 52 people, mostly Shias.
The assault triggered road closures and other measures that have disrupted people’s access to medicine, food, fuel, education and work. Over 130 people have been killed in the fighting that has ensued after the convoy attack, according to police records.
“As part of this effort, 500 food packages were distributed to displaced beneficiaries from Kurram district, who are currently residing in Tehsil Thall and facing urgent food insecurity,” the Saudi charity KSRelief said in a statement.
“The distribution took place in a camp in District Hangu, providing timely relief to displaced families in need.”
The initiative is part of KSrelief’s first phase of the Food Security Support Project for 2024-25, which aims to distribute 10,000 food packages among poor people across 14 districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
KSrelief has implemented 210 projects in Pakistan worth millions of dollars to improve the lives of vulnerable communities. Efforts include emergency relief for natural disasters, and long-term projects addressing food security, health care, education, and shelter. Shelter NFI and Winter Kits Project are notable initiatives providing essential items to families in harsh weather conditions, and food distribution programs that combat hunger and malnutrition.
In partnership with UNICEF, KSrelief supports critical health initiatives, such as vaccination campaigns to prevent polio and measles, safeguarding millions of children. The Noor Saudi Volunteer Project provides free eye care through eye camps, combating blindness among underprivileged populations.
Imran Khan’s party says wants to conclude negotiations with Pakistan government by Jan. 31
- Khan’s PTI, Pakistan’s government kicked off talks to ease political tensions on Monday
- PTI says Khan will not accept any “deal” with the government for his release from prison
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced on Thursday it wanted to conclude its negotiations with the government by Jan. 31, 2025, reiterating that it wanted a judicial commission to probe violent nationwide protests that broke out in May 2023.
The PTI and the government opened formal negotiations on Monday to ease political tensions in the country. Both sides moved to reduce tensions after Khan threatened a civil dissidence movement and amid growing concerns he may face trial by a military court for allegedly inciting attacks on sensitive security installations during the May 9, 2023 protests.
The PTI has put forward two demands: the release of political prisoners and the establishment of judicial commissions to investigate protests on May 9 last year and Nov. 26 in Islamabad this year, which the government says involved his party supporters, accusing them of attacking military installations and government buildings.
Members of the PTI’s negotiation team, Omar Ayub and Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, spoke to the media after meeting Khan in the Adiala prison in Rawalpindi. The negotiating committee apprised Khan regarding Monday’s talks with the government.
“The cutoff timeframe for negotiations is the end of January,” Raza told reporters outside Adiala prison. “By Jan. 31, we want to take these negotiations to their logical conclusion.”
Raza reiterated the PTI’s demands for the formation of judicial commissions for the May 9, 2023 and Nov. 26 protests.
“Our stance on the Nov. 26 (Islamabad protest) is quite clear: As of today, according to our data, 13 of our supporters were martyred, 64 suffered bullet injuries and the number of our missing supporters is between 150 to 200,” he said.
He said Khan will not accept any “deal” by the government for his release from prison. “Imran Khan will after facing all his cases in court, come out through the courts,” Raza said.
The next round of talks between the government and the PTI is scheduled to be held on Jan. 2.
Khan’s ouster in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022 has plunged the country into a long-term political crisis, particularly since the PTI founder was jailed in August last year on corruption and other charges and remains behind bars.
His party and supporters regularly hold protests calling for his release, with many of the demonstrations turning violent, including the one on Nov. 26 in which the government says four troops were killed and the PTI says 13 of its supporters died.
The negotiations on Monday were held days after Pakistan’s military announced prison sentences for 25 people involved in the May 9 protests.
The military announced on Thursday it had sentenced 60 more civilians, among them Khan’s nephew and two retired army officers, to prison sentences ranging from two to 10 years, for the May 9 protests.
Khan’s party has pointed out that the sentencing is contrary to the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights, to which Pakistan is a party.
Trump envoy nominee hits out at Pakistani top minister over pro-Imran Khan comments
- Khawaja Asif alleges “few voices” in the West calling for jailed former premier’s release with “full support from Israel”
- In a response to Asif on X, Grenell says calls for review of what US taxpayers were providing Pakistan in aid
ISLAMABAD: US President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy nominee Richard Grenell hit out at Pakistan’s defense minister this week, calling him “reckless” for alleging that Western voices backed by Israel were demanding ex-PM Imran Khan’s release from prison as part of an anti-Pakistan campaign.
Grenell has been in the news in Pakistan in recent weeks over social media posts calling for the release of Khan from prison. In a veiled reference to Grenell, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said voices in the Western world were making statements in the media for Khan’s release with “full support from Israel,” which Pakistan does not recognize, nor have diplomatic relations with.
“Which clearly shows that Imran Khan is an Israeli asset through which they want to destroy the only Muslim nuclear power [Pakistan],” Asif said. “The few voices that are being raised in the Western world for Imran Khan should know that we, the Pakistani people, know how to protect our interests.”
Grenell hit back at Asif on X.
“The death threats, and crazy talk … from the Minister of Defense is reckless,” Grenell said in a post in which he tagged the IMF and USAID. “There should be a review of what the US taxpayer provides Pakistan in aid.”
The Trump envoy nominee added that Pakistan’s embassy in Washington and its ambassador to the US, Rizwan Sheikh, had “some explaining to do.”
In an interview on Tuesday, Grenell had urged the President Joe Biden administration to use its last days in power to push for Khan’s release from prison so he could run for office in Pakistan.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch declined to comment on Grenell’s statements.
“As far as any individual capacity, anyone making statements in their individual capacity, we would not like to comment on that,” she said.
Pakistan has been gripped by political unrest and uncertainty since Khan’s ouster from power through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022. He blames his removal from the PM’s office on his political rivals led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the all-powerful military. Both reject the charge.
Khan has been in jail since August in a slew of cases he says are politically motivated to keep him away from power.
Pakistani military court sentences 60 civilians to jail terms between 2-10 years
- Military sentenced 25 civilians to prison time ranging from two to 10 years on Dec. 21
- Khan supporters charged with attacking military installations during protests on May 9, 2023
KARACHI: A Pakistani military court has sentenced 60 civilians to jail time ranging from 2 to 10 years in connection with riots in which supporters of jailed ex-premier Imran Khan were accused of attacking army facilities, the military said on Thursday.
The announcement comes days after the military said it had sentenced 25 people to prison for participating in violent protests on May 9, 2023, when hundreds of alleged Khan supporters stormed military and government installations and even torched a top commander’s house. The riots followed the former premier’s brief arrest by paramilitary soldiers in a land bribe case that day.
The military initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence and there have been widespread reports it also plans to prosecute Khan under the Pakistan Army Act on charges of treason and attempting to incite a mutiny in the military.
A list of the 60 convicts announced on Thursday included two retired military officers, Brig. (retired) Javed Akram and Captain (retired) Viqas Ahmed Mohsin, and Khan’s nephew Hassan Khan Niazi.
“The trial of 9th May accused under military custody has hereby been concluded under the relevant laws,” the Inter-Services Public Relations, the military’s media wing, said. “All convicts retain the right to appeal and other legal recourses, as guaranteed by the Constitution and law.”
The military said the government and army remained steadfast in “their commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that the inviolable writ of the state is maintained.”
The federal government’s spokesman Attaullah Tarar said the verdicts showed that “rule of law has prevailed.”
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party also reacted to the development, saying the Dec. 21 verdicts by military courts against 25 civilians had been met by concern by the US, UK and the EU.
“Despite concerns shown by the US State Department, UK Government and European Union, they went ahead with convicting more civilians, in violation of almost the entire operative part of International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights to which Pakistan is a party,” the party said in a statement.
The verdicts come as the Pakistani federal government this week opened talks with the PTI in a bid to bring down political temperatures.
Pakistan has remained gripped by political unrest and uncertainty since Khan’s ouster from power through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022. He blames his removal from the PM’s office on his political rivals led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the all-powerful military. Both reject the charge.
Though Khan was released days after his brief arrest on May 9 last year, he was rearrested in August and has since been in jail in a slew of cases he says are politically motivated.
