ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday stopped a special court from announcing its verdict in a high treason case against former President Pervez Musharraf.
The special court’s proceedings ended on Nov. 19 and it was scheduled to present the ruling on Thursday, however, the Interior Ministry earlier this week requested that the IHC postpone it, arguing that it had not been given the opportunity to have a new prosecution team pursue the case.
The high treason case was filed against Musharraf in 2013 by the then ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The general was charged with subverting the constitution and imposing a state of emergency on Nov. 3, 2007.
He was formally indicted in 2014.
Gen. Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup on Oct. 12, 1999, when he was serving as the army chief. He stepped down in 2008, amid mass protests.
In 2016, Musharraf was allowed to leave Pakistan on medical grounds. His lawyer argued that the former president’s ill health prevented him from standing trial on treason and other charges.
Musharraf failed to appear in the special court for hearing.
The former military ruler is Pakistan’s first army chief to be charged with treason. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and dismissed them politically motivated.
IHC stops special court ruling in Musharraf treason case
IHC stops special court ruling in Musharraf treason case
- The court was scheduled to announce its ruling on Thursday
- Musharraf lives in self-exile in Dubai
Pakistan cuts this year’s Hajj costs, announces $17 million in refunds for last year’s pilgrims
- The religious affairs minister announces Hajj cost reductions of up to $179 for pilgrims
- Chaudhry Salik Hussain says the government’s 2025 Hajj quota has been fully utilized
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Tuesday announced a reduction of up to Rs50,000 ($179) in this year’s Hajj packages and a refund of over Rs4.75 billion ($17 million) to 2024 pilgrims.
Last month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj Agreement 2025, under which 179,210 Pakistanis will perform the annual pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes.
To make the pilgrimage more convenient and accessible, Pakistan has introduced a shortened Hajj program of 20 to 25 days. The Ministry of Religious Affairs initially set the cost at Rs1,075,000 ($3,854) for the long Hajj package and Rs1,150,000 ($4,122) for the short Hajj package, as shorter stays often incur higher airfare, premium accommodation rates and expedited transport services, driving up overall costs.
For the first time, the Hajj Policy 2025 also allowed pilgrims to pay in installments, easing financial constraints. Under the scheme, the first installment of Rs200,000 ($717) was required with the application, followed by Rs400,000 ($1,435) within 10 days of balloting, while the remaining amount had to be paid by February 10.
“After successful negotiations by our committee in Saudi Arabia, the cost of the 40-day long Hajj package has been reduced by Rs25,000 ($90) to Rs1,050,000 ($3,764), while the 25-day short Hajj package has been reduced by Rs50,000 ($179) to Rs1,100,000 ($3,943),” Hussain told reporters in Islamabad.
He said pilgrims must submit the third installment in designated banks between February 6 and February 14, while every pilgrim will receive a notification via the ‘Pak Hajj’ cellphone app launched by the government.
The app is designed to provide real-time updates, guidance, emergency contacts, lodging details, route navigation and complaint registration to ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience.
“Pilgrims opting for the long Hajj package will need to pay a third installment of Rs450,000 ($1,613), while the third installment for the short Hajj package will be Rs500,000 ($1,794),” Hussain said.
He further informed that over Rs4.75 billion ($17 million) will be refunded to 2024 Hajj pilgrims, citing savings in sacrificial animal costs and airfare reductions.
“Refunds will be disbursed into pilgrims’ accounts from February 7 onwards,” he added.
The minister said this year’s government Hajj quota has been fully utilized and expressed hope that pilgrims will have an even better experience than last year.
“Pilgrims will have assistance available at all times, as one Hajj assistant will be assigned for every 150 pilgrims,” he continued.
“The assistant will travel with the pilgrims from the Hajj camp, stay with them and return with them, ensuring continuous support throughout the journey,” he added.
Pakistan’s top generals seek ‘concrete’ action from Afghanistan against Taliban militants
- Corps commanders call statements by Indian military leaders against Pakistan ‘reckless and provocative’
- They seek socio-economic development of Balochistan to thwart ‘externally driven narratives of exclusion’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top generals called for “concrete and tangible actions” against militants by the Taliban administration in Kabul on Tuesday, while vowing to take all necessary measures to defend the country’s territorial integrity amid a surge in violence by armed groups in its two western provinces in recent years.
Pakistan’s northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which borders Afghanistan, and the southwestern province of Balochistan, which shares frontiers with both Afghanistan and Iran, have witnessed rising militant and separatist violence. Most attacks in KP are claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella alliance of militant groups.
Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of sheltering anti-Pakistan groups, particularly the TTP, which the Pakistani government refers to as “Fitna Al Khawarij,” saying that these militants launch cross-border attacks from Afghan soil. Kabul denies the allegations, insisting that Afghanistan does not allow its territory to be used against any country.
Pakistan’s overall security situation was reviewed during the 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference, held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
“Expressing grave concern over the continued use of Afghan soil by Fitna Al Khawarij for terrorist activities against Pakistan, the forum stressed the imperative of concrete and tangible actions by the Interim Afghan Government against Fitna Al Khawarij instead of denials, as well as continuing with the strategy of undertaking all necessary measures in defense of Pakistan and its people,” the ISPR said.
The conference also emphasized the need to accelerate people-centric socio-economic development initiatives in Balochistan, while countering “externally driven narratives of exclusion” in the region.
A key strategic province and home to the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Balochistan has long grappled with separatist violence led by groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliates.
These insurgents have carried out coordinated attacks, suicide bombings and targeted killings, primarily against the Pakistani military, Chinese workers and non-Baloch settlers, particularly from Punjab.
The violence has often been linked to grievances over political marginalization and resource control, though Pakistani officials have denied these claims while saying they are carrying out major projects to improve the quality of life and livelihood of people.
“No one will be allowed to disrupt peace in Balochistan, and nefarious designs of foreign-sponsored proxies attempting to mislead and radicalize the youth of Balochistan will be decisively thwarted with the unwavering support of the people of Balochistan,” the statement added.
The top army generals also discussed the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary with India, condemning “human rights violations” in Indian-administered Kashmir and recent statements by Indian military leadership against Pakistan that they termed “reckless and provocative.”
“Pakistan Army remains fully prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” General Munir told the gathering.
“These hollow statements from the Indian military are indicative of their growing frustration and serve only to divert the attention of their masses and the international community from their multiple internal fissures and blatant violations of human rights,” he added. “Any misadventure against Pakistan will be responded to with full and resolute force of the state.”
The corps commanders’ conference also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to its constitutional responsibilities and pledged to continue military training and exercises in both conventional and counter-terrorism domains.
Pakistan Navy announces participation of two Saudi warships in AMAN-25 naval drills
- The ninth edition of Pakistan’s AMAN exercise will be held this month from February 7 to 11
- AMAN-2025 will witness the participation of nearly 60 countries with over 200 observers
KARACHI: A senior Pakistani naval official said on Tuesday two Saudi warships, HMS Jazan and HMS Hail, will participate in the ninth edition of his country’s naval exercise, AMAN-25, which is scheduled to be held from February 7 to 11.
The AMAN exercise, held every two years in the North Arabian Sea, is a multinational naval drill organized by the Pakistan Navy to enhance regional maritime security and interoperability among allied forces. The exercise was first held in 2007 and has since attracted participants from across the world.
According to official information, AMAN-2025 will witness the participation of nearly 60 countries and will be conducted in two phases. The harbor phase will take place from February 7 to 9, while the sea phase, running from February 10 to 11, will include search and rescue operations, live weapon firings and an international fleet review.
Rear Admiral Abdul Munib, Commander of the Pakistani Fleet, highlighted his country’s strong maritime ties with Saudi Arabia during a news conference.
“Saudi Arabia is a brotherly country,” he said, as he mentioned the participation of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces in the exercise while pointing out that Pakistan also enjoyed close relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Pakistan’s relations with both these countries are already strong, but there is also a very close navy-to-navy collaboration with them,” he continued. “We have conducted a number of exercises with them, and both countries will also be actively participating in this exercise.”
Calling the participation from Saudi Arabia “very encouraging,” the naval official said in addition to the two Saudi ships, the Kingdom’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Underwater Demolition (UWD) teams would also participate.
“The UAE has one ship participating as well, and their SOF and UWD teams are also participating,” he added.
This year’s exercise is expected to include a wide range of maritime professionals, with over 200 observers from around the world in attendance.
The Pakistani rear admiral noted the role of the AMAN Dialogue, which is scheduled to take place alongside the exercise. He informed it will bring together naval chiefs, coast guards and defense forces from participating nations.
The forum will allow military leaders to exchange insights and discuss strategies for addressing emerging maritime challenges.
“More than just a military drill, AMAN embodies Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to fostering regional stability, ensuring safe and secure seas and countering nontraditional and asymmetric threats,” he maintained.
“Above all, it serves as a vital platform for strengthening interoperability, information sharing and mutual understanding among like-minded regional and extra-regional navies, thus reinforcing the belief that maritime security is a shared responsibility,” he added.
Death toll from last week’s gas tanker explosion in Pakistan rises to 18
- Truck carrying liquified petroleum gas had caught fire near an industrial area in Multan
- Blast damaged nearby structures, deaths caused by ensuing fire and collapse of several roofs
MULTAN: The death toll from a gas tanker truck explosion that happend last week in central Pakistan has jumped to 18, police and hospital officials said on Tuesday.
Police initially said five people were killed and about two dozen others were injured when a truck carrying liquified petroleum gas caught fire near an industrial area in Multan, a city in the country’s most populous Punjab province.
Mohammad Wasim, a doctor at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital, said another 13 people have died in the week since the Jan. 27 blast. He added that another seven people who were injured in the blast were still in critical condition.
Mohammad Bashir, a senior police official, said the blast also damaged nearby shops and homes, and the deaths were caused by the fire and the collapse of several roofs.
He said an initial police investigation showed that the gas tanker truck had exploded while some people were transferring LPG from the truck to cylinders after bribing the driver, who has been arrested.
Saudi Fund for Development approves grant for King Salman Hospital in Pakistan — PM
- Project will be built in Hazara district with SFD grant of $40 million
- Riyadh also approves $1.2 billion oil deferred oil payment facility
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) had approved a $40 million grant to build the King Salman Hospital in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The announcement comes a day after Pakistan signed an agreement with SFD to defer by one year a $1.2 billion payment on the country’s oil imports.
SFD has supported more than 40 projects and programs valued at approximately $1.4 billion to finance energy, water, transportation and infrastructure projects in Pakistan since the Fund’s establishment in 1975.
“There are other SFD projects like the King Salman Hospital with an investment of $40 million” Sharif said while addressing a federal cabinet meeting in which he thanked Saudi authorities for approving the $1.2 billion oil facility. “These are grants and the hospital will be fully built with this in Hazara [district].”
The Saudi facility to defer oil payments can help Islamabad boost its foreign reserves ahead of the first review of a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, due in March. The agreement comes as Pakistan continues to navigate a tricky economic recovery path and implement tough conditions attached to the IMF loan program.
“Our brother Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a delegation yesterday [Feb. 4] and our oil facility which was for 10 months in 2023 ended in December 2023,” Sharif added. “Now, it has been renewed and they have provided us with $1.2 billion annually for our oil facility.”
On Monday, Pakistan also finalized a loan agreement for a Gravity Flow Water Supply Scheme in the Mansehra district of KP under which the SFD will provide $41 million to enhance access to clean drinking water for at least 150,000 people, according to Sharif’s office.
The SFD has also proposed a partnership with the Pakistan government to offer training programs for young Pakistanis and impart “modern and relevant” skills to help them meet labor market demands in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistanis constitute one of the largest migrant communities in Saudi Arabia with an estimated 2.64 million working there as of 2023. While 97 percent of them are blue-collar workers, there is a growing demand for skilled labor in the Kingdom as it seeks to modernize its economy under the Vision 2030 scheme.
