ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday criticized the opposition for not supporting new legislation that could help the country be removed from a grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), saying that political rivals were only interested in protecting their “ill-gotten wealth.”
The government convened a joint sitting of parliament on Wednesday to get three bills passed after 104 members of the country’s Senate, which is dominated by opposition factions, rejected the laws over reservations they would be used to trample civil liberties.
The bills were passed amid protest and uproar by the opposition, as 200 parliamentarians voted in favor of them while 190 voted against them. The assembly also rejected all the amendments introduced by opposition lawmakers with a majority vote.
“It is my conviction that the interests of Pakistan are not the same as the interests of opposition leaders,” the prime minister said while speaking on the floor of the house.
He said the country would face severe economic sanctions if it was blacklisted by the global financial watchdog over money laundering and terror financing.
“I was expecting the opposition to support the legislation because this is in Pakistan’s interest,” he added.
The FATF placed Pakistan, a nation of 220 million, on its grey list due to inadequate controls over terror financing in June 2018, giving it a 27-point action plan that also included strengthening its legal framework by passing new laws.
Islamabad is now required to submit a compliance report with the FATF until September 30, or its status will be downgraded to a blacklist that includes countries like North Korea and Iran. Being blacklisted would mean Pakistan would be shunned by international financial institutions, causing severe economic hardships.
Pakistan has long been accused of supporting militant groups and using them as proxies to advance its interests in the region, though Islamabad categorically denies such accusations.
A minimum of three votes by FATF members are needed to avoid the organization’s blacklist, and Pakistan has so far managed to avoid it due to the support of China and other friendly nations, including Malaysia and Turkey.
Officials in Islamabad claim Pakistan has done much to comply with the FATF conditions, including an unprecedented conviction of Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group, on charges of terror financing.
Analysts believe that the most crucial aspect of compliance with the FATF in Pakistan’s case would be to effectively prevent militant groups from openly operating and raising funds.
The global watchdog has pushed Pakistan to adequately identify, assess and understand risks associated with the presence of militant groups in the country.
Addressing the media, the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party’s lawmaker, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, said the government had enacted “black laws” on the pretext of FATF, adding that these laws were against civil liberties and interests of Pakistan.
“We moved the amendments [in the draft laws],” he said, “but the government unfortunately rejected them.”
Pakistan passes new laws in push to be removed from FATF grey list
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Pakistan passes new laws in push to be removed from FATF grey list
- Prime Minister Imran Khan criticizes the opposition for not supporting the legislation
- Opposition parties accuse the government of enacting ‘black laws’ on the pretext of satisfying FATF's conditions
Pakistan PM reviews security situation amid rising militancy, sectarian clashes
- PM Sharif was briefed by Mohsin Naqvi who recently attended a security meeting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Security remained a concern for Pakistan this year, which witnessed renewed attacks on Chinese nationals
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif evaluated the security situation during a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore on Sunday, focusing on measures taken by the authorities to ensure peace across the country.
The talks come days after Naqvi attended a high-level security meeting in the volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan and has seen a surge in cross-border militant attacks.
The region’s Kurram district has been gripped by sectarian clashes since last month, leaving well over 100 people dead, according to local reports.
During the meeting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Naqvi and other stakeholders decided to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies with the federal government’s full cooperation to combat mounting security challenges.
Pakistan has also faced unrest in its southwestern province of Balochistan, where separatist attacks intensified throughout the year.
“Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi provided a detailed briefing to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on the overall security situation in the country,” the statement from the PM Office said. “The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the measures taken to ensure law and order in the country.”
The meeting also included discussions on the country’s political situation, the statement added.
Security remained a major concern for the government this year, which witnessed renewed attacks on Chinese workers, including five fatalities when their convoy was targeted by an explosive-laden vehicle near Besham city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Later in October, two Chinese engineers lost their lives in a blast near Karachi airport.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, vowed to hunt down militants and their facilitators, following a deadly attack on a military outpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that left 16 soldiers dead.
Pakistan to host India’s Champions Trophy matches in UAE under hybrid model
- The decision comes after India showed reluctance to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns
- A PCB official says Pakistan has formally informed the ICC about its choice of the neutral venue
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will serve as the neutral venue for matches between India and Pakistan during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy scheduled in February.
The decision was finalized after discussions between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Sheikh Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, currently visiting Pakistan.
The move resolves a contentious issue stemming from India’s reluctance to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns. Pakistan, the official host of the tournament, initially refused to opt for a hybrid model, allowing the tournament to proceed with matches involving India being played at a neutral venue. However, its cricket board later accepted the arrangement.
PCB spokesperson Amir Mir confirmed the ICC has been formally informed about the decision.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has chosen the United Arab Emirates as the neutral venue,” he was quoted in a statement. “Now, India and Pakistan’s Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE.”
The statement said Pakistan had the authority to determine the neutral venue as tournament host, and chose the UAE after careful deliberation.
The hybrid model was also employed during the Asia Cup last year, with Pakistan co-hosting the tournament with Sri Lanka.
Unlike the Asia Cup, however, the Pakistan national team traveled to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup later in the same year. Meanwhile, the Champions Trophy preparations in Pakistan are in full swing, with venues being readied for the event.
The hybrid model for the Champions Trophy will ensure the tournament remains on track while maintaining Pakistan’s position as the host.
Run machine Saim Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Left-handed opening batsman made a sparkling 101 off 94 balls in a Pakistan total of 308 for nine
- Hosts were beaten by 36 runs as match was reduced to 47 overs due to rain with adjusted target
Johannesburg: Rising star Saim Ayub hit his second century of the series — and his third in five innings — as Pakistan completed a series cleansweep over South Africa in the third one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.
Left-handed opening batsman Ayub made a sparkling 101 off 94 balls in a Pakistan total of 308 for nine.
Heinrich Klaasen thrashed 81 off 43 balls for South Africa — but the hosts were beaten by 36 runs chasing an adjusted target of 308. The match was reduced to 47 overs a side because of rain.
Ayub, 22, hit 113 not out in the second one-day game against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last month and 109 in the series opener against South Africa in Paarl last week.
In between his one-day appearances he made an unbeaten 98 in the second Twenty20 international against South Africa in Centurion.
Ayub was named player of the match and player of the series.
“It’s important because we won but it is for all the team, not just me,” he said. “The senior players helped me a lot.”
In contrast to Ayub’s form, his opening partner Abdullah Shafique was out for his third successive duck after Pakistan were sent in to bat.
But Ayub was seldom troubled as he played shots all around the wicket in partnerships of 114 with Babar Azam (52) and 93 with captain Mohammad Rizwan (53).
Ayub fell to debutant Corbin Bosch, caught behind attempting an audacious flick to leg, after hitting 13 fours and two sixes.
Bosch, the son of the late Test and one-day international player Tertius Bosch, received a call-up after injuries hit South Africa’s fast bowling resources.
For the third successive match, Klaasen was the only South African to make a half-century. He kept South Africa ahead of the required run rate until he was sixth man out, caught on the square leg boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi with the total on 194 in the 29th over.
Ayub followed up his century by taking one for 34 in 10 overs with his mixture of off-spin and carrom balls, claiming the key wicket of David Miller and producing the most economical figures by any bowler in the match.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 308-9 in 47 overs (Saim Ayub 101, Mohammad Rizwan 53, Babar Azam 52, Salman Agha 48; K. Rabada 3-56) v South Africa 271 in 42 overs (H. Klaasen 81, C. Bosch 40 not out)
Result: Pakistan won by 36 runs (DLS method)
Series: Pakistan won the three-match series 3-0
Toss: South Africa
EU expresses concern over sentencing of civilians by Pakistani military court
- Pakistani military announced on Saturday the sentencing of 25 people over violent protests in May 2023 over ex-PM Khan’s arrest
- EU says Pakistan signed International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which entitles every person to ‘fair, public trial’
ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) on Sunday expressed concern over the sentencing of 25 Pakistani civilians by a military court in the South Asian country, saying it was “inconsistent” with Pakistan’s international obligations.
The Pakistani military announced on Saturday the sentencing of 25 people for participating in violent protests on May 9, 2023, when hundreds carrying flags of former prime minister Imran Khan’s party had attacked government and military installations.
The protests, which erupted in several Pakistani cities, followed Khan’s brief detention on corruption charges from an Islamabad court, resulting in damage to major military facilities and martyrs’ monuments in the country.
The military said it had gathered “irrefutable evidence” against those prosecuted. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has demanded a judicial investigation into the May 9, 2023 events and said Saturday’s verdicts were “against the principles of justice.”
“These verdicts are seen as inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),” Anouar El Anouni a spokesperson for EU foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement.
“In line with article 14 of ICCPR every person is entitled to a fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent, and has the right to adequate and effective legal representation. It also stipulates that any judgment rendered in a criminal case shall be made public.”
The statement noted that under the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), beneficiary countries, including Pakistan, had voluntarily agreed to effectively implement 27 international core conventions, including the ICCPR, in order to continue benefitting from the special trade arrangement. The preferential trade status under the GSP+ scheme grants Pakistani exports duty-free access to the European market.
The EU has previously raised concerns over extremist violence perpetrated in the name of religion in Pakistan, specifically mentioning its blasphemy laws and forced conversions, which it says have marginalized religious minorities.
The sentencing of civilians in May 2023 riots cases has also raised concerns among supporters of ex-PM Khan, who faces charges of inciting attacks against the armed forces and may potentially be tried in a military court.
Pakistan has remained gripped by political unrest and uncertainty since Khan’s ouster from power through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, which has also exacerbated Pakistan’s economic hardships.
On Sunday, the Pakistani government formed a committee to hold talks with the opposition PTI party on a range of issues causing political polarization, Pakistani state media reported. Senior government representatives have also recently acknowledged that negotiations could offer a pathway out of the current political impasse.
Pakistani naval ships visit Kuwait and Iraq, conduct joint exercises in Arabian Gulf
- Pakistan regularly holds joint exercises with allies to increase synergy and deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit activities
- The visit of Pakistan Navy flotilla to Kuwait and Iraq will further enhance the existing diplomatic and naval relations, the military says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani naval ships have visited Kuwaiti and Iraqi ports to conduct joint exercises with both navies in the Arabian Gulf, the Pakistani military said on Sunday, adding the visits would enhance existing relations.
Pakistan Navy Ships (PNS) Rasadgar and Azmat visited the Kuwaiti port of Al-Shuwaikh, while Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship Dasht visited the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
On arrival at both ports, Pakistani diplomatic and host naval officials warmly welcomed the Pakistan Navy ships and the mission commander, along with commanding officers of the ships, held meetings with the naval leadership of both countries.
“Later, naval exercises were also conducted together with Kuwaiti and Iraqi navy ships,” the ISPR said in a statement. “The exercises were aimed at improving mutual cooperation between the navies and developing the capacity for joint operations.”
During the meetings, naval officials discussed matters of mutual interest, cooperation in maritime security and communication, according to the statement.
“The visit of Pakistan Navy flotilla to Kuwait and Iraq will further enhance the existing diplomatic and naval relations with friendly countries,” it read.
Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates and holds joint military exercises with allies to increase synergy, promote regional peace and stability and deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.
This month, Pakistan Navy conducted joint naval exercises and drills with Royal Oman ship ‘Alseeb.’ The bilateral naval exercise, “Samar Al-Tayeb,” is conducted regularly between the navies of the two nations.
In July, Pakistan Navy also assumed command of a multinational task force responsible for ensuring maritime security in the southeastern waters of the Middle East, operating in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden.
