LAHORE: Asad Munir had promised his granddaughter he would take her to Disneyland the following summer but in November 2017, his name was placed on Pakistan’s no-fly list after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) launched a corruption probe against the retired brigadier for alleged misuse of authority in 2008.
In March 2019, Munir, 66, took his own life in Islamabad.
A day earlier, NAB’s executive board had approved the filing of a corruption reference against him and other former officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for illegally allotting a plot in Islamabad. In his replies to NAB in preceding months — seen by Arab News — Munir said the plot was allotted by the chairman of the authority at the time and he had just forwarded the case to the chairman after three other officers also scrutinized it and found the transaction to be within the law.
Since 2017, at least 13 people being probed by NAB have died — either by suicide or due to cardiac arrests and stress — while in custody, according to a brief compiled by Sehar Kamran, a former senator from the opposition Pakistan People’s Party, many of whose leaders are currently being investigated by NAB. The brief has been submitted before the Human Rights Committees of the Senate and National Assembly, the ministry of human rights, the Pakistan Bar Council, and the chief justice of Pakistan, among others.
Kamran told Arab News she had not received a response from the court or the parliamentary committees despite sending reminders.
Other than the case of Asad Munir, this reporter could not independently verify the details of the 12 other deaths listed in Kamran’s brief.
“There has to be a probe on how these people are dying in custody,” she said.
While hearing a case in April 2019, then chief justice Asif Saeed Khosa also questioned the manner in which NAB conducted its investigations.
“People have now started committing suicide,” the chief justice was quoted by local media as saying. “The Supreme Court has taken up the matter of mysterious suicide committed by former intelligence officer and analyst Asad Munir.”
Munir’s daughter, Meena Gabeena, described how her father’s life unraveled as he faced the corruption allegations.
“Being placed on the list was very troubling for him,” she told Arab News. “He started to go into depression.”
On March 14, 2019, after Munir learnt from watching the news that his case would go onto the next stage of inquiry, his wife found him in his study, holding a gun under his chin and sobbing uncontrollably. She hid the gun.
The next morning, she found him again, this time hanging from a ceiling fan.
“I am committing suicide to avoid humiliation, being handcuffed and paraded in front of the media,” Munir wrote in a letter addressed to the chief justice.
“I request you, the honorable chief justice, to take notice of NAB’s officials conduct so that other government officials are not convicted for the crimes they had not committed,” he added. “I am giving my life in the hope that you the honorable Chief Justice will bring positive changes in the system where incompetent people are playing with the life and honor of citizen in the name of accountability.”
A year after Munir’s death, Khurram Humayun, another former government official, being investigated by NAB for embezzlement, took his own life. His family did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
The National Accountability Bureau, established in 1999 by then military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, functions under a law that gives it the powers to arrest anyone under investigation for a period of 90 days. The detention duration can be extended. In one example, opposition politician Hamza Shahbaz remained in jail for 20 months in a money laundering case despite never being convicted by a court. He finally got bail last week.
Rights activists have called such pretrial detentions by NAB a human rights violation.
“Legal institutions have the right to pursue a case against a person,” Dr. Mehdi Hasan of the Human Rights Commission Pakistan said, “but to detain or arrest someone when a crime is not proven is a violation of basic human rights.”
Indeed, since the Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formed its government in August 2018, 15 high-profile politicians have been in and out of prison over corruption, as per an Arab News tally. Of them, only two, Aleem Khan and Sibtain Khan, belong to the ruling party. The rest are from opposition parties: Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, Khursheed Shah, Faryal Talpur, Agha Siraj Durrani, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal and Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
A disproportionate number of the “179 mega corruption cases” listed on NAB’s website are against PTI’s rivals, including former prime ministers Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Yousaf Raza Gilani and Nawaz Sharif.
A NAB spokesperson repeatedly declined requests for comments for this article. Raoof Hasan, the prime minister’s aide on information, also declined comment.
“I think that these kinds of incidents should not happen in such large numbers,” Irfan Qadir, former attorney general of Pakistan and an ex-NAB prosecutor general, said about alleged deaths and illness of people being investigated by the accountability bureau. “Even if the cases against these people [who died] were borderline or difficult to determine or there was any doubt, even then it is not a good thing that they died in custody ... This is so tragic.”
“The way to handle such cases is that you send the [corruption] case to the court and if the court convicts him then arrest the person,” Qadir added.
Malik Aamir Dogar, a special assistant to the prime minister on political affairs, admitted NAB was overstepping powers.
“To an extent this is absolutely true that NAB is exceeding its powers,” he told Arab News. “There are a lot of things that need to be revisited in NAB’s law and amendments are needed. In many cases the high courts and supreme court have also expressed serious reservations. In the parliament we tried that some things that are excessive and are overdue in the law are revisited, such as arrest during inquiry, and the 90-days remand tenure that is too long.”
But with opposition parties having launched a countrywide agitation to unseat PM Khan, it would be difficult at the moment, Dogar said, to reach an agreement with them to amend anti-corruption laws.
In the meantime, Munir’s family has withdrawn the case filed in the Supreme Court after his death. In a letter to the chief justice seen by Arab News, his wife said she neither had the resources nor the capacity to pursue the case.
National accountability bureau ‘exceeding’ powers, Pakistani PM’s adviser says
https://arab.news/9rb4s
National accountability bureau ‘exceeding’ powers, Pakistani PM’s adviser says
- Chief justice has questioned NAB’s investigation tactics, asked why people were falling ill or dying in its custody
- “There are a lot of things that need to be revisited in NAB law and amendments are needed,” Aamir Dogar says
Indian troops shoot dead Pakistani crossing frontier
- Incident occurred two weeks after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following a four-day conflict
- India’s border force says the man crossed the international border and failed to stop when challenged
AHMEDABAD: Indian border troops shot dead a Pakistani man who they said had crossed the international frontier and did not stop when challenged, the force said Saturday.
The shooting comes two weeks after arch-rivals India and Pakistan agreed a ceasefire after a four-day conflict, in which more than 70 people were killed in missile, drone and artillery fire.
India’s Border Security Force (BSF) said its troops Friday evening had spotted “one suspicious person advancing toward the border fence,” which lies beyond the international frontier in Gujarat state’s Banaskantha district.
“They challenged the intruder, but he continued to advance, prompting them to open fire,” the BSF said in a statement. “The intruder was neutralized on the spot.”
A photograph released by the force showed a dead man with greying hair.
The recent conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals was triggered by an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, the deadliest on civilians in the contested Muslim-majority territory in decades.
New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing the militants it said carried out the attack, charges that Pakistan denied.
Pakistan PM to begin five-day tour tomorrow of Central Asia, Turkiye and Iran
- The development comes two weeks after Pakistan and India traded missile, drone and artillery strikes before agreeing to a truce on May 10
- During the four-day conflict, several friendly nations supported Pakistan’s demand for a probe into an attack that triggered the standoff
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on Sunday on a five-day tour of Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan to hold discussions about matters of regional and international importance, the Pakistani foreign office said, weeks after a military conflict between Pakistan and India.
Pakistan and India this month traded missile, drone and artillery strikes for days, killing 70 people, before agreeing to a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
The conflict was triggered by an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22 that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denies complicity.
During the conflict Several friendly nations supported Pakistan’s demand for a credible, international probe into the attack as they urged the nuclear-armed archfoes to exercise restraint.
“The prime minister will have wide-ranging discussions with the leaders of these countries on an entire range of issues covering bilateral relations and matters of regional and international importance,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
“He will also have the opportunity to express the deepest appreciation and acknowledgment for the support extended to Pakistan by the friendly countries during the recent crisis with India.”
Bitter rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars, including two over the disputed region of Kashmir, since gaining independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety but rule it in part.
The latest conflict between the two was the deadliest in more than two decades and raised fears that it could spiral into a full-blown war.
During his visit aimed at furthering Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, Sharif will also attend the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, according to the Pakistani foreign office.
The conference, to be held on May 29-30, aims to advance global efforts in climate adaptation and resilience, with a specific focus on addressing glacial melting.
Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing numerous impacts like rising temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events.
Officials say unusually high temperatures in Pakistan’s northern areas have resulted in rapid melting of glaciers, warning that the prolonged phenomenon could lead to water shortages and threaten lives in the longer run.
Alibaba launches online logistics services for Pakistani exporters
- Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises have long struggled with optimizing their export processes to participate in global trade
- Alibaba says it has partnered with leading delivery companies to supporting the export of Pakistani goods to over 200 countries and regions
KARACHI: Alibaba, a Chinese-owned platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce, has launched online logistics services that are tailored to assist Pakistani exporters in optimizing their international trade processes, it said this week.
The explosive growth of cross-border e-commerce has created new opportunities for Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which face significant challenges in optimizing their export processes to participate in global trade. Logistics has been identified as a major obstacle as businesses must find effective and reliable shipping solutions to ensure timely deliveries while minimizing costs and risks, according to the e-commerce giant.
Alibaba has partnered with leading international express delivery companies, such as CPEX, with the goal of supporting the export of Pakistani goods to over 200 countries and regions around the world. The service not only supports fast and reliable international shipping options but also integrates the entire logistics process from packaging and warehousing to delivery, thus helping businesses optimize costs and time.
Through its international express delivery partners, Alibaba will ensure that goods are transported safely and on schedule, while also providing detailed order tracking tools, and customs advisory services. These features will help businesses minimize risks and enhance their competitiveness in the international market.
“Online logistics services are essential for small and medium-sized enterprises in global trade. They not only streamline operations and reduce costs, but also empower businesses to reach global markets with ease,” said Summer Gao, head of global supply chain at Alibaba.
"By leveraging advanced technologies and comprehensive solutions, Alibaba.com helps support Pakistani SMEs in enhancing their competitiveness, ensuring timely deliveries, and responding swiftly to market demands, ultimately fueling their growth and success in the global arena."
Pakistan, which is currently treading a long path to economic recovery, has urged local businesses to increase exports as the government looks to boost trade and investment to revive the over $350 billion South Asian economy.
Launched in 1999, Alibaba serves buyers and suppliers from over 200 countries and regions around the world. It is engaged in services covering various aspects of commerce, including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers discover products, find suppliers and place orders online fast and efficiently.
The e-commerce giant said its logistics services for Pakistani sellers are cost-effective, have enhanced order tracking and control capabilities, and offer a fully digitalized order fulfillment process for packages dispatched to multiple countries and regions.
“The introduction of Alibaba.com's logistics services has greatly accelerated our transaction processes and bolstered customer trust,” said Zulqarnain Baryar, CEO of Clush Industries that specializes in garment production.
"With features such as detailed tracking and optimized shipping routes, these services ensure timely deliveries and improved risk management. These enhancements have not only streamlined our operations but have also facilitated new business opportunities internationally, allowing us to confidently expand our presence."
Berry Ma, head of Pakistan business at Alibaba, said their new logistics services aim to support Pakistani exporters by providing efficient solutions to overcome traditional barriers in international trade.
“We're committed to offering essential tools to help Pakistani businesses tap into significant growth opportunities in global markets,” Ma said.
Pakistan PM says encouraging to see women like Naila Kiani setting records in mountaineering
- Kiani on Friday summitted Kanchenjunga to become first Pakistani woman to summit 12 ‘eight-thousanders’
- She stands on the threshold of joining only 17 women who have conquered all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday praised Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani for scaling 8,586-meter Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, saying it was encouraging to see Pakistani women making records in such difficult sport.
With the ascent of Kanchenjunga on Friday, Kiani became the first Pakistani woman to scale 12 of the world’s 14 peaks above the height of 8,000 meters, according to Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), which arranges various expeditions.
The Pakistani mountaineer stands on the threshold of joining a global elite of only 17 women who have conquered all 14 eight-thousanders, Imagine Nepal, her expedition organizer, said after Friday’s summit.
“Pakistanis are making their country proud in every field of sports,” Sharif said in a statement. “It is encouraging to see Pakistani women setting records in a difficult sport like mountaineering.”
Kiani has previously summited Mount Makalu (8,485m), Broad Peak (8,047 meters), Annapurna (8,091 meters), K2 (8,611 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Gasherbrum 1 (8,068 meters), Gasherbrum II (8,035 meters), Nanga Parbat (8,125 meters), Mount Everest (8,849 meters), Manaslu (8,156 meters) and Cho Oyu (8,201 meters) mountains.
The ACP described Kiani’s feat as a “monumental milestone” in the history of Pakistani mountaineering and a moment of immense national pride.
“From the towering heights of Everest and K2 to the perilous slopes of Annapurna and Lhotse, her journey tells a powerful story of grit, resilience and an unshakable will,” it said on Friday.
“This is not just a personal achievement— it is a symbol of empowerment for women in sports, a beacon of hope and inspiration for Pakistan, and a proud moment for every mountaineering enthusiast.”
Pakistan ranks seventh in civilian harm, second in IED casualties worldwide — report
- UK-based Action on Armed Violence monitor says Pakistan witnessed 790 civilian casualties in 248 incidents last years
- The Baloch Liberation Army killed and injured 119 civilians, followed by Daesh (45 casualties) and Pakistan Taliban (10)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ranked seventh in the world for civilian casualties from explosive weapons and second most affected nation in terms of casualties from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) last year, UK-based monitor Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) said this week.
In its annual report, the AOAV said it had recorded 67,026 deaths and injuries as a result of the use of explosive weapons around the world, which was the highest since 2010.
The report said 89% of 59,524 civilians were either killed or wounded by explosive weapons in 2024, adding that 41% of them, or 24,147 individuals, were killed in incidents of explosive violence.
Pakistan was the seventh most affected country for civilians harmed by explosive weapons last year, with 790 civilian casualties (210 killed) in 248 incidents, a 9% decrease from 2023. However, there was a 11% increase in incidents compared to 218 in 2023.
“The majority of civilian harm was attributed to non-state actors, who were reportedly responsible for 76% (603) of civilian casualties. In particular, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) killed and injured 119 civilians in Pakistan last year,” the report read.
“The Islamic State (Daesh) affiliate in the region, Islamic State – Khorasan Province (IS-KP), was the reported perpetrator of 45 civilian casualties in Pakistan last year, down from 194 recorded civilian casualties in 2023. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) killed and injured 10 civilians last year, down from 32 in 2023.”
Unknown non-state actors accounted for 54% of civilian casualties (423), down from 541 recorded in 2023, in Pakistan. The BLA was the reported perpetrator of 15% (119) civilian casualties, marking a 440% increase from 22 in 2023.
Pakistan is currently battling twin insurgencies: one led my religiously motivated groups, including the TTP, mainly in its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and the other by ethno-nationalist Baloch separatist groups like the BLA in Balochistan.
Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the TTP, BLA and other militant groups who have mounted their attacks in Pakistan in recent years. Kabul and New Delhi deny the accusations.
In terms of IEDs, Lebanon saw the highest level of harm globally, with 3,373 civilians killed and injured across only 16 incidents, accounting for 58% of civilian casualties from IED attacks globally, according to the report.
Pakistan saw the second highest level of civilian harm due to IED attacks, with AOAV recording 485 civilian casualties (139 fatalities) in 132 incidents.
“This is a 30% decrease in civilian casualties, but an 8 % increase in incidents,” the monitor said.
Other countries which saw elevated levels of civilian harm from IEDs in 2024 included Nigeria (385 civilian casualties), Iran (378), Somalia (270), Syria (253), Afghanistan (170), and Myanmar (84).
