LAHORE: Opposition leaders and political analysts have warned of potential violent clashes in Islamabad as the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan gave a call for a million-strong rally of the ruling party’s supporters in Islamabad ahead of a vote of no confidence in parliament against the PM, expected to take place later this month.
Pakistan’s opposition parties last Tuesday moved a no-confidence motion seeking the ouster of Khan, accusing him of bad governance and mismanagement of the economy in what is being seen as the toughest challenge the PM has faced since coming to power in a 2018 general election.
Following the filing of the no confidence request with parliament, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain suggested “one million” supporters of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party would gather at Islamabad’s D-Chowk ahead of voting day. Lawmakers who wanted to vote against Khan, he said, would “have to pass through these people on their way in and out of the Parliament building.”
In response, the opposition Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) has called on its own supporters to gather in Islamabad from March 25, setting the stage for a potentially violent clash.
“A million people gathering on D-Chowk a day before the no confidence motion will be a referendum [on PM Khan] and a referendum is important,” Hussain said, reiterating that supporters at the rally would stop defecting members of the ruling party from going to parliament.
When asked if the party had instructed supporters to prevent disgruntled members from going to vote in parliament, Hussain replied: “Workers are already indignant at the betrayal by the defecting parliamentarians so they would stop them themselves.”
The information minister dismissed the reminder that a no confidence vote was a constitutional right and a legitimate part of parliamentary politics: “The parliamentary party process is subservient to politics and this [holding a rally] is how politics is shaping.”
Responding to alarm about possible violence on voting day, Hussain said the government would take care of security:
“Will manage the law and order, don’t worry!”
A leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl, whose leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman heads the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of opposition parties, said the opposition’s supporters would gather at the same spot as the government rally, Islamabad’s D-Chowk, and stay there until the vote took place.
“We know well how to tackle the blackmailing of the government,” JUI-F leader Rashid Soomro told Arab News. “And if the situation in the federal capital spirals out of control that day, the onus will be on the ruling party.”
Azma Bukhari, a provincial spokesperson for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party, also added: “A clash is imminent but the responsibility will lie with the government not us. They cannot always arm-twist opponents.”
She said the opposition parties would move toward parliament on the day of the vote “in the form of a convoy.”
“We will see to it that no disgruntled ruling party’s member is stopped from voting against this government,” Bukhari said. “All the opposition will be there outside the parliament and it has been decided that all MNAs will move together toward the parliament.”
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senator Sherry Rehman said the government’s announcement to hold a rally on D-Chowk to block parliamentarians from voting was “downright reprehensible.”
“The government claims to have a majority in the National Assembly, so why panic now? This is a testament to the triumph of the no-confidence motion,” he said. “It is rather unprecedented for the ruling party’s first response to be resorting to mob violence.”
The Pakistan Constitution empowers legislators of the National Assembly, whether they belong to the ruling or opposition parties, to vote on a no-confidence resolution according to their conscience, though legislators who vote contrary to party direction face the threat of losing their membership in the National Assembly under Article 63A which deals with disqualification on the grounds of defection.
“Threatening members [of disqualification] and preventing them from voting is a violation of the constitution and rules,” Rehman said. “Even the National Assembly secretariat has told the speaker that preventing any parliamentarian from casting their vote is unconstitutional.”
Veteran journalist and political commentator Sohail Warraich told Arab News it was the responsibility of Asad Qaiser, the National Assembly speaker, to ensure the government or ruling party did not take steps that would block legislators from their constitutional right to vote.
“The speaker is the custodian of the house and he should make sure that this matter is resolved within the precincts of the national assembly and not outside,” Warriah said. “If a clash takes place, it will not only jeopardize the government but the whole democratic process.”
Warriach gave the example of then prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, who was subjected to an unsuccessful no confidence vote in November 1989.
“This is a constitutional and democratic process. Malik Mairaj Khalid was speaker of the national assembly when a no confidence motion was moved against Benazir and he handled the matter in such a non-partisan way that PPP started doubting its own speaker of being partisan in favor of the opposition. That’s the way Asad Qaiser should tread here.”
Commenting on the information minister’s remarks that the D-Chowk rally would be a referendum on PM Khan, Warriach said: “What should be settled in parliament must be settled in parliament.”
Fears of violence as Pakistani PM plans rally to block defectors from no confidence vote
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Fears of violence as Pakistani PM plans rally to block defectors from no confidence vote
- Information minister says lawmakers who want to vote against Khan in parliament would have to pass through million-strong rally
- Opposition has called its own supporters to gather in Islamabad from March 25, setting stage for potential clashes
Pakistan defense minister blames judiciary for delayed verdicts in May 9 cases
- National problems require decisions at the earliest, says Khawaja Asif while talking to media in London
- Protests erupted in several Pakistani cities on May 9, 2023, over ex-PM Imran Khan’s arrest in a graft case
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday blamed the judiciary for delaying verdicts in the May 9, 2023, cases, which have so far led to the conviction of 25 supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party for attacking government buildings and military properties last year.
On Dec. 21, the Pakistan Army sentenced 25 people for participating in the violent protests that erupted in several Pakistani cities following Khan’s brief detention on corruption charges, resulting in damage to major military facilities and martyrs’ monuments in the country.
However, several suspects are also facing legal charges in anti-terrorism courts, with the military hoping for early verdicts in their cases, according to a statement announcing the sentencing of the 25 individuals, which described the rioting as “politically provoked violence.”
The PTI has denied any involvement in the violence, describing the May 9 incident as a “false flag” operation aimed at crushing the party.
“The judiciary created the biggest hurdle in this [the conviction of May 9 suspects] while this thing was allowed to linger for one and a half years,” Asif said while speaking to the media in London, the city he is currently visiting.
Describing the May 9 protests as a national problem, he said all the cases related to it required verdicts at the earliest.
The conviction of the 25 individuals followed a ruling by a seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Dec. 13, allowing military courts to share their verdicts. Prior to that, the court had unanimously declared last year that prosecuting civilians in military courts violated the Constitution.
Khan’s PTI party rejected the military’s announcement, with opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan saying they were “against the principles of justice.”
The sentencing of the 25 individuals also raises concerns about Khan, who faces charges of inciting attacks against the armed forces and may potentially be tried in a military court.
Earlier, Asif had regretted the delay in announcing the verdicts, saying that it “raised the morale of the accused and their facilitators.”
“Right now, only the workers, who were used [to generate violence], have been punished under the law,” he had said. “This will not end until the ones, who planned this terrible day, are not brought before the law.”
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.
