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
https://arab.news/cx4s6
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
Pakistani stocks break psychological 99,000 barrier on optimism over rates, reserves
- An analyst attributes the intraday rally to broad-based gains across most economic sectors
- The stock market has remained bullish since the government slashed policy rate in November
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday breached a major psychological barrier, surging past 99,000 points during intra-day trading before settling at 97,798.23, as analysts attributed the rally to investor optimism driven by falling lending rates and higher foreign exchange reserves.
The benchmark KSE-100 index climbed 2,057.40 points by 11:10 am, reaching 99,385.79 points from the previous close. However, the index closed at 97,798.23, marking an increase of 469.84 points or 0.48 percent.
Analyst Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation said bank levies on large deposits, surging global oil prices, and rupee stability were fueling investor optimism.
“Stocks remained bullish, led by scrips across the board, as investors weighed falling lending rates and the imposition of bank levies on large deposits following a drop in government bond yields,” he told Arab News. “Surging global crude oil prices, rupee stability, and higher forex reserves played a catalytic role in the record surge at the PSX.”
Last month, Pakistan’s external current account recorded a surplus of $349 million, marking the third consecutive month of surplus and the highest in this period. The current account reflects a nation’s transactions with the world, encompassing net trade in goods and services, net earnings on cross-border investments and net transfer payments.
A surplus indicates that a country is exporting more than it is importing, thereby strengthening its foreign exchange reserves.
A bullish trend has been observed in the stock market since Pakistan’s central bank cut its key policy rate by 250 basis points, bringing it to 15 percent earlier this month. Economic indicators have also steadily improved since securing a 37-month, $7 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September.
In the past, the country faced a prolonged economic crisis that drained its foreign exchange reserves and saw its currency weaken amid double-digit inflation. Last year, Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default by clinching a last-minute $3 billion IMF bailout deal.
US vows to be ‘steadfast partner’ after deadly attack in Pakistan’s Kurram district
- American diplomatic mission says Pakistanis deserve to live free from harm, danger and threat
- It offers condolences to victims’ families after 41 people were killed by unknown gunmen this week
KARACHI: The United States on Friday condemned a deadly attack in Pakistan’s Kurram district that killed 41 people this week, reaffirming its commitment to stand with Pakistan in ensuring the safety of its citizens against such militant attacks.
Unidentified gunmen targeted vehicles carrying Shiite community members in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, in one of the deadliest sectarian attacks in recent years. The assault, which also left many critically injured, occurred in a region already plagued by deadly clashes in recent months.
“The United States will remain a steadfast partner as Pakistan works to ensure the safety and security of all its citizens,” Jonathan Lalley, the spokesperson of the US diplomatic mission in Pakistan, said in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with Pakistan and the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in this difficult time.”
Lalley expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for a full recovery for the injured.
“The Pakistani people deserve to live free from harm, danger, and threat, and to feel protected and secure in their daily lives,” he added.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which followed the reopening of a key highway in the region after it was closed for weeks due to sectarian violence.
Kurram, a volatile district near the Afghan border, has been a flashpoint for sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shiite communities, adding to the challenges of maintaining security in the area.
The US-Pakistan forged a counterterrorism partnership in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks, to address regional security challenges. Over the years, however, the relationship faced friction, while the US-led international forces were in Afghanistan.
Despite the tensions, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts, especially in the wake of the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
The commitment to security partnership reflects a shared goal of combating extremism and ensuring regional stability.
Pakistan, Malaysia agree to enhance military cooperation with focus on air force training
- Malaysian air chief praises PAF’s advancements in indigenization on his first Pakistan visit
- His Pakistani counterpart reaffirms commitment to training Malaysian Air Force personnel
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to deepen bilateral military cooperation, with a particular emphasis on joint training and air power collaboration, Pakistan’s military said on Friday.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Royal Malaysian Air Force Chief General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohd Asghar Khan bin Goriman Khan at Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
“The [Pakistan] Air Chief reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing military partnership between the two Air Forces through joint training initiatives, particularly within the realm of air power,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. “These initiatives will encompass provisioning of both basic and tactical level training for personnel of the Malaysian Air Force.”
The Malaysian air chief, making his first visit to Pakistan, praised the PAF’s advancements in indigenization and technological innovation. He also expressed interest in bolstering ties through enhanced collaboration in training, maintenance and operational excellence.
The meeting included discussions on defense cooperation, joint exercises and technology sharing, ISPR said, highlighting the robust defense relationship between the two nations.
During his visit, the Malaysian official toured the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park Silicon and the PAF Cyber Command, where he was briefed on Pakistan’s advanced operational capabilities.
He also lauded the innovative projects displayed at the ongoing International Defense Exhibition IDEAS-2024 in Karachi.
Earlier, the Malaysian air chief was presented with a guard of honor upon his arrival, ISPR added.
Pakistan government doubles down on preventing Imran Khan’s Nov. 24 protest
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warns no talks if Khan’s PTI proceeds with the protest
- Ex-premier’s party plans a ‘long march’ to Islamabad, seeking his release from prison
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday vowed to implement the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order, refusing to allow former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to stage the Nov. 24 protest in the federal capital demanding his release.
The PTI has announced a “long march” to Islamabad, primarily to pressurize the government to end Khan’s imprisoned that has lasted for over a year on what his party contends are politically motivated charges. The protest also aims to raise PTI’s voice against alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections while calling for measures to ensure judicial independence, which the party says has been undermined by the 26th constitutional amendment.
Only a day earlier, the IHC directed the government to form a committee to engage in talks with the PTI, emphasizing the need to avoid disruptions during the three-day visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to discuss bilateral economic cooperation. The court expressed hope that the PTI would allow “meaningful communication” with the administration while acknowledging that the maintenance of law and order would be the government’s priority if there was no breakthrough between the two sides.
Addressing the media in Islamabad alongside the capital city’s chief commissioner and police chief, the interior minister highlighted that no rally, march or protest would be allowed in the federal capital owing to the Belarusian president’s visit to the country, as per the IHC order.
“No one will be allowed to stage a rally or protest in Islamabad in compliance with the high court order,” Naqvi said. “After the IHC order, we will implement it 100 percent at any cost. We are bound by the law to implement it.”
Regarding the IHC directions to hold talks with the PTI party leadership, the minister said he would speak to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the evening to constitute a committee “but definitely if they stage a protest, this [negotiation] will get difficult.”
Islamabad’s district magistrate has already imposed a two-month ban on the gathering of more than five people in the capital using Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which allows the government to prohibit various forms of political assembly, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, demonstrations and other activities for a specified period.
In response to a question about whether the government was in touch with Adiala Jail, where ex-premier Khan is currently incarcerated, Naqvi said he has no contact with anyone there.
The interior minister also highlighted that the capital city’s administration did not receive any application from the PTI to stage a protest.
He made it clear that people violating the court orders would be responsible if there was any loss of life during the Nov. 24 protest.
Naqvi also said that he agreed with the residents of Islamabad that shops, roads, businesses and mobile signals should not be shut down but noted there was no other way of dealing with such protests.
“If they want to come and protest [in Islamabad], I’ll be the one who will say that no talks should take place,” he concluded. “If they want to hold talks, they should do it in a proper manner. This is no way that on one side they protest and on the other call for talks.”
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s interior ministry had authorized the deployment of paramilitary Punjab Rangers and Frontier Corps troops in Islamabad to maintain law and order.
Pakistan’s parliament also passed a law earlier this year to regulate public gatherings in Islamabad, specifying timings for rallies and designating specific areas. The law prescribes three-year jail terms for participants in illegal assemblies and 10-year imprisonment for repeat offenders.
Army chief vows action after deadly week of militant attacks in Pakistan
- Twelve soldiers were killed on Tuesday as militants attacked a checkpost in the northwestern Bannu district
- Gunmen opened fire on vehicles carrying minority Shiite community members in KP province on Thursday, killing 41
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir vowed action against militants on Friday, following a week of deadly attacks in which dozens of civilians and security officials have been killed in the country’s northwest.
In the latest attack, gunmen opened fire on vehicles carrying members of the minority Shiite community in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, killing at least 41 people in one of the region’s deadliest such attacks in recent years. The assault took place in Kurram, a district where sectarian clashes have killed dozens of people in recent months. No group has claimed responsibility.
On Tuesday, ten Pakistan army soldiers and two from the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary were killed on Tuesday as militants attacked a checkpost in the northwestern Bannu district.
Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province in the northwest and the remote southwestern province of Balochistan have both seen an increase in strikes by militants this year.
“He [Munir] reiterated the army’s firm resolve to dismantle hostile terrorist networks and eradicate the illegal spectrum undermining national security,” the army’s media wing said in a statement, quoting Munir as saying after he attended a security meeting in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“He assured that through synchronized and robust operations, Pakistan Army in collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies will relentlessly hunt down the enemies of peace to ensure lasting stability and security.”
In a separate statement, the army said it had carried out three operations in Balochistan on Nov. 20-22, in which four militants had been killed.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of civil and military leaders who gave the go-ahead for a "comprehensive operation" against separatist insurgents in Balochistan.
