ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said he was “disappointed” but accepted the Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate the country’s parliament, after he dissolved it in an apparent move to dodge a crucial no-confidence vote against him earlier this week.
Opposition parties brought a no-trust motion against Khan in parliament on March 8, blaming him for the economic meltdown and foreign policy failures and bad governance.
Khan, who has lost parliamentary majority after defections by party lawmakers and coalition partners, was due to face the no-trust vote on Sunday. But National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri disallowed the vote, saying it was motivated by a “foreign conspiracy” and hence “unconstitutional.”
The president then dissolved parliament on Khan’s advice, triggering a political and constitutional upheaval in the South Asian country. However, the Supreme Court on Thursday declared the deputy speaker’s ruling void and reinstated parliament, allowing the no-trust vote tomorrow, on Saturday.
“The Supreme Court verdict that came, I was disappointed,” PM Khan said in his address with the nation, televised Friday night.
“But let me clarify that I respect Supreme Court and Pakistan’s judiciary... and whatever is the judiciary’s decision we accept it.”
Last month, Khan spoke of a purported letter that contained “threats” to his government from a foreign country. The Pakistani premier later named the country to be the United States (US), saying Washington was angered by his pursuit of an independent foreign policy for Pakistan and wanted to out of power.
Pakistani officials have said the letter was a cable written by a former Pakistani ambassador to the US, who conveyed threats by a “senior foreign official.” Khan says the move was part of a conspiracy for a “regime change” in Pakistan. Both Washington and the Pakistani opposition have denied the allegation.
The prime minister said on Friday he wanted the top court to at least see the cable before ruling against the government’s moves.
“A country topples your government through a conspiracy from abroad,” he said. “The Supreme Court should at least have seen the letter... whether we are speaking truth or not.”
PM Khan further vowed to mobilize the masses after the vote of no-confidence and urged his supporters to take to streets after the Isha prayers on Sunday.
“I repeat you are never to engage in vandalism or confrontation,” he told his supporters. “You are to safeguard your future, your democracy and your sovereignty. This is your duty.”
He said history never forgave anyone and it recorded whatever role people played.
“Which Supreme Court verdicts are good and which are harmful for this country, [if] you see history all this comes to the fore,” the premier said.
“A conscious nation always stands up for its rights. You are not to accept this slavery and stand up like a free nation.”
PM Khan said he would struggle alongside the masses and not accept any kind of “imported government” that was imposed on Pakistan.
In a separate televised interview Friday afternoon, Khan told his supporters they would now have to guard the sovereignty of the South Asian country and stand up to the alleged “regime change” attempts by foreign powers.
“As long as the nation won’t side with what is good...this attempt for a regime change in the country from abroad. Now the nation has to guard it,” Khan said in an interview televised on the state-run Pakistan Television Friday.
“This is not about Imran Khan now. If the nation will not defend its freedom, sovereignty and self-respect, then who will?”
The lower house of parliament has been convened for a session on Saturday at 10:30am, the speaker’s office said in an order paper. The vote, brought by the opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, is the fourth point on the agenda.
The opposition requires 172 votes in the 342-member National Assembly. If Khan loses the no-confidence vote, the opposition will put forward a candidate for prime minister.
Shehbaz Sharif, the younger brother of three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said after the court ruling that the opposition had nominated him to take over should Khan be ousted.
Pakistan PM says accepts court’s decision to reinstate parliament, calls protest on Sunday
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Pakistan PM says accepts court’s decision to reinstate parliament, calls protest on Sunday
- PM Imran Khan dodged a no-trust vote on Sunday, followed by dissolution of parliament
- On Thursday, the Supreme Court reinstated parliament, allowed the no-confidence vote
Pakistani bank signs LC Confirmation deal with International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
- This product facilitates trade flow by allowing exporters and issuing banks to gain assurance from the ITFC
- It will support private sector clients by working with banks in Organization of Islamic Cooperation states
ISLAMABAD: Meezan Bank, a leading Islamic bank in Pakistan, has signed a new strategic partnership with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) under its Letter of Credit (LC) Confirmation product to support the private sector, the Pakistani bank said on Tuesday.
This product facilitates trade flow by allowing exporters and issuing banks to gain assurance from the ITFC, a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, to secure payment and thus eliminate credit risks, according to a statement issued by Meezan Bank.
It will support private sector clients, including small-medium enterprises (SMEs), by working with local banks in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries to facilitate various import transactions.
The agreement was signed by Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer of ITFC, and Syed Amir Ali, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Meezan Bank, in the presence of executives from both sides.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our business relationship with ITFC as we solidify our partnership. This arrangement reinforces our Bank’s commitment to reliability, stability, and financial excellence,” said Syed Amir Ali, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Meezan Bank.
“The Letter of Credit Confirmation Agreement strengthens our position in the market, enabling us to capitalize on new opportunities and facilitate international Islamic trade.”
Meezan Bank is the first bank in Pakistan to partner with ITFC for the LC Confirmation facility. It will enable the Pakistani bank to extend geographical coverage by leveraging the ITFC network, both in member and non-member countries. It will also enable the Bank to handle LC Confirmation transactions of up to 12 months.
“We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Meezan Bank through this Letter of Credit Confirmation Agreement, which reflects our commitment and support to private sector clients in our member countries,” M. Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer of ITFC, was quoted as saying by Meezan Bank.
Pakistani actors Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed starrer ‘Love Guru’ to release on Eid
- The movie will be directed by industry veteran Nadeem Baig and also feature actor Ahmed Ali Butt
- Pakistani cinema has witnessed a revival over the past decade with the release of a number of movies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan has said that her new film ‘Love Guru’ will be released on Eid next year, which will feature her alongside actors Humayun Saeed and Ahmed Ali Butt.
Khan, who will be playing the female lead alongside Saeed, said the movie is directed by Nadeem Baig. Both Khan and Saeed appeared together in the Pakistani film ‘Bin Roye’ nine years ago, with fans admiring their chemistry on screen.
“There is one project that we are shooting for the past month,” Khan told reporters at an event in London. “It’s film Love Guru that will be released on Eid.”
The actress expressed happiness and thanked her fans for the amount of love she received in London.
Khan has made a mark in international cinema with her performances in ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ (2022) and Bollywood flick ‘Raees’ (2017) alongside Shah Rukh Khan. Her acting skills in the two movies were widely praised by critics and made her a household name in Pakistan and India.
Pakistani cinema industry has witnessed a revival over the past decade with the release of a number of movies, including ‘Zinda Bhaag’ (2013) and ‘Ho Mann Jahaan’ (2016), which were based on a mix of traditional and modern themes.
The success of these films has led to an increase in investment in movie production, with many new films being released each year.
Pakistan, China conclude bilateral air exercise to bolster interoperability
- The exercise simulated various military tactics in near-realistic, multi-domain operations
- Pakistan is separately holding a joint military exercise, Harimau-Markhore II, with Malaysia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Tuesday concluded a bilateral air exercise aimed at strengthening interoperability between the two air forces, the Pakistani military said.
The Indus Shield-Chinese exercise, a bilateral module of the Indus Shield 2024 military exercise, concluded at an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
It witnessed participation from People’s Liberation Army Air Force with its personnel and high-tech equipment comprising Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, J-16 and J-10C fighter with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) equipment, HQ-22 surface-to-air defense system, Potent Airborne Electronic Warfare YTG-9 Platform, and the KJ-500 airborne early warning system pitched against the PAF’s J-10C and JF-17 Block-III fighter jets simulating contemporary aerial combat scenarios.
“The successful execution of such a large-scale exercise demonstrates Pakistan Air Force’s joint operational readiness among allied nations while addressing contemporary security challenges,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“Aimed at validating interoperability between China and Pakistan in the face of contemporary air combat challenges and by simulating various military tactics in near-realistic, multi-domain operations training environment, Indus Shield-Chinese has maximized the warfighting potential of both the participating air forces.”
Indus Shield-2024 is the largest multinational regional exercise, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye among 24 countries taking part in it. The exercise aims to foster interoperability and training through state-of-the-art facilities.
Pakistan is separately holding a joint military exercise, Harimau-Markhore II, with Malaysia, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday. The two-week-long exercise began at the National Counter-Terrorism Center in Pabbi in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtukhwa (KP) province.
“The exercise will strengthen bilateral relations between the Malaysian and Pakistani forces and provide opportunities to benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise in the future,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
Pakistan frequently holds exercise drills with regional and international allies to foster interoperability and joint deployment concepts to strengthen regional and global security.
Also, Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Zulfiquar visited Port Djibouti during deployment on a regional maritime security patrol, the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Pakistan Navy said on Tuesday.
The commanding officer of PNS Zulfiquar called on senior military leadership and explored avenues for further collaboration, while the crew had professionally rewarding interactions with Djibouti Navy and Coast Guards during the port call.
“Pakistan and Djibouti enjoy close and cordial relations based on mutual respect and understanding. Both the countries also have numerous common interests in maritime arena,” the DGPR said in a statement. “Upon departure, PNS Zulfiquar conducted Passage Exercise with Djibouti Coast Guards to enhance inter-operability.”
Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services
- Pakistan will send 179,210 pilgrims, equally divided between the government and private sector
- Government will prioritize first-time pilgrims in the official balloting process, says a statement
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the Hajj Policy 2025, said an official statement, specifying a quota of 179,210 pilgrims and introducing a new position of the “nazim” or administrator to ensure improved services for those embarking on the spiritual journey.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is an annual pilgrimage to Makkah undertaken by millions of Muslims. Pakistan has one of the largest Hajj quotas provided by Saudi Arabia to any Muslim country amid immense demand for the pilgrimage, with many citizens waiting years for an opportunity to participate.
“The federal cabinet approved the Hajj Policy 2025 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony,” an official handout from the Prime Minister’s Office said. “The cabinet was informed that Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2025 will be 179,210, divided equally between the government and the private sector.”
The new policy includes the creation of a “nazim” position, aimed at ensuring the well-being of pilgrims throughout the journey.
“For every 100 pilgrims, one nazim will be appointed from the welfare staff,” the handout added, underscoring the government’s intent to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Under the policy, children under 12 will not be allowed to travel for Hajj. Government quota allocation will be conducted through computerized balloting, with 1,000 seats reserved for hardship cases and 300 for laborers or low-income employees registered with the Workers Welfare Fund or the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution.
Additionally, the Makkah Route Initiative, offering streamlined immigration services, will be available at Islamabad and Karachi international airports. To further enhance the experience, Hajj Group Organizers will sign service agreements with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, with close monitoring of service quality.
In light of previous challenges, the cabinet has increased compensation for pilgrims who may pass away or get injured during the pilgrimage. The families of deceased pilgrims will receive Rs1 million to Rs2 million, while injured pilgrims will receive Rs1 million in compensation.
A specialized Hajj management app has also been developed to support pilgrims, along with extensive training initiatives.
The cabinet directed priority in the balloting process to first-time pilgrims and emphasized the importance of ensuring top-quality services for all participants.
Pakistan government defends bills extending tenure of armed services chiefs
- Parliament has approved bills to extend tenure of army, navy, and air force chiefs from 3 to 5 years
- Opposition fears extending tenure will consolidate the hold of already all-powerful army chief
ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has defended the passage this week by Pakistan’s parliament of bills that extend the tenures of the army, navy and air force chiefs, saying the move would check against services chiefs granting themselves extensions and “formalize” the duration of their service.
The bills, approved by Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate on Monday, have been pushed by the coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif which argues that they are aimed at building continuity and avoiding some of the political turmoil that usually surrounds the appointment of the army chief every three years. The bills also extend the tenure of the heads of the navy and air force, though those positions hold less influence in Pakistan.
The office of the army chief is considered to be the most powerful in the country, with the army having ruled Pakistan for almost half of its 75-year -long history. Even when not directly in power, the army is considered to be the invisible guiding hand in politics and holds considerable sway in internal security, foreign policy, and economic affairs, among other domains. Several army chiefs in the past have been given extensions in service.
“What we did [passage of bills], these extensions [in army chief’s term] started from Ayub Khan’s time,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said, referring to a Pakistani general who carried out a military coup in 1958 and ruled until 1969.
“That thing has been formalized now, and we have increased the tenure. You pick up the rest of the institutions. [...] the National Assembly [term] is also for five years.”
“Now the trend of extensions, how it was in the past that people gave an extension to themselves [will be ended],” Asif added, referring to now retired Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who served as army chief from 2016-22 after getting a three-year extension.
Speaking to a Pakistani news channel, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar also said the uncertainty surrounding the army chief’s appointment had been addressed through the new legislation.
“The five-year tenure [of the services chiefs] will not affect the institution’s merit-based system … The amendments are not introduced suddenly, instead the consultation on them was underway, and this legislation is not done for any individual.”
OPPOSITION STANCE
As the bills were passed on Monday in the National Assembly, opposition lawmakers from the PTI party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan chanted against the measure. Some of them tore up copies of the bills and threw them at Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for not allowing debate. A similar protest by lawmakers from Khan’s party took place when the bill was quickly passed by the Senate, where Sharif’s party also holds a majority. The bill will now go to the president for his approval.
Omar Ayub Khan, a top leader of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, told reporters after the bill passed that the legislation “is neither good for country nor for the armed forces.”
The PTI is widely believed to be against an extension in service particularly for incumbent Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, who it considers to be behind the ouster of Khan from the PM’s office in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022. The PTI also says the army is behind legal cases against Khan that have kept him in prison since August last year. The military denies any interference in politics.
The passage of the new bills follows controversial amendments made to the constitution last month, granting lawmakers the authority to nominate the chief justice of Pakistan, who previously used to be automatically appointed according to the principle of seniority.
The amendments allowed the government to bypass the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and appoint Justice Yahya Afridi as the country’s top judge.
The opposition and the legal fraternity had opposed the amendments, arguing that they were aimed at granting more power to the executive in making judicial appointments and curtailing the independence of the judiciary. The government denies this.
