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Pakistan minister accuses Imran Khan of inciting violence in wake of ‘assassination’ attempt

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Updated 06 November 2022
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Pakistan minister accuses Imran Khan of inciting violence in wake of ‘assassination’ attempt

  • Marriyum Aurangzeb says Khan’s demand PM Sharif resign ‘ridiculous,’ says he wants chaos
  • Imran Khan has accused PM Sharif, interior minister and ISI top official for plotting to kill him
Updated 06 November 2022
BAKER ATYANI

DUBAI: The Pakistani information minister on Sunday accused former Prime Minister Imran Khan of inciting violence through his call for daily nationwide protests, saying he was welcome to call an international body to aid investigations into a gun attack in which he was injured this week. 

Khan was shot in the legs on Thursday as he waved to crowds from atop a truck-mounted container while leading a dayslong protest march to Islamabad from Lahore to pressure the government to announce early elections.

The leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party was removed from office in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in April, and has since frequently said his ouster was part of a US-backed “foreign conspiracy.” Washington and Khan’s opponents, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who heads the coalition government, deny the claim.

In a press talk from hospital on Friday, his legs bandaged and propped up on a chair, Khan said he would relaunch his protest march to the capital. Just hours before the former leader spoke, his supporters staged national wide demonstrations, blocking major roads and clashing with police. 

Khan also called on supporters to mobilize daily to protest the “assassination” attempt against him and demand the resignation of the sitting PM.




People react as police use tear gas to disperse them during a protest to condemn the shooting incident on a long march held by Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Wazirabad, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on November 4, 2022. (REUTERS)

In a phone interview with Arab News, Pakistan’s Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said Khan wanted “chaos in the country.”

“Mr. Khan is inciting violence in Pakistan and instigating hate in Pakistan,” she said. 

Since Thursday’s attack, Khan has held three officials responsible: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Inter-Services Intelligence director-general for counter-intelligence Maj. Gen. Faisal Naseer. Khan has also called for all three to step down, saying a transparent probe was impossible while they remained in office. 

The ex-premier has not provided evidence to support his accusations. Both the government and the military have said the accusations are baseless. 

“It’s absurd, it’s ridiculous to the max … How is the prime minister connected to this incident?” the information minister said, adding that Khan could call an international agency to come to Pakistan and be involved in the probe if he wanted to. 

 

 

As the attack took place in Pakistan’s Punjab province, which is ruled by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, Aurangzeb said the former PM had everything at his disposal — the administration, police and intelligence — to conduct a probe but so far has not even filed a first information report, or FIR, which is the first step in Pakistan’s legal system before an investigation into a case. 

“It is a fact that it has been 48 hours since the incident and the FIR report has not been registered in any police station in Punjab,” she said.

Aurangzeb reiterated that the Sharif government immediately called for a probe after the attack.

“The moment this incident happened, the prime minister of Pakistan called the interior minister and immediately asked for an initial report from the chief secretary of Punjab and the IG (Inspector General) Punjab,” Aurangzeb said. “And the interior minister was instructed to give all recourses, all assistance to the Punjab government for any investigation they want, for any security they want.”

“And the interior minister was instructed to give all recourses, all assistance to the Punjab government, for any investigation they want, for any security they want.”

Topics: PTI long march Imran Khan Pakistan Pakistan’s Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb Marriyum Aurangzeb

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Rare caracal wild cat spotted in Pakistan’s Cholistan desert

Updated 9 sec ago
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Rare caracal wild cat spotted in Pakistan’s Cholistan desert

  • Caracal is a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, arid areas of Pakistan, northwestern India
  • Highly elusive creature is difficult to observe, even by researchers, and is territorial, living mainly alone or in pairs
Updated 9 sec ago
Usama Iqbal Khawaja

ISLAMABAD: The highly elusive and rare caracal wild cat has been spotted in the Cholistan desert in Pakistan’s southern Punjab province this week, a wildlife official said on Tuesday.

The caracal is a medium-sized animal native to Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and arid areas of Pakistan and northwestern India. It is characterized by a robust build, long legs, a short face, long and pointed ears, relatively short tail, and long canine teeth.

The secretive creature is difficult to observe, even by researchers, and is territorial, living mainly alone or in pairs. Its speed and agility make it an efficient hunter, able to take down prey two to three times its size. It primarily hunts the chinkara deer, also known as the Indian gazelle, in the Cholistan desert, which is in the southern part of Pakistani Punjab, extending into the Greater Thar Desert.

“Over the past month, there have been multiple sightings, and just this morning [Monday], Mujahid Kaleem, Assistant Conservator Wildlife from Rahim Yar Khan, successfully spotted the animal [caracal] on camera for the very first time,” Ali Usman, a wildlife ranger for the Bahawalpur region, told Arab News in a phone interview.

Usman said the department currently lacked exact figures on caracal numbers in Pakistan.

“For a long time, this elusive species hadn’t been sighted in the region,” he said.

“However, with the current government’s support in the form of equipment, vehicles, and additional staff, our protection efforts have significantly improved. As a result, we’re beginning to see signs of ecological balance and resilience returning to the ecosystem and the caracal’s presence is a key indicator of that.”

The caracal is thought to be close to extinction in North Africa, critically endangered in Pakistan, endangered in Jordan, but stable in central and Southern Africa.

Topics: Caracal cat Cholistan desert

Intense heatwave grips southern Pakistan, disrupts public life

Updated 5 min 20 sec ago
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Intense heatwave grips southern Pakistan, disrupts public life

  • Experts say rising temperatures are part of broader trend linked to climate change
  • Met Office urges residents to undertake precautionary measures from Apr. 22-24
Updated 5 min 20 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: An intense heatwave has gripped Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, particularly its commercial capital of Karachi, as the mercury rose above 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warning that the weather conditions will prevail in the region for another two days.
The warning comes amid increasingly unpredictable climate patterns across South Asia, with Karachi experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves in recent years — a trend that climate experts attribute to broader shifts caused by global warming.
The situation underscores rising concerns over the city’s preparedness for extreme weather events, amid growing calls for stronger climate adaptation policies, increased urban tree cover and more effective public awareness campaigns.
“Prevailing heatwave condition is likely to continue in Karachi division with daytime maximum temperatures are likely 4-6°C above normal till tomorrow,” the PMD said in a statement.
“Hot/very hot and dry weather prevails over most parts of the province.”
It advised people, especially women, children and the elderly, to stay indoors, avoid direct sunlight and stay well-hydrated. The maximum temperature predicted for Tuesday was 41°C, followed by 40°C on Wednesday and 39°C on Thursday.
Zaheer Abbas, a laborer in Karachi, said the scorching heat had severely affected daily life. 
“A poor person who pushes a cart can’t even work in this weather,” he told AFP.
Experts say rising temperatures are part of a broader trend linked to climate change, straining Karachi’s infrastructure and putting vulnerable populations at risk.
Iqra Ali, a Karachi student, said she was trying not to leave home unnecessarily.
“It’s hot,” she said. “For this, the more a person stays hydrated, it will be better.”
Pakistan has witnessed frequent, erratic changes in its weather patterns, including floods, droughts, cyclones, torrential rainstorms, heatwaves and the slow-onset threat of glacial melting, in recent years that scientists have blamed on human-driven climate change.
In 2022, unusually heavy rains triggered floods in many parts of the country, killing over 1,700 people, inflicting economic losses of around $30 billion and affecting at least 30 million people.
— With additional input from AFP

Topics: heatwave Karachi

Famed Pakistani chef Zakir Qureshi passes away in Karachi

Updated 36 min 54 sec ago
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Famed Pakistani chef Zakir Qureshi passes away in Karachi

  • Qureshi inherited the passion for culinary arts from his father who worked with British Airways and PIA
  • He began his professional career at Karachi’s Sheraton Hotel in 1980 and first appeared on TV in mid-2000s
Updated 36 min 54 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani chef Zakir Qureshi has passed away in Karachi, his family confirmed on Tuesday, bringing an end to his famous shows that provided diverse culinary expertise to countless people.
Born in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Feb. 16, 1967, Qureshi inherited the passion for culinary arts from his father, Abdul Aziz, who worked as a chef with British Airways and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The celebrity chef, who had maintained a loyal audience through his television programs, had been battling a kidney disease and remained under treatment in the United States until a month ago, according to his nephew. He passed away on Monday night.
“For uncle Zakir, cooking was more than a profession; it was a family tradition. However, he distinguished himself as the only member to pursue formal culinary studies abroad. He always spoke with great affection about his mentors, especially Sultana Siddiqui and Athar Waqar Azim,” Qureshi’s nephew, Shayan Qureshi, told Arab News.
“He was a kind, well-mannered, and loving individual. His culinary skills were exceptional. He not only revitalized traditional dishes but also skillfully adapted international cuisines to appeal to the Pakistani palate. His television shows not only brought delicious flavors into countless homes but also imparted the art of cooking.”
Qureshi had traveled to Dubai, Singapore, South Africa and Botswana for work and studies, according to his family. He began his professional career at Karachi’s Sheraton Hotel in 1980 and first appeared on TV in mid-2000s.
Zohaib Aalim, producer of Zakir’s Kitchen show, told Arab News that Qureshi had always been warm and respectful toward others, and always stayed focused on his work.
“Chef Zakir worked with us from 2015 to 2021. His most admirable quality was that he taught the best recipes within a limited budget. He used to say that he wanted to teach dishes people could actually make at home within their means,” Aalim said.
“In that sense, he was truly exceptional. He popularized Chinese, Continental, and Desi cuisines through his simple and accessible methods.”
Aalim said the flavors Qureshi introduced, the lessons he taught, and the memories he left behind will “forever live in our hearts.”
He may be gone, but his taste, his style, and his expertise continue to breathe in every Pakistani kitchen.

Topics: Zakir Hussain Chef Zakir Hussain death

Islamabad says more than 100,000 Afghans left Pakistan in April

Updated 22 April 2025
AFP
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Islamabad says more than 100,000 Afghans left Pakistan in April

  • Analysts say the expulsions are designed to pressure the Taliban administration
  • Islamabad blames the Taliban for fueling a rise in border attacks in Pakistan
Updated 22 April 2025
AFP

ISLAMABAD: More than 100,000 Afghans have left Pakistan in the past three weeks, the interior ministry said Tuesday, after Islamabad announced the widespread cancelation of residence permits.

Calling Afghans “terrorists and criminals,” the Pakistan government launched its mass eviction campaign on April 1.

Analysts say the expulsions are designed to pressure the neighboring country’s Taliban authorities, which Islamabad blames for fueling a rise in border attacks.

The interior ministry told AFP that “100,529 Afghans have left in April.”

Convoys of Afghan families have been heading to the border since the start of April when the deadline to leave expired, crossing into a country mired in a humanitarian crisis.

Afghanistan’s prime minister Hasan Akhund on Saturday condemned the “unilateral measures” taken by its neighbor after Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar flew to Kabul for a day-long visit to discuss the returns.

Topics: Afghan refugees

Pakistan, Malaysia join forces to develop Shariah-aligned digital assets framework

Updated 22 April 2025
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Pakistan, Malaysia join forces to develop Shariah-aligned digital assets framework

  • The development comes more than a week after Pakistan introduced its first-ever policy framework to regulate virtual assets and service providers
  • Pakistan Crypto Council chief says Malaysia’s leadership in Islamic finance and Pakistan’s momentum in crypto regulation form a ‘natural alliance’
Updated 22 April 2025
Ismail Dilawar

KARACHI: Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Hajji Hasan has met with Bilal bin Saqib, head of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), and discussed with him collaborative opportunities in blockchain technology, digital assets and Shariah-compliant finance, the Pakistani finance ministry said on Tuesday.
The development comes more than a week after Pakistan introduced its first-ever policy framework to regulate virtual assets and service providers, aligning with compliance and financial integrity guidelines of the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The move followed the establishment of the Pakistan Crypto Council last month to create a legal framework to create a legal framework for cryptocurrency trading in a bid to lure international investment.
The meeting between the Malaysian FM and PCC chief in Kuala Lumpur focused on laying the groundwork for a Pakistan-Malaysia Digital Finance Partnership, aimed at co-developing FATF-compliant, Shariah-aligned digital asset frameworks.
“Malaysia’s leadership in Islamic finance and Pakistan’s momentum in crypto regulation form a natural alliance,” Saqib was quoted as saying by the Pakistani finance ministry.
“Together, we have a historic opportunity to set global standards for ethical innovation in digital finance — from halal stablecoins and tokenized sukuks to compliant regulatory sandboxes and youth empowerment.”
Cryptocurrencies including bitcoin are not officially regulated in Pakistan but are also not illegal or banned. As of Jan. 16, 2021, the State Bank of Pakistan has not authorized any individuals or organizations to carry out the sale, purchase, exchange, and investment of virtual currencies, coins, and tokens.
Pakistan’s new policy for virtual assets and service providers, created by a special government group under the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) authority, is meant to set rules for how digital money like cryptocurrencies and the companies that deal in it should operate in Pakistan.
The finance ministry said the PCC is leading efforts to design a passportable crypto regulatory framework tailored to emerging markets that fosters innovation while ensuring full compliance with international standards.
During Saqib’s meeting with the Malaysian FM, both sides expressed strong alignment on key areas of cooperation, including regulatory coordination between financial authorities and cross-border talent development and education initiatives.
“This milestone engagement signals the beginning of a deeper economic and technological partnership between Pakistan and Malaysia — driven by a shared vision to build the future of finance through values-based innovation and strategic collaboration,” the Pakistani finance ministry said.

Topics: Pakistan Crypto Council Pakistan Malaysia ties

Latest updates

Rare caracal wild cat spotted in Pakistan’s Cholistan desert
Heatwave grips southern Pakistan, disrupting public life
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