‘Have no desire for revenge,’ ex-PM Sharif says at homecoming rally in Lahore after return from exile

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Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (center) is pictured with his daughter, Maryam Nawaz (left) and his brother and ex-premier Shehbaz Sharif (right) in Lahore, Pakistan on October 21, 2023. (PML-N)
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A labourer (L) works beside large banners of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif displayed at a welcoming stage at a park ahead of his arrival in Lahore on October 20, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 22 October 2023
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‘Have no desire for revenge,’ ex-PM Sharif says at homecoming rally in Lahore after return from exile

  • Nawaz Sharif urges institutions, political parties to get united and work together to steer Pakistan out of political and economic crises 
  • Pakistan needs to formulate a ‘dignified’ foreign policy, work on improving ties with neighbors for economic prosperity, Sharif says 

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, whose last three terms in office ended abruptly and whose previous reigns were marred by confrontations with the military and political rivals, on Saturday said at a homecoming rally after returning from self-exile that he had “no desire for revenge.” 

The former premier arrived in Pakistan after four years of living in self-imposed exile in London. He touched down in Islamabad to clear immigration, and then flew onward to Lahore, where crowds of supporters awaited him at the iconic Minar-e-Pakistan monument. 

Sharif was ousted from power after the Supreme Court disqualified him from holding public office in a corruption case in 2017. The former premier says the charges against him were politically motivated. 

Sharif’s homecoming comes at a time when the South Asian nation is mired in economic, political and security crises. His Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party has touted his arrival as a fresh start for the country ahead of national elections due in January next year. 

“Who separates Nawaz Sharif from his loved one after every few years,” he asked, in his address to a charged crowd. “I have no desire for revenge in my heart. I have only one desire in my heart to see my people prospering.” 

Sharif’s last three terms as prime minister in 1990-93, 1997-99, and 2013-17 ended before he could complete his tenures, as he was removed by a military-backed president in 1993, ousted in a military coup in 1999, and disqualified by the Supreme Court in 2017. The 2018 election was won by the party of now-jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. 

Ahead of his return on Saturday afternoon, Sharif was granted protective bail by the Islamabad High Court, an order under which authorities cannot arrest him until he himself appears before a court on Oct. 24. 

He, however, questioned his ouster as a result of the Supreme Court ruling in 2017: “Why are our governments ousted and [court] rulings are issued against us?” 

In 2018, Sharif was sentenced to 10 years in prison in a corruption case involving purchases of luxury apartments in London. The same year, he got seven years jail in another case involving his failure to prove the source of funds to set up a steel mill. 

The former premier was released from jail on medical bail in March 2019 and in November that year was allowed to go to London for treatment. He has since lived in the UK until his return to Pakistan today, Saturday. 

“Today, trust me, I have forgotten all my pains after seeing your love. Everyone will have to work together if you want to get a status in the comity of nations. This is the only solution, I am telling you the crux of the last forty years, this country will not move ahead without it,” he said. 

“Everyone will have to get together for the implementation of the constitution. We will have to fix the chronic disease due to which the country gets derailed repeatedly. We will have to start a fresh journey.” 

Speaking on foreign policy and relations with neighboring countries, he said Pakistan would have to formulate a “dignified” foreign policy and work on improving ties with its neighbors. 

In his previous stints, Sharif has tried to improve relations with arch rival India and called for opening bilateral trade and has been dubbed by his critics as “pro-India” for trying to normalize relations between the two nuclear-armed nations. 

“We cannot progress by revoking relations with our neighbors,” Sharif said. 

Relations between Pakistan and India remain suspended since August 2019 when the latter unilaterally revoked constitutional articles granting substantial autonomy to the part of Muslim-majority Kashmir under its control. Pakistan and India both claim the disputed Kashmir region in full and have fought three of their four wars over the region since 1947. 

Sharif said Pakistan would have to decide how “we will have a dignified foreign policy and create good relations with the world.” 

“Even for the solution of Kashmir [dispute], we will have to work in an honorable way,” he added. 

It is widely believed that Sharif’s return has been made possible through a deal with Pakistan’s powerful military, which often pulls the shoestrings of politics in Pakistan and has ruled the country directly for almost half its history. Sharif’s party has repeatedly denied a deal with the army over his return while the military has not commented on the matter. 

Sharif’s PML-N party became hugely unpopular after the removal of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan from the prime minister’s office in a no-trust vote in April 2022. 

Sharif’s brother Shehbaz Sharif replaced Khan and though he failed to improve the economy, he saved Pakistan from default by securing a $3 billion IMF deal. His tenure ended in August and Pakistan is currently being ruled by a caretaker government that is constitutionally mandated to oversee elections. 

Khan, arguably the most popular politician in the country, is in jail after being convicted in a case related to not declaring assets earned from the sale of state gifts during his term as PM from 2018-22. The conviction has effectively put Khan out of the race in the next election as convicted persons cannot run for public office as per Pakistani law. 

There are dozens of other legal cases against Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) faces a widening crackdown that has seen hundreds of his supporters and members arrested over violent protests in May. Many of his oldest and closest aides have announced they were leaving Khan, quitting politics or joining other parties. 

Khan says the cases against him are fabricated and politically motivated and his associates are being forced out of the PTI under duress by the military in a maneuver to dismantle his party before elections and pave the way for Sharif’s party to come to power. The army denies this. 

Many independent analysts expect fresh crisis in Pakistan if fair polls are not organized and question the legitimacy of an election without Khan or one that does not offer his PTI a fair chance or gives the PML-N undue advantage. 

“We will see after the election regulator announces the election schedule,” political commentator Dr. Hassan Askari Rizvi said, “if a level playing field is available to all contesting candidates and parties.” 


Pakistani stocks break psychological 99,000 barrier on optimism over rates, reserves

Updated 22 November 2024
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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

Updated 22 November 2024
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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

Updated 22 November 2024
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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

Updated 22 November 2024
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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

Updated 22 November 2024
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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.