LOWER DIR, Pakistan: Siraj-ul-Haq, chief of a prominent Pakistani religious political party, has said free and fair elections were the “only way forward” as the South Asian country grapples with economic and political crisis amid a sharp rise in militant attacks.
Haq leads the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the Pakistani successor to the Jamaat-e-Islami founded in colonial India in 1941 by Abul Ala Maududi, a religious scholar best known for advocating an Islamic state in which the affairs of the government could be run under Sharia law.
While the JI has never formed a government in Pakistan itself, it was part of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) coalition governments in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in 2002 and 2013 respectively.
Now, as the party holds rallies in the run-up to elections, its leader said JI’s stance was that transparent polls were “the only way forward to improve the law-and-order situation, fix the economy and to end unrest.”
“If the elections were made controversial or if they could not be fair, then the incoming government will also not be able to continue, will be weak, there will be fights, arguments and unrest,” Haq told Arab News in an interview this week. “For a smooth political environment, it is important to hold a fair election.”
At the moment, however, Haq said there was “political suffocation,” demanding fair competition in elections for all parties.
“Our demand is that the judiciary, election commission and the [military] establishment have the obligation to provide an equal political environment to all,” the JI leader added.
His comments come amid allegations by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party of a military-led crackdown that aims to keep them out of elections. The army denies it interferes in political affairs.
Pakistan is also headed to elections as it treads a tricky path to economic recovery under a caretaker setup after narrowly avoiding a default last year thanks to a last-gasp $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package. Attacks by militants, particularly the Pakistani Taliban as well as separatists, are on the rise, while Pakistan’s ties with all its neighbors are currently strained.
Haq blamed Pakistan’s litany of problems on its political parties and its history of military rule, saying both civilian and army-led governments had not delivered.
“The circumstances are bad because of bad governance. So when you say there is unrest, so the unrest is due to these political leaders who strengthened themselves or their families, [but] didn’t strengthen the institutions, didn’t make the courts independent, didn’t improve the accountability system, and didn’t ensure the circulation of money [distribution of wealth] either,” Haq said.
Asked about the military’s outsized role in Pakistan’s political past and present, Haq again blamed political parties.
“Actually, the reason behind the involvement of the establishment [in politics] is because political parties are not organized here, in fact there is a lack of [internal] democracy in them, they do not have merit themselves,” the JI leader said.
“There is a family monarchy and there is no democracy within the party either, then personal character and affairs are weakened. Due to this weak character, they always remain weak.”
Responding to a questioning about his party’s position on the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), Haq said the JI did not support any group attempting to control the “government through arms.”
In the past, critics have accused the JI of sympathizing with the TTP and other religiously motivated militant groups.
“The way of preaching is open and the doors of reaching to power through elections are open and if one has a good narrative, present it before the people and come to power through the vote and support of people,” Haq said. “We don’t agree with any activity which is based on force, arms and terror.”
Religious party chief says fair elections ‘only way forward’ in Pakistani political, economic quagmire
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Religious party chief says fair elections ‘only way forward’ in Pakistani political, economic quagmire
- Siraj-ul-Haq says judiciary, polls regulator, military establishment obligated to ensure fair competition in elections
- Blames weak, internally undemocratic political parties for outsized role of military in Pakistan’s political past and present
Nida Dar becomes top wicket-taker in women’s T20Is despite Pakistan’s loss to England
- Despite Dar’s milestone, Pakistan fell to England by 65 runs, allowing the hosts to secure a 2-0 series lead
- Pakistan are now gearing up for the third and final T20I against England, set to take place on May 19 in Leeds
ISLAMABAD: Nida Dar, captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team, made history by becoming the top wicket-taker in Women’s T20 International cricket with her 137th wicket during the second match against England in Northampton on Friday.
Despite her milestone, Pakistan fell to England by 65 runs, allowing the hosts to secure a 2-0 series lead.
England, batting first, were restricted to 144-6, thanks in part to Dar’s two wickets. However, Pakistan struggled in reply, collapsing to 79 all out within 15.5 overs as English spinners Sophie Ecclestone, Alice Capsey and Sarah Glenn collectively snagged seven wickets.
The International Cricket Council recognized Dar’s historic performance on its website after the match.
“Dar overtook Australia’s Megan Schutt (136 wickets) to lay her claim at the top of the leading wicket-takers chart in women’s T20I on Friday, 17 May,” the ICC proclaimed. “She is the only Pakistan woman in the top 10 list.”
The Pakistan skipper, who started the game with 135 career wickets, was on the verge of setting the new record during Pakistan’s recent home series against the West Indies.
In the match against England, she edged closer to the milestone by getting Capsey stumped in almost the middle of the game and later, in the final over, clinched her landmark 137th wicket by dismissing Amy Jones.
Pakistan are now gearing up for the third and final T20I against England, set to take place on May 19 in Leeds.
Pakistan to send two-member delegation to Kyrgyzstan, offers free evacuation to stranded students
- The decision comes after five Pakistani students were injured in mob violence against foreign nationals in Bishkek
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar will lead the delegation on Sunday morning to review arrangements for the return of students
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to send a two-member delegation to the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek and offered free travel facilities to all Pakistani students stranded there on Saturday, following mob violence against foreign nationals enrolled in various universities that led to evacuation requests.
The violence erupted on Friday night after videos of a brawl between Kyrgyz and Egyptian students went viral online, prompting furious mobs to target hostels of medical universities and private lodgings of international students, including Pakistanis, in the city.
According to official statistics, around 10,000 Pakistani students are enrolled in various educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan, with nearly 6,000 residing and studying in Bishkek.
Speaking to Arab News on Saturday, many students reported the Pakistan embassy had advised them to stay indoors, though they had run out of food and water. Some even expressed fears that rioting might resume at night and requested evacuation by the authorities.
A statement released by the PM’s Office in the evening indicated that Sharif had directed Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and another cabinet member, Amir Maqam, to address the situation in Bishkek.
“Both officials will depart for Bishkek early tomorrow morning [on Sunday] via a special plane,” the statement continued. “Throughout the day, the Prime Minister had been monitoring the situation and staying in contact with the Pakistani ambassador in Bishkek.”
“Despite the satisfactory situation,” it added, “the decision to send this delegation was made to ensure necessary support and facilities for Pakistani students.”
The two Pakistani officials will meet with senior government officials in the Kyrgyz capital to ensure medical treatment for injured students and review arrangements for their return.
In an earlier statement, the prime minister noted that those who wanted to return to Pakistan would be “facilitated at the government’s expense.”
Sharif also declared that his administration would not leave the students alone during such a difficult time and would remain in contact with them and their parents through the embassy.
Meanwhile, the foreign office activated its Crisis Management Unit to facilitate and assist Pakistani nationals in the Kyrgyz Republic and their families. The unit can be contacted on the following numbers: +92519203108 and +92519203094, or via email at [email protected].
The country’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Hasan Zaigham said earlier in the day that five Pakistani medical students had been injured in the mob attack. One student was admitted to a local hospital with a jaw injury, while the other four were released after receiving first aid.
“No Pakistani was killed or raped in the violence,” he told Arab News over the phone, dispelling rumors circulating on social media. “The situation is under control now as Bishkek authorities have dispersed all the miscreants.”
Journalists protest temporary closure of Quetta Press Club, demand media freedom inquiry
- Police locked the facility after rights activist Mahrang Baloch decided to hold a seminar at the facility
- The Balochistan Union of Journalists issued a statement, describing it as an attack on press freedom
KARACHI: Journalists in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Saturday condemned the temporary closure of Quetta Press Club by police, demanding an inquiry into what they called an attack on media freedom in violation of the country’s constitution.
The incident took place after the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), an ethnic rights movement led by local activist Mahrang Baloch, organized a seminar at the press club, prompting the police to lock the facility. However, supporters of the rights movement broke the lock and entered the club.
Last year, Baloch gained national visibility by leading a protest march to Islamabad, saying her objective was to bring attention to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in her province, though the government denied the state’s involvement in any such activities.
“The Balochistan Union of Journalists strongly condemns the closure of the Quetta Press Club by the administration in harsh terms, considering it an attack on press freedom and a blatant violation of the Article 19 of the Constitution,” said a statement that called for investigation into the issue.
“The closure of the Press Club is an assault on the freedom and rights of journalists, which is unacceptable,” it added. “This move by the administration is a conspiracy to silence journalists, and we will protest vigorously against it.”
The union pointed out that journalists were already facing threats and challenges, though it added they would continue to fulfill their responsibilities and remain undeterred by such measures.
“Article 19 of Pakistan’s Constitution grants every citizen the freedom of expression, and the closure of the Press Club is a clear violation of it,” the statement continued. “The Balochistan Union of Journalists demands a high-level investigation into the matter so that journalists can fulfil their duties without fear or danger.”
When contacted, Banaras Khan, the general secretary of Quetta Press Club, told Arab News the district administration had asked the club’s administration to cancel the program, citing security reasons.
“Half of the participants came and half were on their way when the police locked the gate,” he said, adding he had refused to cancel the program.
“I informed the authorities that I wouldn’t force the participants to leave,” Khan revealed. “If the provincial administration wanted to, they could, but they should then lock the gate, and we would leave as well,” he said, highlighting his disagreement with the officials that made him warn that the journalists would vacate the premises in protest.
Shahid Rind, a Balochistan government spokesperson, said, however, it was the decision of the police, deployed outside the club for its protection, to lock the facility as a strategy to deal with the large crowd, adding the government had no intention to stop the program.
“Our position is clear,” he said. “We didn’t put any locks, nor did we want to stop the seminar.”
Rind said the organizers had mentioned in their invitations only registered participants would attend the program.
He said the gate was temporarily locked by the police.
“After that, the seminar continued throughout the day,” he added. “If we had wanted to stop the seminar, or if the state had wanted to stop it forcefully, would the seminar have been allowed to take place?”
Seven Pakistanis, including two women, feature in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list this year
- The American magazine annually compiles the list to celebrate 300 young people for their innovative abilities
- The seven Pakistanis have contributed to the fields of art and finance along with enterprise and consumer technology
ISLAMABAD: Two women among a group of seven Pakistanis were featured in the popular Forbes 30 Under 30 list this week, earning international recognition for their leadership abilities in their respective professional fields.
The American business magazine annually compiles the 30 Under 30 list to celebrate 300 remarkable individuals under the age of 30, selected across 10 categories, each featuring 30 standout figures.
These young leaders are recognized for their innovative contributions and influence in areas such as technology, arts, finance and science, marking them as trailblazers poised to shape the future of their industries in their respective regions.
Among the fintech entrepreneurs facilitating access to capital, Forbes named Lahore-based Aleena Nadeem on top, saying her company EduFi was helping more Pakistanis go to university.
“Nadeem’s concept is simple,” the magazine wrote. “She realized some paycheck-to-paycheck families couldn’t handle lump sum payments at the start of a semester— but could afford tuition paid monthly.”
“EduFi has partnered with 27 Pakistani colleges (a number that’s doubled in the past six months), who funnel prospective customers its way,” the article added. “It does its own credit-vetting, then pays tuition for approved students who repay the loan on a monthly basis as they study.”
It also mentioned Bushra Sultan, a Pakistani filmmaker, creative director and production designer, saying her work addressed her country’s constraints on women.
“Her most notable work is in fashion and beauty,” the magazine said. “A campaign for Demesne Couture called ‘Guria’ depicted two opulently dressed women being controlled like puppets by giant hands pulling strings, a comment on the country’s wedding industry and the demands made on brides.”
“Sultan is also known for her audacious ‘Chimera’ campaign featuring headless women,” it added.
Much like Nadeem, Pakistan’s Sarkhail Bawany was listed among the fintech entrepreneurs.
Bawany is the head of product at fintech company Abhi, which empowers workers to withdraw a percentage of their salary before the next paycheck when they need emergency cash.
“Abhi works on a B2B2C model, partnering with companies such as Unilever Pakistan to offer the service as a benefit to employees,” Forbes said, adding the company had also expanded to the Middle East and Bangladesh.
Others Pakistanis on the list include Kasra Zunnaiyyer, the co-founder of Karachi-based Trukkr, which has developed a management platform for Pakistan’s logistics sector. Zunnaiyyer made it to the Forbes list in the Enterprise Technology category.
The line-up also had Adeel Abid, Aizaz Nayyer and Ali Raza, who established the Karachi-based platform for freelancers called Linkstar.
“The company helps freelancers create free portfolio websites that can be upgraded with advanced functionalities such as international payments and social media integration,” the magazine announced.
Pakistan calls for removal of technology restrictions to aid developing nations at UN meeting
- Access to emerging technologies in the Global South is often influenced by geopolitical concerns
- Pakistan says equitable access to technology can help developing nations meet future challenges
ISLAMABAD: A senior Pakistani diplomat at the United Nations urged technology-producing nations on Friday to remove restrictions on the equitable spread of scientific knowledge and equipment, saying it would help advance developing countries.
Access to emerging technologies in the Global South is often influenced by geopolitical concerns, as international relations and trade policies can dictate the availability and distribution of these resources.
This geopolitical gatekeeping not only restricts technological advancement in less developed nations but also perpetuates global inequities in access to cutting-edge tools and innovations.
In case of Pakistan, US export controls limit access to high-end technologies, particularly those with dual-use capabilities that might be diverted for military purposes.
“Unless fair and equitable access to new and emerging technologies is provided to developing countries, and all undue restrictions removed, the Global South will lag even further behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, told a Security Council meeting.
According to an official statement, he underscored the transformative power of science in improving lives and anticipating threats through climate modeling, disease surveillance, and early warning systems.
Additionally, he highlighted Pakistan’s significant strides in nuclear technology, space exploration and biotechnology, saying that his country wanted to leverage scientific advancements for progress and stability.
“New and emerging technologies play an undeniable role in the progress of any society and in maintaining international peace and security when used in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter,” he continued.
Ambassador Jadoon mentioned Pakistan’s concerns about the unregulated military applications of emerging technologies and supported calls for establishing legally-binding norms to regulate their use, ensuring regional and global stability.
He affirmed his country’s commitment to unlocking the potential of science for peace and progress, advocating for responsible scientific practices and international cooperation to build a safer and more prosperous future.
