ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Saturday announced it was postponing a public rally in Islamabad after the district administration revoked permission for it.
The PTI was scheduled to hold a public gathering on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital for the release of its jailed leader and had secured a permission for it from the district administration on the directives of the Islamabad High Court.
However, hours after the party began preparations for the rally at the designated venue, the Islamabad administration on Friday announced revocation of permission, citing security situation, the start of Muharram and reports of law enforcement agencies.
“PTI jalsa (rally) which was to be held today in Islamabad is postponed till a further date is announced,” Khan’s party said in a statement.
The PTI has moved the Islamabad High Court to initiate contempt proceedings against the Islamabad district administration and police for violating the court orders for a permission to hold the rally.
“All the respondents have started creating hindrance in holding jalsa having connivance with each other from the start of issuance of NoC [no-objection certificate],” the party said in its petition.
It said the reasons cited for the cancelation of the NOC were “malafide,” “based on ulterior motives,” a result of “political victimization” and a “clear contempt” of the court orders. But the petition could not be heard immediately due to unavailability of the IHC chief justice.
Meanwhile, the party convened a meeting of its political committee to discuss the matter and devise a strategy to deal with it, later announcing at a press conference the rally had been postponed.
“We have unanimously decided, as we have moved the court and we got the NOC from the court, that’s why for the time being, today’s public rally that was scheduled to take place at 6pm under the auspices of Tahaffuz-e-Aain-e-Pakistan, we are postponing that rally,” PTI Chairman Gohar Khan said.
The PTI, which aims to mobilize public for the release of its leader, has been struggling to hold rallies across the country since August last year, when Khan was arrested on graft charges.
The party says it has been facing a crackdown and mass arrest of its members for standing by Khan. Pakistani authorities deny the allegations.
Ex-PM Khan’s party postpones public rally in Islamabad after authorities revoke permission
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Ex-PM Khan’s party postpones public rally in Islamabad after authorities revoke permission
- The party was scheduled to hold a public rally on the outskirts of Islamabad to press for the release of Khan who is in jail since August
- It has filed a petition in Islamabad High Court seeking contempt proceedings against the Islamabad administration for revoking permission
Pakistani military says two militants killed in volatile northwest
- One of the deceased militants was said to be involved in bomb attack on convoy of foreign diplomats
- Pakistan blames surge in militancy on groups operating from Afghanistan, Kabul denies the allegations
KARACHI: Two militants were killed and one was apprehended in a joint intelligence-based operation in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Saturday.
The operation was jointly conducted with law enforcement agencies in Charbagh area of the Swat district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
The deceased militants included Atta Ullah alias Mehran who was involved in multiple militant activities, including a bomb attack in Swat on a convoy of foreign diplomats last month that killed one police officer.
“Sanitization of the area is being carried out,” the ISPR said in a statement. “Security forces in coordination with law enforcement agencies are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.”
Swat — a snow-capped mountain valley split by turquoise waters — is one of Pakistan’s most famed beauty spots, but its reputation has a dark side.
In 2012, Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban while campaigning as a schoolgirl for education in the same district that later earned her the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Pakistani Taliba historically have roots in Afghanistan and share the same ideology as the Afghan Taliban. From 2007 to 2009, they killed thousands of civilians and seized control of several areas of Swat Valley before being driven back by the military.
Pakistan has seen a rise in militant attacks in recent months and says militants mainly associated with the Pakistani Taliban frequently launch attacks from hideouts in neighboring Afghanistan, targeting police and other security forces.
Islamabad has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for facilitating anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies the charges.
Royal Saudi Air Force joins Sindh Shield 2024 exercise in Pakistan
- The event, hosted at Mushaf Air Base, brings together air forces from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye in a comprehensive training scenario
- Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, commander of the RSAF, saw off departure of Saudi contingent from King Abdulaziz Air Base in Eastern Sector
RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Air Force has deployed to Pakistan for the multinational Shield of Sindh 2024 exercise.
The event, hosted at Mushaf Air Base, brings together air forces from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye in a comprehensive training scenario.
Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, commander of the RSAF, saw off the departure of the Saudi contingent from King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Sector.
Before takeoff, he conducted a thorough inspection of equipment and received detailed briefings on the operational readiness of flight crews, technical teams and support personnel. The Saudi contribution to the exercise is substantial, featuring a squadron of six Tornado aircraft.
Speaking about the exercise, he said: “Our participation in Shield of Sindh 2024 serves multiple objectives. It strengthens our bonds with Pakistan and other participating nations, while also providing a platform to demonstrate the exceptional capabilities and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and allowing air and support crews to gain more combat experience in unconventional and electronic warfare environments.”
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Pakistan to face India in Dubai tomorrow
- Pakistan, who have never made it out of the group stages, beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in opener
- On the other hand, India lost their opening group match to New Zealand on Friday by 58 runs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan women’s team will face India on Sunday in their Twenty20 World Cup group stage match in Dubai, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Pakistan, who have never made it out of the group stages in eight previous attempts, beat Sri Lanka by 31 runs in their World Cup opener on Thursday.
The Pakistani side is scheduled to play its second group match against India at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.
“The match will start at 3:00 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time,” the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported on Saturday.
Pakistan made 116 in their 20 overs in the opening match. They staged a determined fightback to beat Sri Lanka, with left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal claiming three wickets.
Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail and player of the match Fatima Sana all took two each for Pakistan against Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka.
On the other hand, India lost their opening match to New Zealand on Friday by 58 runs.
India were never in the chase after losing openers Shafali Verma, for two, and Smriti Mandhana, for 12, inside the first five overs.
Pakistani and Russian generals review defense cooperation, express satisfaction with progress
- Pakistan and Russia have worked to strengthen their defense and security relations in recent years
- Russia’s Deputy Chief of General Staff Sergey Istrakov lauds the professionalism of Pakistani armed forces
ISLAMABAD: Russia’s Deputy Chief of General Staff Sergey Yuryevich Istrakov held a meeting with Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza in Rawalpindi on Friday, during which both military commanders reviewed bilateral defense cooperation and expressed satisfaction with its trajectory.
Pakistan and Russia have worked to strengthen their defense and security relations in recent years, marking a shift from their historically strained ties during the Cold War period. The two sides conducted a joint military exercise in 2021, a few years after Pakistan received four Mi-35 attack helicopters from Russia in 2017.
Earlier this year, General Mirza also visited the Russian Federation to engage with the top military leadership in Moscow.
“During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction on positive trajectory of bilateral defense cooperation and discussed the evolving security situation in the region with a view to promote regional peace and stability,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement while sharing details of the meeting.
“The visiting dignitary lauded the professionalism of Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism,” it added.
In addition to defense ties, Pakistan and Russia have expanded their collaboration in economic and energy sectors.
This includes discussions on gas pipelines, crude oil supplies and broader trade relations, underlined by Moscow’s recent support for Pakistan’s inclusion in an economic bloc consisting of five major economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Government deploys army troops in Islamabad to ensure security of SCO summit
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit is scheduled to be held on October 15 and 16
- The decision comes at a time when Islamabad and nearby areas have witnessed political protests
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government on Saturday deployed army troops in the federal capital of Islamabad to ensure security ahead of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on October 15 and 16, according to an official notification, with foreign dignitaries arriving from various countries.
The SCO is an important Eurasian political, economic and security alliance founded in 2001 by China, Russia and several Central Asian nations. Over the years, it expanded to include countries like India and Pakistan, making it a significant regional bloc.
Pakistan is hosting the SCO Council of Heads of Government summit in Islamabad under its rotating chairmanship of the organization, with the participants expected to discuss issues related to trade, economic cooperation, security, and regional stability.
Among other international leaders, Pakistan also extended invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though the delegation from New Delhi will be spearheaded by External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
“Pursuant to the request made by the Office of the Chief Commissioner, ICT [Islamabad Capital Territory] ... the Federal Government, in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 245 of Constitution, 1973, and under Sections 4 & 5 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, is pleased to authorize deployment of requisite strength of Pakistan Army in aid of civil power from 5th to 17th October, 2024, in ICT, for maintaining law and order situation with respect to 23rd meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government and visits of VVIP delegation for the said meeting,” the interior ministry announced in an order on Friday.
Television footage showed vehicles of Pakistan Army patrolling various areas of the federal capital on Saturday morning as the government’s order came into effect.
Article 245 allows the government to call in the armed forces to act in aid of the civilian administration.
“The validity of any direction issued by the Federal Government under clause (1) shall not be called in question in any court,” it reads. “A High Court shall not exercise any jurisdiction under Article 199 in relation to any area in which the Armed Forces of Pakistan are, for the time being, acting in aid of civil power in pursuance of Article 245.”
Section 4 of the ATA allows for the deployment of armed forces in any area, while Section 5 allows the use of “necessary force” to prevent any “terrorist acts or scheduled offenses.”
The decision comes at a time when Islamabad and the nearby city of Rawalpindi have witnessed protests by various political actors in recent months.
The police also attempted to prevent a protest by former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party near the parliament building on Friday, blocking highways and suspending cellphone services in the capital.
The government maintained it was not the time for protests as state guests were visiting Islamabad, making it crucial to ensure their safety.
The interior ministry also said in its order that the exact area of deployment, along with the number of additional troops if required, would be worked out by the capital territory administration in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
