ISLAMABAD: Sanam Javed, a leading activist of former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party finally walked free on Thursday after an Islamabad court declared her arrest “illegal” and allowed her to relocate to her home in Punjab province, her lawyer confirmed.
Khan’s arrest in a graft case on May 9, 2023, saw hundreds of his supporters allegedly pour into the streets across the country, ransacking military and other properties. Thousands, including Javed, were arrested in the aftermath and some were tried by military courts after the authorities promised to bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice.
Javed has been in detention for over a year, facing charges in a dozen cases since the riots on May 9, 2023.
Thursday’s decision by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) followed the earlier relief Javed received on Monday when the high court ordered her release and instructed police and other law enforcement agencies not to arrest her again.
“The IHC has declared the arrest of Javed illegal and forbade to arrest her again in any case registered till today (July 18),” her lawyer Ali Ashfaq told Arab News.
Balochistan Police this week sought Javed’s arrest in a similar case registered last year after which her father, Javed Iqbal Khan, filed an application in the IHC challenging the legality of her detention.
In his judgment, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb stated that Pakistan’s attorney-general (AGP) assured the court that “Javed shall not be arrested in any case” and that the Balochistan Police shall not press its request before Islamabad’s court for Javed’s transfer to Balochistan.
The judgment also said Javed is at liberty to travel to her home in Punjab. However, Justice Aurangzeb warned the PTI activist that she ought to exercise utmost caution and discretion in her social media statements.
Ashfaq said Javed was arrested in 12 different cases, 11 of which were registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Of these, seven were registered in Lahore, three in Sargodha, and one in Gujranwala.
He said the court also questioned the legality of numerous police cases based on a single allegation leveled in different locations.
“On July 15, the court ordered that she should not be removed from the jurisdiction of Islamabad and should not be arrested in any other case,” he said.
Ashfaq said the court had asked the AGP to appear in person and justify that everything that had been done was according to law.
“Today, I received a message from the Attorney General about half an hour before the court session and met him in his office, where he assured me that to resolve this issue, Javed would not be arrested anywhere in Pakistan,” Ashfaq added.
He said authorities have assured him that police cases against Javed in Islamabad and Balochistan would be quashed.
“While four police cases have been discharged, in the other eight cases she is on bail and we will face trial proceedings in the concerned courts,” he said.
‘POLITICALLY MOTIVATED CASES’
The PTI says it has been facing a crackdown and mass arrest of its members for standing by Khan, who has been in jail since August last year. Pakistani authorities deny the allegations.
Last week, Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were arrested by Pakistani authorities in a case involving the illegal sale of state gifts, after a court accepted their appeals against a ruling that they had violated the country’s marriage law and ordered their immediate release.
Khan and his wife were sentenced to seven years in prison and fined in February by a court that ruled their 2018 marriage broke the law. Bushra was accused of not completing the waiting period mandated by Islam, called “Iddat,” after divorcing her previous husband and marrying Khan.
The ex-premier has been in jail after being convicted in four cases since last August. Two of the cases have since been suspended and he was acquitted in a third, so the Iddat case was the only one keeping him in prison.
Arguably Pakistan’s most popular politician, Khan says the cases against him are “politically motivated,” aimed at keeping him from returning to power. Pakistani authorities deny this.
Ex-PM Khan party activist Sanam Javed walks free after court declares her arrest ‘illegal’
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Ex-PM Khan party activist Sanam Javed walks free after court declares her arrest ‘illegal’
- Javed has been in jail since last year on charges of inciting people to violence over Khan’s brief arrest in May 2023
- Islamabad High Court earlier this week ordered her release from prison, directed authorities not to arrest her again
Pakistan to organize ‘Seerat Festival’ this week to pay tribute to Prophet Muhammad
- Three-day festival to take place in Islamabad’s National Skills University from Sept. 20-22
- Festival to feature research papers by scholars, documentary screenings on Prophet Muhammad’s life
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will organize a three-day “Seerat Festival” from Sept. 20-22 in Islamabad to pay tribute to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and highlight valuable lessons from his life, a government authority said on Wednesday.
The National Rahmatul-lil-Alameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority (NRKNA), an ideological government institution that aims to promote research on Prophet Muhammad’s life for the betterment of society, will organize the festival.
The NRKNA said the theme for the festival, which will take place in the Islamic month of Rabi Al-Awwal when Prophet Muhammad was born, is titled: ‘Searching for World Peace: In the Light of the Prophet’s Teachings.’
“The festival, organized by the Rahmat Lal Alamin wa Khatam-ul-Nabieen Authority, will feature over sixty research papers presented by scholars from both Pakistan and abroad,” the NRKNA said in a statement.
“Special sessions dedicated to children, women, and minorities will also be included in the festival agenda.”
NRKNA Chairman Khurshid Nadeem told reporters during a press conference that the festival, which would be held in Islamabad’s National Skills University, would “transform the atmosphere of the capital.”
“The international conference, ‘Searching for World Peace: In the Light of the Prophet’s Teachings,’ will bring scholars from around the world to explore various aspects of the Prophet’s biography,” Nadeem told reporters during a press conference.
“Our aim is to promote scholarly engagement with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.”
Pakistani publishers will offer discounts of up to 50 percent on biographical books, the NRKNA said, adding that the festival will also showcase Islamic art and culture through a calligraphy exhibition.
“Additionally, poetry readings and documentary screenings will highlight the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet, aiming to convey messages of moral integrity based on Qur’anic verses and prophetic sayings,” it said.
Pakistan police arrest key suspect in gang rape of woman polio worker
- Three men assaulted woman polio worker during last week’s vaccination campaign in Jacobabad district
- Anti-polio campaigns in Pakistan are regularly marred by violence by militant groups opposed to them
MULTAN, Pakistan: Pakistani police arrested the key suspect in the gang rape of a woman polio worker who was assaulted by three men during last week’s vaccination campaign, officials said Wednesday. Two other suspects are still at large.
The assault on Thursday in Jacobabad, a district in the southern Sindh province, was one in a spate of attacks targeting polio vaccination teams going door to door in the campaign across Pakistan.
The woman who was attacked had alerted the authorities, saying she was raped by three men after going into a house in Jacobabad to administer polio drops to the children there, local police official Mohammad Saifal said.
The suspect, identified as Ahmad Jakhrani, was arrested overnight, Saifal added.
Police are still seeking the arrest of the two other men, accused of taking turns to assault the woman, Saifal said. A local police chief was fired for negligence following the attack, for failing to provide the polio worker with adequate security.
The attack shocked many Pakistanis as such sexual assaults are rare, though women polio workers have complained of harassment in the past during the campaigns. The provincial government in Sindh has said it would fully investigate the case.
Police also detained the husband of the attacked woman for kicking her out of their home and threatening to kill her after the assault over allegedly tarnishing the family’s honor by being raped.
So-called honor killings, in which women and girls are slain by their own relatives for allegedly dishonoring the family’s reputation, are still common in Pakistan.
Saifal also said police have been deployed to the house where the woman was now staying with her relatives for her protection.
Anti-polio campaigns in Pakistan are regularly marred by violence. Militants often target polio vaccination teams and police assigned to protect them, falsely claiming that the campaigns are a Western conspiracy to sterilize children.
Since January, Pakistan has reported 17 new cases of polio, jeopardizing decades of efforts to eliminate the potentially fatal, paralyzing disease from the country. Polio often strikes children under age 5 and typically spreads through contaminated water.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries in which the spread of polio has never been stopped. Pakistan’s government is planning another polio vaccination drive in October.
Pakistan PM accepts King Charles’ invitation to attend Commonwealth summit in Samoa
- King Charles III invites Sharif to Commonwealth summit during telephone call
- Leaders to discuss global economic and environmental challenges during October summit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif on Wednesday accepted an invitation by British King Charles III to attend an upcoming Commonwealth summit in Samoa, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, reiterating his country’s commitment to the international association.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2024 (CHOGM) will take place in Apia, Samoa from October 21-26, 2024. This will be the first time that King Charles III will head a meeting of the global association since becoming king.
According to the Commonwealth’s website, leaders will deliberate on global economic, environmental and security challenges during the summit. They will also discuss how Commonwealth countries can work together to build resilience, boost trade, innovation, growth and empower the 1.5 billion young people who live in member states.
Sharif received the invitation over a telephone call from the British king on Wednesday, the PMO said, adding that the Pakistani premier described it as a “significant moment in the history of the Commonwealth.”
“Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Commonwealth and the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter,” the PMO said.
He noted the UK monarch’s longstanding interest in environmental issues and initiatives for climate sustainability. The Pakistani premier said he looked forward to engaging with Commonwealth leaders on climate change as Pakistan is “highly vulnerable” to its impacts.
Unusually heavy rains and the melting of glaciers in June 2022 triggered flash floods in many parts of the country. Over 1,700 people were killed as large swathes of crops were destroyed and critical infrastructure was damaged. Pakistan estimated losses of over $30 billion from the floods.
Sharif also expressed his best wishes for the king’s health and for Catherine Middleton, the princess of Wales, who announced in May that was suffering from cancer.
“Recalling the fond memories of the King’s last visit to Pakistan, when he was the Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister hoped that the King and Her Majesty The Queen would visit Pakistan soon,” the PMO said.
Pakistan is a member of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 countries out of which the vast majority are former British territories.
The governments of Commonwealth countries pledge to promote common objectives such as development, democracy and peace.
Pakistan co-sponsors resolution at UN for implementation of ICJ verdict against Israel
- Proposal demands Israel’s ‘unconditional’ withdrawal from Palestinian territories, reparation for damage
- Pakistan does not recognize the state of Israel and calls for an independent and viable Palestinian state
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan co-sponsored a draft resolution presented at the United Nations on Tuesday, seeking the implementation of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion on the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
The ICJ declared Israel’s settlement policy in the West Bank and East Jerusalem a violation of international law in July, issuing its non-binding advisory opinion on the legality of Israel’s 57-year occupation of Palestinian lands.
Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip during the 1967 War. The Palestinians seek all three areas for an independent state.
“Pakistan has co-sponsored the draft resolution … which seeks to implement the conclusions of the ICJ,” said Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, during the Tenth Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly.
“The ICJ’s advisory opinion marks a milestone of justice, an expression of equity, and a flame of hope,” he added.
Akram highlighted the resolution demanded Israel’s “immediate, complete, and unconditional” withdrawal from Palestinian territories, reparations for the damage caused, an immediate end to its unlawful policies, compliance with ICJ orders and the assurance of Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
The Pakistani diplomat said the draft resolution also recommended holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law and bearing legal consequences for all its “wrongful” actions by establishing an “international register of damage” to assist in reparations.
Pakistan does not recognize the state of Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.”
The ICJ ruling came against the backdrop of Israel’s devastating 11-month military assault on Gaza, which began last October. The world court also found Israel’s use of natural resources in the occupied territories “inconsistent” with its obligations under international law as an occupying power.
British Council launches £15,000 grants for Pakistani artists to tackle climate change
- Pakistan ranks as the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, says the Global Climate Risk Index
- The council’s country director says arts have a crucial role to play in addressing climate crisis
ISLAMABAD: The British Council has launched a new program for cultural organizations and artists in Pakistan, awarding grants of up to £15,000 to address the climate change emergency, aiming to promote sustainable projects and practices within the country, said a statement on Wednesday.
The program is part of an initiative to support climate action by providing grants to South Asian artists and cultural organizations in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, with mentorship sessions offered to selected grantees by UK specialists throughout the project’s course.
According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan ranks as the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, with its susceptibility to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heatwaves, which have significant impacts on agriculture, infrastructure and public health.
“A new initiative from the British Council aimed at supporting climate action in the creative industries in Pakistan is now open for applications,” the statement said on Wednesday. “The Climate Futures: South Asia program is designed to support the arts sector with grants of £15,000 available to artists and cultural organizations.”
The statement added that the program would support artist-led initiatives promoting “knowledge creation” and cultural sector sustainability, designing and implementing capacity-building initiatives, and “optimizing infrastructure to enhance climate change awareness and sustainable approaches within the arts sector.”
The deadline for all applications is November 25 at 4:59 am PST, the statement said, highlighting that successful applicants would have the opportunity to “make a significant impact on the global climate conversation through their projects.”
“We believe that the arts have a crucial role to play in addressing the climate crisis,” British Council Pakistan’s Country Director James Hampson said. “Climate Futures: South Asia is an exciting opportunity for artists and cultural organizations to lead the way and drive forward innovative projects that will inspire change.”
The British Council will also host a series of information sessions on October 8 and 22 to guide applicants through the application process and help them maximize their chances of securing funding.
