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Top official of ex-PM Khan’s party ‘missing’ as nearly 900 arrested in Islamabad protests

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party nominated Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur (C) addresses a protest against the alleged skewing in Pakistan's national election, in Peshawar on March 10, 2024. (AFP/File)
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Updated 06 October 2024
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Top official of ex-PM Khan’s party ‘missing’ as nearly 900 arrested in Islamabad protests

  • Hundreds of Khan supporters set out for Islamabad from various parts of the country on Friday to take part in a protest at D-Chowk square
  • Clashes erupted after the police tried to prevent caravans of Khan supporters from entering the capital, resulting in the killing of one cop
Updated 06 October 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Mystery continued to surround the whereabouts of a key official of former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party as its protest entered a third day on Sunday, with at least one policeman killed in clashes and almost 900 demonstrators arrested.

Hundreds of Khan supporters set out for Islamabad from various parts of the country on Friday to take part in a protest at D-Chowk. Police tried to prevent the protesters from entering Islamabad, which led to violent clashes between the two sides over the course of two days. Authorities said at least one policeman was killed in the clashes and dozens of other law enforcers sustained injuries, whereas Khan’s party said the police heavily shelled its supporters with tear gas.

Khan’s party announced this week it was protesting the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that it claims are aimed at curtailing the independence of the judiciary, with the government repudiating the charge. The party has also been trying to mobilize supporters through protests and public gatherings to pressure the government for the release of Khan, who has been in prison since August last year on a slew of charges.

Tensions between the government and the PTI escalated on Saturday after the paramilitary Rangers force stormed KP’s administration office in Islamabad, with the party saying Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who led caravans of Khan supporters to Islamabad from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, had been “kidnapped.”

“Chief Minister KP Ali Amin Gandapur is neither in our [Islamabad Police] custody nor is he in the custody of any other Pakistani institution,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Islamabad after attending deceased police constable Abdul Hameed Shah’s funeral prayers, denying the PTI claims that Gandapur had been abducted by police or intelligence agencies. 

“He himself is on the run. Islamabad police will deal with him as per law as they are definitely searching for him.”

Naqvi said the capital police conducted three raids at various locations on Saturday night where they suspected Gandapur was present, adding that he was not found there.

“We still have blockades at certain points in the city and are actively searching for him,” Naqvi said. 

Speaking at a presser, Islamabad police chief Ali Nasir Rizvi said they had rounded up 878 suspects during the days-long violent protests, of whom “120 were Afghan nationals.”

“Tear gas were fired on us, [we were] pelted with stones, with protesters using slingshots to attack us,” he said, without offering any evidence to support his statement.

Shah, the deceased police constable, was posted at Chungi no. 26 from where he was abducted by protesters, according to Islamabad police spokesman Muhammad Taqi Jawad. A resident of the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, Shah joined Islamabad Police in 1988 and was serving in its investigation wing.

“Miscreants kept torturing police constable Shah after abducting him,” Jawad said, adding that Shah was set to retire in three months upon completing his service.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Shah’s killing, blaming the PTI for the violent protests.

“PTI always adopted the path of violence under the guise of protest,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office. “The prime minister has directed to bring all people involved in the incident to justice.”

CURRENT SITUATION IN ISLAMABAD


Normalcy started returning to the Pakistani capital on Sunday afternoon after a majority of roads and thoroughfares in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which had been sealed with shipping containers on Friday, were reopened for traffic, and mobile phone services were largely restored, bringing a sigh of relief to residents of the twin cities.

Speaking of the present situation in the capital, the Islamabad police spokesperson said the protesters who had entered Islamabad with CM Gandapur had left and there was no sit-in protest going on in the city.

“No protesters are in Islamabad right now and the roads are partially opened,” he said.
An Arab News survey, however, revealed that few roads leading toward the capital’s Red Zone, home to key diplomatic and government offices, were still blocked off with shipping containers.

Khan’s party says it is facing an over-year-long crackdown since protesters allegedly linked to the PTI attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after the former premier’s brief arrest the same day in a land graft case.

Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military, which says Khan and his party were behind the attacks, has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.

Khan, who has been in jail since last August, was ousted from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military, which denies being involved in politics.

Topics: Imran Khan Islamabad PTI

Pakistan urges Afghanistan to boost border security as infiltration attempt kills five

Updated 8 sec ago
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Pakistan urges Afghanistan to boost border security as infiltration attempt kills five

  • Military says four TTP fighters and a soldier were killed as militants tried to enter Pakistani territory
  • Statement comes after media reported a deadly attack on a military outpost that killed 16 soldiers
Updated 8 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan military on Saturday urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to ensure robust border management after a group of militants tried to infiltrate from Afghanistan, leading to a skirmish that left four infiltrators and a soldier dead.
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated in recent years as militant violence surged in Pakistan, fueled by attacks from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Pakistani officials blame the TTP for the escalating violence, accusing the Afghan authorities of turning a blind eye to militants using their territory to launch cross-border attacks.
However, Kabul denies these allegations, insisting that Pakistan’s internal security is its own responsibility.
“On night 19/20 December, movement of a group of khwarij [TTP militants], trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces in general area Rajgal, Khyber District,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said in a statement. “Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate. Resultantly, four Khwarij were sent to hell.”
The statement noted that one of the soldiers, Sepoy Amir Sohail Afridi, also lost his life amid intense exchange of fire.
“Pakistan has consistently been asking Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border,” it continued. “Interim Afghan Government is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by Khwarij for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.”
The ISPR statement comes after media reported a deadly attack on a military outpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which was targeted by 30 militants from three sides. According to anonymous intelligence sources, the attack left 16 soldiers dead. The TTP claimed responsibility for targeting the outpost in a statement that described the attack as a retaliation to the recent killings of its top commanders.
The Pakistan military reiterated in its statement it remained committed to securing the borders. It added that its soldiers would also fight to eliminate the menace of militant violence.

Topics: Pakistan Afghanistan border Pakistan Afghanistan Ties militancy in Pakistan Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan

Pakistan Taliban claim raid killing 16 soldiers in northwestern province

Updated 21 December 2024
AFP
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Pakistan Taliban claim raid killing 16 soldiers in northwestern province

  • Officials confirm privately militants set fire to the wireless communication equipment, documents
  • Pakistan’s military has not issued a statement on the siege of its outpost that lasted for two hours
Updated 21 December 2024
AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Taliban claimed a brazen overnight raid on an army outpost near the border with Afghanistan on Saturday, which intelligence officials said killed 16 soldiers and critically wounded five more.
The siege started after midnight and lasted about two hours as around 30 militants pummelled the mountainous outpost from three sides, one senior intelligence official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“Sixteen soldiers were martyred and five were critically injured in the assault,” he said. “The militants set fire to the wireless communication equipment, documents and other items present at the checkpoint.”
A second intelligence official also anonymously confirmed the toll of dead and wounded in the attack in the Makeen area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 40 kilometers (24 miles) from the Afghan border.
Pakistan’s domestic chapter of the Taliban claimed the attack in a statement, saying it was staged “in retaliation for the martyrdom of our senior commanders.”
The group claimed to have seized a hoard of military gear including machine guns and a night vision device.
Pakistan’s military has not yet issued a statement on the incident.
Pakistan has been battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western border regions since the Taliban’s 2021 return to power in Afghanistan.
Islamabad accuses Kabul’s rulers of failing to root out militants staging attacks on Pakistan from over the border.
The Pakistani Taliban — known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — share a common ideology with their Afghan counterparts who surged back to power three years ago.
Kabul’s new rulers have pledged to evict foreign militant groups from Afghan soil.
But a UN Security Council report in July estimated up to 6,500 TTP fighters are based there — and said “the Taliban do not conceive of TTP as a terrorist group.”
The report said the Afghan Taliban show “ad hoc support to, and tolerance of, TTP operations, including the supplying of weapons and permission for training.”
The spike in attacks has soured Islamabad-Kabul relations. Security was cited as one reason for Pakistan’s campaign last year to evict hundreds of thousands of undocumented Afghan migrants.
 

Topics: Pakistan attack Militant attack Arab News Pakistan

Pakistan military sentences 25 to prison over May 9 violence, with more verdicts expected

Updated 14 min 47 sec ago
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Pakistan military sentences 25 to prison over May 9 violence, with more verdicts expected

  • The sentencing is likely to raise concerns among PTI since Imran Khan faces charges of inciting people
  • The ISPR says justice will truly be served when the ‘mastermind and planners’ of May 9 are punished
Updated 14 min 47 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: The Pakistan military on Saturday sentenced 25 people to prison for participating in the violent protests that erupted on May 9, 2023, when hundreds carrying the party flags of former Prime Minister Imran Khan attacked government buildings and vandalized military properties.
The protests, which broke out in different Pakistani cities, followed Khan’s brief detention on corruption charges from an Islamabad court, resulting in damage to major military facilities and martyrs’ monuments.
Subsequently, hundreds of leaders and supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party were imprisoned, despite their denial of involvement in violence and claims that the May 9 incident was a “false flag” operation aimed at crushing their party.
The government and military also asserted they had gathered ample evidence that the attack on the country’s most powerful institution was carefully planned and executed by the PTI leadership, sharing videos of the attacks showing people setting fire to government and military properties.
“On 9 May 2023, nation witnessed tragic incidents of politically provoked violence and arson at multiple places, marking a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement, listing down names of all 25 people with sentences ranging from two to 10 years. “Building on a sustained narrative of hate and lies, politically orchestrated attacks were carried out on the installations of the Armed Forces including desecration of the monuments of Shuhada [martyrs].”
It informed that it gathered “irrefutable evidence” against these people after conducting investigations to prosecute those arrested in the wake of the incident. “This is an important milestone in dispensation of justice to the nation,” the ISPR added. “It is also a stark reminder to all those who are exploited by the vested interests and fall prey to their political propaganda and intoxicating lies, to never take law in own hands ever in the future.”
The statement informed the military would share the details of other individuals whose cases had also been referred to the Field General Court Martial.
The ISPR said its announced followed a ruling by a seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on December 13 in which it allowed the military courts to share its verdict.
Prior to that, the court had unanimously declared last year that prosecuting civilians in military courts was in violation of the Constitution.
The sentencing of 25 individuals is likely to raise concerns among supporters of Imran Khan, who faces charges of inciting attacks against the armed forces and may potentially be tried in a military court.
The ISPR noted that many accused in the May 9 attacks are also facing trials in various anti-terrorism courts.
“However, justice would truly be fully served once the mastermind and planners of 9th May Tragedy are punished as per the Constitution and laws of the land,” it added.
The statement highlighted the significance of establishing “inviolable writ of the State,” as it pointed out that all convicts retained the right to appeal, as guaranteed by the law and the constitution.

Topics: Pakistan Army May 9 protests PTI

Scoop of deceit: Pakistan’s competition watchdog freezes multinationals’ misleading ice cream ads

Updated 21 December 2024
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Scoop of deceit: Pakistan’s competition watchdog freezes multinationals’ misleading ice cream ads

  • Manufacturers of “Walls” and “Omore” have been penalized for passing off ‘frozen desserts’ as ice cream
  • The Competition Commission of Pakistan has imposed Rs75 million of fine on each of the two companies
Updated 21 December 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: In a chilling blow to “deceptive marketing,” the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Friday imposed a hefty fine of Rs75 million ($269,530) each on two multinational companies, Unilever Pakistan and Friesland Campina Engro, for misleading consumers by advertising their products as “ice cream.”
The CCP took action following a complaint by Pakistan Fruit Juice Company, the manufacturer of “Hico,” which objected to the marketing practices adopted by its rivals.
The CCP maintained that the two companies were selling “frozen desserts” while passing them off as ice cream, a distinct product category made from milk, cream or other dairy products.
“It is held that a false and misleading impression of ‘frozen dessert’ as ‘ice cream’ was created and continued by the Respondents through their advertisements, in order to make the consumers believe that ‘frozen dessert’ products are also ‘ice cream,’” the CCP said in its written order.
“The Respondents advertised, labelled and marketed their products without disclosing the true nature of their products as frozen desserts,” it continued, adding that the two companies “took economic advantage of their deceptive marketing
practices to the detriment of consumers welfare.”
The CCP’s ruling referenced the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and the Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2018, which define “frozen dessert” and “ice cream” as distinct products.
According to these standards, “ice cream” is made from milk, cream, or other dairy products, while “frozen desserts” are prepared from a pasteurized mix consisting of edible vegetable oils and other ingredients.
The CCP also noted that other countries, including the US, India and Australia, maintain the same standards, where the term “ice cream” can only be applied to dairy-based products.
The commission instructed the companies to stop their current marketing practices and remove advertisements presenting frozen desserts as ice cream.
It instructed them to provide clear disclosures about their products’ nature and ingredients, adding that failure to comply with the verdict within 30 days would result in additional fines.
 

Topics: Pakistan Walls Unilever Friesland ice cream Omore Arab News Pakistan

Government to form committee to negotiate with Imran Khan’s party ‘within days’ — adviser

Updated 21 December 2024
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Government to form committee to negotiate with Imran Khan’s party ‘within days’ — adviser

  • Rana Sanaullah says all outstanding issues causing political polarization can come under discussion
  • Khan has threatened civil disobedience if the government doesn’t implement his demands by Dec. 22
Updated 21 December 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The government will set up a committee “in a day or two” to negotiate with the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, said the adviser to the country’s prime minister on political affairs on Friday, adding it was possible to discuss all outstanding issues causing political polarization in the country.

The move comes as PTI founder and former Pakistan premier, Imran Khan, threatened to launch civil disobedience by asking overseas nationals, who widely support his party, to stop sending remittances if the government does not implement his demands, including the release of political prisoners, by Dec. 22.

Khan himself remains incarcerated for over a year on charges that he says are politically motivated to keep him away from power. He has also demanded judicial commissions to investigate protests on May 9 last year and Nov. 26 this year in which the government says supporters of PTI partook in violence and caused vandalism.

The ex-premier has already established a negotiating committee to talk to the government.

“The [National Assembly] Speaker [Ayaz Saddiq] has contacted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in this regard,” Rana Sanaullah, Sharif’s political adviser, told Geo TV in an interview. “My own sense is that there will be a breakthrough on this [setting up on the negotiating committee] in another day or two.”

The country has remained in the grip of political unrest and uncertainty since Khan’s ouster from power in a parliamentary no-confidence vote, which also led to economic hardships for Pakistan.

The country’s national economy heavily depends on remittances by overseas Pakistanis who contributed about $30 billion in fiscal year 2023-24.

Khan has also warned the government not to project the PTI’s offer for negotiations as a sign of “surrender.”

Sanaullah said during his interview negotiations could help both sides find a way out of the current political impasse.

However, he said it was premature to say which ones of the PTI’s demands would be met.

“If they force us to accept these demands before the talks, then what is the need for these negotiations,” he asked.

Topics: Imran Khan PTI

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