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ARMY HAS NO POLITICAL AGENDA NOR SUPPORTS OR OPPOSES ANY PARTY: DG ISPR Friday, 6 September, 2024 I | 1 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
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MILITARY BELIEVES IN SELF-ACCOUNTABILITY AND GEN FAIZ’S COURT-MARTIAL BEST EXAMPLE OF MILITARY’S SELF-ACCOUNTABILITY: LT-GEN CHAUDHRY
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 61 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
HINTS AT POSSIBILITY OF EX-PM IMRAN’S TRIAL UNDER ARMY ACT IN CASE PERTAINING TO FORMER ISI CHIEF FAIZ HAMEED
SAYS 32,173 IBOS CONDUCTED IN THE CURRENT YEAR SO FAR, WITH 4,021 IN THE PAST MONTH, LEADING TO KILLING OF 90 KHAWARIJ
PM lauds Army’s preparedness, role in maintaining regional stability RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
ECLARING that the army has no political agenda nor it supports or opposes any party, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesperson said on Thursday that court-martial proceedings against former spymaster Lt Gen (r) Faiz Hameed were initiated based on “concrete evidence” following a detailed probe. Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, ISPR Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the Pakistan Army had no political agenda as it believed in self-accountability, hinted at the possibility of former prime minister Imran Khan may face a trial under the Army Act in a case
pertaining to former ISI chief Lt General (retd) Faiz Hameed. During a press briefing, when journalist asked about the concerns of PTI leadership, Lt-Gen Chaudhry replied: “The matter is sub judice, but I will say that according to military law, if any person uses individuals under the Army Act for their personal objectives, the law will take its own course.” Since the arrest of Gen Faiz, Imran Khan has expressed concerns that he might be implicated and also moved the Islamabad High Court, seeking an order to prevent his possible military trial. Observers believe that the DG ISPR’s calculated remarks suggested that the jailed PTI founder could be implicated in the ongoing court martial proceedings against former ISI chief General Faiz. In the 48-minute media briefing, the DG
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed full satisfaction with the operational preparedness of the Pakistan Army and its crucial role in maintaining strategic stability in the region, particularly in nuclearized South Asia. Speaking at the concluding session of the Army War Game in Rawalpindi on Thursday, the prime minister acknowledged the armed forces’ efforts in preserving the balance of power essential for peace, according to the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR). A statement from the military’s media wing stated that the prime minister received a detailed briefing on the recently concluded wargame and the army’s operational readiness to address a wide range of threats.
ISPR spoke about Gen Faiz’s court-martial as an example of the military’s selfaccountability, military operations in the wake of the deadly August 26 attacks in Balochistan and Pakistan-Afghanistan ties, among other issues. The former spymaster has been facing allegations, including misuse of authority, corruption and violation of the
Amid PTI outcry, Senate passes bill to ‘regulate’ protests in capital
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Senate, the Upper House of the Parliament, on Thursday passed a bill, imposing a jail term of up to three years for holding or participating in unauthorized protests in the capital city. The law aims to regulate rallies and ensure they are held in government-approved areas only. The bill was passed with a majority vote in a session chaired by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani. According to the new legislation, peaceful protests will be allowed in designated areas like Sangjani, but participants of unauthorised gatherings could face prison time. Opposition parties, including members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), opposed the bill, accusing the government of attempting to prevent their rallies in Islamabad. PTI Senator Ali Zafar voiced concerns, saying the
law was aimed at stopping an upcoming PTI protest. However, Senator Irfan Siddiqui defended the legislation, stating that it is designed to provide better facilities for peaceful gatherings, not to suppress political expression. Federal Minister Azam Nazir Tarar added that the government would allocate specific areas for protests and ensure media coverage at these locations. The bill will now move forward for further approval before becoming law. Earlier on Tuesday, the Senate Standing Committee on Interior had approved the bill, titled “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill 2024” and presented by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. PTI to hold rally in Islamabad on Sept 8: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan had urged the people of the country to attend the party’s rally in Islamabad on September 8. He called on supporters to defy any obstacles that might be created to prevent them from participating in the event. Talking to reporters during the hearing of the £190 million case inside the Adiala Jail, Imran said that he condemned terrorism because it was harming the country. He denied a report that he had directed the party leaders, who had gone into hiding, to resurface. Imran said that the PTI rally in Islamabad would take place as per schedule. “Now, there will be a gathering in Islamabad on September 8. I am asking the entire nation to come out on September 8. Do not tolerate any obstruction on that day,” he said.
Pakistan to be beneficiary of BRI as China extends China-Europe Freight Rail from Kashgar g
COMPARED TO RAIL, ROAD TRANSPORTATION IS QUITE EXPENSIVE, DIFFICULT AND SLOW DUE TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND OTHER ROAD-RELATED HICCUPS PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan can be a beneficiary of BRI’s economic fortunes as Chinese companies are proposing an extension of China-Europe Freight Rail from Kashgar, China inland city to Gwadar, port city of Pakistan. “We expect there can be a rail network from Kashgar to Gwadar as it will benefit both China and Pakistan,” said Li Tao, Publicity department of China-Europe Railway Express Xi’an Assembly Line, according to Gwadar Pro. During interaction with Pakistan’s media delegation in Xi’an, Li said that logistics between the two countries relys on a route from Kashgar to Pakistani cities through
road transportation, but such bilateral trade volume driven by roadways is low and scanty. Compared to rail, road transportation is quite expensive, difficult and slow due to traffic congestion and other road-related hiccups. Most of Chinese companies are eager to see expansion of China-Europe Freight Rail from Kashgar to Gwadar, he further said. “The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), introduced in 2013, bolstered the China-Europe freight train service. The initiative enhanced trade and connectivity between China and countries along the ancient Silk Road, including Europe. Consequently, the ChinaEurope freight train service has
become a critical part of BRI, facilitating trade and fostering economic ties between the two regions,” he mentioned. According to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd (China Railway), the freight train service network currently reaches 224 cities in 25 European countries and connects over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries, covering almost the entire Eurasian continent. Moreover, the trains have transported more than 1.08 million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers of goods this year, up 11 percent yearly. These achievements testify to the freights’ increasing efficiency and volume, profoundly impacting international trade and logistics.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attuallah Tarar, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, and senior military officials attended the session. PM Shehbaz commended the army’s innovative strategies and structural reforms aimed at strengthening deterrence capabilities. He highlighted the importance of ensuring “retributive costs” on any adversary in the event of aggression.
military discipline to collude with a political party to undermine the institution of the army after retirement. Lt-Gen Chaudhry made it clear that the Pakistan Army is a national institution with no political agenda, elaborating that there had been complete consensus within the institution that the army would stay away from political matters.
Cabinet grants special powers to security forces in Balochistan ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, granting special powers to security forces in Balochistan. The amendment was approved through circulation following a summary submitted by the Ministry of Interior. The move aims to enhance the operational capabilities of security forces in the province, providing them with legal protection to conduct effective counter-terrorism operations. This decision comes in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan. On the night of 25th and 26th August, terrorists carried out over a dozen assaults, killing 21 civilians after checking their identity cards. Additionally, several personnel from the Frontier Corps (FC) and Pakistan Army were martyred. The amendment is expected to bolster security efforts in the region and respond more effectively to the increasing threat of terrorism. STAFF REPORT
IHC warns Adiala Jail officials against denying access to Imran’s lawyers
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) warned Adiala Jail authorities that it would move the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) trial of Imran Khan to another location if his lawyers continued to be denied access. Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan issued the warning after Imran’s legal team, led by Chaudhry Faisal Hussain, reported they had been blocked from attending two hearings on August 29 and September 2. "If Adiala Jail authorities do not allow lawyers to represent their client... this Court will move the court from the jail to another premises under the direct sight of this court," the judge warned. The IHC also issued notices to the superintendent and deputy superintendent of Adiala Jail, instructing them to be present at the next hearing to explain their actions. The court stated, "In case they are not present... this Court will proceed on the basis that the allegations in the petition are correct." Imran’s legal team argued that the denial of access violated his fundamental right to legal representation, regardless of whether the trial was held in jail.