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Profit ANOTHER 60 PTI SUPPORTERS SENTENCED BY MILITARY COURTS TO 2-10 YEARS Friday, 27 December, 2024 I 24 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 171 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
IMRAN’S NEPHEW HASSAN NIAZI AMONG TWO PEOPLE SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS RIGOROUS IMPRISONMENT: ISPR RAWALPINDI
Staff RepoRt
ILITARY courts have sentenced 60 more civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for involvement in attacks on military installations during May 9,2023 nationwide riots, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday. The development comes less than a week after the military court had handed prison terms to 25 civilians over the May 9 events. Imran’s nephew Advocate Hassan Khan Niazi, who was handed into military custody in August last year, was among the two people sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, according to the list issued by the ISPR. The ISPR statement said, “Sequel to the announcement of the May 9 punishments in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) has promulgated the punishments to the following remaining 60 culprits after examining all evidences, ensuring the provision of all legal rights to the convicts, completion of due process and the appropriate legal proceedings. “All convicts retain the right to appeal and other legal recourses, as guaranteed by the Constitution and law,” the military said. “The nation, government, and the armed forces remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that the inviolable writ of the state is maintained.” The sentencing of a total of 85 civilians comes after the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench conditionally allowed military courts to pronounce the verdicts of the under-custody suspects in cases pertaining to the May 9 riots. Following today’s announcement, per-
cluding a PAF base in Mianwali and Lahore corps commander’s house (Jinnah House). Following the riots, thousands of protesters, including party leaders, were arrested. Later, the government identified 105 civilians and accused persons and provided a list of their names to the top court to be tried under the Army Act. While a five-member SC bench in October 2023 had declared the military trials of civilians arrested on May 9 to be null and void, another bench in a 5-1 majority verdict conditionally suspended that ruling months later — pending a final judgement as it heard a set of intra-court appeals (ICAs).
ISLAMABAD
PTI founder,” Tarar stated, calling it a landmark day for Pakistan’s justice system. He said the conviction strengthens national security, upholds the rule of law, and sends a clear message that such attacks on defense installations will not be tolerated. He also stressed the significance of the due process followed in the trials, noting that extensive time was spent gathering evidence and ensuring that legal procedures were properly followed. “The accused were afforded the right to a fair trial, with access to legal counsel, court records, and the opportunity to meet their families,” he said, adding that the trials adhered to Pakistan’s constitutional framework and international standards. The minister pointed out that the convicted individuals could still appeal the decision, either through the military judicial system or by filing writ petitions in high courts.
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Tarar advocates for military trials of ‘mastermind, accomplices’ behind May 9 attacks Staff RepoRt
Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage, and Culture Attaullah Tarar has emphasized the need for a military trial of the “mastermind and his accomplices behind the May 9 attacks”, following the convictions of those involved in the arson and vandalism. Speaking to the media, Tarar welcomed the convictions of around 60 individuals by military courts, who were found guilty of participating in attacks on sensitive installations, including Lahore’s Jinnah House, PAF Airbase Mianwali, Qila Chakdara, and others. He described this as a crucial step in ensuring accountability for those who targeted Pakistan’s defense infrastructure. “These individuals were part of a nefarious conspiracy masterminded by the
RAWALPINDI
The negotiation committee of the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) has set January 31, 2025 timeframe for the ongoing negotiations with the government to reach a “logical conclusion”, reiterating the demands of judicial probe into May 9 riots and November 26 late-night crackdown and release of “political prisoners”. “PTI founder Imran Khan is ready to forgive everyone for all the ill-treatment he has suffered for the sake of Pakistan,” Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza said while speaking to journalists after meeting the incarcerated former prime minister. The PTI negotiators briefed Imran on the first round of talks, held on Monday, and consulted him on future strategy, according to the party’s statement. Talking to media outside Adiala Jail, the SIC chairman castigated the authorities for subjecting the PTI workers and supporters to torture, violating the sanctity of chadar and chardiwari of parliamentarians, and stealing the party’s mandate on February 8. “Therefore, the first phase of civil disobedience movement, ‘boycott of remittances’, would continue,” he noted. Secondly, he said, the timeframe for the ongoing negotiations with the government is Jan 31, adding that they want to take the talks to a logical conclusion before the cutoff time. “Omar Ayub, who is leading the negotiation process, would
apprise the government committee of the timeframe on Jan 2,” he added. After months of heightened political tensions, the embattled former ruling party and the government finally held their first round of dialogue this week. The inaugural meeting, on the government’s part, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PM’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, PPP leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Naveed Qamar, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Farooq Sattar. Whereas, the PTI was represented by former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Majlis Wahdate-Muslimeen Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. The two sides are set to hold the second session on January 2, when the PTI will present its demands before the government panel in written. The government-PTI talks are being held in the wake of the former ruling party’s announcement of a civil disobedience movement if their demands of release of all political prisoners — including Khan — and the formation of a judicial commission for investigating the May 9 riots and the November 26 incident, go unmet. The jailed former prime minister had last month called on his supporters to launch the anti-government movement by withholding remittances in the first phase. Furthermore, he said, Imran was ready to forgive the ill-treatments he suffered, including the assassination attempt, for the sake of Pakistan.
Pakistan-China strategic partnership ‘anchor of regional stability’: PM g
UNVEILS SCULPTURES OF QUAID-E-AZAM AND CHINESE LEADER MAO ZEDONG AT PM HOUSE ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday described the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China as ‘an anchor of regional stability and a beacon of hope for global peace and prosperity. Addressing an event of unveiling of sculptures of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Chinese leader Mao Zedong at the PM House in Islamabad, the prime minister said, “We are proud of our collaboration in various fields from the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to cultural exchanges, education, defence production.” PM Shehbaz said that the decades-long, historic ties between China and Pakistan are evidence of our shared principles of respect, trust, and collaboration. The prime minister emphasised that both leaders acknowledged the close ties between China and Pakistan and that today our all-weather strategic part-
ALL CONVICTS RETAIN RIGHT TO APPEAL AND OTHER LEGAL RECOURSES, AS GUARANTEED BY CONSTITUTION AND LAW: MILITARY
sons who can be released after remissions can “be released forthwith and the persons who have to yet undergo the sentence awarded to them, their custody” will be handed over to the “concerned jail authorities”, as per the SC order. The bench had ordered that the announcement of judgements would be subject to a final determination of the appeals before the SC, and without prejudice to the rights of those 85 accused persons. Protests erupted across the country following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court’s premises by the paramilitary Rangers in a NAB case. The violent protests saw vandalising and attacks on military installations and state-owned buildings, in-
PTI sets Jan 31 timeframe for ‘logical conclusion’ of talks with govt Staff RepoRt
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nership is an anchor of regional stability under these challenging global circumstances. He said that Quaide-Azam was the country’s founder whose remarkable leadership and the Muslims’ enormous sacrifices were crucial in separating Pakistan from the subcontinent. The prime minister praised the outstanding work of Chinese sculptor and artist Yaun Xikum, who created the statues of the great leaders, saying he had brilliantly caught the spirit of these two legendary figures. The prime minister recalled that during his recent visit to China in June this year, on the recommendation of the President Xi, he went to Xian and had the opportunity to visit the Terra Cotta museum, a symbol of past glorious and heritage. PM Shehbaz said Pakistan proudly traced its history to the Indus valley civilisation, whose relics were preserved in Mohenjo Daro and Harappa. “So by these accounts, today’s ceremony is very special and unique as we honour the vision and legacies
of our founding fathers who held a common vision of independence, justice, equity, emancipation and self-respect for the two nations,” he added. The prime minister said that hundreds of Pakistani young students were visiting the Chinese universities and was a bridge between the two countries. The first batch of agricultural graduate is going to visit China and have education in the field to attain modern techniques and expertise in agriculture to boost production of Pakistan agriculture next month which is yet another step towards our economic cooperation, he told. Yaun Xikum, on the occasion said the greatness of both Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Mao Zedong compelled him to make these sculptures. He said it was the best commemoration of the 148th anniversary of the birth of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on December 25 and 131st anniversary of birth of Mao Zedong.
PTI denounces military courts’ decisions as ‘inhuman, unjust’ ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday denounced the military courts’ sentencing as unjust and inhuman with its Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced to challenge the verdict besides demanding formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events surrounding the May 9 riots and the crackdown on PTI protesters on November 26. His comments came shortly after the military court sentenced 60 more individuals to prison for their role in the May 9 violence, bringing the total number of those convicted to 85. On the other hand, the PTI termed the military courts decisions blatant violation of human rights and fundamental rights, undermining the judiciary system and tar-
nishing country’s reputation. PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, in his strongly worded reaction to the military courts verdict, stated that trying civilians in military courts violated Pakistan’s obligations under international human rights law, as well as its own fundamental and constitutional rights, besides this blatant disregard for due process and fair trial rights undermined the principles of justice and democracy. He expressed grave concern that the unjust and unfair decisions would exacerbate Pakistan’s problems both domestically and internationally, ultimately leading to further international isolation. He lamented that these powers greedy blindfolded clique seemed to prioritize their own interests over the nation’s well-being.