MAy 9 TrAgiC evenTs wAke-up CAll for pAkisTAn, sAys pM sHeHbAz In partnership with
Profit
Friday, 26 May, 2023 I 5 Zilqad, 1444
NATION WILL NOT FORGIVE, FORGET THOSE WHO DESECRATED MARTYRS’ MEMORIALS, DIGNITY: COAS
C g
RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD
g
Rs 15.00 | Vol XIII No 326 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
PRESIDENT SAYS NATION PROUD OF VALIANT MARTYRS WHO DISPLAYED SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM, FEARLESSNESS
STAFF REPORT
HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Thursday declared whatever happened May 9 was very unfortunate and condemnable, elaborating on the nation will never allow anyone to “disrespect or desecrate” martyrs that’s why ‘Youm-eTakreem Shuhada-e-Pakistan’ is being observed to pay rich tribute to the martyrs who laid their lives while protecting the motherland and its people. His comments came during his visit to the Police Lines Headquarters in Islamabad on the occasion of Youm-e-Takreem Shuhada-e-Pakistan (Martyrs Reverence Day) to remember and pay rich tribute to the martyrs who laid their lives while defending the motherland and its people. The main event was held at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi with COAS Munir as the chief guest. During the ceremony, rich tribute was paid to the martyrs and prominent personalities laid flowers at the martyrs' monument. Those who attended the ceremony included former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, former chairman joint chiefs of staff committee Gen (retd) Nadeem Raza, Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam, Mufti Muneebur Rehman and other members of the society. The army chief was welcomed by the Inspector General of Police (IG) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan where he addressed the police officials and families of the martyred policemen and personnel. "Such behaviour will not be tolerated," said the army chief, adding that the nation
will not forgive or forget those who desecrated the memorials of martyrs and undermined their dignity. Gen Munir said that the Pakistan Army, police and law enforcement agencies are the symbols of the state and the first line of defence that would render sacrifices for the dignity of the country and the people. "I want to convey this message to the heirs of those martyred that the people of Pakistan and the Pakistan Army are standing and will continue to do so with the relatives of the martyrs of all law enforcement agencies," he continued to say. Gen Munir also invited the daughter of martyr Sepoy Imran, Azra, whose video condemning the May 9 events went viral. The army chief assured her that the sacrifices of
Jinnah House vandalism: ATC hands over 16 suspects to military officer for trial under Army Act LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) granted the custody of 16 miscreants – involved in Jinnah house vandalism case – to commanding officer to try them under Military Act. According to details, the ATC approved the request to hand over 16 individuals accused of vandalising Jinnah House on May 9 in order to try them under the country’s military laws. “In view of request made by Irfan Athar, commanding officer/military officer, duly forwarded by prosecution as the case of the above mentioned is exclusively triable by [the] military court, therefore, while accepting the request of the commanding officer […] superintendent Camp Jail is directed to hand over custody of the [accused] for further proceedings in accordance with the law,” the ATC judge said. The commanding officer sought the custody of 16 miscreants under the Military Act after which the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) swiftly responded to the commanding officer’s request and granted the custody miscreants involved in Jinnah house vandalism. Former Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mian Akram Usman, along with the 16 accused, has been handed over to the commanding officer for further proceedings. The commanding officer has revealed that the suspects are facing charges under section 3, 7, and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, adding that if found guilty, the suspects could face trial under the provisions of the Army Act 1952. The prosecution, showing cooperation and trust in the commanding officer’s expertise, did not object to the request for enhanced security measures.
the martyrs will never be forgotten. "The Pakistan Army will always stand with you in every difficulty," he said, adding that all the martyrs of the country are a source of pride. COAS PROMISES TO STAND WITH CHILDREN OF MARTYRS: The army chief also met the school students and children of martyrs present on the occasion. He said that the Pakistan Army was the heir of all children of martyrs. Thanks to the eternal sacrifices of the martyrs, army's relationship with them was ideal and eternal, he added. He pledged on behalf of the armed forces that the army would stand on their side always. “A strong army is the guarantor of a country’s security and unity,” he maintained.
PRESIDENT ALVI, PM SHEHBAZ EXPRESS PRIDE OVER MARTYRS' VALIANCE: In his message, President Arif Alvi said that the entire nation is proud of its valiant martyrs who displayed the spirit of patriotism and fearlessness in testing times throughout history. “The nation owes to the heroism and sacrifices offered by the jawans (soldiers) and officers of our armed forces, including Pakistan Army, rangers, air force, navy, police, and other security institutions that made Pakistan’s defence impregnable,” a press release issued by President Secretariat Press Wing stated. The president acknowledged the armed forces' services for crushing the menace of terrorism and assisting fellow countrymen
Delay in polls only to allow ‘negative forces play tricks’ on country: CJP Bandial ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday while terming the court guardian of the Constitution, said it will have to see how long constitutional provisions could be held in abeyance. “Delay in elections will allow “negative forces” to swing into action and "play tricks" on the country”, CJP Umar Ata Bandial gave the remarks during hearing of the review petition filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against the apex court's decision to conduct polls in Punjab on May 14. The bench headed by the CJP, included Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan – the same bench that issued the directive on April 4. Following the bench's order, the electoral watchdog had informed the apex court that it could not conduct elections owing to security concerns and a paucity of funds. It then filed a review petition, stating that appointing a date for elections is not the Supreme Court’s mandate. On Thursday hearing of the review petition began with more arguments from the ECP lawyer which
irritated CJP Bandial. “Tell us what your main point is,” he asked. Sajeel Swati responded: “Supreme Court Rules cannot curtail constitutional powers.” Noting his point, Justice Ahsan instructed him to proceed. “The full court has ruled in several cases that the scope of the review is not limited,” Swati then contended. On this point Justice Akhtar reiterated that if Swati’s argument was accepted, “the Supreme Court Rules will become null and void.” “At times, even Parliament's power to legislate is also limited,” the ECP counsel submitted. TERM OF INTERIM GOVERNMENT: The bench then directed Swati’s attention to the role of the interim government. The ECP lawyer said that family members of caretaker cabinet cannot participate in elections. “In order to maintain transparency in elections, this ban was added to the Constitution.” Justice Ahsan then inquired: “If a provincial assembly is dissolved in six months, will the caretaker government remain for 4 and a half years? Will we wait for the dissolution of the National Assembly for 4 and a half years?” Swati confirmed, saying that
the caretaker government would work in the respective province for 4 and a half years. He argued that one article cannot be violated while implementing another, adding that Article 254 — which says that an act in not rendered invalid merely because of failure to comply with its time stipulation — lends support to a delay of 90 days. “A 90-day delay in elections can be redressed,” he said. “The redressal is that the elected government come instead of a caretaker government for 4 and a half years,” CJP Bandial cut in. “How is it possible that the elected government remain for 6 months while a caretaker government [stays in power] for 4 and a half years?” he asked. “Where is it written in the Constitution that the [term of] a caretaker government can be extended?” Justice Ahsan asked, adding that doing so would be against the spirit of the Constitution. Swati submitted that the court’s observation was correct. ECP’S ROLE: The argument then turned to the role of the ECP and its handling of the situation in the county following the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly in January this year.
during natural calamities and pandemics. “Let us pledge on this day that we will never forget our valiant martyrs and reiterate our commitment to always honour them and express our undying love for these brave sons and daughters of the nation,” the statement added. Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif urged the people, especially the children, to visit monuments and graves of martyrs and shower flowers on them as a sign of affection and respect. He said Pakistan should show the worldthat it is a nation that holds its martyrs in veneration and affection. He said that martyrs' reverence day is being observed to pay glowing tribute to the heroes and express unflinching solidarity with their families.
Govt fails to achieve economic targets for FY22-23
g
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
TARGET FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH SET AT 5PC, ONLY REACHED 0.3PC ISLAMABAD
GHULAM ABBAS
Despite imposing additional taxes and cutting power subsidies to the industries, Pakistan still failed to achieve most economic targets in the current fiscal year, it surfaced on Thursday. According to the details, the current fiscal year witnessed a failure in achieving the majority of the economic targets. As per the documents presented in the Public Accounts Committee, the target for economic growth was 5 per cent, but it only reached 0.3 per cent. The target for industrial development was 5.9 per cent, but it stood at 2.9 per cent. The target for agriculture growth was set at 3.9 per cent, but it reached at 1.55 per cent. Similarly, the target for the services sector growth was set at 5.1 per cent, but the services sector growth achieved only 0.8 per cent. The target for large industries’ economic growth was 7.4 per cent, but it ended up with a negative growth of 7.9 per cent, while the target for forestry growth was 4.5 per cent, but it reached 3.9 per cent. According to the National Accounts, the growth rate of the live-stock sector remained at 3.7 per cent, fisheries growth rate was 1.4 per cent, mining sector growth rate was negative at 4.4 percent, manufacturing sector growth rate was negative at 3.9 per cent, however, electricity generation witnessed a 6 per cent increase, and the construction sector growth rate was negative at 5.5 per cent.
Exodus unabated as Maleeka, Jamshed Cheema, wife quit PTI, politics ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Three Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders — Maleeka Bokhari, Jamshed Cheema, and Musarrat Jamshed Cheema — Thursday announced quitting the Imran Khan-led party, joining a long list of leaders to desert the party following the May 9 riots. “I condemn the events that transpired on May 9. For every Pakistani, the events that took place on May 9 are very painful,” the former member of the National Assembly said in a press conference in Islamabad. Announcing her “dissociation” from the party, Bokhari said she wasn’t under duress and “no one forced me into making this decision”. “As a lawyer, I want to play a positive role in Pakistan. I also want to spend time with my family,” she said. Bokhari quit the party hours after her release from Adiala Jail, where she was sent after being arrested under Section 4 of the Maintenance of Public Order. In her presser, Bokhari backed the au-
thorities’ decision to investigate the May 9 events and said the people behind the violent events should be punished. “When a red line has been crossed, then action should be taken in line with the law,” she added. In a separate press conference, Cheema said he and his wife could not continue with the Khan-led party due to the violence that ensued after the PTI chief’s arrest. “I was there at the Corps Commander House myself. It saddened me to see what was happening there. The people who were involved in it should be punished,” he said. He said it is a party’s failure if its workers are violent. “This career [..] is in our blood … it was not an easy decision to leave politics. You serve the nation in politics, but not at the cost of armed forces … not at the cost of people who protect the country,” Cheema added. Separately, PTI Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir also announced his exit from the party as he condemned the May 9 riots and the attack on the Jinnah House. "I will sit as an independent member instead of sit-
ting in the PTI's benches in the Senate from now on," he announced. Meanwhile, former Punjab Assembly members from Bahawalnagar — Mumtaz Ahmad Maharvi and Asif Manzoor Mohal — also joined the list of those quitting the former ruling party. Mohal termed May 9 the "darkest day in Pakistan's history". THE HEAT: Khan’s party has been feeling the heat of the state’s might after his party workers burnt and smashed military installations, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, after his arrest on May 9 — a day the army dubbed as “Black Day”. Several party leaders and thousands of workers have been rounded up in connection with the violent protests and the army has insisted that the people involved in attacks on military installations be tried under the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act. A close aide of Khan, Asad Umar, has relinquished his posts of secretary general and core committee member, citing the ongoing situation.
Several party leaders and lawmakers — including Shireen Mazari, Aamir Mehmood Kiani, Malik Amin Aslam, Mahmood Moulvi, Aftab Siddiqui, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan among others — have publicly denounced the attacks on the state installations and announced leaving the former ruling
party since the May 9 vandalism. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the federal government was considering imposing a ban on the PTI after receiving evidence that the party’s supporters carried out “preplanned” and “coordinated” attacks on public properties and military installations.