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AGENCIES THWART PTI CONSPIRACY TARGETING INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES: RANA SANAULLAH Sunday, 28 May, 2023 I 7 Zilqad, 1444
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
NTERIOR Minister Rana Sanaullah late Saturday night claimed that the intelligence agencies had intercepted a telephonic conversation between some PTI leaders “planning to stage police raid to kill the party leader and rape of its female workers” at the residence of one of its own leaders to defame the state institutions on the international media. “The plan involved killing the PTI leader so
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that the dead body and actual rape could be used to defame the state institutions on the international media. Those involved in the conversation are being monitored and the evil plan has been foiled,” said the minister while addressing an emergent press conference here. Rana Sanaullah said that following the interception of the conversation, the government decided to make the plot public and foil the sinister plan. He also reiterated the government resolve to bring all to justice who had attacked and vandalised the state institutions buildings would not be spared. “However, the government is quite clear that those found innocent would be released,” he asserted. Considering the imminent possibility of these dramatic events unfolding tonight, the interior minister stressed the need to raise awareness among the nation regarding these nefarious designs. "The fabricated scenarios would have been exploited to portray a negative image of Pakistan to the international community," he added. Sanaullah also expressed his determination to hold accountable those individuals responsible for instigating confusion, misleading the public, and causing harm to the country's defence installations. "The individuals involved in the events of May 9, those who initiated and misled, and those who were misguided and participated in causing damage to defence installations, will face the full force of the law. No relief will be given to them. However, no innocent person will be punished," he concluded.
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Imran constitutes 7-member committee for talks with govt over elections LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
On the instruction of party chairman Imran Khan, the PTI has constituted a seven-member negotiation committee for talks with the incumbent government over elections. Taking to Twitter, the PTI said that the seven-member committee – which will be headed by Shah Mehmood Qureshi – will decide the plan of action with the government regarding the elections. The committee comprises party vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pervez Khattak, Asad Qaiser, Hammad Azhar, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Murad Saeed and Aon Abbas Buppi. The development came after Pakistan Terheek-e-Insaf (PTI) suffered major blows as prominent leaders – Ali Zaidi, Khusro Bakhtiar, Imran Ismail, Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Maleeka Bokhari and many others publicly announced parting ways with the party. It is pertinent to mention here that several PTI lawmakers and members have parted their ways with the party following the May 9 violence, wherein military installations including General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and Corps Commander House Lahore were attacked after the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan. Earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday asserted that he was ready to constitute a committee for talks and would step back if the panel is convinced on ‘two conditions’. “I am forming a committee for dialogues. It will talk about two things — if the country can function better without me, I will leave politics. Second, how is it beneficial for the country if elections are held in October,” the former premier said while addressing the party workers and supporters.
Imran Khan said that convince them on these two things, and he was ready to retreat for the sake of the country. “I am forming a committee and I will announce this tomorrow,” he announced. ‘Would spring a surprise soon’ Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday appeared optimistic about the future of his party and political situation, saying that he would spring a ‘surprise’ soon. Talking to senior journalists and lawyers at his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park, the former
prime minister said that some of PTI lawmakers have been forced to quit the party while others have been exposed. As the exodus from the party continues, Imran Khan noted that it he gets arrested or disqualified, PTI senior vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi will lead the party. Responding to a question, the former premier praised his party’s leader Murad Saeed as the ‘future leader’. He also clarified that there is no conflict with the army, stating, “This army is mine.”
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Marriyum rules out talks with elements which ‘attacked state institutions’ ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday ruled out negotiations with Imran Khan, stating talks could not be held with those who attacked the state, rather were awarded punishment. In a statement issued here, the minister said Imran Khan was not appealing for negotiations, he was in fact, seeking an “NRO”. Taking a jibe at Imran, she said the foreign agent who committed robbery on Rs 60 billion was to be brought to justice. She ruled out talks with those who attacked sensitive installations and buildings which were symbols of national pride including General Headquarters, those who desecrated the memorials of martyrs and Ghazis, who attacked ambulances, hospitals and schools and were involved in vandalism. She said talks cannot be held with those who poisoned the minds of the youth. The minister said that negotiations could not be held with the leaders of the criminals and terrorists.
She said while his party crumbled like a castle of sand, Imran was pleading for talks, recalling how electables were brought in planes to join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Marriyum Aurangzeb opined that parties not formed on any political ideology were disintegrated like the PTI. The entire leadership of the PML-N including Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shahbaz, Maryam Nawaz spent hundreds of days in jails and detention centres, she said adding they faced false cases but stood firm and finally emerged victorious. She said Imran Khan refused to negotiate with his political opponents on the economy, Kashmir and security issues. Imran was not ready to sit with the opposition parties on critical issues like corona pandemic and the FATF issue, she said. She maintained that dialogue could not be held with those who set the country on fire, create chaos and anarchy, fills the minds of masses with hatred, and harbour armed groups. STAFF REPORT
Zaidi and Khusro join list of ‘conscience-stricken’ PTI defectors LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Ali Haider Zaidi, the president of the Sindh chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and former minister Khusro Bakhtyar became the latest high-profile members to sever ties with the opposition party as the government seeks to destroy former prime minister Imran Khan’s support ahead of elections. A group of former provincial lawmakers including retired Col. Hashim Dogar from Kasur, Rai Taimoor Bhatti from Jhang, Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq from Sialkot, Mamoon Jaffar Tarar from Hafizabad, and Sardar Mansab Dogar from Pakpattan also left the party. While Bakhtyar only separated himself from the party, Zaidi on Saturday took the more drastic step of resigning from politics altogether, along with his party positions. Conveying his decision through a video message, Zaidi, who had initially entered politics with a “vision for a better Pakistan,” expressed his strong condemnation of the events that transpired following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9. Emphasising the significance of the military, he regarded them as a source of national pride and credited them with ensuring the peaceful slumber of citizens through their dedicated protection of the country’s borders.
The arrest of Khan, in a land dispute involving a property tycoon, has unleashed a series of resignations within the opposition party. The incident, accompanied by violent protests, has prompted a mass exodus of leaders, including high-profile figures closely associated with Khan, such as Shireen Mazari and Fawad Chaudhry. Commenting on the protests, Zaidi said that those responsible for the “regrettable incidents”, a reference to protests against Khan’s arrest, must be held accountable. Having recently been transferred to a jail in Jacobabad, the former minister shared that his contemplation had led him to make the arduous decision of stepping away from politics. Zaidi announced his resignation from his prominent roles within the party, including Sindh president, core committee member, and member of the National Assembly. While bidding farewell to the political arena, Zaidi expressed his commitment to continue serving Pakistan and striving to attract foreign investments, a role he had successfully undertaken before venturing into politics. Eager to contribute to the nation’s economic growth, he expressed his intention to resume the task of bringing foreign exchange to Pakistan. The former minister concluded his video statement with a resounding slogan in support of the armed forces, symbolizing
his unwavering respect for their service. Separately, in a video message on Saturday, Bakhtyar revealed that he had warned the top leadership about the potential harm associated with the party’s new political strategy of confrontation with the military over a year ago. Expressing his concerns, the former planning minister explained that the PTI’s adoption of this policy had led him to distance himself from its political landscape. He further disclosed his decision to step down from his positions within the party, including his membership in the core committee and his presidency of southern Punjab. He expressed his deep unease with the distressing events of May 9, which played a significant role in his “growing disillusionment with the political philosophy” of the party. Bakhtyar said he could no longer continue along this path, asserting his belief that the future of Pakistan lies outside the realm of division and partisanship. VIOLENT PROTESTS DENOUNCED: Shahzad Waseem, a senator of the party, strongly denounced the violent protests, involving attacks on military installations, but affirmed his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities as the opposition leader in the upper house of parliament. During a news briefing in Islamabad,
Waseem acknowledged the sacrifices and dedicated efforts of the military in defending the nation. He expressed his outright disapproval of the attack on the house of Lahore Corps’ commander, describing it as “unacceptable.” Waseem emphasised: “You cannot achieve progress by causing harm to your own foundation.” The senator said it is his duty to uphold his parliamentary role as the opposition leader, even in these testing times. He affirmed his determination to remain a part of the opposition party, demonstrating his unwavering support for the party. Thousands of rank-and-file supporters have also been rounded up under the anti-terrorism act. In Lahore, a grassroots PTI supporter said her son was arrested after protesting peacefully. “It was clear that he had been beaten and was visibly scared,” the housewife told AFP on condition of anonymity. “He hasn’t set foot outside the house since then. He’s received calls from unknown numbers warning him that he’s being watched.” Amnesty International said “overly broad and vague anti-terrorism provisions” are being used and “a pall of fear hangs over Khan’s supporters following the arbitrary arrests of many opposition leaders”. ‘ILLEGAL’ ARRESTS: Meanwhile, the Is-
lamabad High Court (IHC) delivered separate verdicts declaring the preventive detentions of deputy chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, and former party member Maleeka Bokhari under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law as “illegal”. Issuing the verdicts, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb said that “for detailed reasons to be recorded later, the instant writ petition is allowed.” The court set aside the detention order issued by the district magistrate, citing non-compliance with the law. These rulings highlight the court’s determination to uphold legal standards and ensure that arrests are carried out in accordance with established procedures, the party said. Separately, the government has also revoked the diplomatic passports of nine party leaders, including Awami Muslim League (AML) chairman and former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, declaring them as “cancelled and inactivated.” The affected PTI leaders whose passports have been revoked include Aon Abbas Bappi, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umer, Pervez Khattak, Farrukh Habib, Ali Amin Gandapur, Ali Muhammad Khan, Zartaj Gul, and Azam Khan Swati. It is noteworthy that Ahmed, along with the aforementioned PTI leaders, remains aligned with Khan and has not defected from the embattled party.