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Saturday, 24 June, 2023 I 5 Zil Hajj, 1444
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SAYS ASSERTIONS MADE IN STATEMENT DESPITE PAK-US CLOSE COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION
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ISLAMABAD
DEFENCE MINISTER SAYS PRESIDENT BIDEN SHOULD ‘CONSIDER FACTS BEFORE FETING BUTCHER OF GUJARAT’
STAFF REPORT
HE Foreign Office (FO) on Friday termed the joint US-India statement “misleading and unwarranted”, saying that the “reference is contrary to diplomatic norms and has political overtones”. The joint US-India statement was issued against Pakistan after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Joe Biden a day earlier. Responding to media queries regarding the statement on Friday, FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “We consider the Pakistan-specific reference in the ‘Joint Statement from the United States and India’, issued on 22 June 2023, as unwarranted, one-sided, and misleading. “The reference is contrary to diplomatic norms and has political overtones. We are surprised that it has been added despite Pakistan’s close counterterrorism cooperation with the US.” Biden laid out a red carpet for Modi, who is on a trip to the US, at the White House on Thursday where the two countries sealed major defence and technology deals as Washington bets big on India as a counterweight to China. In an apparent bid to use the visit to further India’s agenda against Islamabad, a joint statement issued by the two heads of state late on Thursday called on Pakistan to crack down on extremists that target New Delhi. The statement called for action against extremist groups based in Pakistan such as the banned Lashkare-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. The FO spokesperson recalled that Pakistan had rendered unmatched sacri-
fices in the fight against terrorism and in doing so the law enforcement agencies and armed forces had set an example. “The people of Pakistan are the real heroes in this fight,” the FO spokesperson highlighted, adding that the international community had time and again recognised Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. “It has long concluded that terrorism can be defeated through concerted and cooperative actions. “Today, we fail to see how the assertions made in the joint statement could strengthen the international resolve to fight terrorism. The statement shows that the cooperative spirit, so vitally needed to defeat the scourge of terrorism, has been sacrificed at the altar of geopolitical considerations,” she said. Ms Zahra noted, “India, in addition to being a state-sponsor of terrorism, habitually uses terrorism bogey to deflect attention from its brutal repression of Kashmiri
pakistan confirms virtual participation in sco india meeting ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
After India changed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit’s format to a virtual meeting without providing any reasons, the Foreign Office confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the meeting virtually. The regional summit will be held in the Indian capital New Delhi on July 4 but will be virtually attended by member countries, including Pakistan, Russia and China. The two latter nations would not have been able to attend the meeting in-person either. “We have received the official invitation from the Indian prime minister for our prime minister to attend the virtual meeting of the Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation due to take place on July 4. Pakistan will be represented at the summit,” said FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch in the weekly briefing. She added that the FO would announce Pakistan’s participation in the coming days. Moreover, the FO spokesperson also commented on the possibility of holding talks with the Afghan Taliban, who have once again proposed Pakistan enter into talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to take up issues of terrorist activities by the latter in the country. “We have responded to such questions in the past as well. I would like to invite you to a statement made by our foreign minister in which he stated Pakistan will not negotiate with individuals who are responsible for killing of Pakistani civilians and lawenforcement officials,” the FO spokesperson remarked. However, she said, Pakistan continues to engage with the Afghan interim government in Kabul, adding she would not go into the specifics of these talks. She said the counterterrorism threat remains high on the country’s agenda.
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people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and maltreatment of its minorities.” “It is thus completely illplaced to cast any aspersions on Pakistan and its fight against terrorism. “Ironically, the joint statement fails to address the key sources of tension and instability in the region and to take cognisance of the grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). This is tantamount to abdication of international responsibility,” the spokesperson pointed out. She added that Pakistan was deeply concerned over “the planned transfer of advanced military technologies to India”, saying that such steps “are accentuating military imbalance in the region and undermining strategic stability”. They remain unhelpful in achieving the objective of durable peace in South Asia, Zahra said. “We urge our international partners
to take a holistic and objective view of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and refrain from endorsing onesided positions,” she added. ‘Biden should consider facts before feting ‘butcher of Gujarat’ Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also took exception to the statement, saying that President Biden should “consider facts the next time he fetes the butcher of Gujarat”. Asif said it was ironic that the statement was issued during the visit of “someone who was banned entry to the US for overseeing a pogrom of Muslims when he was CM Gujarat.” “He (Modi) leads yet another campaign of state-sponsored terrorism in [Indian-held] Kashmir, which includes routinely maiming and blinding the local population. Across the rest of the country, Modi’s acolytes lynch Muslims, Christians and other minorities, with impunity. “Pakistan has lost countless lives and has been continuously at war with terrorism for decades now, owing to failed American interventions in the region,” the defence minister said. “Perhaps President Biden should consider these facts the next time he fetes the Butcher of Gujarat,” he added. Separately, while addressing the National Assembly, Asif recalled that the US had distanced itself from Modi after the 2002 riots in Gujarat, which led to the killing of more than 2,000 people, mostly Muslims. US officials had subsequently refused to meet Modi and in 2005, the country had denied him a visa after human rights groups had accused the Indian PM of not moving to halt the carnage.
Sanaullah fears toll rise as bodies of 82 Pakistani Greece shipwreck victims recovered ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday provided an update on the Greek shipwreck incident, revealing that bodies of 82 Pakistani victims had been recovered, with their specimens obtained and identification process being conducted through Nadra. The Interior Minister informed the National Assembly that around 350 Pakistani migrants were aboard the boat. He said that 12 Pakistanis survived the tragedy. He said 82 bodies of those aboard the boat have so far been recovered and their identification process is underway with the help of the forensic and NADRA data. The minister also warned that the toll in the incident may escalate dramatically. Last week, an Italybound fishing trawler reportedly carrying at least 800 people including hundreds of Pakistanis capsized off Greece. Only 104 people are known to have survived and the chance of finding more survivors was seen as virtually nil. Interior Minister Rana
Sanaullah has assured to take a firm action against those involved in the illegal business of human trafficking. While speaking the recent boat capsizing incident near the coast of Greece wherein Pakistani migrants also lost lives, he said a high level inquiry committee has been constituted which will suggest different recommendations including amendments in the legislation to ensure conviction of the human traffickers. He said at present a crackdown is underway to nab those behind the tragic boat accident near the coast of Greece. The Interior Minister said special desks have been established to contact the affected families so far 281 families have contacted these desks. He said 193 DNA samples have so far been collected to complete the identification process. Besides, the Interior Minister said that those involved in attacking military installations and desecrating martyrs’ memorials must be brought to justice. He said the nation has no sympathies with the gangsters involved
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in the May 9 incidents and wants them to be brought to justice. The Chair directed the power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to carry out load shedding as per the schedule, saying strict action will be taken on unannounced outages. He gave the ruling following MNA Noor Alam Khan alluded to the problems faced by the people due to load shedding in the scorching heat. In his remarks on the occasion, Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain said the previous government of PML-N brought the power outages to Zero by installing several power plants. He regretted that the PTI government in its tenure halted the progress on new power plants. He said more electricity has been added to the system over the last one year because of the efforts of the present government. Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Shah said the country cannot afford expensive electricity. He said we will have to focus on exploiting the potential of coal, hydel, wind and solar to produce cheap electricity.
china set to promote deeper cooperation with pakistan under Bri and cpec ISLAMABAD
MIAN ABRAR
China is ready to promote continued development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and build a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said during his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday. During a meeting with Sharif on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, Li said that China stands ready to continue strengthening cooperation with Pakistan to jointly promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Li also called on the two sides to jointly advance major projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) so as to promote high-quality development of the corridor, and better contribute to the economic and social development of the two countries. China and Pakistan have always treated each other sincerely, trusted each other and shared ups and downs, Li said. He noted that China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, and in achieving its stability, development and prosperity. Li pointed out that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the CPEC. China will, as always, support Pakistan in accelerating its economic development and enhancing its capacity for sustainable development, Li said. Li also noted that China hopes that the Pakistani side will resolutely and effectively crack down on all types of domestic terrorist organizations, and ensure the safety of the Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan. Li said that the two sides should jointly uphold international fairness and justice, and safeguard the common interests of China and Pakistan as well as other developing countries. For his part, Sharif said that Pakistan and China are all-weather friends and iron-clad brothers, and that the friendship between the two countries remains unbreakable. It is the consensus of various Pakistani political parties and all walks of life to consolidate the friendship between Pakistan and China, Sharif said. Noting that Pakistan appreciates China for its great support of Pakistan’s efforts in combatting the COVID19 pandemic and in its economic development, Sharif said that Pakistan adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sharif also noted that Pakistan opposes any attempt to contain or suppress China, and stands ready with China to mutually support each other in multilateral affairs. Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the high-quality development of the CPEC and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, he said, adding that Pakistan will make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan. Earlier on Tuesday, China and Pakistan inked a $4.8 billion deal to construct a 1,200-megawatt nuclear power plant, announced by the Pakistani prime minister.
Pleas against military trials: SC told 102 people in army’s custody CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan informed the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday that 102 people were in the army’s custody as the top court resumed hearing pleas challenging the trials of civilians in military courts. A seven-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yayha Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik heard the set of petitions. A day earlier, the CJP had ignored a request to issue an interim or a stay order to stop the trial of civilians in the military courts, saying it was not possible without hearing the arguments of AGP Awan first. While issuing notice to the respondents, the court had asked the AGP to furnish the total number of detained suspects in civil and military custody on account of offences allegedly committed by them on May 9. The AGP took the rostrum at the tail-end of Friday’s hearing, telling the seven-member bench that 102 people were in the army’s
custody, adding that none of these were women or minors. “No journalists or lawyers are in the army’s custody,” he said. AGP Awan said that authorities had doubts about one of the people in custody being below 18 years of age. “His tests are being conducted. If he is less than 18 years of age he will be released,” the AGP said. “Is it a policy decision that women and children will not be taken into custody? What is the policy regarding journalists?” CJP Bandial asked. “No journalist was detained for the events of May 9,” AGP Awan said, adding that the federal government didn’t have a “policy” in this regard. CJP Bandial then said that there were caretaker governments in two provinces. He told the AGP to contact the provincial governments and ask them about the policy regarding lawyers and journalists. “Some members of the bench have reservations regarding [the treatment of] lawyers and journalists,” he said. The hearing was later adjourned till 9:30am on Monday (June 26). At the outset of the hearing, the Punjab advocate general had submitted a report de-
tailing the number of people arrested in the province in the aftermath of May 9. The report showed that detention orders for 2,258 people were issued under the Maintenance of Public Order, adding that 21 were in jail. The report also showed that 1,888 people had been arrested in 51 terrorism cases, adding that 500 had been discharged while 232 were on bail. It further said that 4,119 had been arrested in 247 other cases, adding that 1,201 people had been discharged while 3,012 were on bail. THE HEARING: Lawyer Faisal Siddiqi, who was representing members of civil society, was the first person to present his arguments as the hearing resumed shortly after 9:30am. Siddiqi contended that he would not argue the point that civilians can’t be tried under the Official Secrets Act in military courts. He also said that he would not comment on what occurred in the country on May 9. He said that there were examples of civilians being tried by military courts in the past. He contended that those being tried in anti-terrorism courts would have the right of appeal, whereas the same was not available for those being tried in military courts. The lawyer said that there were previous SC verdicts relating to trials in military
courts. “In 1998, a verdict was issued against military courts,” he said, adding that the Army Act was not brought under discussion in the verdict. “It is very rare that civil courts are bypassed,” he said. “What principle has been set regarding the Army Act in other cases?” Justice Ayesha asked. She also asked about the basis on which civilians were being tried under the country’s military laws. “What are the specific circumstances under which there can be a trial in military courts?” she added. Siddiqi said that past judgements stated that there should be a “clear distinction”. “We are not saying that there shouldn’t be a strict trial of suspects. What can be a tougher trial than one conducted in an anti-terrorism court,” he said. Justice Shah then remarked that it was announced that trials would be conducted in military courts because of national security. He said that the laws mentioning trials in military courts for those intruding on land relating to state security. Siddiqi said that the court had asked during yesterday’s hearing whether the pleas should have first gone to the high courts. “The matter at hand concerns more than one province,” he said, adding that it could not
become the jurisdiction of a single high court. “These pleas are only admissible in the apex court,” the lawyer said. Justice Ayesha then stated that it was possible the crime committed by the suspects handed over to military courts was of a different nature. “You are stating only on the basis of assumption that there is no evidence against them,” she pointed out. Justice Afridi said that Siddiqi’s arguments were heading in a “general” direction, adding that he was also not aware of the sections under which suspects were handed over to military courts. Justice Shah said that the law did not say that the Official Secrets Act would only be applicable to those in the armed forces. He said that the act was also applicable to being within the military’s jurisdiction. The judge noted that the Official Secrets Act was also applicable to buildings in restricted areas and some civilian buildings. Justice Naqvi then asked the lawyer when charges under the Official Secrets Act were added to the FIRs against the suspects. He also wondered whether a commanding officer could ask for suspects to be handed over if provisions of the Official Secrets Act were not included in the FIR.
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