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COAS, PM TAKE STOCK OF SECURITY SITUATION IN BALOCHISTAN Wednesday, 11 October, 2023 I 24 Rabi ul Awwal, 1445
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MEETING BRIEFED ON REVISED NAP, LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS, ANTI-SMUGGLING MEASURES
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Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 101 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
SECURITY OF FOREIGN NATIONALS EMPLOYED ON CPEC, NON-CPEC PROJECTS ALSO DISCUSSED
STAFF REPORT
HIEF of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar visited Quetta on Tuesday, where they were briefed on a range of matters encompassing law enforcement operations, antismuggling efforts, and security for foreign nationals in Balochistan. The briefing took place during the Provincial Apex Committee meeting, which was also attended by caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Ali Mardan Khan Domki. The forum was briefed in detail about the revised National Action Plan, law enforcement operations, antismuggling measures, anti-narcotics operations in Balochistan, and the security of foreign nationals employed on both CPEC and non-CPEC private projects. The participants were also informed about the repatriation of illegal foreigners, measures related to foreign currency regulation, and the progress made on initiatives in the SIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council) in Balochistan. During the meeting, the COAS emphasised that the army would offer complete support, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and other government departments, to enforce actions against a range of “illegal activities” in order to fully prevent the pilferage of resources and the economic losses that the country incurred as a result of those activities. Meanwhile, the prime minister expressed confidence in the progress achieved by the Balochistan government and pledged all-out support from the federal
President Alvi for ‘end to bitterness, way for forgiveness’ ahead of polls ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
In a bid to create a level playing field before general elections in January, President Arif Alvi on Tuesday stressed the need to “end bitterness and make way for cooperation and forgiveness”. His remarks come as Pakistan is gearing up for polls. Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that polls would be held in the last week of January 2024 but didn’t specify a date. While the JUI-F has raised objections over the timing of the elections, the PPP and PTI have repeatedly bemoaned the lack of a level playing field. Meanwhile, the PML-N is preparing for the return of party supremo Nawaz Sharif later this month. On the other hand, the interim government has dispelled the impression of caretakers being a ‘B’ team of the PML-N, adding that it did not have any favourites. In a meeting with Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Durrani at the Aiwan-e-Sadr today, the president said the upcoming general elections should be free, fair, transparent and inclusive. According to a statement issued by the President’s House, Alvi stressed that all political parties and their leadership should be given equal opportunities to participate in the electoral process to “strengthen democracy in the country”. “Democracy will be meaningless if people are not able to elect a leader of their choice,” he said. The president emphasised there was a dire need for political and institutional unity in the country to battle challenges, such as rising inflation. “Bitterness should end, and a way should be carved for cooperation and forgiveness,” he stated. President Alvi further said that ownership and backing were needed from the public to take difficult decisions. “The upcoming general elections provide a good opportunity to create the vibrancy needed to rebuild our country,” he said, adding that political participation was the spirit of democracy.
Each institution responsible for self accountability: CJP ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
government. “The socio-economic development of Balochistan is essential to ensure peace and prosperity in the province,” PM Kakar said, adding that initiatives undertaken by the SIFC at the federal level should positively impact each province and benefit local communities. He highlighted that Balochistan possessed abundant mineral resources, and fostering development would stimulate economic activity and create job opportunities for the local population.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of directing investments toward agriculture and IT, in addition to human resource development. The prime minister also stressed the necessity of collaboration and coordination among all relevant departments to maximise the positive impact of these initiatives. The participants expressed their collective commitment, affirming that state institutions, government departments, and the people are unified in their pursuit of progress and prosperity for the province.
Pakistan set new WC record by chasing down Sri Lanka’s 345-run target ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique clubbed centuries as Pakistan chased down the highest target in World Cup history to beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The diminutive Rizwan overcame leg cramps to score a 121ball 131 not out while Shafique hit a 103-ball 113 as Pakistan overhauled their 345-run target in 48.2 overs. The victory gives Pakistan two wins in as many games and a huge boost in confidence ahead of their high-profile clash against India in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Sri Lanka’s imposing total of 344-9 was built around brilliant hundreds from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Rizwan cracked eight boundaries and three sixes while Shafique’s knock had ten boundaries and three sixes as Pakistan improved on the previous highest World Cup chase of 328 by Ireland against England in Bangalore in 2011. Rizwan added a match-turning 176 run stand for the third wicket with Shafique and another 95 for the fourth with Saud Shakeel who made a 30-ball 31. Rizwan and Shafique lifted Pakistan from a disastrous start in which they lost Imam-ul-Haq (12) and skipper Babar Azam (ten) to pacer Dilshan Madushanka.
Haq, who completed 3,000 runs in 67 innings to become the second joint fastest to the milestone, hooked into the hands of the fielder while Azam edged a flick behind the wicket. Shafique, who replaced outof-form Fakhar Zaman, justified his selection by reaching his maiden hundred off 97 balls. Shafique fell in the 34th over to Matheesha Pathirana but Rizwan continued the chase, reaching his third ODI hundred off 97 balls. He hit the winning single and raised his hands in delight. When Sri Lanka batted, after winning the toss, Mendis smashed the fastest century for Sri Lanka in a World Cup match with a 77-ball 122, his highest score in ODIs and third century. It was an innings spiced with 14 boundaries and half a dozen sixes, leading the charge for Sri Lanka
while Samarawickrama hit an 89ball 108 for his maiden hundred. Samarawickrama hit 11 boundaries and two sixes. Mendis twice escaped dropped catches — Shaheen Shah Afridi dropped him off his own bowling in the fifth over and then Imam-ul-Haq blundered in the next over again off Shaheen on 18. Mendis completed his 50 off 40 balls with his seventh boundary, lifting Sri Lanka from the early loss of Kusal Perera (nought) in the second over to Hasan Ali. Mendis put on a 102 with Pathum Nissanka whose 51 came off 61 balls with seven boundaries and a six. Once Nissanka fell to Shadab Khan, Mendis and Samarawickrama unleashed some superb hitting against Pakistan’s pacers and spinners alike, adding 111 for the third wicket.
Every institution is responsible for conducting selfaccountability, remarked Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Tuesday as the top court resumed hearing on petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Practice & Procedure) Act 2023. The hearing was adjourned till Wednesday after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) counsel Faisal Siddiqi completed arguments in favour of the law. The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) are due to present arguments at the next hearing. Questions have been raised on parliament’s competence to regulate the administrative workings of the Supreme Court (SC) as well as transparency in the workings of the judiciary in previous hearings. The law in question, passed by the parliament in April 2023, regulates discretionary powers of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) by requiring a committee of three senior judges of the apex court, including the CJP, to form benches for constitutional matters of public importance and taking suo motu notice. A full court led by CJP Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed and Justice Musarrat Hilali, has taken up nine review petitions against the 2023 Act. The petitioners view the law as an attempt to clip the powers of the CJP and pave the way for parliament’s interference in the internal workings of the apex court. Today (Tuesday) was the fourth hearing on the matter, which has been live telecasted since the proceedings began. The court intended to conclude the case today but the hearing was adjourned due to time constraints. At the outset of the hearing, Faisal Siddiqi contended that the petitions should be dismissed on merit while acknowledging that they were maintainable. He maintained that an intra court appeal was “liberating” and both the apex court and parliament could provide for them. At this, Justice Ahsan said that the basic principle was that an appellate for the right of appeal is provided by the statute which conferred the jurisdiction in the first place. Here, it is the Constitution creating the statute and if the right to appeal is provided it should be provided by the same jurisidiction – the Constitution – and not by a sub-constitutional legislation, he said. During the hearing, CJP Isa expressed regret that despite four hearings, it was the court’s performance that the case had not concluded. At one point, he asked his fellow judges to allow the counsel to complete his arguments when Justice Akhtar questioned Siddiqi in the middle of his argument. This prompted Justice Akhtar to register his own objection at being “interrupted all the time”. When asked by the CJP whether any political party voted against the law under review, Siddiqi apprised the court that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had opposed in the Senate. The CJP also questioned whether the SC rules were binding on an apex court bench. Siddiqi replied in the affirmative. Meanwhile, Justice Minallah noted that the separation of powers was limited to the judiciary. “What if the judiciary starts encroaching upon the powers of the legislature…so the Parliament is empowered to legislate and all that they have legislated is something that ensures access to justice,” he asked. Justice Hilali observed that excercising of jurisdiction under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution had shaken the fundamentals of the country.
700 Palestinians killed as Israel pounds Gaza with ‘fierce airstrikes’ GAZA
AGENCIES
Israel said on Tuesday it had reclaimed control of the Gaza border, pounding the enclave with the fiercest air strikes in the 75-year history of its conflict with the Palestinians despite a Hamas threat to execute a captive for each home hit. Nearly 700 Palestinians have since been killed in Israeli strikes, according to officials, while whole districts in Gaza have been flattened. Air strikes wrought widespread destruction in the Jabalia refugee camp, where charred bodies were pulled from the rubble and relatives wailed in grief. The United Nations said 180,000 Palestinians had been made homeless, many huddling on streets or in schools. Smoke and flames rose into the morning sky, while bombardment of the roads often made it impossible for emergency crews to reach the scene of strikes. At the morgue in Gaza’s Khan Younis hospital, bodies were laid on the ground on stretchers with their names written on their bellies. Medics called for relatives to pick up bodies quickly because there was no more space for the dead. There were heavy casualties in a former municipal building struck while being used as an emergency shelter for displaced families.
“There is an extraordinary number of martyrs, people are still under the rubble, some friends are either martyrs or wounded,” said a Ala Abu Tair, 35, who had sought shelter there with his family after fleeing Abassan Al-Kabira near the border. “No place is safe in Gaza, as you see they hit everywhere.” NOWHERE TO HIDE: Three Palestinian journalists were killed when an Israeli missile hit a building while they were outside reporting. That brought the toll to six journalists killed in Gaza since Saturday. At one point the Israeli military advised Gaza civilians to flee to Egypt, only to issue a quick clarification confirming that the crossing was closed and there was no way out. Israel already imposed a “total siege” on the Gaza Strip on Monday, cutting off food, water and electricity supplies, and sparking fears that an already dire humanitarian situation will swiftly deteriorate. Tel Aviv has been left reeling by Hamas’s unprecedented ground, air and sea assault. The death toll rose to more than 900 in Israel, which has retaliated with a withering barrage of strikes on Gaza, raising the death toll in the besieged enclave to 687. The Israeli army said Tuesday it had “more or less restored control” over the Gaza border after Saturday’s mass breach by Palestinian fighters.
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) claimed it had recovered the bodies of around 1,500 Hamas fighters inside Israel, confirming the scale of Saturday’s assault. It said it had “nearly completed” the evacuation of Jewish communities around the border. Fireballs lit up Gaza City before dawn on Tuesday as explosions sounded and sirens wailed. Hamas said Monday that Israeli air strikes had killed four captives. It later said it could start killing them itself. “Every targeting of our people without warning will be met with the execution of one of the civilian hostages,” Hamas armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement. In a televised speech late Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Hamas to the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, and said Israel planned to deploy “unprecedented force”. “Hamas terrorists bound, burned and executed children. They are savages. Hamas is ISIS,” Netanyahu said. He also vowed to “strengthen other fronts in the north against Hezbollah”, where fighters and Israeli forces exchanged fire for a second day. Hamas launched more rockets as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where missile defence systems fired and air raid sirens blared.
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Total siege of Gaza ‘prohibited’ under international law: UN
NEW YORK: Israel’s total siege of the Gaza Strip, depriving civilians of goods essential for survival, is banned under international law, the United Nations human rights chief said on Tuesday. Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said people’s dignity and lives had to be respected as he called for all sides to defuse the “explosive powder-keg situation”. It comes after Israel imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip yesterday, cutting off food, water and electricity supplies, and sparking fears of an increasingly desperate humanitarian situation. “International humanitarian law is clear: the obligation to take constant care to spare the civilian population and civilian objects remains applicable throughout the attacks,” Turk said in a statement. The siege risk seriously compounding the already dire human rights and humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the capacity of medical facilities to operate, especially in light of increasing numbers of injured, the statement said. “The imposition of sieges that endanger the lives of
civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival is prohibited under international humanitarian law,” Turk said. Any restrictions on the movement of people and goods to implement a siege must be justified by military necessity or may otherwise amount to collective punishment, the statement added. The United Nations humanitarian office said that nearly 200,000 people or nearly a tenth of the population, have fled their homes in Gaza since the start of hostilities and is poised for shortages of water and electricity due to a blockade. “Displacement has escalated dramatically across the Gaza strip, reaching more than 187,500 people since Saturday. Most are taking shelter in schools,” Jens Laerke, OCHA spokesperson, told a Geneva briefing, saying further displacement was expected as clashes continue. A World Health Organisation spokesperson said it had reported 13 attacks on health facilities in the Gaza strip since the weekend and said that its medical supplies stored there had already been used up. AGENCIES