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Three more officers deTained in courT marTial proceedings againsT ex-spymasTer Friday, 16 August, 2024 I | 10 Safar, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 47 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
PROBE CONTINUES AGAINST RETIRED OFFICERS, g MILITARY DOESN’T REVEALS NAMES ACCOMPLICES FOR FOMENTING INSTABILITY IN AND RANKS OF DETAINED OFFICERS, COLLUSION WITH VESTED INTEREST: ISPR DROPPING HINT AT MORE ARRESTS
‘An asset that was wasted,’ Imran criticises military’s treatment of Gen (r) Faiz Hameed RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
HREE more retired officers have been taken into custody for their actions “prejudicial to military discipline,” in connection with the ongoing court martial proceedings against former DG ISI LtGen (r) Faiz Hameed, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement on Thursday, “further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continued.” Without revealing the names and ranks of the detained officers, the military’s media wing statement hinted at more arrests. The news of more arrests came a day after Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir invited retired army officers including some former chiefs to take them into confidence about the recent actions. Former army chiefs, including Gen (r) Ashfaq Pervaz Kayani and Gen (r) Raheel Sharif were present at the event hosted by the army chief and certain others, including Gen Munir’s immediate predecessor Gen (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa were conspicuous by their absence. The latest arrest came just days after in an unprecedented move, the country’s former spymaster was detained by military authorities and court martial pro-
ceedings were initiated against him on charges of corruption, misuse of authority and violating the Pakistan Army Act. “Complying with the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan, a detailed court of inquiry was undertaken by Pakistan Army, to ascertain correctness of complaints in Top City case made against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (retd). Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt General Faiz Hameed (retd), under provisions of Pakistan Army Act,” read a statement issued by the military’s media wing on Monday. “In addition, multiple instances of violation of Pakistan Army Act post retirement have also been established. The process of Field General Court Martial has been initiated and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (retd) has been taken into military custody,” the statement added. The charges against Gen Faiz date back to May 2017 when he was DG-C in the ISI. In April, the army constituted a highlevel inquiry committee headed by a major general to look into the allegations against Gen Faiz, following orders of the Supreme Court and directives of the Ministry of Defence. This was the first formal inquiry ordered against Gen Faiz, who resigned in November 2022 four months before his retirement date. Gen Faiz served as DG C in the ISI and later headed the spy agency. His name surfaced in many controversies including the Faizabad Dharna case. Three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif named him and Gen Bajwa
sc serves contempt notice on monal restaurant owner over propaganda against court ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan on Thursday issued a contempt of court notice to Luqman Ali Afzal, the owner of Monal Restaurant, over a propaganda campaign against the court. The court also requested details from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province within two weeks regarding Dino Valley in the Margalla Hills National Park. The hearing focused on commercial activities and housing societies in Margalla Hills. The SC's order noted that the government had withdrawn the notification transferring control of the Wildlife Management Board to the Ministry of Interior. The respondents had agreed in court that the restaurants would be relocated from the National Park area. The court stated that Afzal had campaigned against the SC, falsely claiming that the court's decision had led to the unemployment of his employees. The court also noted that the Prime Minister’s Office had withdrawn the notification regarding the Wildlife Management Board and emphasised that the PM Office should not be disrespected. The matter is left to the government to determine whether the advisory was in the public or personal interest. The attorney general has been directed to submit a written reply on the issue.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Thursday called LtGen (r) Faiz Hameed an "asset" that was wasted, criticising the military's treatment of the country’s former spymaster. During informal talks with journalists at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Imran said: “The military's investigation into Faiz Hameed case is their "internal matter" and does not concern him.” He described holding the former DG ISI accountable as positive development, but suggested the accountability should be across the board. The former prime minister alleged that Gen (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa removed Faiz Hameed at the behest of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif. He revealed that a heated exchange took place between him and General Bajwa following the decision. The PTI founder also referred to Intelligence Bureau (IB) reports, claiming that Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan frequently visited Gen Bajwa. He stated that Defence Minister
as main characters behind his removal through a Supreme Court decision. TOP CITY CASE AGAINST GEN (R) FAIZ HAMEED On November 8, 2023, Moeez Ahmed Khan, the owner of Top City, filed a petition in the Supreme Court against Gen (r) Faiz Hameed, accusing him of misuse and abuse of authority. The petitioner submitted the apex court that on May 12, 2017, on the behest of General Faiz Hameed, ISI officials raided the top city office and his house. During the raid, valuables, including gold, diamonds and money, were seized from the house by ISI officials, the petitioner alleged. The petition also claimed that later
Khawaja Asif’s recent comments regarding Bajwa’s extension validate his stance. Touching upon constitutional matters, Imran warned of another constitutional breach if the PTI is denied its reserved seats. He indicated preparations within the party to challenge such violations. On Monday, the military announced that Hameed had been taken into custody by the army on charges of land grabbing and forcibly taking valuables from the owner of a private housing society, as stated by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The military's media wing further disclosed that disciplinary proceedings under the Pakistan Army Act had been initiated against the former ISI chief. The ISPR highlighted that multiple violations of the Army Act by Hameed after his retirement had been confirmed, leading to the commencement of a Field General Court Martial process. Following the arrest, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif revealed that the exspymaster played a significant role in the political developments after his retirement in November 2022.
the general personally met him to resolve the issue, in which he assured that some of the items which had been taken away by the ISI officials during the raid would be returned. However, 400 tolas of gold and cash will not be returned to him. ‘EX-ISI CHIEF AN “ASSET” TO MILITARY WAS WASTED’ On the other hand, the incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder had distanced himself from Gen (r) Faiz Hameed following his arrest. He had termed the arrest and ongoing court martial proceedings against the former DG ISI “internal matter of the Pakistan Army.” On Thursday, however, Imran Khan called the former ISI chief an “asset” to the military who was wasted.
PM alerts NDMA, PDMAs to flood threat in Punjab, River Chenab’s areas ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directed the NDMA, PDMAs, and other relevant agencies to remain vigilant to the potential severe flooding in catchment areas of Chenab River and urban flooding due to heavy rains in Punjab. The prime minister indicated that he was personally monitoring the anticipated heavy monsoon spell until August 25, according to a statement from the PM Office Media,. He had directed National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMAs), rescue and relief agencies, civil defense, and district administrations to be prepared to protect residents in the Chenab River catchment area and cities at risk of flooding due to heavy rains. The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to ensure preparations for the evacuation and rescue of people, as well as for drainage, water, medicines, tents, and other relief items in any emergency situation, besides safeguarding the public. He directed the relevant agen-
cies to keep the public informed about the anticipated flooding in vulnerable areas and to take precautionary measures to prevent expected floods around canals, nullahs, and rivers. He also instructed that citizens be made aware of NDMA's Disaster Alert application to monitor the situation at all times. Successful operation against Khawarijs in Kurram Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif lauded the armed forces on Thursday for their successful operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram District, which led to the death of
seven Khawarij terrorists besides the arrest of five others. “The armed forces of Pakistan have been working tirelessly round the clock to rid the country of the Khawarij terrorist threat”, the premier said according to a statement from the PM’s media office. The PM said the entire nation, including himself, had paid tribute to the brave officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army, who had carried out their duties selflessly, risking their lives for the integrity of Pakistan. The prime minister said that the entire nation stood by the Pakistan Army in its determination to rid the country of the menace of terrorism.
ecc okays continuation of pm relief package g
PROPOSAL TO CONTINUE PACKAGE WAS PRESENTED BY INDUSTRIES AND PRODUCTION DIVISION PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet here on Thursday approved the continuation of the Prime Minister’s (PM) Relief Package for the fiscal year 2024-25. The decision was taken in the ECC meeting chaired by Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, according to a press statement issued here. The ECC approved continuing to relief package through Utility Stores Corporation (USC) with revised priced and subsidy. The proposal to continue the package was presented by the Industries and Production Division. The ECC also approved the request of the Ministry of Industries and Production to declare the Warehousing and Logistic Sector as an industry, the statement added Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, and other senior officials of the relevant ministries were also present on the occasion. The federal government has decided to continue the current Prime Minister’s package – subsidies on five basic kitchen items – at utility stores until the new package is announced.
‘mpox-outbreak-2024’: pakistan reports first suspected case amid global medical emergency ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Ministry of National Health on Thursday reported the country’s first suspected case of monkeypox (Mpox) amid the Mpox global public health emergency declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) a day earlier, following an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries. The suspected case detection followed hard on the heel of National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) alert to border health services in response to a global surge in monkeypox cases and the recent emergence of the Zika virus in India. The development comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries. According to a statement from the health ministry's spokesperson, a citizen from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, who recently arrived from a Gulf country, showed symptoms of Mpox. “Samples have been taken and sent for confirmation to the lab,” he added. The health officials reported that the affected individual is experiencing mild symptoms, and efforts are underway to trace and test those who have been in contact with him. The health ministry spokesperson also stated that all provinces have been instructed to appoint focal persons for monkeypox, and Border Health Services have been directed to enhance monitoring at all entry points. Mpox can spread through close contact. Usually mild, it is fatal in rare cases. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. In its alert on Wednesday, the NCOC instructed that all international travelers entering Pakistan be closely monitored for symptoms associated with monkeypox. “Any traveler showing signs of infection, be immediately isolated in designated quarantine wards to prevent the potential spread of the virus”, the NCOC directed the border health services. Pakistan has so far reported nine confirmed cases of monkeypox, with one resulting in death. All the affected individuals had recently returned from Arab countries, indicating that the virus has not yet taken root locally. Determining a disease outbreak as a “public health emergency of international concern” or PHEIC — the WHO’s highest level of alert — can accelerate research, funding and international public health measures and cooperation to contain the disease.
World Bank flays delays in NTDC contract approvals, warns of project risks g
CONCERNS RAISED OVER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION DELAYS AND LEGAL RISKS DUE TO PROLONGED APPROVAL PROCESSES IN PAKISTAN'S NATIONAL TRANSMISSION MODERNISATION PROJECT PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
The World Bank has raised concerns over delays in the approval of contract extensions for the National Transmission Modernisation Project-1 (NTMP-1), cautioning that these delays could lead to project implementation issues and legal complications. According to a news report, the global bank emphasised that prolonged delays might result in work being conducted outside the necessary legal frameworks and without the requisite insurance coverage. During a recent technical mission led by
Muhammad Anis, which took place from July 22 to August 3, 2024, the World Bank team commended the NTDC and the Power Division for their ongoing efforts to advance the NTMP-1. The project aims to increase the capacity and reliability of Pakistan’s national transmission system and modernize NTDC’s key business processes. However, the bank’s team expressed concerns over the delays in contract extensions, noting that several contracts have been awaiting approval for more than 12 months. he team warned that these delays could lead to further implementation setbacks
and urged the Power Division and NTDC to expedite the review and approval processes, with a deadline set for mid-September 2024. The mission also highlighted issues related to the Islamabad West Substation (IWS) and the 500-KV Nowshera Substation. While the IWS substation contract was declared effective during the mission, pending land compensation payments and rightof-way issues for the Nowshera Substation’s transmission line were cited as potential bottlenecks. The World Bank called on NTDC to address these issues promptly to ensure project timelines are met.