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IRAN SAYS HANIYEH ASSASSINATED BY ‘SHORT RANGE PROJECTILE’ FIRED FROM OUTSIDE HOME Sunday, 4 August, 2024 I | 28 Muharram, 1446
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TEHRAN ARRESTS SENIOR OFFICIALS IN PROBE INTO ASSASSINATED HAMAS LEADER
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IRGC REPORT SAYS ATTACK ON HANIYEH USED A 7-KG WARHEAD LAUNCHED FROM OUTSIDE
Pakistan fully supports Iran’s call for OIC extraordinary meeting, Dar tells Iranian counterpart ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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TEHRAN AGENCIES
HE Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Saturday that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated with a “shortrange projectile with a warhead of approximately 7 kilograms” in Tehran on Wednesday. In a statement released on Saturday, the IRGC said the attack originated from outside the immediate area where Haniyeh was staying. “This action was designed and implemented by the Zionist regime and supported by the criminal government of America,” the IRGC statement added. This marks the first time the IRGC has publicly disclosed the exact cause of Haniyeh’s death. The Palestinian leader and his bodyguard were killed in an Iranian govern-
ment guest house in Tehran in the early hours of Wednesday. Haniyeh had gone to the Iranian capital to attend the inauguration of Iran’s newly elected Masoud Pezeshkian. During the past three days, speculations abounded whether a long-range missile was fired from outside Iran’s borders or launched from an aircraft over Iranian airspace. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency had previously released a photo of the damaged residence, stating that Haniyeh was killed while staying on the fourth floor of a building in Zafaraniyeh in northern Tehran. Iranian media, including the IRGCaffiliated Tasnim News Agency, previously reported, quoting Khaled Qaddoumi, Hamas’ representative in Tehran, that Haniyeh’s death was caused by a missile or rocket fired from outside the building toward the room where he was staying.
'No significant outcomes yet': Gandapur confirms communication with establishment RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday confirmed ongoing communication with the establishment, saying these talks had not borne ‘fruit’ so far. “The government invites PTI to negotiate, but we assert that you are not even the government, so what should we negotiate with you?" Gandapur said while talking with media. The KP CM addressed the media after a meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on Saturday. He explained that, as chief minister, he holds an official position that necessitates contact with the establishment but admitted that these discussions had yet to yield any substantial progress. "When we engage with them, we will not forget our martyrs. We will acknowledge our mistakes and expect them to do the same," he added. Gandapur said PTI's founder remains steadfast in his ideology, declaring, "An ideology cannot be imprisoned. The nation stands for upholding the Constitution and maintaining dignity." He noted that the PTI founder is concerned about the country's economy and remains open to dialogue, having formed a committee for this purpose. "The chairman always advocated for negotiations for the country's sake," Gandapur said. Referring to past events, Gandapur stated, "The PTI founder warned of an attack on him, and it happened. There will be conspiracies to dismantle the party. If the mistake is yours, don't expect me to apologise. Come, sit, and discuss—if you can prove my mistake, I'll apologise proportionately." He highlighted perceived injustices against the party, mentioning, "Andleeb Abbas left the party and faced no imprisonment".
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Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday said that Pakistan fully supported Iran’s call for an “extraordinary meeting” of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) after the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in a strike in Tehran, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a press release. The development comes as Acting Foreign Minister of Iran Ali Bagheri Kani telephoned Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday and shared the Iranian nation’s and leadership’s deep anguish on the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said. “The Deputy Prime Minister conveyed that the people of Pakistan shared these sentiments. He shared that the Prime Minister of Pakistan had condemned the developments in Gaza and the atrocious assassination of Ismail Haniyeh Shaheed in the strongest
This contradicts reports by The New York Times and Telegraph, which claimed that the attack was carried out by planting a bomb in Haniyeh’s room. The Telegraph reported that Israel’s
possible terms,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release. Moreover, the National Assembly of Pakistan had unanimously condemned the heinous act which was against international law, established diplomatic norms and acceptable behavior amongst the comity of nations, the DPM Dar added. According to the foreign ministry, the deputy prime minister conveyed similar sentiments and Pakistan’s condemnation of the developments in Gaza and the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh “in the strongest possible terms”. The Iranian counterpart also requested Dar to participate in the extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being convened at the foreign ministers level. “The Deputy Prime Minister fully supported the call for an Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers and confirmed that Pakistan would actively participate in the important meeting,” it was further added.
intelligence agency, Mossad, hired Iranian security agents to plant explosives in three separate rooms of a building where a Hamas leader was staying.
Nayyar Bukhari urges PM to dissolve assembly ‘if govt feels threatened’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Former Senate chairman Nayyar Bukhari on Saturday said that the prime minister should advise the dissolution of the assembly and call for elections if the government feels threatened. He emphasized that the government should confide in the PPP if federal ministers are feeling this threat. In an interview with a private TV channel, the Pakistan People’s Party-Parliamentarians Secretary General Bukhari stated, “They must act if they are feeling threatened, as we have extended support to them. The survival of the system
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depends on the present rulers and a single party,” he added. “What will be the solution if the incumbent government reaches the verge of collapse?” he questioned. He mentioned that President Zardari has invited all parties to sit and hold talks, but no one is prepared for it. “Those who want to take any other decision, let them do so. The People’s Party stands with the constitution,” Nayyar Bukhari said. “If the system derails, it will be a loss for the country. We will not support an unconstitutional step at any cost, as the solution lies in the constitution,” he added. He commented that PTI’s founder wants to talk with the establishment but is not a reliable
person, as he changes his stance after holding talks. “At one moment, he will say Achakzai has authority, and then he will say he does not,” Bukhari noted. “There is a big question mark over the February 8 election results,” he said. “We have reservations about Punjab’s results; the People’s Party was not given several seats,” he added. When asked about the reference against the election commission, he replied, “Those who sent the reference must prove it. The PPP has made several sacrifices for the parliament and the constitution. We have many reservations about the election but accept it for the continuity of the system.”
tions of Kashmiris and the broken promises of India will be highlighted. The huddle led by PM Shehbaz Sharif approved the main event to be attended by the Pakistani and Kashmiri leadership. The prime minister is expected to visit Muzaffarabad to express solidarity with the Kashmiris on August 5, and would strongly condemn the unilateral and illegal steps of India on August 5, 2019. The prime minister would also issue an important policy statement. Pakistan, Kashmiris and the in-
ternational community had rejected the Indian steps to end the special status of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019. On the Youm-e-Istehsal Day, special walk would be held and events would be organized at the federal level, in the provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Special transmission would be broadcast to shed light on the efforts of the leadership of the Kashmir freedom movement, sacrifices of Kashmiris and the facts about Indian oppression.
PM-led huddle finalizes events for Youm-e-Istehsal Day on Monday ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday chaired a meeting in preparation for the Youm-e-Istehsal Day to be observed as a special day against India’s illegal action to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019 and to support Kashmiris right to freedom. On this day, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, basic rights viola-
In a first, KP Police post five women officers in ‘volatile’ Khyber PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
First time in the history of the province, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police have given field posting to five women police officers and posted four of them as additional station house officers (SHOs) in Khyber tribal district, according to a notification issued on Saturday. The notification issued byKhyber District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kulachi, said that four of the five women officers have been posted as additional station house officers (SHOs) in Khyber, bordering Afghanistan. “Appointment of women police officers is aimed at ensuring access of thousands of women to justice,” DPO Kulachi said in a statement. Khyber, bordering Afghanistan, is one of the seven tribal districts, which has seen militancy for years and the appointment of women officers could be challenging. “Women in merged districts have all capabilities and women belonging to all sections would be given opportunities to perform duties,” the DPO said. According to the notification, Mehak Pervez Masih, a junior police officer was appointed as the additional station house officer (SHO) Landi Kotal. She was previously working on general duty at Ali Masjid police station. Lady Constable Naila Jabbar, who was on general duty at Bara police station, was appointed as additional SHO at Ali Majid police station. Fatima Sameen Jan will serve as an additional SHO at Bara police station. Lady Constable Nusrat will perform duty as an additional SHO at Jamrud police station while Lady Constable Shanza was appointed for general duty at Police Lines Khyber. Meanwhile, tribal elders have welcomed the posting of women officers in the field, saying no female police officer was ever appointed to work in the field in tribal areas. They were of the view normally women prefer working in the education and health departments. “Only women doctors and teachers work in the tribal areas,” they said, while lauding the police high-ups for the postings to ensure women access to justice.
Controversy in PTI as Gohar denies cancellation of Marwat’s membership as fake ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar on Saturday reacted strongly to the notification on cancellation of the party membership of Sher Afzal Marwat, saying he was not aware of the cancellation of party membership of the latter. “I will meet the founder of PTI and will put the whole situation before Imran Khan,” Gohar said. Barrister Gohar Ali said that he did not know who had issued instructions and who was taking decisions. "It had not been brought to my knowledge that founder PTI had issued such instructions," Gohar added. He said the membership of Sher Afzal Marwat was terminated without any committee who would call him for a response. “I will meet Imran Khan today and reverse this notification, Sher Afzal Marwat was a member of our party and was loyal to Imran Khan,” Gohar said. While terminating Sher Afzal Marwat's primary party membership, PTI had also demanded him to resign from the membership of the National Assembly. PTI Additional General Secretary Firdous Shamim Naqvi had issued a notification saying that PTI had decided to terminate the basic party membership of Sher Afzal Marwat for serious violations. This notification of termination of membership was also shared by the PTI from the official account, while the core committee members also confirmed the cancellation of membership of Sher Afzal Marwat.
Israeli kills 15 displaced Palestinians in airstrike on Gaza school CAIRO/ RAMALLAH AGENCIES
An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City killed at least 15 Palestinians on Saturday, hours after two strikes in the occupied West Bank killed nine fighters including a local Hamas commander, Hamas said. The Israeli military said the first of two West Bank airstrikes hit a vehicle in a town near the city of Tulkarm, targeting a resistance cell it said was on its way to carry out an attack. A Hamas statement said one of those killed was a commander of its Tulkarm brigades, while its ally Islamic Jihad claimed the other four men who died in the strike as its fighters. Hours later, a second airstrike in the area targeted another group of fighters who had fired on troops, Israel’s military said, during what it described as a counter-terrorism operation in Tulkarm. Palestinian news agency WAFA said four people had died in that strike, and Hamas
said all nine of those killed in the two Israeli attacks in the West Bank were fighters. Violence in the West Bank was on the rise before the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and has risen since, with frequent Israeli raids in the territory, which is among those that the Palestinians seek for a state. There has also been an increase in antiIsraeli street attacks by Palestinians. Gaza strikes In the Gaza Strip, at least 15 people were killed in the Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, the Hamas run-government media office said. The Israeli military said the school was being used as a command centre for Hamas, to hide fighters and manufacture weapons. Hamas has denied Israeli accusations that it operates from civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals. Earlier on Saturday, Israeli strikes in the enclave killed six people in a house in the southern area of Rafah and two others in Gaza City, Gaza health officials said. The Israeli military said its forces had
struck fighters and destroyed Hamas infrastructure in Rafah and elsewhere in the enclave. At least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, according to Gaza health officials. The offensive was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted, according to Israeli tallies. A high-level Israeli delegation made a brief visit to Cairo on Saturday in an attempt to resume Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Egyptian airport authority sources said. The delegation returned to Israel hours later, Israeli media said. Chances of a breakthrough appear low as regional tension has soared following the assassination of Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday, a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a top military commander from Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Iran. Haniyeh’s death was one in a series of killings of senior Hamas figures as the Gaza war nears its 11th month, and it fuelled con-
cern that the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war. Hamas and Iran have both accused Israel of carrying out the assassination of Haniyeh and have pledged to retaliate. Israel has neither claimed nor denied responsibility for the death. Italy urged Iran on Saturday to show
restraint. “Italy makes an appeal to Iran, calling on it for restraint and to contribute to a phase of de-escalation throughout the Mediterranean region and the Middle East,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding that the message had been delivered to the Iranian ambassador in Rome.