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Ex-spymastEr IndICtEd on ChargEs of ‘EngagIng In polItICal aCtIvItIEs’
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Wednesday, 11 December, 2024 I 8 Jumada Al-Akhirah, 1446
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ISPR SAYS FGCM PROCESS INITIATED AGAINST LT-GEN HAMEED UNDER PAKISTAN ARMY ACT ON AUG 12
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SAYS INVOLVEMENT OF EX-ISI CHIEF IN EVENTS RELATED TO CREATING AGITATION AND UNREST NOT LIMITED TO MAY 9
SC admits Imran’s plea for judicial probe into May 9 riots ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT
ORMER intelligence chief retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed has been formally indicted on “charges of engaging in political activities”, the military’s media affairs wing said on Tuesday. In a press release on issued on Tuesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) recalled that the process of Field General Court Martial (FGCM) was initiated against Lt-Gen Hameed under provisions of the Pakistan Army Act on August 12. “And in the first place Lt-Gen (r) Faiz Hameed has been formally arraigned on charges of engaging in polit-
The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday admitted for hearing PTI founder Imran Khan’s petition, seeking a judicial probe into May 9, 2023, violent events after dismissing the registrar office’s objections to a petition. A seven-member constitutional bench comprising Justices – Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, and Shahid Bilal Hassan took up the Imran’s petition for hearing. The bench dismissed the objections of the registrar’s office, ordering it to assign a number to the former premier’s application and schedule it for a hearing. The counsel for the former premier had filed the petition last year, seeking the SC to order the formation of a judi-
ical activities, violations of Official Secret Act detrimental to safety and interest of the state, misuse of authority & government resources and causing wrongful loss to a person(s),” it stated. “During the process, involvement of Lt-Gen (r) Faiz Hamid, in events related to creating agitation and unrest, leading up to multiple incidents including but not limited to May 9, 2023 incident for fomenting instability; at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests, is also being separately investigated,” the statement noted. The development comes almost four months after the army announced the arrest of and FGCM proceedings against former head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Agency Lt-Gen
20 Chinese citizens killed, 34 injured in 14 terrorist attacks since year 2021: official ISLAMABAD
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Hameed, on allegations of violating the Army Act. The army had cited a November 2023 directive from the Supreme Court, which instructed Kanwar Moeez Khan, owner of Islamabad’s Top City housing society, to seek redressal of grievances
cial commission to investigate the events of May 9. He had contended that the alleged imposition of an “undeclared” martial law or calling in aid of the armed forces in Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad was unconstitutional, unlawful and without any effect and all actions taken under the same were void. The petition had also claimed that enough personnel were found available to control the situation indefinitely, arguing that it was more than obvious to any reasonable observer that the requisition of the armed forces was mala fide and in excess of jurisdiction During the proceedings, Advocate Hamid Khan appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner, arguing that it had been more than a one-and-a-half year since the May 9 event took place, arguing that the country should find out what happened on the day.
against Gen Hameed through relevant channels, including the Ministry of Defence, as the basis for initiating action against the former spymaster. “Lt-Gen (r) Faiz Hamid is being afforded with all legal rights as per the law,” the ISPR said.
Naqvi, US diplomats explore joint efforts for counter terrorism, law enforcement reforms ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
A group of Parliamentarians were informed by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) on Tuesday that as many as twenty Chinese citizens have been killed and 34 injured in terrorist attacks in across Pakistan since year 2021. October’s airport bombing that killed two Chinese engineers returning to work on a project after a holiday in Thailand was the latest in a string of high-profile attacks on Beijing’s interests in Pakistan. The attack was claimed by the banned outfit Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Police registered a first information report against leaders of the BLA and others three days after the incident. The attacks have angered China, which has pushed the federal government to begin formal negotiations for a joint security management system. Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts remain a key topic of discussion between the two countries due to the rising frequency of attacks targeting Chinese nationals working in Pakistan. During a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives today, NACTA Director Colonel Usman informed the participants that there were 14 terrorist attacks on Chinese citizens in the country since 2021 in which “20 [Chinese personnel] have been killed and 34 injured”. The committee members were informed that eight of the attacks took place in Sindh, four in Balochistan and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that eight Pakistanis were also martyred and 25 were injured in these attacks. The Director told the committee that “a total of 20,000 Chinese nationals are settled in Pakistan” which included personnel for projects about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He added that their security was a top priority of the government. He said that the BLA and other terrorist groups, including anti-state outfits, were involved in the attacks that mainly targeted non-CPEC projects and Chinese citizens travelling to different parts of the country. “There has been no direct terrorist attack on CPEC projects so far,” the official said. Speaking about the safety measures taken for Chinese citizens, the NACTA director said that a high-level core group was formed at the interior ministry, comprising members from the police, security, intelligence and other departments.
Federal Minister for Interior, Mohsin Naqvi, held a crucial meeting with Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker and International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Country Director, Lynn Nelson, on Tuesday. The discussions focused on strengthening Pakistan-US ties, particularly in the fields of law enforcement, security, and counter terrorism cooperation. During the meeting, Ambassador Baker expressed her condolences regarding the recent tragic deaths of police officers and Rangers personnel in Islamabad, underscoring the shared commitment between both nations to combat such security challenges. Minister Naqvi outlined Pakistan’s plans to modernize its Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), emphasizing the government’s efforts to model the agency’s opera-
tions after the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In response, US officials offered technical support for this initiative, highlighting their commitment to enhancing Pakistan’s law enforcement capabilities. Naqvi stressed that these efforts were vital for improving the country’s ability to address evolving security threats. “We are grateful for the ongoing US support in strengthening our law enforcement infrastructure. It is vital for Pakistan to enhance its
response mechanisms to emerging security concerns,” said Naqvi. The conversation also touched on the importance of equipping Pakistan’s Civil Armed Forces with advanced technology and modern tools to counter terrorism and respond more effectively to emergencies. Minister Naqvi highlighted that Pakistan needed more modern equipment to better tackle the growing threats posed by extremism and internal security issues.
Imran asserts £190m case lacks fairness, compares it to Bhutto reference RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Tuesday submitted written response to 79 questions in the £190 million case, asserting the case against him lacks fairness, comparing it to the landmark Bhutto reference, where the Supreme Court had previously highlighted the loopholes and lacunas in the trial. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has submitted a written response to the court in the £190 million reference case, detailing his answers to 79 questions. In the written response, the ex-PM claimed that during his tenure, a corruption case was filed against Maryam Nawaz, and now to appease her, a false case was lodged against his wife Bushra Bibi. Khan claimed that the transfer of funds to the Supreme Court account, as described by the prosecution’s witness, did not harm the state of Pakistan, arguing the money in question did not belong to the state. The witness, identified as the Chief Financial Officer of Al-Qadir University, also testified that Khan had no involvement in the financial dealings of the university. He further contested claims made by the prosecution, pointing to discrepancies in the investigation. According to him, key figures such as Shahzad Akbar and Ziaul Mustafa were present in Pakistan on November 6, 2019, while the prosecution was simultaneously claiming that the National Crime Agency (NCA) signed a confidential deal on the same day. He also accused the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of deliberately destroying key records, including those related to Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, Shahbaz Sharif, and others. Additionally, Khan questioned why former defence minister Pervez Khattak was cleared of involvement in the May 9 cases and subsequently made a witness against him. He argued that Khattak had attended cabinet meetings without raising any objections, and there was no evidence of any conflicts within the cabinet. In his written submission, Khan pointed out that the inquiry into the case had been closed in 2020 by NAB’s executive board, with NAB Chairman Aftab Sultan agreeing that it should not be reopened. He cited statements from bank officials, asserting that the case was a dispute between two private parties and did not involve the government of Pakistan. Khan also denied any personal or familial benefit from the Al-Qadir Trust, dismissing the notion that his wife or any of his relatives had gained financially from the trust. He stressed that the process of transferring funds to the Supreme Court’s account was initiated due to the intervention of the Supreme Court registrar, not as a result of any illegal action. On the matter of land transfer, Khan clarified that neither he nor any family member had received 458 kanals of land. He stated that before the trust was established, the land was owned by Zulfi Bukhari, after which it was transferred to the Al-Qadir Trust. He denied that there was any unlawful gain associated with the transfer.
PTI calls attempts to drag military into politics ‘shameful, condemnable’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly condemned the government’s attempts to drag the military into politics, calling it “shameful and condemnable”. The party also rejected attempts to target former military official General Faiz Hameed in the name of Imran Khan. In a statement responding to remarks by political figures like Attaullah Tarar and Faisal Vawda, PTI
spokesperson said that the government’s actions were damaging to the reputation of Pakistan’s armed forces. “The government’s efforts to involve the military in political disputes are not only shameful but also detrimental to the image of our armed forces,” the PTI spokesperson stated. They further called for an immediate response from the Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) to clarify the matter and present the facts to the public. PTI highlighted that over the past two and a half
years, baseless narratives had been propagated by statebacked figures, and false allegations had been created. “Despite numerous provocations, PTI has always kept the military separate from politics, and we have refrained from using it for political gain,” the spokesperson added. The statement also criticised certain government officials, referring to them as “puppets of the establishment,” accusing them of manipulating the military’s image for personal political gain.
Cabinet consents to ‘settlement agreements’ with eight IPPs to cut power tariff ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved “settlement agreements” with eight independent power producers (IPPs) running on bagasse, as part of the efforts to tackle rising electricity tariffs in the country. The government expects the move would benefit the national exchequer by Rs238 billion. The federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the recommendation of the Ministry of Energy and the Power Division, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister Office (PMO). These bagasse-based power plants included DW Unit I, Unit II, RYK Mills, Chiniot Power, Hamza Sugar, Al-Moez Industries, Thal Industries and Chinar Industries.
The development came two months after the premier announced the pre-mature termination of power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the five oldest IPPs, with annual savings of Rs60 billion or around Rs411 billion over the remaining term of their contracts. During the meeting, the cabinet members were informed that the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) would contact the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) regarding a reduction in the power tariffs produced by these power plants. As a result of these agreements, electricity prices for the general public would decrease and the national exchequer would benefit by Rs238 billion rupees, the statement said. Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz said the incumbent government was taking all possible steps to reduce electricity prices
for the common man. He emphasised that national interests should always be prioritised in every decision and action, adding that the promotion of the private sector and industries in the country was a key priority for the government. The federal cabinet was also briefed on the latest situation in Syria and the evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in the conflict-hit country. The attendees were informed that out of 250 Pakistani pilgrims in Syria, 79 had reached Beirut, from where they would be brought back to Pakistan. Additionally, out of 20 teachers and students in Syria, seven teachers had also reached Beirut. The meeting was further informed that the officials of the Pakistani embassies in Syria and Lebanon were taking all possible measures to ensure the safe return of Pakistanis from Syria.
Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved the appointment of Brigadier Asim Bashir Warraich as Member of Production Control on the Board of Heavy Industries Taxila, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defence Production. The federal cabinet also sanctioned the establishment of the National Commission for the Status of Women Fund, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Human Rights. ‘PTI’s civil disobedience enmity with Pakistan’ Addressing the cabinet meeting, the prime minister lambasted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for threatening the government to launch civil disobedience, terming the move an “enmity with Pakistan”. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction over the record increase in remittances and the reduction in the
weekly inflation rate to 3.57%. Expressing satisfaction over the rise in remittances, he said the development occurred despite the call for civil disobedience from a particular political party, adding that it reflects the trust of overseas Pakistanis in the government. He also emphasised the need for political stability for economic development, saying that directions have been given to ensure that those who recently attempted to attack Islamabad will not be spared. Referring to the foreign investment in the country, the premier noted that Azerbaijan would invest $2 billion in Pakistan. He mentioned that the Ambassador of Azerbaijan, during a meeting with him yesterday, emphasized that the projects should be identified and feasibility studies prepared so that the agreements can proceed.