ISLAMABAD: Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Sirajul Haq while referring to establishment has advised it to stop providing oxygen to politically redundant body of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as during the periods of these parties the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Toshakhana were looted.

Sirajul Haq expressed these views while addressing a gathering at Karachi Company area of Islamabad here on Thursday. While carrying national flay in his hands from 26 Number Chungi to Karachi Company, Sirajul Haq leaded a rally. After suicide attack on the emir Jamaat-e-Islami, this was his first visit to the capital city of Islamabad. The masses welcomed him while throwing flowers at him at a number of places while they enthusiastically welcomed him at Karachi Company.

Addressing on the occasion, he said that life and death is in the hands of Almighty Allah and our life is a test in this world and continued someone makes a conspiracy but He [Allah] has His own decisions. He added the heinous plan of setting him along with hundreds of Jamaat-e-Islami workers on fire met with failure. “I promise to pass each and every moment of my life for the religion of Almighty Allah and Pakistan,” he added.

Sirajul Haq said, “Martyrs’ Reverence Day” was commemorated. Millions of Muslims sacrificed their lives for the country which was a great cause indeed. Millions of people played their part in building this homeland. I pay homage to all the martyrs. Did the sacrifices make for the sake of anarchy and terrorism in the country?”

He deplored that Pakistan had been made a tool of entertainment and added our incapable and incompetent rulers were responsible in this regard as they were not capable of running the country. This is the very reason that intelligent youth as well as investors were leaving the country, he added and deplored “in this land of ours neither there is merit nor is the law and justice.”

He further advised the establishment to avoid from creating political fuss further and urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) and establishment to remain impartial. He questioned for how long they will continue playing their game and added living for the country is a sacred war while sacrificing life for the country is martyrdom.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Services Chiefs have in their messages on the occasion of Yaum-e-Takreem-e-Shuhada-e-Pakistan have paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Pakistan, who rendered ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for ensuring integrity, sovereignty and honour of the nation and the motherland.

The President in his message said the entire nation is proud of its valiant martyrs who displayed the spirit of patriotism and fearlessness in testing times throughout the history.

The Prime Minister in a tweet urged people, including the children, to visit monuments and graves of martyrs and shower flowers on them as a sign of affection and respect. He said we should show to the world that we are the nation that holds its Shuhada in veneration and affection.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Services Chiefs, retired services’ officers and representatives of civil society had paid rich tributes to martyrs of Pakistan, who rendered ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for ensuring integrity, sovereignty and honour of the nation and motherland.

“The sacrifices of Shuhada are eternal, will continue to inspire future generations of countrymen and will never be forgotten, irrespective of vicious propaganda by the enemies of Pakistan.

“Today is a day for the entire nation to commemorate and honour each and every Shaheed of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies and the Civil Society who laid their lives for upholding the very purpose and ideals Pakistan stands for,” reads the statement.

“Pakistani nation takes pride and solemnly pledges to remain deeply indebted to them and their proud families. Shuhada were, are and will continue to be our pride, come what may,” it added.

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has remarked for how long democracy will continue to be sacrificed by advancing the elections.

He observed it has been said to this extent that democracy is spirit of the constitution. For how long they will continue to sacrifice democracy by taking forward the elections. We suffered consequences for years whenever the democracy was sacrificed. Now the people should be given opportunity to demonstrate their opinion.

He remarked lack of resources was mentioned in Election Commission (EC) decision. When EC will say enough is enough. The elections will be held at every cost. In review petition EC started talking politically.

He observed there remained 60 percent turn out in Local Bodies polls in Balochistan. People of Balochistan cast votes despite security concerns. The negative forces exert their pressure when if elections are delayed. The court will stay silent for how long as custodian of the constitution. For how long can you keep article 224 of the constitution in cold storage.

He remarked the EC did not apprise the president and governor of the facts. Counsel for EC kept on giving arguments for two days on rehearing the case. He was told that simultaneous election will render ineffective what clauses of the constitution. How can the leader of the house be prevented from dissolving the assembly. If the system is strong then perhaps all election are possible on separate days. At present we are travelling in the darkness and no destination is visible.

He observed the court had ordered with the consensus of chief minister Punjab and opposition leader. The interference of provincial government in National Assembly polls can be prevented. Interference can not be made if EC is transparent and strong. EC it self has not devised any solution and now court will have to evolve this principle. This issue can be resolved administratively. EC should not accept the pretexts of the ministry of finance. EC should seek solid explanation from government. Supplementary grants of Rs 20 billion were approved for members of assembly. EC needed only Rs 21 billion. Providing funds to members of assembly is good thing. EC itself is dysfunctional. There is need to enhance the capability of EC. It demanded 450000 security guards. On the other hand total operational army stands at 450000. EC should think while making demand. We will have to see why military security is needed.

He observed the polling can be postponed on polling stations which are sensitive or most difficult. Army had extended offer of QRF to EC. To my view QRF strength is enough.

it has been this idea that EC accepts silently what government says. On what basis they are saying the situation will improve till October 08. This stance was on March 22 and now EC thinks what. When the election will take place. Extraordinary incidents took place on May 09. We will have to see the May 9 incident is creating what problems for election. EC could not make it clear how much delay it can afford in elections. Ground realities and transparency is linked to EC capacity. Presiding officers had gone missing in Daska. Elections were to take place on April 14 and now period of over one month and 10 days has passed.

Addressing to counsel for EC, the CJP remarked come here after doing homework so that we could know what is difficulty for EC. Counsel should tell us to the point what is his real point. He should fire after fixing target at least.

A 3-member bench of SC presided over by CJP Umar Ata Bandial took up the case for hearing Thursday.

The counsel for EC said SC rules can not curtail constitutional powers.

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan raised the question how can SC rules curtail court's constitutional powers.

Counsel for EC told on being inquired from judges if central government is not dissolved then the care taker government will continue to work in the respective province for four and half years.

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked 90 days time has been given in the constitution. Care taker governments come to hold election in 90 days. Where is written in the constitution that the tenure of the care taker governments can be enhanced.

Justice Munib Akhtar remarked holding transparent election is responsibility of EC no matter whichever government is there. Can EC say election will not be held in the presence of elected government.

Counsel for the EC said EC had given the date of October 8 according to facts.

The CJP remarked the court has to talk about principles of the constitution rather than apprehensions.

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked caretaker government comes only for this reason that no government support is provided to any party.

He inquired can caretaker government stay as long as it wills.

The counsel for EC told the tenure of caretaker government will be determined according to situation.

The hearing of the case was adjourned till May 29.

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared PTI leader Ijaz Chaudhry arrest under MPO-3 null and void besides ordering to release him forthwith.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb accepted petition of Senator Ijaz Chaudhry against his arrest under MPO-3.

The contempt of court petitions against detention of Maleeka Bukhari and Ali Muhammad and their re-arrest under the orders of deputy commissioner Rawalpindi were wrapped up due to lack of jurisdiction.

Taimore Malik advocate appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

The counsel told the court Maleeka Bukhari and Ali Muhammad Khan were re-arrested under MPO-3 orders of deputy commissioner.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that today the nation is solemnly observing Youm-e-Takreem Shuhada-e-Pakistan to pay its glowing tributes to our heroes, Ghazis, and martyrs and express its unflinching solidarity with their families.

In a statement issued on twitter on Thursday PM Shehbaz Sharif said “I don’t see the tragic incidents of May 9 as merely a protest that became violent. The designs of those who planned them were actually very sinister. There was a clear build-up to the shameful incidents, as the whole nation witnessed in utter disbelief and a state of shock how the lust of some people for power made them do what was never done before”.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said that by targeting, desecrating and destroying the monuments of Shuhada, and attacking the very symbols of the State, the miscreants attacked the Idea and identity of Pakistan and gave the enemies of the country reasons to celebrate.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said that our nation knows how to protect the honour of their martyrs. The tragic and heart-rending events of May 9 are a wake-up call for us. We have to identify and expose all such people who want to destroy the foundations of Pakistan. May 9 has drawn up a dividing line between the protectors and builders of Pakistan and those who wish to weaken it.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said today we revive and reiterate our pledge to uphold the honour and respect of our Shuhada. The essence of Pakistan’s existence lies in the spiritual covenant between its people and the martyrs. The creation of Pakistan is a miracle of the 20th century and its edifice stands on the sure foundation of their sacred blood. We will never be able to thank them enough, he said.

"Shaheed ki jo Maut hai Woh Qaum ki Hayat hai

Lahoo jo hai Shaheed ka Wo Qaum ki Zakat hai"

ISLAMABAD: We reject hosting G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting by India in Srinagar as holding the session in disputed territory by India is deceit with Kashmiris.

This was said by Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch here Thursday in weekly press briefing.

She went on to say Pakistan will continue to highlight Kashmir issue on every forum. Pakistan will continue to support the ongoing struggle of Kashmiris for their right to self determination.

The tourism and development is next to impossible by taking the local population into custody, she added.

She held foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed Azad Kashmir legislative assembly on May 22.

India is enacting drama of normalcy in situation in Occupied Kashmir, she underlined.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said India should instead provide unhindered access to the international media and independent human rights organizations to report on the situation in IIOJK.

She underlined Pakistan is grateful to China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Amman for not attending G-20 meeting.

Foreign minister of Belarus will undertake two days visit of Pakistan from May 30, she pointed out. Foreign ministers of Pakistan and Belarus had met earlier in 77th session of UN General Assembly.

She said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Foreign Minister of Belarus will hold wide ranging talks covering a range of topics of bilateral interest

The spokesperson said Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan will travel to Azerbaijan and Georgia from 31st of this month to hold bilateral political consultations.

Pakistan and Georgia will sign important Memorandum of understandings in defence sector.

She underlined that the facts given in US Congress letter are not correct. The rights and properties of all citizens in Pakistan are being protected.

All the steps and action with reference to May 09 incidents are being taken as per law and constitution.

Pakistan welcomes the improvement in relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, she added. Stable relations between Pakistan and friendly countries open new avenues of development.

Referring to denial of visas by India to Pakistan cricket blind team she said the sports should not be politicized. But India always plays politics in sports too. India had denied visas to Pakistan cricket blind team.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch says Pakistan has categorically rejected India’s move to host the meeting of the G-20 Tourism Working Group in Srinagar on 22-24 May 2023.

This was stated by FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch while addressing the weekly press briefing on Thursday.

FO spokesperson said that on 22nd of May, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed the Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He is the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan to address the AJK Legislative Assembly.

In his address, Foreign Minister saluted the courage of the Kashmiri people and paid rich tribute to their martyrs. He offered sincere sympathies to the population living close to the Line of Control and reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding commitment and solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory. The dispute has remained on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for over seven decades. In that backdrop, India hosted this Meeting in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in complete disregard of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, principles of the UN Charter and international law.

She said that holding the G-20 meeting in a disputed territory is a betrayal of the people of IIOJK. For the last seven decades, they have been waiting for the international community to pay attention to their plight and bring an end to the occupation and human rights violations, she said.

FO spokesperson said that tourism and development cannot be promoted by holding the local population hostage and denying them their rights and freedoms. By holding the G-20 meeting in Srinagar India cannot hide the reality of its illegal occupation of IIOJK and oppression of the Kashmiri people.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that India’s facade of normalcy in Kashmir is met by the harsh reality that IIOJK remains one of the most militarized zones on the planet. The extreme security measures, arbitrary arrests and harassment of the local population around the Srinagar meeting, refute the claims of normalcy in the colonized territory.

She said that India has clearly failed in hiding the reality in IIOJK behind a veneer of normalcy, as demonstrated by low-level representation and the absence of a number of important invitees at the Srinagar meeting.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that we greatly appreciate the People’s Republic of China, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Türkiye, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Sultanate of Oman for not attending the Srinagar meeting. These countries have stood for international law and for the primacy of the UN Charter.

She said that the G-20 was established, primarily, to address global financial and economic issues. By holding this meeting in the occupied territory, India has politicized yet another international forum, and is exploiting its position as the current Chair to advance its self-serving agenda.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that India should instead provide unhindered access to the international media and independent human rights organizations to report on the situation in IIOJK. It must bring an end to the repression it has unleashed there, agree to the establishment of the UN Commission of Inquiry and hold a UN supervised plebiscite for the people of Kashmir to determine their own future, she said.

She said that Pakistan, for its part, will continue to extend its moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people’s just struggle for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the Government of Pakistan has appointed Ambassador Asif Ali Khan Durrani as Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan. A retired Foreign Service officer, Ambassador Durrani served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran and the UAE. He also served in various capacities at Pakistan’s Missions in Kabul, Tehran, New Delhi, London and the Permanent Mission to the UN, New York, she said.

She said that as the Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Durrani will serve as a bridge between international partners and the Pakistani leadership. He will also represent Pakistan in major international mechanisms on Afghanistan held at the level of Special Representatives.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch announced that Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Sergei Aleinik, will undertake an official visit to Islamabad on 30-31 May 2023, at the invitation of Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The two Foreign Ministers will hold wide-ranging talks covering a range of topics of bilateral interest. They will undertake an overview of bilateral relations and explore enhanced cooperation in political, economic, defence and science and technology domains.

She said that Pakistan and Belarus enjoy close and cordial relations. Foreign Minister last met his Belarusian counterpart on the sidelines of 77th Session of United Nations General Assembly in New York last year.

She said that Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan will travel to Azerbaijan and Georgia from 31st May to 1st June 2023 to hold Bilateral Political Consultations.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that in Baku, Foreign Secretary will co-chair the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Bilateral Political Consultations with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Elnur Mammadov of Azerbaijan. The two sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with a view to further strengthening cooperation in political, economic, energy, education and culture fields. The Foreign Secretary will also meet with the representatives of local business community and engage with academia and think tanks experts.

She said that on 1st June 2023, Dr. Asad Majeed Khan will lead the Pakistan delegation at the inaugural round of Bilateral Political Consultations with Georgia. The Georgian side will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvtisiashvili.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the talks will focus on strengthening economic and commercial ties. Agenda includes cooperation in cultural, education, tourism, defence and security matters and cooperation in multilateral fora. The two sides will also sign an MoU on formal initiation of the Bilateral Political Consultations.

ISLAMABAD: Government once again has given six-month extension to Pakistan High Commissioner in UK Moazzam Khan.

As per media report, Moazzam Khan has been given 6-month extension in tenure of service .

He will continue to serve as Commissioner in London.

The earlier extended duration of Moazzam Khan had completed on 30th May in London.

The Principal Secretary of Prime Minister (PM) Syed Dr Touqeer Hussain Shah has issued the extension letter for his services.

It has been said in letter that current High commissioner will continue to perform his duties till the new successor arrives in London.

Newly appointed High Commissioner for London Faisal Chaudhary is now performing his duties as ambassador in Germany.

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has said the nation will neither forgive nor forget those involved in desecrating memorials of martyrs and harming their dignity, making it clear that such acts will never be tolerated.

COAS Syed Asim Munir said this while addressing Police Officers, Jawans and relatives of the martyrs of police during his visit to Police Lines Islamabad on Thursday in connection with Youm-e-Takreem-e-Shuhada-e-Pakistan.

The Army Chief said what happened on 9th May is extremely regrettable and condemnable. Pakistan Army, police, and law enforcement agencies are symbols of the state and a defence line that does not hesitate in rendering any sacrifice for the dignity of the country and nation.

COAS Syed Asim Munir conveyed to the families of the martyrs that on this day, the people of Pakistan and the Pakistan Army stand and will continue to stand with the families of the martyrs of all the law enforcement agencies.

Earlier on arrival, Inspector General Islamabad Police Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan welcomed the Army Chief at the Police Lines.