NP says Nawaz not playing any role for Balochistan

Former prime minister and ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif did not play any role for Balochistan whatsoever, as was expected of him, National Party (NP) Secretary General Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi said on Wednesday. Earlier in April, a delegation of NP leaders, led by Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, had met with Nawaz at his residence in Jati Umra and apprised him of the situation in Balochistan. The NP leaders asked Nawaz to play his role "directly or indirectly via the federal government to help address the provincial issues. At a joint press conference after the meeting, PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Raffique had said that Nawaz had assured Baloch and his party leaders that he would play his role for the peace and stability in Balochistan. Raffique had also said that Nawaz assured the NP that he would engage with political players to address the challenges facing the province. Senator Buledi said they had high expectation, and had hoped that the former prime minister would play his proactive role. However, he added, It was Nawaz's decision not to intervene in matter of Balochistan. He added that Nawaz Sharif was all in command, and any assertion that this government was not in his control with regards to such affairs was wrong. He said that stopping the protesters from heading towards Islamabad in Punjab was highly condemnable. It seems that those behind this did not want any political solution to Balochistan's problems. He added that those talking about rights of Baluchistan were seen with suspicion.

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PM orders upgradation of Met Office's early warning system

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the immediate upgrade and full activation of the Meteorological Department’s early warning system as part of federal efforts to mitigate the impact of severe monsoon weather, Radio Pakistan reported. Chairing a high-level meeting on the flood situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), the premier said recent rains have led to tragic incidents across the country, particularly in AJK and G-B, resulting in significant human and financial losses. “The federal government stands with the governments, administrations, and people of AJK and G-B during this difficult time,” he said, announcing that he would soon visit the flood-hit areas of G-B to express solidarity. He added a federal relief package would also be announced to compensate for the damages “as much as possible.” Also Read: APC calls for abolishing SIFC, 26th Amendment, creating new 'Charter of Democracy' The prime minister instructed all relevant federal institutions to coordinate closely with the local administrations in assessing damage and accelerating rescue and rehabilitation efforts. He stressed that “preventing further human and material loss must remain the top priority.” He also ordered immediate restoration of communication infrastructure, particularly roads, damaged by the floods. It is pertinent to mention that the G-B government has declared 37 flood-affected areas as calamity-hit zones and imposed an emergency to manage the crisis. Meanwhile, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik briefed the meeting on the nationwide impact of the monsoon season and upcoming weather forecasts for the region. Also Read: Islamabad Express derails on Pindi-Karachi route According to the NDMA chief, 295 people have so far lost their lives and over 700 others have sustained injuries. More than 1,600 homes have been completely destroyed, while 376 livestock deaths have also been reported. He warned that rivers and streams were experiencing severe pressure due to continuous rainfall. Low-level flooding is anticipated in Tarbela, Chashma, Taunsa, and Kalabagh, while medium-level flooding is likely at Marala and Guddu on the Chenab River. Lt Gen Malik further cautioned that the monsoon season was expected to intensify towards the end of the month. “NDMA is undertaking comprehensive preparations to ensure that effective preventive and relief measures are in place,” he told the meeting.

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APC calls for abolishing SIFC, 26th Amendment, creating new 'Charter of Democracy'

Opposition leaders urged all political parties to come together to establish constitutional norms for inter-party relations, calling for a new democratic framework, systemic reforms, and an end to political victimisation and institutional overreach. An All Parties Conference (APC), organised by Tehreek Tahafuz Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP), was hosted at former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar’s residence in Islamabad on Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s invitation. The conference brought together leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), former senators, legal experts, and civil society groups. Issuing a wide-ranging manifesto, the APC demanded the dissolution of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the 26th Amendment, immediate release of political detainees, lifting of media restrictions, and the referral of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Read More: Opposition demands end to 'engineered politics' Reading out the joint declaration, Khokhar condemned “escalating authoritarian practices” and demanded immediate release of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, with expedited hearings in the Islamabad High Court and Supreme Court. He described the sentencing of dozens of PTI activists and opposition lawmakers a day earlier as a “black day” in democratic history, asserting “the hybrid regime wants the complete elimination of opposition in the country.” Delegates also called for the creation of a new 'Charter of Democracy' reaffirming the supremacy of the 1973 Constitution, rule of law, judicial independence, and the establishment of an impartial and autonomous Election Commission. A declaration warned: “As a result of successive assaults by the hybrid regime, the Constitution of Pakistan—including the fundamental rights in Articles 8 to 18—and the parliamentary democratic system have been rendered meaningless.” Also Read: FO slams India's 'Operation Mahadev' as 'entirely fabricated' The conference further demanded abolition of SIFC, calling it unconstitutional and in violation of the 18th Amendment. “SIFC is contrary to the spirit of the 18th Amendment and the Constitution. We demand its dissolution and cancellation of plans to transfer millions of acres of land—acquired in the name of corporate farming—to Green Initiative Company.” Criticising civil–military interference, the APC accused federal and defence institutions of undermining civilian agencies, eroding public trust in law enforcement and the justice system. It demanded immediate reforms and restoration of confidence in the judiciary. Addressing judicial independence, the resolution declared: “Following the 26th Constitutional Amendment, judicial independence has been reduced to a slogan and is effectively nonexistent in Pakistan. Kangaroo courts are now serving establishment interests; regular courts serve select individuals, while the chief justice has become a symbolic figurehead.” To reverse this, the conference called for full repeal of the amendment, ending all interference, and establishing an impartial system for judicial appointments. “To restore the sanctity of the judiciary… the complete repeal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment is necessary,” it said. Also Read: Imran's sons await visa approval, says Aleema Khan On provincial autonomy, the APC demanded that mineral resources in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit‑Baltistan remain under local control, declaring any legislation or contracts made without provincial consent as null and void. The declaration also demanded release of missing persons in Balochistan and K‑P via court appearances, immediate dissolution of illegal private militias alleged to have establishment backing, and release of political prisoners. It insisted on the constitutional right to fair trials. It further called for removal of restrictions on pilgrims (Zaireen) from Balochistan heading to Iran and Iraq, terming bans a violation of religious and human rights, and demanded greater local involvement in managing border areas adjacent to Iran and Afghanistan. Also Read: Five cops martyred as Katcha bandits attack check post in Rahim Yar Khan Promoting transitional justice, the APC proposed a Truth and Reconciliation Commission modelled on South Africa, stating: “Every institution or individual who, from the founding of Pakistan until today, has played any role against democracy, the rights of the people, or the Constitution must voluntarily appear before this commission and confess to their crimes and errors.” The resolution emphasised promoting democratic culture and inter‑party consultation to curb political victimisation. Voicing concern over Pakistan’s socio‑economic situation, the APC highlighted that around 45 per cent of Pakistanis live below the poverty line, salaried purchasing power has declined by 58 per cent, overall unemployment stands at 22 per cent and youth unemployment exceeds 30 per cent. Finally, the opposition urged the K‑P government to comply with the Peshawar High Court’s verdict striking down the FATA‑TOF regulation and to withdraw its appeal in the Supreme Court.

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Properties of 120 PTI lawmakers, workers forfeited in May 9 cases

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Sargodha has sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker Ismael Khan to life imprisonment and forfeited his entire property to the state in connection with a May 9 riot case filed with the Mianwali police. This is the third judgment among those delivered by Anti-Terrorism Courts in which the convict’s entire property has been forfeited to the government. A total of 120 PTI leaders and workers have had their properties confiscated. Previously, a Faisalabad court forfeited the properties of 90 convicts to the government, while 29 others had their properties forfeited by the Sargodha court under Section 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. Read More: PTI's Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz sentenced to up to 10 years in May 9 cases On May 9, 2023, PTI lawmakers and supporters staged violent protests across the country in response to the arrest of party founder Imran Khan. The protests involved vandalism of military installations and state-owned buildings, including the Corps Commander’s house in Lahore. The case involves charges against 53 accused individuals, including prominent PTI lawmakers such as opposition leaders Omar Ayub (National Assembly) and Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar (Punjab Assembly). However, two accused, Ayub and Ziaul Haq, initially absconded during their statements under Section 342 of the CrPC. Additionally, 50 other accused fled during the final arguments, leading to their case being separated from that of the remaining accused after proclamations were issued. The ATC judge noted that attempts appeared to be made to delay the proceedings by these absconders, potentially indicating deliberate efforts to prolong the decision of the case.

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