Chinese, Afghan FMs arrive in Islamabad today

Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi will arrive here on Friday (today) on a four-day visit to Pakistan to participate in the 5th China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, the Foreign Office said on Thursday. Muttaqi will lead a high-level delegation, including Acting Afghan Minister for Commerce and Industry Haji Nooruddin Azizi, and senior officials from the Afghan ministries of foreign affairs, transport, and trade, the Foreign Office added. “The visit of the Acting Afghan Foreign Minister is a continuation of Pakistan’s political engagement process with Afghanistan,” the Foreign Office said. It added that Pakistan was committed to pursue practical engagement with the Afghan government. Also read: Chinese FM to visit Pakistan for trilateral Afghan dialogue The 5th China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue will be held on May 6. The Foreign Office said that Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang will also participate in the meeting. During Muttaqi’s visit, the two sides would also “review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations in the political, economic, trade, connectivity, peace and security, and education domains”, according to the Foreign Office statement. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning, confirmed that Foreign Minister Qin would visit Pakistan on May 5 to 6 and attend the three-way dialogue on Afghanistan. Mao said that it would be Qin’s first visit to Pakistan as the country’s foreign minister. “The visit of Qin Gang is also an important part of the recent intensive interaction between China and Pakistan,” she said. During the visit, Foreign Minister Qin would meet with the leaders of Pakistan, and co-chair the fourth strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers of China and Pakistan with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. "Qin Gang will conduct face-to-face and in-depth communication on the relations between the two countries and the international and regional situation," she added. “China looks forward to exchanging views with Afghanistan and Pakistan on the situation and trilateral cooperation through this [trilateral] dialogue,” she added. (With additional input from APP)

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Reference against Isa came from above: Imran

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday said that the reference against Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Isa during his tenure as premier was filed on the orders of an “authority” which was “even superior” to the then DG ISI Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed. In May 2019, President Arif Alvi, on the advice of Imran, had filed a reference against Justice Isa. The reference alleged that the judge had acquired three properties in London on lease in the name of his wife and children between 2011 and 2015, but did not disclose them in his wealth returns. Later, in a rejoinder to the assertions made by the attorney general for Pakistan, Justice Isa stated that he was not under obligation to provide the money trail for his family's properties, saying his wife and adult children were not his dependents and conducted their own affairs. He further said that the reference was part of a "witch-hunt" aimed at "silencing judges". Read more: Bails of Imran, other PTI leaders extended in Zaman Park violence cases The reference was later quashed by the apex court. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had termed the reference a nefarious conspiracy to divide the independence of judiciary and accused Imran of carrying out a vendetta against the judge. On Thursday, the PTI chief in an apparent reference to former army chief General Bajwa said that the reference against Justice Isa was filed on the orders of an authority which was even superior to then DG ISI. He was speaking to media in the federal capital while appearing before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). “We were told that law is equal for everyone, therefore, (Justice) Faez Isa will also be held accountable. Later, [I] realised that the purpose [of filing reference] was something else,” he said. “One section [of a society] in Pakistan plunders [nation’s wealth] and takes NRO. Similarly, there is a section (powers that be) where a black Vigo comes and picks up people and no one can ask them (any question).” Responding to a question about action against “corrupt” army officers if he again comes to power, the former premier said that he will act according to rule of law. Meanwhile, Imran announced holding rallies in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar on Saturday (tomorrow) to show solidarity with the Supreme Court and for the supremacy of the Constitution. He made this announcement through a video message before leaving for a hearing at IHC. The PTI chairman said he would lead the rally in Lahore to convey to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial that the people were standing behind the judiciary. He urged the people to come to the streets on Saturday to express their solidarity with the top judge amid ongoing “conflict” between the judiciary and parliament over the holding of elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “People must come out of their houses for one hour on May 6 to foil the ‘mafias’ designs against the top judge. Such elements are creating a divide among the Supreme Court judges,” he added. Castigating the ruling coalition, Imran said it was running away from elections and had been violating the Constitution and opposing the CJP. “Come out of your houses for the sake of your children’s and country’s future, and tell the chief justice that the nation is standing with you,” he said. While referring to a senior army officer, he said “Dirty Harry” had hatched another plan to “assassinate him”, adding that news circulated that he and PTI leader Murad Saeed faced life threat from terrorists. “Everyone should know that ‘Dirty Harry’ is responsible if anything happens to us. I have no threats from foreign agencies or terrorists but from ‘Dirty Harry’,” he alleged. With input from News Desk

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Qureshi emphasises broader view of Pakistan-India relations

Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi recently discussed various aspects of the relationship between Pakistan and India, emphasising that while trade between the two countries is economically beneficial, it cannot be viewed in isolation from other issues. Qureshi's comments came in a recent interview with the Times of India at a time when his successor, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, was attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers in Goa, marking the first time a Pakistani foreign minister visited India in over a decade. He noted that his party was not opposing the exercise and understood that this was a "multilateral obligation." Regarding trade between the two countries, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader acknowledged its economic benefits but stressed that it should not be seen as a stand-alone solution to improving relations. "It has to go in tandem with other things… but only trade [is] not enough," he said. "Trade can help improve relations, but trade in itself will not be enough." Read more: FM Bilawal arrives in Goa to attend SCO meeting Qureshi also stated that Pakistan desires peaceful relations with India and that dialogue is the only way to resolve outstanding issues. He suggested that human rights, treatment of minorities, and water challenges should be discussed, and called for recognition that the abrogation of Article 370 is an internationally recognised dispute that cannot be brushed aside as India's internal matter. He further emphasised the need for dialogue to resolve outstanding issues and stated that "we do not have a military solution to our issues, but they have to be resolved politically. They have to be resolved through dialogue." He added that his party and he desire peace with India, but there cannot be peace without dialogue and recognition of the issues at hand. Qureshi expressed hope that Bilawal's visit to Goa would provide an opportunity to raise relevant issues, such as human rights and water challenges, and that he would not be shy about discussing them. He also suggested that while the SCO is a multilateral forum where bilateral issues cannot be raised, "on the sidelines... he should not miss that opportunity."

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Reference against Isa came from above: Imran

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday said that the reference against Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Isa during his tenure as premier was filed on the orders of an “authority” which was “even superior” to the then DG ISI Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed. In May 2019, President Arif Alvi, on the advice of Imran, had filed a reference against Justice Isa. The reference alleged that the judge had acquired three properties in London on lease in the name of his wife and children between 2011 and 2015, but did not disclose them in his wealth returns. Later, in a rejoinder to the assertions made by the attorney general for Pakistan, Justice Isa stated that he was not under obligation to provide the money trail for his family's properties, saying his wife and adult children were not his dependents and conducted their own affairs. He further said that the reference was part of a "witch-hunt" aimed at "silencing judges". Read more: Bails of Imran, other PTI leaders extended in Zaman Park violence cases The reference was later quashed by the apex court. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had termed the reference a nefarious conspiracy to divide the independence of judiciary and accused Imran of carrying out a vendetta against the judge. On Thursday, the PTI chief in an apparent reference to former army chief General Bajwa said that the reference against Justice Isa was filed on the orders of an authority which was even superior to then DG ISI. He was speaking to media in the federal capital while appearing before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). “We were told that law is equal for everyone, therefore, (Justice) Faez Isa will also be held accountable. Later, [I] realised that the purpose [of filing reference] was something else,” he said. “One section [of a society] in Pakistan plunders [nation’s wealth] and takes NRO. Similarly, there is a section (powers that be) where a black Vigo comes and picks up people and no one can ask them (any question).” Responding to a question about action against “corrupt” army officers if he again comes to power, the former premier said that he will act according to rule of law. Meanwhile, Imran announced holding rallies in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar on Saturday (tomorrow) to show solidarity with the Supreme Court and for the supremacy of the Constitution. He made this announcement through a video message before leaving for a hearing at IHC. The PTI chairman said he would lead the rally in Lahore to convey to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial that the people were standing behind the judiciary. He urged the people to come to the streets on Saturday to express their solidarity with the top judge amid ongoing “conflict” between the judiciary and parliament over the holding of elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “People must come out of their houses for one hour on May 6 to foil the ‘mafias’ designs against the top judge. Such elements are creating a divide among the Supreme Court judges,” he added. Castigating the ruling coalition, Imran said it was running away from elections and had been violating the Constitution and opposing the CJP. “Come out of your houses for the sake of your children’s and country’s future, and tell the chief justice that the nation is standing with you,” he said. While referring to a senior army officer, he said “Dirty Harry” had hatched another plan to “assassinate him”, adding that news circulated that he and PTI leader Murad Saeed faced life threat from terrorists. “Everyone should know that ‘Dirty Harry’ is responsible if anything happens to us. I have no threats from foreign agencies or terrorists but from ‘Dirty Harry’,” he alleged. With input from News Desk

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NA refers matter of Justice Naqvi's 'illegitimate assets' to PAC

The National Assembly (NA) referred on Thursday the matter of “amassing illegitimate assets” by Supreme Court's (SC) Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Speaking in the NA today, senior PML-N leader Sardar Ayaz Sadiq while addressing deputy NA speaker Zahid Akram Durrani, said that it is the responsibility of the NA to investigate the allegations and “clear” the name of the honourable judge. Sadiq furthered that a lot of fingers were being were pointed out at the honourable judges, adding that it Was very “hurtful" to see "because all judges are honourable for us”. While referring to Justice Naqvi, the PML-N leader said that because of “one judge, all other judges are being defamed”. Read Lawyers bodies to move SJC against SC judge وفاقی وزیر برائے اقتصادی امور سردار ایاز صادق کا قومی اسمبلی میں پوائنٹ آف آرڈر پر اظہارِ خیال ان کی معزز جسٹس مظاہر نقوی صاحب کا معاملہ پبلک اکاؤنٹس کمیٹی منتقل کرنے کی استدعا منظور انہوں نے کہا کہ ایک معزز جج صاحب جن پر مختلف بار کونسل کی طرف سے ریفرنسز بھی دائر کیے گئے… pic.twitter.com/Dvs9KDSZ4m — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) May 4, 2023 “I would request you to refer this matter to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) with the direction to complete the inquiry within 10-15 days,” Sadiq said while addressing the deputy NA speaker. He further said that a special audit should be conducted by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and a joint team should be constituted with the attorney general of Pakistan (AGP). Earlier this year, a judicial reference was filed against Justice Naqvi in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), accusing him of "misconduct" and "amassing illegitimate assets". The complaint against Justice Naqvi was filed by advocate Mian Dawood for allegedly violating the code of conduct for judges of the SC, issued under Clause (8) of Article 209 of the Constitution. Read more Divided opinion: Lawyers say SC ‘lost’ suo motu case In a tweet, Dawood said that the reference was filed in the SJC "on the grounds of misconduct, creation of illegal assets, and amassing wealth through frontmen". According to the reference, the SC judge and his family members were found "involved in following malpractices and misuse of power in a criminal-designed pattern during his service". In the complaint, it is alleged that Justice Naqvi used his position "to facilitate his sons and a daughter studying abroad and getting financial gains from Zahid Rafique". The complaint further claims that the SC judge "openly flaunts his relation with the PTI and its leader Imran Khan" and has "influenced" and "manipulated" legal cases, adding that "cases are being fixed" in his court.

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Man killed in gun attack at Judicial Complex Peshawar

A man was killed inside the Judicial Complex Peshawar on Thursday after his "relative" opened fire at him. According to the police, the incident, which took place within the limits of the Sharqi police station, was the result of a property dispute within the family. The deceased, identified as Asfandyar, was attacked by Zubair. The police foiled the suspect’s attempt to escape, arrested him and recovered the gun used in the attack from him. A day earlier, a man was shot dead and two others were injured over a property dispute in Lahore. The two groups confronted each other over the dispute; they opened fire at each other after a brief altercation. Read Man stabs brother for property As a result, 24-year-old Ammar, Waleed and Farhan sustained bullet injuries. They were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment where Ammar died. The other two victims were undergoing treatment. The police said that they were investigating the matter further. In March this year, a man reportedly shot dead seven members of his family, including his mother and two brothers, in Pakpattan over a property dispute. Local police officials told The Express Tribune that the suspect named Sarwar had murdered his mother, two brothers, two nephews, a niece and a sister-in-law. Another niece of the suspect was severely injured in the attack. The suspected murderer fled from the scene after the incident. Heavy contingents of police and Rescue 1122 officials arrived at the spot after the incident.

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Labourer ‘tortured’ by landlord

A young labourer was allegedly tortured at the hands of an influential landlord over refusing to work in his field, situated within the limits of Qaboola police station. The suspect reportedly abducted the victim, Shahzad, from his home and took to his camp in Machchi Singh village on Wednesday. The victim was then allegedly locked in a room and brutally tortured with a pipe by the landlord and his accomplices. The assault resulted in Shahzad losing an eye. The victim and his family reported the incident to the police, but no action was taken initially due to the influence of the landlord. However, after the incident gained widespread attention in the media, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sahiwal Mehboob Rasheed took strict notice and demanded immediate action from DPO Pakpattan. As per District Police Officer (DPO) Tariq Wilayat's report, Ismail, Aslam and others, allegedly abducted Shahzad from his home in Machchi Singh village and took him to their camp, where they subjected him to severe torture with a pipe. As per the RPO's orders, the prime suspect Ismail has been apprehended, while the search for the remaining accused is underway. Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2023.

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