D G I S P R p
The need for national unit y has never been stressed as strongly before
BE H I N D the press conference of the DG ISPR lies the sort of harsh reality that made him speak so firmly against the ‘massive illegal, political mafia which he says is opposing Azm-i-Istehkam for personal gain Though Lt Gen Muhammad Sharif named no names in his press conference at Rawalpindi on Monday, he was clearly referring to the PTI the JUI(F) and the ANP as well as other parties which have expressed opposition to Azam-i-Istehkam The harsh reality is that KP is spiralling out of control and it is the Army that is bearing the brunt, whether it be the direct attack on the Cantonment, or the recent firing on a peace march which led to protesters being killed General Sharif put his hand on the proverbial nettle when he said that there was a need to ensure that all of the components of the National Action Plan be implemented such as the registration of madressas He noted that 16,000 were registered, leaving about 50 percent still illegal This is a key demand of the JUI (F) which champions the cause of the madressas and has been a bulwark against their even being registered Many were set up during the Afghan jihad of the 1980s, and remain outside the educational system They are seen as a source of sectarianism and extremism, and because they are not part of the education system, their graduates may have no alternative to unemployment except terrorism However, the JUI(F) prides itself on being the spokesman of those who operate these madressas
However no matter what the monetary angle it must be realized that the country is running out of options The situation in KP is such that matters are no longer in anyone s control What might be revealed about the last decade of PTI rule will not concern anyone trying to get the situation under control There is a particular patch of KP which is affected the former tribal areas and their environs Unfortunately, it has become a large patch It also includes the home constituencies of both the current CM Ali Amin Gandapur and JUI(F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Their personal interests cannot be allowed to turn into a licence for these areas to be turned into a free-for-all
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
V E N before US President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on Sunday, November ’s presidential election had become a dizzying rollercoaster ride In the run-up to this election the Democratic Party failed to consider the impact a weakened Biden would have on the electorate, and it assumed that fear of former president Donald Trump would be enough to win In just the past few weeks, however, two new factors emerged wreaking additional havoc on the foundation of these two assumptions: the horrifying mass shooting at a Trump rally in Butler Pennsylvania and the growing chorus of prominent Democrats urging Mr Biden to step down as their party s presidential nominee Even before last week’s Republican National Convention, polls were showing Trump commanding the support of his party’s faithful In the aftermath of the shooting the embrace intensified with some seeing his escape as
yet, with various factions in the Democratic Party possibly jockeying for power, but she will be the hot favourite ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month It is fair to say then that the current election cycle has been topsy-turvy particularly over the past week And yet it s worth pointing out that within the larger American political context, it is still business as usual For starters, the stakes are still as high as they were since the campaigns kicked off more than a year ago This is truly as my brother John would say “an Armageddon election” No matter who emerges as
no need to be depressed as we are seeking justice from the governments and in the prevailing circumstances of hybrid systems Justice is our last hope and a powerful statement that emphasizes the fundamental role of justice in maintaining social order and fairness It suggests that, in situations where other avenues for resolving issues have failed justice remains a crucial mechanism to ensure that wrong is wrong and fairness is upheld Justice flourishes from good administration and the recognition of merits Good administration ensures that laws and policies are applied fairly and consistently, creating a stable environment where justice can thrive When merits are acknowledged individuals and their actions are evaluated based on their true worth and contributions fostering a sense of fairness and equity Together, these principles uphold the integrity of justice in our society Justice is indeed the foundation of a civilized society It provides the framework within which individuals can coexist peacefully ensuring that
for fostering progress and prosperity in our society When justice is both equitable and swiftly administered it promotes trust and stability which are foundational for social and economic development Fairness ensures that everyone is treated equally under the law, preventing corruption and abuse of power, while promptness prevents the backlog of cases reducing uncertainty and fostering a sense of security among citizens and investors Ultimately these factors create an environment conducive to innovation
and overall societal well-being The bitter assertion that Pakistan has struggled to achieve a robust
system in its 76-
history is supported by several
facts including corruption and political interference The justice system in Pakistan has often been marred by corruption and political interference leading to biased judgments and a lack of trust in judicial processes Delayed Justice is also a main cause, the backlog of cases in Pakistani courts is significant resulting in prolonged delays in justice This undermines
often ineffective failing to address the root causes of inefficiency and corruption Access to justice is very difficult in our society; many citizens particularly those from marginalized communities, face significant barriers in accessing justice due to high costs, complex legal procedures, and geographical limitations
Lack of accountability fosters a huge corruption, there is often a lack of accountability within the judiciary itself with few mechanisms to address judicial misconduct or incompetence Human rights violations are common the justice system has frequently been criticized for human rights violations, including the use of torture, extrajudicial killings, and discrimination against minorities These issues require comprehensive and sustained reforms to ensure a fair transparent and efficient justice system that can truly support progress and prosperity in Pakistan
The issue of judicial independence and pressure on courts in Pakistan is a complex and multifaceted topic The term hybrid intervention often refers to the influence exerted by a combination of military political and other non-democratic forces on the judiciary and other state institutions
Judicial Independence is inevitable and the independence of the judiciary is crucial for upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is administered without fear or favor In Pakistan, there have been numerous instances where the judiciary has come under pressure from various quarters
Establishment Influence is the bone of contention; historically the military has played a significant role in Pakistan s politics, often at the expense of democratic institutions This influence has, at times, extended to the judiciary, affecting its ability to operate independently
Political pressure is also another source of a weak judicial system; as political parties and leaders have also been known to exert influence on the judiciary seeking favorable rulings or attempting to undermine judicial decisions that go against their interests
Public perception never denied the perception of judicial independence is crucial When the public perceives that the judiciary is under pressure or not acting independently it undermines trust in the legal system and the broader democratic framework Recent developments in our judiciary, such as the writing of a letter to the Supreme Court
by Islamabad High Court judges, expose our weak judicial system and it has seen various high-profile cases and judicial decisions that have brought these issues to the forefront Controversies surrounding the appointments of judges, rulings on corruption cases, and other politically sensitive matters often highlight the tensions between different branches of government and the military All eyes on the Supreme Court of Pakistan where a Suo Moto case is pending regarding interference of establishment in judiciary having the pearl significance of tuning the table of hybrid intervention To meet these challenges, it is essential for Pakistan to strengthen the mechanisms that protect judicial independence This includes ensuring transparent and merit-based appointments of judges safeguarding the judiciary from external pressures and fostering a culture of respect for the rule of law across all sectors of society Recent statement of Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar regarding removing the difficulties in the justice delivery system is a good omen It is inevitable for Pakistan to achieve political and economic development through a powerful judicial system It is imperative that all stakeholders including the establishment recognize the importance of a fair and independent judiciary Justice must be seen not just as an ideal, but as a practical necessity for the country’s progress This realization can drive meaningful reforms and foster a more just and prosperous society The Chinese foreign Minister also emphasizes the political stability of Pakistan to achieve its goal of prosperity
The writer is an Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan Law Professor member International Bar Association and former Assistant Attorney General for Pakistan J u s t i c e i s o u r l a s t H o p e
Justice must be seen not just as an ideal, but as a practical necessity for the countryÊs progress. This realization can drive meaningful reforms and foster a more just and prosperous society The Chinese foreign Minister also emphasizes the political stability of Pakistan to achieve its goal of prosperity B i d e n / T r u m p R e d u x ?
Facing the heat
Streets of fear
akhtar aly kureshy
ing to persuade the foreign powers and the US Congress to speak against Pakistan
In this respect in a press conference on July 22 ISPR DG
FEDERAL Information Minister Atta Tarar announced on July 15, this year that the government has decided to ban Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) and is proceeding under the High Treason Act against its founder Imran Khan ex-president Dr Arif Alvi and former National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri
He elaborated: “In view of the foreign funding case, May 9 riots, and the cipher episode as well as the resolution passed in the USA we believe there is very credible evidence present to have the PTI banned
The next day Defence Minister Khawaja Asif clarified that the government would consult with the allies to ban PTI and send a reference to the Supreme Court, for a final decision Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated that no decision had been made in the first place leaving everyone in limbo
However, Khawaja Asif and leaders of the (PML(-N), and the government s other components stated that PTI is already under the gun due to its anti-establishment stance, is committed to an anti-state ideology antistate policies and still boasts on its anti-state activities Therefore the government has decided to ban it by sending a reference to the Supreme Court, and the culprits involved in the incidents of May 9 should be punished
The US House of Representatives passed a resolution on June 26 which called for a full and independent investigation into alleged irregularities in Pakistan s general election which the PTI party alleges was manipulated to deny it victory
Pakistan has said that the USA attempted to “interfere” in its internal affairs
The government’s top entities accused Imran Khan and his party’s leaders of lobby-
A day after the government announced its PTI ban decision, in a press briefing, the US State Department Spokesperson stated: “Certainly banning a political party would be of great concern to us” He also commented on the Supreme Court order to give reserved seats to the PTI
The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson said on June 26 2024 Pakistan believes in constructive dialogue and engagement, but such resolutions are neither constructive nor objective”
On June 29 addressing a press conference the Government’s Spokesperson on Legal Affairs Barrister Aqeel Malik alongside PML-N MNA Shaista Pervaiz Malik in Islamabad, Aqeel Malik regretted that the PTI opposed the National Assembly resolution passed to denounce the US interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs, no Pakistani would compromise on integrity and freedom
He said that the USA has never raised its voice against human rights abuse in Kashmir
Former President Arif Alvi a senior PTI leader, called the Congress resolution a step in the right direction Like the U-turns of the past, in the recent past Imran Khan’s U-turn was that no longer he was blaming America for his ouster as PM but alleged that the establishment led by former Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa removed him from power Following the Pakistani elections, US President Joe Biden congratulated Shehbaz Sharif of the PML(N) after he took oath as the prime minister Meanwhile the Supreme Court on July 12 2024 declared the PTI eligible for women s and minorities reserved seats It is worth mentioning that on July 19, over 10,000 people waving white flags gathered for the rally in Bannu against a planned operation by the Pakistan military to root out militants along the Afghan border with at least one protester killed when gunfire broke out The protest turned violent when crowds reached the walls of an Army facility Impartial analysts and the government s top officials said that the shooting was carried out by those including PTI supporters who wanted to destroy peace and the community is no longer willing to tolerate this Incarcerated ex-PM Imran Khan and a six-party opposition alliance called for a judicial inquiry i even as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government announced the formation of a commission for a “transparent” investigation
Will US defend Japan with nukes or turn it into the line of fire?
B oth the US and Japan have their own c alc ulations behind the push for this joint doc ument Japan wants to boost its deterrent c apabilities through militar y alliance with the US Washington hopes to make Tokyo a thornier pawn in its ‘Indo -Pacific Strategy.’
TH E US which bombed Japan with nuclear weapons is reportedly about to protect Japan with nuclear weapons Reports show that Japan and the US will draft their first joint document on expanded deterrence policy which will include a clause affirming nuclear weapons will be included in US methods to defend Japan However, it might be premature if Japan feels moved by this Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun citing sources reported that the document will specify measures that the US could take in peacetime and emergencies; as well as conditions under which the US could take retaliatory actions against third countries, and what those measures could be, under the backdrop of so-called threats from China and Russia The foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the US will discuss the details at a meeting in Tokyo later this month according to the report Although discussions on the matter started in 2010, when Washington and Tokyo established the Extended Deterrence Dialogue to explore ways to sustain and strengthen extended deterrence the timing of the news this time is quite intriguing If seems that Japan wishes to secure a written commitment over nuclear protection before the US election, to prevent Washington from reneging on its promises after the Oval Office sees a change in its occupant Da Zhigang director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times Both the US and Japan have their own calculations behind the push for this joint document Japan wants to boost its deterrent capabilities through military alliance with the US Washington hopes to make Tokyo a thornier pawn in its IndoPacific Strategy Claims of threats from China and Russia are merely farfetched excuse - the US simply wishes Japan to be more proactive toward China and Russia under the nuclear umbrella so as to alleviate US pressure in countering both countries The essence of today s US nuclear umbrella
Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif clarified about the terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment, which killed eight military personnel He explained that locals had requested a peace march, which was agreed with the condition of no anti-state slogans However “negative elements” joined the march chanting against the army and state pelting stones leading to armed individuals opening fire and causing injuries
General Sharif denounced massive, illegal political mafia attempting to undermine the state’s Azm-i-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability) operation for personal gain He clarified that it is a “comprehensive counterterrorism campaign built on national consensus not a mere military operation He also criticized the legal and judicial system for granting leniency to May 9 perpetrators and facilitators
Renowned foreign human rights groups manipulated the Bannu incident against the Pakistan Army to distort Pakistan s image
Nevertheless Imran Khan is still showing a contradictory approach for if he thinks the entire country is standing with him, why is he sending messages to the establishment for negotiation?
PTI is heading toward a clash by launching an organized social media campaign against COAS and NAB Chairman He doesn t want political and economic stability in the country, being consistently used against Pakistan In fact, the US Congress resolution is a conspiracy not only against Pakistan, but
also against the second phase of CPEC Both the USA and India have already opposed CPEC Analysts agree that in the post-election scenario, Pakistan s multiple crises and challenges have increased and the stakes for the new coalition government would be enormously high The most immediate task for the government would be to negotiate a new bailout agreement with the IMF to seek a new loan to repay debt due this year to avoid a default and stabilize the economy In the 2024-2025 budget, the government was compelled to accept such key IMF demands as an increase in the tax revenue target withdrawal of subsidies taxes on the agriculture sector increase in levy and taxes on power gas and oil sectors privatization of sick government organization Earlier, with the support of0 other parties, especially the PPP, Mian Shehbaz Sharif of PML-leader, secured a comfortable win over the PTI and PTI leader Omar Ayub became opposition leader In his maiden speech in the National Assembly Premier Sharif listed the frail economy and precarious security situation as challenges, and invited all the political entities to pull the country out of the crisis The PML-N PPP and some other political parties also asked the PTI for cooperation so as to achieve political stability But the PTI leaders refused any such collaboration, and alleged election rigging JUI (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman who had confirmed the contacts with the PTI, announced on March 3, that the party will sit in opposition and organize a nationwide movement against the alleged rigging PML(N) and some other parties opine that if elections were rigged or the establishment interfered against the PTI, PTI-backed independents would not have swept the polls in KP The ISPR said that on various occasions and the Army clarified that it had provided a security environment for the election and had nothing to do with the electoral process In various meetings and Corps Commanders Conferences COAS General Asim Munir repeatedly stated that planners and instigators, and attackers of military installations on May 9 would be brought to justice
Showing uncertain approach in an informal conversation with media representatives during the hearing of a case inside Adiala Jail, Khan, who was openly criticizing the Army in the past, again took a U-turn, and stated that the PTI was not against the Army and emphasised that the criticism over rig-
ging was not the criticism of the Army He stressed that without political stability the country could not function In a surprise development KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur participated in the apex committee He also attended an overall productive SIFC meeting He assured complete cooperation and also iterated that the “SIFC an effective forum to stabilise and develop the economy and to solve the country s issues Afterwards he changed his stance targeting the government On the one hand, PTI workers continue protest rallies against rigging, while on the other it has also filed cases in this respect also about forms 45 and 47 PTI-led the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) has called for nationwide protest this Friday saying this protest would be against the deteriorating law and order situation At this critical hour, Pakistan’s armed forces have been coping with internal and external challenges to maintain national security Indian fanatic rulers are also escalating tensions Pakistan is thus facing the challenge of hybrid war Some internal entities, particularly PTI have been
not about protection Rather, it serves as a platform for the US to disrupt regional stability among major powers through providing excuses to enhance strategic offensive capabilities of US allies Japan a non-nuclear weapon state would hardly become a primary target for nuclear strikes, if there will be one Still, the US is now pulling Japan in its “nuclear protection circle” while mulling to deploy nuclear weapons to Japan In that scenario Japan could be viewed as a nuclear-weapon state The US is pushing Japan to be the next battleground And by promoting the joint document, Japan demonstrates its readiness to be considered a potential nuclear target due to its alliance with the US This is hardly protection Tokyo seems to have a fundamental misunderstanding about what truly threatens Japan: Someone who claims to be an ally and a protector The US has been adeptly disrupting regional security dynamics, amplifying regional security threats and heightening concerns among its allies It then offers so-called security protection to these allies through military measures like the nuclear umbrella, fostering increased dependence on American security Leveraging this dependence, the US can assert control over these countries utilizing them to further American global and regional hegemonic ambitions Da told the Global Times How will the US deploy nuclear power to protect Japan? Reports indicate that the details may not be disclosed to the public However when Japan truly requests nuclear protection from the US it suggests Japan faces significant nuclear threats At such a critical juncture, will the US deploy its nuclear arsenal without hesitation?
In American logic, US’ homeland security takes precedence Its hegemonic interests follow and the interests of American citizens abroad come next The interests of US allies rank fourth That says if defending Japan with nuclear weapons poses any risk to US homeland security, Washington will think twice, an anonymous military expert told the Global Times The US nuclear umbrella only protects itself Now Japan must decide what it wants - peaceful development or being pushed to frontline conflicts
IT has been more than 10 days now since the start of the protests against a government job quota system Students and youth across the country have been demonstrating against what they see as an unfair policy favouring a certain group –children of “freedom fighters” in the Bangladesh war of independence But after the government unleashed unprecedented violence, the protests have gone beyond the demand for cancellation of the quota system A list of demands by students has been circulated in an underground press release
1) The prime minister must accept responsibility for the mass killings of students and publicly apologise
2) The home minister and the road transport and bridges minister [the latter is also the secretary general of the Awami League], must resign from their [cabinet] positions and the party
3) Police officers present in the sites where students were killed must be sacked
4) Vice Chancellors of Dhaka Jahangirnagar and Rajshahi universities must resign
5) The police and goons who attacked the students and those who instigated the attacks must be arrested
6) Families of the killed and injured must be compensated
7) Bangladesh Chhatra League [BCL the pro-government student wing which is effectively, the government s vigilante force] must be banned from student politics and a student union established
8) All educational institutions and halls of residences must be reopened
9) Guarantees must be provided that no academic or administrative harassment of protesters will take place That Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina publicly apologises for her disparaging comments about the protesters may seem a minor issue, but will surely be the sticking point This prime minister is not the apologising kind regardless of what she does Regardless of the allegations that she has rigged elections regardless of the fact that corruption has been at an all-time high during her tenure, regardless of the fact that more than 100 students and other protesters have been murdered by her goons and the security forces regardless of the fact that she has deemed all those who oppose her views to be razakars (collaborators of the Pakistan army in 1971) There is certainly not anyone in the negotiating camp who would have the temerity to even suggest such a course for the prime minister There is a Bangla saying “You only have one head on your neck The ministers do the heavy lifting They control the muscles in the streets and manage things when resistance brews The ministers are high-ups in the party, and apart from the difficulty of finding suitable replacements, discarding them would send out the wrong message within the party Vice chancellors and proctors having to resign is an easy one These are discardable min-
ions The perks are attractive and there are many to fill the ranks The police being dumped is not as easy as they provide some of the muscle but friendly fire does take place Compensation is not an issue State coffers are there to be pillaged and public funds being dispensed at party’s behest is a common enough practice The demand to ban BCL and associated student organisations in Dhaka Jahangirnagar and Rajshahi universities is a sticking point as they are the ones who keep the student body in check and are the party cadre called upon when there is any sign of rebellion It is a vigilante group that can kill, kidnap or disappear at party command For a government that lacks legitimacy these are the foot soldiers who terrorise and are essential parts of the coercive machinery Educational institutions being reopened is an issue Students have traditionally been the initiators of protests With such simmering discontent, this would be dangerous, particularly if the local muscle power was clipped The return of independent thinking is something all tyrants fear The cessation of harassment is easy to implement on paper It is difficult to prove and can be done at many levels Removing the official charges will leave all unofficial modes intact
Of all these demands, the apology is the least innocuous, but perhaps the most significant It will dent the aura of invincibility the tyrant exudes She has never apologised for anything Not for her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman setting up the Rakkhi Bahini the paramilitary force which rained terror on the country Not his setting up of Baksal, the one-party system where all other parties and all newspapers, except the four approved ones, were banned Not the numerous extrajudicial killings and disappearances and the liturgy of corruption by people in her patronage during her own tenure
An apology to protesting students while simple, would be a chink in her armour she would be loathe to reveal
Ironically, her father and the Awami League led the resistance against the Pakistani army during the genocide of 1971 The revolutionaries have now become our new occupiers They insist Bangladesh is still a democracy
By now, the body count is impossible to verify I try to piece things together from as many firsthand reports as I can Many of the bodies have a single precisely targeted bullet hole Pellets are aimed at the eyes International news out of touch as the internet has been shut down and mobile connectivity severely throttled, say deaths are more than 100 Those monitoring feel that these numbers are a significant underestimate of the dead and missing Government news report even fewer Staff at city hospitals are less tight-lipped and can give reasonably accurate figures but not all bodies go to hospital morgues An older hospital in Dhaka did report more than 200 bodies being brought in The injured who die on the way to the hospital are not generally admitted Families prefer to take the body
GLOBAL TIMES
Sajjad Shaukat
