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India-Pakistan

In shock result, allies of jailed ex-leader Khan win most seats in Pakistan election

2024-02-11

[CNN ...formerly the Cable News Network, now who know what it might stand for... ] Independent candidates affiliated with incarcerated Maw! They're comin' to get me, Maw! Pak political leader Imran Khan ...aka The Great Khan, who who convinced himself that playing cricket qualified him to lead a nuclear-armed nation with severe personality disorders... ’s party won the most National Assembly seats in Pakistain’s general election, delivering a surprise victory in a vote marred by a slow count and rigging allegations. According to the Election Commission of Pakistain, independent candidates won 98 seats so far, with 22 seats still unclaimed. The majority of the independents are affiliated with Khan’s party, Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf ...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations.... (PTI). The Pakistain Moslem League Nawaz party (PMLN), headed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ...served two three non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf, then by the courts... , which had been favored to sweep the polls, has so far won the second-most seats with 69. The Pakistain People’s Party (PPP) has the third-most with 51 seats. None of the three major parties of the country will win the necessary 169 seats to have a majority in parliament and, therefore, will be unable to form government on their own, leaving it unclear who will be picked to be the country’s next prime minister. In a speech released Friday, an AI-generated version of Khan claimed victory in the election and called on his supporters to "now show the strength of protecting your vote." Khan, who has been behind bars since August, has been using AI to get messages out to supporters. "You kept my trust, and your massive turnout has stunned everyone," the AI voice said in the video. Khan’s opponent, former Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, claimed that his PMLN party had emerged with the largest share. He admitted that his party did not have the "majority to form a government" and was looking for coalition partners. Sharif, who once saw one of his terms end in a military coup, is considered by analysts to be favored by the country’s military establishment. The military has previously denied backing Sharif. Speaking on Saturday, Pakistain’s Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir said: "The nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarization which does not suit a progressive country of 250 million people." "Pakistain’s diverse polity and pluralism will be well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces imbibed with national purpose," Munir added.

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India-Pakistan

Pakistan Elections: Imran Khan’s PTI takes early lead as counting gets underway

2018-07-26

[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Pakistain was locked in a close and tense election race on Wednesday, pitting cricket hero Imran Khan ... aka Taliban Khan, who isn't your heaviest-duty thinker, maybe not even among the top five... against the party of tossed in the slammer Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf, then by the courts... in a process marred by a suicide bomb that killed 31 people near a polling station. Electoral authorities said official results declaring an outright winner were not expected before late Thursday morning. However, a hangover is the wrath of grapes... early unofficial results gave cricket star Imran Khan and his Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf ...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations.... Party a commanding lead over his main rival, Shahbaz Sharif ...Pak dynastic politician, brother of PM Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab... ’'s Pakistain Moslem League. Jubilant Khan supporters danced to the beat of drums at his party headquarters in Islamabad, sensing a victory. The sound of fire crackers echoed in the night sky. Sharif, the younger brother of disgraced Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been tossed in the slammer Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! on corruption charges, disputed the election results even before they were announced. He charged fraud and vowed not to accept the results, generating fears that disgruntled losers could delay the formation of the next government. The parliamentary balloting marked only the second time in Pakistain's 71-year history that one civilian government has handed power to another in the country of 200 million people. There also have been widespread concerns during the election campaign about manipulation by the military, which has directly or indirectly ruled the country for most of its existence. "We will sweep the elections," said Abdul Basit, a supporter of Khan’s, who watched the results on a large TV screen. Neither Khan nor Sharif’s party appeared likely to win a clear majority in the too-close-to-call election, with results likely to be known by around 2 a.m. local time on Thursday (2100 GMT Wednesday).

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India-Pakistan

Arrest warrant issued for ex-Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

2017-10-27

[Khaama (Afghanistan)] A court in Pakistain has issued the arrest warrant of the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf, then by the courts... nearly three months after he was disqualified over corruption charges. According to the local media reports, the bailable arrest warrant was issued today by the country’s anti-corruption court. The reports further add that the arrest warrant was issued for two cases of corruption spiralling from Panama Papaers leak. The warrant was reportedly issued after he failed to appear in the court in two graft cases ‐ the Flagship Investment case and the al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hill Metal Establishment case. This comes as Supreme Court of Pakistain late in July disqualified the country’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over corruption charges. The decision regarding the disqualification of Sharif as Pakistain’s Premier was announced on 28th July after he was found guilty of involvement in corruption.

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India-Pakistan

Pakistan's prime minister removed amid corruption probe

2017-07-28

Pakistan's top court on Friday disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office after a damning corruption probe into his family wealth, cutting short his third stint in power and ordering a criminal investigation of his family. In a surprise move, the court also dismissed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, one of Sharif's closest allies who has been credited with steering the economy to its fastest pace of growth in a decade. But Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party, which has a majority in parliament, is expected to name a new prime minister to hold office until elections due next year. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Sharif was not fit to hold office after an investigative panel alleged his family could not account for its vast wealth. "He is no more eligible to be an honest member of the parliament, and he ceases to be holding the office of prime minister," Judge Ejaz Afzal Khan said in court. Prior to the decision, several cabinet ministers, including Sharif's closest allies, said the ruling party would respect the Supreme Court's verdict. "Go, Nawaz, Go," shouted supporters of the PTI opposition party who had gathered outside the court, and who jeered politicians from Sharif's party.

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India-Pakistan

Panamagate JIT: There is nothing to fear as our hands are clean, asserts PM

2017-07-07

[DAWN] Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday hoped that he and his family would come out clear of the Panamagate scandal and said, “There is nothing to fear as our hands are clean.” Talking to the journalists accompanying him on his two-day visit to Tajikistan, the prime minister asked “What are the allegations against me? Have I looted the national exchequer? Have I done some corruption or got kickbacks?” He said accountability was being held of a person who made this country a nuclear power. He regretted that his family business matters were being exploited for political gains.

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India-Pakistan

Protests hit held Kashmir after killing of militant leader

2017-05-28

[DAWN] In scenes reminiscent of what transpired in the aftermath of popular myrmidon leader Burhan Wani’s killing, a civilian lost his life and dozens of others were maimed on Saturday after massive anti-India protests and festivities erupted in India-held Kashmire following the death of a top myrmidon commander and his associate in a shootout with Indian troops. Militant commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat and one of his comrades were killed after troops cordoned off the southern Tral area overnight following a tip that snuffies were hiding there, police said. The shootout ended on Sat­urday and soldiers recovered the bodies of two myrmidons. However, Caliphornia hasn't yet slid into the ocean, no matter how hard it's tried... they were searching the area for at least one more body, police said. The two were not the only snuffies to be slain on Saturday. At least six other snuffies were also killed in the disputed Himalayan region. Two others had been slain on Friday, taking the total number of snuffies killed in held Kashmire on Friday and Saturday to at least 10. As the shootout raged in southern Tral area between Indian troops on the one hand and Bhat and his comrade on the other, hundreds of angry residents chanting anti-India slogans mounted a march in an attempt to help the trapped pair escape, according to sources. Clashes between rock-throwing protesters and government forces erupted in different places in the area, with police and paramilitary soldiers firing shotgun pellets and tear gas to stop the protests. Witnesses said a young man was killed and several other people were maimed after Indian forces fired on the protesters near the site of the shootout. Police chief of the disputed region S.P. Vaid claimed the man was killed in a crossfire. As the news of the myrmidon leader’s killing spread in the region, thousands of people, including students, erupted into the streets shouting "Go India, go back" and "We want freedom". Traders shuttered shops and businesses across the Kashmire Valley, including Srinagar. Offi­cials said festivities were reported in more than four dozen places in the disputed region. Dozens of civilians were reportedly injured in the festivities. Police claimed at least 25 coppers and paramilitary soldiers were also injured. In an effort to quell the protests, authorities declared an indefinite security lockdown in parts of Srinagar and other major cities and towns across the valley starting on Sunday, which marks the beginning of Ramazan. They also suspended most internet services in the region a day after they had lifted a month-long ban on 22 social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter. Kashmiri leaders who challenge India’s illusory sovereignty over Kashmire called for a general strike on Sunday and Monday. Other myrmidons Earlier on Saturday, soldiers killed six snuffies near the Line of Control (LoC), the Indian Army claimed. A shootout erupted after the group of heavily armed snuffies crossed over from Azad Kashmire to the western Rampur sector of held Kashmire, said army front man Col Rajesh Kalia. On Friday, the army said soldiers had killed two suspected snuffies in the same area. There was no independent confirmation of the incidents, however. Pakistain’s reaction In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj PrunefaceAziz ...Adviser to Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs, who believes in good jihadis and bad jihadis as a matter of national policy... condemned the killing of 12 Kashmiri youths by Indian forces since Friday and said three of them had been slain "extra-judicially". Highlighting the gravity of the situation in the disputed region, he urged the international community -- particularly the United Nations ...boodling on the grand scale... , Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and human rights ...which are often intentionally defined so widely as to be meaningless... organizations -- to call upon India to immediately stop the ruthless killings of defenceless Kashmiris

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India-Pakistan

Lawyers threaten countrywide movement if 'PM does not step down in 7 days'

2017-05-21

[DAWN] The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have threatened to launched a countrywide movement calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... if the premier does not step down in seven days. Both bar associations are of the view that in light of the Supreme Court's ruling on the Panama Papers case, the prime minister should no longer hold the position and should therefore resign, a joint notification issued by the two bar associations said. The notification from the two bodies came soon after SCBA and LHCBA members clashed with lawyers supporting the ruling Pakistain Moslem League - Nawaz (PML-N) government at the all Pakistain lawyers’ representatives convention on Saturday. The convention was called to reiterate the lawyers' demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation in wake of the Panama case verdict and also discuss the role of the bar associations in this regard.

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India-Pakistan

Panama Papers are trash, claims Maryam

2017-05-05

[DAWN] Maryam Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... , the daughter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, triggered a new controversy on Tuesday when she took to social media to attack the authenticity of the Panama Papers and the journalists who exposed them. Her tweets came as the Supreme Court announced the formation of a three-member bench to monitor progress on the investigation it had ordered in its April 20 verdict, where it had also ordered the constitution of a joint investigation team (JIT) consisting of personnel from various military and civil investigative agencies. In a series of tweets, sent out after the prime minister’s address in Layyah, Ms Sharif dismissed the Panama Papers as "crap". She said the leaks had been "trashed in the rest of the world", adding: "Those relying on it to bring down [Nawaz Sharif will] bite the dust Insha’Allah".

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India-Pakistan

Man attacked for blasphemy in Chitral

2017-04-22

A mob attacked a man accused of blasphemy during Friday prayers in a northern Pakistani town and injured six police officers after they intervened to rescue him, police said. It was the third blasphemy-related incident in Pakistan this month, after a student was beaten to death by a lynch mob and a faith healer was shot dead. Security officials in Chitral fired tear gas and live rounds on the mob, injuring eight protesters, after they attacked the local police headquarters and demanded that alleged blasphemer Rashid Ahmed be made available for mob justice. "We told them that Ahmed will be examined medically and if he was found mentally fit then he will be tried under the blasphemy law, but the mob was not satisfied," said local police chief Akbar Ali Shah. Shah said he had asked for Army assistance to help control the crowds, but a Reuters correspondent at the scene said soldiers had yet to arrive. Witnesses say that Ahmed entered the local mosque asking to make an important announcement, then declared himself a messiah and said that he would lead his followers to paradise. In the civilized world he would then be tested to see which of several mental illnesses he was suffering from, or whether his delusions were drug-induced. An angry congregation then turned violent and attacked Ahmed, who Shah said appeared to be suffering from mental illness. He suffered a beating, but police said his injuries were not life-threatening. The government has been vocal on the issue of blasphemy, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issuing an order last month for the removal of blasphemous content online and saying anyone who posted it should face "strict punishment under the law". Police are investigating over 20 students and some faculty members in connection with the killing of Mashal Khan, the student who was beaten to death on April 13 in an attack that shocked the country. Since then, parliament has discussed adding safeguards to the blasphemy laws, a move seen as groundbreaking in Pakistan where political leaders have been assassinated for even discussing changes. In 2011, Punjab governor Salman Taseer was assassinated by his bodyguard after calling for reforms. Taseer's killer, executed last year, has been hailed by religious hardliners as a martyr to Islam and a shrine has been erected at his grave.

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Arabia

Islamabad reaffirms support to Yemeni leadership

2017-03-14

[DAWN] Top government officials in Islamabad on Monday reaffirmed their support to Yemeni leadership amid reports that the Pakistain army is sending combat troops to reinforce Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... 's southern border from attacks by Yemen's Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ... rebels. President Mamnoon Hussain in a meeting with Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister Abdulmalik Aduljalil al-Mekhlafi today asserted that Moslem countries should work together for progress and stability by avoiding mutual differences, Radio Pakistain reported. He told al-Mekhlafi, who is also Yemen's foreign minister, that Pakistain wishes to contribute to progress and stability in Yemen, and desires the restoration of piece in the conflict-stricken country. Manoon said Pakistain supports Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's efforts for peace in Yemen ...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of. Except for a tiny handfull of Jews everthing there is very Islamic... and regards him as the legitimate leader of the country. He added that Pakistain would continue to support Hadi and Yemen for peace and progress in the region. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj PrunefaceAziz ...Adviser to Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs, who believes in good jihadis and bad jihadis as a matter of national policy... in a separate meeting with al-Mekhlafi assured the Yemeni foreign minister that Pakistain has always supported the unity, illusory sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen, and would continue to offer all possible assistance for restoration of peace and stability in the country, Radio Pakistain reported. Aziz appreciated the Yemeni government's efforts towards restoring peace, harmony and stability in the war-torn country.

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India-Pakistan

Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav has been booked, will be prosecuted: Sartaj Aziz

2017-03-04

[DAWN] Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj PrunefaceAziz ...Adviser to Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs, who believes in good jihadis and bad jihadis as a matter of national policy... on Friday briefed the Senate that the government was not considering any option to extradite Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, and said an FIR had been registered against the alleged Indian spy. While speaking during the Question Hour in Senate, Aziz explained that "it has never been said that there was any lack of evidence against Jadhav". Senator Talha Mehmood had asked the adviser whether the government was planning to give the same 'red carpet' treatment to Jadhav, which they gave to CIA contractor Raymond Davis. "We have prepared an FIR and a case in the process of registration to prosecute the Indian state actor for involvement in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistain," he told the House in response to the query. The adviser said Pakistain has shared a dossier with the UN Secretary General on the Indian involvement in internal affairs of Pakistain and in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistain. "This dossier includes details about Kulbhushan Jadhav and his activities." He said the government is also examining the possibilities for sharing the dossier with other countries and international organizations. He explained that dossier was not the only route to deal with the issue, and the actual route is prosecution, for which a case is being prepared. The adviser also said the dossier has been prepared based on thorough groundwork and input from various state departments. "This is a very delicate and sensitive issue and requires detailed preparation and homework as it relates to the direct or indirect involvement of an Indian state actor in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistain."

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Afghanistan

Afghanistan demands action against 85 Taliban leaders ‘present in Pakistan’

2017-02-21

[GEO.TV] Afghanistan`s Ambassador to Pakistain said on Monday that he has handed over a list of 85 Afghan Taliban and 32 ’terror sanctuaries’ present in Pakistain to Foreign Office and GHQ. Dr Omar Zakhiwal in his message on social media said that: "I had a very positive meeting with Mr Sartaj PrunefaceAziz ...Adviser to Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs, who believes in good jihadis and bad jihadis as a matter of national policy... , Advisor to the PM on Foreign Affairs and a constructive talk with the GHQ right after my return from Kabul ...the capital of Afghanistan. Home to continuous fighting from 1992 to 1996 between the forces of would-be strongman and Pak ISI/Jamaat-e-Islami sock puppet Gulbuddin Hekmayar and the Northern Alliance, a period which won Hek the title Most Evil Man in the World and didn't do much for the reputations of the Northern Alliance guys either.... today. As a result, I expect quick de-escalation of the current tension and the creation of a more positive environment for responding to each other's concerns and grievances in a cooperative manner."

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