24-10-2025

Month: December 2022

Moroccans protest price hikes and ‘repression’

“The people want lower prices… The people want to eliminate despotism and corruption,” chanted the crowd, estimated by journalists to be around 3,000 people, the largest such rally in recent months.

“We came to protest against a government that embodies the marriage of money and power,” said Younes Ferachine, a coordinator from the Moroccan Social Front (FSM) group of political parties and left-wing trade unions that organised the rally.

People converged from across Morocco for the protest, which was also called to highlight the cases of several jailed bloggers and journalists. Hit by the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and inflation, poverty levels are back to where they were in 2014, the government’s High Commission for Planning said in a recent report.

Consumer price inflation was 7.1 percent year-on-year in October, due in large part to surging food prices, triggered partly by an intense drought that has hit farmers.

Faced with the recent protests, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has lately promoted expanding medical coverage, with more than 10 million low-income Moroccans enrolling in recent weeks.

Two killed as protesters, police clash in Syria

Tensions were high in the regime-held city after protesters threw rocks at a government building and stormed it, removing a large picture of President Bashar al-Assad from its facade, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

“At least one protester and one police officer were killed,” Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

The protester was shot dead when security forces opened fire after demonstrators entered the building, he said, adding that government forces have fanned out in the city, dispersing protesters. Local news outlet Suwayda24 confirmed the two deaths and said four others were taken to hospital with gunshot wounds in the Druze-majority city.

The Sweida region south of Damascus is the heartland of the Druze, who made up less than three percent of Syria’s pre-war population and have largely kept out of the country’s civil war. That war has killed nearly half a million people since it began in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests, fragmenting the country and causing economic collapse.

Suwayda24 posted images on social media earlier in the day that showed protesters calling for the fall of the regime as security forces stood guard outside the building.

Other images showed a military vehicle on fire and burning tyres on main streets of the city. Gunshots could be heard in some of the footage. Syria’s interior ministry said a “group of outlaws” killed one policeman while they tried to storm police headquarters. Some protesters carried weapons, the ministry said.

“We will pursue the outlaws, and take legal measures against anyone who tries to tamper with the security and stability of the Sweida governorate and the safety of its citizens,” the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

State television said “lawbreakers” had stormed the provincial government building and “set fire to official documents and files”.

Syria’s economy has been pummelled by both its long-running civil war and Western sanctions against Damascus, and the value of the local currency has plummeted.

Ninety percent of the population now lives below the poverty line and 12.4 million people are food insecure, according to the United Nations.

Sweida and other cities have been hit hard by nationwide electricity rationing and chronic fuel shortages that severely hamper daily life. The government in recent days announced further austerity measures, including more electricity rationing.

In February, hundreds took to the streets in Sweida to demand better living conditions and democratic rule, the Observatory said at the time. Smaller protests were held there in 2020.

The RMT union has rejected an offer from the group representing train companies which sought to stop strikes in the run-up to Christmas.

The latest round of strikes by RMT members at Network Rail and 14 train companies is due to begin in nine days.

The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) said its offer included a pay increase for staff of up to 8% over two years.

But the RMT said it would lead to huge job losses and called for an urgent meeting with bosses on Monday.

In the ongoing row over pay, working conditions and job security for rail workers, industrial action is currently due to take place across four 48-hour periods on 13-14 and 16-17 December, and 3-4 and 6-7 January.

The RDG said the offer it made on Sunday included a pay rise for staff of 4% this year, backdated to the beginning of the financial year, followed by another 4% next year.

The offer also included a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies until April 2024.

In exchange, it was proposing a number of changes to current working practices.

These included repurposing or closing ticket offices, introducing new multiskilled roles, and Sunday working where it is not in place already.

The group proposed the use of part-time contracts and flexible working patterns, which it said would help bring in a more diverse workforce who could fit in shifts around other commitments.

 

The RMT union’s general secretary Mick Lynch said the proposals would not be acceptable to its members.

“We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria for securing a settlement on long-term job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions,” he said.

Mr Lynch added that if the plan was implemented, it would “not only mean the loss of thousands of jobs” because of the closure of ticket offices, for example, but also the use of “unsafe practices” like driver-only operated trains.

He said it would “leave our railways chronically understaffed.”

The RDG had called on the union to avoid “upsetting the travel plans of millions and cause real hardship for businesses which depend on Christmas custom”.

Earlier on Sunday, it described the offer as “fair and affordable offer in challenging times, providing a significant uplift in salary for staff”.

Although its first offer to the RMT was rejected within hours, it said it would still be open to talks.

The RMT union represents workers such as guards and signalling staff.

Along with other rail unions, members of the RMT want pay rises to go up in line with the surging cost of living.

Hospitality bosses have raised concerns, however, that if strikes go ahead in the upcoming weeks, pubs, restaurants and cafes will be severely affected during what is usually the busiest time of the year.

UK Hospitality recently warned that the strike action will cost the sector about £1.5bn in lost sales.

Some 40,000 workers are expected to walk out and there is likely to be disruption in the days around the strikes due to trains not being in the right places.

The rail industry is under pressure to save money after the pandemic left a hole in its finances, and bosses say reforms are needed to modernise the railway and make pay rises affordable.

Other proposals by the RDG to “secure the future of the industry” included a move to drivers also operating the train doors, although guards would be still be on board.

The group said there would be opportunities for redeployment and voluntary redundancy programmes for those rail workers who wished to leave.

The proposals it set out would have had to go to local representatives for approval.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper described the rejection as “incredibly disappointing”.

He said: “Passengers should also receive the service they’ve paid for. This deal will help get trains running on time.”

He added the government would continue to play its part in facilitating talks between the unions and employers.

The RDG offer is separate to negotiations with Network Rail, which employs about half of the workers in the dispute.

Network Rail, which maintains the railways throughout Britain, also made an offer to the RMT, TSSA and Unite unions on Sunday.

What it describes as its “best and final” offer to staff includes a pay rise of up to 9% over two years and no compulsory redundancies for workers in its general grades and controllers until 31 January 2025.

But it previously said that if strikes are to be called off, it would need to happen by the end of Monday to avoid disruption for passengers.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is to promise “the biggest ever transfer of power from Westminster to the British people” if his party wins the next election.

He will launch a report in Leeds on Monday that proposes far-reaching reforms to the UK’s political system.

The report will recommend abolishing the House of Lords, despite some peers warning against this.

Sir Keir told the Sunday Times the changes could take more than one term.

But Sir Keir told the newspaper the report – which he commissioned in 2020 and was overseen by former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown – was not “intended to sit on a shelf”.

The Labour leader said it was “an important report” which “we will now consult about implementing”.

He will set out the recommendations in the report, titled A New Britain, alongside Mr Brown on Monday.

The report will put forward 40 recommendations, including proposals for handing new economic powers to English mayors, local authorities and devolved governments.

The report argues the “continuing over-concentration of power in Westminster and Whitehall is undermining our ability to deliver growth and prosperity for the whole country”, creating a “vicious circle”.

One of its most eye-catching recommendations will be a proposal to scrap the House of Lords and replace it with an elected chamber.

The size and role of the House of Lords has come under scrutiny in recent years, amid warnings that unelected membership has grown excessive, with about 800 sitting members.

The Observer reported last month that Sir Keir told Labour peers part of the argument for reform was the public having “lost faith in the ability of politicians and politics to bring about change”.

Labour is expected to confirm the plans in the next manifesto

Speaking to Times Radio, Conservative peer Lord Norton argued the Lords should remain unelected and urged caution over “Big Bang reform”.

He said the “detailed legislative scrutiny” done by the Lords “improves the law of this country”.

But Labour sources insist the party remains committed to abolishing the Lords.

The party will consult on the report’s proposals and the timeframe in which they can be delivered before deciding whether to put them in its next election manifesto.

One Labour source said “everything in our manifesto we will seek to deliver in a parliamentary term”.

The report comes as Labour enjoys a handsome lead in the polls over the Conservatives, who lost a by-election in Chester by a large margin this week.

In his speech on Monday, Sir Keir is expected to promise “a wider spread of power and opportunity” to deliver “better economic growth that benefits everyone”.

“People know Britain needs change,” he will say. “But they are never going to get it from the Tories. I am determined that, with Labour, people will get the change they deserve.”

India will never succeed in its nefarious goals: Gen Asim Munir

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir Saturday said India would never succeed in its nefarious designs and any misadventure would be responded to befittingly.

The newly appointed army chief made these remarks while visiting frontline troops in the Rakhchikri Sector of Line of Control (LOC) today, according to the military’s media wing.

The COAS was briefed on the latest situation along the LoC and the operational preparedness of the formation.

In his interaction with officers and soldiers, the army chief appreciated their high morale, professional competence and combat readiness while performing their duties in challenging conditions.

Gen Asim said they had noticed highly irresponsible statements from Indian leadership on Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir recently.

“Let me make it categorically clear, Pakistan’s armed forces are ever-ready, not only to defend every inch of our motherland, but also to take the fight back to the enemy, if ever, war is imposed on us,” the COAS emphasised.

He said that any misconception resulting in a misadventure will always be met with the full might of the armed forces backed by a resilient nation.

“Indian state will never be able to achieve her nefarious designs. The world must ensure justice and deliver what is promised to the Kashmiri people as per UN resolutions.”

Earlier, on arrival, Lieutenant General Shahid Imtiaz, Corps Commander Rawalpindi received the army chief.

Gen Asim Munir received the baton of command from General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday in a ceremony held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

With the change of command, Gen Munir has become the 17th army chief of the Pakistan Army when Gen Bajwa handed over the baton to him.

Pakistan verifying reports of Daesh’s claim of attack on Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul

The Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday said that it was verifying the reports claiming that outlawed group Deash’s branch in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was behind the terrorist attack on Pakistan’s mission in Afghanistan.

“We have seen reports that IS-KP has accepted responsibility for the terrorist attack on the Pakistan Embassy compound on 2 December 2022. Independently and in consultation with the Afghan authorities, we are verifying the veracity of these reports,” said the FO spokesperson in a statement.

The spokesperson stated that the attack was “another reminder of the threat that terrorism poses to peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region”.

“We must act resolutely with all our collective might to defeat this menace. On its part, Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to combat terrorism,” said the spokesperson.

On Sunday, the wire service Reuters had reported that Daesh had claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement carried by one of the militant group’s affiliated channels on Telegram.

Daesh claimed the attack was carried by two of its members armed with “medium and sniper weapons” and was targeting the ambassador and his guards who were present at the courtyard of the embassy.

Suspect involved in attack ‘held’

A day earlier, sources had told Geo News that the suspect involved in the assassination attempt on Pakistan’s Head of Mission to Kabul Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani has been arrested.

According to diplomatic sources, the suspect was residing on the eighth floor of the nearby building and had planted improvised explosive devices (IED) in three rooms on the same floor.

When the Afghan security officials arrived at the building, the suspect tried escaping, however, he was arrested.

The security officials also recovered an AK-47 rifle, a long-range automatic rifle, a sniper rifle and other weapons from the possession of the suspect.

The diplomatic sources further told Geo News that the police have also arrested another suspect.

On Friday, Nizamani escaped the assassination bid after the embassy’s compound in Kabul came under attack targeting the head of mission. However, a security guard, Sepoy Israr Mohammad, was injured in the attack while protecting the diplomat.

The guard has been shifted to Peshawar for treatment.

Bilawal receives call from Afghan foreign ministry

Following the attack, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari received a call from the Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Reiterating Afghanistan’s firm resolve to combat terrorism, Foreign Minister Muttaqi had assured the foreign minister that the Afghan government would swiftly bring the perpetrators of this heinous attack to justice.

While Foreign Minister Bilawal called on the Afghan government to prevent the terrorists from undermining relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Women join protests in Iran’s eastern province

Iran accuses its arch enemy the United States and its allies Britain and Israel of fomenting what it calls “riots”.

Online videos showed dozens of women on the streets of the provincial capital Zahedan holding banners that declared “Woman, life, freedom” — one of the main slogans of the protest movement that erupted in mid-September.

“Whether with hijab, whether without it, onwards to revolution,” chanted women clad in black, body-covering chadors, in videos posted on Twitter.

Women-led protests have swept Iran since Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian of Kurdish origin, died following her arrest in Tehran for an alleged breach of the Islamic republic’s dress code based on Sharia law.

Security forces have killed at least 448 protesters, with the largest toll in Sistan-Baluchestan on Iran’s southeastern border with Afgha­nis­tan and Pakistan, according to Oslo-based Iran Human Rights.

“It is indeed rare,” IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said of the latest protests by women in Zahedan. “The ongoing protests in Iran are the beginning of a revolution of dignity,” he told AFP.

Scores of men also took to the streets again on Friday, chanting “We don’t want a child-killing government”, in other footage that activists posted on social media networks.

At least 128 people have been killed in Sistan-Baluchestan during a protest crackdown, according to the Oslo-based organisation.

Imran Khan offers to hold negotiations with govt over election date

PTI Chairman Imran Khan Friday invited the coalition government to hold negotiations with his party on the date of the election, warning them of dissolving the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies otherwise.

Citing the devastating economic situation as the reason behind PTI’s constant demand for fresh elections, Khan, in his address to the parliamentary party from his Lahore residence in Zaman Park, warned that the country is fast moving toward default.

“If we don’t head towards elections there won’t be stability in the country,” he warned, adding that the coalition government isn’t ready to talk about snap polls because they are scared of the results.

Khan — who called off his long march to Islamabad last week — had announced quitting assemblies across the country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

 

 

 

The party’s leadership, according to PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, has approved the dissolution of assemblies in both provinces, but the final decision will be made after further consultations.

The former prime minister said that amid the ongoing political situation the PTI wasn’t bearing any losses, it was the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government who was being accused of all the devastations.

Citing the credit default risk — which now stands at 100% and was around 5% during PTI’s tenure — Khan highlighted that investors and businessmen have lost faith in the coalition government as they have failed to present an economic road map.

He lamented that overseas Pakistanis are reluctant to invest in Pakistan meanwhile the banks are refraining from giving loans to the local business community.

Recalling that 6% growth was recorded in the fiscal year 2021-22 — during which PTI was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion — Khan said that the economy was booming during PTI’s tenure but it has been facing challenges since the coalition government came into power in April.

The cricketer-turned-politician linked the increase in street crimes to the sky-high inflation, adding that the number of remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis is also declining, tax collection is shrinking, default risks are growing higher and higher, while “[Finance Minister] Ishaq Dar is sitting silently in a corner.”

Khan cited Pakistan as the reason behind his decision to dissolve assemblies, claiming that Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments have not been receiving funds from the Centre which is adding to their issues.

The PTI chief further revealed that if Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies were dissolved then elections will be held in two provinces around 66% of Pakistan would have to vote for the by-polls.

“Come and talk to us or do you want that election to be held in 66% of Pakistan while you continue to hold the federal government,” he said, offering the coalition government to hold negotiations.

“We have full backing from PML-Q. CM Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi will disband the provincial assembly on my call,” he said.

PDM leadership will not refuse dialogue: Rana Sanaullah

In response to Khan’s address, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leadership “will not refuse to hold dialogue”.

“Talks against dialogue are considered non-political and undemocratic by the PDM. Its leadership will not refuse to sit and talk. We believe in resolving political matters in a political manner,” he said in a statement reacting to Khan’s invitation.

Sanaullah further added that when political parties and politicians sit down, deadlocks end and paths to resolve conflicts are found. He revealed that there have also been differences within the PDM on various matters.

The interior minister further added that the PDM leadership will not comment on the matter without consultations.

Recalling Khan’s previous statements regarding holding dialogue with the PDM, Sanaullah took a jibe saying: “Khan sahab would say that it is better to die than sit with them [PDM leadership].”

The interior minister added that the government’s opinion is in favour of conducting elections on time. He added that the government will condemn if PTI attempts to dissolve assemblies, even though it will favour the PML-N.

“We do not welcome the act of dissolving assemblies and consider it undemocratic. They can dissolve assemblies if they want to. They will be responsible for it,” the minister maintained.

“We will be in a better position to contest elections if they dissolve assemblies. If elections take place, we will defeat them in Punjab and get majority [seats],” the minister said, adding that the government will be in a better position if polls are held in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“If we contest the Punjab Assembly’s elections while being in the federal government, then we are in a better position,” he explained.

Pakistan’s head of mission in Kabul survives assassination bid

KABUL: Pakistan’s Head of Mission to Kabul Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani Friday escaped an assassination bid, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed.

In a statement, the ministry said the embassy’s compound in Kabul came under attack targeting the head of mission, but “by the grace of Allah Almighty, the head of mission is safe”.

However, a Pakistani security guard Sepoy Israr Mohammad has been critically injured in the attack while protecting Nizamani, the Foreign Office said.

It said that Pakistan’s government strongly condemns the assassination attempt and attack on the embassy demanding the Afghan government conduct an immediate investigation into the incident.

“The Interim Government of Afghanistan must immediately hold thorough investigations in this attack, apprehend the culprits, hold them to account, and take urgent measures to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani diplomatic personnel and citizens in Afghanistan,” the statement added.

While saving the head of mission during the attack, according to Geo News, the security guard sustained three bullets in his chest and was later shifted to a medical facility. Sources said that the attack took place while the Nizamani was on a walk.

When the incident happened, there was no activity in the Pakistani Embassy due to weekly off. The head of mission and other officials are being called back to Pakistan temporarily, the sources said.

Pakistan rules out closing embassy

In response to a media query, MOFA Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said there are no plans to close the embassy or withdraw diplomats from Kabul.

The spokesperson said Pakistan is in contact with the Afghan government and enhanced security measures are being taken to protect Pakistani diplomatic personnel and missions in Afghanistan.

Later in the day, Pakistan summoned Afghan Chargé d’Affaires Sardar Muhammad Shokaib to the ministry to convey its deep concern and anguish over the attack on Ambassador Nizamani, the Foreign Office said.

The statement further added that the additional secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia conveyed Pakistan’s grave concern over the serious incident in which the head of mission remained unhurt.

The Afghan official was informed that it was his country’s responsibility to ensure that Pakistan’s diplomatic missions and personnel remain safe, the Foreign Office said.

“…this incident was an extremely serious security lapse,” Pakistani officials told Shokaib.

They demanded all necessary steps be taken to ensure the security of the diplomatic premises, officers, and staff working in Pakistan’s mission in Kabul and Consulates in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif.

Calling the attack “highly unfortunate”, the Afghan Chargé d’Affaires said that the attack was perpetrated by the common enemies of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He also informed that the security of the Pakistani diplomatic missions had already been beefed up and assured that the Afghan authorities would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of this dastardly act to justice.

Bilawal receives call from Afghan foreign ministry

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari received a call from the Acting Afghan Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Pakistan Mission in Kabul.

The Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack targeting Pakistan’s Head of Mission in Kabul, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani.

Reiterating Afghanistan’s firm resolve to combat terrorism, Foreign Minister Muttaqi assured the Foreign Minister that the Afghan government would swiftly bring the perpetrators of this heinous attack to justice.

The Acting Afghan Foreign Minister also conveyed his heartfelt wishes and prayers for the early recovery of the security guard, Sepoy Israr Mohammad.

The Foreign Minister thanked the Interim Afghan government for its strong solidarity and underscored that the safety and security of Pakistan’s diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan was of the utmost importance.

The Afghan government must prevent the terrorists from undermining relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister also reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism and said that Pakistan will be undeterred by such cowardly attacks.

President Alvi, PM Shehbaz condemn attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack deeming it dastardly and lauded the guard for saving the life of Pakistan’s head of mission.

“Salute to brave security guard, who took bullet to save his life,” he wrote in his tweet.

The premier extended prayers for the guard’s swift recovery demanding an “immediate investigation and action against perpetrators of the heinous act”.

The premier also shared on Twitter about his conversation with Ambassador Nizamani.

“Relieved to hear that he is safe. I expressed solidarity of govt & people with him, while assuring full support & assistance to him & mission on all counts,” he tweeted conveying his prayers for swift recovery of the “brave security guard”.

President Dr Arif Alvi has also strongly condemned the attempted assassination attack on Ambassador Nizamani.

“Thank God that the Head of Mission in Kabul is safe. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured security guard,” the president said deeming the attack a cause for concern.

Pakistan condemns all forms of terrorism and is determined for its end,” Dr Alvi said in a statement.

The president added that terrorism is a common threat and joint efforts are required to compete against it.

Consulate’s account hacked

Earlier in the day, the Consulate General of Pakistan Kandahar’s official account was hacked and immediately recovered, as per the consulate’s tweet.

“Official account of Consulate General of Pakistan Kandahar was hacked a while ago which was immediately recovered,” the consulate tweeted.

It added that unsolicited tweets have been deleted while the matter has been reported to Twitter.

“The Consulate offers sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused. The matter is being reported to Twitter,” the consulate added.

Attack near ex-Afghan PM Hekmatyar’s office

Earlier today, two people were injured in an attack in Kabul near the office of the Hezb-e-Islami party associated with former Afghan prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, but all the senior leaders were safe, the party said in a statement.

Multiple attackers were killed and several guards injured in the incident, according to three Hezb-e-Islami sources and one source with the ruling Taliban.

Kabul police and the interior ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.

The attack on the Hezb-e-Islami party office occurred near a mosque where senior party leaders were present, but all — including Hekmatyar — were unscathed, according to the party statement and his grandson, Obaidullah Baheer.

“All respected authorities, including the respected leader, are safe and sound … two senior guards from the leader’s support unit were superficially injured and no one else was injured,” the statement said.

One Taliban and one party source said a vehicle belonging to the attackers and packed with explosives had detonated near the office. The firing took place and two attackers were killed while trying to enter the mosque, they said.

Several bombing and shooting attacks have taken place in Afghanistan in recent months, some of which have been claimed by Daesh militants. A blast at a madrassa on Wednesday in northern Afghanistan killed at least 15 people.

Centcom chief, COAS Munir agree to strengthen security cooperation

A brief statement, issued by the Centcom headquarters in Tampa, Florida, said Gen Kur­illa spoke with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Munir, who replaced Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Nov 29, via video teleconference.

The statement pointed out that the two generals “have a previously established relationship from Gen Kurilla’s time as Centcom Chief of Staff.”

Gen Kurilla congratulated Gen Munir on his new position and “the two leaders discussed US-Pakistan security cooperation efforts and strengthening the bilateral relationship,” it added.

 

The US State Department issued a similar brief statement on Nov 29, when Dawn asked one of its spokespersons to comment on the change of command in Pakistan and on its possible impact on bilateral relations.

“For 75 years, the relationship between the United States and Pakistan has been a vital one. The United States looks forward to continuing to work with Pakistan to promote stability and prosperity for the people of Pakistan and the region,” the spokesperson said.

The State Department, however, said “the selection of senior military leaders is an internal Pakistani matter. I refer you to the government of Pakistan for any additional questions.”

Although brief, the statements cover the two main points of the relationship between the two nations — “security cooperation” and the desire to continue this cooperation.

 

The notes also indicate Washington’s willingness to respect the Pakistani military’s desire to stay away from politics and avoid mentioning issues that could be interpreted as political, such as Afghanistan.

Last week, a former White House staffer Lisa Curtis told a seminar in Washington that the US closely watches the change of command in Pakistan as it knows that the military has a major influence on the decision-making process. “I don’t think the future of US-Pakistan relations hinges on who will be the PM in Pakistan… more important is who will be the chief of army staff,” said Ms Curtis.

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