Month: October 2023

ISLAMABAD: All the legal hurdles were removed on Thursday in the smooth return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif after he was granted protective bail in two graft cases and an accountability court suspended his arrest warrant.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo had approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for bail in Al-Azizia and Avenfield references which approved the pleas, granting bail till October 24.

The IHC announced the verdict, restraining the authorities from arresting Nawaz on his return to the country on Saturday (October 21).

The high court said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) did not raise any objections to the protective bail sought by the PML-N supremo in corruption cases.

Earlier, an accountability court suspended the arrest warrant issued against him in the Toshakhana case.

A two-member IHC bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the Nawaz’s bail petitions.

A day earlier, the IHC issued a notice to NAB on Nawaz’s petitions seeking protective bail in Al-Azizia and Avenfiled references.

The NAB Rawalpindi bureau had nominated Rafay Maqsood to appear before the IHC bench as a prosecutor.

Warrant suspended in Toshakhana case

Before IHC hearing, an accountability court suspended Nawaz’s arrest warrant in the Toshakhana case after the NAB prosecutor raised no objections.

The decision was announced shortly after the verdict was reserved on Nawaz’s plea seeking suspension of arrest warrant in the Toshakhana case.

Accountability court Judge Muhammad Bashir approved the former PM’s plea and said that the arrest warrant would be restored if the accused did not appear before the court on October 24.

A day earlier, the former PM moved an accountability court in Islamabad to prevent his arrest in the case on his return to the country on October 21.

During the hearing today, Nawaz’s counsel Qazi Misbah implored Judge Bashir to suspend the arrest of his client in the case as he was returning to the country and wanted to appear before the court.

Nawaz, the three-time former premier, is set to return to the country on Saturday ending four-year self-imposed exile in London.

Before his arrival to the country, his legal team approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and the accountability court for protective bail to avert his arrest on return to the country.

During the hearing today, Nawaz’s counsel informed the court that the former PM wanted to appear before the court on the next case hearing fixed for October 24.

Responding to the judge’s query as to why Nawaz did not appear in court, lawyer Misbah said his client was unwell and added that his medical report had been submitted along with the petition.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor, who filed the Toshakhana reference against the ex-PM, requested the court to suspend the accused’s arrest warrant if he wanted to surrender before the court till October 24.

The prosecutor said the objective of an arrest warrant is to ensure compliance with the law.

Judge Bashir also inquired about the status of other accused including former president Asif Ali Zardari. To which, the lawyers told the court that no arrest has been made so far in connection with the case.

Convictions and court orders

It is pertinent to note that an accountability court sentenced the three-time prime minister in Avenfield and Al-Azizia Steel Mills references in 2018.

The sentence was challenged in the high court which had suspended the accountability court’s sentence.

Appeal proceedings — for the petition challenging the sentences — were under proceedings when Nawaz travelled abroad for medical treatment and didn’t return to pursue the case.

The PML-N supremo — after he moved to Lahore High Court (LHC) instead of the IHC — was allowed to go abroad for four weeks after his brother and party president Shehbaz Sharif submitted an undertaking in the court assuring Nawaz’s return once his health improves.

The IHC — in the absence of the PML-N supremo — threw out the appeals on account of “non-prosecution” instead of adjourning the proceedings for an indefinite period.

The court, while declaring Nawaz as a proclaimed offender, noted that the appeals were rejected on technical grounds and not on the merits of the arguments.

The applicant can once again file an appeal against the sentence upon his return, the court added.

Pakistan and China on Wednesday signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements for bilateral cooperation in the areas of commerce, communication, transport, food security, health, and others.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Chinese Premier Li Qiang witnessed the signing of MoUs at a ceremony held in Beijing on the sidelines of the Third Belt and Road Forum (BRF).

The two countries agreed to further strengthen high-level dialogue and engagement besides deepening the political, economic, education, science and technology, cultural, and people-to-people relations.

Accompanied by their ministers and senior government officials, the two leaders reaffirmed the time-tested and iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China.

PM Kakar extended felicitations to the Chinese leadership on the successful holding of the BRF.

Noting the depth and breadth of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the premier termed it as a project of immense significance for the world in terms of connectivity and shared prosperity.

The two leaders discussed bilateral collaboration in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and prospects of further deepening economic linkages.

PM Kakar underscored the importance of CPEC for Pakistan’s economy and noted with satisfaction its expansion into new areas of development — including industrial development; livelihood projects; ICT; mining and minerals exploration and agriculture.

He expressed confidence that Chinese investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) will contribute to the diversification of Pakistan’s export basket and expansion of its industrial base.

Meanwhile, Premier Li underlined the steady growth of bilateral cooperation and noted the positive momentum of CPEC projects. He hoped that leadership consensus would give a further boost to trade and economic relations between the two countries.

Other areas of cooperation that Pakistan and China agreed on include MLI, connectivity, research, media exchanges, space cooperation, urban sustainable development, capacity building, mineral development and industrial cooperation, climate change, and vaccine development.

The president said he was “Deeply sad and outraged by the explosion in the hospital in Gaza,” adding that “we have to also bear in mind that Hamas does not represent all Palestinian people, and has brought them only suffering.”

Biden reaffirmed his support for Israel, saying “I want to say to the people of Israel: Their courage, their commitment, their bravery, is stunning, it’s really stunning. I’m proud to be here.

“I’m very happy to be back in Israel. Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to having a thorough discussion of where we go from here,” Biden said.

In remarks before Biden spoke, Netanyahu said “Just as the civilized world united to defeat the Nazis and to defeat ISIS, it must be united to defeat Hamas. The forces of civilization will prevail for our sake, for your sake…and for the sake of peace and security.”

The United States “will continue to have Israel’s back as you work to defend your people,” U.S. President Joe Biden told Israel’s war cabinet Wednesday, amid his snap visit to the country on the 12th day of war between Hamas and Israel.

U.S. President Joe Biden touches down in Tel Aviv for a lightning wartime visit

The United States President Joe Biden touched down in Israel’s capital Tel Aviv for lightening wartime visit amid the hospital tragedy that killed over 500  people in Gaza.

President Joe Biden’s blue and white presidential plane, bearing a U.S. flag and presidential seal has landed and is taxiing into Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport.

Biden ahead of his visit to Israel condemned the air strike and said: “I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted. Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened. The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff, and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy.”

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Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reacts to Gaza hospital strike

Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh urged Arab and Islamic nations to express their anger over the attack on a Gaza hospital that killed hundreds of people.

Hamas supremo in a recorded speech said people of the Arab and Islamic nations should speak out against the massacre, this savagery, these crimes perpetrated by Israel.

“I call on all the people of the Arab and Islamic nations to go out now condemning this massacre, this brutality, these crimes, go out in all the capitals, in all cities, raise your voices, for this enemy to stop. Let this nation stand as one, in one trench, with different geographies, affiliations, sects, and races, because we are writing history, the next page of glory for our people and nation,” news agency Reuters quoted Haniyeh as saying in his address.

The incident unfolded on the fourth floor of a commercial building housing the popular ‘Mud Pipe Cafe,’ alongside a gym and a car showroom. The fire’s outbreak led to significant injuries, with one individual resorting to a daring leap from the building’s terrace to escape the flames.

According to Indian media reports, the fire, which reportedly started around noon, is believed to have ignited in the ‘Mud Pipe Cafe,’ a cafe where multiple LPG cylinders had been stored. The sound of blasts alerted people in the vicinity, prompting them to swiftly notify the police and fire brigade.

Eight fire tenders rushed to the scene to combat the blaze. Thankfully, the fire has been brought under control, although it left two individuals with severe injuries. According to a fire officer, the injured were receiving medical attention. It’s worth noting that there were no customers inside the cafe at the time of the incident.

Several videos capturing the dramatic incident have circulated on social media platforms, revealing thick smoke billowing from the building. In one of the videos, a courageous man can be seen leaping from the rooftop in an attempt to escape the fire. Firefighters responded promptly to the scene.

One young man, who found himself trapped in the inferno, resorted to the desperate measure of jumping from the fourth floor. Fortunately, he survived and is currently receiving medical care in a hospital.

In addition to alerting the police and the fire brigade, bystanders and onlookers rushed to the scene to assist in rescuing individuals who may have been trapped inside the building.

The incident has caused significant damage to the ‘Mud Pipe Cafe’ and the gym, with both establishments suffering substantial losses. As the investigations continue, authorities will be looking into the precise cause of the fire, especially the role of the LPG cylinders stored within the cafe premises.

“The foreign minister calls for an immediate and complete embargo on Israel by Islamic countries, including oil sanctions, in addition to expelling Israeli ambassadors if relations with the Zionist regime have been established,” the Iranian foreign ministry said.

Amirabdollahian also called for the formation of a team of Islamic lawyers to document potential war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.

He also met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of an OIC meeting in Jeddah, where they discussed the Gaza situation.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the sidelines of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing and discussed a range of matters including cooperation on trade, investment and energy.

In the meeting on Tuesday, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady expansion of Pakistan-Russia relations and stressed the need for enhanced cooperation in diverse fields.

President Putin received PM Kakar before they held a meeting that encompassed bilateral, regional, and international affairs.

They also discussed the prospects of enhancing Eurasian connectivity and Pakistan’s pivotal role in regional integration through rail, road and energy corridors.

The PM stressed the need for enhanced regional integration for the economic development of the entire region and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further expanding and strengthening bilateral cooperation with Russia in the areas of trade and investment, energy, connectivity and counterterrorism.

The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the evolving situation in the Middle East.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Kakar said Pakistan and Russia had a convergence of interests on the issue of terrorism and called for enhanced cooperation and a common approach among the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan.

He said the neighbouring countries should be the foremost to take the initiative and cooperate in the fields of intelligence, defence and counter-terrorism.

Coming to bilateral cooperation, Kakar said Pakistan was an energy-deficient country of 240 million population. Pakistan’s energy minister had recently attended an Energy Week event in Russia where he had a “fruitful and constructive engagement” with the Russian team.

The Russian team had come up with concrete proposals for enhancing energy cooperation, he added.

Citing his previous visit to Russia as a senator, the prime minister said he was “mesmerised” by the Russian architecture particularly representing Christianity and churches. He said both countries were also close in terms of cultural and ethical values which were not popular beyond that region.

In his remarks, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Pakistan and Russia celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

Citing friendly bilateral relations, he said there existed a huge potential for cooperation between Pakistan and Russia.

President Putin said both sides, during interactions here, would exchange views and discuss the vision, and steps needed to be taken to strengthen cooperation in multiple areas.

He said trade relations between the two countries had increased and this year, Russia had supplied around a million tons of cereals to Pakistan.

A blast ripped through a Gaza hospital killing at least 500 people late Tuesday, sparking global condemnation and violent protests in several Muslim nations.

There were scenes of chaos as the injured and dead were taken to nearby medical centres.

There, scores of bodies cloaked in blood-stained sheets and white plastic wrap lined the floors. Stunned relatives tried to identify loved ones.

“We were operating in the hospital. There was a strong explosion and the ceiling fell on the operating room,” said Ghassan Abu Sittah, a doctor with the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

“Hospitals are not a target,” he said. “This bloodshed must stop. Enough is enough.”

Israel and Palestinians traded blame for the incident, which an “outraged and deeply saddened” US President Joe Biden denounced while en route to the Middle East.

Hamas authorities in Gaza said the explosion at the Ahli Arab Hospital was caused by the latest in a wave of Israeli airstrikes.

Israeli Defense Forces blamed Palestinian militants, saying an outgoing Islamic Jihad rocket misfired.

Neither account could be independently corroborated.

For 11 days, Israel has launched withering strikes on Hamas-controlled Gaza — retaliation for the killing of 1,400 Israelis who were shot, mutilated and burned in October 7 cross-border raids.

Even amid the uncertainty over what caused the incident at the Christian-run hospital, there was rapid and widespread international condemnation.

“The responsibility for this crime must be clearly established & the perpetrators held accountable” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

From Tripoli to Tehran there was a furious response across the Muslim world.

Protestors in Jordan — home to millions of Palestinian refugees — tried to storm the Israeli embassy.

In Lebanon, demonstrators clashed with security forces outside the US embassy. Stones were hurled and a building set on fire.

Hezbollah, Lebanon’s powerful Iran-backed armed militant group and political party, called for a “day of rage”.

– ‘Tough questions’ –

The horror of events at Ahli Arab Hospital and the swift backlash threatened to derail Biden’s high-stakes visit to the Middle East, which gets underway Wednesday.

A four-way summit in Amman with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, Jordanian King Abdullah II and Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was cancelled.

It would be held “when the decision to stop the war and put an end to these massacres has been taken,” said Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

The US president’s visit to Israel will still go ahead. He is expected to express solidarity with Irsael over the Hamas attacks, which also killed 31 Americans.

The White House also wants to see steps to minimise the humanitarian impact of Israel’s military response, allowing aid to enter the blockaded Gaza Strip.

International alarm has grown about the devastating impact of the war on Palestinian civilians.

About 3,000 Palestinians have died in the air campaign, according to the Hamas-run health ministry — including several senior figures in the organisation.

Entire neighbourhoods have been razed and survivors are left with dwindling supplies of food, water and fuel.

Washington also wants to prevent the conflict from spilling over into the West Bank, Lebanon and beyond and to get answers from Israel about its military plans.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden would ask Netanyahu “tough questions” about his plans for the war.

Tens of thousands of Israeli troops have deployed to the border in preparation for a full-scale ground offensive.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “defeat Hamas” — although the exact military objectives remain unclear.

The attack was the worst in Israel’s 75-year history, carrying painful echoes of past Pogroms and undermining faith in the country’s security services.

– ‘Corpses in the streets’ –

Before Tuesday’s incident, the hospital in northern Gaza had sheltered the wounded and displaced from an intense Israeli bombing campaign.

Israel had warned one million residents of northern Gaza to flee south ahead of an expected ground invasion.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby represents the Anglican church, which runs the Ahli Arab Hospital.

He said the hospital was one of several medical facilities in northern Gaza subject to evacuation orders and that it had already been hit by “Israeli rocket fire” on October 14, injuring four staff.

The UN works agency UNRWA says more than one million Palestinians — almost half of Gaza’s population of 2.4 million — have fled their homes.

“There are corpses in the streets. Buildings are crashing down on their inhabitants,” said Jamil Abdullah, a Palestinian-Swede, hoping to flee the blockaded enclave.

“The smell of the dead is everywhere.”

In Israel, dozens of mourners gathered for the funeral of five members of the same family killed when militants attacked their kibbutz at Kfar Aza.

All five coffins were draped in Israeli flags.

Diplomatic bids to free at least 199 hostages taken by Hamas have gathered pace.

Turkey said it was in talks with Hamas to secure their release.

Hamas has released a video of one of the captives, French-Israeli woman Mia Shem.

Her mother, Keren Shem, made an emotional plea for her safe return. “I am begging the world to bring my baby back home,” she told a news conference in Tel Aviv.