Interior Ministry fears suicide attack on PTI’s long march

[MenInG]

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After being shot and injured in an assassination attempt while standing atop a container during his long march, PTI Chairman Imran Khan finally decided to break his silence and said that he had learned about the looming danger beforehand.

"I had already learned that there was a plan in place to kill me somewhere between Wazirabad and Gujrat," Khan said as he spoke during a televised address while still being admitted at the Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore where he is receiving treatment for his injuries.

Providing details of how "they" planned to assassinate him, Khan said, "they used similar methods they tried using against [former Punjab governor] Salman Taseer".

"They tried to accuse me of blasphemy to turn the public against me," he said.

At the beginning of his address, Khan started berating the incumbent government and lamented how his government was ousted through a motion of no-confidence.

"The government could have never lost the no-trust move, but they [the coalition leaders] used money to become successful," he said, adding that the PTI-led government also had the financial means to engage in horse trading but it refrained from doing so.

He said that when the PTI was in power, the then-opposition took out three long marches against the government but "we didn't stop anyone."

Khan accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and said that the body was involved with the incumbent government to sideline the PTI.

The former premier added that the ECP became a tool of the coalition government to disqualify him in the Toshakhana reference.

"In the July 17 byelection, the ECP resorted to all sorts of rigging tactics," he alleged. "They employed all manoeuvres to discredit me, resorted to mudslinging, and filed cases against me."

He added that accusations levelled against him in the Toshakhana case are baseless as all the records are available in the Toshakhana.

"Despite knowing nothing could be stolen from the Toshakhana, the ECP disqualified me in that case because they wanted to create a level-playing field for Nawaz Sharif.

Khan added that he cannot be compared to the [Sharif family] which has billions of assets abroad and live in the most expensive apartments in London.

He stated that the party would approach the court against the ECP's decision to disqualify him, claiming that Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja was a "servant of the Sharif family".

Before beginning his address, Khan asked PTI stalwart, Dr Faisal Sultan, to brief the masses about his health condition while revealing that he was hit by four bullets.

Dr Sultan displayed Khan's X-ray reports on a screen and highlighted the details of the injuries that the party chief sustained — including a fracture — among other injuries.

More to follow.

 

[MenInG]

Imran come out fighting after this attack.

 

[MenInG]

Imran’s allegations ‘all lies’: Sanaullah says no proof provided

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has responded to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s claims that he was one of the people allegedly involved in the plot to attack the PTI chief and said they were all lies.

Appearing on the Geo News programme “Naya Pakistan”, Sanaullah castigated Imran for doing nothing but “tell lies” in his first press conference after Thursday’s attack and also said that the PTI chief had showed not a “single proof” for his allegations.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

Islamabad: Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders on Thursday said that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan believes that the attack on him in which bullets were fired was carried out at on the orders of three people including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, country's Interior Minister and a top ISI general and his remarks were based on information he had received.

"A short while ago, Imran Khan told us to issue this statement on his behalf. He believes there are three people on whose behest this was done - Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah and Maj Gen Faisal. He said he was receiving information and is saying this on that basis," Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Asad Umar and Mian Aslam Iqbal said.

Rana Sanaullah is Pakistan's Interior Minister and Major General Faisal Naseer is Director General (C) ISI.

NDTV

==

Imran again addresses COAS

Speaking directly to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, PTI chief Imran Khan urged him to act against the general he
named.

He added that his party was giving "constructive criticism".

He stated that the nation was headed for chaos and urged the COAS to investigate him.

DAWN

 

[Bewal Express]

Imran’s allegations ‘all lies’: Sanaullah says no proof provided

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has responded to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s claims that he was one of the people allegedly involved in the plot to attack the PTI chief and said they were all lies.

Appearing on the Geo News programme “Naya Pakistan”, Sanaullah castigated Imran for doing nothing but “tell lies” in his first press conference after Thursday’s attack and also said that the PTI chief had showed not a “single proof” for his allegations.

DAWN

So Rana threatens him and then they try to kill him and IK is lying according to him. This pathetic creature needs to be hanged

 

[MenInG]

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) late on Friday rejected the "baseless and irresponsible" allegations by PTI Chairman Imran Khan against the military.

Imran was shot at and injured on Thursday evening when the container carrying the PTI chief and senior party leaders, was sprayed with bullets when the party’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ march reached Wazirabad’s Allahwala Chowk.

The former premier has held Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and a senior intelligence official as being responsible for the bid to assassinate him and demanded they resign.

Addressing the nation for the first time since the assassination attempt earlier today, Imran described the attack in Wazirabad. He especially urged Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to hold "black sheep" in his institution accountable.

"The baseless and irresponsible allegations by chairman PTI against the institution and particularly a senior army officer are absolutely unacceptable and uncalled for," the ISPR said in a statement issued hours after Imran's address.

"The Pakistan army prides itself for being an extremely professional and well-disciplined organisation with a robust and highly effective internal accountability system applicable across the board for unlawful acts, if any, committed by uniformed personnel," it said.

"However, if the honour, safety and prestige of its rank and file is being tarnished by vested interests through frivolous allegations, the institution will jealousy (sic) safeguard its officers and soldiers no matter what.

"The baseless allegations hurled at the institution/officials today are highly regrettable and strongly condemned. No one will be allowed to defame the institution or its soldiers with impunity," the ISPR statement added.

The ISPR called on the government to investigate the matter and initiate legal action against those "responsible for defamation and false accusations against the institution and its officials without any evidence whatsoever".

DAWN

 

[Manager101]

Is ISPR "Aghast" "again" ? , no ?

Just asking as they easily become aghasted when criticised while more vital and important matters never aghast them at all.

 

[MenInG]

Full Imran speech in Post#1

 

[MenInG]

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Friday asked his party workers and supporters to continue protesting against the assassination attempt on him until three “accused” including the prime minister and interior minister resigned from their post.

“I will take to the streets immediately after recovering and will give a call for [march towards] Islamabad,” he said while addressing his supporters from Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore where is undergoing treatment.

The PTI chief addressed the nation for the first time after he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during the party’s long march in Punjab’s Wazirabad yesterday.

Imran said to ensure the impartial and fair probe it was necessary for the three top officials to step down as “all agencies are under their control”.

Imran asked the supporters to “fully participate” in the protest to demand the resignation of the three “suspects”.

“Never compromise on your independence. Protest is your right,” he added.

He also asked the army chief to make the senior military official resign who he accused of being involved in the assassination attempt.

“This general is taking country towards destruction,” said Imran while alleging that the same military official was behind the torture on PTI leaders Shahbaz Gill and Azam Swati.

Imran maintained that it was incumbent upon the army chief to take action against the “black sheep to save country from disintegration”.

He said that the country’s biggest political party was being pushed against the wall and attempts were being made to kill him.

“We have not learned anything from the past like the East Pakistan incident. I knew that they will try to kill me when I was leaving for long march,” he said.

Imran Khan said the conspirators decided to kill him as they were wary of his long march and added that he had received reports about his assignation plot from the government officials beforehand.

“Establishment was taken aback when they saw that the people this time [in April] did not support their decision to topple my government,” he said.

Imran said establishment is not aware of the ground realities. “Despite knowing that the people are not ready to accept this imported government, they [establishment] are bent on enforcing their decision.”

The PTI chief had sustained a bullet wound to his leg after an armed attack on his container, as he led the PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ in Wazirabad on Thursday.

The PTI chief said his workers and supporters were tortured and intimidated during the party’s last long march because establishment had anticipated that the party will “vanish” though such tactics.

“Four people made a decision behind closed door to kill me and I had told the nation beforehand. That’s why I had recorded a video naming all four [conspirators].”

Imran said three people — Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah and a military official — were behind his assassination plot.

“Would you allow this military official to be probed in this case,” Imran asked army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. He also asked the army chief to take action against the senior army officer to protect the dignity of the institution.

“Three people made a plan, (they are not the ones whom I named before), they made a plan when they realised that crowd in long march was getting large.

“They wanted to blame my murder on religious fanatics.”

During the last PML-N government, Imran said Rana Sanaullah killed people in Model Town to stop the long march. Shehbaz Sharif killed almost 900 people in fake encounters in 1990s, he added.

The military official in question had “promised his seniors” that he would deal with the PTI long march, claimed the injured PTI chief.

Describing the firing incident, Imran said two bursts were fired from two different sides while he was on container.

“A first burst was fired from the top, and as I was ducking the second burst was fired… it was a comprehensive plan to assassinate me and we will investigate this.”

“Where is Pakistan heading. Nations die when they give up on their ideology. There is no justice here,” said the PTUI chief.

He said investigation into his assassination attempt is not possible until the three accused resigned. “Please save the country chief justice sahib,” he implored the country’s top judge.

Imran claimed attempts were being made to kill a leader of “only federal party” — PTI — which could unite the country.

“The East Pakistan would not have disintegrated if the military could keep the country united,” Imran said, adding that only political parties could ensure unity in the country.

Imran said establishment was not ready to accept masses’ decision “as they clearly indicated through by-polls that they would not accept the coalition government led by PML-N”.

Imran said the ‘imported government’ tried to disband his party in the prohibited funding case and he was disqualified in the Toshakhana reference “on the orders of Nawaz Sharif to ensure level-playing field”.

“Musharraf’s martial law was better than what is happening today… it was a liberal era but today journalists are being picked up and tortured for speaking in favour of PTI.”

Dr Faisal Sultan, during the presser, briefed the media as to where Imran Khan got shot.


Earlier, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that a meeting of the party’s senior leadership took place at the Shaukat Khanum Hospital under the leadership of Imran Khan, in which the doctors informed them about the details regarding the operation of the PTI chief.

In a tweet, Fawad maintained that the number of “attackers is more than one”.

“A while ago the meeting of [the] senior leadership of PTI ended, in the meeting, the doctors informed about the details regarding the operation of Imran Khan, according to the initial details, the number of attackers is more than one. The meeting strongly condemned the murderous attack on Imran Khan,” he said.

As per the party’s call made earlier today, supporters of the PTI took to the streets in different parts of the country post-Friday prayers against the assassination bid against party chief and former premier Imran Khan.

Express Tribune

 

[Hitman]

He is one brave man.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is unprecedented.<br>A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> army tank,displayed as a symbol of the Militancy's might in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Peshawar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Peshawar</a> & so may other cities across the country-is vandalised by angry protestors after the attack on Imran Khan.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GFvip?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GFvip</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KingandPrince?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KingandPrince</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCT127_NEOCITY_THE_LINK_BKK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NCT127_NEOCITY_THE_LINK_BKK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tiktokdown?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tiktokdown</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISPR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISPR</a> <a href="https://t.co/my7G3NlCOg">pic.twitter.com/my7G3NlCOg</a></p>— Wahid Hussain (@WahidHussain01) <a href="https://twitter.com/WahidHussain01/status/1588771779958702080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

The federal government has decided to take legal action against former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his aides for levelling allegations against the armed forces, ARY News reported on Saturday.

According to details, the federal government has decided to take legal action against Imran Khan in light of Inter-Services Public Relations’ (ISPR) statement, a day after the former premier hurled allegations against the armed forces.

The decision was taken during an important meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore today.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan of 'spewing venom' against state institutions.

Zardari strongly condemned Imran for "crossing every line" to spread chaos in the country, according to a statement posted on the official PPP Twitter account.

“This person cares neither about the wellbeing of the country nor of its institutions,” said the PPP leader, adding that Imran "sees nothing but power”.

Further, Zardari said that the survival of the country depends on the survival of its institutions and any attack on these institutions "will not be tolerated".

The former president noted that the country and its institutions have fought the 'common enemy' since 1947, and will continue to do so.

“This time the enemy has attacked us from within,” he said, making a veiled reference to Imran Khan. He added that the martyrs and sacrifices of the Pakistan Army will never be forgotten and such ploys made by the 'enemy' will be defeated.

Zardari's statement came following the assassination attempt on Imran Khan on November 3. In his video message the following day, the PTI chief alleged that three people – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, and a senior military officer – were behind the attack.

He asked his party workers and supporters to continue protesting against the assassination attempt until three “accused” resigned. He said the resignations of the three, who “controlled all agencies”, was necessary for an impartial probe.

“Never compromise on your independence. Protest is your right,” he said, urging his supporters to “fully participate” in the protest to demand the resignation of the three “suspects”.

“I will take to the streets immediately after recovering and will give a call for [march towards] Islamabad,” the PTI chairman said. He also asked the army chief to make the senior military official concerned resign.

Express Tribune

 

[James]

I am not sure about the merits or not of his politics, but one thing is for sure, this guy does not back down from a fight and has some serious guts.

 

[daytrader]

Deadlock over FIR of Imran attack continues
Police round up relative of ‘shooter’ in Wazirabad incident

LAHORE:
While police on Saturday took another person into custody in connection with the attack on PTI Chairman Imran Khan and other party leaders during their long march in Punjab’s Wazirabad, but the case of the incident is yet to be registered despite the passage of two days.

On Thursday, the deposed prime minister suffered a bullet wound to his leg after a gunman opened fire on his container as Imran was leading the PTI’s “Haqeeqi Azadi March”.

One person died in the incident, while several members of the PTI chairman’s close circle, including Senator Faisal Javed, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, Ahmad Chattha and Imran Yousaf, were injured.

The PTI leadership is still consulting with its legal team over the registration of the FIR.

It is being considered to nominate the federal government as well as the leaders of an important political party in the FIR, but the PTI still has to decide who the plaintiff would be.

Sources said the option of filing two separate FIRs was also under consideration – one on the behalf of the relatives of the people killed in the attack and the other by the PTI chief himself.

The case will be registered immediately after its application was received by the police station.

Another confusion has emerged in the registration of this case.

Police sources said the decision had become difficult about where and who would register the case.

They added that the police had not received the request for nominating the names of top officials in the high-profile case.

According to the sources, the area’s SHO repeatedly tried to contact the Gujrat district police officer in connection with the case but received no response.

Chances are that the case will be filed on behalf of the State with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).

If the CTD does not file the case, the police will file it on behalf of the PTI chief after examining his application.

The sources added that the application would be reviewed by the high-ups.

On Saturday, the police rounded up a close relative of the prime suspect in Wazirabad.

During the interrogation, the suspected shooter, Naveed Ahmad, admitted to opening fire on the container of the PTI chief.

Naveed told the investigators that he was frustrated because Imran was misleading the nation and had also uttered blasphemous words.

However, the police believed that Naveed was a drug addict and his statements regarding the incident were ‘doubtful’.

A day earlier, the police arrested two more suspects, identified as Waqas and Faisal Butt, on the information disclosed by Naveed.

According to sources, Naveed had parked his motorcycle at his relative's shop and then walked his way to the long march.

The relative, taken into custody, is being interrogated.

So far, the police have taken four suspects into custody, including Naveed, in connection with the attack.

Express Tribune

 

[daytrader]

Attack on Imran Khan: Form full-court commission, PM Shehbaz Sharif requests CJP
PM Shehbaz requested the CJP to form a full-court commission to probe the attack on Imran Khan in Wazirabad

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday requested Chief Justice of Pakistan to form a full-court commission to investigate the attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in Wazirabad the other day.

Addressing a press conference here, the PM said, “The chief justice should form a full court commission to end this chaos and evil. If my appeal is not listened to, questions will be raised in future.” He said a judicial investigation into the incident was vital to bring the truth before people.

“I will appear in the court whenever you will ask me to come,” PM Shehbaz said, maintaining that he will write a letter to the chief justice to form a full court soon. The PM said he would accept the (commission’s) verdict. The PM said he would suggest the same commission also probe journalist Arshad Sharif murder case.

The PM said the commission formation would be beneficial for the country and the nation. He said that on the request of the armed forces, the federal government would play its part and take action over fake accusations as it was his duty.

The prime minister questioned Khan for his annoyance at the judiciary, stating that he always went against it whenever not favoured. “You accused the prime minister, interior minister, and a military official. I will quit politics if proven to be part of the conspiracy,” the premier said. At the start of the presser, the premier condemned the assassination attack on Khan and told journalists that he had cancelled his presser on the day he returned from China in the wake of the incident.

The prime minister extended his wishes to Khan and other injured in the attack for a speedy recovery, and prayed for the victim who was shot dead in the attack. “The attack is condemnable, however, when the nation is being pushed towards devastation by false narratives, it is my responsibility that I play a positive role to protect people,” he said, urging the PTI chief to present evidence to support his allegations.

PM Shehbaz further said that Khan is damaging the country through his “false and cheap conspiracies”, adding that he was also building negative narratives against the institutions. During the presser, a video was shown to the journalists which had a compilation of Khan’s clips since 2011 where he could be heard speaking about the army and military officials.

The premier maintained that if Khan successfully shows evidence to the people that he was behind the attack, then “I don’t have a right to continue to hold the Prime Minister’s Office”. PM Shehbaz said it would be “injustice if courts, nation act as silent spectators when Imran Khan’s allegations against institutions, government prove false”.

Speaking about the allegations of assassination levelled against him, the premier said: “The Punjab government is yours, you have a special branch, you have the Intelligence Bureau and other agencies. Ask them to investigate.

“On October 28, the federal agency wrote a letter to the Punjab government about threats of terrorist attacks on Khan’s long march,” the premier said, adding that it was the provincial administration’s responsibility to ensure safety after the letter was shared with them.

The premier said that the Punjab government should be asked about the incident and about the delay in registering the first information report (FIR).

“It was the Punjab government’s responsibility and they should be held accountable for the incident.”

PM Shehbaz added that the inspector-general of police (IGP) and the chief secretary belong to them (the Punjab government), then why have not they conducted a forensic of the four bullets [which they are claiming have hit Khan].

Clarifying that he was totally against playing the religion card, but when Ahsan Iqbal was attacked in the name of religion, nobody asked about his well-being.

PMLN leader Ahsan Iqbal, who was an interior minister then, was injured after a young man opened fire on him at a corner meeting in his constituency in Narowal on May 7, 2018.

Reiterating his stance that Khan is levelling false allegations, PM Shehbaz challenged the PTI chief to present evidence proving the involvement of PM Shehbaz, Sanauallah and a senior army officer.

The premier maintained that if Khan successfully shows evidence to the people that he was behind the attack, then “I don’t have a right to continue to hold the Prime Minister’s Office”.

Recalling the incidents that took place since a no-confidence motion was filed against Khan earlier this year, PM Shehbaz reiterated that PTI’s government was removed in a constitutional manner.

Berating Khan for his “false conspiracies”, the premier called Khan out for criticising the institution which offered several sacrifices. “Nobody can say such ill things against this institution,” he added.

In response to a question regarding Senator Azam Swati’s video — which was surfacing on the social media — PM Shehbaz said that that had been brought to his knowledge and he had directed the Ministry of Interior to take notice. He vowed to bring the findings in front of people.

Criticising Imran Khan for his contradictory statements throughout his political career, the premier said: “Imran Khan’s tales are full of contradictions. I cannot, for even a moment, waste my time thinking that this man — who was granted a new life by Allah — is lying day and night. Today, he is attacking the Pakistan army in a way an enemy would do.” He regretted that the PTI chief was creating an environment of anarchy in the country.

The prime minister slammed the PTI chief for his comments against state institutions, particularly Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his family and lamented about enemy nations celebrating the critical situation in Pakistan.

“What else would an enemy country like India want? They are celebrating today. India’s TV channels are excited to see Khan speak ill about the ISI and military institutions as [the PTI chief] is levelling severe allegations against them that one couldn’t even think about,” PM Shehbaz said, deeming Khan an “idol of lies — from tip to toe”.

“Unfortunately, he is trying to derail the nation. But this country of 22 million people will be protected by Allah.”

The prime minister spoke about the Rs10 billion Panama case filed against him five years ago following Khan’s campaign against the Sharif brothers and the PMLN.

“The case registered against me five years ago continues to be pending in the Lahore High Court till date. Several judges came and left, but his lawyers do not show up, even though it was being heard during their government,” the premier said, highlighting how the PTI-led government issued an ordinance to appoint retired judges to the accountability court — only to blackmail them and use them against the opposition.

“People like (former National Accountability Bureau chairman) Javed Iqbal were used. Tayyaba Gul was forcefully kept in the PM House and blackmailed through Iqbal, so that he could be used against us and for cases against them to be quashed,” PM Shehbaz said underscoring that his intentions were only to punish the PMLN.

The premier, while addressing journalists, said that he was aware of being questioned regarding the Model Town case.

“In the Model Town case, the trial court — during their regime — gave me and my colleagues a clean chit and the Lahore High Court also stood with the verdict.”

He also questioned Khan’s corruption allegations against himself and the Sharif family with regards to the Multan Metro case, the $17 million corruption case which also maligned China, and the Daily Mail’s Department for International Development (DFID) story against himself published on Khan and his former aide on accountability Shehzad Akbar’s behest.

“He damaged institutions, the economy, and foreign relations. I have certain secrets regarding the country’s foreign relations buried in my heart which, if I share, would leave you shocked. But I will not talk about it because I am faithful. I will not sacrifice Pakistan’s interest for personal gains,” the premier said while speaking about the damage Khan’s government had brought on the country.

The News PK

 

[daytrader]

PTI takes on ISPR for rejecting charges against military officer

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday lashed out at the media wing of the armed forces over its statement rejecting the allegations of former prime minister Imran Khan against a military officer for being responsible for the Wazirabad attack.

The party also questioned that if no member of the institution ever did anything wrong, why were court-martials carried out.

Addressing the nation from Shau*kat Khanum Hospital after being shot during his party’s long march to Islamabad, Imran Khan had urged Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to hold the “black sheep” in his institution accountable.

Read: Could anti-army tirade see Imran booted from National Assembly?

A few hours later, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) rejected the “baseless and irresponsible” allegations by the PTI chairman against the military.

On Saturday, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar raised questions over the military’s statement, which he claimed made unfounded allegations against Mr Khan.

“He [Imran Khan] has never spoken against the institution. In fact, has always spoken about the need to strengthen the institution. Criticism of individuals should not be called criticism of institution,” he maintained.

In a series of tweets, the former minister also posed some questions to the ISPR and said the institution indeed deserved love, but not every individual in it.

“Question for ISPR: if no member of the institution does anything wrong, why are court martials carried out? Even general officers have been court-martialed in the past. If they do carry out acts that can be subject to court martial, why cannot they be criticised as individuals?” he tweeted.

“Any attempt to equate criticism of individuals with criticism of the institution is rejected. The institution deserves love and respect based on the sacrifices made by its members to protect the nation. Each and every individual is not necessarily worthy of that love & respect,” he added.

Former human rights minister Dr Shireen Mazari also criticised the ISPR for making a “political” statement against Imran Khan.

“The ISPR statement yesterday targeting Imran Khan for naming Gen Faisal as one of the ppl involved in assassination plot against him was uncalled for & frankly political. Let’s be clear: the army is an institution not defined by any one individual. It is an institution that is far greater than the sum of its parts & one which neither Khan nor others in PTI have criticised,” she tweeted.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Dr Shahzad Waseem of the PTI has called a meeting of party senators to discuss the issue of a video purportedly related to Senator Azam Swati. He has directed all the party senators to halt all their activities and reach Islamabad to devise a strategy over the issue.

Separately, Balochistan CM Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the “baseless allegation” levelled by PTI Chairman Imran Khan against the Pakistan Army and termed it an attempt to hurt the sentiments and feelings of the entire nation.

“The nation was standing with the Pakistan Army yesterday, it is today and always will be,” the chief minister said, adding that all conspiracies to create distance between the nation and the army would be foiled.

DAWN

 

[James]

<b>Former Pakistan PM Khan welcomes probe into shooting</b>

LAHORE (Reuters) - Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday he welcomed the government's offer to launch a judicial commission to investigate the attack in which he was shot in the leg on Thursday.

Khan made the remarks in a video broadcast live on social media from a hospital in the eastern city of Lahore, where he was receiving treatment after being shot during a protest march three days earlier. The government has said it will investigate the shooting.

Khan said his supporters' long march towards the capital calling for early elections, which was disrupted by the attack, would re-start on Tuesday but that he would not join in person while he recovered from his injuries.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/worl...p-feeds&cvid=2e1f945a8ffe44d1b5c7cb5353fb081a

 

[PakLFC]

Interestingly news on the shooting seems to be blurred. There seem to be contradictions as to exactly what happened. I am wondering if IK arranged this attack to play the sympathy card so to gain political mileage.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: The PTI’s long march, which came to a standstill after the assassination attempt on Imran Khan in Wazirabad, will resume its journey on Tuesday (tomorrow) from the same place where the party chairman was injured in the gun attack.

Mr Khan was discharged from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and moved to his residence in Zaman Park in the evening.


Addressing his second presser from the hospital, the PTI chief welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s call for a full court commission of the Supreme Court to investigate his allegations that senior government and military officials were behind the attack on him.

He revealed that while the march will start moving towards Islamabad under the leadership of party Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday, he would stay in Lahore to recuperate and join the march in Rawalpindi in 10- to 14 days — depending on the speed of the long march. He, however, will address participants of the long march through video link from Lahore.

FIR over gun attack

The former prime minister questioned the delay in the registration of FIR regarding the assassination attempt on him. He said the case should be registered against the prime minister, interior minister, and a senior intelligence official for “hatching a conspiracy to kill him”.

He added that despite the passage of three days, the case was not registered as the Punjab police were “rel*u*c*tant to register the FIR”. He expressed surprise that the police were adamant abo*ut not including the name of the military officer in the FIR but ready to nominate the prime minister and the interior minister in the case.

“Policemen concerned requested that they be transferred from the post…[and] some other officer may register the FIR nominating suspects mentioned by me,” he claimed.

Mr Khan raised questions over the credibility of the justice system and said even a former premier could not get a case registered. “There are people who consider themselves above the law, which unfortunately dismantles the whole edifice of the judicial system in the country,” he lamented.

He endorsed PM Sharif’s call for the SC’s full court probe commission, but expre*ssed reservations, saying how the commission would perform its duties independently if its members’ bosses who needed to be probed remained in the office.

“How can we have an impartial and fair investigation? It can’t happen. That’s why I asked them to resign so the investigation can be fair.”

Referring to the attack, Mr Khan said a suspect was interviewed by a policeman which was immediately leaked to the media to give the incident a “religious colour”. “

The police say there was pressure from “above, while the IG Police states the accused interview video was hacked,” he wondered.

Mr Khan also raised questions about people allegedly involved in the dissemination of a video that purportedly showed him “insulting religion”. “Since then I knew well, that the PML-N government functionaries with the connivance of army officers were hatching a conspiracy to eliminate me in the manner former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was killed,” he claimed and added that he exposed this plan in his public meeting speeches and interviews.

“The PTI-PML-Q government could get an FIR registered against the three PML-N leaders Maryam Nawaz, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Javed Latif after a ‘great effort’,” he said. Still, he said, no action was taken against the nominated accused.

Mr Khan proposed that the same SC commission probe the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif — tracking down who forced him to leave the country and eventually move from Dubai to Kenya.

‘Surprised over ISPR statement’

The PTI chairman expressed surprise over the statement by the ISPR DG Lt Gen Babar Iftikhar that allegations against one army officer were defaming the entire institution. Asserting that there was no logic to the army spokesperson’s statement, Mr Khan said that an allegation against one person did not mean accusing the entire institution. He asked if the army officers were considered infallible then what was the need for court martials.

Again commenting on the DG ISPR’s statement that the controversial cipher was a “drama”, the PTI chairman asked then why the cipher was not being investigated. He asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to consider the issue a “serious matter” and investigate it. He added the copy of the cipher was already with the chief justice. “Maybe the cipher does not represent interference or conspiracy but it can only be ascertained after a thorough and fair investigation,” he added.

Imran Khan urged the CJP to investigate the kidnapping, torture, and release of an ‘obscene’ video of Azam Swati. Claiming that some “agencies were working to cover up” the issue, Mr Khan alleged that the video was not fake but recorded at Judicial Lodges in Quetta during Azam Swati’s visit along with his wife.

Since Senator Swati has decided to protest and stage a sit-in outside the Supreme Court, he said he had asked all party senators and lawyer groups to join him in his sit-in.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2022

 

[Humz]

Interestingly news on the shooting seems to be blurred. There seem to be contradictions as to exactly what happened. I am wondering if IK arranged this attack to play the sympathy card so to gain political mileage.

Where is your proof?

If you don't have proof and your simply going off incentive, then the other side has equal incentive to orchestrate this.

A smart man would simply look at Pakistan's history of assassinating people in power as a base.

 

[the Great Khan]

Interestingly news on the shooting seems to be blurred. There seem to be contradictions as to exactly what happened. I am wondering if IK arranged this attack to play the sympathy card so to gain political mileage.

Your wondering should remain wondering..Mere thoughts of a conspiracy theorist. Have Pakistanis lost all chance of some basic logical thinking?

Here let me help you as it seems you need some mudud.

1) why would the most popular leader in Pakistan organise a hit against himself to garner popularity?

2) Has he been threatened?

3) if yes by whom?

4) if he dies who ultimately benefits?

I think let's start there. Seems alot of young Pakistanis need to be spoon fed ...

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Interestingly news on the shooting seems to be blurred. There seem to be contradictions as to exactly what happened. I am wondering if IK arranged this attack to play the sympathy card so to gain political mileage.

Sadly this seems to be the level of debate these days, we saw similar comments when Bibi was murdered.

Not everything is a conspiracy or false flag.

 

[bluefan]

I wonder if Imran Khan is good or bad for Pakistan. On one hand, the establishment, i.e. Army and ISI needs to be called out. On the other hand, Imran Khan was fine with the establishment when they supported him. I do not live in Pakistan; so do not know the true ground realities; but Imran Khan reminds me of Donald Trump. He is willing to destabilize his country in order to achieve power.

 

[Humz]

I wonder if Imran Khan is good or bad for Pakistan. On one hand, the establishment, i.e. Army and ISI needs to be called out. On the other hand, Imran Khan was fine with the establishment when they supported him. I do not live in Pakistan; so do not know the true ground realities; but Imran Khan reminds me of Donald Trump. He is willing to destabilize his country in order to achieve power.

Well if you want Pakistan to remain a at the bottom of the table of standard of living in the world then the status quo is fine.

Otherwise you need populists to come in and shake up the establishment, last resort is civil war.

 

[SalimBhai]

Imran was perfectly fine with the establishment when it favored him. Now he is not fine with them as they oppose him.

 

[PakLFC]

Where is your proof?

If you don't have proof and your simply going off incentive, then the other side has equal incentive to orchestrate this.

A smart man would simply look at Pakistan's history of assassinating people in power as a base.

Where is the proof that IK did not do it himself? He was shot or so he says than taken to his own cancer hospital for treatment. Surely he could have been taken to a hospital that was much closer to Shaukat Khanum for starters?

 

[PakLFC]

Sadly this seems to be the level of debate these days, we saw similar comments when Bibi was murdered.

Not everything is a conspiracy or false flag.

IK cult followers look upon him as being perfect. This guy has never even claimed his daughter, had many affairs and you expect him to be loyal to Pakistan? His anti-military and ISI stance suggests he wants to break Pakistan more then anything else. This is why many Indian people and Indian channels are openly supporting him.

 

[PakLFC]

Your wondering should remain wondering..Mere thoughts of a conspiracy theorist. Have Pakistanis lost all chance of some basic logical thinking?

Here let me help you as it seems you need some mudud.

1) why would the most popular leader in Pakistan organise a hit against himself to garner popularity?

2) Has he been threatened?

3) if yes by whom?

4) if he dies who ultimately benefits?

I think let's start there. Seems alot of young Pakistanis need to be spoon fed ...

To gain sympathy from the people putting him in a stronger position.

How do you know he has been threatened,

We will see if and when he dies. He is a great as playing victim all the time.

Do you know how many Pak journalists have exposed IK for being pro India? Does any Pakistani speak against his own military and ISI? No wonder Indian people are in love with IK nowadays. He also remained silent when during his prime minister ship India revoked article 370.

 

[daytrader]

Police finally register FIR over attack on PTI chief following SC intervention

• Senior govt, military officials not nominated in case despite PTI’s insistence
• IG blames CM Elahi, Moonis blames ‘unknown persons’, police for delay in FIR registration

LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: After the Supreme Court warned that it would initiate suo motu proceedings if the Punjab police failed to register an FIR regarding the assassination attempt on former prime minister Imran Khan, the provincial police finally registered the case under terrorism charges, with detained suspect Naveed being nominated as the prime accused.

The FIR lodged on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Amir Shahzad at 11:10pm on Monday under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, and Section 302, 324, and 440 of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered after a delay of three days.

Even though the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, and a senior intelligence officer Major General Faisal Naseer of the alleged conspiracy to kill him, the FIR did not mention any of these names.

The senior government and military men were nominated in an application filed by a PTI leader, Zubair Khan Niazi, for the registration of the case.

According to events that transpired before the registration of the case, the applicant and the police staff locked horns over the generation of an e-tag for the application. A police official who shared the details with Dawn said the staff refused to issue the e-tag without receiving the copy of the application and the contents it was carrying.

The applicant was hesitating to drop it at the front desk of the police station saying that his political party leadership wanted to keep the contents of the application secret due to the sensitivity of the matter, the official added. The issue remained unresolved until the police registered the FIR on the complaint of a sub-inspector, he added.

The FIR came after IGP Faisal Shahkar in line with the directives of the apex court ordered the Gujrat district police officer (DPO) to lodge the case so a copy of the FIR could be submitted to the SC today. He also conveyed to the DPO the decision of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial who had ordered him to register the case within 24 hours. “The DPO had been conveyed to act as per law as per directions of the SC,” Mr Shahkar said.

‘Register in 24 hours’

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court took exception to the delay in the registration of the FIR and directed the IGP to register the case within 24 hours if he did not want to face suo motu proceedings over the matter.

The apex court made these remarks during a contempt case against the PTI chairman over the May 25 violence and the alleged violation of an undertaking given to the court by the PTI. However, the proceedings ended up with the court issuing directions over multiple issues, including the assassination bid on Imran Khan, alleged political interference in the Punjab police, the Azam Swati case, and Arshad Sharif’s murder probe.

“Can’t you see this is an assassination attempt against a national leader,” observed Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial with a direction that the provincial police will report to the Supreme Court in writing about the registration of the FIR and subsequent measures taken regarding the investigation.

At the outset of the hearing, the court asked PTI’s counsel Salman Akram Raja to approach the rostrum and acknowledged that he had a valid reason for seeking time for furnishing a detailed reply on behalf of Imran Khan.

The CJ said the assassination attempt on Mr Khan was “very distressing” but also noted that the PTI chairman had been discharged from the hospital. The case will be taken up next week. The counsel expressed the hope that he may sit with his client on Thursday to seek fresh instructions and finalise the reply.

‘FIR delay’

In response to an observation by the CJ about the delay in the FIR registration, Mr Raja said that he had been told that the concerned police station was reluctant. “No FIR means no investigation,” CJP said, adding even the evidence could be altered due to the delay.

Giving reasons for the delay, Punjab IG Shahkar who joined the proceedings via video link from Lahore said that as per the concerned district police officer (DPO), no formal complaint has been received by the police. The IG claimed that he had also discussed the matter with Chief Minister Parvez Elahi but the CM had “some reservations over the content of the FIR”.

The provincial government has certain views on the matter but such views cannot override the views of the police, the CJP said, adding whatever the case may be, the investigation must move forward. “We will take interest and see that this is done,” CJ Bandial said, adding the court will support the police in all lawful actions.

The government acts on its own but no one will be allowed to interfere in the police work either, the CJP observed. He told the IG that this “court will interfere in their work if someone interferes in his work”. Also, look at the medical reports, Justice Bandial told the police chief while postponing further proceedings for a week.

Moonis hits back

The son of Punjab CM, Moonis Elahi, reacted strongly to the claims made by the Punjab IG and said the police chief was stopping from registering the case by “unknown persons” — a euphemism for establishment.

In another tweet, the PML-Q leader took a jibe at the IG and said, “Police were stopped from registering the FIR on the complaint of the police and as per wishes of the police.”

DAWN

 

[daytrader]

Alvi in the crosshairs after Imran’s letter
Former premier asks president to identify 'wrongdoers' and hold them accountable

ISLAMABAD:
When Imran Khan was ousted from power following a parliamentary vote of no-confidence and was replaced by Shehbaz Sharif as the new prime minister in April, one person was stuck between his constitutional duty and loyalty to his party.

Before becoming the president, Arif Alvi was one of the senior leaders of PTI and remained thick and thin with Imran during all those years of his struggle.

Now, suddenly he had to deal with the prime minister, whom his leader believes was thrust upon Pakistan through a foreign conspiracy. Therefore, President Alvi was under pressure not to cooperate with the coalition government.

At the start, he did follow what his leader wanted, refusing to administer an oath to the newly-elected prime minister. But later he accepted the reality and tried to act as head of the state instead of a PTI loyalist. President Alvi of late has been stressing the need for dialogue among the stakeholders and hosted at least two meetings between the army chief and the deposed prime minister.

But it is believed that the PTI chief was not happy with President Alvi, particularly after the failed assassination attempt against him. Imran wanted a clear stance from the president.

When the president went to inquire about Imran at Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore, Alvi had an extended meeting with his party chief on the current political issues.

Political observers believe that it was that extended meeting, which led Imran to write a letter to the president seeking action against certain senior military officials.

In his letter, the PTI called on President Alvi to “act now” and stop the abuse of power as well as the violation of laws and the Constitution.

In a letter to the president on Sunday, the former premier stated that since the removal of the PTI government, the country has been “confronted with an ever-increasing scale of false allegations, harassment, arrests, and custodial torture”.

He alleged that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah “repeatedly issued death threats” to him and that he was informed of an assassination plot “hatched by PM Shehbaz, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah” and a senior military official.

“The plot was operationalised earlier this week during our long march, but Allah saved me and the assassination attempt failed,” he stated.

Imran requested that as the head of the State of Pakistan and “also as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces under Article 243 (2)” of the Constitution, President Alvi take note of the “following serious wrongdoings that undermine Pakistan’s national security”.

He further asked Alvi to lead an inquiry to identify the guilty “and hold them accountable”.

In a three-point list, he highlighted the “wrongdoings”.

Firstly, he maintained that “a breach of the Official Secrets Act occurred when [a] confidential conversation between myself as PM, the COAS [chief of armed staff]” and another military official were leaked to the media.

He claimed that this raised the “very serious question as to who or what organisation was involved in doing a clearly illegal wiretap of the PM's secure phone line”, adding that the incident was a breach of national security at the highest level.

In his second point, he stated that the issue of the cipher was “sent by our ambassador to the US in which the US official conveyed a direct threat of regime change to our envoy who reported the same in quotes as was conveyed to him”.

He furthered that the National Security Council (NSC) meeting held on the issue during his reign as the premier “clearly decided this was an unacceptable intrusion into our internal matters and the NSC decided on a demarche to be issued by MoFA to the US envoy in Islamabad”.

Imran further stated that the NSC decision was “reaffirmed by the NSC meeting held under the Shehbaz Sharif government”.

“In view of this, a joint press conference held on 27 October 2022 by the DG ISI and the DG ISPR that had the former contradicting the decision made by the NSC under two governments and stating that the message of the US government conveyed by our envoy in Washington DC in the cipher was not an unacceptable intrusion into our internal affairs but simply a case of 'misconduct'”.

He questioned how two military officials could “publicly contradict a decision of the NSC” and pointed to the “serious issue of these military bureaucrats deliberately trying to create a false narrative”.

According to the PTI chief, two other questions that should be investigated were “how the head of Pakistan's premier intelligence agency can do a public press conference”; and “how can two military bureaucrats do a highly political press conference targeting the leader of the largest and perhaps the only federal political party in Pakistan today”.

Lastly, Imran stated that “the parameters of a military information organisation such as the ISPR also need to be clearly defined and limited to information relating to defence and military issues”.

He called on President Alvi “as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces” to initiate the “drawing up of these clear operational lines for the ISPR”.

Imran stated that he and the president led Pakistan and that Alvi “must protect its democracy and its Constitution”.

“No person or state institution can be above the law of the land,” he said.

The deposed premier reiterated that the country was observing a “massive abuse of citizens at the hands of rogue elements within state organisations, including custodial torture and abductions”, all of which he claimed were “carried out with impunity”.

“You hold the highest Office of State and I am requesting you to act now to stop the abuse of power and violations of our laws and of the Constitution, which ensures the fundamental rights of every citizen,” Imran concluded.

Despite Imran’s letter, experts believe that the president has no legal or constitutional power to do anything.

“At best he can forward the letter to the ministry of defence or the GHQ,” commented Ahmed Bilal Mehbood, the executive director of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT).

President may be the commander-in-chief but in reality, he has no executive powers, and he can only act on the advice of the prime minister.

“But he can create a nuisance,” Bilal said adding, that it would be a suicidal step by the president.

Express Tribune

 

[daytrader]

Imran claims ‘malcontent’ agency insiders feeding him information

KARACHI: PTI Chairman Imran Khan claimed on Monday that his advance knowledge of the attempt on his life came from “connections with intelligence agencies that operate”, adding that most people who were doing so were appalled by what is going on in this country.

In an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson on Monday, Mr Khan said three bullets were removed from his right leg while some shrapnel was left inside his left leg and that it would take him “four to six weeks” to resume his activities after the Wazirabad assassination attempt.

Talking about the incident, Imran Khan claimed that there were two shooters and “maybe another one”. “There was this guy who fired the first volley ... then there was another volley [that] came in over our heads because we were falling,” he added, terming the attack a “planned assassination attempt”.

He also alleged that a cover-up of the incident was under way, saying that is why he had called for an independent investigation and for three people to resign — who Mr Khan claims are responsible for the attack: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and a senior intelligence official who he identified as Major General Faisal Naseer.

“If my allegations are wrong then an inquiry would prove them wrong,” Mr Khan said. He questioned that could he, as the person who the assassination attempt was tried against, “can’t name the people I’m suspicious of who planned this attempt on me”.

When asked about the source of his pre-emptive information about the attack, Mr Khan referred to his term in power and said he had “connections with intelligence agencies that operate”.

“How did I get the information? From within the intelligence agencies. Why? Because most people are appalled by what is going on in this country. What is happening in Pakistan is unprecedented.”

Mr Khan also alleged that an “unprecedented” media clampdown was under way in Pakistan, referring to the details surrounding and leading up to journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing in Kenya. He also mentioned the treatment meted out to his aides Shahbaz Gill and Senator Azam Swati, alleging that they were stripped and tortured.

“Both blamed a senior intelligence officer who was responsible for their torture,” Mr Khan added. The PTI chief also claimed that “all efforts” were under way to somehow disqualify and exclude him from the political arena, adding that the failure of those attempts led to the Wazirabad attack.

“Two months ago, an agency produced this video that accused me of blasphemy,” he said, adding that his opponents had picked up and ran with it while he had said right then at the time that it was a “planned thing”.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Your wondering should remain wondering..Mere thoughts of a conspiracy theorist. Have Pakistanis lost all chance of some basic logical thinking?

Here let me help you as it seems you need some mudud.

1) why would the most popular leader in Pakistan organise a hit against himself to garner popularity?

2) Has he been threatened?

3) if yes by whom?

4) if he dies who ultimately benefits?

I think let's start there. Seems alot of young Pakistanis need to be spoon fed ...

You don't even need to ask questions that deep. Any dimwit who thinks a false flag attack would be carried out by a machine gun doesn't deserve a sensible response.

 

[PakLFC]

Sure. IK is also madly in love with Israel too. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news...ef50000?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Sure. IK is also madly in love with Israel too. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news...ef50000?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Can you post a transcript of that article as I wouldn't particularly want that site putting tracking cookies on my computer. Interesting choice of new source though.

 

[Bewal Express]

To gain sympathy from the people putting him in a stronger position.

How do you know he has been threatened,

We will see if and when he dies. He is a great as playing victim all the time.

Do you know how many Pak journalists have exposed IK for being pro India? Does any Pakistani speak against his own military and ISI? No wonder Indian people are in love with IK nowadays. He also remained silent when during his prime minister ship India revoked article 370.

So winning against 13 parties isnt enough. Stop making a fool of yourself. And how do you know he has been threatened? Well try Rana the Qatil each week for months on end. And the Inds are pro Nani and daddy, Just look at the celebrations of Inds on here when they conspired against him. So back to the drawing board for more tripe.

 

[PakLFC]

Can you post a transcript of that article as I wouldn't particularly want that site putting tracking cookies on my computer. Interesting choice of new source though.

The article is mega long still no one is gonna track you down if you read it, relax. We need to know what the other side thinks as well.

 

[PakLFC]

So winning against 13 parties isnt enough. Stop making a fool of yourself. And how do you know he has been threatened? Well try Rana the Qatil each week for months on end. And the Inds are pro Nani and daddy, Just look at the celebrations of Inds on here when they conspired against him. So back to the drawing board for more tripe.

Rather you blind IK fans stop embarrassing yourselves all the time with your mislead loyalty. That he has been threatened or not is for each individual to decide. Fancy him being taken to his own cancer hospital for being shot In Waziistan as if there was no hospital nearer to the incident. Now his blind followers like you are blocking the roads for common citizens! Great logic by his law abiding citizens.

Now you tell me why PTI stooges are coming on Indian TV bad mouthing Pak army and the ISI. Gaurav Arya is eager to donate large amounts of money to the PTI so pleased is he with IK wanting civil war in Pak. Your IK says one thing but does the other.

I am not a supporter or Rana or Noora whoever they are but I am calling IK out for his illogical trouble making policies. Millions of Pakistanis will hold him responsible if there is any bloodshed during this march. IK wants to be PM even if million's of Pak's die. It is all about his ego and obsession when under his government we were hardly doing brilliantly. He remained silent on article 370 being revoked by India among other things which is why Indian channels at the time were rightfully laughing at his cowardice.

 

[MenInG]

Adviser to Punjab's chief minister on home affairs Omar Sarfraz Cheema on Wednesday revealed that at least two people were involved in assassination attempt on former prime minister Imran Khan last Thursday.

Imran Khan, 70, was wounded by gunfire aimed at his open-top container truck as he led a political party convoy through thick crowds in Wazirabad on November 3.
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One person died in the incident while several members of the PTI chairman’s close circle, including Senator Faisal Javed, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, Ahmad Chattha and Imran Yousaf, were injured.

Read more: Imran to reveal 'one more name involved in assassination bid'

A suspect identified as Naveed was arrested from the crime scene. The suspect admitted to opening fire on the container but did not point out to anyone during the initial investigations.

During a press briefing today, Cheema said that at least two people were involved in the attack, citing initial investigation by law enforcement agencies.

He rejected the religious angle given to the attack. "In fact, religious hatred is being spread against Imran Khan. After the Wazirabad incident, an attempt has been made to spew poison against Imran Khan in Hafizabad as well," he added.

Cheema said that the Centre can exercise its authority, however, appointing an IG is the responsibility of the provincial government. "There is only public’s rule here [in Punjab]... there won't be any governor’s rule [in the province]," he added.

PTI leader Farrukh Habib said that the attackers could be more than two. "In the initial investigation, it has been proved that there was a planned assassination attempt on Imran Khan," he claimed.

He said that those who were making a narrative against Imran Khan non-stop have been exposed. "[Interior Minister] Rana Sanaullah should be ashamed of his statement while accusing Imran Khan," he added.

He further said that the assassination bid on Imran Khan was an attack on entire 220 million people of Pakistan.

 

[MenInG]

There are at least three dozen personnel from the provincial police force stationed on the narrow lane leading to Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence these days. But inside, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman cuts a lonely figure.

Gone are the days when the Tareens, Aleem Khans and other political bigwigs were his gatekeepers, making him unreachable. On Tuesday, other than lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, who was escorted to the gate by Fawad Chaudhry after paying Mr Khan a visit, not a single face from the 2018 election coterie or the PTI’s ‘usual suspects’ was at the scene.

Lawyers, journalists and security officials came and went, but only when cleared by Mr Khan’s personal security officer. No phones were allowed. His security, it was apparent, was serious business. After all, just days ago, Mr Khan was targeted by a gunman.


“I am relieved to be alive,” Mr Khan said, in an exclusive conversation with Dawn.

It was surprising to see Mr Khan, who usually cuts a towering figure, hunched over a walker, and taking laboured steps to his sofa. His bandaged leg, where bullets had chipped part of his tibia, rested on a plush futon. One would think that the attack had shaken him. But Mr Khan was aggressive.

He did not shy away from addressing the elephant in the room: his bad romance with the military establishment.

Editorial: Is there a lull in the storm raging around Islamabad amid the Imran-govt stand-off?

Although many of his followers now see him as a born-again democrat who wants to rewrite the rules of engagement between the military and the civilian government, it is clear that he has faith in the institution’s power and influence, and believes that — within certain limits — positive working dynamics can produce great results. But three years into his government, he said, their relationship went sour.

“I always imagined that, because the army is so powerful and organised, when I would try to bring rule of law in the country, they would play an important part,” Mr Khan said.

He repeated the mantras that formed the backbone of his 2018 election campaign and were the main obsession of his government: accountability of mafias; bringing the elite to task; ending corruption.

But he rued that the National Accountability Bureau was not in his control. “NAB was controlled by the army. I couldn’t do anything. They would say, ‘yes there are cases, we are working on it’. But nothing would happen. I discovered that, actually, the establishment controlled NAB and proceeded as it wanted… it was to control politicians by having files about their corruption. They would squeeze someone, but then he would be out on bail.”

Beginning of the end

Asked when it all started to go wrong between him and the army, Mr Khan said that his government’s failure to convict those whom he alleged of corruption was the first sign.

The second, Mr Khan said, was the choice of Punjab chief minister.

“The army chief wanted me to have Aleem Khan [as CM Punjab] and I wouldn’t. Because not only were there NAB cases against him, he had occupied and sold land worth millions belonging to the government.”

When asked why he included Aleem Khan in his party if he suspected wrongdoing, Mr Khan said, “We always thought they were just allegations. And he defended himself. But when I asked the vice chairman of the LDA [about Aleem], he showed me on a map how Aleem Khan had occupied government land. This was around the end of my second year, and beginning of the third of my government.”

Mr Khan is unequivocal that, until the time that Gen Bajwa asked him to make Aleem Khan the chief minister, the relationship was going swimmingly.

“They were organised, you could get their help, we were on the same page regarding foreign policy. It was just the last six months, the issue of them making deals with these crooks when they should be behind bars…”

To emphasise his point about the military’s influence over accountability cases, Mr Khan said, “The army was going after these people before I came to power. 95 per cent of these cases preceded my government. The Nawaz Sharif case, the Avenfield case… he would not have got convicted had the army not provided the two brigadiers in the JITs — that was before me.”

Though Mr Khan points to the NAB inaction and Punjab CM issues as the main sticking points between him and the army, many speculate that it was actually his differences with the army chief over the appointment of the new DG ISI that marked the unraveling of the relationship.

“Look, I don’t know the internal politics of the army. All I know is our relationship was going well. Later, I discovered there was a big issue going on about the next army chief. I had never ever thought about who the army chief would be in November — why would I care, if it’s on merit? It should be the best person. It matters to the Sharifs and Zardari… but not to me.”

‘His man’

But what about the perception that General Faiz Hamid was ‘his man’?

“Gen Faiz was the only general I knew, because he was working with me as the ISI chief… and I didn’t know anyone else. I told Gen Bajwa ‘I will take your recommendations because I don’t know the other guys’, but at the time my worry was Afghanistan. I feared it would go into civil war. And I felt Americans would blame us and we would be sanctioned. Ashraf Ghani told me there are 300,000 Afghan soldiers and they will be outnumbered. Not just Ashraf Ghani, ISI was telling us there will be civil war [in Afghanistan]. I wanted Gen Faiz to stay till the winter till the transition happened.”

Despite allegations that the 2018 elections were rigged, his opponents jailed or disqualified and sections of the media provided enthusiastic support, Mr Khan insists the establishment did not help him come to power. According to Mr Khan, he won because of his popularity, not because he was the military’s darling.

“The army did not back me in the 2018 election. I believe we won freely and fairly,” he said.

To illustrate his point, Mr Khan added, “Since I have been out of power in the last six months, out of 37 by-elections I have won 29. The establishment is openly supporting [my opponents], the government machinery is supporting them. Even the election commission is supporting them — despite that we have won 29 out of 37.”

Rigging blues

On elections and rigging, Mr Khan said his efforts to introduce electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the next elections were also resisted by the military.

Also read: Imran asks president to rein in military

“For two years, I tried to get EVMs. Rigging disappears when you have EVMs because all the rigging takes place after polling ends. It was resisted by both main parties because they have fake votes in most constituencies. It was resisted by the establishment, because then when it comes to manipulation, that’s the time to do it [during vote count]. Remember when Gen Bajwa said he got that call from Khawaja Asif asking for help when he was losing? The next day he won.”

When reminded that the allegations against his party’s victory in the last election were the very same, he said. “We lost 17 seats with less than a 3,000 vote margin… if they [establishment] wanted to help they could easily get those seats.”

He acknowledges that his razor thin majority was one of his biggest challenges, and, if he faced the same situation again, he would “never take government”.

“We didn’t have the power. This time, if I ever come, I will not take government if I don’t have majority and can’t make a difference. If you have a coalition, a thin majority, and are being blackmailed by your own people… it’s impossible [to govern]. That’s when the army’s role became more prominent, because we needed their help and we were working together for the same cause.”

So is he happy for the military to wield influence as long as it does as he says? “It would be idealistic to completely remove their role,” Mr Khan said.

“They have been in power for so many years, but there needs to be a balance. To think the army will be shunted out of politics is not possible. Using their constructive power can get this country out of institutional collapse.”

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2022

 

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Imran Khan's chilling reveal after assassination attempt on cricket icon

Pakistan cricket legend and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has provided a chilling account on the assassination attempt on him last week, which left the world in shock.

Khan says he “should not have survived” after being shot in the leg when his anti-government protest convoy came under attack in the east of Pakistan.

The frightening incident left Khan and 10 others wounded, with one of those injured victims later dying in hospital.

The 70-year-old, who was ousted as Prime Minister in April, was six days into a protest procession, standing and waving to thousands of cheering supporters from the roof of a container in Wazirabad - nearly 200km from Islamabad.

Several others in his convoy were wounded when shots rang out, and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said a suspect had been arrested after the attack.

Pakistan cricket legend and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has provided a chilling account on the assassination attempt on him last week, which left the world in shock.

Khan says he “should not have survived” after being shot in the leg when his anti-government protest convoy came under attack in the east of Pakistan.

The frightening incident left Khan and 10 others wounded, with one of those injured victims later dying in hospital.

The 70-year-old, who was ousted as Prime Minister in April, was six days into a protest procession, standing and waving to thousands of cheering supporters from the roof of a container in Wazirabad - nearly 200km from Islamabad.

Several others in his convoy were wounded when shots rang out, and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said a suspect had been arrested after the attack.

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In footage of the shooting, being run by multiple channels, a man with a handgun can be seen being grabbed from behind by one of the people at the gathering.

Speaking on an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored, the 70-year-old described the terrifying moment the gunfire started, and he was shot in the leg.

“First it sounded like firecrackers and then my right leg buckled, because it was hit by these bullets. Initially it felt like a burning sensation,” he told the Sky News host.

“As I was hit on my leg and falling, and as I fell, and the firing stopped, then I realised I had been saved.

“I checked myself because I was numb in the beginning and I checked my body ‘where am I hit?’... I wasn’t bleeding too much.”

The Pakistan cricket great says he is recovering in hospital after having several bullets removed from his shin, reiterating the notion that he's lucky to be alive.

“I’ve had three bullets taken out from my right leg and some shrapnel in my left leg,” he said.

“So one of the bullets has fractured my shin bone, so that will take a bit of time. But I am recovering and glad - it could have been a lot worse.”

TV channels showed a man they said was a suspected shooter, who looked to be in his twenties or thirties. The man said he “tried my best to kill him” and had acted alone.

"He (Khan) was misleading the people, and I couldn't bear it," the suspect said in the video. The information minister confirmed the footage was recorded by police.

Khan had been whipping up large crowds on his way to the capital Islamabad in a campaign to topple the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"It was a clear assassination attempt. Khan was hit but he's stable. There was a lot of bleeding," Fawad Chaudhry, a spokesman for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, told Reuters.

"If the shooter had not been stopped by people there, the entire PTI leadership would have been wiped out."

Khan told his supporters via video-link that they should keep up the anti-government march, while dismissing police reports that it was a lone shooter who tried to kill him.

A police report released last week said a man identified as Mohammad Naveed acted alone when he took out a pistol and started shooting while Khan waved at his supporters at the event last week.

In the video address, Khan rejected the police version. He said at least two people executed what he said was a well planned attack. He did not provide evidence to back up his claim, but pointed to occasions when he spoke at his public rallies in September about a suspected plot.

The police have the suspected shooter in custody after he was intercepted by a Khan supporter who lunged at the alleged offender to throw off his aim.

Yahoo

 

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to approach the Supreme Court to get the three suspects named by party chief Imran Khan included in the FIR over the murderous gun attack on the former prime minister.

The attack on the cricketer-turned-politician occurred during his “Haqeeqi Azadi March” on November 3 in Punjab’s Wazirabad district but the FIR was not registered in accordance with the complainant’s desire.
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The party will move an application in the registries of the top court in all the provinces for the nomination in the FIR the three suspects the PTI chief believes were behind the attack. The members of the PTI have been instructed to file a writ petition in the Supreme Court on Monday (today).

The PTI MNAs from Islamabad will go to the apex court along with a team of lawyers. Similar writ petitions will be filed in the registries of the top court in all the provinces. The party's MNAs in all provinces have been instructed to reach the SC registries in their respective areas.

The PTI MNAs will reach the SC registries located in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta at 10am and file a petition, requesting the inclusion of the names of the three suspects named by Imran, in the FIR.

The party’s MNAs have been directed by their leadership to ensure their presence at the SC and its registries. Punjab government spokesperson Musarrat Jamshed Cheema has confirmed this development.

She said the PTI lawmakers in Punjab as well as its senior leaders in the province would approach the SC registry in Lahore at 10am.

Musarrat added that the SC would be requested to register an FIR of the attack on the PTI chief, the leader of the country’s “largest party”, as per his wishes. Even after the passage of a week, the FIR was not being registered in accordance with the PTI chief’s version, she lamented.

“At this time, the people’s trust in the law and institutions is decreasing. We demand that there should be a transparent investigation into the murderous attack on the PTI chairman,” she added.

Earlier this month, a relative of the PTI chairman had moved an application to register an FIR against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Major General Faisal Naseer, the three suspects named by Imran behind the botched assassination attempt on his life.

However, the FIR was registered on the complaint of a sub-inspector police and the three top officials cited by the PTI chief have not been nominated in the case. Shortly after the attack, PTI leader and former federal minister Asad Umar issued a video statement, accompanied by a fellow party member and provincial minister Aslam Iqbal.

In the statement, Umar disclosed that both of them had a conversation with Imran after the attack and the PTI chief revealed that he already had information about it. The former minister said the PTI chief was certain that the men who had planned the attack were the prime minister, interior minister and a top military officer.

He demanded that these three men should be ousted from their posts. “We are waiting for Imran Khan’s nod. If these three people aren’t removed from their positions, there will be countrywide protests,” he warned Umar said he had spoken with the doctors treating Imran and his condition was stable.

He added that as the PTI chief had suffered bullet wounds to his leg, there could be two or three pellets lodged inside his body, especially the bone.

However, he said the doctors had carried out CT scans of Imran’s leg and said he was out of danger.
One person had died in the attack, while several members of the PTI chairman’s close circle, including Senator Faisal Javed, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, Ahmad Chattha and Imran Yousaf, were injured.

Regional police chief Akhtar Abbas told Reuters a criminal investigation had been launched, without elaborating. A copy of the police report lodged by Wazirabad police and seen by Reuters said a man in the crowd near Imran had taken out a pistol and started shooting, wounding the former premier and 10 other people, one of whom later died.

The police said the suspected shooter was arrested after PTI supporter Ibtesam Hasan overpowered him and threw off his aim, possibly saving the ex-premier from more serious gunshot wounds. Hasan has in several local media interviews said the suspect detained by the police was the shooter he had tackled.

Imran, who has said two shooters had tried to kill him, and his aides have said they would not accept the case registered by the police it until it included the suspects named by him.

(With input from Reuters)

 

[MenInG]

Chairman PTI Imran Khan's Exclusive Interview on France 24 English with Marc Perelman

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IMRAN KHAN FEARS HE MIGHT BE ATTACKED AGAIN

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, who survived Nov 3 assassination attempt in Wazirabad, feared he could be attacked again in the near future.

The PTI chief was injured during a gun attack while leading the party’s long march in Punjab’s Wazirabad on November 3. A PTI supporter, Moazzam Nawaz, was killed in the incident while 14 others, including the former premier, were wounded.

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Khan said that he was convinced that the recent attack on him was an assassination plot hatched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah. He claimed that the suspect arrested was merely a decoy and that there was another gunman at the rally in the eastern city of Wazirabad.

Khan said he only trusted the chief justice to conduct an independent investigation, arguing that any other probe would be sabotaged by the interior minister.

The former premier said he feared further attempts on his life but vowed to rejoin the anti-government march. He said he would take “more precautions” but vowed to carry on regardless of the risks, insisting that the protest march would remain peaceful.

The PTI chief said that the present rulers feel threatened by his party’s popularity in view of the next elections in the country.

“They think that the only way to get me out of the way is actually [to] eliminate me. So I think that there is a threat, still.”

Imran Khan, who was ousted as premier in April after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament, denied having backtracked on his claim that he was toppled as part of a US conspiracy.

He stressed there was indeed evidence that the US administration wanted to oust him.

However, Imran Khan said he didn’t want to go against the interests of the people of Pakistan by antagonising a superpower.

ARY

 

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Interior Ministry fears suicide attack on PTI’s long march
The Ministry of Interior requested the PTI leadership to postpone its public gatherings and long march in view of threats to Imran Khan’s life and the prevailing security situation in the country

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior Wednesday requested the PTI leadership to postpone its public gatherings and long march in view of threats to Imran Khan’s life and the prevailing security situation in the country, the state-run radio reported.

A letter addressed to PTI Secretary General Asad Umar stated that the Interior Ministry has been sharing threat alerts generated by credible intelligence sources to the life of Imran Khan by anti-state elements aimed at destabilising the country.

The letter also mentioned the recent attack on Imran Khan by an armed assailant in Wazirabad. The letter noted that the federal government had provided a bulletproof vehicle to Imran Khan and deployed police and civil armed forces during his stay in the Islamabad Capital Territory.

The letter said it was expected that the Punjab government would be taking all measures for security arrangements not only for the PTI chief but also for the participants of the march.

“Anti-state elements like al-Qaeda, Daesh, TTP and radicalised youth of TLP can take advantage of soft targets like public gatherings to destabilise the country through suicide attacks and improvised explosive devices,” it said.

It further noted that the Interior Ministry has formally conveyed to the concerned quarters the threat to the life of Imran Khan and general public.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry, in a letter to the provinces, has warned of a threat to Imran Khan’s long march. The letter is written based on the intelligence reports the ministry has received. It added that there is a possibility of a large-scale bombing or IED attack.

It advised all the provinces to ensure strict security arrangements for the march.

The letter has been sent to Home Ministries of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, chief commissioner Islamabad and PTI Secretary General Asad Umar.

DC Rawalpindi Captain (retd) Shoaib Wednesday suggested PTI leader Asad Umar to hold their long march away from sensitive installations.

During a meeting, Umar assured the official he would discuss this issue with PTI Chairman Imran Khan, sources told Geo News.

DC Rawalpindi, however, confirmed that the final decision regarding the alternative place for the PTI’s long march hasn’t been decided so far.

“So far no permission has been granted yet for the protest and sit-in,” he said, adding that the location will be mentioned in the permission letter.

The official revealed that most probably the PTI will be allowed to stage a protest near the Allama Iqbal park.

PTI Secretary General Asad Umar Wednesday said that the location of the sit-in has not been finalised as of yet.

“The decision will be taken after we have another meeting with the administration,” Asad Umar said following a meeting at the Central Police Officer’s office regarding the party’s long march resuming on November 26.

He said that that the party’s gathering point will be Murree Road, but the sit-in point will be decided later.

In a meeting of police officers presided by inspector-general Islamabad, it was decided that Faizabad would be completely shut down on November 26 — when PTI chief Imran Khan will lead the long march.

An alternative traffic plan has also been devised while it was decided that the traffic in inner city will not be affected.

Moreover, bus stand and markets in Faizabad will also remain closed while traffic will be diverted to IJP Road. It was also decided that the police, Rangers and FC personnel will be deployed at Faizabad while 1,500 more FC personnel will be called.

The News PK