Rangers, ISI officers responsible for Karachi incident removed from posts: ISPR

[MenInG]

Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has taken notice of and ordered an immediate inquiry into the "Karachi incident", the military's media wing said on Tuesday.

He has directed the Karachi Corps Commander to "immediately inquire into the circumstances to determine the facts and report back as soon as possible", according to the statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

While the ISPR did not specify which incident it was referring to, the statement came minutes after PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called on Gen Bajwa and Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of PML-N leader retired Capt Mohammad Safdar in Karachi a day earlier.

In a tweet from its official account, the PPP said Gen Bajwa also called Bilawal "over the telephone to discuss the Karachi incident this evening".

"The Chairman PPP expressed his appreciation to the COAS for taking prompt notice of the Karachi incident and his assurance of conducting a transparent inquiry on the incident," it added.

Safdar and his wife, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, were in the city to attend a rally of the opposition's Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) when he was arrested from their hotel early on Monday morning. He was subsequently released on bail.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Bilawal said all top officers of Sindh Police were wondering "who were the people who surrounded" the Sindh police chief's house in the early hours of Monday and took him to an unspecified location before Safdar was arrested.

He also demanded to know the identities of "the two people who went inside the IG's house" and where they allegedly took the police chief at around 4am.

"I demand of DG ISI Faiz Hameed and Chief of Army Staff Gen Bajwa to investigate your institution [and] how it is operating in this province," the PPP leader said, adding that the provincial government will carry out its own inquiry.

He said the advice to carry out Safdar's arrest in that manner was "wrong" and which could damage the armed forces' "institutional integrity".

Following Safdar's arrest, a purported voice message by PML-N leader and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair was shared by a journalist in which Zubair alleged that the inspector general of police was kidnapped and forced to register the first information report against Maryam, her husband Safdar and 200 others for violating the sanctity of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's mausoleum.

In the audio clip circulating on Twitter, Zubair purportedly said that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah confirmed to him that police was pressured into making the arrest. "When they (police) refused to do that, Rangers kidnapped [the IGP]," Zubair said.

Maryam had also alleged that the Sindh police chief was forcibly "taken to the sector commander's office and asked to sign on the arrest orders". She claimed that when the IGP showed reluctance, he was told that the arrest would be carried out by the Rangers. "After his signatures were forcibly taken on the arrest orders, he was told police would carry out the arrest."

The allegation was denied by Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi as "nonsense narrative".

Terming the manner in which Safdar was arrested as "shameful", Bilawal said he could not condemn it enough.

"I am ashamed [and] unable to show my face over what has taken place in my province," he added.

He said there was a furore over the political slogans raised by Safdar at the Quaid's mausoleum, but asked why no action was taken when PTI workers "did similar sloganeering" during Imran Khan's visit to the tomb and when "banned outfits" raised their own slogans there.

"Harassing them (Maryam and Safdar) early in the morning and arresting Safdar is an insult to the people of Sindh who had invited Maryam sahiba and the N-league delegation to attend the PDM jalsa," the PPP leader said.

He said the numbers in which the people of Sindh had attended the rally was "an open referendum against Imran Khan and his facilitators".

Vowing that the Sindh government will fully pursue the investigation into the episode involving Safdar's arrest, Bilawal said a number of top Sindh Police officers were "resigning or going on leave" because the incident had become a "question of their honour".

He said the Sindh government did not want any political interference in the police "but this does not mean we will tolerate interference from somewhere else".

"How does it make sense that the IG is holding a meeting at 4am about some slogans that were raised at the Quaid's mausoleum?" he said, adding that there were many other issues to discuss in meetings.

"The job of the offices of such an important institution in this province should be [regarding] national security [and] to maintain peace in the province.

"If there is no respect left for my police, how will they do their jobs? This is unacceptable," Bilawal stressed.

He said "there should be some red lines which are not to be crossed" and, "I think many red lines were crossed in this incident which should not become a precedent."

'Pakistan has changed'
Maryam on Twitter lauded Sindh Police officers for stepping back from their duties over the incident. "I salute the Sindh Police!," she wrote, including a quote by the Quaid-i-Azam advising public servants "not [to] fall victim to any pressure".

She said it was "heartening to see civilians breaking shackles of fear, standing up for supremacy of constitution & reclaiming their long lost rights. The conspiracy & conspirators stand badly exposed."

She also thanked Bilawal for his "support and clear stance", saying "Pakistan has changed."

Meanwhile, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif said the events that unfolded in Karachi were "clear proof of our narrative that there is 'a state above the state'".

Without naming anyone, he said: "You made a mockery of the elected provincial government's powers" and "brought a bad name to the Pakistan Army".

https://www.dawn.com/news/1586087/army-chief-orders-immediate-inquiry-into-karachi-incident-ispr

 

[MenInG]

In a shock move following the recent arrest of PML-N leader retired Captain Mohammad Safdar, at least two additional inspectors general, seven deputy inspectors general and six senior superintendents of Sindh Police on Tuesday applied for leaves in order to "come out of […] shock" caused by the "recent episode of registration of FIR against Capt (R) Safdar".

Those who submitted leave applications include Special Branch AIG Imran Yaqoob, Forensic Science Division AIG Dr Samiulah Soomro Counter Terrorism Department DIG Omer Shahid Hamid, Headquarters DIG Saqib Ismail Memon, Hyderabad DIG Naeem Ahmed Shaikh, East Zone (Karachi) DIG Capt (r) Asim Khan, South Zone (Karachi) DIG Javed Akbar Riaz, Larkana DIG Nasir Aftab, Special Branch DIG Qamar-uz-Zaman and SSP Intelligence Tauqeer Muhammad Naeem, Sukkur SSP Irfan Ali Samo, Anti-Violent Crime Cell SSP Abdullah Ahmad, Badin SSP Shabir Ahmed Sethar, SSP Korangi Capt (r) Faisal Abdullah Chachar and East Zone (Karachi) SSP Sajid Amir Sudozai.

According to the applications — all of which are identical — submitted to Sindh IGP Mushtaq Mahar, the officials said that it had become hard for them to "discharge [their] duties in a professional manner" due to the stress caused by Safdar's arrest.

"The recent episode of registration of FIR against Capt (R) Safdar in which police high command has not only been ridiculed and mishandled, but all ranks of Sindh police have been demoralised and shocked.

"In such stressful situation it is quite difficult for me to discharge my duty in a professional manner," the letters read.

Shortly after the news surfaced, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz, in a tweet expressed her appreciation for the Sindh Police.

"I salute the Sindh Police!" she tweeted, alongside a quote of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The development comes a day after the arrest and subsequent release on bail of PML-N leader retired Captain Mohammad Safdar in Karachi.

Following Safdar's arrest, a purported voice message by PML-N leader and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair was shared by a journalist in which Zubair alleged that the inspector general of police was kidnapped and forced to register the first-information report against Maryam, her husband Safdar and 200 others for violating the sanctity of the Quaid's mausoleum.

In the audio clip circulating on Twitter, Zubair purportedly said that Chief Minister Murad Shah confirmed to him that police was pressured into making the arrest. "When they (police) refused to do that, Rangers kidnapped [the IGP]," Zubair said.

PML-N vice president Maryam had also alleged that the Sindh inspector general of police was forcibly "taken to the sector commander's office and asked to sign on the arrest orders".

She claimed that when the IGP showed reluctance, he was told that the arrest would be carried out by the Rangers. "After his signatures were forcibly taken on the arrest orders, he was told police would carry out the arrest."

The allegation was denied by Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi as "nonsense narrative".

mausoleum along with party workers and Maryam, where he jumped inside the perimeter of the founder's resting place and raised slogans, a move that had drawn widespread criticism.

The next day, he was arrested by police from his hotel room on charges of violating the sanctity of Jinnah’s mausoleum and hurling murder threats at some individuals. Safdar was later released on bail.

The arrest drew widespread criticism from the opposition and some leaders of the PDM, including Maryam, had claimed in a presser after Safdar's arrest that the move was an attempt to enforce cracks among the opposition by the federal government and its agencies. The PPP administration, which was left in an awkward position, distanced itself from the move.

Earlier today, CM Shah addressed a press conference where he said the police "did their work" and acted in "accordance with the law" to book and later arrest PML-N leader Safdar in Karachi.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1586086/d...-request-for-leave-over-safdar-arrest-episode

 

[MenInG]

 

[Savak]

Lol the Sindh Police puts up with all sorts of things from the PPP, PML N, MQM without thinking of resigning but this Quaid Mausoleum episode made them resign? How helpless is this country from the true establishment of the country i.e. PML N, PPP?

 

[last_knight]

Lol the Sindh Police puts up with all sorts of things from the PPP, PML N, MQM without thinking of resigning but this Quaid Mausoleum episode made them resign? How helpless is this country from the true establishment of the country i.e. PML N, PPP?

After insulting Sindh Police all day on Monday, Sindh Govt started sloganeering for dignity of Sindh Police )

I think PPP gave orders of arrest and then backtracked. In official capacity and in court PPP backed the arrest but took 180° opposite stance in Media statements. Playing safe, PPP hasn't officially owned the statement of Muhammad Zubair.

Senior officials of Sindh Police had a heated discussion with BBZ on Tuesday morning after which PPP started talking about dignity of Sindh Police. BBZ even addressed COAS to take notice. or was it a bluff?

This is going to be a long winter for many.

 

[Savak]

After insulting Sindh Police all day on Monday, Sindh Govt started sloganeering for dignity of Sindh Police )

I think PPP gave orders of arrest and then backtracked. In official capacity and in court PPP backed the arrest but took 180° opposite stance in Media statements. Playing safe, PPP hasn't officially owned the statement of Muhammad Zubair.

Senior officials of Sindh Police had a heated discussion with BBZ on Tuesday morning after which PPP started talking about dignity of Sindh Police. BBZ even addressed COAS to take notice. or was it a bluff?

This is going to be a long winter for many.

Am reading on Twitter that PTI has received the go ahead from GHQ to impose Governor's rule in the province?

 

[srh]

Am reading on Twitter that PTI has received the go ahead from GHQ to impose Governor's rule in the province?

This is so cringe worthy and stops me from supporting PTI government. . Why government needs approval from army to take an action? Very embarrassing.

 

[last_knight]

Am reading on Twitter that PTI has received the go ahead from GHQ to impose Governor's rule in the province?

Other than BBZ, reportedly IG Sindh also requested COAS to investigate the matter.

Governor's Rule is a bad idea tbh. An unnecessary evil.

 

[Bewal Express]

This is so cringe worthy and stops me from supporting PTI government. . Why government needs approval from army to take an action? Very embarrassing.

If you impose governors rule and then there are demos, who will enforce it besides the army? Do you think the corrupt Sindh Police will do the enforcing? Anyway it won't happen. The PPP are looking for a way out and this will give it to them. They are on their last legs and the PTI are better off looking at the census which undercounted Karachi then taking this short term measure.

 

[MenInG]

Sindh IGP Mushtaq Mahar has decided to defer his own leave and ordered his officers to set aside their leave applications for ten days, shared Sindh police late Tuesday night, adding that the decision was taken "in the larger national interest" and pending the conclusion of the inquiry into how the arrest of PML-N leader Mohammad Safdar unfolded.

In a shock move following Safdar's arrest on Monday morning, Sindh IGP, at least two additional inspectors general, seven deputy inspectors general and six senior superintendents of Sindh police on Tuesday applied for leave in order to "come out of […] shock" caused by the "episode of registration of FIR against Capt (R) Safdar".

Special Branch AIG Imran Yaqoob submitted a letter to Sindh IGP asking for a 60-day leave. — Provided by Imtiaz Ali

According to the applications — all of which were identical — submitted to IGP Mahar, the officials said that it had become hard for them to "discharge [their] duties in a professional manner" due to the stress caused by Safdar's arrest.

"The recent episode of registration of FIR against Capt (R) Safdar in which police high command has not only been ridiculed and mishandled, but all ranks of Sindh police have been demoralised and shocked.

"In such stressful situation it is quite difficult for me to discharge my duty in a professional manner," the letters read.

'Strong response': Twitter lauds collective leave applications by top Sindh police officials after Safdar's arrest

Following the string of leave applications, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called on Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Safdar and "investigate your institution [and] how it is operating in this province".

Moments later, Gen Bajwa took notice of the incident and also spoke to Bilawal over the phone. Bilawal, accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, visited the IG to smooth over matters.

Sindh police, late Tuesday night, tweeted: "The unfortunate incident that occurred on the night of 18/19 October caused great heartache and resentment within all ranks of Sindh police.

"As a result, Sindh IG decided to proceed on leave and subsequently all ranks decided that they would also apply for leave to protest the humiliation meted out to Sindh police. This was a spontaneous and heartfelt reaction and made on an individual rather than a collective basis because every single member of the department felt an acute sense of disrespect."

Sindh police said it was "immensely grateful to the Army Chief for realising the sense of hurt that prevailed within a uniformed force, and for promptly ordering an inquiry into the matter which he has also assured will be impartial". The force said it was also grateful to Bilawal and Sindh CM "for coming to the IG House and showing solidarity with the police leadership".

"Sindh police has always been a disciplined force which believes in institutional harmony between all key national institutions and has always been cognisant of its responsibility to serve and protect the citizens of this province and thus, keeping this in mind, Sindh IG has decided to defer his own leave and ordered his officers to set aside their leave applications for ten days in the larger national interest, pending the conclusion of the inquiry."

Leave en masse

Those who submitted leave applications included Special Branch AIG Imran Yaqoob, Forensic Science Division AIG Dr Samiulah Soomro Counter Terrorism Department DIG Omer Shahid Hamid, Headquarters DIG Saqib Ismail Memon, Hyderabad DIG Naeem Ahmed Shaikh, East Zone (Karachi) DIG Capt (r) Asim Khan, South Zone (Karachi) DIG Javed Akbar Riaz, Larkana DIG Nasir Aftab, Special Branch DIG Qamar-uz-Zaman and SSP Intelligence Tauqeer Muhammad Naeem, Sukkur SSP Irfan Ali Samo, Anti-Violent Crime Cell SSP Abdullah Ahmad, Badin SSP Shabir Ahmed Sethar, SSP Korangi Capt (r) Faisal Abdullah Chachar and East Zone (Karachi) SSP Sajid Amir Sudozai.

At least three station house officers (SHO) also applied for a leave of absence, citing similar reasons. According the applications submitted to their respective SSPs, the SHOs said that "media reports [...] ha(ve) demoralised all ranks".

Those who applied for a leave included Korangi SHO Inayatullah, Shahra-i-Noorjehan SHO Imdad Ali Khowaja and Tipu Sultan SHO Shahrafat Khan. Similar leave applications were also submitted by junior police officials to their superiors across Sindh.

Shortly after the news surfaced, PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz, in a tweet expressed her appreciation for the Sindh police.

"I salute the Sindh police!" she tweeted, alongside a quote of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Reports of kidnapping

The development comes a day after the arrest and subsequent release on bail of PML-N leader retired Captain Mohammad Safdar in Karachi.

Following Safdar's arrest, a purported voice message by PML-N leader and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair was shared by a journalist in which Zubair alleged that the inspector general of police was kidnapped and forced to register the first-information report against Maryam, her husband Safdar and 200 others for violating the sanctity of the Quaid's mausoleum.

In the audio clip circulating on Twitter, Zubair purportedly said that Chief Minister Murad Shah confirmed to him that police was pressured into making the arrest. "When they (police) refused to do that, Rangers kidnapped [the IGP]," Zubair said.

PML-N vice president Maryam had also alleged that the Sindh inspector general of police was forcibly "taken to the sector commander's office and asked to sign on the arrest orders".

She claimed that when the IGP showed reluctance, he was told that the arrest would be carried out by the Rangers. "After his signatures were forcibly taken on the arrest orders, he was told police would carry out the arrest."

The allegation was denied by Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi as "nonsense narrative".

Earlier today, CM Shah addressed a press conference where he said the police "did their work" and acted in "accordance with the law" to book and later arrest PML-N leader Safdar in Karachi.

Safdar's arrest

On October 18 — the day of the rally hosted by PPP in Karachi — Safdar had visited the Quaid's mausoleum along with party workers and Maryam, where he jumped inside the perimeter of the founder's resting place and raised slogans, a move that had drawn widespread criticism.

The next day, he was arrested by police from his hotel room on charges of violating the sanctity of Jinnah’s mausoleum and hurling murder threats at some individuals. Safdar was later released on bail.

The arrest drew widespread criticism from the opposition and some leaders of the PDM, including Maryam, had claimed in a presser after Safdar's arrest that the move was an attempt to enforce cracks among the opposition by the federal government and its agencies. The PPP administration, which was left in an awkward position, distanced itself from the move.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Why is an Army investigating the kidnapping of a senior police officer? Surely this is the job of the police?

 

[MenInG]

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday assured the top brass of Sindh Police that the government would not let the force be demoralised under any condition.

"Sindh Police has given huge sacrifices to establish peace in the province [...] I am well aware of their services, sacrifices and professional skills," Shah said. "Sindh government is with its police in their difficult time. We will not let police be demoralised under any condition."

Shah made these remarks during a meeting with Sindh Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Mahar, additional inspectors general and deputy inspectors general at the Chief Minister's House, a day after the PPP-led government averted one of the worst administrative crises.

Source Dawn

 

[Bigboii]

Why is an Army investigating the kidnapping of a senior police officer? Surely this is the job of the police?

Sab golmaal hai Bhai sab golmaal hai ��

 

[last_knight]

Sab golmaal hai Bhai sab golmaal hai ��

because BBZ asked COAS for this.

First of all, a leader of a political party asks COAS for inquiring into the issue, and when COAS say yes, followers of the leader start criticising Army.

Pattern )

 

[MenInG]

Information Minister Shibli Faraz on Wednesday lambasted the opposition for "shifting the war against their corruption towards the institutions", saying that the nation would hold the alliance accountable for their stance.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the federal minister said that the narrative adopted by the opposition "pleases our enemies".

Speaking about the opposition's stance over events surrounding the arrest of PML-N leader retired Capt Mohammad Safdar in Karachi on Monday, he said Pakistan was being "ridiculed globally" and Indian TV channels were showing images of opposition leaders.

"They (opposition) have tried to spark conflict among the institutions [and] are trying to create uncertainty and unrest. The people will hold them accountable for this," the minister said.

Editorial: If true, the circumstances surrounding Safdar's arrest indicate the rule of law is in absolute peril

He challenged the opposition's claim that they were fighting for the people's rights, saying the leaders "who used to ride bicycles now arrive in Land Cruisers and then talk about poor people".

He condemned the "drama staged" at Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's mausoleum by Safdar, saying that instead of denouncing it, the PPP had made it a political incident. Earlier this week, Safdar was arrested for raising slogans at the Quaid's mausoleum before the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) second power show at Bagh-i-Jinnah.

Faraz said the manner in which the Sindh government reacted to Safdar's arrest and the move later by PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to reportedly convince top Sindh Police officers to defer their leaves over the episode "shows that the Sindh government apparently played quite a sinister role" in the incident.

Answering a question, the minister cast doubts on PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz's claim that police had broken their room's door at their hotel in order to arrest Safdar. "In the video that I saw it appeared that he (Safdar) was standing in his house and the way he sat in the police van did not show that [any force had been used]," he said.

Referring to the newly launched anti-government movement, Faraz said the opposition had united under PDM's banner to protect their interests. He went on to accuse opposition leaders of "trying to sabotage their future accountability".

The minister accused opposition members of having said "shameful" things about women belonging to the government, saying even First Lady Bushra Imran "was dragged even though she is not a political personality".

"They don't realise which fire they are playing with."

He also criticised Bilawal and Maryam over their statements following Safdar's arrest, saying they had "inherited" their political position.

"Maryam thinks of herself as Benazir [Bhutto]. Benazir was a highly educated woman of class," he said. "Only clothes, shoes and make-up will not cut it; if you talk about the people you will have to live like them."

Faraz said Prime Minister Imran Khan will not be deterred by the opposition's movement, saying: "Our primary target is to rid Pakistan of these family parties."

Safdar arrest saga
On Monday, PML-N leader Safdar, who was staying at a hotel with his wife Maryam, was arrested for "violating the sanctity of the Quaid's mausoleum" a day after the PDM rally.

Following Safdar's arrest, a purported voice message by PML-N leader and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair was shared by a journalist in which Zubair alleged that the inspector general of police was kidnapped and forced to register the first information report against Maryam, her husband Safdar and 200 others for violating the sanctity of the Quaid's mausoleum.

In the audio clip circulating on Twitter, Zubair said that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah confirmed to him that police was pressured into making the arrest. "When they (police) refused to do that, Rangers kidnapped [the IGP]," Zubair said.

Maryam had also alleged that the Sindh police chief was forcibly "taken to the sector commander's office and asked to sign on the arrest orders".

Chief Minister Shah told a presser on Tuesday afternoon that a ministerial committee would investigate the mysterious ‘circumstances’ that led to the early morning raid on Maryam's hotel room and arrest of her husband, but defended the police action once an FIR had been lodged against him.

However, the presser failed to convince the police hierarchy that was in low morale following the Oct 19 episode, compelling Bilawal to address a media conference on the issue.

With the top brass of the Sindh Police deciding to go on long leave in protest over the siege of Inspector General House, Bilawal asked Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to order an institutional probe into the incident.

Later, Gen Bajwa directed the Karachi Corps Commander to "immediately inquire into the circumstances to determine the facts and report back as soon as possible".

https://www.dawn.com/news/1586277/k...-to-create-conflict-among-institutions-shibli

 

[Napa]

Trying to understand this issue, who is on whose side, who is disrespecting whom, who has been offended, who is going on leave, who is asking the Army's permission to do what, who kidnapped whom... is making my head spin.

Maybe I should just stay away from this topic

 

[Bigboii]

Trying to understand this issue, who is on whose side, who is disrespecting whom, who has been offended, who is going on leave, who is asking the Army's permission to do what, who kidnapped whom... is making my head spin.

Maybe I should just stay away from this topic

Know I absolutely love the city, country and I will always call it home
But sometimes I thank God I am out of the country and it's not even about financials

I genuinely believe if you work hard you can make money everywhere in the world

But the society at large is so closed of (coming from a psuedo islamist ) the freedoms we take for granted in west are only to be done in people's drawing rooms, there are so many things that can touched in this society that can't be touched in Pakistan like Islam(don't agree with it but people should have a right to), army, and all the umbrella terms they put under both of these things... (Like some maulvi was saying according to Islam earth doesn't "revolve" know that's 100% not what quran says but go and argue with him and see how you get out without getting lynched and it'll happen because you offended "Islam")

people will come up with all sorts of excuses, b* arguments that even if they look back it doesn't make sense (or in thier minds it always will and that's the sad part) or call you Indian, curse you out but will never try to understand where you're coming from or the value set you are coming from

And you know the saddest part about all of this is I am having this conversation with a right wing indian because almost all of the people on PP who used to be for these freedoms are not that active over here (maybe due to the harassment they faced and that's a problem all over the Pakistani internet world)

I will always love the country but as someone who loves the country I am extremely disappointed in it because no one truly understand and value absolute freedoms (not even the people demanding for it )

So I am happy I took the ticket and I am out hoping to get every last extended family member out by pulling visa scams (lol jk)

 

[Savak]

I think not taking action on a platant discretion of the Quaid's Mausoleum should be the last straw leading to justified imposition of Governor's Rule in the Province.

 

[Pakpak]

I don't know why PTI or Imran are silent. He should make an address to the nation that enough is enough. It's totally ridiculous how these corrupt filth are trying to hold the nation hostage. They should be on one end of the noose, that's what they deserve.

 

[Savak]

I don't know why PTI or Imran are silent. He should make an address to the nation that enough is enough. It's totally ridiculous how these corrupt filth are trying to hold the nation hostage. They should be on one end of the noose, that's what they deserve.

I think to the contrary, if IK starts speaking on the opposition daily or even addresses the nation, it will give confidence to this mafia opposition that the govt and its ministers are beginning to panic. Tbh i expected a better counter attack from the govt ministers, one hard hitting press conference daily.

 

[Napa]

I think not taking action on a platant discretion of the Quaid's Mausoleum should be the last straw leading to justified imposition of Governor's Rule in the Province.

I stared at this post for a while, and then decided it must be "blatant desecration".

 

[Napa]

Know I absolutely love the city, country and I will always call it home
But sometimes I thank God I am out of the country and it's not even about financials

I genuinely believe if you work hard you can make money everywhere in the world

But the society at large is so closed of (coming from a psuedo islamist ) the freedoms we take for granted in west are only to be done in people's drawing rooms, there are so many things that can touched in this society that can't be touched in Pakistan like Islam(don't agree with it but people should have a right to), army, and all the umbrella terms they put under both of these things... (Like some maulvi was saying according to Islam earth doesn't "revolve" know that's 100% not what quran says but go and argue with him and see how you get out without getting lynched and it'll happen because you offended "Islam")

people will come up with all sorts of excuses, b* arguments that even if they look back it doesn't make sense (or in thier minds it always will and that's the sad part) or call you Indian, curse you out but will never try to understand where you're coming from or the value set you are coming from

And you know the saddest part about all of this is I am having this conversation with a right wing indian because almost all of the people on PP who used to be for these freedoms are not that active over here (maybe due to the harassment they faced and that's a problem all over the Pakistani internet world)

I will always love the country but as someone who loves the country I am extremely disappointed in it because no one truly understand and value absolute freedoms (not even the people demanding for it )

So I am happy I took the ticket and I am out hoping to get every last extended family member out by pulling visa scams (lol jk)

Good post. I appreciate your love for your country, while remaining rational.

 

[Bigboii]

because BBZ asked COAS for this.

First of all, a leader of a political party asks COAS for inquiring into the issue, and when COAS say yes, followers of the leader start criticising Army.

Pattern )

I hate PPP first of all
second who kidnaped the senior official?
If some normal thugs were kidnapping senior officials isn't it the job of police to investigate and why would Billo call on COAS to investigate a kidnapping charge seems a bit odd isn't it?

don't know why I get in these threads and people reply with illogical quotes know that's a pattern right there

 

[Bigboii]

Good post. I appreciate your love for your country, while remaining rational.

Seeing the situation in Pakistan I always vote for people who believe in freedoms my psyche became a bit like Cuban immigrants

don't want US turning into another Pakistan like police state 24/7 hyper national security ruling our lives!

Freedom, power of the people is extremely underrated in a place like Pakistan

 

[MenInG]

PML-N leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday said that institutions such as the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistan Rangers take their orders from the country's prime minister.

Abbasi was commenting on the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Captain Safdar. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he said that the responsibility of the whole incident fell on Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"Both the institutions, the ISI and Rangers, directly report to the premier. Someone gave them instructions and that person can only be the prime minister. No one else can do that. The officials of these institutions take their orders from the country's premier.

"This is the reality behind this incident [and] this is the reality that the country's premier gave the order to violate the sanctity of the chaddor and char dewari," Abbasi said, adding that giving such an order was unlawful.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD

"These matters are very serious. The Constitution was violated, the authority of the province was challenged and the province's top officer was kidnapped. These are not small matters [and] all things go back to the premier's office.

"The premier will have to give an answer. Please read the oath you took when you assumed office. Not only did you break your own oath, you also directed other officials to break their own oaths."

The PML-N leader also said that he had expected the courts to take suo motu notice of the incident. We expected that our courts — that have taken notice of mere transfers of officials — would have taken suo motu notice, he said.

"Today a police officer was kidnapped and they didn't take notice."

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD

We ousted a premier of the country for holding a visa in a suo motu case [but] today when the Constitution is in trouble our courts are silent, he said. "If the inspector general of police is not safe, then no one is safe," he said.

'Opposition is scared of PM Imran's success'

Shortly after the PML-N leader's press conference, Information Minister Shibli Faraz hit back at the claims made by the opposition stating that they PML-N only believed in the sanctity of chaddor and char dewari when it came to Maryam Nawaz.

"Have they forgotten when the shot at the faces of pregnant women in Model Town? Or when they dropped pictures of Benazir Bhutto from helicopters?"

Information Minister Shibli Faraz addresses the media in Islamabad. — DawnNewsTV

He added that the opposition had also mentioned the country's first lady, who is not involved in politics, during their speeches in recent days. "Your morals have fallen so low that you are not willing to let anyone go."

The information minister added that at the moment the country needed a stable environment for fostering economic growth. "[But the opposition] wants to damage the democracy and the country."

He said that the opposition was scared of PM Imran's success. "If he is successful then your politics will end," he said, adding that a glimpse of this was seen during the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

"You talk about Pakistan's chain of command, [but] Khaqan sahab you are the biggest violator." Have you forgotten the LNG deals you made, he asked. "Why are gas prices going up. It's because of you."

The kind of things you are talking about it seems as though you want there to be economic uncertainty, he said. "You are only using these dramatics for your political gains. Have some shame."

 

[Savak]

It frightens me that the opposition can concoct, fabricate, manufacture and orchestrate episodes and easily concoct, spin them as per their wishes against the federal government to the media, general public

 

[last_knight]

I hate PPP first of all
second who kidnaped the senior official?
If some normal thugs were kidnapping senior officials isn't it the job of police to investigate and why would Billo call on COAS to investigate a kidnapping charge seems a bit odd isn't it?

don't know why I get in these threads and people reply with illogical quotes know that's a pattern right there

I know you are not a PPP supporter.
I said it was BBZ who asked COAS to intervene. If this is wrong, which I beliebe it is, blame is on BBZ.

 

[MenInG]

The opposition parties tabled on Thursday a resolution in the Senate regarding the arrest of PML-N leader retired Captain Mohammad Safdar and the alleged abduction of the Sindh inspector general of police.

The resolution, which demanded that a Senate committee be formed to probe the incident, was tabled by Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, PML-N's Raja Zafarul Haq.

Leader of the House Shehzad Waseem, along with other PTI senators, opposed the resolution, saying that two committees had already been constituted to investigate the matter and the upper house should wait for their findings.

A ministerial committee was formed by the Sindh government to investigate the mysterious "circumstances" that led to the early morning raid on the hotel room of PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz and arrest of her husband retired Capt Mohammad Safdar in Karachi.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD

Separately Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa also ordered the Karachi Corps Commander to launch an investigation into the "Karachi incident". Gen Bajwa's directives came shortly after PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called on the army chief and Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to investigate the circumstances surrounding Safdar's arrest.

During today's proceedings, PML-N leader Haq said that facts of the incident should be presented before the other two committees but that "does not mean that the Senate should remain quiet until the investigation findings come out".

"There will be implications [of waiting for findings]. The implications will be political and legal [...] In order to reach the right outcome, it is important it should be sent to the house committee and anyone who has anything to say about [the incident] can talk in front of it," he said.

PPP leaders Sherry Rehman and Raza Rabbani also supported the resolution, warning that the matter could have serious implications if the parliament does not take action.

Senator Rehman welcomed the army chief's order for an investigation but said that the "Senate should also be allowed to play its role".

"This can lead to a grave crisis and it can turn into a constitutional crisis," she cautioned. "Let Senate play its role."

Rabbani, in his address, said that the incident had created a "precarious situation" and insisted that the Senate plays its role.

"The police force is an armed and uniformed force, and this force registered their protest by applying for leave. It was not just the IG, AIGs, DIGs, even the SHOs [...] They knew that they were protesting against the state. Nothing can be more serious than this that a uniformed force protests against the state or a step taken by the state. This needs to be handled properly," he said and added: "If the Parliament doesn't come in action, situation can worsen."

He also lauded the army chief's promise to hold a probe but pointed out that it would be a "departmental inquiry".

The former Senate chairperson said that the resolution could be taken up under Rule 263 and urged the incumbent chair Sadiq Sanjrani to head the committee "so that there is no witch hunt".

Law Minister Farogh Naseem, in a brief comment, said that it was the "privilege of the Senate" to form a committee, adding that the "truth has to come to surface". He further said that a conversation on the statute regarding the sanctity of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's mausoleum should also be held.

PTI Senator Waseem also regretted that no one was talking about the "violation" that had taken place at Jinnah's mausoleum. While talking about the first information report — which the opposition alleges was filed against Safdar at the behest of PTI — the leader of the upper house said that any citizen had the right to lodge a complaint with the police.

According to the Sindh chief minister, the complainant in the case, identified as Waqas, allegedly had a meeting with a PTI minister. It was also revealed that Waqas had a criminal record and was an absconder.

Information Minister Shibli Faraz also addressed the Senate and rebuked the opposition for "putting pressure" on the government by making speeches instead of talking about the "crime" committed by Safdar at Jinnah's mausoleum.

"[This is like] a murder has been committed and no one is talking about the victim. You (opposition) don't want to talk about what happened, you are trying to do politics over this [incident]. As Pakistanis you should have condemned it and taken action," he said.

The information minister pointed out that two investigation committees had already been formed. He went on to allege that the opposition "does not care about the consequences" of its stance.

"Look at what our neighbouring country is saying because of the material you provided them," Faraz said.

"This house has to decide whether Pakistan is important or some personalities. This resolution should not be entertained. A debate on this should be held and we will move a resolution to discuss if such conduct should be allowed," the federal minister said.

The matter was referred to the existing law committee.

JUI-F rejects army committee
Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri rejected the probe ordered by the army chief, saying, "how can the institution, which is guilty, conduct an investigation?"

"These investigations are equivalent to fooling people," he declared and added: "What kind of justice can be expected if the guilty party becomes the judge?"

Sindh govt notifies committee
Meanwhile, the Sindh government on Thursday notified the committee tasked with conducting an inquiry into the events leading to Captain (r) Safdar's arrest in Karachi.

The five-member committee comprises members of the Sindh Cabinet including Nasir Hussain Shah, Sardar Ali Shah, Awais Qadir Shah, Barrister Murtaza Wahab and will be headed by Saeed Ghani.

The committee, according to the notification, will "enquire and probe into the incident of 18th and 19th October 2020 wherein Police was allegedly pressurized to lodge FIR against Capt. (r) Safdar".

Besides, it will also investigate the manner in which police personnel raided the Avari Towers hotel, "allegedly violating the privacy and dignity of Maryam Nawaz, Vice-President of PML-N and Capt (r) Safdar.

The notification adds that the committee, which must submit its report within 30 days, will further investigate the "alleged ridiculing, mishandling of the highest level of the police which left the entire police force demoralised and unwilling to continue with their duties".

Reports of Sindh IG's kidnapping and leave en masse
In a shock move following Safdar's arrest on Monday morning, Sindh IGP Mushtaq Mahar, at least two additional inspectors general, seven deputy inspectors general and six senior superintendents of Sindh police on Tuesday applied for leave in order to "come out of […] shock" caused by the "episode of registration of FIR against Capt (R) Safdar".

According to the applications — all of which were identical — submitted to IGP Mahar, the officials said that it had become hard for them to "discharge [their] duties in a professional manner" due to the stress caused by Safdar's arrest.

The development came after a purported voice message by PML-N leader and former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair was shared by a journalist in which Zubair alleged that the inspector general of police was kidnapped and forced to register the first-information report against Maryam, her husband Safdar and 200 others for violating the sanctity of the Quaid's mausoleum.

In the audio clip circulating on Twitter, Zubair purportedly said that Chief Minister Murad Shah confirmed to him that police was pressured into making the arrest. "When they (police) refused to do that, Rangers kidnapped [the IGP]," Zubair said.

The leave applications were later withdrawn after Bilawal called on Army Chief Gen Bajwa and ISI DG Lt Gen Hameed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Safdar and "investigate your institution [and] how it is operating in this province".

Moments later, Gen Bajwa took notice of the incident and also spoke to Bilawal over the phone. Bilawal, accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, visited the IG to smooth over matters.

Safdar's arrest
On October 18 — the day of the rally hosted by PPP in Karachi — Safdar had visited the Quaid's mausoleum along with party workers and Maryam, where he jumped inside the perimeter of the founder's resting place and raised slogans, a move that had drawn widespread criticism.

The next day, he was arrested by police from his hotel room on charges of violating the sanctity of Jinnah’s mausoleum and hurling murder threats at some individuals. Safdar was later released on bail.

The arrest drew widespread criticism from the opposition and some leaders of the PDM, including Maryam, had claimed in a presser after Safdar's arrest that the move was an attempt to enforce cracks among the opposition by the federal government and its agencies. The PPP administration, which was left in an awkward position, distanced itself from the move.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1586463/o...ion-of-senate-panel-to-probe-karachi-incident

 

[Savak]

Pretty open and shut case. Both the PML N and PPP deliberately colluded to blame the Federal Govt. CCT Footage reveals that no one else except Sindh Police was involved in the so called capture of Safdar. As can be seen he was calmly escorted from his hotel room. The men in RED circle is Mariam Nawaz bodyguard ...Shakoor ... Geo making big deal of it ..calling him some agencies agent.

The question now is that if the PMLN & PPP were lying about all these things related to the arrest, how do we know that the IG was actually 'kidnapped'?

 

[Itachi]

How can army take the judicial role?

 

[King-Misbah]

Waste of time, mafia needs to taken care with iron fists.

 

[MenInG]

PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz on Friday said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's stance that there was a "state above the state" in Pakistan has been proven true through the Karachi incident".

She was referring to her husband Mohammad Safdar's arrest in Karachi early Monday morning — just hours after the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) successful rally — which brought Sindh's law enforcement agency and security establishment in direct conflict.

PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, directly addressing the military leadership, had said on Tuesday: "I demand DG ISI Faiz Hameed and Chief of Army Staff Gen Bajwa investigate your institution [and] how it is operating in this province. All officers of Sindh police are wondering who were the people who surrounded the Sindh police chief’s house in the early hours of Monday. Who were those two men who entered into his home at 4am in the morning and took him to an unspecified location?”

The army chief immediately took notice of the situation and ordered an inquiry into the “Karachi incident”. The Sindh police hierarchy, that was in low morale following the Oct 19 episode and had submitted en masse requests for leave, set aside their applications for ten days.

"What happened in Karachi has shown who is actually running the government," Maryam said on Friday. "Imran Khan is not the government. He is simply a dummy occupying a seat and that dummy has been silent for three days.

"The Karachi incident has made it clear that Nawaz Sharif's stance — about 'state above the state' and Imran Khan being nothing more than a pawn — is correct. Nawaz Sharif only said it, you [Imran] proved it [...] showed the nation what a state above the state is," she claimed.

When asked about the inquiry into the incident — which both the army chief and Sindh government said would be carried out — Maryam said that in her opinion there was no need for an inquiry as everything was already known. "There is plenty of video footage," she said, adding that the provincial government was well aware of what had transpired.

"If there is an inquiry, it should be transparent so that the nation knows everything and the report should be made public."

She said that given the way in which the government appeared to be scared and was "hiding in Bani Gala", its tenure might be over even before January.

"In a democratic set-up, a notice should be taken by the government or the judiciary, no one else. And neither should an appeal be made to others to take notice," she added.

A day earlier as the war of words between the government and opposition continued over the Safdar episode, PML-N leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said institutions such as the Inter-Services Intelligence and Pakistan Rangers took orders from the prime minister and hence the responsibility of the whole Karachi incident fell on Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“This is the reality behind this incident [and] this is the reality that the country’s premier gave the order to violate privacy,” Abbasi said at a news conference in Islamabad.

Violation of privacy
Speaking about the manner in which the arrest was carried out, Maryam reiterated her allegation that the police had barged into her room and violated her privacy.

"They went against the law [...] without any concern that I was in the privacy of my room with my husband," she said. "You broke the lock of my door [...] you had Safdar's arrest warrant, not mine. This was illegal and you will have to answer for it."

She asked what sort of a government treats "daughters like this", adding that the PTI ministers where trying to cover their own helplessness by issuing statements.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad shortly after, Information Minister Shibli Faraz said that contrary to Maryam's claims about her hotel door being broken down, video footage showed that Safdar was not agitated or distressed during his arrest.

"There was no anger on his face and his body language did not show that he was disturbed," the minister said, adding that it was hypocritical of the PML-N to talk about women's respect.

Information Minister Shibli Faraz addresses the media in Islamabad. — DawnNewsTV
"Perhaps they have have forgotten how they fired at pregnant women in Model Town [and] threw pictures of Benazir Bhutto from helicopters." Did they not care about protecting the chaddor and chaar dewari at that time, he questioned.

He stated that the contradictory claims made by Maryam and the Sindh government made it seem as though PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari had taken revenge for his mother.

"On one hand, Maryam says there is no need for an inquiry. Then she says she will present herself if an inquiry is conducted." The information minister added that members of the PML-N appear in front of the media every day to spew their lies.

It is in their DNA, he said, adding that this has always been the basis of PML-N's politics. "They talk about democracy but when they were in government, they were the ones to violate the sanctity of the vote." They forget about the people when they are in power, he said.

Faraz also stated that former premier Nawaz Sharif — who is currently abroad seeking medical treatment — would be brought back to the country by January 15.

"He will be back in Pakistan by January 15 in some jail," he said, adding that the PML-N supremo would not be allowed to escape without answering for his crimes.

Baloch students' protest
Maryam was speaking to the media during her visit to a camp set up outside the Punjab Assembly by more than three dozen Baloch students, who marched from Multan to the provincial capital for restoration of their scholarships and other academic demands.

As many as 40 Baloch students of the Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan had started their march from Multan on Oct 10 and reached Lahore on Oct 21.

Their charter of demands includes restoration of scholarships for the students enrolled at the BZU on the reserved seats for Balochistan and withdrawal of a fee collection notification issued in this regard.

Maryam termed it "shameful" that the government was "neglecting the future of Pakistan".

"These students don't belong to a political party, they are the future of Pakistan. You [Imran Khan] may be incompetent but you can still try to do something for them and sort the students' issues."

She said the students' demands were legitimate and their right.

Source DAWN

 

[Pakpak]

PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz on Friday said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's stance that there was a "state above the state" in Pakistan has been proven true through the Karachi incident".

She was referring to her husband Mohammad Safdar's arrest in Karachi early Monday morning — just hours after the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) successful rally — which brought Sindh's law enforcement agency and security establishment in direct conflict.

PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, directly addressing the military leadership, had said on Tuesday: "I demand DG ISI Faiz Hameed and Chief of Army Staff Gen Bajwa investigate your institution [and] how it is operating in this province. All officers of Sindh police are wondering who were the people who surrounded the Sindh police chief’s house in the early hours of Monday. Who were those two men who entered into his home at 4am in the morning and took him to an unspecified location?”

The army chief immediately took notice of the situation and ordered an inquiry into the “Karachi incident”. The Sindh police hierarchy, that was in low morale following the Oct 19 episode and had submitted en masse requests for leave, set aside their applications for ten days.

"What happened in Karachi has shown who is actually running the government," Maryam said on Friday. "Imran Khan is not the government. He is simply a dummy occupying a seat and that dummy has been silent for three days.

"The Karachi incident has made it clear that Nawaz Sharif's stance — about 'state above the state' and Imran Khan being nothing more than a pawn — is correct. Nawaz Sharif only said it, you [Imran] proved it [...] showed the nation what a state above the state is," she claimed.

When asked about the inquiry into the incident — which both the army chief and Sindh government said would be carried out — Maryam said that in her opinion there was no need for an inquiry as everything was already known. "There is plenty of video footage," she said, adding that the provincial government was well aware of what had transpired.

"If there is an inquiry, it should be transparent so that the nation knows everything and the report should be made public."

She said that given the way in which the government appeared to be scared and was "hiding in Bani Gala", its tenure might be over even before January.

"In a democratic set-up, a notice should be taken by the government or the judiciary, no one else. And neither should an appeal be made to others to take notice," she added.

A day earlier as the war of words between the government and opposition continued over the Safdar episode, PML-N leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said institutions such as the Inter-Services Intelligence and Pakistan Rangers took orders from the prime minister and hence the responsibility of the whole Karachi incident fell on Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“This is the reality behind this incident [and] this is the reality that the country’s premier gave the order to violate privacy,” Abbasi said at a news conference in Islamabad.

Violation of privacy
Speaking about the manner in which the arrest was carried out, Maryam reiterated her allegation that the police had barged into her room and violated her privacy.

"They went against the law [...] without any concern that I was in the privacy of my room with my husband," she said. "You broke the lock of my door [...] you had Safdar's arrest warrant, not mine. This was illegal and you will have to answer for it."

She asked what sort of a government treats "daughters like this", adding that the PTI ministers where trying to cover their own helplessness by issuing statements.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad shortly after, Information Minister Shibli Faraz said that contrary to Maryam's claims about her hotel door being broken down, video footage showed that Safdar was not agitated or distressed during his arrest.

"There was no anger on his face and his body language did not show that he was disturbed," the minister said, adding that it was hypocritical of the PML-N to talk about women's respect.

Information Minister Shibli Faraz addresses the media in Islamabad. — DawnNewsTV
"Perhaps they have have forgotten how they fired at pregnant women in Model Town [and] threw pictures of Benazir Bhutto from helicopters." Did they not care about protecting the chaddor and chaar dewari at that time, he questioned.

He stated that the contradictory claims made by Maryam and the Sindh government made it seem as though PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari had taken revenge for his mother.

"On one hand, Maryam says there is no need for an inquiry. Then she says she will present herself if an inquiry is conducted." The information minister added that members of the PML-N appear in front of the media every day to spew their lies.

It is in their DNA, he said, adding that this has always been the basis of PML-N's politics. "They talk about democracy but when they were in government, they were the ones to violate the sanctity of the vote." They forget about the people when they are in power, he said.

Faraz also stated that former premier Nawaz Sharif — who is currently abroad seeking medical treatment — would be brought back to the country by January 15.

"He will be back in Pakistan by January 15 in some jail," he said, adding that the PML-N supremo would not be allowed to escape without answering for his crimes.

Baloch students' protest
Maryam was speaking to the media during her visit to a camp set up outside the Punjab Assembly by more than three dozen Baloch students, who marched from Multan to the provincial capital for restoration of their scholarships and other academic demands.

As many as 40 Baloch students of the Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan had started their march from Multan on Oct 10 and reached Lahore on Oct 21.

Their charter of demands includes restoration of scholarships for the students enrolled at the BZU on the reserved seats for Balochistan and withdrawal of a fee collection notification issued in this regard.

Maryam termed it "shameful" that the government was "neglecting the future of Pakistan".

"These students don't belong to a political party, they are the future of Pakistan. You [Imran Khan] may be incompetent but you can still try to do something for them and sort the students' issues."

She said the students' demands were legitimate and their right.

Source DAWN

Well Nawaz ought to know as be used the state within the state to overthrow democratic governments and win elections himself.

 

[Savak]

PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz on Friday said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's stance that there was a "state above the state" in Pakistan has been proven true through the Karachi incident".

She was referring to her husband Mohammad Safdar's arrest in Karachi early Monday morning — just hours after the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) successful rally — which brought Sindh's law enforcement agency and security establishment in direct conflict.

PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, directly addressing the military leadership, had said on Tuesday: "I demand DG ISI Faiz Hameed and Chief of Army Staff Gen Bajwa investigate your institution [and] how it is operating in this province. All officers of Sindh police are wondering who were the people who surrounded the Sindh police chief’s house in the early hours of Monday. Who were those two men who entered into his home at 4am in the morning and took him to an unspecified location?”

The army chief immediately took notice of the situation and ordered an inquiry into the “Karachi incident”. The Sindh police hierarchy, that was in low morale following the Oct 19 episode and had submitted en masse requests for leave, set aside their applications for ten days.

"What happened in Karachi has shown who is actually running the government," Maryam said on Friday. "Imran Khan is not the government. He is simply a dummy occupying a seat and that dummy has been silent for three days.

"The Karachi incident has made it clear that Nawaz Sharif's stance — about 'state above the state' and Imran Khan being nothing more than a pawn — is correct. Nawaz Sharif only said it, you [Imran] proved it [...] showed the nation what a state above the state is," she claimed.

When asked about the inquiry into the incident — which both the army chief and Sindh government said would be carried out — Maryam said that in her opinion there was no need for an inquiry as everything was already known. "There is plenty of video footage," she said, adding that the provincial government was well aware of what had transpired.

"If there is an inquiry, it should be transparent so that the nation knows everything and the report should be made public."

She said that given the way in which the government appeared to be scared and was "hiding in Bani Gala", its tenure might be over even before January.

"In a democratic set-up, a notice should be taken by the government or the judiciary, no one else. And neither should an appeal be made to others to take notice," she added.

A day earlier as the war of words between the government and opposition continued over the Safdar episode, PML-N leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said institutions such as the Inter-Services Intelligence and Pakistan Rangers took orders from the prime minister and hence the responsibility of the whole Karachi incident fell on Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“This is the reality behind this incident [and] this is the reality that the country’s premier gave the order to violate privacy,” Abbasi said at a news conference in Islamabad.

Violation of privacy
Speaking about the manner in which the arrest was carried out, Maryam reiterated her allegation that the police had barged into her room and violated her privacy.

"They went against the law [...] without any concern that I was in the privacy of my room with my husband," she said. "You broke the lock of my door [...] you had Safdar's arrest warrant, not mine. This was illegal and you will have to answer for it."

She asked what sort of a government treats "daughters like this", adding that the PTI ministers where trying to cover their own helplessness by issuing statements.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad shortly after, Information Minister Shibli Faraz said that contrary to Maryam's claims about her hotel door being broken down, video footage showed that Safdar was not agitated or distressed during his arrest.

"There was no anger on his face and his body language did not show that he was disturbed," the minister said, adding that it was hypocritical of the PML-N to talk about women's respect.

Information Minister Shibli Faraz addresses the media in Islamabad. — DawnNewsTV
"Perhaps they have have forgotten how they fired at pregnant women in Model Town [and] threw pictures of Benazir Bhutto from helicopters." Did they not care about protecting the chaddor and chaar dewari at that time, he questioned.

He stated that the contradictory claims made by Maryam and the Sindh government made it seem as though PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari had taken revenge for his mother.

"On one hand, Maryam says there is no need for an inquiry. Then she says she will present herself if an inquiry is conducted." The information minister added that members of the PML-N appear in front of the media every day to spew their lies.

It is in their DNA, he said, adding that this has always been the basis of PML-N's politics. "They talk about democracy but when they were in government, they were the ones to violate the sanctity of the vote." They forget about the people when they are in power, he said.

Faraz also stated that former premier Nawaz Sharif — who is currently abroad seeking medical treatment — would be brought back to the country by January 15.

"He will be back in Pakistan by January 15 in some jail," he said, adding that the PML-N supremo would not be allowed to escape without answering for his crimes.

Baloch students' protest
Maryam was speaking to the media during her visit to a camp set up outside the Punjab Assembly by more than three dozen Baloch students, who marched from Multan to the provincial capital for restoration of their scholarships and other academic demands.

As many as 40 Baloch students of the Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan had started their march from Multan on Oct 10 and reached Lahore on Oct 21.

Their charter of demands includes restoration of scholarships for the students enrolled at the BZU on the reserved seats for Balochistan and withdrawal of a fee collection notification issued in this regard.

Maryam termed it "shameful" that the government was "neglecting the future of Pakistan".

"These students don't belong to a political party, they are the future of Pakistan. You [Imran Khan] may be incompetent but you can still try to do something for them and sort the students' issues."

She said the students' demands were legitimate and their right.

Source DAWN

Lol what Karachi incident? The cvtv footage exposes that she fabricated the entire arrest episode which took place and blew it out of proportion. How do we even know if any IG was kidnapped at all in Sindh?

 

[MenInG]

The Court of Inquiry formed on the orders of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has recommended the removal of Pakistan Rangers and Inter-Services Intelligence (IS) officials involved in the 'Karachi incident' for creating "an unwarranted situation that led to misunderstanding between two state institutions".

The inquiry had been ordered by the army chief after the Sindh police chief and several senior officers of the provincial police force had sought extended leave from duty saying they had been left demoralised due to the circumstances surrounding the arrest of PML-N leader Capt Muhammad Safdar on October 19.

The statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations on Tuesday notified that the inquiry "pertaining to the issue of redress of Inspector General of Police Sindh's grievances" had been completed and that it had recommended the removal of all security agencies' officers found involved in the events of October 18 and 19, 2020.

"The Court of Inquiry has established that on the night of October 18/19, officers from Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the ISI sector Headquarters Karachi were considerably seized with the fallout of the desecration of Mazar-e-Quaid," the statement read.

"They [the security officers] were under increasing public pressure to ensure prompt action as per the law. Assessing the response of police authorities against this developing yet volatile situation to be slow and wanting, in a charged environment, the concerned ISI/Rangers officers decided to act, rather over-zealously," the statement added.

"They were indeed experienced enough to have acted more prudently and could have avoided creating an unwarranted situation that led to misunderstanding between the two state institutions," it said.

The ISPR statement said that "it has been decided to remove the concerned officers from their current assignments for further departmental proceedings and disposal at [the Army's] General Headquarters (GHQ)."

Read more: At Mazar-e-Quaid, Captain Safdar has people chant PML-N slogan 'vote ko izzat do'

Bilawal welcomes decision to remove ISI, Rangers officials
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed the Court of Inquiry's decision to remove the Rangers and ISI officials involved in the incident.

"To take action against those found guilty of an act is the democratic way," he said during a jalsa in Nagar. "Such actions enhance the prestige of institutions. I hope we will take this initiative forward and join hands to work together," he said.

Bilawal appreciated army chief General Bajwa for taking notice of the incident and ordering an inquiry into it.

Federal govt's reaction
Reacting to the ISPR statement, Information Minister Shibli Faraz appreciated the army chief for initiating the inquiry and implementing the recommendations.

Information Minister Shibli Faraz, who had termed the incident as a political gimmick by the PPP, appreciated the army chief for initiating the inquiry and implementing the recommendations.

“We accept what happened. Since the issue was concerning Quaid-e-Azam, they [security officials] acted emotionally which I feel they should not have.”

“But the ISPR has given its decision and we welcome it,” he added.

When reminded that the federal government hadn’t taken it seriously, Faraz said this was a provincial issue. “The federal government had nothing to do with it. The Sindh government and institutions that operate in the province were responsible for it.”

“In our experience, the Sindh government politicizes everything – be it the coronavirus or the wheat crisis. Hence we had our reservations,” he stressed. “Now that the ISPR has issued the finding, the Sindh IG Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar should also investigate the ‘mutiny’ in police.”

Read more: Sindh Police was pressurised to arrest Captain Safdar, claims Maryam Nawaz’s spokesperson

Captain Safdar's arrest
Retired Captain Safdar — Nawaz Sharif's son-in-law and Maryam Nawaz's spouse — was arrested in the early morning on October 19 by Sindh Police for allegedly violating the sanctity of Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum and threatening harm to the petitioner who filed the case.

Representatives of the Sindh government had publicly distanced themselves from the arrest and condemned it, saying that while Captain Safdar raising slogans at the Quaid-e-Azam's Mazar was not condonable, the arrest had been made without its knowledge.

Police were put under "extreme pressure" to arrest Captain Safdar, Maryam Nawaz's Spokesperson and senior PML-N leader Mohammad Zubair had said, quoting Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

“Murad Ali Shah personally confirmed to me his police had nothing to do with this. They were put under extreme pressure,” Zubair told reporters outside Karachi’s Aziz Bhatti police station.

Shah had said an attempt was made to put the police under pressure, with PTI ministers going to the police on two different occasions to register a case.

They were told by police that a summary trial like the one sought falls under the jurisdiction of a judicial magistrate and it is not up to the police to register a case, said CM Shah. He said the police had refused to fall under pressure.

Nonetheless, the CM Sindh said, the petitioner had "manufactured" a complaint saying that he had been threatened with his life, due to which police had to take action.

Chaos in Sindh Police
Sindh Police's Digital Media Cell had tweeted, then deleted, then tweeted again a statement defending Captain Safdar's arrest, saying it was done "according to the law".

The department's Twitter activity, which indicated that not all was well within the provincial police, had raised eyebrows.

On October 19, several high ranking officers of the Sindh Police requested to proceed on leave.

However, the army chief personally took note of the situation, ordering an inquiry into the matter and promising action once it was completed.

In a series of tweets, Sindh Police had subsequently thanked the army chief for "realising the sense of hurt that prevailed within a uniformed force, and for promptly ordering an inquiry into the matter".

A day later, IG Sindh Mushtaq Mahar deferred his own leave and ordered Sindh police officers to set aside their leave applications for 10 days, "pending the conclusion of the inquiry".

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