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The commission from Faizabad clears Faiz Hameed of all allegations and recommends prudent management of the situation.

Published

3 months ago

Farwa

Retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the former director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been cleared of all accusations by the inquiry commission looking into the November 2017 Faizabad sit-in.

The three-member panel, appointed by the Supreme Court, has released its 149-page report.

After assessing the circumstances surrounding the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan sit-in at Faizabad, the panel reportedly identified a number of shortcomings in the way the matter was handled and produced recommendations.

The study includes information on issues pertaining to former law minister Zahid Hamid and outlines the roles played by the Islamabad Police, the Ministry of Interior, the Punjab government, the ISI, and the IB.

According to the report, the ISI director general and the then-chief of army gave Faiz Hameed permission to sign the agreement with protestors in his capacity as Maj Gen DG (C) of ISI. Furthermore, retired General Faiz Hameed’s mediation role was agreed upon by then-prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and then-interior minister Ahsan Iqbal.

The commission emphasized the need to implement every recommendation made in the National Action Plan and suggested that the police command and control system’s shortcomings be fixed.

The commission of inquiry noted that instances resembling those in Faizabad happened as a result of policy shortcomings in the administration. It emphasized that “policymakers” ought to take the Faizabad episode as a lesson.

The Punjabi government was blamed in the report for “allowing the TLP to proceed to Islamabad instead of halting it in Lahore.”

The investigation also noted that hundreds of injuries and fatalities were caused by the twin cities’ police department’s breakdown in communication. The federal government reportedly hired the ISI to help them get in contact with the demonstrators’ leaders, according to the article.

It said that on November 25, 2017, a deal was struck with the ISI’s assistance, and the demonstrators then dispersed.

The study further stated that threats against military officers, Nawaz Sharif, and ministers were made on social media during the sit-in, and the government did nothing to stop them.

The commission stated that Shehbaz Sharif was Punjab’s chief minister at the time of the Faizabad sit-in. At that time, no official or institution was held accountable for the incident by any of the nation’s leaders. “Interference by the military or an agency in a civilian matter seriously affects the institution’s reputation,” stated the statement.

In order to prevent criticism, the group recommended that the army stay out of public affairs. “Handling of civilian affairs is the responsibility of IB and civil administration,” it said.

According to the committee, the Punjabi administration was “negligent and weak,” which contributed to the carnage. It is time to take action to put a stop to violence motivated by religion. The group recommended that the state uphold the constitution, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law without making any concessions.

The commission recommended that before deploying police to Islamabad, they should first be stationed in challenging areas.

“The government is in charge of maintaining public order; other institutions should refrain from interfering. The investigation stated that a zero tolerance strategy is necessary to combat violent extremism.

The inquiry panel, which included senior official Khushal Khan of the Pakistan Administrative Service and former IG Tahir Alam, was led by former IG Syed Akhtar Ali Shah.

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Rainfall throughout the night stops flights in Lahore.

Published

18 hours ago

Farwa

Allama Iqbal International Airport experienced many hours of flight disruption due to the intense rainfall and windstorms that occurred overnight in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab.

Aviation sources claim that because of the monsoon weather, the flight operation was unable to operate between 3 and 4 am.

It is possible that the planes will arrive at the airport at 4 am.

Amidst delays in foreign airline flights, three aircraft made landings in Multan and Peshawar.

Riyadh flights arrived in Peshawar Airport, while flights scheduled to land in Lahore in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain ended up landing in Multan Airport.

Seven hours later than scheduled, the Qatar Airways flight from Doha arrived in Lahore.

Because of the bad weather, there are delays in the arrival and departure of numerous international planes.

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Containers were used to seal the Red Zone before JI’s sit-in at D-Chowk.

Published

18 hours ago

Farwa

Authorities in Islamabad have blocked off the Red Zone by erecting containers in front of today’s (Friday) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demonstration and the Jamaat-i-Islami sit-in at D-Chowk in Islamabad.

Jamaat-i-Islami is scheduled to stage a sit-in at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has declared a nationwide protest against the country’s soaring inflation and recent spike in electricity rates.

Containers have been used to block access to the Red Zone’s main crossroads, D Chowk, Nadra Chowk, and Sarina Chowk.

ISLAMABAD, PUNJAB SECTION 144

In the meantime, in response to PTI and JI plans for statewide rallies, the federal and Punjabi governments enforced Section 144 in Islamabad and Punjab. Section 144 will be in force from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, per the notification that was released in this regard.

Rallies, sit-ins, protests, and rallies are prohibited from July 26 to July 28, according to a letter from the Home Department. It said that terrorists may find public gatherings to be an easy target and stated that the decision had been made with the threat of terrorism in mind.

In contrast, JI Secretary General Ameerul Azeem claimed in a statement that police had raided the residences of JI officials across the nation.

In an attempt to break up the protest, he said, police had targeted JI leaders and activists. He also alleged that multiple instances of police raids, arrests, and harassment of women had occurred in various towns.

GOVT ADVISED

The government was forewarned by Jamaat Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman earlier on Thursday that it would face consequences if the party was barred from accessing Islamabad for their scheduled demonstration against inflation and an increase in electricity prices.

He stated in a statement that their belief is in peaceful political protest as a means of securing public rights. “We are not afraid of arrests, and the Jamaat-e-Islami cannot be stopped,” he added.

“The historic sit-in on Friday, July 26, will represent 250 million people of Pakistan, and we will sit peacefully at D-Chowk.”

According to the JI, convoys are in route from all around the nation to participate in the sit-in. He encouraged the administration to offer a location for the protest, highlighting that it is their constitutional and democratic right to speak up for the country.

“Any political party that wishes to participate” was invited, and he welcomed them all.

Prior to the sit-in, police raided the residences of JI leaders and officials in many parts of Punjab and Rawalpindi, making multiple arrests.

Ameerul Azim, the central secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, was not able to be arrested during the police raid; instead, Shaukat Mahmood, his driver, was taken into custody.

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Changes to Pakistan’s Test team could be significant for the Bangladesh series.

Published

18 hours ago

Farwa

Major changes to Pakistan’s team are anticipated ahead of the forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh, sources in Lahore have revealed.

As the team gets ready for the series, meetings with the players are planned for next week.

It is predicted that the Test squad would undergo several changes. The team’s lineup is expected to be strengthened by the likely inclusion of Muhammad Huraira. Key players like Faheem Ashraf, Wasim Jr., Saim Ayub, and Nauman Ali, whose contributions are vital to the team’s success, struggle to get a spot on the squad.

Furthermore, according to sources, Imamul Haq or Sahibzada Farhan are anticipated to be added to the team, subject to additional assessment. Furthermore, following a fitness assessment, Amir Jamal and Hasan Ali’s futures will be determined.

The ultimate selection for the Test team will take place following Red Ball head coach Jason Gillespie’s return to Pakistan. The ultimate squad that will play Bangladesh in the forthcoming Test series will be greatly influenced by his assessments and thoughts.

Pakistan is scheduled to visit New Zealand in March and April of 2025, according to the country’s official cricket schedule, which was released earlier this month.

Throughout their visit, the Pakistan cricket team will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in an exciting series.

The T20I series, which starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 16, will serve as the tour’s opening event.