Page 74 - Pakistan

Pakistan's top poll body to challenge HC's remarks on poll symbol case

Pakistan's top election body has decided to file an application in the Lahore High Court seeking to expunge the court's remarks against it in the verdict in connection with the election symbol case, a media report said on Saturday. Pakistan is to hold general elections on February 8. A five-member bench of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued the order after conducting a hearing (on the matter) and reviewing the Lahore High Court (LHC) order of January 17, The News International newspaper reported. Calling it as an unusual move, the newspaper said, The ECP has decided to file a civil miscellaneous application in the LHC to expunge the court's remarks against the commission in the verdict on the election symbol case. Earlier, the Bahawalpur bench of the LHC, in response to writ petitions seeking a change of poll symbols, had criticised the election commission and a returning officer for violating the law and not performing their duties accordingly. The court had issued

'Minor irritants' with Iran will be resolved through dialogue, says Pak

Pakistan's top civil-military leadership at a high-level huddle on Friday concluded that the minor irritants with Iran would be overcome by the two countries mutually through dialogue and diplomacy, indicating that the unprecedented tension between the neighbours has already tapered off. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar chaired the meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) while services chiefs, cabinet ministers and other officials were in attendance. The forum reviewed the security situation and lauded the professional, calibrated and proportionate response by the armed forces against unprovoked and unlawful violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, as the participants were briefed about political and diplomatic developments bearing upon the prevailing situation between Pakistan and Iran and its impact on the overall security milieu in the region, an official statement said. The meeting also took stock of the Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar', which was successfully execute

Pakistan's civil-military leadership holds meeting amid tension with Iran

Pakistan's civil-military leadership held a high-level consultative meeting on Friday to discuss the ongoing tiff with Iran as the two neighbours made amends to repair the frayed ties following their military strikes in each other's territory. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar presided over the meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) while services chiefs, cabinet ministers, and other officials were in attendance, sources said. The NSC meeting has started and is currently underway, a source said. The officials from the defence and foreign ministries will brief the meeting about the attack by Iran and counter charge by Pakistan armed forces, sources said. It is said the NSC is likely to give guidelines for future ties with Iran. Kakar had rushed back home on Thursday night from Davos, where he had gone to attend the World Economic Forum event after Pakistan and Iran carried out military strikes against each other. Pakistan conducted "precision military strikes" ag

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Pak's caretaker PM forms committee to ensure smooth conduct of Feb 8 polls

Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has constituted a seven-member committee mandated with ensuring the smooth conduct of the February 8 general elections already impaired by allegations of "pre-poll rigging", according to a media report. According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Thursday, interim Minister for Communications, Railways, and Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar has been named as the head of the committee, the Dawn newspaper reported. The other members include the interior secretary, four provincial chief secretaries as well as any other co-opted individual desired by the committee. As per the PMO notification, the committee will have the mandate to oversee the security arrangements for polls; review and resolve matters regarding administrative arrangements and coordination for the smooth conduct of elections; issue directions for urgent requirements of additional security where law and order situation requires, and .

Iran condemns Pakistan's 'unbalanced and unacceptable' drone attack

It said Iran adheres to the policy of "good neighbourliness and brotherhood" between two nations and does not allow enemies to strain the ties between Tehran and Islamabad

Pak strikes terrorist hideouts in Iran's Siestan-o-Balochistan province

Pakistan on Thursday said that the country's air force struck terrorist hideouts in Iran's Siestan-Balochistan province, a day after Islamabad recalled its ambassador from Tehran in the wake of Iranian missile and drone strikes in Balochistan. "This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday. It said a number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed "Marg Bar Sarmachar". Pakistan on Wednesday recalled its ambassador to Iran and suspended all planned high-level bilateral visits, hours after Tehran launched an unprecedented missile and drone strikes on what it said were directed at the bases of a terrorist group in the restive Balochistan province. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch in a terse statement read out to the media on Wednesday said

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After Pakistan hits back on Iran, China offers mediation to ease tensions

China Thursday offered to play a "constructive role" to ease tension between Pakistan and Iran following their missile strikes against each other over the last two days and asked the two countries to "exercise restraint and calmness and avoid escalation". Pakistan conducted "precision military strikes" against what it called "terrorist hideouts" in Iran's Siestan-Balochistan province that killed 9 people in the wee hours on Thursday. The attack was seen as retaliation to Iranian missile and drone attacks on Tuesday which targeted two bases of the Sunni Baloch militant group 'Jaish al-Adl' in Pakistan's unruly Balochistan province. The attacks have put China in a piquant situation as Pakistan is an all-weather ally, while Tehran is warming up to Beijing in recent years enabling China to expand its influence in the West Asia region. China also imports a considerable amount of oil from Iran. "Did you say that Pakistan launched strikes on Iran? I'm not aware of this, Chinese Foreign ...

From drone attack to Jaish al-Adl: Iran-Pakistan conflict explained

Iran breached Pakistan's air defence system to reportedly attack terror outfit Jaish al-Adl in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, triggering conflict between the nations

Understand actions taken in self defence: MEA on Iran's missile strike

In a carefully crafted reaction on Iran's deadly missile strike targeting terror bases in Pakistan, India on Wednesday said it understands actions that countries take in their self defence. At the same time, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it is a matter between Iran and Pakistan, and asserted that India has "an uncompromising" position of "zero tolerance" towards terrorism. "This is a matter between Iran and Pakistan," he said. The spokesperson was responding to media queries on the Iranian missile strike in Pakistan. "So far as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising position of zero tolerance towards terrorism. We understand actions that countries take in their self defence," Jaiswal said. Tehran launched an unprecedented missile and drone strikes on what it said were directed at the bases of a terrorist group in the restive Balochistan province. Two bases of the Sunni Baloch militant group 'Jaish al-Adl' in Pakistan's unruly Balochistan provi

Pakistan expels Iran ambassador, recalls envoy in response to airstrikes

Earlier, Iran attacked the headquarters of a terrorist group opposed to Tehran with drones and missiles in Pakistan on late hours of Tuesday, Al Arabiya News reported citing Tasnim news agency

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Pakistan receives $700 million tranche from IMF ahead of elections

Ahead of the next month's elections, cash-strapped Pakistan on Wednesday confirmed that it received over USD 700 million second tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under an existing USD 3 billion bailout package. The loan was part of a USD 3 billion bailout package agreed towards June last year when Pakistan was slowly drifting towards default. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) confirmed in a statement that it has received SDR 528 million (equivalent to $705.6 million) in value 16th January 2024 from IMF following successful completion of the first review by the Executive Board of IMF under Stand By Arrangement (SBA)." It further said that the disbursement will be reflected in SBP reserves for the week ending on January 19, 2024. The handing over of around $700 million brings the total disbursements under the SBA with the IMF to $1.9 billion, while another $1.1 billion will be provided in April as the two sides are set to complete the nine month program. The ...

Iran targets militant group in Pak: All you need to know about Jaish al-Adl

Iran said it employed 'precision missile and drone strikes' to demolish two strongholds of the Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl

Pakistan condemns Iran's 'violation of its airspace' post missile attacks

Pakistan on Wednesday issued a strongly worded condemnation of Iran's "violation of its airspace", during which Tehran claimed to have targeted two bases belonging to the Jaish al-Adl militant group. It also warned the neighbouring country that such actions can have "serious consequences". Iran on Tuesday launched attacks in Pakistan, targeting what it described as bases for the militant group, the country's state media reported, potentially raising tensions in a Middle East already roiled by Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The attack took place a day after similar Iranian strikes in Iraq and Syria. Pakistan also summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey its "strongest condemnation of this blatant violation" of its sovereignty. The Foreign Office of Pakistan also described Iran's act as "unprovoked violation of its airspace" in its statement. According to reports, Iran hit the bases of the militant group with missiles and drones.

Army maintaining 'robust posture' at borders: Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande

The Indian Army continues to maintain a "robust posture" at the borders and is prepared to protect the country's territorial integrity at "all costs", Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Sunday, amid the over three-year festering border row with China in eastern Ladakh. On the eve of the Army Day, Gen Pande said the force is fully committed with an "unwavering resolve" to counter any security threat, asserting that its fundamental character, core ethos and professionalism will enable it to live up to the expectations of citizens. He said the transition towards becoming a modern, agile, adaptive, technology-enabled and future-ready force shall continue as part of the transformation roadmap. "Each member of the 'Olive Green' fraternity is fully committed, with an unwavering resolve, to counter security threats to the nation," he said. "We continue to maintain a robust posture at the borders and stand prepared to protect our territorial integrity, at all costs," he said in a message ai

Another resolution seeking delay in Feb 8 polls moved in Pakistan Senate

A resolution seeking a delay in the February 8 general election was moved in Pakistan's Senate on Sunday, two days after a similar resolution was submitted in the Parliament's upper house. The resolution, the third of its kind to be moved in the Senate, cited cold weather and security concerns for the postponement of the elections, Geo News reported. Tabled by independent Senator Hilal-ur-Rehman, the resolution said that extreme cold weather and snowfall would create difficulties for citizens to cast votes in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and create challenges for candidates trying to campaign. In the same way, due to security concerns in the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, candidates are facing threats of terrorist attacks while campaigning, it said. The resolution added that the security issue was also creating obstacles and limiting the participation of candidates in their campaigns, the Dawn newspaper reported. The resolution claimed that due to the increasing sen

Pak's PTI party candidates were picked with little input: Imran Khan

Pakistan's jailed ex-premier Imran Khan has said that his party candidates for the February 8 elections were picked with his little input and he was largely unaware of ticket distribution among them. Khan made these remarks on Saturday after attending court proceedings in the Toshakhana corruption case, according to a report by the Dawn newspaper. Before the court proceedings began, about two dozen PTI workers and candidates of different constituencies complained to 71-year-old Khan about being denied party tickets. He told them that the tickets were awarded with his little input and that he was unaware of their distribution. He explained to them that it was not possible for him to make a quick decision on the award of 850 tickets in a brief discussion with party leaders, the paper reported. Khan also again accused his rival Nawaz Sharif of playing the match with the umpires of choice. He said that a certified money launderer returned to Pakistan under the London Plan and was give

IMF approves $700 mn second tranche of $3 bn package for Pakistan

Ahead of the next month's elections, the IMF on Thursday approved a USD 700 million loan tranche for cash-strapped Pakistan under an existing USD 3 billion bailout package after completing its first review of the country's economic reform programme. The Ministry of Finance announced the completion of the first review by the Executive Board of the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Dawn newspaper reported. A mission from the Washington-based global lender reviewed the country's economic performance during the first three months of the fiscal year from July to September, 2023. The completion of the review allows for an immediate disbursement of USD 700 million in Special Drawing Rights (SDR), bringing the total disbursements under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) to USD 1.9 billion, the ministry said in a statement. The initial tranche of USD 1.2 billion of the current IMF programme --amounting to USD 3 billion-- was released in July 2023. The other two tranches