News Desk

London: Amnesty International on Friday urged the federal government to “immediately halt the continued detentions, deportations and widespread harassment” of Afghan refugees.

From Nov 1, the government initiated a nationwide operation to deport illegal foreign nationals, the majority of whom were Afghans, after the deadline to voluntarily leave the country had expired.

Last month, the government had given an ultimatum to all undocumented immigrants to leave Pakistan by October 31 or risk imprisonment and deportation to their respective countries. The government decided to keep foreign nationals residing in the country without identity documents in “holding centres” before deporting them to their respective countries.

In a press release issued today, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia Campaigns Livia Saccardi said that thousands of Afghan refugees were being used as “political pawns” to be returned to Afghanistan where their “life and physical integrity could be at risk amidst an intensified crackdown on human rights and an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe”.

She stressed that “no one should be subjected to mass forced deportations, and Pakistan would do well to remember its international legal obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement.”

The principle of non-refoulement suggests that a person should never be expatriated to a state where he or she faces the risk of political persecution.

Saccardi said if the government did not halt the deportations immediately, “it will be denying thousands of at-risk Afghans, especially women and girls, access to safety, education, and livelihood.”

“Pakistan must fulfil its obligations under international human rights law to ensure the safety and well-being of Afghan refugees within its borders and immediately halt deportations to prevent further escalation of this crisis.

“The government, along with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, must expedite the registration of applicants seeking refuge in Pakistan, particularly women and girls, journalists, and those belonging to minority and ethnic communities as they face heightened risks,” the press release quoted her as saying.

The statement highlighted Amnesty International’s concerns regarding the “complete lack of transparency, due process, and accountability in the detentions and deportations over the last week”.

It said the situation was “exacerbated by increased incidents of harassment and hostility against Afghan refugees in Pakistan”, adding that many incidents of harassment were reported during which at least 12 people with valid Afghan citizen cards were detained on Nov 1 in Nishtar Colony and Garden Town Police Stations of Lahore without any first information report lodged against them.

“On Oct 24, Afghan traders in Akbari Mandi in Lahore were searched for documentation by individuals in plain clothes claiming to be police officials who confiscated Rs500,000 in cash,” the press release said.

Amnesty also raised issues about the holding centres, saying they were not constructed under any specific law and were being run parallel to the legal system.

“Amnesty International has verified that in at least seven detention centres, no legal rights are extended to detainees such as the right to a lawyer or communication with family members. Such centers are in violation of right to liberty and a fair trial. Also, no information is made public, making it hard for families to trace their loved ones,” the human rights watchdog claimed.

It further said that it had “confirmed with journalists across Pakistan that the media was not given access to these centres”, adding that this raised questions of transparency.

The statement quoted an Afghan refugee as saying: “We live in constant anxiety. There is a sense of fear among the Afghan community. We lock our doors as soon as we hear any police cars in the area.”

Bureau Report

Karachi: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has said the party had developed a “consensus” on issues facing the country in a recent meeting with the PML-N and not an electoral alliance.

His remarks come in an appearance on Dawn News show ‘Live with Adil Shahzeb’ on Thursday, after an “electoral alliance” announced by the PML-N and MQM-P on Tuesday appeared to have been downgraded to “seat adjustments”.

On Tuesday, a three-member MQM-P delegation comprising Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar, and Mustafa Kamal called on the Sharif brothers — Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif — in Model Town Lahore.

After the meeting, the PML-N declared that both parties had decided to form an electoral alliance in light of an understanding reached in April last year when the MQM had joined the Shehbaz-led coalition government.

Late in the night, however, senior MQM-P leader and former federal minister Aminul Haque clarified that it was not an electoral alliance as both parties would contest the election on their respective election symbol.

“We will definitely have seat adjustments, where required, and form a post-election alliance with the PML-N,” he had told Dawn.

In the interview last night, Siddiqui was asked about the MQM’s motivations for entering into a supposed electoral alliance with the PML-N.

“First of all, the joint statement issued did not mention an electoral alliance,” the MQM leader said. He said that Nawaz had returned to the country after a long time, adding that MQM had a past with the PML-N which had seen ups and downs.

He conceded that the two sides did talk about general elections — which are scheduled for February 8.

“Instead of an electoral alliance what you can say is that a consensus was developed that we not only support each other in the efforts for a free and fair election but also for Pakistan’s economy […].”

Siddiqui also said that there was no stage of talking about ministries or the future premier, adding: “And perhaps this time, the MQM does not keep such matters in agreements.”

He said that the party wanted the Constitution to be strengthened so that it could not only protect itself, but also the people.

Siddiqui said that the MQM met with the PML-N, terming it a “very good” meeting. He reiterated that the two talked about a joint strategy for the myriad of crises facing the country.

He said that neither the MQM-P nor the PML-N had stated that the two parties would contest the elections together.

“Nor has there been any talk of how much share will we have in the government or who the chief minister will be. These matters are for the future. Besides, MQM does not form electoral alliances. Yes, seat adjustment has happened and can happen but that has also not been decided this time.”

Siddiqui said that PML-N representatives would meet with the MQM in a day or two where there would be further talks.

Responding to a question, Siddique said, “Seat adjustment has happened before. There are chances of it […] this has happened with all political parties.”

Shamim Shahid 

Lahore: leading politicians, parliamentarians, lawyers, and journalists have agreed on a “Code of Democratic Politics and Free and Fair Elections”, proposed by Citizens for Democracy, and called on all political parties to sign it. 

Those who have endorsed the Code of Politics include Aftab Sherpas, President PQP, Senator Raza Rabbani, PPP, Senator Mushahid Hussain, PMLN, Malik Mohammed Ahmed, former Advisor to PM Shehbaz, Barrister Aitzas Ahsan, PPP, Liaquat Baluch, General Secretary Jamaat I Islami, Mohsin Dawar MNA, President NDM, Senator Afrasayab Khattak, Hamid Khan Advocate, PTI, Dr Maalick, President NP, Akhtar Hussain, President AWP, Farhatullah Babar, Gen Sec PPPP, Farooq Tariq, Senator Manzoor Gichki, President HKM, Taimur Rehman, Secretary General MKP, Khadim Hussain, ANP, Malik Ayub, President NP Punjab, Ahsan Bhon, former President SCBA, Hassan Raza Pasha, Chairman PBC, Abid Saqi, PLF, Sabahat Rizvi, LHCBA, Afzal Butt, President PFUJ, Aamir, Gen Sec CPNE, Kazim Khan, CPNE, Azhar Abbas, Geo, Imtiaz Alam, Safma Secretary General, Najam Sethi, TFT, Zahid Hussain, Dawn, Sohail Warraich, Editor Jang, Hussain Naqi, Senior Editor, Rashid Rehman, Editor, Ayaz Khan, Editor Express, Mazhar Abbas, Analyst, Air Marshal Shehzad Chaudhary, Analyst, Nasir Zaidi, PFUJ, Jabbar Khattak, Editor, Jugnu Mohsin MPA, Sheema Kirmani, Tehreek Niswan, Khawar Mumtaz, WAF, Farzana Bari, Aurat March, Saleema Hashmi, Artist, Civil Society Activists, Mohammed Tehseen SAP, Dr Bashir, Amjad, Minhas, Peter Jacob, Economist Dr Akmal Hussain, Dr Shahid Kardar, Dr Waseem, LUMS, Dr Nadia Pervez, and over one hundred human rights activists and associates of Citizens for Democracy. 

Political leaders and civil society activists have shared widespread concerns regarding:

a. Autocratic manipulations, ‘political engineering’ and massive rigging of electoral processes and elections in the past and its possible recurrence in future elections;

b. A political culture of abusive rhetorics, intolerance, enmity, exclusionary approaches, and falsification of informed discourse to suit political expediency at the cost of a healthy public debate on policy issues;

c. Intervention of and manipulation by any state institution in the electoral processes and influencing a fair outcome of elections in favor of or against any political party; 

d. Use of money, parochial, ethnic, and sectarian ideologies or prejudices, and hate speech during the election campaigns and use of unfair means on the day of elections, including buying of votes, tempering with ballot papers/ballot boxes and all kinds of rigging and manipulation of vote counting and actual results; 

e. Not letting women, minorities, and other marginalized groups and deprived regions freely exercise their right to the franchise; 

f. Undemocratic practices of not acknowledging and respecting the mandate(s) of the people and subverting or bulldozing a healthy functioning of the Parliament while respecting pluralism and adopting inclusiveness;

g. Not respecting and accommodating the difference of opinion and pushing the Treasury and the Opposition benches beyond the limits of legitimate parliamentary conventions of tolerance and accommodation. 

h. Pushing adversaries to the wall implicating them in false cases and denying parliamentarians the right to represent the electorates of their constituencies and respective parties. 

Appeal to all Political parties 

They have agreed to adhere to the CDP and appealed to all political parties to sign it. 

“Learning from the past mistakes and wrongdoings they agreed to observe the following Code of Democratic Politics:

1. Respect fundamental human, civil, social, and economic rights of people and equal rights of women and minorities as enshrined in the UN Declarations, Covenants, and the 1973 Constitution.

2. Uphold the supremacy of the 1973 Constitution, sovereignty of people represented by Parliament, cooperative federalism as enshrined in the 18th Amendment, and devolution of power to the grassroots level to empower people. 

3. Ensure the rights of all citizens regardless of any distinction while preserving the Doctrine of the Sovereignty of Parliament and Separation of Powers among various institutions of the State within the confines of their constitutional scope and limits. 

4. Respect Freedom of Expression and differences of opinion in a civilized manner without indulging in acrimonious and abusive polemics and personal/sectarian/parochial/sexist vilification.

5. An unfettered Right to Free Franchise is a most crucial fundamental right of All Citizens, who are The Sovereign in deciding their destiny and the fate of the state. Most importantly, a credible, free, and fair election, without the exclusion of any legitimate political party, is the prerequisite of a legitimate government and the sovereignty of the Parliament.

6. Reject any interference in politics and electoral processes, and their truthful outcomes, by any state institution or an agency, and influence of money and coercion be it private or otherwise. 

7. Ensure a fair, civilized, tolerant, informed, and democratic discourse in politics and elections. 

8. Discourage illegitimate and foul means to influence elections for the sake of and sharing of power or self-aggrandizement. 

9. Adopt peaceful, civilized, and legitimate means in contesting elections while respecting the mandate(s) of the people and following democratic norms and parliamentary conventions. 

10. Devote respective programs and manifestos for the larger benefit of the masses, oppressed and deprived sections of the population in particular, with a focus on eradicating poverty and inequality, and preparing our youth to meet the challenges of a globalized multi-polar world while benefiting from the scientific and technological revolution. 

11. Refrain from and reject political victimization, arbitrary arrests and kidnapping of political activists. 

12. Promote peace, amity, and cooperation in the country, region, and the world on the principles of peaceful Co-existence.

(Citizens for Democracy)

LAHORE, NOV 10 (DNA) — The Royal Thai Embassy team led by Ambassador Chakkrid Kraichaiwong visited Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Friday to witness the first T20 of the two-match series between Pakistan Women A and Thailand Women Emerging.

After the match, Ambassador Kraichaiwong met with Chairman of the PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf and praised the PCB’s efforts in promoting women’s cricket in Pakistan. The ambassador also lauded the PCB’s hospitality and highlighted the need for more cooperation between the two countries in the game of cricket.

Thailand Women Emerging will play their second and final T20 against Pakistan Women A tomorrow. Earlier, they took part in the T20 tri-nation series featuring West Indies Women A as the third team. — DNA

RAWALPINDI, NOV 10 (DNA) — Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has been named in 13 cases related to May 9 incidents. The anti-terrorism court Rawalpindi judge heard the bail application of the former minister on Friday in the May 9 incidents.

 Sheikh Rashid appeared before the court along with his nephew Rashid Shafiq and counsel Abdul Razzaq Khan.  The counsel requested the court for pre-arrest bail of his client in the cases registered with the R.A. Bazaar, Taxila, Wah Cantt, Saddar Cantonment and GHQ attack cases.

 He said political vendetta against the former minister was under way and he, along with Rashid Shafiq, had been named in several cases through supplementary statements. He said, “we are hearing daily that new cases are being registered against them.”

In a lighter vein, the judge asked the former minister it seemed things were going against him after his ‘chilla’ (spiritual seclusion). Sheik Rashid responded he had no case prior to the ‘seclusion.’

The IGP submitted in writing that no case had been registered against Sheikh Rashid pertaining to the May 9 incidents, however, now his client wa being named in the cases through supplementary statements, Advocate Razzaq claimed.

The court granted pre-arrest bail to Sheikh Rashid and Rashid Shafiq till Nov 18. The judge also combined all their applications. — DNA

ISLAMABAD: In a major relief, an accountability court in Islamabad on Friday ordered to unseize properties, vehicles, and bank accounts owned by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Last month, the same accountability court judge had suspended the arrest warrant of the three-time former prime minister — who returned to the country on October 21 after ending a four-year self-imposed exile in London — in the Toshakhana case after the NAB prosecutor raised no objections.

At the outset of today’s hearing, accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir ordered the authorities to return Nawaz’s seized properties, and vehicles and unfreeze his accounts.

In 2020, an accountability court ordered the confiscation of the property owned by the former prime minister in the Toshakhana vehicles reference after he was declared an absconder by the Islamabad High Court.

The property includes a 1,650-kanal agricultural land in Lahore, a Mercedes, a Land Cruiser, two tractors, local and foreign bank accounts, a bungalow in Murree, and 102-kanal land in Sheikhupura.

Toshakhana reference
The NAB reference filed against Zardari and Nawaz accuses them of obtaining cars from Toshakhana (the gift depository) by paying 15% of the price of the cars.

Zardari also received cars as gifts from Libya and the UAE when he was president and used them for his personal use instead of depositing them in the treasury, the anti-graft body has alleged.

Former premier Yousuf Raza Gillani has been accused of facilitating Zardari and Nawaz in this matter. The anti-graft body has accused Gillani of relaxing the procedure for acceptance and disposal of gifts.

Khawaja Anwar Majeed and Khawaja Abdul Ghani Majeed, owners of the Omni Group, are also nominated as accused in the reference.

According to reports, Nawaz was not holding any public office in 2008 but was given a vehicle without any justification. NAB said the leaders have been charged with corruption under sub-sections 2, 4, 7 and 12 of Section 9 (A) of the NAB Ordinance.

A gift from any country to the head of the state and deposited in the Toshakhana remains the property of the government unless sold at an open auction. Rules allow officials to retain gifts with a market value of less than Rs10,000 without paying anything.

ISLAMABAD, NOV 10 (DNA) — Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan here Friday inaugurated the state of the art Mother and Child Health Center in Tangi, Charsadda.

A large number of local residents participated in the opening ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, Dr Nadeem Jan said, “He is working on the agenda of strengthening and reforming the health system in the short term.” He said, “A strong primary health care system will strengthen the health system of the country.”

Dr Nadeem Jan said, “The government is making efforts to provide modern facilities to the rural people.” Dr Nadeem Jan said, “The government is ensuring the provision of quality medical facilities to the poor people.” He said, “The society cannot develop without health and education development.”

Dr Nadeem Jan said, “An ambulance and cath lab will be provided to the hospital soon.” He said, “An integrated strategy to ensure universal health coverage has been formulated.” Dr Nadeem Jan said, “The caretaker setup has laid the foundation of a strong health system in Pakistan.” “The coming governments will continue this strongest system,” he added.

Dr Nadeem Jan said,” We have also laid the foundation stone for the fastest large-scale project in a short period of time in the history of Pakistan.” He said, “The project of upgrading and full functioning of 500 primary health centers is being completed within two months.” — DNA

DNA

ISLAMABAD, 10 Nov: President Arif Alvi made a telephone call to the President of Palestine, Mr Mahmoud Abbas, and expressed his heartfelt sympathies and grief on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan over the atrocities being committed by Israel against people of Palestine for over seven decades. He deplored that what was happening in the Gaza was very painful and the entire Pakistani nation was deeply saddened by the brutalities and reign of terror unleashed the Israeli security forces. The President strongly condemned the lethal bombing by Israel that even did not spare schools and hospitals and its barbaric actions resulted in killing of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, healthcare workers, journalists and UN aid workers. 

The President said that the current situation in Gaza was the reaction of decades of apartheid and unjust policies of Israel. He condemned Israel for ethnic cleansing against the Muslims and pushing them out of their territories.

Talking to his Palestinian counterpart, President Arif Alvi regretted over the lack of action on the part of the international community to stop Israel from its murderous campaign against the people of Gaza. He assured the Palestinian President that Pakistan would continue to support resolving the Palestinian dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC’s resolutions. The President urged the international community to make efforts for urgent ceasefire, opening of unhindered humanitarian corridor to Gaza, stopping further displacement of the Palestinians from their homeland and permanent solution to the Palestinian dispute in accordance with UN Security Council’s resolutions. The President said that if two states solution was not acceptable to Israel, then one state solution was the only way where Jews, Muslims and a good percentage of Christians could live to exercise equal political rights.

Talking to his Pakistani counterpart, the Palestinian President, Mehmood Abbas said that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. He called for stopping Israel from fighting across the Palestinian territory. He also demanded for opening of a corridor to Gaza to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance as there was no food, medicine and electricity available to the people of Gaza.  

President Mahmoud Abbas thanked Pakistan for supporting the Palestinian cause and sending humanitarian assistance.