Islamabad, 19 November 2020 : Pakistan strongly condemns the extra-judicial killing of four more innocent Kashmiris in a fake encounter outside the city of Jammu by the Indian occupation forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

In the last one year alone, Indian occupation forces have martyred more than three hundred innocent Kashmiris, including women and children, in fake encounters and so-called “cordon and search” operations in complete violation of the fundamental precepts of international humanitarian law.

The toxic ‘Hindutva’ ideology, preached and practiced by the RSS-BJP mix, has resulted in the systematic targeting of Kashmiri youth through extra-judicial killings, torture in custody, enforced disappearances and incarcerations under the cover of draconian laws such as Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Public Safety Act (PSA) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Pakistan calls for immediate and transparent judicial inquiry, under international scrutiny, into the extra-judicial killings of innocent Kashmiris including these four.

We also urge the international community to take immediate cognizance of the rampant state terrorism being perpetrated in IIOJK and hold India accountable for its serious crimes against humanity.

India must eschew the use of state-terrorism as an instrument of state policy, end its egregious violations of human rights of the Kashmiri people, and take concrete steps towards the resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute as per the Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

LAHORE : An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Thursday sentenced the leader of the outlawed Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Hafiz Saeed to 10 years and six months of imprisonment for being involved in an illegal funding case.

The court has also fined Saeed with a hefty amount of Rs110,000 and ordered the confiscation of his properties.

Last week, the ATC had sentenced three other JuD leaders to imprisonment, including Zafar Iqbal, Yahya Muhajid, and Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki for illegal funding.

Malik Zafar Iqbal and Yahya Mujahid were ordered to spend 16 years in prison, while Makki was awarded a six-month imprisonment sentence.

Earlier this year, ATC’s Justice Arshad Hussain Bhutta had announced a collective punishment of 11 years and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on the JuD chief for being part of a banned terrorist outfit and for having illegal property.

Ms Angela Aggeler, US Charge d’ Affaires to Pakistan called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), today.Matters of mutual interest including regional security situation particularly Afghan Peace Process were discussed during the meeting.Visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s contributions for conflict prevention in the region and relentless support provided in Afghan Peace Process. The dignitary also assured of US continued assistance for the common cause of peace in Afghanistan.

Islamabad, Nov 19, 2020 : The Honorable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB chaired a meeting to review performance of Prosecution Division of NAB at NAB Headquarters. During the meeting, it was informed that Prosecution Division of NAB is working closely with Operations Division of NAB HQ in order to have legal assistance to NAB’s Operations Division and all Regional Bureaus of NAB in conduct of complaint verifications, inquires, investigations and are pleading cases of NAB vigorously on the basis of solid evidence in the respected Courts as per law.

During the meeting, it was informed that on the directions of the Chairman NAB, Prosecution Division has been revamped by inducting experienced legal consultants/special prosecutors. A mechanism of handling of witnesses has been introduced and the result of this intervention is very encouraging. Due to constant deliberations, monitoring and performance analysis of Prosecution Division, the overall conviction ratio is approximately 68.8 percent in the respected Accountability Courts which is record achievement.

During the meeting, it was informed that Sukkur has announced judgment in Reference No. 08/2019 whereby the accused persons namely Tufail Ahmed and Waqar Ahmed were sentenced for 10 x years R.I and 08 years respectively. It was further informed that the respected Accountability Court, Quetta has announced judgment in Reference No. 12/2015 whereby the accused persons namely Babar Tehseen, Khalid Akram and Javed Akram were sentenced for 10 x years R.I along with the fine of Rs 51.745 million each.

It was informed that the respected Accountability Court Karachi has announced judgment in Reference 01/2018 whereby accuses Wajid Ali was sentenced for 6 x years R.I along with the fine of Rs. 30 million after he was found guilty of the charge on the basis of solid proof against him. The respected Accountability Court Lahore has announced judgment in Reference No. 50/2014, 51/2014, 52/2014, 53/2014, 54/2014 whereby the principal accused Nazeer Ahmed Khan was sentenced for 5 x years R.I along with fines of total liabilities in each case. It was further informed that the respected Accountability Court karachi has announced judgment in Reference No. 16/2017 whereby the accused persons namely Shahid Raza Shah, Wahid Bux, Zaman Jokhio, Lal Muhammad, M. Afzal Hussain, M. Salik Nukhrich and Abdul Aziz were sentenced for 10 x years R.I along with fine of Rs. 5 million each.

The Honorable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB said that eradication of corruption is the top priority of NAB. NAB is committed for eradication of corruption by adopting “Accountability for All” policy. He directed all officers/officials of NAB to put in their best efforts in vigorously pursuance of under trail cases of NAB with complete preparation on the basis of solid evidence in accordance with law.

ISLAMABAD : An accountability court in Islamabad rejected on Thursday a plea of former prime minister Shahid Khan Abbasi seeking a live telecast of trial proceedings of the LNG terminal case.

Judge Azam Khan heard the case. The PML-N leader moved the plea requesting the court to allow the trial in the LNG reference filed against him and others by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to be aired live.Ex-PM Abbasi, former finance minister Miftah Ismail, former managing director of the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) Sheikh Imranul Haq, ex-chairperson of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) Uzma Adil and others are named in the reference.

On November 16, the court had indicted all the accused. They pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the charges. Subsequently, the court directed the NAB prosecution to furnish evidence to back up the allegations against them.

Abbasi is accused of awarding LNG Terminal-I contract to a firm at Port Qasim Karachi, at exorbitant rates.

KABUL : Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a meeting with his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Hanif Atmar in Kabul on Thursday and discussed bilateral relations, Afghan peace process and regional peace and security situation.

Speaking during the meeting, FM Qureshi said Pakistan has always supported the dialogue process for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan. Peace in Afghanistan is important for peace and stability of the region, he noted.The foreign minister said it is a matter of satisfaction that the world today is acknowledging Pakistan’s stance and appreciating its facilitator role in the peace process. He added the success of Afghan peace process is imperative for durable peace in Afghanistan.

He said the transit trade and preferential trade agreements between Pakistan and Afghanistan will help promote the volume of trade and investment between the two countries.

The Afghan FM appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts for the Afghan peace process.

It is noteworthy that FM Qureshi is accompanying Prime Minister Imran Khan on his maiden visit to Kabul. Upon arrival at Kabul airport, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and Afghan President’s Special Representative for Pakistan Mohammad Umer Daudzai and senior officials received the premier and his delegation.

After reaching the Presidential Palace, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani welcomed the premier. PM Khan was also presented a guard of honour at the presidential palace. Later, the two held one-one-meeting during which they discussed matters of mutual interest.

GILGIT: An independent candidate, who was declared victorious in recently held general elections in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), has joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

According to details, Wazir Saleem was declared winner from GBLA-9 Skardu-3 as an independent candidate. He announced to join PTI after meeting with the Chief Organiser Saifullah Khan, in which. Federal Minister For Nothern Areas and Kashmir Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur, Governor GB, and other senior PTI leaders were also present.Welcoming the joining of Wazir Saleem, Saifullah Khan Niazi said that the people of GB buried the anti-state narrative of the opposition parties in the general elections held on November 15.

He said that PTI is heading to form a strong government in the area. The PTI stalwart also vowed to address issues being faced by the people of GB.

Unofficial results showed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took lead in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) election 2020 by grabbing victory in 10 constituencies followed by seven seats won by independent candidates out of 23 seats of the region’s Legislative Assembly.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had also expressed happiness over the victory of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in GB polls and said that voters have rejected Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)’s narrative.