ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 /DNA/ – Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has exchanged messages of heartfelt felicitations with Belarusian Foreign Minister, Sergei Aleinik. The respective ambassadors in Islamabad and Minsk have called on the Foreign Ministers and presented the congratulatory messages.

Pakistan-Belarus bilateral relations are characterized by mutual respect and trust and constructive dialogue based on the Islamabad Declaration of Pakistan-Belarus Partnership and the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation of 2015. This relationship has continued to grow with frequent high-level exchanges and robust collaboration in economic, industrial and agriculture sectors.

In his message to Foreign Minister Aleinik, Foreign Minister Jilani has appreciated the positive trajectory of bilateral relations over the last thirty years. He has expressed commitment of the Government of Pakistan for even deeper mutually beneficial partnership with Belarus.

As a testament to mutually beneficial relationship, Pakistan and Belarus have also concluded a Visa Abolishment Agreement for Diplomatic and Official Passports holders.

RAWALPINDI, FEB 3: The trial court has handed seven-year sentences, each, to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the “nikah” case at the Adiala jail today.

The verdict was pronounced by Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah today, a day after the hearing of the case was conducted inside the jail premises for 14 hours a day earlier.

The judge issued the court’s verdict in the case pertaining to the plea filed by Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband Khawar Maneka against what he refers to as an nikah with the former prime minister.

So far, cross-examination of the statements given by the four witnesses in the case has been completed. The statements of Khan and Bushra under section 342 have also been recorded.

Bushra Bibi, who has been placed at the Banigala following its status declared as a sub jail, will be brought to Adiala for the final hearing. The verdict will be announced in the presence of the PTI founder, Bushra Bibi and their lawyers.

The complainant’s counsel Raja Rizwan Abbasi, Khan’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja and Bushra Bibi’s lawyer Usman Gul also gave their final arguments a day earlier.

Nikah during iddat

Maneka, in his petition, had termed Bushra and Khan’s nikkah “fraudulent” contending that the marriage was solemnised during her iddat — following her divorce with him.

“That above said nikah and the marriage ceremony was neither legal nor Islamic as it was solemnised without observing iddah period,” read the petition available with Geo.tv.

He also accused the former prime minister of ruining his entire life with the petition stating that the PTI top leader “stigmatised the complainant and his family just to achieve his unethical and immoral objects through intrusion in the complainant’s peaceful marital life”.

“In light of the above, it is humbly prayed that respondents No.1 [Imran Khan] and 2 [Bushra Bibi] be summoned and punished strictly in accordance with law in the interest of justice,” Maneka prayed to the court.

By Faisal Munir / DNA

ATTOCK: Presiding officers, who will perform election duties, took oath on Friday to maintain neutrality during the election process. The oath taking ceremony was held in the Government Boys High School Pindi Gheb where district returning officer Rao Atif Raza administered the oath. On this occasion, Returning Officer and Assistant Commissioner Pindi Gheb Malik Noor Zaman, DSP Muhammad Asghar Gurayah, Deputy District Education Officer (Male) Pindi Gheb Malik Muhammad Maskin, Sher Afzal Fateh Jang, Deputy DEO (Female) Ms. Samina Shaheen, all other officials. A large number of officers and officials of the institutions were present.

District Returning Officer Rao Atif Raza has said that Government employees should ensure the peaceful conduct of the general assembly on February 8 by showing complete impartiality and sincerity. The federal and provincial employees should perform their duties in a good manner regarding the general elections he added.

District Returning Officer said that There is no need to come under any unnecessary pressure, but abuse of any voter will not be tolerated. The security personnel should control any elements spreading violence, the election process and security matters at the polling stations should be completely smooth. He said that The polling staff should strictly implement the election code of conduct formulated by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza administered oath to all presiding officers on the written form given by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Along with Returning Officer Constituency PP-4 and Assistant Commissioner Malik Noor Zaman and DSP Muhammad Asghar Gurayah, reviewed the preparations and security matters in connection with the elections at various polling stations and issued necessary instructions.

Imran Khan’s Message to Pakistanis: Let Allah Be the Ultimate Planner in Face of Legal Challenges

ISLAMABAD, FEB 2: /DNA/ – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman-for-life Imran Khan has called upon Pakistanis to use the most powerful and meaningful weapon of our vote to overthrow crooks who have been imposed upon us.

In a message to the nation, PTI Founding Chairman said that the people of the country were well-aware of the fact that all these cases against him had no legal basis, as these were part of an on-going political circus in the country for the past 22 months to demoralise the voters; however, they should not be disheartened, as Allah is the ultimate planner.

“My Pakistanis, the unfolding of the Toshakhana, Cypher, and Iddat cases only highlights their frivolous, baseless, and politically motivated nature. When the cypher case emerged, I warned that unless we dealt with it decisively, no Prime Minister in the future would be able to withstand such blatant foreign interference in Pakistan’s internal matters,” he added.

Imran Khan recalled that General Musharraf also surrendered to the US’ threats of “bombing Pakistan into stone age.” “But, to appease their masters who orchestrated the regime change operation, I was deprived of my legal right of cross-examining the witness or presenting my witnesses, as the handlers knew that it would unmask another great betrayal in our political history just like that of Mir Jaffer of Bengal,” Khan maintained.

PTI Chairman-for-life stated: “By the grace of God, I have led my life with impeccable financial integrity and credibility with the people of Pakistan donating billions of rupees for my philanthropic projects. Therefore, the toshakhana case was concocted because no evidence of financial corruption against me could be found.”

Imran Khan went on to say that even during the sham trial, when they sensed that the trial would conclude in absolving me, they deprived me of my fundamental right to cross-examination. He further added that meanwhile, the iddat case has been expedited only because they want to create a narrative against my dream of establishing Pakistan on the principles of Riasat-e Madinah.

“Therefore, they are concluding it in haste without an iota of fairness in the trial just to announce me guilty,” he added.

“Pakistanis, you must know that all of these cases have no legal basis; they are part of an on-going political circus in the country for the past 22 months. The hasty manner in which all these cases are being concluded, is for only one purpose which is to demoralise the voters, especially the youth,” Khan revealed.

But, he urged that they must not be disheartened, as Allah is the ultimate planner. “Our most powerful and meaningful weapon is that of our vote, and we must wield it to overthrow crooks who have been imposed upon us,” he concluded.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 2: /DNA/ – Taking cognizance of the unfortunate security situation created by the administration and the views expressed by some of PTI’s members due to their occupation in their respective constituencies regarding preparations for the general polls, PTI decided to hold its intra-party elections after the national elections.

PTI Federal Election Commissioner Raoof Hasan said that the amended schedule will be duly announced by the office of the Federal Election Commissioner.

He stated that at the time of holding of the General Body meeting of PTI on January 31, 2024, the designated venues of the party where the meetings were to take place and the entry of participants were unlawfully blocked by the administration, including sealing of the Islamabad office, thus forcing us to search for and confirm alternate places and seek legal remedies.

“While we are ready for holding IPE on the basis of secret ballot through digital balloting, the PTI arrangements for availability of alternate venues requires additional time,” he added.

Furthermore, Raoof Hasan stated that several requests have been received from members of PTI that, because of their occupation in their respective constituencies regarding preparations for the general election scheduled for February 8, they are unable to find time to participate in and join the Intra Party election process.

“Taking cognizance of the unfortunate security situation created by the administration and the views expressed by some of our members, the holding of the intra-party elections needs to be rescheduled,” he added.

Raoof Hasan went on to say that they will now take place after the national elections on a date within the mandate and timeframe approved by the General Body meeting, adding that the central and provincial offices of the PTI will continue to receive Nomination Forms till 10 pm tonight, as members are urged to complete all relevant formalities before submitting them.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 2: /DNA/ – Pakistan Navy PNS SAIF visited Colombo, Sri Lanka during its Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) Deployment.  Upon arrival at port, the ship was received by officials of Pakistan Embassy and Sri Lankan Navy.

During the stay at port, Commanding Officer of PNS SAIF called on senior Naval and Military officials of Srilanka. During the interactions, matters of mutual interests were discussed and enhancement of bilateral ties in all spheres was re-affirmed. The Commanding Officer also conveyed good wishes of Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf for the people of Sri Lanka in general and Sri Lankan Navy in particular.

During stay at port, ship’s crew visited different Sri Lankan Navy training facilities and Sri Lankan Navy officers and men also visited Pakistan Navy Ship. At the end of port call, PNS SAIF participated in Passage Exercise with Sri Lankan Navy Ship out at sea.

Pakistan Navy ships are regularly deployed on RMSP with the objective to fulfill international obligations for Maritime Security while ensuring freedom of navigation on high seas.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan enjoy friendly relations, which have strengthened over the period of time. Visit of PNS SAIF to Sri Lanka contributed significantly towards promoting naval collaboration between the two friendly countries that strengthen bilateral relations and existing bond of friendship with Sri Lanka.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 2: /DNA/ – Special Investment Facilitation Council convened the 9th meeting of its Apex Committee on 2 February 2024 to review various initiatives being steered through the SIFC forum. The meeting was chaired by the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and attended by Chief of the Army Staff, Federal Cabinet, Provincial Chief Ministers and high level government officials.

The ministries presented progress on the projects and policy initiatives, and gave plans for subsequent endeavours to attract the investment. The Committee showed profound satisfaction on overall progress and appreciated ‘Whole of Government the Approach’ in realising the envisioned dividends.

The Committee reviewed progress on various measures and appreciated the contribution made for improving macro and micro-economic conditions of the country.

The Committee commended the steps taken to build a sustainable ecosystem for nurturing latent potential and attracting investments, with special emphasis on cross sectoral policy interventions, human resource development, infrastructural uplift and strengthening of domestic dispute resolution mechanism.

The Committee reviewed and appreciated the progress on the level of economic engagements with friendly countries and underscored the need to efficiently realise investment commitments into economic dividends.

Committee also gave principal approval for Strategic Canals Vision 2030 and FBR Reforms.

Chief of the Army Staff assured firm resolve of Pakistan Army to support Government’s initiatives for economic stability of the country and socio-economic well-being of its people.

At the end, the Prime Minister appreciated the role of SIFC, ministries, departments and affiliated stakeholders in accomplishing the major economic milestones as part of the Interim Government and setting the pace for future endeavours.

He also urged the incoming Government for ensuring continuity of economic policies by capitalising on the positive momentum established
by SIFC, in the larger interest of the country.