ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 /DNA/ – The Embassy of the United States has issued a travel advisory for its citizens as Pakistan braces for general elections, slated to be held on February 8.

In its advisory, the US embassy asked Americans to remain vigilant and aware of the locations of political rallies occurring in areas they intend to visit.

“On February 8, election day, areas around polling stations may be crowded, and US citizens not eligible to participate in Pakistan’s elections should avoid them.

The embassy warned that disruptions to internet and cellular service could occur leading up to and throughout election day and immediately following.

It further said that political parties are, and will be, actively campaigning in advance of election day, including marches, rallies, and speeches, which are normal activities in any democratic process.

Public gatherings have the potential to block traffic, disrupt transportation, and otherwise create obstacles to free movement and safety, the embassy added.

“In some instances, political activities in Pakistan have been targeted for violence.”

US citizens were asked to avoid areas of large public gatherings and exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of a large gathering or demonstration.

The US embassy asked its citizens to review their personal security plans and monitor local media for updates.

Americans in Pakistan were also asked to keep a low profile and carry identification. They were also asked to cooperate with the police.=DNA

Pakistan urged to swiftly develop maritime policy to respond to growing Indo-Pacific complexities

ISLAMABAD, FEB 3 /DNA/ – It is high time that Pakistan takes decisive steps towards developing its maritime policy to respond proactively to increasing Indo-Pacific geopolitical complexities and harness the potential of its coastlines. Along with this, Pakistan must prioritize its internal coherence, align its national priorities, and create awareness among the masses about the maritime domain.

This was highlighted by speakers at the book launch ceremony of ‘Maritime Security: Challenges & Responses in a Changing World,’ authored by Vice Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Rao (retd), Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Maritime Affairs, and published by IPS Press, the publishing arm of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad. The event was organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad.

The session was addressed by Khalid Rahman, chairman IPS, Ambassador (r) Nadeem Riyaz, president, IRS, Dr Qamar Cheema, executive director, Sanobar Institute, Dr Nazir Hussain, former dean, School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Rear Admiral (r) Syed Faisal Ali Shah, and moderated by Dr Salma Malik, associate professor, QAU. The event brought together a distinguished group of speakers and scholars.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Nadeem Riyaz commended the book’s comprehensive examination of the vast maritime domain, emphasizing its potential to shape Pakistan’s future maritime policy, the significance of which is increasing vastly.

Nazir Hussain lauded Vice Admiral Rao for turning a practitioner’s knowledge into theoretical form. He highlighted the practicality of the book’s insights, suggesting its inclusion as a textbook in undergraduate programs. He discussed that unlocking and safeguarding the inherent potential of Pakistan’s maritime domain and coastlines necessitates a cohesive national endeavor, which requires education and awareness.

Qamar Cheema said that the global discourse extensively focuses on the Indo-Pacific, and the major countries have even developed their Indo-Pacific policies, while Pakistan is yet to take strides in this direction. He stressed that the current international dynamics in the Indo-Pacific demand a more proactive response from Pakistan, given its strategic coastline. It is imperative to explore new strategies and harness the potential of this coastline effectively. He highlighted that media can be pivotal in positively educating the public.

Faisal Ali Shah said although Pakistan is committed to collective maritime security, sea blindness prevails. This necessitates creating awareness about the maritime assets of both the Sindh and the Makran coasts. Moreover, as no country can mitigate such challenges alone, Pakistan needs to maintain its engagement, cooperative arrangements, and openness to new alliances. A comprehensive government approach to leverage maritime opportunities is also imperative, he added.

Introducing his book, Vice Admiral Rao highlighted the intricate geopolitical complexities evident in recent maritime developments in the Indo-Pacific. Specifically, India is viewed as a net security provider, while its actions in the region are critiqued as potentially problematic. He emphasized that Pakistan must take a step ahead, and for that, developing a maritime policy, maintaining internal coherence, and rightly setting national priorities are important.

In his concluding remarks, Khalid Rahman said that the global significance of the sea as a common resource is underscored by its role in maritime security, which revolves around four key factors: the marine environment, economic development, national security, and human security. This book has significantly acknowledged the interconnectedness of these factors. He said that almost all the conflicts between nations throughout history and even in the current period are manifestations of seeking supremacy on the seas.

The book provides a comprehensive look at the multifaceted domain of maritime security. It defines the sector’s historical background while navigating the evolution of the concept of maritime security, challenges, and solutions that define this evolving landscape. Furthermore, the book explores the maritime security strategies of various regions and countries. It also discusses Pakistan’s maritime aspects and the contours of its economic and military security strategies.

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.