Indian govt orchestrated assassinations in Pakistan: report

Mehtab Pirzada

Islamabad: The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday said that the Indian network of extra-judicial and extra-territorial killings was now a “global phenomenon” that required a coordinated international response.

The statement was issued after a British newspaper, in a report published on Thursday, said that the Indian government assassinated individuals in Pakistan as part of a wider strategy to eliminate terrorists living on foreign soil.

The report cited intelligence officials from both countries, as well as documents shared by Pakistani investigators, saying they “shed new light on how India’s foreign intelligence agency allegedly began to carry out assassinations abroad as part of an emboldened approach to national security after 2019”.

India has denied the claims made in the report.

In a statement, the FO said that India’s assassination of Pakistani nationals on Pakistani soil was a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty and a breach of the UN Charter.

It also highlighted a press conference by Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi in January, wherein he had said there was “credible evidence” of links between Indian agents and the assassination of two Pakistani nationals in Sialkot and Rawalakot.

“These cases exposed the increasing sophistication and brazenness of Indian-sponsored terrorist acts inside Pakistan, with striking similarities to the pattern observed in other countries, including Canada and the United States,” the FO said.

In October 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had cited what he said was credible evidence of a potential link between Indian agents and the murder of a Sikh separatist leader.

The next month, the US Department of Justice had said an Indian government official directed an unsuccessful plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on US soil.

“It is critical to bring to justice the perpetrators, facilitators, financiers and sponsors of these extra-judicial and extra-territorial killings. India must be held accountable internationally for its blatant violation of international law,” the FO said.

The report said that the accounts appeared to “give further weight to allegations that Delhi has implemented a policy of targeting those it considers hostile to India”. It noted that India has been publicly accused by Washington and Canada of involvement in the murders of dissident activists.

“The fresh claims relate to almost 20 killings since 2020, carried out by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan. While India has previously been unofficially linked to the deaths, this is the first time Indian intelligence personnel have discussed the alleged operations in Pakistan, and detailed documentation has alleged Research Analysis Wing’s (RAW) direct involvement in the assassinations,” it said.

It further said claims suggested that Sikh separatists in the Khalistan movement were targeted as part of these Indian foreign operations, both in Pakistan and the West.

The report, quoting Pakistani investigators, said, these killings were orchestrated by Indian intelligence sleeper cells “mostly operating out of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)”.

It quoted two Indian intelligence officers as saying that RAW’s shift to “focusing on dissidents abroad” was triggered by the 2019 Pulwama attack which killed scores of security personnel in held Kashmir in February 2019 and which India blamed on Pakistan.

“After Pulwama, the approach changed to target the elements outside the country before they are able to launch an attack or create any disturbance. We could not stop the attacks because ultimately their safe havens were in Pakistan, so we had to get to the source,” The Guardian quoted one Indian intelligence operative as saying.

Conducting such operations “needed approval from the highest level of government”, he said, adding that India “drew inspiration” from intelligence agencies such as Israel’s Mossad and Russia’s KGB.

The report cited unnamed senior officials from two separate intelligence agencies in Pakistan as saying that Islamabad suspected India’s involvement in up to 20 killings since 2020.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Core Committee expressed serious concerns over the slow pace of the court proceedings of the cases against PTI Founding Chairman Imran Khan and strongly demanded to speed up the process of hearing of the cases so as to ensure his release from incarceration at the earliest.

PTI Core Committee meeting held on Friday, wherein a detailed briefing regarding the cases against PTI Founding was given.

The participants expressed disappointment over the snail pace of the hearing of the cases of Imran Khan and delay his release, demanding that the process of the hearing of his cases should be accelerated in order to ensure his release at the earliest.

PTI Core Committee demanded that the electoral watchdog should restore the PTI’s election symbol “bat” sans any further.

They stated that the electoral body did not have any legal justification to delay the restoration of PTI’s electoral symbol because the party had already submitted all the relevant details of the intra-party elections.

The forum vehemently denounced the postponement of the Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and termed this action of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) an open violation of the Constitution, an attack on the unity and solidarity of the federation and an attempt to violate the public right to vote.

PTI Core Committee strongly condemned the attempts to tarnish the democracy through incomplete houses and the making people right to vote ineffective with criminal support of the electoral watchdog.

They also denounced the efforts to harass judges of Supreme Court and high courts Judges through threatening letters laced with toxic chemical and stressed the need for taking stern action against the responsible.

About the issue of IHC six judges’ letter, the forum reiterated its demands that a full court should be constituted to probe the matter and the court proceedings should be broadcast live, besides holding a judicial convention.

PTI Core Committee urged the electoral body and related tribunals to quickly address the election complaints.

The forum endorsed launch of a countrywide mass movement after Eid-ul-Fitr under the banner of the newly constituted grand political alliance.

They announced that the first mega public gathering of the grand political alliance would organize on April 13 in Pishin district of Balochistan.

Moreover, the PTI Core Committee strongly denounced the re-arrest and remand to women prisoners, especially Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed.

They demanded immediate release of all PTI’s workers and leaders including Imran Khan and his wife.

The participants reiterated their resolve that they would continue the movement under the leadership of PTI Founding Chairman for the supremacy of constitution, rule of law and rule of law, restoration of true democracy, respect of the people’s mandate and the achievement of Haqeeqi Azadi.

Attempt to attack judiciary or pressurize judges intolerable: PTI Spokespersons

ISLAMABAD, APR 5 /DNA/ – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) demanded an immediate and thorough investigation into the threatening letters laced with toxic chemical sent to judges of Supreme Court and high courts in order to bring the elements attacking the judiciary to justice at the earliest.

Reacting to the toxic letters delivered to senior most judges of the country, PTI Spokesperson made it clear that the party stood firmly with the judiciary and would not tolerate any attempt to attack the judiciary or pressurize the judges under any circumstances.

He said that sending threatening letters to judges was part of the government’s plot to intimidate and scare the judges so as they could not give decisions based on justice and law.

He said that since the SC initiated the proceedings on its suo moto notice case, an alarming upsurge had been witnessed in the process of sending threatening letters filled with poisonous substance to the judges.

PTI Spokesperson stated that the suspicious chemical-laced letters were sent to judges under a well-thought-out plan to create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the courts.

He asserted that after the judges raised their voices against the unconstitutional pressure and meddling into the affairs of judiciary, it was inevitable to bring to the forth the elements pressurizing the justice system to get decisions of their choice.

PTI Spokesperson went on to say that the sole purpose to send toxic letters to the judges hearing cases related to PTI was to influence the decisions, adding that sending threatening letters to the judges of the highest courts of the country was a very serious matter and a direct attack on the judiciary.

He demanded that special measures should be taken for the safety and security of all honorable judges of the SC and high courts along with their families without any further delay.

Ambassador of Palestine thanks PFOWA delegation for their support

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Mrs. Shaza Syrus, President of Pakistan Foreign Office Women’s Association PFOWA, and the Executive Committee members of the association on their second visit in solidarity with the Palestinian people, met with the Ambassador of Palestine Ahmed Rabei and his wife, at the Palestine embassy.

The visiting delegation received a briefing on the ongoing Israeli occupation aggression and genocide against our people.

The PFOWA President and members expressed sympathy, sadness, and solidarity with the Palestinian people, and reiterated their material and moral solidarity, and diplomatic support for the Palestinian people at this difficult time and in light of this appalling suffering.

The ambassador thanked them and the people of Pakistan for their unwavering support for our cause and for standing with our people.

KARACHI, APR 5: /DNA/ – Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari, the Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), convened a significant meeting for discussion with Major General Azhar Waqas, the Director General (DG) of Rangers Sindh, at the Pakistan Rangers Sindh Headquarters on Friday. The meeting centered on ongoing humanitarian initiatives in Sindh province.

During the dialogue, Chairman Laghari underscored PRCS’s steadfastness and commitment, especially during challenging circumstances like the devastating 2022 flood. Through partnerships with esteemed organizations such as the IFRC, ICRC, and Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, PRCS promptly initiated relief efforts, benefiting over 2.8 million individuals across 55 districts, with a focus on underserved areas. PRCS collaborated with the government and Armed Forces, complementing their relief endeavors to alleviate the plight of flood-affected communities.

Chairman Laghari elaborated on PRCS’s emergency flood response in Sindh, detailing activities such as distributing essential supplies, providing shelter, installing water treatment facilities, and offering cash assistance to affected families. Additionally, he outlined ongoing recovery initiatives aimed at providing shelter, livelihood support, water and sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion, and food distribution.

Moreover, Chairman Laghari highlighted PRCS’s assistance to Sindh provincial and district branches in capacity building and various programs, including supplying ambulances to enhance emergency care services during flood operations and beyond.

DG Rangers Sindh, Major General Azhar Waqas, lauded PRCS’s significant contributions, emphasizing its pivotal role in natural disasters. He praised the National Society’s dedication under the leadership of Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari, which transcends ethnic or cultural boundaries, contributing significantly to humanitarian endeavors.

DG Rangers Sindh pledged full support from the Rangers Sindh to PRCS in humanitarian endeavors and expressed readiness for collaborative actions to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable communities.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Chairman PRCS Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari and DG Rangers Sindh Major General Azhar Waqas exchanged commemorative shields.

ISLAMABAD, APR 5: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday expressed the “resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism” from the country.

The development came as Gen Mirza met Zardari at the Presidency, according to an official handout.

The CJCSC felicitated the president on assuming this office and briefed him about the country’s security situation as well as the operational preparedness of the armed forces.

Gen Mirza highlighted that the armed forces “had the capability to effectively deal with internal and external security challenges”, the statement said.

President Zardari lauded the armed forces’ role in “defending the national frontiers as well as their contributions towards the socio-economic development of the country”.

He conveyed his “complete confidence” in the security forces’ ability to successfully overcome internal and external security challenges.

“The meeting expressed the resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism with the support of the nation,” the statement said.

Today’s meeting comes two days after President Zardari met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

During that meeting, the president had noted with concern “baseless and unsubstantiated allegations levelled by a specific political party and its few individuals” against the army for their political interests.

The COAS had apprised President Zardari regarding the ongoing operations of the army against terrorism and highlighted the operational preparedness against conventional threats.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities, especially in KP and Balochistan after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.

According to a security report recently issued Centre for Research and Security Studies, Pakistan witnessed 432 violence-linked fatalities and 370 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws, resulting from as many as 245 incidents of terror att­acks and counter-terror operations during the first quarter of 2024.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces, both bordering Afghanistan, accounted for over 92 per cent of all fatalities and 86pc of attacks (including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations) during this period. Individually, the former suffered 51pc and the latter 41pc of all fatalities in the first quarter of 2024, the report said.

ISLAMABAD: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has received the forensic report of the powder found in mysterious letters sent to the judges of the high courts and the Supreme Court, sources told Geo News.

At least four judges of the SC, eight of the Islamabad High Court and six of the Lahore High Court received letters, creating fear in the judiciary.

The latest judge to receive the threatening letter was LHC’s Justice Ali Baqar Najafi.

The CTD lodged two FIRs against unknown people and launched an inquiry into the matter.

The sources disclosed that arsenic mixed in white powder was found in the letters. They further revealed that the powder contained 10% arsenic, adding that a higher ratio of the material can be “very poisonous” and harmful to the human body and can affect the nervous system upon inhalation.

The investigators have obtained the videos of the CCTV cameras installed near the letterboxes in the sub-divisional post office Satellite Town, Rawalpindi.

The sources shared that the suspects in the videos are being identified with the help of Nadra.

Earlier, the judges of the IHC including the chief justice received the letters containing the white powder which was believed to be anthrax.

Later, CJP Qazi Faez Isa and three other SC judges including Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, and Justice Aminuddin received similar letters.

After this, five LHC judges were sent letters while Justice Baqar Najvi received a similar letter today.

Amid calls to probe the matter mount, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has promised the government would probe the matter of threat letters received by judges with suspicious powder, with a sense of responsibility to uncover the reality.

Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister observed that the sensitive matter should not be given a political colour.

ISLAMABAD, APR 5 /DNA/ – Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 6 to 8 April 2024, during the last days of Ramadan. This would be the Prime Minister’s first foreign visit since his election.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence; EAD, Finance, Information and Economic Affairs. He will perform Umrah and offer prayers at the Masjid Nabwi Al-Sharif.

The Prime Minister is expected to meet the Crown Prince and Prime Minister HRH Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and discuss issues of mutual interest. The leaders will also exchange views on regional and global developments.

Pakistan and KSA have longstanding fraternal relations rooted in religious and cultural affinity. The people of Pakistan have the deepest respect and regard for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

The leadership of both countries is committed to advancing the fraternal ties and mutually rewarding economic and investment relations.