Category: 1. Pakistan

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Saturday that if PTI founder Imran Khan’s son have applied for Pakistani visas, then they would get them without facing any problem.

Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, he said that the incarcerated ex-premier’s sons will be issued visas or National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) if they require them, adding that there will be no obstruction in the process.

He assured that if the tracking number of their visa application is shared with him, he will personally ensure that the issue is resolved.

Chaudhry reiterated that the government’s stance from day one has been to hold dialogue on national issues. He added that several attempts had been made in the past to initiate talks in this regard.

His statement came after ex-premier’s sister Aleema Khan said that Kasim and Sulaiman have applied for NICOP — the identity card issued to Pakistani citizens residing outside the country and allowing visa-free entry.

She told reporters that they possessed NICOP, but it had since then been lost.

Sulaiman and Kasim’s purported visit to Pakistan to meet their father. Recently, reports surfaced Khan had barred from travelling to Pakistan and partaking in any political activity.

However, soon after such reports surfaced, the party rubbished them, stating that there’s no doubt that Sulaiman (28) and Kasim (26) would visit Pakistan for their father.

The 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician has been behind bars since August 2023 after he was booked in multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism since his ouster from power via the opposition’s no-trust motion in April 2022.

Kasim called attention to their father’s imprisonment for the first time publicly in May. Taking to X in June, he expressed concern over Imran’s condition in the jail.

He wrote: “My father, former prime minister Imran Khan, has now spent over 700 days in prison — held in solitary confinement. He is denied access to his lawyers, not allowed visits from his family, fully cut off from us (his children), and even his personal doctor is refused entry. This is not justice. It is a deliberate attempt to isolate and break a man who stands for rule of law, democracy and Pakistan.”

The former ruling party formally launched its anti-government campaign, set to reach its “peak” by August 5, following a high-level huddle in Lahore earlier this month.

Among other objectives, the protest movement is aimed at securing release of party founder Imran Khan, who will complete two years in jail on August 5.

The Imran Khan-founded party’s latest round of anti-government drive comes months after its negotiations with the government stalled over the issue of the formation of judicial commission to probe the May 9 riots and November 2024 Islamabad protest.

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori announced a 14-day series of Independence Day celebrations at the Governor House, declaring that Pakistan is a victorious and resilient nation.

While addressing the “Battle for Truth” Independence Day ceremony, Governor Tessori welcomed the President of Iran on his visit to Pakistan and expressed his desire for the Iranian leader to also visit Karachi.

He also acknowledged the support of friendly countries during wartime, stating that Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Iran all stood by Pakistan during its conflict with India.

Governor Tessori added that the celebrations will continue until August 14, with major cultural and musical events planned at the Governor’s House. Prominent artists like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam, and Ali Zafar are expected to perform as part of the festivities. 

Islamabad [Pakistan], August 2 (ANI): Five children were killed and 12 others were injured after a mortar shell they were ‘playing’ with exploded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district, the Dawn reported on Saturday.

Citing the spokesperson for the Bannu region police, Aamir Khan, Dawn reported that children “discovered” the shell in a nearby field and, mistaking it for a toy, brought it back to their village in Sorband.

According to Khan, the device detonated while the children were playing with it. The victims were immediately rushed to Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital in Bannu, where the injured are currently receiving emergency medical care.

“The shell exploded, resulting in the deaths of five children and leaving 12 others critically injured… The deceased and injured children have been transported to Khalifa Gul Nawaz hospital,” Khan stated, as quoted by The Dawn.

Bannu Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sajjad Khan visited the hospital to check on the injured children and met with medical staff to assess the quality of treatment, medicine availability, and emergency services. He also met with the families of the injured, offering them reassurance and support and stated that the affected families would receive full assistance and that those responsible would be held accountable.

“He checked on their condition, encouraged them and met with hospital administration to review the provision of treatment, availability of medicines, and other medical facilities in detail,” a statement issued by the RPO read, as quoted by the Dawn.

It further stated that the Bomb Disposal Squad had reached the blast site, collected forensic evidence, and launched an investigation.

This incident highlights the recurring danger of unexploded ordnance in Pakistan.

As per Dawn, similar tragedies have occurred in the past; in October 2023, a grenade explosion in Balochistan’s Wadh area killed one child and injured eight others.

A month earlier, nine people, including four children, died in Sindh’s Kashmore district after a rocket launcher round exploded inside a home.

Authorities continue to urge caution and awareness in regions where leftover military explosives may be present. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

• Talal says no hurdle in PTI sons’ visa issuance
• Tracking number required to resolve issue: senator
• “Dialogue attempts made on national issues.”

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said that the sons of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan will be issued visas or National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) if they require them, adding that there will be no obstruction in the process.

Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, the PML-N Senator said that if the PTI founder’s sons have applied for Pakistani visas, they will be granted without any hindrance.

He assured that if the tracking number of their visa application is shared with him, he will personally ensure that the issue is resolved.

Chaudhry reiterated that the government’s stance from day one has been to hold dialogue on national issues. He added that several attempts had been made in the past to initiate talks in this regard.

His statement came after ex-premier’s sister Aleema Khan said that Kasim and Sulaiman have applied for NICOP — the identity card issued to Pakistani citizens residing outside the country and allowing visa-free entry.

She told reporters that they possessed NICOP, but it had since then been lost.

Sulaiman and Kasim’s purported visit to Pakistan to meet their father. Recently, reports surfaced Khan had barred from travelling to Pakistan and partaking in any political activity.

However, soon after such reports surfaced, the party rubbished them, stating that there’s no doubt that Sulaiman (28) and Kasim (26) would visit Pakistan for their father.

The 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician has been behind bars since August 2023 after he was booked in multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism since his ouster from power via the opposition’s no-trust motion in April 2022.

Kasim called attention to their father’s imprisonment for the first time publicly in May. Taking to X in June, he expressed concern over Imran’s condition in the jail.

He wrote: “My father, former prime minister Imran Khan, has now spent over 700 days in prison — held in solitary confinement. He is denied access to his lawyers, not allowed visits from his family, fully cut off from us (his children), and even his personal doctor is refused entry. This is not justice. It is a deliberate attempt to isolate and break a man who stands for rule of law, democracy and Pakistan.”

The former ruling party formally launched its anti-government campaign, set to reach its “peak” by August 5, following a high-level huddle in Lahore earlier this month.

Among other objectives, the protest movement is aimed at securing release of party founder Imran Khan, who will complete two years in jail on August 5.

The Imran Khan-founded party’s latest round of anti-government drive comes months after its negotiations with the government stalled over the issue of the formation of judicial commission to probe the May 9 riots and November 2024 Islamabad protest.

RAWALPINDI:

Aleema Khan, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has rejected claims that the former prime minister stopped his children from visiting Pakistan, clarifying that they were unable to travel after losing their National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOPs).

“Imran Khan did not stop his children from coming to Pakistan. This is a lie. They already have NICOP cards, but they were lost. His children have applied for new NICOPs and visas,” Aleema told reporters outside Adiala Jail on Saturday.

A day earlier, In a statement shared on X, Aleema revealed that Sulaiman and Kasim had submitted their visa applications a few days ago. She said the High Commission had confirmed receipt of the applications and conveyed that their approval was pending with the Ministry of Interior.

However, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has raised questions regarding the nationality status of former prime minister Imran Khan’s children, citing Aleema’s earlier statement that the children hold National Identity Cards for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).

Responding to her post on X, Chaudhry said, “You previously stated that the children hold NICOPs. If that is true, they do not require visas to enter Pakistan. If they do need visas, that means they are not ‘Pakistani Nationals.’ What is the real truth behind it all?”

Read More: Imran’s son’s visa case takes new turn

Further speaking on the matter outside Adiala Jail, Aleema added that she had the tracking numbers of the visa applications, contradicting embassy officials’ claims that no such requests were made.

“It is surprising that the embassy says no applications were filed. A friend called the ambassador, who said permission was needed from the Interior Ministry. I told them to get it from Mohsin Naqvi if necessary. Later, they said the Foreign Ministry must issue the visas. Now the ambassador is not responding,” she noted, adding that in emergencies visas are usually granted within an hour.

When asked about Mishal Yousafzai’s appointment as senator, Aleema said, “I don’t want to waste my time discussing such people. My view is that justice should have been done. If it were about merit, many others besides Mishal Yousafzai qualified.”

On the broader political climate, Aleema relayed a message from Imran Khan, saying, “First the mandate was stolen, then democracy was undermined. The media has been silenced, and after the 26th amendment, the judiciary has been reduced to a state institution with no independent authority. Judges now only do what they are told.”

She further criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), comparing them to the former Q League, and accused them of continuing “loot and plunder.”

Commenting on the security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, she said Imran Khan had sent a message through PTI leader Ali Amin opposing a planned operation in the province. She added that Khan believes Pakistan must maintain good relations with Afghanistan as a neighbouring country.

Aleema stressed that PTI’s ongoing movement is not linked to Khan’s children but to his release. “We are working for our brother’s release. We have been coming to court for two years. If they want to arrest us, they can. The movement will continue until Imran Khan is free.”

Also Read: PTI dismisses claims of Imran Khan barring sons from visiting Pakistan

She concluded by criticising the government for barring Imran Khan’s sons from entering Pakistan. “Why is the government not allowing his sons to come? They must be given visas,” she said.

Earlier this month, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan had told reporters that Sulaiman and Qasim would participate in the protest movement. “They will first go to the United States to raise awareness about the injustices faced by their father and then take part in the movement in Pakistan,” she had said.

Reports also suggested that the brothers had held meetings with key individuals in the United States ahead of their possible arrival in Pakistan.

However, the issue has drawn reactions from the government as well. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah warned that Khan’s sons, who reside in the United Kingdom with their mother Jemima Goldsmith, would be arrested if they participated in the protest.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the establishment of dedicated immigration counters for foreign travellers at all international airports in Pakistan, according to a press release by the PM Office Media Wing.

This initiative aims to enhance the travel experience for international visitors and promote tourism, stated the press release. 

Additionally, it seeks to facilitate ongoing trade activities and simplify the process for foreign investors looking to visit and conduct business in the country, according to the press release.

“The decision has been taken to promote tourism in Pakistan, ensure continuity in business activities, and provide further facilitation to foreign investment,” the press release stated.

The separation of immigration queues is expected not only to reduce processing times for foreigners but also, as an indirect benefit, to expedite the clearance of Pakistani citizens returning home.

“The government’s initiative is part of a broader strategy to make Pakistan more attractive and welcoming for global tourists, investors, and business delegations,” it added.