Category: 1. Pakistan

Police arrested Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) chapter and former AJK prime minister.

According to police, Niazi was taken into custody in Samahni on Sunday, where he had arrived to address a rally. “Before he could participate in the rally, Abdul Qayyum Niazi was taken into custody,” a police official said, adding that he was being transferred to Mirpur following the arrest.

PTI’s legal spokesperson Naeem Haider Panjutha strongly condemned the arrest of former AJK prime minister Abdul Qayyum Niazi.

“I strongly condemn the arrest of former prime minister Abdul Qayyum. We are already fighting for Jammu and Kashmir, but those trying to turn Azad Kashmir into Jammu and Kashmir should drown in shame,” he said.

Niazi served as the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir from August 4, 2021 to April 14, 2022. He tendered his resignation before the voting on a no-confidence motion against him.

A total of 25 dissenting members of the PTI in the AJK Legislative Assembly filed the no-trust motion against Niazi on 12 April 2022.

The motion was filed under Article 18 of AJK’s interim constitution. The move came shortly after former premier Imran Khan was ousted from office on April 9, 2022.

Read More: PTI seeks permission to hold Aug 5 rally in Islamabad

The AJK Legislative Assembly session was called for voting on the motion. Niazi submitted his resignation to PTI Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and Imran Khan.

It is worth noting that after a series of failed protests, the PTI founder has once again decided to demonstrate street power to campaign for the rule of law and the release of imprisoned party leaders and workers. However, the party appears divided on key policy matters, with dissenting voices increasingly surfacing in public.

Days ahead of its planned protest on August 5, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is facing a widespread crackdown, with party leaders going into hiding, workers reporting home raids and several bank accounts reportedly frozen.

PTI leaders and workers allege that police across Punjab have intensified efforts to suppress the protest by launching a campaign of intimidation.

Many party workers lament that since August 1, police have been knocking on doors, forcing workers to sign affidavits promising not to participate in the protest.

The raids have led to panic within PTI ranks, with multiple leaders choosing to go underground to avoid arrest. Party sources claim that the “door-knocking” campaign has expanded rapidly over the past few days.

In addition to the pressure tactics on the ground, several reports have emerged of financial restrictions being imposed on PTI leadership. The bank account of Hafiz Zeeshan Rasheed, a senior PTI office-bearer in Punjab, has reportedly been frozen, one of many such cases, according to the party.

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has dismissed reports that PTI founder Imran Khan has asked him to step down, saying that he holds the position with Khan’s trust and the party’s mandate.

“I am here because the PTI founder has confidence in me […] This is his government, and his mandate,” the provincial chief executive said in a statement on Sunday.

A day earlier, the incarcerated ex-premier said that Gandapur should resign if he fails to maintain law and order in the province, according to sources. “If Ali Amin Gandapur cannot restore peace, he should step down,” they said while citing the PTI founder.

Separately, a spokesperson of KP CM also rejected the reports, saying that the KP government represents the vision of PTI’s founding chairman. “Whenever the founder asks, the chief minister will step down,” he added.

He went on to say that no credible source has confirmed any message from Imran concerning Gandapur’s position. “Gandapur has repeatedly said that the KP government is a trust handed to him by the PTI founder.”

Faraz Mughal further said that despite being the chief minister, Gandapur has not been able to meet his leader in Adiala jail. “Even though court orders exist, constitutional and legal norms are not being followed,” he said.

Highlighting the chief minister’s administrative efforts, Mughal noted that Gandapur is taking active steps to ensure law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Tribal jirgas have been initiated at the regional level to eliminate terrorism,” he added.

‘Imran Khan not going abroad’

Meanwhile, KP CM Gandapur also dismissed the speculation surrounding the PTI founder’s alleged plans to leave the country, saying: “He [Imran] never expressed any desire or thought about going abroad. These are just baseless assumptions and tactics used to harm the movement.”

He accused rivals of spreading false narratives, saying: “These claims are part of our opponents’ agenda. Those involved in conspiracies are not aligned with the PTI founder but with his enemies.”

Highlighting the way forward, the chief minister stressed that negotiations were essential to solving problems. “Operations are not a solution. We’ve conducted them before without success,” he said.

Calling for diplomatic efforts, Gandapur said, “We must first improve our relations with Afghanistan. Talks should take place.”

He underscored the importance of public trust in institutions, warning that ignoring issues could lead to larger crises. “If we don’t openly talk about problems, small ailments turn into cancer,” he remarked.

“The trust of the people in state institutions must be restored,” Gandapur said, adding, “Without trust among government, institutions, and people, we cannot succeed.”

Pakistan and Iran agreed on Sunday to increase bilateral trade to USD 8 billion annually, taking advantage of their geography and the “discount of distance,” as trade ministers from the two countries held discussions to deepen economic and political ties. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iranian Minister for Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Atabak on the sidelines of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s two-day state visit to Pakistan.

Pezeshkian landed in Lahore on Saturday afternoon and then flew to the capital in the evening. A statement by the Commerce Ministry here said the high-level discussion between Khan and Atabak marked a renewed commitment from both sides to accelerate trade, remove border bottlenecks, and build trust-based partnerships across priority sectors. “[During the meeting], Kamal envisioned that, if fully leveraged, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Iran could easily exceed USD 5-8 billion annually in the coming years,” the ministry said. Before departing from Tehran, Pezeshkian had said Iran and Pakistan have always maintained “good, sincere, and deep relations” and plan to increase bilateral trade volume to USD 10 billion annually. During Sunday’s meeting, emphasis was placed on maximising the potential of neighbourhood trade, with Khan highlighting how ASEAN countries have benefited enormously by trading within their region. “Geography is an advantage. Pakistan and Iran must utilise this discount of distance. If we don’t, we lose both time and cost benefits,” he stated. The Pakistani minister suggested organising targeted trade delegations that include representatives from federal and provincial chambers of commerce, enabling focused discussions on market access and regulatory facilitation, according to the statement. “We’ve done this model successfully in Belarus and elsewhere,” he was quoted in the statement as saying. “Let’s do the same for Iran, starting with sectors that show the greatest potential for mutual benefit.” The ministers also expressed a shared commitment to increasing the use of existing trade corridors and border facilities. Atabak also highlighted ongoing discussions about increasing Pakistani exports to Iran and encouraged swift follow-up on newly signed agreements. “Traders and industrialists in both countries are ready. They trust each other. What they need now is a clear and consistent facilitation mechanism from our side,” he noted. Khan said that beyond bilateral gains, such connectivity could expand to Turkey, Central Asia, Russia, and even parts of West Asia, creating an economic bloc of substantial power and resilience. Atabak supported the idea of holding a dedicated B2B day during every high-level visit and offered to bring Iranian business groups to Pakistan for in-depth meetings, the statement said. Both ministers agreed on the importance of identifying specific sectors such as agriculture, livestock, services, energy, and cross-border logistics for future collaboration, the statement said. “With high-level political alignment and mutual trust, Pakistan and Iran appear poised to enter a new phase of strategic economic partnership that could reshape regional trade dynamics,” it added.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan will send another shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza on the special directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tomorrow. 

At a ceremony marking the dispatch on Sunday, Dar and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik attended as chief guests. Senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, the NDMA and representatives of the Alkhidmat Foundation were also present.

During the event, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, called for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians, and urged a lasting political settlement based on a two‑state solution along pre‑1967 borders, in line with international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

Dar praised the NDMA, the Alkhidmat Foundation and other welfare organisations for ensuring the timely dispatch of aid. “Pakistan stands with the people of Palestine in this difficult time and will make every possible effort to meet their needs,” he said.

The Palestinian ambassador to Pakistan thanked the Pakistani people for their continued support and generosity.

The 17th consignment, carrying 100 tonnes of relief goods, will depart from Islamabad International Airport on a special flight tomorrow. The federal government has planned to deliver 200 tonnes of aid to Gaza in two special flights, with the remaining 100 tonnes to be dispatched in the coming days.

Read More: Pakistan sends tenth humanitarian aid shipment to Palestine

The latest consignment includes 65 tonnes of ready-to-eat meals, 20 tonnes of powdered milk for children, 5 tonnes of biscuits and 10 tonnes of medicines.

With this flight, Pakistan has so far delivered 1,715 tonnes of aid to Gaza through 17 consignments. The total will reach 1,815 tonnes once the next shipment is sent in the coming days.

The former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, was arrested on Sunday over violations of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO), a police official told Dawn.com.

Niazi in 2022 tendered his resignation from his office to defuse the move by his parliamentary party, the PTI, to replace him with regional president Sardar Tanveer Ilyas through a vote of no-confidence.

The MPO law in Pakistan allows authorities to detain individuals without trial for up to 90 days to prevent threats to public peace and safety.

Mirpur Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Dr Liaqat Ali told Dawn.com that Niazi was arrested under Section 16 (dissemination of rumours) of the MPO.

“Under the orders of the Mirpur deputy commissioner, he was arrested under Section 16 of the MPO,” the DIG said.

“He is being held at the industrial area guest house in Mirpur, which has been declared a sub-jail,” he said.

The Mirpur DIG added that plainclothes policemen from Islamabad came to detain the ex-PM under a first information report (FIR) — seen by Dawn.com — filed at the Karachi Company police station in the federal capital, but “we did not allow them to take him into custody”.

The FIR against Niazi in Islamabad was filed under the following sections:

• 109 (punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment),
• 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object)
• 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions)
• 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant)
• 341 (punishment for wrongful restrain)
• 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty)
• 395 (punishment for dacoity)
• 440 (mischief committed after preparation made causing death or hurt)
• 506 ii (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code

He was also booked under Sections 7 (punishment for terrorism) and 11X (responsibility for creating civil commotion) of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Section 8 (punishment) of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act.

DIG Dr Ali added that Niazi left Mirpur last night and headed to Bhimber to attend rallies.

Niazi’s nephew, Sardar Moteeb, said that the former PM was arrested when he was heading to Bhimber city from Samahni to attend a PTI rally related to the campaign demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan from prison.

“He was arrested under Section 16 of the MPO,” Moteeb said. “A team of plainclothes personnel had arrived from Islamabad to take his possessions, but local officials refused to hand them over to them and sent them back.”

Moteeb added that Niazi obtained bail from the Islamabad High Court on July 13, which was further extended on July 26 until August 17.

Niazi’s press secretary, who was accompanying him at the time of the arrest, told Dawn.com that the former PM was arrested on the way to a rally and alleged that police “snatched” his mobile phone.

“Apart from Niazi, two other PTI office bearers from Kotli district, Malik Nisar and Dr Shahnawaz, were also taken into custody,” he added.

• Gandapur denies Imran planned to leave country.
• Operations not solution, Gandapur urges talks.
• Ties with Afghanistan must be improved: KP CM.

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PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has rejected reports of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan seeking his resignation, saying that the former prime minister appointed him as chief minister and the mandate still belonged to the party.

“I am here because the PTI founder has confidence in me […] This is his government, and his mandate,” the provincial chief executive said in a statement on Sunday.

A day earlier, the incarcerated ex-premier said that Gandapur should resign if he fails to maintain law and order in the province, according to sources. “If Ali Amin Gandapur cannot restore peace, he should step down,” they said while citing the PTI founder.

Separately, a spokesperson of KP CM also rejected the reports, saying that the KP government represents the vision of PTI’s founding chairman. “Whenever the founder asks, the chief minister will step down,” he added.

He went on to say that no credible source has confirmed any message from Imran concerning Gandapur’s position. “Gandapur has repeatedly said that the KP government is a trust handed to him by the PTI founder.”

Faraz Mughal further said that despite being the chief minister, Gandapur has not been able to meet his leader in Adiala jail. “Even though court orders exist, constitutional and legal norms are not being followed,” he said.

Highlighting the chief minister’s administrative efforts, Mughal noted that Gandapur is taking active steps to ensure law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Tribal jirgas have been initiated at the regional level to eliminate terrorism,” he added.

‘Imran Khan not going abroad’

Meanwhile, KP CM Gandapur also dismissed the speculation surrounding the PTI founder’s alleged plans to leave the country, saying: “He [Imran] never expressed any desire or thought about going abroad. These are just baseless assumptions and tactics used to harm the movement.”

He accused rivals of spreading false narratives, saying: “These claims are part of our opponents’ agenda. Those involved in conspiracies are not aligned with the PTI founder but with his enemies.”

Highlighting the way forward, the chief minister stressed that negotiations were essential to solving problems. “Operations are not a solution. We’ve conducted them before without success,” he said.

Calling for diplomatic efforts, Gandapur said, “We must first improve our relations with Afghanistan. Talks should take place.”

He underscored the importance of public trust in institutions, warning that ignoring issues could lead to larger crises. “If we don’t openly talk about problems, small ailments turn into cancer,” he remarked.

“The trust of the people in state institutions must be restored,” Gandapur said, adding, “Without trust among government, institutions, and people, we cannot succeed.”