PTI stages walkout from NA as Imran terms speaker 'biased'

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday lambasted National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for 'victimising' him and alleged that Sadiq is no longer an impartial speaker.

Members of the PTI staged a walkout from the House after Imran's remarks in the NA.

Speaking to journalists outside the NA, Khan said, "I referred to him as Ayaz Sadiq, not as the Speaker. In my opinion, he is not a speaker. A speaker is supposed to be unbiased."

"Whatever he's done, he has done under pressure from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif," Imran Khan alleged.

"Nawaz believes if someone can be bought, buy them. If they cannot be bought, then they must be suppressed," he alleged.

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Imran uses turmoil within MQM to lash out at Altaf

KARACHI: In what appeared to be an attempt to take advantage of the ongoing crisis within Karachi’s dominant political party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan on Tuesday lambasted Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder Altaf Hussain for his last month’s vitriolic speech, but assured the Urdu-speaking community that he would always stand with them as “being a Mohajir is not an insult”.

The MQM has been in the throes of a serious crisis following the Aug 22 anti-Pakistan speech of Mr Hussain. The Karachi-based leadership had already severed ties with him and has been running the show from here.

Mr Khan, who arrived here on Monday evening, used harsh terms at his party’s Pakistan Zindabad rally at Nishtar Park to describe the MQM’s “reign of terror” in Karachi.

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PTI to march towards Raiwand on 24th

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The event was held amid high security and with extra measures to protect the women sitting towards the right side of the stage. The usual fervour, which earned the PTI a majority of supporters from Karachi in the 2013 general elections, was missing this time around. It was evident from the half-empty ground.

Patriotic rhetoric and MQM-bashing replaced the usual fervour as one after the other PTI members raised slogans of Long Live Pakistan with Mr Khan, criticising the MQM supremo for “wreaking havoc in Pakistan”.

The PTI chief began his speech at around 10.30pm by criticising Mr Hussain, saying that a citizen of the United Kingdom was wreaking havoc in Pakistan and despite his anti-Pakistan slogans no concrete action had been taken against him.

He said that Mr Hussain “should be the last person to speak about Pakistan being a centre of terrorism, as he has contributed a lot to it by working along with Indian spy agency RAW”.

Referring to a meeting with journalists belonging to the Hindustan Times in 2003, he said that they told him that the MQM supremo was working for the Indian intelligence agency.

Speaking about the murder of slain MQM chairman Azeem Tariq in 1993, he alleged that an insecure Mr Hussain got him murdered as he was far more educated and informed individual.

Assuring the Urdu-speaking community of his support, he said, “Being a Mohajir is not an insult. You are not alone.”

The PTI chief said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif “is accused of a bigger crime and that is of corruption which was revealed through the Panama Papers leaks but the focus shifted from it”.

He announced that he will lead a public march towards Raiwind on Sept 24, adding that PM Sharif has “taken over institutions and needs to be countered”.

Addressing the courts, he said that what other way the PTI should seek to counter corruption, money laundering and tax evasion practised by the Sharif family.

He also congratulated the Pakistan army for “protecting the state against terrorism”.

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Obama nominates Pakistani-American to serve as federal judge

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama made history on Tuesday by nominating for the first time a Muslim to serve as a federal judge.

Abid Riaz Qureshi, an American national of Pakistani origin, has been nominated to the US District Court in the District of Columbia, The Huffington Post reported.

“I am pleased to nominate Qureshi to serve on the United States District Court bench,” Obama said in a statement. “I am confident he will serve the American people with integrity and a steadfast commitment to justice.”

Qureshi, born in Pakistan, received a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in 1977 and a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1997. He has been partner at a Latham and Watkins, a law firm based in Washington DC since 2006, leading their pro bono efforts since 2012, reported The National Law Journal.

President Obama’s nomination has been hailed as a milestone by Muslim advocacy groups.

“I commend President Obama for taking this important step in continuing to pick the best and brightest from every community to serve as part of our nation’s judiciary,” said Farhana Khera, executive director of Muslim Advocates, a legal advocacy organisation.

"A judiciary that reflects the rich diversity of our nation helps ensure the fair and just administration of the law, and it is vital for American Muslims to be included. Mr. Qureshi’s profound commitment to the rule of law and justice for people of all backgrounds makes him an exceptional nominee.”

The nomination comes towards the end of Obama’s final term in office and in the midst of a racially-charged election campaign in the country.

The success of Qureshi’s nomination remains uncertain, however. With just months left in Obama’s term, Senate Republicans have virtually stopped confirming his judicial picks.

But the nomination does carry symbolic value for judicial diversity in a campaign in which Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump has expressed insecurities regarding fair treatment by a Muslim judge.

Trump said it is "absolutely possible" that he would receive unfair treatment if a Muslim came to serve as federal judge.

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PM certain of victory in next election, says will complete unfinished projects after 2018

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday implied that his government would return to power following the 2018 election. He was addressing a public meeting in Chitral when, in a departure from the PML-N's familiar refrain that most major road and power projects announced by the government would be completed by 2018, Nawaz told the gathering: "Some of these projects will be finished by 2018."

"Those that aren't will hopefully be completed after 2018," he said, quickly adding: "And we will be the ones to complete them...because we believe in serving the people... And Nawaz Sharif never makes an announcement that he cannot fulfil."

"Today I am only here to see the Lowari tunnel," the premier said. "This project should have been completed some time during the last three to four years," he said, adding that it had been underway for about 55 years.

"It will be complete by June 2017," Nawaz said in a shift from his earlier proclamation that he would "inaugurate the project in December 2016 at all costs".

"From your applause, your affection and your loyalty, I can tell that you love me as much as I love you," he told the gathering.

The prime minister took a moment out of his speech to issue what appeared to be a rejoinder to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan who a day earlier announced a public march towards Raiwind on September 24. Imran had said that the public march was going to be an important undertaking because Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif "is accused of corruption...an allegation that was revealed through the Panama Papers".

"I don't reply to those who make contentious statements on TV, or even take notice of such statements," the prime minister said.

"I can only pray that God guides them," he said to a smattering of laughter.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked his audience. "Praying for guidance is a good thing... I hope God guides them to work with us for the country's progress."

During the gathering, President PML-N Chitral thanked the prime minister for his attention towards the region's development, Radio Pakistan reported.

During his visit, the prime minister announced and inaugurated several development projects, including a broadband sustainable development project for Chitral and Shangla, and the expansion and repair of the 25-kilometre-long Bon Bozand Torkho highway.

"Lots of universities will be built here," Nawaz said. "We are spending Rs17 billion on roads [in Chitral]; they will not be less than motorways. You can call them motorways if you like," he said.

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Field Marshal Raheel Sharif?

A SUGGESTION to elevate Gen Raheel Sharif to rank of field marshal is rumoured to be under consideration. Some media reports maintain that a decision has already been made. There is, however, no confirmation or denial from either the government or the military spokesman, raising questions about the credibility of these stories. There are some reports that the offer came as an alternative to a request made by the general seeking an extension of his tenure that the prime minister is reluctant to grant.

It all sounds so surreal as only months ago the general had promised to bow out at the end of his term in November this year. It would tarnish the image of a good general were this report about his impending elevation true. He certainly does not need the grand but ceremonial title of field marshal in recognition of his great services for the nation. Indeed, Gen Sharif must be given credit for leading from the front the fight against the militants challenging the state. But one must not ignore the contribution of other commanders too in this war that has been going on for more than a decade.

It is most intriguing how the rumour about a mere proposal was circulated and politicised. Is it a game of deception? Firstly, it will not be easy to create this position without a constitutional provision, however ceremonial the title may be. Then there is also a problem of altering the command structure of the armed forces if his role is to be made more effective.

There is certainly no such move yet. So what is the rumour all about weeks before the appointment of the new chief? It has generated unnecessary controversy casting shadows over the transition of the army leadership that should be following the normal process.

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It is most intriguing how the rumour about a mere proposal was circulated and politicised.

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Field marshal is usually the highest rank in the armed forces and it requires extraordinary achievement by a general winning a major war. But in Third World countries we have seen many examples of military rulers appointing themselves to that position. Ayub Khan, the first Pakistani military dictator, assumed the position of field marshal in the 1960s without fighting a war — maybe in order to usurp power. The main purpose was to stay as part of the military, the source of power. But that title could not save him in crunch time.

Interestingly, Egypt that remained under military rule for most of its recent history had appointed eight field marshals over the past four decades despite the country having been humiliated in conflict against Israel. Most recently, the country’s new military strongman Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared himself field marshal after ruthlessly crushing the resistance to the military takeover.

Afghanistan has seen field marshals in recent history. The last one was field marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim who served as vice president. He was given the title apparently for leading the Northern Alliance’s forces against the Afghan Taliban and capturing Kabul with the support of the US-led coalition forces in November 2001. This appointment was more to do with politics than his services in the military. There are several other instances of tinpot dictators harbouring self-delusions of grandeur assuming this title.

One wonders if Gen Sharif would be interested in getting his name listed alongside them. This kind of artificial title cannot further raise his professional reputation and stature. During his three years’ term that is about to end soon, Gen Sharif led his forces clearing most of the tribal areas including North Waziristan from the insurgents. This helped re-establish the state’s writ.

Gen Sharif has also been instrumental in pushing the government to act against the militant groups operating on the mainland, though he may not have been fully successful in his efforts. A thorough professional, he may not harbour any political ambition but he did assert the military’s authority when it came to taking decisions on critical foreign and national security policies. That also reinforced the perception of the military being in the driving seat.

Gen Sharif has tried to change the narrative on terrorism and religious extremism and has taken a much tougher stance on those two issues. That also won him the kind of mass popularity no other army chief had received. But there has also been criticism within and outside the military of over-projection of his personality by an overactive ISPR that tweets his every movement. His frequent foreign travels have also raised many eyebrows. One is not questioning the importance of most of those visits, but some others could have been avoided.

There is no denying Gen Sharif’s role as a leader, but it is the military as an institution that has made those successes possible. One must also not take away the credit from his predecessors who led operations in Swat, South Waziristan and other tribal areas. The North Waziristan operation could not have succeeded without other tribal regions having been cleared earlier.

Certainly, a lot more has to be done before the situation in the tribal areas can be stabilised and militancy eliminated from the country. But it does not depend on one person to take this existential battle to its conclusion. With the entire top brass battle-hardened there is little possibility of course reversal by the future military leadership.

One must learn from the past experience of generals getting extensions. The controversy over Gen Ashfaq Kayani getting a second term refuses to die down. However effective and brilliant one may be, no one is indispensable.

One expects that being a highly professional and dedicated soldier Gen Raheel Sharif will keep his promise and pass on the baton to the next chief who one hopes will take his mission forward. Also, the government must clear the ambiguity over the rumours about his appointment as field marshal. Such controversies demoralise the troops. That is the last thing the armed forces need when they are engaged in battle so critical for the country’s security and its survival.

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British police assessing contents of Altaf’s speech

LONDON: The British po­li­ce have announced that they are assessing the contents of Altaf Hussain’s speech in which he asked his workers if they were about to move on media houses in Karachi.

A statement released by Scotland Yard said: “We have received numerous calls from the public and are currently assessing the content of a speech given by an individual associated with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to ascertain if any crimes have been committed under UK legislation. Where evidence of criminal activity is found we will consult with the Crown Prosecution Service.”

In the UK system, it is the police who gather evidence of possible crimes and the Crown Prosecution Service that decides whether or not to press charges thereby initiating a trial. The MQM leader is already being investigated for possible hate speech offences.

Scotland Yard said the existing enquiry would continue alongside a new one into Mr Hussain’s latest speech.

The statement marked a sharp change of direction by Scotland Yard which, in the immediate hours after the MQM leader’s speech, tried to play down its significance, saying it would not lead to any renewed investigations. At that point Scotland Yard responded to enquiries by saying: “It was a matter for Karachi law enforcement.”

The evolving police attitude suggests that, after many years of exhaustive investigations into various aspects of the MQM’s UK activities, the British authorities might now be willing to use the incitement issue to register a charge against Altaf Hussain.

“Both the money laundering investigation and the enquiry into the murder of Imran Farooq are in the doldrums,” a source close to the UK investigation said. “It might just suit everyone involved — both the Pakis­tanis and the British — to go for an incitement charge.”

The impression of an increased UK willingness to move against the MQM has been bolstered by a tweet issued by the British High Commission in Islamabad which said: “We stand with #Karachi at this difficult time. Strongly condemn the attack on media.”

In the past British Foreign Office officials have routinely and consistently refused to make any comment on the MQM, saying that any allegations against the party were a matter for the UK police to investigate.

It is difficult to understand the timing of Altaf Hussain’s speech which came just as his legal problems appeared to be going away. The money laundering investigation into the MQM seems stuck.

In April this year, the Metropolitan Police’s National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) containing evidence of suspected MQM money-laundering activities. Officials at the CPS then considered whether the evidence was strong enough to press charges. Sources close to the CPS suggested they were considering dropping the case.

Meanwhile, the inquiry into the 2010 murder of MQM deputy leader Imran Farooq also seems bogged down. Long-running negotiations between the British and Pakistani governments are reportedly making little progress and have failed to overcome deep distrust between the two sides.

Pakistan is holding three suspects in connection with the murder of Imran Farooq, but the two governments are deadlocked over the question of how many of them should be extradited to the UK. While the British want to try just one of three suspects, Mohsin Ali Syed, Pakistan insists that it will either extradite all three — or none at all.

The London office of the MQM did not respond to a request by Dawn for a statement for this article.

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Mayoral elections underway in Sindh

KARACHI: Elections for the seats of mayor and deputy mayor, as well as chairman and vice chairman of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), along with other municipalities of Sindh went underway on Wednesday.

Polling will run from 9am to 5pm. However, voters present in the polling station will be allowed to cast their votes beyond 5pm.

The power struggle convulsing the Muttahida Qaumi Movement notwithstanding, Waseem Akhtar, the party’s candidate for mayorship of Karachi, is set to win the election and rewrite history, officials and the contesting political parties agree.

Akhtar, who has been in prison since July 19 after an Anti-Terrorism Court dismissed his pre-arrest interim application in the terrorists’ treatment case, was brought under tight security to the KMC building to cast his vote.

Based on MQM's numerical strength in the KMC Council — 214 members out of the total 308 elected members — Akhtar’s victory in the mayoral election is a foregone conclusion.

Other major contenders for the Karachi polls include the PPP-led six-party alliance, particularly in the South and West DCs. Other parties of the alliance are: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam-Fazl and Awami National Party (ANP).

The MQM is likely to emerge victorious in the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) elections. The party has nominated Syed Tayyab Hussain for mayor and Sohail Mashhadi for deputy mayor’s slot. PPP has nominated Pasha Qazi and Hasan Ali Jatoi for the contest.

In Mirpurkhas, PPP’s Mir Anwar Talpur and Mir Ahmed Khan Talpur have won unopposed for the district council chairman and vice-chairman slots. The MQM has majority in the municipal committee, which comprises 51 votes.

In District South, the joint opposition parties have fielded Malik Fayyaz of PPP for chairman and PTI’s Mansoor Shaikh for vice chairman against the MQM’s Israd Ali and Parveen Begum.

In District West, the MQM has fielded Izharuddin as chairman and Gul Faraz Khan as vice chairman. The opposition alliance’s candidates are: PML-N’s Asif Khan and PTI’s Azizullah Afridi.

“More than 2,000 voters will elect mayors, deputy mayors, chairmen and vice chairman for more than 100 municipal bodies of the 20 districts, including five of Karachi, across Sindh,” Tanvir Zaki, the provincial election commissioner earlier told Dawn.

“The deputy commissioners have assured us that they have arranged the required security in and outside the polling stations,” said Zaki, adding that police and Rangers had been entrusted with the task of maintaining peace during the proceedings.

Zaki said the election of mayor and deputy mayor for the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and chairman and vice chairman of the DMCs would be held separately – the head and the deputy of these municipal bodies.

However, on Karachi’s District Council (KDC) and the rest of Sindh, they would be held in pairs – a single vote will go to the head and the deputy.

There are two ‘pairs’ belonging to the PPP and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf as they are contesting against each other for the top slot in KDC.

There are nine districts where candidates have already won the elections unopposed ─ Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Jamshoro, Tando Muhammad Khan, Matiari, Sujawal, Thatta and Karachi Central.

Of the remaining 20 districts, ‘partial elections’ are being held on the municipal bodies of Khairpur and Thatta.

Officials in the ECP said elections in several municipalities of these districts were not being held because of court proceedings.

Tanvir Zaki, the election commissioner, said there were a total of 41 locations where polling stations had been established in the 20 districts.

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