A mass grave containing around 100 bodies believed to date from Afghanistan’s Soviet-backed government era has been discovered in the country’s eastern Khost province, local officials said on Monday.
The grave was found Saturday during construction of a small dam in the Sarbani area of central Khost, mayor Bismillah Bilal said.
“According to the initial information, these people were buried here after being killed in 1358” in the Afghan calendar, corresponding to April 1979 to March 1980, he told AFP.
“At least 100 bodies were discovered” in the grave, Bilal added, noting that some remains bore women’s clothing and that all appeared to be civilians.
Local residents said the remains belonged to victims of the violence that followed the 1978 Soviet-backed communist coup in Afghanistan.
“In 1358, these people were brought here in a merciless, barbaric way by the cruel communist authorities without trial,” said Salam Sharifi, whose father disappeared under the communist government, his remains never found.
“They were martyred and we are their descendants. This is a cruelty that history will never forget,” Sharifi told AFP.
A committee has been appointed to relocate the remains, with residents helping municipality workers to remove the bodies from the site, piling the dry bones into bags that lined the excavated grave on Monday.
“No one knows who these martyrs are,” said resident Mandair Mangal. “They were all buried in the earth and we are taking out the bones and sorting them.”
After decades of conflict — including the Soviet invasion from 1979, the following civil war and the US-led occupation — many mass graves have been found across Afghanistan.
In 2009, another mass grave of victims of the Soviet-backed government era was discovered, containing at least 20 bodies.
More recently, in September 2022, a mass grave containing the remains of 12 people was found in Spin Boldak, a site of fierce fighting between former Afghan government forces and Taliban fighters during their two-decade insurgency before they seized power in 2021.
According to a NBC News report, US President Joe Biden has been expressing his frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in private conversations. Citing five sources familiar with the matter, NBC News revealed that Biden is seeking to persuade Israel to change its military tactics in Gaza, but Netanyahu is perceived as “an obstacle” in this process.
The sources stated that Biden has used strong language to convey his frustration, reportedly describing Netanyahu actions as “giving him hell” and expressing a sentiment that “this has to stop.”
There have been instances where Biden has reportedly referred to Netanyahu with derogatory terms, including “bad fking guy” and “ahole,” according to sources cited by POLITICO and NBC News.
When questioned about Biden’s remarks, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said, “The president has been clear where he disagrees with Prime Minister Netanyahu, but this is a decades-long relationship that is respectful in public and in private.”
Despite the outward display of mutual respect, Biden’s private frustrations highlight a stark contrast to the public perception of the relationship between the two leaders.
Behind closed doors, Biden’s comments suggest a growing impatience with Netanyahu’s handling of Israel’s assault on Gaza, with the president reportedly viewing him as a significant obstacle to achieving desired outcomes.
A source told NBC about Biden’s view on the Gaza campaign: “He just feels like this is enough. It has to stop.”
More than 28,000 people are reported to have died since the war broke out on October 7. Israel is planning a ground assault on Rafah city in the south of Gaza – where more than one million displaced Palestinians are. Despite the US’s public opposition to the operation, Netanyahu is said to be pressing ahead with it.
The reported tensions come amidst ongoing efforts to address the situation in Gaza and calls for a ceasefire. Biden’s private sentiments underscore the complexities and challenges faced in navigating the relationship between the United States and Israel, particularly concerning matters of regional security and diplomacy.
In a recent press conference, interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar strongly defended the delay in announcing election results, citing security concerns as the primary reason.
He was asked during the press conference by a journalist, “Probably this is your last press conference, on a lighter note: who told you how long you’ll be Caretaker Prime Minister?”
To this PM Kakar said, “I am disappointed after giving you a chance. Do I have cancer? As this is my last press conference according to you.”
While discussing the disruption in mobile services, Kakar emphasized, it was a necessary measure to ensure the safety of voters and prevent terrorist attacks.
“We could afford delay, but terrorist attacks, we could not […] delay does not mean rigging,” Kakar, whose government was appointed to oversee the country through elections until an elected set-up takes charge, said during a post-election press conference.
Kakar’s remarks came amidst mounting criticism from various political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), who protested the delay in election results, labeling it as potential rigging.
More than three days have passed since polling day and the complete election results are still pending, with one seat yet to be decided.
The prime minister informed journalists that in 2018, the entire result-gathering process took 66 hours; however, in 2024, it was completed in 36 hours. The official Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) deadline is around nine hours.
The premier compared Pakistan’s election process to that of other countries, citing instances of delayed results in Sweden and Indonesia, suggesting that such delays are not uncommon in large-scale elections.
In response to criticism from foreign governments, Kakar asserted that Pakistan would conduct its investigation if necessary, rather than succumbing to external pressures.
“These friendly countries, unfortunately, frame their initial assessment on the fabricated and fractured information available on social media and the digital space,” he said.
“A responsible government should take time and then have a position; that would have been better. If we have to investigate, we will not do it on the demand of the United States, United Kingdom, or the EU,” he further added.
Kakar noted that Pakistan has its law and will deal with it accordingly. “We did not ask a judicial inquiry on Capitol Hill riots. It is not for us to demand it and it is not for them. For me, the demand of a PTI individual than the US, UK, and EU combined.”
Acknowledging the possibility of irregularities, Kakar assured that appropriate forums were available for addressing complaints.
To a question, PM Kakar said that the upcoming elected parliament would decide about the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the elections. “There should be an open discussion on EVMS.”
Two days back, expressing his annoyance over the delayed election results, President Dr Arif Alvi had said that the country would have been spared the ongoing crisis if the EVMs had been used during the February 8 general elections.
Remember ‘our’ long struggle for Electronic Voting Machines. EVM had paper ballots that could be counted separately by hand (like it is being done today) BUT it also had a simple electronic calculator/counter of each vote button pressed. Totals of every candidate would have been…
It is pertinent to mention here that the ECP’s new Election Management System (EMS) fell flat despite the commission’s tall claims. Taking to his X handle, the president had said: “Had EVMs been there today, my dear beloved Pakistan would have been spared this crisis.”
In a Monday market report, the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA) revealed that gold prices in Pakistan remained unchanged, defying a slight decrease observed in the international market.
As per the rates provided by APGJSA, the gold price per tola stood firm at Rs214,300, showcasing resilience in the local market.
The 10-gramme gold rate echoed this stability, with APGJSA reporting it at Rs183,728, remaining unchanged from the previous close.
Despite the international market witnessing a slight dip, Pakistan maintained its pricing consistency.
Internationally, the gold rate, with a $20 premium, settled at $2,043 per ounce on Monday. This marked a marginal decrease of $2 in the wake of market fluctuations, according to APGJSA.
The association emphasised the steadfast nature of the local gold market despite the international trend.
In contrast, silver rates in Pakistan remained unwavering, standing at Rs2,600 per tola on Monday, reinforcing the stability observed in precious metal markets locally.
Chairman of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, Jahangir Tareen has announced that he is resigning from the party leadership and is leaving politics. Tareen took to X (former Twitter) and thanked everyone for supporting him and also congratulated his opponents.
Tareen lost both the seats he was contesting on this year: in Lodhran and Multan. His party won two seats to the National Assembly won by Aun Chaudhry and Aleem Khan.
On the other hand, Jamat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq (JI) has also resigned from his party position. The JI chief had also lost his seat in the election.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P) chief Parvez Khattak has denied reports of him leaving politics.
The senior politician confirmed that the news regarding his retirement from politics is wrong. He further said that he just wants a little break from politics.
Parvez Khattak resigned from his party position on Monday afternoon after he, his family and most of the party suffered defeat in general elections 2024.
I would like to thank everyone who supported me in this election and want to offer my congratulations to my opponents. I have immense respect for the will of the people of Pakistan. Therefore, I have decided to resign from my position as Chairman IPP and step away from politics…
We realise that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart Rana Sanaullah’s loss in February 8 general elections must be quite a shock but his Twitter (now X) account has gone off in an unexpected direction.
Unlike PML-N leader Khwaja Saad Rafique, who used his account to gracefully concede defeat and congratulate his opponent Sardar Latif Khosa, Rana Sanaullah has decided that he wants to troll journalists.
The account has, till now, picked a Twitter fight with Meher Bokhari, shared a song by the late Indian rapper Sidhu Mosewalla, and targeted legal analyst Reema Omer for praising Geo’s election coverage.
It has also sent snarky replies to Hamid Mir and Gharidah Farouqi, while also tweeting multiple times against media channels.
Rana Sanaullah has distanced himself from the the account, telling Geo’s Shehzad Iqbal that he doesn’t run the account, instead a team runs it.
I mean, a few people who are self-proclaimed seniors or somehow manage to sit left or right and have zero credibility are using different platforms to manipulate audiences, misleading people every time because of personal agendas, and ignoring the crucial time period. And yet… pic.twitter.com/6dtnjKhc6l
رانا ثنااللہ اور مسلم لیگ ن کے اکاؤنٹ سے جیو پر الزامات
رانا ثنااللہ کا اپنے ہی اکاؤنٹ کو نہ ماننے پر اسرار مگر رانا ثناللہ اپنے ذاتی اکاونٹ سے اسی اکاونٹس کے ٹوئٹس کو ری پوسٹ کرتے رہے ہیں جسے وہ لاتعلقی کا اظہار کر رہے ہیں
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have discussed the possibility of their parties appointing prime ministers for half of a five-year term as part of a power-sharing plan.
The idea of appointing a prime minister for half the term was discussed during their first huddle on Sunday following the February 8 elections as part of their efforts to form a coalition government in the Centre and provinces, according to sources privy to the development.
In 2013, PML-N and the National Party (NP) in Balochistan worked together to create a power-sharing plan. Under this plan, two chief ministers from the two parties took turns holding office for half of the five-year term.
In Sunday’s meeting, the PPP and PML-N agreed to work together for the political stability of Pakistan after the general elections.
Pakistan has weeks of political uncertainty ahead following its indecisive election, analysts said Monday, with dozens of constituency results facing challenges in court and rival parties negotiating possible coalitions.
Independent candidates loyal to jailed former prime minister Imran Khan took most of the seats in Thursday’s polls, scuppering the chances of the army-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) from securing a ruling majority.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) defied a months-long crackdown that crippled campaigning and forced candidates to run as independents to emerge as the winners of the vote.
There were widespread allegations of vote-rigging and result manipulation after authorities switched off the nation’s mobile phone network on election day, ostensibly on security grounds, and the count dragged on for more than 24 hours.
“Three potential challenges are linked to the legitimacy of the elections through prolonged legal proceedings, protests and potential for violence,” said Pakistan-based political analyst Amber Rahim Shamsi.
Despite independents winning 101 seats in the national assembly, a government can only be formed by a recognised party, or coalition of parties, so they would have to join another group to become an effective bloc.
Desperately needed reforms
A coalition between the PML-N and the Pakistan People’s Party — who formed the last government after ousting Khan with a vote of no confidence in April 2022 — still seems a most likely outcome.
“In the short-term, any coalition birthed through a highly controversial election in a highly charged political environment will find it challenging to enact unpopular reforms that Pakistan desperately needs,” Shamsi told AFP.
At least half a dozen minor parties won just one or two seats in the election, and would welcome the addition of the independents to their ranks.
That would give them access to an additional 70 seats reserved for women and religious minorities and allocated according to election results — although it has never been done on this scale before and faces legal challenges.
“The courts have a very delicate role at this moment,” said legal expert Osama Malik.
“They will (also) need to decide whether to order recounts in various constituencies. However, recounts in multiple constituencies could also delay the calling of parliament so the courts have to be wary of that as well.”
PTI leaders insist they have been given a “people’s mandate” to form the next government.
“The people have decided in favour of Imran Khan,” party chairman Gohar Ali Khan said at the weekend, before urging party supporters to picket election offices where he said rigging had taken place.
The potential for violent protest is ever present in Pakistan and police fired tear gas to disperse PTI supporters on Sunday after vowing to crack down hard on illegal gatherings.
Hundreds of party leaders and supporters were picked up last year when Khan was hit with more than 150 criminal cases he says were trumped up by the military-led establishment to stop him from contesting the election.
Earlier this month he was sentenced to lengthy jail terms after being found guilty of treason, graft and having an un-Islamic marriage.
Defections common
But disgrace rarely lasts long in Pakistan politics — the PML-N’s three-time premier Nawaz Sharif was himself sentenced to lengthy jail terms and exile abroad, only to have the convictions quashed when his party’s fortunes improved.
Dozens of constituencies will have to have by-elections even without the results being challenged.
Several candidates won in multiple constituencies — a quirk allowed under Pakistan law — so they will have to choose one and have fresh elections in the others.
And party defections are also common, with at least two winning independents who pledged loyalty to Khan before the election already announcing they were joining the PML-N.
More are expected to follow.
Whatever the outcome, the next government faces myriad challenges.
Deeply in debt, the economy has for decades been propped up by successive bailouts from the International Monetary Fund and loans from wealthy gulf Arab nations that use Pakistanis as cheap labour.
Inflation is galloping at nearly 30 percent, the rupee has been in freefall for three years — losing nearly 50 percent of its value since 2021 — and a balance of payments deficit has frozen imports, severely hampering industrial growth.
“No government will have the luxury of time and political security after these elections,” said Shamsi.
“There are also fears that this political insecurity will continue until the next elections, which could be earlier than five years.”
Barrister Gohar Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has said on Monday afternoon that his party will prefer sitting in the opposition rather than talking to political rivals Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) about forming a coalition.
The statement comes as the other parties talk to independent winners and smaller parties to form a coalition government.
PTI – backed candidates still form the largest group in the National Assembly, however, it will have to partner with other parties to get the requisite number to form a government.
Gohar further hinted that the party is entitled to reserved seats in the assembly, and is forming a strategy to get them.
In January 2024, Pakistan witnessed a notable increase in the inflow of overseas workers’ remittances, reaching $2.4 billion, as revealed by data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday. This marks a 1 per cent rise compared to December 2023, where remittances stood at $2.38 billion.
Year-on-year analysis underscores a substantial surge, with a 26 per cent increase from the same period last year, when remittances totaled $1.9 billion in January.
The significance of these remittances cannot be understated, as they play a pivotal role in bolstering Pakistan’s external account and fueling economic activity. Additionally, they serve as a vital supplement to the disposable incomes of households dependent on remittances.
Despite the uptick in January, the cumulative figure for July-January FY24 reflects a 3 per cent decline year-on-year, amounting to $15.83 billion, down by $386 million from the $16.32 billion recorded in the same period of FY23.
Breaking down the sources of remittances, overseas Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia retained their leading position, contributing $587.3 million in January 2024. This marked a 2 per cent increase from the previous month and a substantial 43 per cent rise from the corresponding period last year.
Remittances from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced a slight dip of 3 per cent month-on-month, decreasing from $419.2 million in December to $407.6 million in January. However, the yearly comparison reveals a remarkable surge of nearly 51 per cent.
The United Kingdom witnessed a marginal decline in remittances, with $362.1 million recorded in January, down by 2 per cent from December 2023.
In contrast, remittances from the European Union saw a significant 20 per cent year-on-year increase and a 2 per cent monthly rise, totaling $290.1 million in January 2024.
Meanwhile, overseas Pakistanis in the United States contributed $283.4 million in January 2024, marking a notable 32 per cent increase from the same period last year.
The consistent flow of remittances, despite fluctuations in individual sources, underscores their enduring importance to Pakistan’s economy and the livelihoods of millions of households reliant on them.
