Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that Pakistan will continue the fight against terrorism and will not surrender under any circumstances.
While talking to the media on Wednesday, Kakar stated that Pakistan is his homeland, adding that, “We will take it forward according to our strategy.”
In reference to the recent incident of martyrdom of security personnel in Waziristan on Tuesday, the caretaker PM said that acts of terrorism cannot weaken the nation.
He also emphasised that the sacrifices of the martyrs will not be forgotten.
The prime minister also expressed happiness over the successful rescue of eight individuals in the Battagram cable car operation and praised the efforts of the military forces, the district administration, and villagers.
The Army Act Amendment Bill has sailed through the Senate on Thursday after Defence Minister Khwaja Asif presented it in the Upper House. The Senate session was chaired by the Chairman of the Senate, Sadiq Sanjrani.
According to the bill, the disclosure of official information obtained in national interest will be punished by up to 5 years in jail, while anyone who discloses information against the interests of Pakistan or the Pakistan Army will be dealt with under the Secrets Act or Army Act.
According to the bill, a person on sensitive duty will not become involved in any political activity. Violation of the rule can be sentenced by up to 2 years of imprisonment.
Any person involved in electronic crimes whose aim is to defame the Army will be prosecuted under Electronic Crimes. It is further stated in the bill that a person involved in defaming the Army or spreading hatred against it will also be sentenced with to up to 2 years imprisonment and fines.
While this was happening, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) staged a walkout from the Senate, calling the passage of several bills in one day “blind legislation.”
Director-General (DG) of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, on Tuesday, held a press conference solely to brief the media on terrorist attacks that have recently taken place in the country.
However, a journalist asked the DG about social media reports that claimed that martial law is going to be imposed in the country.
Terming the reports as “baseless”, the general said that every day and night there are accounts on social media with or without names that spread this kind of this propaganda.
“Your question is political and if I answer that would be political too”- DG ISPR pic.twitter.com/N3nXXOrxG4
Pointing out that every person is entitled to have an opinion, he stated, “we think the talks on social media against the army, institutions and their officeholders are not only irresponsible and unwise but unconstitutional.”
“Our discipline doesn’t give us permission to respond to each and every speculation”, he stated at one point.
He also reaffirmed that the army doesn’t support any particular political party. “All political parties and all leaders are respectable for us”, the Major General said.
He was also of the view that it is not in the best interest of the country that the army should be involved in political matters.
Talking about India, Sharif said New Delhi’s “aggressive designs and baseless accusations and claims” would not change history or occupied Kashmir’s internationally recognised status.
“If need be, we can take this battle into the enemy’s territory. I also feel it is important to say that if India thinks of any misadventure due to any miscalculation or misunderstanding, then let there be no doubt that the army would give a befitting response with national support.”
Balochistan High Court (BHC) has ordered that no more cases should be registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Swati.
The senator is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for tweeting against senior army officials.
BHC has also sought a written report of the cases filed against Swati from the police chief.
A two-member BHC bench consisting of Justice Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Aamir Rana passed the order on a petition seeking the termination of cases against Swati. The petition was filed by Swati’s son Osman Swati.
Last week, a Quetta court handed over Swati to police for a five-day physical remand in the case. At the time, PTI chief Imran Khan said that Swati has been “taken away by the Quetta police” from Islamabad despite health concerns.
According to media reports, the arrest was made over different cases registered against the senator across Balochistan.
Earlier, Swati approached the Supreme Court (SC) to request the transfer of all cases registered against him in Sindh and Balochistan to Islamabad.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif met the outgoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Islamabad on Monday as a part of the army chief’s farewell visits.
During the meeting between the two, the Premier commended General Bajwa’s services and said that he played an exemplary role in bringing Pakistan out of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic and floods, reports Radio Pakistan.
He said the Pakistan Army under the leadership of General Qamar Javed Bajwa played a valiant role in crushing terrorism in the country.
“You got the honour of leading the world’s best army,” the prime minister told COAS Bajwa.
In response, General Bajwa thanked PM Shehbaz for his support in handling matters of national importance.
Before meeting the Premier, the army chief paid a farewell visit to President Dr Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadar where the president also commended Gen Bajwa’s services in the field of defence and also appreciated his services to the country and the Pakistan Army.
The president also expressed best wishes for Gen Bajwa in his future endeavours.
Pakistan Army’s change of command ceremony will be held tomorrow (November 29).
Gen Bajwa will hand over the “baton of command” to General Asim Munir, who was selected to become the new army chief by PM Shehbaz on November 24. General Asim will be the 17th army chief to assume the command of the Pakistan Army.
General Bajwa is set to retire on November 29 after six years in office. He was appointed in 2016 by then-PM Nawaz Sharif and later granted an additional three-year extension in 2019 by former PM Imran Khan.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Sialkot and Mangla garrisons to bid farewell to various formations, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.
The head of the armed forces met officers and men at both locations and addressed the troops even as speculations raged about whether the Chief will ask for or be offered an extension of tenure.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Sialkot and Mangla garrisons as part of his farewell visits to various formations. COAS met officers and men at both locations and addressed the troops.@OfficialDGISPR 1/3 pic.twitter.com/gwdXLQyJ79
At the garrison, General Bajwa appreciated the formations for their excellent performance during various operations, training, and natural calamities. Moreover, he also advised them to keep serving the nation with zeal and commitment regardless of circumstances.
According to the military’s media wing, on his arrival in Sialkot, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Muhammad Aamer and by Lieutenant General Ayman Bilal Safdar at Mangla garrison.
Earlier, on arrival at Sialkot, COAS was received by Lieutenant General Muhammad Aamer and by Lieutenant General Ayman Bilal Safdar at Mangla garrison.@OfficialDGISPR 3/3
Earlier this week, COAS Bajwa visited Peshawar Corps Headquarters where he urged officers to stay focused on their professional duties and serve the nation. A few weeks ago, the army chief also took the top military commanders into confidence about his retirement plan.
Last month, during an informal talk at the National Defence University (NDU) the COAS reportedly stated that he would retire on the due date—November 29. The statement however did not quell rumors about an extension in his service tenure.
Qamar Javed Bajwa is set to retire after six years in office. He was appointed in 2016 by then-Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and later granted an additional three-year extension in 2019 by former PM Imran Khan.
It has been reported this week that suggestions were made to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) by “certain elements” to convince the COAS to continue as the head of the armed forces.
Some reports suggested that the government was told to give an extension to the incumbent army chief, and dissolve the government so that an interim government could be formed which would then continue for six to seven months.
The Chief’s farewell visits might now finally put all speculation to rest.
Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that he has gone into depression after witnessing the situation of his constituency.
“The conditions are so bad in my constituency that I am thinking from the past two to three days that I should make a big decision. I am thinking of making a decision against myself. I can not bear to see any of this. I am at the extreme end of my depression, I can do anything,” said Rasheed while speaking in ARY News programme, 11th Hour.
Speaking with journalist Waseem Badami, Rasheed said, “I am sorry to say, I love our army and our institutions but this is the first time I have disassociated myself from them. I am not in a position to tell them that whatever is happening, it is need of the hour that the respect and dignity of the institutions do not get insulted.”
سوچ رہا ہوں اپنے خلاف کوئی فیصلہ کرلوں۔ دیکھا نہیں جا رہا۔۔ ڈپریشن کی آخری حد پر ہوں۔۔ کچھ بھی کر سکتا ہوں۔۔ شیخ رشید کے بقول وہ لوگوں کے حالات خراب ہونے پر ُانتہائی دلبرداشتہ ہیں۔۔#11thHourpic.twitter.com/ctGc57vuQZ
“I am saying this with a lot of honesty, no one will be able to stop this fire. Neither Imran Khan will be able to stop it nor Sheikh Rasheed. The army will get respect in abundance, if they conduct fair and free elections and give power to the one winning the elections,” stated Rasheed.
Badami interjected and asked, “So you think this hasn’t happened before? “Not in my opinion”, responded Rasheed.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, addressing a rally in Chishtian, said, “Agar ap ne Nawaz Sharif ko vote toh matlab ap mujrim ko vote de rahy hai. Is ka matlab ap burai ke sath khary hai. Is ka matlab ke ap Allah ke farman ke khilaf ja rahy hai.” (People who vote for PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif will be siding with a convict and are on the wrong side. This also means that you will go against Allah’s orders.)
The former prime minister once also said that those who defected from his party [PTI] committed shirk. Shirk, or infidelity to God, is considered a severe sin in Islam.
“Those who do wrong things to save their jobs commit sin, it is shirk [idolatry]. Those who sell their self-respect and themselves, it is also counted as shirk because Allah is Al-Haqq”, he said.
Moreover, in Chishtian, the PTI leader said Chishtian is not a stronghold of the PML-N as it claims.
“We make the country’s biggest robbers prime ministers. Today, the people ruling the country have been robbing the country for 30 years,” he reiterated.
He once again accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and said that the body is a “Pet of the coalition government”.
Clarifying his earlier remarks against the Pakistan Army, Khan said that “this country is mine and so is the army”.
Pakistan is observing Defence Day today to pay tribute to the martyrs of the country and to their sacrifices in defending its borders.
Nishan-e-Haider is the highest military gallantry award in Pakistan. It is conferred upon soldiers who perform acts of great heroism in circumstances of extreme danger and to those who demonstrate the bravery of the highest order.
Here is the list of eleven recipients of Nishan-e-Haider.
Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed
Captain Sarwar was the first person to receive Nishan-e-Haider in the history of Pakistan. He served as a Company Commander in the Uri Sector in Kashmir. He was awarded Nishan-e-Haider for laying down his life during the first Pakistan-India war in 1948.
Naik Saif Ali Janjua Shaheed
Born in 1922 in Khandbaz Tehsil Nakial (Azad Jammu & Kashmir), Naik embraced martyrdom during a battle on 26 October 1948 for which the Defence Council of Azad Jammu & Kashmir adorned him with Hilal-e-Kashmir (posthumous) the next year. In1995, the government of Pakistan declared his Hilal-e-Kashmir equivalent to Nishan-e Haider.
Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed
In 1958, the Indian Army troops occupied the Lakshmipur area in East Pakistan. Major Tufail was tasked with recapturing the occupied area. In the line of his duty, the Major launched an attack on Indian infiltrated troops and set an example of bravery and leadership. During the operation, he embraced martyrdom.
Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed
Born in 1928 in Hong Kong, Major Raja embraced martyrdom while defending the country during the 1965 war with India.
Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed
He was commissioned as a pilot in Pakistan Air Force in 1971. The same year Pilot Officer Minhas stopped his plane from entering Indian territory. He tried to regain control of the plane but was unable to do so. Knowing that it meant certain death, he damaged the controls and forced the aircraft to crash thirty-two miles short of the border for which he was awarded Nishan-e-Haider.
Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed
Major Shabbir Sharif embraced martyrdom fifty years ago on December 6 at Sulemanki Sector during the 1971 war.
Sowar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed
During the 1971 war, Sowar took an active part in every battle with the unit. During the battle, he was hit in the chest with machinegun fire and embraced martyrdom on 10 December 1971.
Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed
Major Akram was leading an anti-tank party in front of the forward defended locations and destroyed three tanks of the enemy. During the battle, he was hit in the chest and embraced martyrdom on 5 December 1971.
Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed
During the 1971 war, Naik participated in the famous Pul Kunjry operation and captured the area. He was stabbed with bayonets and embraced martyrdom on the night of 17 December 1971. The next morning ceasefire was ordered and the enemy commander himself praised the Lance Naik while handing over his dead body wrapped in the Pakistani flag.
Captain Karnal Sher Shaheed
During Kargil War, the Captain set up personal examples of bravery and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. He also chased the enemy and conducted many raids in the enemy area. During one of those raids, he went inside the enemy camp where he inflicted heavy losses. During the battle, he was hit in the chest and embraced shahadat (martyrdom) on 5 July 1999.
Havaldar Lalak Jan Shaheed
Like Captain Karnal Shaheed, the Havaldar embraced martyrdom during Kargil War. On 7 July 1999, he sustained serious injuries as enemies pounded the area with heavy mortar shells. But despite being injured, he retained his position and frustrated the Indian assault.
The Pakistan Army will assist Qatar with security in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022. The federal cabinet approved a draft agreement that allows the government to provide troops for security at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.
“The agreement aims to define the obligations of the two parties, the specific specialisations, and the number of security personnel to be sent by Pakistan to participate in the security and safety operations,” the summary presented to the cabinet read.
The government of Qatar had requested Pakistan’s assistance in the security of the FIFA World Cup. The event will be held from November 21 to December 18, 2022.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is in Qatar on a two-day official visit at the request of Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
