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Pakistan court indicts former PM in state gifts case; violent protests escalating across the country

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Imran Khan

Wednesday’s indictment was issued a day after Khan, 70, was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in another corruption case.

Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, a lawmaker from Pakistan’s ruling coalition who was a plaintiff in the case against Khan on state gifts, confirmed his indictment and said the former premier had put the “country’s peace at stake”.

The indictment followed a decision by the Election Commission of Pakistan in October that found the former prime minister guilty of “corrupt practices” and disqualified him from being a member of parliament. The commission then sought criminal proceedings against Khan.

The head of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is accused of selling gifts given by foreign dignitaries from the state gift depository and not disclosing the assets in declarations submitted to the commission.

Khan has vehemently denied the charges.

Mobile data services were shut for a second day on Wednesday as street demonstrations raged with federal ministers accusing Khan’s supporters of torching several buildings and vehicles.

Access to Twitter, YouTube and Facebook was disrupted and the army was called in to restore order in at least two of Pakistan four provinces – Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – where Khan is most popular.

Police confirmed they arrested more than 1,000 protesters for violence in Khan’s home province of Punjab.

A NAB court in the capital, Islamabad, also ruled Khan should be remanded into police custody for eight days as part of an investigation into the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, in which he was arrested a day earlier. NAB had sought a 14-day remand.

The action by the anti-corruption body has triggered demonstrations by Khan’s supporters across the country.

The PTI chief has been slapped with dozens of criminal cases since he was removed as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in parliament in April last year. The charges he faces include “terrorism” and corruption. Khan has stated that the military is behind the move to remove him from office.

He has since held dozens of political rallies calling for early national elections and describing the current coalition government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as “imported”.

Khan’s popularity has gone up since he became opposition leader as the government has failed to address an unprecedented economic crisis.

His supporters have poured out onto the streets across the country, venting their anger against the powerful military, which they blame for Khan’s ouster.

IRGC launches chopper and drone base in Iran’s southeast 

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran Air Force

The base was made operational on Wednesday in the city of Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, in the presence of the commander of the ground force of the IRGC.

Ali Arabi Base will be used by the IRGC drones as well. It is capable of being used by all kinds of attack and combat helicopters as well as support-rescue and drones for landing and taking off.

The base also conforms to aviation standards.

IRGC ground force Commander General Mohammad Pakpour spoke about the goals of building the base.

He said Ali Arabi Base will strengthen the IRGC ground forces’ helicopter fleet in the southeast of Iran as it has been equipped for large-scale security-defense, rescue, support, humanitarian and service delivery missions.

General Pakpour noted that in addition to creating the capacity for dozens of helicopters to be maintained and to simultaneously land and take off, the base has all the necessary potentials for refueling and maintenance while it also has a hangar.

Iran FM calls for withdrawal of foreign troops, including Turkish troops, from Syria

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Hossein Amirabdollahian

Speaking at the quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers of Iran, Syria, Turkey and Russia in Moscow on Wednesday, Hossein Amirabdollahian said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that any political solution for issues related to Syria should be aimed so that the Syrian Arab Republic can exercise its national sovereignty over its entire territory.”

Amirabdollahian said, “Syria’s neighbors, especially Turkey, can cooperate with this country so that this matter is materialized throughout the country; because its realization is both in favor of the stability and security of Syria and in line with the border security and stability of the neighboring countries.”

He went on to say, “The deployment of the Syrian army on the borders and joint provision of security with the neighbors can solve the security concerns of Ankara and other neighbors and prevent the activities of terrorists and separatists and the introduction of the establishment of neighborly and strategic relations between the two sides and the withdrawal of Turkish military forces from shared border areas with Syria according to the timetable agreed upon.”

The top Iranian diplomat said a strong and independent Syria will be able to overcome terrorism, separatists, the occupation of American forces, and the theft of the country’s national resources.

He ruled out any military solution to regional problems, reiterating “Experience has shown that resorting to military action not only does not help solve problems, but also, in addition to causing human and material losses, it further complicates the existing disputes.”

Amirabdollahian pointed to the issue of the refugees and said, “In order to realize the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland and solve the problems that have arisen in neighboring countries, we emphasize the joint cooperation of countries and international community in the rebuilding of Syria and preparing the basics of living for people.”

He also put emphasis on the need for a decisive fight by the international community, especially the four countries present in the Moscow meeting, against terrorism.

The Iranian foreign minister condemned the Israeli attacks on Syria, especially on the civilian areas of the country, and said we deem these attacks as violation of world peace and regional stability, “and demand that the international community deal with these aggressive actions.”

Dozens of political prisoners held in UAE past their jail terms: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
-
UAE

The dissidents are part of the so-called “UAE94” – a group of 94 lawyers, human rights defenders and academics tried in 2013 and whose jail terms began expiring in 2019.

A list compiled by Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (EDAC) seen by Reuters showed 51 people being held beyond their terms. UAE authorities have previously said such allegations were false and unsubstantiated.

Ahmed Al-Nuaimi, whose brother was sentenced to 10 years for his involvement in the alleged plot, told Reuters he was due to be released in March 2023. Instead, his brother remained in detention to receive “counselling”, he said.

“We will not accept this injustice for our people. We want those people to be released immediately,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of a Geneva event that coincided with a review of the UAE’s human rights record at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council this week.

A small number of countries raised the issue of detainees at the UN meeting on Monday, including the US envoy who called for the government to release “all individuals detained for exercising their freedom of expression”.

Shamma Sohail Faris Ghanem Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, told the council that it had made many improvements, such as the creation of a National Human Rights Commission.

Al-Nuaimi stated that no family member has been able to visit his brother, now in his 70s, since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I worry for my mother now she’s 90 years old…This is making her health very bad,” he added. He denies his brother had political aims, saying he was involved in a registered civil society group with social and religious goals.

Jenan Al-Marzooqi who says her father remains in detention after the end of his 10-year sentence, said her family had also been subject to various restrictions as a result.

“The UAE not only punishes those who peacefully dissent, but harasses even those related to them,” she added.

The UAE is the Middle East’s trade and tourism hub and in November will host the COP28 climate conference.

Al-Nuaimi stated he was disappointed that Western democracies were not applying more pressure on the UAE.

“They work as pragmatic governments – they don’t care that much about this problem,” he continued.

Two Palestinians killed by Israeli army in West Bank after Gaza carnage

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Israeli Soldiers

The Israeli military said it conducted a raid in the early hours of Wednesday on Qabatiya, situated six kilometers (3.7 miles) south of Jenin, alleging that it came after two gunmen opened fire at Israeli troops from a passing vehicle.

“The troops responded by firing at the two assailants, killing them,” the military claimed, adding that the troops seized an assault rifle and handgun from the car.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified the victims as 19-year-old Ahmad Jamal Assaf, and Warani Walid Qatanat, 24, according to Palestine’s official news agency Wafa.

Another Palestinian was injured in the assault.

Witnesses stated a large number of Israeli forces raided Qabatiya and broke into several homes in the western neighborhood of the West Bank city. They violently searched the buildings and ransacked all properties before leaving.

It came a day after the Israeli military conducted air strikes against the Gaza Strip, assassinating three senior Islamic Jihad officials.

They included Khalil al-Bahitini, commander of the al-Quds Brigades in the northern Gaza Strip, Tariq Izz al-Din, a spokesperson for the movement who also manages retaliatory operations in the West Bank and Gaza, and Jihad al-Ghannam, secretary of the movement’s military council.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also said in a statement that the “heinous crime” committed by the occupying Tel Aviv regime against the Gaza Strip, describing it as a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian principles.

It held Israel “fully responsible for the repercussions of such crimes, acts of aggression and organized terrorism,” emphasizing that they “threaten to undermine security and stability in the region.”

The organization called on the international community “to shoulder its responsibilities, provide international protection to Palestinian people, and hold Israel to account for all its crimes and violations against Palestinians as well as their land and holy sites.”

Iran writes letter to UN chief, warns US, Israel against any military action

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Iran Nuclear Program

Iravani made the remarks in a Tuesday letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the head of the Security Council, days after US national security advisor Jake Sullivan stated Washington would do whatever was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a “nuclear weapon,… including by recognizing Israel’s freedom of action.”

 

“Considering the foregoing, the Islamic Republic of Iran warns against any possible miscalculation or adventurist acts against its peaceful nuclear program and reserves its inherent and legitimate right under international law to take all necessary measures to protect and defend its citizens, interests, installations, and sovereignty against any aggression, including any terrorist, military, or sabotage acts,” Iravani stressed.

The full text of Iravani’s letter is as follows:

In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Excellency,

Upon instructions from my Government, I would like to draw the Security Council’s attention to yet another violation of international law by the United States of America against Iran. In his statements addressed to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on May 4, 2023, Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, implicitly threatened to use force against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities by way of the US support of the so-called recognition of the Israeli regime’s freedom of action. While Mr. Sullivan expressed the United States’ diplomatic involvement with Iran on the matter, he went on to say, “…But we have made clear to Iran that it can never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon. As President Biden has repeatedly reaffirmed, he will take the actions that are necessary to stand by this statement, including by recognizing Israel’s freedom of action”.[1]

Without a doubt, this irresponsible, provocative, and belligerent statement violates international law and the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2(4), as it threatens to use force against the peaceful nuclear facilities of a Member State of the United Nations. Furthermore, such a statement not only implies the United States’ potential complicity in any future acts of terrorism or aggression carried out by the Israeli regime against Iran, including against its peaceful nuclear facilities, but it also serves as an admission of responsibility by the US for its role in assisting, facilitating, and supporting Israel’s terrorist and sabotage operations against Iranian officials, scientists, civilians, and peaceful nuclear facilities, thus requiring the United States to bear the consequences of such internationally wrongful acts, in accordance with international law.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program and its adherence to international obligations. The Islamic Republic of Iran has always maintained that its pursuit of nuclear technology is exclusively for peaceful purposes, and it has never sought, nor will it ever seek, to develop nuclear weapons. This is a firm and unwavering decision of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this context, any claim to the contrary is completely unfounded and invalid. The assertion that the United States will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons is a distortion of reality and another cynical attempt of the United States to further its political agenda. Therefore, the United States should stop propagating false allegations and misinformation about Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

Considering the foregoing, the Islamic Republic of Iran warns against any possible miscalculation or adventurist acts against its peaceful nuclear program and reserves its inherent and legitimate right under international law to take all necessary measures to protect and defend its citizens, interests, installations, and sovereignty against any aggression, including any terrorist, military, or sabotage acts.

I would be grateful if you would circulate the present letter as a document of the Security Council.

Amirabdollahian: Iran fully supports Syria-Turkey normalization process

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran and Syrian Foreign Ministers Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Faisal Mekdad

On Wednesday, Amirabdollahian sat down for talks with his Syrian counterpart, Faisal al-Miqdad in the Russian capital, Moscow, which is scheduled to host a four-way summit on Syria-Turkey reconciliation later in the day.

During the talks, the two top diplomats exchanged views on issues of mutual interests and regional developments.

Amirabdollahian congratulated Damascus on the re-activation of its membership of the Arab League, as Arab countries push to normalize ties with the Syrian government.

He expressed satisfaction with the peace process between Syria and Turkey, voicing Iran’s support for the diplomatic process.

The top diplomat said Iran is ready to help speed up the normalization of ties between the two neighbors.

For his part, the Syrian foreign minister said the four-way summit in Russia showed progress in efforts to achieve a political solution to the Syria issue.

He stressed the need for a political resolution of the conflict with Turkey.

Syria, above all, seeks a withdrawal of Turkish military forces, which have been deployed to the northern regions of the country in violation of its sovereignty.

Miqdad described the Turkish occupation as one of the obstacles in the way of neighborly ties with Syria.

China ready for partnership efforts with Iran, others against global challenges: Envoy

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
China Chang Hua

In an article published by IRNA, Chang Hua  highlighted President Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), put forward in April 22, which calls on countries to adapt to the profoundly changing international landscape in the spirit of solidarity, and address the complex and intertwined security challenges with a win-win mindset.

In the year that followed, he said, China “has actively implemented the initiative and promoted the strategic planning of the common human security community, embodied in 20 key areas of cooperation and various platforms and mechanisms of global security cooperation proposed in the Security Initiative Concept Paper,” he said.

He said China is actively bolstering cooperation with other parties in non-traditional security areas such as anti-coronavirus and anti-terrorism fight, biology, cyber, food and climate change.

The envoy added that his country conducts mediation diplomacy and makes non-stop efforts to politically resolve conflicts, including those revolving around the Iran nuclear case, the Korean Peninsula, Syria and Palestine.

Chang referred to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to China in February.

During the visit, he said, President Raisi clarified to Xi that Iran “firmly supports” China’s security initiative and will actively participate in it.

He said the Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was issued at the end of the visit, “provides a solid foundation for China and Iran to jointly promote the implementation of global security initiatives.”

Pakistan court says ex-PM arrest legal; social media platforms blocked as one killed in protests

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Pakistan Protest

The arrest on Tuesday, as Khan appeared in court to face corruption allegations, is the latest twist in a months-long political crisis and follows several unsuccessful attempts to apprehend the cricketer-turned-politician.

Senior members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced a six-member committee, formed by Khan in March over his fears of being arrested, will gather and decide the next move.

Earlier, authorities stated that Khan was arrested in connection with corruption involving the Al-Qadir University Trust, headed by the opposition leader and his wife Bushra Bibi.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan confirmed that Khan was arrested in a case pursued by the anti-corruption body.

PTI leaders have denied the charges levelled by the interior minister, saying Khan had not been issued any arrest warrant before Tuesday.

Khan has been slapped with more than 100 cases – including charges of corruption, “terrorism” and even blasphemy – since he was removed from power last April through a parliamentary no-confidence vote.

The 70-year-old denies the charges as politically motivated. He has also maintained that political parties joined forces with the country’s powerful military to remove him from power.

Video footage on social media shared by the PTI showed party supporters rioting in different cities of the country and setting vehicles and buildings on fire. Clips of PTI supporters vandalising the residence of Corp Commander in Lahore also went viral.

Meanwhile, at least one person was killed after protests broke out across the country following Khan’s arrest.

Police fired water cannon and tear gas as thousands of Khan’s supporters took to the streets in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and other cities.

Home Minister Meer Zia ullah Langau confirmed the death of a PTI supporter, adding that police officers were also injured in clashes with PTI supporters.

Pakistani authorities also restricted access to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms amid mounting violence in the country.

The Pakistani rupee fell 1.3 percent to a record low of 288.5 against the US dollar, a day after opposition leader Khan was arrested.

Pakistan’s international bonds nudged lower with the 2024 issue down 0.4 cents on the dollar, according to Tradeweb data.

The bonds trade at deeply distressed levels between 49 cents on the dollar for shorter-dated maturities while longer-dated ones changed hand at around 33 cents.

Value of Iran’s foreign trade up by 17% in first month of Persian year: Official data

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran Export

Data released by the Iranian Customs Administration showed the value of non-oil export reached $3.6 billion in the first month of this year (started on March 21).

Meanwhile, the data indicated a 13-percent increase in the value of imports, which stood at $3.8 billion, compared to the same period last year.

China, Iraq, Turkey, the UAE and India were the five biggest buyers of energy from Iran, according to the figures.

In terms of non-oil trade, the UAE, China, Turkey, Germany and India were Iran’s largest partners.

The administration of President Ebrahim Raisi has been pursuing a ‘look-to-the-East’ policy to improve the country’s economic situation, which has taken a blow from the tough US sanctions.

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