Amnesty International urges Pakistan government to respect freedom of peaceful assembly
Amnesty International urges Pakistan government to respect freedom of peaceful assembly/node/2483206/pakistan
Amnesty International urges Pakistan government to respect freedom of peaceful assembly
Police detain a supporter of former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, at a protest against the alleged skewing in Pakistan's national election, in Lahore on March 10, 2024. (AFP/File)
ISLAMABAD: Amnesty International, a global human rights watchdog, on Tuesday urged the new Pakistani government to respect and ensure the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to place the country’s international human rights commitments at the forefront of its policies and decisions.
The development comes amid restrictions on demonstrations by political parties to protest results of Feb. 8 national election, arrests and trials of political workers and leaders, and social media disruptions.
In its statement, Amnesty International urged the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take concrete steps to address these concerns and to ensure its policies are in line with international norms.
“Unconditionally release all peaceful protesters under detention and ensure those under trial are given access to a fair trial as per international human rights standards,” it urged the Pakistani government.
“End excessive use of force against assemblies and protests through the adoption and implementation of international human rights standards, such as UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, for law enforcement agencies when dealing with protesters.”
Pakistan’s national election last month was marred by a nationwide mobile network outage and delays in the release of constituency results, which led to widespread allegations of vote-rigging.
Several political parties, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of jailed former premier Imran Khan, have since staged several demonstrations in the country to protest alleged rigging of polls.
While authorities deny any systematic rigging of polls, law enforcement agencies have cracked down on a number of these protests and briefly arrested several demonstrators.
In its statement, Amnesty International urged Islamabad to amend laws “criminalizing” the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.
“Repeal laws allowing blanket bans on assemblies, such as section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and other laws imposing authorization regimes requiring permits for assemblies and protests,” it added.
ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday condemned a militant attack on a passenger train in southwestern Balochistan province, the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement, calling on all countries to actively cooperate with Islamabad in bringing those responsible to justice.
The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) bombed part of a railway track and stormed the Jaffar Express on Tuesday afternoon in Mushkaaf, a rugged area in the mountainous Bolan range of Balochistan. The group took hundreds of hostages before security forces launched a rescue operation that ended the crisis after 36 hours.
“Members of the UN Security Council through a press statement today have condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on Jaffar Express Passenger Train,” the foreign office said in its statement.
It added the council members “underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.”
The UNSC further “urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Pakistan in this regard.”
The Pakistan military maintained the BLA fighters remained in contact with their “handlers” in Afghanistan throughout the hostage standoff, reiterating its longstanding claim that Afghan authorities back anti-Pakistan groups. The administration in Kabul has denied the allegation.
During a media interaction on Friday, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, also called India the main sponsor of “terrorism” in Balochistan, claiming that New Delhi had a “nexus” with the BLA. Indian authorities have previously denied such allegations.
He further accused Indian mainstream news organizations of “glorifying” the hostage crisis and pushing a narrative of instability in Pakistan.
The foreign office said the UNSC reaffirmed that militant violence in all its forms constituted a serious threat to international peace and security and stressed the need for states to combat it through all means permissible under international law.
In addition to that, it expressed condolences to the victims’ families and extended sympathies to the people and government of Pakistan.
The UNSC also reaffirmed that acts like the attack on the passenger train were “criminal and unjustifiable,” regardless of the motivation behind them.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday ordered strict action against hoarders creating an “artificial shortage” of sugar during the holy month of Ramadan, directing officials to coordinate with sugar mills to monitor its supply and consumption across the country.
Food prices in Pakistan often surge during Ramadan due to increased demand and supply chain inefficiencies. However, a major factor is hoarding and speculative pricing by traders who artificially inflate market rates to maximize profits.
Last month, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb warned the government would not spare hoarders, whose actions contribute to annual spikes in the cost of essential commodities during the holy month.
“We will not allow anyone to hoard sugar or manipulate prices through speculative trading,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement quoting Sharif.
He directed authorities to crack down on profiteers and hoarders creating “artificial shortages” and present a report on the action taken.
“Strict monitoring of sugar supply and consumption must be ensured,” he added.
Sharif also instructed officials to establish coordination mechanisms with sugar mills to oversee the distribution of the commodity and prevent its artificial shortages.
He assured that the country had ample sugar reserves, dismissing concerns of a genuine shortfall.
“Those creating a false crisis must be brought within the ambit of the law,” he said. “During the holy month of Ramadan, we will not allow ordinary citizens to be exploited by the market mafia.”
Sharif directed the chief secretaries of all four provinces to ensure sugar was made available to the public at government-set prices during a high-level meeting in the federal capital.
The meeting, attended by federal ministers, senior government officials and provincial representatives via video link, reviewed sugar supply, consumption and pricing trends.
Officials also briefed the prime minister on the current stock levels and market conditions.
Pakistan eyes leadership in digital finance as it launches crypto council to regulate digital assets
The council will help integrate blockchain innovations into Pakistan’s financial framework
Pakistan’s finance chief says government wants responsible crypto ecosystem for economic growth
Updated 14 March 2025
ISMAIL DILAWAR
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Friday his country wanted to be a leader in digital finance as the government officially launched the Pakistan Crypto Council to establish regulatory guidelines for crypto adoption.
The newly established council is a government-backed initiative that seeks to integrate blockchain and cryptocurrency innovations into Pakistan’s financial and economic framework. Led by key policymakers, regulatory heads and industry experts, it plans to establish a progressive digital asset ecosystem.
The government’s decision to launch the council marks a shift in Pakistan’s stance on cryptocurrencies, moving from previous resistance to a more open and regulatory-focused approach.
“The world is moving rapidly toward digital finance, and Pakistan wishes to be a leader in the space,” an official statement circulated after the launch quoted the finance minister as saying.
“The establishment of the Pakistan Crypto Council is a step toward embracing innovation while ensuring that we create a regulatory framework that protects investors and the financial system,” he continued. “We are committed to fostering a responsible and progressive crypto ecosystem that can contribute to Pakistan’s economic growth.”
Earlier this month, the government appointed Bilal Bin Saqib as lead adviser to the finance minister to develop policy measures ahead of adopting digital currencies.
Saqib will serve as the council’s CEO, bringing his expertise in blockchain technology, investment strategy and digital innovation to spearhead the initiative.
“Our goal is to ensure that Pakistan becomes a competitive player in the global digital economy while prioritizing security, transparency and innovation,” he said at the launch. “By bringing together key stakeholders, we aim to strike a balance between progressive policymaking and fostering an environment where entrepreneurs and businesses can confidently explore the potential of blockchain technology.”
As the council begins operations, it aims to prioritize engagement with international crypto and blockchain organizations to ensure best practices.
It will also collaborate with fintech startups, investors and blockchain developers to encourage responsible innovation and safeguard consumers through a strong legal and compliance framework.
KARACHI: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Karachi to Lahore landed with a missing wheel at its destination, authorities said on Friday, adding that an investigation into the matter was underway.
PIA has faced a history of challenges, particularly regarding the safety and reliability of its flights. In May 2020, one of its planes crashed into a residential area near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, killing 97 of the 99 people on board.
The crash led to deep scrutiny of PIA’s safety protocols, with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspending its authorization to operate in Europe, citing serious safety deficiencies. The ban severely impacted PIA’s international operations, tarnished the airline’s reputation and led to massive financial losses.
According to a PIA statement, PK-306 departed from Karachi to Lahore on Thursday and made a “smooth, uneventful” landing despite a wheel missing from the main landing gear.
“On the walk-around inspection by the captain, it was revealed that one out of the six-wheel assemblies on the main landing gear at the back side was missing,” the airline’s spokesperson, Abdullah Khan, said in the statement.
He added that PIA flight safety teams would submit a report in this regard once the investigation was complete.
“It is worth mentioning that the aircraft is designed to handle these contingencies and that at no point was there any risk posed to the equipment or to the passengers,” Khan said.
Later, the missing wheel of the plane was found near a remote parking bay at Karachi airport. The Pakistan Airports Authority confirmed that there was no evidence of casualties or property damage resulting from the wheel’s detachment.
The incident comes after EASA lifted the four-year ban on PIA on November 29, 2024, citing significant improvements in safety and regulatory compliance by Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority.
PIA welcomed the decision and promptly scheduled flights to European destinations. The first direct flight from Islamabad to Paris took off on January 10, 2025, marking the official resumption of PIA’s European operations.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, on Friday accused India of being the main sponsor of “terrorism” in Balochistan, as the death toll from a separatist group’s attack on a passenger train, which triggered a hostage crisis earlier this week, rose to 26.
The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) bombed part of a railway track and stormed the train on Tuesday afternoon in Mushkaaf, a rugged area in the mountainous Bolan range of Balochistan. The hostage crisis was resolved a day later when the armed forces conducted a successful operation to rescue the hostages, killing 33 militants in the process.
“We must understand that in this terrorist incident in Balochistan, and others before, the main sponsor is your eastern neighbor [India],” the military spokesperson said during a joint news conference with Chief Minister Balochistan Sardar Sarfraz Bugti in Islamabad, though New Delhi has previously denied such allegations.
He criticized the Indian media for “glorifying” the Jaffer Express attack, accusing it of launching an information warfare campaign while militants held hostages and forces assessed the situation.
“The Indian media was using videos shared by the internationally recognized terrorist group,” he said, referring to the visuals shared by the BLA. “They used images generated by artificial intelligence and old videos as well to glorify and promote the attack internationally.”
In response to a question, the military spokesperson said 33 terrorists had been killed during the rescue operation, while the number of passengers who had lost their lives after being shot by the militants had risen to 26 from the previous count of 21.
“Of the 26 killed, 18 were from the army and the FC [frontier corps], three were railway employees and the remaining five were civilians,” he said, adding that apart from them five FC soldiers were also killed during the attack.
Chaudhry said 354 hostages had been rescued, identified, contacted and treated. He said with 26 people killed, the total count of hostages who had been accounted for was 380. He also expressed fear of a potential rise in casualties due to 37 injured among the rescued passengers.
Asked if the large-scale BLA attack indicated an intelligence failure, the military spokesperson said Balochistan’s difficult terrain made intelligence gathering challenging, but agencies were working around the clock to track leads and prevent attacks.
This screengrab, taken from state run Pakistan Television’s live broadcast, shows Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, speaking during a press briefing on Balochistan train hijack, in Islamabad on March 14, 2025. (PTV World/Screengrab)
“I don’t agree with the term ‘intelligence failure’ because there are thousands of intelligence successes that people do not hear about, incidents that never happened because our intelligence detected and neutralized the threats,” he added.
Providing the train rescue details, he described the operation as “one of the most successful” conducted in a hostage situation and completed within a period of 36 hours.
“Not even a single casualty of hostages took place during the process,” he said, adding the passengers who were killed by the militants died shortly after they took over the train. “The whole operation was done with extreme expertise.”
This screengrab, taken from state run Pakistan Television’s live broadcast, shows Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, speaking during a press briefing with Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti (left) on Balochistan train hijack, in Islamabad on March 14, 2025. (PTV World/Screengrab)
Chaudhry said the armed forces executed the mission after a careful assessment of the situation, ensuring the safety of the hostages while eliminating the militants who had positioned suicide bombers near civilians to prolong the standoff.
The military spokesperson also reiterated that BLA militants were in contact with individuals inside Afghanistan, echoing Islamabad’s allegation that Afghan authorities have been backing anti-Pakistan groups, a charge the administration in Kabul denies.
Addressing the media, the Balochistan chief minister maintained India’s spy agencies and other hostile entities were waging an intelligence-driven war against Pakistan using Afghan soil.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land area, has long been the site of a low-level insurgency, with separatist groups accusing the government of exploiting the province’s natural resources while leaving its people in poverty.
Government officials deny the allegation and say they are developing the province through multibillion-dollar projects, including those backed by China.
