Latest news with #AsifAliZardari
Express Tribune
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Nishan-i-Imtiaz conferred on Saudi naval chief
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday conferred Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Saudi Naval Chief Vice Admiral, Mohammad Bin Abdul Rehman Al-Ghoraibi in recognition of his outstanding efforts to strengthen naval and defence cooperation between the two countries. The award was conferred at a special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr which was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Nawaf Bin Saeed Al Malki, and senior officers from the armed forces. His contributions to enhancing joint naval exercises, training exchanges, and strategic maritime dialogue have greatly deepened the bilateral ties.
Arab News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Noor Mukadam's murder: Zahir Jaffer to undergo medical evaluation ahead of filing mercy plea
ISLAMABAD: A medical board will evaluate this week Zahir Zakir Jaffer, convicted of the brutal murder of Noor Mukadam, as part of procedural requirements for his mercy petition before Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, a senior jail official said on Monday. Mukadam, the 27-year-old daughter of a former diplomat, was brutally murdered by Jaffer at his Islamabad residence in July 2021, with investigations confirming she was tortured before being beheaded. A trial court sentenced Jaffer to death in 2022, a verdict later upheld by the Islamabad High Court in 2023. In May 2025, the Supreme Court also upheld the death penalty, leaving Jaffer with the only option of seeking a presidential pardon under Article 45 of the Constitution, which allows the president to grant clemency by pardoning, reprieving or commuting a sentence. 'The [medical] board is expected to visit Adiala jail within this week, most likely in the next two to three days, to conduct the medical and psychological evaluation of the prisoner,' Jail Superintendent Abdul Ghafoor Anjum told Arab News. Anjum said he had requested the director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for the formation of the medical board after being informed by the convict's counsel that he intended to file a mercy petition before the president. 'It is entirely a routine matter as whenever a mercy petition is to be filed for any prisoner, we are required to conduct a medical and psychological examination,' he said, adding the matter was being dealt with strictly in accordance with rules. Officials at Adiala Jail sent two letters, dated July 8 and July 14, to PIMS, requesting the formation of the medical board. 'The appeal of above mentioned Confirmed Condemned Prisoner (Jaffer) was pending at [the] Supreme Court of Pakistan and the same has been dismissed,' read a letter, seen by Arab News. 'Now the mercy petition of [the] subject, cited confirmed condemned prisoner, has to be submitted before the Honourable President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. For that, the medical board and psychiatric board opinion is mandatory,' prison officials said in the letter, requesting PIMS management to schedule Jaffer's examination within the jail premises. PIMS constituted the medical board and named Dr. Shafqat Nawaz from the Psychiatry Department and Dr. Amir Naveed from the Neurology Department as its members, according to documents seen by Arab News. 'Following the board's report, the confirmed condemned prisoner, Jaffer, may proceed to file a mercy petition in accordance with the rules,' Anjum added. Mukadam and Jaffer, son of a wealthy industrialist, were widely believed to have been in a relationship which they had broken off a few months before her murder. Her shocking murder, involving members of the privileged elite of the Pakistani society, triggered an explosive reaction from women's rights activists reckoning with pervasive violence against women in Pakistan. It also mounted pressure for a swift conclusion of the trial in a country known to have a sluggish justice system and where cases typically drag on for years.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Four terrorists killed in Kalat IBO
Elsewhere, the spokesperson said the FC personnel seized a local leader of the banned BLA in the Sheikhri area of Kalat. PHOTO: EXPRESS Listen to article Security forces killed four terrorists belonging to an outlawed separatist group during an intelligence based operation (IBO) in Kalat district on the night between Saturday and Sunday. The operation was carried out in the Pahrod area of the district on the basis of reports regarding the presence of terrorists. According to an official statement, troops effectively took position near the hideout of the terrorists, who were neutralized after an intense exchange of fire. The forces also seized a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosive material from the hideout. A sanitization and clearance operation was underway in the area. The operation took place days after terrorists opened fire on a Karachi-bound passenger bus in Kalat, killing at least three and injuring seven others. In another attack on July 11, terrorists abducted and executed nine passengers after removing them from buses in Loralai district. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Safraz Bugti congratulated the security forces for the successful operation in separate messages. The president noted that the state is determined to eradicate terrorists at all costs with the support of the nation. "The state will continue to take action against terrorism with full force. The terrorists of Fitna-tul-Hindustan will be pursued till the end," Zardari added. Terrorists belonging to banned separatist organizations are also referred to Fitna-tul-Hindustan due to their links with India. In a separate message, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the entire nation stands with the security forces in the war against terrorism. "The government is firm in its drive to eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country," he added. Balochistan Chief Minister Bugti also lauded the forces' professionalism and unwavering resolve. He expressed satisfaction over the timely intelligence and rapid response that neutralized the threat. "The swift reaction to terrorist activity in Pahrod is commendable. Our security forces have once again demonstrated their readiness and resolve to protect the province," he said. Labeling the group a threat to national stability, the CM reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to decisive action against all enemies of the state. "Operations against the enemies of the state will continue on all fronts. Any attempt to sabotage the peace of Balochistan will be crushed," he asserted. Bugti described the operation as a clear message to hostile elements, declaring that the nefarious designs of Fitna-tul-Hindustan had been dismantled. "Their plans lie in ruins. Our forces have defeated their evil intentions," he remarked. He paid tribute to the personnel involved, emphasizing that their success reflects the vigilance and dedication of Pakistan's security forces. "They have once again thwarted the enemy's malicious plans and proved their unwavering commitment to national security," he added. WITH INPUT FROM APP
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
An unnecessary overreach
EDITORIAL: In a move signaling urgency, President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday promulgated an ordinance granting the federal government the authority to elevate the Frontier Constabulary (FC) to the status of a federal force. The FC, which has long been deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP's) former tribal areas and the troubled border regions of Balochistan – regions plagued by insurgencies, terrorism, and tribal conflicts – has already functioned as a federal paramilitary force under the control of the Ministry of Interior. However, its role was largely confined to localized operations within these specific regions. What is different now is that the government has expanded the FC's jurisdiction, establishing a new Federal Reserve Force under its command with responsibilities for anti-riot and special protection duties. This new structure will be granted powers as outlined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Police Order, and any other applicable laws. Furthermore, the ordinance empowers the federal government to confer upon any FC member the powers of a police officer, of any class or grade, as per the laws in force at the time. Ostensibly, this move is a response to growing national security concerns. However, the decision to elevate the FC to a federal force and deploy it nationwide raises questions about the underlying rationale, particularly given its potential overlap with other paramilitary forces. The Rangers, for instance, already operate in various parts of the country, particularly urban centers like Karachi, where they have played a key role in counterterrorism and controlling civil unrest. The necessity of expanding the FC's role, therefore, is questionable. Its current deployment in the border regions of Baluchistan and the tribal districts of KP is justified by the unique security challenges these regions face, such as cross-border militancy, insurgency, and ethnic tensions. These challenges do not exist in other provinces – at least not at the same level of intensity. The police are quite capable of handling civil disturbances and riots. Additionally, there already are a range of law enforcement agencies, including the Rangers, and even the military in certain situations. The involvement of army officers in the leadership of the FC's new Federal Reserve Force raises further concerns. This suggests a more militarised approach to policing, which could undermine civilian authority and exacerbate tensions between law enforcement agencies and the public. In non-conflict areas, such a heavy-handed approach would not only be unnecessary but could also lead to potential abuses of power, eroding what little trust remains between citizens and the government. Ultimately, the decision to deploy the FC across the entire country risks creating more problems than it aims to resolve. The focus should instead be on improving the efficiency of existing law enforcement agencies, enhancing inter-agency cooperation, and ensuring that the right force is deployed in the right context. Overwhelming the country with multiple paramilitary forces will create challenges that may undermine the very security these forces are intended to protect. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Zardari condoles demise of MNA's father
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of the father of Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Asma Arbab Alamgir. In a statement released by the President House on Friday, President Zardari conveyed his heartfelt sympathies, stating, 'We share the grief of her family in this hour of distress.' He expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. The president also offered prayers to Allah Almighty for eternal peace for the departed soul and for strength to the bereaved family to endure this loss. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
