Story Highlights
Musharraf Leaves Country
Former president Pervez Musharraf’s leaving the country was a subject of contention between government and opposition this week. As Musharraf left fro Dubai, opposition parties in parliament bashed the government for allowing him to travel abroad. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Shah Mehmood Qureshi demanded that government to take the House into confidence as to under what deal did the former president went to Dubai. Leader of the opposition Khursheed Shah also said that instead of being tried under Article 6 of the constitution, he has been allowed to proceed abroad. Former president Pervez Musharraf’s name was on Exit Control List over trials he is currently facing in the country.
Responding to criticism by the leader of the opposition, Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said that Musharraf’s name was removed from the Exit Control List (ECL) in the light of the Supreme Court judgement. He also assured former president would be brought back to Pakistan through Interpol whenever the court issues order in this regard. The statement by interior minister came a day after a close aide of General (r) Pervez Musharraf claimed that travel restrictions on the former military ruler were lifted as a result of an ‘off-shore deal’ struck with the government.
War Against Terror
In a recent terror activity this week, a former regional director of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was gunned down in Peshawar. Latif, 61, had retired as a regional director from the ISI three years ago. During his career, Latif served on key positions, including as the first secretary in Pakistan’s embassy in Afghanistan in the 90s. Meanwhile in Balochistan at least 12 suspected miscreants, including two commanders, were killed in a shoot-out with Frontier Corps (FC). According to an FC spokesperson, the suspects were involved in attacks on security forces, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.
Meanwhile Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited North Waziristan Agency to overview operation against terrorists in the valley where he expressed satisfaction with the progress on the last phase of the operation. Talking to troops on the occasion, the COAS commended the spirit of sacrifice displayed by them in harsh weather conditions and on a treacherous terrain.
President Mamnoon Hussain also visited South Waziristan Agency this week where he met the soldiers. While addressing the troops, he said that officers and soldiers were rewriting a history of valour and gallantry. This was first ever visit of any president to South Waziristan Agency since the operation had been initiated against terrorists in the area.
Split In MQM
Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Mustafa Kamal, who returned to the country and announced formation of his new political party, has announced the name of his party, the “Pak Sarzameen Party”. Earlier, Kamal had accused London-based Altaf Hussain of instigating terrorism in Karachi, calling him an agent of the Indian spy agency RAW. Several prominent MQM workers have already joined Kamal’s party, accusing MQM Chief Altaf Hussain of working against the ideology of the party. This week former MQM Rabita Committee member Advocate Anis Ahmed Khan also joined Kamal’s movement. Anis Ahmed who served as a member of the MQM’s Rabita Committee between 2003 and 2012 said that MQM chief was reason enough for party members to jump ship.
Meanwhile Rangers personnel arrested Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Rabita Committee (Coordination Committee) Deputy Convener Shahid Pasha in a raid earlier this week. The arrest was condemned by MQM’s leadership. Pasha was presented in an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC). The court ordered formation of a joint investigation team to probe the charges against the MQM leader. Pasha was made deputy convener of the coordination committee a year ago, and is believed to be an important figure in MQM’s organisational structure.
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