Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has claimed that “almost half” of the parliamentarians in India’s Lok Sabha the lower house of parliament have criminal charges against them, prompting New Delhi to summon the country’s ambassador to explain the remarks.
“Nehru’s India has become one where … almost half the MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, including charges of rape and murder,” Lee said.
The world is no idiot nor its leaders, including the heads of global institutions like IMF. ADB. WORLD BANK, OIC. Serious criminal cases include terrorism, treason, arson, monet laundering, murder, communal disharmony, electoral violations, and kidnapping, among others are against many ministers in the cabinet of Shahbaz Sharif government.In this era of instant connectivity and social media nothng remains hidden from public. To say that Imran Khan is defaming the army is like hiding the ocean of truth and facts.
The elephant in the room has been the economy, with each leader desperate to convince voters they will be financially safe – but only by voting for them. It’s been a period of smoke and mirrors: for the past 3 months, we’ve been on a fact-free diet. These truths are like the law of gravity: inevitable and inexorable. Good governance covers the respect for several different fundamental rights: privacy rights, data protection rights, freedom of expression rights, self-determination rights. Just a few words about the first two. Did we have any from this imported government?
Regarding taking ARY off the air or taking it to task, let us know the following facts of what the other big media channel did in past:
Pakistan’s Geo TV faces military’s wrath
Most media cable operators in Pakistan have taken down the country’s biggest private TV channel, Geo, amid the media group’s bitter row with the Islamic Republic’s powerful spy agency, the ISI.
The row between Pakistan’s largest commercial media group, the Jang Group of Publications, and the country’s ubiquitous military is getting uglier by the day. After the Pakistani army accused the group – particularly its popular TV channel, Geo – of defaming its spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), a blasphemy case has now been filed against the station. Hamis Mir had been critical of the country’s intelligence agencies and military for their alleged role in the kidnappings of thousands of people in the country’s western province of Balochistan. As a result, Mir’s aides believe the journalist’s stance had irked the ISI.
But not all Pakistani journalists agree with Sattar. TV anchor Arsalan Khalid believes it was highly irresponsible on the part of Geo TV to accuse the ISI. “The Pakistani constitution clearly says the country’s armed forces and secret services cannot be blamed for such crimes. It is true that people criticize the ISI more often than before, but what we saw on April 19 was a news channel running shows for eight hours maligning the ISI,” Khalid told DW from Islamabad.
Geo TV owners print front-page apology to Pakistan’s ISI spy chief
Pakistan’s embattled media group printed a grovelling front-page apology to the army on Monday after allegations broadcast by Geo TV that the country’s spy chief had plotted to assassinate one of the channel’s star journalists.
The apology came two days before an anticipated ruling by the broadcast regulator on the affair and marked a clear retreat by a media conglomerate after weeks of bruising public criticism from the army, opposition politicians, extremist clerics and media rivals.
Hamid Mir’s defiance of military, ISI and emergence of a new ‘General Rani’ in Pakistan
The Pakistani media may never undertake a full-throated challenge to the diktats of the deep state, but sometimes it is angry enough to let out a roar.
When you fail to create a narrative about Israel in the Pakistani media, you get very angry. You pick up Matiullah Jan, shoot Absar Alam and enter the houses of people like Asad Toor. Then you say that your tanks are becoming rusty, so let’s make peace with India…You called ‘Madre-Millat Fatima Jinnah a traitor and today you call Asad Toor a traitor…Do not ever enter the homes of journalists again. We don’t have tanks or guns like you, but we can tell the people of Pakistan about the stories that emerge from inside your homes. We will tell them whose wife shot whom inside the confines of their home. And which ‘General Rani’ was behind this. I hope you all have understood what I am saying.”
- Addressing a mammoth opposition rally in Gujranwala on October 16, Nawaz Sharif fired a stunning fusillade at the top brass of the army. He named the army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa and ISI chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed and held them responsible for all the ills of the country, for stealing the mandate of the people and foisting an utterly incompetent Imran Khan on the hapless people of Pakistan. He went on to threaten that they will have to answer for their actions. Nawaz also accused the tainted former ‘Crore Commander’ (also referred to in some circles as ‘Chor’ or thief Commander) Asim Bajwa destabilising a sitting government in Balochistan. Simply put, Nawaz has accused top generals of the Pakistan army of committing treason under Article 6 of Pakistan’s much abused and mutilated constitution.
Nawaz Sharif is no political suicide bomber. He is also nobody’s fool. His attack on both the Bajwa’s is deliberate. It is a high risk strategy but probably one in which Nawaz is taking a carefully calculated gamble. He has rattled the cage and got the traction and attention. Merely targeting Imran would have been banal; firing salvos at Bajwa is revolutionary. It is something that forces the military to rethink the political costs that it is now having to pay for its failed political experiment of installing Imran as Prime Minister. Will the army like to be lumped with a failed government, or will it prefer to dump the failed government? That is one choice that Nawaz is forcing on the military by targeting them. But as in war, so too in politics. Nawaz has made his stand clear. Now the ball is in the court of the Khakis.
Nawaz Sharif is no political suicide bomber. He is also nobody’s fool. His attack on both the Bajwa’s is deliberate. It is a high risk strategy but probably one in which Nawaz is taking a carefully calculated gamble.
- Nawaz Sharif’s Speech Against Pakistan Army Widely Celebrated In India
Earlier, Pakistan’s main opposition parties joined hands to launch a new campaign against the PTI government led by Imran Khan and the Pakistan Army for their involvement in the country’s domestic politics.
“The [Pakistan Army] establishment should stop every kind of interference in politics forthwith,” said the declaration, which also attacked PM Khan of failing to the run the country efficiently.
Nawaz Sharif’s offensive against powerful Pakistan Army was broadcast live in the country. Next day, Planning Minister Asad Umar termed Nawaz Sharif’s criticism of the Army as “anti-Pakistan”, stating the civilian government was working
hand-in-hand with the Army to govern the nation.
- Nawaz Sharif accuses Pakistan’s army chief of toppling his government
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday accused the country’s army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa of toppling his government, pressuring the judiciary, and installing the current government of Prime Minister Imran Khan in the 2018 elections.
“Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, you packed up our government, which was working well, and put the nation and the country at the alter of your wishes,” Sharif told the gathering – the largest since the 2018 elections.
The former prime minister also accused the chief of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence spy agency of being involved in conspiring against his government.
- Nawaz Sharif has spoken. But can he change the Pakistan Army’s game?
The duo of General Bajwa and ISI DG Faiz Hameed have managed to drag the military deeper into politics, but their hybrid government formula is not working.
Addressing virtually, at the All-Parties Conference held on 21 September, Nawaz Sharif, himself in exile in London, spoke bravely about the military and its agencies as the “State above the State”. Is he ready to push back a military that is well-entrenched in power politics, today? Sharif’s words voiced the concern of many thinking Pakistanis, or even the average man on the street who is not blinded to the fact that the present Imran Khan government represents civilian rule at its hollowest— the government denotes a hybrid martial law rather than a democracy. But the more important question is that can Nawaz Sharif succeed in his journey? And should this be considered a moment that carries the potential of delivering Pakistan from the clutches of the Army General Headquarters?
his also makes Sharif the most conscious and experienced in shenanigans and manipulation of Army General Headquarters, or the GHQ. Of all the political players, he seems to be the one with greatest clarity about how the military is deadly for the country’s democracy. He is also conscious of the fact that the GHQ looks a bit more desperate than it was, perhaps, six months ago. Some of the observers of Pakistan’s politics were conscious that some channels were initially able to air most of Nawaz Sharif’s speech, thus, the conclusion that someone in the military’s corridors didn’t want to impose utter silence.
- Pakistan Army can’t risk controversy with Nawaz Sharif, sacrificing Imran Khan easier
Elected and removed from office thrice, Nawaz Sharif has understood how Pakistan’s military influences politics. He’s now giving a blow by blow account of it.
It took 22 years for the Supreme Court to recognise that the 1990 election had indeed been subject to military interference — then-army chief General Aslam Beg was hand-in-gloves in manipulating the polls where some politicians were funded through an “Election Cell” to thwart Benazir Bhutto’s chances.
Ironically, Beg’s decision to support the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) had resulted in bringing Nawaz Sharif to the office of Prime Minister for the first time. But sacrificing Imran Khan might be the easy way out, because the opposition’s attacks are making the army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and his intelligence head controversial. While politicians are used to controversy, army generals are not.
Pakistan’s military leaders, like military leaders everywhere, do not like to be mired in controversy. Moreover, it is important for military commanders to be seen as fighting for the whole nation, not just for one political faction or party within it.
- Bilawal says he was ‘shocked’ by Nawaz Sharif’s speech against Pakistan army chief
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Friday he was not aware that the former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, was going to blame the country’s army chief for manipulating the last general elections during his Gujranwala speech.
However, he maintained that Sharif would not have made such a claim without “solid evidence,” adding that he was waiting for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) founder to present the proof to the public.
In an interview with BBC Urdu, the PPP leader said that no individual could be solely held responsible for bringing Prime Minister Imran Khan and his administration to power
- Nawaz Sharif attacks Pak. Army, ISI chief as Opposition says ‘sun about to set’ on Imran government
Pakistan’s deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has blamed Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed for the current political situation in the country, as the Opposition parties held their third massive joint rally against Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government.
Addressing the gathering via video link from London, the three-time Prime Minister and chief of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) again blamed Army chief Bajwa and ISI Director General Hameed for Pakistan’s current situation.
Gen. Bajwa, you will have to answer for record rigging in the 2018 elections, for horse-trading in Parliament, for making Imran Niazi Prime Minister against people’s wishes and [by] tearing apart the Constitution and laws, for pushing people towards poverty and hunger,” 70-year-old Mr. Sharif said.
MARYAM NAWAZ AGAINST THE ARMED FORCES
- PMLN did a positive criticism of Pakistan Army: Maryam Nawaz
PMLN’s Vice President Maryam Nawaz says they do a positive criticism of the Pakistan Army, unlike opponent Imran Khan who does it for his own sake.
Maryam Nawaz defended herself while talking to the media outside Islamabad High Court. Maryam Nawaz said that PMLN criticized the army with positive intentions meanwhile Imran Khan is doing it for his own sake.
Maryam Nawaz was also called out by netizens earlier for stoking anti-establishment sentiments on social media. Both sides have been attacking each other for hurting Pakistan Army.
- Army chief should be a competent person with ‘flawless’ background: Maryam Nawaz
PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz Thursday said that the chief of army staff should be a competent individual with a “flawless” background so that people could salute the armed forces of Pakistan.
The PML-N leader reiterated that the army chief should be a person who has a “flawless reputation” and who is good for the people, country, and the institution.
- Maryam Nawaz Criticises Ex-generals Of Pakistani Forces, Says ‘not Loyal To Institution’
Maryam Nawaz said ex-Pakistani generals were “not loyal to their institution” and asked them to return their medals if they were interested in politics.
n the latest development, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz hit out at the former generals of the Pakistani armed forces. Criticizing the ex-generals of the armed forces who had called for the dismissal of assemblies, Nawaz said that they were “not loyal to their institution” and asked them to return their medals if they were interested in politics, ANI cited The Express Tribune report.
- Maryam Nawaz Sharif says Army chief, ISI head should not have met Pakistan PM
Maryam told Dawn News Prime Minister Imran had called and met the heads of institutions in the lawns of PM House “on the day he suffered a humiliating defeat [and] his members expressed a lack of confidence in him and voted against him”.
Read more at: https://www.southasiamonitor.org/pakistan/maryam-nawaz-sharif-says-army-chief-isi-head-should-not-have-met-pakistan-pm
- Maryam Nawaz spells out ‘criteria’ for next army chief’
PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz Thursday said that an individual with a “flawless reputation” should be made head of the Pakistan’s armed forces.s selection.
She said the decision of the armed forces to stay away from politics and limit themselves to their constitutional role was a welcome step, adding that politicians had been struggling for such a decision.
MAULANA FAZLUR RAHMAN
- Maulana Fazlur Rehman responds to DG ISPR’s statement
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is leading the Azadi March in Islamabad, said the statement should have come from a politician instead of the DG ISPR since he represents the institution of army.
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has reacted to the statement issued by the Director General of ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor in response to his speech which he had made at Azadi March hours earlier.
“We don’t know on what basis he has issued the statement,” said the JUI chief while speaking to the media after attending a multi-party conference of opposition leaders at his residence late Friday night.
The maulana said the statement should have come from a politician instead of the DG ISPR since he represents the institution of army.
- Stop indulging in politics: Fazlur Rehman to Pak army at Peshawar rally
Alleging “rigging” in 2018 general elections of Pakistan, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman tore into Prime Minister Imran Khan government and the army on Sunday, saying the rulers “should now be shamed and sent home”.
“Our stance is very clear. Rigging has been done; we know who was behind it and the one who is na maloom (unknown); we all know who that is,” Dawn quoted the JUI-F leader addressing a Peshawar rally.
- Fazl questions utility of military operations against terrorists
Speaking to media, the JUI-F chief said that security forces conducted operations across the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for years to stamp out terrorism and provide safety to citizens.
“As a result of these operations millions were displaced, especially from the tribal districts. Thousands of them have yet to return to their homes. But the government and the security organisations have failed to provide security to people,” he said.
Mr Rehman said that they asked the institutions as to why they failed to safeguard the lives and properties of people. “We will foil the nefarious designs of forces bent on creating chaos and fueling sectarianism,” he added.
Since this Shahbaz government came to power we know and say that his government has tried to control the country’s news media, especially the airwaves, like no other prime minister. Iri has shrewdly cultivated the media to build a cult of personality that portrays him as the nation’s selfless savior.
At the same time, senior government officials have pressed news outlets — berating editors, cutting off advertising, ordering tax investigations — to ignore the uglier side of his party’s campaign to take Pakistan to stardom. Shahbaz SharifThe PML-N is backed up by an army of online allies who discredit and harass independent journalists.
And for the most part, news outlets have knuckled under, even skeptical journalists censor themselves, afraid to be branded anti-national by a government that equates patriotism with support for Mr. Modi.PML-N. It is more efficient and more ruthless in its onslaught.
