#Pakistani army

[chaiaurchaandni]

[herionchic999]

[xtruss]

Pakistani Corrupt Military Use Age-Old Tactics To Keep Imran Khan Away From Election

Former Prime Minister, Once Corrupt Military’s Golden Boy, Has Been Sentenced In Two Separate Politically Motivated Cases To 10 and 14 Years

— Hannah Ellis-Petersen, South Asia Correspondent | Guardian USA | Wednesday January 31, 2024

A vendor holds a picture of the jailed Former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan. Photograph: Bilawal Arbab/EPA

The script seems eerily familiar. Imran Khan, once the golden boy of Pakistan’s Corrupt Powerful Military Establishment, found himself at the receiving end of not one, but two, damning court verdicts this week.

Sentenced to 10 years in jail on Tuesday, and 14 years on Wednesday, the brazen timing of the convictions in two separate cases made one thing abundantly clear: the military will stop at nothing to keep Khan away from Pakistan’s general election, which will be held next week.

It was not so long ago that Khan himself benefited from these age-old tactics utilised repeatedly in Pakistan’s chequered political history. In 2018, when Khan was running for prime minister, it was the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif who had fallen out of grace with the military and found himself facing charges of corruption and being barred from office. Less than two weeks before the election in July 2018, Sharif was sentenced to 10 years in jail.

Now the tables have turned again. Khan has become the military’s harshest critic, confined behind bars, while a cowed Sharif has reconciled with the army generals and his path back to power has been cleared. As allegations of pre-poll rigging have abounded, Sharif is expected to be all but escorted into an election win.

Khan was already banned from running in the election, but the back-to-back convictions and hefty prison sentences speak to the strength of the military’s campaign against its former protege.

Since he was toppled from power in April 2022 – after a vote of no confidence widely acknowledged to have been orchestrated by the military – Khan’s criticisms of the army establishment and its tight control over Pakistani politics has been unprecedented.

Yet his campaign against the military was always doomed to fail given its iron grip, and since August, when Khan was finally arrested, it was made clear that the military would stop at nothing to sideline Khan and destroy his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Any pretence of due judicial process being followed was abandoned entirely at both cases where Khan was sentenced this week. Instead of an open courtroom, the trials were conducted inside the jail where Khan is being detained and his lawyers were not allowed to choose or cross-examine any witnesses.

Given the hefty crackdown on PTI in recent months, including all rallies being shut down by police and all coverage of the party largely banned from news channels, the party is a shadow of its former self, even if it still commands huge support from voters.

For many observers, Khan’s double convictions only serve to confirm that the elections are likely to be among the least credible in Pakistan’s recent history, pushing the country several steps back on its turbulent path towards democracy.

It is reflected too in the unusually muted political campaigning period. As the military has proved to be unafraid to show its hand in “managing” the election, even as it claims to be apolitical, all semblance of a fair fight has dissipated, with parties barely even putting forward a manifesto.

Among Pakistan’s voters, many of whom still revere Khan, there is a sense of anger and apathy. Yet most will echo the same refrain; in Pakistani politics, nothing ever really changes.

********

Imran Khan, Pakistan Former PM, Sentenced To 14 Years in Prison For Corruption (Politically Motivated Charges)

Ruling against Khan and wife Bushra Bibi comes just a day after a 10-year sentence was handed down, and just before Pakistan goes to the polls in a general election

— Hannah Ellis-Petersen, South Asia Correspondent | Wednesday 31 January 2024

Pakistan former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, has been sentenced to 14 years in jail on corruption charges. Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in jail in a corruption case, a day after he was given a 10-year sentence for leaking state secrets.

Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, was also handed a 14-year sentence in the case, known as Toshakhana, which accused them both of illegally selling state gifts. The judge also banned them both from holding political office for 10 years.

The sentence, given at a hearing held in the Rawalpindi prison where Khan, 71, is being held, further worsens the plight of the beleaguered former prime minister, who has been in jail since August and is facing more than 100 different charges.

The judge had denied Khan’s lawyers’ request to cross-examine witnesses in the trial and his lawyers were not present on Wednesday, when the sentence was given.

Khan questioned why there was an apparent rush to wrap up the case. “Why are you in a hurry to announce the verdict? I have not even recorded my final statement,” he told the judge, before exiting the courtroom. The verdict was then given without either Khan or Bibi present.

Bibi surrendered to the authorities at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday morning.

The Toshakhana verdict came a day after a special court, also held in prison, found Khan guilty of leaking state secrets in relation to a sensitive diplomatic cable that allegedly went missing in his possession. Khan had described the trial as a sham and lawyers said he would be appealing against the verdict.

The timing of both consecutive convictions was deemed as significant by observers, coming a week before Pakistan goes to the polls in its long-delayed general election. Though Khan is already banned from running, he remains hugely popular among voters.

This is Khan’s second sentencing in the Toshakaha case, which related to allegations that the former prime minister bought several gifts given by rulers and government officials at low prices and sold them on for an undeclared profit. Khan had denied all wrongdoing.

The anti-corruption watchdog alleged that Khan and his wife had received 108 gifts from heads of state and foreign officials, some worth millions of rupees, during his term as prime minister and that many had been illegally kept or sold by the pair.

Khan was initially given a three-year sentence in the case in August, but after a higher court threw out the judgment, the legal proceedings began again after investigators presented fresh evidence relating to jewellery given by the Saudi crown prince and allegedly kept by Khan and his wife.

On Wednesday, the judge issued an even more severe sentence against both Khan and his wife, which included a collective fine of 787m rupees ($2.8m).

Khan, who was toppled from power in 2022, has claimed that the mounting cases against him are politically motivated.

Since he was removed from office in a vote of no-confidence, Khan began to publicly criticise the country’s powerful military, who have long been accused of meddling in politics. He alleged the military leadership bore a “grudge” against him and were orchestrating his imprisonment so he could not run in the elections.

Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has also faced harassment and intimidation, with senior leadership imprisoned or put under pressure to leave the party, while workers have been prevented from campaigning or holding political rallies in the buildup to the election.

A statement by PTI on X after Wednesday’s verdict said Khan and Bibi had faced “yet another kangaroo trial in which no right to defence was given to both”.

The party said there had been a “complete destruction of every existing law in Pakistan in two days”.

[sarasmithusa75-blog]

PAK PUBLIC REACTION ON INDIA | ARMY VS PAKISTANI PUBLIC IN ISLAMABAD | PIT PROTEST D CHOWK

india

pakistan

[cid5]

Bangladesh Liberation War, 1970s

Members of the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi National Liberation Army) undergo training ahead of the Bangladesh Liberation War, at their base in Rowmari, in the state of Assam, India, on the border with East Pakistan, 20th November 1970.

Soldiers of the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi National Liberation Army) during rifle range training session, one operates a rifle mounted on a bipod, 20 miles from the border with India, in Syaldaa Nadi, a liberated area of East Pakistan, 24th November 1971.

Commando training for members of the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi National Liberation Army) during the Bangladesh Liberation War, in Syaldaa Nadi, East Pakistan, 22nd November 1971.

Abdul Kader Siddique, one of the leaders of the pro-independence Mukti Bahini forces, bayonets a prisoner accused of being a member of the pro-Pakistani Razakar paramilitary force, at a political rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, two days after the Pakistani surrender at the end of the Bangladesh War of Independence, 18th December 1971.

Freedom fighters with captured informer Razakhar, after the Indian Army liberated Jessore in Bangladesh, then part of East Pakistan, circa 1971.

Bangladesh: Female Mukti Bahini guerillas armed with rifles, Dhaka, 1971

Indian army soldiers fire on Palistani positions, on December 15, 1971 during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

In their fortified camp, Pakistani soldiers await the attack of Indian paratroopers during the Bangladesh War of Independence, December 1971.

A man, armed with a rifle, guarding his crops in Rowmari, during the Bangladesh Liberation War on the border with East Pakistan, in the state of Assam, India, 20th November 1971.

Guerrillas of the pro-independence Mukti Bahini forces beating a prisoner accused of being a member of the pro-Pakistani Razakar paramilitary force, at a political rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

[nfllivescores]

Amir Khan Appointed Honorary Captain of the Pakistan Army

Honorary Captain In a move that has resonated across the sporting world, British-Pakistani boxing champion Amir Khan has been appointed as an honorary captain of the Pakistan Army. This prestigious title not only highlights Khan’s remarkable achievements in the boxing ring but also underscores his dedication to his heritage and his philanthropic endeavors. The appointment signifies a new chapter…

[rightnewshindi]

बलूच लिबरेशन आर्मी ने मार गिराए 102 पाकिस्तानी सैनिक, शिविरों में घुसकर मचाया मौत का तांडव

Pakistan News: पाकिस्तान में बलूचिस्तान में बलूच लिबरेशन आर्मी का उग्र प्रदर्शन बढ़ता ही जा रही है. अब खबर आई है कि इन बलूच आर्मी ने पाकिस्तान के 102 सैनिकों को रातों रात मौत के घाट उतार दिया. बलूच लिबरेशन आर्मी की आधिकारिक रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक इतनी बड़ी संख्या में पाक सैनिकों की मौतों की जिम्मेदारी भी बलूच लिबरेशन आर्मी (बीएलए) ने ले ली है. बलूच लिबरेशन आर्मी की तरफ से जारी प्रेस रिलीज की…

[ivovynckier]

I apologize for having been critical of "Dad's Army" in the past.

These days, the Home Guard could do a superb job policing the streets of Britain!

[chaiaurchaandni]

[zindagi-jhandwa-firbhi-ghamandwa]

Whenever I discuss Kashmir or Israel, I end up making every side mad.

I tried writing an article on it and pitched it to left and right-leaning publications. Both said that it didn't "match the coverage we're looking for", or words to that effect. Maybe I'm just a bad writer.

But I think the reason that my opinions on Kashmir/Israel are so annoying to so many people is because I don't follow the usual BS narratives.

The article I wanted to write was a plea for honesty of purpose. That's because no one and I mean NO ONE is willing to just admit the reason they support a side in those conflicts is because geopolitics/nationalism/religion or — most likely — the person who first introduced them to the issue had this bias and so they have it too.

Just be honest and internally consistent with your stance, that's all I ask.

Say what you want about the utter immorality of Athens in the Seige of Melos, at least Thucydides was honest when he said of their motivation, "The strong do what they can, the weak endure what they must."

It's an ideology I disagree with, but fuck it, at least it's honest.

Kashmir and Israel are both situations where two immoral actors are fighting over the moral (and in Kashmir's case, literal) high ground.

It's all just bullshit reasons versus different bullshit as both bullshit peddlers use their bullshit reasons trying to make themselves look like the good guys™️ and make the other side look evil when the truth is that both sides are doing this for power and nothing else.

[xtruss]

The One & Only, The Legend of Legends Former Prime Minister of Pakistan IMRAN KHAN!

Corrupt to their Cores, Thieves, Looters and Traitors Pakistan’s Army Generals, Politicians of Thirteen Dirty Political Parties, Judges and Yellow Journalists are Scared of IMRAN KHAN, The Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. This is the real honest man who showed the World their Abominable Faces who were destroying Pakistan By licking the Scrotums of the Hegemonic, Conspirator, Two-Faced, Liar and War Criminal United States for the past 75 Years!

[banglakhobor]

পাকিস্তানি সেনাদের কচুকাটা করছে তালিবান! বদলা নেওয়ার হুমকি পাক সেনাপ্রধানের

বালুচিস্তান: আমেরিকান সেনা আফগানিস্তান ছাড়ার পর থেকেই অল্প অল্প করে পাকিস্তানি সেনার ওপর আক্রমণ বাড়িয়েছিল আফগানিস্তান। গত দেড় মাসে এই আক্রমণের সংখ্যা অনেক বেশি হয়ে গিয়েছে। জায়গায় জায়গায় আফগান তালিবানের হাতে প্রাণ হারাচ্ছে পাকিস্তানি সেনা। তালিবানের গেরিলা যুদ্ধে উত্তর দিতে পারছে না তারা। এবার পাকিস্তান পাল্টা আঘাত হানার কথা ভাবছে। মুখে কিছু না বললেও বিমান বাহিনী বোম ফেলতে পারে তালিবানের…

[shaktiknowledgeblog]

Pakistan | Pakistan news | Pakistan army | Taliban | afghanistan taliban | taliban news | Pakistani Taliban

PAK Army officers started running away fearing Bhasmasur, wanting to post on India’s border, worried about their lives Pakistani Taliban: Last year there were 262 terrorist attacks, of which 14 were suicide attacks. In these attacks, there were about 180 attacks on which the Pakistani army and other security agencies were targeted. In comparison to 2021, there was an increase of 27 per cent in…

[ianduncankinnie]

I often post about Palestine but I'd like to take a moment to talk about what's happening in Bangladesh.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON BANGLADESH

TL;DR Students killed for protesting the government's quota system. Students are being arrested and murdered for speaking up about their deceased friends. Everyone is being threatened by the government and many social media platforms are being banned.

All I'm asking is to spread the word. Please. International pressure really works for our nation. We're dying here. UNICEF reports 34 children dead. There might be more. All reblogs and likes and shares are appreciated. Thank you. I guess I'll see you tomorrow.

Past

A movement protesting the government's quota system put forth by the father of our nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This was placed in the first place to help the grandchildren of those who fought in the Liberation War of our country to get government jobs. We have a terrible job market here which is why many highly educated people leave the country. On 16th July, While protesting, a Student named Abu Sayed of Begum Rokeya University was killed by the police. This only stoked the feelings of injustice between the students.

During a press conference, the PM was asked about the quota for the grandchildren of veterans. Her response? "If we don't give jobs to the grandchildren of Veterans, will we give jobs to the grandchildren of Razakars?" Razakars are the people who collaborated with the Pakistani Forces to bring down the Bangladeshi freedom fighters. They betrayed the nation for their own gain.

Traitors.

Imagine calling the youth of your nation traitors.

Imagine calling almost 14 million young people who can't find a job despite their credentials betrayers.

Imagine cursing people who are protesting for job equality under a government with the all time highest corruption in the history of this nation.

On 17th July the broadband connection centre in Mohakhali was burned down. Mobile data services and communication were shut down by the PM. After 11 days the internet was properly restored.

On 19th July, A National Military Curfew was put in place by the Prime Minister to mitigate the unrest.

But that was last month. If you need details I highly recommend sources in Bangladesh like the Daily Star or reputable like Al Jazeera. The quota has since been lifted. Lives were lost. But it was for a good cause, right?

Right?

RIGHT?

Present

Well no. There's still a curfew in the capital. Several districts like Cumilla are still under attack. The government warns of not spreading misinformation yet still lie about the severity of the issue. The police are arresting those who protest as well as those who speak up. The students are demanding for the resignation of the PM. The PM obviously refuses to apologise or even acknowledge the deaths of some 147?

or is it 200?

They're not counting how many they're killing. They're not letting anyone else count either.

It is midnight here. This morning as in 4th August 2024, the students have called for a non cooperation movement. The Ruling Party Awami League will also be holding rallies across the nation tomorrow. I do not know what is going to happen to me. I do not want to think of what will happen to my family tomorrow. I don't really care. What I'm truly scared for is the future. As these protests do not end well here.

Future

Precedence says the PM will eventually resign. Every student protest of our nation has ended in momentary success.

Momentary

What comes after is usually a military regime. A caretaker government until a next government is chosen in a supposed election. Even then if they decide to hold an election. The caretaker government is usually run as a dictatorship. It was true for the 60s. It was true for the 90s. I don't doubt it will happen again.

I'm graduating next year. My niece is still new to the academic system. I wish her the best. My grandmas and grandpas are dead. Nobody left to pray for me. My aunts and uncles are growing old. My cousins can't speak up for fear. My mom is so tired. My dad is angry. I'm unsure if I will still be able to post the next couple of days.

All I'm asking is to spread the word. Please. International pressure really works for our nation. We're dying here. UNICEF reports 34 children dead. There might be more. All reblogs and likes and shares are appreciated. Thank you. I guess I'll see you tomorrow.