Two judgments by the Pakistan judiciary – one questioning the extension of tenure of the incumbent army chief and the other awarding death sentence to former chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/from-us-perspective-pervez-musharraf-gets-a-well-earned-sentence-268959">Pervez Musharraf</a> for high treason- have attracted considerable attention because of being utterly out of character for the army dominated Pakistani polity. Do they signal the advent of a new dawn in Pakistan?&nbsp;

PM Imran Khan’s decision to grant the second tenure of three years to army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa was not unprecedented. Aside from the self- granted extensions of their tenures by army chiefs turned military dictators, the PPP government had given the second tenure of three years to the then army chief, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in 2010. However, three days before Bajwa was to embark upon his new tenure, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa took up a petition challenging his continuation in office and suspended the government notification issued for the purpose. 
 
During the tense three-day hearing, the judges questioned the government decision both on account of the utterly inept procedural handling of the matter and the absence of any legal or constitutional basis for it. At the end, in order not to precipitate a crisis, they ruled that Bajwa could continue in his post for a further period of six months and his continuation thereafter would depend upon adoption of suitable legislation by the Parliament concerning the appointment and terms and conditions of service of the Chief of Army Staff. &nbsp;

Subsequently, a special court, constituted by the Supreme Court and comprising a judge each of the Lahore, Peshawar and Sindh High Courts, has given a 2-1 verdict, awarding death sentence for high treason to the former military dictator Parvez Musharraf for his action in declaring an emergency and suspending the constitution in early November 2007, when he was President and Chief of Army Staff. The court relied on Article 6 of the Pakistan Constitution that stipulates that any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance the Constitution by force or unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.&nbsp;

The treason case was filed by the Nawaz Sharif government in November 2013 and the Supreme Court agreed to set up a special court to try Musharraf. Within a few months, the then army chief Raheel Sharif indicated that he was against the trial and said that the army “Would preserve its own dignity and institutional pride.” With the army backing him, Musharraf dodged the trial and was able to secure an order from the Supreme Court in March 2016 to go abroad for medical treatment and has not returned to Pakistan since then, even though the special court gave him six opportunities to make his statement. 
 
Finally, when the court decided to hear the case on a daily basis in October 2019, Imran Khan’s government sacked the entire prosecution team! With no further inputs coming from the prosecution or Pervez Musharraf’s defence lawyers, the special court concluded its proceedings on November 19 and said that it would give its verdict on November 28. Caught by surprise, Musharraf’s defence team challenged the special court’s decision to announce its verdict in the Lahore High Court.&nbsp;

Strangely, the government also approached the Islamabad High Court to restrain the special court from going ahead with its verdict. The High Court granted the request and directed the special court to listen to all the parties and complete all legal formalities before pronouncing its judgement. It also directed the government to appoint a prosecutor by December 5. The special court stated that it was not bound by the decision of the Islamabad High Court. 
 
When it convened on December 17, both Pervez Musharraf’s lawyer and the prosecution tried to stall the proceedings, the former by saying that Musharraf must be given an opportunity to make a statement before the court and the latter making an attempt to widen the scope of the trial by bringing in charges against some alleged collaborators of Musharraf, including former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. The special court rejected these pleas, ruling that Pervez Musharraf had foregone repeated opportunities to make his statement and the Supreme Court had decided that the case be proceeded with against Musharraf only. It then pronounced its split verdict to sentence Musharraf to death. &nbsp;

The Pakistani judiciary has, with a few exceptions, acted as a handmaiden of the army and helped them in subverting democratic processes. A recent example is its collaboration with the selective accountability process against Nawaz Sharif to rule him out of the 2018 election. Facilitation of his departure for medical treatment abroad by the judiciary seems to be the result of a nod from the army, keen to see him leave the country, in return for an end to his and his daughter’s strident campaign against them. 
 
The last time the judiciary mounted a challenge to the army was under the maverick Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who reopened the case of financing of the Nawaz Sharif led Islamic Jamhoori Ittehad by the ISI during the 1990 election to defeat Benazir Bhutto, hauled up a few retired generals on corruption charges and took up cases of forced disappearances in Baluchistan and the tribal areas. However, in the face of the resistance of Pakistan army, the court did not make much headway. 
 
Why Chief Justice Khosa, who is to retire later this month, took up the case of Bajwa’s extension has been a matter of speculation. Some observers ascribe it to his annoyance at Imran Khan’s criticism of the judiciary in letting Nawaz Sharif go abroad without the stringent conditions imposed by his government and the consequent desire to get even with the Prime Minister by showing the functioning of his government in a poor light in the matter of army chief’s extension. Others believe that the court might have been encouraged by senior army officers, whose promotion prospects would be marred by the continuation of Bajwa in his post. As for the special court, one of its members, Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth of the Peshawar High Court has had a record of bold decisions, setting aside trials by military courts.&nbsp;

What do the above judgments mean for Pakistan’s democracy? &nbsp;

The continuation of Bajwa as army chief beyond the six months period approved by the Supreme Court would be more a function of his control over his senior army commanders than of the political dynamics within the Parliament. Should he be able to ensure cohesion within the army’s senior ranks, politicians in the government and opposition could be expected to bend over backwards to provide the legislation required for his continuation. The army and Imran Khan government have already rallied against the death sentence awarded to Musharraf. The army spokesperson has issued a statement that the special court judgment has been received by the rank and file of Pakistan armed forces “With a lot of pain and anguish”. 
 
He adds that Pervez Musharraf, who served Pakistan&nbsp;for over 40 years and fought wars for its defence “can surely not be a traitor” and complains that due legal process seems to have been ignored “including constitution of special court, denial of fundamental right of self-defence, undertaking individual-specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste.” He expresses the expectation of armed forces that justice would be dispensed in line with Pakistan’s constitution. This plea for justice in keeping with the constitution for a man who blew to pieces all constitutional tenets sounds bizarre, to say the least! The army would go to any length to thwart the judgment. Though Musharraf’s successors have not resorted to the extreme steps against constitutional governance that he did, the army leadership has continued to act well beyond its remit in violation of constitutional norms, including interference in elections. Any judicial harm coming to Musharraf could, therefore, leave his successors vulnerable to similar judicial action. 
 
Musharraf’s lawyer has said that he would file an appeal in the Supreme Court. The government has expressed its intent to support Musharraf during the appeal process. With the possibility of reversal of the special court judgment by the Supreme Court and power of the President to grant pardon, should the apex court uphold the judgment and no likelihood of Musharraf returning to the country, the death sentence remains largely symbolic and it is deterrent effect uncertain.&nbsp;

Pakistan is nowhere close to redressal of its civil-military imbalance. However, even if, as expected, the army leadership manages to overcome the hurdles thrown up by the above judgments, its inability to prevent the judges concerned from pronouncing them is a reminder of a sizeable body of opinion in Pakistan that does not see eye to eye with the army’s ways of functioning. This opinion, which the army has managed to keep under subjugation through heavy-handedness, must gain in strength if Pakistan is ever to become a normal state. &nbsp; 
 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Two judgments by the Pakistan judiciary – one questioning the extension of tenure of the incumbent army chief and the other awarding death sentence to former chief Pervez Musharraf for high treason- have attracted considerable attention because of being utterly out of character for the army dominated Pakistani polity.

Two judgments by the Pakistan judiciary – one questioning the extension of tenure of the incumbent army chief and the other awarding death sentence to former chief Pervez Musharraf for high treason- have attracted considerable attention because of being utterly out of character for the army dominated Pakistani polity. Do they signal the advent of a new dawn in Pakistan? PM Imran Khan’s decision to grant the second tenure of three years to army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa was not unprecedented. Aside from the self- granted extensions of their tenures by army chiefs turned military dictators, the PPP government had given the second tenure of three years to the then army chief, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in 2010. However, three days before Bajwa was to embark upon his new tenure, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa took up a petition challenging his continuation in office and suspended the government notification issued for the purpose. During the tense three-day hearing, the judges questioned the government decision both on account of the utterly inept procedural handling of the matter and the absence of any legal or constitutional basis for it. At the end, in order not to precipitate a crisis, they ruled that Bajwa could continue in his post for a further period of six months and his continuation thereafter would depend upon adoption of suitable legislation by the Parliament concerning the appointment and terms and conditions of service of the Chief of Army Staff. Subsequently, a special court, constituted by the Supreme Court and comprising a judge each of the Lahore, Peshawar and Sindh High Courts, has given a 2-1 verdict, awarding death sentence for high treason to the former military dictator Parvez Musharraf for his action in declaring an emergency and suspending the constitution in early November 2007, when he was President and Chief of Army Staff. The court relied on Article 6 of the Pakistan Constitution that stipulates that any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance the Constitution by force or unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason. The treason case was filed by the Nawaz Sharif government in November 2013 and the Supreme Court agreed to set up a special court to try Musharraf. Within a few months, the then army chief Raheel Sharif indicated that he was against the trial and said that the army “Would preserve its own dignity and institutional pride.” With the army backing him, Musharraf dodged the trial and was able to secure an order from the Supreme Court in March 2016 to go abroad for medical treatment and has not returned to Pakistan since then, even though the special court gave him six opportunities to make his statement. Finally, when the court decided to hear the case on a daily basis in October 2019, Imran Khan’s government sacked the entire prosecution team! With no further inputs coming from the prosecution or Pervez Musharraf’s defence lawyers, the special court concluded its proceedings on November 19 and said that it would give its verdict on November 28. Caught by surprise, Musharraf’s defence team challenged the special court’s decision to announce its verdict in the Lahore High Court. Strangely, the government also approached the Islamabad High Court to restrain the special court from going ahead with its verdict. The High Court granted the request and directed the special court to listen to all the parties and complete all legal formalities before pronouncing its judgement. It also directed the government to appoint a prosecutor by December 5. The special court stated that it was not bound by the decision of the Islamabad High Court. When it convened on December 17, both Pervez Musharraf’s lawyer and the prosecution tried to stall the proceedings, the former by saying that Musharraf must be given an opportunity to make a statement before the court and the latter making an attempt to widen the scope of the trial by bringing in charges against some alleged collaborators of Musharraf, including former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. The special court rejected these pleas, ruling that Pervez Musharraf had foregone repeated opportunities to make his statement and the Supreme Court had decided that the case be proceeded with against Musharraf only. It then pronounced its split verdict to sentence Musharraf to death. The Pakistani judiciary has, with a few exceptions, acted as a handmaiden of the army and helped them in subverting democratic processes. A recent example is its collaboration with the selective accountability process against Nawaz Sharif to rule him out of the 2018 election. Facilitation of his departure for medical treatment abroad by the judiciary seems to be the result of a nod from the army, keen to see him leave the country, in return for an end to his and his daughter’s strident campaign against them. The last time the judiciary mounted a challenge to the army was under the maverick Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who reopened the case of financing of the Nawaz Sharif led Islamic Jamhoori Ittehad by the ISI during the 1990 election to defeat Benazir Bhutto, hauled up a few retired generals on corruption charges and took up cases of forced disappearances in Baluchistan and the tribal areas. However, in the face of the resistance of Pakistan army, the court did not make much headway. Why Chief Justice Khosa, who is to retire later this month, took up the case of Bajwa’s extension has been a matter of speculation. Some observers ascribe it to his annoyance at Imran Khan’s criticism of the judiciary in letting Nawaz Sharif go abroad without the stringent conditions imposed by his government and the consequent desire to get even with the Prime Minister by showing the functioning of his government in a poor light in the matter of army chief’s extension. Others believe that the court might have been encouraged by senior army officers, whose promotion prospects would be marred by the continuation of Bajwa in his post. As for the special court, one of its members, Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth of the Peshawar High Court has had a record of bold decisions, setting aside trials by military courts. What do the above judgments mean for Pakistan’s democracy? The continuation of Bajwa as army chief beyond the six months period approved by the Supreme Court would be more a function of his control over his senior army commanders than of the political dynamics within the Parliament. Should he be able to ensure cohesion within the army’s senior ranks, politicians in the government and opposition could be expected to bend over backwards to provide the legislation required for his continuation. The army and Imran Khan government have already rallied against the death sentence awarded to Musharraf. The army spokesperson has issued a statement that the special court judgment has been received by the rank and file of Pakistan armed forces “With a lot of pain and anguish”. He adds that Pervez Musharraf, who served Pakistan for over 40 years and fought wars for its defence “can surely not be a traitor” and complains that due legal process seems to have been ignored “including constitution of special court, denial of fundamental right of self-defence, undertaking individual-specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste.” He expresses the expectation of armed forces that justice would be dispensed in line with Pakistan’s constitution. This plea for justice in keeping with the constitution for a man who blew to pieces all constitutional tenets sounds bizarre, to say the least! The army would go to any length to thwart the judgment. Though Musharraf’s successors have not resorted to the extreme steps against constitutional governance that he did, the army leadership has continued to act well beyond its remit in violation of constitutional norms, including interference in elections. Any judicial harm coming to Musharraf could, therefore, leave his successors vulnerable to similar judicial action. Musharraf’s lawyer has said that he would file an appeal in the Supreme Court. The government has expressed its intent to support Musharraf during the appeal process. With the possibility of reversal of the special court judgment by the Supreme Court and power of the President to grant pardon, should the apex court uphold the judgment and no likelihood of Musharraf returning to the country, the death sentence remains largely symbolic and it is deterrent effect uncertain. Pakistan is nowhere close to redressal of its civil-military imbalance. However, even if, as expected, the army leadership manages to overcome the hurdles thrown up by the above judgments, its inability to prevent the judges concerned from pronouncing them is a reminder of a sizeable body of opinion in Pakistan that does not see eye to eye with the army’s ways of functioning. This opinion, which the army has managed to keep under subjugation through heavy-handedness, must gain in strength if Pakistan is ever to become a normal state. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Pervez Musharraf case: A new dawn in Pakistan?

After a special court handed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pervez-musharraf-handed-death-sentence-in-high-treason-case-268641">death sentence to former</a> Pak president Pervez Musharraf, the Army in a statement said the decision has been "received with a lot of pain and anguish by rank and file of the Pakistan Armed forces."

"An ex-Army chief, chairman joint chief of staff committee and President of Pakistan, who served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defence of the country can surely never be a traitor," the Army said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Statement on decision by Special court about General Pervez Musharraf, Retired. <a href="https://t.co/C9UAMT1E4W">pic.twitter.com/C9UAMT1E4W</a>
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1206924551394930688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Musharraf,76, was sentenced to death for abrogating the Pakistan constitution and imposing emergency in 2007 in a case which began in 2013. Musharraf currently lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai.

"The due legal process seems to have been ignored including constitution of the special court, denial of fundamental right of self defence, undertaking individual specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste," the Army asserted.

"Armed forces of Pakistan expect that justice will be dispensed in line with the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," it added.

Musharraf had resigned in 2008 over the threat of impeachment proceedings and had gone into exile in Dubai, however, he returned in 2013 to contest the polls in Pakistan but was barred from leaving the country.

After the court verdict, Benazir Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted: "Democracy is the best revenge".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Democracy is the best revenge. Jiye Bhutto <a href="https://t.co/L4wLEjUJTl">pic.twitter.com/L4wLEjUJTl</a>
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1206839799296020481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

This is the first time in Pakistan's history that a former leader of the armed forces has been sentenced to death.

After a special court handed death sentence to former Pak president Pervez Musharraf, the Army in a statement said the decision has been "received with a lot of pain and anguish by rank and file of the Pakistan Armed forces.

After a special court handed death sentence to former Pak president Pervez Musharraf, the Army in a statement said the decision has been "received with a lot of pain and anguish by rank and file of the Pakistan Armed forces." "An ex-Army chief, chairman joint chief of staff committee and President of Pakistan, who served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defence of the country can surely never be a traitor," the Army said. Statement on decision by Special court about General Pervez Musharraf, Retired. pic.twitter.com/C9UAMT1E4W — DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 17, 2019 × Musharraf,76, was sentenced to death for abrogating the Pakistan constitution and imposing emergency in 2007 in a case which began in 2013. Musharraf currently lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai. "The due legal process seems to have been ignored including constitution of the special court, denial of fundamental right of self defence, undertaking individual specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste," the Army asserted. "Armed forces of Pakistan expect that justice will be dispensed in line with the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," it added. Musharraf had resigned in 2008 over the threat of impeachment proceedings and had gone into exile in Dubai, however, he returned in 2013 to contest the polls in Pakistan but was barred from leaving the country. After the court verdict, Benazir Bhutto's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted: "Democracy is the best revenge". Democracy is the best revenge. Jiye Bhutto pic.twitter.com/L4wLEjUJTl — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) December 17, 2019 × This is the first time in Pakistan's history that a former leader of the armed forces has been sentenced to death.

Musharraf's sentence received with 'pain & anguish', he can never be a traitor: Pak Army

The Supreme Court of Pakistan late on Monday issued a 43-page written verdict in a case related to the extension of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The written judgment by the court's Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has been issued in connection with its previous short written order in the plea announced on November 28 that had ordered granting six months to the government for the legislation on the matter from the parliament, ARY News reported.

WATCH:&nbsp;Pak PM Imran Khan gave 3-year extension to Army chief Bajwa

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pak-pm-imran-khan-gave-3-year-extension-to-army-chief-bajwa-263820/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

An additional note of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, was also given in the detailed verdict in the case.

The judgment stated that the matter is being handed over to the parliament in order to avoid such mistakes in the future. It also urged the parliament to assign a tenure for the post of the army chief.

It added that the federal government had included the word, extension, during the hearing held on November 26, however, the legislation was incorrect as it did not mention the details of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-government-amends-army-regulations-for-bajwas-tenure-extension-264807">army</a> chief's period of services and retirement age.

The government had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-supreme-court-puts-army-chief-bajwas-tenure-extension-on-hold-264579">restricted</a> the tenure of Bajwa for three years under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-supreme-court-gives-6-month-extension-to-army-chief-qamar-bajwa-265076">regulation 255</a> but it was not eligible to be implemented as it did not define the retirement age of the general in the legislation, the verdict said.

On November 28, the top court had granted a six-month extension to Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in his service tenure.

The court while announcing its short written order had given six months to the government for the legislation on the matter from the parliament.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan late on Monday issued a 43-page written verdict in a case related to the extension of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan late on Monday issued a 43-page written verdict in a case related to the extension of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The written judgment by the court's Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has been issued in connection with its previous short written order in the plea announced on November 28 that had ordered granting six months to the government for the legislation on the matter from the parliament, ARY News reported. WATCH: Pak PM Imran Khan gave 3-year extension to Army chief Bajwa × An additional note of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, was also given in the detailed verdict in the case. The judgment stated that the matter is being handed over to the parliament in order to avoid such mistakes in the future. It also urged the parliament to assign a tenure for the post of the army chief. It added that the federal government had included the word, extension, during the hearing held on November 26, however, the legislation was incorrect as it did not mention the details of the army chief's period of services and retirement age. The government had restricted the tenure of Bajwa for three years under regulation 255 but it was not eligible to be implemented as it did not define the retirement age of the general in the legislation, the verdict said. On November 28, the top court had granted a six-month extension to Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in his service tenure. The court while announcing its short written order had given six months to the government for the legislation on the matter from the parliament.

Pakistan Supreme Court issues detailed verdict on army chief's extension

It is said that propaganda is a monologue that is not looking for an answer, but an echo.

From fake social media accounts to compromised experts - Pakistan army's propaganda campaign is growing.

This year, we've run several reports that show how the Pakistani army runs social media accounts to spread fake news.

In April alone, Facebook removed more than 100 pages, groups and accounts linked to employees of the&nbsp;Inter-Services Public Relations&nbsp;(ISPR) - the Pakistani army media wing.

Nearly three million people followed these accounts. Imagine the reach of their lies. They deployed trolls to browbeat and bully people.

But after the crackdown, they changed the strategy.

The army began cultivating fake experts and planted them in the media ecosystem, not just in Pakistan but internationally as well.

Its a fact, discussions, debates, and opinions are the bread and butter of any media organisation. Subject experts have always had a place in the news business.

24-hour television has spawned a parallel industry - experts for hire.

As media organisations around the world have grown, so has the need for experts. It's an organised effort to influence public opinion.

Around the world, the term expert is used for a scientist, academic or researcher. They have special knowledge of a relevant subject.&nbsp;

They also hold considerable influence in their respective fields. Now, the same influence is up for sale. Pakistan may be learning some of these tricks from china.

Beijing has been executing an ambitious strategy to re-shape the global information environment with cash. The Chinese are funding paid editorials or advertorials, journalists for positive coverage, even courting influencers to spread positive messages about China.

Compromised experts are a threat to democracy. And so, public opinion is manipulated, the truth is distorted

With social media, disinformation campaigns can be executed with ease.

Specialised military units, political operatives and bots are shaping the flow of information. All it takes is one misleading post by the so-called expert.

Deploying the mainstream media in this operation can dramatically amplify a disinformation campaign. This we say is intellectual; Jihad - the ISI's new mission.

(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world) 
&nbsp;

It is said that propaganda is a monologue that is not looking for an answer, but an echo. From fake social media accounts to compromised experts - Pakistan army's propaganda campaign is growing.

It is said that propaganda is a monologue that is not looking for an answer, but an echo. From fake social media accounts to compromised experts - Pakistan army's propaganda campaign is growing. This year, we've run several reports that show how the Pakistani army runs social media accounts to spread fake news. In April alone, Facebook removed more than 100 pages, groups and accounts linked to employees of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - the Pakistani army media wing. Nearly three million people followed these accounts. Imagine the reach of their lies. They deployed trolls to browbeat and bully people. But after the crackdown, they changed the strategy. The army began cultivating fake experts and planted them in the media ecosystem, not just in Pakistan but internationally as well. Its a fact, discussions, debates, and opinions are the bread and butter of any media organisation. Subject experts have always had a place in the news business. 24-hour television has spawned a parallel industry - experts for hire. As media organisations around the world have grown, so has the need for experts. It's an organised effort to influence public opinion. Around the world, the term expert is used for a scientist, academic or researcher. They have special knowledge of a relevant subject. They also hold considerable influence in their respective fields. Now, the same influence is up for sale. Pakistan may be learning some of these tricks from china. Beijing has been executing an ambitious strategy to re-shape the global information environment with cash. The Chinese are funding paid editorials or advertorials, journalists for positive coverage, even courting influencers to spread positive messages about China. Compromised experts are a threat to democracy. And so, public opinion is manipulated, the truth is distorted With social media, disinformation campaigns can be executed with ease. Specialised military units, political operatives and bots are shaping the flow of information. All it takes is one misleading post by the so-called expert. Deploying the mainstream media in this operation can dramatically amplify a disinformation campaign. This we say is intellectual; Jihad - the ISI's new mission. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Compromised experts are the biggest threat to democracies

A game of thrones is playing out in Pakistan. Pakistan's Army Chief is facing a rebellion from within.

Gravitas: Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa faces a rebellion from within

At least five people were injured after Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling yesterday in villages of Sadpura, Dhanni and Tad in Tangdhar sector.&nbsp;

The unprovoked shelling caused damage to two civilian houses as well.&nbsp;

The injured people have been administered medical aid in Sub-District Hospital SDH, Karnah.&nbsp;

Indian Army carried out punitive retaliation on the posts which fired the mortar bombs and silenced them by 08:45 hours.

At least five people were injured after Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling yesterday in villages of Sadpura, Dhanni and Tad in Tangdhar sector.

At least five people were injured after Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling yesterday in villages of Sadpura, Dhanni and Tad in Tangdhar sector. The unprovoked shelling caused damage to two civilian houses as well. The injured people have been administered medical aid in Sub-District Hospital SDH, Karnah. Indian Army carried out punitive retaliation on the posts which fired the mortar bombs and silenced them by 08:45 hours.

J&K: Pakistan Army resorts to unprovoked mortar shelling, 5 injured

Pakistan Army has said that they are considering legal options to review and reconsider <a href="wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-set-to-amend-army-act-for-kulbhushan-jadhav-to-appeal-261785">Kulbhushan Jadhav's case</a>. In a tweet, Pak army spokesperson Major General Asif Gafoor said, "Various legal options for review and reconsideration of the case are being considered. Final status shall be shared in due course of time."

There hasn't been any reaction from India on the development but it could be considered as a positive development in the case given that Pakistan still has to fully implement the International Court of Justice's order.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, New Delhi got a major diplomatic victory at the International Court of Justice with the world court calling Pakistan to "provide Indian consular officers access to him in accordance with Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on consular relations."

On September 2, India got first consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav in three years with Indian Deputy High commissioner (DHC) Gaurav Ahluwalia in Islamabad meeting him for two hours. The Indian diplomat found Jadhav under "extreme pressure to parrot a false narrative to bolster Pakistan’s untenable claims", according to a release issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Pakistan Army spokesperson called reports of amending Pak Army Act, to give Kulbhushan the right to appeal in a civilian court, as incorrect. Earlier in the day, Pak government sources hinted at the amendment of the act under which no appeals can be made under civilian court.&nbsp;

Pakistan Army has said that they are considering legal options to review and reconsider Kulbhushan Jadhav's case. In a tweet, Pak army spokesperson Major General Asif Gafoor said, "Various legal options for review and reconsideration of the case are being considered.

Pakistan Army has said that they are considering legal options to review and reconsider Kulbhushan Jadhav's case. In a tweet, Pak army spokesperson Major General Asif Gafoor said, "Various legal options for review and reconsideration of the case are being considered. Final status shall be shared in due course of time." There hasn't been any reaction from India on the development but it could be considered as a positive development in the case given that Pakistan still has to fully implement the International Court of Justice's order. Earlier this year, New Delhi got a major diplomatic victory at the International Court of Justice with the world court calling Pakistan to "provide Indian consular officers access to him in accordance with Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on consular relations." On September 2, India got first consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav in three years with Indian Deputy High commissioner (DHC) Gaurav Ahluwalia in Islamabad meeting him for two hours. The Indian diplomat found Jadhav under "extreme pressure to parrot a false narrative to bolster Pakistan’s untenable claims", according to a release issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs. Pakistan Army spokesperson called reports of amending Pak Army Act, to give Kulbhushan the right to appeal in a civilian court, as incorrect. Earlier in the day, Pak government sources hinted at the amendment of the act under which no appeals can be made under civilian court.

Legal options for review of Kulbhushan case under consideration: Pakistan Army

Pakistan violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, news agency ANI reported.

The Indian army is retaliating befittingly.

According to the report, the Pakistan Rangers initiated an unprovoked ceasefire at around 9:30 am in Qasba and Kirni sectors of Poonch district by firing small arms and shelling with mortars.

No casualty has been reported so far.

On October 13, One soldier lost his life in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district.

The number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan has gone up significantly this year compared to 2018.

"2317 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 2019 till October 10 while 147 terrorists have been killed in different operations by the security forces on the Line of Control (LoC) and hinterland," Indian Army sources said.

In 2018, the total number of ceasefire violations was 1629.

254 terrorists were killed last year including a large number of local and foreigner terrorist commanders.

The surge in ceasefire violations has happened in a year when the Indian abrogated Article 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, news agency ANI reported. The Indian army is retaliating befittingly.

Pakistan violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, news agency ANI reported. The Indian army is retaliating befittingly. According to the report, the Pakistan Rangers initiated an unprovoked ceasefire at around 9:30 am in Qasba and Kirni sectors of Poonch district by firing small arms and shelling with mortars. No casualty has been reported so far. On October 13, One soldier lost his life in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district. The number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan has gone up significantly this year compared to 2018. "2317 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 2019 till October 10 while 147 terrorists have been killed in different operations by the security forces on the Line of Control (LoC) and hinterland," Indian Army sources said. In 2018, the total number of ceasefire violations was 1629. 254 terrorists were killed last year including a large number of local and foreigner terrorist commanders. The surge in ceasefire violations has happened in a year when the Indian abrogated Article 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir. (With inputs from agencies)

J&K: Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch district; Indian Army retaliates

Imran Khan to head for a 3-day visit to China. This visit would come ahead of India-China talks as Xi Jinping to visit India for talks with PM Modi. Pakistan Army General Bajwa will be accompanying him during this visit.

Bajwa will accompany Imran for China visit, Pak Army losing faith in Imran Khan?

There have been recent rumours about an impending military coup in Pakistan. That is not something new or surprising in that country, since civilian rule is a nominal mask for military dictatorship. 
 
Pakistan is not a normal country with political leaders, a Parliament, a constitution, the army and other branches of the state. It is one of the few places in the world where the army owns a country and runs it. The army is also in charge of a substantial portion of its economy.&nbsp;

After Indian action on Article 370, Pakistan appears to be very concerned about our 'secular’ fabric. They are trying to raise the issue in every way possible, without success.

In their ignorance or over enthusiasm, they claim that Kashmir is the jugular 'vain’ of Pakistan, as a recent press release by their official spokesperson, Director General ISPR revealed: “Pak Army is fully configured, prepared &amp; determined to defend honour, dignity &amp; territorial integrity of motherland at all cost. Kashmir is jugular vain (sic) of Pakistan &amp; no compromise shall be made which denies right of self-determination to our brave Kashmiri brethren” - COAS. Such is their level of vain about the jugular!&nbsp;

Their Constitution – the 1973 version visualises– to quote from its preamble, “Whereas sovereignty over the entire Universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone, and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust; wherein the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice, as enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed”&nbsp;

It is the Pakistani Army which is the chosen instrument to implement the will of God. This was clearly enunciated by its former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani; protecting Islam and protecting Pakistan are the sovereign duties of the armed forces. Actually, Kayani suggested that the role of army is more than protecting the country – it is to protect the idea and religion.&nbsp;

An UN investigating team appointed by former Pakistan President Asif Zardari probing the death of slain Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto could interview all civil leaders, including the PM and the President, but not the military brass. When the army objected to the Kerry–Lugar bill, the President had to bring in Kerry himself to convince the army chief.&nbsp;

It does not stop there. The army does not recognise some sects of Islam as Muslims. Ahmadis are an example. Abdus Salam, a Pak-origin scientist got the Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Steven Wienberg in 1979. His home town municipality erected an arch in memory of him, which said: ‘First Muslim Nobel Laureate in Physics’. There was a big hue and cry since he was an Ahmadi. So the word Muslim was erased. The revised plaque read: “First Nobel Laureate in Physics”!

Very recently, an MP brought a bill in the Pakistan senate to allow non-Muslims to occupy positions like Prime Minister, President etc. That was out rightly rejected by the parliamentarians. Forget about other ethnic groups like Hindus and Christians, minorities even within Islamic sects like Ahmadis and Bahais cannot occupy high constitutional positions.

In India, the defence minister can ask the army chief to court martial a General, but in Pakistan, any such attempt will result in a coup. That is why Pakistan always negotiates with a gun to its own head. It wants to assert its suicidal tendencies.&nbsp;

Many studies have found that a large number of companies in Pakistan are ultimately owned by Fauji Foundation (FF), Army Welfare Trust (AWT), Bahria Foundation (BF) and Shaheen Foundation (SF), all different wings of its armed forces.

Also, a significant portion of its GDP is attributed to army-controlled entities. (See Military Inc. inside Pakistan’s Military Economy Ayesha Siddiqa—OUP—2007). &nbsp;One can easily conclude that the Pakistan economy and its army and spy agency, ISI, are synonymous.

At least 70% of the market capitalisation of the Karachi stock exchange is owned by the army and other related groups. Hence, never think of Pakistan without its army, whoever may be temporarily and nominally ruling that country.&nbsp;

At the moment, Pakistan is facing acute economic crisis. Its inflation rate is around 13% and the rupee has declined by more than 25% this year. Its GDP growth rate has fallen to sub-3% and there is a move to put it on black list by FATF because of its role in terror financing. A group of industrialists and businessmen recently met the powerful Pakistan army chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, without Prime Minister Imran Khan being present at the meeting. It is to be noted that the army chief is a member of the Prime Minister’s Development Council.&nbsp;

If the economy is in crisis, the main loser will be the defence forces since they control a significant portion of it. They are certainly not going to allow the benefits to go away from them.

There will be attempts to side line Imran Khan, who is considered as a 'selected’ PM rather than an elected one. Hence there is every possibility that he may be thrown out and once again, the actual rulers, namely the Army and ISI will assume power. As we have explained, Pakistan is the only place in the world in which the army has a country. 
 
There have been recent rumours about an impending military coup in Pakistan. That is not something new or surprising in that country, since civilian rule is a nominal mask for military dictatorship.

Also, a significant portion of its GDP is attributed to army-controlled entities. (See Military Inc. inside Pakistan’s Military Economy Ayesha Siddiqa—OUP—2007). &nbsp;One can easily conclude that the Pakistan economy and its army and spy agency, ISI, are synonymous.

At least 70% of the market capitalisation of the Karachi stock exchange is owned by the army and other related groups. Hence, never think of Pakistan without its army, whoever may be temporarily and nominally ruling that country.&nbsp;

At the moment, Pakistan is facing acute economic crisis. Its inflation rate is around 13% and the rupee has declined by more than 25% this year. Its GDP growth rate has fallen to sub-3% and there is a move to put it on black list by FATF because of its role in terror financing. A group of industrialists and businessmen recently met the powerful Pakistan army chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, without Prime Minister Imran Khan being present at the meeting. It is to be noted that the army chief is a member of the Prime Minister’s Development Council.&nbsp;

If the economy is in crisis, the main loser will be the defence forces since they control a significant portion of it. They are certainly not going to allow the benefits to go away from them.

There will be attempts to side line Imran Khan, who is considered as a 'selected’ PM rather than an elected one. Hence there is every possibility that he may be thrown out and once again, the actual rulers, namely the Army and ISI will assume power. As we have explained, Pakistan is the only place in the world in which the army has a country.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-pak-an-army-with-a-country-2795225">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

There have been recent rumours about an impending military coup in Pakistan. That is not something new or surprising in that country, since civilian rule is a nominal mask for military dictatorship.

There have been recent rumours about an impending military coup in Pakistan. That is not something new or surprising in that country, since civilian rule is a nominal mask for military dictatorship. Pakistan is not a normal country with political leaders, a Parliament, a constitution, the army and other branches of the state. It is one of the few places in the world where the army owns a country and runs it. The army is also in charge of a substantial portion of its economy. After Indian action on Article 370, Pakistan appears to be very concerned about our 'secular’ fabric. They are trying to raise the issue in every way possible, without success. In their ignorance or over enthusiasm, they claim that Kashmir is the jugular 'vain’ of Pakistan, as a recent press release by their official spokesperson, Director General ISPR revealed: “Pak Army is fully configured, prepared & determined to defend honour, dignity & territorial integrity of motherland at all cost. Kashmir is jugular vain (sic) of Pakistan & no compromise shall be made which denies right of self-determination to our brave Kashmiri brethren” - COAS. Such is their level of vain about the jugular! Their Constitution – the 1973 version visualises– to quote from its preamble, “Whereas sovereignty over the entire Universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone, and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust; wherein the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice, as enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed” It is the Pakistani Army which is the chosen instrument to implement the will of God. This was clearly enunciated by its former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani; protecting Islam and protecting Pakistan are the sovereign duties of the armed forces. Actually, Kayani suggested that the role of army is more than protecting the country – it is to protect the idea and religion. An UN investigating team appointed by former Pakistan President Asif Zardari probing the death of slain Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto could interview all civil leaders, including the PM and the President, but not the military brass. When the army objected to the Kerry–Lugar bill, the President had to bring in Kerry himself to convince the army chief. It does not stop there. The army does not recognise some sects of Islam as Muslims. Ahmadis are an example. Abdus Salam, a Pak-origin scientist got the Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Steven Wienberg in 1979. His home town municipality erected an arch in memory of him, which said: ‘First Muslim Nobel Laureate in Physics’. There was a big hue and cry since he was an Ahmadi. So the word Muslim was erased. The revised plaque read: “First Nobel Laureate in Physics”! Very recently, an MP brought a bill in the Pakistan senate to allow non-Muslims to occupy positions like Prime Minister, President etc. That was out rightly rejected by the parliamentarians. Forget about other ethnic groups like Hindus and Christians, minorities even within Islamic sects like Ahmadis and Bahais cannot occupy high constitutional positions. In India, the defence minister can ask the army chief to court martial a General, but in Pakistan, any such attempt will result in a coup. That is why Pakistan always negotiates with a gun to its own head. It wants to assert its suicidal tendencies. Many studies have found that a large number of companies in Pakistan are ultimately owned by Fauji Foundation (FF), Army Welfare Trust (AWT), Bahria Foundation (BF) and Shaheen Foundation (SF), all different wings of its armed forces. Also, a significant portion of its GDP is attributed to army-controlled entities. (See Military Inc. inside Pakistan’s Military Economy Ayesha Siddiqa—OUP—2007). One can easily conclude that the Pakistan economy and its army and spy agency, ISI, are synonymous. At least 70% of the market capitalisation of the Karachi stock exchange is owned by the army and other related groups. Hence, never think of Pakistan without its army, whoever may be temporarily and nominally ruling that country. At the moment, Pakistan is facing acute economic crisis. Its inflation rate is around 13% and the rupee has declined by more than 25% this year. Its GDP growth rate has fallen to sub-3% and there is a move to put it on black list by FATF because of its role in terror financing. A group of industrialists and businessmen recently met the powerful Pakistan army chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, without Prime Minister Imran Khan being present at the meeting. It is to be noted that the army chief is a member of the Prime Minister’s Development Council. If the economy is in crisis, the main loser will be the defence forces since they control a significant portion of it. They are certainly not going to allow the benefits to go away from them. There will be attempts to side line Imran Khan, who is considered as a 'selected’ PM rather than an elected one. Hence there is every possibility that he may be thrown out and once again, the actual rulers, namely the Army and ISI will assume power. As we have explained, Pakistan is the only place in the world in which the army has a country. There have been recent rumours about an impending military coup in Pakistan. That is not something new or surprising in that country, since civilian rule is a nominal mask for military dictatorship. Also, a significant portion of its GDP is attributed to army-controlled entities. (See Military Inc. inside Pakistan’s Military Economy Ayesha Siddiqa—OUP—2007). One can easily conclude that the Pakistan economy and its army and spy agency, ISI, are synonymous. At least 70% of the market capitalisation of the Karachi stock exchange is owned by the army and other related groups. Hence, never think of Pakistan without its army, whoever may be temporarily and nominally ruling that country. At the moment, Pakistan is facing acute economic crisis. Its inflation rate is around 13% and the rupee has declined by more than 25% this year. Its GDP growth rate has fallen to sub-3% and there is a move to put it on black list by FATF because of its role in terror financing. A group of industrialists and businessmen recently met the powerful Pakistan army chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, without Prime Minister Imran Khan being present at the meeting. It is to be noted that the army chief is a member of the Prime Minister’s Development Council. If the economy is in crisis, the main loser will be the defence forces since they control a significant portion of it. They are certainly not going to allow the benefits to go away from them. There will be attempts to side line Imran Khan, who is considered as a 'selected’ PM rather than an elected one. Hence there is every possibility that he may be thrown out and once again, the actual rulers, namely the Army and ISI will assume power. As we have explained, Pakistan is the only place in the world in which the army has a country. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Pakistan: An army with a country

Enforced disappearances continue in Balochistan, Pakistan. Watch our report to know more.

Your Story: Enforced disappearances continue in Balochistan

Keeping up with the country's trend of making spelling errors while attacking India on Twitter, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-economic-crisis-army-chief-bajwa-meets-business-leaders-is-imran-khan-isolated-in-pakistan-253611">Pakistan Army</a> spokesperson Asif Ghafoor on Wednesday called Kashmir the jugular "vain" of Pakistan, inviting trolls.

Ghafoor was quoting a statement by Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa which reiterated that the country is fully "configured, prepared, and determined" to defend the "honour, dignity, and territorial integrity of motherland at all cost. Kashmir is jugular vain of Pakistan and no compromise shall be made which denies right of self-determination to our brave Kashmiri brethren."

"The last time I had corrected your Latin. This time please allow me to correct your English. It's - jugular vein - and not "vain", wrote a user.

"You are trying in "vain", another user wrote."change Vain to Vein, otherwise all in Vain," wrote a third user.&nbsp;

Watch: Pakistan Army spokesperson Asif Ghafoor trolled for calling Kashmir country's jugular 'vain'

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-army-spokesperson-asif-ghafoor-trolled-for-calling-kashmir-countrys-jugular-vain-253626/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Earlier, Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhary became the centre of all trolls when he spelt the very word satellite incorrect while trying to troll India after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chandrayaan-2-orbiter-doing-very-well-no-communication-with-vikram-lander-isro-chief-sivan-250935">ISRO lost communication</a> with its lander Vikram.

&nbsp;

Keeping up with the country's trend of making spelling errors while attacking India on Twitter, Pakistan Army spokesperson Asif Ghafoor on Wednesday called Kashmir the jugular "vain" of Pakistan, inviting trolls.

Keeping up with the country's trend of making spelling errors while attacking India on Twitter, Pakistan Army spokesperson Asif Ghafoor on Wednesday called Kashmir the jugular "vain" of Pakistan, inviting trolls. Ghafoor was quoting a statement by Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa which reiterated that the country is fully "configured, prepared, and determined" to defend the "honour, dignity, and territorial integrity of motherland at all cost. Kashmir is jugular vain of Pakistan and no compromise shall be made which denies right of self-determination to our brave Kashmiri brethren." "The last time I had corrected your Latin. This time please allow me to correct your English. It's - jugular vein - and not "vain", wrote a user. "You are trying in "vain", another user wrote."change Vain to Vein, otherwise all in Vain," wrote a third user. Watch: Pakistan Army spokesperson Asif Ghafoor trolled for calling Kashmir country's jugular 'vain' × Earlier, Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhary became the centre of all trolls when he spelt the very word satellite incorrect while trying to troll India after ISRO lost communication with its lander Vikram.

Pakistan army spokesperson trolled for calling Kashmir country's jugular 'vain'

Pakistan's Army Runs The Country's Economy The long arm of the Pakistan army is not just restricted to its politics, it extends to economy as well. From petrol pumps, to industrial pumps, to even schools, the army controls most sectors of the country's economy. This report explores.

Gravitas: The Reach Of The Pakistan Army

The Pakistan Army is resorting to the policy of rape and pillage in Balochistan, said Baloch leader Mehran Marri here and added that two women have been raped by army men over last one month.

He added that the Pakistani forces had conducted Operation Searchlight in Bangladesh, and is now resorting to the same policies in Balochistan.

"Pakistan Army is notorious for its policy of rape and pillage like they conducted Operation Searchlight in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-more-rohingya-shot-dead-over-bangladesh-politicians-murder-249441">Bangladesh</a>. It is resorting to same policies in Balochistan now," Marri said.

Human rights activists and ethnic leaders have continuously staged protests in prominent spaces like during the recent UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva to shed light on the atrocities committed by Islamabad, its forces and its intelligence agency against religious and ethnic minorities in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-government-makes-it-mandatory-for-female-students-to-cover-up-250092">Pakistan</a>.

"In space of one month, a lady from Mardan and another from Gwadar has been raped by this coward army. They (Pakistan Army) have to be held accountable, be it Bajwa, Musharraf or any of these dictators, they have all committed crimes against humanity," Marri added.

The leaders have sought India`s help in bringing these human rights violations by Pakistan into international focus, with activists requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak about the situation in Sindh and other provinces during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in New York.&nbsp;

The Pakistan Army is resorting to the policy of rape and pillage in Balochistan, said Baloch leader Mehran Marri here and added that two women have been raped by army men over last one month.

The Pakistan Army is resorting to the policy of rape and pillage in Balochistan, said Baloch leader Mehran Marri here and added that two women have been raped by army men over last one month. He added that the Pakistani forces had conducted Operation Searchlight in Bangladesh, and is now resorting to the same policies in Balochistan. "Pakistan Army is notorious for its policy of rape and pillage like they conducted Operation Searchlight in Bangladesh. It is resorting to same policies in Balochistan now," Marri said. Human rights activists and ethnic leaders have continuously staged protests in prominent spaces like during the recent UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva to shed light on the atrocities committed by Islamabad, its forces and its intelligence agency against religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan. "In space of one month, a lady from Mardan and another from Gwadar has been raped by this coward army. They (Pakistan Army) have to be held accountable, be it Bajwa, Musharraf or any of these dictators, they have all committed crimes against humanity," Marri added. The leaders have sought India`s help in bringing these human rights violations by Pakistan into international focus, with activists requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak about the situation in Sindh and other provinces during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in New York.

Two women raped by Pakistan Army in last one month: Baloch leader

Given the speed and alacrity with which Pakistan has moved after August 5, 2019, the day the constitutional and administrative decisions on Jammu &amp; Kashmir (J&amp;K) were taken by the Indian government, proves the dismay caused in Pakistan. As long as a special status existed for J&amp;K, separatism was a live phenomenon. The Pakistani narrative has seen much traction in Kashmir because it was against India, although, it hardly supported the core Kashmiri intent of Azadi. The Indian argument that history had overtaken the UN resolutions on J&amp;K and these were now void flew in the face of the special status India continued to accord to J&amp;K, leaving it as a territory whose status had yet to be settled. However, the abrogation of J&amp;K’s &nbsp;special status and its down gradation to a union territory put a spoke into Pakistan’s larger game plan because India put the stamp of integrated Indian territory on J&amp;K. 25 years ago through another bold action India had passed an All Party Joint Parliamentary Resolution on February &nbsp;22, 1994, declaring that the entire territory held by the then Maharaja of J&amp;K belonged to India.&nbsp;

The Pakistan Army along with the other elements of the deep state know that time is not on their side and that India’s new approach to countering the proxy hybrid conflict could get more effective by the day. As it is the three track strategy of instigating internal turbulence through established networks, external castigation of India by influential members of the international community including institutions, and enhancing alienation using its usually very effective communication strategy, has thus far all come cropper. However, Pakistan’s strategic thinkers would also be closely monitoring the situation within J&amp;K and re-strategising based upon some assumptions.

The start point is the projection by Pakistan that the Kashmiri population has not accepted the Indian government’s decisions. For that there is a need for the world to see that their is violence and mayhem on the streets. By itself that may be insufficient although Pakistan would be happy to see some casualties; in 2016 by contrast 40 or more people had lost their lives in four weeks of agitation; this time it’s just one. The agitation mode is subject to will and stamina and needs much effort at mobilisation. The communication lock down has effectively denied a toehold in this sphere. A series of supplementary violent acts by terrorists against the Army and Police organisations sustains longer than agitation. Hence the need for increasing the strength of terrorists. Local recruitment under current and foreseeable future circumstances will be difficult especially under high levels of army and police deployment and surveillance. Gulmarg and its vicinity has been devoid of infiltration for sometime. Suddenly a surge of activity is taking place there. The Haji Pir bulge is a suitable launch pad and the routes lead directly into South Kashmir where the fulcrum of the current resistance exists. It is also likely that Pakistan will use other less frequented routes and cater for high level levels of attrition that could result from encounters with the Indian Army; this has long been JuD chief Hafiz Sayeed’s strategy. It’s a situation very akin to 1991-92 when foreign terrorists were first used in Kashmir to boost militancy. &nbsp;

Apprehension that a big terror attack in &nbsp;Southern or Central India is in the offing could prove right too. With the Islamic State (IS) terror attacks in Sri Lanka on April 2019 the scope for execution and denial by Pakistan has increased manifold. Tactical alliance between terror groups for temporary mutual gain is also not unknown; the ISI garnering services of the IS thus remains plausible. Pakistan’s international focus will remain the projection of the idea of ‘false flag’ in relation to a high profile terror attack, mostly involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) anywhere in Kashmir’s hinterland or in rest of India. India has worked insufficiently on this till date and its diplomatic campaigns must include nailing the Pakistani lie on false flag.&nbsp;

The adoption of offensive information and psychological warfare awaits the lifting of the communication lockdown of Kashmir. Mobile internet facility being denied in Kashmir has been frowned upon by Indian intelligentsia and international clamour to restore this ‘human right’ has been increasing. Pakistan’s propaganda machinery awaits the full lifting of the lockdown to flood the networks of social media with enough seditious literature and messages.

While Indian counters to this have been developing these are yet insufficient; this is where the focus of Delhi’s efforts must lie forthrightly and boldly citing national security and adopting a balanced attitude towards human rights.

This is the other issue on which the UNHRC will not remain the last bastion of Pakistan’s focus of painting Indian human rights record in different colours. We should remain alert to continuing our efforts to counter Pakistan’s propaganda in international think tanks and the high profile media where Pakistani traction continues to remain high.

Pakistan will find that the partial and progressive success of Indian agencies in taking control of financial networks will largely block its ability to mobilise support and run terror activities. It’s strategy is once again likely to shift towards fake currency and funding from within India. This is where other borders such as along Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab are likely to be activated for induction of fake currency.

Lastly, the diplomatic support to India and relatively cool attitude towards Pakistan on the part of GCC countries is likely to peeve Pakistan no end leading to renewed efforts by it to cultivate negative opinion on India in these important nations. The media in these countries is important too and it’s opinion makes international opinion in the Islamic world. India’s engagement with the GCC media too is warranted even as all eyes now await 27 September the day the UN General Assembly.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-jk-pakistan-s-next-steps-2789585">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Given the speed and alacrity with which Pakistan has moved after August 5, 2019, the day the constitutional and administrative decisions on Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) were taken by the Indian government, proves the dismay caused in Pakistan.

Given the speed and alacrity with which Pakistan has moved after August 5, 2019, the day the constitutional and administrative decisions on Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) were taken by the Indian government, proves the dismay caused in Pakistan. As long as a special status existed for J&K, separatism was a live phenomenon. The Pakistani narrative has seen much traction in Kashmir because it was against India, although, it hardly supported the core Kashmiri intent of Azadi. The Indian argument that history had overtaken the UN resolutions on J&K and these were now void flew in the face of the special status India continued to accord to J&K, leaving it as a territory whose status had yet to be settled. However, the abrogation of J&K’s special status and its down gradation to a union territory put a spoke into Pakistan’s larger game plan because India put the stamp of integrated Indian territory on J&K. 25 years ago through another bold action India had passed an All Party Joint Parliamentary Resolution on February 22, 1994, declaring that the entire territory held by the then Maharaja of J&K belonged to India. The Pakistan Army along with the other elements of the deep state know that time is not on their side and that India’s new approach to countering the proxy hybrid conflict could get more effective by the day. As it is the three track strategy of instigating internal turbulence through established networks, external castigation of India by influential members of the international community including institutions, and enhancing alienation using its usually very effective communication strategy, has thus far all come cropper. However, Pakistan’s strategic thinkers would also be closely monitoring the situation within J&K and re-strategising based upon some assumptions. The start point is the projection by Pakistan that the Kashmiri population has not accepted the Indian government’s decisions. For that there is a need for the world to see that their is violence and mayhem on the streets. By itself that may be insufficient although Pakistan would be happy to see some casualties; in 2016 by contrast 40 or more people had lost their lives in four weeks of agitation; this time it’s just one. The agitation mode is subject to will and stamina and needs much effort at mobilisation. The communication lock down has effectively denied a toehold in this sphere. A series of supplementary violent acts by terrorists against the Army and Police organisations sustains longer than agitation. Hence the need for increasing the strength of terrorists. Local recruitment under current and foreseeable future circumstances will be difficult especially under high levels of army and police deployment and surveillance. Gulmarg and its vicinity has been devoid of infiltration for sometime. Suddenly a surge of activity is taking place there. The Haji Pir bulge is a suitable launch pad and the routes lead directly into South Kashmir where the fulcrum of the current resistance exists. It is also likely that Pakistan will use other less frequented routes and cater for high level levels of attrition that could result from encounters with the Indian Army; this has long been JuD chief Hafiz Sayeed’s strategy. It’s a situation very akin to 1991-92 when foreign terrorists were first used in Kashmir to boost militancy. Apprehension that a big terror attack in Southern or Central India is in the offing could prove right too. With the Islamic State (IS) terror attacks in Sri Lanka on April 2019 the scope for execution and denial by Pakistan has increased manifold. Tactical alliance between terror groups for temporary mutual gain is also not unknown; the ISI garnering services of the IS thus remains plausible. Pakistan’s international focus will remain the projection of the idea of ‘false flag’ in relation to a high profile terror attack, mostly involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) anywhere in Kashmir’s hinterland or in rest of India. India has worked insufficiently on this till date and its diplomatic campaigns must include nailing the Pakistani lie on false flag. The adoption of offensive information and psychological warfare awaits the lifting of the communication lockdown of Kashmir. Mobile internet facility being denied in Kashmir has been frowned upon by Indian intelligentsia and international clamour to restore this ‘human right’ has been increasing. Pakistan’s propaganda machinery awaits the full lifting of the lockdown to flood the networks of social media with enough seditious literature and messages. While Indian counters to this have been developing these are yet insufficient; this is where the focus of Delhi’s efforts must lie forthrightly and boldly citing national security and adopting a balanced attitude towards human rights. This is the other issue on which the UNHRC will not remain the last bastion of Pakistan’s focus of painting Indian human rights record in different colours. We should remain alert to continuing our efforts to counter Pakistan’s propaganda in international think tanks and the high profile media where Pakistani traction continues to remain high. Pakistan will find that the partial and progressive success of Indian agencies in taking control of financial networks will largely block its ability to mobilise support and run terror activities. It’s strategy is once again likely to shift towards fake currency and funding from within India. This is where other borders such as along Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab are likely to be activated for induction of fake currency. Lastly, the diplomatic support to India and relatively cool attitude towards Pakistan on the part of GCC countries is likely to peeve Pakistan no end leading to renewed efforts by it to cultivate negative opinion on India in these important nations. The media in these countries is important too and it’s opinion makes international opinion in the Islamic world. India’s engagement with the GCC media too is warranted even as all eyes now await 27 September the day the UN General Assembly. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

J&K: Pakistan's next steps

Pakistan Army was forced to raise the "white flag" to recover the body of its soldiers killed by Indian Army in a robust retaliation to the ceasefire violations (CFV) by the Pakistani side.The white flag is meant to signify surrender or seeking truce.

Sources in the Army said that on September 10-11, Indian Army troops killed Sepoy Ghulam Rasool in Hajipur sector of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).

Sepoy Rasool hailed from Bahawalnagar, a province in Pakistani Punjab.

Initially, Pakistani soldiers tried to recover the body by intensifying ceasefire violation.

While attempting to recover a Punjabi Muslim soldier, another Pakistani Punjabi Muslim soldier was killed.

Army sources said the Pakistan Army could not recover the bodies despite repeated attempts for over two days.

On September 13, the Pakistan Army raised the white flag and recovered the bodies.

Indian Army respects the dead and so permitted the same, said sources.

It is pertinent to note that the Pakistan Army did not try to take back the bodies of its 5-7 soldiers and terrorists killed on July 30-31 in Keran sector.

It is believed that those killed were not from Punjab.

Sources said those killed in Keran sector must have been Kashmiris or soldiers from Northern Light Infantry (NLI).

Pakistan had disowned its soldiers killed in Kargil war as well, and Indian soldiers performed their last rites even on icy heights during the war.

"Pakistan treats Kashmiris and NLI troops as cannon fodder. Punjabi Muslims rule the roost, whether Army, politics, social life or national resources," said sources.

Sources said the Pakistan Army, which is dominated by Punjabi Muslim Generals and has more than 70 per cent of troops from that area, always tries its best to retrieve bodies of Punjabi soldiers killed in action.

&nbsp;

Pakistan Army was forced to raise the "white flag" to recover the body of its soldiers killed by Indian Army in a robust retaliation to the ceasefire violations (CFV) by the Pakistani side.

Pakistan Army was forced to raise the "white flag" to recover the body of its soldiers killed by Indian Army in a robust retaliation to the ceasefire violations (CFV) by the Pakistani side.The white flag is meant to signify surrender or seeking truce. Sources in the Army said that on September 10-11, Indian Army troops killed Sepoy Ghulam Rasool in Hajipur sector of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Sepoy Rasool hailed from Bahawalnagar, a province in Pakistani Punjab. Initially, Pakistani soldiers tried to recover the body by intensifying ceasefire violation. While attempting to recover a Punjabi Muslim soldier, another Pakistani Punjabi Muslim soldier was killed. Army sources said the Pakistan Army could not recover the bodies despite repeated attempts for over two days. On September 13, the Pakistan Army raised the white flag and recovered the bodies. Indian Army respects the dead and so permitted the same, said sources. It is pertinent to note that the Pakistan Army did not try to take back the bodies of its 5-7 soldiers and terrorists killed on July 30-31 in Keran sector. It is believed that those killed were not from Punjab. Sources said those killed in Keran sector must have been Kashmiris or soldiers from Northern Light Infantry (NLI). Pakistan had disowned its soldiers killed in Kargil war as well, and Indian soldiers performed their last rites even on icy heights during the war. "Pakistan treats Kashmiris and NLI troops as cannon fodder. Punjabi Muslims rule the roost, whether Army, politics, social life or national resources," said sources. Sources said the Pakistan Army, which is dominated by Punjabi Muslim Generals and has more than 70 per cent of troops from that area, always tries its best to retrieve bodies of Punjabi soldiers killed in action.

Pak Army raises white flag at LoC to recover bodies of its soldiers killed by Indian Army

Hitting out at Pakistan government for "running" after Kashmir, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-outcry-over-kashmir-height-of-hypocrisy-shamelessness-says-baloch-activist-242681">Baloch activist</a> on Wednesday highlighted the atrocities carried out by state agencies against religious minorities in the country.

President of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-hold-anti-pakistan-protest-in-germany-raise-pro-freedom-slogans-245834">Baloch Republican Party</a>, Brahumdagh Bugti, in a video message posted on his Facebook account, said that the Pakistani Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have been using enforced disappearances, torture and killing as tools to crush the voices of oppressed people like Balochs, Pashtuns, Muhajirs, Sindhis and other religious minorities.

"Pakistan Army thinks that they are the heir and owner of the country. The fate of people is in their hands. Whenever people demand their rights and whenever they raise their voice against the atrocities committed by the Army, they are abducted, tortured and killed. They think that by torturing people, they can crush their voices and their demand for rights," said Bugti.

"The country is socially, economically and financially is on the verge of destruction and you (the leadership) are running after Kashmir. What is left here (in Pakistan) that you will bring other people also? Our country is on the verge of destruction and no neighbour countries are happy with Pakistan," he added.

Bugti, who now and then has highlighted the crime committed by the state agencies in Pakistan, said that the current condition of the country is a result of the policies adopted by the Pakistani Army and the ISI.

"The destruction in the country is due to the policies adopted by the Army and ISI. They claim their policies are so good and they have very good intelligence agency. They have received failure everywhere," he added.

Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has sub

Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has submitted a dossier in UNHRC over Kashmir.

Watch Video:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuid52kto4rmHNGN" /><meta charset="utf-8" />Gravitas: India rebuts Pakistan's Charges on Kashmir at UNHRC

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-rebuts-pakistans-charges-on-kashmir-at-unhrc-248916/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

At the UNHRC session, Qureshi presented a false narrative on Kashmir maintained by his country following the Indian government's historic move to abrogate Article 370.

However, Pakistan has been strongly reprimanded by Indian delegation.

Interestingly, while Qureshi was addressing the session, protests were held outside the UN Headquarters against the dire situation of Human Rights in Pakistan.

On Tuesday, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-republican-party-protests-outside-lords-against-human-rights-condition-in-pakistan-229834">Baloch</a>&nbsp;Human Rights Council organised a briefing on 'The Humanitarian Crisis in Balochistan'&nbsp;at a special tent at Broken Chair in front of the UN headquarters.

Before that, a protest was organised by the World Sindhi Congress (WCS) at a time when Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was speaking at the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Hitting out at Pakistan government for "running" after Kashmir, a Baloch activist on Wednesday highlighted the atrocities carried out by state agencies against religious minorities in the country.

Hitting out at Pakistan government for "running" after Kashmir, a Baloch activist on Wednesday highlighted the atrocities carried out by state agencies against religious minorities in the country. President of Baloch Republican Party, Brahumdagh Bugti, in a video message posted on his Facebook account, said that the Pakistani Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have been using enforced disappearances, torture and killing as tools to crush the voices of oppressed people like Balochs, Pashtuns, Muhajirs, Sindhis and other religious minorities. "Pakistan Army thinks that they are the heir and owner of the country. The fate of people is in their hands. Whenever people demand their rights and whenever they raise their voice against the atrocities committed by the Army, they are abducted, tortured and killed. They think that by torturing people, they can crush their voices and their demand for rights," said Bugti. "The country is socially, economically and financially is on the verge of destruction and you (the leadership) are running after Kashmir. What is left here (in Pakistan) that you will bring other people also? Our country is on the verge of destruction and no neighbour countries are happy with Pakistan," he added. Bugti, who now and then has highlighted the crime committed by the state agencies in Pakistan, said that the current condition of the country is a result of the policies adopted by the Pakistani Army and the ISI. "The destruction in the country is due to the policies adopted by the Army and ISI. They claim their policies are so good and they have very good intelligence agency. They have received failure everywhere," he added. Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has sub Bugti remarks come at the time when the Pakistan government has submitted a dossier in UNHRC over Kashmir. Watch Video: Gravitas: India rebuts Pakistan's Charges on Kashmir at UNHRC × At the UNHRC session, Qureshi presented a false narrative on Kashmir maintained by his country following the Indian government's historic move to abrogate Article 370. However, Pakistan has been strongly reprimanded by Indian delegation. Interestingly, while Qureshi was addressing the session, protests were held outside the UN Headquarters against the dire situation of Human Rights in Pakistan. On Tuesday, the Baloch Human Rights Council organised a briefing on 'The Humanitarian Crisis in Balochistan' at a special tent at Broken Chair in front of the UN headquarters. Before that, a protest was organised by the World Sindhi Congress (WCS) at a time when Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was speaking at the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Baloch activist hits out at Pakistan for 'running' after Kashmir, highlights its atrocities against minorities

Religious extremism under patronage from Pakistan Army. Watch this video to know more.

Pakistan fails to guarantee security of Sikhs

Afghanistan writes to UN on Pak violations. They said that Pakistan army has violated their airspace

Sidhant Sibal on violation of Afghanistan's airspace by Pakistan

Breaking News: Afghanistan writes to UN on Pak violations

Pakistan has mobilised its army troops along LoC. It has deployed its elite commando force. Watch this video to know more.

Pakistan army mobilises troops along LoC

If anything, General Bajwa's reappointment shows that the army is the de-facto power centre in Pakistan.

WION Gravitas: Pakistan Army: The de-facto power centre

The decision to reappoint General Bajwa as the army chief of Pakistan shows that democracy is a sham in Pakistan.

WION EDIT: Is democracy a sham in Pakistan?

Even as Pakistan continues to face massive international pressure over tackling terrorism, the country's Army continues to push infiltrators across the Line of Control (LoC) to carry out their nefarious activities in India.

But with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-planning-bigger-attack-than-balakot-imran-khan-in-pok-assembly-243024">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> repeatedly stating that his government has been taking steps to crack down on the menace, a rift could widen between the cricketer-turned-politician and the armed forces over providing support to jihadi groups operating unabated on its soil.

It is a well-known fact that terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) enjoy the patronage of the Pakistan Army. Terrorists like Hafiz Saeed are regularly seen ranting anti-India rhetoric and collecting the so-called "donations" in their "charitable organisations" to fuel unrest in the neighbouring country.

It may be recalled that in October 2017, Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said that the country was working on a "mainstreaming" programme to induct members of armed groups into the political process.

According to a commentary written by EFSAS, a European-based think-tank, the integration of terrorists and terror-linked groups into Pakistan's mainstream politics is an aim, according to Ghafoor, "to develop a constructive role for them".

A classic example of Pakistan harbouring terrorists is the US raid at Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden's compound in the garrison town of Abbottabad in 2011. The raid ultimately killed the notorious 9/11 attacks mastermind, ending a nearly 10-year search. The dramatic development left Islamabad red-faced as they had repeatedly denied Osama's presence in the country.

Similarly, following the designation as a global terrorist by the UN in May, JeM chief Masood Azhar has been shifted to a safe house in Islamabad from his residence in Bahawalpur by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), sources said in May. Pakistan has been hiding Azhar and his relatives from the public glare ever since the terror group carried out the gruesome Pulwama attack in February, which killed 40 CRPF personnel, fearing a direct Indian strike on him.

"Pakistan has not dealt effectively (militarily, politically, or legally) with domestic extremists and is also afflicted by spillover from events in Afghanistan. Attempts to manipulate violent groups to use them against India have contributed to the loss of control and credibility," The Express Tribune quoted Martha Crenshaw, a terrorism expert professor as saying.

Watch:&nbsp;Has Imran Khan delivered 'Naya Pakistan'?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/has-imran-khan-delivered-naya-pakistan-243964/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Imran Khan, who assumed office last year, in an election widely termed as rigged by the Pakistan Army, had recently visited the US where he made a startling revelation that his country has around 30,000-40,000 terrorists.

Imran Khan's revelation in the US that there are terrorists in Pakistan has irked Army generals who train terror groups.

He even went on to say that there was no room for any "jihadi outfits or culture" in Pakistan. He claimed that his government made "sincere efforts" in eradicating the culture of "jihadism" and terrorism from the country through what he said short-term and long-term policies.

In an indirect admission that the Balakot was a major operation that rattled Pakistan, Imran Khan said in his Independence Day address that India was planning an even bigger operation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 by New Delhi.

"We have information and we have had two National Security Committee (NSC) meetings. The Pakistan Army has full knowledge that India has made a plan to take action in PoK. Just like how after Pulwama, they took the action in Balakot, according to the information we have, they have made more sinister plans now," Khan said while addressing the Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad, PoK on the occasion of 73rd Independence Day of Pakistan.

Imran Khan's latest admission hasn't gone down well with the Army which kept denying that the incident indeed took place. The Army had even invited a group of foreign journalists to the site and tried to claim that no air raid had taken place and no casualties were reported.

Action against terrorism, because of international watch and diplomatic pressure, means Imran Khan earning wrath of the Army, which shields and trains terrorists. Pakistan has a history of the Army taking power by usurping governments. Though Imran Khan is a pawn in their hands, they would not hesitate to gain control.

Reportedly, Azhar was granted "VVIP shield" in the wake of the Pulwama attack in February even as Pakistan took control of the "Islamic seminaries" of the terror group in Bahawalpur.

Both Azhar and Saeed are wanted by New Delhi for their roles in terror attacks in India. Saeed, who carries a USD 10 million bounty on his head, is the mastermind of the gruesome 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, while Azhar's JeM attacked the Indian Parliament in 2001 and most recently carried out the Pulwama attack.

Recently, India abrogated Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Rattled by the neighbouring country's historic move, Islamabad has ramped up its rhetoric against New Delhi and is endlessly trying to internationalise the strictly internal Indian matter.

The move was "condemned" by both the Imran Khan government and the Pakistan Army who said they would continue to "stand in solidarity" with the Kashmiris and would respond to what it called any "Indian misadventure".

Unsurprisingly, Azhar, in a purported message, claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "accepted his defeat" over the Kashmir issue by stripping its special status and said that industrialists will buy land there which will result in Kashmiri Muslims "losing their existence".

Meanwhile, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has given a stern message to Pakistan to "swiftly" complete its action plan to curb terror financing by October or face consequences by getting itself blacklisted, which could pose problems to the country's already stagnant economy.

Even as Pakistan continues to face massive international pressure over tackling terrorism, the country's Army continues to push infiltrators across the Line of Control (LoC) to carry out their nefarious activities in India.

Even as Pakistan continues to face massive international pressure over tackling terrorism, the country's Army continues to push infiltrators across the Line of Control (LoC) to carry out their nefarious activities in India. But with Prime Minister Imran Khan repeatedly stating that his government has been taking steps to crack down on the menace, a rift could widen between the cricketer-turned-politician and the armed forces over providing support to jihadi groups operating unabated on its soil. It is a well-known fact that terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) enjoy the patronage of the Pakistan Army. Terrorists like Hafiz Saeed are regularly seen ranting anti-India rhetoric and collecting the so-called "donations" in their "charitable organisations" to fuel unrest in the neighbouring country. It may be recalled that in October 2017, Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said that the country was working on a "mainstreaming" programme to induct members of armed groups into the political process. According to a commentary written by EFSAS, a European-based think-tank, the integration of terrorists and terror-linked groups into Pakistan's mainstream politics is an aim, according to Ghafoor, "to develop a constructive role for them". A classic example of Pakistan harbouring terrorists is the US raid at Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden's compound in the garrison town of Abbottabad in 2011. The raid ultimately killed the notorious 9/11 attacks mastermind, ending a nearly 10-year search. The dramatic development left Islamabad red-faced as they had repeatedly denied Osama's presence in the country. Similarly, following the designation as a global terrorist by the UN in May, JeM chief Masood Azhar has been shifted to a safe house in Islamabad from his residence in Bahawalpur by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), sources said in May. Pakistan has been hiding Azhar and his relatives from the public glare ever since the terror group carried out the gruesome Pulwama attack in February, which killed 40 CRPF personnel, fearing a direct Indian strike on him. "Pakistan has not dealt effectively (militarily, politically, or legally) with domestic extremists and is also afflicted by spillover from events in Afghanistan. Attempts to manipulate violent groups to use them against India have contributed to the loss of control and credibility," The Express Tribune quoted Martha Crenshaw, a terrorism expert professor as saying. Watch: Has Imran Khan delivered 'Naya Pakistan'? Imran Khan, who assumed office last year, in an election widely termed as rigged by the Pakistan Army, had recently visited the US where he made a startling revelation that his country has around 30,000-40,000 terrorists. Imran Khan's revelation in the US that there are terrorists in Pakistan has irked Army generals who train terror groups. He even went on to say that there was no room for any "jihadi outfits or culture" in Pakistan. He claimed that his government made "sincere efforts" in eradicating the culture of "jihadism" and terrorism from the country through what he said short-term and long-term policies. In an indirect admission that the Balakot was a major operation that rattled Pakistan, Imran Khan said in his Independence Day address that India was planning an even bigger operation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 by New Delhi. "We have information and we have had two National Security Committee (NSC) meetings. The Pakistan Army has full knowledge that India has made a plan to take action in PoK. Just like how after Pulwama, they took the action in Balakot, according to the information we have, they have made more sinister plans now," Khan said while addressing the Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad, PoK on the occasion of 73rd Independence Day of Pakistan. Imran Khan's latest admission hasn't gone down well with the Army which kept denying that the incident indeed took place. The Army had even invited a group of foreign journalists to the site and tried to claim that no air raid had taken place and no casualties were reported. Action against terrorism, because of international watch and diplomatic pressure, means Imran Khan earning wrath of the Army, which shields and trains terrorists. Pakistan has a history of the Army taking power by usurping governments. Though Imran Khan is a pawn in their hands, they would not hesitate to gain control. Reportedly, Azhar was granted "VVIP shield" in the wake of the Pulwama attack in February even as Pakistan took control of the "Islamic seminaries" of the terror group in Bahawalpur. Both Azhar and Saeed are wanted by New Delhi for their roles in terror attacks in India. Saeed, who carries a USD 10 million bounty on his head, is the mastermind of the gruesome 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, while Azhar's JeM attacked the Indian Parliament in 2001 and most recently carried out the Pulwama attack. Recently, India abrogated Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Rattled by the neighbouring country's historic move, Islamabad has ramped up its rhetoric against New Delhi and is endlessly trying to internationalise the strictly internal Indian matter. The move was "condemned" by both the Imran Khan government and the Pakistan Army who said they would continue to "stand in solidarity" with the Kashmiris and would respond to what it called any "Indian misadventure". Unsurprisingly, Azhar, in a purported message, claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "accepted his defeat" over the Kashmir issue by stripping its special status and said that industrialists will buy land there which will result in Kashmiri Muslims "losing their existence". Meanwhile, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has given a stern message to Pakistan to "swiftly" complete its action plan to curb terror financing by October or face consequences by getting itself blacklisted, which could pose problems to the country's already stagnant economy.

Imran Khan's tackling of terrorism may irk Pakistan Army

Pakistan Army chief Gen Bajwa term extended for another three years. Watch this video to know more.

Pak Army chief Gen Bajwa term extended for another 3 years

On Sunday, the Pakistani Armed Force’s spokesperson Asif Ghafoor posted a video of former Air Marshal Denzil Keelor and claimed it as proof that India faced a reversal on 27 February 2019. Now Pakistan army spokesperson has acknowledged that video which was posted to target India was doctored. Watch this video to know more on the story.

Pakistan army caught red-handed once again

Pakistan's Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations, Asif Ghafoor tweeted a video of retired Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Marshal, Denzil Keelor with the footage of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's clip in the inset.

Pak army again caught red handed sharing 'doctored' video

Deputy speaker of National Assembly directed its members to refrain from using the word "selected" while addressing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/imran-khan-asks-people-of-pakistan-to-bear-with-rising-inflation-217696">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> on Monday.

During the budget debate, federal minister of&nbsp;energy, Umar Ayub Khan asked the deputy speaker to stop the opposition members from using the term "selected" for Imran Khan.&nbsp;

He also said that using the word "selected" for PM Khan comes as a breach of the privilege of the house as he is an elected representative.

Qasim Suri while agreeing with Ayub, said that all members of the assembly including himself are elected through votes and asserted that "It is an insult to the parliament."

Since the cricketer-turned-politician came into power in July last year, opposition parties have alleged that Imran Khan has been tacitly placed by the military who is also a key player in the country's politics.

While, Khan defends his close relations with the military, saying leaders around the world seek the opinion of their military establishment as&nbsp;they are "equipped with the means to brief us on security issues".&nbsp;

Coup-prone Pakistan has been under military rule for almost half of its existence, with many governments deposed before completing its term, mostly at the behest of the country's powerful armed forces.&nbsp;

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, first used the term "PM selected" in his&nbsp;maiden speech in 2018 while he was congratulating Khan for coming into the power. 
&nbsp;

Deputy speaker of National Assembly directed its members to refrain from using the word "selected" while addressing Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday. During the budget debate, federal minister of energy, Umar Ayub Khan asked the deputy speaker to stop the opposition members from using the term "selected" for Imran Khan.

Deputy speaker of National Assembly directed its members to refrain from using the word "selected" while addressing Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday. During the budget debate, federal minister of energy, Umar Ayub Khan asked the deputy speaker to stop the opposition members from using the term "selected" for Imran Khan. He also said that using the word "selected" for PM Khan comes as a breach of the privilege of the house as he is an elected representative. Qasim Suri while agreeing with Ayub, said that all members of the assembly including himself are elected through votes and asserted that "It is an insult to the parliament." Since the cricketer-turned-politician came into power in July last year, opposition parties have alleged that Imran Khan has been tacitly placed by the military who is also a key player in the country's politics. While, Khan defends his close relations with the military, saying leaders around the world seek the opinion of their military establishment as they are "equipped with the means to brief us on security issues". Coup-prone Pakistan has been under military rule for almost half of its existence, with many governments deposed before completing its term, mostly at the behest of the country's powerful armed forces. Pakistan Peoples Party chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, first used the term "PM selected" in his maiden speech in 2018 while he was congratulating Khan for coming into the power.

Pakistan: Members of National Assembly barred from using word 'selected' for PM Imran Khan

Pakistan's Army Chief Is Part Of The National Development Council That Will Decide Policy Imran Khan makes Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa a member of National Development Council (NDC). This council will take policy decisions. What's the army doing in a policy council? Is Pakistan blatantly involving the army in everything? Is Pakistan a pseudo-democracy run by military heads? Palki summarises the development

Gravitas: Pak military to dictate economic policy?

Imran Khan makes Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa a member of National Development Council (NDC). This council will take policy decisions. Watch this video to know more.

Imran Khan gives more powers to army

The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-rich-people-could-pay-more-tax-226648">for next fiscal (2019-20)</a>, but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.5 per cent in the defence expenditure as compared to the last year.

The original allocation for defence for outgoing fiscal (2018-19) was Rs 1,100,334 million but it was revised later on to shot up to Rs 1,137,711 million, up by 3.4 per cent, by the end of year.

So the actual rise from previous allocation was Rs 52,201 million, which is 4.5 per cent.

But minister of state for revenue Hammad Azhar in his<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-vows-to-go-after-thieves-responsible-for-pakistans-economic-woes-226438"> 2019-20 budget speech on Tuesday</a> did not provide intricate details and just said that the defence budget would remain unchanged at Rs 1.15 trillion.

Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Bajwa had announced last week that the armed forces were "foregoing routine increase in annual defence budget".

Prime Minister Imran Khan also said the military had "voluntarily agreed" to cut its expenditures due to "critical financial situation".

A closer analysis of the current defence allocation showed that it makes 14 per cent of the total outlay and 2.62 per cent of the GDP. In the outgoing year, the amount earmarked for defence was 18.5 per cent of the total pie and 2.87 per cent of the GDP.

These figures do not include Rs 327 billion set aside or pensions of retired defence personnel. Originally pension of retired soldiers was part of defence allocation but it was transferred to civil heads during regime of military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

Dawn reported that freeze on defence budget would affect the civil works' head the most as it has received a 12.77 per cent cut. The civil works head accounts for the funds marked for maintenance of existing infrastructure and construction of new buildings.

The other head to get relatively lesser increase is that of operating expenses, which would grow by 4.4 per cent. Operating expenses cover transport, POL, ration, medical treatment, training, etc.

Meanwhile, employee-related expenses, which include salaries and allowances paid to troops in uniform and civilian employees, are proposed to go up by 6.5 per cent.

In line with the announcement by the civilian and military leadership that defence capacity would not be affected, the expenditure on physical assets' is set to increase by 11.7 per cent. This head provides for local purchase and import of arms and ammunition and related procurements.

Last year when the defence budget was hiked by massive 18 per cent, the physical assets head had received a 16 per cent raise. 
The army traditionally had the lion's share in defence budget. This year the allocation for the army would remain static at Rs 523 billion. It still accounts for 45.4 pc of the total defence allocation.

The budget of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would increase by 9.64 per cent. Over 22 per cent of the defence allocation would go to the air force.

The Navy's share would expand by 9.6 per cent. Its share in the defence pie is 11.3 per cent. The defence establishment/inter-services institutions are getting 8.78 per cent hike in their budget. They account for 21 per cent of the remaining defence allocation.

The pink book, which carries the details of budgetary demands, further revealed that initially the government had planned to allocate Rs 1.2 trillion for defence. However, the figure was at the eleventh hour revised downward to Rs 1.15 trillion.

The figure of Rs 1.2 trillion has remained in the book and an addendum had to be added to reflect the changed allocation along with its breakdown. 
In the original scheme of things, the army's share was static, whereas that of the PAF was to increase by 18.31 per cent, Navy by 19.95 per cent and defence establishment/inter-services by 18.48 per cent.

Apparently, the PAF, Navy, and defence establishment/inter-services at the last stage agreed to slash their raise and accept on average a 9 per cent hike.

The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million for next fiscal (2019-20), but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.

The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million for next fiscal (2019-20), but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.5 per cent in the defence expenditure as compared to the last year. The original allocation for defence for outgoing fiscal (2018-19) was Rs 1,100,334 million but it was revised later on to shot up to Rs 1,137,711 million, up by 3.4 per cent, by the end of year. So the actual rise from previous allocation was Rs 52,201 million, which is 4.5 per cent. But minister of state for revenue Hammad Azhar in his 2019-20 budget speech on Tuesday did not provide intricate details and just said that the defence budget would remain unchanged at Rs 1.15 trillion. Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Bajwa had announced last week that the armed forces were "foregoing routine increase in annual defence budget". Prime Minister Imran Khan also said the military had "voluntarily agreed" to cut its expenditures due to "critical financial situation". A closer analysis of the current defence allocation showed that it makes 14 per cent of the total outlay and 2.62 per cent of the GDP. In the outgoing year, the amount earmarked for defence was 18.5 per cent of the total pie and 2.87 per cent of the GDP. These figures do not include Rs 327 billion set aside or pensions of retired defence personnel. Originally pension of retired soldiers was part of defence allocation but it was transferred to civil heads during regime of military ruler Pervez Musharraf. Dawn reported that freeze on defence budget would affect the civil works' head the most as it has received a 12.77 per cent cut. The civil works head accounts for the funds marked for maintenance of existing infrastructure and construction of new buildings. The other head to get relatively lesser increase is that of operating expenses, which would grow by 4.4 per cent. Operating expenses cover transport, POL, ration, medical treatment, training, etc. Meanwhile, employee-related expenses, which include salaries and allowances paid to troops in uniform and civilian employees, are proposed to go up by 6.5 per cent. In line with the announcement by the civilian and military leadership that defence capacity would not be affected, the expenditure on physical assets' is set to increase by 11.7 per cent. This head provides for local purchase and import of arms and ammunition and related procurements. Last year when the defence budget was hiked by massive 18 per cent, the physical assets head had received a 16 per cent raise. The army traditionally had the lion's share in defence budget. This year the allocation for the army would remain static at Rs 523 billion. It still accounts for 45.4 pc of the total defence allocation. The budget of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would increase by 9.64 per cent. Over 22 per cent of the defence allocation would go to the air force. The Navy's share would expand by 9.6 per cent. Its share in the defence pie is 11.3 per cent. The defence establishment/inter-services institutions are getting 8.78 per cent hike in their budget. They account for 21 per cent of the remaining defence allocation. The pink book, which carries the details of budgetary demands, further revealed that initially the government had planned to allocate Rs 1.2 trillion for defence. However, the figure was at the eleventh hour revised downward to Rs 1.15 trillion. The figure of Rs 1.2 trillion has remained in the book and an addendum had to be added to reflect the changed allocation along with its breakdown. In the original scheme of things, the army's share was static, whereas that of the PAF was to increase by 18.31 per cent, Navy by 19.95 per cent and defence establishment/inter-services by 18.48 per cent. Apparently, the PAF, Navy, and defence establishment/inter-services at the last stage agreed to slash their raise and accept on average a 9 per cent hike.

Pakistan's defence budget 'unchanged', says minister; documents show 4.5% increase

pakistan-army

Pakistan Army, News on Pakistan Army, stories on Pakistan Army, articles on Pakistan Army, Pakistan Army stories at Wion, Pakistan Army news, Pakistan Army latest news

pakistan army

Pervez Musharraf case: A new dawn in Pakistan?

Musharraf's sentence received with 'pain & anguish', he can never be a traitor: Pak Army

Pakistan Supreme Court issues detailed verdict on army chief's extension

WION Edit: Compromised experts are the biggest threat to democracies

Gravitas: Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa faces a rebellion from within

J&K: Pakistan Army resorts to unprovoked mortar shelling, 5 injured

Legal options for review of Kulbhushan case under consideration: Pakistan Army

J&K: Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch district; Indian Army retaliates

Bajwa will accompany Imran for China visit, Pak Army losing faith in Imran Khan?

Pakistan: An army with a country

Your Story: Enforced disappearances continue in Balochistan

Pakistan army spokesperson trolled for calling Kashmir country's jugular 'vain'

Gravitas: The Reach Of The Pakistan Army

Gravitas: The Reach Of The Pakistan Army

Two women raped by Pakistan Army in last one month: Baloch leader

J&K: Pakistan's next steps

Pak Army raises white flag at LoC to recover bodies of its soldiers killed by Indian Army

Baloch activist hits out at Pakistan for 'running' after Kashmir, highlights its atrocities against minorities

Pakistan fails to guarantee security of Sikhs

Sidhant Sibal on violation of Afghanistan's airspace by Pakistan

Breaking News: Afghanistan writes to UN on Pak violations

Pakistan army mobilises troops along LoC

WION Gravitas: Pakistan Army: The de-facto power centre

WION EDIT: Is democracy a sham in Pakistan?