Here’s what is happening across the border: Pakistan counters India’s objection to Kulbhushan Jadhav’s execution, and a Lahore businessman wants people to understand the constitution.
Imran Khan says Shehbaz, Zardari headed for jail too
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan lashed out at former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari, saying the two will “soon join” ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Adiala jail, reported Dunya News.
At Jacobabad tonight – Amazing and responsive crowd in Sindh. The people of Sindh will rise against the oppression they continue to suffer under the corrupt ruling elite of Sindh. pic.twitter.com/JcCZrpuJ9e
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 17, 2018
Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz are currently in jail following a corruption conviction. Shehbaz, Nawaz Sharif’s brother, is the chief of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), while Zardari co-chairs the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Khan, addressing a public rally in Jacobabad, Sindh, claimed both politicians “will meet Sharif’s fate and be put behind bars”.
He also criticised the PPP-led Sindh provincial government, saying it had “failed to resolve the problems of locals despite being in power for 10 years”. The money the PPP allegedly “looted” will have to be returned if the PTI came to power, he added.
زرداری! اڈیالہ جیل میں نواز شریف تمہارا انتظار کر رہا ہے۔ عمران خان #KaptaanKaSindh pic.twitter.com/v47AIdJGJz
— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 17, 2018
Khan, who is often seen as pro-military, was speaking days ahead of the 25 July national elections, which have drawn allegations of rigging.
Jadhav is a spy, doesn’t fall under Vienna Convention, says Pakistan at ICJ
Pakistan has reiterated its claim that Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Naval officer in Islamabad’s custody, is a spy and thus not eligible for consular access under the Vienna Convention.
It stated as much in its reply to India’s plea in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against a Pakistan military court’s death sentence for Jadhav, Geo TV quoted diplomatic sources as saying.
The 400-page counter-pleading – the second so far — was submitted by the foreign office director for India, Dr Fareha Bugti, and prepared by an expert team of legal attorneys headed by the attorney general, reported Dawn.
India had submitted its reply to the world court in April 2018.
The ICJ is hearing a petition filed by India against the death sentence for Jadhav, who has been in Pakistan custody since 2016, accused by Islamabad of terrorism.
“The oral arguments are yet to commence as the court had allowed further written pleadings in the case by India till April 17, 2018, while allowing Pakistan to submit its rejoinder till 17 July,” the Dawn report stated.
Lahore businessman offers a lesson in constitution on social media
A Lahore-based businessman has launched a social media campaign aimed at boosting popular awareness about Pakistan’s constitution ahead of the general and provincial elections later this month, reported Ary News.
Free & Compulsory Education to all children of the ages between 5 to 16 years – Raise your Voice Today – Join #GuardiansPakistan Cause!
Web: https://t.co/TxiBZqruHG | Phone: 042-35777400 pic.twitter.com/Lnbi1yDpfQ
— Guardians Pakistan (@GuardiansPak) June 30, 2018
“Through this awareness, a people’s voice is going to be created. When people will know their right, they are going to demand it,” ‘Guardians Pakistan’ founder Waseem Afzal said.
Structural Issues of #Pakistan
Directionless Education – Colonial System – Dead Real Estate Sector – Wasteful Tax Money Spendinghttps://t.co/NgrjDSqijj
Join The Cause #GuardiansPakistan | https://t.co/TxiBZqruHG
— Guardians Pakistan (@GuardiansPak) June 5, 2018
Here is an example of the kind of posts they make.
Are you satisfied with the current situation of #Pakistan?
— Guardians Pakistan (@GuardiansPak) June 10, 2018
Launched in May 2018, Guardians Pakistan uses various means like polls, videos, photos, and text to make constitutional matters easier to understand for the layperson.
Where does your #tax money go? #Guardians #Pakistan
Guardians Pakistan यांनी वर पोस्ट केले गुरुवार, १२ जुलै, २०१८
Shehbaz Sharif seeks better facilities in jail for brother Nawaz
Nawaz Sharif’s brother and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) president Shehbaz Sharif has written to the country’s caretaker government, seeking better facilities for the former prime minister at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, reported Dawn.
In the letter to caretaker PM Nasirul Mulk and caretaker Punjab chief minister Hasan Askari Rizvi, Shehbaz said Sharif was living in “abysmal conditions” at the jail.
“He was not even given a newspaper to read, his bed was a mattress on the floor and washroom was not clean and there was no air conditioner in the room,” he added.
“This situation is unacceptable given the minimum facilities he is entitled to as a former premier,” he said.
Shehbaz also requested that Sharif’s personal doctor be allowed to visit him twice a day as his “weak heart and diabetic condition” calls for timely medicine and frequent check-ups.
Pakistan warns of crackdown against tax fugitives
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the investigation agency that looks into crimes associated with money-laundering, said Monday that it will prosecute non-resident Pakistanis who fail to declare immovable assets in the UK under the offshore tax amnesty scheme, reported The Express Tribune.
In a statement, the FBR said it will obtain information about immovable properties owned by Pakistanis in the UK with the assistance of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the British tax authorities.
This exchange of information is scheduled to begin in September.
According to the federal ministry of finance, Pakistani citizens have declared foreign assets worth $4.8 billion and repatriated a meagre sum of $40 million. “Tax authorities had pegged their hopes on Pakistani citizens to declare a significant chunk of the estimated $150 billion moveable and immovable assets under the amnesty scheme,” the report adds.
Richard Dawkins calls ‘Azaan’ aggressive, Fatima Bhutto hits back
Pakistani writer Fatima Bhutto, the granddaughter of former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was among those who called out British ethologist and writer Richard Dawkins for a disparaging post on the Azaan, the Muslim call to prayer, reported The Express Tribune.
Dawkins, often called the world’s most famous atheist, Tuesday posted a picture of himself outside a British cathedral, saying church bells sounded “so much nicer” than the “aggressive-sounding Allahu Akhbar”.
Listening to the lovely bells of Winchester, one of our great mediaeval cathedrals. So much nicer than the aggressive-sounding “Allahu Akhbar.” Or is that just my cultural upbringing? pic.twitter.com/TpCkq9EGpw
— Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) July 16, 2018
As Dawkins wondered if his opinion was the result of his cultutal upbringing, Bhutto replied, “No, it’s your bigotry.”
No, it’s your bigotry. https://t.co/73nwuSGjgK
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) July 17, 2018
Other followers also criticised Dawkins for his post:
I have the same relationship with it as you have with the "Bells of Winchester"; but what you suggested here is ignorant and flat out wrong. As an atheist, you should stop this ironic dance of hate on the lines between religions.
— Morteza Behrooz (@lessteza) July 16, 2018
Dr @RichardDawkins, you used to be my intellectual hero. I learned so much from you. It makes me sad that you feel the need to say things like this. It does not contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way, and comes off as very intolerant. I miss the old you.
— Christiaan Conradie (@IAmChristiaanC) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/MandaBaar/status/1019015598422913025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1019015598422913025&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F1760132%2F4-fatima-bhutto-calls-author-richard-dawkins-calling-azaan-aggressive%2F
Contributors: Anagha Deshpande, Manisha Mondal, Prateek Gupta, Rupanwita Bhattacharjee, Sharanya Munsi, and Soniya Agarwal