Here’s what’s happening across the border: A judicial commission to fly abroad to record Pervez Musharraf’s statement in high treason case, Pakistan government to present proposed IMF bailout plan before Parliament for nod.
Imran Khan says November visit to China will cement ties even more
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday that his next month’s visit to China will provide means to highlight the importance of “all-weather” strategic partnership between both the countries, reported The Nation.
In a meeting with Song Tao, Minister of International Development of the Communist Party of China, at the PM Office in Islamabad, Khan stressed that his country would like to learn from China about its successful experience in poverty alleviation, tackling corruption and agricultural development.
Pakistan would like to learn from Chinese experience in poverty alleviation, fighting corruption and agriculture development through sharing expertise, technology and best practices in the sector.
~Prime Minister Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/iPWJsZcXXv
— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) October 16, 2018
Khan is scheduled to fly to China on a week-long trip starting 3 November at the invitation of the Chinese government.
He will also be in attendance for Shanghai’s China International Import Expo event to be held on 10 November. The Chinese government has conferred the status of ‘Guest of Honour’ to Pakistan for this event.
Khan is also considering taking China into confidence before the International Monetary Fund (IMF) settles its bailout deal with Islamabad in the next few weeks, The Nation quoted sources as saying.
Court orders commission to travel abroad to record Musharraf’s statement in treason case
A special court Monday ordered to set up of a judicial commission which will travel abroad to record former president Pervez Musharraf’s statement under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure while hearing a high treason case against him, reported Dawn.
The order comes after Musharraf refused to record his statement via Skype, which till a few days back had been suggested as an alternative by a special court.
Musharraf’s refusal to accept the offer was communicated by his lawyer to a three-judge bench that was hearing the case in which the former President was charged with treason for suspending the powers of the Constitution void on 3 November 2007.
Musharraf had been charged with the offence on 31 March 2014 but left the country in 2016 and hasn’t returned since.
Musharraf’s lawyer offered his deteriorating ill-health as excuse for him to not record the statement via Skype.
The case was adjourned till 14 November.
Pakistan welcomes Turkey-Saudi joint probe in Jamal Khashoggi’s case
Pakistan Monday welcomed Saudi Arabia and Turkey’s decision to conduct joint investigations in the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Dawn reported.
Known for being critical of the Saudi establishment’s policies, Khashoggi, US resident and columnist for Washington Post, disappeared on 2 October after he entered the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul. Turkey accused Saudi Arabia of killing the journalist and disposing off his body. Saudi Arabia denied the charges.
Asked to respond on the matter, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal said, “We understand that the investigation is ongoing and it would therefore be appropriate to await its outcome.”
Pakistan shares cordial and close bilateral relations with both Turkey and the Saudi kingdom.
PTI government to put forth IMF bailout plan in Parliament for final nod
Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar said Monday that his government will put forward the proposed bailout package from IMF before the Parliament to receive the final approval for this step, reported Dawn.
He said the government was compelled to knock IMF’s door because of the $12 billion worth current account deficit the country was facing due to the previous government’s incorrect economic policies.
Umar said the government was committed to introducing other revenue generation measures to avoid such packages in the future.
The minister also claimed that unlike the previous government led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had not levied increased taxes on essential commodities, not even electricity, in a relief to the common man.
Imran Khan’s convoy upsets Bani Gala residents
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s weekly visits to his Bani Gala residence have become a cause of frustration for the residents in the region due to the beefed up security, reported The Nation.
Though Khan has been living in the military secretary’s house in Islamabad ever since he was elected the country’s Prime Minister, he spends his weekends at the Bani Gala residence.
Every Friday noon turns into a scene of commotion as police officers take charge of the security of the 3-km long Korang road. The situation has worsened these days due to an increase in police deployment in surrounding areas.
The people worst affected by the protocol are the shopkeepers whose shops lie alongside the Korang Road. They are reportedly not allowed to park in the areas designated to them and on account of long halts have to suffer in the process.
How is the Prime Minister travelling with a convoy of six bomb-proof cars if his cars have been auctioned as claimed, question residents.
In his first address to the nation after assuming his office on 19 August, Khan said he will use only 2 vehicles for security as part of his austerity drive.