Current Final

Category: Politics

  • US-UK strike Yemen after Houthi rebels defend Palestine by stopping Israeli ships

    US-UK strike Yemen after Houthi rebels defend Palestine by stopping Israeli ships

    American and British forces have launched fresh raids on Yemen’s capital, Houthi rebel forces confirmed on Saturday, a day after the allies carried out dozens of strikes on the country.


    The latest raids targeted Al-Dailami airbase in Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control since 2014, a statement released on their official media stated. “The American-British enemy is targeting the capital, Sanaa, with a number of raids,” Al-Masirah TV posted on X, formerly Twitter, citing its correspondent in Sanaa.”The American-British aggression targeted the Al-Dailami base in the capital, Sanaa,” it added.


    Raids on Yemen follow weeks of Houthi attacks on Israel’s ships in the commercial Red Sea in protest against the war on Gaza.


    The strike on a Houthi radar site comes a day after scores of attacks across the country heightened fears that Israel’s aggression on Gaza could engulf the whole Arab region.


    The Houthis warned that US and British interests were “legitimate targets” after the initial strikes. Britain, the United States and eight allies said strikes carried out on Friday had aimed to “de-escalate tensions”, but the Houthis vowed to continue their attacks. Hussein al-Ezzi, the rebels’ deputy foreign minister, said the United States and Britain would “have to prepare to pay a heavy price”.


    The rebels have controlled much of Yemen since a civil war erupted in 2014 and are part of the “axis of resistance” against Israel and its allies.


    Violence involving these groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria has surged since the war in Gaza began in early October.


    What has the UN said?


    UN chief Antonio Guterres called on all sides “not to escalate” in the interest of regional peace and stability, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.


    The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday, days after adopting a resolution demanding the Houthis immediately stop their attacks.


    At the meeting, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned that no ship was safe from the threat posed by Houthis to shipping in the Red Sea.


    Russian ambassador Vassili Nebenzia denounced the “blatant armed aggression” against the entire population of the country.


    Red Sea attacks and the politics of the Middle East


    The Houthis have intensified attacks on what they deem Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea- through which 12 percent of global maritime trade normally passes- since October 7.


    The United States and Britain launched strikes on Friday that targeted nearly 30 locations using more than 150 ammunitions, US General Douglas Sims said, updating earlier figures, and President Joe Biden said he did not believe there were civilian casualties.


    Biden called the strikes a successful “defensive action” after the “unprecedented” Red Sea attacks and said he would act again if the Houthis continued their “outrageous behaviour”.


    British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Houthis’ breach of international law warranted the “strong signal”, with his government publishing its legal position justifying the strikes as lawful and “proportionate”.


    Nasser Kanani, spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said the Western strikes would fuel “insecurity and instability in the region” while “diverting” attention from Gaza.


    The Houthis fired “at least one” anti-ship ballistic missile in retaliation on Friday that caused no damage, according to Sims.


    The United States said it did not seek conflict with Iran, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby telling MSNBC there was “no reason” for an escalation.


    Middle Eastern leaders voiced concern at the violence, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan describing the strikes on Yemen as disproportionate and saying: “It is as if they aspire to turn the Red Sea into a bloodbath.”


    Saudi Arabia said it “is following with great concern the military operations” and called for “self-restraint and avoiding escalation”. The kingdom is trying to extricate itself from a nine-year war with the Huthis, though fighting has largely been on hold since a truce in early 2022.


    Palestinian freedom fighting group Hamas said it would hold Britain and the United States “responsible for the repercussions on regional security”.


    ‘Death to America’


    Hundreds of thousands of people, some carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles, gathered in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Friday to protest, many waving Yemeni and Palestinian flags and holding portraits of Huthi leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi, an AFP journalist reported.


    “Death to America, death to Israel,” they chanted.


    In Tehran, hundreds rallied against the United States, Britain, and Israel, burning the three countries’ flags outside the UK embassy while voicing support for Gazans and Yemenis, an AFP correspondent reported.


    In Gaza, Palestinians lauded Houthi support and condemned Britain and the United States. “No one is standing with us but Yemen,” said Fouad al-Ghalaini, one of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians left homeless by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza City

  • PTI yet to finalise candidates from 34 NA constituencies

    PTI yet to finalise candidates from 34 NA constituencies

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a list of its candidates for National Assembly (NA) seats for the upcoming general elections, set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    The former ruling party has opted to nominate candidates from all 266 national assembly seats throughout Pakistan. Nonetheless, numerous constituencies have been labelled as ‘pending’, primarily due to disagreements in candidate selection.

    In all, the naming of candidates in at least 34 NA constituencies is pending, including from Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Kasur, Khanewal, Sahiwal, and Pakpattan.

    Former prime minister and founder of PTI, Imran Khan, is currently in Adiala jail after being convicted in the Toshakhana case. His nomination papers have been rejected.

    Surprisingly, PTI has nominated candidates to compete against its former close ally Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, and his nephew, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq.

    PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan is a candidate from NA-10 Buner-I, while Omar Ayub Khan is contesting from NA-18, Haripur.

  • Nawaz’s birthday cake thief given party ticket for elections

    Nawaz’s birthday cake thief given party ticket for elections


    Umar Farooq Dar, accused of stealing the birthday cake of party leader Nawaz Sharif in Gujranwala has now been given party tickets to contest the upcoming elections.


    Umar Farooq Dar took to Twitter and expressed hope to win the elections under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and Maryam Nawaz. He is going to contest the elections from PP-64.


    Journalist Majid Nizami shared the news by posting on X that Umar Farooq Dar, who collected Nawaz Sharif’s birthday cake from the bakery for free, has been issued MPA ticket by PML-N from Gujranwala. He also took a jibe at the politician that his devotees have collected cakes that were not theirs.

    Read more: Nawaz Sharif ki salgirah ka cake chori, case registered

  • Senate receives another proposal for postponement of February 8 polls

    Senate receives another proposal for postponement of February 8 polls

    Independent Senator Hidayatullah presented a new resolution on Friday calling for the postponement of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8. He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to consider delaying the polls by three months.

    The resolution was formally submitted to the Senate Secretariat by Hidayatullah, representing the Independent Parliamentary Group.

    Senator Hidayatullah’s resolution also highlights the recent surge in violent attacks within the country, along with an increase in incidents targeting election candidates.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Thursday requested a senate session to ensure that general elections, scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024, proceed in a timely fashion, The News has reported.

    PTI senator Ali Zafar took signatures of senate members on a requisition to conduct a session to discuss the matter of holding elections on time. PPP and Jamaat-e-Islami supported the initiative.

    According to the requisition, Pakistan can’t afford political instability. To strengthen democracy, polls should be conducted on time.

    On January 5, the sparsely attended senate passed a resolution in favour of a postponement of the general elections.

    Majority of the lawmakers present in the legislature had approved the resolution — seeking polls delay in the light of extreme weather in hilly areas and deteriorating security situation — moved by independent lawmaker Senator Dilawar Khan.

    Only 14 senate members were present on the day when the resolution passed. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Afnanullah Khan and caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi had opposed the resolution, while PPP’s Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi and PTI’s Senator Gurdeep Singh remained silent.

    Senator Dilawar had also said that COVID-19 is still present, so elections should be postponed.

  • PML-Q decides not to go for seat adjustments with PML-N

    PML-Q decides not to go for seat adjustments with PML-N

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has decided on Friday not to go for seat adjustments with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    It has been stated in an official statement issued by PML-Q that the decision was taken in a meeting chaired by party president Chaudhry Shujaat.

    According to PML-Q’s statement, PML-N has fielded its candidates in their desired constituencies, and the party leadership has decided that they will not suffer from double standards.

    The PML-Q’s senior vice president, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, said that the PML-N should field its candidates against him and his brother in Gujrat. Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, the secretary general of PML-Q Punjab, also agreed with the decision.

    Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that if the PML-N will compete against them, they will prefer to stand with their party members.

  • ‘If I can’t contest election, I will go to Supreme Court’: Imran Khan

    ‘If I can’t contest election, I will go to Supreme Court’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan said on Friday that he will go to the Supreme Court (SC) if he is not allowed to contest the upcoming elections set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    Talking to journalists inside Adiala Jail, the former prime minister said in the courtroom that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif, the party’s president Shehbaz Sharif, and PML-N’s senior vice president Maryam Nawaz are certified money launderers.

    Asked about the Al-Qadir case against his wife Bushra Bibi, Imran pointed out that the former First Lady is a trustee. “How can the police arrest her,” he asked.

    He also explained that trust land cannot be owned by anyone; Shaukat Khanum has land worth billions of rupees. “That too is not my property. Bushra Bibi is also a trustee; not even a single penny is ours.”

    Imran Khan further said that all laws were abolished by force; what is happening to PTI has not happened to any party.

  • Defiant Houthis to continue targeting Israel-linked ships despite US, UK airstrikes

    Defiant Houthis to continue targeting Israel-linked ships despite US, UK airstrikes

    Heavy US and British air strikes pounded targets in Yemen early on Friday after weeks of attacks on Red Sea shipping by Houthi forces acting in solidarity with Gaza.

    Yemen’s Houthi, however, have vowed to continue targeting Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea despite overnight air strikes by the US and Britain, their spokesman said on Friday.

    “We affirm that there is absolutely no justification for this aggression against Yemen, as there was no threat to international navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas, and the targeting was and will continue to affect Israeli ships or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine,” Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X, formerly Twitter.

    The Houthis have carried out a growing number of attacks Israel-linked shipping in the key international trade route since the intensified attacks on Gaza since October 7.

    Friday’s strikes targeted an airbase, airports and a military camp, the Houthi rebels’ Al-Masirah TV station said.

    “Our country was subjected to a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes,” Huthi Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Ezzi said, according to official media.

    “America and Britain will have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression,” he said.

    A joint statement by the United States, Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea said the “aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea”.

    “But let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats,” it said.

    The Huthis said there was “no justification” for the air strikes and warned that attacks on Israel-linked shipping would continue.

    Yemen’s neighbour Saudi Arabia, which is trying to end its involvement in a nine-year war with the Houthis, urged against escalation.

    “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is following with great concern the military operations,” a foreign ministry statement said, calling for “self-restraint and avoiding escalation”.

  • Two judges in a row: Future Chief Justice, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan resigns

    Two judges in a row: Future Chief Justice, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan resigns

    The second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan has resigned after removing himself from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC).

    Journalist Azaz Syed took to X (former Twitter) and wrote, “Breaking: A future Chief Justice, Justice Ejaz ul Ahsan also tenders his resignation. Now rostrum of future chief justices will also be changed. Ejaz ul Ahsan isb neither a judge now nor a future CJ.”

    The move comes after earlier this week, Justice Mazahar Naqvi also tendered his resignation. The resignation was allegedly triggered by an open meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council.

    Senior Journalist Matiullah Jan tweeted what he believes, is the reason for Justice Ijaz’s resignation.

    The council was held under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa on a complaint against Justice Mazahar Naqvi, in which Justice Sardar Tariq, Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Justice Amir Bhatti, and Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court Naeem Akhtar Afghan participated. However, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan did not attend the council meeting.

    In the meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council, no one appeared in the council on behalf of former judge Mazahar Naqvi, on which the Chief Justice questioned whether Justice Mazahar Naqvi’s lawyer Khawaja Haris, or his juniors were present.

    The Chief Justice spoke to the Attorney General that did you receive Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan’s resignation. The Chief Justice directed the Attorney General to read out the resignation, on which he read out the resignation of the former judge.

    The Chief Justice of Pakistan said that the article under which the resignation was given should be read, on which the Attorney General read out Article 179.

    The Chief Justice asked if the Council could act without Justice Ijaz or will it be the next senior judge. The attorney general said that the council must include a senior judge.

    Justice Qazi Faez said that Justice Ijaz-ul-Hasan has resigned from joining the council and the next senior judge is Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. It then has to be ascertained whether Justice Mansoor is available or not.

    The Chief Justice directed the Secretary of the Council to find out the availability of Justice Mansoor and said that if Justice Mansoor is available, then the Council will sit again.

    Under Clause three of Article 209 of the Constitution, if there is no judge in the Council, the next senior judge can be included.

    Later, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah joined the council in place of Justice Ijaz-Ul-Ahsan and the council stopped the council meeting until the availability of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.

  • ECP challenges Peshawar High Court’s Verdict on PTI’s ‘Bat’

    ECP challenges Peshawar High Court’s Verdict on PTI’s ‘Bat’

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has moved the Supreme Court to challenge the recent Peshawar High Court (PHC) verdict that declared void ECP’s ruling of “unconstitutional” intra-party polls and revoking the party’s iconic bat electoral symbol.

    The ECP, in its plea submitted to the apex court, asserted that the PHC decision should be declared illegal, citing non-compliance with the Election Act in the conduct of PTI’s intra-party elections.

    This move follows a detailed review of the PHC decision,
    with sources indicating that the electoral body had explored various options during a meeting, ultimately deciding to appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court.

    Anchor person Kamran Khan said, “Free and Fair Elections Ball is now in the Supreme Court’s Hands: Unfortunately, the Election Commission of Pakistan is determined to remove the PTI’s election symbol, the Bat. Furthermore, the ECP has not complied with Peshawar High Court’s judgment regarding the PTI’s party certificate on its website.”

    Minutes before the ECP’s plea, the PTI took legal action by filing a contempt of court petition against the ECP. The PTI contended that despite the PHC orders, the ECP had failed to upload the certificate regarding the PTI’s intra-party elections on its website, which the party argued amounted to contempt of court.

    X (formerly Twitter) user Muhammad Anas wrote, “Petition of contempt of Court has been filed in Peshawar High Court against the ECP. ECP didn’t notify the Bat as an election symbol of PTI violating the Court orders.”

    Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja and other ECP members are named as respondents in the PTI’s contempt plea.

    In response to the PHC’s decision, PTI’s chief election commissioner, Niazullah Niazi, personally submitted a certified copy of the PHC verdict to the ECP.

    The PHC, in its ruling, declared the ECP’s decision of December 22, 2023, as illegal and without jurisdiction, directing the ECP to publish the PTI’s intra-party polls certificate on its website. The court affirmed PTI’s entitlement to the bat symbol under relevant sections of the Election Act 2017 and Election Rules 2017.

    The ECP’s challenge in the Supreme Court sets the stage for a legal confrontation, with implications for the PTI’s participation in the upcoming general elections. The time-sensitive nature of the issue adds complexity, as the deadline for Returning Officers to allocate poll symbols to candidates is January 13, posing a challenge in the event of a symbol change.

  • Israel accused at UN court of Gaza ‘genocide’

    Israel accused at UN court of Gaza ‘genocide’

    South Africa on Thursday accused Israel of breaching the UN Genocide Convention, arguing that even the deadly October 7 Hamas attack could not justify such alleged actions, as it launched a landmark case at the top UN court.

    Pretoria has lodged an urgent appeal at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to force Israel to “immediately suspend” its military operations in Gaza.

    Israel has dismissed the case as “atrocious” and “preposterous” and vowed to set out a robust defence on Friday.

    “No armed attack on a state territory, no matter how serious… can provide justification for or defend breaches of the convention,” said Pretoria’s Justice Minister Ronald Lamola.

    “Israel’s response to the October 7 attack has crossed this line and given rise to the breaches of the convention,” he added.

    The Gaza war erupted when Hamas launched its unprecedented attack, which resulted in about 1,140 people killed in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

    Israel has responded with a relentless military campaign that has killed at least 23,357 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

    A world away from the death and destruction in Gaza and Israel, robed lawyers battled it out over technical legal arguments in the Peace Palace in The Hague.

    South Africa argues Israel is breaking its commitments under the UN Genocide Convention, a treaty signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust.

    Top lawyer for South Africa Adila Hassim said Israel’s bombing campaign aimed at the “destruction of Palestinian life” and had pushed Palestinians “to the brink of famine”.

    “Genocides are never declared in advance, but this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies a plausible claim of genocidal acts,” she said.

    As a fellow signatory to the treaty, South Africa can take Israel to the ICJ, which rules on disputes between countries and is often described as the “World Court”.

    The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has long been a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause, often linking it to its own historic struggle against the white-minority government, which had cooperative relations with Israel.

    South Africa has acknowledged the “particular weight of responsibility” of accusing Israel of genocide. It “unequivocally” condemned the Hamas attacks that sparked off the war in Gaza.

    ‘Atrocious and preposterous’

    Israel President Isaac Herzog has already hinted at his country’s likely defence against what he called an “atrocious and preposterous… claim”.

    “We will present proudly our case of using self defence… under international humanitarian law,” he said.

    Herzog said the Israeli army was “doing its utmost under extremely complicated circumstances on the ground to make sure that there will be no unintended consequences and no civilian casualties”.

    The United States is backing its ally Israel, with the State Department describing the charges as “unfounded”.

    “In fact, it is those who are violently attacking Israel who continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

    As it is an urgent procedure, the ICJ could rule in a matter of weeks.

    Its rulings are final and cannot be appealed. However, countries do not always follow the court’s verdicts — the ICJ has ordered Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine, for example.

    But a court ruling against Israel would certainly increase political pressure on the country, with many speculating it could serve as a pretext for sanctions.

    Cecily Rose, assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University, noted the court did not have to rule on the fundamentals of the case at this stage — that issue will likely take years.

    “Instead, the court would only be evaluating whether there is a risk of irreparable prejudice to rights held under the Genocide Convention, in particular the right of the Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts that threaten their existence as a group,” Rose told AFP.

    Dutch police kept rival demonstrations apart in The Hague. Hundreds of pro-Israeli protesters waving flags marched through the streets while a smaller group of pro-Palestinian supporters brandished placards saying: “End Israel apartheid.”

    Pro-Israeli protester Ada Deyl, an 80-year-old pensioner, said: “I think it’s a shame that Israel — who is doing all the right things and is attacked by Hamas — is now facing a lawsuit.”

    On the other side, Zohar Janovitch, 40, alleged that Israeli leaders had “explicitly expressed their disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians.”