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Imran Khan barred from polls for 5yrs

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imran khan

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was disqualified Friday from running for political office for 5 years after the country’s election commission ruled he misled officials about gifts he received from foreign leaders while in power.

The decision is another twist in political wrangling that started even before Khan’s April ouster and is one of several legal battles being fought by the former international cricket star and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

“The ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) has announced Imran Khan was involved in corrupt practices,” Gohar Khan, one of his lawyers, told the news media, adding he had been disqualified for 5 years.

“We are going to challenge it in the Islamabad high court right now.”

Pakistan’s courts are often used to tie up lawmakers in lengthy proceedings that rights monitors criticize for stifling political opposition, but the commission’s involvement, in this case, stems from the obligation of elected officials to declare all their assets.

The case centers on a government department known as “Toshakhana”, which during the Mughal era referred to the “treasure houses” kept by the subcontinent’s princely rulers to store and display gifts lavished on them.

Government officials must declare all gifts but are allowed to keep those below a certain value.

More expensive items must go to Toshakhana, but in some cases, the recipient can buy them back at around 50pc of their value — a discount Khan raised from 20pc while in office.

Pakistan newspapers have for months carried lurid stories alleging Khan and his wife received lavish gifts worth millions during trips abroad.

They included luxury watches, jewelry, designer handbags and perfumes.

Imran Khan is accused of failing to declare some gifts or the profit made from selling them.

The complaint to the election commission was first brought when Khan was still in office by the Pakistan Democratic Movement, a coalition whose members now make up the government.

At the time, Khan said he had not made public some gifts on national security grounds, but in a written submission admitted buying items worth nearly 22 million rupees ($100,000), and later selling them for more than twice that amount.

He says the valuation was done through proper channels.

This week, Khan won six of eight national assembly seats he stood for in a weekend by-election, a vote he called a referendum on his popularity.

Individuals can stand in multiple constituencies in Pakistan elections and choose which to forfeit if they win more than one, but it is rare for a candidate to contest as many as Khan.

The 70-year-old has attempted to disrupt Pakistan’s political process since his April ouster when he ordered all his lawmakers to give up their seats, leaving no PTI members in the National Assembly.

He has also vowed to soon announce the date of a “long march” of his supporters on the capital to pressure the government to announce an earlier national election than that scheduled for October next year.

Khan regularly holds rallies drawing tens of thousands across the country, giving fiery speeches criticizing state institutions — including the powerful military — for allegedly conspiring to topple his government.

He rode to power in 2018 on a populist platform promising social reforms, religious conservatism and a fight against corruption, overturning decades of rule by two feuding political dynasties interspersed with military takeovers.

But, under his tenure, the economy stagnated and he lost the support of the army, which was accused of helping to get him elected.

 

 

 

 

 

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Economy

FBCCI Urges Action Against Unscrupulous Traders

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FBCCI

The Market Monitoring Committee of FBCCI has urged the concerned market committees to be vigilant in preventing traders from engaging in dishonest practices to earn additional profits.

Md Amin Helaly, Senior Vice-President of FBCCI and Convener of the Market Monitoring Committee, issued this call during a meeting of FBCCI’s Market Monitoring Committee with local market committee leaders at Mohammadpur Town Hall Katcha Market in the capital on Wednesday.

Addressing the meeting as the chief guest, Helaly emphasized the importance of identifying and punishing dishonest businessmen and their associates.

He urged the collection of reports on dishonest traders and their submission to FBCCI, stating, “We will take stringent action against them in collaboration with the government.”

Helaly stated that FBCCI is closely monitoring the market to ensure stability during Ramadan, emphasizing the federation’s role in this regard as a representative of the private sector.

He remarked, “Our efforts will continue in coordination with various government agencies. However, consumers also need to adjust their purchasing habits. Market activities for a month should be more balanced than those on any single day.”

Directors of FBCCI and members of the Bazaar Monitoring Committee were also in attendance at the meeting.

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US Stresses Collaboration with Bangladesh on Key Issues: Blinken

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Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extends congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on their Independence Day, March 26.

Blinken, on behalf of the United States, sends warm wishes to all Bangladeshis on this significant occasion.

In a statement, Blinken expresses the United States’ eagerness to bolster the partnership and people-to-people connections between the two nations in the coming year.

“The United States takes pride in collaborating with Bangladesh on various critical issues of today, including combating climate change, promoting economic development, addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis, supporting global peacekeeping efforts, and tackling global health challenges,” he remarks.

Highlighting the partnership’s role in ensuring a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, Blinken emphasizes its significance.

“As Bangladesh marks another year of independence, we reiterate our dedication to strengthening democratic governance and safeguarding human rights – endeavors crucial for Bangladesh’s continued prosperity,” he affirms.

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China-Bangladesh Friendship Strengthened, Notes President Xi Jinping

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Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the robust and deep-rooted political trust between Bangladesh and China, along with their productive collaboration across various sectors, yielding tangible benefits for both nations.

Xi Jinping highlighted Bangladesh’s steadfast commitment to independence over the past 53 years, its efforts in economic development, and improvements in livelihoods, laying a strong foundation for the realization of the “Sonar Bangla” dream.

In celebration of Independence Day, Xi Jinping conveyed his congratulations to Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin through a letter.

He underscored the longstanding friendship between China and Bangladesh as traditional neighboring nations, noting its continual strengthening.

Xi Jinping expressed his keen interest in advancing the China-Bangladesh relationship and pledged cooperation with President Mohammed Shahabuddin to further enhance high-quality Belt and Road Cooperation and deepen the Strategic Partnership of Cooperation between the two countries.

Simultaneously, Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Qiang and Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi extended separate congratulatory messages to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud respectively.

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