EVENTS
Pakistan bans Pashtun group as government cracks down on dissent
Published
4 months agoon
By
Ekwutos BlogPakistani authorities have unleashed a draconian crackdown on dissent, breaking up opposition protests with violence and mass arrests and banning a movement to promote the rights of the ethnic Pashtun community under terrorism laws.
Hundreds of riot police fired teargas and charged with batons as supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of the incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, gathered to protest over the weekend in the cities of Islamabad and Lahore.
Dozens of PTI figures, including prominent leaders and lawyers, were arrested and hundreds more were charged under terrorism laws, with Khan among those named.
Khan’s supporters took to the streets to demand the release of their leader and to call for an independent judiciary. Khan, 71, has been held in jail since August 2023 on upwards of 100 charges of corruption and terrorism that he alleges are politically motivated. Khan was earlier sentenced to 10 years for leaking state secrets but the courts overturned the verdict.
Related: North-west Pakistan in grip of deadly Taliban resurgence
The weekend’s events marked a notable escalation of a crackdown on PTI that started several months ago. The crackdown began before February’s election, which was marred by allegations against the military establishment that it had rigged results to prevent the PTI from taking power.
Among the senior PTI figures picked up by authorities on the weekend was Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. His party alleged he was “disappeared” from Islamabad for more than 24 hours before reappearing on Sunday night in parliament, where he claimed he had been held by police and paramilitary forces.
On Sunday night, the interior ministry suddenly announced that the government would be banning the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a peaceful organisation that has long championed the rights of Pakistan’s ethnic Pashtuns.
PTM has been highly critical of Pakistan’s powerful military establishment and its role in abuses and enforced disappearances in the Pashtun-dominated areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
In a brief statement, the ministry said that PTM had been declared a terrorist organisation due to “certain activities that are prejudicial to the peace and security of the country”. Pakistan’s human rights commission condemned the ban, emphasising that PTM was a peaceful organisation and describing the government’s decision as “neither transparent nor warranted”.
PTM has recently begun to mobilise in large numbers and had planned a historic three-day national gathering this week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The national gathering was planned as a response to the worsening security situation and increase in militant attacks in the region, as well as to challenge abuses committed by the military against Pashtuns. In an unusual move, PTI and other opposition parties had agreed to join the event in a show of unity.
Hundreds of PTM members have been arrested in recent days, and the organisation’s founder and leader, Manzoor Pashteen, is now in hiding. Fida Wazir, a PTM leader, said the group still intended to go ahead with the event, despite police and paramilitary forces attempting to break it up with violence and by setting fire to their camps.
“We will challenge the illegal ban in the court tomorrow,” said Wazir. “We are hopeful that the court will overturn the unjust and unconstitutional ban.”
The government is taking an increasingly iron-fisted approach to all forms of opposition even as it is weakened by growing economic and security problems.
It is ruled by an unwieldy coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and its former rival the Pakistan People’s party (PPP), and is seen as weak and beholden to the powerful military, which has long been accused of interfering in political affairs. The prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, is increasingly unpopular with the public as the country grapples with sky-high inflation and an economic crisis.
Militant attacks have continued to rise in Pakistan’s border areas in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover of neighbouring Afghanistan, with little sign of the security situation improving. Almost 1,000 people have been killed in militant attacks and counter-terrorism operations in the past three months alone, the majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and neighbouring Balochistan.
Senior figures in PML-N have repeatedly sought to blame Khan and PTI for the country’s woes. In July, the government said they would be banning Khan’s party but have yet to act on the threat.
This week, Maryam Nawaz, the PML-N chief minister of Punjab and the niece of the prime minister, said PTI was a “terrorist group that repeatedly is attacking its own country”, adding: “The state should treat the PTI like terrorists – otherwise, it will be too late.”
You may like
“I know you’re stubborn, but let it go” – Blessing CEO goes on her knees to advise Speed Darlington after regaining freedom (Video)
Residents Rush To Scoop Groundnut Oil As Another Tanker Overturns In Niger, Three Days After 98 Were Killed In Explosion.
Ekweremadu’s wife returns to Nigeria after release from UK prison
Gunman opens fire on wedding guests in Kebbi, killing 9-year-old child and leaving one other injured
UK is SECOND most attractive country for investment according to CEOs
POWA HONOURS HON DR SAMUEL UDEH WITH AN AWARD OF RECOGNITION; hands over to police, huge sum of cash forgotten by a passenger in a bus
EVENTS
POWA HONOURS HON DR SAMUEL UDEH WITH AN AWARD OF RECOGNITION; hands over to police, huge sum of cash forgotten by a passenger in a bus
Published
6 hours agoon
January 22, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Joined state police command, IIRS, Insurance companies in policy sensitisation
*Austin Jp*
Imo State Chairman of NURTW Hon Dr Samuel Udeh JP.Fcai (Eze Umuokorobia) was honoured with an award of recognition by police officers wives association (POWA) for his benevolence and philanthropic gesture towards POWA empowerment program and service to humanity.
The award was presented by Mrs Jemimah Aboki Danjuma wife of Imo State commissioner of police Mr Danjuma Aboki, at the command headquarters in Owerri.
Reacting to the award recognition, Chief Samuel Udeh in humility expressed gratitude and appreciation to police wives association of Imo State chapter for the recognition and honour to him.
Hon Sam dedicated his award to Imo State governor His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Onyoko) and reaffirmed his commitment to service for the betterment of our dear State and the society at large.
Also at the event, Ukwenga Samuel Udeh handed over a huge sum of cash forgotten by a passenger in a bus. The money was found by a member of the reformed union in the State under the leadership of Chief Samuel Udeh.
Handing over the cash to Imo CP, Hon Sam said this can only be done from a good spirited Nigerian which was as a result of the several reforms that has taken place in the union under his watch as the state chairman.
Imo CP commended the driver that found the money and the leadership of the union and said, such a Nigeria deserves a national award.
He said the money will be kept in their custody, while an announcement regarding the money will be put across the media platforms for the owner to come for claim. If after some time and the money wasn’t claimed, it will be paid into federal government account with the teller deposited in court.
Another event that took place at the state command was a seminar on the third party insurance policy, which involved representatives of the stakeholders from Imo State internal revenue service, insurance companies, national union of road transport workers and other related stakeholders were also present at the seminar.
Mr Aboki Danjuma stated that the essence of the seminar with the stakeholders is for them to go and educate their members on the new policy of third party insurance, as implementation and enforcement on the third party insurance will commence from 1st of February 2025 across the federation.The committee that will spearhead the implementation and enforcement were inaugurated at the seminar.
Importance of the third party insurance will be to assist the police in crime prevention. Whenever a vehicle is snatched, or used to commit a crime, it can easily be traced through the third party insurance database collection.
Answering questions from the pressmen after the seminar, Honourable Samuel Udeh said it is a good policy from the inspector general of police. The commissioner of police have said it all, it is now for us in the transport system to adhere to the advice of the commissioner of police and get the third party insurance for our vehicles.
He agreed with the police that the third party insurance will help to put to rest the issue of car theft in Imo State.
With database collection of the vehicles and the owners, together with other benefits of the policy which is paying compensation to accident victims by the insurance company, union will surely educate drivers who are members of the union on wheels to get their vehicles insured.
Chief Sam Udeh used the opportunity to thank the Imo CP for his commitment and dedication in securing Imo. He made a request for the officer in charge of the policy enlightenment to make out time to come to the union office to educate the members of the union, to enable total compliance from the drivers on wheels.
Content creator, actor, and friend Udaya Chidiebere Awesome, popularly known as Deacon Famous, has found love in Ghana. Deacon Famous recently took to social media to announce his engagement to Mawusi Faith, a lovely Ghanaian woman from the Volta Region.
In a heartfelt post, Deacon Famous expressed his joy and gratitude, saying: “Mawusi Faith, it’s an absolute delight to embark on this lifelong journey with you. I waited patiently for the right one, and now I’ve found my perfect match.” He also hinted at a possible Ghanaian wedding celebration, exclaiming, “Ghana, we’re coming again!”
Photo source: Instagram
EVENTS
My daughter planning wedding to pharmacist before murder – Mother of corper beheaded by gospel singer
Published
4 days agoon
January 18, 2025By
Ekwutos BlogMrs Ojomachenwu Adaidu, mother of Salome, a 24-year-old corps member who was murdered by an Abuja gospel, Timileyin Ajayi, speaks to TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about her daughter’s ambition before she met her untimely death, and asks for justice to be done in matter
What is your relationship with the slain corps member?
I am Mrs Ojomachenwu Adaidu, the mother of Salome Eleojo Adaidu.
Where are you from?
I am from Ogodu in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State.
How old are you?
I am 52 years old.
What do you do for a living?
I am into a small business.
Which tertiary institution did your late daughter attend before going for her youth service?
She graduated from Kogi State University.
How would you describe Salome’s personality and values?
Salome was a wonderful child, hardworking and responsible. Every morning, before I even woke up, she would sweep and tidy the house. Among all my children, she was the most hardworking.
Salome was serving as a youth corps member before the incident. Did she ever talk to you about her plans?
Yes, she told me she wanted to become a doctor after her service year.
What went through your mind when you heard the news?
I felt like my world had ended. It’s a painful experience, and it still feels like a bad dream. People tried to console me, saying I have other children, but no one should go through something like this. It has been extremely difficult. What I want is justice for her. (Sobbing) I am currently very ill.
The suspect claimed Salome was his girlfriend. Can you clarify this?
That’s a lie. Salome was not his girlfriend. He didn’t even know her name. You can see in the video that the killer has a beard. My children don’t like men who keep beards, and Salome had no relationship with him. She already had someone she was dating; a pharmacist. I told her we would do the necessary wedding introduction after her service year.
What do you want the police to do as the investigation continues?
I want the police to thoroughly investigate this case and make him confess what happened. He should face justice for what he did. The way he cut my daughter’s body into pieces is the same way I want him to be dealt with. They should cut him too into pieces; I want to see it done.
How many children do you have?
I now have five children, four girls and one boy. I used to have six before losing Salome.
Aside from being hardworking, what other qualities did Salome have?
She was very kindhearted. Every time, she received her alawee (youth service allowance), she would buy me drugs, foodstuffs, and provisions. She was so generous, and I miss her deeply. Since her father passed, she promised to stand by me and take care of me.
When did Salome’s father pass away?
He died on May 16, 2024. Now, I’ve lost both my husband and my daughter, two people so close to my heart.
“I know you’re stubborn, but let it go” – Blessing CEO goes on her knees to advise Speed Darlington after regaining freedom (Video)
Residents Rush To Scoop Groundnut Oil As Another Tanker Overturns In Niger, Three Days After 98 Were Killed In Explosion.
Ekweremadu’s wife returns to Nigeria after release from UK prison
Trending
- Politics11 months ago
Nigerian Senate passes Bill seeking the establishment of the South East Development Commission.
- Business11 months ago
Inflation hits record high of 29.90% on naira weakness
- Politics8 months ago
BREAKING: Federal Gov’t Offers To Pay Above N60,000, Reaches Agreement With Labour
- SportsNews11 months ago
Olympic Qualifiers 2024: CAF Confirms Dates For Super Falcons Vs Banyana Banyana
- Trending3 months ago
NYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
- Business3 months ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
- Politics11 months ago
Governor Hope Uzodinma’s New Cabinet In Imo: The Gainers, The Losers
- Politics3 months ago
Mexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections