Page 8 - Pakistan Link - March 22, 2024

P8 - PAKISTAN LINK - MARCH 22, 2024 PAKISTAN

Audience Members Interrupt US began to shout. removed from this hearing,” McCormick said.
The Intercept reported last year that the US
Khan had demanded in 2022 that Lu be re-
Congressional Hearing over Pakistan, Khan State Department encouraged the Pakistani gov- moved from his position, citing unsubstantiated
ernment in 2022 to remove Khan from power, claims that he was involved in the US conspiring
citing a Pakistani government document. to remove Khan from power. The State Depart-
The Intercept’s DC Bureau Chief, Ryan Grim, ment said at the time “there is absolutely no truth
n By Lauren Sforza posted a video on X, formerly Twitter, that to these allegations.”
showed people in the audience for the hearing Lu addressed the disruption after a few people
WASHINGTON, DC: Audience members at a shouting in response to Lu’s comments. were removed and mentioned the theories again,
House hearing on Wednesday interrupted the Members of the audience began to chant and revealing that he has received death threats over
testimony of a US State Department official who continued to accuse Lu of lying as they shouted them.
said it is a conspiracy theory that the US ousted him down. “One of the things that I have faced in these
former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. A few minutes after the disruption, Rep Rich last two years, is some of these allegations, un-
Donald Lu, the assistant secretary of State for McCormick (R-Ga) asked those who disrupted founded allegations have resulted in regular
South and Central Asia, was asked during a sub- the hearing to be removed. A video posted by death threats against me, threats against my fam-
committee hearing on Pakistan’s elections about Grim shows officers escorting a few members of ily, involvement of local police,” he said.
the unfounded theories that the US conspired to Photo TIME the audience out. “There is a line of acceptability. And I do
remove Khan from power. Khan was ousted in a “I would like to point out that we in Congress think at times some of the free speech has verged
no-confidence vote in 2022. press reporting related to this what’s called the have a job to do. This is an incredibly important into threats of violence, which is not acceptable
“I want to be very clear on this point. These ‘cypher’ in Pakistan on the alleged leaked diplo- topic. And I think out of respect for those people in our society,” he added.
allegations, these — this conspiracy theory is a matic cable from the embassy here. It is not ac- who are interested in this topic, the people who The Hill has reached out to Capitol Police for
lie. It is a complete falsehood. I have reviewed the curate,” Lu said before members of the audience want to be disruptive should be gaveled out and comment. – The Hill

Civil-Military Forum Reiterates All-out

Measures to Steer Country out of Crisis

ISLAMABAD: As the country is facing chief ministers, and high-level govern- conducive environment to nurture the
a deep-seated economic crisis includ- ment officials, according to an official country’s true economic potential, ac-
ing soaring inflation and depleting re- statement issued following the meet- cording to the communique.
serves, the civil-military leadership of ing. The apex committee underscored PM Shehbaz said that SIFC is the
the country has pledged it will not shy the need of continuing a consensual way forward under challenging times PM Shehbaz Sharif chairs the apex committee meeting of SIFC in Islamabad
away from taking tough decisions. approach under SIFC to navigate the and an iron resolve is needed to serve on March 21, 2024 — PID
The resolve was expressed on myriad of challenges being faced by the country like never before.
Thursday at an apex committee meet- the country. He urged the federal cabinet to ing the cabinet in the presence of the moved from its formative phase and
ing of the Special Investment Facilita- The civil-military body also vowed join hands, keep political differences caretaker cabinet, the statement added. evolved progressively under the care-
tion Council (SIFC) — a civil-military to ensure continuation of policies and aside, and work as a cohesive team to The apex committee was briefed taker government,” read the statement.
forum established to attract foreign take tough decisions in the larger in- maintain the momentum of economic about the SIFC initiative and major The former caretaker prime min-
investment. terest of the country by setting correct stability. He also thanked the caretaker contributions made towards the invest- ister congratulated PM Shehbaz, cabi-
The meeting was chaired by Prime economic priorities. government for continuation of a larg- ments, privatization and overall micro- net members and chief ministers on
Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended Army Chief Gen Munir reassured er national economic agenda in a “be- economic stabilization of the country. assuming their responsibilities and
by former caretaker PM Anwaar Ul the fullest support of the Pakistan fitting manner”. “The committee admired the lead- wished them good luck for dealing with
Haq Kakar, Army Chief General Asim Armed Forces to support the economic Marking a “historic moment of ership of Prime Minister Shehbaz economic challenges and transforming
Munir, members of outgoing and in- initiatives of the government and en- seamless transition,” the meeting was Sharif for envisioning and launching Pakistan as one of the top economies of
coming federal cabinet, provincial sure the provision of safe, secure and conducted with a singular focus of brief- the SIFC in June 2023, which has now the world… - The News

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