Page 1 - Pakistan Link - November 24, 2023

Vol. 33/47 Jumada Al-Awwal 10, 1445 Friday, November 24, 2023 US & Canada $1.00

PAGE 4 PAGE 7 PAGE 21

Nawaz Sharif’s Is the US For news, updated
Path to Power May Entering a The
Appear Paved but Constitutional Majestic round the clock,visit
He Will Soon Be at Crisis? Stratosphere of www.PakistanLink
a Crossroads again Natasha Noorani

Imran, Qureshi to Be Court Rules Prison Trial of Imran Is Illegal PML-N’s Election
Presented in FJC for Campaign Hinges
Fresh Trial on Nov 28 on Nawaz Cases
ISLAMABAD (AP): A Pakistani
ISLAMABAD: Special Court Judge Abual court ruled Tuesday that the closed- LAHORE: While the Pakistan Peoples
Hasnat Zulqarnain, who is hearing the ci- door prison trial of former Prime Party has already launched an aggressive
pher case, issued directives on Thursday Minister Imran Khan on charges of election campaign by holding rallies in dif-
that PTI Chairman Imran Khan and former revealing state secrets is illegal, his ferent parts of the country, its former ally
foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi lawyer said. the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has
be presented at the Federal Judicial Com- The ruling by the Islamabad linked kicking off the drive to clearance of
plex (FJC) in Islamabad on November 28. High Court came on a petition filed its supremo Nawaz Sharif in all the cases he
The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic by Khan, who has demanded an is facing.
document that the Federal Investigation open trial, lawyer Naeem Haider On the other hand, both parties’ rival
Agency’s charge sheet alleges was never Panjutha said. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is desperate
returned by Imran. The PTI has long held It was unclear whether the gov- to hold rallies in the run-up to Feb 8, 2024
that the document contained a threat from ernment would appeal, or if future elections but claims the authorities are not
the United States to oust Imran as prime open court proceedings would take allowing it and are quick to pounce on its
minister. place at the same prison in the gar- workers who dare to take part in any such
The former premier and his aide Shah rison city of Rawalpindi or some- he faces carry a possible death sen- The case is related to Khan’s activities.
Mahmood Qureshi, who is also behind where else. Authorities have insist- tence in the event of a conviction. comments about and waving of a “The PML-N will kick-start its election
bars, were indicted in the case on Oct 23. ed Khan was being tried at Adiyala Khan’s close aide, Shah Mah- confidential diplomatic letter at a campaign once the legal procedure regard-
Both have pleaded not guilty. Prison because of threats to his life. mood Qureshi, who was deputy rally after his ouster in a no-confi- ing the appeals of Nawaz Sharif is over. It is
The trial was being held at Adiala Jail The court’s decision came about in his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf dence vote in parliament in 2022. anticipated that the appeals will be decided
and four witnesses have already recorded a month after Khan was indicted for party, is a co-defendant in the case. He and Qureshi are accused of com- in a week or so and then Mr Sharif will lead
their statements, with the fifth being cross- allegedly revealing a secret docu- Both men have denied the charges municating information in the clas the party’s campaign across the country,”
(Continued on page 12) ment. Legal experts say the charges against them during the trial. (Continued on page 12) (Continued on page 23)

4-Day Truce Begins, Sets Stage for Release

of Dozens of Gaza-Held Hostages

DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP:
A four-day truce in the Israel-
Hamas war took effect early Friday,
Former President Asif Ali Zardari on setting the stage for the exchange of Rana Sanaullah, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
Geo News on Thursday — Screenshot dozens of hostages held by militants and Maulana Fazlur Rehman
in Gaza in return for Palestinians
Zardari Says Son Bilawal ‘Not imprisoned by Israel. PML-N, JUI-F Fire Salvo at
The halt in fighting promised
Fully Trained’ in Politics some relief for Gaza’s 2.3 million Bilawal over ‘Poll-Fixing’ Claims
people, who have endured weeks
ISLAMABAD: Former President Asif Ali of Israeli bombardment, as well as LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-
Zardari said on Thursday that his son and families in Israel fearful for the fate Nawaz (PML-N) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was of loved ones taken captive during Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) have taken exception to
“not fully trained” in politics and would Hamas’ October 7 attack that trig- Palestinians stand by a building destroyed in Israeli bombardment Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bi-
“take time” getting up to speed. gered the war. overnight in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Friday, November 24, 2023 - AP Photo/ lawal Bhutto-Zardari’s tirade, asking him to
The PPP leader made the remarks in an The cease-fire kicked off at 7 Hatem Ali avoid confrontational politics in the run-up
interview on Geo News program ‘Capital am local time (0500 GMT) and is to the general elections scheduled for Feb-
Talk’ with journalist Hamid Mir. During to last at least four days. During militants took on October 7. southern Gaza, where Palestinians ruary 8 next year.
the interview, Zardari was asked about Bi- this period, Gaza’s ruling Hamas Hamas said Israel would free are facing severe shortages of food, The PPP chief in his recent public ad-
lawal, who in recent days has repeatedly group pledged to free at least 50 of 150 Palestinian prisoners. The deal water, medicine, and electricity. dresses launched a tirade against the PML-
(Continued on page 12) the about 240 hostages it and other also provides for more aid to reach (Continued on page 12) (Continued on page 12)

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