#peshawar attack

[peghamnetwork-blog]

دہشتگردی

پشاور میں مسجد میں دھماکہ! دہشتگردی کی ایک نئی لہر! پچاس سے زائد بے گناہ انسانوں کا قتل!  نہ مرنے والوں کو پتہ ہے کہ انہیں کیوں قتل کیا گیا ہے اور نہ مارنے والوں کو علم ہے کہ انہوں نے یہ کام کیوں کیا! ایک گھنواؤنی چال چلی گئی ہے اور پچاس بے گناہ افراد لقمۂ اجل بن گئے۔  ایک بار پھر پشاور سیاسی دہشتگردی کی زد میں آ گیا! اب اس پر انسانی کائنات کی غلیظ ترین حکومت سیاست چمکانے میں مصروف ہے! اب تصاویر…

[kafi-farigh-yusra]

Army Public School attack, Peshawar. (Dec 16, 2014)

144 dreams ,144 families, 144 children

All gone within an hour.

"Smallest coffins are the heaviest."

Hum nahi bhoolay 💔

[rightnewshindi]

पाकिस्तान के पेशावर में हुआ आत्मघाती हमला, दो अधिकारियों की मौत; एक व्यक्ति घायल

पाकिस्तान के पेशावर में हुआ आत्मघाती हमला, दो अधिकारियों की मौत; एक व्यक्ति घायल

Peshawar Bomb Blast: पाकिस्तान के पेशावर स्थित बोर्ड बाजार में रविवार (10 मार्च) को एक आत्मघाती विस्फोट में दो लोगों की मौत हो गई और एक व्यक्ति घायल हो गया। रिपोर्ट्स के मुताबिक पेशावर के SSP ऑपरेशन काशिफ आफताब ने हमले की प्रकृति की पुष्टि करते हुए आत्मघाती हमला करार दिया है।खबरों के मुताबिक जिन दो लोगों की जान ली गई है वे पाकिस्तान ISI के अधिकारी हैं। हालांकि, अभी तक कोई आधिकारिक पुष्टि नहीं…

[divinum-pacis]

August 2023: Christians take part in a Sunday prayer at the St. John's Cathedral Church in Peshawar after mobs attacked several Pakistani churches over blasphemy allegations. — AFP

[adventuressclubamericas]

Adventuresses We Love - Malala Yousafzai “Who is Malala?” the Taliban gunman demanded after boarding the bus carrying children home from school in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. Malala Yousafzai was a young woman who loved learning. Her parents encouraged her and helped fan those flames. But in 2008, the Taliban came to power in their valley. They quickly banned education for women and closed (and in many cases, blew up,) all the girls’ schools in the valley.

Malala began speaking out about the injustice, giving a speech at the Peshawar Press Club, then through a diary detailing the events in the valley and speaking out against the regime. That diary would end up being published – anonymously – by the BBC. At the time Malala was 11 years old.

Her identity as the BBC blogger was revealed in late 2009. She would continue advocating for women’s education, adeptly using traditional and social media to raise awareness of what was going on.

As her prominence grew, she became a target. As you may imagine, the Taliban was not happy with her efforts. This led to their soldier climbing aboard that bus on October 9, 2012. He seized Malala and 2 other girls, led them off the bus, and shot them. 15-year-old Malala was shot in the head.

Thankfully, all 3 girls lived. An unconscious Malala was airlifted to several military hospitals in Pakistan and, eventually, the UK. She regained consciousness in hospital in Birmingham, England, 10 days after the shooting. Several months of treatment and surgeries followed, leading to an almost complete recovery.

If the Taliban thought the attack would silence her, they were so very wrong. On July 12, 2013 – her 16th birthday – she addressed the United Nations. On her 18th birthday, she opened a school for girls in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. And through the Malala Fund, she continues to “…work for a world where every girl can learn and lead.”

To learn more, visit

[tired-reader-writer]

Aside from travel distances/times, the theoretical problem I am facing at the moment is this: what would have happened with Sindhura if Team Arslan had not been involved? (I don't really need to know, I'm not plotting out or writing an equivalent arc, but I can't help but wonder.)

Gods that's a big question isn't it?? I think shit would've been worse in a couple of ways, and probably depends on whether Team Hilmes is available to interfere or not. But even then, would it make a difference? I'm not sure.

I definitely think they would've just. Kept pestering the fortress. Or it could've devolved into a civil war— without Team Arslan's interference paving a path for a more peaceful resolution. Maybe the Duel Before The Gods (I keep forgetting its spelling but anyways) thing would've still happened but Gadhevi would've won without Daryun on his brother's side. It's also possible that one of the princes could've fallen by Parsian hands while trying to attack the damn fortress because Peshawar isn't easy to take.

Losses could've been observed on both sides, and things definitely could not have turned out very pretty.

[innerchorus]

“Tactically there were only two ways for infantry to beat cavalry in an open field battle: firepower and mass. Firepower could be provided by swarms of missiles. Mass could be provided by a tightly packed phalanx of men. Such tactics were long-established; the Romans used missile troops such as slingers, and the core infantry learned to deal with swarming enemy cavalrymen by forming a hollow square fenced with a solid hedge of iron pila (large javelins). Alexander the Great combined both methods in his clashes with the Asiatic horseman of Persia and India, screening his central infantry phalanx with slingers, archers and javelin-men, before unleashing his cavalry against the enemy. Both mass and firepower could be aided by a good tactical position, such as on a hill or on rough terrain, where enemy cavalry would have trouble manoeuvring.”

×

“Archers, for example, were essential in holding the fast-moving Muslim cavalry at bay—suppressing their firepower, and allowing the armoured knights to mount successful counter-attacks. Pikemen were important in screening the flanks.”

×

“Against Saladin's light cavalry at Jaffa (c. 1192) during the Crusades, Richard of England drew up a line of spearmen, kneeling on the ground with spear planted in front, forming an effectual 'hedge of steel' against the charging enemy horsemen. Behind the spear wall, crossbowmen stood ready, with assistants helping to reload. The Muslim armies attacked but the combined firepower of the archers and the steadiness of the wall of spears held.”

Some interesting little morsels I found regarding the role of infantry in battle!

I dread the day I have to do enough research to write a convincing full-scale battle set in the world of ArSen (though there's a good chance that maybe I will never need to). The Parsian army definitely have a reliance on their cavalry, specifically their cavalry charge on open ground but also tactics like feigned retreat or swift raids, where it's hard to envision the infantry playing a large role.

For bigger battles where they are fielding infantry units as well, perhaps they're used to give an initial volley of arrows (firepower, as mentioned above). I'm not sure where the infantry were at Atropatene but I assume behind the cavalry units, with the plan that they would move up to join them once the two sides had met? I did try to check the novels for details but aside from mentioning that the infantry were there, Tanaka didn't elaborate on their involvement. They're obviously separate from the Marzbans and their 10,000 cavalrymen, and I'd love to know how the two work together in terms of tactics and command etc.

There are situations where I could see infantry being better suited. Fortresses probably had a decent amount of infantry stationed there, especially those like Peshawar which were defending a border or access point. To take Peshawar Fortress as an example, there are 20,000 cavalry and 60,000 infantry. And inside Ecbatana before it fell there were 20,000 cavalry and 45,000 infantry (and given that the infantry were slaves you can imagine how fast things turned bad when the slaves revolted). The cavalry are good for sallying out in a charge, but the infantry must be invaluable to help hold a fortress or walled city when it comes under siege.

The Parsian forces that protect the border with Misr are also primarily infantry, and there's good reason for that. Unlike the Kaveri River at the eastern border, the Didjireh River (the Tigris) is shallow and relatively easy to cross; therefore the defensive measures include a wall of fortifications along the banks, which are probably better defended by infantry as a cavalry charge would not be that practical.

Other situations in which I could see the infantry being utilised are when that famed Parsian cavalry charge just isn't possible because of the terrain, or because they are using that terrain to trap the enemy (archers atop the cliffs of a narrow valley, for example). But I really know very little on this subject as a whole, so these are just my thoughts.

I think, because of the heavy reliance on cavalry, it's unlikely that the Parsian infantry used tactics as sophisticated as the Roman infantry squares, though I'm sure they would form up with shields and spears as a wall if they did happen to find themselves facing a cavalry charge from an enemy. And the info above about defending the flanks from attack with spears seems like it could well apply.

It's probably worth reading into Persian infantry specifically. There's some info on historical tactics in general here, and also the sparabara, with the caveat that none of this is going to match up perfectly to the composition of the fictional Parsian army. My partner suggested also looking into the Mamluks in terms of slave soldiers but again it's not going to be directly comparable.

[000marie198]

”بڑا دشمن بنا پھرتا ہے جو بچوں سے لڑتا ہے“

In memory of martyrs of APS Peshawar attack 2014. In dedication of martyred children of Gaza 2023

May their families find peace, may they live in our hearts forever. May the world they deserved is granted to their loved ones and their people

........

9 years ago on December 16, a school in Peshawar was attacked with nearly 150 innocents killed and nearly a hundred were injured. Many students at school were straight up shot down. We will never forget this. Our hearts refuse to forget. The families of those children still mourn their little angels that were taken away too soon.

How do you expect us to forget about what's happening now? How can you assume you can just wipe it under the rug when we are still here, watching and seeing what you try to hide, what you try to ignore.

The world knows, and we will not stop supporting Palestine.

[beardedmrbean]

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Unidentified gunmen ambushed a vehicle carrying officials from the customs department in troubled northwest Pakistan on Thursday evening, killing four of them before fleeing the scene, police said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack which happened in Dera Ismail Khan, a district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, local police official Nasir Khan said.

The motive behind the attack wasn't immediately clear.

Khan said police transported the bodies of the slain officers to a hospital and officers were still investigating.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in violence, mostly blamed on the Pakistani Taliban, who are known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. It's a separate group but allied with the Afghan Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan since then and TTP often claims such attacks on security forces and other officials.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 3.16 (after 1970)

1977 – Assassination of Kamal Jumblatt, the main leader of the anti-government forces in the Lebanese Civil War. 1978 – Former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro is kidnapped; he is later murdered by his captors. 1978 – A Balkan Bulgarian Airlines Tupolev Tu-134 crashes near Gabare, Bulgaria, killing 73. 1978 – Supertanker Amoco Cadiz splits in two after running aground on the Portsall Rocks, three miles off the coast of Brittany, resulting in the largest oil spill in history at that time. 1979 – Sino-Vietnamese War: The People's Liberation Army crosses the border back into China, ending the war. 1984 – William Buckley, the CIA station chief in Lebanon, is kidnapped by Hezbollah; he later dies in captivity. 1985 – Associated Press newsman Terry Anderson is taken hostage in Beirut; he is not released until December 1991. 1988 – Iran–Contra affair: Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North and Vice Admiral John Poindexter are indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States. 1988 – Halabja chemical attack: The Kurdish town of Halabja in Iraq is attacked with a mix of poison gas and nerve agents on the orders of Saddam Hussein, killing 5,000 people and injuring about 10,000 people. 1988 – The Troubles: Ulster loyalist militant Michael Stone attacks a Provisional IRA funeral in Belfast with pistols and grenades. Three persons, one of them a member of PIRA are killed, and more than 60 others are wounded. 1995 – Mississippi formally ratifies the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, becoming the last state to approve the abolition of slavery. The Thirteenth Amendment was officially ratified in 1865. 2001 – A series of bomb blasts in the city of Shijiazhuang, China kill 108 people and injure 38 others, the biggest mass murder in China in decades. 2003 – American activist Rachel Corrie is killed in Rafah by being run over by an Israel Defense Forces bulldozer while trying to obstruct the demolition of a home. 2005 – Israel officially hands over Jericho to Palestinian control. 2010 – The Kasubi Tombs, Uganda's only cultural World Heritage Site, are destroyed in a fire. 2012 – Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first batter in history to score 100 centuries in international cricket. 2014 – Crimea votes in a controversial referendum to secede from Ukraine to join Russia. 2016 – A bomb detonates in a bus carrying government employees in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing 15 and injuring at least 30. 2016 – Two suicide bombers detonate their explosives at a mosque during morning prayer on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Nigeria, killing 24 and injuring 18. 2020 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average falls by 2,997.10, the single largest point drop in history and the second-largest percentage drop ever at 12.93%, an even greater crash than Black Monday (1929). This follows the U.S. Federal Reserve announcing that it will cut its target interest rate to 0–0.25%. 2021 – Atlanta spa shootings: Eight people are killed and one is injured in a trio of shootings at spas in and near Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. A suspect is arrested the same day. 2022 – A 7.4-magnitude earthquake occurs off the coast of Fukushima, Japan, killing 4 people and injuring 225.

[five4life114]

I Am Stronger Than Fear

There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and one is the pen.

-Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai, the remarkable Pakistani Female Educational Rights Activist, has left an ineradicable mark on the world. Honored as the youngest Nobel Prize Laureate at the age of 17, she stands as a beacon of inspiration for the global community. Hailing from Pakistan, she became the first Pashtun and the second Pakistani ever to receive the prestigious Nobel Prize. Her unwavering determination to secure quality education for every child, regardless of their gender, has solidified her legacy as a true advocate for change.

During the Taliban’s brutal takeover of Swat District in Pakistan, an oppressive ban was imposed on girls attending school. Shocked and enraged at this repressive action, Malala seized the opportunity to address the injustice. Unyielding in her conviction, she vehemently questioned the audacity of the Taliban, daring to strip away the fundamental right to education from her and countless others. Within the walls of the prestigious Peshawar Press Club, Malala fearlessly delivered a captivating speech, standing as a beacon of hope and defiance in the face of adversity.

With unwavering courage, she fearlessly voiced her opinions, thereby becoming a target for the extremists. In a fateful turn of events in October 2012, as she journeyed home from an exam, a masked man boarded her bus and asked, ��Who is Malala?” Once he located her, she shot her on the left side of her head.

Malala’s attempted assassination sparked a wave of global outrage. As she regained consciousness after ten days in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK, the medical team shared with her the shocking details of the attack, while also informing her that people from every corner of the globe were fervently praying for her swift recovery.

Malala’s journey of triumph over adversity, undergoing numerous surgeries and persevering through a tough recovery, propelled her to the forefront of activism. A driving force for change, she co-founded the esteemed non-profit organization, Malala Fund, alongside Shiza Shahid. The Malala Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting girls’ education and empowering young girls to reach their full potential. Through the fund, she has supported initiatives in Pakistan, Nigeria, Jordan, and other countries, ensuring that girls have access to quality education.

Malala’s incredible journey continues to inspire countless individuals to stand up for what they believe in, challenge the status quo, and fight for equality and education for all. Her resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the power of one person to create change, and her unwavering determination serves as a beacon of hope for a better and more inclusive world.

[aftaabmagazine]

Majrouh’s Midnight Traveler prologue

Midnight Traveler prologue  By Sayd Bahodine Majrouh  This passage, originally in Farsi Dari, was translated into French by Serge Sautreau and then further edited and translated into English by Farhad Azad Imagery دیوها “div-ha” (demons) from The Shahnama Herat and Tabriz school of art, ca. 1524 About Midnight Traveler

In Midnight Traveler, Sayd Bahodine Majrouh (1928-88) narrates the tale of people transported into darkness by evil monsters who crawl from a dark cave and promote their ideals of monstrosity.  

This influential work by Majrouh, consisting of two mostly unpublished books, transcends borders with its profound impact. Blending storytelling and poetry, the author vividly portrays a contemporary world. Set in an imaginary country, which bears striking resemblance to Afghanistan, the narrative unveils the menacing illusions that threaten its future. 

Written prior to the Soviet invasion of 1979, the first volume possesses a remarkably prophetic quality, manifesting itself through countless parables akin to Attar's Conference of the Birds—an association frequently evoked by Majrouh.

Majrouh’s Assassination 

On February 11, 1988, while opening his front door in exile in Peshawar, Sayd Bahodine Majrouh was attacked and fatally shot by militants from Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s Hezb-e Islami. There were two primary reasons behind Hekmatyar's hostility towards Majrouh. Firstly, Majrouh had conducted an independent survey among exiled refugees, inquiring about their preferred leader for Kabul, and the majority expressed their support for Zahir Shah. Secondly, Hekmatyar took offense to the portrayal of his and other militant movements as monsters in "Midnight Traveler."

Importance of Majrouh’s Epic 

The unimpeded horrors that have gripped Afghanistan since the “Communist” take over of 1978 and the “Islamic” revolution that ensures afterward show that…[Majoruh’s epic] has proven quote prophetic in its predictions. The reign of un-freedom continues, with no end in sight. 

—Wali Ahmadi, “Afghanistan in Ink” (2013) 

About the Passage 

In this passage, Majrouh vividly depicts the descent of darkness upon the land, as it is enveloped by monstrous beings reminiscent of those found in the Shahnamah. These creatures dwell within caves, aspiring to assert their dominance over the land.

In Search of Lost Shores

A slowly sinking sun, dusk below the horizon, I left. I left the city, traveling to meet the plains. Outside the walls, I stopped for a moment: behind me, the city, whose doors would close for the night. In front: the vast, where the doors of the night would open until dawn. Oriented in the distance, I began. Uncertain march, an unknown march, despite the dark plain in me, a light seemed to glow, deceptive and reassuring clarity memories. In the light of what I heard and saw, inside, the familiar universe of sounds and colors. I heard, carried by the breeze, the plaintive song of the nai, and beyond the flute, beyond the shepherd,

the ringing of bells, the distant cries dogs - the slow crossing of the field, the herds came down the hills in wool and milk and the dazzled bluish dust clouds beyond!

I heard the rumbling in the valley of the bounding river, the unheard-of children among the sands of the shore, the iridescent wreaths, the cries, the laughter and the flow, to the large undulating jugs danced On the head, going to the spring and in the grace and freshness of the shadows fragrant, o thick groves of hemp they, whispering love to lovers hidden.

… And so I walked as if coiled in me. Trapped in the glow of memories among the doors of night.

At dawn, every household had fled. No tumult, no disturbance, neither the city nor even its echo from the deepest in the soul. I was drowned, oh silence!

The path in the night seemed to glow and now the day offered the gaping and mute and black mouth of a cave.

Thus opened the doors of night.

Clarity, an unknown day that reveals itself We live in a strange world: below me, the plain burning, thorns, and brambles crossed

overnight. Not far, the bed of a torrent, dry from the origins, a fossil snake through the rockeries. Black mountain ranges, frozen, in serried ranks, straddled the horizon. And, very close, the dark entrance, the worry of the cave.

Silence, petrified world, suspense - and plain, rocks, mountains, a dark mouth, everything seems to be holding its breath as if in expectation of who knows what is imminent, inhuman, irremediable.

Silence - deep silence. And calm – intense calm. Just before the cataclysm.

[silencejammer]

The Prospects of GSM Jammers and the Future of Peshawar’s Counterterrorism Strategy

　　In recent years, terrorists have become increasingly sophisticated and diverse in their methods of attack. They have not only mastered modern communications technology, but have also been able to quickly adapt to police defenses. Attacks in and around Peshawar have been frequent, especially roadside bomb attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Faced with these threats, the police have had to respond quickly, and RF jammers have become an important tool for patrol cars to prevent radio-controlled bombs。 signal jammer However, as terrorists turned to GSM signals to detonate IEDs, the limitations of RF jammers were exposed, and the police had to consider introducing GSM jammers to improve security protection.

　　Advantages and Limitations of GSM Jammers

　　The main function of GSM jammers is to block mobile phone signals, making it impossible for terrorists to remotely detonate IEDs through the GSM network. Wifi jammer This is an effective defense against the current terrorist threats faced by the Peshawar police. However, the use of GSM jammers also brings new problems. First, GSM jammers interfere with all mobile phone signals, which means that police officers in patrol cars equipped with such devices will also lose their mobile phone communication capabilities. In modern policing, mobile phones have become as important as radios, so this limitation may affect the efficiency of police operations in some cases.

　　In addition, there are legal and financial restrictions on the procurement and use of GSM jammers. Currently, the Peshawar police can only obtain such equipment through the counter-terrorism department or other security agencies, and the procurement of related equipment requires financial support from the provincial government. However, it is still uncertain whether the KP provincial government will allocate funds for GSM jammers in the upcoming budget.

　　Complexity of the counter-terrorism situation

　　The current security situation is not only reflected in the technological upgrades of terrorists, but also involves infighting between different radical groups. cell phone jammer In particular, terrorists associated with the Islamic State (ISIS) have begun to turn their targets to supporters and members of the Afghan Taliban. This internal division has led to a more complex and uncertain security situation in Peshawar and its surrounding areas, and the police need to face more challenges in dealing with terrorist threats.

　　For example, in a recent attack, terrorists placed two IEDs in the Duazai area and mistakenly attacked a family member as a policeman. Although the family member was lucky to escape, the subsequent police team was also attacked by IEDs. Fortunately, the police were able to avoid the attack because the patrol car was equipped with a radio frequency jammer. However, this incident also once again highlighted the limitations of current protective equipment, especially as terrorists gradually turn to using GSM signals to carry out attacks.

　　Future prospects of technology and funding

　　Despite the current grim situation, the police are still actively exploring new technical means to cope with the tactical changes of terrorists. The introduction of GSM jammers is considered an important part of future counter-terrorism strategies, but there are also several challenges to overcome in this process. For example, how to ensure the effective use of GSM jammers without affecting police communications is an urgent problem to be solved.

[tfgadgets]

A roadside bomb hits a vehicle carrying police guarding an anti-polio drive in Pakistan, wounding 9

PESHAWAR: A roadside bomb hit a vehicle carrying officers assigned to protect health workers conducting a polio immunization drive in a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, wounding six officers and three civilians, officials said. No polio workers were hurt in the attack in South Waziristan, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, local police…

[xtruss]

In this file photograph, taken on March 10, 2024, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party supporters hold portraits of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan, as they protest against the alleged skewing in Pakistan’s national election, in Peshawar. (AFP/File)

UK Parliamentarians Demand Release of Jailed Pakistan Ex-Premier Imran Khan

Khan has been in jail since August last year, even though all four convictions handed down to him ahead of an election in Feb have either been suspended or overturned

A UN panel of experts this month found that Khan’s detention ‘had no legal basis and appears to have been intended to disqualify him from running for political office’

— Arab News | July 24, 2024

Islamabad, Pakistan: A number of British Parliamentarians on Tuesday called for the release of former Pakistan premier Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August last year, Khan’s party said.

The UK parliament held a hearing on Tuesday that saw over a dozen parliamentarians listen to members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party speaking about his incarceration, deteriorating law and order as well as growing censorship in Pakistan.

The event, jointly hosted by Conservative Peer Lord Daniel Hannan and British-Pakistani Labour MP Naz Shah, was attended by former Tory home secretary Priti Patel, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Labour MP Naushaba Khan, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon and others.

The hearing resolved that the parliamentarians will call on British PM Keir Starmer and State Secretary David Lammy for the UK government to take note of a recent United Nations report into Khan’s incarceration and demand his release from prison, Khan’s PTI party said.

“As friends of Pakistan and friends of Pakistani democracy, we want to see that country prosper. We want to see the UN’s recommendations implemented, including an end to the detention of Imran Khan and a timetable for free and inclusive elections,” the PTI quoted Lord Hannan as saying.

“We will continue to press for democracy on a cross-party basis, and in both parliamentary chambers. And we will link up with parliamentarians in other friendly countries to make the case internationally.”

Khan has been in jail since August last year, even though all four convictions handed down to him ahead of a parliamentary election in February have either been suspended or overturned.

After being acquitted on the last of those four convictions, authorities rearrested Khan and his wife in an old corruption case on charges of selling state gifts unlawfully. He also faces an accusation of inciting his supporters to attack military installations in May last year. Khan denies all the accusations.

A UN panel of experts this month found that Khan’s detention “had no legal basis and appears to have been intended to disqualify him from running for political office.”

During the event, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, a key Khan aide, and PTI member Meher Bano Qureshi apprised the UK parliamentarians of their concerns with regard to the situation in Pakistan.

“As somebody with a large Pakistani constituency and as an MP of Pakistani heritage, I want to see Pakistan succeed, particularly democracy in Pakistan, as well as freedom of the press, and justice,” MP Shah was quoted as saying.

“The UN report into the incarceration of Imran Khan should be of great concern to all of us. We cannot shy away from it and we must continue to work across parliament to ensure progress is made for Pakistan.”

The development followed fresh arrests of PTI members, including Information Secretary Raoof Hasan and senior media manager Ahmed Waqas Janjua.

Last week, Pakistan’s government announced it would move to ban the PTI for involvement in anti-government and anti-military riots last year, for leaking state secrets and for receiving illegal foreign funding. Khan and the PTI say all charges against them are motivated to keep them out of politics and dent their popularity.

Khan’s PTI party secured the largest number of seats in parliament in the February general election despite what it says is a military-backed crackdown that aims to keep him out of power. It also won nearly two dozen extra parliament seats after a court ruling last week.

Khan blames his 2022 ouster in a no-confidence vote on Pakistan’s powerful army generals after he fell out with them, a charge the army denies.