Imran Khan’s plans for the Azadi March have the Pakistani government up in arms. Officials have ordered nearly every entrance into Islamabad to be blocked, deploying over 20,000 police officers and paramilitary forces in an attempt to stop the anti-government march.
And amid reports of the government crackdown, there’s news that an official with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s administration may have taken a bribe.
Pakistan’s roads barricaded
Soldiers barricaded the major roads in Islamabad with shipping containers today, while police dug up smaller roads using excavators. Imran Khan and his political party are planning what they’re calling the Azadi March for tomorrow, which is Pakistan’s Independence Day. They’re planning to demand that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif resign his position and call for new elections. Tahir ul-Qadri is leading a second march in Islamabad tomorrow as well. Both leaders allege that the May 2013 general election in Pakistan was rigged.
As of this afternoon, the only road into Islamabad that was still open was the main road to the airport. Even there though, according to The Guardian, there were shipping containers nearby that could easily be moved into place.
Video allegedly shows Law Minister Rana Mashood taking bribe
Today ARY News reports on a mystery video that allegedly shows Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashood taking a bribe on behalf of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The bribe is allegedly from Asim Malik, the manager of Future Concerns. He’s wanted by the Federal Investigation Agency on charges of human trafficking and also for bilking billions of rupees from victims.
The mystery tape was reportedly recorded in Malik’s office. It also allegedly shows Mashhood saying something about Salman Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz Sharif managing the costs of poultry, according to DND.com. The report indicates that this conversation is one of the reasons poultry costs have gotten out of control in Pakistan. The tape also reportedly shows Mashood talking about horse trading.
Some are now suggesting that the tape which allegedly shows a bribe being taken proves that Pakistan’s government is corrupt.
