The Long Game: John McEntee on his vision for shaping the conservative movement over the next decadeRugby Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News. All Blacks legend TJ Perenara has come clean on his decision to use his final haka for New Zealand to make a big statement on the nation’s controversial Treaty Principles Bill. The 89-cap player, who represented New Zealand for the final time in the match after signing a three-year deal with Japanese rugby team Black Rams Tokyo, led the haka for the 64th time before the All Blacks’ 29-11 win over Italy on the weekend. Watch selected NRL, AFL, SSN games plus every F1 qualifying session and race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Perenara launched into an impassioned haka, stating: “toitū te mana o te whenua, toitū te mana motuhake, toitū te tiriti o Waitangi.” That translates to “forever the strength of the land, forever the strength of independence, forever the Treaty of Waitangi.” Saturday’s haka has made waves. Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 and brought peace between the Maori and European settlers and established New Zealand as a colony. February 6, the anniversary of the signing, is known as Waitangi Day and is New Zealand’s national day. But the right-libertarian ACT Party, who are part of a coalition with the National Party and New Zealand First to form government, have tabled the Treaty Principles Bill, which aims to redefine the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The bill aims to offer New Zealanders a binding referendum seeking to more narrowly define the treaty’s principles in legal documents, with ACT leader David Seymour telling parliament it would address a situation where Maori are “afforded different rights than other New Zealanders”. Critics say the real aim is to unravel education and other programs for Maori citizens. Mr Seymour said the bill was a good thing and would be a “democratisation of the Treaty”. Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi previously accused the government of “waging war on our existence as Maori and on the fabric of this nation” and compared ACT Party to the KKK. The bill has been controversial to say the least with an estimated 42,000 demonstrators marching on the nation’s capital of Wellington to protest the bill. Around 40,000 protesters marched on Wellington. Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images The bill is expected to fail, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon allowing the bill to come to parliament as part of the parties’ coalition deal, but his party is believed to be unlikely to vote for its passage. Mr Luxon recently called the bill “divisive” and there was “no need for it”, while the opposition Labour Party called it “a waste of money” with “no support from any other party in parliament”. Speaking after the match against Italy, Perenara said the first line he had spoken had meant “this haka is for everyone in Aotearoa”, revealing his intent was to unite the country back home. “We’ve been away from home and seen the unity and the unification of our people back home, all people of Aotearoa and paying homage to us as people, and showing unification together as one,” Perenara said. “And like we, countries go through tough times. People go through tough times, families go through tough times. “And for us to pay homage to the unification of all of us is something that wanted to do and that we wanted to do, which was important.” However, questions were also asked after the Waitangi chant was kept off the All Blacks social media accounts. See in the video player above. The Aoteroa Liberation League tweeted: “All Blacks are erasing the beginning of this haka where TJ says “toitū te mana o te whenua, toitū te mana motuhake, toitū Te Tiriti o Waitangi” – a great example of how corporations are happy to commercialise te ao Māori while erasing Māori political aspirations.” Perenara said he didn’t intend the haka to be political or divisive. “Stand and pay respect to our whenua (country), which is our whenua, mana motuhake, which is our sovereignty, everyone’s sovereignty,” Perenara explained. “Te Tiriti o Waitangi, stand tall, stand proud and stand on Te Tiriti o Waitangi. So uniting us all as people. “I know some people might see or try and make it political or divisive, but for us, unity and being together is important, especially as Maori.” All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett said the team were aware and supportive of Perenara’s plan. “As the leader, they get the opportunity to say something,” Barrett explained. “He said he was going to lead, and say a wee mihi. It was a message of unity, and that’s what he said.” It’s the last time Perenara will lead the haka for the All Blacks. Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said Perenara had discussed his haka plan before the match. “TJ when he got the right to call (the haka), there’s a part of it at the start he gets in his own words to call it,” Robertson told reporters. “And he’s decided to say that and he has done it with the aspect of unity. It’s his right to say that.” “He said it’s sign of unity. Everyone is across it. He gets his chance to call that and the rest of the team gets to do the haka.” But the move has been criticised as well with Mr Seymour questioning why Perenara was against the bill. “I congratulate TJ on his long All Blacks career and wish him well in Japan,” Mr Seymour said. “I hope he reads the bill at treaty.nz. It says that we all have nga tikanga katoa rite tahi – the same rights and duties. And all New Zealanders have tino rangatiratanga, the right to self-determine, not only Māori. “The challenge for people who oppose this bill is to explain why they are so opposed to those basic principles of equal rights.” More Coverage Aussie sevens star crowned world’s best Martin Gabor ‘Numb arm’: Wallabies’ nervous wait on $5m man Originally published as ‘Message of unity’: New Zealand divided over All Blacks’ haka detail Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? 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Lara Trump will step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee as she considers a number of potential options with her father-in-law, President-elect Donald Trump, set to return to the White House. Among those possibilities is replacing Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whom Trump tapped to be the next secretary of state. If Rubio is confirmed, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will choose who takes the seat through the remainder of Rubio’s term, which expires in 2026. “It is something I would seriously consider,” she told The Associated Press in an interview. “If I’m being completely transparent, I don’t know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something that’s real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.” Elected as RNC co-chair in March, Lara Trump was a key player in the Republicans retaking the White House and control of the Senate while maintaining a narrow House majority. What she does next could shape Republican politics, given her elevated political profile and her ties to the incoming president. The idea of placing a Trump family member in the Senate has been lauded in some Republican circles. Among the people pushing for her to replace Rubio is Maye Musk, mother of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . “The Senate is an old man’s club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets,” she posted on X. Lara Trump is 42. Elon Musk, who was with Lara Trump on election night at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, responded to his mother’s post: “Lara Trump is genuinely great.” Eric and Lara Trump watch the second half of an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Credit: AP/Wilfredo Lee Led by chairman Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, the RNC invested heavily in recruiting roughly 230,000 volunteers and an army of lawyers for what it called its “election integrity” effort, four years after Donald Trump lost his reelection bid to Democrat Joe Biden, citing false or unproven theories about voter fraud. Outside groups such as Turning Point Action and Musk’s America PAC took a greater responsibility for advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts. While Whatley will remain RNC chairman, Lara Trump said she felt she had accomplished her goals in the co-chair role. “With that big win, I kind of feel like my time is up,” she said. “What I intended to do has been done.” Lara Trump praised Musk’s new endeavor, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a nongovernmental task force headed by Musk and and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. They’ve been tapped to fire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations as part of Trump’s “Save America” agenda for his second term. Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump speaks at a campaign rally with Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Van Andel Arena, Nov. 5, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Mich. Credit: AP/Evan Vucci “I really don’t think we’ve seen movement like this in our federal government since our country’s founding in many ways,” she said. “And I think if they are successful in what they plan to do, I think it is going to be transformative to America in a great way.” She said she expects a different presidency this time, beginning with the structure of the administration: While Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner served as White House advisers in his last administration, Lara Trump said she doesn’t see any family member taking any position in the White House this time around with her father-in-law. “He really wants to get in there and do a good job for the four years, and that’s all he wants to serve,” she said. “Four years, and he’s out.” Lara Trump also says she expects the Republican Party to be more unified than it has ever been. When she became co-chair in May, the Trump campaign and the RNC merged, with staffers fired and positions restructured. She said the result could spell trouble for GOP lawmakers who do not agree with Trump’s agenda. “The whole party has totally shifted and totally changed,” she said. “I think people are feeling a little more bold in coming out with their political views.”
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins' playoff hopes are not in their hands, but they did their part with a gritty win over San Francisco on Sunday. Coach Mike McDaniel knows that's not enough, and his team will need to do it two more times to even have a shot at making the postseason for the third straight year. “I was just proud of this effort and proud of the guys’ effort in general,” McDaniel said. “And that gives you a chance to win December football. Regardless, unless you’re playing in February, you also have to get adept at experiencing that, going through that, having some momentum and then going back and applying it to the next opponent, because no one cares about one win in December or January realistically. It’s about accumulating those.” Miami (7-8) is on the bubble for a wild-card spot along with Indianapolis (7-8) and Cincinnati (7-8). Even if the Dolphins win their remaining two games, they'll need help from other teams to get in. In one scenario, Miami would make the playoffs with two wins and two losses each by Denver (9-6) and the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6). “This team, we know when we do it well, we can do it very well,” defensive tackle Calais Campbell said. “We know that our chances are slim, but there’s a lot of fight left. And if we have a chance, we’re going to fight for it.” Miami closed out Sunday's game with a strong fourth quarter in all three phases. The offense converted on all three of its third-down attempts. Running back De'Von Achane had 93 of his 190 scrimmage yards in the quarter, including a 50-yard rushing score that put the game out of reach. Jason Sanders nailed a 48-yard field goal just before the two-minute warning. And the defense intercepted Brock Purdy on one of the Niners' last-ditch efforts. “I think that was something that we needed to see as a team together,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. “You could see in all three phases that we were able to play the complementary football that we said we wanted to play. The defense giving the offense opportunities to go put points on the board. Then when there were times where we didn’t do what we wanted to do offensively, the defense held.” With both of the Dolphins' final games on the road, they'll need to play better than they have in away games for much of the season. Miami is 5-3 at home, its fifth straight home winning record, but the Dolphins are 2-5 on the road. McDaniel expressed confidence that those home efforts can travel in this final stretch. “When you’re trying to play football so that in the inevitable situation that you face every season,” McDaniel said, “an elimination game, whether it’s to get in the playoffs or it’s in the playoffs, you want to be tooled with a team that can succeed or execute in those types of situations.” Miami's run game finally got going with 166 yards. It was the Dolphins' first time topping 100 yards rushing since Week 9. Achane led the charge with 120 yards. His 50-yard rushing score was Miami's longest run this season. The Dolphins moved the ball well but scored touchdowns on just one of three trips to the red zone. Sanders. He was 5 for 5 on field goals with a long of 54 yards, and 2 for 2 on extra points. Sanders has made 23 consecutive field goals and is 11 of 13 on kicks of 50-plus yards. He's one of two kickers, alongside Dallas' Brandon Aubrey, who have made a field goal in every game this season. WR Tyreek Hill. The All-Pro receiver caught just 3 of 7 targets for 29 yards and a touchdown. He had a third-down drop on the Dolphins' opening drive and dropped a potential touchdown later in the game. The NFL's receiving leader last year is averaging just 55.6 yards per game and has only two 100-plus yard receiving games this season. WR Jaylen Waddle missed the game because of a knee injury. ... CB Kendall Fuller (knee) and LB Jordyn Brookes (quad/knee) both went down late in the second half. 76 receptions, 802 yards — Both single-season Dolphins records for a tight end, which Jonnu Smith broke with six catches for 62 yards on Sunday. The Dolphins will continue their efforts to sneak into the playoffs when they play at Cleveland (3-12) on Sunday. They'll need to beat the Browns and the New York Jets (4-11) in their regular-season finale to give themselves a chance. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLSyrians rejoice as Assad flees, ending brutal reign
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CHICAGO — With a wave of her bangled brown fingertips to the melody of flutes and chimes, artist, theologian and academic Tricia Hersey enchanted a crowd into a dreamlike state of rest at Semicolon Books on North Michigan Avenue. “The systems can’t have you,” Hersey said into the microphone, reading mantras while leading the crowd in a group daydreaming exercise on a recent Tuesday night. The South Side native tackles many of society’s ills — racism, patriarchy, aggressive capitalism and ableism — through an undervalued yet impactful action: rest. Hersey, the founder of a movement called the Nap Ministry, dubs herself the Nap Bishop and spreads her message to over half a million followers on her Instagram account, @thenapministry . Her first book, “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,” became a New York Times bestseller in 2022, but Hersey has been talking about rest online and through her art for nearly a decade. Hersey, who has degrees in public health and divinity, originated the “rest as resistance” and “rest as reparations” frameworks after experimenting with rest as an exhausted graduate student in seminary. Once she started napping, she felt happier and her grades improved. But she also felt more connected to her ancestors; her work was informed by the cultural trauma of slavery that she was studying as an archivist. Hersey described the transformation as “life-changing.” The Nap Ministry began as performance art in 2017, with a small installation where 40 people joined Hersey in a collective nap. Since then, her message has morphed into multiple mediums and forms. Hersey, who now lives in Atlanta, has hosted over 100 collective naps, given lectures and facilitated meditations across the country. She’s even led a rest ritual in the bedroom of Jane Addams , and encourages her followers to dial in at her “Rest Hotline.” At Semicolon, some of those followers and newcomers came out to see Hersey in discussion with journalist Natalie Moore on Hersey’s latest book, “We Will Rest! The Art of Escape,” released this month, and to learn what it means to take a moment to rest in community. Moore recalled a time when she was trying to get ahead of chores on a weeknight. “I was like, ‘If I do this, then I’ll have less to do tomorrow.’ But then I was really tired,” Moore said. “I thought, ‘What would my Nap Bishop say? She would say go lay down.’ Tricia is in my head a lot.” At the event, Al Kelly, 33, of Rogers Park, said some of those seated in the crowd of mostly Black women woke up in tears — possibly because, for the first time, someone permitted them to rest. “It was so emotional and allowed me to think creatively about things that I want to work on and achieve,” Kelly said. Shortly after the program, Juliette Viassy, 33, a program manager who lives in the South Loop and is new to Hersey’s work, said this was her first time meditating after never being able to do it on her own. Therapist Lyndsei Howze, 33, of Printers Row, who was also seated at the book talk, said she recommends Hersey’s work “to everybody who will listen” — from her clients to her own friends. “A lot of mental health conditions come from lack of rest,” she said. “They come from exhaustion.” Before discovering Hersey’s work this spring, Howze said she and her friends sporadically napped together in one friend’s apartment after an exhausting workweek. “It felt so good just to rest in community,” she said. On Hersey’s book tour, she is leading exercises like this across the country. “I think we need to collectively do this,” Hersey explained. “We need to learn again how to daydream because we’ve been told not to do it. I don’t think most people even have a daydreaming practice.” Daydreaming, Hersey said, allows people to imagine a new world. Hersey tells her followers that yes, you can rest, even when your agenda is packed, even between caregiving, commuting, jobs, bills, emails and other daily demands. And you don’t have to do it alone. There is a community of escape artists, she said of the people who opt out of grind and hustle culture, waiting to embrace you. The book is part pocket prayer book, part instruction manual, with art and handmade typography by San Francisco-based artist George McCalman inspired by 19th-century abolitionist pamphlets, urging readers to reclaim their divine right to rest. Hersey directs her readers like an operative with instructions for a classified mission. “Let grind culture know you are not playing around,” she wrote in her book. “This is not a game or time to shrink. Your thriving depends on the art of escape.” The reluctance to rest can be rooted in capitalist culture presenting rest as a reward for productivity instead of a physical and mental necessity. Hersey deconstructs this idea of grind culture, which she says is rooted in the combined effects of white supremacy, patriarchy and capitalism that “look at the body as not human.” American culture encourages grind culture, Hersey said, but slowing down and building a ritual of rest can offset its toxicity. The author eschews the ballooning billion-dollar self-care industry that encourages people to “save enough money and time off from work to fly away to an expensive retreat,” she wrote. Instead, she says rest can happen anywhere you have a place to be comfortable: in nature, on a yoga mat, in the car between shifts, on a cozy couch after work. Resting isn’t just napping either. She praises long showers, sipping warm tea, playing music, praying or numerous other relaxing activities that slow down the body. “We’re in a crisis mode of deep sleep deprivation, deep lack of self-worth, (and) mental health,” said Hersey. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2022 , in Illinois about 37% of adults aren’t getting the rest they need at night. If ignored, the effects of sleep deprivation can have bigger implications later, Hersey said. In October, she lectured at a sleep conference at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where her humanities work was featured alongside research from the world’s top neuroscientists. Jennifer Mundt, a Northwestern clinician and professor of sleep medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences, praises Hersey for bringing the issue of sleep and rest to the public. In a Tribune op-ed last year, Mundt argued that our culture focuses too heavily on sleep as something that must be earned rather than a vital aspect of health and that linking sleep to productivity is harmful and stigmatizing. “Linking sleep and productivity is harmful because it overshadows the bevy of other reasons to prioritize sleep as an essential component of health,” Mundt wrote. “It also stigmatizes groups that are affected by sleep disparities and certain chronic sleep disorders.” In a 30-year longitudinal study released in the spring by the New York University School of Social Work, people who worked long hours and late shifts reported the lowest sleep quality and lowest physical and mental functions, and the highest likelihood of reporting poor health and depression at age 50. The study also showed that Black men and women with limited education “were more likely than others to shoulder the harmful links between nonstandard work schedules and sleep and health, worsening their probability of maintaining and nurturing their health as they approach middle adulthood.” The CDC links sleeping fewer than seven hours a day to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and more. Although the Nap Ministry movement is new for her followers, Hersey’s written about her family’s practice of prioritizing rest, which informs her work. Her dad was a community organizer, a yardmaster for the Union Pacific Railroad Co. and an assistant pastor. Before long hours of work, he would dedicate hours each day to self-care. Hersey also grew up observing her grandma meditate for 30 minutes daily. Through rest, Hersey said she honors her ancestors who were enslaved and confronts generational trauma. When “Rest Is Resistance” was released in 2022, Americans were navigating a pandemic and conversations on glaring racial disparities. “We Will Rest!” comes on the heels of a historic presidential election where Black women fundraised for Vice President Kamala Harris and registered voters in a dizzying three-month campaign. Following Harris’ defeat, many of those women are finding self-care and preservation even more important. “There are a lot of Black women announcing how exhausted they are,” Moore said. “This could be their entry point to get to know (Hersey’s) work, which is bigger than whatever political wind is blowing right now.” Hersey said Chicagoans can meet kindred spirits in her environment of rest. Haji Healing Salon, a wellness center, and the social justice-focused Free Street Theater are sites where Hersey honed her craft and found community. In the fall, the theater put on “Rest/Reposo,” a performance featuring a community naptime outdoors in McKinley Park and in its Back of the Yards space. Haji is also an apothecary and hosts community healing activities, sound meditations and yoga classes. “It is in Bronzeville; it’s a beautiful space owned by my friend Aya,” Hersey said, explaining how her community has helped her build the Nap Ministry. “When I first started the Nap Ministry, before I was even understanding what it was, she was like, come do your work here.” “We Will Rest!” is a collection of poems, drawings and short passages. In contrast to her first book, Hersey said she leaned more into her artistic background; the art process alone took 18 months to complete. After a tough year for many, she considers it medicine for a “sick and exhausted” world. “It’s its own sacred document,” Hersey said. “It’s something that, if you have it in your library and you have it with you, you may feel more human.” lazu@chicagotribune.comIt’s time to take tough decisions: PM We have to decide whether we save Pakistan or allow sit-ins to take place, says PM ISLAMABAD/ MANSEHRA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday stressed the need for taking tough decisions to rid the country of politics of agitation and ensure stability. Addressing the federal cabinet meeting, he said: “We have to decide whether we save Pakistan or allow sit-ins to take place.” The premier said that no one ever imagined launching an “onslaught” on Islamabad before, stressing that tough decisions will have to be taken now through mutual consultation. “We have two paths which we can take, and it is obvious that we have to take the path of development and prosperity,” he said. The prime minister said that once again an assault was mounted on Islamabad, but on the previous (Tuesday) night, all the law enforcement agencies had collectively and with good strategy dispersed the protest and provided relief to the public. He also particularly mentioned that the army chief also extended cooperation over the law and order situation in the federal capital, while the intelligence agencies also played their part. The prime minister also appreciated the Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh police forces and other law enforcement agencies for quelling the latest onslaught on Islamabad. Speaking about the economic losses faced due to violent protests, the prime minister said businesses were shut as life in the twin cities — Islamabad and Rawalpindi — came to a halt. He said that as a result of such rioting, Islamabad in particular and the country in general, witnessed huge economic losses. “Businesses were closed, traders were raising hue and cry, owners of factories were in distress, daily wagers found it hard to get a one-time meal while patients were stranded.” “Our stock exchange, which had crossed 99,000, plunged by over 4,000 points on Tuesday due to the riots,” he regretted. “The economy is facing a loss of Rs190 billion daily due to the protests.” Recalling PTI’s 2014 sit-in in the capital, Shehbaz said the rioters caused violence for 126 days at a time when the Chinese president had to visit the country. However, he added, the high-level visit was cancelled due to the PTI’s sit-in. He further highlighted that the rioters had once again tried to create chaos ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the capital. “There was a wave of concern among our guests whether to visit Pakistan or not,” he said. Shedding light on the Belarusian president’s visit to Pakistan, the prime minister said the two countries will sign agreements in January. He said had the courts given strict punishment to the criminals of May 9, we would not have seen this day. “We have to decide after much deliberation which direction we need to take,” he added. Shehbaz said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was suffering from a resurgence of terrorism, adding that dozens of people were martyred in the Kurram clashes. “They [KP government] should have [resolved] the Parachinar and Kurram matters but they attacked Islamabad using government resources,” he added. The prime minister further said that this was not a movement but “sedition” and there was no room for sedition in politics. “This is a conspiracy and it must be brought to an end at all costs,” he added. “It is not a movement but terrorism and a Fitna. We’ll break the hand that wants to damage Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz stressed. He maintained the prime minister, members of the cabinet and parliamentarians would not let anarchy inflict further harm on the country’s economy. Earlier, during his interaction with journalists in the federal capital, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi termed social media reports claiming 33 bodies were brought to a hospital as “propaganda” and challenged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to name the deceased. The minister said PTI’s miscreants were looking for bodies in hospitals. He asked the PTI to prove if any policeman had a gun during the protests. The minister said that they would present a report on the PTI’s protest in the cabinet meeting and to the prime minister. Naqvi also asserted that life has returned to normal across Pakistan with roads cleared and mobile and internet services restored. Naqvi also announced that Afghan citizens would not be allowed to reside in Islamabad without a No Objection Certificate (NoC) after December 31, adding that those intending to stay must obtain clearance from the DC office. Meanwhile, talking to the media, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the PTI narrative had failed and its leaders had to run to avoid arrest. The minister strongly rejected the PTI’s claims of killing their activists in firing by law enforcement agencies and termed it a baseless propaganda. He continued they concocted a fake story of workers deaths after the workers had martyred Rangers personnel in a hit-and-run incident and also martyred police personnel. He pointed out that the KP CM was accompanied by the provincial police personnel in plainclothes who were armed with modern weapons, including guns and teargas shells. Tarar explained that the rioters were using slingshots and sharp stones to harm the police and law enforcement agencies’ personnel. He noted since Tuesday morning, the PTI had started propaganda about the killing of party workers. He said the management of Polyclinic Hospital had issued a statement denying claims of any bodies being shifted there. He added that the PTI was the only political party that always made bogus claims of killing its workers. The minister said that on Tuesday night, he visited the area from D-Chowk to 7th Avenue but saw nothing which could prove PTI’s claims of firing on its workers. He remarked that the PTI leadership had run away from the scene to escape arrest and now they were creating a narrative of killings of protesters. He emphasized that if the PTI had proof of killings of their workers, they should present postmortem reports and other related evidence. He added that 37 Afghan nationals and dozens of criminals involved in terrorism, theft and robberies were arrested from the PTI protest scene. He questioned what justification would the PTI give for the use of weapons and firing of tear gas shells and slingshots by an unruly mob. He said that 45 guns and grenades were recovered from the miscreants belonging to the PTI. He contended that it was a preplanned sabotage of peace and damage to national economy to force the cancellation of Belarusian president’s visit. Tarar said the PTI leadership was so inefficient and weak that they could not arrange a sit-in without the backing of the establishment. He remarked that the 126-day sit-in of 2014 was also staged with the backing of certain elements in the establishment. He came hard on Bushra Bibi and charged that she wanted bodies to get political advantage, while Ali Amin Gandapur escaped to avoid arrest. He insisted that political movements cannot be run like this and PTI’s political ideology has flopped now. The minister said the PTI had the habit of concocting stories and it claimed that Rangers were killed by law enforcement agencies, but CCTV footage proved them wrong and now the culprits have been arrested from Abbottabad. He noted that many senior PTI leaders, including Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Atif Khan, Shehram Tarakai, Hammad Azhar and Waqas Akram stayed away from the entire protest. Tarar said the PTI suffered a major political setback, as its leaders fled from the federal capital. “If Ali Amin Gandapur is ashamed, then he will not wear a turban from today. Bushra Bibi and Amin Gandapur fled,” he remarked. He noted that while Qasim, Salman and Tyrian are growing up in Goldsmith’s house and all five children of Bushra Bibi are living a life of luxury, the PTI leadership uses children of the poor as shields. Referring to the sudden escape of the party leadership and workers from D-Chowk and Blue Area, he contended that protesters fled leaving behind their shoes, clothes and vehicles. “Running has become their habit. When fear grips a thief, he runs away,” he charged. He said that the PTI set its container on fire. “We did not want bloodshed. The interior minister was constantly monitoring the situation. The PTI people wanted to target important government figures and that they planned to capture the Parliament building.” Separately, in a press conference, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry refuted PTI’s allegations of widespread killings at D-Chowk, stressing that the operation was unarmed and intended to prevent casualties. Daniyal accused the PTI of attempting to incite deaths to disrupt the visits of foreign dignitaries. “PTI is spreading misleading propaganda regarding the deaths of its workers,” he said. He stated that a total of 900 hardened criminals were arrested, including proclaimed offenders, wanted criminals, and 37 Afghan nationals carrying weapons provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. Most of the protesters were brought to Islamabad with a payment of Rs5,000 per day. They engaged in street firing with the weapons, destroyed nearly 100 CCTV cameras, and set fire to 12 or 13 police vehicles, turning it into another May 9. Meanwhile, in a joint press conference at the Press Information Department, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Mohammad Ali Randhawa and Inspector General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi said that it was not a protest but terrorism that resulted in heavy damage of lives of law enforcers with the destruction of public and private properties to the tune of billions of rupees. They said that no one would be allowed to use protests as a cover for terrorism. They revealed that Afghan nationals were among the participants of the PTI protests and announced plans to enforce a policy requiring foreign residents to obtain security clearance to remain in Islamabad. The IGP said that 900 protesters were arrested and 200 vehicles seized during the PTI protest in the capital. He emphasised that while everyone has the right to protest, acts of terrorism under the guise of protests will not be tolerated. IGP Rizvi said that law enforcement agencies faced direct gunfire during the protests. “Damaging property and engaging in terrorism is not protest and such individuals should be termed terrorists,” he stated. The officials emphasized their responsibility to uphold the rule of law, stating, “Ensuring the writ of the state is our responsibility, and no one will be allowed to challenge it.” They noted that all entry and exit routes in the federal capital have been reopened, and normal activities have resumed. The IGP mentioned that armed individuals attacked police and Rangers, highlighting the distinction between peaceful protests and acts of terrorism. “We will not tolerate terrorist activities disguised as protests,” he added. The IGP mentioned that in a joint operation that led to the arrest of 954 individuals and the seizure of 210 vehicles, protesters were found with heavy weapons, and sensitive automatic weapons, including Kalashnikovs and other SMGs. The law enforcers recovered 39 weapons, including 12 bore guns and other firearms which the law enforcers used. “This is not a protest when participants bring weapons, attack police, damage public property and force citizens to remain confined to their homes. Such acts constitute terrorism and it is our right to act against it,” Rizvi said. Five Rangers officials and one cop of the Punjab Police were martyred, and 71 security personnel were injured, including 27 wounded by gunshots. The police have registered seven cases under the anti-terrorism laws, he added. The protesters used firearms, masks and heavy equipment, including industrial fans, to direct tear gas back at law enforcement personnel, he said. Additionally, the demonstrators destroyed CCTV cameras, and video footage identified over 3,000 vehicles used to transport weapons and other supplies. The chief commissioner, telling details of the destruction, said protesters damaged green belts, Metro bus stations and Safe City cameras. He explained that fuel stations were temporarily closed due to intelligence reports of potential arson. Protesters also attacked journalists, prompting the removal of media personnel from protest sites. Randhawa stated that the court had allowed protests in the Sangjani area, but demonstrators insisted on moving toward sensitive zones, including the Blue Area and Red Zone. The protests damaged Islamabad’s green belts and overall infrastructure. He stated that the protests violated agreed-upon terms, as participants attempted to infiltrate sensitive areas like the Blue Area and the Red Zone. Both officials reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward individuals or groups disrupting peace in Islamabad, particularly foreign nationals involved in unlawful activities. Search operations in the area are ongoing, they added. Meanwhile, the administrations of Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC) and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) have jointly refuted social media claims regarding alleged deaths and severe injuries from the PTI protests in Islamabad on November 24 and subsequent days. Both hospitals labelled the news as baseless and clarified the nature of injuries treated during the clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel. According to a statement from the FGPC, reports about bodies brought to their hospital due to gunshot wounds, grenade injuries or other fatal incidents were ‘entirely false’. The administration urged the public to disregard such unverified information circulating on social media. Similarly, PIMS confirmed that during the protests, they treated a total of 66 law enforcement personnel and 36 civilians for injuries sustained in the clashes. Most of the individuals received first aid for minor injuries and were discharged. A few patients required further medical attention and were admitted. The administration strongly denied rumours of any deaths linked to the protest, terming such claims as fabricated. Both hospitals emphasised the importance of relying on verified information and condemned the spread of misinformation that could create unnecessary panic or distrust. They assured the public of their commitment to providing accurate updates on any developments concerning patient care and emergencies. Meanwhile, in a declaration issued here, the PTI Political Committee condemned in the strongest terms what it alleged was the government’s action of barbaric shooting of millions of peaceful Pakistanis. The committee claimed the protestors included children, youth, elderly and women, who came to Islamabad for a peaceful protest, who were targeted. The forum demanded a high-level judicial investigation to determine the government’s role in the ‘criminal massacre’ of unarmed citizens who came to Islamabad for peaceful protest. It demanded preparing a future action plan in the light of instructions of founding chairman Imran Khan will be announced soon. The meeting also called for strong action against PM Shehbaz and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for ‘killing’ peaceful and patriotic Pakistanis and injuring hundreds with live bullets. It strongly condemned the shelling and firing on the vehicle of former first lady Bushra Bibi and KP Chief Minister Gandapur, the attempt to kidnap them and endanger their lives. “The firing and attack on the KP CM, who was in Islamabad for a peaceful protest along with the people of his province by Shehbaz Sharif and Mohsin Naqvi, is strongly condemned, which is the attack on the Federation of Pakistan,” it claimed. The committee also condemned the burning of Bushra Bibi’s container by the government machinery, burning of private property, vehicles, etc, of citizens, and playing with fire and blood in the capital. The meeting paid a great tribute to the people and workers for “crossing the river of difficulties and obstacles” for a peaceful protest on the final call of Imran Khan and reaching Islamabad and facing the worst shelling, brutal violence and ‘shameful government treatment’ with patience and perseverance. Declaring the killing of workers who were allegedly martyred as a result of “brutal firing by the government under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif and Mohsin Naqvi” a national tragedy, the committee demanded that justice be provided to the families of innocent Pakistanis martyred by the government from the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of Pakistan. It also strongly condemned the injuries of hundreds of Pakistanis and PTI workers by direct shooting and the kidnapping of injured citizens from hospitals. It offered full condolences to the families of martyrs and the injured and expressed solidarity and sympathy. The meeting also decided to take special measures for their care. The entire nation, the meeting claimed, supported the final call of founding chairman Imran Khan for a peaceful protest for the restoration of fundamental constitutional rights, protection of the independence of judiciary, release of innocent political prisoners, and return of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. “Lakhs of Pakistanis from all parts of the country crossed a river of fire and blood to peacefully protest in favor of their legitimate legal and political demands and reached D-Chowk. The brutality and state terrorism that the Shehbaz government, deprived of public support and mandate, demonstrated to crush peaceful protests is unparalleled in the world history of civil rights movements,” it charged. Meanwhile, at a press conference at the Insaf Secretariat in Mansehra, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur vowed to continue the sit-in in Islamabad until asked by the party founder Imran Khan to end it. “Our sit-in at D-Chowk will continue, and we will not end it until our leader Imran Khan calls it off,” he said. Gandapur, Bushra Bibi, Opposition leader in the National Assembly Umar Ayub Khan, KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and others reached Mansehra in the early hours after law-enforcement agencies launched a crackdown on protesters in the federal capital. The chief minister, who is also the PTI KP chapter president, alleged that hundreds of PTI workers were killed or injured in direct firing by law-enforcement agencies. “We will compensate the families of those who lost their lives with Rs10 million each, and the injured will receive quality healthcare services,” he declared. Gandapur announced to lodge a first information report (FIR) against the law-enforcement agencies and those responsible for allegedly firing at Bushra Bibi and him directly in Islamabad. “Bushra Bibi and I, the KP chief minister, were directly targeted by snipers in an assassination attempt. We both escaped unhurt luckily in the federal capital, which is supposed to symbolise national unity,” he alleged. Gandapur added: “If a chief minister narrowly escapes bullets during a peaceful protest, one can only imagine the brutalities faced by ordinary party workers and protesters.” He emphasized that PTI’s ongoing peaceful sit-in in the federal capital was for the supremacy of law and the Constitution and for securing Imran Khan’s release. “We firmly stand with our workers who have faced bullets for Imran Khan and those who have been arrested will be provided legal assistance by party lawyers for security their early release,” Gandapur said. During the press conference, which turned into a public gathering, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Umar Ayub accused the Punjab police of entering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to arrest PTI workers. “We are going to file an FIR against the Punjab police for crossing into KP’s jurisdiction and arresting our workers,” he said. Umar Ayub demanded an impartial inquiry into the killing of members of the Rangers force. He alleged that he, like other party leaders, narrowly escaped direct fire. “We will not allow the federal government to continue killing our workers without accountability,” he added. Earlier in the day, a meeting chaired by CM Gandapur was held at the New Circuit House to discuss the situation arising from the crackdown on the sit-in in the federal capital. The meeting, attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, Secretary Home Abid Majid, Hazara Commissioner Zaheerul Islam, and Deputy Inspector General of Police Tahir Ayub, lasted for half an hour. Gandapur, along with Bushra Bibi and other party leaders, left for Peshawar by helicopter. Meanwhile, talking to senior anchorperson Hamid Mir in Geo News show Capital Talk, PTI Member of National Assembly Latif Khosa said, “Today I feel sad and surprised. We had claimed that we’d come to D-Chowk. Even after so many hurdles, people reached Islamabad.” He claimed that they had killed 278 people and injured 1,900 but he failed to provide any evidence in this regard. Khosa said it was wrong to say that the federal government was attacked by the province. “The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have the same right over the federation as in other provinces. The capital is for everyone,” Khosa said. “Imran Khan’s wife is our sister and leader. For God’s sake, call her name with honour and respect,” he added. He asked when did Bushra Bibi took the name of Saudi Arabia, adding that she quoted General Bajwa as saying it. “Muhammed bin Salman is a close friend of Imran Khan. Bajwa was hell-bent on ruining their relationship.” He said that in the FIR, Mohsin Naqvi, IG Islamabad and the prime minister would be named. “We will try to register an FIR in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We know no one will register our FIR in Islamabad.” FIRs would be registered on the basis of testimonies of workers, he said. The crowd used to charge because of the few words uttered by Bushra Bibi. Khosa claimed that Barrister Saif was flown in by a jet to meet the PTI founder. The government was ready to release the founder, our demand was immediate release. There was also a public meeting in Sangjani but we did not agree to it. The movement does not end with violence. “We are still there [in Islamabad] and the movement is still there. We will come to Islamabad and the government will be ours. Neither the PTI can be banned not there can be the governor’s rule in the KP,” he said. He asked the rulers to have some sense saying that if they wanted to build smaller states in Pakistan. “Do you want to separate Balochistan and KP?”