Author: newsdesk

  • Pakistani rupee drops to Rs202 as market ambiguity extends

    Pakistani rupee drops to Rs202 as market ambiguity extends

    Pakistani currency slid to another historic low of Rs202 versus the US dollar on May 25 and lost ground in the interbank market.

    It fell 0.25 per cent against the US dollar today, closing at Rs201.92 after losing 51 paisas in the interbank market. During today’s open market session, the rupee hit an intraday low of Rs202.12 against the US dollar. In two weeks, the dollar has gained Rs15.23 against the rupee, and Rs18.98 since the new regime took power.

    The political situation in Pakistan also played a significant role in keeping the forex market on its toes, as players on both sides of the fence intensified their narratives against one another. Riots have broken out across the country after the month-old government shut down roads leading to Islamabad, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party is planning a large rally calling for the removal of the incumbent and immediate general elections.

    International oil prices maintained Monday’s gains as concerns about tight global supply continued to outweigh short-term trade forecasts. Brent crude rose to $114 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude in the United States rose to $111.

    Today, the PKR fell further against the majority of the other major currencies in the interbank market. It fell two paisas against the Pound Sterling (GBP), 13 paisas against the Saudi Riyal (SAR), and 38 paisas against the Australian Dollar (AUD).

    In today’s interbank currency market, it gained 12 paisas against the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and 17 paisas against the Euro (EUR).

    It is worth noting that the PKR reported losses against the greenback for the fourteenth day in a row.

  • Kashmir freedom fighter Yasin Malik sentenced to life imprisonment

    Kashmir freedom fighter Yasin Malik sentenced to life imprisonment

    Mohammed Yasin Malik, 54, founder of the organization Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front who was accused and charged with participating in alleged ‘acts of terrorism, illegally raising funds, being a member of a “terrorist organization”, terrorism financing, criminal conspiracy and sedition’, has now been sentenced to life in imprisonment.

    On 19 March, Judge Praveen Singh set May 25 as the date for hearing arguments from both sides and sentencing. She also directed Malik to provide an affidavit regarding his financial assets. JKLF reports that while in court, Malik said, “Terrorism-related charges leveled against me are concocted, fabricated and politically motivated.”

    The case is based on events from the 1990s when Malik and his associates were charged with the kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed in 1989 and the killing of four Indian Air Force officers in 1990.

    Malik’s wife Mushaal Malik also appeared in a press conference in Islamabad, alongside PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb. She spoke of the severely unjust treatment that the Indian government is subjecting on her husband, absolutely restricting the family from communicating with him and taking away his right to a free and fair trial. She demanded that her husband’s case be tried in the International Court of Justice and requested the United Nations to take action and establish an inquiry into this case.

    On Monday, the Pakistani Senate passed an unanimous resolution condemning the case against Hurriyat leader and expressing solidarity with his family. The resolution was tabled by former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

    Cases against Yasin Malik

    Malik, who has been kept under arrest at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in April 2019, when he was already in jail for violating the Indian Public Safety Act, according to which one can be jailed for an entire year without any trial.

    Malik, along with seven others, is charged with killing four Indian Air Force officers in 1990. However, their counsel has argued that since the group announced a unilateral ceasefire in 1994, the charge is not true.

    Secondly, Malik is accused of abducting the then federal home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s daughter, Rubaiya Sayeed in 1989. Both of these cases have been presented in courts by the NIA under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act [TADA].

    Unfair trial

    Despite there being no cases or new charges against Malik and his group throughout the BJP government, the court is now rushing through to reach sentencing in the trial.

    In his open letter from prison, Malik wrote, “Though I have every legal right to be presented physically before the court, but the judge and the CBI at the behest of government are not allowing me to present myself before the trial court physically. I am being presented through video conference, where neither I am able to hear the arguments of the lawyers nor am I being allowed to speak.”

    Commenting on the speed with which the case is being tried, Malik’s lawyer Tufail Raja told Al Jazeera, “When you reopen a 30-year-old case and pursue it at a fast pace in a bid to hastily produce judgement, you can understand the intentions of this government.” He added “This is a political rather than a judicial move.” 

    The verdict

    Leading up to the announcement of the verdict, people had started coming out on the streets in Kashmir, on either side of the issue – in his support as well as those against him. The court also imposed various fines including a 5,000 INR and a 10,000 INR fine on Yasin Malik, along with two life imprisonment sentences, which will both run simultaneously.

    DG ISPR and wife Mushaal Malik have vehemently condemned this decision on Twitter and held up Kashmir’s right to self determination.

  • Elections for 20 de-seated Punjab Assembly seats to be held on July 17: ECP

    Elections for 20 de-seated Punjab Assembly seats to be held on July 17: ECP

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced on Wednesday that the by-polls on the 20 vacant seats of the Punjab Assembly will be held on July 17.

    The date for the by-elections comes after the ECP on Monday de-notified the 25 PTI MPAs that it had de-seated over defection from the party for voting in favour of Hamza Shehbaz in the chief minister election. The decision to de-seat the 25 PTI dissidents came during the announcement of the verdict in a case pertaining to the dissident Members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs).

    The ECP had issued official notifications for the cancellation of the dissidents’ election from respective constituencies of Punjab and seats reserved for women and non-Muslims.

    “Pursuant to the Order dated the 20 May 2022 passed by the Election Commission of Pakistan in case No. 13(1)/2022-Law, upon confirmation of the declarations under Article 63A(1)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Election Commission of Pakistan hereby de-notify the following member’s Provincial Assembly of Punjab from the respective Constituencies, seats reserved for women, and non-Muslims in terms of Article 63A(4) of the Constitution,” the notification said.

  • Texas school shooting: 19 children, 2 adults killed inside Robb Elementary School

    Texas school shooting: 19 children, 2 adults killed inside Robb Elementary School

    On Tuesday, May 24, an 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos, who killed at least 19 children and two adults in a school shooting at Robb Elementary School, in Uvalde, a small city west of San Antionio. The school had second through fourth grade kids attending and apart from those killed, several were injured.

    Only ten days ago, 10 people were brutally killed by another gunman in an aggressive racist attack, inside a grocery store in Buffalo, New York.

    Addressing the American nation on the night of Tuesday, President Biden called for action and severely lamented that the attack had taken place, but did not clarify his policy decision or vote. “Where in the God’s name is our backbone, the courage to do more and then stand up to the lobbies? It’s time to turn this pain into action,” says President Biden

    Some images of students and teachers who were killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary School – [Top L to R]: Xavier Lopez (10 y/o), Nevaeh Bravo (4th grade), Tess Mata (4th grade). [Bottom L to R]: Makenna Lee Elrod (10 y/o), Amerie Garza (10 y/o), Eva Mireles (17 years of teaching)

    Eva Mireles, a fourth grade teacher who had been teaching at the school for almost 17 years now. She had one daughter and was married to a law enforcement officer in Uvalde. Her daughter was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and she was trying harder every day to provide a better future for her. Parents of her students tweeted in her memory.

    10-year-old Amerie Jo Garza, who was in fourth grade was also shot this Tuesday, and had celebrated her birthday only two weeks ago before the shooting. It is reported that she was attempting to call 911 for help. Finding out about her death, her father said, “My little love is now flying high with the angels above. Please don’t take a second for granted. Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you Amerie jo. Watch over your baby brother for me.”

    10-year-old Makenna Elrod’s father Brandon Elrod spoke to ABC News on Tuesday afternoon, and said that he was searching for his 10-year-old daughter but he feared that she might not be alive. Unable to find her initially, he headed towards the funeral home.

    Parents of the children who were shot have given several statements to the national media expressing disbelief and denial in having lost their children in this manner. Although the gunman also died on the spot, the family members of these children were left extremely traumatized.

  • Here’s where you can get petrol in Lahore

    Here’s where you can get petrol in Lahore

    Following oil industry’s warning of possible petroleum product shortages in Punjab and neighbouring areas due to road and highway blockades, a number of petrol pumps in the city have been closed.

    Majority of petrol pumps in Lahore have been shut, particularly in the Cantt, DHA, Gulberg, and Johar Town area. When asked, the majority of retailers refused to comment on when petroleum sales would resume.

    We have, however, contacted multiple managers of prominent petrol pumps in Lahore and asked if they are currently selling fuel.

    Here are a few filling stations in different parts of the city that are still selling fuel:

    1. Euro Oil petrol pump opposite Shahnawaz Mercedes-Benz Showroom Gulberg
    2. Total parco Mazang road, Mazang Chungi
    3. Hascol DHA phase 2 U Block, opposite DHA cinema
    4. PSO Chowk Thokar Niaz Baig , Multan Road

    Earlier, Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) said that oil marketing companies are supplying fuel to retailers but the deliveries could be slowed owing to road blockages in Punjab’s major cities.

  • Senior journalist Talat Aslam passes away

    Senior journalist Talat Aslam passes away

    Veteran journalist and senior editor of the English Daily The News International, Talat Aslam passed away on Wednesday at the age of 67.

    In his final few tweets, he talked about ARY News channel being pushed back. He urged the government to not do what its predecessor did to the media.

    Aslam was a veteran journalist with a career spanning many publications, including Herald and The News.

    Following the news of Aslam’s death, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the death of senior journalist and paid tribute to him.

    Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman tweeted: “Burst with grief upon hearing that old friend, Aslam just passed away. He was the kindest, funniest, wittiest, warmest soul in the whole world.”

    Several journalists also came forward to express their condolences.

  • Taliban ask female TV anchors to cover faces, male anchors wear face masks in solidarity

    Taliban ask female TV anchors to cover faces, male anchors wear face masks in solidarity

    Days after the Taliban issued an order requiring female TV presenters to cover their faces at work, their male colleagues went on air wearing face masks in solidarity. Male anchors from numerous major news organisations, including TOLO News and 1TV News, have initiated a social media campaign posting images of themselves with the hashtag #FreeHerFace.

    https://twitter.com/heatherbarr1/status/1529158595773771776

    In the pictures circulating on social media, male and female staff members of a news channel can be seen sitting together in an office full of screens, all wearing black masks.

    Male anchors of TOLO News and 1TV News went on air with their face masks on.

    Taliban officials announced earlier this month that all women and girls must leave home only when necessary and wear head-to-toe clothing when out in public.

    Read more- Taliban orders TV presenters to cover their faces on air, Twitter protests

    Taliban authorities have also prohibited girls from attending school after sixth grade, reversing previous Taliban promises that girls of all ages would be permitted to attend school.

  • Pakistan Customs intensifies inspection at all international airports

    Pakistan Customs intensifies inspection at all international airports

    Pakistan Customs has intensified goods inspection at all international airports to prohibit the smuggling of recently banned commodities. The federal government prohibited the items in SRO No. 598(I)/2022, issued May 19, 2022, by revising the Import Policy Order, 2022.

    This 24-hour monitoring at international terminals to prevent smuggling has already resulted in multiple confiscation of these items disguised as legitimate passenger baggage.

    Banned commodities like foodstuff, fruits, sanitary wares, used mobile phones, and branded shoes were found in commercial quantities during scanning and inspection at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on May 23, 2022.

    The aforementioned items were detained/seized in accordance with Sector 168 of the Customs Act of 1969 for violating SRO No. 598(I)/2022 (Import Policy Order, 2022) and Sections 16 and 139 of the Customs Act of 1969.

    While applauding Pakistan Customs’ efforts, the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reaffirmed the FBR’s unwavering determination to strengthen policing strategies at all airports, seaports, and land border stations to ensure the avoidance of trafficking of goods, including newly banned items.

    Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and FBR Chairman, on the other hand, have issued instructions not to bother genuine passengers bringing in goods in non-commercial/small quantities for personal use, and to assist such passengers at airports to the greatest extent permitted by law.

    People in Pakistan were outraged by the Customs move, particularly those who had been thoroughly scanned and shared their side of the story on social media.

  • PTI Azadi March: Imran sets out to lead party caravan, tensions escalate

    PTI Azadi March: Imran sets out to lead party caravan, tensions escalate

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Azadi March began on Wednesday, tensions rose across the country as police made use of tear gas and arrested several PTI marchers headed toward Islamabad.

    Khan’s message for PTI supporters

    PTI Chairperson Imran Khan called on his supporters to join his freedom march.

    In a video message, Khan said, “I will lead the Azadi March caravan from Peshawar, and God willing, we will head to Islamabad from there. I want each and everyone to leave because this is a defining moment.”

    Khan waves to supporters from a truck

    Imran Khan arrived at the Wali Interchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by helicopter.

    Khan, later, departed for Islamabad from the Wali Interchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    ‘Defining moment’ for Pakistan

    Imran also urged protesters to carry the Pakistani flag, calling today a “defining moment” for Pakistan.

    ‘No blockade can stop us’

    After reaching Swabi, Khan delivered a speech to supporters. In it, he said that “we are going to D-Chowk and no one can stop us” as the crowd cheered.

    Khan said that the PTI government did not bar any of them from staging protests as they “did not fear the people”.

    He said that the government was afraid as they had been plundering national wealth for the past 30 years. “I want to give the people a message from Swabi Interchange: whatever you do, we will cross all obstacles and reach D-Chowk. Our protest will be peaceful as it has always been.”

    “I want to give the people a message from Swabi Interchange: whatever you do, we will cross all obstacles and reach D-Chowk. Our protest will be peaceful as it has always been.”

     “This nation does not accept this imported government,” he declared, calling on the people to come out for what he has described of late as a “jihad” for “true freedom”.

    “All Pakistanis, women, children, families, youth, lawyers, retired army officers, everyone has to come out for real independence,” he said.

    No agreement has been reached

    Following the directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the two sides have agreed on PTI holding a jalsa instead of a long march, Geo News reported. Talks between the government and PTI continued for two-and-half hours.

    Khan in relevance to the news tweeted, “Absolutely not! We are moving towards Islamabad & no question of any deal. We will remain in Islamabad till announcement of dates for dissolution of assemblies & elections are given.”

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also said that no agreement has been reached between the federal government and PTI. She said news of negotiations and an agreement between the government and PTI is “baseless”.

    Detention expected of Khan

    The government has decided to detain PTI Chairman Imran Khan with the top party leadership on its way to Islamabad from Peshawar today for the Azadi March, reports The News.

    Rangers deployed in Islamabad

    On Tuesday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah announced that the federal government will not allow any riots in the name of the PTI long march. Section 144 has been imposed in Lahore, Karachi and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and the roads leading up to the capital city from different parts of the country have been blocked. Rangers have been called in by the government to help protect Islamabad’s, Red Zone.

    https://twitter.com/RashidK10425837/status/1529329373781934081?s=20&t=BqLkjo0MNs35Ix8fAEpfsg
    PTI workers clash with police at Lahore’s Batti Chowk

    PTI workers marching towards Islamabad from Lahore engaged in a clash with the police at Batti Chowk in Lahore as they tried to remove the barricades on the roads. Policemen stopped PTI supporters from moving forward and used tear gas.

    According to PTI’s official Twitter account, the marchers were also stopped at the Shahdara area.

    Dr Yasmin Rashid’s car attacked by police

    PTI supporters came forward and verbally abused the police officials. Meanwhile, Dr Yasmin Rashid tried stopping the police from taking away her car keys.

    Hammad Azhar tried to be arrested

    PTI leader Hammad Azhar tweeted, the impediments and containers on Bati Chowk, Ravi Bridge, and Shahdara have been removed and the roads have been cleared by “the public”.

    https://twitter.com/azammaalik/status/1529380891247755266?s=20&t=38SnfKGvZmlJ1vwGCvqC0w
    Weapons and ammunition recovered

    Meanwhile, police said that they have recovered heavy ammunition and weapons from the residences of PTI leaders Bijash Niazi and Zubair Niazi.

    DIG Operations Sohail Chauhdry in a press conference shared that the raids were conducted at Nawan Kot and Multan Road areas from where three persons were arrested. However, Zubair Niazi fled from the scene. Giving details of the arms recovered, the police officer said that six 223 bore guns, 13 rifles, 96 SMG rifles, and 26 magazines of pistols were found.