Author: newsdesk

  • Speaker Asad Qaiser is ‘Imran Khan’s stooge’, says Opposition after Qaiser adjourns NA session till Monday

    Speaker Asad Qaiser is ‘Imran Khan’s stooge’, says Opposition after Qaiser adjourns NA session till Monday

    The much-awaited and critical National Assembly (NA) session on the vote of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was adjourned till Monday (March 28) by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.

    “Since this is the tradition of this house, that whenever a respectable member [of the assembly] passes away, the [NA] session is adjourned till the next [working] day in their honour,” said Qaiser. “This has happened for years and this had happened a total of 24 times in the past.”

    Addressing a press conference outside Parliament House right after the session was adjourned, Leader of the Opposition in NA Shehbaz Sharif said that the Speaker has become a “stooge” of PM Khan.

     “This was a constitutional obligation and he violated the Constitution by not doing this,” said Shehbaz adding, “The Constitution and the law is above tradition and voting should have been allowed … tradition aside, the Speaker should have taken up the motion [but] he did not listen and left.”

    Shehbaz tweeted, “This partisan behaviour does not suit the custodian of the House. U cannot stop the inevitable through such underhand tactics!”

    Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that PM Khan was “fleeing the pitch”.

    Taking to Twitter, Bilawal wrote, “Speaker provided another weak excuse to avoid tabling the no-trust move.”

    “Imran can’t run forever. PM has no sportsman spirit and cannot face defeat with grace. The once great Kaptaan will go down like a rat on a sinking ship,” he said.

    Prior to the session, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “Nothing will happen in the assembly session today.”

  • PM Khan to address Mansehra today despite ECP warning, fines

    PM Khan to address Mansehra today despite ECP warning, fines

    As part of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) campaign for the March 31 local body elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan is set to address the public in Thakral Stadium, Mansehra on Friday.

    Previously, it was reported that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had taken notice of PM Khan’s visit to Mansehra. The commission called it the breach of code of conduct as it had earlier restricted the premier and other government officials from attending any public gathering ahead of local elections.

    Despite this, the PM ignored the warning and attended a public gathering in Swat on March 16 for which the commission slapped a Rs50,000 fine on the PM and government officials. The premier also attended a gathering in Lower Dir on March 19 where the region’s District Monitoring Officer (DMO) Hameedul Lah had imposed a fine of Rs50,000 on him.

    According to Dawn, DMO of the Provincial Election Commission Hayatullah Jan has written a letter to the chief secretary asking him to convey to PM Khan that his visit to Mansehra is a violation of the election law and he should cancel it.

  • ‘Tons of chicken meat is burnt for witchcraft in Bani Gala’: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘Tons of chicken meat is burnt for witchcraft in Bani Gala’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif alleged that tons of chicken meat is burnt for ‘witchcraft’ in Bani Gala.

    Speaking on Aaj News programme, “Faisla Aap ka”, Shehbaz said, “I am saying this with complete responsibility. This is the situation, but the PM is speaking about ‘Riyaasat-e-Madina’ and ‘Amar Bil Maroof [enjoining good]’,” he added.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader further said that people are deprived of food and children are yearning for milk, but tons of chicken is being burnt in Bani Gala for witchcraft.

    Shehbaz ruled out the possibility of a dialogue with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. Shehbaz said Imran Khan talks about ‘Riyaasat-e-Madina’ and on the other hand, promotes cartels.

    “There is no question that I will talk to someone who is so egoist, he lies, what did he do with the cartels?”

    Responding to PM Khan’s statement in which he said he has a surprise for the Opposition, Shehbaz said, “Before he surprises us, we will surprise Imran Khan.”

    Anchorperson Asma Shirazi asked Shehbaz if he has more surprises up his sleeve, to which he said, “Absolutely, we will bring surprise after surprise. Don’t you worry, in the next few days we will bring surprises and you will be shell-shocked.”

  • Australia’s Steve Smith becomes fastest cricketer to score 8,000 Test runs

    Australia’s Steve Smith becomes fastest cricketer to score 8,000 Test runs

    Australian batter Steve Smith has become the fastest cricketer to reach 8,000 runs in Test cricket. Smith made the record in 151 innings. He made the record in the ongoing third Test between Pakistan and Australia

    Smith eclipsed Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, who reached the mark in his 152nd innings.

    Among other Australians to pass 8,000 Test runs, Smith soared past Matthew Hayden (164 innings), Ricky Ponting (165), Michael Clarke (172), Allan Border (184) and Steve Waugh (194).

    Smith is the 33rd batsman in the world and seventh from Australia to score 8,000-plus runs.

    Smith made his Test debut against Pakistan at Lords in 2010.

  • Usman Mirza, four others sentenced to life in prison in couple harassment case

    Usman Mirza, four others sentenced to life in prison in couple harassment case

    An Islamabad district and sessions court has sentenced Usman Mirza and four others to life imprisonment in the case of harassment and assaulting of a couple in Islamabad. The four accomplices include Mohib Bangash, Adaras Qayyum Butt, Hafiz Ataur Rehman and Farhan Shaheen. Meanwhile, Umar Bilal and Rehan Hassan Mughal were acquitted.

    Judge Atta Rabbani announced the verdict.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that despite the fact that the couple retracted their statements, the use of technology as evidence in the case is welcoming.

    Read more- Usman Mirza Case: Couple refuses to recognise accused persons, reportedly took one crore in deal

    The minister also added that justice will prevail in Sialkot and other cases too.

    The case was highlighted last year in July when a video of Usman Mirza harassing a couple went viral on social media. Mirza was arrested on July 7 after the disturbing video went viral on social media where he could be seen torturing and assaulting a couple. He was also seen stripping the woman in the video. On January 11, the female victim refused to identify any of the accused and said she does not want to pursue the case, after which the state decided to pursue prosecution.

  • Gree offers 10 years of peace of mind

    Gree offers 10 years of peace of mind

    Gree is a global technological industrial giant established in 1991. It is a world-leader in the air conditioners category and a major player in the fast-growing global consumer appliances industry, with a robust presence in 200 countries. As a pioneer in the global home appliances sector, GREE has invested in research and development (R&D) to maintain a competitive edge in the industry and is committed to making life beautiful for its customers. They strive to innovate and create new ways to help people live well and stay comfortable no matter where they are. Gree offers a range of home appliances which includes refrigerators, water dispensers, heaters, and air purifiers but has established itself as a giant in the air conditioning category.

    Gree makes one of every three air conditioners in the world.

    Gree takes pride in its premium and technological superior range of Fairy Inverter Air Conditioners and the beautiful and efficient Pular Inverter Series. They value reliability and that is why they have an unparalleled testing system in place and cutting-edge manufacturing plants to ensure superior products for their customers.

    Gree has a stellar reputation for producing unmatched superior air conditioners supported by the incomparable trust of their customers and celebrating this milestone of mutual trust and respect Gree is announcing an incredible extended warranty campaign for its Fairy and Pular Inverter Series Air Conditioners. This includes 10 years’ warranty on compressors, 4 years’ warranty on PCB Chip, 2 years’ evaporator/condenser, and 1-year parts/services of air conditioners. It can be safely said that Gree is offering the strongest warranties in the market today.

    Compressor can easily be called the heart of the air conditioner – it is the most important and therefore an expensive part of the system. What more can a customer ask from a brand when they are offered a 10 years’ warranty on its compressor. Gree has surpassed customer expectations with such a strong warranty, boosting the customer’s confidence and giving them peace of mind.

    PCB chip is the motherboard of the air conditioners – and they can be easily damaged due to improper voltage during installation, by short circuiting, exposure to elements, and accidental impact, and Gree offers an incredible 4 years’ warranty on PCB Chip of its inverter series guaranteeing ease of mind.

    In addition, Gree is generously offering 2-years warranty of the evaporator and condenser and a 1-year warranty of parts/services – that allows the customers to avail the services of skilled technicians for repairs and also replacement of any part of the air conditioner, hassle-free. Gree is certainly making life beautiful for its customers by providing them matchless warranty and with it establishing a strong bond of trust.

    The confidence that Gree promises to its customers is evident through its customer-centric initiatives. It builds customer confidence and trust in Gree, building a stronger relation and therefore making Gree inverter air conditioners, the most well-loved and trusted brand in Pakistan.

    So, bring home peace of mind, bring home GREE!

    This article is sponsored by Gree

  • Police arrest newlyweds for bloody fight after wedding, wife head butts husband

    Police arrest newlyweds for bloody fight after wedding, wife head butts husband

    A couple was arrested in Florida after they injured each other during a fight, soon after their wedding ceremony. According to media reports, the couple stayed at the Hilton hotel after their wedding.

    The police reached the hotel after reports of a fight between the bride and groom. When the police reached the 32-year-old bride, Stefanie Ginas’ gown was covered in blood and had a torn strap. “Her face and chest were covered in blood and she was crying. Ginas’ mother advised there was some sort of an altercation between Ginas and her husband, John Gerhard, in their hotel room,” the police told the news publication.

    As per details, the husband left the hotel after the incident, before the police reached. The husband told his father that his newlywed bride “headbutted” him and “broke his nose.”

    The bride claimed that she and her husband got into an argument and she defended herself, but she later revealed that she was the one who began the fight with her spouse.

    Later, the groom returned to the hotel and admitted to the authorities that he had caused his wife’s injuries.

    The police report read: “The hotel room showed signs of an altercation. Blood was located on Gerhard’s white dress shirt, several places on the carpet, a washcloth, the bedsheets, the bathroom floor and the desk. Bloody clothing and bloody towels were thrown throughout the room.”

    “The investigation revealed an act of domestic battery did occur. Both parties advised they were the primary aggressor, and both parties sustained obvious injuries, consistent with both subjects’ complaints. In order to ensure no further injury or harm occurred to either party, both subjects were arrested for domestic battery,” the report added.

  • Chinese Foreign Minister pays unannounced visit to Kabul

    Chinese Foreign Minister pays unannounced visit to Kabul

    Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister (FM) Wang Yi arrived in Kabul on Thursday after attending the three-day Organisation on of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Islamabad, which ended on Wednesday. His visit was not announced earlier.

    Yi is the first senior Chinese leader to visit Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover in August. He was received by Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

    The two sides will hold talks on important issues, focusing on China’s role in stability and development, reports Afghan state-run Bakhtar News Agency.

    On March 30-31 Beijing is set to host a two-day conference to discuss the Afghan situation. It is pertinent to mention that the Taliban government is yet to be recognised by any country.

    Foreign Minister Yi last visited Kabul in 2017 after a huge bombing incident after which he tried to ease tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    China has been involved in the Afghan peace process since the US started its withdrawal of troops in 2014. Moreover, in the past few years, Taliban political representatives have paid several visits to China.

  • CJP Bandial says not counting a vote during no-trust proceedings against Khan would be ‘contemptuous’

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday observed that not counting a vote that has been cast during the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan would be “contemptuous”.

    CJP Bandial further questioned that for how long a dissident Member of the National Assembly (MNA) could be disqualified.

    He made the remarks during the hearing of a presidential reference seeking the Supreme Court’s opinion on Article 63-A of the Constitution.

    Earlier, during the hearing, Justice Mandokhail questioned whether the MNA’s vote could be counted in the proceedings conducted before he was de-seated, observing there was no mention of not counting a vote in the 18th Amendment.

    Justice Akhtar observed that the purpose of Article 63-A was to stop defection from party policies. “The party’s collective opinion is above an individual opinion. The collective opinion is important for the stability of democracy.” He said one interpretation of Article 63-A was that the vote of dissidents should not be counted.

    Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan argued that the real issue was about clarifying Article 63-A(4). “Someone who violates the Constitution by defection cannot be praised. We cannot read what’s not written in the Constitution. Article 62(1)(f) states that an MNA should be honest and righteous.

    “Should defecting from the party be rewarded? Can those who are dishonest be considered righteous?” he asked.

    Justice Mandokhail replied that every MNA had the right to vote in accordance with Article 95, which deals with the procedure to bring in a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

    “If vote can be cast, it can also be counted,” he observed, asking the AGP why the government was seeking the court’s opinion if it already had the answer. “If you agree with this point, then withdraw this reference,” he added.

    Earlier, SCBA submitted its response in the apex court, stating that voting is an individual right of an MNA instead of a political party’s collective right under Article 95.

    It declared the MNAs’ right to vote for the no-confidence motion against the prime minister to be an individual capacity in its response to the presidential reference for the interpretation on Article 63A of the Constitution Pakistan.

  • Car prices in Pakistan expected to increase by 15 per cent

    Three prominent automakers in Pakistan including Suzuki, Honda, and Hyundai are expected to announce a price hike within two weeks, due to the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar and rising prices of imported raw materials.

    Analysts expect car prices to increase by up to 15 per cent. It is worth noting that Pak Suzuki and Kia Lucky Motors have already announced a price hike for their vehicles.

    Experts predict that more auto assemblers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) are expected to jump on the price hike bandwagon.

    Considering the imminent price hike, Suzuki Bolan may witness an increase of Rs. 172,000 in its current price of Rs. 1.17 million, which will cost Rs. 1.35 million after the hike.

    The all-new Honda Civic Vti Oriel 2022 which costs Rs. 5.4 million is expected to be priced at Rs. 6.2 million after a massive increase of Rs. 810,000 in its current price.

    Hyundai’s only sedan, the 2.0 Hyundai Elantra GLS after getting the expected hike will cost Rs. 5.1 million as compared to its current price of Rs. 4.4 million.

    Read more: ‘Hamaray paas paisa ziada aya hai’: PM Khan reveals reason for slashing petrol, diesel prices

    Rising inflation and hefty petrol prices have immensely impacted the lives of people, as it has forced several car owners to switch to a two-wheeler for daily commuting.