Author: newsdesk

  • What will happen to PTI govt if Gillani wins Senate seat?

    What will happen to PTI govt if Gillani wins Senate seat?

    Senate elections are just round the corner and all parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have finalised their candidates.

    The PTI is eyeing a majority in the Senate after the polls while the opposition alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), is seeing these elections as an opportunity to topple the Imran-led government.

    Both are hoping to bag the Senate seat from Islamabad for which voting will be held in the National Assembly — lower house of parliament dominated by the PTI and its allies. PTI has fielded Hafeez Sheikh, whereas the opposition has nominated Pakistan People’s Party leader Yousaf Raza Gillani for the seat.

    The competition between Gillani and Sheikh is of great significance: if Gillani wins the seats — for that he would need to woo at least 15 lawmakers of the ruling alliance — then this would prepare the ground for a no-trust vote against the PM. This would be the victory of the PPP as well because out of all the PDM parties, only the People’s Party favours the no-confidence move against Imran Khan.

    The PDM parties also look hopeful. They believe Gillani, who had served as the prime minister during PPP’s tenure, will be able to secure the seat for two reasons: his personal standing as a politician and the disgruntled allies of the ruling PTI.

    According to reports, the PTI lawmakers and allied parties’ lawmakers are not happy with the PM’s decision to award ticket to his aide on finance and many see him as a “parashooter” in the PTI ranks. The observers believe that the opposition will be able to cash in on these grievances if Gillani runs the campaign seriously. A senior journalist also claimed that at least 20 members of the PTI are going to vote for Gillani in case of secret ballot.

    If Gillani wins, the opposition will ask the prime minister to resign. And as PPP’s Kaira says it would be a mere formality because the PTI nominee’s defeat in the Senate election would pave way for Imran’s ouster.

    NUMBERS GAME:

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its allies have an advantage of around 15 votes. The PTI has 156 votes, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has five MNAs, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has seven MNAs, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) has three, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) has five MNAs and Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed’s Awami Muslim League has one. They will be supported by an independent lawmaker, Aslam Bhootani from Balochistan. All these members put together come to 179, as per The News.

    On the other hand, the PML-N has 83 seats, the PPP has 54 lawmakers, the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) or Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has 15 MNAs, the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) has four seats, and the Awami National Party (ANP) has one lawmaker in the lower house. Three independents, including PTM’s Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir, along with another independent lawmaker, are likely to back the PDM candidate. So, Gillani is supported by 160 members.

  • Pakistani climber becomes first Asian to scale Mount Kilimanjaro in 20 hours

    Pakistani climber becomes first Asian to scale Mount Kilimanjaro in 20 hours

    Pakistani mountaineer Asad Ali Memon became the first Pakistani and Asian to summit Mount Kilimanjaro the highest peak (5,895 meters or 19,341 ft) in the continent of Africa within 24 hours.

    Posting a picture on Instagram, the mountaineer wrote, “Alhumdulillah, I became the only Asian & Pakistani to climb [Mount] Kilimanjaro in less than 24 hours,”.

    Memon shared that it took him only 20 hours to summit and return to the gate of Africa’s highest mountain.

    The young climber started his push for the summit from the Umbwe Gate (start point) early Monday morning and went for the most challenging route to the summit, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission in Tanzania.

    “His mission to traverse the summit and return within one day (24 hours) has been achieved well within the time limit despite being a snowy and rainy weather during the day,” the statement said.

    The high commission said: “His solo summit of Uhuru peak will contribute to opening new vistas of collaboration in adventure sports and tourism between Pakistan and Tanzania.”

  • Woman arrested for using minor sons to peddle drugs

    Lahore police have arrested a woman on suspicion of peddling drugs by putting them in the bags of her school-going sons.

    According to reports, the minors, aged eight and 10, were carrying about 9kg of drugs in their schoolbags. Police said their mother Shamim, an alleged drug peddler, used her sons as drug mules to evade the law enforcement agencies.

    In March, Karachi police had arrested a woman along with her partner from Sohrab Goth over charges of providing ice drug to posh areas and universities using an auto-rickshaw.

    As per reports, the woman used to sell ice and other types of drugs through rickshaw that was usually driven by her husband or son so that she could not be caught by the police. The arrested woman, Gul Bibi, and her accomplice identified as Inayat used to smuggle ice drug from Balochistan.

  • Karachi by-polls: Sindh police detain PTI MPA over violation of ECP code of conduct

    Karachi by-polls: Sindh police detain PTI MPA over violation of ECP code of conduct

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Sheikh was detained by the Sindh police on Tuesday for violating election rules, as the former claimed that his vehicle was fired upon by unknown persons during the polling in Malir’s Darsano Chana.

    The by-polls in PS-88 constituency were conducted after Ghulam Murtaza Baloch, the minister for human settlement, died of COVID-19.

    Meanwhile, the PTI MPA was quoted by Samaa, saying the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers allegedly attacked him. He showed a bullet mark on his windshield, saying his bulletproof vehicle was attacked by the PPP. The bullets were fired in the presence of the police,” he alleged.

    SHEIKH DETAINED:

    The PTI leader was arrested by the provincial police even though the reports of his arrest were refuted earlier. According to Geo, the MPA will be taken to the Memon Goth police station in armoured vehicle.

    As the arrest took place, riot police were stationed outside the SSP’s office. Water cannons and additional troops were also ready to deal with any protests. All the police personnel were given anti-riot gear.

    Before the arrest, the MPA was expelled from the constituency following the Election Commission of Pakistan’s orders for violating the code of conduct and was subsequently detained. Dawn reported that that Sheikh’s guards “resorted to firing” at a polling station in Ghulam Hussain Jokhio Goth after the chief election commissioner’s “prompt orders to evict the leader of the opposition from the constituency”.

    Furthermore, the PPP also accused the PTI leader of violating the ECP rules. The PPP wrote a letter to the ECP and urged it to take notice of the alleged rule violations by Sheikh. According to the letter: “Sheikh could be seen roaming the constituency with armed persons and was harassing voters.”

  • Man accuses ex-wife of arranging ‘incestuous marriage’ as revenge

    Man accuses ex-wife of arranging ‘incestuous marriage’ as revenge

    A man from a village in Sargodha has registered a complaint claiming that two half-siblings have tied the knot with the support of his divorced wife and her relatives.

    The father, Sooba Khan, had reportedly been married three times.

    He first got married to Khurshid Bibi in 1992. The wedding was part of an exchange marriage known as ‘Watta Satta’. Sooba Khan’s sister was married to Khurshid’s brother.

    After the marriage, Sooba and Khurshid had a son named Sikandar. Shortly after Sikandar’s birth, Sooba’s sister got divorced due to a family conflict and then Sooba also decided to divorce his wife Khurshid.

    Sooba then married Shahnaz Bibi and had a daughter named Zahra.

    However, Sooba got divorced from his second wife and later married for the third time with a woman he currently lives with.

    According to the complainant, around five months ago, Sikandar and Zahra got married to each other without informing him.

    Sooba told The Express Tribune that he learnt about the marriage after five months.

    He told that he came to know about the marriage via a WhatsApp message where he saw the marriage certificate of his two children.

    Sooba also alleged that his ex-wife Khurshid was majorly responsible for the marriage as she was telling others in the family that she had supported the act in revenge for the unfairness she was subjected to by Sooba.

    According to Sooba, Khurshid was also sending money to her son while also fully encouraging him.

  • Naumaan Ijaz says ‘false allegations of harassment’ should be a punishable offence

    Naumaan Ijaz has often ruffled feathers with his opinions on the global #MeToo movement and thoughts on feminism.

    The veteran actor in a recent interview talked about his character in Dunk and the “misuse” of #MeToo movement.

    Responding to a question about controversies these days, Ijaz said: “Controversies are not created from our side they are created [by other people], for [their own] personal interests.”

    He continued: “The problem we have here is that sometimes someone says something in a different state of mind and we don’t understand the context and we just cherry-pick.”

    The actor added that controversies don’t bother him and people can say whatever they want about him.

    Talking about the criticism he faced for his character in Dunk, Ijaz said: “The criticism should have been subjected on the character or the subject, not on me.”

    “The story is based upon real incident, that happened in Punjab, where someone was falsely accused harassment,” shared Ijaz. “Whenever we accuse someone we do not realise the impact that accusation will have on that person, and their family.”

    The actor continued: “No one has tried to sabotage the #MeToo Movement. No one should [be allowed to] harass anyone. There should be a punishment for it [harassment].”

    “But who will decide if it actually happened [the harassment]?, he questioned.

    “We have black sheeps in our society who manipulate right things in a wrong way,” stated Naumaan. “[We are] just pointing out that this can also happen [false accusations of harassment]. So before punishing anyone, it is better to investigate and verify.”

    He further said: “Iss play se to mere khayal mein hakoomat ko yeh faisla karna chaheeye kay iss mulk me jhoota ilzam lagani ki bhi koi saza honi chaheeye (The government should consider making false accusations of harassment a crime in the country).”

    Meanwhile, answering a question about an interview he gave earlier in which he talked about cheating on his wife and getting away with it because he is such “a great actor,” Naumaan said: “I am only answerable to Allah. I don’t bother with what people think.”

    Later, in a social media post, Ijaz said: “We love to hate. If we don’t like anyone, just ignore. But no, it’s our farz to abuse or write something nasty in [the] comments.”

    “How can we talk about tolerance when we don’t have it in us,” he added.

  • Nawaz’s passport is expired. Now what?

    Nawaz’s passport is expired. Now what?

    Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is in London for more than one year due to medical reasons, will be without a passport now after it expires tonight.

    Meanwhile, the interior minister in a presser said that the former premier’s passport will not be renewed and that the government could issue an emergency travel document on his request for returning back to the country.

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has tried all means to bring Nawaz back but without any success. PM Imran had announced that he would go to the UK himself to bring Nawaz back. His statement was followed by Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed saying that only Allah can bring Nawaz Sharif back. But eventually, the government decided that it won’t renew the passport of the ex-PM in an attempt to force his hand.

    Another reason that Nawaz cannot approach the authorities for the renewal of his passport is being on the Exit Control List. As per the law, a person whose name is on the no-fly list cannot apply for the renewal of his passport. However, Nawaz Sharif can return to the country anytime, as reiterated by Sheikh Rasheed.

    So what options do Nawaz have? Will he take asylum in the UK or come back voluntarily? Or the UK government will accept Pakistan’s request for his extradition?

    At present, it is all good for Nawaz.

    The ex-PM has a ten-year visa and he doesn’t need permission to stay in the UK. But just in case, a person can stay in the UK for up to 18 months in case of medical treatment. For the British government, the only point of concern is legalities at the time of entry to the country, said a report in Dawn.

    In addition to the medical reasons, the former premier has two more options: dependency law and investment option.

    In the UK, dependency law applies to people over 65 and Nawaz Sharif is 71. The ex-PM can invoke the law if needs be. Given his age and frail health, the dependency law can be invoked and Nawaz can stay in the UK as a dependent of Hassan Nawaz — an established businessman.

    And the third option is business plans. With a certain amount of investment, anyone can stay in the UK for a certain period of time.

    So Nawaz Sharif, even though his passport is expired, can stay in London for a comfortable amount of time. Just like Dar, whose passport was not renewed but he was allowed to stay in the UK because he’s not on the negative list of any security agency and there is no adverse report against him.

  • Court acquits couple accused of blackmailing NAB chief

    Court acquits couple accused of blackmailing NAB chief

    An accountability court Tuesday acquitted the couple accused of blackmailing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairperson.

    According to journalist Zahid Gishkori, the two suspects, namely Tayyaba Gul and Farooq Nol, were acquitted over lack of evidence.

    In connection with the leaked scandalous audio-video tapes being associated with its chairman, NAB had filed a reference in an accountability court in 2019 against a gang allegedly involved in blackmailing several people, Justice (r) Javed Iqbal.

    In the 630-page reference, NAB had nominated Gul, the woman seen and heard on the tapes, and her husband, Nol, as the main suspects.

    According to The Express Tribune, the graft buster stated in the reference that the couple had defrauded several citizens of around Rs24.4 million.

    It added that NAB had received six complaints against Gul and Nol and 36 witnesses had recorded their statements against them.

    On May 23, News One had aired the purported conversation of the NAB chairman with a woman. However, it was left red-faced and had to tender a public apology after the bureau denied the story.

    The NAB issued a statement, rejecting the report and saying that all such reports were baseless, contrary to facts, fabricated and part of a false propaganda.

    “This is work of a group of blackmailer, who want to tarnish reputation of NAB and its chairman. Disregarding all the pressure and blackmailing, NAB has not only arrested two members of the group but also approved a reference against them,” the statement read.

    The channel admitted that it had not done due diligence and therefore needed further substantiation regarding the videos. The channel management also apologised for any inconvenience caused to the NAB chairman.

    NAB had said there were a total of 42 FIRs registered against members of the racket in different parts of the country.

    “The group is involved in blackmailing, kidnapping for ransom, scamming and looting of billions of rupees from government servants as well as private individuals by impersonating FIA personnel and NAB has evidence in this regard,” it said.

    It said the report was a tactic to escape a NAB reference through blackmailing. According to the statement, the kingpin of the group, Farooq, is currently incarcerated at Kot Lakhpat Jail.

  • Quetta Gladiators’ Ben Cutting and PSL presenter Erin Holland tie the knot

    Quetta Gladiators’ Ben Cutting and PSL presenter Erin Holland tie the knot

    Days before the sixth edition of the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) is set to commence, Quetta Gladiators’ Ben Cutting has tied the knot with PSL presenter and former Miss World Australia Erin Holland.

    The couple announced the news on social media, sharing beautiful pictures of their beachside wedding.

    “Official Wifey,” wrote Cutting in the caption.

    Quetta Gladiators also congratulated the couple, saying: “Wishing you two a lifetime of love and happiness! Congratulations Mr and Mrs Ben Cutting.”

    The all-rounder and his girlfriend, had announced their engagement two years ago. The couple’s wedding had to be postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Holland also posted pictures of her big day on her Instagram. 

    The ceremony was followed by a reception in evening.

    Check out more pictures from the celebrations below:

    The wedding venue

  • VIDEO: Buzdar’s driving skills on Cholistan Jeep Rally track go viral

    Driving skills of the provincial chief executive of Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar, on the track of Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally’s 16th edition have taken the internet by storm.

    The Cholistan rally started back in 2005 and has since progressed by leaps and bounds. The incumbent Punjab chief minister (CM) has shared plans to make it an international event.

    This year, the event was held from February 11 to 14 with the participation of over 100 racers from all over Pakistan in different categories.

    The rally route was extended to 500 kilometres and also included major forts of the desert, namely Dingarh, Marrot, Khan Garh, Bhijnot, Moujgarh and Jamgarh.

    It was won by Sahibzada Sultan while Mir Nadir Magsi and Jaffar Imran secured the second and third positions, respectively.