Author: newsdesk

  • ANF handled Sanaullah case poorly, caused embarrassment to govt: PTI ministers

    Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) ministers criticised the Anti-Narcotics force (ANF) for poorly handling the drugs possesion case against former law minister Rana Sanaullah, which became a huge embarrasment for the government, The Express Tribune reported.

    According to the details, Director General (DG) ANF Major General Muhammad Arif was briefing the federal cabinet about the case against Sanaullah on Tuesday where he faced tough questions from the ministers.

    Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari asked why the arrest was not videotaped as “it is a norm to record video of every case these days”.

    Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema also reportedly asked for video evidence and proof of the offence and reminded his colleagues that “hollow swearing does not matter if there is no evidence in such cases”.

    Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the PTI government faced embarrasment due to the “mishandling” of the drugs possession case against PML-N leader.

    Agreeing to Fawad Ch the communications minister Murad Saeed, also blamed the agency for mishandling the case which provided the opposition parties an opportunity to criticise the government.

    The ANF chief while responding to the criticism said, “The ANF is an independent institution and will continue its work in accordance with the law,” adding that the agency took action on the basis of evidence only.

    “We have irrefutable proof against Rana Sanaullah. A strong case has been prepared and everything will come to the light once the trial starts,” said Maj Gen Arif.

    The agency’s chief later briefed the prime minister (PM) Imran Khan seperately in the presence of Shaharyar Afridi, Minister for Narcotics Control, about some secret aspects of the case. PM Imran after briefing directed the ANF to proceed the case according to the law.

    The PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah was earlier arrested in July by ANF after alleged recovery of a sizeable quantity of drugs from his car. He was later granted bail on December 24 by the Lahore High Court (LHC).

    The court in its detailed verdict questioned why formal documentary proceedings of drugs’ seizure were not conducted at the time of arrest, and why ANF sent a sample of only 20 grams of the heroin recovered from Sanaullah’s car for testing when the seized quantity was a much higher 15 kilogrammes.

  • ‘Smart performance’: Pakistan’s debt falls to 84.7pc of GDP

    ‘Smart performance’: Pakistan’s debt falls to 84.7pc of GDP

    Pakistan’s general government debt, including guarantees and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, have declined to 84.7 per cent of the GDP, Dawn reported.

    According to details, a recently published IMF report has revealed that the decline in debts was a consequence of the government’s smart performance in reducing expenditures, registering primary budget surplus and increasing tax and non-tax revenues during the first five months of the current fiscal year.

    “In the first quarter of 2019-20, budget execution by the incumbent government improved considerably, registering a primary surplus of 0.6pc of GDP and an overall deficit of 0.6pc – about 1pc of GDP better than programmed,” the report added.

    It said the over-performance was driven by stronger than expected non-tax revenues, accompanied by double-digit growth in tax revenue net of refunds.

    At the same time, due to import compression, customs receipts and other external sector-related taxes have suffered (up only 6pc year-on-year), the report said, adding that spending, including by the provinces, has remained prudent.

    However, the document observed that in FY19, the budget registered a primary deficit of 3.5pc of GDP and an overall deficit of 8.9pc, against its target of 1.8pc and 7pc, respectively.

    Revenue collection at the federal level came in at 2pc of GDP, lower than expected, while total expenditures and provincial fiscal balances were in line with projections, it added. Around three-fourth of the revenue shortfall were due to one-off factors, which are not expected to carry over into FY20.

    In particular, delays in renewing telecom licences, a temporary delay in the sale of state assets, and weaker than expected amnesty proceeds contributed around 1pc of GDP, while a shortfall in the transfer of State Bank profits to the budget, stemming from losses related to the exchange rate depreciation in late FY19 added an additional 0.5pc of GDP.

    As a consequence of the fiscal slippages and the exchange rate depreciation, but also the government’s decision to increase cash deposits considerably to provide a financing cushion against potentially unfavourable market conditions, government debt (including guarantees and IMF borrowing) rose to 88pc of GDP.

    With respect to government’s performance in revenue collection, the report observed that with 34pc nominal growth, compared to 1QFY19, total revenue over-performed the programmed projections by 0.2pc of GDP.

    On account of tax policy measures implemented at the beginning of FY20, the domestic component of tax revenue collected by the FBR, recorded robust growth of 25pc.

    Growth was particularly strong in sales and direct taxes, where most measures were targeted (including removal of tax exemptions, zero and reduced rates). At the same time, taxes collected at the import stage were impacted by substantial import compression, with a decline in all revenue categories except of sales tax.

    Given that more than 40pc of total tax revenue in Pakistan is collected at the import stage, this shortfall had a notable impact on overall tax revenue performance 0.2pc of GDP lower than programmed.

    One-off tax revenue inflows (around Rs30bn) also contributed to the overall result and are related to tax advances and tax amnesty receipts that were not collected at the end of FY19 but were realised in the first quarter of 2019-20 instead. Tax revenues collected at provincial level were also strong, increasing by 18pc.

  • KP Police to train female commandos

    KP Police to train female commandos

    For the first time in history, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to hire female police commandos that are presently being trained to fight militancy in the province.

    As per reports, around 35 female police commandos are undergoing training at the Nowshera police training center. Officials have said that KP Inspector General Police Nasir Durrani felt that female police commandos should be included in the force and decided to give them special training.

    The same training will be given to female commandos that is imparted to elite force male members in the province and will be able to confront all kinds of challenges, including the fight against militants.

    More female commandos will be trained for KP police once the first batch joins the police.

    Talking to a news outlet Musarrat Bibi — a commando under training — said, “I wanted to join the group because I wanted to tell the world that women in K-P could also obtain commando training and fight terrorism.”

  • Madrassa students won a robotics competition at Taxila University

    Madrassa students won a robotics competition at Taxila University

    Students from Jamia Baitul Salam participated in an educational competition held at HITEC University Taxila. The madrassa students won robotics competition beating participants from 20 other universities.

    Not only this but they also won Urdu speech competition
    and spelling bee contest. 

    Every year HITEC University arrange an inter-university event that involves different curricular and co-curricular competition. Over 20 educational institutes take part in different activities. 

    Jamia Baitul Salam is one of Islamic welfare educational institutions that offers their students worldly knowledge under the shade of religion. The institute also offers both matriculation and O level education to the students.

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  • Home for New Year’s Eve? Here’s what you can do

    Home for New Year’s Eve? Here’s what you can do

    New Year parties are not for everyone. And if you’re one who would rather chill at home and not get out tonight, here are five things that will make this New Year’s Eve memorable… or at least, less boring.

    1. Binge-watch that Show/Drama You’ve Been Meaning To Watch

    The second season of You has been released by Netflix and is not to be missed. If you haven’t seen the first season, even better. Watch the first to get hooked to the second.

    Meray Paas Tum ho

    If Netflix isn’t your thing, watch the much-talked-about Meray Paas Tum Ho on ARY Digital’s YouTube. Will take you a few hours (or more) to catch up, but like the rest, you’ll be hooked.

    2. Order In

    The joy of having good food is unmatched even if you’re celebrating New Year alone. Order early so the food gets delivered on time (there are delays because many have the same idea as you). Karachi’s Famous Os pizza is a good choice for New Years Eve or Adobo (takeaway is fast and quick).

    Lahoris, try the pizza from Italian Express. It’s homey and great comfort food.

    3. Organize Family Game Night

    Your family’s your best-friend? Call them all over and have game night. Charades and Taboo are two games that are great family fun. Taboo is available at many toy stores. Or make the parents happy and play some old school Tambola.

    4. Sleep In

    The joy of this. You might feel bad because you might be the only one not updating your Instagram stories, but nothing beats a good night’s sleep.

    5. Plan a Photoshoot

    Get dressed, get the kids ready and take a bunch of beautiful shots. Check out the landscape and portrait modes on your phone and get ready to have picture perfect memories of the last day of 2019, and the decade.

  • Hareem Shah leaves Pakistan, applies for Canadian citizenship

    Hareem Shah leaves Pakistan, applies for Canadian citizenship

    Hareem Shah has said that she has applied for Canadian citizenship and has so far no plan to return to Pakistan, a private media outlet reported.

    Shah is currently in Baku city of Azerbaijan and while takling to Urdupoint she said that there are many fake accounts operating in her name on social media websites including Facebook and Twitter and clarified that the genuine account she has is with handle of “Hareem Shah Official”.

    “The information which is being spread through the fake accounts are not mine,” said Shah.

    https://www.facebook.com/urdupoint.network/videos/2485223241605417/

    During the interview she said, “This is totally baseless that I threatened Prime Minister Imran Khan”.

    Talking about Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed, Hareem said that she contacted him two days ago and he was angry with her.

    Shah added, “I know people are using abusive language and criticizing us but there are many fake accounts on Twitter and Facebook”.

    “Will fly to Canada as I have applied for Canadian citizenship and there is no plan yet to come back Pakistan. I will fly from Baku to Canada,” the Tik Tok girl said.

    Hareem Shah has gained popularity owing to her viral videos with celebrities, especially government ministers and officials, including Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and his colleagues in Islamabad.

    Shah was earlier spotted inside the Foreign Office as well, following which the government had initiated an inquiry “to get to the depth of the matter and identify the person” who had allowed her access to one of the most important government buildings in the federal capital.

  • ‘Lahore beats London’: Twitter goes crazy as mercury drops to 35-year low

    Twitterati, especially those from Lahore, lost it over the micro-blogging website after the residents of Punjab’s provincial capital woke up to the coldest winter morning in over 35 years.

    According to The Express Tribune, the temperature in the provincial capital was equivalent to Murree at 2°C early on Monday, which was followed by a minimum of 3°C and a maximum of 8°C on Tuesday.

    Data by Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) showed that shivering low temperature of 1°C was recorded in Attock and Dera Ghazi Khan, 2°C in Lahore, Murree, Rawalpindi, Multan, Chakwal and Bahawalpur, 3°C in Jhelum and 4°C in Sahiwal, Faisalabad and Sargodha.

    As winter blues grip Lahore, here’s what Twitterati have to say about it:

    https://twitter.com/fakihawajihaJvd/status/1211901883822071808

    Meanwhile, Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Riaz has highlighted that the current chilly spell would continue till mid-January.

    “Although climate change has some impact on weather patterns, there is nothing unusual. The coldest winter spell is witnessed from mid-December to mid-January every year,” he added.

    Weather reports issued by the PMD indicate that continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country and a shallow westerly wave is likely to affect the western and upper parts of the country from Tuesday (today).

  • PTI govt approves Rs11.7 billion for special military projects

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has approved a supplementary budget for military allowances worth Rs11.7 billion as the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) met on Monday.

    According to The Express Tribune, the meeting headed by Adviser to the Prime Minister (PM) on Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, approved the allowances under three technical supplementary grants for Special Security Division (North), Internal Security Duty Allowance and construction of bunkers.

    Of the Rs11.7 billion, Rs6.2 billion have been allocated for the recurring cost of the Special Security Division of Pakistan — for protection of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)-related projects — whereas Rs4.966 billion have been set aside for Internal Special Duty Allowance for troops deployed on the western border, a Ministry of Finance handout revealed.

    While the remaining Rs500 million has been reserved for the construction of community bunkers, the heads for the supplementary grants from where the budget will be diverted, have not yet been specified by the Finance Ministry.

    Earlier, the ECC had directed that the cost of providing protection to the CPEC and other important installations by the military should be made part of the regular defence budget instead of meeting it through supplementary grants.

    The Defence Ministry had requested a supplementary grant for paying the recurring cost of the Special Security Division and Internal Security Duty Allowance to the troops deployed on the western border.

  • 2019: High profile political arrests

    2019: High profile political arrests

    Soon after the Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) came into power several politicians, mostly from the opposition and one from the ruling party, walked in and out of prison on charges of corruption, money laundering among others, Geo News reported.

    The majority of the politicians, and bureaucrats, arrested this year, have now managed to secure a bail bond from courts, many are still behind bars.

    Here are some of the high-profile arrests of this year.

    Maryam Nawaz

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had on August 8 arrested Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills (CSM) case on accusations of involvement in money laundering.

    The anti-graft watchdog alleged that Maryam was involved in money laundering with the help of some foreigners between 1992-93 when her father Nawaz Sharif was the prime minister (PM).

    Maryam was granted bail by Lahore High Court (LHC) on November 4 after she had filed a bail peition on September 30, seeking post-arrest bail in the money laundering case.

    The PML-N leader is also fighting to get her name off the Exit Control List (ECL) to visit her ailing father in London, undergoing medical treatment after LHC granted him exemption to leave the country.

    Rana Sanaullah

    The senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Rana Sanaullah was arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on July 1after alleged recovery of a large stash of drugs from his car.

    Minister for Narcotics Control Shehryar Khan Afridi had repeatedly claimed to have substantial evidence against Sanaullah and footages of the drugs recovered from Rana’s car. Yet, after almost six months, the prosecution failed to provid any such evidence to the court. 

    Later on December 22, the anti-narcotics court extended the former law minister’s remand by 14 days, however, the LHC on December 24 granted bail to Sanaullah in the narcotics possession case.

     Asif Ali Zardari

    Former president Asif Ali Zardari was arrested in July by the NAB, in connection to a money laundering case. NAB accused him of setting up fake bank accounts and illegally tranfering billions of rupees out of Pakistan. The accountability watchdog insists that Zardari has was acquired the money through kickbacks and bribes.

    However on December 11, the PPP’s president was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on medical grounds.

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    NAB on July 18 arrested former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on accusations of illegally awarding a contract for an Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal while he was serving as the petroleum minister in the then PM Nawaz’s cabinet. 

    The accountability bureau claimed that the PML-N government rented out a terminal of the Engro Group for 15 years at a cost of Rs27 million per day. Khaqan’s name was later placed on ECL in April as well.

    Miftah Ismail

    Former finance minister Miftah Ismail was cuffed on August 7 by Pakistan’s anti-graft watchdog, after IHC rejected his pre-arrest bail.

    The PML-N leader was arrested in connection with an inquiry regarding the illegal awarding of LNG Terminal-1 to Engro Energy Terminal. Miftah’s remand was later extended from 16 to 20 days in December.

    He, however, was granted bail by the IHC on December 23.

    Hamza Shahbaz

    Opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shahbaz, was arrested by NAB on June 11 in the Ramzan Sugar Mills (RSM) money laundering case and for allegedly owning assets beyond his means. 

    The accountability court on September 4 sent Hamza to Lahore’s Camp Jail on judicial remand after rejecting NAB’s appeal seeking an extension in his remand.

    Hamza’s case hearing couldn’t take place on December 20 due to a strike by lawyers and has been adjourned till January 3, 2020. He remains in the custody of jail authorities.

    Aleem Khan

    Aleem Khan — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stalwart — was arrested on February 6 by accountability bureau in cases pertaining to owning assets beyond his known sources of income and alleged offshore companies. Aleem, at the time of his arrest was serving as Punjab’s local government minister from which he resigned soon after his arrest.

    He was granted bail on May 15 by LHC against surety bonds worth Rs10 million, however he is still fighting the legal battle of a case regarding the illegal acquisition of Capital Development Authority (CDA) land.

    Ahsan Iqbal

    PML-N stalwart Ahsan Iqbal was arrested on December 23 by NAB as he appeared before the court in relation to a corruption case.

    NAB’s spokesperson after the arrest had said that the authority has cuffed Ahsan Iqbal in relation to the Narowal Sports City Complex case. An accountability court on December 24 granted a 13-day remand of PML-n leader in connection with the sports city corruption case.

    Faryal Talpur

    PPP’s senior leader and a member of National Assembly, Faryal Talpur, was arrested by NAB on June 14. She along with her brother, Asif Ali Zardari, was accused of laundering money through fake bank accounts. The anti-graft body is probing four cases where the former president and his sister are the prime accused. 

    The cases are about transactions worth hundreds of millions of rupees to both the leaders’ private companies, allegedly, by using fake bank accounts. Talpur was also granted bail by IHC on December 17 against surety bonds worth Rs10 million.

    Khursheed Shah

    NAB had arrested senior leader of PPP Khursheed Shah on September 18, accusing of allotting himself an amnesty plot illegally from a cooperative society in Sukkur. Nab also accuse Shah of acquiring assets worth some Rs700 million in the names of his frontmen through illegally acquired money.

    An anti-graft court on December 17 granted bail to the Khursheed against surety bonds worth Rs5 million. The NAB later approached the Sindh HIgh COurt and urged it to nullify Shah’s bail as it was “against the law”. On December 23, the SHC suspended PPP leader’s bail in the corruption case.

  • Asim Azhar ready to give away his jacket to one of his fans

    Asim Azhar ready to give away his jacket to one of his fans

    Asim Azhar has many fans in Pakistan as well as in other countries. Recently, the singer responded generously to one of his fans on Twitter.

    A fan took to Twitter to express that she likes Asim’s green jacket and if she can get it before 2019 ends. “Yaar mujy Asim Azhar ki green colour wali jacket bohat pasand hai. Hollywood walay tu apny fans ko apni chezin gift kr dyte hain. Can I get this before 2019 ends? #asimswag.” She tagged Asim and also used the hashtag #asimswag

    https://twitter.com/ThandiLife/status/1211324720802680833

    After her tweet, Asim replied that he has a few green jackets but he is ready to give away the one she likes. Asim tweeted: “I have a few green jackets. Which one do you like?? Send a picture & your address to asimazharofficial@gmail.com – we’ll try and make it happen before 2019 ends.”

    Anchorperson Iqrar ul Hassan also praised Asim’s sweet gesture.