Author: newsdesk

  • ECP files review petition against PHC order on PTI ‘bat’ symbol

    ECP files review petition against PHC order on PTI ‘bat’ symbol

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has submitted a review petition on Saturday to the Peshawar High Court (PHC) challenging the decision of its single-judge bench regarding the iconic electoral symbol of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ‘bat’.

    The high court issued its verdict on December 26 regarding PTI’s petition that contested the ECP’s decision, which had deemed the party’s internal polls “unlawful” and stripped it of using the ‘bat’ symbol.

    While announcing the reserved verdict, the PHC suspended the ECP’s order and restored the party’s ‘bat’ symbol till a final decision on the petition. The court also stated that a double bench will hear the matter after winter vacations.

    The ECP, in its plea, has urged the court to review the intra-party elections of the PTI and its determinations concerning the election symbol.
    The Commission, in its plea, urged the court to schedule the petition for consideration by a division bench, emphasizing broader public interest. The commission asserted its responsibility to conduct elections with honesty, justice, and fairness in accordance with the law.
    The petition read that Article 218(3) allows the electoral body to organise and conduct the elections, adding that the ECP is also responsible for making all necessary arrangements ahead of the polls.

    “This court […] observed that election is a process which starts with the issuance of the election programme and consists of the various links and stages in that behalf as, filing of nomination papers, their scrutiny, the hearing of objections and the holding of actual polls. If any of these links is challenged it really (is) tantamount to challenging the said process of election,” it said.

  • Which music did Pakistanis listen to in 2023?

    Which music did Pakistanis listen to in 2023?

    Here are some of the songs and artists Pakistanis enjoyed in 2023:

    1.Kaifi Khalil

    The 27-year-old Kana Yaari singer was right at the top of the charts with his smash romantic melody ‘Mujhay Pyaar Hua’.

    Even though the track was released in 2022 and was the theme song for ARY Digital drama serial, Mujhe Pyar Hua Tha; it remained as one of the most listened tracks in 2023 and relieved recognition across and beyond Pakistan.

    He also released a new track in 2023 called Mansoob which has more than 4,700,000 listens on Spotify.

    2.Abdul Hannan

    In collaboration with Shahmeer Raza Khan, Abdul Hannan released an EP called Diya. Other singles included Raabta and Kehdena featuring Annural Khalid and ChillBazaar.

    However, his songs from the former year remained Pakistan’s favourite as Iraaday and Bikhra (both in collaboration with Rovalio) were among Spotify’s top tracks in Pakistan.

    3.Natasha Noorani

    The ever-talented Natasha Noorani released her debut LP, Ronaq, in 2023 – a groovy, electro vibe.

    4.Singers beyond borders

    Indo-Canadian, AP Dhillon’s With You charted among the most listened songs in Pakistan. This was not only because of its lyrics and vibe, but also because of its cute music video featuring the singer Banita Sandhu.

    Likewise, Shubh, Indian rapper-singer based in Canada, also took over the charts with his song, One Love. His album called Still Rollin featuring the famous song, Cheques, was also released.

    5.Hasan Raheem

    Our favourite, Hasan Raheem released his EP in September. Its track list includes the song, Wishes featuring Umair and Talwiinder – which everyone is vibing to these days!

    Most listened Pakistani songs:

    1. Wishes Hasan Raheem, Umair, Talha Anjum
    2. ‘Kahani Suno 2.0’ by Kaifi Khalil
    3. ‘Bikhra’ by Abdul Hannan, Rovalio
    4. 4.‘Sukoon’ by Hassan & Roshaan, Shae Gill
    5. Left Right by Ali Sethi, Abdullah Siddiqui, Maanu, Shae Gill
    6. 4U by Maanu
  • Saim Ayub likely to replace Imam ul Haq in Sydney Test

    Saim Ayub likely to replace Imam ul Haq in Sydney Test

    The Pakistan team management has decided to debut the aggressive young batsman Saim Ayub in place of Imam ul Haq in the Sydney Test.

    Imam ul Haq scored 62 in the first innings of the Perth Test and 10 in the second innings. Against Australia, the left-handed batsman scored 10 and 12 runs in the second Test in Melbourne.

    The team management has serious concerns about the left-handed opener’s style of play, Imam ul Haq has faced 301 balls in the series so far, the most by any Pakistani batsman,

    Imam ul Haq scored 12 runs off 38 balls in the second innings of the Melbourne Test, before that, in the first innings of the Perth Test, Imam ul Haq scored 62 runs off 199 balls, Imam scored his first run on the 18th ball in the second innings of the Melbourne Test.

    The team management has decided to debut the aggressive young batsman Saim Ayub in place of Imam ul Haq in the Sydney Test. Saim Ayub will open the innings with Abdullah Shafiq in the third Test.

  • Fawad Chaudhry sent on six-day judicial remand in corruption case

    An accountability court in Islamabad granted a six-day physical remand for former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday in connection with a case involving misappropriation in construction projects in Jhelum.

    The court noted that the case investigation should be concluded, ensuring Fawad’s access to his legal counsel. The ex-minister is scheduled to appear in court on January 5, 2024.

    Fawad was taken into custody earlier this month by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with the corruption case.
    NAB Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt authorized the issuance of an arrest warrant for the politician. Subsequently, the individual was suspended from Adiala jail, where they were already held in connection with a separate fraud case.

    The former minister’s lawyer and brother, Faisal Chaudhry, and NAB Prosecutor Sohail Arif were also present in the courtroom.

  • Girls’ school in Bannu set on fire by terrorists

    Girls’ school in Bannu set on fire by terrorists

    A girls’ school in district Bannu’s Meryan Tehsil was set on fire on Friday night in what is being perceived as a terrorist attack amid an increase in militancy in the tribal region.

    The terrorists targeted the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Kotka Mumbati Barakzai, inflicting significant damage on the building. The school’s science lab was turned to ashes.

    The miscreants stole solar panels and other items and vandalised the school’s boundary wall as well. They also wrote threatening messages near the main gate, warning of additional attacks if the school tried to resume classes.

    Police officials collected evidence from the site, kicking off an investigation into the terror act, District Police Officer Iftikhar Khan told Geo News.

    Schools in the district are currently closed due to the winter break. Meanwhile, the incident marks the first instance of a school being set on fire in Bannu following the upswing in militant attacks which came after the end of the ceasefire with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan last year.

    However, this is not the first time this year that a girls’ school has been targeted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In May 2023, two girls’ schools were blown up by terrorists in the North Waziristan district.

    The attack came after Islamabad initiated a new offensive against terrorists in response to a surge in attacks, including a destructive mosque bombing that claimed over 100 lives in February this year.

    Historically, the TTP extremists have prohibited female education in areas that came under their control in the province.

    But the country has, regardless, seen a return of terrorism in the form of targeted attacks by terrorists, particularly since late 2022. This year, however, the terror attacks witnessed a surge in militancy, particularly suicide attacks that reached the highest level since 2014.

  • ‘Social media is being used to create environment of chaos,’ says General Asim Munir

    ‘Social media is being used to create environment of chaos,’ says General Asim Munir

    In a recent address at the National Farmers Convention in Islamabad, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir expressed concern over the rampant spread of fabricated claims against the state of Pakistan on social media.

    “Social media is being used to create an environment of chaos, despair, and panic. Through fake news, an impression is being created that the state is losing its [writ],” the army chief said in an address to the National Farmers Convention in Islamabad on Friday.

    Pakistan, like many other nations, is grappling with the challenge of fake news on social media, where unfounded reports fueled by emotional appeals are spreading rapidly and contributing to societal divisions. A detailed report earlier this year by EU DisinfoLab revealed that Indian media outlets were involved in a smear campaign against Pakistan, quoting non-existent organizations, journalists, and bloggers.

    COAS Munir highlighted that such smear campaigns are not limited to external actors, as investigations have revealed the involvement of the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in using state resources to spread false propaganda against state institutions.

    Addressing the farmers, COAS Munir addressed the rumors and negative impressions being spread about Pakistan. He emphasized the historical significance of Pakistan, stating that it is founded on the principles of the Kalima, with divine backing for the country.

    COAS Munir reminded the audience of Pakistan’s abundant resources, including glaciers, rivers, mountains, and fertile land producing world-class rice, fruits, and valuable minerals like granite, gold, and copper.

    He lamented that Pakistan, once one of the fastest-growing countries in Asia in the 1960s, witnessed a decline due to forgetting the golden principles of faith, unity, and discipline advocated by the Quaid-i-Azam.

    Moving forward, COAS Munir discussed the Green Pakistan Initiative, highlighting its focus on boosting agriculture. He assured that a major chunk of the initiative’s income will go to the provinces, while the rest will be kept for farmers and agricultural research, he said, noting that the “role of the army in this is only to serve the people and farmers”.

    COAS Munir pledged to ensure easy agricultural credit, a cold storage chain, climate change-resistant seeds, and genetically engineered livestock for farmers.

  • ‘They believe women are queens’, Israeli hostage on Hamas

    ‘They believe women are queens’, Israeli hostage on Hamas

    A mother-daughter duo held hostage by Hamas for 52 days have opened up about their experience in captivity, detailing the “queen-like” treatment they received.

    Hin and Ajam, mother and daughter respectively, detail their experience during the time of their captivity in an interview. From keeping them together and not separating them, to the smallest details of daily life, they explain how Hamas militants were respectful to them as women and took every precaution to make them comfortable.

    Ajam recounts how she arm-wrestled with the fighters, stressing that they maintained distance and avoided physical contact by wrapping a towel around their arms.

    Upon asking why was that, they instantly replied it was forbidden for them to touch women.
    “For them women are sacred. Women are like queens,” she asserted.

    Moreover, Ajam shared how they sweetly named her “Salsabeel” which means “water” in Arabic and it is mentioned in the Quran. It was synonymous to her original name Ajam which means “lake” in Hebrew.

    The two of them were kept in an apartment along with two children and were given best possible facilities.

  • Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane found guilty in rape case

    Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane found guilty in rape case

    Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane has been found guilty of raping a girl.

    According to Nepali media reports, Judge Shashar Raj of the single bench of the Kathmandu District Court delivered the verdict on Friday.

    In the court decision, Sandeep Lamichhane, the former captain of the Nepali cricket team, was declared guilty of raping the girl. According to the court, the girl was not a minor at the time of the rape. Sandeep Lamichane will be sentenced at the next hearing.

    In September last year, a 17-year-old girl filed a complaint against Sandeep, alleging that the cricketer raped her in a hotel room in Kathmandu.

    An arrest warrant was issued leading to the sportsman’s arrest at the airport on his return to the country.

    On January 12 this year, on a review petition filed by Lamichhane, the High Court ordered the release of the cricketer on a surety bond of Rs 20 lacs. He is currently on bail.

    Sandeep Lamichane has also played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), representing Lahore Qalandars.

  • Law for showbiz children drafted by Sindh Ministry of Culture

    The Sindh Ministry of Culture has drafted legislation to prevent children in the entertainment industry from working during school hours, reports the Express Tribune.

    Dr. Junaid Ali Shah, the interim culture minister, highlighted the importance of ensuring young artists balance work and education. The proposed law, the Children Drama Industry Ordinance, and Sindh Actor Royalty Ordinance, outlines regulations for children’s working hours, restricting their engagement during school hours and late-night shoots.

    It is important to note that in India, the work of child actors is dealt with under child labour laws. The producers are required to fulfill certain conditions to work with child labours.

  • Inflation may drop to 20-22% in the coming year: SBP report

    Inflation may drop to 20-22% in the coming year: SBP report

    In the Governor’s Annual Report 2022–23, released ahead of the upcoming national election, the Chief of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) conveyed that the country’s inflation is expected to decrease to approximately 20–22 per cent in fiscal year 2024.

    The SBP remains committed to making decisions aimed at preventing persistently high inflation. Notably, Pakistan’s economy fell significantly short of its fiscal and primary surplus targets in FY23, resulting in a contraction of the real GDP to 0.2 per cent.

    During FY23, Pakistan, with a population of 241 million, witnessed its highest-ever inflation, leading to historic lows in its currency value. The situation was mitigated by a $3 billion IMF bailout in July, preventing an imminent sovereign default.

    Governor Jameel Ahmed highlighted in the report that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) surged to 29.2 per cent in FY23, aligning with the upper bound of the bank’s revised projections.

    The SBP remains committed to anchoring inflation expectations to achieve its medium-term target of 5-7 per cent by the end of FY25.

    Fiscal and policy measures implemented before and after the bailout are contributing to stabilising Pakistan’s $350 billion economy as the country approaches the national election scheduled for February 8.

    Despite missing fiscal and primary surplus targets by a considerable margin, the SBP emphasises its dedication to curbing inflation.

    Simultaneously, the finance ministry anticipates a moderate inflation outlook for the remaining months of FY24, even with the upward revision of administered prices, particularly gas prices.

    According to the ministry’s monthly economic report, Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation in Pakistan for December is projected to be in the range of 27.5-28.5 per cent.

    Looking ahead, the ministry foresees a further easing of inflation to 24–25 per cent in January 2024.