Author: newsdesk

  • Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed among PTI leaders declared ‘Ishtehari’

    Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed among PTI leaders declared ‘Ishtehari’

    An anti-terrorism court has declared several leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) proclaimed offenders (POs) in three cases related to the May 9 riots.

    The decision was made by Judge Abher Gul Khan in response to separate applications filed by the investigating officers (IOs) of the cases.

    The IOs reported that despite strenuous efforts, the suspects, fearing arrest, had gone into hiding, making their apprehension challenging. Non-bailable arrest warrants had previously been issued against them, but the suspects failed to surrender to the law, prompting the police to request the court to declare them POs.

    Those declared POs in two cases of torching police vehicles near Jinnah House and Sher Pao Bridge are Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed, Farrukh Habib, Azam Swati, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hamid Raza, Karamat Khokhar, Khalid Gujjar, Sajjad Ahmad and Zubair Khan Niazi.

    In the third case, which pertains to burning the PML-N office in Model Town, Fawad Chaudhry, Hammad Azhar, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema and his wife Musarrat Cheema, Zubair Khan Niazi, Ghulam Abbas, Farhat Abbas and Hamid Raza had been declared POs.

    The judge also directed the IOs to submit details regarding moveable and immovable assets of the suspects so that proceedings for the attachment of their properties under section 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) could be started.

    It is noteworthy that several of these PTI leaders have already been declared POs in other cases related to the May 9 protests, including the attacks on Jinnah House and Askari Tower.

    Hamza Shehbaz wants an exemption

    In a separate legal development, an accountability court issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on an application submitted by former chief minister Hamza Shehbaz. Hamza sought permanent exemption from personal appearance in the trial proceedings of the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference.

    Appearing before the court with his lawyer, Hamza Shehbaz’s application prompted the court to direct a NAB prosecutor to submit a reply by January 12. The NAB had reopened the reference, initially closed under defunct amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance 1999, following a Supreme Court decision that struck down those amendments.

    In the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference, NAB alleged that Shehbaz Sharif, then chief minister, and his son Hamza, in abetment and connivance, caused a loss of Rs213 million to the national exchequer by misusing their authority. The allegations revolve around the construction of a drain in Chiniot district primarily for the use of Ramzan Sugar Mills owned by Hamza and his brother Suleman.

  • Chances high for Nawaz to contest election after victory in Al-Azizia reference

    Chances high for Nawaz to contest election after victory in Al-Azizia reference

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) showed confidence regarding the “eligibility” of party head Nawaz Sharif to contest in the upcoming general election after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted him in Al-Azizia reference on Tuesday.

    This significant development can increase the chances of the PML-N supremo becoming a prime minister for the fourth time. Party leader Azam Nazeer Tarar has claimed that Nawaz Sharif is now eligible to take part in the election after the IHC’s verdict.

    “Today, Nawaz Sharif stands eligible to contest the elections. He will participate in the polls,” the former law minister said.

    PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb was also grateful after the acquittal.

    “Today, the reality of these false cases has been exposed to the nation,” she said, regretting that getting justice took seven years.

    Marriyum Aurangzeb also said that the people of the country faced severe difficulties during these years.

    “InshaAllah, Nawaz Sharif will become the prime minister for the fourth time with the nation’s votes,” she said, expressing hope that the PML-N supremo will lead the country to “prosperity.”

  • Ali Ansari’s new song is pure aspirational fantasy

    Ali Ansari’s new song is pure aspirational fantasy

    Singer Ali Ansari has released a new song called Escobar, and it’s getting a lot of attention. Unlike many Pakistani hip-hop songs that talk about going from poor to rich, Ansari does something different. He follows the Western style of showing off wealth, enjoying parties, and living a fancy life.

    In his song, Ansari proudly talks about being rich, making it clear that he lives a life that most people can only dream of. The music video adds to the overall effect by showing Ansari with fancy cars and piles of money.
    The term “Desi Columbia” is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the country’s cartels, making it seem like he’s as powerful and rich as a mafia boss or a big superstar. Ansari’s lyrics mention his expensive shoes that groove all night and the dollars around him. He even shares his playlist, including Jay-Z, to show his love for Western hip-hop.
    Even though Ansari admits that his dealings might be a bit “shady,” he confidently says he’s a millionaire, and everything is fine. The song might not be everyone’s favorite, but it’s different and definitely worth a listen.

  • Pakistan’s playing XI announced for first Test against Australia

    Pakistan’s playing XI announced for first Test against Australia

    The Pakistan cricket team has announced the playing eleven for the first Test against Australia, where they are currently on a tour that will include a three-match Test series, part of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship.

    The Test series between the two teams will start from December 14 while the first match will be played in Perth Stadium.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management announced the playing eleven for the first Test on Wednesday, which includes two players who will make their Test debut- Amir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.

    The national team will be led by Shan Masood, while other players include opener Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.

  • Judges in England and Wales allowed to use ChatGPT to write judgments

    Judges in England and Wales allowed to use ChatGPT to write judgments

    Judges in England and Wales have been allowed to use artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Chat GPT, to write judgments.

    The permission has been granted despite concerns that artificial intelligence could write references to cases that never happened.

    The Judicial Office has issued guidelines for the use of AI Chat GPT for thousands of judges in England and Wales, saying that artificial intelligence can help summarise long texts.

    Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Voss has described artificial intelligence as a better, faster and cost-effective digital assistant for the justice system.

    Only earlier this year, two American lawyers were fined for citing fake cases created by ChatGPT.

  • PPP leader Abdul Qadir Baloch proposes election delay in security challenged regions

    PPP leader Abdul Qadir Baloch proposes election delay in security challenged regions

    Former federal minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Abdul Qadir Baloch has recommended postponing the general elections in areas that are not safe or facing security challenges.

    The PPP leader said in an interview on Saturday that by-polls can be conducted in these areas later, stressing that it will not be good to postpone general elections due to just six or seven constituencies.

    “Attacks by TTP in Balochistan are way higher than those by Baloch separatists,” the PPP leader said, adding that the terrorist organisation often targets Kalat, Mastung, and neighbouring areas.

    He also said that security threats are real because Baloch separatists don’t believe in the politics of parliament, calling the elements a hurdle for politicians to run their election campaigns.

    Abdul Qadir Baloch then said that interior minister Sarfraz Bugti should not have publicly talked to the media about threats to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, adding that it’s the caretaker government’s responsibility to give security to all politicians.

  • ‘Puma’ will end sponsorship of Israeli football team

    Puma, the German company that manufactures sports products, has announced the end of its sponsorship of the Israeli football team.

    According to a report by Al Jazeera, Puma will end its sponsorship of Israel’s national football team in 2024, while a spokesperson from Puma said in a statement that the move had been planned since last year and was not related to the Gaza war and the ongoing boycott campaign against Israel.

    Puma has long faced calls to end its partnership with the Israel Football Association (IFA), but these demands have intensified amid Israeli brutality in Gaza.

    In a statement to Reuters, a Puma spokesman said the company’s contracts with several federations, including Serbia and Israel, were due to expire in 2024 and would not be renewed.

    The spokesperson said Puma will soon announce deals with several new teams as part of the improved strategy.

    Puma first struck a deal with the IFA to supply kits to Israeli players in 2018, with the sportswear firm facing calls for a boycott ever since.

    Media reports have claimed that Puma did not cite the Gaza war as the main reason for terminating the contract, but it seems that the company has taken this decision because of the growing global boycott campaign.

  • ‘Freedom is everyone’s right;’ Usman Khawaja shows solidarity with Palestine

    ‘Freedom is everyone’s right;’ Usman Khawaja shows solidarity with Palestine

    Before the first Test against Pakistan, Australia’s Usman Khawaja trained with the team wearing shoes with slogans of solidarity with the Palestinian people, ‘Freedom is everyone’s right and all lives are equal’. Usman Khawaja will wear the same shoes on the first day of the Test match against Pakistan.

    Keeping in view the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules and regulations, it is too early to say whether Usman Khawaja will be able to wear the shoes with the alleged political message.

    According to the ICC Code of Conduct, players and team officials are not allowed to wear armbands, clothing or display anything on any equipment that carries a political, religious, or ethnic message.

    Recently in World Cup 2023, Pakistani wicketkeeper batsman Muhammad Rizwan tweeted in favor of Gaza. A case was also filled against Rizwan in India for praying Namaz during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

    In 2014, England all-rounder Moin Ali was asked to remove a wristband with the words ‘Save Gaza’ and ‘Free Palestine’ during a Test match against India.

  • 24-karat gold price plunges by Rs1,800 per tola, reflecting global market trends

    24-karat gold price plunges by Rs1,800 per tola, reflecting global market trends

    On Tuesday, the price of gold experienced a further decline, with 24-karat gold witnessing a decrease of Rs1,800, settling at Rs213,600 per tola.  

    The Karachi Sarafa Association indicated that the closing rate for 10 grammes of 24-karat gold in today’s session was Rs183,128, reflecting a loss of Rs1,543.  

    Simultaneously, 10 grammes of 22-karat gold registered a decline to Rs167,867, down by Rs1,415. 

    Last week, gold investors in the domestic bullion market faced a significant setback when the price of 24-karat gold plummeted by Rs8,000 per tola.  

    This drop was attributed to a notable decrease in international prices and the strengthening of the local currency. 

    In contrast, the price of silver remained stable in the domestic market today, with 24-karat silver and 10 grammes of 24-karat silver closing at Rs2,600 and Rs2,229.08, respectively.  

    The downturn in the local market is linked to the ongoing decline in international prices. 

    The international spot gold market experienced a 1.04 per cent decrease this week, currently standing at $1,994.46.  

    This decline is influenced by the pressure stemming from a stronger dollar and increased US Treasury yields, marking the second consecutive session in which the commodity has traded in the red zone. 

    Market participants are eagerly anticipating the US consumer price report scheduled for 05:30 pm PST today.  

    This report could offer valuable insights into potential rate cuts ahead of the Federal Reserve’s statement and Chair Jerome Powell’s comments on Wednesday. 

    In the domestic market, gold prices are also susceptible to fluctuations in the local exchange rate.  

    Rupee remains stable against US dollar

    During yesterday’s interbank session, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) maintained stability, settling at PKR 283.9 per USD, representing a marginal depreciation of around 3 paisa against the US dollar compared to the previous session’s closing of PKR 283.87 per USD.  

    As gold is denominated in US dollars, a strengthening local unit contributes to a decrease in the value of PKR-denominated gold. 

  • Minister urges officials to use PBS monitoring app for ensuring price stability across provinces 

    Minister urges officials to use PBS monitoring app for ensuring price stability across provinces 

    In a bid to ensure consistent prices across provinces, Muhammad Sami Saeed, the Caretaker Minister for Planning, urged Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners on Tuesday to rigorously utilise the Decision Support System (DSS) app developed by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) for effective price monitoring. 

    According to a press release issued today, Muhammad Sami Saeed chaired a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) in Islamabad.  

    The gathering focused on essential aspects such as the prices and supply of essential commodities, the margin between wholesale and retail prices, and the availability of necessary items. 

    During the meeting, the Chief Statistician from PBS presented the price movements of 51 essential items collected from the markets in 17 cities.  

    Minister Saeed stressed the importance of maintaining price stability across provinces and urged participants to oversee the supply of essential items, available stock levels, and pricing mechanisms. 

    Highlighting the critical role of administrative oversight and monitoring, Minister Saeed emphasised the need for vigilance in ensuring price stability.  

    The meeting also explored the potential utilization of remote sensing technology provided by SUPARCO to enhance monitoring of cropped areas and predict the supply situation of essential food items in the provinces. 

    Encouraging the exploration and implementation of remote sensing capabilities, the minister aimed to strengthen monitoring and oversight capacities.  

    He underscored the importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures to address fluctuations in commodity prices and ensure a smooth supply chain. 

    Representatives from the Ministry of Industries and Commerce, utility stores, and provincial governments attended the meeting, signifying a collaborative effort to maintain stability in commodity prices.