Author: newsdesk

  • When is Nawaz coming back? PML-N sources announce a date

    When is Nawaz coming back? PML-N sources announce a date

    As former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains incarcerated at Attock Jail, the matter of the return to Pakistan of another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, remains unclear with no official announcements as yet.

    However, SAMAA News has reported that the official date may finally have been decided.

    There is a strategy in place for Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s long-anticipated return from London. Nawaz Sharif will reach Lahore from London on a passenger plane on October 15, SAMMAA has reported. PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif will also meet Nawaz in this regard today.

    PML-N sources said that Nawaz Sharif has assigned his central leadership with arranging his reception.

    According to sources who talked to the news outlet, former assembly members and organisation executives have been told to gather as many individuals as possible for the party head’s reception.

    Maryam Nawaz, the PML-N’s chief organiser, is in charge of reception-related matters.

    Earlier, it was reported that Nawaz will return to Pakistan by mid-September; however, the party’s plans changed in the last few days after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that elections will not take place within 90 days.

  • Young Pakistanis in the UK lead in unemployment, govt stats confirm 

    Young Pakistanis in the UK lead in unemployment, govt stats confirm 

    Official data from the United Kingdom’s government shows that among different ethnic groups in the country, young Pakistanis are the least active in terms of work and education. 

    The dataset in question is categorised as “unemployment,” encompassing individuals aged 16 to 24 who are neither employed nor engaged in any form of training or educational pursuits. This data was systematically collected over a three-year period spanning from 2017 to 2019. 

    Notably, within the spectrum of ethnic backgrounds in the UK, individuals of Pakistani origin stand out with the highest unemployment rate at 14.3 per cent, surpassing their counterparts from nine other nations. The next highest rate pertains to individuals of Bangladeshi descent at 12 per cent, while young individuals of Indian heritage exhibit a comparatively lower inactivity rate of 7.3 per cent, as indicated by the data. 

    A similar pattern is discernible when examining the overall employment data for the country, which encompasses individuals aged 16 to 64. In this context, Pakistani and Bangladeshi individuals are grouped together and collectively exhibit the lowest employment rate, standing at a mere 58 per cent, the lowest among ten defined categories. In contrast, individuals of Indian descent display a more favourable employment rate at 78 per cent, trailing only those of non-British white origin, of whom 82 per cent are gainfully employed. 

    It is worth noting, however, that the observed trends in employment and unemployment figures do not appear to have a conclusive impact on the overall happiness score, as the data does not differentiate by age and represents the broader community. The happiness index assigns a score on a scale of 10, and according to the data, individuals of Pakistani descent in the UK have a happiness score of 7.57, ranking as the fourth highest among the ten surveyed ethnic groups. 

    While individuals of Indian, Bangladeshi, and other ethnic backgrounds report higher levels of happiness than those of Pakistani origin, individuals of Arab, black, Chinese, and even white ethnicities exhibit lower happiness scores in comparison. 

  • Action taken against those who attacked Ahmaddiya place of worship

    Action taken against those who attacked Ahmaddiya place of worship

    Journalist Arshad Yousafzai took to X (formerly twitter) on Monday to share a video where a charged mob can be seen vandalizing The Ahmadiyya Hall, a place of worship for the Ahmaddiya community in Karachi. The mob was breaking the minarets of the building in Saddar, just a few streets away from Preedy Police Station. Around two hours after the post, Mayor Karachi, Murtaza Wahab announced that action has been taken and three people have been arrested.

    The constitution of Pakistan and Pakistan Penal Code ensures that all citizens have the right to practice their religion in peace. Interim Prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar also offered assurances after the Jaranwala incident that all minorities, including Ahmedis, will be protected by the state.

    X user Samrina Hashmi reminded everyone how targeting anyone’s place of worship goes against constitution and religion.

    Fahad Desmukh wrote how the same building was attacked a few months ago.

    ShaRzyeea talked about her childhood memories linked to this place, “So many of my childhood memories are in this place that is connection and safety.”

  • Public Holiday on Sept 7 in Lahore

    Public Holiday on Sept 7 in Lahore

    A public holiday has been announced by Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to observe the annual Urs (death anniversary) of Data Ganj Bakhsh Syed Ali Hajwari on Thursday, September 7, in Lahore.

    Naqvi announced the holiday on Monday after his visit to the Data Darbar in Lahore.

    The Urs will last for three days, starting Tuesday and going on till Thursday. The CM states that efforts are being made to make better arrangements for the event, reports Geo.

    “We also held a meeting with the commissioner about the langar khana so that everyone who attends the celebration can eat,” he said. He also stated that the best qawwals will be arranged for mehfil-e-samaa.

    Plans have also been chalked out for Lahore’s traffic, with arrangements for parking facilities keeping security clearances in mind.

  • Rizwana torture case: Somia Asim’s bail application approved

    A District and Sessions Court in Islamabad has accepted the bail plea of the accused, Somia Asim, the wife of the judge suspected of beating her minor house maid, Rizwana.

    A hearing was held on the bail application of the Somia Asim in the Rizwana torture case where the court accepted Somia Asim’s bail application against a surety of one lac rupees.

    Rizwana’s family was also present in the court at the time.

    Somia Asim, wife of Civil Judge Asim Hafeez, had allegedly beaten up and tortured a minor house help at home.

  • Police claims to uncover events that led to Jaranwala incident

    According to Samaa News, a spokesperson for Faisalabad Police has claimed that their depart has uncovered the events that led to the Jaranwala tragedy last month in which a mob of 7,000 Muslims attacked the Christian community, destroyed their houses, and burnt churches.

    As per the spokesperson, the incident was a result of a personal resentment between two Christians.

    Police claim that Pervez Masih, a Christian, suspected his wife of having an illicit affair with Umair Raja. Masih hired a shooter, gave him money and provided him with a motorcycle to kill Raja.

    “A heinous conspiracy was made to desecrate the Quran after the failure to kill,” the Police claimed.

    Pervez Masih is among the three suspects involved in the conspiracy. The police allege that Pervex wrote an insulting letter in Umair’s name and desecrated the holy book.

    Resultantly, on seeing the letters and papers, people got furious, leading to the formation of a violent mob.

    Currently, the three people, including Pervez Masih and Umair Raja, are under custody.

  • Who met the president in Aiwan-e-Sadr?

    Who met the president in Aiwan-e-Sadr?

    Political commentators and analysts are speculating about an alleged meeting held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidency) on Friday.

    According to the sources of The News, two important personalities met President Alvi in Aiwan-e-Sadr. The meeting was held on the fourth floor of the Aiwan-e-Sadr, with the premises being off-limits for everyone, including staff.

    No statement has been issued by the President’s House to confirm or deny the meeting.

    Earlier, Kamran Yousaf reported in his vlog that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief General Nadeem Ahmad Anjum was also part of the meeting. Yousaf had earlier given the news that President Alvi was all set to announce elections dates for November.

    On the other hand, senior journalist Umar Cheema also confirmed that two generals were part of the meeting in Aiwan-e-Sadr. However,
    he did not give any names.

    According to some political pundits, President Arif Alvi will announce the date of the upcoming elections in the next 72 hours.

    President Arif Alvi’s tenure is going to complete on September 8. There is still no confirmation from the President House whether he will go home after completing his tenure as president or continue till a new president is sworn in.

    As per the Constitution, the president may continue in his office until the arrival of a new president.

    As yet, no formal announcement of a date for the polls has been announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Sunday asked the ECP to release the schedule of the general elections.

    The HRCP said that the uncertainty surrounding the elections should end and new delimitations should not be used as an excuse to further delay the general polls.

    “The law of the land says that the Election Commission of Pakistan has to decide [the date of the elections],” said caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaar ul Haq Kakar in an interview with senior anchorperson Saleem Safi in his programme ‘Jirga’ on Geo News.

  • Navy personnel martyred in helicopter crash in Gwadar

    Navy personnel martyred in helicopter crash in Gwadar

    Pakistan Navy’s spokesperson has confirmed that two Navy officers and one soldier have been martyred in a helicopter crash in Balochistan’s Gwadar on Monday.

    As per the statement, the helicopter crashed during a training flight in Gwadar.

    “The helicopter crashed during the flight due to a possible technical fault,” the spokesperson said. “As a result of the accident, two officers and one jawan of the Pakistan Navy lost their lives.”

    Moreover, the incident will be investigated.

    Political figures and parties have expressed grief over lives lost.

    In a statement issued by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he expressed “regret” over the helicopter accident in Gwadar and over the martyrdom of Pakistan Navy officers and the young soldiers in the accident

    “Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s expresses sympathy and condolence to the families of the martyrs”, reads the statement.

    Similarly, Maryam Nawaz Shairf expressed regrets on X (formerly Twitter): “We deeply regret the accident that happened to the helicopter of Pakistan Navy in Gwadar and the resulting martyrdom. We pray to Allah Ta’ala to raise the ranks of martyred soldiers and officers. These sons of the nation are the pride of the nation. May Allah grant patience and reward to their families, Ameen.”

  • Pastor attacked near Jaranwala

    Pastor attacked near Jaranwala

    Pastor Alizer Sidhu of the Presbyterian Church survived a targeted attack in Khunwana, Faisalabad.

    The incident occurred when Pastor Sidhu was returning to his home following a prayer sermon. He was stopped by armed men who shot at him. He was then taken to the nearest hospital, where he was said to be out of danger.

    While being taken to the hospital, Pastor Sidhu recorded a video statement in which he said that armed men had stopped him and asked him to recite the Kalma, and when he refused to comply, one of the armed men chanted a slogan and opened fire at him.

    According to The Friday Times, the Pastor is a father of three.

    It is worth mentioning that on August 28, unidentified men spray painted slogans of Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) on the boundary walls of the Presbyterian Church in Rehmat Town Khunwana, Faisalabad. This is the church where Pastor Alizer has been serving for the last four years.

    After the incident was picked up by the media, the slogans were removed in the presence of senior police officers.

    Last month, the Christian community in Jaranwala was attacked by a large mob of 7,000 Muslims who destroyed their houses and set fire to their churches.

    According to The Friday Times, while the Christian religious and political leadership condemned the attack on the pastor, they also demanded justice, urging for a transparent investigation into the incident.

    Additionally, they also advised the pastors and minority rights activists to remain alert and abstain from travelling unnecessarily considering the sensitive and aggravating atmosphere of Faisalabad.

  • IMF’s ‘yes or no’ decision nears on relief for electricity bills

    IMF’s ‘yes or no’ decision nears on relief for electricity bills

    In the midst of extensive protests regarding soaring electricity charges, the interim government has reportedly devised a strategy aimed at alleviating the financial burden on electricity consumers in the country.  

    According to Geo News, the interim government is preparing a relief package that will grant up to Rs3,000 in relief to customers who use up to 300 units of electricity in their October bills. Furthermore, those facing electricity bills between Rs60,000 and Rs70,000 stand to benefit from a significant reduction of Rs13,000. 

    Simultaneously, discussions between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the interim government are ongoing, focusing on providing relief to electricity consumers. 

    In a separate report by The News, it’s revealed that the IMF, headquartered in Washington, has requested additional data from the Power Division to inform its decision regarding various proposals to address the impact of high bills in August and September. 

    “We have shared the required data with the Fund people hoping that IMF may today (Monday) come up with its response with a yes or no to the assertions of the Finance and Power Divisions, seeking permission for relief to inflation-stricken people in electricity bills,” shared sources involved in discussions with the IMF. 

    Currently, officials from both the Power and Finance divisions are engaged in intensive discussions with IMF representatives, considering the data associated with proposed measures to alleviate power tariffs and their potential effects on circular debt, cash flow, and potential delays in Independent Power Producers (IPPs) payments, ensuring the stability of the power sector. 

    In response to continuous protests by citizens and traders against soaring power bills and added taxes, the government is actively seeking to convince the global lender to grant immediate relief to electricity consumers in a nation already grappling with severe inflation.