Author: newsdesk

  • PTI issues notice to Khattak over ‘inciting’ members to leave the party

    PTI issues notice to Khattak over ‘inciting’ members to leave the party

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a notice to former Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pervaiz Khattak over allegedly asking party members to leave the party.
    Omar Ayub Khan, newly appointed General Secretary of PTI, issued a notice to Khattak to explain his position in writing within seven days.

    The show-cause notice reads, “It has come to the notice of the party leadership that you are contacting party members and inciting them to leave the party. In view of these reported activities, you are hereby called to explain yourself in writing within seven days of this notice.”

    It is also mentioned in the notice that if Khattak’s reply is found unsatisfactory or he doesn’t respond, further action will be taken according to party policy.

    Earlier, Asad Umar, former secretary-general of PTI, stirred a hornet’s nest by stating in an interview with ARY’s Kashif Abbasi that he does not agree with party Chairman Imran Khan’s strategies.

  • Blast in restaurant in China kills at least 31 people

    At least 31 people have been killed and seven injured on Wednesday as the result of a gas explosion at a restaurant in northwestern China. The blast was caused by a leaking liquefied petroleum gas tank.

    “A leak of liquefied petroleum gas … caused an explosion during the operation of a barbecue restaurant,” state news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday.
    The owner, shareholders, and staff of the restaurant were among the nine people who were detained by police after the explosion.

    According to media accounts, the BBQ restaurant in Yinchuan, the region’s capital, is very popular among locals. High school students and pensioners were among those killed in the explosion, which occurred during the busiest dining hours.

  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush join Ilhan Omar in boycotting Modi’s Washington address 

    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush join Ilhan Omar in boycotting Modi’s Washington address 

    Congresswoman Cori Bush and member of the U.S. House of Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have joined Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in boycotting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Washington speech. 

    Both politicians announced their decision via Twitter. The development came shortly after Omar announced that she would be boycotting Modi’s speech, citing human rights abuse.

    Both Ocasio-Cortez and Bush have made their decision to boycott for the same reasons. In her statement on Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez pointed out how Modi had been denied a U.S. visa in 2005 due to his alleged complicity in the 2002 Gujarat riots. 

    She goes on to explain that a joint address to Congress is among the most prestigious invitations the U.S. can extend, and it should not be done so to individuals with a record of human rights violations. 

    Bush also alleges Modi’s history of committing human rights abuses, undermining democracy, and targeting journalists. 

    In February this year, BBC offices in India had been raided by tax department officials, just weeks after the release of a documentary revealing evidence of Modi’s responsibility in Gujarat riots. The documentary was later blocked by the government.

    Modi had been invited by top U.S. lawmakers to join Biden in a joint address to Congress on June 22nd. As China’s influence grows in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. is anxious to secure India’s cooperation as a counterbalance.

  • Child, 8, dies in hospital after brutal rape

    Child, 8, dies in hospital after brutal rape

    An eight-year-old boy, sexually assaulted by his madrassa teacher in the Raiwand area of Lahore, has died after struggling for life in the hospital.
    According to the police, Qari Rizwan allegedly raped eight-year-old Samar and threw the child down from a roof to hide the crime. The assault happened a few days ago.

    An FIR was filed on behalf of the child’s father, where he stated that his son Samar was studying in a madrassa. On June 7, Qari Rizwan brutalized the child and also tortured him. His right arm was broken. The man took the child to the roof and threw him from there, causing severe brain injuries.
    The police registered a case and arrested Qari Rizwan. During the investigation, the accused confessed to his crime.

  • Fourth consecutive decline: Gold price drops by Rs1,800 to Rs218,700 per tola

    Fourth consecutive decline: Gold price drops by Rs1,800 to Rs218,700 per tola

    In line with the reduction in international rates, the per tola gold price in Pakistan experienced a significant decline of Rs1,800 on Wednesday. This marks the fourth consecutive day of falling prices for the precious metal.

    The All-Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA) released data indicating that the price of 24-carat gold decreased by Rs1,800 per tola and Rs1,543 per 10 grammes, settling at Rs218,700 and Rs187,500, respectively.

    Internationally, the price of gold plummeted by $17, reaching $1,934 per ounce in today’s market. Pakistan’s gold rate has exhibited volatility in recent times, largely due to ongoing political and economic uncertainty, high inflation, and currency depreciation. Amid such fluctuations, individuals often turn to gold as a safe investment and a hedge against market instability.

    While gold prices experienced a notable decline, the price of silver saw only nominal losses. Data shared by the APSGJA revealed that the price of silver fell by Rs50 per tola and Rs42.87 per 10 grammes, settling at Rs2,550 and Rs2,186.21, respectively.

    In other market developments, the local currency made nominal gains against the dollar, increasing by Rs0.24 or 0.08 per cent. The interbank market witnessed the closing exchange rate of Rs286.98 on Tuesday.

    The recent downward trend in gold prices in Pakistan reflects the influence of international market conditions. Despite these fluctuations, gold remains a sought-after investment during times of economic and political uncertainty, providing individuals with a secure and reliable asset.

  • Chinese company ‘China Power’ plans to set up electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Sindh

    Chinese company ‘China Power’ plans to set up electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Sindh

    A delegation from the Chinese firm ‘China Power’ expressed keen interest in setting up an industrial plant in Sindh for the production of electric vehicles. The meeting between the company representatives and Sindh Minister for Information and Transport, Sharjeel Memon, took place in Karachi on Wednesday.

    Minister Memon warmly welcomed the company’s interest and assured them of the provincial government’s full support in facilitating investors and industrialists in the region. This move highlights the government’s commitment to promoting investment and boosting the manufacturing sector in Sindh.

    This is not the first time a Chinese company has shown interest in establishing a manufacturing plant in Karachi. Last year, another Chinese company agreed to establish Pakistan’s first intra-city bus manufacturing company in the city. This initiative aimed to make buses more affordable and accessible to the public.

    The announcement was made by Minister Memon following his meeting with the country manager of the bus company. The manufacturing plant, to be established on an 18-acre land, is expected to be operational within the next 20 months, with an annual production capacity of 500 buses.

    Minister Memon emphasised that the establishment of a public transport manufacturing plant remains a top priority for the provincial government, and efforts are being made to expedite the project. He further mentioned via his Twitter account that he had a detailed meeting with a leading Chinese bus manufacturing company, and they have agreed to initiate Pakistan’s first intra-city bus manufacturing plant in Karachi.

    The interest shown by ‘China Power’ and the previous commitment from the Chinese bus manufacturing company indicate growing confidence in the investment potential and business environment of Sindh. These ventures can not only enhance the local manufacturing sector but also contribute to the development of sustainable transportation options in Pakistan.

    Overall, the collaboration between Chinese companies and the provincial government of Sindh demonstrates a significant step towards fostering industrial growth and expanding the electric vehicle and public transportation sectors in the region.

  • Army Chief to be member of govt’s Special Investment Council

    Army Chief to be member of govt’s Special Investment Council

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) will be a member of the government’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) tasked to find untapped potential and attract foreign investment during the economic crisis.

    The military will play a key role in SIFC as a coordinator and Army Chief will be the member of SIFC, Arab News has reported.
    Pakistan is facing one of its worst economic crisis due to delay in securing funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while inflation reached historic highs.

    “Employing a whole-of-the-the-government approach, the coalition government has decided to set up a Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) with a mandate to frame economic policies that ensure policy predictability, continuity & effective implementation to revive the economy,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Twitter.

    The main purpose of the plan is utilizing Pakistan’s untapped potential in major industries including energy, minerals and mining, agriculture and livestock, IT and defense production through both domestic development and foreign investments.
    The military will have a significant presence in SIFC, with the army chief as a member of its apex committee. The director general of the body’s implementation committee will also be an army official.
    Shehbaz Sharif said that the key goal of SIFC is attracting investment from friendly countries. He further added that “collective wisdom” is essential to tackle economic challenges.

  • Pakistani Army does not have constitutional and legal authority to be involved in commercial actives, rules LHC

    Pakistani Army does not have constitutional and legal authority to be involved in commercial actives, rules LHC

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared the agreement between the Pakistani Army and the caretaker Punjab government regarding the transfer of one million acres of land on lease as unconstitutional, Urdu News has reported.

    The court has ordered the province’s Board of Revenue to remove the ownership of the land from the military and transfer it back to the government, and submit a report to the court within 15 days.

    In a detailed judgment, Justice Abid Hussain Chatha of the LHC also stated that the Pakistani Army does not have constitutional and legal authority to be involved in corporate farming and similar activities.

    The detailed decision outlines the background of the agreement between the Punjab government and the military, which started in 2021, where the government was leasing 10 lac acres of land to the army for a period of twenty years.

    The military had proposed to engage in corporate farming on this land in order to “fulfill the country’s food necessities.” The court has detailed in its judgment regarding the progress made in relation to this proposal, stating that in April 2022, a recommendation was made to present this deal for discussion on the floor of the Punjab Assembly.
    However, when the present government came into power, they swiftly completed the action with great speed and allocated one million acres of land to the military.
    The Public Interest Litigation Association, an organisation comprising several reputable lawyers, challenged the allocation in the High Court. During the first hearing, the court issued a stay order, halting the military from utilizing the land.

    However, after several months, the arguments of both parties were heard.
    The court has now ruled that the caretaker government does not have the constitutional and legal right to make such decisions.

  • Modi to celebrate International Yoga Day on UN’s Lawn during U.S. visit

    Modi to celebrate International Yoga Day on UN’s Lawn during U.S. visit

    In celebration of the ninth annual observance of International Day of Yoga, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi will be leading a yoga session on the north lawn of the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday morning.

    Modi, a practicing Hindu, often presents himself as devoutly religious. Considering yoga has its origins in ancient Hindu religious practices, the exercise seems a fitting ode to both his faith and culture.

    But there are other, more important concerns surrounding his crucial visit to Washington.

    Congresswoman boycotts speech

    Earlier today, United States’ Congresswoman Ilhan Omar published a tweet ahead of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s speech to Congress. She stated she will not be attending the address, holding a briefing with human rights groups instead to discuss ‘Modi’s record of repression and violence.’ 

    She accused his government of repression of religious minorities, emboldening Hindu nationalist groups, and targeting journalists/human rights advocates ‘with impunity’.

    At the beginning of June, top lawmakers in the U.S. had invited Modi to address Congress on the 22nd of June, during his visit to Washington, DC. Addressing Congress is a rare opportunity that is granted only to the country’s closest allies.

    Biden asked to raise concerns

    A letter was sent to U.S. President Joe Biden on the eve of Modi’s visit to Washington, asking him to raise concerns around democratic norms and human rights in India with its prime minister. 

    A total of 75 American Senators and Representatives have signed the letter. The U.S. lawmakers that drafted it said they were concerned about religious intolerance, press freedoms, internet access and the targeting of civil society groups. 

    They cited “a series of independent, credible reports” reflecting “troubling signs” in India, as reported by Reuters. 

    “We do not endorse any particular Indian leader or political party — that is the decision of the people of India — but we do stand in support of the important principles that should be a core part of American foreign policy,” said the letter.

    A strategic ceremony

    According to BBC, the discussions between the two states not only have potential to infuse new energy into India-U.S. relations, but also have an impact on the global order.

    As China’s influence continues to grow in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. needs India’s influence more than ever, viewing it as a counterbalance to China’s. While India is reluctant to claim this tag, China is one of the main catalysts driving India-U.S. relations.

    Human rights advocates worry that geopolitics might overshadow humanitarian issues. U.S. rights groups have planned protests against Modi’s state visit to Washington, citing India’s deteriorating human rights record, as reported by Reuters.

  • President Arif Alvi approves Maternity and Paternity Leave Bill

    President Arif Alvi approves Maternity and Paternity Leave Bill

    On Tuesday, Pakistan’s president Dr. Arif Alvi approved the Maternity and Paternity Leave Bill, 2023, to be enacted as law. 

    Under the Bill, women employees of both public and private departments under the federal government’s administrative control will be entitled to avail maternity leave with full pay three times during service.

    The times have been stipulated thus: 180 days for the first time, 120 days for the second, and 90 days for the third. 

    Working men now also have the right to spend their first month as a father on paternity leave with full pay. However, male employees will only be entitled to a leave of 30 days three times during their employment period. 

    If a company is found in violation of the Bill, there is a risk of imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to 100, 000 rupees, or both.

    The bill was passed by Pakistan’s parliament last month, and had been in the works for several years after being initially moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Quratulain Marri in 2018. 

    The President gave his assent to the bill under Article 75 of the Constitution, which states that bills sent to the president are formally enacted as laws after his approval.