Author: newsdesk

  • US urges India to condemn religious violence

    US urges India to condemn religious violence

    The State Department of the United States on Monday released an annual report on religious freedom which listed attacks against religious minorities including Muslims and Christians in India, AFP has reported.

    According to the State Department study, Muslims in Gujarat have had their homes demolished and have been publicly flogged by police after being accused of hurting Hindus. The department collected this information from both direct research and reports from media and advocacy groups.

    “Regarding these concerns, we’re continuing to encourage the government to condemn violence and hold accountable (those) who engage in rhetoric that’s dehumanizing towards religious minorities,” a senior US official said while talking to AFP.
    The official said they will talk directly to Indian officials. “We’ll continue to work very closely with our civil society colleagues on the ground (and) with courageous journalists that are working every day to document some of these abuses.”

  • PDM be warned: allow Army Act trials and some day military laws might be used against you too

    PDM be warned: allow Army Act trials and some day military laws might be used against you too

    A Special Corps Commander Conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) and presided by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has decided that the planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators of the attacks on military installations and buildings during the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters will be tried under relevant Pakistani laws, including the Army Act and Official Secret Act. The statement released by the ISPR after the Corps Commanders meeting is not just unprecedented but is being seen as a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

    In a statement, Aurat March Lahore said: “Use of military laws and courts to try civilians, the complete absence of due process, transparency and accountability flies in the face of the pretence of democracy under the current PDM regime… State institutions and monuments are not more important than people’s fundamental rights and lives. Respect must be earned through actions, not through the force of draconian laws.”

    It must be noted that if convicted under the Army Act, a person can be sentenced to life imprisonment or be handed a death sentence. Pakistan is going through one of its worst crises ever with the entire system tethering on the brink of collapse. From the military establishment to the judicial establishment, all institutions have lost their credibility. It is high time that political parties and parliament take charge of the situation and make sure that the law is followed instead of going down the path of military trials which offer no transparency.

    A word of caution: if the PDM government go down this path and allows civilian rioters to be tried under military laws, the same will one day be applied to their leadership, their supporters and workers. We have seen history repeat itself too many times to not learn a lesson. Democracy is not about punishing your opponents; it is about ensuring that no one is targeted unjustly for their political views. Rioters, when identified, should be prosecuted as per the law of the land in courts, not military courts. If PTI justified arbitrary arrests, detentions and draconian punishments, PDM should refrain from doing so. Politics isn’t about personal enmity.

  • Turkey to have runoff elections for first time in history

    Turkey will have a runoff for the first time in its history, as none of the presidential candidates could secure an absolute majority in elections.

    The second round of voting will take place on May 28.

    Tayyip Erdogan received 49.51 per cent of the vote, while his main rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, came in second at 44.88 per cent.

    The third presidential candidate, Sinan Ogan, a nationalist politician, finished third at 5.17 per cent.

    Erdogan needs to win this election to extend his 20-year rule.

    “I wholeheartedly believe we will continue to serve our people in the coming five years,” said Erdogan on Monday.

  • National Assembly wants to remove Chief Justice

    National Assembly wants to remove Chief Justice

    The National Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a motion seeking the formation of a special committee to file a reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) for “misconduct and deviating from oath”.

    During a fiery session, lawmakers strongly condemned attacks on military installations and state buildings across the country.

    Speaking on the floor of the house, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the time had come for the Parliament to play its constitutional role in the prevailing political crisis.

    “The time has come for the Parliament to send a reference of misconduct to the Supreme Judicial Council, under the authority and law given to it by the Constitution,” Asif stated unequivocally.

    He stressed that recently a section of the judiciary had started supporting a political party.

    The reference motion was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Dr Shazia Sobia.

    The parliamentarians also demanded that PTI Chairman Imran Khan be tried under the Army Act.

    Last week, Khan’s arrest from Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday, prompted his supporters to come out on roads in support of their leader. They have been alleged to have not just damaged properties but also use inappropriate language for top military officials.

  • Solve Asia Cup issue amicably if you want to become ICC chief in the future: Najam Sethi advises Jay Shah

    Solve Asia Cup issue amicably if you want to become ICC chief in the future: Najam Sethi advises Jay Shah

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi has shown concerns about the biased attitude of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Jay Shah who is also the secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

    Sethi said that if the ACC chairman wants to become the head of International cr Cricket Council (ICC) than he has to solve Asia Cup’s issue amicably.

    Jay Shah is the secretary of BCCI and also son of powerful BJP leader Amit Shah. He has refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan to play Asia Cup 2023, saying that the Indian Government is not allowing them to play in Pakistan.

    The excuse is childish and hypocritical because India has sent many other sports teams to Pakistan. If the Indian cricket team has security concerns then why is Indian government allowing other teams to travel in Pakistan, asked Najam Sethi in a BBC podcast.

    He advised the ACC president to be neutral and solve the matter amicably.

    “I think Jay [Shah] is a young man, he aspires to be the head of the ICC,” Sethi told Associated Press (AP). “My advice to my young friend would be if you want to be a leader, you have to keep the herd together, keep the flock together.

    “Don’t let it be said that when you were in the chair in the ACC, the ACC broke up.”

    Najam Sethi also said that we will always be on the helping side for Asian countries.
    “When Aussies pulled out against Afghanistan, we said to them that we will play a series with you and you will get some money from the series,” Sethi remarked.

    We do not have any issues with any team in Asia neither they have any issues with us, he said, adding that its just India.

    He also spoke about the hybrid model for the Asia Cup, which would allow India to play their matches at a neutral venue while the rest of the tournament takes place in Pakistan.

    “Until India is ready to play Pakistan bilaterally and in Pakistan, let’s have a hybrid solution,” he said.

  • Petrol price expected to decrease by Rs10 per litre for the next fortnight

    Petrol price expected to decrease by Rs10 per litre for the next fortnight

    The prices of petroleum products are expected to decrease starting from May 16, as the coalition government intends to provide some relief to the distressed public amidst the severe economic crisis and record inflation.

    According to reports in local media, petrol price will see a reduction of Rs10 per litre for the rest of May.

    It has been reported that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has recommended a decrease in the prices of petroleum products. Based on these reports, the price of petrol may be reduced by Rs10 per litre, while the price of diesel is anticipated to decrease by Rs8 per litre.

    OGRA has submitted a summary to the government, and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and other officials will seek the input of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the recommendations. The final decision will be announced today.

    The revised prices of petroleum products for the upcoming two weeks will be implemented after midnight on May 15.

    Earlier this month, the federal government announced a reduction of Rs5 per litre in the price of diesel, while the price of petrol remained unchanged. Presently, petrol is being sold at Rs282, HSD at Rs288, kerosene oil at Rs176.07, and light diesel oil at Rs164.68 per litre.

  • Chief Justice asks govt and PTI to sit together again on elections matter

    Chief Justice asks govt and PTI to sit together again on elections matter

    While hearing the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) plea to revisit its April 4 order on Punjab polls, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Umar Ata Bandial, said on Monday that both government and Pakistan Tehreeke-e-Insaf (PTI) should resume talks.

    Justice Bandial said that the constitution guaranteed political rights. “We don’t want to get into political matters and we don’t want to hear anything. We hope that negotiations will start anew and a solution will be reached.”

    The hearing is now adjourned till next Tuesday.

    On April 4, the SC said that Punjab polls will be held on May 14, however, the date has passed without elections taking place.

    It is pertinent to mention that prior to this govt and PTI tried to talk this matter out but no consensus took place.

  • Amid political chaos, UAE President telephones army chief

    Amid political chaos, UAE President telephones army chief

    United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has telephoned Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

    According to media reports, bilateral defense and military relations were discussed, with both emphasising the need to further promote mutual defense and military cooperation.

    The conversation has taken place while the country is gripped in political chaos. Recently, after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest, his supporters attacked military installations.

    Khan has also openly named COAS Munir for his arrest and accused him of spreading anarchy just to save his seat.

  • Traffic police crackdown: More than 5,000 underage drivers in Lahore face strict action

    Traffic police crackdown: More than 5,000 underage drivers in Lahore face strict action

    City Traffic Police have recently cracked down on underage drivers, taking strict action to address the issue. On a particular holiday, the traffic police apprehended over 5,000 underage drivers, while also taking the initiative to educate the parents of more than 22,000 children who were found driving without proper authorisation.

    Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), Mustansar Feroze, spoke regarding the matter and announced that, starting from the upcoming weekend, all motorcycles and vehicles involved in such violations would be impounded and kept at police stations. According to The News, the CTO earnestly appealed to parents, urging them not to provide motorcycles, cars, or rickshaws to their young children. He highlighted that on holidays, it has become common to witness young children recklessly roaming the streets with these vehicles.

    CTO Mustansar Feroze emphasised that accidents are frequently caused by young drivers. Consequently, any underage drivers caught in possession of a car, motorcycle, or rickshaw will have their vehicle impounded and stored at the local police station. He called upon parents to play a proactive role in discouraging young drivers from engaging in such activities.

    Furthermore, the CTO stated that parents would be held responsible in the event of accidents involving underage drivers. He strongly emphasised that no young driver should be seen operating a vehicle of any kind, be it a car, motorcycle, or rickshaw. The City Traffic Police are dedicated to ensuring the safety of all citizens on the roads and will continue their efforts to address this critical issue.

  • Pakistan to travel to Australia at year end for Benaud-Qadir Trophy

    Pakistan will take a trip Down Under later in the year to take on Australia for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. Three Tests – part of the third World Test Championship cycle – will be played at Perth, Melbourne and Sydney in December and January.

    The tour will open at the Perth Stadium on 14 December and it will mark the first instance of Pakistan playing a Test at the venue. The two teams will face off in the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground from 26 till 30 December and the third and final match will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from 3 January, 2024. Pakistan has played 10 Tests at the MCG and eight at the SCG – at both venues they have won two matches each.

    In the lead-up to the series, Pakistan will play a four-day warm-up to acclimatise to the conditions Down Under.

    This will be Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s third Test tour of Australia. The prolific stroke-maker previously landed on the Australian soil in December 2016, under Misbah-ul-Haq’s captaincy, and November 2019, when Azhar Ali was the captain of the side.

    The right-hander has 278 runs – including a century – in five Tests. On the 2019 tour, Babar scored a century in the second innings in the first Test in Brisbane and followed it up with a 97 at Adelaide.

    Naseem Shah made his Pakistan debut at Brisbane in November 2019 and since has evolved as a mainstay in Pakistan’s bowling line-up across all formats. The right-arm speedster has 80 wickets in 42 matches.

    Pakistan last toured Australia for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and finished as the finalists.

    The Benaud-Qadir Trophy was launched in 2022 when Australia arrived in Pakistan after 16 years for a three-Test series. Pat Cummin’s side bagged the first iteration as they bagged the series 1-0 after defeating Pakistan in Lahore in the third and final Test.

    Schedule

    14-18 Dec: First Test, Perth Stadium

    26-30 Dec: Second Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground

    3-7 Jan: Third Test, Sydney Cricket Ground