Category: Uncategorized

  • Murad Saeed’s papers rejected; Imran Khan to pay two lac fine

    Murad Saeed’s papers rejected; Imran Khan to pay two lac fine

    The Returning Officer (RO) for NA-4 on Friday rejected the nomination papers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed as the candidate was on the absconder’s list.

    Murad Saeed has been absconding since the May 9 incidents.

    PTI’s lawyer has said that he has completed all the documents required by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and will appeal against the verdict in Peshawar High Court (PHC).

    Meanwhile, the Provincial election commissioner in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has directed returning officers across different districts to recover unpaid fines from various political leaders, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, as per Dawn.

    These fines, imposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), are under scrutiny as part of the nomination paper review process for the upcoming February 8 elections.

    A letter dated December 28, issued by the provincial election commissioner and obtained by Dawn.com, reveals that a total of 62 political figures from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab have outstanding fines ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs50,000.

    The fines are linked to violations committed during election campaigns, with the severity of the violations determining the penalty amount.

    According to the letter, Imran Khan faces a substantial debt of Rs200,000 to the ECP, making him the highest debtor on the list.

    The former premier allegedly committed four separate violations in March 2022, each resulting in a fine of Rs50,000. Notably, these violations occurred just a month before Imran Khan’s removal through a parliamentary vote.

    Other prominent figures on the list include former Chief Minister of KP Mahmood Khan, who owes Rs150,000 for three violations, and ex-federal minister Murad Saeed, facing a fine of Rs100,000 for two violations.

    Several members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-P) are also included, with outstanding amounts ranging from Rs50,000.

    The ECP letter states, “Candidates and public office holders [in the past] violated the code of conduct during election campaigns of various previous elections… fines were imposed upon them under Section 234 sub-section (3) of the Election Act 2017.”

    It further notes that some individuals failed to deposit the fines and others filed appeals that were rejected by the ECP.

    The competent authority has directed returning officers to share the list of defaulters and ensure the recovery of unpaid fines during the scrutiny of nomination papers. The deadline for scrutinizing nomination papers is December 30, with the process commencing on December 24.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said on Friday that it will display the final list of the candidates’ list on January 23 (Tuesday).

    According to the electoral watchdog, the candidates will be able to withdraw their nomination papers until Monday, January 22.

    The ECP is expected to display the candidate list on January 20. The appellate tribunals will decide on the appeals until January 19.

    The appeals against RO’s verdict on the special seats can be filed until January 16.

    The electoral watchdog had revised the election schedule for the special seats. The scrutiny of the nomination papers of women and minorities candidates will continue until January 13.

  • Winter Vacations likely to be extended in Punjab

    Winter Vacations likely to be extended in Punjab

    Winter vacations in both public and private schools are drawing to a close but the weather is growing increasingly harsh. Media is speculating that a possible 10-day extension in winter break for schools in Punjab is being considered by the government, reports The News.

    Despite the absence of an official decision or announcement from the School Education Department (SED) Punjab regarding an extension in the winter break, a notification issued by the Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department Punjab regarding the winter break for its non-formal educational institutions has started discussions.

    It is important to mention here that the Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department of Punjab adheres to a distinct winter break schedule of its own. The Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department has now notified the winter vacations in all Non-Formal Education Institutions in Punjab from Jan 1, 2024 to Jan 10, 2024.

    Originally, winter break for schools in Punjab commenced on December 18, 2023, and is scheduled to conclude on January 1, 2024. However, as temperature drops and winter conditions intensify, there is a growing debate about the potential extension of the annual winter break which if approved by the government will also be adopted by SED.

  • Nawaz Sharif receives clean chit to contest elections from NA-15 Mansehra

    Nawaz Sharif receives clean chit to contest elections from NA-15 Mansehra

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif received clearance on Friday to take part in the upcoming general elections, set to take place on February 8, 2024, from the NA-15 (Mansehra-II) constituency, despite objections raised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as per The News.

    Hajra Sami, the Returning Officer (RO), rejected the objections raised by PTI leaders and declared the nomination papers of the former prime minister valid according to the rules of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    “The scrutiny process of the nomination papers of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif has been completed, and all objections raised by PTI leader Azam Khan Swati and two others have been set aside, and he has been declared eligible to contest elections from here,” Jahangir Jadoon, the legal advisor to Nawaz Sharif, told reporters outside the RO offices.

    Sami reviewed the concerns raised by PTI senators Azam Khan Swati, Shahid Rafique, and Zakria Tariq in the presence of PML-N and PTI lawyers and leaders. After that, the RO gave clearance to Nawaz Sharif.

    The PTI legal team, headed by Waqar Khan Jehangira and Amir Shah, and the PML-N team, led by Jadoon, presented their arguments for two hours.

    “Nawaz Sharif is disqualified for holding any public office or contesting general elections by the Supreme Court’s five-member bench, so that he is not eligible to run in Feb 8, general elections from NA-15,” PTI’s counsel Waqar Khan Jehangiri told the RO during the proceedings.

  • ‘Those who have dissociated from PTI through press conferences will not be granted election tickets,’ Barrister Gohar Khan

    ‘Those who have dissociated from PTI through press conferences will not be granted election tickets,’ Barrister Gohar Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan made a significant announcement on Wednesday, stating that PTI leaders who have dissociated from the party through press conferences will not be granted election tickets.

    Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Barrister Gohar emphasized the party’s firm decision not to award tickets to individuals involved in such public disassociations, regardless of the number of people involved.

    Highlighting the directives of PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Barrister Gohar mentioned, “Imran Khan has instructed the party to gear up for general elections 2024.”

    In response to the recent Supreme Court order on senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the PTI chairman emphasized the Election Commission’s responsibility to ensure its implementation.

    He revealed that the commission had requested the party to submit an application concerning Qureshi and other incidents where PTI leaders and activists were targeted.

    Barrister Gohar informed the media about the Peshawar High Court (PHC) order and urged the Election Commission to upload the certificate of PTI’s intra-party elections, assuring that the commission would conduct an investigation. He asserted that if a party’s election symbol is revoked, it is equivalent to its dissolution, and only the Supreme Court holds the authority to make such decisions.

    Earlier on December 26, PTI Punjab Acting President Hammad Azhar commented on the issue, stating that the fate of PTI leaders who held press conferences and parted ways with the party would be decided by Imran Khan on a case-to-case basis.

    Azhar mentioned that many individuals who had dissociated through press conferences wished to return to the party, and Imran Khan would personally decide on their return.

    He also demanded release of all political workers, “Stop turning the criminal justice system into a joke. Release all political prisoners. My colleagues have languished in jails for more than 7 months despite being innocent. I myself have been falsely nominated as an accused in dozens of Fake FIRs despite being not present on any single incident mentioned (one overly imaginative mind even listed me as chucking petrol bombs on mall road). End this madness and release all. Stop rearresting ppl after bail. Stop booking ppl in fake cases after arbitrarily arresting them for holding political association with PTI. Let the people of Pakistan decide who will govern them.”

  • ‘Sab ki salary double hogi’; Bilawal Unveils Ambitious 10-Point Election Manifesto

    ‘Sab ki salary double hogi’; Bilawal Unveils Ambitious 10-Point Election Manifesto

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari presented an ambitious 10-point election manifesto during a public gathering in the party stronghold Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the 16th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

    The manifesto, outlined on Wednesday, aims to establish a “pro-people” government after the upcoming February 8 elections.

    Here’s a breakdown of what Bilawal promised his party would do if they came into power:
    • Double salaries within five years
    • Free solar energy of 300 units for the poor; every district to have green energy parks
    • Education for all — rolling out projects for better education
    • Free health for all across Pakistan
    • Three million houses for flood affectees and the poor
    • Expand BISP’s scope; introducing more welfare schemes
    • BSIP-like programme for farmers and ‘Hari Card’
    • Enhanced support for labourers through Benazir Mazdoor Card
    • ‘Youth Card’ for unemployed youth and ‘Youth Markaz’
    • ‘Bhook Mitao Programme’

    At the core of the agenda is a commitment to double salaries and provide 300 free units of electricity per household. This goal is to be achieved through the creation of green energy parks in every district, focusing on harnessing solar and wind energy sources.

    In addition to economic measures, Bhutto-Zardari pledged to overhaul the health sector by replicating successful models such as NICVD, SIUT, and the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences across the country. Another significant project, titled ‘Apni Zamin, Apna Ghar,’ aims to construct three million houses nationwide.

    The manifesto also includes provisions for free education, the expansion of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), the introduction of Hari and Benazir Mazdoor Cards, and the establishment of youth centers in all divisional headquarters for career counseling and skill development.

    Bhutto-Zardari called for public support to navigate the current crisis, expressing confidence in the PPP’s ability to address national issues and strengthen the federation. Reflecting on the party’s past achievements, he highlighted the devolution of powers through the 18th Amendment and the successful implementation of the NFC award.

    The PPP chairman criticized certain politicians without naming them, accusing them of engaging in politics to evade legal challenges and jail time.

    “I had told my team that I wanted to contest from Lahore. I’ll take the battle to Lahore. Let’s see what happens,” he said.

    “Is it Lahore’s destiny that the same person will be installed for the fourth time?” Bilawal said while taking a jibe at the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who is eying a record-fourth term as the country’s prime minister.

    “Our paths are different with that of those we were in government for 16 months,” Bilawal said while referring to the PML-N-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government of which the PPP was a key part.

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari, speaking on the occasion, reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the promises made by his son. He criticized the central administration in Islamabad for its detachment from the struggles of the common people, contrasting it with the PPP’s “people-centric” approach.

  • ‘No, babies are not dropped from the skies’, Sarwat Gilani haters get schooled

    ‘No, babies are not dropped from the skies’, Sarwat Gilani haters get schooled

    Joyland star Sarwat Gilani recently announced the birth of her baby girl.

    In the months preceding the delivery, she shared pictures of her baby bump. While some showed love, the morality police criticized her for being “vulgar”.

    People, however, came out in droves to support Sarwat Gilani.

  • ‘I was tortured mentally, physically in jail,’ Shah Mehmood claims

    ‘I was tortured mentally, physically in jail,’ Shah Mehmood claims

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi claimed to have endured mental and physical torture during his incarceration.

    The former Foreign Minister appeared before Duty Magistrate Syed Jahangir Ali in the GHQ attack case, asserting that he was subjected to harsh conditions, both mentally and physically, and exposed to severe cold weather while in jail.

    During the court session, he insisted on recording his statement in the presence of his counsel, expressing dissatisfaction with the police’s attempt to obtain his statement without legal representation as per Geo News.

    The former foreign minister said he was being treated in jail for the past several months in the same manner. “Is this justice? I am tortured,” he asked.

    Qureshi said he will swear on the Holy Quran that he was not present in Rawalpindi on May 9 and instead, he was in Karachi that day.

    “I was with my wife in the Aga Khan Hospital. Get the record from PEMRA, I was present in Karachi,” said Qureshi.

    Qureshi, who had previously been granted bail by three Supreme Court judges, questioned the justice system, highlighting the fluctuating circumstances of his arrest and release.

    He said that he was arrested under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) 3.

    “One night I am arrested and in the morning I am told that I am being released. When I asked what made it happen, they replied there is a loophole in the case,” he said.

    Qureshi said he was ordered to be arrested on December 26 then the date was changed to 27. He was within the jail’s premises when Punjab police arrived to arrest him, he said.

    “I have been a member of the assembly for five times. SHO Ashfaq tortured me. He kicked and punched me,” he said. He said he felt pain in his chest for which he was begged the superintendent police for hours to take him to hospital.

    “A doctor was called who was carrying just a blood pressure checking machine,” he added.

    Earlier, the Rawalpindi Police reportedly barred journalists from entering the judicial complex, citing a ban on media coverage of the GHQ attack case against Qureshi.

    His legal counsel expressed concern over the restriction, questioning the nature of an in-camera trial with limited media access.

    Qureshi’s daughter, Meher Bano Qureshi, filed a petition with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against what she termed the “unlawful abduction” of her father, as per Geo News.

    Meherbano stated in the petition that Qureshi had been granted bail by the Supreme Court, and referred to the remark of Justice Athar Minallah, who stated: “The incarceration of the petitioners will not serve any useful purpose.

    Moreover, their release on bail during the period of elections would ensure ‘genuine elections and thus enable the people to exercise the right to express their will effectively and meaningfully.”

    The PTI vice chairman’s recent arrest, just after securing bail in a cipher case, raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his detention.

    President Arif Alvi also weighed in, calling on authorities to address the alleged mistreatment of Qureshi and uphold human rights and dignity.

    “We must not become a state where human rights and dignity are violated without fear. Authorities must pay attention to the confiscation of documents, the brutal action against the protesters, and now the indecent treatment of the former foreign minister by two governments,” Alvi wrote on X (former Twitter).

    The arrest is linked to cases related to the May 9 riots following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. Qureshi is implicated in a GHQ attack case and is expected to appear in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) for further proceedings.

  • India targeting high-profile journalists with spyware: Amnesty

    India targeting high-profile journalists with spyware: Amnesty

    New Delhi (AFP) – India’s government has recently targeted high-profile journalists with Pegasus spyware, Amnesty International and The Washington Post said in a joint investigation published Thursday.

    Created by Israeli firm NSO Group and sold to governments around the world, Pegasus software can be used to access a phone’s messages and emails, peruse photos, eavesdrop on calls, track locations and even film the owner with the camera.

    Amnesty said journalists Siddharth Varadarajan of The Wire and Anand Mangnale of The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project had been targeted with the spyware on their iPhones, with the latest identified case occurring in October.

    “Our latest findings show that increasingly, journalists in India face the threat of unlawful surveillance simply for doing their jobs, alongside other tools of repression including imprisonment under draconian laws, smear campaigns, harassment, and intimidation,” said Donncha O Cearbhaill, Head of Amnesty International’s Security Lab.

    India’s government did not immediately respond, but it denied similar accusations in 2021 that it used Pegasus spyware to surveil political opponents, activists and journalists.

    Indian media reported last month that the country’s cyber security unit was investigating allegations by opposition politicians of attempted phone tapping after they reported receiving Apple iPhone warnings of “state-sponsored attackers”.

    In that case, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the information and technology minister, said the government was “concerned” by the complaints.

  • Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar for 11th consecutive session

    Pakistani rupee gains ground against US dollar for 11th consecutive session

    The Pakistani rupee sustained its upward trajectory against the US dollar for the 11th consecutive session, exhibiting a 0.06 per cent appreciation in the interbank market on Wednesday. 

    According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the rupee concluded at Rs282.20, reflecting an increment of Re0.17.

    In the preceding session on Tuesday, the rupee had achieved a marginal gain, settling at Rs282.37 in relation to the US dollar. 

    Concurrently, there has been a notable surge of 200 per cent in the cumulative borrowing by the federal and provincial governments for budgetary support from the domestic banking system in the current fiscal year (FY24).

    Internationally, the US dollar encountered continued pressure on Wednesday, while the euro flirted with a four-month pinnacle. 

    This trend emerged as market expectations of an imminent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve gained traction. The restrained week, marked by global holiday absences until the New Year, is anticipated to witness subdued trading volumes.

    The dollar index, gauging the US currency against six counterparts, stood at 101.54, just below the five-month low of 101.42 recorded last week. 

    The index is poised for a 1.9 per cent decline in 2023, following two consecutive years of robust gains driven by the Fed’s rate hikes to combat inflation. 

    The recent weakening of the dollar is attributed to market anticipation of forthcoming rate cuts by the Fed in the coming year, diminishing the allure of the greenback.

  • Kya PTI leaders mein larai chal rahi hai?

    Kya PTI leaders mein larai chal rahi hai?

    As Pakistan gears up for the upcoming general elections, internal tensions have surfaced within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), notably between leaders Taimur Khan Jhagra and Sher Afzal Marwat.

    The disagreement revolves around Marwat’s decision to enter the electoral race in Peshawar.

    Jhagra, a prominent PTI leader hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has expressed objections to Marwat’s choice to contest the elections scheduled for February 8 next year from the NA-32 constituency in Peshawar.

    During a recent statement, Jhagra emphasized, “It would be more fitting if a leader from Peshawar contested from that constituency.”

    He underscored that the party, rather than individual leaders, should determine the candidates’ election constituencies.

    In response to these objections, Marwat, in an interview with Geo News, stated that he has no personal interest in participating in the elections.”The PTI founder has directed me to contest elections from Peshawar,” he added.

    Marwat, who has already submitted his nomination papers, reiterated his commitment to contesting elections from Peshawar as per Imran Khan’s instructions.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reported a significant influx of nomination papers, receiving a total of 28,626 submissions from aspiring candidates across the country vying to participate in the upcoming polls.

    As per the ECP’s data seen by Geo News, 7,242 men and 471 women have filed nomination papers for national assembly seats (general), whereas for provincial assemblies, the number stands at 17,744 and 802, respectively.

    The ECP is currently scrutinising the nomination papers filed by the candidates with the stage set to culminate on December 30 (Saturday).

    Meanwhile, appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers can be submitted by January 3, and decisions on these appeals will be made by January 10.

    The top electoral body will issue the list of candidates on January 11, with candidates having the option to withdraw until January 12 i.e., before the ECP allots electoral symbol on January 13.

    As per the data shared by the ECP, a total of 459 and 1,365 nomination papers have been received by the electoral body for the reserved seats for national and provincial legislature, respectively.

    Meanwhile, on the reserved seats for non-muslims, 361 men and 32 women have submitted their nomination papers for provincial assemblies. For national assembly seats, the number stands at 140 and 10, respectively.

    A total of 7,713 people have submitted their nomination papers for national assembly seats (general), with the number standing at 18,546 for provincial assemblies (general).