This week started off with the commemoration of Pakistan’s 76th year of Independence. Despite the current political uncertainty and economic instability, the flag was hoisted high by the president; the national anthem was recited; and as per tradition, the lit roads were taken over by youth dressed in green and white.
And while passionate speeches were made praising the sacrifices of those who fought for the freedom of Pakistan, somewhere in the district of Faisalabad, an inaudible alarm of impending destruction rang through.
On August 16, a mob of hundreds of people attacked the Christian community in Jaranwala over alleged blasphemy allegations against two Christian residents. By night, the Christians in Jaranwala were homeless in their own hometown. Even the churches, burnt and destroyed, could not accommodate its people in need.
Members of our team visited Jaranwala yesterday and came back emotionally dazed after witnessing the helplessness and hopelessness of the Christian community. “What is the point of helping us now? Everything has been ruined,” one woman cried to us. And we could do nothing, say nothing to make her feel better.
The people in that mob who wrecked an entire community are inheritors of the same freedom that is signalled to us on national television with pride. It is the freedom that was equally granted to Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, and Sikhs along with Muslims. But somewhere along the way, it became the right of only one. Somewhere along the way, freedom became sectarian violence. Somewhere along the way, freedom became intolerance. And somewhere along the way, our freedom divided us.
And so, today we mourn and deplore the horrors of mob violence for the umpteenth time.
We continue to steer forward through blood and debris without minding the rotting smell of state’s conscience.
Perhaps it is time to redefine ‘freedom’ in Pakistan. Like privilege, it only serves a few and obliterates the rest. Like hope, it is a yearning; but elusive as a mirage. Like tragedy, it has become our nightmare amidst all that could have been.
Punjab Police have said in an official statement that their constable filmed beating a journalist, is mentally ill.
The video shows a police officer on a motorcycle being stopped by a journalist and questioned about the missing number plate of his vehicle. Upon confrontation, the policeman slaps the journalist. Later, he hits out at other people who tried to stop the feud. The video stoked outrage on social media, with many users condemning the brutality displayed by the officer and demanding that strict action be taken.
Extremely vulgar but goddamn there isn’t a video that summarizes all of Pakistan more succinctly. Literally everything in here is so emblematic. Down to how sardonically funny and sad this is. Incredible. Send it to the Oscars. https://t.co/HDtLpvJCjY
Punjab Police have released a statement on their Twitter account, while Inspector General Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar has also addressed the violent feud, saying that the police officer in question is a constable who is mentally ill, and is currently being provided treatment.
The constable has also been taking absences from his work, the police have said.
The IGP went on to talk about the launch of an initiative that involves psychosocial profiles of 200 police officers across the province, reassuring constables that the purpose of these measurements was to ensure that they were all screened against 10 conditions and that it will provide counselling and treatment to affected employees.
آئی جی پنجاب ڈاکٹر عثمان انور کا سوشل میڈیا پر پولیس اہلکار کی وائرل ویڈیو بارے اہم پیغام، ویڈیو میں نظر آنیوالا کانسٹیبل نفسیاتی بیماری کا شکار ہے جسکا علاج کروایا جا رہاہے۔ 02 لاکھ سے زائد پولیس فورس کی ہیلتھ سکریننگ کے بعد 10 بیماریوں کا علاج معالجہ تکمیل کے مراحل میں ہے، اس… pic.twitter.com/B8IhZlh0Wi
On August 16, a large mob of Muslims attacked the Christian community residing in Jaranwala. The violence erupted after two Christians were accused of committing blasphemy, alleging that the holy Quran had been desecrated.
The mob, armed with batons and sticks, congregated after clerics in mosques incited violence. According to Christian leader Akmal Bhatti, at least five churches were set ablaze including the Salvation Army Church and the Saint Paul Catholic Church. Copies of Bible were also descrated. The crowd also attacked and looted private homes which residents had escaped from to protect their lives.
So far, the police have arrested two men who have been accused of inciting violence on August 16. Moreover, the Punjab interim government has ordered a high-level investigation into the incident. Resultantly, over 100 people have been arrested.
But while the Christian community awaits justice, they are left out in the open without food and shelter. Following the incident, they have spent nights sleeping in fields and roadsides.
Here is how you can help:
An instagram page, Reformistan, has shared sources that are collecting funds in order to provide the people of Jaranwala with emergency aid.
You can directly donate to the Christian community members working to rehabilitate those in need:
Raja Sharoon Lewis — Jazz Cash Account: 03084269400
Zonobia Bhatti — Askari Bank Account Number: 00630210143074
Raja Sharoon Lewis — Muslim Commercial Bank Account Number: 1228017681000588
Actavia Farhat (Owner of Actavia Orphan Foundation) — Meezan Bank Account Number: 02930104441837
For donations from outside of Paksitan:
Zonobia Bhatti — Askari Bank Account Number: 0630210143074 IBAN: PK34ASCM0000630210143074 Swift Code: ASCMPkKA
Raja Sharoon Lewis — Western Union Account Number: 35404-2962653-7
Be The Change (Pakistan) is raising money for the Jaranwala Christian community to help them rebuild their homes and churches:
Bano Number: +923004004952
Aalia Number: +923174319994
You can also donate to The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation — MCB
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sent a letter to Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, staring that deputy commissioners are issuing NOCs for new housing societies in Punjab.
According to the letter, the ECP reminded the interim CM that issuing of NOCs and announcing policies is not the domain of the caretaker government. An elected government can work on policy-making, but not a caretaker setup.
The ECP said they are hopeful that caretaker government will work within constitutional and legal limits. According to ECP, the caretaker setup can prepare a case in case of an emergency and get it approved by the commission.
The constitutional terms of the caretaker governments of Punjab and Khyber Palhtunkhwa were set to end in mid-April but the federal government did not issue funds needed by the ECP to hold elections in the two provinces despite a Supreme Court order. Some legal experts and opposition parties have raised questions about the legitimacy of the two caretaker governments, describing them as illegal.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s 24-member cabinet comprising of politicians, TV artists and anchors, retired bureaucrats, and servicemen has been sworn in by the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, on Thursday.
Of the 24 members cabinet, 16 are federal ministers, three are advisers to the prime minister, and five are Special Assistants to the Prime Minister (SAPMs). Most of them are new faces, not seen before in a government set-up.
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, the 14th former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, who has also served in Asian Development Bank (ADB) as its Director General of the Southeast Asia Department, has been given the portfolios of Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Privatization.
The portfolios of Defense and Defence Production have been given to Anwar Ali Hyder, a retired lieutenant general, who formerly served as chairman Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority and has an association with Army Welfare Trust.
Jalil Abbas Jilani, a former foreign secretary, who has served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Belgium, Luxemburg and the E.U, and Australia, has been appointed the foreign minister.
Former Balochistan minister for Home, Tribal Affairs, Prisons and PDMA, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, has been given three portfolios — federal minister for Interior, Overseas Pakistanis and Narcotics Control.
The information ministry has gone to senior journalist Murtaza Solangi, who has served as director general of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and has been in journalism for over 30 years.
The ministries of Law and Justice, Climate Change and Water Resources were given to Ahmed Irfan Aslam, a senior lawyer who has served as a member of the Supreme Court’s International Arbitration Cell . His significant contribution is facilitating Pakistan’s successful resolution of the Karkey and Reko Diq cases through out-of-court settlements.
The ministries of Power and Petroleum have been given to Muhammad Ali, a former SECP chairman, who has also served as a Director on the Boards of reputable companies like Engro Corporation Limited, Karachi Stock Exchange (Guarantee) Limited, Dawood Bank Limited, etc.
The portfolios of Commerce, and Industries and Production have been given to industrialist Dr. Gohar Ejaz, chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, a recipient of Sitara e Imtiaz, who has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in management from the Uniersity of Punjab, Lahore.
Dr Umar Saif, a former Chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), has been given two portfolios of Information Technology and Telecom, and Science and Technology. Dr. Saif served on the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Pakistan between 2013-14. He has served on the Boards of several government and semi-government organizations, including Aitchison College, Bank of the Punjab, Technical Education & Vocational Training Company (TEVTA), Engineering Consultancy Services of the Punjab, Urban Sector Planning and Management Services Unit, Lahore Parking Company, Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company and Punjab Educational Endowment Fund.
The portfolio of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives has been given to Muhammad Sami Saeed, a former federal secretary and former director of Asian Development Bank representing Kazakhstan, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines and Timor-Leste. He joined the Civil Service of Pakistan in 1980 and has extensive experience in public finance and development.
Prominent TV artist and former Director General, Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Jamal Shah has been picked up as federal minister for National Heritage and Culture. Jamal is also the founder of Artists Association in Pakistan and Hunerkada College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Madad Ali Sindhi — a famous Pakistani writer, columnist and journalist, who has written numerous Sindhi books — has been given the portfolio of federal Education and Professional Training.
The portfolio of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination has been given to prominent health expert Dr. Nadeem Jan, a professional for 24 years who has worked with UN, USAID, World Bank, EU, DFID, INGOs and national Governments.
Khalil George of the Balochistan Awami Party, former Parliamentary Secretary for Minority Affairs, has been awarded the Human Rights ministry.
Religious scholar, TV anchor, host on Dunya Tv, popular for his religious show Peyam-E-Subh, Aneeq Ahmed, graduated from Karachi University in International Relations and started his career from PTV in 1999, joined GEO in 2002 and then moved to ARY in 2005. He has been with DUNYA TV since June, 2011. Aneeq Ahmed has been appointed as the minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.
Shahid Ashraf Tarar, a retired captain, has been given three portfolios — Communications, Maritime Affairs, and Railways. Shahid Ashraf is also the Chairman of Federal Public Service Commission. He formerly served as Executive Director World Bank Group where he led HR Committee as Chairman for two years. He also worked as Federal Secretary Communication, Chairman NHA, Secretary Excise & Taxation, Director General NAVTEC, Deputy Commissioner, Director to the President and Head of Economic Sector Los Angeles, USA.
Advisers
Retired air marshal, Farhat Hussain, a recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) , and Sitara-i-Basalat, has been made an adviser to the premier on aviation with the status of a federal minister. He is the Chairman of Scaled Aviation Pvt Ltd and President of Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies.
Ahad Khan Cheema, a confidant of former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, has been appointed as an adviser on establishment, also with the status of a federal minister. Cheema joined the District Management Group (now called Pakistan Administrative Service) in 2001 and had served under former chief ministers Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Ellahi and Shehbaz Sharif on various welfare and development projects. He was the first high-profile arrest in Punjab by the NAB before the 2018 general elections. A BPS-19 PAS officer, he became the head of the Lahore Development Authority, in 2013, during the last PML-N government and was conferred the award of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz in recognition of his services for carrying out the Lahore Metro Bus Service Project.
Former federal secretary for Finance Division, an eminent economist with wide-ranging experience of both public and private sectors, Dr Waqar Masood will perform as a special adviser on finance, with the status of a state minister. He has held several prestigious positions in the Federal Government including Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretary Finance Division, Secretary Economic Affairs Division, Secretary Petroleum & Natural Resources and Secretary Textile Industry.
Special Assistants
The caretaker PM also appointed five special assistants, with the portfolio of adviser on human rights and women empowerment going to Mishal Hussain Malik, wife of the Kashmiri freedom movement leader Yasin Malik. She is the chairperson of Peace and Culture Organisation which highlights the plight of people of Kashmir in IIOK&K.
Jawad Sohrab Malilk, a qualified lawyer and businessman, has become an SAPM for overseas Pakistanis. He was formerly SAPM for Shehbaz Sharif. He has been successfully running a vast business empire stretched to Lon¬don, Pakistan and Dubai and has good contacts inter¬nationally including with the Ameri¬can members of Congress, British parliamentarians, global business elite, Gulf royal families and political parties in Pakistan across the board.
Retired vice Admiral Iftikhar Rao has been made the adviser on maritime affairs, He has more than 40 Years of Maritime Experience. He has served on board and commanded ships and is also a Naval Aviator.
TV anchor and writer Wasih Shah has been made advisor on tourism. He is famous for his poetry and contribution to literature and has been hosting TV shows for a while now.
Syeda Arfa Zehra has been made advisor on federal education and professional training. She is a Pakistani educationist and urdu language expert. Zehra is also a former caretaker provincial minister of Punjab. She is recognized for her knowledge on the Urdu language and literature and is specialized in intellectual history and South Asian social issues; outside of the university sphere, she speaks at language conferences and televised forums.
A case has been filed under anti-terror laws against Shayan Ali – a UK-based based activist of the the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)- at Ramna Police Station in Islamabad.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Shayan Ali made videos of a judicial officer Humayun Dilawar and harassed him in London. “An attempt was made to attack a judicial officer, he was saved by a security official,” the FIR adds. According to the copy of FIR received by Geo News, the SHO of the Ramna Police Station Nasir Iqbal filed the FIR due to the several videos of Shayyan threatening a judicial officer.
“In one video which went viral on social media, Shayan said that he would make the life of the judicial officer hell who was come to a training at an educational institution in the United Kingdom,” the FIR stated.
The report asserted that Shayan had also called on other Pakistanis to join him in “making the official’s life hell”. Moreover, Adil Farooq Raja, another prominent PTI social media activist, joined the activities online by making these videos aiding and abetting the “terrorist activators”, the FIR claimed.
Indian singer Arijit Singh has surpassed global superstars like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish to become the third most followed artist on Spotify. The musical prodigy, who rose to fame with songs like ‘Agar Tum Saath Ho’ and ‘Channa Meraya’, has a total of 86 million followers on his Spotify page.
Taylor currently has 83 million followers, making her the fourth most followed artist on the music streaming platform.
According to chart masters, the most popular artists among the top five on Spotify include Ed Sheeran, pop singer Ariana Grande, Arijit Singh, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been booked under Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923 by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Geo News has reported.
Alleging that as Prime Minister, Khan deliberately got involved in using the classified document fraudulently, the FIA registered the case against Imran Khan. Last year in April, Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly (NA).
Government sources told Geo News on Thursday that Imran Khan has been booked under Section 5. However, authorities were not sharing a copy of the FIR.
The punishment in this case is imprisonment for two to 14 years, or even a death sentence in some cases.
According to Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923: “(1) If any person having in his possession or control any secret official code or password or any sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information which relates to or is used in a prohibited place or relates to anything in such a place, or which has been made or obtained in contravention of this Act, or which has been entrusted in confidence to him by any person holding office under [Government], or which he has obtained or to which he has had access owing to his position as a person who holds or has held office under [Government], or as a person who holds or has held a contract made on behalf of [Government], or as a person who is or has been employed under a person who holds or has held such an office or contract —
a) wilfully communicates the code or password, sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information to any person other than a person to whom he is authorised to communicate it, or a Court of Justice or a person to whom it is, in the interests of the State, his duty to communicate it; or b) uses the information in his possession for the benefit of any foreign power or in any other manner prejudicial to the safety of the State; or c) retains the sketch, plan, model, article, note or document in his possession or control when he has no right to retain it, or when it is contrary to his duty to retain it, or wilfully fails to comply with all directions issued by lawful authority with regard to the return or disposal thereof; d) fails to take reasonable care of, or so conducts himself as to endanger the safety of, the sketch, plan, model, article, note, document, secret official code or password or information;
He shall be guilty of an offence under this section.
(2) If any person voluntarily receives any secret official code or password or any sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information knowing or having reasonable ground to believe, at the time when he receives it, that the code, password, sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information is communicated in contravention of this Act, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section.
(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be punishable, (a) where the offence committed is a contravention of clause (a) of sub-section (1) and intended or calculated to be, directly or indirectly, in the interest or for the benefit of a foreign power, or is in relation to any work of defence, arsenal, naval, military or air force establishment or station, mine, mine-field, factory, dockyard, camp, ship or aircraft or otherwise in relation to the naval, military or air force affairs of Pakistan or in relation to any secret official code, [with death, or] with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years; and (b) in any other case, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”
The cipher case against the former premier took a turn after his former principal secretary Azam Khan stated before a magistrate as well as the FIA that the former PM had used the US cipher for ‘political gains’ and to avert a vote of no-confidence against him.
Azam Khan also stated that he told Imran Khan not to proceed with using the cipher. However, in response, Imran Khan said that the classified document can be used to divert the public’s attention towards “foreign involvement” in the opposition’s no-confidence motion.
Har Pal Geo TV is airing the new drama serial Jannat Say Aagay, starring Talha Chahour, Kubra Khan, Ramsha Khan and Gohar Rasheed. Haseeb Hassan is the author and director of what is turning out to be a complex love story.
‘Jannat say aagay’ is about a morning show host Jannat Khan, played by Kubra Khan. The other main character is Tabbasum (Ramsha Khan), a fan inspired by Jannat’s success.
Jannat hosts the morning show Jannat Jahan and goes to all kinds of lengths to make her show a superhit, treading into the dark side if need be. Tabbsum takes up a caretaker job in Jannat’s house to become close to her, so she gets to know about the reality of the superstar.
It’s an intriguing beginning to a promising show. Let’s see where it takes us in the future.
Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan knows how to make his fans cry a river with moving words. On Wednesday, his daughter Suhana, who is making her debut in the Netflix film ‘The Archies’, gave an interview to India Today, where she was applauded for her grace and poise. Gauri Khan shared a clip on her Twitter account, writing that it was emotional to witness life come full circle, first attending events with her husband, and now watching Suhana at events.
“The first event I ever attended with @iamsrk was a book launch… and now watching Suhana speak at another such event has made me feel like life has come full circle!”
The first event I ever attended with @iamsrk was a book launch… and now watching Suhana speak at another such event has made me feel like life has come full circle! pic.twitter.com/NlgCbYQ8j2
Shah Rukh shared the tweet, writing how proud he was of the way Gauri groomed their three children and raised them to become what they are. We aren’t crying, its the sweat.
“Yeah the circle of life is closing in for us with our babies helping us complete it. You’ve done so well with the three of them…educated them, taught them dignity & desire to share love…& Suhana is so articulate but the dimple is mine!!”
Yeah the circle of life is closing in for us with our babies helping us complete it. You’ve done so well with the three of them…educated them, taught them dignity & desire to share love…& Suhana is so articulate but the dimple is mine!! https://t.co/uazVfG2e6Z
