Category: Uncategorized

  • Islamabad ATC rejects Imran’s bail in ECP protest case

    Islamabad ATC rejects Imran’s bail in ECP protest case

    An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s request for an extension in his interim bail. The plea was made in a case pertaining to a protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) following its decision in the Toshakhana case.

    During today’s hearing, Imran’s lawyer Babar Awan told the court that Imran tried to travel to Islamabad but could not.

    Awan highlighted that the additional sessions judge had granted interim bail to the PTI chief till February 27.

    Awan requested the court to extend the bail, adding that Khan had tried to come but could not travel.

    Islamabad ATC orders Imran Khan to appear in person today

    An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday ordered Khan to appear in person before the judge by 1:30pm today.

    During the hearing today, ATC judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan rejected his request for exemption from appearance on medical grounds.

    “Imran Khan should appear in court by 1:30pm,” he ordered.

    Earlier, an Islamabad banking court also refused Imran’s exemption request in the prohibited funding case against his party and instructed him to appear before the judge in person today.

    “Imran Khan should appear in the court before 3:30pm today,” Special Judge Banking Court Rakhshanda Shaheen said.

    “If he fails to do so, the law will take its course,” she added.

    At the previous hearing, the court had granted the PTI chief a last opportunity to appear on February 15.

    Khan has been in Zaman Park, his Lahore residence, since he was shot on November 3, in Wazirabad, while leading a protest march towards Islamabad.

  • Govt to present Finance Bill 2023 today to fulfil IMF conditions

    Govt to present Finance Bill 2023 today to fulfil IMF conditions

    The federal government has been forced to head to parliament after President Arif Alvi ‘adv­ised’ Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday to take parliament into confidence over the Rs 170 billion in new taxes that are being levied.

    As per the agenda, the National Assembly will meet at 3:30pm and Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar will present the Finance Supplementary Bill, 2023 in the lower house.

    A session of the Senate has also been summoned at 4:30pm to move the bill there as well so the document can be sent to President Dr Arif Alvi immediately for assent.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who didn’t attend the last session, will be present during today’s meeting.

    The governm­ent had initially planned to introduce “tax and non-tax mea­­sures” to generate funds to the tune of Rs 170 billion. However, in a last-minute change, it decided to drop proposals pertaining to non-tax measures, particularly the flood levy to the tune of Rs 100 billion.

    In a late-night development, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued SRO178 to enhance a federal excise duty on locally manufactured cigarettes which would generate up to Rs 60 billion in taxes on tobacco products.

    The government will generate Rs 55 billion more through a 1 per cent increase in GST – from 17pc to 18pc. The remaining Rs 55 billion will be collected through an increase in excise duty on airlines tickets, sugary drinks and an increase in withholding tax rates.

    Dar had called on President Alvi to apprise him about the talks with the IMF for the revival of the programme.

    The government decided to approach the Parliament after President Dr Arif Alvi gave the government a cold shoulder on bringing the mini-budget via an ordinance in his meeting with Dar.

    “The president advised that it would be more appropriate to take parliament into confidence on this important subject, and that a session be called immediately so that the bill is enacted without delay,” a statement issued by the President House said after the meeting.

  • Exclusive: Iffat Omar reveals all about THAT Shah Rukh Khan video

    Exclusive: Iffat Omar reveals all about THAT Shah Rukh Khan video

    We should probably stop posting selfies with celebrities, because actor Iffat Omar won the day when she received a video message from THE Shah Rukh Khan himself!
    Earlier this morning, Omar shared the video message on her Instagram page, writing in the caption:

    “Happy Valentines my all time crush @iamsrk  and thanks for these 2 seconds of your life you gave me is one of the happiest moment of my life.
    Congratulations for the success of #pathaan superstar ”

    The Current reached out to Omar, asking her she got this spectacular Valentines gift, and turns out, she just casually happens to be an aquaintance of SRK all this time.
    Omar revealed that a mutual friend, who knew about her love for the Bollywood Badshah, had later sent the video message to her.
    “He sent me this message earlier, but I just posted it today to thank him and wish my crush on Valentine and congratulated him on the success of Pathan,” said Omar.
    Omar was definitely very pleased that her favorite hero knows who she is, calling it “a fan’s dream come true ”
    She further elaborated that she would love it if more Pakistani and Indian actors are able to interact freely in this manner.
    On whether in the future if she got a chance to work with SRK or any other actor, Omar’s response was she would definately do it, and would also love a chance to work with K.K Menon.

  • Bilawal says Imran can talk to terrorists but not lawmakers, urges politicians to unite

    Bilawal says Imran can talk to terrorists but not lawmakers, urges politicians to unite

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday urged all political parties to come to a single page to overcome the crises that the country is facing right now.

    Bilawal claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s and his party’s inability to take matters seriously was damaging not only for the Opposition but also for the entire country and democracy.

    “He [PTI chief Imran Khan] says that he can sit with terrorists for talks but not with parliamentarians,” said Bilawal.

    “We [all political parties] will have to unite on a minimum common agenda to rid the nation of crisis,” the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman said while addressing the inaugural event of his party’s initiative to celebrate 2023 as the Golden Jubilee Year of the Constitution.

    “If all political parties agree on a Code of Conduct, we can overcome the crisis and chart a path to progress,” he added.

    “But if every party decides it will neither play nor allow others to play, the nation will be the ultimate loser,” warned Bilawal.

    Emphasizing that this is the last chance for political parties to save the country, Bilawal said that if they failed to do so, history won’t be kind to them.

    Speaking to Dawn, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said, “I won’t rule out the possibility of my party’s participation in any dialogue proposed by Bilawal. But I advise him not to become a part of the government’s ‘unconstitutional’ acts”.

    Fawad further said that the establishment and all political parties must sit together and give some space to each other.

  • Member National Assembly Ali Wazir finally released from prison after more than two years

    Member National Assembly Ali Wazir finally released from prison after more than two years

    Member of National Assembly (MNA) and Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Ali Wazir has been released from Central Jail Karachi today (Tuesday) after more than two years behind bars.

    Wazir was transferred to Central Jail Karachi on 31 December 2020 on sedition charges for delivering hate speeches.

    In November, Peshawar High Court’s Bannu Bench granted bail to Wazir in one sedition case.

    Earlier, Wazir also claimed that his life was in danger. He was admitted to Karachi’s Jinnah Postgraduate and Medical Centre, where he claimed that he was attacked twice.

  • PTI’s Shaukat Tarin booked for allegedly sabotaging IMF deal

    Former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has been booked in a sedition case by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for allegedly sabotaging negotiations between Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader landed in the center of controversy in August last year when telephonic conversations between him and two provincial finance ministers surfaced. A voice, allegedly Tarin’s, was heard telling Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) finance minister Taimur Jhagra and Punjab finance minister Mohsin Leghari, both of the PTI, to tell the coalition government in the centre and the IMF that they would not be able to commit to a provincial budget surplus in light of the monsoon floods.

    The leaked audio came to light when the international lender’s executive board was scheduled to consider Pakistan’s request of releasing the $1.2 billion tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

    On Monday, the coalition government also allowed the FIA to arrest the former finance minister after the agency sought the interior ministry’s nod to detain him.

    PTI lawmakers protested in Senate against the possible arrest of Tarin on the same day.

    Interestingly, senior leader of arch-rivals Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, lent support to Tarin, stating that there should be a trial and he shouldn’t be arrested.

    He pointed out that many arrests took place when Imran Khan was PM and that now the incumbent government shouldn’t follow in his footsteps.

  • Will be happiest to leave govt as soon as elections are held, says CM Mohsin Naqvi

    Will be happiest to leave govt as soon as elections are held, says CM Mohsin Naqvi

    Caretaker Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, has said that he doesn’t wish to prolong his tenure as head of government in the province.

    Talking to journalists, he said that he would be happiest to leave the government as soon as the elections are held. He clarified that the election date is the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) job, and his government is ready to conduct free and fair elections in the province.

    About the ever-growing danger of terrorism in Punjab, the caretaker CM said the government is boosting the capabilities of the already efficient Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in the province.

    It is pertinent to mention Mohsin has been under fire lately by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for what they allege is a failure to set a date for by-polls in Punjab.

  • Restaurant shut down by Assistant Commissioner for refusing to give discount, claim owners

    Restaurant shut down by Assistant Commissioner for refusing to give discount, claim owners

    Yak Grill in Gilgit has shared a post on their Instagram page revealing that their eatery had been sealed by Assistant Comissioner Gojal, Rao Rafy Afzal, because they had refused to give the administration a discount.
    In the caption, the owners revealed that they would be challenging this order in court and called out the AC for the corrupt practice.

    “AC Gojal Rao Rafy Afzal has illegally sealed Yakgrill restaurant in Passu, Gojal, Hunza due to the restaurant not providing discounts to the administration.
    He made electric heaters in the restaurant a base and sealed the restaurant. The right to operate a business and offer services is protected under the law, and it is important that these rights are upheld and respected.
    We will challenge this in court to restore our operation as soon as possible.
    Our restaurant will remain close till further notice .”

    In a video that is currently circulating on Twitter, AC Afzal can be seen in an argument with the owners.

    The Current reached out to AC Afzal who explained that the restaurant had broken Section 144, which is a law pertaining to using electric heaters. Upon inspection, the team had found electric heaters in use and thus gave orders to shut down the place.
    “The owners are spreading propaganda to hide the truth. We had imposed Section 144 CrPC on the use of electric heaters. On spot checking and inspection they were found using them. Thus, orders were given to seal the restaurant and to confiscate the heaters. Upon which the owner and his team used threatening and offensive language. They came up with this fake story to cover up. The owner is being prosecuted against under PPC for relevant offences.”

    On whether this Section has been imposed before on other restaurants before and why was this the issue to focus on, the AC responded that it was due to the electricity shortage problem which is why it was emphasized on.

    “This is enforced all over Gojal. There is shortage of electricity in Gojal. Which is why this was imposed.”

    Regarding whether Yak Grill and its owners were given a prior warning about their use of electric heaters before being sealed, the AC responded with:

    “The administration issues a notification/ order under Sec 144 CrPC which is displayed on social media and showcased at different places also. Individuals/ hotels/ restaurants can’t be sent such an order individually as it’s administratively impossible.

    It’s an open truth. Spot checking is done afterwards and legal action is taken. The notification/ order was passed on November 28th which has validity of 90 days.”

  • Gen Bajwa personally recorded conversations with Imran Khan, claims Aftab Iqbal

    Gen Bajwa personally recorded conversations with Imran Khan, claims Aftab Iqbal

    Television personality and anchorperson Aftab Iqbal has claimed that former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa recorded conversations with former Prime Minister Imran Khan when they used to meet.

    “General Bajwa told me that he has audio recordings of Imran Khan praising me for trapping Nawaz Sharif [in court cases and removing him from power]. He [Khan] used to come to me and share ideas of what more I should do with Nawaz Sharif,” reveals Iqbal.

    Iqbal said that Gen Bajwa claimed that he himself recorded the conversations and that former Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief Faiz Hameed also didn’t know about it.

    “Securing Faiz, Gen Bajwa said that he will reveal all information that he has on Khan,” said Iqbal.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has yet again come up with another narrative regarding his version of ‘regime change’. The former Prime Minister said that Gen Bajwa told the United States (US) that Khan is anti-America, which resulted in his ouster.

    In an interview with Voice of America, aired on Saturday, Khan said, “As things unfolded, it wasn’t the US who told Pakistan, it was unfortunately, from what evidences have now come out, it was General Bajwa who actually somehow managed to tell the Americans that I was anti-America and so it was not imported from there actually it was exported from here to there.”

  • Another U-turn? Khan claims ‘conspiracy’ to remove him was ‘exported’ from Pakistan to US

    Another U-turn? Khan claims ‘conspiracy’ to remove him was ‘exported’ from Pakistan to US

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has yet again come up with another narrative regarding his version of “regime change”. The former Prime Minister has now said that former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa told United States (US) that Khan is anti-America, which resulted in his ouster.

    In an interview with Voice of America, aired on Saturday, Khan said, “As things unfolded, it wasn’t the US who told Pakistan, it was unfortunately, from what evidences have now come out, it was General Bajwa who actually somehow managed to tell the Americans that I was anti-America and so it was not imported from there actually it was exported from here to there.”

    The former premier was of the view that “International relationships shouldn’t be based on personal egos, they should be based on the interest of the people of your own country”, adding that it is in the interest of Pakistanis to have good relations with US.

    Talking about his relationship with Bajwa, Khan said that his government and the military were on the “same page”, which meant that “we had the organised strength of Pakistan army to help us”.

    However, Imran contended that Gen Bajwa “favoured some of the biggest crooks in the country” and didn’t think about corruption as a big problem.

    “He wanted us to work with them. What that meant [was] giving them immunity from their corruption cases,” he claimed, adding that Gen Bajwa has a “very close” relationship with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    In response to another question, Imran said that he was sure that the new military leadership had realised that the “experiment of regime change” has gone wrong.

    Addressing the worsening law and order situation, he blamed the “negligence” of Pakistan’s security forces and intelligence agencies for the rising incidents of terrorism in the country.

    Reacting to the disclosure, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said, “Imran Niazi’s antics & somersaults continue to disappoint the nation. The only constant is his desperation to get back into power even if it involves plunging the country into a protracted period of instability. His politics is based on lies which are getting exposed by the day.”