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  • Verdict on no-trust motion coming soon: Supreme Court hint towards restoration of assembly?

    Verdict on no-trust motion coming soon: Supreme Court hint towards restoration of assembly?

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) wrapped up the hearing on the ruling of National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri on the dismissal of the no-confidence motion against the interim Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday (today). The court has reserved the verdict, which will be announced at 7:30pm today. The verdict has been reserved after five days of court hearings.

    On the final day of the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial (CJP) remarked that it is clear that the April 3 ruling is erroneous. “We have to look at national interest,” he said.

    CJP noted that the act is a violation of Article 95 (which is related to the vote of no-confidence against the PM in the lower house) and that the elections would cost the nation “billions of rupees”.

    Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail observed that the ruling doesn’t have Suri’s signature, it was signed by Speaker Asad Qaiser [who couldn’t preside over the session due to the submission of the no-confidence motion against him in NA].

    Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that Imran Khan took advantage of the situation and dissolved NA.

    Opposition Leader and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari appeared before the court and were called to the rostrum.

    Shehbaz said that he hoped that when the deputy speaker’s ruling was suspended, the no-confidence motion would be revived. “Let us vote for the no-confidence motion”, the Opposition Leader added.

    Justice Mandokhail inquired that if the Opposition wanted to conduct elections from day one, what was the issue now. To this, Shehbaz pointed out that the problem concerns the breaking of the Constitution. Justice Mandokhail replied: “We will repair the Constitution.”

    Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan, who was also present before SC argued that the case is over since April 3, the same deputy speaker passed the ruling to dismiss the motion. CJP Bandial said that he wanted to hear from the AGP on the main issue, which is the dissolution of NA.

    AGP further said that he isn’t defending the speaker’s ruling. “My concern, for now, is the new elections.”

    Since the controversial ruling of the deputy speaker, the matter is in the apex court.

    On March 27, Imran Khan accused the United States (US) of interfering in Pakistan’s politics and plotting to oust him through a no-confidence motion in the NA. In a public gathering, he also brandished a ‘threat letter’ [which he claimed was from the US].

    Following this, based on this ‘threat letter’, Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri rejected the no-trust motion against the PM on April 3. Later, acting on the PM’s advice, President Arif Alvi dissolved the lower house.

    This has plunged Pakistan into a constitutional crisis.

  • 17 Pakistani universities listed among world’s best institutions

    17 Pakistani universities listed among world’s best institutions

    As many as 17 Pakistani universities have been listed among the best global universities for 2022.

    According to the ranking published by US News, Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad has been ranked 461 in the World Ranking for 2022. Aga Khan University, Karachi and COMSATS University Islamabad are following the QAU in the ranking respectively.

    Apart from these institutions, more universities have made to the list, such as the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) which is placed at 922, the University of Peshawar, at 933, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at 954, Government College (GC) University Faisalabad at 1,149, University of Punjab at1,242, Bahauddin Zakariya University at 1,368 and University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore have been placed at 1,458th position.

    Following the news, the Vice-Chancellor (VS) of QAU Prof Dr Muhammad Ali Shah congratulated the faculty, students, staff, and alumni on the official website of the university.

  • Rangers called in Lahore amid simmering political crisis

    Rangers called in Lahore amid simmering political crisis

    The Rangers have been called in Lahore for 15 days to deter any eventuality in the midst of brewing political crisis ahead of the Punjab Assembly session to be convened on April 16 to elect the new chief minister of the province.

    According to a notification issued by the Punjab government, the Rangers personnel will be deployed for security in the provincial capital for 15 days. The notification warned that anyone found taking the law into one hand or creating any trouble in the capital city would be taken into custody.

    Those creating law and order situation could be detained under 16 Section of Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

    A tough contest is expected between Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz and ruling PTI’s nominee for the top slot of the province Parvez Elahi.

  • PTI ready for elections in three months, ECP makes arrangements

    PTI ready for elections in three months, ECP makes arrangements

    Interim Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has directed his party members and workers to start preparations for the next elections, expressing his hope that the poll will be held in the country in the next three months.

    Addressing a function at Governor’s House in Lahore, he criticised the opposition, saying that they should be given “exemplary punishment for betraying the country”, [for tabling the no-confidence motion in NA against him]. “The PTI will also approach the Supreme Court (SC) against them [Opposition]. “

    Not only this, the interim PM urged the nation to come to the F-9 Park Islamabad to protest peacefully against the Opposition and its conspiracy. He asked the nation to protest on a daily basis to send a message to the United States (US), which he claims, is behind the foreign conspiracy. “Everyone knows who has aided and abetted the Pakistani Opposition in tabling the no-confidence motion.”

    According to The News, after Khan asked the nation to prepare for the next general election in three months, the understaffed Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started finding a way to make the polls possible during the stipulated time.

    Sources within the commission said that Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has become active and making arrangements requisite for timely conduct of elections.

    Earlier, a news report published in Dawn quoted an ECP official as saying that it is not possible to hold general elections within three months due to a variety of legal and procedural issues.

    However, the commission denied issuing any statement regarding the time frame for the next general elections on Tuesday.

    According to Fawad Chaudhry, “The [interim] prime minister has decided to give party tickets to those former 135 MNAs who remained loyal and stuck to the party till the end.”

  • ‘He should never host, saath walay banday ka bhi khayal kia karo’: Faizan Sheikh grills Aagha Ali

    ‘He should never host, saath walay banday ka bhi khayal kia karo’: Faizan Sheikh grills Aagha Ali

    Morning show host Shaista Lodhi is currently hosting PTV’s morning show, she recently invited celebrity couple of Faizan Sheikh and Maham Aamir and played a customised rapid fire round with them.

    On being asked for an advice for actor Aagha Ali, the Mera Naam Yousaf Hai star was quick to state that, “Aagha should act more and never host.”

    Host Shaista gave a dramatic response to his statement and walked away from the camera while controlling her laughter, whereas Maham was slightly embarrassed on his blunt response.

    Emax Media to bring an exciting couple's show with Hina Altaf and Agha Ali - Daily Times

    He continued, “Shazia once asked that who shouldn’t host? To which I answered that Aagha shouldn’t.” Especially when you are co-hosting, you should let the co-host do their job also.”

    Emax Media to Bring an Exciting Couple's show with Hina Altaf and Agha Ali

    Actress Maham Aamir also stated that, “their shouldn’t be a gender factor in hosting.” They hinted towards the Mere Bewafa star hosting The Couple Show with his wife Hina Altaf.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZTRd-Bowg4

    You can get exclusive details in our new show, Maslay Aur Masala:

    Earlier this year on his show Faizan has lashed out at Punjab government for halting the release of Abu Aleeha’s Javed Iqbal starring Yasir Hussain and Ayesha Omar.

    The hosting duo of Faizan and Aadi Adeal Amjad criticised the decision and justified the film by saying that the film based on a serial killer has viewer rating of over 13 years old, so it shouldn’t be an issue in their perspective.

    Aadi went onto compare it with the Hollywood biggie Joker, and asked that if they can release Joker then why not Javed Iqbal.

    Abu Aleeha’s film Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer. The Ayesha Omar and Yasir Hussain-starrer, which is set for its countrywide premiere tomorrow (January 28) after several months of postponement, has had its release in Punjab halted by the Punjab government, according to the director.

    The film is based on the investigation into Javed Iqbal, the serial killer who killed 100 young boys in Lahore and sent evidence of his crimes to the authorities and media in 1999. The film has been directed by Abu Aleeha who has written the screenplay of the film as well. It’s been produced by Javed Ahmed Kakepoto.

    Several social media platforms reported about Javed Iqbal’s release being halted by the Punjab government, despite having clearance from all censor boards. The report was later confirmed by Abu Aleeha on Twitter. “The latest news is that [Chief Minister] Sardar Usman Buzdar’s government has stopped the showing of Javed Iqbal. This unwarranted action comes after the censor board approved the film, which is why we will be [taking the matter] to the high court,” he said.

    The film had its Karachi premiere at Nueplex Cinema on January 25, attended by the cast and crew as well as other members of the entertainment fraternity.

    Earlier, this year in July Faizan called out Pakistan’s justice system in a series of Instagram stories. The Mazedaar Show host slammed the system by adding hashtags reflecting violence against women and children in the country.

  • Pakistan to import 32.7 million barrels of oil to cover petroleum needs

    Under a deferred payment agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), Pakistan would acquire roughly 32.7 million barrels (MBL) of crude oil in 2022 to cover its petroleum product needs.

    The Pak-Arab Refinery Company Limited (PARCO) and National Refinery Limited (NRL) plan to import 16.89 and 15.81 million barrels of oil in the ongoing year, respectively.

    Crude oil worth $100 million per month may be imported under the terms of the arrangement, with payment deferred for a year. The price will be set in accordance with the existing long-term agreement between Saudi Aramco, PARCO, and NRL.

    The facility will be available for a 12-month period, which may be increased for one year. The withdrawn funds, plus the margin of 3.8 per cent, will be repaid in one annual installment in US dollars.

    Previously, In June 2021, the Saudi government agreed to pay $4.2 billion in providing economic aid to Pakistan, which was legally formalised in November. While the SFD programme has been in effect since March 7, 2022, and oil purchase has now already begun.

  • Nepra approves Rs1.29 hike in cost per unit for Karachi residents

    On account of monthly Fuel Cost Adjustments (FCA), the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) raised the cost per unit of power for Karachi residents by Rs1.29.

    It held a public hearing at its headquarters on Karachi Electric’s (KE) request to hike the power tariff under the FCA by Rs3.45 per unit for February. Chairman Tauseef H. Farooqi chaired the public meeting, which was also attended by officials Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh and Engineer Maqsood Anwar Khan.

    According to the officials, KE’s monthly FCA is decided at Rs1.29 per unit based on data analysis.

    The Chairman inquired about Karachi’s load-shedding status and if KE has a gas procurement deal with the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to address the fuel crisis.

    Load management is only done on feeders with a low recovery rate, according to the latter’s officials, and consumers only have to experience one to one-and-a-half hours of load shedding every day.

    Chairman Farooqui stated that KE’s technology needs to be modernised, and that there should be no load-shedding for bill-paying customers and locations where billing is timely.

    He also mentioned that the NEPRA has posted phone numbers on its website for inhabitants of the city to report any forced load-shedding by any power utility.

    According to the briefing delivered at the meeting, KE’s customers were charged Rs3.28 per unit in January under the FCA. Similarly, the FCA for February was decided to be Rs1.99 lesser than the January billing.

    Muhamad Tanveer, who is a representative of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce (KCCI), denied the FCA, citing that customers are already paying for the January hike and that the FCA should not be transferred to them.

    After reviewing the facts, the NEPRA issued a thorough judgment declaring that the FCA is only levied and set for the month in concern and that it is variable with each hearing depending on the fuel costs for that month.

  • ‘Dissolution of Assembly deprives Pakistanis of right to choose govt’: Human Rights Watch

    ‘Dissolution of Assembly deprives Pakistanis of right to choose govt’: Human Rights Watch

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) denounced Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s action of dissolving the National Assembly and escaping from facing the no-confidence motion tabled against him. “This move of the premier has infringed on the rights of Pakistani citizens to choose their government.”

    “To dissolve parliament rather than face a no-confidence vote that could remove him from power effectively deprives Pakistani citizens of their right to choose their government,” said HRW in a statement.

    The watchdog for advocating human rights said, “Move has plunged Pakistan into a constitutional crisis. Under Pakistan’s constitution, the prime minister ceases to hold office if a majority of the National Assembly votes for a motion of no confidence – Imran Khan’s party appeared to have lost its majority by April 3. The action allows Khan to continue as prime minister until a caretaker government takes over, with neither a national assembly nor a federal cabinet.”

    “Government officials threatened to blow up the Opposition in a suicide attack and called on supporters to go out and take traitors to the task,” said HRW.

    “One member of parliament from Khan’s party tweeted that all Opposition members should be shot – a tweet he subsequently deleted. Senior members of Khan’s party have called for Opposition members to be arrested for treason,” added Human Rights Watch.

    Pakistan is in a state of political chaos as the no-confidence motion against Khan was dismissed abruptly on Sunday, April 3. Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri said that the no-confidence motion, presented on March 8, should be according to the law and the Constitution. “No foreign power shall be allowed to topple an elected government through a conspiracy,” he said, adding that the points raised by the minister were “valid”.

  • No-Trust Twist: Deputy Speaker calls Punjab Assembly session, PML-Q brings no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker

    No-Trust Twist: Deputy Speaker calls Punjab Assembly session, PML-Q brings no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker

    Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari summoned a crucial session to vote on Chief Minister (CM) Punjab at 7:30pm on Wednesday (today).

    Following this, it has been reported that Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has submitted no-confidence motion to remove the deputy speaker. While reacting to the news, Mazari said that he can still preside over the session.

    However, journalist Hamid Mir said that the gates of the Punjab Assembly have been sealed.

    According to local media channels, the deputy speaker issued a written order for convening session of the assembly on Tuesday. The order reads: “Deputy speaker orders that instead of the earlier announced date of April 16th, the next sitting of 40th session of Punjab Assembly will now be held on Wednesday at 7:30pm.”

    Talking to Geo News, Mazari clarified that today’s session agenda includes vote on the election of a new CM Punjab. He said, “I have released the order of the day in the light of Supreme Court directions.”

    “We are answerable to the apex court. We will not postpone the voting and will try our best to complete the process today”, he added. While talking about the confusion regarding the session dates, Mazari claimed that Punjab Assembly staff have not been cooperating with him and Assembly staff is responsible for the confusion.

    When asked about the legal status of his order, Mazari said that it is just an order that needs the Assembly secretariat’s signature, without which the session cannot be held. He added that the Assembly staff and Secretariat Assembly should issue a gazette notification on his order but they are not following the legal procedures

    On the contrary, PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi told Dawn that the notice circulating on the media is ‘fake’ as it does not have a diary number and is written on a plain piece of paper. He asserted that the session would be held on April 16.

    In a tweet, journalist Ahmad Waleed claimed that spokesperson of the Punjab Assembly has also said that the session will be convened on April 16, adding that “no notification” was issued for today’s meeting.

    Earlier, through an official notification, Mazari himself postponed on Tuesday the session of the Punjab Assembly till April 16.

  • Brother, sister killed in Bannu, alleged assassin captured

    A young boy along with his sister was gunned down by an unidentified killer in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.

    According to ARY News, the incident occurred in Mando Khel area of Bannu, situated in the jurisdiction of Cantt Police, where the killer murdered both the siblings and fled the scene.

    The police have shifted the dead bodies to a local hospital, and eventually captured the killer. The police have also launched further investigation to ascertain the motive behind the double murder.

    Separately,  a man from Gujranwala city in Punjab identified as Ateeq burned his wife alive for not giving birth to a son, reports ARY. The incident took place in the Kot Shekju area of Gujranwala. He had three daughters.

    Read more- Man burns wife alive for not giving birth to a son

    The man’s sister-in-law allegedly supported him in the crime. According to the authorities, after killing his wife, Ateeq fled the scene with his three daughters.