Category: Uncategorized

  • Wires cut to stop Nawaz Sharif’s speech, claim conference organisers

    Wires cut to stop Nawaz Sharif’s speech, claim conference organisers

    The organisers of the Asma Jahangir Conference 2021 condemned the alleged “muzzling” of former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s speech on Sunday, reports Dawn.

    Soon after Sharif’s video link address began, internet services at the venue [Avari Hotel Lahore] were reportedly suspended.

    “Lines kaat dee gai hain [lines were cut],” the organisers claimed while pointing out the government’s role in muzzling the speech of Nawaz.

    Munizae Jahangir, Asma’s daughter, confirmed that broadband internet services and mobile internet had been suspended soon after Nawaz began speaking.

    The official statement released by the organisers said: “The organisers of the Asma Jahangir Conference regret the state’s highhandedness after it blocked the three-time elected former PM’s speech at the AJCONF2021 closing ceremony on Nov 21, 2021.”

    “The organisers of Asma Jahangir Conference 2021, which include the Supreme Court Bar Association, Pakistan Bar Council, and the AGHS, strongly condemn this act and consider it an onslaught on the freedom of expression,” they added.

    After the video call was cut off, the organisers arranged for a telephonic address by Nawaz.

    The President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Ahsan Bhoon appeared in Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan with Shahzad Iqbal’ and said that there was no need to tell judges [present at the conference] about Sharif’s closing ceremony speech.

    While replying to the question if judges know about the former PM’s address and did they have any objection over it, Bhoon said, “Why would there be any objection? Neither were they [judges] co-hosting nor did they have to converse with him.”

    However, government officials reacted to Nawaz speaking at the conference.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said he had been invited to the event, but he had been informed that “the conference will be closed with the speech of an absconding convict; this is obviously tantamount to ridiculing the country and the Constitution, which is why I declined to participate in the conference.”

    Energy Minister Hammad Azhar tweeted: “Think positive; Perhaps the idea was to focus on [the] human rights of absconders..”

    Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar, meanwhile, said, “Having an absconder and convict speak at a conference where the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and senior judges of the superior judiciary and members of Bar have spoken creates serious doubts on [the] impartiality of organisers but also makes it clear that honourable judges should remain clear of such politicised gatherings.”

  • IMF, Pakistan reach staff-level agreement on policies and reforms

    IMF, Pakistan reach staff-level agreement on policies and reforms

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement on policies and reforms needed to complete the sixth review under the $6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which has been ‘in recess’ since April, the Fund announced in a statement on Monday.

    The agreement is subject to approval by the Executive Board, following the implementation of prior actions, notably on fiscal and institutional reforms. The approval of the agreement will make available 750 million in Special Drawing Rights (SDR), equivalent to $1,059m, read the statement.

    The Fund acknowledged Pakistan’s progress in improving its anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. However, additional time was needed to strengthen its effectiveness, according to the statement.

    “Available data suggest that a strong economic recovery has gained hold, benefiting from the authorities’ multifaceted policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic that has helped contain its human and macroeconomic ramifications,” the IMF said.

    “At the same time, external pressures have started to emerge: a widening of the current account deficit and depreciation pressures on the exchange rate — mainly reflecting the compound effects of the stronger economic activity, an expansionary macroeconomic policy mix, and higher international commodity prices.”

    The IMF emphasised that the monetary policy needs to remain focused on curbing inflation, preserving exchange rate flexibility, and strengthening international reserves.

    The introduction of the Finance Bill in the National Assembly to increase taxes and approval of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Amendment Bill are pre-conditions for the revival of the IMF loan programme, Finance Adviser Shaukat Tarin said last week.

    The IMF said that despite a difficult environment, progress continues to be made in the implementation of the EFF-supported programme.

    “All quantitative performance criteria (PCs) for end-June were met with wide margins, except for that on the primary budget deficit”, said the IMF.

  • Shahnawaz Dahani to make his T20I debut today against Bangladesh

    Shahnawaz Dahani to make his T20I debut today against Bangladesh

    Pakistan’s young pacer Shahnawaz Dahani will be making his T20I debut on Monday (today) in the last T20I of the three-match series against Bangladesh.

    Read More – Shoaib Malik to fly for Dubai to be with ailing son Izhaan

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video of the pacer in which he can be seen talking to his mother about his debut match in his native language.

    The 23-year-old cricketer will be the 95th T20I player to represent the national cricket team internationally.

    People from the cricket fraternity wished the young bowler well for his debut.

    Former captain and wicket keeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmad presented the cap to the debutante before the match.

    Pakistan is set to play the last T20I of the three-match series against Bangladesh today, November 22. Pakistan is leading the series with 2-0, and today the Men In Green will be opting for a white-wash.

    The national Test side will play the Test matches in Chittagong on Tuesday for the first of the two Tests. Pakistan and Bangladesh will play two World Test Championship matches.

    The Chittagong Test will commence from November 26 and the second Test will be played in Dhaka from December 4-8.

  • ‘His daughter [Maryam Nawaz] doesn’t merit a sentence, still we will have to do it’: Alleged audio tape of CJP Nisar

    ‘His daughter [Maryam Nawaz] doesn’t merit a sentence, still we will have to do it’: Alleged audio tape of CJP Nisar

    Leaked audio of conversation allegedly claims that former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar was the person who passed on the directions of handing down conviction to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz only because the “institutions” wanted the former prime minister penalised in order to bring ahead Imran Khan, reports Ahmed Noorani for Fact Focus.

    As per the leaked audio, Chief Justice Nisar instructed that Mian Sahib (Nawaz Sharif) and his daughter (Maryam Nawaz) must be sentenced even though it is unfair.

    “Whether it is fair or not, it has to be done,” he conveyed to the person on the other end.

    “Regardless of the merit, we will have to do it (sentence Nawaz Sharif), and even to his daughter,” said Justice Nisar.

    When the person he was conversing with objected that a sentence cannot be passed against the daughter, Chief Justice Nisar replied, “You are absolutely correct. I did talk to ‘friends’ that something be done about this but they did not agree.”

    He went on to say, “there will remain no independence of the judiciary, so let it be”.

    While speaking to Fact Focus, Justice Saqib Nisar said that he never contacted any judge of accountability court to order him to pass any verdict against Nawaz Sharif or his daughter. “Why I would do that,” Saqib Nisar questioned adding, “I have no grudges against Mian Nawaz Sharif.” He said that no one from the Pakistan Army or the ISI ever contacted him or pressured him on this count.

    Reacting to the development, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “Time has come to right the wrongs inflicted on them. The nation looks forward to [the] justice system.”

    Maryam Nawaz tweeted: “Allah u Akbar [God is great].”

    Fact Focus obtained this audio some two months ago and had it examined by a leading American firm specialising in multimedia forensics. Garret Discovery has a team of leading experts who have a long experience of analysing and presenting evidence and testifying before courts in the United States (US). The firm’s analysis report certifies the integrity of the audio file and states that “this audio has not been edited in any way”.

    Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar was earlier accused by former Chief Judge (CJ) of the apex court of Gilgit Baltistan Rana M Shamim in a signed affidavit wrote that he is a witness to CJP Nisar’s direction to a high court judge, to not release Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections.

  • Pakistan wins T20 series in Bangladesh

    Pakistan wins T20 series in Bangladesh

    The Pakistan cricket team has won the T20 series in Bangladesh in a 109-run chase as Pakistan won the second T20I by eight wickets to secure a 2-0 series win with one match of the three-match T20I series to spare against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium Mirpur, Dhaka on Saturday.

    Player of the match Fakhar Zaman who scored 34 runs in yesterday’s four-wicket win at the same venue, top-scored with a blazing unbeaten 57 off 51 balls while Mohammad Rizwan contributed 39 off 45 balls as Pakistan went past the target in the 19th over with 11 balls to spare.

    Fakhar finished the match in the company of Haider Ali. Rizwan and Fakhar added 85 for the second-wicket after the tourists lost captain and opener Babar Azam for one in the third over of the innings.

    Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first scoring 108 runs.

    For Pakistan, Shaheen and Shadab took two wickets each, Wasim, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz took a wicket apiece.

    The third and final match of the series will be played at the same venue on Monday, 22 November.

  • IN PICTURES: Celebrity friends and family host a lavish surprise bash for Aiman, Minal’s 23rd birthday

    IN PICTURES: Celebrity friends and family host a lavish surprise bash for Aiman, Minal’s 23rd birthday

    Actors Aiman Khan and Minal Khan, the twin celebrity sisters duo celebrated their birthday last night in Karachi with friends and family members.

    Their respective husbands Muneeb Butt and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram were by their side.

    Fellow actresses Kinza Hashmi and Areeba Habib were also spotted at the event.

    Have a look at the pictures from the midnight birthday bash:

    Earlier this month, Aiman Khan and Minal Khan along with their respective husbands Muneeb Butt and Ahsan Mohsin Ikram went on a double date at a Karachi’s luxurious hotel.

  • Hassan Ali charged for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in first T20I

    Hassan Ali charged for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in first T20I

    Pakistani pacer Hassan Ali has been charged for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first T20I against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday.

    As per details, Hassan was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”

    In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Hassan, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 17th over of Bangladesh’s innings, when Hassan gave an inappropriate sendoff to batter Nurul Hasan after dismissing him behind the wicket.

    Meanwhile, in the same match the Bangladesh team has been fined 20 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate in the match as they were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

    Read More – Pakistan seals victory against Bangladesh in first T20I

    Hassan and Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Neeyamur Rashid of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees and ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the Covid-19 interim playing regulations. There was no need for formal hearings.

    On-field umpires Sharfudoulla Ibne Shahid and Masudur Rahman, third umpire Gazi Sohel and fourth official Tanvir Ahmed levelled the charges. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

  • ‘Danish se pucha tha?’: Netizens give polarizing response to Ayeza Khan’s short hairdo

    ‘Danish se pucha tha?’: Netizens give polarizing response to Ayeza Khan’s short hairdo

    Actor Ayeza Khan took to Instagram to share her short hairdo with her fans, the Chupke Chupke star can be seen sporting a wig in the picture.

    She added a caption stating that she was contemplating the idea of going short with her hair since a long time and now finally she has tried the look.

    Netizens soon started pouring in polarizing response with the majority of fans telling her that they preferred longer hair.

  • ‘I do not agree state does not have capability to deal [with TLP]’: Moeed Yusuf disagrees with Fawad’s statement

    ‘I do not agree state does not have capability to deal [with TLP]’: Moeed Yusuf disagrees with Fawad’s statement

    National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf, while speaking to anchorperson Saleem Safi during Geo News programme ‘Jirga’, was asked to comment on Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s statement on the government’s talks with the Tehreek-I-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Chaudhry had said that neither the state nor the government is ready to fight extremism.

    “I do not agree at all that the state does not have the capability to deal [with TLP],” stated Yusuf.

    “I had also said this publicly that a red line has to be drawn because the policemen martyred [during clashes with TLP] were also the state’s responsibility.”

    He cited the example of the infamous Lal Masjid episode, saying that the media at the time had called upon the state to use force as its writ was being challenged right in the heart of the capital.

    “And when the state used force, all of you [the media] stood against the government,” he added.

    Fawad Chaudhry had said the state and government are “not fully prepared” to deal with extremism, adding that they had to “take a step back” while dealing with the TLP.

    “Religious extremism was seen more in regions that are in India now. Areas over here (Pakistan) never had religious extremism to the extent [seen today],” he said, regretting that “Pakistan faces a grave danger today.”

    “We don’t have any potential threat from India. We have the sixth largest army in the world, we are an atomic power, and India cannot compete with us,” he continued. “We face no danger from America. We face no danger from Europe. The biggest danger we face [today] is from within [Pakistan].”

  • Pakistan seals victory against Bangladesh in first T20I

    Pakistan seals victory against Bangladesh in first T20I

    Pakistan has sealed their first victory against Bangladesh after Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah and Shadab Khan contributed in clinching the match from the home team.

    Bangladesh posted a total of 127 runs but it became tense in the middle after Pakistan lost Fakhar’s wicket on his 36-balls’ 34. But with the vital hits from Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, they sealed the game for Pakistan with four balls to spare.

    Captain Babar Azam posted 7 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan could only score 11 runs. Khushdil Shah also posted 34 runs off 35 balls, contributing a decent share in the total.

    Pakistan needed 2 runs in the last over and Shadab hit a six to seal the deal for the Men in Green.

    Hassan Ali, with a comeback performance, took 3 wickets while giving just 22 runs in his 4 overs and bagged Player of the Match award.

    Pakistan will be playing their next match of the series tomorrow, November 20.