Fare for the much-delayed Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), an additional Rs4.28 billion is still needed for the completion of which, will be kept at a minimum Rs10 per trip, a private media outlet has quoted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government officials as saying.
According to reports, it was proposed by the KP government during a steering committee meeting chaired by KP additional chief secretary, wherein all participants agreed that the minimum fare from point A to point B should be kept as low as Rs10, while the maximum fare should be Rs50.
While a majority has agreed to the recommendation as per which ticket pricing will vary with the distance and the number of stations travelled, some have suggested keeping a fixed ticket price.
The final decision will be taken by KP Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan.
It merits a mention that Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) had in February written to the KP government a letter stating that the team leader of BRT had prepared PC1 for the revised fund. It added that Rs1.5bn of the additional funds will be spent on the route between bus station numbers 19 to 31, while Rs980m will be spent on the route between bus station 1 to 8.
In addition, a total of Rs1.5bn will be spent on Trans Peshawar office, bus depot and parks. Similarly, Rs1.35bn would be required for consultant supervision.
KP Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai, while talking to media, had said that the cost of BRT has been increased by Rs4bn, with which the cost of BRT has touched Rs70bn. He had added that the provincial government will provide the additional funds for the project, the approval of which will be taken from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
Yousafzai had also said that the BRT project would be completed in April this year, the credit of which goes to CM Khan. “We will complete the project in March and it would cost Rs35bn,” he had said, adding that despite being a third-generation project, it would cost less as compared to Lahore’s BRT project which cost up to Rs 40 billion in 2011.
Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, who is rather infamous for his misogynist views both on and off the screen, has stirred a storm once again by abusing journalist and rights activist Marvi Sirmed on live television.
According to details, Qamar on Tuesday appeared on a talk show to discuss the aftermath of a petition against the forthcoming Aurat March being trashed by the Lahore High Court (LHC). The petition calling the march “un-Islamic” with a ” hidden agenda to spread vulgarity” was wrapped up by the court that said it couldn’t be banned under the law of the land.
Qamar appeared to have a problem with the slogan, ‘Mera jism, meri marzi‘ and was commenting on it when Marvi murmured the same. This irked Qamar who started abusing her.
While some say the slogan ‘mera jism, meri marzi’ is “vulgar” and is used by women marchers in “an attempt to westernise the Pakistani society”, the marchers themselves say it pertains to “the right of choice and that to safety of women and even minor girls who are subjected to sexual assault in this very society”.
Qamar’s comments did not go down well with celebrities, politicians, journalists and other members of the civil society, who called for a boycott on the writer.
I will not accept any show on @NeoTv_Network until this anchor apologises and this abusive man boycotted. If others ( men and women ) do the same when asked for shows this kind of disrespect to women may not get impunity. Women’s rights are human rights. Enough of this nonsense https://t.co/YAJlmawCXF
Don’t understand the problem so many are having with #MeraJismMeriMarzi“-Mera jism meri marzi nahi toh kis ki marzi ho gi?? “My body is mine” is a critical component of the Life Skills Based Education classes we teach to help children protect themselves from abuse & harassment
Disgusted. He should be banned from all kinds of platforms. He’s not only a shame to our industry but to human race. Such abusive & disrespectful behaviour shall not be tolerated. Anyone who works with him is equally responsible for his behaviour. #khalilurrehmanqamar
It only reflected what millions of women undergo in their houses &other places of existence. It only affirmed how important is #AuratMarch2020 Say NO to abusive, aristocratic, manipulative male mindset. In solidarity with @marvisirmed MERA JISM MERI MARZI ✊ #understandtheslogan
Anchor should’ve immediately intervened and stopped the man from uttering filth! She could have also taken a commercial break to stop the rubbish! Totally unacceptable! https://t.co/161mZpQGnT
— Shazia Atta Marri (@ShaziaAttaMarri) March 4, 2020
The man who is famous for the “do takkay ki aurat” line is quite the “do takkay ka mard”. What a disgraceful and disgusting way to handle disagreement. Surprised the anchor didn’t try to to control him better instead of asking @marvisirmed to keep quiet. Or ask him to apologise. https://t.co/lFkMBq6963
We’ve already moved on from PISA, from Zindagi Tamasha. No one has truly been held accountable in both cases. In fact, next year we’ll probably see 90 percent of the industry at that award ‘show.’ I find it odd that we seem to be just waking up to Khalil-ur-Rehman’s vitriol. /2
.. than those ruling the mainstream? Perhaps it’s all about priority. Pledging not to work with a writer holds no value (save for moral righteousness) when there are many who’d be dying to work with him because he delivers bank at the Box Office/television. /4
Where do we truly stand on the ‘separate the art from the artist’ debate? As an industry, a so-called ‘fraternity’. We have regulatory bodies that we should turn to: the United Producers Association & the PFPA, but both were silent during the Zindagi Tamasha debacle… /6
.. and both are likely to remain silent now. I think the biggest ‘non’ -surprise to come out of this all is how divided, or apathetic, or self-serving (pick your poison) we are as an industry. Which… isn’t really news. So where do we go from here?
What’s scarier than #KhalilurRehman‘s temper, insecurities and mysogonistic attitude, is us who continue to encourage and engage him. Who cares if you’re a good writer. You’re a vile human being. Who speaks like that? What gives u the right to pass judgment like that? #Shameful
The man is not worth two seconds of your time, anyone’s time, but why is this anchor not taking him off air for gross and completely unacceptable disrespect!!! @NeoTv_Network this is NOT ok https://t.co/qIBI82yatE
Meanwhile, some people hoped that Geo, who had recently signed a contract with the writer for four plays and a movie, would reconsider their decision to work with him.
Geo’s policy against harassment has always been very clear and in my entire career in geo I have always been proud on these policies. I’m really hopeful that the company will take an immediate Action against this Man who clearly has lost it.
I am very sorry @marvisirmed. Please stop calling vile men like Khalil ur Rehman Qamar on your talkshows. Also, I really hope Geo would reconsider its decision to work with him.
Dr Reza Baqir, the governor of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the government’s partner in reforming the country’s current economic system, Pakistan Today reported.
In a briefing of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, chaired by Rana Tanvir Hussain, the SBP governor said that the relationship of Pakistan and the IMF was based on common interests.
However, he assured the house that “inflation will go down and the general public will feel the relief.”
Baqir says that the SBP’s monetary policy committee had decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 13.25 per cent. “The monetary policy committee stance is appropriate to bring inflation down to the medium-term target range of 5-7pc over the next six to eight quarters.”
Right now, reducing the interest rate would affect the people who have kept their savings in the banks. However, he admitted that higher interest rate created difficulties for the borrowers.
“The national savings rate is already very low and if the people are discouraged, then the country will have to borrow the required money from international agencies, and that will raise our current account deficit,” he further added.
“The main focus of the SBP is to maintain foreign exchange reserves in the country.”
Baqir also noted that if the foreign reserves would grow, Pakistan would not have to approach international agencies for borrowing.
The SBP governor said due to higher interest rates in the past, manufacturing had almost ended, but after reforms carried out by the incumbent government, manufacturing activities were once again on the rise despite higher policy rates.
“The present government did not take loans from the SBP due to which inflation is now being controlled. However, the state bank, at the same time, is making efforts to restore the confidence of foreign and local investors.”
Former Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar has slammed Fakhar Zaman for being “reckless and not putting his hand up while performing for his side in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL)”.
Akhtar’s remarks came after Zaman, who is playing for Lahore Qalandars, struggled to hit any form in the competition. The left-hander had scored 76 runs in four games, with an average of 24.66 and a strike-rate of 125.42 in the first three matches with 74 runs.
“The person who doesn’t have a brain is Fakhar Zaman. When you have one player [Chris Lynn] who is already playing fast, then Fakhar needs to understand that he can slow down a bit,” Akhtar said in a YouTube video as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
“Chris Lynn is not some Viv Richards. Lynn plays well where there is equal bounce like Australia. He is good aggressive player, but you need just one aggressive player like that.
“Qalandars batting line-up is made up of similar kind of batsmen who just believes in senseless hitting. You can play aggressively and take chances in the powerplay, but in the next 14 overs you need to know how to anchor the innings, take quick singles and then finish well.”
Shoaib Akhtar, who never minces his words, has been critical of Zaman earlier too. When Pakistan lost to India in the World Cup clash last year, he questioned his technique and the way Zaman reacted to pressure.
Qalandars will tonight be playing two-time champions of the PSL, Islamabad United, for the second time in the ongoing tournament.
The government of Sindh on Tuesday decided to impose a new tax on the use of water in the province, Profit reported.
A draft of law comprising recommendations for the proposed tax has been prepared and the officials of local government department will brief the members of the provincial cabinet over the upcoming Sindh Water Tax Act in a meeting.
The draft of the law suggests Rs1 per litre tax on water, sources said. The tax will be recovered from the mineral water companies, according to sources.
Proposed tax will also be recovered from the soft drinks manufacturing companies, as per the report
The revenue generated by the proposed tax will be distributed among the Karachi Water Board and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA).
Writer and director Khalilur Rehman Qamar, who is not new to controversy and is rather infamous for his misogynist views both on and off the screen, has abused journalist and rights activist Marvi Sirmed on live television.
According to the details, Qamar on Tuesday appeared on a talk show to discuss the aftermath of a petition against the forthcoming Aurat March being trashed by the Lahore High Court (LHC). The petition calling the march “un-Islamic” with a ” hidden agenda to spread vulgarity” was wrapped up by the court that said it couldn’t be banned under the law of the land.
“First of all, the court has barred them [women marchers] from using filthy slogans like ‘mera jism, meri marzi’ [my body, my choice],” Qamar can be heard as saying in a video clip of the show doing rounds over the internet, in reference to the court’s order that participants of the march should “refrain from hate speech and immorality”.
Attempting to launch a tirade against the phrase, Qamar can then be heard as criticising Sirmed for using such slogans, to which the journalist reacts with murmuring the same that had led to a war of words over the internet after the slogan went viral following last edition of the annual Aurat March.
While some say the slogan ‘mera jism, meri marzi’ is “vulgar” and is used by women marchers in “an attempt to westernise the Pakistani society”, the marchers themselves say it pertains to “the right of choice and that to safety of women and even minor girls who are subjected to sexual assault in this very society”.
“Don’t interrupt!” the writer tells Sirmed in a rather aggressive tone, to which the rights activist once again chants the same slogan but in a louder voice.
“What is there in your body? Who the hell are you? Go take a look at your body… no man spits on you,” Qamar adds while also abusing Sirmed who continues to repeatedly chant “mera jism, meri marzi“.
WATCH VIDEO:
Khalil Ur Rehman hurled expletives and profanities at @marvisirmed and the anchorperson didn’t even stop him?!
The third panellist, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Senator Maulana Faiz Muhammad, and the host of the television show can in the meantime be seen requesting Sirmed to stop talking and hear Qamar out.
With netizens losing it over the remarks made by Qamar and also calling out the host of the show for doing nothing to stop him, here’s what the anchor has to say:
Peshawar Zalmi captain Daren Sammy has slammed rumours that implied that he has developed differences with the team owner Javed Afridi after he was rested for Monday’s game against Karachi Kings. Sammy asserted that no one can come between him and his ‘baby’.
I can’t believe that the media would think that my bro @JAfridi10 and I would ever have an issue. I’m actually laughing at this. Listen guys I love this man as my own brother. Are u guys serious @PeshawarZalmi is my baby and nothing comes between us. Absolutely nothing. pic.twitter.com/oRc5J5EiCN
Rumours of differences began to emerge after Sammy posted a cryptic tweet after he was rested for the game. Wahab Riaz captained the team in Sammy’s absence.
I’ve learnt that you are important until you’ve completed your role. #dealingwithhumans
Following Sammy’s tweet, reports emerged that Sammy was upset with the decision to rest him. Zalmi had replaced Sammy with Carlos Brathwaite. The decision was allegedly taken after Sammy’s struggled for form and fitness because of which Zalmi have descended to the fifth position on the PSL 2020 points table.
The decision to replace Sammy, however, did not work as well as the management expected. Brathwaite managed to score only 8 runs and Peshawar lost the match.
Shoaib Akhtar, on the other hand, claimed that Sammy had a falling out with Afridi. Shoaib extended his support towards Sammy whom he termed a hero. Akhtar also commented that Shahid Afridi was also once part of the team.
However, last week, Sammy and Afridi were spotted cruising on the streets of Islamabad.
Look who’s driving this time in Islamabad. One & only @darensammy88 . Thank you for bringing this day of festivity (PSL) to Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/Ezxm8i7H8o
Later in the day (Tuesday), Zalmi head coach Mohammad Akram also held a media talk in Rawalpindi in which he refuted the resports and revealed that it was his decision to rest Sammy against Karachi, adding that Sammy, too, was in agreement that he needed rest.
The head coach explained that resting players is nothing new, also saying that Sammy was given a break to “work on his form and fitness”.
Meanwhile, Sammy has become the first international cricket player to receive the highest civilian award and honorary citizenship of Pakistan for his contribution to the development of cricket in the country.
President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi will confer both the citizenship and award, the ‘Nishane Pakistan’, on March 23.
Former New Zealand cricketer, Grant Elliott, who made PSL history with his iconic bat drop during the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017 may not be making any sixes on the field for Lahore Qalandars this year but he’s definitely winning the Dubsmash game and is having a blast in Pakistan with his fellow commentators Azhar Ali and Fakhre Alam.
Watch the video to see what we’re talking about.
In case your memory needs a refresher, here is his epic bat drop moment.
NADRA, PTA spokespersons reject claims against their respective departmentsas data leakmakes headlines
In a massive breach of privacy, personal and sensitive data of millions — if not hundreds of millions of Pakistanis — has been leaked over the internet as blame game continues between the authorities concerned with none of them willing to take the fall for the divulgence.
According to the details, multiple smartphone applications and websites, one of which is Sim Database Online, are hosting millions of Pakistani telecom users’ sensitive data such as their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) numbers, names and even residential addresses, all of which can be accessed by simply entering the victim’s mobile number.
Not only does the web-based application further goes on to reveal other mobile numbers registered in the name of the privacy breach victim, but also claims to be providing services such as mobile phone tracking.
A screen grab of ‘Sim Database Online’
“Such applications have been around for quite some time now and most probably are the reason behind the recent spike in number of identity theft incidents in Pakistan,” sources told The Current, adding that leaks of government-held databases remain the biggest contributor to identity theft-related crimes in the country, around 50,000 of which were reported in 2019 alone.
Some groups on Facebook are also offering information regarding driving licences, current location, call details and even criminal records associated with any CNIC numbers if you pay them, sources claimed. “You can even dig out the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) family trees associated with a CNIC for a few hundred rupees.”
They went on to claim it wasn’t just Pakistanis’ confidential data that was being hosted by such web applications. “Sensitive personal information of Afghans and Indians can also easily be accessed through these websites, but there appears to be no urgency among authorities of the three countries to protect their citizens,” they claimed.
When asked if NADRA or the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) were to be held responsible for the leak, they blamed the latter, saying the watchdog had failed to keep an eye on what the country’s telecommunication companies were doing with sensitive data of their customers.
“How else do you the inboxes of so many people get flooded with text advertisements?” sources questioned, alleging that a data archive of registered telecom users was leaked online in August 2017.
“The archive contains information about registered mobiles users of Pakistan categorised by their telecom companies. It is publicly available and contains personal information recorded to verify SIM cards. Despite the leaked information being brought to light by many, the data remains available.”
Speaking to The Current, an information technology (IT) expert said that e-governance came with a set of standards across the world. “If you give access to someone, you have to follow these standards and maintain a certain security level. But unlike the rest of the world… where they have emergency response teams to investigate such issues, Pakistan has had no such probes I know of.”
“Instead of having teams that react to such incidents, we need certain proactive measures,” the IT expert said, adding that privacy over the internet was a right of the users, and most identity theft-related crimes could be linked to data leaks associated with government bodies over the years.
NADRA & PTA:
When approached, NADRA spokesperson Faik Ali told The Current that there was no truth to the claims being made regarding the role of the authority in the data leak as it very carefully managed the sensitive registration database of all citizens.
“NADRA has nothing to do with it,” he said and also rubbished claims regarding a data breach from two years ago.
“We had in 2018 also denied accusations of leakage of voters’ data ahead of the general election,” he said, adding that it was also clarified by the authority in a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). “There has never been a data breach in the history of NADRA and we have never shared any citizen’s data with anyone.”
Faik also reiterated NADRA’s commitment to protect sensitive data of all citizens come what may.
PTA Public Relations Director Khurram Mehran, on the other hand, rejected all claims regarding the watchdog’s alleged inability to protect the data of telecom networks’ customers, saying that no telecommunication companies were involved in releasing confidential information of their customers.
He, however, said that action would be taken against any company if evidence to support such claims is there.
To a query, the PTA spokesperson further said if there were any such cases, they were to be dealt under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) provisions by the agency concerned, as they were cybercrime cases.
Repeated attempts were made to contact the chairperson of Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication, Rubina Khalid, but she was unavailable.
Ayyan Ali was arrested at Islamabad airport on March 14, 2015 for travelling with $500,000 and later, a currency smuggling case was filed against her for allegedly trying to smuggle money to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Ayyan spent four months in Adiala Jail and her name was also put on the Exit Control List (ECL). However, she was granted bail in July 2016. She flew to Dubai after the court ordered the removal of her name from ECL.
Meanwhile, in November 2018, Ayyan had promised to return with a bang and had shared an update regarding her ongoing cases.
