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  • Nawaz Sharif’s close aide Ishaq Dar to take charge of finance ministry on Tuesday

    Nawaz Sharif’s close aide Ishaq Dar to take charge of finance ministry on Tuesday

    Former Finance Minister and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar is ready to take charge of the finance ministry on September 27 (Tuesday), reports Geo News.

    Currently, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is in London, where he held a meeting with Nawaz Sharif and Nawaz’s close aide Dar, where the decision took place.

    The incumbent Finance Minister Miftah Ismail will continue to work with the government after leaving his post as Finance Minister.

    It is pertinent to mention that Ismail is an unelected member and thus cannot continue in office for more than six months. He took charge of the ministry in April.

    Earlier, Dar, himself said that he would take oath as a Senator immediately after his return

    Dar is set to come back to Pakistan next week. The PML-N leader has been living in London since 2017 to receive medical treatment. He served as a federal minister of finance four times between 1998 and 2017.

    The former finance minister was elected as a PML-N senator on a technocrat seat in the Senate election on March 3, 2018. He is considered to be quite close to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

    Rana Sanaullah hints at Ishaq Dar becoming finance minister again

    Prior to this, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah hinted a Dar becoming finance minister once again, saying that the senator “can assume the finance ministry”.

    Talking about the possibility on Geo News‘ programme Naya Pakistan, Rana said, “There is no problem for him to become a finance minister. However, the PML-N has not made any decision so far in this regard.”

    According to Sanaullah, the government will definitely consult Ishaq on economic matters as he is experienced and a senior leader.

    When asked about Miftah Ismail, the minister said that he doesn’t have a problem. “He is ready to work with the party with or without ministry”, he stressed

    Is Ishaq Dar coming back to Pakistan?

    An accountability court on Friday, September 23, suspended the arrest warrant against Dar and dismissed orders for arrest upon his arrival in Pakistan.

    Accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir issued the orders, stating that once Dar returns to Pakistan, the court will decide whether it should revoke his arrest orders permanently or not.

    “We will consider permanently suspending Dar’s arrest warrants once he appears before the court in person,” the judge added.

    In 2017, an accountability court, while hearing a corruption reference against Dar, declared him a proclaimed offender due to his continued absence from the proceedings.

    However, Dar had not taken oath as a senator since 2017. The accountability court had declared Dar an absconder in a corruption reference.

  • Nazim Jokhio’s family reaches peace agreement with accused

    Nazim Jokhio’s family reaches peace agreement with accused

    Nazim Jokhio’s family has submitted an affidavit in court, stating that they have reached a peace agreement with the murder accused.

    The affidavit has stated that both parties have reached an agreement. It has also been stated in the affidavit that the slain man’s family has no objection to ending the case.

    The affidavit has been submitted by Jokhio’s mother, widow, and children. After the affidavit, the court directed authorities to publish an advertisement in the newspaper regarding the legal heirs of Nazim Jokhio.

    The court has also asked National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to submit a report on the matter at the next hearing. The hearing was adjourned till October 15th.

    On November 3 last year, Nazim’s tortured body was found in Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Jam Awais’ farmhouse in Karachi’s Malir area, a day after he filmed a group of foreigners hunting the endangered houbara bustard in his Achar Salaar village in Thatta.

    According to Jokhio’s brother, Nazim had broadcast a live stream on social media of a hunting expedition involving foreign guests of PPP MPA Jam Awais, after which Jam Awais called Nazim to the house where he was allegedly murdered.

    Jam Karim is the elder brother of Jam Awais. In November, he was nominated as a suspect with ten others in the murder case.

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  • Arrest warrant of Ayaz Amir, wife issued in daughter-in-law’s murder case

    Arrest warrant of Ayaz Amir, wife issued in daughter-in-law’s murder case

    A local court in Islamabad on Saturday issued arrest warrants for political analyst Ayaz Amir and his wife, parents of Shah Nawaz Amir, who is accused of murdering his wife.

    Accepting the petition filed by local police, the district and sessions court also issued arrest warrants of senior analyst Ayaz Amir and his wife, the mother of Shah Nawaz Amir. The investigation officer told the court that they want to question the parents in the investigation of the murder of their daughter-in-law.

    Sara was found dead on Friday in a farmhouse belonging to her husband in the outskirts of Islamabad. She had allegedly been bludgeoned to death with a dumbell. Her husband, Shah Nawaz, is the prime suspect in the case.

    The police officer told the court that the accused called to Pakistan his wife, Sara, who had been living in Canada, and then murdered her.

    The accused’s lawyer argued that the murder is limited to accusations only.

    Sara’s murder rocked Islamabad on Friday morning, as news of the crime spread across social media and news networks.

    It has been reported that after murdering her, the accused dumped her body in a bathtub.

    Ayaz Amir expressed his grief and shock over the murder of his daughter-in-law. Talking to media, he said that he was speechless, adding that the murder was heart-wrenching.

    When asked by a reporter if he often visited the house or talked to the occupants, Ayaz Amir said he did not.

  • Rafael Nadal fails to hold his tears as Roger Federer bids emotional farewell to tennis

    Rafael Nadal fails to hold his tears as Roger Federer bids emotional farewell to tennis

    Nadal, who has won a men’s record 22 Grand Slam singles titles, said it was a difficult night for him emotionally as the defeat to the American pair of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe marked the end of the 41-year-old Federer’s dazzling career.

    Nadal said that a part of him was also leaving the men’s Tour with the retirement of the Swiss.

    “For me, has been huge honour to be a part of this amazing moment of the history of our sport, and at the same time a lot of years sharing a lot of things together,” the Spaniard said of Federer.

    “When Roger leaves the tour, yeah, an important part of my life is leaving too because all the moments he has been next or in front me in important moments of my life. So has been emotional (to) see the family, see all the people. Yeah, difficult to describe. But, yeah, amazing moment.”

    Federer and Nadal engaged in one of the most intense rivalry in sports, playing each other 40 times while Federer won 20 major singles titles.

    They have remained pals off the court despite their fierceness on it. The Swiss’ decision to dance with Nadal for the last time on his side of the net was maybe the most appropriate.

    Federer and Nadal, collectively known as “Fedal,” walked onto the court to raucous applause. Both were emotional after entertaining the sold-out audience during the game.

    “I think every year the personal relationship gets better and better, on a daily basis,” Nadal, 36, told reporters. “I think in some way we understand at the end we have a lot of things similar. We approach the life probably similar.

    “On court we have completely opposite styles, and that’s what probably makes our matches and our rivalry probably one of the biggest and most interesting.

    “Very proud to be part of his career in some way. But even happier to finish our career like friends after everything we shared on court like rivals.”

  • NO, the Transgender Rights Act does not promote homosexuality

    NO, the Transgender Rights Act does not promote homosexuality

    The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act of2018 has come under intense criticism from some sections of society during the past few weeks with two petitions also having been filed in the Federal Shariah Court against the Act.

    The act was enacted in the year 2018 to guarantee transgenders equal rights to Education, basic health facilities , issuance of CNICs and passport and giving them a right to vote and contest elections.

    The Supreme Court’s decision on September 25, 2012, that said that eunuchs were entitled to all of the rights protected by the Constitution and enjoyed by other members of society led to passing of the 2018 Act.

    However, now a few religious parties are seeking amendments in the act. The major amendment that is being considered is that a trans person should be allowed to change their gender identity after evaluation from the medical board instead of their self-perceived identity.

    Criticism:

    A lot of misinformation is being propagated about the Act, including accusations that “The bill is merely a disguise for the LGBT community”, while others are saying that it is creating a pathway for same sex marriages.

    https://twitter.com/_anees001/status/1572137136056602625?s=20&t=Ofi5G9VBUUJUi4Xsgi90MQ

    Former Additional Advocate General Punjab/Advocate Supreme Court Chaudhry Faisal Husain while talking to The Current said that transgenders have been given protection in this act. Calling the debate ‘needless’ Hussain added that every law has minor issues.

    He further said that if people are trying to identify themselves as something in particular then NADRA should take precautionary measures.

    Does the act allow same sex marriage?

    There is a common misconception going on that as per the act, any person can change their ID card from M to F and F to M based on their own perception. However, that is simply not the case, The rules that were notified under this act clearly say that if you are a transgender man or a woman you can change your identification card on the basis of your self-perception but only to X, not to Male or Female.

    A person having an X card can not marry a person with an ID card with a male or female gender mentioned on it.

    This provision rules out the possibility of same-sex marriage under the transgender act 2018

    Lawyer Reema Omar has also shared some ‘”facts and context”, regarding the social media campaign against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018.

    Barrister Muhammad Ahmad Pansota, Supreme Court while talking to The Current said, “The bill is criticized by certain religious parties based on some misconceptions that this law would open doors for homosexuality, which is against Islamic injunctions. Complaints of these religious groups are from a perspective that there is possibility of it being misused in terms of same sex marriages. However, nothing in the bill allows room for same sex marriage. It is only strengthening the rights of the transgenders by providing them protection, relief and rehabilitation of the rights of transgenders persons.”

    “It is not true as the bill is only for transgenders and doesn’t provide/mention that any person can come up and say that he/she wants to change his/her gender/sexual orientation, only a transgender can do it,” he added.

    Even otherwise, same sex marriages are against Islamic principles and cannot be allowed in Pakistan as the same is unconstitutional and un- Islamic, thus will not be allowed in any manner whatsoever.

    “No where in the bill has it been stated that same sex marriages are permitted.”

    This bill only promotes what has only been guaranteed to the citizens of Pakistan in the Islamic Constitution of Pakistan. There shall be no discrimination against the transgenders. They will be given right to inheritance, the right to education, the right to health, and the right to employment for transgender persons, hence, guaranteeing all constitutional rights. This law only upholds basic human rights.

    Talking about the formation of medical boards, Pansota said, “Opinion of medical board can be taken into account. Sensitive history of transgenders may be required to understand the individualized changes and characteristics in the context of hormone administration and surgical intervention. It is important to discuss procedures with the patient beforehand, including the order in which steps will occur and to provide/allow time for the patient to express any concerns prior to beginning the exam.”

    Talking exclusively to The Current, Dr Mehrub Moiz Awan called the criticism “unjustified”, adding that it is a part of global far right conspiracy

  • Is Bilawal Bhutto getting married?

    Is Bilawal Bhutto getting married?

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Foreign (FM) Minister of the country, is one of the most eligible bachelors in Pakistan, whose wedding is being highly anticipated by all.

    At the age of 33, this young politician’s marital status evokes curiosity in a lot of Pakistanis about his plans to tie the nuptial knot.

    In a video shared by Arab News on Twitter, a journalist was heard asking the FM, “There are my Pakistani friends asking if you have any plans to marry.”

    Bilawal replied smilingly, “Of course, I have plans to marry.” However, he stopped short of disclosing any other details.

    The journalist again questioned, “When?” But Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had no time to answer as he moved away along with the Pakistani delegation.

    Talking about his marriage to The Current in 2019, Bilawal had said, “The right candidate will first have to win over the hearts of my sisters. I have to take them into confidence. And winning over the hearts of my sisters is a very difficult task for any girl.”

    The son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and former President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also brother to younger sisters Bakhtawar and Aseefa.

  • Weekly inflation down 8.1% due to lower FCA, timely import of vegetables

    Weekly inflation down 8.1% due to lower FCA, timely import of vegetables

    Weekly inflation measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ending September 22, 2022, decreased by 8.11 per cent.

    The year-over-year (YoY) trend shows a rise of 29.28 per cent, which is down around 11 per cent from the 40.58 per cent observed last week. The YoY rise stayed above 40 per cent during the previous five weeks, reaching an all-time high of 45.50 per cent.

    The price increase over the previous year was mostly brought on by an increase in prices of tomatoes (117.55 per cent), diesel (105.12 per cent), petrol (91.87 per cent), pulse masoor (75.38 per cent), pulse gram (73.55 per cent), mustard oil (65.64 per cent), cooking oil-5 litre (63.63 per cent), washing soap (61.50 per cent), vegetable ghee-2.5 kg (59.42 per cent), pulse mash (56.93 per cent), vegetable ghee-1 kg (56.09 per cent), onions (50.83per cent) and LPG (49.89 per cent), while decrease was observed in the prices of electricity for q1 (45.61 per cent), chilies powder (43.05 per cent), sugar (19.20 per cent) and gur (3.37 per cent).

    According to the most recent PBS data issued on Friday, the SPI for the week under review in the aforementioned category was recorded at 203.21 points compared to 221.14 points observed in the previous week.

    Out of 51 items, 26 items (50.98 per cent) saw price increases during the week, 10 items (19.61 per cent) saw price decreases, and prices of 15 items (29.41 per cent) remain unchanged.

    For the first quarter, power charges were among the items whose average prices decreased on a week-over-week (WoW) basis showing a decrease of 64.23 per cent.

    Other items which recorded a decrease include tomatoes (8.15 per cent), LPG (3.82 per cent), bananas (1.90 per cent), garlic (1.31 per cent), pulse masoor (0.99 per cent), cooking oil-dalda or other similar brand (sn), 5 litre tin each (0.78 per cent), onions (0.46 per cent), vegetable ghee-dalda/habib 2.5 kg tin each (0.34 per cent) and vegetable ghee-dalda/habib or other superior quality 1 kg pouch each (0.06 per cent).

    The general populace has been impacted by the heavy rains and flooding since they are lacking in basic commodities while supply lines for food products have been disrupted.

    On the other hand, timely imports from Iran and Afghanistan are accountable for the decrease in vegetable prices, particularly for onions and tomatoes.

  • Political leaders need to find solution to problems through dialogue, says CJP Bandial

    Political leaders need to find solution to problems through dialogue, says CJP Bandial

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has said that political issues require political leaders to put their heads together and come up with a solution through dialogue while the judiciary alone cannot solve all problems.

    CJP Bandial on Friday while addressing the ninth International Judicial Conference said that the judiciary is determined to protect the constitution and the day is not far when Pakistan will become a progressive and prosperous state.

    Referring to Yousuf Raza Gillani’s case and that of the National Assembly’s former Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, the chief justice said that decisions are made in greater constitutional interest.

    “We protected the constitution of Pakistan,” he declared.

    He further said that good governance is an important pillar for defending human rights.

    Talking about the constitution, he said that it guarantees the protection of basic human rights and that the judiciary is committed to protecting human rights without any prejudices or partiality.

    “That is why we took several suo motos to safeguard basic human rights,” he stated.

  • PM Shehbaz speaks about Islamophobia, climate injustice, and India at UNGA

    PM Shehbaz speaks about Islamophobia, climate injustice, and India at UNGA

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, emphasizing that terrorism does not have a religion. “It is based on dogma, fueled by poverty, deprivation, injustice, and ignorance, and fanned by vested interests,” the Premier stated.

    During his debut speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Prime Minister said, “Pakistan is the principal victim of terrorism. Over the last two decades, we have suffered more than 80,000 casualties and over $150 billion in economic losses due to terrorist attacks. Our armed forces, with the support of our people, have broken the back of terrorism within Pakistan. Yet, we continue to suffer terrorist attacks from across our borders, sponsored and financed by our regional adversary. We are determined to defeat such cross-border terrorism.”

    Talking about Islamophobia, Shehbaz Sharif said that it is a global phenomenon. “Since 9/11, suspicion and fear of Muslims and discrimination against them have escalated to epidemic proportions. The officially sponsored campaign of oppression against India’s over 200 million Muslims is the worst manifestation of Islamophobia,” said the Premier.

    Continuing in the same vein, Sharif said that Muslims in India are subjected to discriminatory laws and policies, Hijab bans, attacks on mosques, and lynchings by Hindu mobs. “I am particularly concerned by the calls for ‘genocide’ against India’s Muslims by some extremist groups,” he told the General Assembly.

    “Pakistan needs a stable external environment. We look for peace with all our neighbours, including India,” the Prime Minister said, offering an olive branch to its regional arch rival. “Sustainable peace and stability in South Asia, however, remain contingent upon a just and lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. At the heart of this longstanding dispute lies the denial of the inalienable right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination,” he said.

    Talking about India, PM said, “India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019, to change the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory further undermined the prospects of peace and inflamed regional tensions. India’s relentless campaign of repression against Kashmiris has continued to grow in scale and intensity.”

    “In pursuit of this heinous goal. New Delhi has ramped up its military deployments in occupied Jammu and Kashmir to 900,000 troops, thus making it the most militarized zone in the world. The serial brutalization of Kashmiris takes many forms: extrajudicial killings, incarceration, custodial torture and death, indiscriminate use of force, deliberate targeting of Kashmiri youth with pellet guns, and ‘collective punishments’ imposed on entire communities.”

    “India is seeking to turn the Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir into a Hindu-majority territory, through illegal demographic changes. Millions of fake domicile certificates have been issued to non-Kashmiris; Kashmiri land and properties are being seized; electoral districts have been Jerry Mandered, and over 2.5 million non-Kashmiri illegal voters fraudulently registered. All this is in blatant violation of Security Council resolutions and international law, particularly the 4th Geneva Convention,” said Shehbaz.

    The PM made a passionate appeal to the world on Friday to undo the ‘climate injustice’ done to countries like Pakistan that make little contribution to global warming and yet face its worst consequences.

    “Why are my people paying the price of such high global warming through no fault of their own?” the premier asked.

    “Nature has unleashed her fury on Pakistan without looking at our carbon footprint, which is next to nothing. Our actions did not contribute to this,” he stressed, adding that he came to the UN to “explain first hand” the scale and magnitude of the climate catastrophe that has pushed one-third of the country under water in a super storm that no one has seen in living memory.

    “For 40 days and 40 nights a flood of biblical proportions poured down on us, smashing centuries of weather records, challenging everything we knew about the disaster, and how to manage it,” the prime minister said.

    “Even today, huge swathes of the country are still underwater, submerged in an ocean of human suffering. In this ground zero of climate change, 33 million people, including women and children, are now at high risk from health hazards, with 650,000 women giving birth in makeshift tarpaulins,” he told the world.

    The Prime Minister said Pakistan had never seen a more stark and devastating example of the impact of Global Warming. “Life in Pakistan has changed forever. People in Pakistan ask why, why has this happened to them? When global warming rips apart whole families and an entire country at this ferocious speed, it is time to ask why, and time to ask not what can be done but what MUST be done,” said the PM while explaining how this calamity had affected hearts and minds in Pakistan.