Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been denied permission by district authorities to hold a protest on March 30 in Islamabad. The party had reached out to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to get permission for holding a rally on March 30 after the district administration of Islamabad did not respond to the party’s request. However, the capital’s administration on Sunday finally refused to allow PTI to hold a public rally against alleged poll rigging in 2024 general elections, citing security concerns.
The reply from the administration came after the deadline given to them by the IHC to take a decision on PTI’s request to stage a protest in the capital city.
PTI’s regional president Aaamir Masood Mughal opined that his party would again approach the courts. “If you can’t provide security even in the capital, then you have no right to stay in the government,” he added.
PTI also planned to hold a press briefing about the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) package, its consequences on the public and the economy on March 25.
At least five people were killed and an estimated 1,000 homes destroyed when a magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked flood-stricken northern Papua New Guinea, officials said Monday as disaster crews poured into the region.
“So far, around 1,000 homes have been lost,” said East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, adding that emergency crews were “still assessing the impact” from a tremor that “damaged most parts of the province”.
Dozens of villages nestled on the banks of the country’s Sepik River were already dealing with major flooding when the quake struck early Sunday morning.
Provincial police commander Christopher Tamari told AFP that authorities had recorded five deaths but the number of fatalities “could be more”.
Photos taken in the aftermath of the quake showed damaged wooden houses collapsing into the surrounding knee-high floodwaters.
Earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea, which sits on top of the seismic “Ring of Fire” — an arc of intense tectonic activity that stretches through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
Although they seldom cause widespread damage in the sparsely populated jungle highlands, they can trigger destructive landslides.
Many of the island nation’s nine million citizens live outside major towns and cities, where the difficult terrain and lack of sealed roads can seriously hamstring search-and-rescue efforts.
In an international friendly football match on Sunday, Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner set a new world record by scoring the fastest goal.
During a match between Austria and Slovakia in Bratislava, Christoph Baumgartner set a world record by scoring a goal in just six seconds. Austria won the match by 2-0.
Earlier this record was held by Germany’s Lukas Podolski’s against Ecuador in seven seconds in 2013.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, in a reversal of his earlier decision, has transferred the chairmanship of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
According to a notification, the ECC will now be led by the finance minister, with ministers of economic affairs, planning, commerce, power, and petroleum being integral members of the committee.
Previously, PM Shehbaz had announced himself as the chair of the ECC when unveiling the composition of seven major committees. This move had drawn criticism for potentially limiting the authority of the new finance minister.
Furthermore, the premier had initially chosen to preside over the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE).
Similarly, the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs) was formed earlier under the chairmanship of the finance minister. Accordinng to Aaj News, the Minister for Finance will head the CCoSOEs, with ministers of Maritime Affairs, Economic Affairs Division, Science and Technology, and Housing and Works serving as its members.
In a report by APP, PM Shehbaz emphasised the government’s commitment to implementing tough economic measures to navigate the country out of crisis while ensuring the protection of the underprivileged segments of society.
He stressed that the brunt of these measures would primarily be borne by the affluent, with mechanisms in place to safeguard the interests of the poor and vulnerable.
Speaking at the meeting of the Apex Committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the prime minister disclosed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had completed the review for the disbursement of the last tranche of US$1.1 billion, expected to be received next month.
A video of a professor being beaten by a student is doing the rounds on both mainstream and social media and has invited a myriad of views and interpretations. The details around the incident are more appalling than disconcerting, including allegations that the alleged harasser Dr Mehboob is being backed by the administration, more so by the Head of the Department, Dr Sajjad Ali Khan.
The video that went viral on March 20 featured a woman throwing hard-bound thesis books, among other things, at the professor who is trying to avoid them. Other girls in the office can be heard expressing their shock. The victim, who was later identified as Zaliha Javaid, remained unfazed, hurling abuses towards him while pulling his hair.
University records laid out that Zaliha is an alumni-a graduate of the Biotechnology Department back in 2016. Owing to the standard education policy, in the first two years of the four-year programme, all the students have to study four courses of Compulsory English throughout the degree. This connects the dots. Many publications painted it as a case of on-campus harassment but it is evident that she was a former student.
As the video came out, many ex-students start posting about his problematic behaviour. Mariam Naqvi on Twitter posted a screenshot of a student who recalled incidents quoted by some seniors about the manipulative behaviour of Dr Mehboob and how he “promised marriage and sought sexual favours from students and then abandoned them saying his family did not agree.” Marium shared that, “being a student of this person I know.” She shared how people like him exploit young students using their power.
Shireen aka BadmaashKhatoon posted in a story on Instagram the allegation that the professor has been a harasser from the beginning and many from the literature department and the debating society knew that. “It took a woman to ruin her life to expose his vile behaviour,” she stated.
An audio clip of another former female student is also making rounds accusing that “a network of harassers” has been operating inside the university which force students to get involved in explicit activities.
Students talked to The Current on the condition of anonymity, sharing how the professor lacked decency and was rude with them. “He does not even know how to talk properly. He fail students in bulk and exploits them. He is the reason our degrees are getting delayed,” a female student elaborated.
Former lecturer at the English Department and currently a news anchor Saad ul Hassan related, “Individuals like Mehboob Ahmed…exploit university grading systems to bolster their perceived power and proceed to harass and abuse students, causing severe mental, physical and emotional harm.”
Saad went on to allege that this is because of facilitators like Dr Sajjad, the Head of the English Department, that harassers like Mehboob Ahmed abuse students without fear of repercussions. Dr Sajjad will use his leverage “to influence students into providing statements in support of Mehboob,” according to Saad.
HOD Dr Sajjad’s statement refers to Zaliha as “the assailant” who was “accompanied by an accomplice”. In his message to his colleagues he laid out the timing of the incident and how Dr. Mehboob was subjected to a harrowing attack. He implored the faculty to join him ‘in support and solidarity to Dr Mehboob”.
The statement by the university director also lays out how violent Zaliha was. It is important to mention that he avoids taking the name of the professor but appreciates him for his professionalism. He further stated that an investigation has started.
The partiality hinted clearly in the statements coming out from inside the university raise questions and has been widely criticised.
Former student and students’ rights activist, Haider Butt from the platform of Progressive Student’s Collective wrote that, “We call for a fair investigation into the matter. The investigation should be conducted by an independent committee.”
Mohiba Ahmed, a former graduate and a prominent women’s rights activist, posted on X, “It is unfortunate to witness an important issue of sexual harassment at Government College University Lahore being reduced to dirty university politics.” She recounted how Mehboob Ahmed was notorious for his sexual exploits. “Yet he was never held accountable for his actions,” she lamented. She held HOD Dr Sajjad complicit and stressed that “he should not be allowed near this investigation.”
The investigation into the matter is the key yet the efficacy makes it questionable as the statement from Progressive Students Collective Lahore explains that, “the student body of GCU Lahore has been dealing with the administration’s ineffective anti-harassment committees and the biased result of such committees.”
Reinstating professors allegedly involved in harassment
The bottom line is this dilemma which promotes the predatory behaviour rampant in the educational institutions. In 2018 a student from the batch of 2017-2021 took up the case of a professor from the history department, Saeed Butt, who was accused of passing innuendos and sexual harassment. It took months for the investigation to start, only when the new Vice Chancellor took charge. After a number of students presented their testimonies, the result was not favourable as the professor continued working meanwhile, and even though expelled afterwards, he has resumed working with the change of the administration. This is one example. Lecturer Javaid Bajwa from Physical Education Deaprtment ousted for the allegations of sexual harassment is reinstated as well. It is a proof that the university is at their side.
This one individual has exposed more than what was already out: harassment, manipulation of students, department politics and how the university administration plays party to this perverse behaviour by not condemning the action and the doer.
Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Muhammad Amir has announced to take his retirement back from international cricket.
In his special message on X, Muhammad Aamir said, “I still dream to play for Pakistan! life brings us to the points where at times we have to reconsider our decisions, There has been few positive discussions between myself and the PCB where they respectfully made me feel that I was needed and can still play for Pakistan after discussing with family and we’ll wishers I declare that I am available to be considered for upcoming t20WC.”
“I want do this for my country as it comes before my personal decisions. Donning the green jersey and serving my country has always been, and will continue to be, my greatest aspirations.”
The fast bowler Muhammad Amir had bid farewell to international cricket on 17 December 2020.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced 100 million rupees aid for the Palestinians.
Finance Advisor Muzzamil Aslam says that the KP government is following the footsteps of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf’s founder, Imran Khan and because of his principles, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a donation for Palestine in this difficult time.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has said, “This money will be used to buy basic necessities for the Palestinians in Gaza.”
He also added, “The KP government stands with the oppressed people of Gaza in this difficult time and urges the international community to play its role in helping and supporting the Palestinians. Pakistan is one of the prominent countries that has not recognized Israel till date. We support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state whose capital is Bait ul Muqqadas.”
The number of martyred Palestinians has exceeded 32,000 and more than 74,000 have been injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has restored the central contract of national fast bowler Haris Rauf after his written apology.
During a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi said, “Haris Rauf’s central contract has been restored, Haris Rauf’s injury will be treated by insurance, Haris Rauf is our responsibility, we are concerned about him, cricket board’s money will be spent on players, no exemption for anyone, regarding NOC, I will not take anyone’s recommendation.”
He said, “Work is being done on the captain, they will take a decision after consultation, now the selection committee has come and they are consulting on it, the captain is in consultation with the coaches and the selection committee.”
PCB had terminated the central contract of Haris Rauf on February 17 due to his refusal for Australia tour.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has announced selection committee consists of 7 members including captain.
Mohsin Naqvi held a press conference in Lahore today in which he said, “The selection committee has been reorganized, the selection committee will now consist of 7 people, the new thing is that now there will be no chairman in the selection committee.”
“The selection committee will include Muhammad Yusuf, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, head coach, captain and an analyst. The seven members will take a decision with consultation, the committee will finalize every decision, all the seven members will have equal authority.”
Talking about coaches he said, “Thework is being done on the coaches, we will tell you whenever the final will be done, the matter of the coaches will also be finalized in 4-5 days, God willing, there will be a combination of national and international coaches. Everyone is of the same opinion that the team should be strong for the World Cup, there was a talk about the coach that a name came up and when it went on the media, he ran away.”
According to Chairman PCB, the central contract of Haris Rauf has been restored, work is being done on the captain, they will take a decision after consultation, now the selection committee has come and they are consulting on it, the captain is in consultation with the coaches and the selection committee.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit northern Papua New Guinea on Sunday morning, the United States Geological Survey said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was “no tsunami threat” from the inland quake, which struck at 6:22 am local time (2022 GMT Saturday) at a depth of approximately 35 kilometres (21 miles).
The “notable quake” hit some 88 kilometres (54 miles) southwest of Wewak, the USGS said, a town of 25,000 people that serves as the capital of Papua New Guinea’s East Sepik province.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The tremor was downgraded from an preliminary magnitude of 7.0.
Earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea, which sits on top of the seismic “Ring of Fire” — an arc of intense tectonic activity that stretches through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
Although they seldom cause widespread damage in the sparsely populated jungle highlands, they can trigger destructive landslides.
At least seven people were killed in April last year when a 7.0-magnitude quake hit a jungle-clad area in the country’s interior.
Many of the island nation’s nine million citizens live outside major towns and cities, where the difficult terrain and lack of sealed roads can seriously hamstring search-and-rescue efforts.
