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  • Shahzad Akbar allegedly attacked with acid in UK

    Shahzad Akbar allegedly attacked with acid in UK

    Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Assets Recovery Unit (ARU) head Shahzad Akbar has revealed in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) that an unidentified man threw acid on his face at the front door of his home in the United Kingdom.

    The incident took place in an area near London outside the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader’s residence.

    He wrote, “Last evening I was attacked at my address in England (where I am living in exile with my family) by unknown assailant/s who threw acidic liquid at me. Thankfully my wife and children are safe, however I got some injuries but nothing life-threatening. Police and emergency services arrived instantly and house being protected now. I will not be intimidated nor bow down to those who are doing this.”

    Speaking to Geo News, Akbar said a delivery person came to his house and threw acid on him as soon as he opened the door. However, he said, most of the acid landed on the door and only a small amount landed on him.

    “My wife and children remained unharmed, only I got some injuries,” said the former PTI leader.

    Akbar told Geo News that he is currently living in a small village outside of London where he shifted about 1.5 months ago. He said that his new address had been leaked.

    The politician, who has been in self-exile in the UK, said that he was at home with his kids on Sunday when a delivery man wearing a helmet rang the doorbell.

    He said that as soon as he opened the door, the man threw acid on him from a bottle, adding that one side of his face and body were injured.

    He said that the suspect was dressed as a delivery boy and was traveling on a bike.

  • Israel continues arresting Palestinians: What we know about day 52

    Israel continues arresting Palestinians: What we know about day 52

    3,200 arrested by Israel in West Bank since October 7

    Palestinian Commission for Detainees and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs has released a report revealing that 3,200 Palestinians have been arrested by Israel since October 7 in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

    Among the arrested are 41 journalists, 29 of whom are in detention.

    This means that the total number of arrested Palestinians has crossed 7,000 since October 7.

    The total includes more than 200 children, about 78 female prisoners plus “hundreds” of sick and wounded people, some of whom need “urgent medical intervention”, the report added.

    The recent arrests are also said to have been accompanied by “widespread raids and abuse, in addition to vandalising and destroying of citizens’ homes, and severe beatings of the families of detainees” as well as the shooting of unarmed Palestinians, resulting in deaths.”

    How many prisoners and captives have been released?

    A four-day long truce between Israel and Hamas started on Friday and so far, three captives exchanges have taken place.

    Al Jazeera reports that 175 people have been released which includes:

    • 39 Israeli citizens released by Hamas, in three groups of 13
    • 117 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel, in three groups of 39
    • 17 Thais released by Hamas
    • One Filipino released by Hamas
    • One Israeli-Russian released by Hamas
    • Hamas said that in total, 50 women and children are to be freed in return for 150 Palestinian women and children in Israeli jails under the truce deal.

    Netanyahu has stated that the extension of truce can be considered if more captives are released at a rate of 10 per day.

    Two-kilometre long lines for cooking gas in Gaza: UN

    The UN humanitarian agency in Palestine (UNOCHA) has said that people in Gaza are lining up through the night in a line that stretches for two kilometres (1.2 miles) to refill cooking gas canisters.

    These ques were outside a filling station in Khan Younis in southern Gaza after Israel allowed aid supplies – including cooking gas – into Gaza Strip for the first time since October 7.

    The UN, however, claims that the “amounts fall well below the needs” and that people are reportedly “burning doors and window frames to cook”.

  • Social media slams PCB over fining Azam Khan for supporting Palestine

    Social media slams PCB over fining Azam Khan for supporting Palestine

    Pakistan cricket team fans have expressed anger on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over fining Azam Khan for displaying the Palestine flag on his bat during a match of National T20 tournament in Karachi on Sunday.

    Azam Khan was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for beaching the clothing and equipment regulation (Displaying unapproved logo/political message).

    According to GEO, Azam was summoned by match referee Muhammad Javaid, but Azam replied that all of his bats have same stickers.

    Before this, Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan was criticized by the Indian media and fans for dedicating his performance during Pakistan’s victory against Sri Lanka to Gaza during the ODI World Cup 2023. International Cricket Council (ICC) said at the time, “It is outside of the field of play and not in our domain”

    PCB said in a statement that, “This is their (players) personal decision, the board is responsible for the on-field activities not out-field.”

    Journalist Faizan Lakahni wrote on social media platform ‘X’, “We all are hating PCB for its action against Azam Khan, but I think they opted for this being a signatory to ICC regulations (which apply on all official cricket) because the game was live broadcast on TV. Azam displayed the same flag in previous games (non-broadcast), nobody said anything earlier.”

    However social media users continue slamming the Board for taking action against Azam Khan. Here are some reactions:

  • Arrest orders issued for PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb

    Arrest orders issued for PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb

    An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday issued arrest orders for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Marriyum Aurangzeb in a hate speech case, directing authorities to produce the former federal minister in court on December 9.

    ATC Judge Abher Gul Khan issued the arrest warrant for the PML-N leader and ordered the concerned station house officer (SHO) to execute the orders of her arrest.

    The non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against the former information minister for not appearing before the court.

    A terrorism case had been registered against Aurangzeb, PML-N stalwart Mian Javed Latif, state-run Pakistan Television’s Managing Director Sohail Khan and others for allegedly trying to incite hatred by using the religion card against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    In the previous hearing, the ATC judge canceled the non-bailable arrest warrant against Latif after he appeared before the court.
    On November 25, Advocate Farhad Ali Shah representing Javed Latif and Marriyum Aurangzeb appeared before the court.

    During the hearing, Judge Khan inquired about the whereabouts of the PML-N leaders and was informed that Latif had appeared while Aurangzeb had not.

    Consequently, the judge issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for the former information minister and directed all suspects named in the case to appear before the court on December 9.

    The case, registered on September 19, 2022, implicated both Aurangzeb and senior PML-N leader Javed Latif for allegedly “using religion to instill and spread hatred” against Imran Khan, the chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and former prime minister.

    According to the FIR, the complainant had said Latif accused the PTI chief of “attacking the basic principles of Islam” by “supporting” the Ahmadiyya community during his tenure.

    “When Imran made the Naya Pakistan, units of Qadianis became active in Karachi […] Did Imran not give interviews to the foreign media in which he said that Qadianis will be given religious freedom,” Latif had said.

    The FIR had said Latif made the controversial remarks at the behest of the party leadership as well as Aurangzeb in order to spread religious hatred against Imran.

    The complainant had said he watched another presser by Latif a day later wherein he insisted that he stood by his earlier statement.
    The complainant said, “The world knows Imran Khan for his welfare work. He is a true Muslim, a Prophet (PBUH) lover and a patriotic Pakistani.

    “He (Imran) made Quranic teachings in schools compulsory and also constituted Rehmatullil Alameen Authority. He also made it clear before the world through his speech at the United Nations that we will not tolerate blasphemy at any cost and raised his voice against Islamophobia which is matchless.

    “In his news conference, Latif declared Imran a non-Muslim and deliberately used words to incite his followers to create a law and order situation.”

    The FIR added that the PTI chief’s followers and supporters were enraged by the derogatory remarks of the PML-N leader.
    “Latif made the controversial remarks at the behest of his party leadership as well as Marriyum in order to spread religious hatred against Imran.”

    Complainant Rehman said that he had watched another news conference a day later in which Latif said that he stood by his earlier statement.

    He demanded action be taken against the PML-N leaders and others nominated in the complaint under the law.

  • Irish author Paul Lynch wins 2023 Booker Prize

    Irish author Paul Lynch wins 2023 Booker Prize

    Irish author Paul Lynch won the 2023 Booker Prize for fiction on Sunday for his novel Prophet Song, a dystopian work about an Ireland that descends into tyranny.

    The 46-year-old pipped five other shortlisted novelists to the prestigious award at a ceremony in London.

    He becomes the fifth Irish writer to win the high-profile literary prize, which has propelled to fame countless household names, including past winners Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood and Hilary Mantel.

    “This was not an easy book to write,” Lynch said after collecting his award, which comes with £50,000 (around US$63,000) and a huge boost to his profile.

    “The rational part of me believed I was dooming my career by writing this novel. Though I had to write the book anyway. We do not have a choice in such matters,” he added.

    Lynch’s book is set in Dublin in a near future version of Ireland. It follows the struggles of a mother of four as she tries to save her family from totalitarianism.

    There are no paragraph breaks in the novel, which is Lynch’s fifth.

    Canadian novelist Esi Edugyan, who chaired the five-person judging panel, called the story “a triumph of emotional storytelling, bracing and brave”.

    “With great vividness, Prophet Song captures the social and political anxieties of our current moment,” she said.

    “Readers will find it soul-shattering and true, and will not soon forget its warnings.”

    The Booker is open to works of fiction by writers of any nationality, written in English and published in the UK or Ireland between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023.

    None of this year’s six finalists – which included two Americans, a Canadian, a Kenyan and another Irish author – had been shortlisted before and only one had previously been longlisted.

    The shortlisted novels, announced in September, were chosen from a 13-strong longlist that had been whittled down from an initial 158 works.

    Among them was Irish author Paul Murray’s The Bee Sting, a tragicomic saga which looks at the role of fate in the travails of one family.

    Murray was previously longlisted in 2010.

    Kenyan writer Chetna Maroo’s moving debut novel Western Lane about grief and sisterhood follows the story of a teenage girl for whom squash is life.

    The judges also selected If I Survive You by US writer Jonathan Escoffery, which follows a Jamaican family and their chaotic new life in Miami.

    He was joined by fellow American author, Paul Harding, whose This Other Eden – inspired by historical events – tells the story of Apple Island, an enclave off the US coast where society’s misfits flock and build a new home.

    Canada was represented on the shortlist in the shape of Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein. The unsettling novel explores the themes of prejudice and guilt through a suspicious narrator.

    The Booker was first awarded in 1969. Last year’s winner was Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka for The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.

    The previous Irish winners are Iris Murdoch, John Banville, Roddy Doyle and Anne Enright.

  • Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar wants to rejoin PTI

    Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar wants to rejoin PTI

    Senior politician Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar is reportedly seeking a return to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as per Geo News.

    Having previously been associated with the PTI, Sarwar, currently the chief organizer of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), parted ways with Imran Khan’s party during last year’s no-confidence motion in April, leaving when Imran Khan was ousted from the prime minister’s office.

    In March this year, Sarwar joined the PML-Q in the presence of its president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
    In December 2021, Sarwar slammed Khan’s government by saying that the PTI had handed over everything to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    During the no-confidence motion, Sarwar, as the chief organizer of the PML-Q, defied Khan’s orders and explored the possibility of joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    However, this idea was rejected by PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, citing Sarwar’s earlier defection to the PTI after the failed 2014 sit-in led by Khan and Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri.

    Sarwar joined the PML-Q in March of the current year, assuming the role of chief organizer.

    However, he has been residing in Scotland since several months, showing little interest in party affairs.

    Despite initial hopes of the PML-Q gaining prominence, especially without Parvez Elahi and Moonis Elahi, it appears that Jahangir Tareen and Aleem Khan’s Istehekam Pakistan Party (IPP) is currently the frontrunner.

    Sources reveal that Sarwar, for the past two weeks, has been reaching out to PTI leaders directly and indirectly, discussing his potential return to the party from his base in Scotland.

    A senior PTI leader disclosed that Sarwar had expressed a desire to rejoin the party, but the PTI has not responded to the overtures thus far.

    “The only person who can allow re-entry of Chaudhary Sarwar is Imran Khan but he has made it clear he will not forgive and forget those dozens of leaders who let him down in difficult times. Those who lobbied against Imran Khan and the PTI are not acceptable.”

    Chaudhary Sarwar wants to join the PTI again because his family members want to run for elections on the party’s tickets in Faisalabad, as there are no seats vacant in PML-N ranks and no other option, said a source close to Sarwar.

    The source also said that the senior politician’s son Anas, the Scottish Labour leader, also has an election coming up in Glasgow and there is a considerable Pakistani vote in the local constituency.

    Another source said that so far the PTI had not shown any interest in the offer and it had no time to even consider it given the circumstances the PTI was facing in Pakistan.

    When asked about efforts to rejoin the PTI, Sarwar didn’t deny it.

    He said: “All options are on the table. Discussions at various levels are ongoing. I have not made a final decision yet. I will make the final decision soon.”

    Sarwar joined PTI in 2015 after criticising Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, days after resigning as the Punjab governor. However, he was appointed to the post for a second time once the PTI came to power in 2018.

    Sarwar’s allies said he was not happy as Punjab governor and didn’t like Usman Buzdar. He was sacked from the post around the no-confidence vote by the PTI government, with Omer Sarfraz Cheema being appointed as his replacement.

  • Imam-ul-Haq’s wife’s bridal look: all we know, including the price

    Imam-ul-Haq’s wife’s bridal look: all we know, including the price

    Pakistani cricketer Imam-ul-Haq has become the latest member of the Green Shirts to sign off on bachelorhood and settle down with his sweetheart. The cricketer made social media swoon with the wholesome dedication he wrote to his “best friend” and his forever home, Anmol Mehmood. Rumi who?

    “Today, we’ve not only become partners for life but have also solidified the bond of best friendship, which has always been the foundation of our love story. Today, I not only married my best friend ,but also found my forever home in your heart. Forever grateful for a love that feels like a friendship and a friendship that is our greatest blessing. This journey is uniquely ours, a beautiful symphony of love, laughter, and endless dreams, In Sha Allah. Keep us in your prayers,” wrote Imam.

    Looking back at the lavish three day celebrations, we are in awe of Anmol’s taste in clothing. Here we will break down every look the bride wore for her four day celebrations.

    Starting with the Mehendi, which was held in Norway, Anmol donned a maroon farshi gharara adorned with gold patterns, that had splashes of green, purple and yellow to add colour to the look. The outfit was from HSY, reportedly costing more than Rs 1.5 million.

    For the Qawwali night, Anmol left social media awestruck, once more picking HSY’s lilac gown adorned with silver designs paired with silver bangles. According to GEO, the price of the outfit was Rs 850,000.

    On her Valima, Anmol wore fashion brand Lajwanti. She wore a pastel gharara, detailed with gold designs, and a matching dupatta. Speaking to GEO, a spokesperson for Lajwanti revealed that the ensemble cost Rs 17 lakhs.

  • Fawad Chaudhry allowed to meet his wife

    Fawad Chaudhry allowed to meet his wife

    Following an intervention by the court, Fawad Chaudhry’s wife has been granted permission to visit him during incarceration.

    Additionally, the court has issued an order directing the provision of medical facilities to Chaudhry in accordance with the jail manual.

    Presiding over the case, Justice Gul Hasan Aurangzeb emphasized the paramount importance of upholding the petitioner’s dignity.

    Expressing concern over incidents akin to Chaudhry’s case, the court referenced the restrictions placed on Asif Zardari and the late former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, underscoring the need to ensure access for individuals to meet their families and lawyers.

    Justice Aurangzeb remarked that such incidents bring shame to the officers involved, highlighting the significance of respecting the rights and dignity of those under legal scrutiny.

    Chief Commissioner Anwar-ul-Haq presented a report before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the implementation status of Fawad Chaudhary’s plea for permission to meet with lawyers and family members.

    The report revealed that former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry has been granted B-class facilities in jail, and as per the court’s directives, he has been permitted to meet with family and legal representatives.

    In addition, the court sought details regarding the number of cases Chaudhry is involved in, to which his lawyer replied that he only had knowledge of one case. Fawad Chaudhry, a former leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, was arrested on November 4 from his residence on charges of allegedly accepting bribes after promising a job.

    What are the facilities provided to class A or B?

    Superior class prisoners are entitled to books and newspapers, a 21-inch television, a table and a chair, a mattress, personal bedding and clothing and food. The prisoners have to pay for all this themselves. The government is only obligated to provide them security in a high-security ward where they will be kept away from other prisoners.

    Rooms are supplied with a cot, one chair, one teapot, one lantern if there is no electric light, and necessary washing and sanitary appliances. ‘A class’ prisoners may supplement the furniture by other articles within reasonable limit at their own cost, at the discretion of the Superintendent.

    When several superior class prisoners are confined together, two ‘C class’ prisoners may be provided to cook food for them. If a superior class prisoner is confined individually he may be permitted a ‘C class’ prisoner for cooking. One attendant and one cook prisoner may be allowed to superior class prisoners up to 10 in number.

  • Lahore: Teenage driver kills Saudi Arabia returned female medical student after hitting her car

    Lahore: Teenage driver kills Saudi Arabia returned female medical student after hitting her car

    After six of a family were killed in an accident in DHA Phase 7 at the hands of a teenaged driver, another incident has been reported where a medical student’s car got hit by a teenager. The driver was reportedly harassing the girl who had returned from Saudi Arabia. As a quarrel ensued after the collision of the two cars, the underage driver called his family who then opened fire at the victim. She was rushed to the hospital where she died.

    The unfortunate incident occurred in a private housing society in Chung Town, Lahore, on November 4. It has resurfaced as the police added murder charges in the case on Sunday. According to the police report, the girl succumbed to her injuries on Sunday. However, an eyewitness said the girl had died a week after the incident on November 12 but the police added murder sections later.

    New reports are emerging as Tazin’s relatives have appealed to the chief minister in a letter to take notice of the incident, saying the suspect was from an influential family and they were being threatened for pursuing the murder case. They also said the teenager’s family was forcing them to reconcile with them.

    According to a First Information Report (FIR), the underage driver identified, Abdur Rehman, rammed his car into another vehicle, in which the victim was travelling along with her mother and brother, which led to a quarrel. According to the police, the boy called his uncle who then opened fire.
    The female student was identified as Tazin Khan whose family had returned from Saudi Arabia for her education. She was hit with bullets in her abdomen and was shifted to a local hospital in life-threatening condition while the attackers fled the scene.

    In another report, the Chuhng Police had registered a case against the attackers for attempted murder on the complaint of her maternal uncle Rizwanul Haq. The complainant in the case told the police that the suspects had harassed the female members of his family. Consequently, the offenders killed them, Dawn reports.

    The armed men, including Sajid, his brother Amjad, and two unidentified men, ambushed their car, and opened fire at it.

    In a report filed by Azam Malik, Tazin was hit by one of the nine bullets fired by the accused family. Her father kept pleading for her to be taken to hospital but they did not let him, eyewitnesses have stated. Her father was traumatized and pressured to the level that he did not lodge a complaint, deciding instead to leave the country for the safety of his family. Abdur Rehman, the teenaged driver, is hardly 17-years-old and other members of the colony have also complained about him harassing ladies in the park previously, reported Azam. The suspects have secured a pre-arrest bail till November 28 while the police is waiting till then to arrest them. CCPO Lahore has also aimed at including section 311 which is related to maintaining the charges and punishment even if the family forgives the culprit.

    Instants of rash driving by underage drivers are increasing, especially in Lahore. Following the DHA mishap on November 11, Lahore police have registered 4,682 cases and seized hundreds of vehicles during crackdowns over the last 13 days on underage drivers, reports The News.

  • Imran Khan grilled for nine hours by NAB

    Imran Khan grilled for nine hours by NAB

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan faced intense questioning from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Adiala jail on Sunday in the £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) UK and Al-Qadir University Trust cases as per Geo news.

    Sources revealed that four distinct NAB teams conducted separate interrogations spanning over nine hours, delving into various documents and posing a multitude of questions to the former prime minister.

    The initial team, comprised of an assistant director from NAB Rawalpindi and a member of the Combined Investigation Team, spent approximately two-and-a-half hours investigating Khan.

    Subsequently, a two-member team continued the interrogation, focusing on the £190 million and Al-Qadir University Trust cases.

    Imran Khan is slated to appear in different courts in Islamabad on November 28 and 30 for separate cases.

    Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain of the Official Secrets Act special court mandated Khan’s presence on November 28 for the cipher case, while his appeal against the Toshakhana criminal case conviction is scheduled for a hearing on November 30 before an Islamabad High Court(IHC) bench.

    Despite the Islamabad High Court declaring his jail trial null and void, doubts persist regarding Khan’s appearance for an open trial on November 28 and 30.

    The 71-year-old, who has been in jail since August 5 following a three-year conviction in the Toshakhana case, had his sentence suspended by the IHC on August 29.

    However, a trial court subsequently ordered his rearrest in the cipher case and initiated a trial in jail.

    Khan is sceduled to appear in the special court at the Federal Judicial Complex on Tuesday (tomorrow) for a hearing of cipher case.

    The police, administration and other departments concerned would hold a meeting on Monday to finalise the security plan for him, according to Online.

    Sources said the Special Branch of the police and other relevant departments had started collecting classified information which would help them in planning security for the former premier.

    Police sources said there were three routes to bring Imran Khan to the FJC — one is Peshawar Road, the second is Islamabad Expressway and the third is Murree Road.

    According to sources, Peshawar Road would be the preferred option to bring Imran Khan from jail to the Judicial Complex. The Red Zone is likely to be partially sealed on Tuesday besides important installations in and around the area.

    Sources said the judicial complex would be surrounded by the police and paramilitary forces.

    Important points and roads leading to the judicial complex would likely be sealed. Troops are also likely to be deployed near important places of the capital like Faizabad Zero Point, Srinagar Highway and Red Zone.