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  • No relief for Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi

    No relief for Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi

    A National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team, comprising of four members, conducted a thorough investigation at Adiala Jail, where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is currently detained in connection with a £190 million scandal, as per Geo News.

    The team, which included Mian Umer Nadim, Asim Munir, and Prosecutors Rooh ul Amin, and Haroon Baloch, spent over two hours scrutinizing the jail premises.

    After approximately one and a half hours of investigation, the team concluded its inspection and left the jail premises.

    The team will interrogate Khan for three days.

    Bail Rejected

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has recently rejected the post-arrest bail petition of former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cipher case, directing the trial court to conclude proceedings within four weeks.

    The case accuses him, along with Imran Khan, of “unauthorisedly” communicating the contents of a classified document received from Washington, with unauthorised people i.e. the public at large.

    It is also alleged that Qureshi and Khan had a meeting on March 28, 2022 at Banigala, Islamabad, where a conspiracy was hatched to divulge the contents of the cipher for political advantage.

    The Chief Justice observed that the charges against Qureshi are punishable by death, and if proven, bail relief is typically avoided in such grave cases.

    Qureshi’s counsel argued that there was no evidence proving that Qureshi divulged classified information to the public. The trial of Qureshi and Imran Khan is currently taking place in Central Jail Adiala, Rawalpindi, as notified on October 3.

    However, the counsel argued that the notification did not mention Qureshi’s name.

    The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) special prosecutor countered by stating that Qureshi had aided, abetted, and incited Imran Khan, making him liable under Section 9 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

    The prosecution emphasized that charges had been framed, and three witnesses had already given their evidence.

    Justice Farooq observed that under Section 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, liability of the person, who abets the commission of offence, is that of a principal offender.

    The court order stated, “Undoubtedly, bail ought not to be held as punishment but where sentence involved is death or life imprisonment, the court has to proceed with caution; in this regard, the balance is to be maintained that liberty of a person ought not be compromised but gravity of charge or allegation is also to be kept in view.”

    Subsequently, the court dismissed the bail petition, but directed the Special Court (Official Secrets Act) “to conclude the trial within four weeks from the date of receipt of this order”.

    Toshakhana Case

    In a related development, an IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri restored Imran Khan’s petition seeking bail in the Toshakhana case.

    Khan’s bail petition was dismissed by the accountability court for non-prosecution.

    The court revived the bail petition with a direction to hear Mr Khan’s arguments and decide it on merit.

    The bench, however, dismissed Mr Khan’s identical petition seeking bail in the 190 million pounds corruption case for being infructuous as NAB has already arrested the ex-premier in this case.

    The cases

    The former prime minister is currently being held in Adiala Jail after his arrest from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore on August 5.

    He was moved to the prison on September 26 from Attock Jail where he was initially kept after his arrest.

    Khan was first convicted by a lower court in the Toshakhana case in August and sentenced to three years of imprisonment. The IHC suspended his sentence the same month.

    The Islamabad accountability court issued arrest warrants for PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana and 190 million Al-Qadir Trust cases on Tuesday.

    Khan was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9 for the first time.

    The 190 million (approximately Rs60 billion) settlement case pertains to the money of property tycoon, Malik Riaz, being laundered and caught by the UK authorities during Imran’s government in 2019.

    The UK government had informed the Pakistani authorities regarding the money being caught.

    The former premier is already in prison as he was subsequently booked in the ‘cipher’ case.

    In the cipher case, Khan, along with his close aide and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has been accused of leaking state secrets.

  • Saturdays off and artificial rains for Lahoris: Punjab Government

    Saturdays off and artificial rains for Lahoris: Punjab Government

    Lahore once again topped global charts in air pollution on Wednesday while the caretaker chief minister of Punjab called an important meeting to deal with the smog situation.

    Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi discussed the closure of schools, colleges and universities in Punjab on Saturdays and fixed working hours for businesses that remain operational on Saturdays.

    For now, he announced that schools and offices will be closed this Saturday, November 18.

    During the meeting, it was decided that business centres, theatres and cinemas across Punjab will also be able to open after 3 pm on Saturday.

    Caretaker CM Naqvi also talked about the installation of smog air filter ioniser units at 12 places in Lahore. He additionally said that LWMC and WASA were spraying water on an area of 400 km daily and that consultations are also going on about artificial rain.

    It was also decided that a special meteorological laboratory will be established in Punjab.

    Previously, Lahore High Court ordered the closure of private and government schools and colleges on Saturday to control smog, adding that government and private offices should adopt a policy of working from home two days a week.

    During the hearing of petitions for the prevention of smog, the court remarked that smog is no longer the problem of just Lahore, it has become the problem of all of the Punjab.

  • Iqra Aziz wants new moms to remember it’s okay to prioritise themselves

    Iqra Aziz wants new moms to remember it’s okay to prioritise themselves

    Actress Iqra Aziz is back on our screens, starring as the main lead in the rom-com ‘Mannat Murad’, ending the break she took from work after the birth of her and Yasir Hussain’s son, Kabir. During an interview with BBC Urdu, Iqra shared an important message about the pressure new moms face in balancing their home life and their careers.

    The actress recalled the time when an actor visited her house, and was aghast with how she was sitting at home while her husband was the one who was working and finding new projects. Reflecting on this encounter, Iqra said she was working on social media, if not on the field as an actress, and was enjoying her time home while taking care of her son.

    “I can’t pressurise myself to break out of a relaxing phase because of ambition. It was my personal choice to sit back and take some time to reflect on myself. I began working from a really young age, and I have been working every day. Before meeting Yasir, I was even working on Sundays. It’s my choice that after working so much, I have reached a phase where I would like to relax and enjoy my life. This was my first son and I wanted to make every moment memorable.”

    We will completely endorse this message and applaud the actress for stressing on this incredibly important factor because so many new moms suffer from mental health problems because of the pressure to juggle their social commitments, while also learning to be there for their newborns. We’re so happy Iqra isn’t letting others dictate her choices. Giving birth isn’t easy and every mom should do what suits her mental health.

  • Supreme Court bans the use of ‘Sahib’ for government servants

    Supreme Court bans the use of ‘Sahib’ for government servants

    Supreme Court of Pakistan has banned the use of the word ‘Sahib’ with the titles of government officials, The News reported on Thursday.

    This ruling came about when Additional Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presented the case of the murder of a nine-year-old child.

    During the hearing, the apex court expressed its disappointment with the quality of the investigation by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa reproached the public prosecutor for calling a deputy superintendent of police “sir”, adding that the titles have addled minds. The official was only a DSP and that too ineligible, he added to that effect.

    Justice Isa remarked, “Supreme Court has been made a court of magistrate. Is it some joke? Should there be no arguments and we go on merely looking at the faces of lawyers. Was one file so heavy that two officers brought it from KP to Islamabad? Petrol and TA, DA free. While getting print from WhatsApp is costly.”

    The court granted bail to the accused.

  • Shehbaz asks ‘younger brother’ Bilawal to be politically mature

    Shehbaz asks ‘younger brother’ Bilawal to be politically mature

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and former prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has described Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari as a “younger brother”, a day after Bilawal advised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to “focus on Lahore”.

    While mentioning the coalition government of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Shehbaz said that “Bilawal Bhutto is like a younger brother. [We have] worked together for 16 months.”

    Shehbaz Sharif’s comment came during a press conference in Quetta where the other PML-N leaders, including Nawaz Sharif, were gathered.

    The PML-N president’s statement was a response to Bilawal’s advice to Nawaz Sharif to “focus on Lahore”.

    “We should move towards mature politics. Crying and blaming will do nothing,” the PML-N president said.

    “Mian sahib has been advised to go to other provinces. I suggest he should stay in Lahore,” said the former foreign minister while addressing a presser in Mithi.

    Bilawal also said that Nawaz Sharif should focus on Punjab and address issues within the party.

  • ‘Special day copied blatantly’: Saboor Aly isn’t okay with Mannat Murad allegedly copying her wedding look

    Pakistani drama ‘Mannat Murad’ came under scrutiny when a viral episode, featuring main characters getting married, led to accusations of plagiarism.

    Viewers pointed out that Iqra Aziz’s look appeared similar to Saboor Aly. Viral tweets pointed out Iqra’s wedding look for the episode was exactly the same as Saboor Aly wedding look.

    Actress Saboor Aly has responded to the comments, to share she was disheartened her special day being copied. In her Instagram stories, the actress wrote:

    “And how am I suppose to feel about this? My moment, my memories, my sentiments. My vision and my look for the most special day of my life. My heart was put into every little details of my entire look. However, there is a difference between being inspired and copying special day copied blatantly.”

    “

  • ‘You are the captain of hearts’; Rizwan, fellow cricketers send love to Babar

    Pakistan batting ace Muhammad Rizwan, along with fellow cricketers, issued a message to Babar Azam after he resigned from the captaincy of the Pakistan cricket team.

    On Wednesday, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam, resigned from the captaincy of all three formats, after which the _ (PCB) appointed Shan Masood as the captain of the Test team and Shaheen Afridi as the skipper of the T20 team.

    Pakistan cricket team players have expressed good wishes for Babar Azam on his resignation from the captaincy.

    Wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan stated on social media: “Babar you are the captain of hearts, you are one of the greatest batsmen of Pakistan.”

    Shaheen Afridi, the new captain of Pakistan T20, wrote ‘We saw the best teamwork and friendship under your exemplary leadership, your leadership and determination to unify the team and achieve collective success is admirable, I am waiting that you will break more records in batting, God willing.”

    Leg-spinner Shadab Khan expressed good wishes for Babar while also congratulating newly appointed captain Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi.

  • Security forces kill seven terrorists in Tank Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    Security forces kill seven terrorists in Tank Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    On Wednesday, the military’s public relations branch announced that seven terrorists were killed by security forces in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in the Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that on the night between November 14-15, security forces conducted an IBO in the Kiri Machan Khel area of the district on the reported presence of terrorists.

    “During conduct of the operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists, as a result of which seven terrorists were sent to hell,” it added.
    ISPR stated that weapons and ammunition were seized from the eliminated militants.
    As per the ISPR, the militants have been consistently participating in various terrorist activities, notably the recent incidents of targeting and killing police in Tank and its neighboring regions.
    “Locals of the area appreciated the operation and extended their full support to the security forces in elimination of menace of terrorism,” the statement added.
    Security forces kill seven terrorists in Tank Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

  • SNGPL commits uninterrupted winter gas supply to boost textile exports

    SNGPL commits uninterrupted winter gas supply to boost textile exports

    Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has provided a commitment to the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) regarding the seamless supply of gas to textile mills during the winter season.

    SNGPL, under the leadership of Managing Director Amer Tufail, assured an APTMA delegation led by Chairman Kamran Arshad that uninterrupted gas supply with optimal pressure would be maintained for the export industry.

    This measure aims to facilitate smooth production and enhance textile goods’ exports to maximise foreign exchange for the nation.

    During the meeting, MD Amer Tufail emphasised that the export industry, utilising a system integrated with RLNG (Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas), would be subject to a shared tariff of 50:50 for November.

    He highlighted the historical priority given to the export industry in gas supply and urged APTMA member mills without existing gas connections to apply promptly.

    Regarding new connections and load enhancements, Tufail mentioned that clarity on tariff applications would be sought from the Ministry of Petroleum in the near future.

    In anticipation of the non-availability of natural gas during the winter months from December to March, MD Tufail clarified that the industry would be charged at the RLNG rate set by OGRA on a monthly basis.

    Chairman Kamran Arshad raised concerns about industry confusion regarding gas tariffs for the upcoming winter months after the federal government’s tariff rationalisation.

    Discussions delved into issues such as gas tariff specifics for connections predating June 2022, post-June 2022 connections with or without zero-rated FBR certificates, and the utilisation of APTMA certificates for gas supply to zero-rated industrial units.

    MD Tufail acknowledged SNGPL’s limitations in determining eligibility for new connections, emphasising the need for the Commerce and Energy Ministries’ intervention to establish an eligibility framework.

    The meeting also addressed concerns related to new gas connections, faulty metre replacements, erroneous charging due to slow or faulty metres, and low gas pressure. MD Amer Tufail underscored the commitment to uninterrupted gas supply, particularly to export-oriented sectors, recognising the vital role of the textile industry in job creation, attracting investment, and boosting the country’s exports.

    He pledged a thorough examination of issues raised by APTMA and assured a proactive approach to ensure a smooth gas supply, with nominated focal persons from both SNGPL and APTMA tasked with holding periodic meetings to promptly resolve any gas-related challenges in the textile industry.

  • Slight relief for consumers: Petrol price dropped by Rs2.04 per litre

    Slight relief for consumers: Petrol price dropped by Rs2.04 per litre

    The government announced a reduction in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs2.04 and Rs6.47 per litre, respectively, for the upcoming fortnight.

    According to a notification from the Ministry of Finance, the revised prices for petrol and HSD now stand at Rs281.34 and Rs296.71.

    Simultaneously, there was a decrease in the prices of kerosene oil and light-diesel oil by Rs6.05 and Rs9.01 per litre, bringing their new prices to Rs204.98 and Rs180.45, respectively.

    Prior to this decision, officials had anticipated a more substantial decline in the prices of petrol and HSD, ranging from Rs8 to Rs10 per litre.
    This projection was primarily based on the recent drop in international prices.

    However, despite the decrease in global prices for both HSD and petrol over the past two weeks, the rupee experienced depreciation against the dollar in the same period, mitigating the benefit of lower international prices for consumers.

    According to officials, the international prices indicated a reduction of about $9 per barrel on average for HSD, decreasing from approximately $113 to $104 during the week.

    Similarly, the price of petrol saw a decline of one dollar, moving from $91 to $90. Conversely, the rupee depreciated by Rs6 against the dollar, falling from Rs280 to Rs286.