In what is being called an effort to enhance the accountability process in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to revive corruption cases, the Establishment Division has officially assigned four military officers to various roles within the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), as reported by The News on Saturday.
According to the notification, Brigadier Muhammad Khalid of Infantry has been appointed Director National Accountability Bureau in (BS-20), Lt Col Nadeem Muzaffar as Additional Director in (BS-19), Major Waleed Khalid of Military Intelligence as Deputy Director (BS-18), and Major Qais Kamran Syed of Military Intelligence as Deputy Director (BS-18).
These military officers have been assigned on a temporary basis under the standard terms and conditions outlined in JSI-4/85, effective immediately. The notification was released following Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar’s approval.
Reports indicate that, in addition to assistance from intelligence agencies, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has also requested technical support from experts in various government departments such as the State Bank of Pakistan, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and others to aid in their investigation of white-collar corruption.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Wednesday urged women to take part in the “progress and development” of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and its newly-merged districts, the military’s media wing has said.
The army chief passed the remarks during a visit to Peshawar where he held an “interactive session” at the KPK Women Symposium – 2023.
While addressing the participants, Gen Munir highlighted that women had played “an important role in the progress of the country throughout the history of Pakistan”. He also emphasised the role of women in “Pakistan’s progress and development is quintessential and most important”.
“Women of KP have continued to face multi-faceted challenges due to prolonged fight against terrorism, however, they have proven their resilience, commitment and bravery at the face of all odds,” Gen Munir was quoted by the ISPR.
During the day-long visit, the army chief also attended a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee along with Caretaker KP Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan.
The meeting was briefed about the “overall security situation including initiatives against smuggling, hoarding and drug trafficking”. The moot affirmed that the state and the people were “united for the protection of life and property of citizens”. They also paid rich tribute to the martyrs and their families.
“We have to synergise our efforts for the peace and prosperity of our beloved country. The Pakistan Army will continue to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in KP to provide a secure environment for economic development,” Gen Munir said.
The Punjab police have pressed charges of ‘criminal conspiracy’ against Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), and all other suspects in May 9 cases across the province. Official sources have disclosed to Dawn that a total of 50 cases were registered, encompassing charges under anti-terrorism and other relevant laws. Among these, 14 cases were filed in various police stations in Lahore and Rawalpindi, while nine were recorded in Sargodha, seven in Sheikhupura, five in Faisalabad, and one in Gujranwala.
Moreover, the Punjab police have recently added offenses under sections 121 (waging or attempting to wage war or aiding such efforts against Pakistan), 131 (abetting mutiny or attempting to influence a soldier, sailor, or airman from their duty), and 146 (rioting) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) to the FIRs.
Dr. Anoosh Masood Chaudhry, Lahore SSP (Investigation), while talking to the media, revealed that the police have also incorporated certain offenses/sections, including 34 and 120b of the PPC, into the May 9 cases.
Section 34 reads: “Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. When a criminal act is done by several persons, in furtherance of the common intention of all, each such person is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.”
Section 120b states: “Whoever is a party to a criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or rigorous imprisonment for a term of two years or upwards, shall, where no express provision is made in this Code for the punishment of such a conspiracy, be punished in the same manner as if he had abetted such offence.”
As per the Lahore police’s investigation, Dr. Chaudhry stated that there appears to be substantial evidence confirming incitement to mutiny and the planning of vandalism on May 9.
Responding to a question regarding Imran Khan’s presence at the crime scene, she emphasized that it is immaterial whether he was physically there or not, as evidence suggests that he incited the suspects to carry out violent attacks on sensitive installations of the Pakistan Army.
Dr. Chaudhry further noted that the prosecution and police are awaiting final reports from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) concerning videos and other evidence related to the planners and perpetrators of the May 9 incidents. She assured that all objections raised by the prosecution have been addressed, and the challans for the May 9 cases will be submitted to the courts of law after receiving reports from the FIA and Pemra.
An official source has verified to The News that Director General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum got an extension in service.
The summary of the extension was accepted on late Thursday night, September 14. Earlier, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Shaif granted an extension of three years to Director General (DG) of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) Fuad Asadullah before his retirement.
On November 20, 2021, Nadeem Anjum took over as DG ISI from General Faiz Hameed. Nadeem Anjum had previously served as the commander of the Karachi Corps since being elevated to the rank of three-star general in September 2019.
Other than that, he is the first ISI chief to have to address a press conference.
BTS fans will continue to go to all lengths to prove that they’re indeed the most wholesome and wonderful people to exist on the planet.
A BTS fan from Gujranwala, Syeda Binte Zainab, moved social media a few days ago when she celebrated the birthday’s of both BTS members Jung Kook and Namjoon’s by donating 125 boxes of food to patients suffering from thalassemia at Sundus Foundation, in an effort to spread awareness about providing blood donations to help children suffering from the disease.
Namjoon aka RM, is a popular rapper and song writer from the South Korean band BTS, which comprises of six other members including Jung Kook, Jin, Suga, Jimin, V and J-Hope. The band, declared by Time Magazine to be the ‘Princes Of Pop’, partnered with UNICEF in 2017 for their campaign to end violence against children, and have received 5 Grammy nominations.
Guyz I need your Prayers because I’m almost going to start Namkook Birthday Project Celebrations with Thalassemia patients and right now I’m packing food for them while streaming “Slow Dancing” Please drop your wishes or Purple heart pic.twitter.com/xkOkkCzpix
— Syeda BinteZainab⁷♥ #HBD_NAMJOON♥| ʟᴀʏᴏ(ꪜ)ᴇʀ ⍤⃝ (@BinteZainab33) September 9, 2023
The viral tweet received praise from fans and non-fans alike on social media, who appreciated the woman for undertaking such an amazing charity project on her own to celebrate her idol’s birthday.
감사합니다 아미 ♀️ You did a really really good Job Our boys will probably be so proud of you, and of course ARMY too… Fightingggg ♀️ https://t.co/GsnSyYMidC
Syeda Zainab also shared a link to her Youtube account which showed how she set up the project. She also included an interview with a doctor who spoke in detail about the disease and encouraged others to donate blood to patients and help save their lives.
Speaking to The Current, Syeda Zainab, who works as a teacher had previously collaborated with Sundas Foundation to organise 180 gifts food boxes, and this year had decided had collaborated with a student to bake a cake and a fellow BTS fan from Twitter, who baked cookies for the occasion.
“This year in collaboration with #BTS_Pk_Streaming , I thought of doing something different, so I texted the Director and asked for his permission to organise a little activity to which he instantly agreed. So I saved my 1 month salary and decided to arrange a special meal for Thalassemia fighters and their families. My student ‘Haider’ who is also BTS ARMY member, prepared the BTS Themed Cake to celebrate Namkook’s (Namjoon & Jungkook of BTS) birthday . A kind ARMY friend *Saira from Twitter specially prepared ‘Namjoon & Jungkook day special cookies’ for patients. I’ve Donated Blood before Starting the celebration because I know the importance of blood donations. My Blood can save 1 life so what’s better then this to celebrate this special month?”
Syeda Zainab told us she had been organising charity efforts for Sundas Foundation since 2021, when she donated blood to the patients and was in touch with the director whom she described as a ‘noble’ man. In 2022, she had celebrated Jung Kooks’ birthday with the rest of the patients by packing more than 180 gifts for the patients, and also brought along a cake to celebrate the occasion as shown from pictures she shared with us.
Speaking on the overwhelming praise her project received from social media, Zainab said she found it “over whelming and heart touching”. Several patients suffering from thalassemia exchanged phone numbers with her in order to see her vlog. “They literally longed for blood and happiness. I’m glad I was the reason behind their smile and happiness.”
“BTS is the reason behind spreading smiles all around the world and we ARMYs simply follow their footsteps. Alhumdulillah I feel incredibly happy to spread happiness around me just like my idols.”
Pakistani BTS fans have gone viral on several occasions for setting up extensive charity projects to celebrate birthdays of the band members, asking for nothing in return. “BTS and the ARMY fandom have been actively involved in social causes and have raised millions for charities. I remember back in June 6th 2020, BTS and Big Hit Entertainment donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter, and the ARMY fandom matched that amount within 24 hours.”
Continuing further, Zainab said “We organize projects like this because our icons inspire us every single day. Jungkook donated millions of won (Korean currency) to hospitals and universities on his birthday. When the severe earthquake disaster happened in turkey, it was BTS band members who donated millions of dollars to help the victims. The list is too extensive to share how many times they have contributed to help others.. We ARMYS do good things on BTS name all around the world so it doesn’t matter for us that our idols live in Korea or anywhere else. The thing which only matter is “THE MESSAGE”. The message BTS gives to ‘LOVE YOURSELF’ & ‘BE HUMAN’.”
Zainab told The Current that Pakistani BTS fans have done several projects in honor of their idols in the past, as last year they had celebrated Namjoon’s birthday by donating wheelchairs to Manawan Hospital Lahore. On September 1, which was Jungkook’s birthday, ARMY members donated 50 notebooks to schools in order to provide educational facilities for students from lower income backgrounds, along with Rs 7000 to Edhi Foundation, just proving how their fandom continues to do good and keep making their icons proud.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has upheld the sentences of military officers involved in the conspiracy to overthrow the government of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
A hearing was held in the Supreme Court against the punishment of the officers involved in the conspiracy to overthrow Benazir Bhutto’s government.
Supreme Court judge Muneeb Akhtar read out the reserved judgment on February 15.
The court dismissed the appeals against the sentences of Colonel (retd) Azad Minhas and Colonel (retd) Inayatullah.
It should be noted that after the petitions were rejected by the Lahore High Court, the petitioners approached the Supreme Court in 2016.
A Field Court Martial had sentenced Azad Minhas to two years, Inayatullah to four years imprisonment with hard labor and dismissal from service.
Both former army officers were prosecuted in 1995 for plotting to overthrow Benazir Bhutto’s government.
The two officers, alongside retired Maj Gen Zaheerul Islam Abbasi, now deceased, and Brig Mustansir Billah, were arrested on September 26, 1995 on charges of “plotting to storm a meeting of corps commanders scheduled to be held on September 30 that year at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi”.
A vehicle belonging to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa FC’s Mohmand Rifles regiment was targeted Monday morning at 10:30am in Peshawar. According to the Warsak Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Arshad Khan the blast occurred when the vehicle was headed toward Peshawar from Machni.
A Frontier Constabulary (FC) official was martyred and eight others, including two civilians were injured. The blast took place near Prime Hospital Complex on Peshawar’s Warsak Road.
The incident took place just one day after acting interim Minister Sarfraz Bugti downplayed the rise in militancy in the country, stating there was no need for fear since “a little surge [in terrorism] is not so big as to make us panic.”
On Sept 4, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir pledged unwavering efforts to attract foreign investment and rejuvenate the economy during an extensive meeting with members of the business community. In the meeting, he engaged openly and candidly with them.
The controversy started when a renowned businessman Zubair Motiwala appeared in Nadeem Malik’s program on Samaa TV and said during the live show that the Army Chief said that no political party is sincere with Pakistan. Motiwala was unable to complete his statement as his line was disconnected. A clip of his statement went viral online soon after.
زبير موتی والا آرمی چيپ سے گفتگو کھل کر سامنے آگے انتخابی نشان بھی بتا دوں اب pic.twitter.com/CsQXgm3rDU
Today, senior journalist and anchorperson Saleem Safi took to X (formerly Twitter) and said that his sources have revealed that the Army Chief did not said anything like this. He stated that the Chief’s actual words were, “Every political party has good and bad people.”
The Current reached out to Safi to get a confirmation about his tweet. He said that he confirmed with three people who were present at the meeting that the statement was not said. He said that ISPR also confirmed that the statement was not said by the Army Chief. He also predicted that Motiwala would clarify his statement himself in a few hours.
معتبر ذرائع کےمطابق آرمی چیف نےایسی کوئی بات نہیں کی۔یہ غلط طور پران سےمنسوب کی گئی ہے ۔انکےاصل الفاظ یہ تھے کہ “ہر سیاسی جماعت میں اچھے لوگ بھی ہیں اور برےلوگ بھی ہیں” ،جس طرٍح کاروباری طبقے میں اچھےلوگ بھی ہیں اور برےلوگ بھی ہیں۔موتی والاکوسمجھنےمیں غلطی لگی ہےیا بیان کرنےمیں۔ https://t.co/NWA6cnCgJn
The world’s eyes turned to Pakistan on Tuesday afternoon after news reports appeared emerged that a chairlift carrying children and adults got stranded hundreds of feet above the ground midway through its journey across a valley in Battagram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two of the three cables connected to the pod snapped, leaving the children tethered midair between 7am to 8am.
The cable car was privately run by locals for transportation across rivers as there were no roads or bridges in the remote area.
The cable car, along with passengers, remained dangling in the middle of a deep ravine surrounded by towering mountains and a rocky surface along side the Jhangri river for more than 12 hours.
At 11:56 am, the official account of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) tweeted that a helicopter has been sent for rescue operation in collaboration with Pakistan Army and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
بٹگرام اپڈیٹ : بٹگرام میں ایک کیبل ٹوٹنے کی وجہ سے ایک چیئر لفٹ تقریباً 900 فٹ کی بلندی پر درمیان میں پھنس گئی۔ 8 افراد جن میں 6 بچے شامل ہیں پھنسے ہوئے ہیں۔ PDMA اور پاک فوج کے ساتھ تعاون کے بعد آرمی ہیلی کاپٹر کو ریسکیو آپریشن کے لیے روانہ کر دیا گیا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/5trNeQGC7C
At the same time, interim Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar tweeted that directions have been given to relevant authorities to ensure safe rescue and evacuation of the eight people stuck in the chair lift.
The chairlift accident in Battagram, KP is really alarming. I have directed the NDMA, PDMA and district authorities to urgently ensure safe rescue and evacuation of the 8 people stuck in the chairlift. I have also directed the authorities to conduct safety inspections of all such…
The dramatic and dangerous rescue began with army helicopters and SSG commandos saving a child at around 6:30 pm via a sling lowered from the helicopter on the fourth attempt after three failed ones. Four helicopters were being utilized and the rescue operation was being led by GOC SSG.
In an unprecedented operation conducted by the Armed Forces of Pakistan, one child has been safely rescued after being stuck in a chairlift in #Battagram for over 10-hours. The Operation is underway and is being led by the GOC SSG utilizing 4 x helicopters. pic.twitter.com/oA5eCC57Im
As day light was almost ending and unfavorable weather conditions were rising, a ground operation started with the help of locals. Initially there was a claim that two children have been rescued via sling operation but later it was confirmed that only one was successfully rescued.
ایک بچے کے ہیلی کاپٹر ریسکیو کے بعد اب گراؤنڈ سے آپریشن شروع کر دیا گیا ہے
ہیلی کاپٹر ریسکیو آپریشن رات اور موسم کے باعث منقطع کر دیا گیا ہے
متبادل طریقوں سے پاکستان آرمی کا ریسکیو آپریشن جاری ہے
Rescuer and employee of a local company specializing in retrieving vehicles and dead bodies from rivers, Sahib Khan, who along with Ali Swati, Ilyas and Hammad participated in the rescue operation by zip lining. While talking to Reuters he said:
“The incident happened at around 7:00 a.m. , we arrived there around 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. The helicopters were coming and going, but they did not give us permission to make an effort at saving the kids. However, when evening set in, they said ‘you can go ahead’. They had rescued one child, seven were still stranded. We started our operation, and thank God we rescued all seven of them. By the grace of Allah, all of them are fine.”
While talking to Hum News, Ali Swati, founder of Heaven’s Way Zipline Pvt Limited, said that he was contacted by Deputy Commissioner Mansehra, Bilal Shahid Rao, who told him the army helicopter is time taking and risky and the people can be rescued by zip lining.
“It took us 3 to 4 hours to rescue 7 people. One person was rescued by the Army. Our own lives were at risk. We planned this for 20 to 25 minutes, checking our harnesses and the amount of weight they can endure.”
He further added that the people stuck there had spent more than 15 hours stranded mid-air. One child, who was unconscious, had already been given water by the army, which helped him in gaining consciousness. The effectees were afraid that they all might fall due to the addition of zip liners and another “dolli”.
“We made them all relax for five minutes. Then my staff member Ilyas moved in the dolli and gave everyone their equipment. We secured them on the wire too to ensure safety,” he added.
The rescue operation was concluded around 11pm, almost 15 hours after the ordeal started for stranded locals.
All the children and adults aboard the chairlift in #Battagram have been safely rescued, Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has confirmed. pic.twitter.com/0C1X5GeEvL
