Karachi has emerged as the second-highest consumer of cannabis in the world, according to ABCD2018 Cannabis Price Index, despite the fact that it is illegal in the country.
According to the index, Karachi comes just second after New York (77.44 metric tonnes) in terms of consuming cannabis — including hashish — at 41.95 metric tonnes, or 41,950 kgs.
Which city consumed the highest amount of cannabis in 2018?
New Delhi is right behind Karachi at 38.26 metric tonnes. Mumbai is also in the top ten. Interestingly, Amsterdam did not make it to the top 10 considering how popular the drug is in the city.
People have been smoking hash on the subcontinent for centuries. It predates the arrival of Islam in the region, with reference to cannabis appearing in the sacred Hindu Atharva Veda text describing its medicinal and ritual uses.
According to a 2013 UN survey, cannabis was the most widely consumed drug in Pakistan with around four million users, representing almost 3.6 percent of the population.
Most people who smoke up regularly remark that cannabis helps them destress and cope with the anxieties of life. Meanwhile, others comment that it helps increase their concentration and focus.
Following a string of custodial deaths due to alleged torture in just the past week, the Punjab police has banned the use of cellphones by officers while on duty and barred them from capturing videos of other police personnel as well. Videos of the incidences of torture had been widely circulated on social media raising outrage.
However, citizens and media personnel will not be banned from taking them inside.
A notification sent by the additional inspector general on behalf of the Punjab Inspector General of Police Arif Nawaz to all Punjab police officers stated that it had been observed that police officials were using mobile phones while on duty even though “clear directions in this regard have already been conveyed to all field formations”. It added that it was the responsibility of the field formations “to get these instructions/directions/SOPs implemented in letter and spirit.”
The notification further read: “Frequent violations of these directions/SOPs reflect badly on the performance of supervising officers. In future, no officer below the rank of SHO (Station House Officer) or in-charge of a deployed duty will use [a] cellphone while on duty.”
Lower-ranking officers will instead be allowed to use ordinary phones that do not have the video recording feature.
The letter asserted that it was “strictly forbidden” to make a video of police officers on duty or upload a video of police officers performing their duty and any violation will result in “severe departmental action” against the police personnel involved as well as their supervisory officer.
At least three cases of police torture had surfaced last week including that of the infamous ATM robber Salahuddin Ayubi. Punjab IG expressed extreme displeasure over these deaths in police custody and said that the recent deaths and maltreatment in police custody indicated the irresponsible behaviour of field and senior police officials. The police chief warned that DPOs, SPs, SDPOs and supervisory officers would be held responsible if any such case surfaced again in the future.
Police brutality is a topic which has long been debated. In this regard, Spokesperson to Punjab Chief Minister Dr Shahbaz Gill on Sunday had said that the provincial government would soon introduce reforms in the police force and that a summary in this regard has been sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan for final review.
Criticising the previous governments, Gill said that police were used as a tool for political victimisation in the past but now things would change. He asserted that the present government is striving hard to make things better, adding that a positive change would be visible within six months.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on several occasions has iterated the government’s commitment to bring reforms in the police force to so as to improve its performance. PM Imran had said that he wanted to see independent police in the country.
Meanwhile, this development created outrage on social media.
After series of #PoliceTorture cases #IGPunjab instead of focusing on confidence building measures with public, opening up police to accountability has directed measures to suppress evidence of torture/abuse & hide incompetency. Were these the reforms promised by #PTI? https://t.co/6tG5p6tceP
Instead of Law implementation for Police Officers to warn them for torturing suspects in custody and illegal detentions. Our Respected IG Punjab has banned the use of cellphones by officers while on duty and forbid them from capturing the vedio of other police personnel on duty pic.twitter.com/OniBEe4eab
University of Engineering and Technology Lahore on Sunday reportedly banned mixed gatherings and disallowed students from sitting together in the canteen.
According to a notification which surfaced on social media, the university canteens and cafeterias were instructed to make “separate sitting arrangements with suitable partition” for male and female students. The notification ordered immediate action and stated that failure to comply with it will lead to the canteen/cafeteria being sealed. It also said that the vice-chancellor or resident officer can make surprise visits to ensure that the rules are being strictly followed.
یو ای ٹی لاہور میں طلبا و طالبات کے کینٹین میں اکٹھے بیٹھنے پرپابندی لگادی گئی
However, a few hours later, it was reported that UET retracted the notification and said that the notification was issued without the vice chancellor’s approval.
UET Lahore has withdrew earlier notification which was notified without approval of VC. Dr. Mansoor Sarwar is progressive, enlightened and visionary academician who will turn institution into centre of excellence. Honorable Chancellor has also applauded him. pic.twitter.com/DxB5So3gzN
With Ashura to be observed across the country today and tomorrow, the authorities have revealed traffic plans across different cities and have also announced the suspension of mobile phone services in different cities.
Lahore
The main procession in Lahore will start from Nisar Haveli and conclude at Karbela Gamey Shah. Traffic will be diverted to alternative routes from different points. All relevant staff will be deputed on roads to facilitate the general public and no vehicle would be allowed to enter the procession route from adjoining roads. Security personnel will be deployed along the procession routes.
Participants can park their cars and motorcycles at Nasir Bagh, Mochi Gate Bagh, Data Darbar Eye Hospital, Central Model High School and Bengali Park. Further, special parking lots have been arranged at several different points for participants.
Telecom operators have been directed to suspend their services in specific areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
In a tweet, deputy commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said that mobile phone services would be closed during main procession in sectors G-9, G-10 on 8th Muharram.
Cellular Networks will be suspended in the following areas at the mentioned timings in Islamabad. Apologies for inconvenience pic.twitter.com/W3gvrHAu1N
On 9th Muharram, the procession will be commence and end at Markazi Imambargah G-6/2. During the procession, Fazle Haq Road and roads from Poly Clinic to Kalsoom Plaza will remain closed.
Another procession on 9th Muharram will start from Imam Bargah Musa Kazim in sector I-10/1. Various roads including I-10 Markaz, CDA Chowk #1, Katarian bridge, IJP Road (Pirwdhai and Faizabad area) will remain closed for traffic while citizens are advised to use IJP road if they want to go to I-10 (Sabzi Mandi) from Faizabad, Murree Road, Bhara Kau or Khana bridge.
On 10th Muharram, the main procession will start from Imambargah Qasar-e-Zina (G-6/4) at 4 am to culminate at Imam Bargah G-6/2.
The second procession on 10th Muharram will start from Shrine Sakhi Shah Muzammil Bheka Syedan at 2 pm. Its route includes F-11/2-3 Signal Double Road, Naval Colony Hilal Road, Beaconhouse near Haidri Chowk and Telenor Plaza which will remain closed for traffic.
Karachi
Cellular and internet services will remain partially suspended on 9th Muharram in Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad and Benazirabad, especially along the routes of the processions.
The spokesman for the Traffic Police said that on 9th and 10th Muharram, processions will begin at Nishtar Park and will terminate at lmam Bargah Hussanian Iranian, Kharadar. MA Jinnah Road has been sealed with containers and other barriers and would remain unavailable for routine traffic on 9th and 10th Muharram.
On 9th and 10th Muharram, the procession route will be Nishter Park, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Father Jaminis Road, Mehfil-e-Shah e Khurasan, Karachi X-Ray, Nawa-e-Waqt, Peoples Chowrangi, New MA Jinnah Road, Corridor-III, Saddar Dawa Khana, Preedy Street, Tibet Chowk, MA Jinnah Road, Boltan Market, Bombay Bazaar, Kharadar, Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road to Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.
The Government of Sindh has recommended the Ministry of Interior to suspend cellular services in the province on 9th and 10th of Muharram, ARY Newshas reported.
According to details, the Sindh home secretary has requested the interior ministry and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend mobile phone services during mourning processions of Muharram ul Haram.
The provincial government has also issued a circular to all Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners in Sindh, to point out the provincial administration about those areas in their jurisdiction where the cellular services required to be suspended.
The government has recommended for suspension of mobile service on selective places, especially along the routes of mourning processions.
The suspension of cellular services and internet services is being taken as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order and avoid any incident of sabotage or terrorism.
Previously, the Sindh government had suspended mobile phone and internet services in Karachi and other major cities of the province on the main routes of the mourning processions in Chehlum last year.
Meanwhile, Section 144 of the Pakistan Penal Code was imposed in Rawalpindi on Thursday as part of security measures for Muharram. It will remain effective until 10th Muharram.
Under Section 144, pillion riding and carrying weapons are banned. Wall chalking and use of loudspeakers is also not allowed.
A Karachi man died of cardiac arrest at the Sindh High Court after reuniting with his estranged daughter. According to reports, the man was meeting his daughter a year after she was kidnapped.
The family of the deceased, Jummah Khan, alleged that the daughter was kidnapped from their village in Sujawal following a dispute. Her kidnapper was later killed in another dispute and the attacker then took their daughter and married her off to someone else. The family added that they received no help from the police or the local representatives in this matter.
Khan was finally reunited with his daughter on Friday, but he suffered a heart attack upon meeting her.
Taking the body from the court premises proved to be another challenge for the family, as the court’s ambulance wasn’t available. They asked for a pickup truck to help them but the driver demanded a hefty amount for the services. Lawyers and other people present at the court then helped them gather the Rs 12,000 needed to take the body to the hospital.
The Indo-Pak War of 1965 was a turning point in Pakistan’s history. It was not only fought by the armed forces but musicians, artists, educationists and the public were also played their part in defending Pakistan.
Among those whose services were recognised was renowned singer Madam Noor Jahan, who through her tunes and music created a spirit of courage and resilience in the Pakistan Army and the public during the war.
Aye Watan ke Sajelay Jawano and Aye Puttar Hattan Te Nahi Wikde were the most mesmerising songs. Veterans recall that these songs would give them the courage and strength to keep going. She was known as Malika-e-Tarannum (The Queen of Melody) and she had done justice to these beautifully written songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBxNR6DYZQg
Noor Jahan had sung several patriotic songs from time to time.
The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has recommended that the act of triple talaq (instant divorce) should be made a punishable crime.
Replying to a question by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Bashir Virk, CII Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz informed the NA Standing Committee on Law and Justice that divorce takes place when the word for it, talaq, is uttered thrice in one breath – even if it has been done in jest.
Federal Law Minister Farogh Naseem said that there was precedence in Islamic history of such an act being punished by the state, saying that the second caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar (RA), had punished those who performed the act of instant divorce.
“Therefore, the NA can make laws to make this action a punishable crime,” he said.
Endorsing the law minister’s stance, Dr Ayaz said triple talaq should be made punishable in Fiqah Hanafi.
When inquired about the punishment, Ayaz said that the CII had not determined that as yet. “If the Law Ministry agrees to our suggestion to make it a punishable offence, the punishment can also be determined.”
The law minister warned that making triple talaq a punishable crime would become another mean through which the police would demand bribes.
“If divorce is not a crime, then such legislation should be avoided,” he said. “But if there is precedence of the righteous caliph, then we are bound to follow it as well,” he added.
The committee deferred the discussion on the bill about divorce as well as that on inheritance till the next meeting.
To mark Defence Day and remember the shaheeds, former cricketer and philanthropist Shahid Afridi visited PAF’s Fighter Pilot Shaheed Marium Mukhtar’s house.
Taking to Twitter, Afridi shared pictures from his visit saying that “it was an amazing experience to hear about her bravery and courage, she will always be remembered.”
Born in May 1992, in Karachi, Mukhtiar hailed from a military family. Her father, a retired colonel of the Pakistan Army, inspired her to join the armed forces.
Marium graduated as a fighter pilot in 2007 with seven other female Pakistanis. She was on a routine training flight with her instructor Saqib Abbasi when her jet developed a fault and crashed at Kandian area in Bhakra near Mianwali on November 24, 2015. Even though Marium and her co-pilot ejected before the aircraft crashed, she suffered serious injuries which eventually lead to her demise.
The government of Pakistan posthumously honoured Marium with the Tamgha-e-Basalat (Medal of Good Conduct). A telefilm, Ek Thi Marium, starring Sanam Baloch in the lead was also made on her life.
Afridi on August 28 had appealed to his fellow countrymen to respond to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call for Kashmir Hour and had announced then that he will visit the home of a shaheed on September 6.
Let’s respond to PM call for Kashmir Hour as a nation. I will be at Mazar e Quaid at 12 pm on Friday. Join me to express solidarity with our Kashmiri brethren. On 6 Sep I will visit home of a Shaheed. I will soon be visiting LOC.
A teenager in Lahore has died after he was allegedly severely beaten by his school teacher.
Quoting the boy’s classmates, the police said that the teacher did this all because “he had failed to learn his lesson”.
The teacher has been arrested by the police and an FIR has been lodged against him and school. Meanwhile, the boy’s body has been shifted to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
As per reports, the boy was taken to the hospital from the school but could not be revived.
The FIR lodged by the victim’s father read “The school principal and administration had been mentally torturing my son for the past few days over non-payment of school fees.”
The deceased’s cousin took to social media to share the harrowing incident.
Hafiz hunain bilal was physically tortured by his teacher named Kamran Hashmi because he didn’t learn his lesson at school. The teacher struck the innocent child’s head with his knuckles and then banged his head against the wall. That inhumane being even kicked the poor soul.
According to the report, “The teacher punched him repeatedly, grabbed his hair and hit his head against the wall, all the while yelling at him.” As a result, the boy collapsed in the classroom and died.
Punjab’s Education Minister Dr Murad Raas has taken notice of the incident and has offered his “complete support” to the family.
My complete support is with you & your family in this extremely sad time. Teacher & Principal are in jail. My prayers are with you & your family. I am available for your concerns at any & all times. https://t.co/UOjaVlm0HH
Dr Murad Raas expressed his deep sorrow & grief over this tragic incident and assured the bereaved family that Justice would be served. The Minister reiterated the Department’s zero-tolerance policy towards corporal punishment of any kind in schools.
Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar also expressed his condolences to the family on their loss and said that he will personally monitor the case and ensure the teacher and school are dealt with as per the law.
Furthermore, upon my return from FATF review in Thailand, I will be meeting with relevant education ministers on the subject of corporal punishment and the need for review of laws against it and their enforcement.
