Tag: islamabad

  • Islamabad: Tehzeeb Bakers sealed after six workers test positive for Hepatitis

    Islamabad: Tehzeeb Bakers sealed after six workers test positive for Hepatitis

    Islamabad’s famous Tehzeeb Bakers in Blue Area has been sealed by the Senior Special Magistrate of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday following a complaint from the health services directorate of the civic authority, The Nation has reported. The complaint reported that six workers of the bakery had recently tested positive for Hepatitis after undergoing tests.

    The Senior Special Magistrate, Sardar Muhammad Asif, was informed that the management of Tehzeeb Bakers was notified about the infected workers and instructed to remove them from work, but they failed to comply with the directions and allowed them to continue working in their previous positions.

    As a result, the Senior Special Magistrate of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has ordered the sealing of Tehzeeb Bakers. The official notice issued by the Magistrate states that the bakery has committed severe violations resulting in widespread transmission of Hepatitis among the public. The bakery has now been sealed to prevent further spread of Hepatitis among customers. The notice further expressed the hope that the closure of Tehzeeb Bakers would safeguard the public from contracting Hepatitis.

  • Crisis in SC deepens as Athar Minallah says that election suo motu case was dismissed by 4-3

    Crisis in SC deepens as Athar Minallah says that election suo motu case was dismissed by 4-3

    The crisis in the Supreme Court of Pakistan has deepened after another judge said that the suo motu case of delayed polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was dismissed by 4-3.

    Former Islamabad High Court (IHCJ) Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Athar Minallah released a detailed note, agreeing with Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah “particularly regarding the final outcome of the petitions and the suo motu assumption of jurisdiction by a majority of 4 to 3 because this was the understanding in the meeting held in the anteroom on 27.02.2023. It is noted that I had not recused nor had any reason to dissociate myself.”

    Justices Shah and Mandokhail had argued against the decision of taking suo motu by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial.

    Following are the main points given by Minallah in his note:

    • He said that he read Mansoor Ali Shah and Mandokhail’s notes and agreed that the SC verdict was 4-3.
    • Referring to Munib Akhtar’s own judgment saying CJP’s power to take suo motu and form benches has “created imbalance, which ought to be corrected,” he noted that CJP’s power to form benches under SC Rules must be exercised transparently and fairly.
    • He pointed out that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) itself went to Lahore High Court (LHC) first, which allowed petitions and directed election in 90 days. So then why should SC wade into dispute, he asked.
    • Justice Minallah wrote that the court is being dragged into a political crisis, emphasising that the crisis escalated when PTI chose to resign from National Assembly instead of sitting in Opposition. He further said that the dissolution of the provincial assemblies was part of a political strategy.
    • Says SC has the duty to inspire public trust and not appear politically partisan. Everyone (including SC) has to take a step back and not stand on ego.
    • He called the political climate in the country “toxic”, saying that “it is inconceivable that political parties will even agree to have a dialogue, let alone arriving at a consensus.”
    • He said: “It is the duty of the Court to ensure that political stakeholders are not encouraged to bring their disputes to the courts for judicial settlement by bypassing the institutions and forums created under the Constitution. It weakens the Majlise-Shoora (Parliament) and the forums meant for political dialogue and, simultaneously, harm the judicial branch of the State by prejudicing public trust in its independence and impartiality.”
    • “When politicians do not approach the appropriate forums and bring their disputes to the courts, the former may win or lose the case, but inevitably the court is the loser”, he ended the note.
  • PM Shehbaz orders two free flour bags instead of one for citizens

    PM Shehbaz orders two free flour bags instead of one for citizens

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif paid a visit to a flour distribution centre in Islamabad on Friday to oversee the work.

    During the visit, the premier directed authorities to give priority to the distribution of flour bags to aged persons and women.

    He also decided to provide two flour bags instead of one so that the people do not need to visit the distribution centres frequently.

    He asked relevant authorities to chalk out a facilitatory mechanism for the person who can only present the photocopy of CNIC in case the original card is missing.

    Under the Ramzan package jointly initiated by the prime minister and the Punjab government, 20 million bags of free flour have been distributed among deserving citizens by the 10th day of the programme.

  • TRIGGER WARNING: Lodhran court sentences man to 25 years in prison for raping daughter

    A court in the Lodhran has sentenced a man to 25 years in prison and subjected to Rs 1,00,000 fine for torturing and raping his 15 year old daughter, as reported by Express Tribune.

    The rape case was filed by the survivor’s paternal aunt, Yasan, who revealed that she was suspicious when the father, Irshad, brought the girl to her house unconscious.

    The complainant told the police that after the girl woke up, she confessed to her aunt that her father had drugged and tortured her. When she and other witnesses approached Irshad, he confessed to the crime.

    The aunt urged the police to take strict action against the rapist.

  • Can ECP change election date set by President Alvi? Supreme Court will resume hearing tomorrow

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Monday heard a plea by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the Election Commission’s decision to delay Punjab elections till October 8 after which the apex court issued notices to the commission and to the governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    The five-member larger bench — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Akhtar, Justice Aminuddin Khan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail — heard the case.

    The apex court also sought guarantees from the government and PTI for remaining peaceful for free, fair, and transparent elections. 

    PTI’s lawyer Ali Zafar pointed out that the Ministry of Interior and Defence refused to provide security personnel.

    Zafar said that the Constitution does not allow the postponement of elections on the basis of the administration’s non-cooperation.

    “What guarantee is there that the situation will be better in October?” he questioned.

    The hearing was adjourned till 11:30am tomorrow (Tuesday).

    Earlier, ECP delayed Punjab elections and change the date from April 30 to October 8 after which the commission came under fire from the former ruling party.

    President Arif Alvi set April 30 as the date of the election in Punjab.

    Following the ECP’s announcement, KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali also urged the electoral body to also hold the general elections on the same date (October 8) as the Punjab polls given the growing security threats from terror groups operating from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border regions.

    No live coverage of rallies in Islamabad

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Monday restricted live coverage of rallies and public gatherings across the federal capital on March 27, hours before PTI chairman Imran Khan was expected to appear before the Islamabad High Court.

    It observed that satellite television channels run live footages/images of violent mobs, attacking on police and law enforcement agencies.

  • Citizens launch fruit boycott campaign to protest against skyrocketing prices

    Citizens launch fruit boycott campaign to protest against skyrocketing prices

    Residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have launched the “Fruit Boycott Campaign” due to the increasing prices of fruits throughout the country. The campaign, initiated through social media by concerned citizens, appealed to the public to protest against the inflated prices of fruits.

    Citizens alleged that the inflation of fruits was due to the government officials’ failure to control profiteers and hoarders, and accused officials of having an underhand deal with them to loot the public.

    The campaign aimed at boycotting the purchase of fruits for two days initially, but citizens from all cities participated actively in making the campaign successful.

    According to The News, the campaign was successful, with a significant number of people participating and refusing to buy fruits for four days.

    However, the district administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi did not intervene in the situation, despite citizens submitting several complaints about the price hike.

    Sources claimed that profiteers and hoarders had hoarded all kinds of fruits to reap extra profits.

  • CDA directs evacuation of Islamabad high-rise buildings affected by earthquake

    CDA directs evacuation of Islamabad high-rise buildings affected by earthquake

    The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has instructed the owners of high-rise buildings affected by a recent earthquake to evacuate their buildings until they receive a fitness certificate from certified firms.

    The Building Control Agency of the CDA has identified minor cracks in 10 high-rise buildings in Islamabad due to the recent earthquake of high intensity. Following the directives of the CDA Chairman, the Building Control Agency conducted a survey of 90 high-rise buildings and found that the structure of 80 buildings was safe, while minor cracks were found in 10 buildings.

    The owners of the affected buildings have been directed to repair their buildings or obtain a fitness certificate from a firm certified by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) regarding the strength of their structure and submit it to the CDA. In addition, a third-party attestation will also be required.

    Meanwhile, the CDA Chairman has directed the management of private housing societies to conduct a survey of buildings on their premises and submit a report to the CDA’s Building Control Agency within three days.

    The residents of the apartments in the affected buildings have also requested alternate accommodation during the period of repair. They have stated that during the month of Ramadan, it would be difficult for them to move along with furniture.

  • ‘They had planned to kill me in a Murtaza Bhutto-type murder’: Khan

    ‘They had planned to kill me in a Murtaza Bhutto-type murder’: Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on has claimed on Wednesday that another assassination plot was being hatched to kill him the way Murtaza Bhutto was.

    Recalling his arrival at the Judicial Complex Islamabad, Khan said, “I stood outside the judicial complex’s gate for 40 minutes,” adding that he witnessed the rowdiness of “police, army and unknown people wearing CTD uniform” during this time.

    “They had the planned to take my vehicle inside the complex, close the gates, create a violent situation, and kill me in a Murtaza Bhutto-type murder,” Khan said, adding that he returned from the gate after signing the attendance register.

    Mir Murtaza Bhutto, the son and brother of former Prime Ministers Zulkfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, was killed in a police encounter in 1996 in Karachi.

    Khan also revealed that he believed the police chiefs of Punjab and Islamabad alongside their ‘handlers’ have hatched a conspiracy to kill him as they are “becoming serious about assassinating him”.

    The IGs of Punjab and Islamabad have constituted two separate squads, Khan alleged, who will join PTI workers and open fire on the police, “to provoke an armed retaliation and eventually reach [inside the house] and assassinate me, in a day or two.”

    Giving instructions to his loyalists, Khan said that they were not to provoke the police at any cost. “If the police want to approach me with any warrant or for any other matter, let them approach me directly,” adding that he would never wish any harm on his party workers. “The incumbent government and its plans to kill me have failed and now they have become jittery and taking extreme measures,” he commented.

  • ‘Haye Raam’: Indian Charge d’Affaires on price of onions in Pakistan

    Dr M. Suresh Kumar who is currently serving as the Charge d’Affaires at the Indian Embassy in Islamabad, has arrived in Lahore for the first time since his appointment two years ago. Jang reported that the diplomat had breakfast with senior journalists, where he revealed an interesting tibit about food prices in the capital. He was recently purchasing groceries and was shocked to find out that the price of onions was Rs 300/kg, when in New Delhi it was Rs 20/kg.

    Dr Kumar also addressed the matter of improving business ties between India and Pakistan, by saying that Pakistani businessmen are refused a business visa in India because of the fact that there are no business ties between the two countries. To which Pakistani businessmen asked how will business ties between both countries improve if they aren’t given a visa. To which Dr Kumar responded its like asking which came first- the chicken or the egg?

    To answer another question, Dr Kumar said that Gujranwala is the city of wrestlers, and felt that there should be wrestlying and kabadi competitions between the two countries.

    Dr Kumar also said that he will talk to the higher authorities in New Delhi to send an invitation to a delegation of journalists from Pakistan to visit India.

    Jang also reported about a conversation with a senior official from the foreign office in New Delhi who remarked that after the restoration of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the region, efforts should be made to improve the relation between Islamabad and New Delhi.

  • Female bank manager resigns after stealing Rs20 million from customer’s account

    Female bank manager resigns after stealing Rs20 million from customer’s account

    A recent case of embezzlement has come to light where a woman, who was the branch manager of a private bank in Islamabad, has resigned from her position following allegations of theft of an amount of Rs20 million from a customer.

    The incident prompted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take immediate action by registering a case against the accused under Section 420.

    According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused manager allegedly committed the crime by fraudulently withdrawing Rs20 million from the customer’s account without their knowledge.

    The customer only became aware of the transaction after receiving a notification of the significant deduction from their account. The manager, in a bid to cover her tracks, presented a fake bank statement to the customer, assuring them that there was nothing to worry about.

    According to 24 News, the FIA has taken a serious note of the matter and has included several sections, including 409, 419, 468, 471, and 489F, in the FIR to ensure that justice is served. The accused will be thoroughly investigated, and all evidence will be scrutinized to bring the perpetrator to justice.

    This incident highlights the need for caution and vigilance when it comes to financial transactions. Even trusted officials can abuse their power for personal gain, and it is crucial to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.