Tag: islamabad

  • Uber ceases operations in 5 Pakistani cities

    Uber ceases operations in 5 Pakistani cities

    According to a statement released by Uber on Tuesday, it has stopped operating in Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Islamabad.

    A statement on the company’s website says, “Uber is dedicated to Pakistan. We will continue to serve these five cities via our subsidiary brand Careem and continue to run the Uber app in Lahore.”

    Uber will keep providing its services in Lahore while also introducing new products to “help earners through these challenging times.”

    It declared that it would inform its customers and business partners in the five locations of how to use and seamlessly switch to Careem.

    “When we acquired Careem, it was always our belief that the two companies could come together to complement each other’s strengths and better serve the region through tailored experiences,” the statement added.

    According to Dawn, the company said it was aware this was a “difficult time” for its teams, which had “worked incredibly hard to build this business over the past few years”.

    “We greatly appreciate everyone’s contributions and our priority is to minimise the impact on our employees, drivers, riders, and Hero partners who use the Uber app during this change in Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan and Peshawar,” the statement reads.

    Uber finalised the $3.1 billion acquisition of rival Careem in 2020. At the time, it was said that Careem and Uber will continue to operate as distinct businesses and provide their own regional services.

    By the time the purchase was completed, Uber had acquired Careem’s mobility, delivery, and payments operations throughout the larger Middle East, including its key markets in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.

  • Gilgit-Baltistan minister, abducted by militants, returns home

    Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Prisons Minister Colonel (retd) Abaidullah Baig has returned home after being abducted by militants on Friday while en route to Skardu from Islamabad.

    According to police, the minister was travelling with two foreigners when abducted by terrorists.

    Geo News’ sources have said that the kidnappers had demanded the release of their jailed accomplices.

    Earlier, former GB government spokesperson Faizullah told Geo News that he has spoken to the minister and talks were underway for the release. He had said he was present at the Jirga where negotiations were held with the kidnappers.

    Faizullah said that the militants had kept Baig and his companions in a house for six hours. They were released at 3am after negotiations.

    Baig was elected from Hunza 6 on a PTI ticket and he is a member of the GB Legislative Assembly since 2020.

  • Islamabad to soon get electric buses

    Islamabad to soon get electric buses

    Electric buses for intra-city travel will shortly be introduced by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). Electric buses will be used on six distinct public transportation lines, according to CDA authorities. The department will also make room for bus charging stations.

    CDA will open the tender for bus consultancy on 12th October. By the end of December, the first shipment of electric buses will arrive in Islamabad. Three e-bus base stations will be built by CDA.

    The introduction of electric buses has been a recent priority for CDA. The government started testing these buses in the Twin Cities, and now the project might soon see a concrete follow-up.

    Capt. (Ret.) Usman Younis, CDA Chairman, said that the first phase will involve the provision of transportation on six congested roads. The administration would purchase buses for seven more routes in the second phase, he added.

  • Rana Sanaullah says that PTI Senator Saifullah Nyazee has been taken into ‘protective custody’

    Rana Sanaullah says that PTI Senator Saifullah Nyazee has been taken into ‘protective custody’

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee has been taken into “protective custody” by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for questioning in the party’s foreign funding case.

    In a press conference on Friday, the minister said, “He has been taken into protective custody, so he can be questioned.” He added that legal formalities will be fulfilled before arresting the senator if the agency deemed it necessary.

    Earlier, it was reported that the PTI senator was arrested in the foreign funding case. According to Geo News, he was arrested for the $625,000 transferred to the Insaf Trust account in 2013 in violation of rules and regulations.

    Prior to the minister’s clarification, FIA, in a tweet, said that no arrest has been made.

    “The senator has not been arrested by any FIA wing as yet,” the agency’s spokesperson said and condemned the reports circulating in the media.

    Earlier today, PTI leaders claimed Nyazee has been “picked up” by “unknown men” from outside the Senate premises in Islamabad.

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, PTI General Secretary Asad Umar said: “I have just received news that Saifullah Nyazee has been picked up from the Senate.”

    https://twitter.com/ShehzadGul89/status/1578290516856229893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1578290516856229893%7Ctwgr%5Ecbcda1c3c0964b5c3947ce41901c263275373bea%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawn.com%2Fnews%2F1713931

    Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry called Chairman of the Senate Sadiq Sanjrani to take notice of the incident.

    On September 13, the FIA Cyber Crime Wing raided Nyazee’s house. Two days later, Nyazee submitted a privilege motion against the Islamabad police and FIA over the breach of his privilege.

    He said the behaviour of the FIA and Islamabad police, including alleged harassment of his wife and daughters, was tantamount to the breach of privilege of the house of the federation and its member. Hence, the Senate chairman should take appropriate action on this breach.

  • Petrol price may go down by Rs7.24 to Rs230.19 per liter

    According to industry projections, the ex-depot cost of petrol has declined by Rs7.24 per litre to Rs230.19 per litre for the upcoming fortnight from the current price of Rs237.43 per litre, as reported by The News.

    Considering recent reports, this might lead to a fall in the price of petrol by Rs7.24 per litre and diesel by Rs16.61 per litre in Pakistan at the upcoming fortnightly review if the government does not raise taxes to offset the effects of the declining worldwide market.

    Expected new prices

    In comparison to the present price of Rs247.43 per litre, the ex-depot price of diesel has fallen by Rs16.61 to Rs230.82 per litre for the upcoming two weeks.

    In comparison to the current fortnight, the ex-depot price of light diesel decreased by Rs10.87 to Rs186.41 per litre.

    Kerosene’s ex-depot price fell from Rs197.28 per litre to Rs187.82 per litre, a decrease of Rs14.20.

    The oil sector bases its prices on the current taxes levied by the government. Petroleum goods are exempt from general sales tax (GST), which is charged at a rate of Rs37.42 for petrol and Rs7.58 for diesel per litre.

    There has been a considerable decline in international oil prices, but it is unclear if the government would pass the impact through to the public or offset it by increasing taxes.

  • ‘Madam Zeba ko batana ke Imran Khan aya tha maazrat karnay’: Khan ne maangi mafi

    ‘Madam Zeba ko batana ke Imran Khan aya tha maazrat karnay’: Khan ne maangi mafi

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan appeared before the court of Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry on Friday to apologise for his remarks against her at a public rally.

    However, when Khan arrived at the court of Zeba Chaudhry, she was reportedly on leave and not present at the court.

    He asked the court Reader to stand witness to his appearance in Chaudhry’s court to offer an apology.

    Addressing the Reader, the former Prime Minister said, “Madam Zeba ko batana hai ke Imran khan aya tha, mazrat karna chahta tha agar un ke ilfaz se koi dil azari hui ho,” he told the reader. (Tell Madam Zeba Chaudhry that Imran Khan had visited and wanted to apologise if any of his words hurt her sentiments).

    Earlier this month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decided to frame charges against Khan in a contempt of court case registered against him for his controversial remarks about Zeba during a rally in Islamabad on August 20.

    However, after many delays, Khan apologised to the high court, saying, “Mai khaatoon judge se zaati taur pe maafi maangta hoon”, (I personally apologise to the female judge).

    Following this, the high court remarked that it would not be appropriate to conduct contempt proceedings against Khan. The PTI chairman also requested the high court to allow him to apologise to Judge Zeba Chaudhry in person.

    In August, Khan addressed a party rally to express solidarity with then-arrested PTI’s Shahbaz Gill and threatened Chaudhry. He said, “Zeba! Be ready, we will take action against you.”

    Chaudhry had approved Gill’s two-day physical remand at the request of the capital police.

  • Timeline of audio leaks: When and whose conversations were tapped?

    Timeline of audio leaks: When and whose conversations were tapped?

    Alarm bells have been ringing across Islamabad after leaked audio clips called into question the security of the Prime Minister (PM) House. A total of six audio clips of private conversations between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders leaked over the last few days.

    The audio leaks contain telephonic and in-person conversations between the PM and the other leaders including federal ministers. The government has maintained that there is “nothing illegal” in the audio leaks.

    Here is a timeline of audio leaks:

    1- ‘Health card khatam ho jana chahiye’: Maryam Nawaz

    The audio leak allegedly belonging to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and PM Shehbaz has leaked today (September 27).

    In the new audio leak, Maryam Nawaz is allegedly insisting that PM Shehbaz should shutdown the health insurance scheme (Sehat Card) initiated by the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Maryam can allegedly be heard saying that PTI Chief Imran Khan has achieved nothing but the health card program. To this, PM Shehbaz allegedly responded that it would not be a big problem.

    2- Discussion regarding PTI’s MNAs resignations

    The second clip allegedly concerns a conversation between PM Shehbaz, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Tarar, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and former National Assembly (NA) speaker Ayaz Sadiq about the resignations of PTI MNAs. The audio is said to be a recording of a cabinet meeting.

    Party leaders can be allegedly heard discussing whose resignations from PTI will be accepted. Moreover, the leaders can be heard saying that the final decision will be taken by PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif who is in London.

    At one point, Ayaz Sadiq can be heard saying that “Will tell them that the signatures were not correct,” allegedly talking about those PTI members whose resignations they did not want to accept.

    3- ‘Petrol ki qeemtayein bharhana ho gee’: Maryam Nawaz to PM Shehbaz

    In another audio leak, Maryam Nawaz can be heard allegedly advising PM Shehbaz to jack up fuel prices.

    Maryam Nawaz who had been opposing an increase in fuel prices on media in an alleged audio leak can be heard allegedly suggesting to PM Shehbaz Sharif that fuel prices should be raised.

    4- ‘Army has decided to bring Musharraf back to Pakistan’: Maryam Nawaz

    The fourth clip is allegedly a conversation between Maryam Nawaz and the PM where they are discussing the return of former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.

    A voice said to be Maryam’s can be heard saying that “Army has decided to bring Musharraf back to Pakistan so before it looks like that they have imposed a decision on us, I asked Abu (Nawaz Sharif) to tweet in favor of Musharraf’s return.”

    At the time, Nawaz had tweeted, saying: “I have no personal enmity or animosity towards Pervez Musharraf. I don’t want anyone else to suffer the trauma I have had to endure.”

    5- ‘TV par ulti baatein karta hai’: Maryam Nawaz about Miftah Ismail

    In one of the audio clips, PML-N Vice-president allegedly can be heard complaining to her uncle [PM Shehbaz] about Finance Minister Miftah Ismail. “

    “TV par ulti baatein karta hai” (He says strange things on television), she allegedly says.

    “He doesn’t take responsibility, says strange things on TV which people make fun of, he doesn’t know what he is doing,” the voice said to be Maryam’s says in the clip.

    “He clearly cut corners,” the voice said to be PM Shehbaz can be heard saying as she wishes for the return of former finance minister Ishaq Dar.

    6- ‘Her son-in-law is very dear to her’: PM Shehbaz

    ‘Her son-in-law is very dear to her’: PM Shehbaz allegedly says in another audio leak, referring to Maryam Nawaz’s son-in-law.

    In that clip, PM Shehbaz and an unidentified man can be heard allegedly discussing facilitating Maryam Nawaz’s son-in-law Raheel.

    The unidentified man can be heard briefing the person, alleged to be the premier, about the consequences of taking the decision.

    At this, the voice thought to belong to the PM says: “The son-in-law is very dear to Maryam Nawaz. Tell her very logically about this and then I will talk to her.” He also said that he would personally meet him once he returns from Turkey.

    At this, the other person allegedly advises PM Shehbaz to get this work done from former finance minister Ishaq Dar, to which he agrees.

    More audio leaks to come

    A Twitter account named Indishell hinted at more audio leaks, saying that “all audios will be released on September 30”.

    https://twitter.com/Indishellgp/status/1574517518722797569?s=20&t=Vi3nYVzTO8SDFXzdThIolg

    In a series of tweets, the users claimed that the upcoming audios which will be leaked are allegedly a conversation between former finance minister Miftah Ismail and PM Shehbaz. Not only this, the user claimed to have the audio of PM Shehbaz and COAS Bajwa.

    https://twitter.com/Indishellgp/status/1574669828492709889?s=20&t=9Xw_4iI0q3aRJmKOveOS4A
    https://twitter.com/Indishellgp/status/1574536969811415040?s=20&t=9Xw_4iI0q3aRJmKOveOS4A

  • Weekly inflation down 8.1% due to lower FCA, timely import of vegetables

    Weekly inflation down 8.1% due to lower FCA, timely import of vegetables

    Weekly inflation measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ending September 22, 2022, decreased by 8.11 per cent.

    The year-over-year (YoY) trend shows a rise of 29.28 per cent, which is down around 11 per cent from the 40.58 per cent observed last week. The YoY rise stayed above 40 per cent during the previous five weeks, reaching an all-time high of 45.50 per cent.

    The price increase over the previous year was mostly brought on by an increase in prices of tomatoes (117.55 per cent), diesel (105.12 per cent), petrol (91.87 per cent), pulse masoor (75.38 per cent), pulse gram (73.55 per cent), mustard oil (65.64 per cent), cooking oil-5 litre (63.63 per cent), washing soap (61.50 per cent), vegetable ghee-2.5 kg (59.42 per cent), pulse mash (56.93 per cent), vegetable ghee-1 kg (56.09 per cent), onions (50.83per cent) and LPG (49.89 per cent), while decrease was observed in the prices of electricity for q1 (45.61 per cent), chilies powder (43.05 per cent), sugar (19.20 per cent) and gur (3.37 per cent).

    According to the most recent PBS data issued on Friday, the SPI for the week under review in the aforementioned category was recorded at 203.21 points compared to 221.14 points observed in the previous week.

    Out of 51 items, 26 items (50.98 per cent) saw price increases during the week, 10 items (19.61 per cent) saw price decreases, and prices of 15 items (29.41 per cent) remain unchanged.

    For the first quarter, power charges were among the items whose average prices decreased on a week-over-week (WoW) basis showing a decrease of 64.23 per cent.

    Other items which recorded a decrease include tomatoes (8.15 per cent), LPG (3.82 per cent), bananas (1.90 per cent), garlic (1.31 per cent), pulse masoor (0.99 per cent), cooking oil-dalda or other similar brand (sn), 5 litre tin each (0.78 per cent), onions (0.46 per cent), vegetable ghee-dalda/habib 2.5 kg tin each (0.34 per cent) and vegetable ghee-dalda/habib or other superior quality 1 kg pouch each (0.06 per cent).

    The general populace has been impacted by the heavy rains and flooding since they are lacking in basic commodities while supply lines for food products have been disrupted.

    On the other hand, timely imports from Iran and Afghanistan are accountable for the decrease in vegetable prices, particularly for onions and tomatoes.

  • ‘Use of teargas shells, rubber bullets will be considered’: Rana Sanaullah ahead of PTI’s long march

    ‘Use of teargas shells, rubber bullets will be considered’: Rana Sanaullah ahead of PTI’s long march

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah talked about the long march call given by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    The minister said that “it is not possible to talk to a person like Imran Khan, Khan has to prepare but we are fully prepared”, reports Geo Urdu.

    On the question about controlling the participants of the possible PTI sit-in, Sanaullah said that modern methods would be adopted to fire teargas shells and rubber bullets on the protesters and the use of drones would also be considered.

    When asked what if the provincial governments in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) where PTI is in power refused to provide police forces when Islamabad police asked for it. Sanaullah said that the government would take action against them in line with the Constitution.

    Rana also said that the red zone was sealed as a precaution, but warned that when PTI approach Islamabad, the red zone would be sealed again.

    However, Imran Khan warned the minister said that “he should be worried” because the PTI will be marching towards Islamabad with “full preparation” this time.

    “We promise you that you will not be able to hide in Islamabad,” Khan told Sanaullah, adding that he will make a decision on Saturday about giving a call to the public to take to the streets.

    Islamabad asks for more police forces to deal with a possible PTI protest

    Islamabad’s red zone has been sealed with containers and Section 144 has been imposed ahead of a possible Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in the federal capital.

    The city administration reportedly plans to dig trenches and place hundreds of containers at the entrances of Islamabad to prevent PTI supporters from entering the city.

    Moreover, Islamabad police have asked for 30,000 personnel of police, paratroopers, and the Frontier Corps (FC) force from the provinces — 20,000 from Punjab, 4,000 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and 6,000 personnel of the Rangers and the FC force.

    However, the provincial governments of Punjab and KP have not yet decided how to respond to the Islamabad request, reports Geo News.

    According to the Islamabad police, “Some people from Punjab have set out for the federal capital to get their political demands”.

    Entry to D-Chowk has been restricted and barbed wires and shipping containers are placed in the area.

    Earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan warned the government to stop the “persecution” of his party workers otherwise he would again march on Islamabad.

    He had directed the party leaders to start preparations for a long march to Islamabad. He also asked party workers to wait for the Islamabad call. The final date is yet to be announced.

    In May, PTI leaders and thousands of supporters reached Islamabad where a six-day deadline was given to the government for announcing elections and dissolving assemblies. That long march ended a day after it started.

  • OMG we’re back again: IK to launch anti-govt movement from Saturday

    OMG we’re back again: IK to launch anti-govt movement from Saturday

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has announced the continuation of his Haqeeqi Azaadi Movement from Saturday (September 24).

    Addressing the All Pakistan Lawyers Convention in Lahore, Khan urged party workers and supporters to get ready for his call.

    The former prime minister’s announcement has come after the federal government tightened security around the Red Zone areas of Islamabad.

    Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said a protest is a democratic right and it can be held at F-9 Park. However, he warned of dealing with protesters with an iron hand if they tried to move towards the D-Chowk.

    Earlier, the PTI chairman Imran Khan warned the government to stop the “persecution” of his party workers otherwise he would again march on Islamabad.

    He directed party leaders to start preparations for a long march to Islamabad. He also asked party workers to wait for the Islamabad call.

    In May, PTI leaders and thousands of supporters reached Islamabad where a six-day deadline was given to the government for announcing elections and dissolving assemblies. That long march ended a day after it started.