Tag: islamabad

  • COVID-19: Five more educational institutions sealed in Islamabad

    Five more educational institutions have been shut down in Islamabad after cases of coronavirus emerged there, as experts have already warned of a second wave of the virus during winter.

    As per reports, the notification to seal educational institutions was issued by the district health officer and a circular has also been released to seal the concerned departments of Namal University due to a surge in coronavirus cases.

    The circular stated that two virus cases have been reported in Islamabad Model School in G-6/1-3 and two cases were also reported in a private school in the city’s G-11/4 area.

    Two cases each have been reported in two private colleges at H-8/1 and H-8/4, as per the circular.

    Furthermore, 15 coronavirus cases have also been reported in a private school in I-9/3.

    The affected educational institutes have been directed to disinfect their buildings after closing their locality.

    Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, also suggested that political parties should postpone rallies and processions for three months amid fears of a second Covid-19 wave in the country.

    Earlier today, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for marriage halls as cases of the pandemic continue to increase across the country.

  • ‘Chai Wala’ now owns a tea cafe in Islamabad

    ‘Chai Wala’ now owns a tea cafe in Islamabad

    Arshad Khan, who became popular as the ‘Chai wala’ a few years ago has now opened up his own cafe in Islamabad.

    In an interview with Urdu News, Arshad Khan shared he has now opened his own chai café and named it ‘Chai Wala’.

    “People suggested me to name the café after my own name, Arshad Khan,” said Khan. “But making chai is a part of my identity that I cannot let go of.”

    The café has lots of truck artwork with tables and chairs having a ‘desi’ touch to them.

    “There are at least 15 to 20 dishes apart from chai”, shared Arshad. “Running this cafe is the most important thing for me right now so I am giving this more time because it is attached to my name.”

    Talking about his showbiz career, Arshad said, “Two to four episodes of my TV show have been released. I will also give some time to that.”

    In the future, Arshad wants to make an institute where children whose parents cannot afford their education can study.

    Arshad Khan became an overnight sensation after a picture of him making chai went viral on social media back in 2016. Following that, he also did some modelling projects back then.

  • Islamabad’s education officers asked to visit seven schools daily to monitor SOPs

    Islamabad’s education officers asked to visit seven schools daily to monitor SOPs

    With primary schools set to reopen today (Wednesday) in the twin cities in the third phase of educational institutions reopening after a long break due to coronavirus, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has instructed all area education officers to visit at least seven schools daily and ensure that health guidelines and standard operating procedure (SOP) are being followed strictly.

    As per reports, a total of 193 FDE-run primary schools in Islamabad will reopen.

    FDE officials said that a team of FDE directors and officers from the Ministry of Federal Education and the capital administration will also visit schools. They added that teams from the Private Educational Institution Regulatory Authority (Peira) will also visit primary schools.

    Officials further said that imposing social distancing would be more challenging in primary schools compared to high schools, colleges or universities, particularly with students in nursery to third grade, which is why teachers will have to put an extra effort.

    Islamabad-based educational institutions have reported more than 30 cases of COVID-19 out of around 15,000 tests.

    Minister for Federal Education Shafqat Mehmood said that the positivity rate is 0.8pc in educational institutions across the country.

    At a press conference in Islamabad, he said that out of 171,436 tests carried out in educational institutions – not including primary schools – 1,284 have come back positive for the virus.

    He said school administrations, teachers and parents must be more attentive from Wednesday, when primary schools reopen, because young children cannot follow SOPs and practice social distancing on their own.

  • COVID-19 cases increasing through hospitals in Islamabad

    COVID-19 cases increasing through hospitals in Islamabad

    COVID-19 cases continued to drop in the capital city in the last few weeks. It is now revealed that the virus is again spreading through hospitals.

    DC Islamabad Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat, in a recent tweet said, “COVID cases going up. We have traced each and every case in Islamabad. In the recent surge, 80 percent infection is spreading through hospitals.”

    He also urged people “to be extremely careful while visiting hospitals.”

    The total number of reported cases in Islamabad are 15,941 so far.

  • Motorway Incident: Protests for justice in your city

    Motorway Incident: Protests for justice in your city

    On Tuesday night, two robbers reportedly gang-raped a mother of two on the Motorway within Gujjarpura police’s jurisdiction. The incident has sparked outrage among the citizens, with people criticising the authorities and the police officials for not doing their job properly and “protecting us”. Countrywide protests are being organised to express solidarity with the victim and demand justice for her.

    Lahore

    #MotorwayIncident: A Protest for Justice

    Date: 12th September, 2020 (Saturday)

    Time: 05:00 PM

    Venue: Liberty Round About

    Peace Protest For Motorway Rape And Transgender Murders

    Date: 13th September, 2020 (Sunday)

    Time: 04:00 PM

    Venue: Liberty Round About

    Also Read; VIDEO: Police blame mother-of-three survivor for gang-rape, say ‘she should have taken GT Road’

    Islamabad

    Protest against patriarchal brutalities

    Date: 12th September, 2020

    Time: 04:00 PM

    Venue: Islamabad Press Club

    Karachi

    Mera Jism Meri Marzi – Protest Against Patriarchal Violence

    Date: 12th September 2020

    Time: 04:00 PM

    Venue: Karachi Press Club

  • Virgin Atlantic airline to launch direct flights between UK and Pakistan

    Virgin Atlantic airline to launch direct flights between UK and Pakistan

    Virgin Atlantic airline is all set to operate flights between the UK and Pakistan from December this year. According to details, it will launch three new routes: London Heathrow to Lahore; London Heathrow to Islamabad; and Manchester to Islamabad. Flights will go on sale in September.

    In a statement, Virgin’s chief commercial officer Juha Jarvinen said: “Pakistan is an extremely exciting opportunity for us – it boasts one of the largest foreign-born populations in both the UK and the US and, as people start to travel to visit loved ones, we’re anticipating the demand  to visit friends and relatives will increase post-COVID-19.”

    “Both Lahore and Islamabad are popular year-round destinations and we look forward to welcoming travellers onboard as demand for leisure and business travel gradually increases to the region,” he added.

    The carrier said that the services would offer “seamless, speedy connections and a consistent long-haul onboard experience for customers travelling from destinations throughout North America, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and San Francisco via London Heathrow onwards to Pakistan”.

    “We also see a significant opportunity to increase competition in the US – Pakistan market. Using the strength of our transatlantic services we’re able to offer customers the shortest journey to and from destinations in the US such as New York, Los Angeles and Washington by connecting through London Heathrow”.

    Welcoming the announcement, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner in a tweet said, “Another sign of #UKPakDosti- Welcome to Pakistan Virgin Atlantic.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that British Airways is currently operating five flights a week between London and Islamabad. On Wednesday, it was reported that the airline is also seeking permission from Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to start operating flights to Lahore, as a team of experts from the airline visited Allama Iqbal International Airport earlier this week to review arrangements made by the airport management.

  • PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal accidentally arrives at accountability court, sent back home

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday accidentally arrived at an accountability court in Islamabad, from where he was sent back home by court staff.

    As per the details, the PML-N stalwart, against whom the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a reference over alleged corruption in the Narowal Sport City project, is to appear before the court tomorrow (Wednesday).

    He, however, mistakenly arrived at the court a day earlier and was informed that his hearing wasn’t until a day later, after which he returned back home.

    Reacting to The Current‘s report on Twitter, Iqbal said:

    Iqbal was earlier also arrested in connection to the probe into the sports complex built in his hometown.

    Construction of the complex, which includes a cricket stadium, gymnasium, squash and hockey ground, began in 2009 when Iqbal was in the opposition. But work picked up pace when the PML-N came to power in the 2013 election. That year, Iqbal was appointed the minister for planning and development.

    Below is the charge sheet against the politician from December last year:

    • Illegally increasing the cost of the Narowal Sports City complex from Rs35.410 million to Rs97.520 million, without approval from the Planning Commission’s Central Development Working Party (CDWP). Ahsan, adds NAB, was the minister of planning and development and the deputy chairman of the CDWP at the time. Rather than taking the project to the CDWP, he instead approved it on his own.

    • Iqbal initiated the project without a feasibility study, which was in violation of the development manual of the Planning Commission.

    • After the 18th Amendment, the project was devolved to the Punjab government in 2012 to be completed with its own resources. Yet, reads the charge sheet, funds were taken from the federal government to bankroll the complex. Iqbal, it adds, “further enhanced the scope of the project without any demand from the provincial government”.

  • Double-decker bus makes trial drive between twin cities

    Double-decker bus makes trial drive between twin cities

    A test trial of double Decker bus service was conducted in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on the special orders of Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar.

    According to details, the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation with the coordination of Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) initiated a test drive of double-decker bus service on the occasion of Independence Day, celebrated across Pakistan yesterday.

    The bus service is expected to start next week in twin cities. The goal of the service is to promote tourism, to invite local and foreign tourists to enjoy the culture and scenery of the twin cities.

    Advisor to CM Punjab for Horticulture and Tourism Asif Mehmood said, “The Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) will operate the buses,” adding the construction work of the main terminal at Allama Iqbal Park double road is now in the final stage.

    At first, two buses will be operated and local people can benefit from this plan, he added.

    In Islamabad, the tourists can visit different tourist spots including Faisal Mosque, Marghrzar Zoo, Daman-e-Koh, Constitution Avenue, Lok Virsa, Pakistan Museum of Natural History and Shakarparian through this bus service.

  • PM praises Islamabad top cop as capital ‘safer city than London, Paris’

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has lauded Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Muhammad Amir Zulfiqar Khan over the ongoing operation against land grabbers and a significant reduction in crime rate in the federal capital, which was also highlighted by a report of the World Crime Index issued by the international organisation, Numbeo, earlier this year.

    According to a statement from Islamabad police, the crime index decreased to 28.63 per cent in 2020 from 32.88 per cent last year. Islamabad was 232nd on the list earlier while it stands at 301 in the recent ranking of most vulnerable cities to crime in the world.

    Its ranking is far better compared to Sydney, Berlin, Moscow, London, Paris and Shanghai, said the report issued after a survey of 374 cities of the world in January.

    While the top cop had back then said that crime rate decreased in the capital as a result of an effective strategy, he has now briefed the premier on the same, after which he has been tasked to continue full-scale operation against the land mafia involved in land grabbing.

    According to Information Minister Shibli Faraz, the police have retrieved 1,537 acre land from grabbers over Rs450 billion in Islamabad.

    In addition to this, the capital has also witnessed a decline in crime up to 15 per cent.

  • ‘Demolish illegal buildings’: Court orders sealing Navy’s elite sailing club

    ‘Demolish illegal buildings’: Court orders sealing Navy’s elite sailing club

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) administration to seal the newly-constructed Navy Sailing Club, declaring the sports complex’s construction illegal.

    Two weeks ago, the CDA had served a notice to the navy for its allegedly illegal and unauthorised construction of the club and directed to immediately stop the construction of the building.

    During the hearing on Thursday, a board member told the court that the CDA had not issued any allotment letter for the land in question. To which, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked if the authority had taken any action to halt the construction. “We had issued notices to the Navy,” the CDA representative informed the judge.

    “What do you mean ‘you issued notices’,” asked Justice Minallah. “Demolish the illegal buildings,” he said.

    READ: Islamabad admin at odds with Navy over construction of elite sailing club

    Last week, the navy had clarified that the land in question was, in fact, allotted to it in 1994 for the development of a water sports centre. A statement issued at the time had asserted that navy divers are trained at the club who, then, take part in rescue operations in all four provinces and the federally administrative units, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as the club is the only such facility in the north of the country.

    Citing a 1994 order of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the CDA official informed the court that the permission to build the sports facility was granted by prime minister of the day, Benazir Bhutto.

    However, the judge ordered the CDA to seal the facility before the next hearing, saying in case the authority fails to comply, the court will summon Cabinet Secretary Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera. He also directed the issue to be presented before the cabinet.

    The judge wondered if the flagship military project was supported by any legal provision providing space for a purportedly commercial project.

    When a Pakistan Navy representative, who was present in the court, sought time to submit a response, Justice Minallah asked what did the navy need time for. “We respect you, appreciate your sacrifices and honour your martyrs but an illegal construction isn’t allowed,” he said.

    “Why are you defending something which is indefensible [according to relevant laws],” he questioned.

    “Islamabad is the country’s capital, not a tribal area. No one is above the law. Not even this court.”