Tag: islamabad

  • Govt aims to ‘reduce power theft of Rs589 billion at the earliest’

    Govt aims to ‘reduce power theft of Rs589 billion at the earliest’

    The caretaker government unveiled a set of measures to tackle power theft nationwide, aiming to reduce the growing circular debt issue in the power sector, which is causing electricity prices to soar. 

    This announcement comes amid widespread protests against high electricity bills, hindered by strict conditions from the International Monetary Fund.

    During a press conference, Caretaker Energy Minister Mohammad Ali, alongside Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, outlined their plan. 

    According to Geo News, Ali said that the government is working on a new law, the electricity theft act, to create enforcement mechanisms and special courts for those involved in theft. This law will be introduced within the next two to three weeks.

    “We are aiming to stop or reduce power theft of Rs589 billion at the earliest,” the minister said.

    In line with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar’s instructions, the Energy Minister announced a crackdown on power theft, emphasising that consumers shouldn’t pay for theft, and lower electricity prices depend on solving this issue. Ali assured that authorities would act based on available data.

    Additionally, the minister revealed a list of power distribution company officers involved in power theft and measures to take action against them. This list was sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan for possible removal.

    In another meeting, Caretaker PM Kakar stressed the urgency of dealing with power theft, urging regular progress reports. He emphasised zero leniency toward power thieves and defaulters.

    During the meeting, detailed briefings covered the energy sector’s challenges, including total installed capacity, actual generation, and overall energy supply across different seasons.

  • Gold price reaches Rs234,000 per tola, nearing new record high

    Gold price reaches Rs234,000 per tola, nearing new record high

    Gold prices in Pakistan continued to rise on Tuesday, influenced by the Pakistani rupee’s decline against the US dollar and an uptick in global prices. 

    According to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association, the cost of 24-carat gold settled at Rs234,500 per tola, marking a substantial increase of Rs4,600. Similarly, the price of 10 grammes of gold rose by Rs3,944 to reach Rs201,046.

    It is expected that the price of gold might reach unprecedented levels due to the relentless and rapid decline of local currency against the greenback.

    The movement of gold prices in Pakistan closely follows the path of the US dollar due to the country’s reliance on gold imports. 

    The Pakistani rupee saw a notable decrease, falling to a new all-time low against the US dollar. It ended at Rs299.01 rupees per dollar, reflecting a decline of Rs1.88, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan.

    Currency experts attribute the surge in gold prices to the recent depreciation of the rupee. 

    With growing concerns about the country’s economic situation, investors are turning to gold as a safe-haven asset. This shift has resulted in a significant increase of Rs12,700 per tola in just one week.

    Read more: PKR to USD rate

    Notably, the hike in gold prices coincided with political turmoil and a decrease in the local currency’s value, leading to an all-time high valuation of Rs240,000 per tola on May 10, 2023. On the international front, the price of gold saw a $10 increase, reaching $1,901 per ounce on Tuesday.

  • ‘We have received the guarantee on this issue’: Rana Sanaullah on Nawaz Sharif’s return

    ‘We have received the guarantee on this issue’: Rana Sanaullah on Nawaz Sharif’s return

    Former federal interior minister and senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Rana Sanaullah, has said on Wednesday that his party has obtained a “guarantee” now, paving the way for the return of PML-N head Nawaz Sharif.

    Talking about his leader’s return on Express News’ ‘Hashtag Siyasat’, Sanaullah said that Nawaz Sharif’s innocence as declared by a court is indicates that the former Prime Minister will return.

    “We have received the guarantee on this issue [Nawaz Sharif’s return home]. So now there is zero risk for the party,” the former minister said on the show. “Nawaz Sharif’s acquittal has also been almost certain,” he added.

    Rana Sanaullah’s comments came after a consultative meeting of party leaders, chaired by party president Shehbaz Sharif. Senior leadership reportedly remained divided on the matter of Nawaz’s return.

    While some leaders said that September is a good time for the party head to return, others thought that October would be more suitable.

    A few party leaders reportedly expressed the opinion that Nawaz shouldn’t return until all of the legal challenges standing in his way have been resolved. They emphasised that they didn’t want to take any risks.

    PML-N leaders revealed on Wednesday that the party is working on two plans: one is about Nawaz Sharif’s arrival in Islamabad, and the other is him landing in Lahore.

    According to PML-N sources, a bail application will be filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) before Nawaz Sharif arrives in Pakistan, while plans are underway that he will be given a warm welcome upon his arrival in Islamabad or Lahore.

    “If Nawaz Sharif reaches Islamabad from London, he would be warmly welcomed, and a big rally would be held in the Parade Ground,” a source said, adding that the former prime minister would proceed to Lahore from Islamabad via GT Road.

    “On the way home, in the form of a big procession, the PML-N Quaid will also address supporters at various places on GT Road. And a historic public gathering will be held in Lahore,” the source added.

  • Doctors conduct plastic surgery on child abuse survivor Rizwana

    Doctors conduct plastic surgery on child abuse survivor Rizwana

    Trigger warning: domestic violence, child abuse

    Teenage domestic helper Rizwana has received plastic surgery from doctors on her face, while her head injuries were disinfected during the procedure, ARY has reported. Hospital sources say the procedure was three hours long, while the possibility two or three more plastic surgeries in the future cannot be ruled out.

    “She was shifted to the ward after applying bandage on her wounds,” the doctors said.

    The horrifying case shocked Pakistan when the teenage domestic helper was tortured and abused while working at a civil judge’s home in Islamabad, after she was accused of stealing jewelry. The family has revealed the girl was not paid a single penny by the family for the extensive workload she was doing.

    Since the case went viral, actress and children rights activist Nadia Jamil spoke out publicly against employing children for domestic labor, leading a campaign to get the perpetuators arrested, while prominent celebrities like Mahira Khan, Wahaj Ali and Hamza Ali Abbasi have also lend their voice.

    Jamil shared an update yesterday that Rizwana had opened her eyes, but was still in casts.

  • Rizwana torture case: Judge’s wife claims Rizwana never worked for her, says she wants to commit suicide

    Rizwana torture case: Judge’s wife claims Rizwana never worked for her, says she wants to commit suicide

    An Islamabad court has on Tuesday reserved verdict on appeal to grant physical remand of Somia Asim, the wife of a civil Judge accused of torturing Rizwana.

    During the hearing, the police requested the court for the suspect’s physical remand for further investigation. The defense lawyer argued that the police have been investigating since Somia Asim got arrested, and emphasizing that she has nothing to do with it.

    Furthermore, Somia while giving her statement to the court, shared that she has been facing a lot of criticism and pressure, even though she has not been proven guilty yet. She said that she’s a mother of three and with the current circumstances she feels like committing suicide.

    Stating that she is being given a “media trial”, Somia also complained about media coverage while she is being brought to the court, to which the judge replied that it doesn’t matter because she is fully covered and no one could see her face.

    The judge also inquired about the victim’s health. Rizwana’s sister apprised the court that she is doing better and has been shifted out of the ICU.

    Later, the court reserved the verdict.

    On Monday, the main suspect Somia Asim was arrested from the court after her bail plea was rejected.

    The court went on to issue an arrest warrant against Somia Asim, the wife of a civil judge, after she presented herself in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Farrukh Farid.

    During the court hearing, Asim’s lawyer claimed that she had appeared before the JIT and proclaimed her innocence. He stated that police records did not indicate any instances of violence committed by Asim. In addition, the defense attorney maintained that Somia had tried to send the minor girl back multiple times and had eventually handed her over to her mother.

    However, the plaintiff’s lawyer contested the claims, stating that Rizwana, aged between 13 and 14, had been repeatedly subjected to torture. According to him, employing a minor is an illegal act in itself. He pointed out that the civil judge and his wife should have been aware of this illegality. He further claimed that there were allegations of blackmail against the girl’s parents.

    He questioned how parents could cause such severe injuries to their own daughter and pointed out that the medical report of the girl had not been challenged by defense lawyers.

    The plaintiff’s lawyer questioned the basis on which the accused was seeking an extension of her bail. He argued that if women are granted bail in such grave cases, it would lead to societal decay.

    The shocking incident of severe torture on a teenage maid allegedly perpetrated by the wife of a civil judge in Islamabad has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The victim, a resident of Sargodha, was shifted to Lahore General Hospital, prompting an investigation into accusations against the judge’s wife.

  • Muharram 9, 10: Mobile services suspended in multiple areas to ensure safety

    Muharram 9, 10: Mobile services suspended in multiple areas to ensure safety

    On July 28, mobile services were suspended in several parts of Pakistan in observance of Ashura (Muharram 9), as part of precautionary measures taken by the authorities to maintain peace and avoid any potential untoward situations during this significant religious event.

    In Islamabad, the Ministry of Interior requested the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to enforce the suspension of mobile services not only on Muharram 9 but also extend it to Muharram 10 and 11.

    As per the directives, mobile service remained unavailable in sectors G6 and G7 from 1 pm to 10 pm on Muharram 9. Additionally, in Sector 10-I and adjoining areas, the services were blocked from 6 pm to 6 am on the following day.

    On Muharram 11, mobile phone services were suspended in Shah Allah Ditta from 2 am to 7 pm, and in the areas surrounding Noorpur Shahan/Bari Imam, the suspension was in effect from 12 pm to 7 pm.

    In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sources from the provincial home department informed Geo News that mobile services would remain suspended in 14 districts on Muharram 9 and 10, including Sadar, Pishtakhara, Hassan Ghari, inner city Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohat, Hangu, and Bannu. The mobile service suspension continued until 10 pm on these days to ensure a peaceful Ashura observance.

    Similarly, local authorities in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, decided to suspend mobile services on Muharram 9 and 10 to prevent any potential disturbances during the religious event.

    Additionally, the provincial government of Balochistan had already imposed a ban on pillion riding in the Quetta division from Muharram 1 to Muharram 12 (July 28 to August 8) as an added security measure.

    In Karachi, the PTA had previously announced a partial suspension of mobile services in some areas until Muharram 10 (July 29). However, the suspension was extended to Muharram 8 and was expected to remain in effect on Muharram 9.

    Moreover, in Lahore and Sindh, authorities enforced a ban on pillion riding during the observance of Ashura on July 28.

    It’s important to note that despite the temporary disruption of mobile services, landline and cable net services continued to operate without interruption.

    These measures were taken to ensure the safety and security of the public during the important religious commemoration of Ashura on July 28, 2023.

  • Police ‘reluctant’ to register 13-year-old housemaid torture case against civil judge

    Police ‘reluctant’ to register 13-year-old housemaid torture case against civil judge

    A shocking incident of severe torture on a 13-year-old housemaid, employed by a civil judge in Islamabad, has come to light.

    Reportedly, the police are facing accusations of reluctance to register a case against the judge, reported Dawn.

    The civil judge, a member of the Punjab Judicial Service on deputation at the Federal Judicial Academy for about three years, and his wife, are alleged to have subjected the girl to merciless beatings and burns.

    According to the Sargodha District Police Officer, the young girl had been hired as a housemaid through a contractor for a monthly salary of Rs10,000, about six months prior to the incident. The girl’s family was informed by the employer that they were dissatisfied, prompting them to take her back to Sargodha.

    On their way back, the mother noticed the injuries on her daughter’s body, and they sought medical treatment in Sargodha, where it was confirmed to be a case of torture. Due to the severity of her head injuries, the girl was transferred to Lahore for further treatment, with the assistance of the Sargodha police.

    Upon receiving a complaint and a medico-legal certificate detailing the girl’s injuries, police reached out to their counterparts in Islamabad, requesting them to register the case. Unfortunately, the response from the Islamabad police was deemed unprofessional.

    Following media attention on the issue, the Sargodha police once again approached the capital police to file the case. However, the Islamabad police asked for the physical presence of the complainant at their station, despite having received all relevant documents from Sargodha.

    The girl’s father lodged a complaint with the capital police for the case to be registered against the employer at the Humak police station. Police sources also suggested the possibility of a case being registered against the judge for hiring an underage maid and concealing facts.

    The complainant detailed the horrific condition in which they found their daughter, with injuries to her head, hands, legs, and broken teeth. She revealed that she endured daily torture by the judge’s wife, who sometimes denied her food and confined her to a room.

    In response to the allegations, the civil judge claimed that the girl had injured her own head and that his wife had questioned her about a theft incident involving gold ornaments. He further claimed that the marks on her face were a result of her habit of eating clay.

    This distressing incident has raised concerns about the treatment of domestic workers and the need for swift and serious action against such perpetrators.