Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan allegedly contacted United States (US) Ambassador Donald Blome via a video call. The alleged video call took place on August 4 (Thursday) around 1:45 pm to 2:15 pm, reports Muhammad Saleh Zaafir for The News.
However, Shireen Mazari denied these reports and said this is “part of vilification campaign” planned against Imran Khan.
During the alleged conversation between the US envoy and PTI chief, Khan expressed reservations about the US policy against his then-government in the Centre, reports Khalid Azim Chaudhry for Samaa News. In response, the ambassador said that he has been in the office for only two months. However, he assured Khan that he would convey the message to the Biden administration.
The video call allegedly took place after the meeting between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan and Donald Blome last week in Peshawar. Blome visited the provincial capital to hand over ambulances to the government. Mahmood Khan reportedly arranged a call between his party chief and the US official.
Absolutely no truth: Shireen Mazari
Former federal minister and PTI leader Shireen Mazari denied that there has been any contact between Khan and Blome.
“There is absolutely no truth in Imran Khan having had any conversation on cell/video link with US envoy Blome. It is part of a vilification campaign planned against IK by an Imported govt terrified of IK politically. We expect more such fake claims and evidence will follow,” tweeted Shireen Mazari.
There is absolutely no truth in Imran Khan having had any conversation on cell/video link with US envoy Blome. It is part of vilification campaign planned against IK by an Imported govt terrified of IK politically. We expect more such fake claims & “evidences” will follow!
“We do not comment on what transpires during private diplomatic meetings like the one between Ambassador Blome and the KP chief minister,” said US Embassy spokesman Nick Hersh.
Khan blamed the US for his ouster and accused the Biden administration for the success of the vote of no-confidence against him.
The latest data from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reveals that the number of 3G and 4G users grew by 1.14 million from 112.75 million in April 2022 to 113.89 million in May 2022.
Pakistan’s cellular subscriber base grew by 0.25 million to 193 million by the end of May 2022, up from 192.75 million at the end of April, according to Brecorder.
By the end of May, cellular mobile teledensity had risen from 87.6 per cent to 87.67 per cent. By the end of May, the total teledensity had risen to 88.81 per cent, up from 88.74 per cent in April.
The monthly penetration of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) at the end of April had risen to 51.73 per cent, up from 51.24 per cent.
Network providers
The total number of 3G users on Jazz fell from 6.222 million at the end of April to 6.068 million at the end of May, a reduction of 0.154 million. By the end of May, the number of Jazz 4G users had risen from 36.567 million to 37.168 million.
Zong 3G subscribers fell from 3.357 million at the end of April to 3.272 million at the end of May, while 4G users grew from 27.952 million at the end of April to 28.317 million at the end of May.
Telenor 3G subscribers fell from 3.696 million at the end of April to 3.613 million at the end of May, whereas Telenor 4G users enhanced from 21.216 million at the end of April to 21.494 million at the end of May.
By the end of May, there were 3.576 million Ufone 3G users, up from 3.673 million at the end of April. Ufone’s 4G users increased from 8.761 million at the end of April to 9.052 million at the end of May, a 0.291 million increase over the previous month.
After meeting with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the party [MQM-P] will announce that they are with the Opposition in a day or two.
Fazl made the announcement alongside MQM-P’s party members in Karachi where he further said that the government allies are no more with them, adding that he is completely satisfied that the no-confidence motion will be successful.
The PDM chief said the language Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has used during the recent rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkwa (KP) is not of an “honourable person”. “I think it is disrespectful to have such people assume such big offices,” he added.
With the no-confidence motion date approaching soon, both the Opposition and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are trying to woo government allies ahead of no-confidence motion which is to take place on March 25.
It is pertinent to mention that the government’s ally in the Centre, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), has assured PM Imran Khan of complete support on the motion, while other allies i.e Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), MQM-P, and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) are still indecisive.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed, in a video message, has revealed that all three suspects involved in the suicide blast inside an Imam Bargah in Peshawar have been identified by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police and investigation agencies.
He said the police and agencies are closing in on the suspects and they would be arrested in the next two to three days.
Earlier, the minister hinted at the involvement of foreign forces in the attack.
A suicide bomb attack hit Peshawar resulting in 63 deaths on Friday.
According to CCTV footage of the attack, a man dressed in a traditional shalwar kameez shot two policemen as he entered the mosque.
AFP reported that the militant Islamic State group had claimed the suicide bombing. According to reports, the investigators are checking the biometric data of people who had recently entered Pakistan from Afghanistan.
The Quarterly Performance Evaluation Survey (QPES), a Pulse Consultant’s indigenous tracking tool of public perceptions about the government’s performance has released its report.
According to a question in the report, when responders were asked: “Do you agree with [PM] Imran Khan’s statement of him being a brand and not being corrupt?” a total of 46 per cent didn’t agree with him and only 19 per cent believe the premier.
65 per cent of responders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa think that corruption and poor performance in the province led to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) defeat in the local election.
It is revealed that 77 per cent think that the Murree tragedy was a sudden disaster.
Further, the survey says that 18 per cent of the country is satisfied with PM Khan and 56 per cent believe PM Khan’s claim that Pakistan is out of the economic crisis. 15 per cent think that inflation will be reduced in the next three months.
84 per cent of Pakistanis consider inflation as the biggest problem of the country and 99 per cent of Pakistanis say ‘Inflation has increased in past three months.’
William Siraj, a priest, was shot dead while another was injured after armed assailants opened fire on them in Peshawar, reports Dawn.
After the incident, evidence was collected from the scene and the body was shifted for an autopsy while further investigation is underway. However, the injured priest was discharged after being provided medical treatment for sustaining minor injuries.
According to the police, “Siraj was a padre at a church within Chamkani police station limits.” Moreover, police have launched a comprehensive investigation.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Abbas Ahsan said, “We are determined to protect minorities.” He added that a team consisting of officials from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Peshawar police have been formed to probe the case.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan took notice of the incident and condemned the fact that religious leaders of the Christian community were targeted. He also directed the Inspector General of Police (IG) to take necessary steps for arresting the culprits.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman strongly condemned the attack.
“Terrorism that targets anyone, especially for their faith, is heinous and must be fought against with the full force of a clear, concerted policy and state power. No compromise, no equivocation,” she tweeted.
The Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR) in its recent survey has found Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar is leading in satisfaction level for developmental works in comparison to other chief ministers, reports The News.
As per the survey, Buzdar is ahead as 51 per cent of respondents from Punjab are satisfied with him. CM KPK Mahmood Khan ranked second by securing a 48 per cent satisfaction rating. CM Balochistan Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo secured 43 percent while CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah got only a 38 per cent rating.
The research center surveyed from December 22, 2021, to January 9, 2022, in which they ask the opinion of 3,700 respondents from different provinces.
About the improvement in the performance of provincial health departments, 72 per cent are satisfied with Buzdar while CM Shah is at last with a 53 per cent rating.
Similarly, in the education sector 86 per cent of people have shown their satisfaction with CM Punjab and KPK education department drew the appreciation of 80 per cent of respondents.
In all the sectors, Pakistan People’s Pakistan (PPP) CM Sindh is behind among all the other CMs.
Video of Pakistani cricketer Fakhar Zaman, who represents the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team, eating with the ground staff after the final match of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is doing the rounds on internet and it has won the hearts of Pakistani social media.
Zaman had lunch with the ground staff at the National Stadium in Karachi during the innings break on the last day of the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Cricket Tournament.
Several fans took to Twitter and appreciated the cricketer for the humility and nice gesture, while some called Zaman a real Qalandar.
Zaman hit a quick-fire fifty, smashing 9 fours and a monstrous six in the 5-day match.
After the match, Zaman also took selfies with his fans.
Fakhar Zaman with fans after the final of Quaid e Azam Trophy, clocked selfies with then and gifted his shirt to a young supporter. pic.twitter.com/dUKd7hPJ9w
KP has won the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy cricket tournament title for the fifth time while successfully defending its title. The team has won five consecutive domestic tournaments in two years.
Northern who were set a 384-run target on the final day, went down fighting as they were bowled out for 214 in their second innings with 18.4 overs left in the final session of the match.
Let’s congratulate the top performers from The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2021-2022. Who’s performance had you on your toes? Player of the match: Iftikhar Ahmed Best Batter: Mohammad Huraira Player of the tournament: Mubasir Khan Best Wicketkeeper: Rohail Nazir pic.twitter.com/dCQSGQpxpC
Pakistani cricketers Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who are currently in a bio-secure bubble for the ICC T20 World Cup and who were also the part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) team, congratulated their team for defending the title and beating Central Punjab at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday after Captain Iftikhar Ahmed produced an all-round performance.
“Huge congratulations to the whole KPK as we have successfully defended our title. We decided in our very first meeting to play like warriors and Alhumdulillah we managed to do that successfully. What a team. What a performance,” wrote Rizwan while congratulating his team.
Huge congratulations to the whole KP as we have successfully defended our title. We decided in our very first meeting to play like warriors and Alhumdulillah we managed to do that successfully. What a team. What a performance. #NationalT20Cuppic.twitter.com/bZgkqvLmkO
Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi also took to Twitter to congratulate their team.
Congratulations #KPCricket on another domestic trophy. Its almost time that KP’s talent get the state-of-the-art facilities that they deserve. Not Just KP but entire Pakistan deserves such facilities. This will incredibly help our upcoming talent. #PakistanZindabadpic.twitter.com/ZlVxSzHPTZ
The KPK captain completed the run chase by smoking Mohammad Faizan for a four through cover on the last ball of the 17th over and unleashed a roar in the Lahore night sky. He bagged the player of the final and the best player of the tournament awards.
Pakistan has been plagued by episodes of rape and abuse over the years that it has now become common to the extent that people have started normalising such acts.
Back in 2002, Mukhtaran Mai’s gang-rape was one of the most horrifying gang-rape incidents that were reported.
Another major incident that took place in 2014 was the Layyah gang-rape case, where a 20-year-old girl after being gang-raped, was found hanging from a tree. Such inhumane incidents haven’t stopped even now.
Two men stole her money and the jewellery she had on her. They then raped her in front of her two children in a nearby field and escaped.
The incident sparked national outrage but what happened next? Before the arrest of the two culprits, questions like “Why was she out on the motorway so late without a brother or husband? Why didn’t she check her gas tank before leaving the house? And if she had to travel, why didn’t she take the more public GT Road route?” were asked because, sadly, in our country ‘getting raped’ is the woman’s fault. Apparently, a woman gets raped because ‘she was driving alone, on the wrong road, at the wrong time, in the wrong place’.
Later, the motorway rapists were sentenced to death but rape cases continued to rise in Pakistan.
On October 12, 2020, our team started counting rape cases on a daily basis from 13 different sources, which included these newspapers: Dawn, The News, The Express Tribune, The Nation, Pakistan Today, Daily Times, Nawa-e-Waqt, Daily Jang. And from these websites: ARY News, Geo News Samaa News Dunya News Aaj News.
It is to be noted that the given stats only include the reported incidents, not the ones that go unreported.
During the process, we have included reported rape cases of girls, boys, women, men and transgenders. Moreover, we have divided the rape cases province-wise, according to which Punjab till date has the highest number of rape cases, i.e. 936 rape cases and 44 attempted incidents.
It has been a year since we have started posting our rape template daily to analyse the record of reported rape cases. We have collected the data of the entire year (October 12, 2020 to October 12, 2021) and prepared slides of reported cases of each month provinces-wise.
Provinces Categorisation:
Sindh
Till date, Sindh has recorded a total of 60 reported rape cases in which 10 are attempted incidents. 11.6 per cent of cases were reported in the month of April and August as per the graph.
Punjab
Punjab has recorded a total of 936 reported rape cases in which 44 are attempted incidents until now. 13 per cent of cases were reported in August.
Islamabad
The capital has recorded a total of 13 reported rape cases which no attempted cases until now. The reported cases are relatively low as compared to other provinces’ data. However, 38.46 per cent of rape cases were reported in June this year.
Balochistan
Balochistan has reported a total of 11 reported rape cases. Most of the months show zero reported rape cases, according to the graph.
KPK
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) has reported a total of 20 reported rape cases of which 2 were attempted incidents. The numbers throughout the months are quite the same.
Deaths (province-wise)
As per the graph, the death rate was high in the month of January i.e.14.5 per cent.
Numbers of the recorded cases after the highlighted incidents of 2021
After the following incidents, we noticed an increase in the reporting of rape cases.
Mufti Aziz-ur-Rehman: sexual assault case
On June 17, police registered a criminal complaint against Mufti Aziz after a male student accused him of sexual abuse. In the aftermath of a viral graphic video that showed Mufti engaging in sexual intercourse with the male student, who was the victim, the action was taken against Mufti Aziz. After the incident, we noticed an increase of 10.7 per cent in the reporting of rape cases in the month of June.
Usman Mirza’s sexual assault on a couple
Usman Mirza was arrested on July 7. He was seen torturing and assaulting a couple. He was also seen stripping naked a woman in the video. The video sparked outrage across Pakistan. After the petrifying incident, an increase of 9 per cent was observed in the reporting of rape cases in the month of July.
Noor Mukadam’s murder case
On July 20, Noor Mukadam, daughter of former Pakistani diplomat Shaukat Mukadam, was raped, beheaded and murdered, in a posh neighbourhood of Islamabad in July. Noor’s murder led to nationwide protests. After her murder, as per the reported cases we have monitored, there was an increase of 12.6 per cent in the month of August.
There are many more cases that are still unreported due to various reasons.
According to The News, official statistics obtained from the Police, Law, and Justice Commission of Pakistan, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Women’s Foundation, and provincial welfare agencies in 2020 revealed that there are at least 11 rape cases reported in Pakistan every day with over 22,000 rape cases reported to the police across the country in the last six years.
