Tag: Pakistan

  • Imran Khan gets ‘more room’ in Adiala Jail

    Imran Khan gets ‘more room’ in Adiala Jail

    The cell of former prime minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has been extended in Adiala Jail.

    According to sources, the jail superintendent, following the orders of Judge Abul Hassanat Zulqarnain, has extended the PTI Chairman’s cell from approximately 35 feet to 60 feet.

    During the hearing, the PTI Chairman also made two more requests for the provision of home-cooked meals and a bicycle for exercise.

    The judge, while conversing with Imran Khan, stated that the responsibility for providing meals in the jail lies with the prison authorities.

    The judge also ordered the jail superintendent to provide a bicycle for exercise under the jail manual.

    Imran Khan and the PTI vice chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, are facing charges related to the alleged deliberate mishandling of a diplomatic cipher. The special court announced that PTI leaders will be indicted in the cipher case next week.

    Read more: Court postpones indictment of PTI leaders in cipher case

  • Asian Development Bank believes Pakistan is the “least ready” country for digital education

    Asian Development Bank believes Pakistan is the “least ready” country for digital education

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its report titled “Toward mature digital education ecosystems, the Digital Education Readiness Framework”, has stated that Pakistan is the least ready country for digital education among the developing member countries (DMC).

    The report has highlighted major areas of improvement in Pakistan, including low internet connectivity, low fixed broadband speeds, high fixed line broadband costs and low rural electricity supply. Only 34.1 percent of households are connected with an internet connection.

    There is an absence of teacher training in information and communication technology (ICT) skills with a special focus on delivering online education. Pakistan has also the lowest shares of ICT graduates from the total pool of tertiary education graduates-1.1 percent- standing at the lowest among all 10 ADB members.

    However, Pakistan has surpassed all countries in its cable TV subscriptions coverage with over 482 subscriptions per 1000 persons. The country’s household TV coverage rate is at 62.8 percent.

    Six of the ten DMCs are in the “initial category of readiness”. They are Cambodia, Bangladesh, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan and Fiji in order.

    The other four countries in the “emerging category of readiness” are Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

    Fixed broadband prices play an important role in the ranking of these countries. While Cambodia, Indonesia and Pakistan are least affordable in broadband, Bangladesh, Mongolia and Uzbekistan are the most affordable.

    The difference between the model country’s normalized score and the highest-scoring country’s score is almost 45 points.

  • Court postpones indictment of PTI leaders in cipher case

    Court postpones indictment of PTI leaders in cipher case

    The indictment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi occurred on Tuesday in the cipher case. The special court established under the Official Secrets Act postponed the hearing till next week.

    The hearing took place within Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, during which the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) provided the accused PTI leaders with copies of the challan submitted against them.

    The special court judge, Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, postponed the indictment of PTI leaders until next week as the counsel refrained from receiving the copies of the challan in the last hearing.

    The FIA special prosecutor, Shah Khawar, Khan, Qureshi, and their legal teams were all present in the courtroom during the hearing.

    In the last hearing on October 9, the court shared copies of the challan with the accused submitted by the FIA.

    “The accused had refused to receive a copy of the challan at the previous hearing,” the FIA special prosecutor said.

    The PTI chief’s focal person on legal affairs, Umair Niazi, told journalists outside the Adiala Jail that copies of the challan were not given in the last hearing.

  • Pakistan to send humanitarian aid to Gaza

    Pakistan to send humanitarian aid to Gaza

    Pakistan has announced it will send humanitarian aid to Gaza.

    In the light of severe dearth of food, water and healthcare, about 2.3 million Palestinians are struggling to survive. The spokesperson of the Foreign Office has thus stated that aid will be sent to the Palestinians.

    “In the wake of indiscriminate Israeli aggression and siege of the Gaza Strip, the already oppressed people of the densely populated Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance,”, the statement read.

    Pakistan is currently contacting the Egyptian government, the Red Crescent and the relevant agencies of the United Nations. Moreover, Pakistani missions abroad are also being contacted to finalise the delivery of aid.

    On Monday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke to his counterparts in Iran and Egypt and discussed the current atrocities being committed against Palestine.

    The spokesman said that the oppressed people of Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

    However, how or if Pakistan would be able to send aid remains unclear as Israel has prevented other regional countries from sending aid. This includes Gaza’s neighbour Egypt whose borders meet the strip. It was proposed that Egypt would send relief goods through Rafah Crossing in exchange for allowing Americans and other foreigners to leave Gaza but Israel has not yet agreed to it.

  • Ushna Shah, Sakina Samoon criticise Pakistani celebrities not speaking out against Palestine genocide

    Ushna Shah, Sakina Samoon criticise Pakistani celebrities not speaking out against Palestine genocide

    As the tide shifts around the world with protests calling for an end to the Palestinian genocide, many global celebrities like Riz Ahmed have joined in the cause. However in Pakistan, there is a noticeable absence of many prominent celebrities whose voices are critically needed during this time, and public figures are calling this silence out.

    Actress Ushna Shah took to her Twitter account to criticise many of her peers who have chosen to remain silent rather than call out the slaughter of Palestinians by Israel.

    “To my peers who haven’t spoken up: Say with me: I don’t support the ethnic cleansing of Palestine or Israel’s illegal occupation. I stand with Palestine.

    No excuses, no ‘both sides’, no vague ‘peace wishes’. Most of Hollywood is using their platform to be clear about their stance; we need to be clear in ours. Vague posts might protect brand deals, but this issue is bigger than ad money. Speak out, take a stand. DISINFORMATION IS EVERYWHERE; If you follow any Hollywood celebrity or western media you’ll see this clear as day. Palestine needs your voice. A massive ethnic cleansing is happening right now, this is bigger than all of us.”

    Veteran actress Sakina Samoon reshared a post by writer Fatima Bhutto on her Instagram account which condemned the silence of brown celebrities and influencers on their silence over Palestine. In the caption, the actress wrote: “Indeed pathetic. They want work from the western industry, endorsements etc.”

  • Islamabad’s public transport fares reduced by 10% 

    Islamabad’s public transport fares reduced by 10% 

    With immediate effect, public transport fares in Islamabad have been reduced by 10 per cent in direct response to the recent decline in petroleum prices.  

    This decision emerged following a meeting convened by the Secretary of the Islamabad Transport Authority, involving consultations with representatives from the Drivers Welfare Association as well as transportation business owners. 

    This fare reduction is poised to make a significant impact, encompassing 23 distinct routes crisscrossing the capital city of Islamabad. It serves as a vital measure to alleviate the financial burden borne by commuters in the region. 

    Notably, this benevolent gesture is mirrored in Lahore, where transport operators have also undertaken fare reductions for both long-haul and short-haul journeys. 

    Furthermore, as part of its ongoing commitment to ease the economic challenges facing the populace amidst escalating inflation, the caretaker government took decisive action on Sunday.  

    This action involved a substantial reduction in petrol price by a notable Rs40 per litre and an equally substantial reduction of Rs15 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD) over the forthcoming two weeks.  

  • Major ANF operation uncovers online drug trafficking ring, resulting in 11 arrests 

    Major ANF operation uncovers online drug trafficking ring, resulting in 11 arrests 

    In a significant revelation, drug trafficking operations conducted through online shopping platforms have come to light, resulting in the apprehension of 11 individuals in various cities across Pakistan. The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has been at the forefront of this enforcement effort. 

    According to the official spokesperson for the ANF, ongoing investigations have unearthed additional suspects connected to this illicit network, all of whom hail from different regions within the four provinces of Pakistan. 

    During the course of these operations, the ANF has successfully seized 33 parcels, containing a total of 53.7 kilogrammes of hashish, 1.6 kilogrammes of ice, and 1.2 kilogrammes of opium, dealing a severe blow to the illegal drug trade. 

    Reports of drug trafficking through online shopping platforms had been circulating for several months prior to these recent arrests.  

    The ANF’s spokesperson disclosed that a well-organised group had been exploiting registered companies on these platforms as a front for their drug smuggling activities. 

    Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasised that the ongoing investigation has revealed the existence of a far-reaching network of this criminal group, spreading its tentacles across the entire country.  

    As the investigation continues, concerns have been raised that employees of major e-commerce platforms may also be involved in this heinous act.  

    The full extent of their involvement remains under scrutiny as authorities work diligently to dismantle this dangerous network. 

  • Approval of Al-Qadir UNIVERSITY was done in a hidden manner, even we weren’t aware that Khan took watches from Toshakhana: Farrukh Habib

    Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and ex-federal minister Farrukh Habib announced his departure from the party on Monday, pledging allegiance to the Jahangir Tareen-led Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) during a press conference held at the IPP’s head office in Lahore.

    In a significant blow to the PTI, Habib condemned the May 9 riots, attributing the responsibility for the turmoil to former prime minister and Chairman of PTI, Imran Khan. He criticized Imran Khan’s handling of the political situation, alleging that the former premier fueled violence and instigated a confrontation against state institutions.

    Habib said PTI’s “war” with the state institutions was “not a war between believers and non-believers,” lamenting that the ex-premier brought the country to the verge of violence.

    The IPP was formed on June 8 by estranged PTI leaders Tareen and Aleem Khan, who left the ex-PM’s party after severe disagreements, while several Imran loyalists have also joined hands with them.

    “I wasn’t at my house for the past five months […] and for the last few weeks, I wasn’t even in contact with my family,” Habib told journalists.

    “Since May 9, we did not face the law and were away from our houses. For the past five months, I was constantly pondering whether I joined politics for this reason,” he said.

    During the press conference, Farrukh Habib highlighted a series of grievances with the PTI’s leadership, citing instances where he felt the party had deviated from its ethical and moral compass. He criticized the PTI chief for allegedly accepting gifts from the Toshakhana despite previously condemning similar actions by other political leaders.

    “I realised that we took our real struggle to the path of violence. We stepped away from Pakistan which was envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam,” he said.

    Habib recalled that the PTI government was ousted via a vote of no-confidence constitutionally, but regretted that the party did not wait peacefully after that. Expressing his perspective, he said the PTI should have opted for a “democratic struggle” and waited for elections.

    “But you opted for violent resistance. We have faced beatings as youth leaders but we never opted for a violent approach. We used to work so dedicatedly for our vision,” Habib said. “But if you look at that struggle and compare it with the post-May 9 violence, you will see a difference.

    “There were messages for people to take to the streets and their minds were hijacked. Their sentiments were provoked that Pakistan’s institutions are working against them,” he claimed.

    Habib stated that “a message of hatred” was run on television all the time and a “bullet approach instead of ballot approach” was taken.

    Habib’s decision to join the IPP follows a series of similar defections from the PTI in recent weeks, suggesting internal upheavals within the party ranks. The former minister’s remarks resonated with similar sentiments expressed by other estranged PTI members who have found a common cause in the IPP.

  • Court rejects Imran Khan’s petition challenging jail trial in cipher case

    Court rejects Imran Khan’s petition challenging jail trial in cipher case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has said that security concerns justifying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s jail trial in the cipher case are valid.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq announced the verdict on the PTI chairman’s petition, which challenged the decision to conduct his trial at Adiala Jail in a case registered under the Official Secrets Act.

    The IHC directed Imran Khan to bring forth his concerns regarding the matter before the trial court.

    The PTI chairman, whose government was ousted following a vote of no confidence in Parliament last April, has petitioned the IHC to conduct his trial in a courtroom rather than in prison.

    “The jail trial is in favour of the PTI chairman in view of his security,” the court said, adding that Khan has repeatedly expressed fears about his safety.

    On the other hand, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi has submitted a petition to the IHC, contesting his imprisonment trial and urging the court to nullify the trial court’s decision from October 9. In that ruling, the special court announced that both politicians would be indicted in the cipher case on October 17.

  • Bushra Bibi gets bail in Toshakhana, Al-Qadir Trust cases

    Bushra Bibi gets bail in Toshakhana, Al-Qadir Trust cases

    Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has been granted interim bail by an accountability court in Islamabad while barring the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting her in the Toshakhana and GBP 190-million Al-Qadir Trust cases.

    Bushra Bibi appeared in the court of duty Judge Raja Jawab Abbas along with her counsel Latif Khosa for pre-arrest bail.
    The interim bail was granted in exchange for bonds worth Rs500,000 in each case and the hearing was adjourned till October 31.

    ATC adjourns hearing on bail:

    The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad has postponed the bail hearing for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in three separate cases until October 24.

    These cases, two of which were registered at the Khanna police station and one at Bhara Kahu, require the court to carefully examine the details of each case. The court requested the relevant records for further review.

    During the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, appealed for the production orders of his client, emphasizing that the Islamabad High Court had reinstated the bail applications, making Khan’s appearance in court necessary for all three cases.

    Safdar asserted, “Don’t think you have the powers of an Official Secrets Act court also. When a bail application is filed, it is decided on merit. If the court thinks the production cannot be ensured today, then the hearing should be held tomorrow. Whether the client has to be brought by a helicopter or an armored vehicle, it is the responsibility of the prison authorities.”

    Responding to the concerns raised, Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain stated that if the suspect’s appearance posed a challenge, the court would prioritize the bail application where another case was scheduled for the following day. He emphasized that even though the application was for pre-arrest bail, the fact remains that the suspect is currently in jail.

    In response to the lawyer’s request to avoid conducting the bail application hearing within the jail premises the next day, the judge assured him that the appropriate relief would be provided as per the law.

    Cipher Case Updates:

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) has determined that the trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in a cipher case can proceed within the confines of Adiala jail, citing concerns about the leader’s security. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq made the announcement, responding to Khan’s plea challenging the authorities’ decision to hold the trial within the jail premises, under the Official Secrets Act.

    The court directed Khan to take up any reservations he might have regarding the matter directly with the trial court. Khan, whose government was ousted following a vote of no confidence in April last year, had sought for his trial to be conducted in a regular court, rather than within the jail’s confines.

    Citing security as a crucial factor, the court stated, “The jail trial is in favor of the PTI chairman in view of his security,” acknowledging Khan’s repeated expressions of concern about his safety.

    In a related development, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi also filed a petition in the IHC, challenging his own jail trial. He requested the annulment of the trial court’s order and urged for an open trial. The special court had set the date for the indictment of both Khan and Qureshi in the cipher case on October 17, after the copies of the challan provided by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were shared with the accused’s counsels.

    In response to the developments, Khan’s lawyer, Latif Khosa, presented arguments highlighting the former prime minister’s concerns and previous legal history. Khosa emphasized that Khan had previously been sentenced to three years of imprisonment in the Toshakhana case, which was suspended shortly after. He questioned the legality of the jail trial, stating that it took place after the judicial remand and that the accused had not been provided with substantial evidence.