Tag: Pakistan

  • Imran booked under Official Secrets Act in cipher case

    Imran booked under Official Secrets Act in cipher case

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been booked under Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923 by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Geo News has reported.  

    Alleging that as Prime Minister, Khan deliberately got involved in using the classified document fraudulently, the FIA registered the case against Imran Khan. Last year in April, Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly (NA).

    Government sources told Geo News on Thursday that Imran Khan has been booked under Section 5. However, authorities were not sharing a copy of the FIR.

    The punishment in this case is imprisonment for two to 14 years, or even a death sentence in some cases.

    According to Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act 1923: “(1) If any person having in his possession or control any secret official code or password or any sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information which relates to or is used in a prohibited place or relates to anything in such a place, or which has been made or obtained in contravention of this Act, or which has been entrusted in confidence to him by any person holding office under [Government], or which he has obtained or to which he has had access owing to his position as a person who holds or has held office under [Government], or as a person who holds or has held a contract made on behalf of [Government], or as a person who is or has been employed under a person who holds or has held such an office or contract —

    a) wilfully communicates the code or password, sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information to any person other than a person to whom he is authorised to communicate it, or a Court of Justice or a person to whom it is, in the interests of the State, his duty to communicate it; or
    b) uses the information in his possession for the benefit of any foreign power or in any other manner prejudicial to the safety of the State; or c) retains the sketch, plan, model, article, note or document in his possession or control when he has no right to retain it, or when it is contrary to his duty to retain it, or wilfully fails to comply with all directions issued by lawful authority with regard to the return or disposal thereof;
    d) fails to take reasonable care of, or so conducts himself as to endanger the safety of, the sketch, plan, model, article, note, document, secret official code or password or information;

    He shall be guilty of an offence under this section.

    (2) If any person voluntarily receives any secret official code or password or any sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information knowing or having reasonable ground to believe, at the time when he receives it, that the code, password, sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information is communicated in contravention of this Act, he shall be guilty of an offence under this section.

    (3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be punishable, (a) where the offence committed is a contravention of clause (a) of sub-section (1) and intended or calculated to be, directly or indirectly, in the interest or for the benefit of a foreign power, or is in relation to any work of defence, arsenal, naval, military or air force establishment or station, mine, mine-field, factory, dockyard, camp, ship or aircraft or otherwise in relation to the naval, military or air force affairs of Pakistan or in relation to any secret official code, [with death, or] with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years; and (b) in any other case, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”

    The cipher case against the former premier took a turn after his former principal secretary Azam Khan stated before a magistrate as well as the FIA that the former PM had used the US cipher for ‘political gains’ and to avert a vote of no-confidence against him.

    Azam Khan also stated that he told Imran Khan not to proceed with using the cipher. However, in response, Imran Khan said that the classified document can be used to divert the public’s attention towards “foreign involvement” in the opposition’s no-confidence motion.

  • Jannat Say Aagay is a story of envy and inspiration

    Har Pal Geo TV is airing the new drama serial Jannat Say Aagay, starring Talha Chahour, Kubra Khan, Ramsha Khan and Gohar Rasheed. Haseeb Hassan is the author and director of what is turning out to be a complex love story.

    ‘Jannat say aagay’ is about a morning show host Jannat Khan, played by Kubra Khan. The other main character is Tabbasum (Ramsha Khan), a fan inspired by Jannat’s success.

    Jannat hosts the morning show Jannat Jahan and goes to all kinds of lengths to make her show a superhit, treading into the dark side if need be.
    Tabbsum takes up a caretaker job in Jannat’s house to become close to her, so she gets to know about the reality of the superstar.

    It’s an intriguing beginning to a promising show. Let’s see where it takes us in the future.

  • Elections delay inevitable as ECP announces delimitation schedule

    Elections delay inevitable as ECP announces delimitation schedule

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule of delimitation of constituencies as required by Article 51 of the constitution of Pakistan and section 17(2) of the Elections Act 2017, in accordance with the official results of the 7th Population and Housing Census-2023. The schedule makes it almost impossible to conduct elections in the next 90 days, as per constitutional requirements.

    According to the given schedule, the final publication of the delimitation will be on December 14th, 2023.

    As per the schedule, boundaries of administrative units across the country will stand frozen from today (August 17) and delimitation committees for all the provinces and the federal capital will be formed by Aug 21.

    In another notification, the ECP has directed its provincial chief secretaries, chief commissioner, the federal government, and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to provide assistance in the process.

  • PDMA warns of medium to high-level flood in Sutlej

    PDMA warns of medium to high-level flood in Sutlej

    The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has reported that River Sutlej’s water level has surged, resulting in minor flooding at Ganda Singh Wala. The current water discharge at the Ganda Singh Point is 73,000 cusecs, according to the PDMA website.

    Authorities from the PDMA have issued a statement stating that water levels at Ganda Singh Wala might increase to the level of moderate to high floods. The spokesperson further added that India might release more water into the river by August 20.
    PDMA shared that Indian authorities released 141,000 cusec water from Pong Dam and 83,703 cusec from Bhakra Dam in the Sutlej. Expectedly 125,000 cusec waters would enter Pakistani territory from Hari-ke-Pattan and a high-level flood is predicted at Ganda Singh.

    The PDMA has issued instructions to the deputy commissioners of Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, and Vehari to prepare in case an emergency arises.

    India released a significant amount of water in July and early August which destroyed thousands of acres of crops. The water level in the Sutlej River has been fluctuating at a low-level flood since last month resulting in the destruction of houses and forcing the villagers living near the border area to evacuate.

  • SECP strikes down 120 illegal personal loan apps

    SECP strikes down 120 illegal personal loan apps

    Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has taken measures to protect the public from falling into debt traps of illegal loan apps. Collaborating with Google, Apple and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), SECP has succeeded in removal of 120 illegal loan apps that were previously available online.

    The largely ignored scam of illegal personal loan apps came to light recently when last month, a resident of Rawalpindi, died by suicide after being threatened by a lender who gave him loan through one such app. This incident raised serious concerns about misuse of data privacy violations, and coercive recovery practices by the illegal loan apps. The SECP has not only tightened its regulatory framework for licensed Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) but has also initiated effective steps with the relevant authorities to shut down unauthorized and illegal loan apps.

    SECP has also referred the 120 blocked apps to the FIA for further action in accordance with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016. SECP regularly checks the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store for the presence of any illegal apps.

    Recently Google has introduced Pakistan’s Personal Loan App Policy, according to which Google only allows SECP-approved Personal Loan Apps for placement on its Google Play Store.

    Personal loan borrowers have been advised by SECP to obtain loans only from licensed NBFCs. The SECP’s regulatory framework for approved Apps requires transparent disclosure of fees, loan duration, instalments, and charges. Moreover, SECP has also initiated inspections of licensed NBFCs providing loans through Apps to verify that these are not engaged in miss-selling, breaches of data privacy, or coercive recovery practices etc.

  • ‘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.

  • Caretaker cabinet likely to take oath today

    Caretaker cabinet likely to take oath today

    Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, the Caretaker Prime Minister, is likely to take oath from his cabinet today, following an official announcement disclosing the names of the selected members, Geo News has reported. Speculations are rife that notable figures will take up significant roles within the interim administration.

    Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, the former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), is rumoured to become the finance minister, as reported by The News. Additionally, Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani, a former foreign secretary, is likely to be the interim foreign minister.

    Prominent textile industrialist Dr. Gohar Ejaz is a contender for interim federal minister for commerce and industries.
    Syed Muhammad Ali, a defense analyst, is being considered for the information ministry while Senator Sarfraz Bugti is likely to be the interior minister.

    Some earlier reports indicated that the interim prime minister would retain three senior aides from his predecessor, Shehbaz Sharif’s team. The Principal Secretary to the prime minister (PSPM), Dr. Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah and Press Secretary to the PM, Abdul Akbar, are expected to remain in office. Ahad Cheema, the former advisor to the PM, will likely get a role equivalent to a federal minister.

    Furthermore, Arshad Muneer Khan is likely to become the principal information officer (PIO) while Brigadier Tajdeed Mumtaz, will also continue to work as Military Secretary (MS) to the Prime Minister.

    It is predicted that the caretaker federal cabinet will be relatively concise, comprising only reputable individuals who will be assigned specialized tasks in accordance with their respective portfolios by the caretaker prime minister.

  • US Secretary Blinken congratulates Anwaar Kakar

    US Secretary Blinken congratulates Anwaar Kakar

    According to Bol News, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has congratulated caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar on assuming office.

    “Congratulations to the new Pakistan Interim Prime Minister, @anwaar_kakar. As Pakistan prepares for free and fair elections in accordance with its constitution and the rights to freedom of speech and assembly, we will continue to advance our shared commitment to economic prosperity,” Blinken tweeted.

    In response, Anwaar Kakar said on Thursday that “The caretaker government would assiduously work to facilitate a free and fair election in the country”.

    Anwaar Kakar also thanked the US Secretary for his good wishes and said in his tweet “We place importance on our partnership with the US and deeply value the shared commitment to economic prosperity, democracy, and stability in the region”.

  • ‘Not Jinnah’s Pakistan’: Celebrities protest against Jaranwala riots

    ‘Not Jinnah’s Pakistan’: Celebrities protest against Jaranwala riots

    The Jaranwala attacks have shocked the entire nation after the town’s Christian community came under siege on Wednesday by a violent mob. Speaking to The Current, a local resident said violence broke out after a Christian father tried preventing a group of boys from harassing his daughter.

    “This is a case of harassment. A girl from the Christian community was being teased by some members of the Muslim community and when her father and brother tried to stop them, allegations of blasphemy were raised.”

    READ MORE: Mobs burn churches in Jaranwala after alleged blasphemy incident

    Since the incident went viral on social media, politicians including Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar ul Haq Kakar have come forward to condemn the riots. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) the Premier said that strict action would be taken against those who violate the law and target minorities.

    Celebrities in Pakistan like activist and singer Shehzad Roy have taken to social media to condemn the incident and called for justice for the Christian community residing in Jaranwala.

    “If the state does not arrest each and every person involved in it through video footage and make an example, then we are doomed,” tweeted the ‘Laga Re’ singer.

    ‘Kuch Ankahi’ actress Sajal Aly called the violent attack ‘shameful’ and tweeted that there is no place for violence in religion.

    Actress Azekah Daniel slammed the incident as ‘not Jinnah’s Pakistan’ and asked why do people not show the same respect to a church that they demand for a mosque. She also called on mainstream media organisations and journalists of Pakistan to report against the growing ethnic violence against Christians in Pakistan.

    “This is NOT Jinnah’s Pakistan! I strongly condemn this atrocity against the Christian community. Why can’t show some respect for Holy places be it a Church or a Mosque? I stand against these atrocities and unjust acts of violence! I DEMAND JUSTICE FOR ALL”

    “Today we are witnessing the beginning of ethnic cleansing in Pakistan. Pakistani Christians are being persecuted,Church burnt down & the whole colony ablazed,will you raise your voice for us?”

  • Caretaker Prime Minister condemns attack on Christian Community in Jaranwala

    Caretaker Prime Minister condemns attack on Christian Community in Jaranwala

    On Wednesday morning, Jaranwala, Faisalabad, became the site of communal violence as multiple churches were burnt amid allegations of blasphemy against two Christian community members. Mobs attacked churches and residential houses along with office of the assistant commissioner of Jaranwala. As yet, Salvation Army Church, United Presbyterian Church, Allied Foundation Church, and Shehroonwala Church situated in the Isa Nagri area along with multiple houses have been burnt. Christian colonies all around the city have been evacuated, while the Lahore-Multan motorway was also blocked by protestors amid a complete shutter down in the city.

    Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has asked all law enforcement to apprehend the culprits & bring them to justice and given assurances that stern action will be taken against those who violate law and target minorities.

    Politicians from different political parties of Pakistan have raised their concerns, condemned the incident, and shown solidarity with the Christian community of Pakistan.

    Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the incident while saying that government should take action against the culprits.

    Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urged the administration to ensure the safety of the Christian community and their churches.

    The Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, said, “We call for restoring calm & order.”

    Senator Sarfraz Bugti tweeted, “Punjab Govermnet should enforce its full might to protect the Christian churches and homes.”

    Former Interior Minister of Pakistan and President of PMLN Punjab, Rana Sanaullah said, “The culprits must be brought to justice at the earliest, and the law should take its due course.”

    Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, tweeted that there is no space in Islam for violence.

    Politician and activist Ammar Ali Jan stated that the police is helpless in front of bigots.