Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has officially assumed office as the eighth caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the President House, where President Arif Alvi administered the oath to Kakar.
The event was attended by former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former cabinet members, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, caretaker Chief Ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other high-ranking officials from different sectors of the government.
Following the oath-taking, the caretaker PM Kakar was given a guard of honor at the Prime Minister’s House, symbolizing his official responsibility as the interim leader.
Farewell and heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Thank you, @ShahbazSharif, for your service to Pakistan. You led the country through a difficult time with grace and determination pic.twitter.com/IzCR4H4UUm
His initial responsibility is to announce his cabinet so that the electoral process is conducted smoothly.
Kakar’s appointment as the caretaker Prime Minister was unveiled on Saturday, following deliberations between Shehbaz Sharif and former opposition leader Raja Riaz. After several days of speculation, Kakar was officially designated for the role.
Kakar took to X (former Twitter) to announce his resignation from Senate along with giving up membership of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)
Owing to the fundamental responsibility conferred upon me as the caretaker Prime Minister, I have decided to surrender my membership of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and relinquish my Senate position. Prayers requested from everyone.
On Monday evening, Sindh’s Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah, and the Leader of the Opposition in the dissolved Sindh Assembly, Rana Ansar, agreed on appointing Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar as the eighth interim CM of Sindh. He will be taking his oath tomorrow.
Around midnight yesterday, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui posted on X (former Twitter), “I would like to inform you that the consultative process between CM Sindh & Opposition Leader under Article 224(1A) took place on 12th, 13th & 14th of August. Both leaders have concurred to nominate Justice Maqbool Baqar as the interim Chief Minister of the Sindh Government.”
This is to inform that the consultative process between CM Sindh & Opposition Leader under Article 224(1A) took place on 12th, 13th & 14th of August. Both the leaders have agreed to propose the name of Justice Maqbool Baqar sb as the caretaker Chief Minister Government of Sindh pic.twitter.com/2AFKl1rCgT
Sindh CM House issued a brief statement that said, “After three-day consultations between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Leader of Opposition in the dissolved provincial assembly Rana Ansar, the two have agreed on the appointment of retired justice Maqbool Baqar as caretaker chief minister.”
“The summary for the formal appointment of Justice Baqar has immediately been forwarded to the Sindh governor Kamran Khan Tessori,” the statement added further.
The ruling party in Sindh, PPP, proposed Justice Baqar’s name for the interim CM position.
Who is Justice Baqar?
Justice Maqbool Baqar is a retired judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Born in Karachi on April 5, 1957, Justice (retd) Baqar did his LLB from the University of Karachi in 1979. He became the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court on September 20, 2013, and was elevated to a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on February 17, 2015. Justice Baqar retired as a Supreme Court judge on April 4, 2022. His name was also under consideration in 2022 for the position of Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
During his service at the SHC, Justice Baqar’s decisions in terrorism cases infuriated terrorist organizations, leading to an attack by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in a bombing incident on June 26, 2013, in Karachi. He, along with law enforcement personnel, sustained injuries during the attack. He returned to work after undergoing months of restorative surgery.
One of his notable judgments is in the case of the Baldia factory fire, which resulted in significant compensation for the victims of the incident.
Justice (retd) Baqar has also frequently highlighted shortcomings within the judiciary. Even in his farewell address at the Supreme Court, he admitted, “I believe that despite our efforts, we have not met expectations. Backlogs and pending cases remain exceedingly high across all courts in the nation. This reality should concern all stakeholders. It is vital that we eliminate obstacles to swift and affordable justice and take steps to prevent unnecessary delays in adjudication with genuine dedication and a focused approach to fulfilling our constitutional role.”
In Pakistan, it is a common practice to come out on the roads in groups to celebrate sports wins, new years, and of course, Independence Day. It is also often customary to celebrate these feats by firing guns into the air and lighting up firecrackers.
But flirting with danger has its consequences that many innocent people fall victim to every year.
Ten years back, in 2013, aerial firing resulted in the death of at least one person and more than 30 were wounded in Karachi. Jinnah Hospital alone received 33 wounded people, one of whom died shortly after.
In 2018, three people were killed and more than 35 were injured including children and women. Apart from aerial firing, a 22-year-old man was struck by firecrackers in Nazimabad.
In 2022, one man died while 23 were wounded in Karachi.
This year, as the public celebrated the 76th year of Independence, two people were killed and 85 were injured as a result of aerial firing carried out in Karachi.
According to Jamshed Quarters Station House Officer (SHO) Gul Baig, a 25-year-old woman was crossing the People’s Chowrangi on a motorbike with her family when a stray bullet hit her. Simultaneously, a seven-month-old baby was also hit at People’s Square.
Baghdadi SHO Ghulam Yasin said that a man sleeping on the roof of his house in Lyari’s Aath Chowk passed away as a random bullet hit him.
A police surgeon, Dr Summaiya Syed has claimed that Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital received 32 injured people each. These cases include a critical case of a head injury, children, teenagers, and women.
What Does the Law Say?
As per statements issued by City police and Central district police, eight people in total have been arrested in Kalakot, Kharadar, and Liaquatabad Bridge whereas seven pistols have been seized. The culprits have been charged with attempted murder, possessing illegal weapons and aerial firing.
Under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the district administration can issue a ban on an activity “for a specific period of time”. Such a ban is often enforced by the police and any violation of the ban can be tried under section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code which carries “a maximum penalty of six months in prison or fine or both”.
Similarly, cases of aerial firing can be registered under Section 337 (H) (II) of the Pakistan Penal Code for a negligent act of endangering lives.
337-H. (2) states:
Whoever does any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life or the
personal safety of other, shall be punished with imprisonment of either-description for a
term which may extend to three months, or with fine, or with both.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has banned entry and exit polls by national and international media during general elections according to its code of conduct for national media, international media, and observers.
According to the code of conduct, the ban is applicable to print & electronic media and any journalist, newspaper, and channel on their official accounts on digital media, and other social media influencers also forbidding them to conduct any kind of surveys at any polling station or constituency which may influence the voters’ free choice of casting votes.
An entrance poll translates into asking voters whom they are planning to vote for or a similar set of questions. In the same manner, an exit poll is taking opinions of voters regarding their voting pattern after they come out of the polling station.
While addressing the issues regarding the content, ECP further states that “the content on print & electronic media, any media person, newspaper, channel operating official accounts on digital media and social media influencers shall not include any aspect which might be construed as personal attack on candidates or political parties on the basis of gender, religion, sect, caste, baradari etc.”
The code bounds media houses to provide details of expenditures made by any political party that runs a paid advertisement on their platform. In addition to that, it further states, “The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Press Information Department (PID), Cyber Wing and Digital Media Wing of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) shall monitor the coverage given to political parties and candidates for their election campaigns through electronic channels, print and social media. The above authorities shall submit to the commission details of payments made by the political parties and candidates within 10 days after poll day.”
The code of conduct also advises the journalists or print, electronic and digital media, social media influencers, and media houses that throughout the election period they shall launch Civic and Voter Education programs which must be inclusive, especially targeting marginalized groups such as women, transgenders, youth, minorities, and differently-abled persons to maximize voter turnout and ensure their participation in the electoral process.
To ensure impartiality, the code of conduct for international media states that, “International Observers and Media persons shall select areas for election observation and reporting in consultation with Election Commission of Pakistan for their security and safety. However, International Observers and media persons shall choose the area to ensure balanced observation /reporting. “
It also restricts Individual observers from making any personal comments about his/her observation or conclusion on the election process to the media, also obligating them to share their findings, methodology, recommendations, and reports with the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Khudkaar, now known as xWave, started when Wardah Noor, 23, visited far-flung areas of district Layyah during a ration drive in the lockdown period. She observed how laborers were distraught while their economic conditions worsened day by day. That urged her to start something sustainable in case such circumstances arise again and “people have something to eat at home.” She decided to take a gap year from her university and work on the idea for a couple of months.
She was enrolled in B.A. LLB from LUMS at the time. The first half of Wardah’s gap year was consumed in traveling across Pakistan including KP and Sindh, visiting different institutes in Karachi, and residing in Islamabad for some time to see what is happening in other cities. That’s when she learned that skills training and development is something that might result into sustainability. In the second half, she started crowdfunding; her friends who were running other social ventures donated laptops, furniture, books and, “that’s how we started in Layyah.”
Today for me in pictures: Out of 10 people who joined stage, 7 were women and that is what’s gonna change the future. More representation, more say and more power. SO SO HAPPY SEEING THESE WOMEN PARTICIPATE. @khudkaarpic.twitter.com/PLRLO3j7xD
“During crowdfunding, we asked people that a minimum of Rs100 and a maximum of whatever they can pledge for a year. We used to meet our monthly expenditures, and for furniture, different people donated different things,” she said. She started the venture in a room at her home where they initially made a computer lab and, in another section, women were taught stitching.
She was able to secure The Spark Fund- Global Fund for Children through which they managed the finances for next year. Till now they are crowdfunding and simultaneously applying for grants. Recently they have started enrolling wealthy students who pay a certain amount of fee which helps in covering a small part of expenditure. She believes that this venture has given a direction to her life.
“This has given me a purpose which gives me satisfaction too. I have the energy to get up every morning and work on this idea. I initiated another startup during my gap year. I prepared a curriculum for overseas Pakistanis to give them Urdu tuition and I taught people the Urdu language because it is not their first language,” she added.
She explains that this helped her in saving money, but it distracted her from her focus. She eventually took a decision at the start of this year, ending the Urdu tuition startup and giving all her energies to enhance xWave. The salary she has started drawing from xWave after a donor’s funding is 5 times less than what she was earning from her Urdu startup, but this gives her satisfaction, and she is determined to live and die for the cause. What gives her energy, and an adrenaline rush is knowing the success stories of her students and fellows.
Happy to share that I am starting a new venture named @xWavePak , going to Balochistan and Sindh tomorrow.
We will be training youth of flood affected areas in web 3.0 technologies in the first phase & our target is to create economic impact of $14M in the next 10 years. pic.twitter.com/jFRPSmVD0I
Shazia Gull, a 23-year-old young woman, hailing from Layyah couldn’t continue her studies due to personal reasons. She used to stay at home and got to know about this center through her cousin. She secured admission there and started learning illustration and 2D animation. She had no source of earnings prior to this.
She says, “I am working on multiple projects, I have a full-time job at xWave, and earning a good amount of money. I am instructing about teaching-related courses at Coursera to enhance my skills and earn more.”
Another student of xWave, Muhammad Zain Abbas, also a resident of Layyah, got to know about this institute through his college teacher. He joined last year to learn video editing. “I made my account on Fiver a year ago and I have earned 150 dollars so far. I bought a decently working mobile phone as it was important for my work and I am hopeful that I will earn around 5000 dollars per month in the future,” he said.
Afshan kawal, a student of video editing living in Layyah, has shown remarkable dedication and hard work in pursuing her passion for video editing.
According to data released by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT), 2022 saw a growth of 2.74% as the remittance inflows stood at $397.328 Million as compared to 396.243 Million in 2021. There were around 3 Million freelancers in Pakistan in 2022, as per the report released by MoITT, which have possibly increased in 2023.
Pakistani freelancers earn an average of $20 per hour, and the majority of freelancers in Pakistan are under the age of 30. The most popular payment gateway for freelancers in Pakistan is Payoneer. The global freelance industry is valued at $3.5 Billion, and the Pakistan industry accounts for 9% of the global market.
According to data released by Payoneer and Upwork, women make up 47% of the freelance market in Pakistan, which is more than the 35% global average.
40% of freelancers in Pakistan are from Punjab, 29.5% from Sindh, 14.7% from KPK, 10.5% from Balochistan, and 5.3% from Azad Kashmir.
Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi collectively account for 88% of Pakistan’s freelancing industry.
Wardah Noor is an inspiration for young Pakistanis, and she advises others to dream big.
“Keep struggling, you have unlimited opportunities and endless avenues to learn from. Don’t look for shortcuts to be rich overnight; learn as many skills as you can consistently. You can achieve anything in your life,” she says.
Pakistani students have slammed Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) after results for 2023 examinations came to light.
Cambridge exams were disrupted in Pakistan due to riots on May 9 and 12. However, instead of rescheduling the affected papers, Cambridge allegedly opted to allocate average marks. The announcement of the results, on August 10, has stirred frustration among students across Pakistan, as only a small number managed to attain A and B grades. More than 45,000 students appeared in the exams.
In response, students expressed their intent to stage peaceful protests in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, to highlight what they perceive as an injustice done by Cambridge.
Outraged students have turned to social media, urging a rescheduling of the exams to provide them with a fair opportunity to showcase their capabilities and receive grades reflective of their performance.
Students took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to run an online campaign and raise their concerns regarding the issue.
X user, Muhammad Awais Sial mentioned that Cambridge graded them on components where scoring marks are inevitable. https://twitter.com/MASial34789939/status/1690045360998322176?s=20
Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League (N), Maryam Nawaz, also expressed concerns, stating that numerous students have reached out to her. She urged the CIE to consider the conditions in which students sat during these exams while reviewing the results on fairgrounds.
Many hundreds have reached out voicing their dissatisfaction with the CIE grading this year. It appears that the grading this year has produced unfair results which has led to severe unrest & anxiety amongst the students. Expected A*s have ended up with Cs & Es. These students…
Chief organiser of President Punjab PML(N), Mohammad Sarwar mentioned that he has been contacted by students who are disheartened after receiving E grades. The former chief minister of Punjab stated that he has reached out to a member of the House of Lords, Wajid Khan, for support in urging CIE to review their grading process.
I’ve been approached by countless students who sat Cambridge exams this yr highlighting overall lower grading by CIE- A* students receiving E grades is disheartening. I’ve reached out to @LordWajidKhan for support in urging CIE for fair review & reconsideration of grading process
Activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir explained the issue in detail while demanding that “Cambridge Assessment International Education and British Council Pakistan needs to provide details and transparency in the mechanism adopted this year and it must ensure that students of Pakistan did not suffer in particular due to some discriminatory or flawed policy.”
Understanding the controversy around #Cambridge exams grades this year:
– There are three categories of students who are complaining about their grades:
i) Those who missed some components of a subject due to exam cancellation between 10th and 12th May due to political unrest… https://t.co/yW9oPNja7K
Addressing the concerned Cambridge students, Uzma Yousuf, the Country Director for CAIE Pakistan, stated, “Cancelling the exams on 10, 11 and 12 May has been a difficult decision for the British Council. Your safety and well-being come first, and that’s why this decision was taken.”
She further added, “Our team is continuously monitoring the situation, and we will keep you updated as we have more information. We are completely committed to providing a safe and secure environment for you to sit for your exams.”
According to the army’s media affairs division, security forces have killed two terrorists after they attacked a military convoy in Gwadar, Balochistan, early on Sunday.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the terrorists attacked the convoy at 10 a.m. using hand grenades and small guns.
“However, due to the efficient and swift response, two terrorists were sent to hell with no harm to any military or civil persons,” the statement said, with the military expressing its resolve to “thwart efforts of the enemies of peace and prosperity in the country”.
One militant was killed and three others were hurt during the exchange of fire with security personnel, according to an earlier statement by the ISPR, which added that an operation was initiated in the region after reports of the presence of terrorists.
On the other hand, according to China’s consulate in Karachi, there were Chinese workers in the attacked convoy.
“A Chinese convoy from the Gwadar port project was hit by roadside bombs and gunfire on its way back to the port area from the Gwadar Airport,” it said in a statement on its website, adding that “no Chinese citizens were killed or injured”.
A statement released by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and former President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack.
On Sunday, law enforcement officials arrested Kazim Khan on charges of murder and trying to hide evidence. Khan has been arrested for killing and secretly burying his wife, Diane Cristo Khan, in a graveyard in Lahore, Geo has reported.
Police officials told Geo that Diane was physically tortured and murdered at Lahore’s Factory Area. The murderer was trying to bury his wife when the grave digger called the police, who arrested him on the spot.
The police also confirmed that they found the murder weapon in the murderer’s possession. Superintendent of Police (SP) Cantt, Owais Shafiq, said that a case has been registered and the murderer is being interrogated. The body of the victim has been shifted to a facility for post-mortem examination.
The National Icon Awards 2023 were held on Sunday with the top celebrities of Pakistan in attendance to watch their colleagues be honored for contributions to the field of arts and culture.
Popular A-listers like Mawra Hocane, Wahaj Ali and Fawad Khan were present at the ceremony.
Actor Wahaj Ali received the National Icon Award 2023, while veteran actors Meera and Resham watched on along with the outgoing Minister for Information, Marriyum Aurangzeb.
Nadia Jamil shared a clip of the outfit she wore to the awards, thanking Marriyum Aurangzeb for recognising an industry that had been aching for the respect and support of the state.
I don’t dress up a lot. And I never go to award ceremonies. But could not refuse Sultana Siddiqui Apas invite and decided to attend an award ceremony and enjoy spending some time amongst our industries most dazzling stars. Was humbling to meet the foundations of our industry.… pic.twitter.com/h8jlYhrNVb
The actress also lauded producer Zulfikaar’s comments on the need for smaller cinemas which are cheaper, since bigger cinemas charge around Rs 1500-2000 per person to watch a film.
Most important comment I heard tonight at the ceremony at Gov House was from pioneering producer of the industry Zulfikar Sahab about how the need of the day is small cinemas all Around the country. The big cinemas are expensive with tickets worth 1500-2000 rps. We need smaller…
Producer and actor Humayun Saeed called it a “privilege and honor” to be acknowledged by the state, and praised them for implementing the Film and Music Legislation which will help revive the film industry.
A privilege & honour to be acknowledged by the state. Thank you Government of Pakistan for not just the Icon Award but also for finally implementing the long awaited Film & Music Legislation facilitating the film industry in more ways than one @GovtofPakistan@Marriyum_Apic.twitter.com/JZ03VoNfsG
Actor Fawad Khan spoke about hoping that the film industry becomes independent to the point that it doesn’t need to rely on the government for support.
The Azadi Parade was held on Sunday at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, serving as the chief guest.
The cadets presented a spectacular display of drill parade, while a special tribute was paid to the martyrs who laid their lives for the motherland.
The army chief commended Commandant Ifthikhar Hassan Chaudhry for an inspiring parade on August 14.
Reminding his audience that Pakistan was created as a result of the tremendous vision of its forebears and their sacrifices, General Munir then raised the slogan, “Pakistan ka matlab kya, La ilaha illallah.” [What is the meaning of Pakistan? There is no God but Allah.]
He also mentioned that Pakistan is the land of opportunities, and the nation should struggle hard for the progress of the country.
“We will continue to rise in line with the aspirations of our forefathers and the people of Pakistan, for the bright future of coming generations,” Gen. Asim Munir vowed.
“We will fight our internal and external challenges,” he added.
The COAS said that the Pakistan Army will never think twice about making a sacrifice to protect the nation’s territorial integrity, all-encompassing security, and national development initiatives.
