Ulster University in Ireland has announced the launch of an award named after the slain Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, who was assassinated in Kenya on 23rd October.
Dr Colm Murphy penned a letter to the late journalist’s wife, Somiya Arshad, and requested her permission for the “Best Investigative Journalist Award” to be named after Arshad Sharif.
The letter had explained that the Arshad Sharif award would be given to students for the best articles produced each year. In doing so, this award will honor Sharif’s legacy to fight for the truth and become a beacon of hope for the next generation’s journalists.
Dr Murphy further expressed his condolences to Sharif’s family for their loss, and also noted that Arshad was an important alumni of the university, since he had graduated 17 years ago after completing his MA in Media Studies from the University.
Tag: politics
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University in Ireland announces award named after journalist Arshad Sharif
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Won’t let provincial assemblies fall prey to Imran Khan’s ego, says Rana Sanaullah
On Saturday, Railways and Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, and Food Security Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema held a press conference in Lahore, calling on the apex court to take suo motu notice of the ongoing political turmoil in Punjab.
Sanaullah said that the Governor has the constitutional right to ask the CM to attain a vote of confidence if he plans to dissolve the provincial assembly to satisfy someone’s ego.
He added that they would not let two provincial assemblies fall prey to [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman] Imran Khan’s arrogance.
“Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is trying to ensure that all the assemblies complete their tenure,” he said.
He added that they do not intend to avoid elections; in fact, they are preparing their candidates for general polls.Rana added that the LHC provided ultimate relief to Parvez Elahi. He said that he has heard PTI is offering Rs20 million each to their estranged MPAs.
“Imran wants the establishment to indulge in politics and help him attain power once again,” said Rafique. -
![‘Will not join politics after [the] two-year bar nor afterwards’: Gen Faiz Hameed](https://current.perceptiond.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Capture-10.jpg)
‘Will not join politics after [the] two-year bar nor afterwards’: Gen Faiz Hameed
Former Director-General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), General (retd) Faiz Hameed clarified that all speculations about his joining politics or leading the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were false. “I will not join politics after two-year bar nor afterward,” he categorically said, reports The News.
On Thursday, a video of the former spy chief went viral on social media, showing the General attending a gathering in his native village Latifal in Chakwal. An unidentied person, addressing the gathering, praised the retired general for his services in the military and for all he did for the development of the area. The speaker requested the retired Faiz Hameed to join politics and play a role in the development of the country.
“We will be with you throughout, and we practically want you to join politics and serve the people like you did when you were in service. We want that once you join politics, people should know that you are back and are helping the people way more than they can imagine,” said the unknown man in the video. The retired General, who is seated on a sofa, smiles back.
Lt Gen (retd) Faiz had retired from service after General Asim Munir took command of the Pakistan Army as the chief of army staff.
The former DG ISI had requested early retirement after the prime minister had approved Gen Asim Munir and Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza’s elevation to the four-star rank.
His application for early retirement was approved on December 2 after the Defence Ministry forwarded his request to the premier.
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COAS Bajwa warns ‘price of status quo will be devastating’ for all
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa warned that the “price of status quo will be devastating for all of us”.
“The world has changed, and so should we as the price of status quo will be devastating for all of us,” warned the army chief while addressing the passing-out parade of 146th PMA Long Course at Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul.
“I must highlight here that our desire for peace must not be construed as our weakness. No one should make any mistake about our collective resolve to defend our core interests and every inch of our motherland,” he warned.
He said that the people of South Asia deserve prosperity and better living conditions, which can only be achieved with sustained economic growth, developing, and lasting peace.
“Therefore we should try to keep the flames of war away from the region,” he said.
“This can only happen with sustained economic growth, development, and above all, lasting peace. Therefore, we must strive hard to keep the flames of war away from the region,” he stressed.
Don’t get distracted by fake news and political wrangling
During his speech, Gen Bajwa urged the cadets not to get “distracted by fake news and political wrangling” in the country.
“The message is clear: The armed forces with the support of our citizens will never allow any country, group, or force to politically or economically destabilise Pakistan,” he said.
Respect the democratic institutions
“My dear cadets, you are entering the service when the challenges facing the country are complex and multifaceted hence your responsibilities are far greater and more demanding than that of your predecessors,” he told the cadets, advising them that as good soldiers they must always remain focused on their jobs and not get distracted by fake news and political wrangling in the country.
“Respect the democratic institutions and be ready to defend the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and constitution of Pakistan with your life,” he further added.
“Always remain prepared and alert to respond and defeat all intrigues and conspiracies hatched against our country with an iron fist. The message is clear. The armed forces, with the support of our citizens, will never allow any country, group, or force to politically or economically destabilize Pakistan,” he concluded while thanking the commandant for training the cadets.
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PM Shehbaz to leave ‘no stone unturned’ in missing persons case
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif assured the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday, September 9, that all-out efforts will be made to recover missing persons.
“I cannot say that all of the missing persons will be recovered, but we will leave no stone unturned,” he assured the court “I will not give any lame excuse,” said the premier to the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah.
Justice Minallah during the last hearing had instructing PM Shehbaz to ensure that missing persons — whose cases were being heard in the court, had to be produced before IHC on September 9 (today) and warned that the failure to do so would require the premier to appear in person on the said date and give an explanation.
Justice Minallah stressed that the state’s responsibility should be fulfilled, regretting that in cases where missing persons were recovered, no further action was taken.
Political leadership has to solve this issue
“The political leadership has to solve this issue,” he said. “The court has no other way but to only ask the executive [about the issue].”
Justice Minallah also stressed on the fact that no impression must be created that implies that law enforcement agencies were picking up citizens. The CJ reminded Sharif that national security was his responsibility.
“This impression affects our national security,” he added. Addressing PM Shehbaz, he continued, “This court trusts you. Give [us] a solution for this [issue].”
He asked who the court should hold responsible for enforced disappearances.
PM Shehbaz replied that solving the issue was his duty.
“Court will hold the chief executive responsible,” Athar Minallah warned, stressing that “people going missing is intolerable.”
He said no entity was above the Constitution in the country, adding that this court would ensure civil supremacy, as well as the supremacy of the Constitution.
Making people go missing biggest form of torture
Justice Minallah then termed the practice of “making people go missing the biggest form of torture” and a “deviation from the Constitution”.
“This court is a constitutional court … This court will look at the Constitution. There is no bigger issue than this,” he further remarked.
He asked PM Shehbaz what the court should tell a small child approaching it for justice. “He also met the erstwhile prime minister,” Justice Minallah said, apparently making a reference to missing journalist Mudassar Naru’s son meeting former prime minister Imran Khan in December last year.
PM Shehbaz told the court that a child of a missing person asked him to reunite him with his father. “His sentence is very disturbing for me,” he said.
Saying that he was answerable to the courts and the people of the country, he added, “I am not here to play blame games.”
Require two months to resolve the issue
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar then asked the court if he could speak about a few matters.
In response, the IHC CJ said that he does not want to hear that the government has formed a committee and is probing the case. “I am telling you, no missing persons case should be filed again in this court,” he told the government in no uncertain terms.
The law minister said that the government was holding meetings in this regard every week and that it required two months to resolve this issue and not a week.
The court accepted the law minister’s plea to resolve the case within two months, adjourning the case till November 14.
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PM’s flood relief fund to be audited to ‘ensure transparency’
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday announced that the government will conduct an audit of the PM Flood Relief Fund to maintain transparency.
The fund will be audited by the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) and a private audit firm of “global standing”.
“As per my commitment to ensure transparency, the government has decided to get the PM Flood Relief Fund audited by AGPR and a private audit firm of global standing. They will audit all incoming and outgoing funds, including where and how the money is spent. The audit reports will be made public,” PM wrote in a tweet.
Pakistan is experiencing one of the worst floods in its history. In the last 24 hours, 26 more deaths have occurred, which has taken the death toll to 1,290.
The floods have wreaked havoc across all four provinces. The scale of devastation has been estimated to be upwards of $10 billion.
Many countries are coming forward to help Pakistan. So far, the country has received aid from China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates among others.
On Thursday, the UK announced an additional £15 million of lifesaving support for flood victims in Pakistan.
This week, the United States announced it would provide $30 million for flood victims.
United Nations (UN) chief Antonio Guterres called the floods a “climate catastrophe” and launched an appeal for $160 million in emergency funding. Meanwhile, western countries have also donated millions of dollars to Pakistan.
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‘Threatened govt officials’: FIR registered against Rana Sanaullah for spreading terror
A case was registered by the Punjab police against Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Thursday on charges of terrorism under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). A complainant named Sheikh Aslam registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Industrial Estate police station of Gujrat.
In the FIR, Aslam stated that Rana Sanaullah appeared on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’ on August 21. During the show, Aslam said that the anchor [Shahzad Iqbal] ran some old clips and statements of Sanaullah that were aired on different TV channels on April 16, 2021 and January 29, 2022, respectively.
In the clips, the minister had threatened the judiciary, the Punjab chief secretary, commissioner, other government officials and their children with dire consequences. Moreover, the FIR stated that Sanaullah threatened to kill government officials’ children and said they wouldn’t get any help from the judiciary.
“Rana Sanaullah’s statement was to terrorise the judiciary, chief secretary and other government officials so they can’t do their job and fulfil their legal responsibilities”, added the FIR.
The development was confirmed by Punjab Home Minister Hashim Dogar. In a tweet, the home minister said that the charges levelled in the FIR are serious and action would be taken in accordance with the law.
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Moonis Elahi also shared a copy of the FIR: “You [Sanaullah] make false cases against Imran Khan, now the Pakistani nation has registered a true case against you.”
An official source told Dawn that the complainant was “wanted” by the Islamabad Police in some cases lodged with Kohsar and Aabpara police stations. The police had already issued him notices and they have initiated the process to declare him a proclaimed offender.
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Can a ‘power hungry mad man’ trample the law, asks Zardari
Former President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is “mad for power” ands said that the judiciary must see “whether this person is above the law”.
“He is now targeting the judiciary and has threatened a woman judge in Islamabad. The judiciary has to see whether this person is above the law,” said Zardari.
Zardari said that at the moment, one man’s hunger to be back in power is driving him mad with each passing day.
“This man is subjecting our army to criticism on a daily basis and the same army is battling terrorists and sacrificing their lives for the country,” the PPP co-chairperson said.
Zardari called upon the government to establish its writ.
“Otherwise institutions will continue to be under attack from him,” warned Asif Zardari.
Addressing a political gathering at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Sunday (August 21), Khan said that according to the reports he had received, the neutrals were responsible for the crackdown against his party.
Read more: ‘Neutrals ka pressure tha’: Imran Khan blames the establishment for crackdown on PTI
“On May 25, when the police used violence against us, I was told by insiders that the police were ordered from above, which means that neutrals pressurised them to give PTI workers a thrashing,” said Khan.
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Pakistan needs unity more than ever
Pakistan is celebrating its diamond jubilee, the 75th anniversary of its Independence Day today. A nation that was created in 1947 has come a long way — 75 years of resilience, hard work, commitment, struggle, dedication, and courage to keep fighting the odds. A country that is more than seven decades old sure deserves congratulations but it is high time we introspect because this 75-years-old Pakistan deserves better.
Look around, what do you see? A nation that was built on unity, faith, and discipline lacks the core of these words. We were founded to have freedoms — the freedom to live, practice our religion, and be who we think and feel. Support whichever notion finds home within us. Have a creative and critical school of thought. Be protective of our fellow Pakistanis. Not judge them for their religious beliefs, political choices, and ethnicities.
But what are we now? The present day’s 75-year-old Pakistan is far from the idea of its creation. How did we end up forgetting our reason for birth? How did we as a nation fail to stay in discipline and unity? This 75-year-old Pakistan is an amalgamation of extremism, fascism, political polarisation, and pluralistic ignorance. This country has been in the scientific laboratory for a long time now. It is time we find a litmus paper, unanimously to build this country. It is time we come out of this experimental phase and move toward a country that does not discriminate on the basis of gender. Where political leaders stay political and do not misuse religion as they please. Where the sole purpose and work of leaders is towards nation building. We can only hope that the 75-year-old Pakistan becomes strong for its girls and provides them an equal opportunity just like its boys. Where we provide an equal chance at life to the ones who have religious beliefs other than Islam. Where our minorities are not suppressed but rather treated as equals. Where rape, child marriages, abuse, and harassment ends.
May we all give this country what it truly deserves because all it really takes is unity, faith, discipline, and introspection. Long live Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad!
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‘He shouldn’t have said that,’ Imran Khan distances himself from Shahbaz Gill’s remark
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has distanced himself from Shahbaz Gill’s controversial remarks.
There was an objectionable sentence in Shahbaz Gill’s statement. “He shouldn’t have said that,” he stressed.
It is being reported that Gill reportedly made a confession during interrogation. According to Geo News, Gill said, “I think I did not give the statement in digression from the party’s policy. I gave the statement after contemplation.”
Gill was taken into custody by the Islamabad police officers for inciting the public against state institutions, on August 9.
Police said the inquiry regarding at whose behest Shahbaz Gill gave the statement is underway.
Police also said that the phone recovered from Gill was a dummy set. His phone was taken away by his driver while he was being arrested, said police.