Tag: Top News

  • What is the ‘Farah Gogi fiasco’?

    What is the ‘Farah Gogi fiasco’?

    The disclosed assets of Farhat Shahzadi, also known as Farah Gogi, alleged to be the front person of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, surged by an astonishing Rs4.52 billion between 2017 and 2020, a report by Express News has stated. 

    The revelations, made public on Thursday, suggest widespread corruption involving Shahzadi, a close associate of Imran Khan and his wife, former First Lady Bushra Bibi. 

    The details of Farah Gogi’s assets were made public by journalist Zahid Gishkori in 2022, who was associated with Samaa News at that time.

    Farah Gogi, who confessed to owning assets worth Rs950 million in 2020, saw a staggering 420% increase in her declared assets during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. 

    The report alleges that she also possesses undisclosed assets amounting to Rs3.82 billion.

    The disclosed assets, as per the report, include agricultural land in Bahawalpur and Gujranwala, residential and commercial properties in Islamabad and Lahore, and 200 kanals of agricultural land in Chakri. 

    Furthermore, investigations revealed her involvement in crimes such as money laundering, with accusations of working as a fake doctor in the UK alongside her husband.

    The report claims that Gogi took advantage of the tax amnesty scheme in 2018, regularizing Rs489 million in black money collected through bribes for various postings, transfers, and government contracts. 

    The report further alleges that Gogi received 240 kanals of land as a bribe from a property tycoon involved in an out-of-court settlement with the UK’s National Crime Agency.

    According to the report, the number of Gogi’s bank accounts showed a significant abnormal increase from 2019 to 2021, with Rs426 million deposited in one account through 47 transactions from 2018 to 2022. 

    In total, 102 bank accounts linked to Gogi, her husband, and associates across the country were identified, with a sum of Rs14.5 billion.

    In response to these allegations, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Central Deputy General Secretary Ataullah Tarar held a press conference in Lahore, accusing Gogi and others of engaging in corruption. 

    He urged Gogi to return to Pakistan and testify about Imran Khan’s involvement.

    Imran Khan’s lawyer, Sher Afzal Marwat, dismissed the allegations as a new wave of propaganda against Bushra Bibi, Imran’s wife. 

    Marwat emphasized the need to avoid further political unrest in Pakistan.

    Secret foreign passport

    Recent developments indicate that Farah Gogi used a secret foreign passport to travel abroad for the alleged purpose of laundering wealth belonging to Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi as per Geo News.

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered a money-laundering and kickbacks case against Gogi in March, with her bank accounts reportedly holding over Rs14 billion.

    Meanwhile, Gogi sent a legal notice to the NAB chairman, FIA DG, Punjab IG, and Anti-Corruption Department (ACE) DG on the issue of leaking her property details.

    According to the fresh reports, Gogi used to travel abroad on the passport of Vanuatu, a string of more than 80 islands once known as the New Hebrides which is situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

    The sources also claimed that the son of a property tycoon had been given the task of arranging a secret international passport for Gogi. The property tycoon’s son paid $130,000 to a renowned trader to obtain the passport.

    On March 28, 2022, the secret passport was handed over to Gogi, the sources added.

    In order to get her escape from accountability, Gogi was sent abroad on a Pakistani passport just six days before the Khan-led government was toppled. 

    In a bid to dodge the investigation agencies, she travelled abroad on a foreign passport, except Dubai.

  • Rare fungal infection Histoplasmosis claims one life in Islamabad 

    Rare fungal infection Histoplasmosis claims one life in Islamabad 

    Head of the Infection and Disease department Dr Nasim Akhtar in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has cautioned that the rare and potentially fatal fungal infection Histoplasmosis may spread in Islamabad. Two cases have been reported in the capital city, with one patient dying of the fungal disease. The other is recovering slowly.

    It was previously believed that the fungus did not exist in Pakistan but the diagnosis has been confirmed after a detailed examination of the two patients. The deceased young man was admitted to the hospital six months ago, while medical staff managed to save the other patient by giving him anti-fungal medication. Professor Nasim stated that histoplasmosis, a fungal infection, thrives in soil with high levels of bird or bat droppings.

    No other case has been reported across the country but the presence of the fungus itself is worrisome, Dr.Nasim has said. Citing the lack of confirmed diagnosis, many patients remain untested, he added, stressing the need for the facility of Urinary Histoplasma Antigen Test to be made available in PIMS, Pakistan. 

    Histoplasmosis is a fungus commonly found in the soil. Although it may not afflict most people, those with compromised immune systems may suffer from fever, fatigue, and a cough, leading to severe complications like that of lung infection. 

  • British Home Secretary dismissed over remarks about pro-Palestine March

    British Home Secretary dismissed over remarks about pro-Palestine March

    British Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been asked to leave the job by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday morning. This is the second time Braverman has been removed from her post. She resigned from Liz Truss’s government after she broke the ministerial code. She got restored by Rishi Sunak a week later, as he took over the government. 

    Braverman ignited a public storm by criticising pro-Palestine marches as “hate marches”, triggering backlash for what critics are calling dog-whistles to Britain’s far-right for taking on the marches on Armistice Day. Last week, Ms. Baverman wrote a piece in a newspaper where she accused the police of “playing favorites”, criticising the Metropolitan Police’s handling of what she called a “pro-Pleastine mob”.

    Critics, from both opposition parties and fellow Tory MPs, called Ms. Braverman’s comments “offensive” and “inflammatory”.

    Her dismissal was met with an over joyous response on social media. 

    A user celebrated her dismissal with words like, “Long Live Palestine.”

    Another claimed it to be “good riddance Cruella”

    Someone appreciated the fact that “what a great way to start the week”.

    Former cabinet minister and member of the House of Lords, Saeeda Warsi posted “Hoping and praying this morning for the appointment of a sane set of Cabinet ministers – our country desperately needs some grown-ups back in charge.”

    A rather British response was centered around her demeaning the British police as her biggest mistake.

     

     Others see the decision as a big blow to Sunak’s PMship. 

  • Underage driver kills six of a family in Lahore

    Underage driver kills six of a family in Lahore

    Six members of a family in Lahore were killed when an underage driver crashed into their vehicle late on Saturday night. The accident took place in DHA Phase 7 when a family driving back to their residence in Shadab Colony on Ferozpur Road, was rammed into another vehicle being driven by a teenage boy, Afnan Shafqat.

    The victims were quickly moved to the Lahore General Hospital in severely injured condition but they could not survive. They were identified as Rukhsana, 52; Anabia, 3; Huzaifa, four months; Muhammad Hasnain, 28; Sajjad, 26; Ayesha, 22, as reported by The Nation.

    A case has been registered against the driver. According to witnesses, he was driving rashly and his speeding car hit the victims’ car from the left side. The collision was so bad that it overturned the latter’s car altogether, resulting in their death.

    Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi offered condolences over the incident and sought a report from senior police officers.

  • ‘No merger, only seat adjustment with PML-N’: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid

    ‘No merger, only seat adjustment with PML-N’: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat has said that the people of Pakistan have pinned many hopes on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, adding that the future government will have to work for the restoration of the economy, eliminating unemployment and inflation.

    Shujaat Hussain said, ‘By overcoming the bitterness of the past, we should utilize our full capabilities to solve the issues facing the people.”

    “Our collective responsibility is not for revenge politics but for building a strong economy, providing relief to the people, and safeguarding national interests,” he added.

    PML-Q also quashed rumors of an impending merger with PML-N on Sunday.

    Instead, the party confirmed its intention to pursue seat adjustments with the Nawaz Sharif-led faction in specific constituencies.

    Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, PML-Q Punjab General Secretary, clarified the party’s position, asserting its commitment to maintaining an independent identity.

    Notably, PML-Q candidates are set to participate in the upcoming elections, carrying the party’s symbol – the tractor.

    Speculations about a potential merger were rife, with talks centering around seat allocations for Chaudhry Shujaat’s sons and Tariq Bashir Cheema, the party’s secretary-general.

    However, these speculations were dispelled by Chaudhry Shafay Hussain.

    The political landscape is witnessing increased activity, with PML-N actively seeking alliances.

    Last week, they announced a joint participation in the polls with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

    A recent meeting between a PML-N delegation and MQM-P leadership in Karachi delved into discussions on electoral alliances and future strategies.

    While PML-N explores collaborative ventures, the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has voiced discontent. Sharjeel Memon, a PPP leader, criticized PML-N’s historical ascent to power, alleging rigging.

    Despite this, Memon expressed confidence in PPP’s electoral prospects, anticipating a clean sweep in the upcoming elections.

    Simultaneously, PML-Q leader Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain and his son, ex-MNA Hussain Elahi, critiqued PML-N’s economic policies.

    They credited the recent improvements in the national economy and currency to strict measures initiated by Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir.

    The criticism of the PML-N by both the former PML-Q lawmakers and close family members of the party chief, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, has surfaced just when the leadership of both factions of the Pakistan Muslim League is hinting at making a seat adjustment in the election on Feb 8, 2024.

    Speaking to a gathering of party workers at his Nutt House in Gujrat, Wajahat said the masses were witness to the statement of PML-N leadership regarding being beggars and that wherever they went to seek financial assistance, the other side would consider them as beggars.

    Wajahat announced to kick off the election campaign of his son, Hussain Elahi, and two Punjab Assembly candidates of his party, Abdullah Yousaf Warraich and Khalid Asghar Ghural, asking his supporters to work for their victory.

    Sources have told Dawn that by criticizing the PML-N policies, the Wajahat camp has tried to attract the PTI vote bank with an anti-PML-N narrative as his traditional rival, Nawabzada family, has already been in the PML-N and the voters might not be easily won by the PML-Q in that constituency.

    They say Hussain Elahi would assess the ground position of his constituency for the future course of action.

    It’s pertinent to mention that both Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain and his son Hussain Elahi were in the PTI before the May 9 incidents when many of the party leaders had started quitting the party. The duo also quit the PTI and joined the PML-Q.

  • Jail trial of Imran Khan in Cipher case approved by caretaker cabinet

    Jail trial of Imran Khan in Cipher case approved by caretaker cabinet

    The caretaker federal cabinet has given the green light for the jail trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case, as per Geo News.

    The decision comes in response to security concerns, prompting the Ministry of Law to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the trial on August 29, following requests from the Interior Ministry and Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain.

    The Ministry of Law emphasized that the jail trial for the PTI chairman was deemed necessary due to security considerations.

    This approval sets the stage for an intra-court appeal filed by Imran Khan against the trial, scheduled to be heard by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on November 14. The court has invited arguments from the attorney general.

    Imran Khan, who was ousted from the prime minister’s office in April last year through a no-confidence motion, initially contested the jail trial through a petition in the IHC.

    However, the court’s single bench, led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, dismissed the appeal on October 16, citing no apparent malice in conducting the jail trial and advising Khan to address his concerns in the trial court.

    The cipher case, invoking the Official Secrets Act 1923, was registered against Khan and Qureshi in August of this year by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), using Section 5 of the aforementioned law.

    The case revolves around a missing diplomatic cable allegedly containing a threat from the United States to overthrow the PTI government, according to the former ruling party.

    Both Imran Khan and Qureshi face allegations under the Official Secrets Act 1923 in the cipher case, related to a missing diplomatic cable, and are currently detained in Adiala jail.

    The IHC had earlier suspended Imran Khan’s three-year sentence in the Toshakhana case on August 29.

  • 27-feet-long Bryde’s whale found dead on seashore in Balochistan

    27-feet-long Bryde’s whale found dead on seashore in Balochistan

    A 27-feet-long whale has washed up on a remote seashore in Balochistan. The animal was identified as Bryde’s whale, a rare species present mostly in tropical waters. The carcass was found in the Pasni region, specifically in Sarbandan.

    There are signs of entrapment on its body, leading to speculation that the whale either got trapped in a fishing net or a fisherman tried to ensnare it, Deputy Director of Environment Department Abdul Raheem Baloch has said.

    Sightings of Bryde’s whale and their entrapment have become frequent in recent times. Detailed records from 2022 indicate that four such whales were entangled along the coast of Pakistan during that year, as reported by the Tribune.

    Technical advisor at WWF, Moazzam Khan, expressed concerns over the rise in the incidents and the threat the species is facing in the Arabian Sea. Solid measures need to be taken to minimise the factors contributing to the vulnerability of Bryde’s whale as well as for its conversation.

  • Have a SIM and don’t use it? PTA will charge Rs. 200 on disowned sims

    Have a SIM and don’t use it? PTA will charge Rs. 200 on disowned sims

    In an effort to ensure the responsible usage of mobile SIMs, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that citizens looking to disown their SIM cards will be charged Rs. 200 apiece from next year.

    The new charge will be applicable from January 1 across the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. It will be levied on all SIM cards under a customer’s use for less than six months. The service to return or disown the unused SIM cards is available till December 31.

    In a statement, PTA said, “With this decision, the PTA stays committed to national safety and security while ensuring uninterrupted quality services to all telecom consumers”.

    The step has been taken in light of an initiative that started in 2016, addressing the concerns of rampant distribution of free SIM cards by mobile operators and their potential misuse.

    A survey from PTA highlights that some users knowingly or unknowingly hand over their SIMs to unauthorized people, for monetary benefits. These SIMs, once abandoned by the user, lead to disconnection. Such users then frequently acquire new SIMs from different operators, hence the cycle continues.

    Mobile users can verify the status of SIMs registered under their Comput­erised National Identity Card (CNIC) by going to the web address “cnic.sims.pk” or by SMSing their CNIC number to 668.

    A one-time wai­ver will apply in cases where illegal SIMs are iss­ued without the knowledge or consent of consumers.

    PTA believes fraudsters exploit the practice of free SIM disowning, as they conveniently get new ones after disowning the old ones.

    However, PTA also stressed that mobile firms should develop a mechanism to address the concerns of consumers with illegally issued SIMs registered under their CNICs, as these customers should not bear the cost of disowning such SIMs.

  • Asad Umar quits PTI, politics

    Asad Umar quits PTI, politics

    Asad Umar, former Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has declared that he will quit both the party and politics from now on.

    He clarified that he prefers not to adopt a confrontational approach towards state policies, as such a policy goes against the country’s interests.
    He wrote on his X account (Previously Twitter), “After more than one decade in public life, I have decided to completely quit politics.

    As i had already stated publicly earlier that i disagree with the policy of confrontation with state institutions, and such a policy has led to a serious collission with state institutions, which is not in the interest of the country.

    I am resigning from basic membership of PTI.

    I want to thank all those who have supported me in public life. In particular I want to thank the NA 54 team and the voters who elected me twice. I have tried my best to serve the constituency that i was elected from. May Allah’s blessings shine upon the Pakistani nation.”

  • Strong-arm tactics should be used against terrorists, not Afghans, says Bilawal

    Strong-arm tactics should be used against terrorists, not Afghans, says Bilawal

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former Foreign Minister, has condemned the “strong-arm tactics” that are being used by the caretaker government for the repatriation of Afghan refugees. The chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party showed concern over the process of repatriation of illegal Afghans from the country. “A distinction must be made between people and terrorists while devising any policy,” said the ex-foreign minister while talking to reporters in Karachi.

    He called out the caretaker government for the “lack of clarity” in its policy about the repatriation and cautioned, “If you go against people, you will never achieve your target.”

    More than 200,000 Afghans have left the country amidst the current drive of deportation. The government is determined to deport all the refugees in a span of one year despite criticism from civil society, the Afghan government, and UNHCR.