Caretaker CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has said that, “The next four days are highly important regarding smog.” He was visiting construction sites in Saggiyan.
Section 144 has been imposed in Lahore as part of a health and environmental emergency. The Chief Minister asserted that people should not come out of their houses unnecessarily. “There will not be much restriction on Iqbal Day but later anti-smog measures will be strictly implemented,” he said.
The lesser number of traffic on the roads will provide ease in improving the environment and for that Punjab Government has requested traders to comply with the decision and announce the shutdown of the markets. This, he believes, will reduce the traffic and that will lessen the intensity of the smog.
It is important to mention that Lahore is topping the charts for having a hazardous air-quality index for the last one week.
The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service report has claimed that 2023 was the warmest October on record globally, noting an average surface temperature of 15.3 degrees Celsius (59.54 degrees Fahrenheit) over the month. The report is “virtually certain” that 2023 is the warmest year ever recorded.
The mean temperature was 0.85 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average for October and 1.7 degrees Celsius warmer than the preindustrial period of 1850-1900.
Earlier, 2016 was declared as the hottest year in world history. Climate change experts find the shocking data to be “like something out of a Hollywood movie”
COP28 is scheduled to take place by the end of November and this finding makes it more crucial than ever because the current temperature rise is 1.43 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average which was aimed to be curbed to just 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050. The figures are alarming and demand the world’s attention.
The world has already warmed by around 1.1 degrees Celsius after over a century of burning fossil fuels as well as unequal and unsustainable energy and land use. Indeed, it is this temperature increase that is fueling a series of extreme weather events around the world.
Human Rights Lawyer and activist Moniza Kakar has been active on Twitter to show the suffering caused by the government policy of repatriation of Afghans. She has been vocal about the Pashtun community getting deported while being mistaken for Afghans. Her reporting and advocacy of the rights of refugees has gained her the ire of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) which has sent a complaint to Twitter, stating that her account is posting against the policies of the state.
She posted screenshots of the email she received from Twitter on her account, stating that in the interest of transparency, “we are writing to inform you that Twitter has received a request from PTA regarding your Twitter account, @Moni-Kakar, that claims the following content violated LAW of Pakistan.”
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has requested Twitter to suspend my Twitter account because I am advocating for the rights of Afghan refugees, and according to the PTA, this is against Pakistani law.#RefugeesRightsInPakistanpic.twitter.com/tACXkYNTyl
To this, former Senator and leader of the National Democratic Movement Afrasiab Khattak responded, “HR lawyering is not easy in Pakistan”.
This the account of a human rights lawyer. Those who demand its suspension speak for the violators of the rights. HR lawyering isn’t easy in Pakistan. https://t.co/iw8W1jejvM
While talking to The Current, Moniza seemed unfazed, stating, “Aise kam karein ge to zahir si bat hai kuch to masail ka samna karna parta hai [When we do things like these, then of course we have to face some problems].”
She went on to explain that this time round, Twitter has been requested to block her account altogether. She has also posted the tweet that has been referred to the Twitter team by PTA. It was a video showing a documented Afghan refugee, outside the holding centre in Karachi, whose wife and two-month-old were picked up by the police in a raid. Upon asking if she has another account on social media, she mentioned that her LinkedIn profile is active.
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori has called for severe punishment for Imran Khan, the Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, emphasizing that the former Prime Minister should be held accountable for planning and carrying out the attacks that targeted the Pakistan Army in various cities of Pakistan.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Pakistan High Commission in London, the Governor stated that he believes Khan should have been swiftly punished within a week after the attacks to send a strong message to deter others from trying to harm the country’s armed forces in a similar way. “I believe that those involved in the May 9 attacks should not have been processed through the courts, they should have been publicly sentenced. Those put in jail should have been sentenced a long time ago for their attacks on Pakistan army installations, for attacking the corp commander’s house, for attacking the [General Headquarters] GHQ, for attacking the Pakistan Army physically and for the vandalism. What they did were acts of terrorism.
“Nobody anywhere is allowed to attack even a police station. Protests happen all over the world but terrorism and vandalism are not allowed in the civilised world. It shouldn’t be like this where you get involved in acts of terror and then the cases go on in courts for years without any punishment for anyone. Our patriotism demands it,” he said.
Tessori emphasized that we shouldn’t forget that the events of May 9 made Pakistan look bad in front of the entire world. The attackers showed no respect for the people who died and their families. Those who were responsible for these actions also showed a great lack of respect for the people who protect our country.
The end-of-the-year sales, popularly known as 11.11 sales, are about to commence, with outlets and brands offering high-end products at cheaper prices.
Here, we will share with you some of the best deals being offered by the biggest names in the retail business:
Daraz 11. 11
Daraz is offering discounts on various products, from electronic devices to beauty products. There are products of daily use, mobile phones, fashion, health, home appliances, and various accessories at cheaper prices. The discounts they claim to offer are of a combined total of one billion rupees as the tagline says, “1 Arab k discounts”. There are no delivery charges and mega deals are available, offering up to 75 percent off.
The sale will start on November 11 and will last till November 21.
AliExpress 11.11
AliExpress is also hosting a grand sale on all the products on its app and website with a discount of up to 50 percent. It is also offering Rs. 1,140 off every Rs.5,702 worth of shopping. Products include cosmetics, gadgets, and everything in between, with more than 80 percent discounts on bestselling products.
With a warm-up on November 8, the sale will officially begin on November 11 and will last for the next seven days.
Laam.pk Mega deals11.11
Laam.pk has announced huge sales on all the high-end luxurious brands on its website. It is offering discounts ranging from 30 percent to more than 70 percent on all its collections. There are discounts available on bags, jewelry, and footwear as well. It’s a golden opportunity for all those preparing for the shadi season ahead. The sale will be live from November 8 to 12.
Edenrobe 40 percent sales
Edenrobe, a high street clothing brand, is offering an alluring 40 percent discount on its winter products and an end-of-the-season sale on summer products. The brand has an affordable range for students and those with lower budgets. The offer is available both in stores and online.
Gul Ahmed Ideas 11.11
Gul Ahmed Ideas 11.11 Sale is offering discounts on men’s, children’s, and women’s collections from unstitched to pret. There are 40-50 percent discounts available on all the collections including bedsheets, bathrobes, and footwear as well.
One.pk 11.11
One.pk is a brand to look out for. The glam brand is offering 30-50 percent discounts on men, women and kids’ wear. The products are all chic, high-quality winter wardrobes of both luxurious and street fashion. Shoes, denim, shirts, shorts, and trousers are calling all the western wear lovers.
Heels 11.11 Blockbuster Sales
Heels are offering excellent discounts on classical winter footwear while there is a flat 50 percent off for a number of products including heels, flats, shoes, and sandals. However, from November 8-12, there is 23 percent off on the entire stock.
Diners 11.11
Known for comfy clothes for men, women, and kids, Diners.pk is also offering a flat 25 percent off on all products. The products, western and traditional, are available in all sizes while children’s items are at a 50 percent discount.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected a petition against former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, accusing him of land grabbing.
During a hearing on a human rights case against the former Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa heard the plea.
#BREAKING: Explosive petition by top city owner Moeez Ahmed Khan against the then DG #ISI lt Gen (r) #FaizHameed, ISI brigadiers Naeem Fakhor and Ghaffar and many others of robbery, blackmailing and extortion of billions of rupees. Details in vlog shortly after the hearing… pic.twitter.com/4eBPgqUdSz
Disposing of the petition, the Supreme Court told the petitioner that he had other relevant forums to approach.
“The Supreme Court has disposed of the petition without discussing the merits of the case,” it added.
The additional attorney general said that the petitioner can refer to the Ministry of Defence and retired military officers can also be court-martialled, said the top court.
Justice Athar Minallah emphasized the distinction between the human rights cell and the Supreme Court, stating that the cell lacked legal authority or status.
The petitioner’s claims centered on the alleged illegal actions of the former spy chief, which were purportedly aimed at gaining control of a housing project.
The petitioner urged the federal government to take action against Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed and requested the court’s permission to present evidence for his arguments.
CJP Isa noted the seriousness of the allegations and inquired whether the petitioner would appear in the case personally or through a lawyer.
The petitioner mentioned that he had recently engaged a lawyer and requested an adjournment to prepare.
However, CJP Isa remarked that the court will not order an adjournment and instructed the counsel to prepare for the case.
The Supreme Court ultimately directed the petitioner to seek other appropriate forums for their grievance.
The court also mentioned the option of approaching the Defense Ministry in the case of allegations against a retired army officer.
The Petition
A housing society’s CEO filed a petition with the human rights cell (HRC) of the Supreme Court seeking action against former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed over alleged land grabbing and stealing valuables.
جنرل فیض کے کارنامے !! میرے مُحلے ایف 11 میں 12 مئی 2017 کو نمازِ فجر سے کُچھ دیر پہلے رینجرز کی درجنوں گاڑیوں، ٹرکوں اور ایمبولینسز کا کانوائے ایک سو سے زائد مشین گنوں سے مُسلح سولجرز کے ساتھ داخل ہوا۔ آپریشن کے طے شُدہ پلان کے تحت گاڑیاں ایف 11 کی مُختلف گلیوں میں داخل ہو ئیں…
“On May 12, 2017, my house and office were raided on the orders of General (Rtd) Faiz Hameed. During the raid, valuables and records of our private housing society were stolen,” said the petitioner Moeez Ahmed Khan.
In his petition, Khan said that the purpose of illegal proceedings against him was to take control of TopCity-1, a housing society located at Srinagar Highway in Islamabad.
“After the raid, I along with my five other colleagues were kept in confinement. The federal government should take action against Gen (Rtd) Faiz Hameed, his brother Najaf, and others,” said the petitioner.
A show cause notice issued by NED University of Engineering and Technology has surfaced online, which censures students for collecting funds for Palestine, terming it an act “tantamount to misconduct”, and asking the students to give an explanation within seven days.
The official notice explains that a body of engineering students, assumed to be representing a political party, was collecting donations for Palestine funds without permission from a competent authority on October 25. This is seen as a violation of Discipline, Conduct, Welfare, and Code of Honour. The students now have to present their case before a university committee to provide an explanation as to why they should not be punished.
The legal saga surrounding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s jail trial and the controversial cipher case took center stage in Islamabad this week.
On Tuesday, three witnesses provided their testimonies against the PTI chief and his party’s Vice Chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Judge Zulqarnain presided over the proceedings at Adiala jail under the special Official Secrets Act court. PTI legal representatives included Barristers Salman Safdar, Taimur, and Gohar Ali Khan, while special prosecutors comprised of Shah Khawar, Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi, and Raja Rizwan Abbasi.
During the proceedings, PTI’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, representing Khan, raised concerns over the trial’s confined space within the jail premises, emphasizing that it wasn’t in line with legal protocols.
Family members met the two leaders before witnesses’ statements and cross-examination were conducted; legal teams consulted with Khan and Qureshi. The PTI chief met with his wife Bushra Bibi and sisters Aleema Khan, Noreen Khanum, and Uzma Khan, within the jail premises.
Qureshi’s daughter, Meharbano, was also present during the trial. She also spoke with the media outside the jail, and demanded justice and a fair trial for her father.
“Let the family in; no one can have security concerns from their family. Fair trial is my father’s right and as a daughter, I have the right to see the trial,” she added.
Contempt of court petition
Adiala jail superintendent responded to the contempt of court petition filed by Khan on Wednesday, requesting the court to dismiss the contempt of court petition.
“Can’t even think of disobeying the court order,” he stated in his reply.
The superintendent told the court there is no permanent facility to make phone calls abroad on WhatsApp. He informed the court that the PTI chief spoke with his children on October 18, after the jail took special measures to make the call possible.
“Arrangements are made for prisoners to speak with family and lawyers at the jail PCO,” he said, adding that the court can direct the Punjab Home Department to amend the rules with regard to making phone calls.
The court, meanwhile, adjourned the hearing of the contempt petition till Monday due to the absence of Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain.
Islamabad High Court
Islamabad High Court’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb asked the Attorney General of Pakistan to ensure that the cipher case trial was not conducted in an inappropriate manner, otherwise, it might collapse like a house of cards.
An IHC bench, comprising Justice Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, heard the intra-court appeal filed by Khan against his jail trial and the appointment of the special court’s judge in the cipher case.
The court adjourned the proceedings to November 14, allowing time for the attorney general to present arguments.
Nawaz wants his own umpires
Talking to media persons outside Adiala Jail, Imran Khan’s lawyer Barrister Umair Niazi said the PTI chief had criticised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and also rejected the trial of civilians in military courts.
The PTI lawyer quoted Mr Khan as saying that Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his own umpires and is again looking towards them. All political parties, except the PML-N, are calling for a level playing field, he added.
Khan expressed concern over the fresh wave of terrorism in the country and said this was because of a “weak” Afghan policy as Mr Bhutto-Zardari, being the foreign minister, did not visit Kabul to address the issue of terrorism.
Ehsan, a 9-year-old domestic worker, was allegedly sodomized and then murdered by his employer Shan Ali, an estate agent, in Lahore. The employer claims that the boy committed suicide by hanging himself.
The incident occurred in Baghbanpura, Lahore on Tuesday as per the police. A murder case has been lodged while Shan has been nominated in the FIR on the complaint of the child’s mother, Nawab Bibi.
The child, a resident of Kasur, was sent to work as a house help at Shan’s residence some five years ago. According to the mother, her brother-in-law, Imran, used to collect wages from the employer while family members were not allowed to meet the boy. They met him only once in five years. The suspect himself called the family to inform them that the boy has taken his own life. Reportedly, the alleged killer shifted the body to the morgue before the boy’s parents arrived at his home. She told the police that her son was sodomized and then hanged by Shan.
The alleged murderer has already fled the scene, while the police is in search of the suspect.
Amidst the deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, the media is uncovering instances of families getting ripped apart.
One such story is that of Bilal and Rabia in Karachi, who are now facing the risk of separation after 15 years of marriage, Geo has reported.
Bilal, born to immigrant Afghan parents in 1988, has lived all his life in Karachi. Rabia, originally from DG Khan, used to live in the same locality as Bilal. The two fell in love.
Bilal talked to his parents to ask for her hand in marriage, however, his brothers threatened to cut all ties with him if he married a Pakistani girl. Unfazed by their sentiments, he married Rabia. Bilal’s brothers left for Afghanistan and Rabia’s family gave them their consent and blessings.
Fifteen years on, the two are happy and Bilal is also taking care of his widowed mother-in-law and a divorced sister-in-law. In the wake of Afghan expulsion from the country, fear is looming over the couple’s minds constantly. Despite every effort to get Bilal a CNIC, he has not got one in all these years and the couple is determined to get it through a legal route.
Addressing this predicament, Bilal said, “I heard about the directive from the Peshawar High Court to grant identity cards to Afghan nationals married to Pakistani citizens. I joined the struggle in light of this landmark judgment. Unfortunately, it did not yield results. I regret not taking this matter more seriously at first. I was unaware that lacking an identity card in Pakistan could lead to separation from our families. My roots are in this country, and I have a deep affection for it. Regardless of legal decisions, our financial commitments are in Pakistan, and even if we are deported, our homeland will remain Pakistan.”
Rabia said, “My husband’s brothers have not accepted us in the fifteen years of our marriage. They even threatened us, saying if you return, we will harm you. I am worried for my husband because he is my only support. As for myself, why should I go anywhere? I am a Pakistani. They are not my people, and neither is Afghanistan my homeland.”
The couple, parents to five children, urged the government to review its decision or reconsider its policies regarding cases like their own.
