The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports has revealed operational hours for passport offices nationwide during winter.
From Monday to Thursday, passport offices will be open to the public from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, while on Fridays, the timing will be adjusted from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
The schedule will be followed in all regional passport offices, executive passport offices, and service counters which will be processing passport applications and facilitating passport issuance.
Awami Muslim League leader and former federal interior minister, Sheikh Rasheed, was arrested from his house in Rawalpindi last month. On Thursday, the Lahore High Court gave the police one more week to find him.
At today’s hearing, RPO Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali and CPO Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani appeared before the court, seeking more time for recovering Sheikh Rasheed.
“How much more time do you need for recovery, what have you done so far,” the court asked the cops. The RPO Rawalpindi said the officers responsible for the arrest were not present in the area on that day.
“We need a bit more time for recovery,’ the RPO informed the court.
“We are giving you a week’s time as the last chance to recover Sheikh Rasheed else the court will pass an order with a warning,” was the reply.
The hearing was then adjourned until October 27.
Pink toilets, a project to be implemented in public spaces in Bahawalpur along the highways, has now expanded to government offices across South Punjab.
In the last leg of the project, 433 toilets are to be constructed in government offices throughout the region. They are designed specifically for working and visiting women-a major step towards promotion of gender equality and facilitation of women.
The initiative commenced at the South Punjab Secretariat under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab, Captain (R) Saqib Zafar.
The foundation was laid by the Secretary Services South Punjab, Engineer Amjad Shoaib Khan Tareen. He, while addressing the ceremony, informed the attendees about a survey that has been carried out to identify optimal locations for these facilities. The administration of all three divisions have been asked to complete the project by November 9.
He stated that the project is proof of determination of the management towards the cause of ensuring the well being of women. It also signifies the commitment to the purpose of creating an inclusive and accommodating environment for the female workforce.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to promptly release a detailed written order regarding the issuance of the party’s election symbol.
Highlighting the importance of justice and fairness, Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, the party’s counsel, submitted an application on Wednesday to the Commission, emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive decision in the interest of transparency.
Senator Zafar underscored that the Election Commission’s earlier notice to the PTI, rejecting the allocation of the cricket bat symbol due to purported intra-party election discrepancies, was a misstep. He contended that the PTI had indeed conducted intra-party elections on June 9, 2022, in accordance with its constitution.
According to Senator Zafar, the Election Commission’s subsequent decision on August 30, 2023, had validated the PTI’s stance on the legitimacy of the intra-party elections and had signaled the allocation of the bat symbol.
However, despite the Commission’s initial commitment to issue a detailed decision following the verbal announcement, the order had not been provided even after 41 days.
“PTI is the largest political party in the country, which is contesting the upcoming elections. Not issuing a detailed decision even after 41 days is a clear violation of fundamental rights, including articles 4, 9, 10A, 15, 16, 17 and 26 of the Constitution,” he said.
Ali Zafar insisted that according to the Constitution, ECP was bound to hold free, fair, impartial, and transparent elections, while avoiding detailed decisions was a deviation from this constitutional mandate.
He further added that under the Constitution of Pakistan, the ECP was bound to organize and conduct the election in a manner that was honest, just, fair, and in accordance with the law, but the non-issuance of the detailed written order was contrary to this.
“The entire world is watching the proceedings of the ECP and the delay in the decision is unnecessarily creating contrary false rumors as if the decision orally announced on Aug 30, 2023, is going to be varied,” he said.
A woman living in the Canadian region of British Columbia, near the city of Richmond, was paid a surprise visit from a giant tortoise of the endangered African breed Sulcata in the backyard of her farmhouse.
Shelly Smith, a dog trainer, initially presumed the animal to be a rock poking out from the rows of spinach but it turned out that it was moving too-not all of a sudden but at a slow speed.
She called a local animal shelter. Interestingly, while she was asked about the size of the tortoise, she blurted out that “it was bigger than the platter you’d use to serve 24 people a Thanksgiving turkey.”
The tortoise has been named as Frank the Tank and is now living with a foster family until it finds a permanent home.
The Sulcata breed of tortoise is endangered but keeping them could be very overwhelming because of the size they grow to and the care they demand so it is common for owners to abandon them. They are relatively cheap (almost 500 Canadian dollars) but these are the kinds of pets which are passed onto the next of kin in the will. Apart from the huge size they grow up to, they can live almost 150 years.
Frank the Tank currently weighs 35 pounds and is expected to grow to 50 pounds. His age at the moment is unknown but it appears he probably has a century in hand.
The veterinarian at the shelter house said, “You really have to plan on what you have to do with him after you die.”
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari made thinly veiled references to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif while addressing a public gathering held in connection with the 16th anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy, outside Bilawal House in Karachi.
He said on Wednesday that the country’s constitution, election, and democracy were halted for “one person’s return.”
Despite being partners in the last government and demanding the former three-time prime minister’s return, the PPP has kept raising concerns that Nawaz might get “special relief”.
Nawaz will return to Pakistan on Saturday (October 21) and has been granted protective bail till October 24 in Avenfield and Al-Azizia case. Arrest warrants in Toshakhana case have also been suspended till October 24.
“Our previous allies will have to acknowledge that delaying elections will not ‘give respect to vote’, rather disrespect it,” Bilawal said during a public rally in Karachi, hitting out at the PML-N, whose slogan has been “vote ko izzt do (give respect to the sanctity of vote)”.
The PPP chairman also said that he wants to end the politics of divide and abuse, adding that if politicos keep fighting amongst themselves, the country will not progress.
“We can swallow the ‘bitter pill’ [of holding elections] in more than 90 days only when the election commission announces a date for the polls,” he said.
He called for holding elections, saying only people had the right to choose their leaders and make decisions for their future.
“امید ہے کہ تمام جمہوری جماعتیں پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے اس مطالبے کی حمایت کریں گی کہ الیکشن کمیشن فوری طور پر انتخابات کی تاریخ کا اعلان کرے تاکہ ہم اس نفرت کی سیاست کو دفن کرکے آگے بڑھ سکیں۔”
چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری @BBhuttoZardari #SalamShuhadaeKarsaz pic.twitter.com/RLBESruRI8
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) October 18, 2023
“We have to leave politics of abuses and divide behind. We need new leadership… a leadership that is not stuck in the past but thinks about the future. We don’t want 90s’ Pakistan or 2017’s Pakistan. We want today’s Pakistan… Pakistan of 2023… a modern Pakistan,” he added.
“The tenure of [coalition] government of the last 16 months taught us that Pakistan cannot be run from London,” he said.
In view of the skyrocketing inflation and depleting economic reserves, the PPP leader demanded that relief should be given to the common man instead of the elite.
Sonia, a 16-year-old working as a housemaid in a bungalow located in Gulshan-e-Iqbal 13-C in Karachi, was allegedly raped and poisoned to death by her employer’s sons.
Sonia’s mother has said in a statement given to the police that the teenager had gone to work on Sunday as usual. On her return she was in a critical condition, therefore taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College for an examination. However the girl died during treatment.
Police has started its investigation but the mother of the victim has accused the sons of the employer-who was not at home at the time Sonia went there-of rape and poisoning.
School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, an institute famous for its progressive outlook on politics, has started suspending its students following a rally in solidarity with Gaza.
In a statement, the Palestine Society of SOAS on Twitter (now X) said that the suspension was “a clear act of political repression”. A rally in solidarity with the people of Gaza was held by the society on October 9. Hundreds of students joined the demonstration. Consequently, “The students were suspended and given warnings through disciplinarians by the university.”
URGENT: @SOAS University of London, renowned for its so called progressive politics, has officially began taking steps suspending its own students following a rally in solidarity with Gaza. This is a clear act of political repression. Please read on and share widely: pic.twitter.com/ZlMQvv4xGV
— SOAS Palestine Society (@SOAS_Palestine) October 17, 2023
While the society condemned the suspension, it also demanded “the students to be allowed to continue their studies and attend lectures.”
A link has been posted by the Society to an online petition in which it asked the university to drop all the disciplinary proceedings against the students involved in the protest, revoke all the formal warnings against the Palestine Society Committee, and reestablish the right to protest. It also calls on the Student Union to advocate on behalf of all the suspended students and pressure the university administration to comply with the demands.
A letter was sent by the UK Education Secretary to the Chancellors of the university demanding that they act “swiftly and decisively” against any threats to Jewish students’ safety in the aftermath of the blockade of Gaza. They deemed that the pro-Palestinian students were actually supporting Hamas which for them is a proscribed terrorist organization.
Fatima Bhutto voiced her protest on X, siding with the Society and expressing her disappointment with her alma mater.
I am so disappointed in @SOAS. I was always proud of being a @SOASalumni but not today. All solidarity with @SoasPalestine pic.twitter.com/IyF1bJu3dm
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) October 17, 2023
Hardcore reactions from some other alumni of the university included Dr. Ruby, who called the step “draconian, unjustified, and most likely illegal”.
This is draconian, unjustified and most likely illegal. Lawyers, where are you? https://t.co/hgKEicKt7S
— Dr. Ruby (@PaperWhispers) October 17, 2023
Abeera, one of the faculty members of SOAS called it “Absolutely shameful”.
Absolutely shameful. This is a direct result of the punitive culture and securitisation that’s festering on campus. Students and academic staff are being doxxed and threatened with prevent referrals across the country and this is how our university responds? https://t.co/5oDMARdMxW
— Abeera (@discoursekhala) October 17, 2023
A number of netizens criticised SOAS for its hypocrisy. One pointed out that the aim of a “fairer society” as expressed by the institute was totally contradictory to their actions.
@SOAS say in their profile that they’re for a ‘fairer society’ whilst silencing those whose speak against apartheid… just like what happened during apartheid in South Africa.
Not really a fairer society is it, just another repeat of history https://t.co/WfeBEo5Ml1
— Free Palestine, End Apartheid (@LeftieShaney) October 17, 2023
Pakistan paid a heavy price for being “under extra pressure” in their World Cup defeat by arch-rivals India, said batsman Saud Shakeel, who Wednesday lamented the absence of the team’s passionate supporters from the tournament.
Pakistan were thrashed by seven wickets on Saturday at Ahmedabad’s 132,000-capacity stadium where there was only a handful of Pakistani supporters.
Babar Azam’s team slumped from a solid 155-2 in the 30th over to be dismissed for a paltry 191.
“I think we were under extra pressure so we tried to get out of that and wanted to play shots,” Shakeel told AFP on Wednesday.
The smattering of Pakistani fans at the game were expatriates from the United Kingdon and United States.
Supporters from across the border are effectively banned after a failure to gain visas.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday lodged an official complaint with the world governing body over the visa delays which have also kept many members of the country’s media at home.
The PCB also complained over what they described as the “inappropriate behaviour” of Indian fans towards the Pakistan squad at the Ahmedabad game.
“When you have your crowd then you get the support. We did not get that and it was not in our hands,” added Shakeel.
Despite an eighth loss in eight World Cup meetings with their arch-rivals, Pakistan are still well-placed in the tournament after wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
Middle-order batsman Shakeel scored 68 against the Netherlands before making 31 in the game with Sri Lanka. He was out for just six against India.
Next up for Pakistan is another high-profile duel, this time with five-time champions Australia in Bengaluru on Friday.
“The mistakes we committed in the last game, we must overcome them. That match is gone. If we win against Australia then our position will get better,” added Shakeel.
“Australia are always good in the World Cup. They are a very good side. We know our strong areas and we must play good cricket.”
“We had a good start to the tournament with two wins. We want to go match by match and not commit the mistakes we did against India.”
On Wednesday, all the Pakistan players with the exception of Mohammad Haris trained in Bengaluru.
Haris is still suffering from a fever which laid low many of the squad when they arrived from Ahmedabad.
Star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and opener Abdullah Shafique were the worst hit but were present in the nets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Former Prime Minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, who is currently in Adiala jail, facing Cipher case trial, can finally take a breath of relief.
The judge of a special court under the Official Secrets Act has granted permission to Imran Khan to speak to his sons over the phone.
Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, the judge of Islamabad’s official secret court, heard the request to allow a telephonic conversation between the Chairman of PTI and his sons. Imran Khan’s lawyer, Shiraz Ranjha, appeared before the court.
During the hearing, the judge stated that no information had been received yet regarding the telephone conversation with the Adiala Jail Superintendent. However, the judge added that if any information came to light concerning the telephone conversation in the jail, he would address it accordingly.
Lawyer Shiraz Ranjha said during the hearing that Imran Khan wants a bicycle for exercise in jail.
Judge Zulqarnain responded that he had already issued directives to the jail officials for providing a cycle, to which Ranjha said he could provide the cycle today if the court allowed.
“I do not want the cycle to be misused such that the jail superintendent keeps using the cycle. We also have to keep the jail manual in mind. For us, the security of an under-trial prisoner is important,” the judge said.
At this, the lawyer offered that the court may appoint a person in whose supervision the cycle could be used.
After a brief adjournment, the court resumed the hearing, during which Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain mentioned that certain SOPs had been brought to his attention, prohibiting the accused from speaking.
He further stated that he would look into the matter of telephone conversation according to jail manual regulations.
However, he requested written authorization for international communication from the jail manual. He stated, “I grant permission for telephonic conversation in your favor.”
The judge, in a one-page written order, directed the Adiala jail superintendent to ensure that Khan speaks to his sons over the phone.
The judge also noted that the jail superintendent had “submitted his comments with the respect of SOPs in which there is no doubt that this sought of desired communication through telephone or by other mode in abroad are not warranted, specifically case in hand which is of Official Secret Act Court but the agonies of [the] family cannot [be] kept isolated”.