Tag: Top News

  • ‘No compromise after November 1’, Interior Minister tells Afghan immigrants

    ‘No compromise after November 1’, Interior Minister tells Afghan immigrants

    In a recent statement, the Interim Federal Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti has categorically stated that all illegal immigrants are to leave Pakistan before November 1. “There will be no compromise after that,” he remarked.

    He further said that it is the unanimous decision of all the stake-holders that Afghans should be given a grace period even though many of them are volunteering to leave. However, anybody who wants to leave must do that before the deadline.

    The policy is apparently for all illegal residents and is not targeted against Afghans.

    He clearly stated that illegal residents are those who do not own a visa. “Irrespective of their nationality, we are only going to send those back after the deadline,” he said.

  • Twitter(X) is not happy with EU’s letter to Elon Musk

    Twitter(X) is not happy with EU’s letter to Elon Musk

    On October 10, Commissioner European Union Thierry Breton, the face of Digital Service Act (DSA), called out Elon Musk for his platform X allegedly allowing the dissemination of “illegal content and disinformation in the EU.” He gave Elon a period of 24 hours to respond.

    Elon was quick to respond and it was sharp and crisp. “Our policy is that everything is open source and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports.”

    He goes on to add, “Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that that the public can see them.”

    Among hundreds of reactions underneath this exchange, users questioned the credibility and commitment of the EU to ensure freedom of expression.

    One user points out that the intention behind the letter is to engage in “populism and propaganda”.

    Another points out the need to not be dictated.

    One highlights the hypocrisy of the statement.

    Other people were reminded of the autocratic government of Russia and the Thought Police of George Orwell’s 1984.

    Another posed the question directly, You would like to censor Palestinian users like Meta (Facebook) does, wouldn’t you?

    As per the sweeping rule book of DSA, the EU Commission can fine social media platforms up to 6 percent of their global turnover or, in extreme cases, block a site entirely from the EU.

    According to an article by WIRED, legal experts say that there are no immediate consequences and there is no obligation on the platform to respond. They are characterizing it as a “misstep” by Breton while the political leadership sees it as a publicity stunt.

    On the other hand, CEO of , Linda Yaccarino has already confirmed that it has “identified and removed hundreds of Hamas-affiliated accounts”.

  • World reacts to Israel’s breach of international laws

    World reacts to Israel’s breach of international laws

    While many of its old allies still support Israel as it continues to bomb Gaza, a number of countries are now raising concerns over Israel’s breach of international laws.

    Russia

    President Vladimir Putin responded to the Israel-Palestine escalation by condemning the “catastrophic” deaths and criticised Washington’s involvement in the Middle East peace settlement.

    During a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, he said “This is a vivid example of the failure of Middle East policies of the United States [as it] tried to monopolise the [peace] settlement”.

    “But, unfortunately, [the US] was not concerned about the search for compromises for both sides and, vice versa, promoted their own conceptions about how it should be done, [and] pressured both sides,” he added.

    Moscow has also refused to label Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

    “We maintain contact with [both] sides of the conflict,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

    “Of course, Russia continues to analyse the situation and keeps its position as a nation that has the potential to participate in the settlement process.”

    China

    On Thursday, China’s top diplomat and foreign minister Wang Yi stated that the issue of Palestinian is central to the Middle East conflict, and that denial of “justice” to the Palestinian people was at its core.

    Turkey

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, asserting that a lasting solution to the conflict lies in the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem within the 1967 borders .

    Ireland

    Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has criticised Israel for violating international humanitarian law and halting water, food and electricity supply into the Gaza Strip.

    “Israel is under threat. They do have a right to defend themselves, but they don’t have the right to breach international humanitarian law,” he said in an interview with TVE.

    “To me, it amounts to collective punishment. Cutting off power, cutting off fuel supplies and water supplies, that’s not the way a respectable democratic state should conduct itself.”

    He has, however, also urged Hamas to release all the Israeli captives, saying that Israel is “justified in attacking Hamas in Gaza and elsewhere.”

    Former Irish President Mary Robinson has also commented on the escalation, deeming Israel’s response to Hamas attacks as collective punishment.

    Robinson asserted that Ireland has been a “very good voice in acknowledging the suffering of occupation and the continual problems of Palestinians over decades.”

    Richard Boyd Barrett, Irish MP, addressed the Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament, during a discussion on the Irish Government’s response to the situation in Gaza.

    “The Israeli Government has brazenly, publicly and openly declared its intention to commit a war crime, and has commenced that war crime against the people of Gaza”, he said.

    Scotland

    Hamza Yousaf, the first minister of Scotland, has also spoken up against the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

    He posted on X (formerly Twitter), quoting the latest UN statement that warns about the dire consequences of Israeli orders of evacuation of Gaza.

    “The international community must step up and demand an end to collective punishment. Enough. There can be no justification for the death of innocent men, women & children.”

    He also shared a video of his mother-in-law, Elizabeth El-Nakla, calling for help.

    She was visiting her relatives with her husband when Hamas attacked on Saturday.

    Norway

    The Norwegian foreign minister, Anniken Huitfeldt, has said on Thursday that while Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, a total blockade of Gaza cannot be supported.

    “The establishment of a full blockade, including on access to electricity, water, food, and other goods that are indispensable for the survival of the civilian population in Gaza, is unacceptable,” she stated.

    She further pointed out that self-defense measures must be taken within international law.

    “The scale of destruction in Gaza is enormous. A large number of civilians have been killed. Given a full blockade by Israel, closed border crossings, and continued Israeli attacks, I fear that the civilian population in Gaza will face even greater hardship in the days to come,” Huitfeldt said.

    She also warned that suspension or decrease in assistance to Gaza can worsen the matter.

    “Functioning Palestinian institutions and the delivery of basic services are crucial to avoid further destabilisation and preserve the objective of the two-state solution.”

  • Sweden convicts man over Quran burning in 2020 in historical first

    Sweden convicts man over Quran burning in 2020 in historical first

    A Swedish court on Thursday convicted a man of inciting ethnic hatred with a sacrilegious act he committed in 2020, the first time the country’s courts have tried someone for desecrating the Holy Quran.

    The conviction comes after a wave of desecrations earlier this year that stoked international outrage and made Sweden a “prioritised target”, prompting the country’s intelligence agency to heighten its terror alert level.

    The Swedish government condemned the acts, but repeatedly upheld the country’s extensive freedom of expression laws.

    The Linkoping district court in central Sweden found the 27-year-old man guilty of “agitation against an ethnic group”, saying his action had “targeted Muslims and not Islam as a religion”, and “can hardly be said to have encouraged an objective and responsible debate”.

    In September 2020, the man had recorded a video clip outside the Linkoping cathedral showing the holy scripture and bacon being burned on a barbecue, with a pejorative remark about the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) written on a sign under the barbecue. The man published the video on social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.

    The song “Remove Kebab” was used in the video, a song popular among far-right groups that calls for the religious cleansing of Muslims.

    The court said “the music is strongly associated with the attack in Christchurch”, New Zealand, in 2019 in which an Australian white supremacist killed 51 people at two mosques.

    The man had denied any wrongdoing, arguing that his action was a criticism of Islam as a religion. But the court rejected that argument.

    “The court finds that the chosen music to a film with such content cannot be interpreted any other way than as a threat against Muslims with an allusion to their faith,” the court wrote in a statement.

    “The film’s content and the form of its publication are such that it is clear that the defendant’s primary purpose could not have been other than to express threats and contempt,” it said.

  • Contracts khatam, naukri jaari; 66 KP officials working despite end of tenure

    Contracts khatam, naukri jaari; 66 KP officials working despite end of tenure

    A total of 66 officers of higher rank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority are still serving and being promoted even though their contracts have ended this October, media reports have confirmed.

    These posts include Regional Culture and Tourism Officer, Manager, Additional Directors and Superintendents. As suggested by official documents, the officers of Tourism Corporation were hired for a period of three years in the Tourism Authority although many of them do not have the required educational qualification for the post of Grade 18 and 19.

    Appallingly, 4 of the office bearers are being given charge of three posts each. Moreover, a person serving as a computer operator in Tourism Corporation has been promoted as a Superintendent only in a matter of three years in the Tourism Authority. The superintendent is also given charge of the offices of Assistant Director HR and Admin.

    The degrees of more than 15 officers are still unverified.

    In response to this forgery, DG KPK Culture and Tourism Authority Barkatullah has called for an urgent meeting to sort out the matter of contract and unverified documents of these officers. Even the Secretary Tourism Department has taken notice of this. However, he mentioned that the merger of permanent officers in the Authority is done via the Tourism Act.

  • Are cricket lovers staying in hospitals in Ahmedabad instead of hotels?

    Are cricket lovers staying in hospitals in Ahmedabad instead of hotels?

    Reuters: Cricket fever has gripped Ahmedabad ahead of Saturday’s World Cup group stage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan and a visit to hospitals near the venue of the match in the western Indian city clearly shows the degree of excitement.

    Quite a few of the hospitals have seen a sudden influx of patients booked in for check-ups involving a night’s stay to coincide with the most anticipated match of the World Cup.

    Several doctors told local media the rush for check-up ‘packages’ was an ingenious way to find affordable accommodation as hotel costs have soared up to 20-fold ahead of the match.

    “We have come across some cases of people coming to watch the India-Pakistan match also taking an appointment for health check-ups and staying in hospitals,” Tushar Patel, President of the Ahmedabad Medical Association, told Reuters.

    The Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association has discouraged its members from accommodating such fans.
    “We have asked our members not to entertain such requests. Hospitals are not meant for non-patients,” its president Bharat Gadhavi told Reuters.

    THREE WARS

    The Asian neighbors have fought three wars since becoming separate countries in 1947 and the relationship further soured after gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai in 2008, which India blamed on a Pakistani militant group.

    While bilateral cricket became a casualty of geopolitical realities, it also whetted the appetite for a clash between neighbours who play each other only in multi-team events.

    India and Pakistan head into the showdown having both won their opening two matches at the tournament.

    The first batch of tickets for Saturday’s game were sold out within an hour of going on sale in August, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release another 14,000 earlier this month.

    Ahmedabad resident Hemish Patel and his friends, after several days of failed attempts, grabbed four tickets, each costing 6,000 Indian rupees ($72.15).

    “We logged into the site with multiple devices,” he said.

    “We constantly kept on refreshing the site and were able to book within 10 minutes after the sale of tickets began.”
    Patel was one of the lucky few.

    Tickets are fetching up to 25 times face value on resale and city police arrested four youths on Tuesday for selling fakes.

    Airfare has surged up to four times and Indian railways will run a pair of super fast trains linking Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

    PERFECT VENUE

    The 134,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium, which hosted former US President Donald Trump in 2020 and Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this year, looks a perfect arena for cricket’s fiercest rivalry.

    The city has been declared a ‘no-drone zone’ on Saturday, and 11,000 security personnel will be deployed for the high-profile match, Ahmedabad police commissioner GS Malik said.

    On their first tour of India since the 2016 T20 World Cup, Pakistan were accorded a warm welcome in Hyderabad, where they played their first two matches.

    India have a perfect 7-0 record against Pakistan at ODI World Cups and while the rivalry assumes the Orwellian concept of serious sport — “war minus the shooting” — players from both sides share good relations.

    During the Sri Lanka leg of the Asia Cup last month, Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi gave Jasprit Bumrah a gift for the Indian’s newborn baby and the video went viral.

    It will be a special occasion for Indian Liyakat Khan, whose daughter Samiya is married to Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali.
    “My wife went to Pakistan in 2021 when my daughter was expecting her first child. We will meet again … I can’t wait to hold my grandchild,” Khan told the Indian Express newspaper.

  • Imran Khan details want he wants from people of Pakistan in message from jail

    Imran Khan details want he wants from people of Pakistan in message from jail

    The incarcerated Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, has a message for the people of Pakistan, shared by his family on October 10, and recently shared on his official X (former Twitter) account.

    The former Prime Minister calls his incarceration illegal but stresses that today’s Imran Khan is different from the one who went to jail.

    “When I was illegally incarcerated in Attock Jail, the first few days were particularly challenging. I wasn’t provided a bed and had to sleep on the floor and had insects and mosquitoes all over me. But with time I have adjusted well to the prison conditions.

    ’ . ; , , ,” the message says.

    He tells his supporters not to give up and hopes that people will vote for PTI, whenever the elections are held.

    “Do not give up. This time of trial will end because Allah says that “with every difficulty there is ease”. Keep raising your voice against this unelected predatory group and their facilitators at every forum and keep demanding a fair and transparent election in the country,” his message said.

    The entire message by Imran Khan is as follows:

    “When I was illegally incarcerated in Attock Jail, the first few days were particularly challenging. I wasn’t provided a bed and had to sleep on the floor and had insects and mosquitoes all over me. But with time I have adjusted well to the prison conditions.

    ’ . ; , , .

    During my time in prison, I have had the opportunity to study and research the Holy Quran in depth, along with other books which has strengthened my faith.

    I was also able to introspect the last few years of my political life. Regardless of what prison they keep me in, whatever conditions they impose upon me, I will not back down even an inch from the quest of Haqeeqi Azadi, for the upholding of the rule of law and the Constitution of Pakistan, at the core of which is free and fair elections.

    To those suggesting that I leave the country, know that I will live and die with Pakistan, and I will not leave my land to go anywhere.

    As far as the Cipher case is concerned, this bogus case is designed to protect former Army Chief General Bajwa and Donald Lu. I was the elected Prime Minister of the country. Treason was committed against me and my govt by General Bajwa, instead of investigating the foreign conspiracy in orchestrating a regime change, a case has been filed against me for informing the people of Pakistan, the real protectors of this country, about this treason.

    If there’s one thing that bothers & pains me, is the suffering of my workers who have been illegally imprisoned, especially our women workers who have been in captivity for months, by a few people who abuse their power to satisfy their egos. I appeal to the judiciary to provide justice and order the immediate release of our workers.

    Finally, Do not give up. This time of trial will end because Allah says that “with every difficulty there is ease”. Keep raising your voice against this unelected predatory group and their facilitators at every forum and keep demanding a fair and transparent election in the country.

    I am predicting that on whatever day the election is held, people of Pakistan will come out in huge numbers to vote for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and defeat all these parties combined. No matter how much these people cheat, their only destiny is defeat. Pakistan Zindabad.”

    Earlier of October 7, Imran Khan’s stance regarding the Palestine issue was also shared on his Twitter account which said, “Chairman Imran Khan has been and will always remain an advocate for the Palestinian cause. He has consistently maintained his stance that oppression, occupation, and peace cannot go hand in hand. From the first Nakba in 1948, to inhumane treatment and the siege of Gaza, Palestinians have stood alone fighting for their right to peaceful existence.”

    Since Hamas sent its fighters to Israel on October 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared war, and Israeli forces have increased their attack in Gaza.

  • Imran Khan seeks suspension of cipher case trial

    Imran Khan seeks suspension of cipher case trial

    Imran Khan, the incarcerated Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has taken legal action against an upcoming indictment in a cipher case, filing a petition on Wednesday in the Islamabad High Court, contesting a trial court’s decision to charge him and party Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq heard the case, as the court merged the case with the plea seeking dismissal of the cipher case.

    The trial is scheduled for October 17, however, Khan claims that the relevant documents were not handed over to his defense counsel, despite the trial court’s order suggesting otherwise.

    Khan has also sought bail in two cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). These cases involve the Toshakhana case and allegations of corruption involving millions of pounds.

    Khan’s bail plea was previously dismissed by the Accountability Court due to his inability to appear in court. The petitions state that Khan’s detention in Attock Jail prevented him from attending court proceedings, asserting that his absence was not intentional.

    In a related development, the Special Court (Official Secrets Act) distributed copies of the investigation report to Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a hearing held on October 9.

    This move precedes their impending indictment. Notably, PTI lawyers have requested that the trial not be held in camera due to the small size of the prison court.

    Shah Mehmood Qureshi has submitted a petition to challenge a notification from the Law Ministry regarding the trial’s location at Adiala Jail. The court has ordered the ministry to explain its decision.

    Copies of the investigation report will be provided to the suspects, contingent on the Islamabad High Court’s decision. The court directed the suspects to sign the copies, but Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi have refused to do so.

    Special court judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain visited Adiala Jail to solve the problems allegedly being faced by PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The court ordered the demolition of the wall erected in front of Imran Khan’s cell.

    According to the jail superintendent, the PTI chief has been provided a place to walk, adding that he has requested further extension of his cell despite adequate space.

    Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be indicted in the case on October 17, said Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain.

  • ‘Why is Shehbaz happy if the judgment is against Nawaz’ asks Asad Umar

    ‘Why is Shehbaz happy if the judgment is against Nawaz’ asks Asad Umar

    The Supreme Court (SC) has on Wednesday evening issued a verdict in favour of the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, dismissing petitions challenging its validity.

    The decision was upheld by 10-5 majority. However, by an 8-7 decision, the majority of judges decided against the provision of law wherein retrospective right of appeal was given in the Act.

    Key Provisions of Act

    The act makes a number of significant changes to the way the Supreme Court operates. These include:

    • Requiring a three-member committee of senior judges, including the CJP, to approve all suo moto notices.
    • Establishing a transparent process for the formation of benches for hearing crucial constitutional issues.
    • Giving parties the right to appeal to the Supreme Court within 30 days of a final order from a lower court.
    • Requiring the apex court to hear applications alleging urgency or requesting interim relief within 14 days of filing.

    Reaction to the decision

    Former Prime Minister and President of _ (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the decision.

    “The Supreme Court’s verdict regarding the Practice and Procedure Act 2023 is a welcome step,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter)

    Interestingly, when Asad Umar, PTI’s former secretary general, was asked about the judgment, he stated that it was the right decision but was intrigued to know if Nawaz Sharif would come back after the decision or not.

    “My question is, everyone is saying this is not a good judgment for Nawaz Sharif, why is Shehbaz Sharif liking this decision so much? I’m just asking an innocent question,” he said while talking to the media on Thursday morning.

    The verdict has caused a rift in the legal world. The decision, which involves Article 184(3), has led to intense discussions about what it means for the PML-N leader, Nawaz Sharif.

    As per Dawn, lawyer Mohammad Ikram Chaudhry explained that in cases where no review has been filed, it’s possible to request a “condonation of delay,” which means the court might accept an appeal or application even if it’s late.

    Mohammad Akram Sheikh noted that according to the law, a review must be requested within 30 days of the judgment. He mentioned that in some cases, the highest court has allowed for delays but stressed that the applicant would need to provide a valid reason for the delay.

    Senior lawyer Raja Inam Ameen Minhas mentioned that the Supreme Court Bar Association has an ongoing review petition against the disqualification of politicians. He argued that since the matter of disqualification is still under consideration, it’s “still appealable.”

    Barrister Zafarullah Khan, the former special assistant on law to the ex-PM, pointed out that the Supreme Court’s decision wouldn’t affect Mr. Sharif’s cases because he wasn’t seeking relief from the highest court. Instead, he intends to pursue his appeals against convictions, which would eventually reach the Supreme Court.

    Some lawyers believe that the decision is a setback for Nawaz Sharif, who recently planned to return to Lahore after spending four years in London.

    The decision declared Section 5(2) of an act as ultra vires, meaning that the lifetime disqualification in the Panama case remains in effect.

    Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jafferi questioned who really won in this matter.

    Lawyer Usama Khawar Ghumman argues that Nawaz Sharif and Jehangir Tareen can still contest elections.

    “Despite Supreme Court’s decision to strike down retrospective rights of appeal, Nawaz Sharif & Jehangir Tareen can, in the short run, contest elections due to the PDM-led Parliament’s amendment to Section 232 of the Election Act, 2017,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

  • Karachi’s Regent Plaza to be purchased by SIUT for Rs14.5 billion

    Karachi’s iconic landmark, the Regent Plaza hotel on Shahrah-e-Faisal, owned by Pakistan Hotels Developers Limited (PHDL) might be changing ownership.

    On October 9, Pakistan Stock Exchange received an offer letter of Rs14.5bn (almost $52 million) by the prestigious Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) which aims to convert the 47,00 square feet built structure into a tertiary healthcare facility within a period of an year. The letter was then delivered to PHDL on October 10. In response to it, a meeting of the Board of Directors was called urgently for October 12.

    To put things in context, renowned financial wizard Shabbar Zaidi expressed, “Karachi badly needs another tertiary-care health facility and constructing a large health facility by acquiring land would take years. In these circumstances, it is the best option to acquire a built structure in the heart of the city and convert it into a health facility.”

    The noble cause of SIUT was founded by Dr. Syed Adibul Hassan Rizvi nearly four decades ago with an eight-bed ward in the Burns Unit of Karachi Civil Hospital. It has expedited its projects from organ transplant surgeries to areas of research in urology and nephrology. The hospital has been run through charity funds and provides financial and medical support to patients.

    Deliberation between the two parties has been going on since the mid of September but was not announced formally earlier. It is because in the first nine months of 2022-23, PHDL reported a net profit of Rs45.5 million, i.e. a 38.3 per cent decrease from the previous year. The occupancy rate of this 400 room space has dropped from 20 per cent for the year 2021-22 to 9 per cent in the previous year. The downward spiral can be credited to Covid-19 but has put the owners in a position to think otherwise of the property.