Tag: Top News

  • Nothing left for Imran in Pakistani politics: Kamran Tessori

    Nothing left for Imran in Pakistani politics: Kamran Tessori

    Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori has said that after the events of May 9, there is nothing left for former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Pakistani politics, Geo has reported.

    Addressing a press conference in London, Tessori said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) attacked Jinnah House and other military installations on May 9, shocking Pakistan. The governor claimed that the attacks on May 9 were comparable to those at the Peshawar Army Public School.

    Tessori, who is in London on a private family visit, said: “The elements involved in the 9 May attacks are left behind and the nation has come on one page. No decent and civilised society allows the destruction and arson of its important national monuments such as the residence of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, mosques and corp headquarters; people don’t burn their police stations in the world. These people burnt down their Corp Headquarters and attempted attacks on military installations. After all of this, I think there is nothing left for Imran Khan in Pakistani politics.”

    The Sindh governor also advised those that are still part of the PTI to, “think of Pakistan first and then the leader. The nation comes first, no harm in following any leader but not at the cost of Pakistan.”

  • Sarhad paar drugs kon smuggle kar raha hai?

    Sarhad paar drugs kon smuggle kar raha hai?

    Do you remember the news of a drone carrying drugs falling near Kahna?

    This year in July a drone carrying six kilograms of drugs, worth millions of rupees, crashed in the outskirts of Lahore. Recently a case has been registered against a senior official of the Lahore police, who headed the anti-narcotics wing of the city police, for alleged involvement in cross-border drug smuggling via drones.

    Lahore Deputy Inspector General (Investigation) Imran Kishwar confirmed the “involvement of a DSP”, saying that the official was booked by the ANF.

    “We have constituted a high-powered committee of senior police officers to further expand the scope of the investigation into the illegal cross-border smuggling of the drug,” the DIG told Dawn.

    He said that Lahore SSP Internal Accountability (IAB) Tauqeer Naeem would head the committee while SP Crime Record Officer Aftab Phularwan and a DSP would assist him in this matter.

    According to departmental sources, the issue was escalated to the prime minister after reports suggested that some elements were sending drugs from Kasur to India through drones. They further suggested that a gang of drug traffickers were using unmanned aerial vehicles to smuggle huge quantities of methamphetamine (locally known as ice) from Lahore to India.

    Sources said a drone could carry up to six kilograms of drugs, which would be delivered at a given location in Indian Punjab after flying across the border.

    Departmental action has already been initiated against the police officer, DIG said, adding that further proceedings would be made in the light of the inquiry report.

    The use of technology to smuggle drugs sent alarm bells ringing in ANF, evident from recent arrests made by the force.
    A subsequent probe revealed that DSP Mazhar Iqbal, who secured interim bail after a case was registered against him, was also involved in the alleged smuggling.

    The smugglers on both sides of the border were using “some means of communication to get alerts about the delivery of the drug”, the officials said.

    They added that payments against these drugs would be made in the UAE.

  • President Alvi ko chahiye mazeed salary

    President Alvi ko chahiye mazeed salary

    President Dr Arif Alvi is seeking an increase in his salary. Official documents show that the president has asked for two raises, first with effect from July 1, 2021 and second with effect from July 1, 2023, as per Geo News.

    Currently, the president draws a monthly salary of Rs 846,550 and wants a two-step raise to Rs 1,024,325 and Rs 1,229,190 per month with effect from July 2021 and July 2023 respectively.

    In a letter written to the Secretary Cabinet through his Military Secretary earlier this month, the President’s Secretariat has desired amendment in the Fourth Schedule of President’s Salary Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act, 2018 to allow the president’s salary, a) Rs 1,024,325 per month with effect from July 1, 2021, and b) Rs 1,229,190 per month with effect from July 1, 2023.

    The letter stated, “In Pursuance of para 3(2) of President’s Salary, Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act 2018, published in the Gazette Notification (Part I), the remuneration of the President shall be a symbolic one rupee higher than the salary of any holder of Public Office in relation to affairs of the Federation. Accordingly, pay of the honorable President was fixed at Rs 846,550/- per month in 2018 as reflected in the Fourth Schedule of the Act ibid.”

    The letter further pointed out that the salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan being a holder of Public Office was increased twice in the last 2 years through Presidential Orders. Pay of Chief Justice of Pakistan was fixed at Rs 1,024,324/ per month w.e.f 01 July 2021 and subsequently at Rs 1,229,189/ per month w.e.f. 01 July 2023. As per the rules, the salary of the President was not enhanced in relation to the laid down principle of one rupee higher than the salary of any holder of public office i.e. Chief Justice of Pakistan.

    On the basis of the above, the Presidency sought changes in the Fourth Schedule of President’s Salary Allowances and Privileges (Amendment) Act 2018 accordingly.

    The Cabinet Division referred the case to the Law Ministry, which on August 18 advised the former to process the case for a raise in Alvi’s salary.

    The Law Ministry stated, “The Federal Government by virtue of section 3(2) of the same Act has the power to amend that Schedule by way of a notification in the official gazette henceforth in relation to the issue at hand the Federal Government is competent to amend the Fourth Schedule by way of gazette notification and no amendment in the Fourth Schedule is required via an amending Act to effectuate a revision in the salary of the President.”

    The matter was also referred to the Finance Division, which on August 22 also supported the proposed increase in the salary of the president through amendment in the Fourth Schedule of the President (Salary, Allowances & Privileges) Act, 1975.

    The matter is expected to be presented before the cabinet for approval. The president, besides getting the desired increases, will also get a hefty amount as arrears as the two-step raises will be allowed with effect from July 2021 and July 2023 respectively.

  • Is Imran Khan leaving Pakistan?

    Is Imran Khan leaving Pakistan?

    Aleema Khan and Uzma Khanum, sisters of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, met him in Attock Jail on Tuesday, five days after they moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking permission for the meeting.

    The Khan sisters pleaded with the court they were not allowed to meet the former prime minister by the jail superintendent.

    “We went to meet our brother, former prime minister Imran Khan, in Attock jail on Thursday, but the superintendent did not allow us to meet him,” their plea mentioned, requesting the court to issue directives allowing the meeting to take place.

    During the meeting, Khan’s sisters and wife were accompanied by the party’s legal team comprising four members, as per The News.

    While Aleema and Uzma were meeting their brother for the first time, it was Bushra Bibi’s third visit to her husband, who has been in jail since August 5, after a trial court in Islamabad convicted him in Toshakhana case and handed him a three-year sentence.

    Bushra’s meeting lasted for over an hour during which, it was reported that the couple discussed personal and political issues.

    “Bushra discussed a specific issue with her husband regarding a message from a foreign friend about his settlement abroad,” an intelligence agency source said, as reported by Shakeel Anjum, correspondent of Geo News.

    READ MORE: Imran Khan rearrested in cypher case

  • ‘Happy that a Pakistani won’: Saroj Devi, Neeraj Chopra’s mother

    ‘Happy that a Pakistani won’: Saroj Devi, Neeraj Chopra’s mother

    Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold and Arshad Nadeem’s record achievement as the first Pakistani to secure a medal in the World Athletics Championship are milestones in their respective careers.

    When a journalist asked Chopra’s mother about his win over Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, trying to give an India vs Pakistan narrative to the historic moment, her answer was all love and has gone viral on social media.

    “Look, all have come to play in the field. One or the other will definitely win. So there is no question of being from Pakistan or Haryana,” she said.

    “It is a matter of happiness. Even if that Pakistani had won, there would’ve been great happiness,” she added.

    While Neeraj and Nadeem engage in fierce competition on the field, both young athletes share a profound camaraderie beyond the arena. Beyond the thrill of rivalry, their off-field friendship has been evident through mutual appreciation and support on various occasions. The heartwarming connection serves as a poignant reminder of how the spirit of sportsmanship can not only bridge the gap between nations but also serve as a potent tool in minimizing conflicts.

    In February 2016, the two competed against each other for the first time in the South Asian Games at Guwahati. While Chopra won the gold with a throw of 82.23, Nadeem took the bronze with 78.33 m. The second time the duo faced each other was at the Asian Junior Championships in Vietnam, where Chopra won the silver with a throw of 77.60 m and Nadeem claimed the bronze with 73.40. The India-Pakistan rivalry was seen at the World U-20 Championship in Poland, where Nadeem missed out on qualifying for the final with a throw of 67.17 to finish at the 15th spot. Chopra won that U-20 world title with 86.48, setting a new world U-20 record.

  • KHAN TO BE SET FREE, Shehbaz is NOT happy

    KHAN TO BE SET FREE, Shehbaz is NOT happy

    Shehbaz Sharif took to X (formerly Twitter) and reacted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision suspending Imran Khan’s three-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.”‘Laadla’s’ sentence has been suspended, not terminated,” Sharif wrote, adding that Chief Justice’s message of “Good to see you” and “Wishing you good luck” has reached Islamabad High Court.

    He tweeted, “Before the decision comes, everyone knows what the decision will be, so it should be a momentary concern for the justice system. If a clear message is received from the higher judiciary, then what else should the subordinate court do?”

    He further stated that a monitoring judge was appointed to ensure Nawaz Sharif’s punishment, and the then Chief Justice himself became a monitoring judge to save “Laadla”.

    He added, “This role of the justice system will be written in the dark chapter of history. Scales tilted to one side and a justice system that undermines justice are not acceptable. The law is powerless before the one who sold watch. Thieves and state terrorists will be facilitated, then where will the common man get justice in the country?”

    He also stated that be it May 9, be it an attack on the judicial complex, be it throwing petrol bombs on the police, everything is forgiven.

    READ MORE: Imran Khan’s Toshakhana conviction suspended by Islamabad High Court

  • Tuesday 11AM to decide Khan’s fate as court to announce the Toshakhana appeal verdict

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will resume hearing today of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s petition seeking suspension of sentence by the trial court in the Toshakhana case.

    A two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, is hearing the case, and in today’s hearing, the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) lawyer Amjad Parvez will give his arguments, as he was not present in the last hearing on Friday because of health reasons.

    On the request of his assistant lawyer, the court postponed the hearing until today (Monday). Due to the lawyer’s unavailability, the court also instructed the electoral authorities to make other arrangements.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attorney, Latif Khosa, finished his arguments in the last hearing.

    The IHC will announce the verdict tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11am.

    Earlier, Judge Humayun Dilawar sentenced Imran Khan to three years imprisonment and fined him one lakh rupees. According to the judgement, “Charges of misdeclaration of assets have been proven against the PTI chairman.”

  • Pakistani doctor jailed in US for attempting to aid ISIS

    Pakistani doctor jailed in US for attempting to aid ISIS

    Muhammad Masood, a 31-year-old licensed Pakistani doctor living in the United States on a work visa, has been sentenced to 18 years in jail for attempting to provide material support to terrorist organisation ISIS, according to court documents.

    “A Rochester man was sentenced today to 216 months in prison, equivalent to 18 years, followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization,” a press release issued by the US Department of Justice stated.

    The court documents revealed that Masood was previously employed as a research coordinator at a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B visa.

    As per the official statement, Masood’s activity from January 2020 to March 2020 depicted his attempts to become a part of the militant outfit and provide material support in carrying out terrorist acts in the US.

    “Between January 2020 and March 2020, Masood used an encrypted messaging application to facilitate his travel overseas to join a terrorist organization,” the statement added.

    It further stated that the Pakistani man made multiple statements about his desire to join ISIS and also pledged his allegiance to the designated terrorist organisation and its leader.

    “Masood also expressed his desire to conduct ‘lone wolf’ terrorist attacks in the United States.”

    On February 21, 2020, he bought a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois, to Amman, Jordan, with plans to travel to Syria from there.
    However, his travel plans changed on March 16, 2020, as the borders were closed by Jordan under coronavirus travel restrictions.

    He then decided to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, where he would meet a person who he believed would help him with travel via a cargo ship to deliver him to the territory claimed by ISIS.

    On March 19, 2020, Masood traveled from Rochester to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to board a flight bound for Los Angeles, California.

    However, he was eventually arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) upon arrival at the airport.

    Masood pleaded guilty last year on August 16 to attempting to provide material support to Daesh.
    Senior Judge Paul A. Magnuson sentenced him to 18 years in prison on Friday, after the completion of investigations by the FBI’s JTTF.

  • JI announces protest against inflated electricity bills

    JI announces protest against inflated electricity bills

    The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced on Saturday that it would stage a protest against the exorbitant electricity bills.

    Addressing a seminar in Lahore, JI Ameer Sirajul Haq lashed out at political opponents and the caretaker government, saying, “The caretaker government is following the footsteps of the previous governments in terms of taking wrong decisions for the sake of the country.”

    “The power bills have increased three times within one month. People have been compelled to commit suicide due to the ballooning inflation. The electricity bill of at least Rs50,000 has been sent to every house,” said Mr Haq.

    He made it clear that the JI would stage a protest outside of the power distribution companies.

    Earlier, interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that that he has summoned an emergency meeting over the price of electricity and consumers’ inflated bills, adding that he will hold consultations to provide maximum relief to power consumers.

    The prime minister has directed the Ministry of Energy and power distributions companies to present him with a detailed briefing over the issue.

  • PPP hints at legal action if elections are delayed

    Reiterating their call for general elections within 90 days, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has reinforced on Friday that it agreed to endorse the digital census results at the Council of Common Interests (CCI) only after receiving assurances that the action wouldn’t hinder the timely conduct of elections. The move, however, is now being exploited as a pretext to delay the polls. 

    Hinting at the possibility of pursuing “legal course” to uphold their principled stance, PPP leader Nayyar Bukhari said that if the party’s attempt to convince the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to meet the constitutionally mandated 90-day deadline, during the meeting scheduled for August 29, remains unsuccessful, the next central executive committee meeting in Lahore in September would unveil their final strategy.

    Speaking at a press conference alongside fellow party members at Bilawal House after the CEC meeting, PPP leaders adopted a more assertive tone in response to the ECP’s recent announcement. The ECP stated that the process of revising the delimitation of national and provincial assembly constituencies would conclude by December 14, extending beyond the constitutionally set deadline for conducting general elections.

    Sindh’s former chief minister Murad Ali Shah said that his party does not want elections to be postponed due to new delimitations. “Our aim is that the elections should be held on time. This census does not require fresh delimitations,” he added. 

    The digital census, he said, was controversial, adding that the Constitution does not say to conduct fresh delimitations after the census.