Tag: Top News

  • 10 dead as bus plummets into ditch in Azad Jammu And Kashmir

    10 people have died and 13 were critically injured when the bus they were travelling in plunged into a ravine in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday, Express News has reported. The 35 passengers in the bus were going to Gujranwala from Nairiyan, a small village in the Sudhnoti district near Kotli, for urs festivities.

    The injured were taken to Mirpur district headquarter hospital.

    Rescue personnel reached the spot after receiving information, Mirpur Commissioner Chaudhary Shaukat has said. He further stated that at least three of the 13 injured passengers are in critical condition. He added that the accident was caused by brake failure.

    Shaukat also confirmed that a large number of Jamia students reached the hospital to voluntarily donate blood for the victims.

  • ‘Security forces raiding our houses in the middle of the night’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has criticised the government for grave human rights violations in the country, which according to Khan, we only used to hear in Indian occupied Kashmir.

    “Whenever our Holy Prophet (PBUH) would go for battle, there were strict instructions that women, children and elders were not to be harmed. Today, our own security forces are raiding our houses in the middle of the night, breaking doors, vandalising the house and robbing it,” wrote the former pm in a tweet.

    “Women are abused, harassed and threatened and if the person is not there then their boys, fathers and even servants are picked up and jailed. My sisters driver and cook Rahim were picked up when the police couldn’t find her son. Both were jailed where they were packed like sardines.”

    Rahim suffered breathing problems and since his release he has been on the ventilator fighting for his life. Clearly those who are responsible for this reign of terror feel they are above law. We used to hear about such grave violations of human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir but never imagined this would be happening here. While this policy might have temporarily spread fear amongst the people, it’s only a matter of time before this seething hatred comes out in the open.

    Earlier, in an interview with a local media news publication, Imran said, “A semi-martial law is already in place in the country” and “everything is happening on the wishes of those in power”. He passed the remarks while talking about the use of the Army Act against civilians.

  • Budget 2023-24: Silent Budget, Fading Democracy

    Amidst endless political turmoil, with inflation standing at 38 per cent in May and the country teetering on the brink of default, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar presented the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 on Friday. There was no Opposition present in parliament to suggest amendments. The budget was presented without the chaos we usually witness during budget speeches.

    Whatever semblance of Opposition we have, did criticise the coalition government for presenting a budget that appeases the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the chances of an IMF bailout appear slim, and if the bailout does not materialise, the threat of default is significant.

    In the next fiscal year, external payments of 25 billion dollars are required, which cannot be arranged without the IMF, as no international organisation will provide funds without the IMF’s involvement.

    It is also pertinent to mention here that no target from the previous budget was achieved. The growth target was set at 5 per cent, but it remained at 0.28 per cent, an abysmally low rate. The inflation target was set at 11.5 per cent, but it remained at 29 per cent, an astonishingly high rate.

    Budget deficit exceeded the target by Rs2.2 trillion, and the upcoming fiscal year has a tax target of Rs9.2 trillion, out of which 80 per cent, or Rs7.3 trillion, will be spent on paying interests alone.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the budget, claiming that it offers no relief for the poor. Maybe if they had stayed in parliament and expressed criticism on the floor of the House, their objections could have had a stronger impact and they could have had a significant influence on shaping the budget. PTI’s criticism from outside parliament, without any actual impact, highlights the crucial role of the Opposition’s presence in such situations.

    A functioning democracy relies on the active participation of the Opposition to ensure the budget serves the interests of all citizens. The current scenario calls for a commitment to democratic values and for an Opposition that can help to effectively shape policies. The presence of Opposition in parliament is not just a symbol of a healthy democracy, it is a prerequisite for balanced decision-making, inclusive policies, and a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan.

  • ‘Dead on Arrival’ or ‘The End’? Aleem Khan responds to SMQ’s comments about JKT’s party

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has termed the launch of the newly established political party of Jahangir Khan Tareen, Istehkam-e-Pakistan, as “dead on arrival”.

    He made the comments while speaking with journalists outside an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Saturday.

    “I would only say this much about it. When you take a patient, after an incident, to a hospital’s emergency. For instance, the Services Hospital is close by. You take them to an emergency.”

    “The doctors conduct their examination, after which they declare them dead. So I will only say this is a launch which is dead on arrival,” he said.

    Abdul Aleem Khan, who has also joined Tareen’s party, responded to Qureshi’s comment saying that people know which party’s launch is dead on arrival, and which party is ending.

    Jahangir Khan Tareen, formally established the political party on Thursday in Lahore. Former PTI leaders Imran Ismail, Aleem Khan and Ali Zaidi were also present at the press conference to announce the launch.
    The party comprises more than 100 former National Assembly members and leaders of PTI.

  • May 9 riots: Pakistan to ask relevant foreign governments to hand over culprits

    Foreign nationals involved in “instigation, glorification and support (physical, moral and financial)” of the incidents of May 9 will be investigated, the government has decided on Thursday, Geo news has reported.

    As per Geo’s sources, the government has collected relevant data of more than 500 Pakistanis. “Their call records, social media activity, travel history, financial transactions, immigration status and other relevant data has been analysed.”

    Reportedly, the expats are mostly from the UK, Europe and the US.

    The people involved will be investigated upon arriving in Pakistan. “Moreover, the government shall initiate criminal proceedings against all those involved, and the relevant foreign governments will be contacted for handing over the culprits.”

    Their legal status in host countries, mode of entry and pending dual nationality applications shall also be made part of the proceedings.

  • How can cases of civilians be tried under the Official Secrets Act: Peshawar High Court raises questions

    How can cases of civilians be tried under the Official Secrets Act: Peshawar High Court raises questions

    A division bench of Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday heard petitions filed against trials in military courts of those accused of attacking military installations.

    The bench consisted of Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah.

    “How can cases of civilians be tried under the Official Secrets Act,” Justice Ibrahim questioned during the hearing, adsing that the cases require interpretation of the constitution.

    The hearing has been adjourned till June 13.

    On Wednesday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir presided over the 81st Formation Commanders Conference at GHQ, which was attended by Corps Commanders, Principal Staff Officers and all Formation Commanders of Pakistan Army.

    The forum condemned the events of May 9, saying that “attackers of military installations would certainly be brought to justice speedily under the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act which are the derivatives of the Constitution of Pakistan.”

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi advises Imran Khan to leave the country

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday met with party Chairman Imran Khan at Zaman Park in Lahore. This was the first meeting between the top two leaders of PTI since the events of May 9.

    As per The News, both leaders exchanged heated words during the meeting.
    As per sources, Qureshi asked Imran Khan to leave the country temporarily. He also suggested that Khan should stay quiet if he doesn’t want to leave the country.

    The PTI vice chairman requested Imran Khan to let him and others resolve the problems the party is facing, adding that he can take over the party later.

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi also suggested to Khan that he should refrain from making ’emotional decisions’. He also told him that retired people who are misleading him are of no help.

    After the meeting, Qureshi did not talk to the media gathered outside Zaman Park.

    Qureshi was released from Adiala Jail on Tuesday after the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench ordered his immediate release.

  • Al-Qadir Trust case: Bushra Bibi wants to appear with Imran Khan because of ‘purdah’

    Al-Qadir Trust case: Bushra Bibi wants to appear with Imran Khan because of ‘purdah’

    National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Rawalpindi, had summoned former first lady Bushra Bibi on June 7 to record her statement as a trustee of the Al-Qadir University Trust in the £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) UK settlement case.

    However, in her reply to a notice issued by NAB, Bushra Bibi has requested that the hearing be shifted to June 8, as her husband Imran Khan was already scheduled to appear before the Islamabad High Court and an anti-terrorism court in the capital tomorrow.

    Bushra Bibi wrote that she observes strict purdah and that is why she would like to be accompanied by her husband when she travels to Islamabad.
    As per media reports, Bushra Bibi would be included as a witness for her testimony. NAB is required by new laws to inform a person if they are being called as a witness or an accused in order to record a statement.

  • Murder FIR registered against Imran Khan

    Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against former Prime Minister Imran Khan for the murder of Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Abdul Razzaq Shar who was shot dead by armed motor cyclists on Quetta’s Airport Road on Tuesday.

    The case has been registered on the complaint of the deceased’s son at the Shaheed Jameel Kakar police station, Quetta, under the charges of murder, terrorism and other offences.

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Ataullah Tarar in a press conference on Tuesday held the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman responsible for the murder.

    Tarrar claimed that the targeted killing was related to a treason case filed against Imran Khan by Shar.

  • Case of Fraud registered against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

    Case of Fraud registered against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi

    A local watch dealer has requested that an inquiry of fraud be opened against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and others, Samaa has reported.

    Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Shahzad Akbar, Zulfi Bukhari, and Farah Gogi have all been named in the complaint filed at Kohsaar Police Station, under the provisions of fraudulent receipt and deceit.

    As per the First Information Report (FIR) the former Prime Minister and others nominated in the complaint, presented fake receipts for buying Toshakhana gifts and fraudulently used the watch dealer’s forged signature for the alleged deal.

    “We never bought or sold such things, so legal action should be taken,” claimed the watch dealer.

    Separately, on Tuesday Bushra Bibi, filed a petition in the Lahore High Court — seeking blanket cover in all cases registered against her across the country.