Tag: Top News

  • Man sentenced to life for abduction, marital rape of minor wife

    Man sentenced to life for abduction, marital rape of minor wife

    A local court in Shangla has convicted a person for the abduction and ‘marital rape’ of his minor wife and sentenced him to life imprisonment, and imposed a fine of Rs300,000 on him.

    Dawn’s Umar Bacha, in his report, states that the judge convicted the accused on two counts and sentenced him under section 365-b (kidnapping) of the Pakistan Penal Code to life imprisonment with a fine of Rs100,000 and to 25 years imprisonment with a fine of Rs200,000 under section 376 (rape) of PPC.

    The court acquitted seven of the convict’s family members due to a lack of evidence. 

    The lawyer appearing for the convict said that the victim was his client’s legal wife, and hence, he committed no offence.

    However, the judge, in his judgement, observed that a close and critical reading of section 375 PPC, defining the offence of rape, made no exception to marriage.

    “If the allegation of rape in marriage is ignored, yet another question is the victim’s juvenility. The victim, being just above 16 years of age, is still covered in the definition of ‘child,’ being under 18 years of age,” the verdict read. 

    The victim’s mother in the FIR stated that her husband died around ten years ago, and around two years ago, she arranged the Nikkah of her daughter (the victim) with the accused, but Rukhsati was yet to take place.

    She had put a demand to the family of the accused to arrange separate accommodation for her daughter before formal marriage, but they declined. She alleged that on the night of the incident, the accused, along with his father and four other relatives, barged into their house and forcibly took away the victim while the complainant, her son and another daughter were beaten and tied.

    In the beginning, FIR was registered for abducting the girl, but eventually, when she was recovered by police, different provisions of PPC and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Act, dealing with sexual assaults and sexual abuse, were also included in it.

    The girl, upon her recovery after four days, said in a statement that she was assaulted during captivity, and her medical examination also confirmed that she was subjected to sexual assault.

    The court eventually found the accused guilty of the offence of the abduction of the victim and having sex without her consent.

    Even though the lawyer Mian Safeer said it was the first-ever conviction in a case of ‘marital rape’ after amendments in 2021 but a man in Karachi was sentenced to three years in jail after he was found guilty of having non-consensual sex with his wife earlier in the year on January 20. 

    Read More: First ever conviction on Marital Rape opening new doors of discussion: A religious and legal context

  • PTI forms five-members committee to hold talks with Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    PTI forms five-members committee to hold talks with Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has constituted a five-member negotiation team for holding talks with Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to establish an extensive opposition alliance.

    The negotiation team includes PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, former National Assembly (NA) speaker Asad Qaiser, party’s Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, Senator Shibli Faraz, and NA Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan.

    Both parties have the same agenda, namely that the February 8 general elections were not free and fair. PTI formed a six-party opposition alliance in April to give the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) a hard time.

    In a meeting between PTI’s Asad Qaiser and Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad last month, both the leaders agreed to play a vital role of opposition in NA.

  • Christian youth awarded death sentence for ‘sparking’ Jaranwala riots

    Christian youth awarded death sentence for ‘sparking’ Jaranwala riots

    Sahiwal’s Anti-terrorism Court (ATC) has awarded the death sentence to a Christian man who allegedly circulated a social media post that led to riots in Jaranwala last year, reports Dawn.

    Judge Ziaullah Khan sentenced the young man to 22 years in prison and imp­osed a fine of Rs1 million. The final judgment said he was awarded the death sentence and a fine of Rs500,000 under Section 295(C), ten years rigorous imprisonment under Sec­tion 295(A), seven years under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, and five years and Rs500,000 fine under 7(1) (G)-ATA.

    The Punjab police claimed last year that around 135 miscreants had been booked for the attacks, but according to Advo­cate Akmal Bhatti, only 12 people are currently facing trials in the court.

    However, the convict was accused of sharing a social media post which allegedly contained blasphemous content.

    He was picked up by police on intelligence reports three days after the riots.

    Complainant Amir Farooq, who is now SHO at the Ghala Mandi police, told Dawn that while the man in question did not produce the blasphemous content, he did share it on TikTok, where it went viral.

    Background

    In March, Faisalabad ATC had acquitted two Christian brothers who were ‘framed’ for desecration after a police probe revealed that the two had been implicated in a blasphemy case over a personal enmity.

    Dozens of Christian homes and around 20 chu­rches were vandalised and ransacked by mobs in Jaran­wala following allegations that a copy of the Holy Quran had been desecrated.

  • Turkiye airport workers refuse to refuel Israeli airplane

    Turkiye airport workers refuse to refuel Israeli airplane

    Israel’s national carrier, El Al, said Sunday that its Warsaw to Tel Aviv flight was not allowed to refuel at Antalya airport after making an emergency landing to evacuate a passenger for medical reasons.

    Turkish workers at Antalya airport refused to refuel flight LY5102 before it could take off for Israel, El Al said in a statement.

    “Local workers refused to refuel the company’s plane even though it was a medical case,” it said, adding that the passenger was evacuated.

    The plane then took off to Rhodes in Greece, where “it will refuel before taking off to Israel”, the airline said.

    Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated since October 7, with all direct flights between the two countries cancelled since.

    Turkish diplomatic sources confirmed the plane was allowed to make an emergency landing to evacuate a sick passenger.

    “Fuel was to be provided to the plane due to humanitarian considerations, but as the relevant procedure was about to be completed, the captain decided to leave of his own accord,” a Turkish diplomatic source said.

    Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel said the plane was on the tarmac at Antalya for several hours before it took off for Rhodes.

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel’s blistering military operations in Gaza and has often expressed support for Hamas as defenders of their homeland.

    Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 37,877 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

  • Khan’s release not possible under current PTI leadership, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Khan’s release not possible under current PTI leadership, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Former leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Fawad Chaudhry, has criticized the party’s current heads, stating that there is no possibility of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s release in the presence of the current leadership, Geo News reported on Sunday.

    “[Due to] lack of political strategy of current PTI leadership, all of us are suffering,” said the former vice president of the party, who left PTI after the May 9 events.

    He also replied to criticism that those who left Imran Khan during a difficult time have started speaking up for him now that the draught period has passed.

    “Tough times have not ended for the jailed former premier and other PTI leaders. Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and others are still behind bars and going through a difficult time,” Fawad Chaudhry said.

     “Some people start their journey from Peshawar and return after staging a rally in Lahore,” he remarked.

  • Iran warns Israel of ‘obliterating’ war if Lebanon attacked

    Iran warns Israel of ‘obliterating’ war if Lebanon attacked

    Iran on Saturday warned that “all Resistance Fronts”, a grouping of Iran and its regional allies, would confront Israel if it attacks Lebanon.

    The comment from Iran’s mission to New York comes with fears of a wider regional war involving Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement. The two sides have engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire since the genocide in Gaza began.

    Such exchanges have escalated this month, alongside bellicose rhetoric from both sides. Israel’s military said plans for a Lebanon offensive had been “approved and validated”, prompting Hezbollah to respond that none of Israel would be spared in a full-blown conflict.

    In a post on social media platform X, the Iranian mission said it “deems as psychological warfare the Zionist regime’s propaganda about intending to attack Lebanon”.

    But, it added, “should it embark on full-scale military aggression, an obliterating war will ensue. All options, incl. the full involvement of all Resistance Fronts, are on the table.”

    Alongside Hezbollah’s attacks on northern Israel, Houthi rebels in Yemen have repeatedly struck commercial ships in the Red Sea area in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

    The Islamic Republic of Iran has not recognised Israel since the 1979 revolution that toppled Iran’s United States-backed Shah.

    Fears of regional war also soared in April, after an air strike that levelled Iran’s consulate in Damascus and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals.

    Iran hit back with an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel on April 13-14.

    Iran’s state media later reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan as US media quoted American officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on its arch-rival.

    Tehran downplayed the reported Israeli raid.

  • Inside Juggan Kazim’s romantic anniversary gala for husband

    Inside Juggan Kazim’s romantic anniversary gala for husband

    Juggan Kazim is celebrating her 11th wedding anniversary with a surprise party for her husband. She planned a fun celebration with music and surprises to make their day unforgettable.She arranged a Dolli performance and had a band play music to lure him out of the house, adding a playful twist to the celebration.

    This unique celebration showcased Juggan’s creativity in keeping their love alive.

    Check out the video below:

  • Veteran actor Rashid Mehmood’s painful pleas after receiving electricity bill leaves fans in tears

    Veteran actor Rashid Mehmood’s painful pleas after receiving electricity bill leaves fans in tears

    Pakistani actor Rashid Mehmood is distraught after receiving an electricity bill of Rs45,000. He said it makes him feel like he was born in the wrong country.
    A video of Mehmood showing his electricity bill to viewers went viral on social media. He explained that he used 701 units of electricity and got a huge bill.
    Mehmood, who has had four heart attacks, wondered why he survived, asking, “Was I kept alive just to endure this?” He said it’s hard for him to pay such a big bill since he hasn’t found work as an actor in Lahore since a long time.

    He blamed politicians and officials for living in luxury while ordinary people struggled with high inflation and huge electricity bills.
    Mehmood said if he had been dishonest, he could have been rich, but he chose to work honestly, believing Allah would judge him after he died.
    The actor is very sad about the situation in Pakistan and feels he was born in the wrong country, despite dedicating his life to serving it. He is disheartened to get such high bills in return.

    In his distress, Mehmood shared his pain and worry, saying he doesn’t want to live anymore and hopes his family will have a better life after him.
    Despite his difficulties, he remains committed to Pakistan but prays for Allah’s mercy, thinking life could have been easier if he lived abroad.

  • Mathira calls out Nadir Ali’s misogynistic behavior on his podcast

    Mathira calls out Nadir Ali’s misogynistic behavior on his podcast

    In a recent episode of The Fahad Ansari Show, TV host Mathira spoke out against Nadir Ali, a podcast host known for his controversial behavior. Nadir is infamous for his direct and sometimes inappropriate questions, which have led to discomfort among guests on his show.

    Reflecting on the episode, Fahad, the host of the show, said that Mathira seemed uncomfortable. She didn’t hesitate to share her thoughts, saying, “I expected his show to be respectful like others I’ve been on. I used to have respect for him, but the way he behaved…”

    She criticized Nadir further, alleging, “I feel he targets women on his show. Every woman who goes on feels cornered. That’s not okay.” According to Mathira, there’s a line between being funny and being disrespectful. “You can’t ask rude questions that aren’t even funny.”

    Despite Nadir’s popularity, criticism against him is growing. Mathira’s strong stance echoes the views of many who believe that respect should be a priority, especially in the entertainment industry.

  • Imran Khan will be released in six months, predicts Nabil Gabol

    Imran Khan will be released in six months, predicts Nabil Gabol

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nabil Gabol has predicted that incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan will be released from jail, but it will take six months or more.

    Nabil Gabol said during an interview with ARY News that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder will come out of jail after entering into a deal.

    “He will soon understand,” he added.

    “His problem is, no one believes him or his guarantee,” the MNA from Lyari said. “Only one person is responsible for the uncertain situation, who is in Adiala jail,” Gabol stated.

    Responding to a question about the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, the PPP leader said, “We are pushing the PML-N government to keep it running. Whenever we stop pushing, the government will stop running”.