Tag: trending

  • Mobile phones banned in police stations

    Mobile phones banned in police stations

    Following a string of custodial deaths due to alleged torture in just the past week, the Punjab police has banned the use of cellphones by officers while on duty and barred them from capturing videos of other police personnel as well. Videos of the incidences of torture had been widely circulated on social media raising outrage.

    However, citizens and media personnel will not be banned from taking them inside.

    A notification sent by the additional inspector general on behalf of the Punjab Inspector General of Police Arif Nawaz to all Punjab police officers stated that it had been observed that police officials were using mobile phones while on duty even though “clear directions in this regard have already been conveyed to all field formations”. It added that it was the responsibility of the field formations “to get these instructions/directions/SOPs implemented in letter and spirit.”

    The notification further read: “Frequent violations of these directions/SOPs reflect badly on the performance of supervising officers. In future, no officer below the rank of SHO (Station House Officer) or in-charge of a deployed duty will use [a] cellphone while on duty.”

    Lower-ranking officers will instead be allowed to use ordinary phones that do not have the video recording feature.

    The letter asserted that it was “strictly forbidden” to make a video of police officers on duty or upload a video of police officers performing their duty and any violation will result in “severe departmental action” against the police personnel involved as well as their supervisory officer.

    At least three cases of police torture had surfaced last week including that of the infamous ATM robber Salahuddin Ayubi. Punjab IG expressed extreme displeasure over these deaths in police custody and said that the recent deaths and maltreatment in police custody indicated the irresponsible behaviour of field and senior police officials. The police chief warned that DPOs, SPs, SDPOs and supervisory officers would be held responsible if any such case surfaced again in the future.

    Police brutality is a topic which has long been debated. In this regard, Spokesperson to Punjab Chief Minister Dr Shahbaz Gill on Sunday had said that the provincial government would soon introduce reforms in the police force and that a summary in this regard has been sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan for final review.

    Criticising the previous governments, Gill said that police were used as a tool for political victimisation in the past but now things would change. He asserted that the present government is striving hard to make things better, adding that a positive change would be visible within six months.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on several occasions has iterated the government’s commitment to bring reforms in the police force to so as to improve its performance. PM Imran had said that he wanted to see independent police in the country.

    Meanwhile, this development created outrage on social media.

    https://twitter.com/FaisalViewss/status/1171002231497400320?s=20
    https://twitter.com/SameenaERana/status/1170990622481817601?s=20
  • UET Lahore bans male, female students from sitting together?

    UET Lahore bans male, female students from sitting together?

    University of Engineering and Technology Lahore on Sunday reportedly banned mixed gatherings and disallowed students from sitting together in the canteen.

    According to a notification which surfaced on social media, the university canteens and cafeterias were instructed to make “separate sitting arrangements with suitable partition” for male and female students. The notification ordered immediate action and stated that failure to comply with it will lead to the canteen/cafeteria being sealed. It also said that the vice-chancellor or resident officer can make surprise visits to ensure that the rules are being strictly followed.

    However, a few hours later, it was reported that UET retracted the notification and said that the notification was issued without the vice chancellor’s approval.

  • VIDEO: If the PM doesn’t perform, ‘he has to go home’, says Dr Firdous

    VIDEO: If the PM doesn’t perform, ‘he has to go home’, says Dr Firdous

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that whoever doesn’t perform will be sent home.

    Addressing a media gathering alongside Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and Punjab Information Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal, Dr Firdous said that whoever doesn’t perform, “whether it is the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister”, will be sent home.

    “There is only one criterion or benchmark – you have to perform. If you perform, you will stay. But if you don’t you will have to go.”

    She asserted that everything comes down to performance and if the lawmakers are loyal to the people their “parameter will be performance.”

    Soon after, Dr Awan’s comments began circulating on social media with many users commenting that she was warning PM Imran Khan.

    As a result, Dr Firdous took to Twitter to state that her statement was being blown out of context and that PM Khan is a man of principles. She reiterated that whoever does not perform will be let go.

  • Ashura: Traffic plans and mobile services

    Ashura: Traffic plans and mobile services

    With Ashura to be observed across the country today and tomorrow, the authorities have revealed traffic plans across different cities and have also announced the suspension of mobile phone services in different cities.

    Lahore

    The main procession in Lahore will start from Nisar Haveli and conclude at Karbela Gamey Shah. Traffic will be diverted to alternative routes from different points. All relevant staff will be deputed on roads to facilitate the general public and no vehicle would be allowed to enter the procession route from adjoining roads. Security personnel will be deployed along the procession routes.

    Participants can park their cars and motorcycles at Nasir Bagh, Mochi Gate Bagh, Data Darbar Eye Hospital, Central Model High School and Bengali Park. Further, special parking lots have been arranged at several different points for participants.

    https://www.facebook.com/citytraffic.policelhr/posts/2423128677946721?__xts__[0]=68.ARBC3923Hpm9z3REmklKO_cUCCHc0j3eishFFdNBm-9e6dSKyMDZCWOpFXCZ4HqhWULAeHkh83KGnMO4ap0_mr-FDdx2GuXnU1vzZNIy6lUbXz2X_REg7GhOgmLuyY0_C7_HkGVVwxfXB0c1pPYbndsCq-DDBKacnmanCmQBVZWkUfsPn_abZhBwD-0nd8Y4StDoce-gkMo_7rBxkYu3FS57Q38sFrp2R6zQ_CRrJ94Ag83mpJRrzFAoaoeNIkFBBT_rDcultvRgNcY4QFGuXE9P86NIopoK4FgAdFZxywbh25ocQAghngYdPwYZARpvQF9uCX4tzUutq9smRYPBLZvjP4Lf&__tn__=-R

    Islamabad

    Telecom operators have been directed to suspend their services in specific areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

    In a tweet, deputy commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said that mobile phone services would be closed during main procession in sectors G-9, G-10 on 8th Muharram.

    On 9th Muharram, the procession will be commence and end at Markazi Imambargah G-6/2. During the procession, Fazle Haq Road and roads from Poly Clinic to Kalsoom Plaza will remain closed.

    Another procession on 9th Muharram will start from Imam Bargah Musa Kazim in sector I-10/1. Various roads including I-10 Markaz, CDA Chowk #1, Katarian bridge, IJP Road (Pirwdhai and Faizabad area) will remain closed for traffic while citizens are advised to use IJP road if they want to go to I-10 (Sabzi Mandi) from Faizabad, Murree Road, Bhara Kau or Khana bridge.

    On 10th Muharram, the main procession will start from Imambargah Qasar-e-Zina (G-6/4) at 4 am to culminate at Imam Bargah G-6/2.

    The second procession on 10th Muharram will start from Shrine Sakhi Shah Muzammil Bheka Syedan at 2 pm. Its route includes F-11/2-3 Signal Double Road, Naval Colony Hilal Road, Beaconhouse near Haidri Chowk and Telenor Plaza which will remain closed for traffic.

    Karachi

    Cellular and internet services will remain partially suspended on 9th Muharram in Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad and Benazirabad, especially along the routes of the processions.

    The spokesman for the Traffic Police said that on 9th and 10th Muharram, processions will begin at Nishtar Park and will terminate at lmam Bargah Hussanian Iranian, Kharadar. MA Jinnah Road has been sealed with containers and other barriers and would remain unavailable for routine traffic on 9th and 10th Muharram.

    On 9th and 10th Muharram, the procession route will be Nishter Park, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Father Jaminis Road, Mehfil-e-Shah e Khurasan, Karachi X-Ray, Nawa-e-Waqt, Peoples Chowrangi, New MA Jinnah Road, Corridor-III, Saddar Dawa Khana, Preedy Street, Tibet Chowk, MA Jinnah Road, Boltan Market, Bombay Bazaar, Kharadar, Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road to Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.

  • Sadaf Kanwal thinks Mansha Pasha should go home

    Don’t know why but Sadaf Kanwal appears to hate Mansha Pasha.

    On a recent appearance on the talk show BOL Nights with Ahsan Khan, when the host Ahsan Khan asked Sadaf to name one person who shouldn’t be in the industry, Sadaf responded Mansha Pasha.

    When Ahsan expressed his shock and asked why, Sadaf replied, “Bas aisay hee.”

    Azfar then remarked that this is the rapid-fire segment and Ahsan is trying to make it into “an elaborated fire.”

    Ahsan then commented that Mansha is a very good actress. To this Sadaf responded, “I know, I’m also a very good actress.”

    Mansha being Mansha couldn’t resist hitting back at Sadaf.

    This is not the first time the two have feuded publically.

    Late last year, Mansha had taken to Twitter to comment that the women in the industry “need to step up and learn to speak better.” In case you didn’t know, Mansha was referring to Hira Mani (“From stole my husband from my best friend and cheated on my fiancee”), Sadaf Kanwal (“Jab Me Too hota hai ussi waqt kiyon nahi boltein”) and Momina Mustehsan (“Quotes from Uncle Ben and your friendly neighbourhood spider-man”).

    Sadaf hit back at Mansha by taking a dig at Pasha’s dressing style.

    In response to Sadaf, Mansha posted the following tweet:

    These two really need to sort out whatever issues they have.

    Model Saheefa Jabbar Khattak also jumped to Mansha’s defence and advised Sadaf to leave her “personal grudges and stupidity home.”

    Meanwhile, in the same episode, Azfar Rehman said that Yasir Hussain is an overrated actor.

    Time, these talk shows come up with better questions.

  • Former cricketer Abdul Qadir Khan breathes his last

    Former cricketer Abdul Qadir Khan breathes his last

    Former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir Khan passed away after a cardiac arrest at the age of 63 in Lahore.

    Khan’s son Salman Qadir confirmed the demise of the iconic cricketer. He shared that Abdul Qadir was shifted to Services Hospital after the heart attack but passed away before any treatment.

    Kamran Akmal, whose brother Umar Akmal is married to Abdul Qadir’s daughter also took to Twitter to share the news.

    Known as the dancing bowler because of his unique bowling style, Abdul Qadir played 67 Test and 104 One-Day International matches for Pakistan in a prolific career.

    He also served as the chief selector of Pakistan team and also did cricket commentary.

    Cricketers, politicians and the Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed their shock and grief at the cricketing legend’s demise and offered their deepest condolences to the family.

    Cricket analysts including Nauman Niaz and Zainab Abbas also shared their shock.

    Politicians Faisal Javed Khan, Asad Umar

    Actors Shaan Shahid and Ahmed Ali Butt paid their respects.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B2FCmgXDj26/?igshid=1kmsqj0unbyo5
  • ‘Don’t try to mess with us’: BJP’s official website hacked by ‘people of Pakistan’

    ‘Don’t try to mess with us’: BJP’s official website hacked by ‘people of Pakistan’

    The official website of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday was allegedly hacked by a group of Pakistanis.

    “Hacked by Mr X [Team: Hizbul Cyber Squad],” a message on the defaced website read, warning India against “messing with Pakistanis”.

    While party officials are yet to confirm the report, screenshots of the website are widely being shared over the internet.

    https://twitter.com/EnemiesKiller/status/1169920131247542274

    “Kashmir needs to breathe” and “India is a terrorist state” were among the messages that could be seen on bjp.org‘s homepage until it was successfully recovered.

    A security check has been added to the website.

  • Council of Islamic Ideology recommends making triple talaq punishable crime

    Council of Islamic Ideology recommends making triple talaq punishable crime

    The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has recommended that the act of triple talaq (instant divorce) should be made a punishable crime.

    Replying to a question by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Bashir Virk, CII Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz informed the NA Standing Committee on Law and Justice that divorce takes place when the word for it, talaq, is uttered thrice in one breath – even if it has been done in jest.

    Federal Law Minister Farogh Naseem said that there was precedence in Islamic history of such an act being punished by the state, saying that the second caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar (RA), had punished those who performed the act of instant divorce.

    “Therefore, the NA can make laws to make this action a punishable crime,” he said.

    Endorsing the law minister’s stance, Dr Ayaz said triple talaq should be made punishable in Fiqah Hanafi.

    When inquired about the punishment, Ayaz said that the CII had not determined that as yet. “If the Law Ministry agrees to our suggestion to make it a punishable offence, the punishment can also be determined.”

    The law minister warned that making triple talaq a punishable crime would become another mean through which the police would demand bribes.

    “If divorce is not a crime, then such legislation should be avoided,” he said. “But if there is precedence of the righteous caliph, then we are bound to follow it as well,” he added.

    The committee deferred the discussion on the bill about divorce as well as that on inheritance till the next meeting.

  • Defence Day: Five Bravehearts who foiled Indian misadventures in 1965

    Defence Day: Five Bravehearts who foiled Indian misadventures in 1965

    Pakistan is on Friday observing Defence and Martyrs Day to mark the 54th anniversary of 1965 Pakistan-India war when Pakistan Army successfully defended the country against a multi-pronged Indian attack on the eastern border.

    While this year’s September 6 is being observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day for those who suffer under a month-long lockdown imposed by Indian forces, Pakistanis are also paying homage to the heroes who defended their homeland with courage over five decades ago.

    Here’s what you should know about the heroes of the 1965 war.

    Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed: Bhatti valiantly defended BRB Canal against the enemy in Lahore’s Barki area where he kept Indian troops from advancing for five days and braving the Indian artillery and tanks.

    He
    embraced martyrdom after being hit by an enemy tank shell on September 12.

    MM Alam: During the war, five Indian fighter planes headed towards PAF Base Sargodha. However, Alam created history by destroying all of them.

    He passed away on March 18, 2013, at the age of 78.

    Cecil Chaudhry: Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry was an academic, human rights activist, and veteran fighter pilot. As a flight lieutenant, he fought in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 and later, as a squadron leader, in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

    During the 1965 war, Chaudhry and three other pilots, under the leadership of Wing Commander Anwar Shamim, attacked the Amritsar Radar Station in a difficult operation. He was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Courage) for his actions during that mission.

    Air Vice Marshal Eric Gordon Hall: During 1965 war, Hall served as the founding chairman of Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Commission and planned the dramatic adventure ‘Hercules Bomber’.

    He received the Hilal-e-Jurat, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, and Sitara-e-Jurat for his services.

    Shabbir Sharif: Rana Shabbir Sharif was a Pakistani Army officer. He is the only person to receive both the Nishan-e-Haider and Sitara-e-Jurat for his bravery.

    He lost his life on December 6, 1971, in the line of action.

    DEFENCE DAY 2019:

    The day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals. Special prayers were also offered for the independence of occupied Kashmir as well as for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

    The main ceremony for Defence Day was held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawal­pindi, where Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa laid a wreath at the Martyrs Monument and observed a guard of honour.

    A special ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal in Lahore where Major General Muhammad Amir laid a wreath on the mausoleum. A contingent of the Pakistan Army presented a guard of honour.

    A special ceremony including the changing of the guards was also held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi.

  • Shahid Afridi visits Marium Mukhtar’s home for Defence Day

    Shahid Afridi visits Marium Mukhtar’s home for Defence Day

    To mark Defence Day and remember the shaheeds, former cricketer and philanthropist Shahid Afridi visited PAF’s Fighter Pilot Shaheed Marium Mukhtar’s house.

    Taking to Twitter, Afridi shared pictures from his visit saying that “it was an amazing experience to hear about her bravery and courage, she will always be remembered.”

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1169873522937585665?s=20

    Born in May 1992, in Karachi, Mukhtiar hailed from a military family. Her father, a retired colonel of the Pakistan Army, inspired her to join the armed forces.

    Marium graduated as a fighter pilot in 2007 with seven other female Pakistanis. She was on a routine training flight with her instructor Saqib Abbasi when her jet developed a fault and crashed at Kandian area in Bhakra near Mianwali on November 24, 2015. Even though Marium and her co-pilot ejected before the aircraft crashed, she suffered serious injuries which eventually lead to her demise.

    The government of Pakistan posthumously honoured Marium with the Tamgha-e-Basalat (Medal of Good Conduct). A telefilm, Ek Thi Marium, starring Sanam Baloch in the lead was also made on her life.

    Afridi on August 28 had appealed to his fellow countrymen to respond to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call for Kashmir Hour and had announced then that he will visit the home of a shaheed on September 6.