Notices issued on Imran’s plea in terror case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notice to respondents and sought their replies in a plea seeking quashment of terrorism case registered at Margalla Police Station against PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The petition, making Islamabad IG, DIG, Margalla Police Station SHO and others parties in the case, adopted the stance that the PTI chairman was accused of hurling threats at the judiciary during his speech at F-9 Park rally on August 20. It was said that a case was registered against Imran at Margalla Police Station under the sections of Anti-Terrorism Act. The plea requested the court to quash the case against the former premier and restrain the parties from taking action against the petitioner. The petition said that the PTI chief’s speech did not threaten but had hinted at legal proceedings against the judge and the IG. The court issued notice to the respondents and adjourned the hearing of the case till September 8.

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Wheat stocks of Rs4b damaged in floods

Officials of various government departments painted a dismal picture of the wheat stocks situation in the wake of recent devastating floods up and down the country, but remained optimistic that there would be no shortage of fertilisers when cultivation of the next crop begins. The wheat situation and its cultivation later this year, came under discussion in two separate meetings of the National Assembly standing committees on national food security and commerce. The committees also received briefings from the food ministry as well as the commerce ministry officials. Officials of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation (Passco) informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Food Security that wheat stocks worth Rs4 billion had been damaged in the floods in Sindh and Balochistan. The Passco managing director told the committee that the target of wheat procurement was fully achieved, but the floods had affected three out of 15 Passco zones – Dera Allahyar in Balochistan and Khairpur and Hyderabad in Sindh. The Passco storages in these areas were under two to five feet of water, the MD told the participants of the meeting. “When the water drains out, only then it will be known how much wheat remains suitable for human consumption,” he said, adding that wheat worth Rs4 billion had been damaged. Committee Chairman Rao Ajmal Khan noted that the floodwater in Sindh would take two months to drain out, while more time would be required to restore lands affected by the floods. He warned the area under wheat cultivation would be reduced by 20% in the next season. While briefing the committee regarding the support price of wheat, the food security secretary said that the task had been given to the Agriculture Task Force to give a profitable price of wheat to farmers. He added that the cost of production of wheat had been estimated at Rs2,495 per 40 kilogrammes. The secretary said that efforts were afoot to forge consensus among the provinces on wheat support price, adding that all the provinces had given their suggestions in this regard. He said that support price had been determined and shared with the prime minister. “The government will allow wheat farmers to earn profit on wheat production because of the floods. Good support price of wheat will be announced and the government will try to give further benefits to the farmers,” the secretary said. During the meeting, the Commerce Ministry briefed the committee on the availability of fertilisers. Officials said that 200,000 tons of DAP fertiliser was being imported from China and another 300,000 tons would be procured from Iran in exchange for rice. The officials said that timely measures had been taken and there would be no shortage of fertiliser. The committee directed the ministry to ensure DAP supplies stressing that wheat production was heavily dependent on this fertiliser. Separately, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce recommended to the government to fix wheat support price at Rs3,000 per 40 kilogramme and announce the new rate as early as possible so the growers could plan the cultivation of the commodity. During the meeting, the Ministry of Food Security briefed members on the wheat situation. The director general of the Agriculture Policy Institute informed participants that the prime minister had directed for taking input from the provinces before deciding about the support price. The Sindh food secretary said that the rate of wheat was Rs8,200 per 100 kilogrammes the other day. He added that the wheat stored in houses had been lost in floods. Therefore, he added, the Sindh government wanted to keep the support price at Rs4,000. The Punjab food secretary told the committee that the province expected the support price between Rs3,000 and Rs3,500. Committee member Ahmed Hussain Dehar said that last year the farmers had to sell wheat at Rs1,800. Committee Chairman Raza Rabbani Khar observed that the support price should be announced soon. He said that the support price of Rs3,000 should be announced by September 15, adding that if the price was not announced in September, it would be too late.

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In a boost to dwindling forex reserves, SBP receives $1.16b IMF tranche

Two days after the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revived Pakistan’s bailout programme, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) received proceeds of USD 1.16 billion (equivalent of SDR 894 million) from the global lender. The IMF said that Pakistan’s economy will grow to around 3.5% but the average inflation rate is estimated at 19.9% -- the projections that had been made before the floods destroyed vast swathes of the country. The global lender also approved an increase in the loan size to $6.5 billion and extended its expiry date till June 2023. The $6 billion original programme was going to end next month with half of the amount undisbursed due to failure of the PTI government to fulfil its commitments. "Today, SBP has received proceeds of USD 1.16 billion (equivalent of SDR 894 million) after the IMF Executive Board completed the combined seventh and eight review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan," the central bank wrote on its official Twitter handle. 1/2 Today, #SBP has received proceeds of USD 1.16 billion (equivalent of SDR 894 million) after the IMF Executive Board completed the combined seventh and Eight review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan. — SBP (@StateBank_Pak) August 31, 2022 "This will help improve SBP’s foreign exchange reserves and will also facilitate realisation of other planned inflows from multilateral and bilateral sources." 2/2 This will help improve SBP’s foreign exchange reserves and will also facilitate realization of other planned inflows from multilateral and bilateral sources. — SBP (@StateBank_Pak) August 31, 2022 In its handout, the IMF emphasised the need to increase electricity prices and enhance taxes on petroleum products, as per the schedule agreed between Pakistan and the IMF. Read more: IMF approves $1.1b tranche for Pakistan “Efforts to strengthen the viability of the energy sector and reduce unsustainable losses, including by adhering to the scheduled increases in fuel levies and energy tariffs, are also essential,” said IMF Deputy Managing Director Antoinette Sayeh. She said that containing current spending and mobilising tax revenues are critical to create space for much-needed social protection and strengthen public debt sustainability. The IMF also stressed that Pakistan should keep following the policy of high interest rates and market-determined exchange rate. In February this year, the previous government had assured the IMF board the resolve to stay on course but hardly a month later, the then government laid the landmines by giving subsidies and introducing another tax amnesty scheme, which led to collapse of Pakistan-IMF talks in March. The board also waived off the conditions that Pakistan could not meet during January-June 2022 period. The PTI had tried to spoil the deal by manoeuvring the governments of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to backtrack from their commitments to the IMF programme in retaliation to the case against Imran Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Read: IMF shares LoI with govt to seal loan deal With the fresh approval, the disbursement would increase to $3.9 billion, leaving a balance of $2.6 billion that will be disbursed till June next year. The next IMF review will now take place in November to take stock of the performance of Pakistan’s economy for the July-September 2022 period. The formal resumption of an IMF programme is a major step forward in our efforts to put Pakistan’s economy back on track. It is the outcome of an excellent team effort, tweeted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He patted Miftah Ismail and the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders for pulling the country back from the brink of default. The PTI had left Pakistan’s economy in tatters, compromised its relations with the international financial institutions and also severed ties with friendly countries and as a result, Pakistan’s financing was almost choked.

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'Heavenly' Swat mountain town becomes site of ruin

Bahrain is a town in ruins –- reduced to rubble by the incredible force of flash floods that swelled the river running through it, severing a lifeline bridge. Hundreds of settlements in Pakistan's north have been cut off by monsoon rains that came to a head last week, causing the worst floods in the country's history. But in the past few days, the heavily damaged road heading through the Swat Valley has slowly opened up, revealing the extent of the destruction. Read more: WATCH: Rescuer braves raging floodwater to save frightened cat In Bahrain, hotels have disappeared, the town's mosque is a bare shell, and waist-high water still gushes through the main bazaar. "It was a heavenly place but now it is a wreckage," Muhammad Asif, a 22-year-old college student, told AFP on Wednesday. "In the past week, everything has changed dramatically. The river added to the beauty, but now it is a threat." The town usually bustles with more than a thousand summer tourists every day, drawn by majestic mountain views from hotels and restaurants perched on the riverbank. It will likely take years for them to return, and with tourists gone, the fear of economic ruin is also setting in. Also read: Cataclysmic floods in Pakistan kill 1,100, including 380 children "My hotel is still partly under water," said Muhammad Nawaz, whose 40 employees at his various establishments are now jobless. "I am pulling sand out of my restaurant and searching for furniture in the ruins." The road north ends at the edge of the Swat River, where the bridge that once connected the two halves of the town is now a mass of debris. Rickety wooden planks stand in its place, crossed by men carrying sacks of rice, flour and sugar to their villages -- hours away by foot. Further north, their valleys remain cut off. Desperate for help What was once a 20-minute journey by motorbike for Karim Farman is now close to a four-hour walk over crumbling roads. No help has reached his flooded village of Balakot yet. "We are desperate for any sort of assistance. We are in dire need of medicine, it is very tough to bring patients here," said Muhammad Amir, who is from the same village. "There has been no electricity in our village for nearly a week, people don't even have a candle for light. Several people are sick with diarrhoea." Bahrain's destruction unfolded late last Thursday night. Many locals reported not receiving any warnings, but as the river rapidly rose tourists began to evacuate from hotels. Like in many riverside villages and towns, locals believed only the homes on the banks were vulnerable. But just hours later the full scale of the water's rage became clear. "In a few minutes the water suddenly encircled my shop from every side," said Aftab Khan. "I couldn't take anything with me because I had to save my life." The army arrived on Wednesday, local residents said, to oversee the chaos of diggers clearing rubble and to manage the flow of foot traffic across the river. Helicopters fly overhead, dropping food packages to the stranded valleys. A district government official who asked not to be named told AFP it could be months before the road and bridge are repaired. "Before, this place was like a paradise but now even locals want to escape," said restaurant owner Sheer Bahadur.

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Kashmiris observe first martyrdom anniversary of Syed Ali Geelani

Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and across the globe are observing the first martyrdom anniversary of Baba-e-Hurriyat Syed Ali Shah Geelani with the pledge that they will continue their freedom struggle till getting independence from the Indian rule. Geelani was born on September 29, 1929, in the village of Bandipora in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). After receiving his primary education in Sopore, he enrolled in Oriental College Lahore for higher education. Having completed his education in Lahore, he joined the Jamaat-e-Islami IIOJK in 1949. In 1961, Geelani left the government job and became the all-time leader of Jamaat-e-Islami. On August 28, 1961, he was first time arrested and put behind the bars. Geelani was elected three times as a Member of Assembly in IIOJK in 1972, 1977 and 1987 on the ticket of Jamaat-e-Islami. In 1990 when Kashmiri youth picked up arms to fight against Indian illegal rule in IIOJK, Geelani backed the armed struggle and termed it as per the United Nations resolutions to get freedom from India by armed struggle. In 1990, Geelani was arrested and released after three years. Read more: India dismisses four employees in IIOJK for 'anti-national activities' In 1994, Geelani founded the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) along with other Kashmiri leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat and Abdul Ghani Lone. From 1990 to 2010, he was arrested and released several times. In 2010, he was placed under house arrest at Hyderpora, Srinagar to keep him away from the public. Geelani spent 11 years in house arrest and sacrificed his life during the confinement for the greater cause of the people of IIOJK. Besides a popular leader, Geelani was also considered a fiery orator and accomplished historian and scholar in IIOJK. Since his student days, Geelani was fond of studies. The founder of Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Maududi and national poet Allama Iqbal had a deep influence on his academic life. He was an expert in Iqbaliyat. He wrote three books on Iqbal's Persian poetry. He was the author of more than two-dozen books, including Rudad-e-Qafs, Wular Kinaray, Safar Mahmood Me Zikr Mazloom and Iqbal’s Falsafayeh Khudi are some famous books of Geelani. Geelani was using poetry in his articles beautifully. He knew how to control readers through common sense and simple language in his writings. The government of Pakistan has given Nishan-e-Pakistan to Geelani aimed to honour his struggle for the freedom of IIOJK. Geelani was the symbol of resistance in IIOJK and youth were blindly following him on his principled stand on the Kashmir dispute. Geelani was the founder of the slogan “Ham Pakistani hain aur Pakistan hamara hay”. The occupational forces snatched his body from the family members and buried him secretly in Hyderpora, Srinagar graveyard without the participation of his family members in his funeral prayer.

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WATCH: Rescuer braves raging floodwater to save frightened cat

The staff members of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Rescue 1122 on Wednesday exhibited inspirational dedication to duty and sacred cause of saving living creatures thereby putting their own lives in danger by crossing the raging river in Lower Kohistan through hanging iron ropes to rescue a stranded pet cat. The rescue operation was carried out in Pattan Tehsil of Kohistan district where the Rescue 1122 team shifted an eleven-member stranded family. For crossing the river, the officials made arrangements of tying iron ropes to cross the raging river and for shifting a stranded family comprising two women and two children. A member of the Rescue 112 team was seen precariously carrying a cat stranded on a small rocky bank next to a raging river. The rescuer carried the cat on his shoulder as he used one hand to harness himself and the cat to the other side. 🎥via: KP_Rescue1122#etribune #news pic.twitter.com/wxPCUaK9Ik — The Express Tribune (@etribune) August 31, 2022 After completing the family rescue, their pet cat also reached the site and made noises to divert the attention of her owners and rescue officials. On seeing an innocent soul in trouble and need of help, an official of Rescue 1122 went back to the other side of the river and brought the feline back to safety. During crossing of the river, the cat became scared due to ferocity of water tides and jumped from the hands of a rescue official who forthwith caught her again and saved her from falling into the river. On reaching safety, the family members expressed great gratitude to the officials and highly appreciated their courage and dedication to duty which is not only confined to rescuing human beings but also all living creatures. Read more: Cataclysmic floods in Pakistan kill 1,100, including 380 children Torrential rain has triggered flash floods that have crashed down from northern mountains, destroying buildings and bridges, and washing away roads and standing and stored crops. It has submerged a third of Pakistan and killed more than 1,100 people, including 380 children. On Sunday, in an extremely dangerous and challenging situation, Pakistan army aviation pilots rescued a stranded individual surrounded by flood waters in the Kohistan area of the province. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an emergency call was made by the Kohistan administration. "Responding immediately, GOC Mangla Division and Commander Mangla Brigade who were on flood assessment mission near Pattan diverted from original flight to save the previous life," it added. Read more: Army helicopters rescue stranded families in Swat The ISPR said that had the team not reached on time, the individual could have drowned in the flood. "The pilots made a daring attempt, lower the helicopter and the officers and crew lifted the individual safely," the statement said. The country has received nearly 190% more rain than the 30-year average in the quarter through August this year, totalling 390.7 millimetres. Sindh province, with a population of 50 million, was hardest hit, getting 466% more rain than the 30-year average. (With additional input from News Desk)

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Pakistan should not be left at mercy of climate change: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the international community, particularly the developed world, should not leave developing countries like Pakistan at the mercy of climate change. ”If it is us today, it can be somebody else tomorrow. Threat of climate change is real, potent and staring us in the face,” the premier said in a tweet after he met members of international media to brief about flood ravages in Pakistan. Met members of international media today to brief them about flood ravages in Pakistan.The devastation is evidence of seriousness of the threat posed by climate change.Despite having less than 1% share in carbon emission, we are ranked 8th in terms of exposure to climate hazards. — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 30, 2022 He said that the devastation is evidence of the seriousness of the threat posed by climate change. Despite having less than 1% share in carbon emission, Pakistan was ranked 8th in terms of exposure to climate hazards, PM Shehbaz added. My point was that international community, particularly the developed world, should not leave developing countries like Pakistan at the mercy of climate change. If it is us today, it can be somebody else tomorrow. Threat of climate change is real, potent & staring us in the face. — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 30, 2022 Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman on Sunday warned that the number of flood-hit people in the country might rise from 33 million as devastating floods continued. Rebuilding with climate resilience is v expensive. What we are getting right now will be a band-aid, at best, so we have to move beyond that approach. Our multilateral partners need to realise climate “projects” need scaling up to help stressed populations adapt. #PakistanFloods pic.twitter.com/rVAq7MvMbd — SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 30, 2022 “The humanitarian action is right now being led by the government and supported by United Nations and other humanitarian agencies. [A total of] 1,033 people have lost their lives and more than 1,500 have been injured. Kabul River is still at [a] very high flood level at Nowshera as the water has crossed 300,000 cusecs [and this] is why residents in some areas have not been allowed to come back to their homes, “ she said in a statement. Quite apart from super-monsoons; We are home to the largest number of glaciers outside the polar region,& this year we saw 3 times as many glacial lake outburst floods as normal. We’re negligible carbon emittors but facing the brunt of richer countries GHG emissions @SkyNews pic.twitter.com/t17bUOZcdX — SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 30, 2022 “Water levels in Indus River at Taunsa, Sukkur and Chashma are at [a] high Flood level as it crossed 500,000 cusecs while Guddu and Kotri are in medium flood level,” she added. The minister further said rains had disrupted the essential communications systems, which were now being rebuilt by the National Highways Authority (NHA) and others. Khairpur by boat. Most of Sindh is under water.The crops are gone,lives ruined, livelihoods wiped out, roads swept away, houses destroyed or barely standing. The Navy is also deployed in inland Sindh and Balochistan.Where to pump/drain the water? There’s water everywhere. 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/CuaIaP6hNH — SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 29, 2022 Kalam has received most rains at 41.5mm and Bagrot in Gilgit-Baltistan has experienced up to 21mm. More rains are expected in the northern part of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. The deluge in Balochistan. Heli looking for dry ground to drop essential rations #PakistanFloods pic.twitter.com/sVlSIhX1Mk — SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) August 28, 2022 (With additional input from our correspondent in Islamabad)

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Pakistan can earn $3b through production of hemp

The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Science and Technology was told on Tuesday that the production of industrial hemp could fetch Pakistan $3 billion by 2026 and thereby help the country diversify its exports by tapping into the international cannabis market. The worth of hemp products in the international market is $45 billion dollars and is likely to swell to $100 billion by 2026. In a meeting held under the chairmanship of Sajid Mehdi, the committee was told that 93kg of hemp was produced in collaboration with the Arid Agriculture University on a trial basis for the approval of the hemp policy, 73kg of which was sent to the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories. The secretary ministry of science & technology said that a PCSIR laboratory was trying to extract CBD oil from the produced hemp. Similarly, 20kg of hemp was sent to the National Textile University (NTU) to turn into fibre. The committee directed stringent measures to negate the chances of involvement of the drug mafia as their offer could be more attractive as per government price. The meeting was further that Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabies Authority would also be set up to implement the policy. The committee considered "The Contractors Registration Bill, 2021" (Private Member's Bill) and directed that Ministry may hold a meeting with the Ministry of Law and Justice to examine the said proposed legislation to remove lacunas, if any and come up with the proposals in the next meeting so that committee could consider it accordingly. Also read: Faraz inaugurates ‘hemp harvest’ in Rawalpindi The committee expressed concern that several complaints had been received from the employees of COMSATS, PCSIR and Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) regarding their promotions. It directed that the ministry may ensure transparency in promotion criteria to avoid frustration amongst their employees so that they could work more effectively for the welfare of their departments. The committee highly appreciated the introduction of two and three electric wheelers. The committee, however, directed that the ministry may ensure the safety of riders before its launching formally. Committee member Mukhtar Ahmad Malik pointed out that ‘favourites’ were being appointed at the PSF and Natural Sciences Linkage Programme (NSLP) promotions were being held without the approval of the competent authority. Ordering an inquiry into the matter, the committee directed the science ministry should submit a report.

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Ex-UK judge to head tribunal to settle IPPs issue

David Edmond Neuberger, a former Supreme Court judge of the UK, has been appointed as the chairman of the tribunal for the settlement of a dispute involving Rs52 billion with 12 independent power producers (IPPs) set up under the 2002 policy. Neuberger had served as the president of the Supreme Court of the UK from 2012 to 2017. He was a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary until the House of Lords' judicial functions were transferred to the new Supreme Court in 2009, at which point he became Master of the Rolls, the second most senior judge in England and Wales. Neuberger was appointed to the Supreme Court, as its president, in 2012. He now serves as a non-permanent judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal and the Chair of the High-Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom. Earlier, the PML-N-led coalition government withdrew the nomination of former Supreme Court judge Sheikh Azmat Saeed as an arbitrator. Also read: Ex-SC judge Azmat Saeed out from IPPs’ case He was replaced with Maqbool Baqar, another ex-SC judge, who retired on April 4. Justice (retd) Azmat was part of the bench which disqualified former premier Nawaz Sharif for life. PML-N supporters also accuse him of forming the joint investigation team (JIT) on WhatsApp in the Panama case. Justice (retd) Azmat was also heading the bench, which disqualified former PML-N lawmaker Danial Aziz in a contempt case. The previous PTI-led government had recently appointed him the head of the inquiry commission in the Broadsheet case. He was also heading the commission on regularisation of housing societies in Punjab. A notification issued by the law ministry read: "The matter has been discussed at great length and in view of the nature of work, amount of labour involved and the area of expertise, Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar, a recently retired judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, is nominated as an arbitrator on behalf of the government of Pakistan.” Similarly, the government has engaged a law firm -- AJURIS -- to represent it in the arbitration proceedings. It has been learnt that 10 IPPs have nominated ex-SC judge Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday as an arbitrator in the matter. Likewise two IPPs have nominated ex-CJP Nasir-ul-Mulk. The three members tribunal might conduct two separate proceedings because of the appointment of two arbitrators by the IPPs. These arbitrators, with consultation of the government arbitrator Maqbool Baqar, nominated the ex-UK judge as the chairman of the tribunal. The tribunal of arbitrators will have to give an award within six months over alleged excess payments with 12 IPPs set up under the Policy for Power Generation 2002. The tribunal would complete its work within five months and issue an award within 30 days after completing the hearing. It has already been reported that in September 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) had formed an implementation body led by the then energy minister to effectuate into formal agreements the revisions in various terms and conditions in connection with the IPPs. With specific issues of alleged excess profitability, excess saving and illegal gains of certain IPPs operating under the 2002 policy, it was agreed by both parties that the matter be referred to a settlement by way of arbitration. This was pursuant to the Arbitration Submission Agreement (ASA).

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Kashmiri diaspora asks AJK govt to declare Sept 1 ‘Youm-e-Baba-e-Hurriyat’ day

The Kashmiri diaspora has called upon the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government to declare September 1 as ‘Youm-e-Baba-e-Hurriyat’ or ‘Day of Father of Freedom Movement’ to honour the sacrifices of veteran Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani. In a letter addressed to AJK Prime Minister Sardar Tanvir Ilyas Khan on Tuesday, Kashmiri diaspora leader Fahim Kayani said the commemoration of first martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed [martyred] Geelani on September 1 (Thursday) is a step towards recalling his relentless efforts to free IIOJK from India’s illegal military occupation. “History of South Asia bears testimony that Shaheed Geelani was one among a few Muslim leaders and scholars whose vision for an Islamic welfare state for the Muslims of the region will be studied for generations to come,” Kayani, president of the Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) UK, wrote to the AJK premier in the letter. “Shaheed Geelani Sahab’s relentless resistance against India, which wears a facade of democracy, as a neo-colonial power has no parallel in contemporary times. It was the leadership of Shaheed Geelani that unmasked India that people could see a beast in the form of an illegal military regime occupying IIOJK,” Kayani said, proposing seven initiatives to immortalise legacy of Shaheed Geelani. Geelani, the lifetime chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference in IIOJK, attained martyrdom on the night of September 1, 2021 when he was under illegal detention at his home in Hyderpora in uptown Srinagar, the capital of IIOJK. The fascist Indian troops raided his home, beat up his family, relatives and neighbours and dragged his body out of the house and later forcibly buried him in the dead of the night. To pay tributes to Shaheed Geelani’s commitment to the ideology of Pakistan; his respect for the people of Azad Kashmir for liberating this part of the region and his services to the nation of Kashmir towards attaining freedom from the illegal occupation of India, Kayani proposed to AJK PM Khan to declare Sept 1 as ‘Youm-e-Baba-e-Hurriyat’. Kayani said the AJK government should also hold special programmes to recall the efforts and services of Shaheed Geelani for the liberation of IIOJK while all educational institutions should hold events on Sept 1 to discuss and debate the life and times of Shaheed Geelani. The UK-based diaspora leader also suggested that the AJK government should announce a policy framework to study the services of Shaheed Geelani so that it is included in resistance literature for future generations. Kayani urged the AJK premier to call for demonstrations against the forced burial of Shaheed Geelani and seek the return of his body for burial according to the wishes of the Kashmiri nation. Pointing to the important role of Pakistan in Kashmir dispute resolution, Kayani said the office of AJK prime minister should engage with the government of Pakistan and its different institutions and different political parties of Pakistan to release special messages and hold special programmes to commemorate the first martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Geelani. He added that the office of AJK prime minister should also invite the Azad Kashmir-based All Parties Hurriyat Conference on the day for a special meeting to deliberate on the ground situation in IIOJK.

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‘Misunderstood woman judge as magistrate working under govt’s directions’, Imran tells IHC

Former prime minister Imran Khan has told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that due to “serious misunderstanding and misconception” he misunderstood that female Judge Zeba Chaudhry was not a judicial officer but an executive magistrate performing executive functions on the federal government's directions. He said this in a written response to a show-cause notice issued to him by the IHC over his controversial remarks against the additional sessions judge. He also regretted that a wrong impression was taken from his speech in which he had threatened to take action legal action against the judge for approving PTI leader Shahbaz Gill physical remand. The former premier went on to say that the IHC has always shown restraint in such matters and allowed free speech. The IHC last week issued a show-cause notice to the PTI chairman in contempt of court case over his remarks against the female judge and asked him to appear personally before the bench on August 31. The court had issued a three-page written order and sent a notice to the attorney general for Pakistan for assistance in the case. Imran’s controversial remarks against the judge were also made part of the written order. Also read: IHC summons Imran on Aug 31 in contempt case “Magistrate Zeba sahiba, you should get ready. We will also take action against you. All of you should be ashamed of yourselves,” the IHC written order quoted Imran as saying. Earlier this month, Imran while addressing a rally at Islamabad’s F-9 park alleged that Judge Zeba Chaudhry knew that incarcerated party leader Shahbaz Gill was tortured, but she did not release him on bail. He had threatened to take action against the judge and the Islamabad IGP and DIG. The former premier was booked in a terrorism case on the complaint of Islamabad Saddar Magistrate Ali Javed for threatening the additional sessions judge. The first information report (FIR) was lodged with the Margalla police station at 10pm. The FIR also carried Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

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WATCH: Imran holds int'l telethon to raise funds for flood victims

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is holding an international telethon to raise funds for the flood victims. In his message at the onset of the telethon, Imran said the objective of holding telethon was to raise funds for flood victims as no government alone can deal with such catastrophe. “Entire country has been affected by this [floods]… as per initial assessment losses of over Rs1,000 billion incurred due to floods and over 1,000 people have died so far,” he remarked. https://ift.tt/lUmhIJn He said he received a lot of calls from Pakistanis including expats who wanted to help the flood victims. The former premier said people can donate to two bank accounts opened by Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governments. The funds will be spent to help the flood-hit people across the country, he assured. The event was moderated by PTI leader Faisal Javed while chief ministers of Punjab and Kyhber-Pakhtunkhwa — Perviaz Elahi and Mehmood Khan —and the former premier’s ex-assistant on social protection Sania Nishtar were also present on the occasion. The initial economic losses from floods in Pakistan could reach at least $10 billion, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal told Reuters in an interview earlier today. Also read: PTI to move IHC seeking live-telecast of Imran’s telethon for flood donations Unprecedented and historical flash floods caused by abnormal monsoon rains have washed away roads, crops, infrastructure and bridges, killing at least 1,000 people in recent weeks and affecting more than 33 million. "I think it is going to be huge. So far, (a) very early, preliminary estimate is that it is big, it is higher than $10 billion," Iqbal said. The minister said it might take five years to rebuild and rehabilitate the South Asian nation of 200 million people, which will be facing an acute challenge of food shortage.

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Waterborne diseases break out in rain-hit Sindh

Sindh's displaced communities, who are already stuck in stagnant rainwater, face another challenge of the breakout of  diseases and skin infections. This is because of unhygienic conditions and contaminated water. Health experts warn of outbreaks of  diseases including malaria, dengue, typhoid, diarrhoea and skin infections among children, women and elderly persons. The helpless, displaced and depressed people complain of lack of immediate health relief and medical camps near  them. “Every second person is sick,” said Khan Muhammad Khaskheli, a resident of Nehal Khan Khorkhani of Khairpur district. “I see people helpless and mentally disturbed,” he added. “There is no medical facility for the poor and some of them, who can afford it, are shifting their loved ones to the cities,” he narrated. Khaskheli said that one of his relatives was in dire need of medical support but had to tolerate excruciating pain the whole night. “He was shifted to the hospital the next day,” he added. There are 2,257 health facilities in Sindh and the health authorities claim that only 200 of them are functional because of stagnant water in the buildings. “All are actually functional as the staff have been ordered to set up camps in the damaged hospitals,” maintained Sindh Health Services Director General Dr Juman Bahooto. However, the victims negate this claim. “I do not see people receiving medial relief,” Rabail Siyal, a resident of village Pathan of Larkano district, complained. “It is just a farce by the government. They cannot provide relief to the people and unfortunately can’t accept it either,” he said. The health experts say that the government was practically unable to handle the prevailing situation. “No one was ready to face this challenge and our system doesn’t have capacity to respond to it,” Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Karachi Chapter’s General Secretary Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro commented. He added that dozens of volunteers as well as independent organisations had set up their medical camps across Sindh. “It confirms the absence of government machinery,” he said. “Over 80% of patients were confirmed with malaria because of the presence of mosquitoes,” he added. Dr Shoro pointed out that the present  emergency had exposed the government's primary healthcare system that was already weak. “The government should call international health organisations to help it as the situation will be out of control in the coming days,” he cautioned. The displaced persons have been using contaminated water as well as unhygienic and not properly cooked food. The health authorities claim that they have set up over 4,500 mobile and fixed medical camps in the last two weeks. “We regularly manage at least 500 medical camps and sometimes the number goes to 800,” provincial health dervices DG Dr Bahooto claimed. The government official further told The Express Tribune that most of the people coming to hospitals and medical camps had fever [malaria and dengue], diarrhea and skin diseases. “It is because of the use of contaminated water. We have already advised people to use boiled water,” he added. Dr Bahooto did not agree that there was a shortage of medicines in any area but sources in the health department told The Express Tribune that the burden on regular OPDs had increased by about 40 times. “We are going to face medicine scarcity within days,” a senior official claimed. Despite tall claims by the health department, the displaced families and people living in far-flung places said its teams had not reached their areas. The most affected areas include Dadu, Qamber-Shahdadkot, Jamshoro, Badin and parts of Mirpurkhas division. “Yes, it is still difficult to reach areas with no road access,” said Riaz Hussain Rahojo, the chief operating officer of the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI). “It has stopped raining for the last two days but it will take us time to reach everyone in the next few days,” he told The Express Tribune. Rahojo claimed that the burden on 1,300 health facilities, which were being looked after by his organisation, were functional and open to everyone round the clock. “The burden on OPDs is huge these days and we all take it as a challenge,” he said.

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Punjab govt saved Taunsa: adviser

Punjab Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information Omar Sarfaraz Cheema has  said  the  Taunsa Town has  been  protected  due  to timely  measures  taken  by the Punjab government. Talking to the media here after  visiting  the  PDMA Control Room, he said that excellent rescue and relief measures  had  been  taken to  cope  with  the  dangers of flood. The people were protesting ver the inflated electricity and  fuel  prices  in  Punjab, but  no  protest  was  made by the people over floods in Punjab, he said. He  alleged  that “the  incompetent  and  an  ineffcient federal government” came  to  realise  about  the flood  situation  after  one month. The country had been facing flood calamity since August 1, but where was the federal government all that time, he asked and alleged that they had been enjoying “luxuries on foreign trips” at that time. The Speaker of the National  Assembly,  Raja Pervez  Ashraf,  had  been on a foreign tour even now, he  said.  Cheema  claimed that when “we made them feel ashamed through the media”  then  they  began  to  worry  about  the  flood victims. The  federal  government was indulging in some propaganda so as to create a sensation regarding the floods. He  said  that  the  media should rely on factual information about the flood situation before they aired their news items. The  adviser  vowed  that the provincial government would not leave the people alone.  “We  are  standing with the flood victims until their  complete  rehabilitation,” said the minister. He said that Imran Khan, along with the chief ministers of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, was going to hold a telethon for fundraising. He  said  that  all  the  resources  would  be  utilised for  the  rehabilitation  of flood victims. The  federal  government scrambled to deal with the flood situation  in  the  last two days only whereas the Punjab  government  had been  continuously  working to provide relief to the flood  victims  for  the  last one month. The Punjab chief minister had  constituted  a  cabinet  committee which was lending help to the government after ascertaining the losses. He  said  that “our  brothers  and  sisters  are  in  dire straits, but sensationalising he matter could aggravate the people’s problems as well that of the government’s”, adding that conditions were now moving towards normality. The minister said that the PDMA was monitoring the flood  situation  round  the  clock.  He  said  that  Imran  Khan  had laid  the  foundation  of  building  10 new dams in the country.

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Cop ‘running private torture cell’ booked

Police and a court bailiff rescued three men detained illegally in a private torture cell allegedly run by a Naseerabad investigation official in the Kot Lakhpat area. A case was registered against Naseerabad investigation in-charge Tariq Bashir Cheema in the Kot Lakhpat police station and a departmental inquiry started on the order of DIG Investigation Athar Ismail. According to police sources, Cheema had arrested the three people from Jaranwala 10 days ago on the charge of robbery. However, there was no record of the case in which they were detained. Instead of the police station, they were kept in a flat near a graveyard in a private housing society. The sources said relatives of the detained men found out their location on their own after visiting the police station for several days. A bailiff raided the flat on the orders of Additional Sessions Judge Iqbal Sipra, but the policemen present there fled allegedly after being tipped about the raid

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Pakistan rejects allegations of US using its soil

Pakistan on Sunday rejected Afghan Taliban government’s allegations that the country was allowing the United States to use its air space for drones, terming the charge as defying the diplomatic norms. The late-night reaction from the Foreign Office came after Afghan Interim Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob alleged that Pakistan was allowing the US to operate drones from its soil. “According to our information the drones are entering through Pakistan to Afghanistan, they use Pakistan’s airspace, we ask Pakistan, don’t use your airspace against us,” said Mullah Yaqoob, who is the son of former Taliban spiritual leader Mullah Omar. Responding to allegations, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said that Pakistan had noted, with deep concern, the allegation by acting defence minister of Afghanistan regarding the use of Pakistan’s airspace in the US counter-terrorism drone operation in Afghanistan. “In the absence of any evidence, as acknowledged by the Afghan minister himself, such conjectural allegations are highly regrettable and defy the norms of responsible diplomatic conduct,” Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said. Pakistan, he added, reaffirmed its belief in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. “We urge the Afghan interim authorities to ensure the fulfilment of international commitments made by Afghanistan not to allow the use of its territory for terrorism against any country.” The allegation of the US operating drones from Pakistan surfaced after the recent killing of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul. The al-Qaeda chief, who had $25 million bounty on his head, was killed in a CIA drone strike when he was standing in the balcony of a house in the upscale Kabul neighbourhood. The presence and killing of Zawahiri in Kabul was embarrassing for the Afghan Taliban, who repeatedly pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used again by terrorist groups. The Taliban particularly made a commitment in the Doha accord to cut ties with the al-Qaeda. Following the killing of Zawahiri, questions were raised as to which base the US had used for the drone strike. Pakistan was named one suspect though Islamabad vehemently denied its involvement. The Foreign Office had already clarified that neither the drone from Pakistan nor its airspace was used. But the latest allegations from the top Taliban leader may undermine relationship between the two countries at a time when Pakistan is not happy with the continuing problem posed by outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its affiliates.

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First int’l aid cargo flies in

International aid for the people affected by the ongoing floods in Pakistan has started arriving in the country, with the first consignment of relief goods from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) landing at the Nur Khan Airbase on Sunday, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said. In a series of tweets, the minister said that more assistance would reach the country in the coming days, including two aircraft carrying relief goods from Turkey landing in Karachi on Monday (today), while the UAE would send 15 more planeloads of relief supplies. “The Consul General of Turkiye in Karachi will hand over the relief goods to the Pakistani authorities at the airport on Monday morning. The relief goods included tents, medicines and other items,” the minister said, adding that more relief goods were also expected from Turkiye. In another tweet, Aurangzeb said the first consignment from UAE for flood victims was sent in response to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s appeal to the UAE authorities in the wake of severe floods in the country. The relief goods included tents, food, medicine and other items, she added. Meanwhile, France and Azerbaijan expressed their willingness to support Pakistan in this difficult time. Azerbaijan Permanent Representative to Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Ambassador to Iran Ali Alizada said on Sunday that Baku would provide $2 million in relief assistance to Pakistan to cope with the situation in the aftermath of recent massive floods. “By the instructions of the President, Azerbaijan will provide to Pakistan 2 million USD aid to assist in elimination of the consequences of large scale floods,” Ali Alizada, who had previously served as Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Pakistan, posted on his Twitter handle. Also on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron, while expressing solidarity with the flood victims of Pakistan, said that his country was ready to provide help. “Our thoughts go out to the Pakistani people facing terrible floods, to the families of the countless people missing and to the populations affected. France stands ready to provide help,” Macron tweeted. In Italy, Pope Francis called on the international community to help Pakistan. The pontiff appealed for "prompt and generous international solidarity", and said he was praying for the victims. His comments came as he visited the city of L'Aquila in central Italy, which was hit by an earthquake in 2009. “Pray Together for the people of Pakistan, hit by floods of disastrous proportions. Let us pray for the numerous victims, for the wounded and those forced from their homes, and that international solidarity might be prompt and generous,” the Pope later tweeted. In New York, the United Nations announced it was boosting support to Pakistani authorities, dealing with the devastating floods in the most affected provinces of Balochistan and Sindh. The UN team, led by Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Julien Harneis, has mobilised $7 million to respond to the floods, UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Also, The New York Police Department’s Muslim Officers Society joined the effort of the Pakistani community for collection of donations for the flood victims in response to an appeal from Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Masood Khan. “We are requesting everyone to keep everyone affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan in your prayers and request you to take a moment and donate and help over 33 Million people that are impacted by Pakistan Floods. The Muslim Officers Society tweeted. “Every penny counts!!! Help Now!!!” American-Pakistani Political Action Committee (APPAC) office-bearer Assad Chaudhry said that the committee had already collected over $20,000 and more pledges were pouring in. He added the donated money would be deposited in Pakistan government’s accounts devoted to flood relief.APP

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COAS spends entire day with flood victims in far-flung areas

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited army troops busy in relief activities in far-flung flood-affected areas of Khairpur and Kambar Shahdad Kot, the military said in a statement. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), COAS spent whole day with flood victims in relief and medical camps established for local population at village Jilani, Khairpur and Kambar Shahdad Kot . The flood victims thanked COAS for reaching out to them and sharing their problems and discomfort due to floods. Read more: COAS vows to spare no efforts in helping flood-hit people The army chief met troops on ground and appreciated their efforts for bringing comfort to the people awaiting their support. "Helping the people of Pakistan in need is a noble cause and we must take pride to serve them to best of our abilities," COAS emphasised. #BREAKING Pakistan Army Chief General Bajwa’s video message after spending the day on the ground running the #Pakistan Army’s flood relief strategy. The COAS also appealed for citizens, friendly countries and overseas Pakistanis to come forward to help their brothers in need. pic.twitter.com/36vvI49Ri2 — The Intel Consortium (@INTELPSF) August 28, 2022 According to ISPR, there are currently 81 collection centres in Sindh, 73 in Punjab, 41 in Balochistan and 17 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Balochistan According to the military's media wing, the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps have established relief camps in Quetta, Muslim Bagh, Chaman, Sui, Dera Bugti, Sibi, Lehri, Nasirabad, Bela, Uthal and Jafarabad, where food and other amenities are being provided to flood victims. Free medical camps for victims are also being set up in Quetta, Muslim Bagh, Sui, Dera Bugti, Sibi, Dobandi, Lehri, Sadori, Lakra District and Lasbela. Punjab Rescue and relief operations are being carried out in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rojhan and Layyah where troops are providing stranded families with food and other amenities. Read more: Pakistan Army escalates efforts for flood victims nationwide In Rajanpur District, relief and rescue efforts have been made using a number of helicopter sorties to reach areas, including Harrand Tehsil Jampur, Nurpur Majhuwala Tehsil Jampur, Mouza Kaanwala Tehsil Jampur, Marri Jampur, Darbar Sakhi Bor Jampur, Bambli Jampur, Basti Nokhami Jampur, Dera Dildar Tehsil Rojhan, Dera Jeewan Tehsil Rojhan, Chak Mat No 2 Tehsil Rojhan.   SINDH: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the flood affected areas of Kambar Shahdad Kot and Khairpur, Sindh. (1/2)#PakistanFloods #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/El7ZOYk53B — Intelligence Dept. (@IntelDept) August 28, 2022 Sindh The Pakistan Army carried out rescue and relief operations at Khairpur District, Larkana District, Naushero Feroze District, Shikarpur District, Kamber Shadad Kot District, Jacobabad District, Kashmor District, Badin District, Mir Pur Khas District, Sanghga District, Mitiari District, Umerkot District, Hyderabad District, Tando Muhammad Khan District, Thatta District, Jamshoro District, Sujawal District and Dadu District. Four medical camps have been established at Badin, Sujawal, Thatta and Umerkot, where more than 1,700 flood victims have received treatment. K-P Relief camps accommodating 150 individuals have been established in the flood-affected areas of K-P, while the forward placement of troops has been carried out at Attock and Abbottabad. There are four field medical camps in flood-affected areas where 715 patients have been treated. Seven relief camps have been established for flood victims in Charsadda while three have been set up in each Tehsil of Nowshera Districts. The necessary assistance is being provided to the civil administration, said ISPR.  

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A tragedy for Balochistan is a tragedy for Pakistan

Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area, the smallest by population and the richest by resource. You might have crammed these facts and much more about the province in your Pakistan Studies textbook. You might have also learnt, not through your textbook though, that it is the most deprived and underdeveloped area, despite its mineral affluence. However, even after being aware of these pertinent facts about the province, you wouldn’t have, in all probability, ever been compelled to dig deep into the complexities of the issues of Balochistan, nor would you have had the urge to visit and explore this vast and beautiful barrenness (unless you are a travel aficionado or a family member of someone in the security forces). I have been lucky enough to get the opportunity of inhabiting and exploring the province in the late 1990s when my father was posted in the Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan. The city of Turbat, surrounded by the very interesting landscape of Central Makran Range, homed people from across Pakistan. I studied in a school that had teachers from all ethnicities in a class that had students from all provinces. It was an era of coherence – of blossoming brotherhoods, as it would appear, on the surface of Balochistan. As a teenager, I was absorbing the beautiful diversity of not just landscape but also of humankind – both summing up to inflate my patriotism. Fast forward to present day, 20 years later, when the region is hit by yet another massive flood – for it was hit by a terrible one in 1998 and several times in between – I recall and relive how my affinity with Balochistan evolved over all these years. In these two decades that followed my stay, all did not stay well in the province. For I have heard several news of the killing of ‘non- locals’ in Balochistan, predominantly that of the Punjabis. I have mourned the murders of school teachers, college principles and even barbers of diverse origins that had settled there for decades, apparently by the insurgents and separatist wings. While hundreds were killed sporadically in several districts all these years, thousands had to exit for survival, leaving behind successful jobs, established businesses and their homes. Though the situation has been far more complex than many of us can fathom, the consequences of these atrocious acts have been glaringly obvious for non-locals as well as Balochs. In this series of unfortunate events stands out the murder of the popular Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in 2006. Amongst many of its bleak repercussions was an acceleration in the interethnic friction and killings. When has the killing of a prominent figure been curative? What such unpopular acts, however, do is re-kindle and surge fanaticism – they pave ways for the foreign agendas to add fuel to the fire. You may wonder what initially caused the locals to foster these feelings against other ethnic groups. Well, perhaps they have been told or maybe felt since their childhoods, that the rest of Pakistan has exploited their resources. Their feelings are, in fact, neither entirely justified nor completely groundless either. Of course, there is no explicit policy of discrimination but its existence cannot be denied altogether, but is it as blatant as it is claimed? Being deprived of the rightful share of its own gas resources for the last 70 years is the most debated grievance of Balochistan. Despite being the second largest producer of natural gas, the widening distrust between Balochistan and the rest of the country makes sense. But are they right in holding only the federal government accountable for this unjust distribution? How serious have the provincial governments appeared in the widespread delivery across Balochistan ever since the discovery of this reservoir in 1952? Has a substantial and sustainable solution ever been proposed by them especially keeping in mind the inherent logistic challenges in this context? These are all extremely important questions to be taken into consideration while understanding the current situation of Balochistan. People have been exploited at the hands of their own political elite but what has enabled their unabated exploitation? The political figures and the tribe heads keep them debilitated enough never to raise heads; subjugated enough never to raise a question. Perhaps the people have been made to believe that their leaders and civil administrators deliver to their maximum capacity, which is inherently limited. However, that is not the entire truth. The fact of the matter is that power has been decentralised since 2010 as per the 18th Amendment to Pakistan’s Constitution and despite the devolution, the region stays in abject poverty and adversity. Furthermore, amidst the province’s dismal infrastructure, what continues to swell and progress is the bank balance of the ruling elite. While there is a reality in the sense of deprivation, it is also a fact that the grievances of the Baloch people have been manipulated against other ethnicities rather than effectively being addressed, and while it has been a common practice to scapegoat Punjab and other areas, the fact that the dominant majority of Punjab is equally deprived and miserable is largely ignored. This brings me to the current record-breaking monsoon rainfall which has wreaked havoc not just in Balochistan but also in Sindh and Punjab. The existing infrastructure in Balochistan, too inadequate to survive the deluge, gave in quickly to the unyielding rainfall and flash floods, submerging almost 34 districts and leaving behind over three and a half lacs Baloch individuals vulnerable, unassisted, unfed, and uncovered. The civil administration perhaps is glad that the flaws and deficiencies of the infrastructure have also been washed away with the flood, and also content at the prospect of receiving another set of funds to construct another set of substandard constructions. As the ongoing monsoon inundates the vastness of Balochistan, it makes us ask certain questions and reach some realisations. The rains have fully exposed the deficiencies of National Disaster Management Authority (NMDA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and other civil authorities in issuing timely warnings, implementing the evacuation strategies and also the faulty infrastructure on account of local and national corruption. Thus, this unprecedented human tragedy that has hit the entire country, putting people from all provinces in this together, has made us realise that we are all equally plagued by profoundly inefficient institutions. We need to question the insufficient spending of provincial funds in Balochistan and in other downtrodden areas. We need to tell that the Zakat money spent as ‘rescue’ money can never be a substitute for properly and adequately spent provincial funds. In order to realise our collective vulnerabilities, we must check the breeding animosities among us, before it is too late. The people of Balochistan are beautiful and loveable; they deserve dire attention by provincial and national authorities alike. They don't deserve to be in this constant environment of mistrust – to be exploited at the hands of the separatist minds and at the hands of political elite. Let's sensitize ourselves to each other’s pain. Let’s learn that our survival depends on our harmonious coexistence. Let's try to know when, how and what went wrong in Balochistan and between us. It is time we realise that Balochistan is not just Balochistan. Balochistan is Pakistan!

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Hamid Khan to represent Imran in contempt case

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has engaged senior counsel Hamid Khan to represent him in the contempt case. The Islamabad High Court has formed a five-judge bench headed by its Chief Justice Athar Minallah to hear the contempt case for threatening a female additional district and sessions judge. The court will hear the case on August 31. The contempt proceedings were initiated against the PTI chief on the notice of the registrar’s office. Sources told The Express Tribune that the senior lawyer has given consent to representing the PTI chief in the contempt case. The founding member of the PTI was Imran’s counsel in the contempt matter which was taken up by the Supreme Court in 2013. Later the Supreme Court had discharged the show cause notice against him. Khan is a senior PTI leader. He was main counsel in even in the Panamagate case. Later he was replaced with Naeem Bukhari. Later, he disassociated himself from the PTI after the filing of a presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Initially, a three-member larger bench headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani had issued a show-cause notice to Imran for contempt of court after hearing Advocate General Islamabad Jahangir Jadoon in the initial hearing. To include more judges on the bench, the matter was sent to the IHC chief justice. After the IHC CJ returned from his leave, he formed a bench for the case that he himself would head. The bench also includes Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri. The registrar’s office has already sent a show-cause notice to Imran at his Bani Gala residence, in which it has been asked that he should appear before the IHC on August 31 and explain why contempt proceedings should not be taken against him. Imran, while addressing a recent rally at Islamabad’s F-9 park, had alleged that Judge Zeba Chaudhry knew that incarcerated party leader Shahbaz Gill was tortured, but she did not release him on bail. He had threatened to take action against the judge and the Islamabad IGP. Imran was also booked in a terrorism case on the complaint of Islamabad Saddar Magistrate Ali Javed for threatening the judge. The FIR, a copy of which was available with The Express Tribune, was lodged with the Margalla police station. The FIR carried Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The FIR was lodged hours before another Islamabad police station received a written complaint from a resident of G-11/2 for lodging a case against Imran over making hate-speeches, and inciting rebellion against the army, police and judiciary. The FIR lodged by Margalla police had read that the PTI chief threatened the additional sessions judge of Islamabad with a view to terrorise high officials of the police and the judiciary, so that they could not fulfil their duties and refrain from taking action against the PTI due to fear of Imran.

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Bilawal hits out at Imran for holding public rallies despite flood devastation

Lashing out at former prime minister Imran Khan for holding political gatherings despite devastation due to unprecedented floods in the country, Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that the PTI chief is busy in "political point-scoring". In an interview with BBC on Saturday, Bilawal said that there will be time for doing other activities including politics but at the moment it is time to assist the flood victims. "Our rivals whether in the government or in the opposition, always lacked interest in such matters." He said that the rain-related floods have wreaked havoc in Pakistan and the devastations are spread from one corner of the country to the other. Read more: Won’t rest until each one of flood affected is rehabilitated: COAS "Rain-related floods have ruined peoples’ shelters, crops and everything. Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit and Sindh provinces have been hit very badly. The Sindh province has undergone the worst of all-time high catastrophe," he said. The foreign minister said that every district of Sindh has been badly affected and the Sindh government has marked them as the worst calamity-hit zones. Bilawal said the rain-related floods have so far rendered above 80,000 homeless in district Larkana alone. The PPP chairman was of the view that amid this escalating catastrophe, the resources are very limited to cater to the needs of those affected. "There is an immediate need for tents, raw and cooked foods and medicine to help the affectees." He said that the rains that started in June continued till the end of August, and still the relief and rescue process is on the go. He said that a large-scale migration has already set in as the people are shifting from flood-affected areas to safer dry areas. "The government will provide all necessities such as tents and food and arrangements have been made at schools, colleges and government buildings for their temporary shelters." Bilawal said that the next process will be the rehabilitation of the affected areas, the houses of the victims and the infrastructure of flood-hit areas will have to be rebuilt. Counting on the high numbers of casualties and damages, the PPP leader feared an increase in human casualties. Also read: Won’t rest until each one of flood affected is rehabilitated: COAS Talking about the politics of the opposition, Bilawal said that it is sad that amid this huge devastation politicking is being intensely done. He said that wherever there is a flood or an earthquake in the world, the whole country unites and helps the victims. He said what could be said if the opposition wants to keep busy in political point scoring. "It is our priority to lessen the agonies of the flood victims. Wherever the victims can get relief, including the federal and provincial governments, let us deliver that relief," he added. The foreign minister said that this time it rained so heavily that he had to postpone his visit to the European Union because it was the call of the duty to stay among those affected. Bilawal pointed out that the current opposition was in the government in 2020, but it did not support the flood victims of Sindh province. "Imran Khan’s own province [K-P] has been affected but sadly he is busy in political point scoring. He is holding political gatherings," he added. Bilawal said that there is no government in the world, which is capable of dealing with a natural calamity on this huge scale, but they spare nothing and try their best to make redressal. "It is our top priority to provide tents to the victims for temporary shelters." He said that the Sindh government had 90,000 tents available which do not suffice the needs, adding that at least one million tents are required. He said that the government and society are working together to provide food and assistance to the affectees. The PPP chairman said that during the 2020 floods, the victims did not get anything, but today the victims are expected to receive assistance through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). He admired the secure system of the BISP, through which people are being helped out. He said that before the BISP, there was no victim assistance system available in the country, through which we would have helped people in difficult times.

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FIA seeks foreign countries' assistance in PTI funding case

As former premier Imran Khan’s PTI remains under the scanner in prohibited funding controversy, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has sent letters to over six countries, including the United Arab Emirates and the United States, seeking information and assistance for the probe. In a letter written by the financial monitoring unit to the UAE, the country’s top investigative agency has sought assistance and details pertaining to a cricket club and the Abraaj Group, while seeking assistance. Similarly, in another letter, the FIA has asked for information about an individual named Obida Shetty in Singapore apparently shown to have some links to the alleged shady transactions. Also read: PTI funding probe: President Alvi among others received funds from ‘fake accounts’ Meanwhile, a similar letter sent to the authorities in the United States requests information about companies in the country and seeks access to other relevant information. All the companies operating from there had shown transactions to the accounts of various leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, sources privy to the matter said. The Federal Investigation Agency had kickstarted its countrywide investigation earlier this month into the utilisation of funds from “prohibited” sources by PTI after an Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruling that the party secured illegal donations. A total of six inquiries have been opened simultaneously in major cities of Pakistan, including federal capital Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi. Read more Foreign funding case: If found guilty, PTI may only face confiscation of funds According to FIA authorities, 13 accounts have been identified in which these funds were transferred, and the agency has issued notices to the banks under which these accounts have been operating. It is pertinent to note that the top agency has justified its inquiry into the PTI prohibited funding case, saying it is only probing the alleged bank irregularities within its mandate. In a reply submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) which is hearing the PTI’s petition against the inquiry, the FIA has explained that it was strictly inquiring into the alleged illegalities within its mandate vested under laws concerning the businesses of banks, and not under laws that stipulated regulations for party funding.

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Boy swept away in flash flood miraculously found alive in DI Khan

A young boy, who was swept away in a flash flood, was miraculously found alive in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Saturday. The young boy worked as a mechanic and was missing for four days after the truck he was in was caught in a tumultuous flash flood. The body of the child's mechanic teacher was found in the flood water a day before. The truck driver is still missing and a search is underway to find him. Read more: Imran to hold int’l telethon to raise funds for flood affectees Locals told The Express Tribune that the people who went to search located the child on the tree and rescued him eventually. The joy of the people after saving the child’s life is worth seeing. A young boy who was swept away in a flash flood was miraculously found alive in Dera Ismail Khan. The young boy worked as a mechanic and was missing for four days after the truck he was in was caught in a tumultuous flash flood. The truck driver is still missing.#etribune #news pic.twitter.com/658lZIsL7r — The Express Tribune (@etribune) August 27, 2022 The child said that he had caught a tree floating in gushing waters. He stayed on it for four days and fought hunger, thirst and sleep deprivation to survive. Also read: UK to provide ‘urgent support’ of £1.5m for flood relief efforts Historic monsoon rains and flooding have affected more than 30 million people over the last few weeks across the country. The destruction of infrastructure and breakdown in communication links adds to the difficulties faced by the authorities in rescue and relief efforts in the region. The government has called on the international community to help as it struggles to cope with the aftermath of torrential rains that have triggered massive floods, killing nearly 1,000 people.

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Livestock department asked to increase vaccination task force

Abbottabad Deputy Commissioner Tariq Salam Marwat urged the Livestock Department to increase the strength of the District Task Force so that people can vaccinate their livestock against lumpy skin disease in time. He chaired a meeting regarding the control of Lumps Skin virus and Dengue fever on Friday. The Health and Livestock Departments' officials gave a briefing regarding dengue control and the Lumpy Skin outbreak. Marwat emphasised taking all possible measures regarding lumpy skin virus control. He said that vaccination of virus-infected animals should be ensured as soon as possible and also ensure the awareness campaign for the farmers which can enable them for the timely vaccination of their livestock. Additional Deputy Commissioner Relief and Human Rights Sajid Hussain, DHO Faisal Khanzada, District Director Livestock Akbar Ali, Assistant Manager WSSCA Wasiq Mansoor, representatives of Agriculture Department, TMA Havelian, Lora and Lower Tanwal and others participated in the meeting. Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2022.

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Miftah lashes out at K-P govt for attempting to ‘sabotage’ IMF pact

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has lashed out at the PTI-led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government for attempting to “sabotage” Pakistan’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ahead of the global lender’s executive board meeting. “[K-P Finance Minister] Taimur Jhagra assured me that he did not send this letter to the IMF but they [IMF] must have got this letter since it’s circulating across the country,” he said while addressing a hurriedly called press conference in Islamabad Friday night. Miftah was referring to the letter written by K-P Finance Minister Jahagra in which he said that it will be “next to impossible” for the provincial government to leave a surplus budget if the federal government did not resolve the issues of the K-P government. 1. This imported govt doesn't need enemies. Their own party hierarchy & their chamchas in the press are enough to sabotage their own... Why would the KP govt or I write to the IMF? Please read the letter I wrote to the Federal Finance Minister for yourself. pic.twitter.com/NTaPGoniym — Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) August 26, 2022 Also read: IMF sees inflation peaking at 20% Pakistan has committed to the IMF that it would generate a primary budget surplus of Rs153 billion in this fiscal year to achieve the global lender’s programme objectives. Miftah slammed the PTI-led government, saying they are playing politics over matters of national interest at a time when the entire country is reeling from historic floods and heavy rains. 2. Note that when I last got time from the fed finance minister on July 5, I raised the same concerns; on the FATA budget; on NHP; but because it was in the national interest, returned the IMF MoU to Islamabad within 24 hours. Personally ensured that with the approval of the CM. — Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) August 26, 2022 “All other matters should take a back seat at this time... but no problem we will deal with it InshaAllah,” he added. Miftah also said PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry in a recent statement admitted that the federal government would not be able to secure the IMF deal if their governments in Punjab and K-P did not cooperate. “However, they asked Punjab too to write the such letter but Punjab secretary refused to do so,” he claimed. Miftah said “power hunger” PTI could stoop to any level as their leader Imran Khan was not in power. “You are writing this letter today could not wait for 10 more days. You want to destroy this country because Imran Khan is no more in power but we will not let you burn this country,” he added. Also read: Pressure on rupee to ease after IMF deal Jhagra ‘s letter came just three days before the IMF board meeting on August 29 (Monday) to approve the disbursement of $1.18 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). In the letter, the K-P minister while highlighting several issues including budget allocation for merged districts as well as devastating floods said without their resolution leaving a surplus budget “will be next to impossible” for the provincial government. Responding to his statement, Miftah said he will hold a meeting with Jaghra on Saturday (today) and will resolve their issues. “We will release funds for ex-Fata areas as they are our brothers… The IMF programme will be approved on Monday,” he added. ‘Flood of economic crisis’ Meanwhile, the coalition parties in a joint statement have come down hard on PTI’s government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for its efforts to derail the IMF deal and plunge Pakistan into a “flood of economic crisis”. In the wake of unprecedented flash floods across the country, the K-P government it said has refused to implement the terms of the agreement with the IMF while playing dirty politics. In a joint statement on Friday, the ruling parties said that K-P Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra's letter to Finance Minister Miftah Ismail is a “ploy to plunge Pakistan into a flood of economic crisis”. The coalition – mainly consisting of PML-N, PPP and JUI-F – said it was Imran Khan’s government that signed an agreement with the IMF on strict terms, “tying the hands and feet of Pakistan's economy”, adding that he [Khan] then himself violated this agreement, suspended the programme and laid mines in the foundations of Pakistan's economy by giving subsidies so that Pakistan becomes economically bankrupt. Also read: IMF shares LoI with govt to seal loan deal The statement said that the current government was forced to take extremely patient and difficult decisions just to save Pakistan from economic bankruptcy. “After four months of continuous hard work, the value of the rupee and the economic situation have started to improve. Although Imran Khan's four years of economic destruction and inflation, the people are still drowning.” The statement said that PTI is aware that the IMF board meeting is going to be held on August 29 in which the economic programme with Pakistan is going to be revived. “Under these circumstances, malicious action has been taken by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government. This move is proof that the foreign-aided party is committed to the agenda of bringing Pakistan to economic ruin. As before, we will thwart this conspiracy and defend Pakistan's economic independence.” The government's full focus and priority at this time is the relief and rescue of the flood victims because the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims should remain the national priority at this time, the joint communiqué further read. “We will not let anyone's politics interfere with the process of saving the lives of the flood victims and alleviating the difficulties faced by them.”

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PTI funding probe: President Alvi among others received funds from ‘fake accounts’

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has seized records of hundreds of fake bank accounts through which millions of rupees were transferred to bank accounts of President Arif Alvi, PTI leader Asad Umar, and others including Hamid Zaman, Manzoor Chaudhary and Tariq Shafi. According to FIA, some of the accounts were opened in the name of local companies and religious trusts but the money was used for political purposes. The investigation agency has sent the preliminary investigation report to the DG FIA. The investigating agency also sought help from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for further investigation, while the record of hundreds of accounts from different banks in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad were seized. The records of funds coming from foreign countries have also been confiscated and notices have been issued to these companies as well. As per the preliminary investigation, money was transferred from fake bank accounts of PTI to President Alvi in ​​2013. The FIA report said Alvi had opened a bank account without the permission of PTI’s central finance board and the funds were also transferred to PTI leader Faisal Vawda using the same account. A local company funding the former ruling party also turned out to be fake, as per the report. The owner of the company, which donated Rs3 million to the PTI, expressed ignorance about funding any political party. Millions of rupees were also transferred to PTI leader Asad Umar from the account of PTI Islamabad while the party received funds of $1.3 million from Wootton Cricket Limited Dubai in the same account. A transfer of Rs2.5 million from an account opened in the name of religious trust to PTI Lahore was also detected. The money, received for the flood victims, was used for political purposes, said the FIA report. The FIA issued notices to Tariq Shafi, Hamid Zaman and Manzoor Chaudhry. Tariq Shafi's name is already on the no-fly list.

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Ministry to send Pakistani manpower abroad for free

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi has said that steps were afoot to send Pakistani workers and professionals abroad free of charge and minimise the hurdles for thousands of citizens seeking better professional opportunities in foreign countries. Currently, Pakistanis trying to bid adieu to the country for greener pastures are required to pay fees ranging from Rs,50,000 to 100,000. However, a summary seeking abolition of the charges as well as smoothing out of the bureaucratic maze will be soon presented to the cabinet for approval. The move will essentially enable the government to export manpower to mitigate unemployment and earn precious foreign exchange. Furthermore, in order to make the process transparent, easier and faster, the ministry has also directed the officials concerned to digitalise the protector office. Mr Turi, who chaired a high-level meeting on Friday, was briefed by federal secretary, DG bureau of immigration, DG overseas employment corporation and other senior officers. During the meeting, he announced that protector offices will be established soon in Bannu, Abbottabad, Sukkur, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. The licenses of overseas promoters pending for three years were also issued, he added. A summary would be prepared soon to fill the vacant posts so that the efficiency of the institutions can be improved, Mr Turi said and added that strict action would be taken against officials involved in illegal activities and corruption. The minister stressed the importance of community welfare attaches (CWAs) to improve their performance for the welfare of overseas Pakistanis. However, an online meeting of all community CWAs will be held every fortnight to review the performance. "I will not tolerate any negligence regarding the complaints of overseas Pakistanis, he warned and urged the Welfare attach to provide easy access to Pakistanis living abroad for solving their problems and welfare. The Ministry's doors are always open for all kinds of cooperation and problems of overseas Pakistanis", he said. On the instructions of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, an online complaint portal is being established for overseas Pakistanis, he added. Opportunities will be found in different countries for the export of OEC Pakistani manpower. He also hinted to initiate training and foreign language classes for OEC manpower export. Rise in Pakistanis seeking jobs abroad Pakistan is one of the biggest exporters of manpower, beating even India and Bangladesh by sending around 224,705 workers to different countries for various jobs in 2020 -- a trend which has been rising steadily despite all odds. This year, Pakistan ‘broke records’ after a surge in the number of citizens leaving the country for better professional opportunities. Meanwhile, according to the Bureau of Emigration Overseas Employment (BEOE), an increase of 27.6 per cent was noted in the number of Pakistanis seeking jobs abroad in the year 2021 compared to the previous year. Around 286,648 workers were registered for overseas employment in 2021, representing a 27.6% increase over the previous year. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (54%), Oman (13.4%) and Qatar (13.2%) are the main destinations for unskilled migrant workers from Pakistan in 2021. An overall increasing trend was observed in terms of migrants registered in 2021 as compared to 2020.

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MNAs, speaker to donate one-month salary to flood affectees

In the wake of massive devastation caused by the flash floods across the country, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday announced the donation of one month's salary of all MNAs, including himself, and a two-day salary of all employees of lower house of parliament for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of flood affectees. According to a statement, Ashraf, presently in Canada to attend the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Assembly, raised the situation during his various meetings with the speakers of Canada, Australia, Malaysia, the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and others and apprised them of the damages done by floods. In his meetings with the expatriate community, the speaker also appealed to the overseas Pakistanis, philanthropists and well-placed Pakistanis to come forward, shedding all political, religious or cultural differences and unite as one nation to jointly help their brothers and sisters in distress. Read more: UN 'Flash Appeal' for flood victims to be launched on Aug 30 In line with the instructions of the speaker, the National Assembly of Pakistan is also establishing a special counter to coordinate the donation activities, it added. The enormity of the monstrous floods was increasing with each passing day, with the death toll and the number of marooned people escalating at a rapid pace. Describing the devastating floods as “a national emergency”, the government on Thursday appealed to the “national spirit” of the people to come forward and extend their helping hand for the relief of the marooned people. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) put the nationwide death toll from the rains and floods at 937. According to the latest data, the floods have wreaked havoc in 116 of the country’s 160 districts, which roughly translates into three-fourths of the country. Overall, the NDMA said 4,254,740 people were affected by the floods, including 215,997 people living in relief camps. Meanwhile, a United Nations 'Flash Appeal' is to be launched simultaneously in Geneva and Islamabad on August 30.

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Qatar did not offer $2b in cash

Qatar has not offered immediate provision of $2 billion in cash to Pakistan but renewed its interest in buying the two LNG-fired power plants that Islamabad was initially reluctant to sell without a competitive bidding process. “Doha seems more interested in making investments in various sectors than offering cash to immediately bail out Islamabad,” a government official said after the three-day visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday. “After the $3 billion investment commitment by Qatar, there is no funding gap, hence, no immediate requirement for the $2 billion cash,” Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said when contacted. Last week, the acting State Bank of Pakistan governor had indicated that Qatar might provide $2 billion cash to Pakistan to shore up the foreign exchange reserves. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to increase the gross official foreign exchange reserves to $16.2 billion by June next year, pointing out a hole of $4.5 billion that has to be filled by securing commitments from the bilateral creditors. Qatar’s policy of no-cash but investment is in line with the policies that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have adopted this time towards Pakistan, breaking the past practice of signing off big loan cheques that Islamabad never paid back. The king of Saudi Arabia on Thursday also directed to make a $1 billion investment in Pakistan after a similar announcement was made by the UAE a few days ago. The materialisation of these investments worth $5 billion from the three countries would require a strong commitment from the government of Pakistan, which will also keep it on track to follow the procedure prescribed by the IMF. Qatar, through its $425 billion sovereign wealth fund, has shown its intent to make $3 billion investment in airports, power plants, port terminals, solar energy and the stock market. However, another aide to the prime minister said that the Qatar Investment Authority was not keen to invest in oil and gas sectors; rather it was more interested in diversifying its investments. A member of the PM’s delegation said that Qatar again showed its interest in investing in LNG-fired Haveli Bahadur Shah and Baloki power plants. It was not Pakistan that offered the power plants rather the Qatari government showed interest, he added Last week, the government had decided to shelve the plan to sell these power plants to Qatar due to anticipated low sale price, excluding the liabilities. There was a view that the government might get $500 million to $600 million at best, which was politically difficult to sell to the people as the best price, they added. The Power Division had also advised the prime minister that determining the price of the plants was not immediately possible and there was a need to hire consultants to complete the transaction. The National Power Parks Management Company Limited (NPPMCL) owns 1,230 megawatts (MW) Haveli Bahadur Shah and 1,223MW Balloki power plants. These power plants were set up with government funding instead of the 70:30 debt-to-equity ratio. The Ministry of Finance had bought the equity of these power plants a few years ago through the Pakistan Development Fund proceeds. The government official said that the sale of the Roosevelt Hotel, New York, and the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) did not come under discussion. The Roosevelt Hotel is owned by the PIA through PIA-Investment Limited. The PIA-IL holds its stakes through a subsidiary which is registered in the British Virgin Islands. The hotel, located at a highly priced location, was closed in December 2020. But Qatar offered to invest in the Islamabad International Airport and the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. The government official said that the materialisation of $3 billion investment by Qatar would depend upon how quickly the issues are being sorted out. He said that PM Shehbaz instructed to set up a monitoring and implementation cell to materialise the investment.

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Woman allegedly gang-raped

A woman was allegedly gang-raped by three men in the Sadiqabad area of Rawalpindi. The victim, a resident of a resident of Muslim Town, Sadiqabad, lodged a complaint with the police that after her divorce, she had been in contact with one Chaudhry Tufail, who proposed to marry her and assured her of supporting her children from the former husband. She said that the accused told her that he has arranged a Qazi for Nikah and called her to Chandni Chowk. The victim said that Tufail arrived showed up in a car and took her to an unknown location, where two armed men were already present. She said that the trio allegedly raped her at gunpoint and threatened her with dire consequences if she narrated her ordeal to anyone before they dropped her near Rehmanabad. Police registered a case and started an investigation against the suspects who are at large. Meanwhile, Rawalpindi police arrested 13 suspects and seized over 17 kgs of narcotics and 18 liters of liquor from their possession. A police spokesperson said that separate cases had been registered against all the suspects. Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2022.

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Evacuee property: 'Govt approval a must for sale'

The Supreme Court has held that the no evacuee property could be sold without getting the approval of the federal government and no federal minister could approve the sale of an evacuee property either on his discretion or on the basis of relaxation of rules. A division bench of the apex court led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan upheld a Lahore High Court (LHC) ruling regarding the cancellation of the sale of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) properties to private individuals in Rawalpindi. The bench heard the case of property belonging to the ETPB in Raja Bazar, Rawalpindi and decided the case in favour of the ETPB. After hearing both sides, the bench dismissed the appeal of private appellants along with other applications. The property was sold in 1992, following the approval given by then social welfare federal minister in 1977. It was sold by an ETPB official on the letter of the deputy secretary of the ministry, according to the case papers. Justice Ahsan authored the 17-page judgment, which held that there was no provision in the law governing the ETPB, the relevant rules or the 1977 Scheme, which allowed a federal minister to approve the sale of evacuee land either on his discretion or in relaxation of rules. According to the judgment, the federal government could accord the approval for a sale in favour of the appellants only after the board deliberated on the matter and passed a resolution for the sale of the suit property. It said that in the absence of an appropriate application before the competent authority and without it being processed in the departmental hierarchy, according to the law and rules, the entire superstructure of the transaction which culminated in the sale deed was based on an incompetent and unlawful exercise. Therefore, the judgment continued, any and all actions taken on the basis of the memorandum dated March 22, 1977 were unlawful and inconsequential on the rights of the ETPB/federal government insofar, as far as the ownership of the suit property was concerned. The court said that the minister had no power or authority on behalf of the federal government, and approved the sale of the suit property, especially in the absence of a resolution passed by the ETPB’s board seeking permission for sale of the suit property in favour of the appellants. The court said that when the concerned federal minister accorded approval for sale of the suit property, while he was not authorised to do so by the competent legislature, his actions could not be considered as executive actions in terms of Article 173 of the Constitution. There was also nothing on the record to suggest that the concerned minister had ever directed the ETPB’s board to deliberate on the matter and pass a resolution, concerning the sale of the suit property to the appellants, the court added. “If there was never any resolution, then there was never any sanction of the sale 19 either. If there was never any sanction, then there could have been no approval from the Federal Government for sale of the suit property,” it said. The apex court said that the high court had rightly concluded that being bereft of its executive nature; the sale deed had been obtained without the approval of the federal government and was, therefore, illegal and void ab-initio. In essence, the bench observed, “in order to sell or dispose of land managed by the ETPB, a resolution has to be passed by the ETPB’s Board which is then approved by the federal government”, adding: “Once approval has been accorded by the Federal Government, an officer is designated and authorized by the Chairman in terms of Section 12(2) of the ETPB Act who shall then carry out the sale or disposal of the land/property in question in the terms laid down by the federal government-sanctioned board resolution.”

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PM seeks urgent report on inflated electricity bills

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, while taking strict notice of public complaints about inflated electricity bills, directed the authorities concerned to submit an urgent report and recommendations on the matter. The premier, chairing an urgent meeting to discuss the complaints on the inflated bills, resolved not to sit idle until the public complaints are addressed. “Khadim-e-Pakistan is answerable to his people for resolution of their grievances. I am committed to speaking truth to my people,” he added. Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir, Special Assistant to PM Ahad Cheema and relevant senior officers attended the meeting. Read more: Fixed ST via power bills suspended On Saturday, PM Shehbaz also suspended fixed sales tax collection through electricity bills and ordered the formulation of a new mechanism. He also directed an inquiry over the levy of increased sales tax ratio to shopkeepers and retailers in the electricity bills other than the agreed one. He issued these directives while chairing a meeting to review electricity rates and fixed sales tax collection through electricity bills. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz specially asked for the inclusion of representatives of traders in the consultation process, prior to taking any decision with regards to the collection of taxes from shopkeepers through the utility bills. While resolving that the government would take all steps for the economic protection of the poor segments of society, the premier also directed the relevant authorities and ministries concerned to immediately devise an effective mechanism for slashing the power rates for the poor.

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