Couple arrested for ‘sexual abuse, torture’ of niece in Karachi

Police on Monday arrested a man and his wife for allegedly subjecting their minor niece to severe torture and inhuman treatment and registered a case against them in Karachi. Shah Latif Town Police confirmed sexual abuse too following report from the office of the Karachi police surgeon late on Monday night. According to Malir District SSP Irfan Bahadur, a case has been registered on the complaint of Rafiq Lashari, an uncle of the victim girl. The couple nominated in the FIR, Salman and his wife Samreen, have been arrested. Salman is the maternal uncle of the victim. SSP Bahadur said that there are torture marks on the body of the child and she has been shifted to a hospital for medical aid. A special team will be formed to investigate the matter, the top officer of the Malir district said. The complainant did not mention sexual abuse in the FIR, however, police conducted a full investigation, the SSP mentioned. Read more: Pakistani couple arrested in Spain over daughter's 'honour killing' The complainant said in his statement to the police, “My sister lives in Larkana while her six-year-old daughter has been with Salman for the last three months. My brother phoned our sister and told her that her daughter is ill. After hearing this, my sister came to Karachi on October 28 and saw that her daughter was critically injured. There were torture marks on her body. Salman and his wife Samreen tortured the girl with knife and also poured hot water on her. They wanted to kill the young girl.” The complainant further mentioned, “My sister told me about the incident and now me and my sister Amna (girl’s mother) are in police station to lodge an FIR against Salman and his wife Samreen. We need legal action against them.” On Rafiq’s complaint, Shah Lateef Town police registered case number 1,255 of the year 2022 under section 324 and 337 A (34) and handed it over to the investigation police. According to Dr Summaiya Syed Tariq evidence of rape with six-year-old girl (Q) were found in the initial examination besides torture marks on her body. “The child is in a shock. We have taken samples for DNA test and other detailed examinations. Things will be clear the lab reports,” she said. Meanwhile, the Sindh IG said that the accused deserve no sympathy. These cruel people should be dealt strictly under the law. He instructed the SSP Malir to complete the investigation at the earliest so that appropriate punishment should be given to the beasts.

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Two soldiers martyred in Balochistan anti-terror operation

Two soldiers of the Pakistan Army were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Balochistan’s Shahrig town, a statement issued by the military said on Monday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) commenced in Kaman Pass area near Shahrig, a small town of the province near district Sibi, to clear a hideout of terrorists. “Security forces were dropped by helicopter near the suspected location of terrorists to cut the escape routes and clear the hideout,” it said. Also read: Two soldiers martyred in DI Khan gun battle The military’s media wing said during the establishment of blocking positions, terrorists opened fire on the security forces, resulting in the martyrdom of Sepoy Shafi Ullah and Sepoy Muhammad Qaiser. During the ensuing heavy exchange of fire, four terrorists were also killed while a cache of arms and ammunition including improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered. “The clearance operation, however, continues to apprehend other terrorists in the area,” it added.

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UoS scholar wins placement at National Assembly

The School of Education Deakin University Australia sent its Pakistani doctoral fellow and Sargodha University’s youngest PhD scholar to the National Assembly of Pakistan, to observe governance issues, policy matters and the challenges faced by higher education institutions. Dr Mohsin Raza has served University of Sargodha in various roles, including Assistant Director Academics, Deputy Director Planning, Founding Manager Facilitation Center, Secretary Admission Committee and Deputy Staff Secretary. The National Assembly of Pakistan attached Dr Raza with the Standing Committee for Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture, providing him the opportunity to learn policy, planning, legislation and governance at a national level. Radhika Gorur, Associate Professor at Deakin University and Dr Raza’s PhD supervisor, said that providing opportunities to learn about policy and governance matters related to the higher education sector would be enormously useful for finding the real-time results. Parliamentary Secretary for Energy MNA Hamid Hameed, a member of Pakistan’s Standing Committee for Higher Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture, praised the efforts of Deakin University Australia to support and promote young scholars. Quality research promotion and academia-industry ties would help Pakistan achieve prosperity, he said. Expressing his views on the occasion, Dr Raza thanked the Deakin’s Graduate Research Academy and his research supervisors for providing him the unique opportunity of international placement and the National Assembly of Pakistan for facilitating him in getting experience. He stressed the importance of transforming higher education sector so it could compete on a global scale. Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2022.

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Imran visits deceased journalist Sadaf Naeem's family

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan visited the family of journalist Sadaf Naeem on Monday to offer condolences to the bereaved. Sadaf Naeem, a reporter for a local private TV news channel, died on Sunday in an accident involving one of the party’s containers while covering the PTI’s Haqeeqi Azadi march near Sadhoke. چیئرمین پی ٹی آئی عمران خان شہید صحافی صدف نعیم کے گھر تعزیت کیلئے پہنچ گئے۔ pic.twitter.com/T9KrNPhLoB — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 31, 2022 According to eyewitness accounts, Sadaf had been trying to climb up the container for a live beeper for her channel. However, because of the massive number of participants pushing their way forward and the security at the event backing them away, she accidentally fell from the container and the vehicle ran over her. Read Court extends Imran's bail in prohibited funding case till Nov 10 After the incident, the party called off its long march for the day. The PTI chief, along with other party leaders, visited the grieving family today. چیئرمین پی ٹی آئی عمران خان شہید صحافی صدف نعیم کے گھر تعزیت کیلئے پہنچ گئے۔ #SadafNaeem#حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/CZPrdZSpKu — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 31, 2022 Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi announced financial aid of Rs2.5 million rupees for her family. Later, he increased this amount to Rs5 million on PTI chief Imran's directives. Elahi in a tweet lauded Sadaf and extended his condolences to her family. “The Punjab government will take full care of the family,” he added. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his grief on the reporter's unfortunate death. Sadaf was a resident of Ichra in Lahore and a mother of two. She had been covering the long march since it started from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk and had joined Channel Five in December 2009. According to her fellow journalists, she had consistently been working hard for the last 12 years.

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Training programme held to foster entrepreneurial culture

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) under Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) organised a week-long training programme for Business Incubation Centres in Islamabad. The training was held in collaboration with Invest2Innovate (i2i), a leading organisation that supports start-up communities. It was attended by Directors/Managers of 17 Business Incubation Centres (BICs) from higher education institutions of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and AJK. BIC Managers will be supporting the young and budding entrepreneurs during this training to help them incubate their innovative start-up ideas into sustainable, profit-giving businesses. The training was focused on providing complete hand-holding to start-ups from induction and incubation to formal graduation. The training plan had been designed in accordance with the BICs Needs Assessment held in a one-on-one session with respective BICs recently. The training covered A to Z of programme design for executing a successful incubation programme including research and rapid product prototyping, road mapping start-up’s journey, business development, revenue generation, building a financial narrative, and investment readiness. In her opening remarks, Director (R&D) HEC Noshaba Awais offered her full support to the BIC teams. During the training, the participants were briefed about their significant roles in the Innovator Seed Fund (ISF) grant. ISF is a unique national-level seed-funding programme where HEC, along with its partner BICs, is implementing this activity to provide a combination of capacity plus seed-funding support to innovative start-ups in a blended format. The grant winners will receive up to $35,000 in seed funding along with technical support from BICs. “Aligned with HEC’s mission these Innovator Seed Fund Grants are the key components of HEDP Project launched for the very first time. HEDP will be holistically supporting the development of entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem hence will play a key role in transforming Pakistan into a knowledge economy,” said Executive Director HEC, Dr Shaista Sohail in the context of the ISF Capacity Building Programme and upcoming award ceremony. Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2022.

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‘IT ministry launched two projects worth Rs1b’

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haque on Sunday said that his ministry had launched two more projects worth Rs 1 billion for the provision of mobile and high-speed internet services in Tharparkar and Gwadar districts. “We own the urban and rural areas of Sindh and continuously rolling out Broadband, OFC and other connectivity projects for these areas without any discrimination,” Haque said in a statement. A project worth more than Rs870 million for Tharparkar district will be completed in 18 months and provide mobile and broadband facilities to more than 72,000 residents of various unserved villages spread over an area of 10,432 square kilometres. Haque said the broadband project had also been approved costing Rs 188.1 million for more than 15,000 people in 19 villages of Gwadar, Balochistan.

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CM Punjab lauded for providing conducive environment for investment

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday met with an eminent businessman and an industrial tycoon of Pakistan Sir Anwar Pervaiz at CMO, an official press release said. It said that Sir Anwar Pervaiz appreciated the steps being taken by the chief minister for the promotion of business and investment in the province. He lauded the chief minister for taking exemplary steps for the investment opportunities in a short span of time. He said that the steps being taken by CM Pervaiz for the facilitation of the investors are praiseworthy, adding that the CM is also performing invaluable work to resolve the problems of the overseas Pakistanis. Read more: PML-N lawmakers concerned over inactivity in Punjab Sir Anwar Pervaiz remarked that during the tenure of CM Pervaiz, the confidence of the investors has been restored and “we are mulling over the option to make new investments”, adding that under his able leadership the Punjab province will once again move towards durable progress and prosperity. CM Elahi while talking to Sir Anwar Pervaiz stated that the investors busy in eradicating poverty and making endeavours for economic prosperity are worthy benefactors of the country. He disclosed that his government provided a conducive environment for making a real investment for the first time in the province, adding that Punjab is a fertile land for investment. The chief minister said that he himself is monitoring to safeguard the foreign investment, adding that we will not let the file relating to investment to “red-tapism” and no one will be allowed to interfere in the matters of overseas Pakistanis. The CM highlighted that they are resolving all the problems of the investors under a single roof. He informed that in order to increase investment in real estate and for the facilitation of the people they have reduced the 100 per cent stamp fee on the transfer of property and have fixed one per cent fee across Punjab. The government will earn revenue amounting to billions of rupees from these steps, he added. CM Elahi lauded the services of Sir Anwar Pervaiz and former principal secretary to CM GM Sikandar who was also present on the occasion.

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SHO suspended over negligence

City Police Officer (CPO) Omar Saeed Malik suspended Station House Officer (SHO) Sargodha Road over charges of negligence when a motorcyclist was wounded by a kite string within his jurisdiction. A police spokesman said on Saturday that Salman was riding his bike when the string from a stray kite got tangled over his neck and severely injured him. Rescue-1122 immediately shifted him to Allied Hospital, where he was being provided intensive care treatment. Taking serious notice of the incident, CPO Malik immediately suspended SHO Sargodha Road Hammad Yousuf over charges of negligence, as he failed to control kite-flying in his jurisdiction, which threatened the safety of motorcyclists. The CPO directed the SHO to report Police Line and directed SSP (Operations) Muhammad to probe the matter. 

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IMF asks Pakistan to set up anti-corruption task force

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) while asking Pakistan to raise taxes, electricity tariff, and cut expenditures has also reiterated that Islamabad should set up an anti-corruption task force. The global money lender has handed over a new list of demands and asked Pakistan to impose roughly Rs600 billion in additional taxes. The details emerged during Express News’ talk show, The Review, on Saturday. The hosts, Shahbaz Rana and Kamran Yousaf, revealed that the government authorities have not yet accepted IMF demands as people have already been facing sky-rocketing inflation and the ruling alliance can’t risk further burning its political capital, especially when the former ruling party is marching towards Islamabad. Rana said that it was highly unlikely that the government would accept IMF demands as it has already taken the worst hit on its vote bank and popularity due to the increasing cost of living and can’t afford to lose more. Among other things, he said that IMF has also urged Pakistan to notify the anti-corruption task force, which the government had agreed to in June this year. As per the agreement, Rana said, Pakistan will publish a comprehensive review of the anti-corruption institutional framework, mainly the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) by January 2023 by a task force with the participation of independent experts with international experience and civil society organisations. He recalled that the task force would recommend appropriate structural reform measures that strengthen the independence of anti-graft institutions, prevent political influence and persecution, and provide for transparency and accountability controls against abuse. He added that former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s name was proposed to head the task force but no decision has so far been taken. Meanwhile, the hosts discussed PM Shehbaz’s maiden visit to China starting from November 1, saying Pakistan has requested China to rollover its $6.3 billion debt that is maturing in the next eight months. Rana revealed that another proposal was also under consideration to seek a fresh Chinese loan, saying a long list of new projects and requests was ready before PM’s visit. Yousaf incorporated later in the programme that Prime Minister Shehbaz was among the first foreign leaders to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping after getting elected for a record third term. To a question, if Belt-and-Road (BRI) was still a priority for President Xi, Yousaf replied in affirmative, saying the architect of BRI has joined President Xi’s cabinet and it was an indication that the project was close to Xi’s heart.

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Squatters renew attempts to occupy land in capital suburbs

Squatters have once again started grabbing the government property under river Swan adjacent to the industrial area of Humak Jawa in the suburbs of the federal capital. It has been reported that the land grabbers group had earlier tried to occupy land under the Swan River by filling it with sand before the monsoon rains this year. The group was selling government land to innocent people by filling up the river. The ICT administration taking notice of the illegal activity had sprung into action against the squatters and put a halt to their activity. However, after the new administration came, the same group once again started occupying the government land with the alleged collusion of the local police personnel. Taking advantage of Saturday's holiday, they filled up a large area around the Swan River, due to which the channels required for water drainage in the coming monsoon rains have become narrow and the fear of flooding has increased. The area has already been under threat of floods. Earlier this year, three people of a single family lost their lives due to floods from the river as their homes were inundated. This matter was brought to the notice of CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman on Saturday who called an emergency meeting on the holiday to discuss the issue of encroachments and illegal constructions in Islamabad. The meeting also saw the participation of Member Planning, Member Environment, Member State, DC, CDA, CEO of MCI, Directors of Building Control, DG Enforcement and Director DMA. The chairman of the meeting directed the offiicers to carry out a complete survey of Islamabad with the identification of illegal buildings already constructed and buildings currently being constructed illegally.

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Third time lucky: Hammad seen 'snatching' mic from Faisal in PTI long march

PTI leader Hammad Azhar on Saturday became the centre of attention for the second consecutive day when he was seen "snatching" the microphone from fellow party member Faisal Javed Khan during the party’s long march at Ferozewala. In a video that has gone viral, Hammad can be seen requesting Faisal to hand over the microphone to him atop party chief Imran Khan’s container. However, Faisal responds by signalling Hammad to wait. Hammad Azhar snatches mic from Senator Faisal Javed pic.twitter.com/l6HeZcn8rl — Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) October 29, 2022 PTI chief Imran can also be seen in the video wearing sunglasses and looking at the participants of the long march. Hammad again asks Faisal to hand over the microphone but the request is again denied as the latter says something to Imran. Read more: Faisal's mic move with Imran at Lahore rally triggers meme fest on social media Hammad, for the third time, seeks Faisal's attention but this time he also snatches the microphone and starts talking to the long march participants. Many on Twitter noticed the incident with a few criticising while others coming to the defence of both PTI leaders. "Faisal Javed Khan sometimes you need to leave the mic as well," said Kashaf Noor. Faisal Javed Khan kaddi mic chad vi dita karo😐😐@FaisalJavedKhan — Kashaf Noor (@itsskashaf) October 29, 2022 Danial, seeing the funny side of it, said that Faisal Javed tried to play Turkish mic with Hammad Azhar. Faisal Javed tried to play Turkish mic with Hammad Azhar. :P — Danial (@defilibrator) October 29, 2022 "Poor Faisal Javed... everyone teases him," said another user. Faisal Javed bechary ko hr koi cherta hai — ملک کا اصل وہ کون ہے (@kam05347808) October 29, 2022 Noor Ali said that Faisal Javed doesn't bring the mic from his home, adding that even Imran Khan has to take the mic from him at times. Faisal Javed 🎤 gher sy to ni ly k ata, Khan ko b aksar khoo k lena parta ha — noor ali (@noorali37081311) October 29, 2022 Matloob Hassan said that Faisal Javed treats the mic as his "girlfriend". "He should respect that there are other senior party leaders besides him as well," he added. To be honest, faisal javed treats the mic as his gf. He should respect that there are other senior party leaders besides him as well. — Matloob Hassan (@MatloobHassanB1) October 29, 2022 A day earlier another video had emerged on social media in which Hammad Azhar and another senior party leader Asad Umar could be seen having a "heated conversation". In the viral video, Umar can be seen having a "heated" discussion with Azhar. Party chairman Imran Khan and PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi can also be seen at the back. Also read: Amused at viral video, Asad Umar comes clean about 'generator issues' at long march The video went viral on social media and gave rise to speculations about a possible rift between the top leadership of PTI. However, Asad later cleared the air of a possible dispute with his clarification. کل کے لاہور کا اپنے کپتان کے ساتھ اظہار یکجہتی اور حقیقی آزادی کا عزم دیکھ کر یہ گھبرا گئے ہیں. میرا ایک کلپ چلا رہے ہیں کے اختلافات ہو گئے. اللہ کے بندوں اس وقت مجھے غصہ اس بات پر تھا کے جنریٹر خراب ہو گیا تھا اور دوسرا آنے میں دیر ہو رہی تھی 😊 #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ — Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 29, 2022 “They are shocked to see yesterday's Lahore show solidarity with their captain [Imran Khan] and determination for real freedom. There is a clip circulating about possible differences. I was only angry because the generator had broken down and the second one was taking long to arrive,” he said on Twitter.

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IHC fixes for hearing Imran’s plea against ECP’s disqualification verdict

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday fixed for hearing former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s petition, challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) verdict to disqualify him in the Toshakhana (gift depository) reference. IHC Judge Justice Amir Farooq will conduct the hearing on the petition on Monday, October 31. The former premier had challenged his disqualification in the IHC last week, asking the court to set aside the ECP decision. However, the Registrar's Office raised several objections, including not attaching the biometric verification of the petitioner and a certified copy of the decision. Despite the PTI chief’s insistence that his plea should be taken up last Saturday, the Registrar’s Office objected that the matter was not serious enough to be heard immediately. Later, his counsel addressed the Registrar Office’s objections to the petition. Earlier on October 23, the ECP had issued the detailed verdict in the Toshakhana reference against the former prime minister. The ECP wrote in the verdict that the commission — under Article 63(1)(p) read with Article 63(2) — had the jurisdiction to entertain the reference forwarded by the National Assembly speaker, with respect to the disqualification of lawmakers. The commission said Imran had admitted that he retained five gifts after paying a total amount of Rs11.68 million and that the total cost had been declared in the statement of assets and liabilities for the year 2020-21. The same declaration has also been made in the tax returns for the year 2020-21. However, the PTI chairman, according to the ECP, declared them under the heading of personal use in his declaration when he should have declared them under the heading of moveable assets. “No details of the gift items in regard to particulars of items have been disclosed in column number 3 of Form-B… the respondent was required to declare these items under various headings specifically defined in Form-B under the main heading of moveable assets,” the ECP added. Also read: Imran challenges ECP verdict in IHC The ECP wrote in the verdict that after hearing arguments from both sides and reviewing the evidence, it had reached to the conclusion that Imran “deliberately concealed” facts by not disclosing the details of gifts in the statement of his assets and liabilities for the year 2018-19, nor accounting for the sale proceed. Defamation case against CEC Separately, Imran Khan on Saturday announced that he would file a defamation suit against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja in Toshakhana reference and prohibited funding case. “I will file a defamation lawsuit against CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja in Toshakhana reference and foreign funding case”. The PTI chairman regretted that the law was different for the powerful and helpless in the country. He underscored the need for the supremacy of law in the country. Last week, PTI moved a reference before the Supreme Judicial Council against CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja. PTI leader Dr Babar Awan moved the reference, and pleaded with the SJC to order removal of the CEC on account of the “commission of continuous and deliberate misconduct”. The PTI claimed that Sikandar Raja Sultan had violated the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) code of conduct and failed to fulfil his constitutional obligations.

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Imran terminates Vawda's PTI membership

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday terminated the 'basic membership' of Faisal Vawda, according to a notification posted on the party's official Twitter account. The notification, signed by Imran Khan, stated that Vawda did not respond to the party's show cause notice issued on October 26 "for defying party policy" and thus, his membership has been terminated. Chairman PTI @ImranKhanPTI has terminated the basic membership of Faisal Vawda from the party. #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/mPFWHFjQOi — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 29, 2022 Earlier, Vawda appeared on state-owned broadcaster PTV and “tried to damage” the PTI long march to Islamabad by claiming that the march would be “bloody". “Imran Khan’s peaceful long march is our right but I am clearly telling you I am seeing blood, deaths and coffins in this march," he said. Shortly after the presser, in the show-cause notice issued to Vawda, PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi told the former minister that he had "grossly violated discipline by giving statements against party policies and guidelines". "This is in serious violation of party rules as per the constitution, therefore, you are required to submit a reply within two days of this notice stating why your party membership should not be cancelled.” Read Will reveal names of 'snakes' who misled Imran: Vawda Zaidi said that until his response, Vawda's party membership would remain suspended and he would not be allowed to hold any party office or represent the party in the media. The PTI leaders as well as political observers, who saw the sudden twist as orchestrated from ‘certain quarters’ only against the party, smelled a rat in what they believed was a “strategically timed dog whistle” to put a dent in the party’s narrative ahead of the long march. They said that the shocking ‘red-meat’ remarks delivered right from the government’s forum were “scripted” to provide the PML-N-led coalition with fresh fodder to attack PTI. Interestingly, they noted, the conference was organised by the Press Information Department (PID), which is the principal department of the information ministry and responsible for disseminating government information to the media. Soon after the presser created ripples, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry took to Twitter and reiterated that PTI rejected Vawda's press conference. “Everyone knows whose game Faisal Vawda is playing – the nation is fortunately very informed thanks to Imran Khan.” Former Sindh governor Imran Ismail said that he failed to understand on whose instruction was Faisal saying all this. "I am unable to understand what was the real purpose of today's press conference? Our long march is peaceful," he added.

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FIA gets arrest warrants of PTI leaders in prohibited funding case

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Commercial Banking Circle Islamabad has obtained arrest warrants for six accused including PTI leaders Saifullah Khan Niazi and Aamir Kayani in the prohibited funding case. PTI chief Imran Khan, members of the party’s financial team and manager of a private bank were also nominated in the case. The PTI chief was granted interim bail earlier this month in the prohibited funding case by a court in Islamabad. Sources said arrest warrants have been obtained for other suspects including Tariq Rahim, Hamid Zaman and Manzoor Ahmed and the FIA has formed teams for their arrest. The case The FIA had booked PTI leaders including party chairman Imran Khan, the party’s financial team and a manager of a private bank in the prohibited funding case. The case was lodged by FIA Commercial Banking Circle Islamabad. According to a first information report (FIR), the former ruling party leaders have violated the Foreign Exchange Act and they were declared as the beneficiaries of suspicious bank accounts. The FIA kicked off its probe against the PTI in August this year after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had declared in its verdict that the party had indeed received illegal funding. The case had been filed by PTI's founding but disgruntled member Akbar S Babar and had been pending since November 14, 2014. The written order of the ECP stated that the political party had received illegal funds from foreign countries including the US, UAE, UK and Australia.

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Anchor Ghulam Hussain sent on judicial remand

A Lahore district and sessions court on Friday sent ARY anchorperson Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain to jail on a 14-day judicial remand in a case pertaining to bank fraud. The septuagenarian TV anchor was taken into custody from a coffee shop in Lahore by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday. On Friday, when the anchor was presented before the court, the FIA submitted a plea seeking a physical remand of the journalist for 14 days. FIA prosecutor Munim Bashir told the court that the anchor did not return a loan he had taken from a bank after submitting fake documents. However, Hussain’s lawyer Azhar Siddiqui contended that the case was more than a decade old and the FIR against his client was registered in 2011. “Will the FIA now work for banks to recover the money?” He said that Hussain had never been accused of submitting fake documents. The court asked the FIA prosecutor about how the anchor was appearing on national television every day if he had been declared a proclaimed offender in 2013. “What were you doing since 2013?” Hussain’s lawyer said that his client had no role in the case, adding that all the other people named in the case had been released. “Hussain has already returned 47 per cent of the amount as a guarantor.” Meanwhile, Hussain said that the property in question was worth Rs450 million out of which Rs250 million had already been paid. “This matter is now pending in the Supreme Court,” he added. Subsequently, the court rejected the FIA’s plea for Hussain’s physical remand and sent the journalist to jail on 14-day judicial remand and instructed the agency to return his identity card.

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Sikh pilgrims arrive for Saka festival

A delegation of Sikh yatrees from India crossed the Wagha Border on Friday to participate in the centenary celebrations of Saka Punja Sahib. Additional Secretary Shrine Rana Shahid Saleem, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) Pardhan Sardar Amir Singh and others received the guests warmly. Speaking on the occasion, party leader Giani Harmeet Singh said, "We are very happy to come to Pakistan and extremely grateful to the Pakistani government for the warmest welcome." The yatree's participation in the centenary celebrations was a historic event, he said, adding that Pakistani land was very sacred for the global Sikh community.

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Team formed to probe Arshad Sharif’s killing leaves for Kenya

A two-member Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) team formed on Friday left for Kenya to investigate and ascertain the fact of senior journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing on the foreign land under mysterious circumstances. The development came days after the government formed a two-member team comprising FIA director Athar Wahid and IB deputy director general Omar Shahid Hamid to ascertain the facts of the journalist’s murder. However, the sources privy to the development revealed the two officials have left for Doha on separate planes. The head of the team, Athar Waheed, flew from Islamabad to Doha via Qatar Airlines flight number 615, while Omar Shahid Hamid left Karachi for Doha. The team will resume the journey to the East African country from Doha Airport and will set sail for Nairobi. Read more: No letter written to UAE for Arshad Sharif's expulsion: FO Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan Embassy in Kenya will be obliged to facilitate the investigation team and provide assistance during its stay. The sources added that the probe team will dig out the facts about the events that took place before and after the murder, including the circumstances that led to the arrival of Arshad Sharif – who fled the country after he was charged with sedition – in Kenya. Besides, the team will also find out the late journalist’s accommodation arrangements in the country. It will review the post-mortem report in Kenya, the vehicle and travel records of the victim of the shooting, and the police team there. Also read: ISI official excluded from Arshad’s murder probe The sources added that the team’s stay in Kenya may last for two weeks. It is pertinent to note that the interior ministry on Wednesday removed a representative of the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) from the list of officials, who would be part of the team to probe the matter. The new notification was issued hours after the ministry had named three officials for the high-profile team – FIA Director Athar Waheed, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Deputy Director General Omar Shahid Hamid and ISI's Lt Col Saad Ahmed. In a revised notification, the ministry removed the ISI official's name from the body. However, it provided no explanation as to why the ISI officer was taken off the team. The notification also said that the team would present its report to the Interior Division.

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Long march aims at real freedom: Asad

“Haqeeqi Azadi is the main goal of the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf [PTI],” party secretary-general Asad Umar said on Friday, addressing a news conference ahead of the start of the long march. Umar, flanked by PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, said that in the country everyone knew that the decisions were taken by a few selected people behind closed doors. Secretary General PTI @Asad_Umar addressing the media ahead of the historic long march! #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/mWcyU8uGXJ — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 28, 2022 He said that the people would make history in the long march, whose ultimate goal was ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ [real freedom]. “The people are standing with their captain [PTI Chairman Imran Khan] and they should come to the march without any fear.” He emphasised that the march would be peaceful. PTI Women team leading PTI’s long March in Lahore, a massive participation by the crowd! #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/qSFjEhXYyW — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 28, 2022 He reiterated the party’s call for fresh elections in the country. “Let the people elect their leader through transparent elections. The elected leader will be answerable to the people and no one else should have the right to run the country”. He urged the people to come out in large numbers if they wanted actual change in the country. “Imran Khan is the only leader, who could bring about a much-needed change in Pakistan,” he maintained. Latest exclusive visuals from Lahore, as the crowd keeps getting bigger! #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/1vNRXYQrp7 — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 28, 2022 Responding to a question, the PTI leader said that through an application, the PTI had informed the Islamabad administration that a series of sit-ins and meetings will start from November 4. “The Constitution allows us to hold meetings and stage demonstrations even the Constitution permits us to hold meetings 365 days,” he said. The PTI secretary general said that the only solution to the country’s current problems was fresh elections. “We are ready for negotiations if the government gives a date for the new elections in the country,” he maintained. On the occasion, Fawad Chaudhary said they were dedicating the long march to slain journalist Arshad Sharif and the media fraternity and paid tributes for his contribution to investigative journalism. Also read: ‘Our criticism of establishment constructive’, Imran says at Liberty Chowk He condemned the arrest of journalist Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain, saying how big a threat a 78-year-old man can be to anyone. “I request the authorities to show some respect to this man”. He noted that under the coalition government, journalists were being brutally treated in Pakistan, which was never seen in the past,” he added. ہمارا قافلہ اچھرہ پہنچ چکا ہے۔ نکلیں عزم عالیشان کی خاطر ! #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/BlTHNrZlAJ — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 28, 2022 Fawad also said that Arshad Sharif had appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to take notice of this brutality. “If the Supreme Court had taken notice, Sharif would have been alive,” he added. Speaking about the long march, he said that the people should take part in this march even if they do not belong to the PTI. “The nation must reject decisions taken behind closed doors," he added. He underscored that the future of Pakistan was dependent on the success and failure of today's march. "If this movement fails, the nation will fail,” he added.

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Maryam’s exoneration paves way for Nawaz’s acquittal

PML-N supremo and former premier Nawaz Sharif is all set to be acquitted in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)’s Avenfield apartments reference as the Islamabad High Court judgment ruled that the anti-graft body had not only failed to prove its charges against him and others, but its investigation was “disappointing”. Four years after being convicted, the IHC’s detailed judgment, issued on Thursday, exonerated the former premier’s daughter, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, and her husband Capt (retd) Safdar in the London flats case. It found no evidence linking the ex-premier with acquiring the properties through assets beyond means. NAB also failed to prove that Nawaz’s daughter and son-in-law were the beneficiaries of the assets or helped him in concealing them. The detailed judgment on the appeals of Maryam and her husband in the Avenfield reference, IHC’s Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani ruled that not a single document existed that supported the prosecution’s stance or proved the charges against the accused. The court noted that the prosecution had to prove that when the properties were acquired by Nawaz in the name of his dependents through Nescoll Ltd and Nielsen Enterprises Ltd, he was a public office holder. “There does not exist on record any evidence to the effect,” the judgment read. The judges stated that the accountability court’s judgment awarding 10 years imprisonment to Nawaz, seven years to Maryam and one year to Safdar in the Avenfield case “is based on wrong application of the law”. The IHC noted that the accountability court’s judgment showed that it copiously reproduced NAB’s arguments and “erred in application of the correct law”. The trial court held the letters from a Panama-based law firm to be the proof of the fact that Maryam was the beneficial owner of the Avenfield apartments, the IHC noted. The IHC added that “the conclusion drawn is not correct” as the letters were not from the foreign government but the Panama-based law firm. “Even otherwise if the letters are accepted as correct in letter and spirit,  they do not further the case of the prosecution as the element of Maryam being dependent on her father was not proved,” the verdict read. The court emphasised that questions regarding key documents in the case and linking them to Nawaz as well as Maryam were initially asked in November, 2021, and on multiple dates were repeated but NAB was unable to assist the bench on the issue even till the last date of hearing. Recalling that the accountability court had turned down the allegation of corrupt and illegal practices (Section 9(a)(iv) of NAB Ordinance) against Nawaz  and no appeal was filed against it, the IHC observed that the sole charge left against the former premier was of ‘assets beyond mean’. On this behalf, the assets of the companies, including the Avenfield apartments, were attributed to Nawaz. According to the prosecution, they were in the name of his dependent child Maryam. “There is no direct or indirect proof that appellant No.1 [Maryam Nawaz] was the dependent of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the relevant time and the prosecution failed to establish the elements/ingredients of Section 9(a)(v) … which are required for transfer of burden of proof to the accused under Section 14(c) of the Ordinance,” the judgment stated. The judges noted that the “burden never shifted on her to establish ownership rather, all along, it remained on the prosecution”. The prosecution could not prove the element of aiding and abetting the principal offender, on part of Maryam, the IHC ruled. “In brief, [the] prosecution has failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Maryam was [the] beneficial owner of [the] Avenfield [flats],” it read. Safdar has solely been convicted for evidencing a forged and bogus document, however, there is no evidence that any party has denied the execution. “The prosecution had to discharge its burden independently in respect of findings of the august apex court and it did not,” the judgment stated. The NAB prosecutor also sought to argue that the benefit of the amendments made to the accountability law was not available to the appellants. In response, the counsel for the appellants refuted by stating that his clients were not seeking benefits of amendments made to the ordinance. “The charge against Maryam is of aiding and abetting by way of concealing true identity of the owners of the Avenfield apartments, the court noted, adding that under Section 14(c) of the NAB Ordinance, where prosecution establishes assets beyond means of the principal accused or his benamidar or dependent of the accused, the onus shifts on the accused to negate the allegations. The judges noted that the prosecution had to prove the nexus of the Sharif family either Nawaz or Maryam or her two brothers, Hassan and Hussain, arrayed as accused with Neilson and Nescoll companies. They added that it was an admitted position and not denied by any party that Avenfield apartments were purchased in the name of these companies. “However, nothing on record exists to establish that when the properties were purchased, the beneficial ownership of the companies vested with the Sharif family,"  it noted. The verdict read that NAB had categorically stated that the Sharif family had a nexus with Avenfield apartments since 1993-96 but when it was specifically inquired from NAB’s special prosecutor to establish this, “he was unable to do so, as no document exists to the effect”. “It is an established principle that even if an accused admits to a charge,” the judgment read, “the prosecution is not absolved from proving the same.” It added that the “Supreme Court held that where the prosecution failed to prove its case the accused ought to be acquitted even where he has admitted guilt”. Stating that ambiguity lurked in the evidence and no role of any accused person was specified, the IHC noted that no independent allegation against Maryam could have been levelled under Section 9(a)(v) of the Ordinance as she was never and still not a public office holder so, she could not have committed the crime of ‘assets beyond means’ per se. “Her father Nawaz Sharif has remained a ‘public office holder’ in various capacities and even when, Panama Papers were leaked, he was the prime minister of the country. The principal accused, in all regards, is Nawaz Sharif as per allegations of the prosecution, therefore, evidence which was to be led by the prosecution, was to the effect that in reality Nawaz Sharif is the owner (legal or beneficial) of the Avenfield Apartments to purchase the property in the name of Maryam Nawaz, as she was his dependent, to conceal the true identity. But it did not happen,” the verdict read. Subsequently, the court ruled that the prosecution had not been able to prove its case against Maryam and Safdar and the conviction recorded against them was without justification or basis. “Hence, the July 6, 2018 judgment to the extent of appellants is set aside and they are acquitted of the charges,” the judgment added.

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FIA summons ex-foreign secy in audio leaks case

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has summoned former foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood on October 28 in connection with its inquiry into the recent audio leaks in which the former rulers discussed how to “play on the US cypher”. The agency has also served a notice to ex-premier Imran Khan’s then principal secretary Azam Khan to appear before its interrogators again on the same date to further probe into the matter. However, Azam had failed to appear before the FIA on October 25 as he was “abroad with his family and would be back in the country by November 15”. He assured the FIA that he would be back by then and join the inquiry but the FIA sent him a notice anyway. As per details, on the instructions of the interior ministry, the FIA director general had formed a team led by the agency’s Islamabad Zone Director Rana Abdul Jabbar, to investigate the audio leak controversy. The other members of the inquiry body included the FIA’s Cyber Crime Islamabad additional director, Counter Terrorism Wing deputy director, assistant director investigation officer, and officer members selected by the committee head. The investigation team also included Grade-19 officers from three intelligence agencies. The federal cabinet’s subcommittee had given an official nod earlier this month to initiate legal action against the PTI chairman. According to FIA sources, the interior ministry had directed the agency to initiate proceedings against Imran, his political aides and then political secretary in connection with the audio leaks and the US cypher. During the last month as well as the current one, a string of audio recordings, purportedly that of the PTI chief having conversations with his political aides on the US cypher – the one which the ex-prime minister claimed was a part of the “foreign conspiracy” to oust his government, had been leaked on social media by unidentified sources. In one of them, Imran could be heard telling Azam about using the classified diplomatic cable for political purposes. “We have to play with this. Don’t take America’s name, just play with this,” the PTI chief allegedly said in the audio clip. To this, a second voice, claimed to be that of Azam, advised him that a meeting be held on the subject first. “See, if you recall, in that [cypher] the ambassador has written in the end to [send a] demarche,” Azam allegedly responded. “Even if the demarche is not to be sent, as I have thought a lot about it at night — you [Imran] said they raised it — I thought about how to cover all this,” he added. Azam allegedly further advised Imran to hold a meeting with then foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the foreign secretary.

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IHC extends Latif’s protective bail

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has extended the protective bail of Federal Minister Mian Javed Latif by two weeks in the cases registered over his explosive press conference. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani conducted the hearing and the petitioner's lawyer Sardar Timur Aslam and Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghumman appeared before the court. The assistant attorney general told the court that the report could not come from the provinces, therefore, some time should be given for the report to arrive. The court accepted the request of the assistant attorney general and gave two weeks’ time to the federal interior secretary to seek the details of the cases registered against Latif in all the provinces. The court also extended the protective bail of the federal minister and adjourned the hearing for two weeks. Latif held a press conference on September 14, on which cases were registered against him in Lahore and Peshawar.

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PTI long march: Provinces directed to ‘act in unison’, follow Constitution

The Ministry of Interior has directed all provincial governments to “act in unison” to maintain law and order in the country and warned public servants against joining any protest in the wake of PTI’s long march towards Islamabad, starting from Lahore Friday (today). In a notification dated October 26, the ministry said the importance of adhering to the Constitution and laws of the land by all relevant including the federal/provincial/special area governments can “hardly be over-emphasised as it is an obligation for all governments under the constitutional and legal framework of the country”. The ministry said no political party should be allowed to destabilise the state through forceful measures like a long march. “It is therefore imperative that federal and provincial governments should act in unison and follow the constitutional provisions.” Also read: PTI finalises long march schedule “In this regard, attention is invited to Article 148 (1) of the Constitution, whereby the executive authority of every province shall be so exercised as to secure compliance with federal laws which apply in that province. Moreover, as per Article 149 (4) of the Constitution, if there is any grave menace to the peace, tranquillity or economic life of Pakistan or any part thereof, the executive authority of the federation shall also extend to the giving of directions to a province as to the manner in which the executive authority thereof is to be exercised for the purpose of preventing such menace.” The communiqué said the government employees are bound to act as servants of the state and their actions should be subservient to the relevant constitutional provisions to ensure smooth conduct of relations between the federation and the provinces. “There should be a defined way of carrying out protests as enshrined in the Constitution and enunciated in various judgements of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It is equally important to ensure that no government employee be allowed to join any such protest,” it added. The ministry reiterated that any deviation from the Constitution and laws of the land shall not be allowed at any cost.

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PTI long march: Provinces directed to ‘act in unison’, follow Constitution

The Ministry of Interior has directed all provincial governments to “act in unison” to maintain law and order in the country and warned public servants against joining any protest in the wake of PTI’s long march towards Islamabad, starting from Lahore Friday (today). In a notification dated October 26, the ministry said the importance of adhering to the Constitution and laws of the land by all relevant including the federal/provincial/special area governments can “hardly be over-emphasised as it is an obligation for all governments under the constitutional and legal framework of the country”. The ministry said no political party should be allowed to destabilise the state through forceful measures like a long march. “It is therefore imperative that federal and provincial governments should act in unison and follow the constitutional provisions.” Also read: PTI finalises long march schedule “In this regard, attention is invited to Article 148 (1) of the Constitution, whereby the executive authority of every province shall be so exercised as to secure compliance with federal laws which apply in that province. Moreover, as per Article 149 (4) of the Constitution, if there is any grave menace to the peace, tranquillity or economic life of Pakistan or any part thereof, the executive authority of the federation shall also extend to the giving of directions to a province as to the manner in which the executive authority thereof is to be exercised for the purpose of preventing such menace.” The communiqué said the government employees are bound to act as servants of the state and their actions should be subservient to the relevant constitutional provisions to ensure smooth conduct of relations between the federation and the provinces. “There should be a defined way of carrying out protests as enshrined in the Constitution and enunciated in various judgements of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It is equally important to ensure that no government employee be allowed to join any such protest,” it added. The ministry reiterated that any deviation from the Constitution and laws of the land shall not be allowed at any cost.

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Arshad Sharif killed by those who threatened him: Shireen Mazari

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shireen Mazari on Thursday said that noted journalist Arshad Sharif was killed by those who had threatened him, lashing out at the "institutions" for saying that the slain journalist had no threat to his life. "You're saying that Arshad Sharif had no threats. He was murdered by those who had threatened him but our institutions are now saying that there was no threat," she said while responding to a presser earlier by ISI chief and DG ISPR. Dr @ShireenMazari1 read a message she had received by Shaheed Arshad Sharif pic.twitter.com/7zgptkkX8a — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 27, 2022 Mazari said that the DG ISI and DG ISPR talked about the Constitution, freedom of expression and democracy during their press conference, urging that politicians should also be given space to speak their minds. Read more: Imran has constitutional right to criticise ‘military’s decisions’: Umar "If you can give public talks for five or three hours and criticise politicians then why can't politicians, who represent the public, say anything," she added. آج ڈی جی آئی ایس آئی نے کہا تنقید کا حق سب کو ہے لیکن وہ بتائیں یہ حق کس کو کھل کر حاصل ہے، اعظم سواتی کیساتھ جو ہوا وہ سامنے ہے۔ @ShireenMazari1 pic.twitter.com/3I2P4N5IxY — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 27, 2022 The PTI leader also questioned that no one has the rights DG ISPR and DG ISI were talking about. "Who has those rights? You never know I might be picked up tomorrow. They have tried once." She went on to say that the ISI chief and DG ISPR criticised Imran Khan during the press conference and some of the criticism was direct and some was insinuation. "They both presented their views. At the end of the day, everything is subjective. Except for science, all other things are subjective even the facts can be presented in a subjective manner. It is a good thing they expressed their views but I urge them to give that freedom to politicians as well." Mazari also lashed out at the torture meted out at PTI leader Azam Swati. "You can agree or disagree with his views. But because of a tweet, he had to go through so much physical violence and custodial torture." Also read: COAS Gen Bajwa was offered 'indefinite extension' in March, claims DG ISI at unprecedented presser The PTI leader said that Arshad Sharif had a bounty on his head which was paid to terrorists. "I don't want to name anyone... everyone knows who wanted to silence him." During her talk, she also read a letter from Arshad Sharif which stated: "They have sent assassins after me. IK [Imran Khan] also knows threats about me and was kind enough to warn me. Too many players [are involved] with international nexus." Mazari said she told Sharif that people might trace him from his background in the vlogs he was doing. "I had no idea at that time that people had already traced him." She said that the TV anchor had made so many videos and programmes on army. "I still remember the day when his father had a heart attack and his brother died in the accident ...this family has made lots of sacrifices," she added. Death threats Assistant to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said that according to Arshad Sharif's statements, he and his family were receiving threats. ارشد شریف کے بیانات کے مطابق انہیں اور خاندان کو دھمکیاں مل رہی تھیں، تھریٹ الرٹ غلط ہوتا تو ارشد شریف کینیا میں قتل نہ ہوتے، اہم سیاسی و سماجی شخصیات، سنیئر صحافیوں کو رابطہ کرنے پر پروٹوکول دیا جاتا ہے، بیرسٹر سیف #WeTrustImranKhan pic.twitter.com/aiwrD6Jw4H — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 27, 2022 "If the threat alert was wrong, Arshad Sharif would not have been killed in Kenya," he added. He also said that all significant political and social figures and senior journalists are given protocol if they ask for it. Reacting to the top military leaders' unprecedented presser, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that no press conference was held by any government official to respond to India’s defence minister’s warning to invade Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. آج ہندوستان کے وزیر دفاع نے کہا ہم Pakistan occupied kashmir & GB واپس لیں گے لیکن ہمارے یہاں سے اس پر جواب نہیں دیا گیا۔ ہم اہل جہلم سے زیادہ کون فوج سے عشق کرتا لیکن ہم نے فریم ورک طے کرنا کہ پاکستان کو جمہوری ملک بنانا یا برما۔@fawadchaudhry pic.twitter.com/sjw2GqSPbx — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 27, 2022 He said that respecting the Pakistan Army and its leaders is incumbent upon everyone but added that respect for political leaders is equally important. “We are shocked by their press conference. We cannot respond to their press conferences as the relationship of mutual respect must remain intact.” Fawad also said that slain journalist Arshad Sharif did not leave the country on the advice of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government.

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Punjab’s wildlife department lacking research capabilities

Despite it being responsible for the protecting and monitoring different marine species, Punjab Wildlife has had a lacklustre performance in doing so; resultantly, the population of some aquatic animals has dwindled in the province. Part of the reason why the department has not been able to produce results is a lack of investment in research. According to Punjab Wildlife sources privy to the matter, the department does not have a separate aquatic life research centre or museum An investigation carried out by The Express Tribune also revealed that the department has never conducted any survey to know the exact number of species of aquatic life in the province. On the other hand, Punjab Fisheries, which has both research facilities and a museum, contrary to its responsibility of increasing the breeding and production of the different species of marine life found in Punjab, has only worked on raising different types of fish for nutritional needs. Wildlife ecologist, Dr Waseem Ahmed, commenting on this lack of departmental cohesion, said that both departments had failed to do their job. “Punjab Fisheries releases fish seed but Punjab Wildlife fails to monitor or protect them. Overall, marine life has struggled in the province as there is a clear lack of conservation efforts,” Dr Ahmed informed, adding that the departments needed to invest in manpower and research. A former director of the wildlife department, speaking under the condition of anonymity, said that the lack of conservation efforts was apparent as no steps had been taken to save aquatic animals like crocodiles, turtles, and otters from extinction. “There was a time when rare turtles were abundant in the River Ravi and other rivers but are now extinct. Similarly, different species of frogs are also on the verge of extinction but no one seems to care.” Mudassar Hassan, Deputy Director at Punjab Wildlife, when asked about the department’s indifference to protecting marine animals, said that various projects had been started at Taunsa and Chashma Barrages under which new boats and other modern equipment are being provided to the staff. However, Hassan conceded that the department did not have any separate centre and lab for research on aquatic life. “The department is trying to play its role in the protection of aquatic life. We are conducting surveys on the different species of marine life in Punjab with the help of various education institutions and NGOs,” Hassan told The Express Tribune.

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Capital girds for long march with LEAs surge

Political tension is growing in the country as Islamabad was put on high alert after PTI chief Imran Khan finally announced the launching of a fresh movement from October 28 (Friday) to press the government to announce snap polls. According to officials, the interior ministry has already decided to deploy around 30,000 police, rangers, and para-military troops in Islamabad and not allow protesters to enter the Red Zone near the parliament building. President’s House, Prime Minister's House, ministers’ offices, parliament, and other important buildings, including foreign embassies, are located in the red-zone. With forces about to roll into Islamabad and the government on an anxious vigil, the scenario has cast the nation’s capital back to a familiar state of affairs witnessed on the eve of PTI’s May 25 long march that saw intense showdown and crackdown. According to a notice issued by the interior ministry on Wednesday, the Islamabad police have completed their preparation for the long march. The notice stated that a total of 13,086 officers, including two deputy inspector generals of police, four senior superintendents of police and 11 superintendents of police will be posted at the long march venue. Thirty assistant superintendents of police and deputy superintendents of police will also be posted. Moreover, 4,265 Frontier Corps officers, 3,600 Rangers personnel and 1,022 policemen from the Sindh police will be on duty during the march. The authorities also sent hundreds of containers into Islamabad to barricade all entry points before the arrival of demonstrators. The officers will be provided 616 tear gas guns, 50,050 shells, 611 twelve-bore guns and 36,700 rounds. Likewise, 2,430 masks and 374 vehicles will also be given to the police. All police officers and personnel have been instructed to remain unarmed. Furthermore, on the direction of the interior ministry, the Pakistan Railways (PR) prepared a list of 400 railway police personnel to thwart the long march. The ministry had asked for a force of 2,000 personnel from the railway police authorities, sources said but added that due to the lack of enough personnel, only 400 personnel from all eight divisions of the railways could be gathered. The march’s commencement date was announced on Tuesday by Imran. “We will gather at Liberty Chowk at 11am on Friday, and set off for Islamabad,” he had said. “We will stay peaceful. If any disruption comes, it would be from the other side, not ours. We are aiming for soft revolution. We are not going to Islamabad to create any mischief,” Imran assured, adding that despite all his peaceful intentions he was ready for arrest as well.

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Four SC judges share ‘soft corner' for PTI chief

Four judges of the Supreme Court are apparently reluctant to issue a contempt notice to PTI chairman and former premier Imran Khan over the violation of this year's May 25 order, wherein the party was restricted for its “Azadi March” near Peshawar Mor between the H-9 and G-9 sectors of Islamabad. Despite conducting three hearings and examining all the relevant material including the agencies’ reports, a five-judge larger bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, showed restraint and just asked Imran and two PTI lawyers, Dr Babar Awan and Chaudhry Faisal Hussain, to submit their response. The bench noted that their response was necessary to ascertain the fact whether or not the PTI chief had defied the SC’s May 25 order. Imran and his supporters had reportedly made their way towards D-Chowk, prompting the government to summon army for the security of the capital’s Red Zone. It was unusual that the judges deliberated among themselves in the courtroom at great length before passing an order. It was visible that the members of the bench had different views on the matter. Justice Naqvi even asked Additional Attorney General Chaudhary Amir Rehman how the government’s contempt petition was maintainable, when the matter had already been disposed of by the bench. Justice Yahya Afridi maintained his earlier opinion, wherein he had held that a contempt petition should be initiated against Imran. “With profound respect, instead of calling for reports from the named officials of the state agencies/departments, as directed by my learned brother, I am of the opinion that there is sufficient material before this court to proceed against Mr Imran Khan for the alleged disobedience of the court order dated 25.05.2022 passed in Constitution Petition No 19, which warrants the issuance of notice by this court to [him] to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him,” read a dissenting note issued by Justice Afridi earlier. The SC judge had disagreed with the majority judges’ opinion that there was no credible material before the court for initiating independent contempt proceedings against the ex-PM, who allegedly disobeyed the SC’s May 25 order. "The video-recording of Mr Imran Khan’s statement was played on multimedia screen in an open court during the court proceedings," the note had added. Justice Afridi had observed that the statement of Imran, coupled with his conduct that followed thereafter in proceedings beyond the venue of the political gathering, was in his opinion, sufficient to prima facie show that the PTI chief disobeyed the SC order. However, the majority of the judges had decided to receive the agencies’ reports for ascertaining the fact whether or not Imran defied the May 25 order. Additional Attorney General Chaudhary Amir told the bench that after going through the agencies’ reports, it was clear that Imran had violated the May 25 order. However, once again the four judges showed restraint and just sought a reply from Imran. The notices were also issued to both PTI lawyers -- Babar Awan and Chaudhry Faisal Hussain. The majority judges in their order on Wednesday noted that they had read the material and examined the provisions of the Ordinance and Order XXVII of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980. "At the present stage, it is necessary that the factual aspects of the alleged breach of the undertakings be ascertained at a prima facie level. This is because although the events that followed the order dated 25.05.2022 (afternoon) and the evidentiary material collected subsequently by the agencies are damaging, the role and liability of the respondent as an absent party before the court is still not clear,” the order read. The same bench is facing a battle of perception of remaining soft towards the PTI and strict against the PML-N and its leadership. These judges had also initiated suo motu proceedings on the interference of the executive in the affairs of prosecution and investigation in high-profile cases.

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Shehbaz seems to be in low spirits: Imran

PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan on Wednesday observed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seemed to be in “low spirits” after his announcing the date of the long march to Islamabad, vowing to “free the nation” from the “gang of thieves”. The PTI chief made these remarks while addressing his supporters in Sialkot. “A gang of thieves and slaves of America were imposed upon us. Our fight is against these thieves and [mission is to] bring real freedom to the country,” he said. Imran said all the sacrifices would go to waste if the “gang of thieves” continued to rule the country and vowed to free the nation from them. Calling upon the incumbent government to hold early elections, the PTI chairman said he was kicking off his long march from Lahore’s Liberty Chowk on Friday. “We will continue to strive until people get their rights through elections.” Imran said an “attempt” was made to “scare the people” by martyring journalist Arshad Sharif but noted that the nation had been more resolute than before. Sharif was shot dead by police along Nairobi-Magadi Highway on Sunday night in a case of “mistaken identity”, as reported by the Kenyan media. He had fled the country in August after he was charged with sedition. Imran claims Sharif had been a victim of targeted killing. He censured the authorities for allegedly torturing PTI leader Azam Swati in front of his family. Swati was arrested over a controversial tweet thought to be against the armed forces and was released after a week later. The PTI chief spoke of an unidentified personality in the federal capital whom he called “Dirty Harry” and accused him of stripping people naked as part of torture tactics due to “mental illness”. “Listen, I will bring you to justice,” he said, warning the unidentified person. Imran labelled Premier Shehbaz as a “timid person”, saying he seemed to be in low spirits after coming to know about the date of the long march. Calling Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah a “murderer”, Imran asked him to be “ready”, saying a “sea of people will reach Islamabad”. Imran said his long march will be the “biggest” in the history of the country.

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Germany, Japan extend grant assistance to Pakistan

The government of Germany has extended grant assistance worth €7.5 million to Pakistan under its project “Social Health Protection, Phase-III” to help improve the health status of population. Out of the total assistance, €1.785 million have been provided for Gilgit-Baltistan and €5.72 million grant for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, according to a press statement issued by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD). The financial agreement was signed by Secretary EAD Dr Kazim Niaz and Country Director German Development Bank (KfW) Sebastian Jacobi in Islamabad. According to the statement, the overall goal of this programme is to improve the health status of the population, especially the poor by providing a safety net, and reducing poverty through the reduction of out-of-pocket payments for health expenditures. Read more: 1 in 9 children in Pakistan's flood-hit areas suffering from severe malnutrition: UNICEF It is likely to improve access to the poorest population in the programme region through the reduction of financial barriers and the strengthening of qualified service providers. At the same time, the project would contribute to identifying solutions for sustainable health system financing. Speaking on the occasion, the EAD secretary appreciated the government and people of Germany for their support with the assurance of extending all necessary facilitation for more meaningful cooperation between the two sides in future. Meanwhile, Chairman Atom Co. Ltd, Hokkaido Prefecture, Masato Kimura visited Pakistan Embassy along with a delegation to donate Japanese Yen (JPY) 2.3 million for the flood affectees in Pakistan. Charge d’ Affaires, Ismat Hassan Sial thanked the chairman for the generous donation. Further ways of enhancing mutual relations between Pakistan and the City of Biratori, Hokkaido, particularly in the field of import of manpower from Pakistan were also discussed, a press release issued by Pakistan Embassy in Tokyo said.

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Man pursuing brother’s murder case shot dead

An unidentified shooter clad in a burqa reportedly murdered the complainant in a murder case and injured in Shadbagh. When the victims were attacked, they were seated outside their houses in a street in Bhaghatpura. An individual wearing a burqa passed by them, likely taking note of the surroundings, before drawing a gun and firing on the victims. The suspect shot Muhammad Ali Butt first. Butt’s brother, Faisal, was allegedly shot dead by a reported gangster operating from abroad, over a cable network issue. Butt’s two companions tried to escape the shooter, however, one of them was shot and injured while trying to run into the house. The suspect approached Butt and shot him twice, according to Butt’s friend who hid in the house. Hearing the gunshots, passersby came outside of their homes, some of them armed, but the suspect managed to flee the scene. Upon getting information of the incident, police rushed to the spot to collect forensic evidence and record statements from eyewitnesses. CCPO Lahore Ghulam Mehmood Dogar took notice of the incident and sought a report from SP City, issuing instructions to take strict action against the perpetrators. The deceased victim, Muhammad Ali Butt, was the complainant in the murder case of his brother Faisal. Reportedly, Butt was shot dead sometime ago over a cable network dispute and refusing to pay extra money. Ali Butt himself had received threats over pursuing his case. Ali Butt and his family alleged that notorious gangster Imran Pistol was responsible for Faisal’s killing. Imran is allegedly operating from abroad.

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'PML-N weaker on legal front after Tarar's resignation'

The ‘romance’ between the incumbent regime and the superior bars has been thrown into uncertainty, seeding questions about the future of the PML-N-led coalition that has weathered its political storms due to strong legal backing, thanks to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Mr Tarar, who is considered close to the Sharif family since the Panamagate case proceedings, has been the legal eagle on whose wings the PML-N traditionally used to get relief in the courts. The scenario, many dread, has changed as the party is now seemingly weaker on the legal front.The ties between the two can be gauged from the fact the party returned the "favours" by giving him a seat in the Senate for his services to the party. According to some, Mr Tarar tendered his resignation citing ‘anti-establishment slogans’ raised at the recent Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore. SCBA President Ahsan Bhoon revealed that Tarar was asked to clear the air about the episode through a press conference which he refused to do. The president of the prestigious lawyers’ body admitted that this was one of the reasons the law minister decided to quit.Hours before he resigned, Tarar, as the law minister, supported Chief Justice Umar (CJP) Ata Bandial’s nominations of junior judges for elevation to the Supreme Court on the federal government instructions. However, a lawyer close to Tarar revealed that he was not comfortable with the government's decision, therefore, he decided to tender his resignation.On the other hand, his rival lawyers within PML-N claim that he resigned due to pressure from “powerful circles” as they were upset at the anti-military slogans raised at the conference. The law minister was also said to be under immense pressure for casting his vote in favour of some ‘junior judges’, along with CJP Umar Ata Bandial, who were being elevated to the Supreme Court. Tarar is the leading member of the Independent Lawyers Group, whose representatives, especially SCBA President Ahsan Bhoon, have played an important role in changing the regime in earlier this year. The SCBA president had moved a petition in the apex court for ensuring the process of the vote of no-confidence against ex-prime minister Imran Khan under Article 95 of the Constitution. The body’s president also became a party in presidential reference seeking interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution.Moreover, when former NA deputy speaker Qasim Suri set quashed the resolution of no-confidence against Imran through his ruling, the SCBA president again requested the top court to take suo motu.Likewise, when the PML-N’s fate hanged in balance in the political heartland – Punjab – six presidents of the same Independent Lawyers Group took the rostrum to request the CJP to form a full court to examine deputy speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Mazari’s ruling. The apparent backing got all the more pronounced when CJP Bandial on September 12 expressed wonder as to how the bar representatives could make such requests in a matter wherein they were not even a party. Earlier, the Independent Lawyers Group, led by Tarar, had rescued the incumbent coalition parties when they were in opposition during the PTI government and went on to confront the mighty establishment’s role in matters concerning civil liberties. In September 2020, amidst the perception of a fast-shrinking space for dissent and the right to express, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) — a mother institution regulating the affairs of the legal fraternity — constituted a seven-member Journalistic Defence Committee to protect the rights of journalists.The committee comprised members belonging to the Asma Group.T arar remained at the helm of affairs and even nominated outspoken members such as Abid Saqi and Amjad Shah for the highest offices of lawyers’ bodies for taking an aggressive stance on human rights issues.Interestingly, when the regime changed, the Pakistan Bar Council dissolved its Journalists' Defence Committee after the cases against media workers declined. The much-needed committee was disbanded even as complaints from the journalists regarding harassment by state agencies kept piling up. The representatives of the superior bars appeared to have no interest in this regard. Disappointment In view of the long list of services and legal battles that remedied PML-N’s flagging political fortunes, several members of the Independent Lawyers Group have expressed their disappointment with the ruling party’s leadership for not resisting the pressures from the establishment that wanted to squeeze out the resignation from the law minister.Some of them even questioned PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s “meek” attitude in the whole scenario, asking what made him decide against intervening in this matter." I think those who forced Azam Tarar to tender resignation, might have been unaware about his worth in the prevailing situation,” a senior lawyer reckoned. He said that the superior bars have a huge influence on the judiciary and their voice on civil liberties carries a great deal of weightage. “The courts are compelled to intervene the bars speak up.” It is speculated that following Tarar’s resignation, PBC may question the establishment’s role in matters pertaining to human rights and harassment of journalists.However, the Independent Lawyers Group's reputation has been badly affected on account of its association with the present regime. Therefore, the group is facing a tough time in the upcoming SCBA annual election. It is being witnessed that contrary to the long history of lawyers throwing their weight behind anti-establishment politics, the Independent Lawyers Group is silent on the matter of civil liberties during the present regime. Meanwhile, the Hamid Khan-led Professional Lawyers Group is getting an advantage in the upcoming SCBA annual elections on account of Asma Group’s association with the present regime. Opponents of Tarar within the PML-N accuse him of persuading Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for supporting CJP Bandial's nominations of junior judges regarding their elevation to the SC. They also claim that more than 50 per cent of law officers are appointed on the recommendation of bar representatives as they are not PML-N lawyers.Similarly, they believe that the government led by PML-N should have supported the stance taken by Justice Qazi Faez Isa and the other two judges for long-term objectives.

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Risk of default spikes to 13-year high of 52.8%

Pakistan's risk of default, measured by the 5-year credit default swap (CDS), on Tuesday spiked by 3.07 percentage points in a day and hit a 13-year high at 52.8%, suggesting foreign investors had lost their faith in the country. The CDS hovered around 5% to 6% before the Covid-19 outbreak in Pakistan in February 2020. It hit the then peak of around 30% in middle of this year over the uncertainty revolving around the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme. Later on, the CDS slightly recovered amid the global lender resuming its $6.5 billion programme in late August 2022 and subsequently releasing a tranche of $1.2 billion. However, these days it is again climbing suddenly, signalling that foreign investors saw that Pakistan would fail to repay the maturing debt. The country is due to return $1 billion to the foreign investors against the maturing of the 5-year Sukuk on December 5, 2022. The yield (rate of return) on the 5-year Third Pakistan International Sukuk remain high around 145% these days. It hovered below 10% before the Covid-19 pandemic. The yield on the bonds maturing in 2024 and 2025 also stands high at 90% and 57.5%, respectively these days, compared with below 10% in the past. The foreign investors have panicked amid the country's foreign exchange reserves depleting by around $9 billion in the past 10 months. They have dropped to a critically low level at around 1.10-month import cover at $7.6 billion at present compared with $20 billion (three-month import cover) in August 2021. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and his predecessor Mifth Ismail have taken all possible measures to avert the likely default. They have assured the foreign investors time and again that the country would easily repay the maturing $1 billion in December and meet other international payment obligations as well when the time came in the future. "The foreign investors have panicked following the global rating agencies Moody's and Fitch downgrading Pakistan's credit rating in the recent weeks," Ismail Iqbal Securities Research Head Fahad Rauf told The Express Tribune. The two agencies have revised down the credit rating on the assessment that the domestic economy had suffered losses worth around $30-40 billion in the recent floods. “The floods have multiplied the external financial crisis in the country, as it was already facing an economic slowdown amid the government's measures to cool down the then overheated economy,” Rauf added. The situation is signalling to the foreign investors that the country would default. However, the country's leadership has fully arranged the required $36-40 billion for the current fiscal year 2023 from global lenders to repay foreign debt worth around $21 billion, finance current account deficit of $10-12 billion and boost country's foreign exchange reserves to around $16 billion by June 30, 2023. "The return of $1 billion against the maturing Sukuk in December would help restore the foreign investors' confidence in Pakistan. Accordingly, the CDS and yields on other bonds would come down," Rauf said. Arif Habib Limited Research Head Tahir Abbas said the size of Pakistan's global bond market had reduced considerably these days. Accordingly, a small trade in the bonds sharply fluctuated their yield. "The CDS also faces the same dilemma of low investors' base,” Abbas observed. He added that the increasing political instability in the country was also a reason behind the panic among the global investors in Pakistani bonds. Both the experts said the receipt of $1.5 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in a few days and another $500 million from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in the ongoing month would increase the country's foreign exchange reserves and restore the global investors’ confidence. They added that the inflows should help in reducing the CDS and bonds yields as well. They noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. The host country has said it was reviving its investment plans including setting up of a petroleum oil refinery at an investment of $10 billion in Pakistan. The materialisation of the investment decision by the Kingdom would also help restore the global investors' confidence in Pakistan. Similarly, the country is expected to receive a rollover debt worth $6.3 billion from China when PM Shehbaz visits the second largest global economy in November, they said.

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'PML-N weaker on legal front after Tarar's resignation'

The ‘romance’ between the incumbent regime and the superior bars has been thrown into uncertainty, seeding questions about the future of the PML-N-led coalition that has weathered its political storms due to strong legal backing, thanks to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Mr Tarar, who is considered close to the Sharif family since the Panamagate case proceedings, has been the legal eagle on whose wings the PML-N traditionally used to get relief in the courts. The scenario, many dread, has changed as the party is now seemingly weaker on the legal front.The ties between the two can be gauged from the fact the party returned the "favours" by giving him a seat in the Senate for his services to the party. According to some, Mr Tarar tendered his resignation citing ‘anti-establishment slogans’ raised at the recent Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore. SCBA President Ahsan Bhoon revealed that Tarar was asked to clear the air about the episode through a press conference which he refused to do. The president of the prestigious lawyers’ body admitted that this was one of the reasons the law minister decided to quit.Hours before he resigned, Tarar, as the law minister, supported Chief Justice Umar (CJP) Ata Bandial’s nominations of junior judges for elevation to the Supreme Court on the federal government instructions. However, a lawyer close to Tarar revealed that he was not comfortable with the government's decision, therefore, he decided to tender his resignation.On the other hand, his rival lawyers within PML-N claim that he resigned due to pressure from “powerful circles” as they were upset at the anti-military slogans raised at the conference. The law minister was also said to be under immense pressure for casting his vote in favour of some ‘junior judges’, along with CJP Umar Ata Bandial, who were being elevated to the Supreme Court. Tarar is the leading member of the Independent Lawyers Group, whose representatives, especially SCBA President Ahsan Bhoon, have played an important role in changing the regime in earlier this year. The SCBA president had moved a petition in the apex court for ensuring the process of the vote of no-confidence against ex-prime minister Imran Khan under Article 95 of the Constitution. The body’s president also became a party in presidential reference seeking interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution.Moreover, when former NA deputy speaker Qasim Suri set quashed the resolution of no-confidence against Imran through his ruling, the SCBA president again requested the top court to take suo motu.Likewise, when the PML-N’s fate hanged in balance in the political heartland – Punjab – six presidents of the same Independent Lawyers Group took the rostrum to request the CJP to form a full court to examine deputy speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Mazari’s ruling. The apparent backing got all the more pronounced when CJP Bandial on September 12 expressed wonder as to how the bar representatives could make such requests in a matter wherein they were not even a party. Earlier, the Independent Lawyers Group, led by Tarar, had rescued the incumbent coalition parties when they were in opposition during the PTI government and went on to confront the mighty establishment’s role in matters concerning civil liberties. In September 2020, amidst the perception of a fast-shrinking space for dissent and the right to express, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) — a mother institution regulating the affairs of the legal fraternity — constituted a seven-member Journalistic Defence Committee to protect the rights of journalists.The committee comprised members belonging to the Asma Group.T arar remained at the helm of affairs and even nominated outspoken members such as Abid Saqi and Amjad Shah for the highest offices of lawyers’ bodies for taking an aggressive stance on human rights issues.Interestingly, when the regime changed, the Pakistan Bar Council dissolved its Journalists' Defence Committee after the cases against media workers declined. The much-needed committee was disbanded even as complaints from the journalists regarding harassment by state agencies kept piling up. The representatives of the superior bars appeared to have no interest in this regard. Disappointment In view of the long list of services and legal battles that remedied PML-N’s flagging political fortunes, several members of the Independent Lawyers Group have expressed their disappointment with the ruling party’s leadership for not resisting the pressures from the establishment that wanted to squeeze out the resignation from the law minister.Some of them even questioned PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s “meek” attitude in the whole scenario, asking what made him decide against intervening in this matter." I think those who forced Azam Tarar to tender resignation, might have been unaware about his worth in the prevailing situation,” a senior lawyer reckoned. He said that the superior bars have a huge influence on the judiciary and their voice on civil liberties carries a great deal of weightage. “The courts are compelled to intervene the bars speak up.” It is speculated that following Tarar’s resignation, PBC may question the establishment’s role in matters pertaining to human rights and harassment of journalists.However, the Independent Lawyers Group's reputation has been badly affected on account of its association with the present regime. Therefore, the group is facing a tough time in the upcoming SCBA annual election. It is being witnessed that contrary to the long history of lawyers throwing their weight behind anti-establishment politics, the Independent Lawyers Group is silent on the matter of civil liberties during the present regime. Meanwhile, the Hamid Khan-led Professional Lawyers Group is getting an advantage in the upcoming SCBA annual elections on account of Asma Group’s association with the present regime. Opponents of Tarar within the PML-N accuse him of persuading Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for supporting CJP Bandial's nominations of junior judges regarding their elevation to the SC. They also claim that more than 50 per cent of law officers are appointed on the recommendation of bar representatives as they are not PML-N lawyers.Similarly, they believe that the government led by PML-N should have supported the stance taken by Justice Qazi Faez Isa and the other two judges for long-term objectives.

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Twitter outraged at Maryam Nawaz's vile, vengeful tweet on Arshad Sharif's murder

A day after the gruesome killing of renowned journalist Arshad Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz's "vengeful" tweet has left many bewildered and angry on social media. Journalists, civil society and other people on social media slammed Maryam's tweet and called her out for seizing upon the deceased journalist's death as an opportunity to settle political scores. They said salivating over the sight of Arshad Sharif's coffin for political vendetta did not behove a politician and betrayed her "deep-seated" vengeance, making her unfit for holding public office. Read more: Journalist Arshad Sharif shot dead in Kenya The police were reported by Kenyan media as claiming that Arshad had been shot in the head and killed by the authorities on Sunday night along the Nairobi-Magadi highway in a case of “mistaken identity”. Further details are expected to emerge as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority investigates the case. However, a retweet by Maryam Nawaz left many on social media with anger, calling it in bad taste. "I don’t feel good RTing this but this is a lesson for mankind that we must all imbibe," the PML-N leader wrote along with a tweet and a photo of Arshad Sharif's coffin. I don’t feel good RTing this but this is a lesson for the mankind that we must all imbibe. https://t.co/XIfZA3N5Hr — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 25, 2022 The original tweet, retweeted by Maryam, claimed that the anchorperson used to malign PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif for sending her mother’s coffin in a parcel. "He used to make fun of other people's death and now his time had come," she added. The tweet ignited a fierce response from netizens who condemned the statement and refuted the claim. Reacting to Maryam Nawaz’s tweet, senior journalist Hamid Mir posted a screenshot of the deceased journalist’s tweet in which, contrary to Maryam’s claims, he was wishing health and recovery for her mother. “This is the tweet #ArshadSharif made for late #KalsoomNawaz Sahiba,” the caption read. This is the tweet #ArshadSharif made for late #KalsoomNawaz Sahiba https://t.co/2LrN8Bog2n pic.twitter.com/a0kwvfRcpm — Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) October 25, 2022 “@MaryamNSharif have a heart. Show some character and delete this ridiculous tweet. A Pakistani journalist is brutally killed and this is neither the way [nor] time to settle scores,” journalist Azhar Abbas wrote. @MaryamNSharif have a heart. Show some character and delete this ridiculous tweet. A Pakistani journalist is brutally killed and this is neither the way or time to settle scores. pic.twitter.com/GObHcY2vLr — Azhar Abbas (@AzharAbbas3) October 25, 2022 Rights activist Ammar Ali Jan wrote that mocking someone's family after a violent death was “shameful”. “By displaying such deep-seated feelings of resentment and vendetta against opponents, Maryam Nawaz continues to prove herself unfit for public office,” he added. Mocking someone's family after a violent death is shameful. By displaying such deep-seated feelings of resentment and vendetta against opponents, Maryam Nawaz continues to prove herself unfit for public office. — Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) October 25, 2022 Author Ayesha Siddiqa also criticised the PML-N leader’s tweet and wrote: “Being leader of an important party it doesn’t become you to RT this. Arshad Sharif’s vile comment about your & Mian Sb’s loss is unforgivable but [please] remember as a leader you will have to grow a big heart and put that on display.” Being leader of an important party it doesn’t become you to RT this. Arshad Sharif’s vile comment about your & Mian Sb’s loss unforgivable but plz remember as a leader you will have to grow a big heart and put that on display — Ayesha Siddiqa (@iamthedrifter) October 25, 2022 PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry termed the PLM-N leader's tweet insensitive, saying it only showed her evilness. اس بیان سے ارشد شریف کی توہین کرنا مقصد تھا لیکن اس بیان سے آپ کی ذہنیت مزید آشکار ہوئ ہے،آپ کو شرم آنی چاہئے تھی اس وقت جب پورا ملک ارشد شریف کی شہادت سے دکھ اور گریہہ کی کیفیت ہے آپ نے صرف ارشد کی والدہ اور خاندان کے دکھ میں نہیں ہر پاکستانی کے دکھ میں اضافہ کیا ہے #ShameOnYou https://t.co/WLUGL4yKzI — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 25, 2022 Ajmal Jami said “Inhumane, heartless and unbelievable to see this at a very tragic incident. I hope it will be deleted soon. Rehm kijiey pls! (have some mercy please)” Inhumane, heartless and unbelievable to see this at a very tragic incident. I hope it will be deleted soon. Rehm kijiey pls! https://t.co/fSpmEaKk2T — Ajmal Jami (@ajmaljami) October 25, 2022 Sara Taseer said, “When I think @MaryamNSharif can’t go any lower she wins the challenge to prove me wrong. Big applause for belonging to the depths of the gutter.” When I think @MaryamNSharif can’t go any lower she wins the challenge to prove me wrong. Big applause for belonging to the depths of the gutter. #ArshadShariff https://t.co/Pdkjk3IG8n — Sara Taseer (@sarataseer) October 25, 2022 Journalist Ahmed Norani tweeted “I could never have imagined this from you. Arshad had never used derogatory words against Begum Kulsoom Nawaz after her death. Falling to this level is the basic difference between sane people and lowlifes. Alas!” Another Journo Sadia Afzal termed it extremely insensitive and inhumane. Other local as well as foreign journalists including some organisations also reacted to the 'vile' tweet. کہنا تو نہی چاہتا تھا مگر یہ فتنہ عمران اور اس کے یوتھیوں کے لئیے خبر یہ اینکر کہتا تھا کہ نوازشریف نے اپنی مرحومہ ماں کو پارسل کرکے بھیجا ہے اس اینکر نے بہت پروگرام کئیے جس میں دوسروں کی بیماری اور موت کا مذاق اڑایا آج دیکھیں وہ وقت خود اس اینکر پر آگیا میں پھر بھی اس 1/2 pic.twitter.com/NLAXEZIawd — WAD (@ChaudharyWAD) October 25, 2022 When Kulsoom Nawaz (L) was ill Arshad sharif prayed for her and when this disgusting lady Maryam Nawaz was ill arshad sharif prayed for her quick recovery and look what Arshad sharif got in return. This pathetic woman is not worth calling a human being.. pic.twitter.com/zyoQliK6tI — Saith Abdullah (@SaithAbdullah99) October 25, 2022 Maryam Nawaz represents the very worst of Pakistan! — CJ Werleman (@cjwerleman) October 25, 2022 What a disgraceful and shameful act by @MaryamNSharif 😼 pic.twitter.com/RZEb2ZnPbD — Fiaz Ahmad (@fiazfqk) October 25, 2022 This woman will play politics even with someone’s death & justify it. Appalling behaviour. Fear God that He doesn’t teach You a lesson in this lifetime. — Richard Harris (@HarrisRichard77) October 25, 2022 Then you shouldn't have esp if you don't felt good. — Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) October 25, 2022 زرا دماغ کا استعمال کریں اور سوچیں کتنا فرق ہے وہ ملک میں واپس آنا چاہ رہا تھا آپ کے بھائیوں کی طرح نہیں کہ بس میت بھیج دی۔۔۔وہ اکیلا گیا تھا اس لیے اکیلا آرہا شہادت کا رتبہ پا کرآرہا ہے۔ اگر اس کا خاندان باہر ہوتا تو یقیناً ساتھ آتا — Arslan Jutt (@ArslanJutt43) October 25, 2022 مریم نواز شرم کر اور اللہ سے ڈر https://t.co/HDUeCt1EIf pic.twitter.com/F5gObpIlr9 — Javeria Siddique (@javerias) October 25, 2022 ناصرف مریم نواز کوارشد شریف کےحوالے سےٹویٹ ڈیلیٹ کرنا چاہیئےبلکہ معافی بھی مانگنی چاہیئے۔کسی بھی انسان کو ذیب نہیں دیتاکہ کسی کی موت پر یہ سوچے کہ اس نے اپنا حساب برابر کرنا ہے۔یہ وقت ارشد شریف کےلواحقین کےساتھ کھڑاہونےاور انہیں انصاف دلانےکاہے،نہ کہ ایسےبیانات کا۔ pic.twitter.com/jWtVJlFA8c — Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) October 25, 2022 This is in such a bad taste. If you can’t say something nice, there’s no need to say something like this too in times when someone is dead and his family is tormented. Who else can understand this better than you? But we never learn from our mistakes. — Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) October 25, 2022 Factually incorrect … pic.twitter.com/ImmV8G6Tkp — Waseem Badami (@WaseemBadami) October 25, 2022 Rule of thumb is, if you're not feeling good doing something, that thing is not good in all probability. The easiest solution would be not to do it. Silence is the most powerful scream. — Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) October 25, 2022 Condemnable and heartless comment .. if you had nothing to say nice then you could have kept quiet — Mona Khan (@mona_qau) October 25, 2022 ایک سیاسی جماعت کی لیڈر کا اس موقع پر ایسا بیان قابل افسوس ہے، کیا یہ سیاست نہیں؟، ایک انسان چلا گیا، اس کی ماں،اس کے بچوں اور پورے خاندان کا تو سوچیں ان پر کیا قیامت گزر رہی ہے، سیاست میں شائستگی کا درس دینے کے بجائے ایسے تنقیدی ٹویٹ کر کے کیا سبق دے رہی ہیں؟۔ — Khurram Iqbal (@khurram143) October 25, 2022 شرم کا مقام کے آپ کے لئے۔ مرے ہوئے لوگوں پر بھی سیاست کر رہی ہیں آپ۔ — Sehar Shinwari (@SeharShinwari) October 25, 2022 ایک صحافی اور پانچ بچوں کے باپ کے دردناک قتل پر ایسا ردِعمل دینا آپکو زیب نہیں دیتا، اس سے بہتر تھا آپ خاموش رہتیں۔۔22 کروڑ عوام سکتے میں ہیں، آپ کے اس ردِعمل سے ان کی تکلیف میں اضافہ ہوا۔۔کاش ہم اختلافات کو نفرت میں بدلنے سے بچا سکتے 😢😢 — Muqadas Farooq Awan (@muqadasawann) October 25, 2022 You're so insensitive Maryam, please grow up and have a life and some shame! pic.twitter.com/N6bW4lqbHD — Saima Khan (@isktweets) October 25, 2022 موازنہ ہے ارشد کی سوچ کا اور مریم صفدر کی سوچ کا۔ افسوس سیاسی مخالف بھی اتنا کم ضرف ملا- آپ نے اپنی اصلیت دکھا دی آج pic.twitter.com/oQWs5nId34 — Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) October 25, 2022 درست بات۔ مقابلہ زندہ لوگوں سے کیا جاتا ہے وہ بھی تہذیب کے دائرہ میں رہ کر، جو فوت ہو جائے اُس سے کیسا مقابلہ! غلطی پر معافی مانگنا اور غلط عمل کو درست کرنا بڑائی کی بات ہے۔ https://t.co/nSFxEwLJNe — Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) October 25, 2022 Anger spread across Pakistan after ruling party key leader Maryam Nawaz controversial comments on the tragic death of journalist #ArshadSharif who was killed by Kenya police on Sunday night. Already nation criticized her Holi celebrations on day when nation mourns Arshad death https://t.co/by4rZrPpeN — The South Asia Times (@thesouthasiatim) October 25, 2022 ایک طرف قوم ارشد شریف کی شہادت پر غمزدہ تو دوسری جانب مریم نواز نے بے حسی، بغض، عناد، اور سفاکیت کی انتہاء کر دی #ArshadSharifShaheed pic.twitter.com/rjgqtHMwpc — PTI (@PTIofficial) October 25, 2022 Maryam Nawaz represents the very worst of Pakistan! — Kathy Peterson (@555Says) October 25, 2022 "عمران خان قوم کی اخلاقیات خراب کر رہا ہے جبکہ مریم نواز کی ٹویٹ قوم کی اخلاقی قدریں بحال ہو گئی ہیں۔" پی ڈی ایم کا متوقع بیانیہ — Shafaat Ali (@iamshafaatali) October 25, 2022 A journalist in London also asked Maryam about her ‘vile’ tweet but she did not respond. جی یہ بھی دیکھ لیں۔۔۔ pic.twitter.com/mp74qzdjQR — Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) October 25, 2022 Question asked twice by @FaridQureshi_UK but no response. #ArshadSharif pic.twitter.com/54VFEHEMNq — Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) October 25, 2022 Maryam 'apologises' Hours after Maryam’s tweet sparked fury from prominent figures, the PML-N leader finally deleted the tweet and apologised for it. She clarified that her tweet was not aimed at mocking the deceased journalist’s death “but about learning our lessons from the past”. My tweet was NOT aimed at mocking someone but about learning our lessons from the past. I am undoing the tweet & apologise for the hurt it may have caused to the aggrieved which never was my intention. May no one ever have to go through this pain. Prayers for the bereaved family. — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 25, 2022  

from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/gRzIiaS