PAC for abolishing toll waiver for VIPs

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended abolishing the toll tax exemption for VIPs on motorways and highways. PAC Chairman Noor Alam Khan directed that only officials of the Pakistan army and police travelling in uniform should be exempted and toll tax should be collected from all officers or staff in private vehicles. At the PAC meeting, members came up with a barrage of complaints against the motorways police. The PAC chairman said that the motorway inspector-general should tell why the motorway was closed from one side on Tuesday. The committee chairman directed to do away with the VVIP culture on motorways and highways. “No one is above the law. If someone travels on the motorway on the way back, the whole motorway should not be blocked,” He said without naming former prime minister Imran Khan for whose motorcade, one side of the motorway had been blocked. The committee expressed displeasure over the absence of the FWO director-general from the meeting and deferred the agenda item related to the FWO. Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2023.

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Iqbal for utilising climate resistant seeds

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday stressed the need to adapt the agricultural production to new opportunities and potential threats, besides using such seeds that were resistant to climate change to increase the produce. Addressing the Agriculture Investment Symposium, he said it was the responsibility of the private sector to play an active role in the export sector. There were vast investment opportunities in the livestock, flowers, and date industry, and the government would provide all possible cooperation to the private sector to explore them, he added. Iqbal advised the people related to the agricultural sector and institutions, and private investors to adopt sustainable agricultural strategies in view of climate change as Pakistan being an agricultural country, had the potential to export agricultural products.

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Ex-AGP seeks contempt proceedings against Maryam Nawaz

ISLAMABAD A senior lawyer of the Supreme Court requested the chief justice of Pakistan on Tuesday to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz over a speech last week. In a letter to Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, former attorney general Anwar Mansoor Khan said that Maryam Nawaz hurled false accusations against the judges and the Supreme Court without any evidence. He added that her severe criticism was considered as an attack on the independence of the judiciary and the justice system and requested the chief justice to take immediate action to protect the reputation, honour and dignity of the apex court judges. The letter was written in reference to the PML-N leader’s speech at a workers convention in Sargodha on February 23, in which she fired a broadside against a former military officer, besides four serving and former judges of the Supreme Court. In her fiery speech, Maryam Nawaz had claimed that “a group of five people was involved in the conspiracy against Nawaz Sharif, saying that “this group of five is responsible” for the plight of Pakistan”. Anwar Mansoor Khan termed the speech a “shameful attack” on the judges of the Supreme Court by Maryam Nawaz with a view to “rouse their [public] sentiments” against the Supreme Court and the judges. “The purposive act of Madam Maryam shows a clear intent, which amounts to or has the effect of obstructing the administration of justice. Such actions on part of any public figure, is in fact an attack on the judiciary and its independence,” he said. The former attorney general also pointed out that the PML-N leader used unsubstantiated audio leaks from “unknown source” against Justice Mazahar Naqvi and levelled allegations against Justice Ijazul Ahsan. He added that the allegations had been made at a time when a suo motu case regarding the general election of the provincial assemblies was being heard by the nine-member bench, also including those two judges. The senior lawyer requested the chief justice to “proceed on the basis of these facts … for securing the majesty, integrity, safeguard, independence and confidence” of the judiciary in accordance with the Constitution and the law. “You may decide whether you wish to proceed against the concerned for personal criticism through the ‘judicial and criminal contempt under Sections 6, 9 and 11 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 read with Article 204(2) of the Constitution.” The letter came a day after a petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) to seek contempt proceedings against Maryam Nawaz over her “contemptuous remarks” against the judges of the apex court. The petition, filed by Muhammad Shahid through Rana Shahid advocate, contended that “Maryam Nawaz scandalised the superior court”. He requested the court to summon the PML-N leader and initiate proceedings against her in accordance with the law. LHC Justice Shujaat Ali Khan heard the petition on Tuesday. During the hearing, the judge pointed out that the matter pertained to contemptuous remarks about the judges of the superior court so how could the high court hear this petition. Advocate Shahid told the court that Maryam Nawaz had also committed contempt by scandalising the LHC judges, who were hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s protective bail plea. The judge asked the lawyer whether he had any previous judgment to support his contention. In reply, the lawyer sought time, saying that he would come up with relevant judgment on the next hearing. Later, the hearing was adjourned till March 1 (today). (WITH INPUT FROM OUR LAHORE CORRESPONDENT RANA YASIF)

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QAU shut after clash between students

The Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) campus turned into a battleground on Monday as two student groups clashed by using batons and sticks, which left several students injured. The university administration failed to control the situation after the violence started with a minor conflict between two student groups. Soon tempers flared up and the campus turned into a battleground as both groups beat each other with sticks, stones and other harmful tools. The quarrel created a terrible situation on the campus for hours while no police were called by the university administration to handle the situation except for mobilizing the internal security personnel, who failed to bring the situation under control. While the reason for the clash was not immediately known, Baloch and Pakhtun students turned on each other, attacking each other with rods, clubs and fists. In a notification, the university administration announced to shut the university for an indefinite period. According to the notification, the university administration has directed the students to vacate hostels including boys and girls on an immediate basis. “In the backdrop of a precarious law-and-order situation amid violent clashes between the student groups, the QAU is closed till further orders. All residents of the hostels (boys and girls) are hereby directed to vacate the hostels immediately,” said the notification. This was not the first time that such violence occurred at a top-ranking university. In the past, the university has also seen armed clashes and violence on campus. When QAU Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr Shaista Sohail was contacted to know about the incident and the administration’s failure to bring the situation under control, she refused to comment. However, an administration official claimed that the violent groups were led by expelled students of the university who had been indicted in various FIRs for creating the law-and-order and resorting to violence. The official claimed that the university disciplinary committee took some decisions against them and as a result, they try to instigate the students to create disorder on the campus by staging strikes against the administration. Sources said that the university administration has failed to put in place stringent measures to stop the recurrence of such incidents on campus. A senior faculty member told The Express Tribune wishing anonymity that the situation has become extremely alarming and it might lead to a major incident if attention was not paid to the activities of miscreants, who roam around the campus and live in hostels. “The recurring violence is damaging the reputation of the top-ranking academic institution,” he said. He said that when parents come with their children to enroll them in different programmes, they go back and never return after seeing the horrible campus environment. He said that in the past, it was never seen that the students damaged the university property, but shockingly, this practice was gaining roots during such clashes these days. “No proper security arrangements and the lack of the boundary wall and outsiders within the university are among the major reasons behind such worse incidents,” he said. A few months back, the QAU had been closed for weeks after the administration failed to deal with the students who called for a strike. Officials said that trouble had been brewing at the university for the past few days and the two groups had faced off numerous times earlier. Clashes between dozens of active ethnic and sectarian student groups at the capital’s major public sector universities such as QAU, Federal Urdu University, and the International Islamic University are common. Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2023.

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‘Incompetent rulers can’t compete with hero Imran’, Elahi tells US delegation

Former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Perviaz Elahi has said that PTI chief Imran Khan is a national hero and “mafia” sitting in the coalition government cannot compete with him, thus running away from elections. Ehali made these remarks in a meeting with US House of Representatives delegation headed by Democratic party leader Dr Asif Mehmood, who called on him in Lahore on Tuesday. The 12-member delegation included California Legislative Assembly’s Appropriations Committee head Chris R Holden, his wife Melanie Caldwell Holden, Dloise Gomes, Mike A Gipson, Wendy Carrillo, Christopher Reyes, Anna Goddard, Willie Armstrong, Michael Meeks, Adriel Yang and others. In the meeting, views were exchanged about Pakistan-US relations and the country’s political situation. The delegation praised former CM Elahi for declaring Punjab and California as the ‘Sister States’ and paid him tributes. The delegation told Elahi that different US companies are interested in investing in different sectors of Punjab including agriculture, information technology, health and education. Elahi appreciated the role of overseas Pakistanis in enhancing bilateral ties between Islamabad and Washington. Also read: SC reserves verdict on Punjab, K-P polls delay case Discussing about Pakistan’s domestic issues, Elahi said the country’s political and economic situation is demanding immediate general elections and added that the ruling PDM is afraid of polls. “Incompetent rulers’ gang has only one desire that elections do not take place. Rulers are heading towards violating the Constitution and attacking the judiciary,” he was quoted as saying. The PTI leader said that Maryam is at the forefront of attacking the judiciary by using objectionable and inappropriate language against the senior judges. Elahi said results of all bye-elections, held since the ouster of former PM Imran, has exposed the weakening political position of the PDM parties. He also expressed the hope that the Supreme Court will order holding of elections within 90 days of the dissolution of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assemblies. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mehmood expressed his desire to play his role for strengthening Pakistan-US ties. He said that Pakistan and the US have been supporting each other for decades.

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16 Pakistanis survive Italy shipwreck

The Foreign Office said on Monday that four Pakistani citizens were still missing, while 16 survived Sunday’s migrants shipwreck in the southern Italian coast, as the overall death toll from the tragedy rose to 62. A sailboat, carrying 180-200 migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia and several other countries to Europe, crashed into rocks amid stormy weather near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on the eastern coast of Calabria. Initial reports had suggested that the deceased included around 28 Pakistanis. Italian authorities had said on Sunday that 81 people, mainly Afghans survived the shipwreck. The officials said more bodies were recovered on Monday, raising the death toll to 62. The Foreign Office said in a tweet that Pakistani diplomats in Italy had met with 16 Pakistani survivors, who said that there were a total of 20 Pakistanis on the ship and that the four remained still missing. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said in a tweet on Monday morning that reports suggested more than two dozen Pakistanis had drowned and that he had asked the Foreign Office to make checks. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra said the ministry had requested Italian authorities for details. She quoted a Pakistan Embassy official, who met the survivors, as saying that they were “in good physical condition”. Rescuers and UN agencies said many Afghans had been travelling on the wooden sailboat, which had come from Turkey. Afghanistan's foreign office and refugee ministry spokespeople did not respond to request for comment. Italian officials said that the rescuers recovered two more bodies on Monday, bringing the death toll to 62, including at least 14 children. Many of the victims washed ashore close to Steccato di Cutro where the vessel sank, while some bodies were recovered from sea. “One Afghan 12-year-old boy lost his entire family, all nine of them—four siblings, his parents and other very close relatives,” Sergio di Dato, head of the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) team offering psychological support to the survivors, told journalists. Save the Children charity said on Twitter it was supporting survivors from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria, including 10 minors who had been travelling with their families. “There are many missing minors,” it wrote. As blustery winds die down at sea, dozens of coffins were laid out in a sports hall in the neighbouring town of Crotone ahead of an eventual funeral, as local people left flowers and candles on metal railings outside to show their respect. Forensic police set about identifying the victims, issuing an email address to which relatives searching for loved ones could send distinguishing details, from eye and hair colour to tattoos or piercings. The shipwreck has stoked a debate on migration in Europe and Italy, where the recently elected right-wing government’s tough new laws for migrant rescue charities have drawn criticism from the United Nations and others. However, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi denied that the government was to blame for the loss of life, pointing the finger instead at human traffickers and the families that set off to sea. “Desperation can never justify travelling in conditions that endanger the lives of their children,” he told reporters. Hundreds of thousands of migrants have reached Italy by boat over the past decade, fleeing conflict and poverty back home. The boat that sank off Calabria had departed from the western Turkish port of Izmir about four days ago and was spotted 74 km off the coast late on Saturday by a plane operated by European Union border agency Frontex. An initial attempt to reach the vessel was thwarted by bad weather, police said. Interior Ministry Undersecretary Wanda Ferro dismissed accusations that the migrants could have been saved despite the rough seas as “boorish political propaganda”. One survivor was arrested on migrant trafficking charges on Sunday, but the Guardia di Finanza customs police said two more people were suspected of having aided the alleged smuggler. (WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)

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Dist trans protection centres in the offing

Punjab Police has decided to set up centres in the districts across the province to provide legal and social protection to the members of the transgender community. Information Technology DIG Ahsan Younis will be responsible for launching the project and making the centres functional throughout the province. The decision was taken after a discussion on protection of the transgender community's rights at the Central Police Office. Organisations working to protect the rights of the community, civil society workers and transgender people participated in the session. ASP Shahr Bano gave a briefing about the programme initiated by Punjab Police to help the transgender community, while DIG Younis talked about the establishment and working of the first protection centre established in Rawalpindi. He said the canter had started functioning three years ago in the women's police station of Rawalpindi. Now, on the direction of Punjab IG Dr Usman Anwar, the scope of this project will be extended to all the districts of the province so that the problems of the community can be solved,” he added. Psychology Professor Saad Malik said the members of the transgender community had to face sexist behaviour firstly in their homes, when parents found out about the gender of their child, they considered it a burden and leave them helpless. “This behaviour leads to psychological murder of these children, from which they sink into the mire of deprivation and misery. Such persons deserve special help and attention and this programme of Punjab Police will ensure special assistance to the transgender community,” he added. Representatives of the Fountain House and Akhuwat Foundation said transgender persons suffered from feelings of inferiority and fear throughout their lives. They need psychological guidance to remove their fears. The organisations offered to play a role in training ‘victim support officers’ Dawood Abdullah, Zaini Chaudhry, transgender Reem Sharif and Dr Abdul Farooq form the AIDS Control Programme also expressed their views. IG Anwar said Punjab Police was actively striving to protect the rights of all weak and subjugated sections of the society, including the transgender community. In the protection centres, the members of the transgender community will be provided legal assistance, social protection and complete awareness and guidance regarding all their problems, he announced. The IG said the protection of self-respect of the transgender community would be ensured and coordination would be improved with private institutions, Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority and the labour department to help the transgender persons become productive and skilled citizens. He said the members of the transgender community deserved special attention and treatment so that the sense of deprivation and fear found in them could be removed to the extent possible. Dr Anwar said transgender people would be given priority in jobs in police offices, while no effort would be spared to solve their other problems, including economic exploitation. He said the establishment of police protection centres would not require additional resources. They will be activated in the existing offices and a network will be created of the centers with organisations working for the transgender community. The IG said MoUs would be signed with various organisations to help and facilitate the transgender community. Violence against transgender persons in the country has been rampant. A member of the community was raped in the Sundar area of the provincial capital during the past week and when a friend intervened to protect her, she was stabbed. Some videos showing violence against the community have also gone viral, including one recorded in Sialkot a few years back. Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2023.

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Parents vow not to let deported girl return to India

Parents of 19-year-old Iqra Jeevani, who had been deported from India a few days ago, said that their daughter no longer had any relationship with the Indian boy Mulayum Singh Yadav. Iqra Jeewani had gone missing from Hyderabad on September 19 last year. Actually, she had gone to India illegally where she married Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, on February 19, the Indian authorities sent Iqra Jeewani back to Pakistan via the Wagah border, and she is now living with her parents in Hyderabad. The girl's parents said that they did not accept the fake marriage, and Iqra would not be sent back to India. Meanwhile, Mulayam Singh is languishing in jail while his parents said that Iqra Jeewani was their daughter-in-law, and they appealed to their government to issue a visa to Iqra to come to India. Iqra Jeewani's father, Muhammad Sohail Jeewani, said that the media had been contacting them since his daughter’s return, but he did not want his daughter to go through pain by reliving the bitter memories. They said that they wanted to forget what happened. He said that they were praying for their daughter to begin a new life. According to Muhammad Sohail Jeewani, a few days ago, the family of the Indian man had contacted him by telephone and said that their son had changed his religion to marry Iqra. They claimed that Iqra was their daughter-in-law and they wanted to bring her back to India, but Mohammad Sohail clearly told them the he didn’t accept the fake marriage. Sohail said he had told the boy’s family to forget Iqra, and that she would never go back to India ever again. The Express Tribune tried to contact Iqra to learn what she had to say over the whole matter, but she appeared to be unwilling to talk about the matter. Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2023.  

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Resignation: 3 PTI ex-MNAs file plea in IHC

Three former lawmakers of the PTI, including Asad Umar, have challenged the acceptance of their resignations from the National Assembly in the IHC. Asad Umar, Raja Khurram, and Ali Nawaz Awan challenged the acceptance of their resignations. The application was filed by Barrister Ali Zafar and Barrister Gohar Ali. In the petition, they took the stand that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) accepted the resignations of some PTI members in the notification issued on January 17, 2023, when the resignations of all 123 members should have been accepted and all should have been de-seated.

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‘Jail Bharo Tehreek’ halts PTI-US rapprochement

As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders are busy forcing themselves into prison vans to be detained en masse under the “Jail Bharo Tehreek” (court-arrest movement), the party appears to fail by the wayside with regard to sharing its economic recovery plan with the United States. Sources privy to the development said that the Imran Khan-led party has yet to craft an economic blueprint and put it forth for consideration as its ongoing drive to volunteer for arrests takes the front seat, seemingly pouring cold water on the idea. Earlier this month, officials of the Biden administration had asked the PTI leadership to share its economic revival plan as well as its stance on the understanding reached between the PDM-led government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In a meeting with party’s senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry, a US delegation led by US Department of State Counsellor Derek Chollet had asked the PTI, being the former ruling party as well as one of the largest political forces, to share what solutions the party had to address the country’s economic woes if they return to power after the elections. Read more: PTI kicks off ‘Jail Bharo’ drive Amid an ongoing financial crunch coupled with political instability, the US delegation had also asked PTI to share its stance on the government-IMF understanding, especially, when the ruling alliance accuses it of deviating from the plan which it had signed with IMF during its tenure. The meeting and the subsequent questions from the Biden administration had come after PTI leadership tried to restore relations with Washington by assuring that it has not only moved on from the anti-US narrative but would also abandon it in the future. The assurance itself was given after PTI chief Imran Khan recently told the Voice of America that new information had surfaced and he was convinced that there was no foreign power which conspired to overthrow his government but his own army chief had urged Washington that Imran needed to go. Following the meeting with the US delegation, sources familiar with the developments said that the party hasn’t yet shared its economic strategy with the US officials as it was currently focusing on the Jail Bharo Tehreek and trying to convert it into a country-wide movement to exert pressure on the government for snap polls. With several top leaders, including Asad Umar and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, already in jail and others gearing up to go behind the bars, they said, things would move ahead when they come out of the prisons. In the absence of the former financial czar Shaukat Tareen, the sources said that the party would wait for Asad Umar’s release and then finalise things. After the Fawad-Chollet meeting, the sources had revealed that a meeting was expected between the US officials and the PTI’s economic team in the coming days to discuss the matters further. Following the meeting with the economic team, they had maintained, a meeting could also take place between the US officials and PTI chief Imran. However, they said, things have suddenly changed with the court arrest movement and neither any economic plan could be shared nor any follow-up meeting could take place. Nonetheless, the PTI leaders said that the economic plan would soon be finalised and shared with the US officials. The US-PTI meet-up was held against the backdrop of PTI’s behind-the-scene efforts to repair ties with Washington as the former ruling party has not only abandoned its anti-US narrative but verbally discussed its future plans to pull the country out of the economic abyss with the world’s superpower. The details about the meeting had emerged after Fawad revealed on Twitter that he held a meeting with the US officials and discussed issues ranging from politics to human rights violations in Pakistan. In the tweet, Fawad had stated that he had a “good meeting with the US ambassador and senior officials”. “The political situation and the PTI position on various issues came under discussion,” Fawad had stated, adding that such meetings were part of a “mutual desire” for relationships based on equality and the well-being of people. In the recent past, Imran not only showed a departure from his usual stance against the US but repeatedly conveyed through his interviews that he desired to restore relations with Washington despite accusing it of treating Islamabad as a “slave”. On the alleged conspiracy being backed by the US, Imran frequently maintained that he no longer blamed the US and wanted a “dignified” relationship if re-elected, saying: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over, it’s behind me.” After the US, Imran is now accusing Gen Bajwa of exercising sweeping powers in most matters of governance, saying the PTI was left to take all the blame.

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NA committee mulls mandatory drug testing for educational institutes

A committee of lawmakers has agreed to draft legislation to make drug testing mandatory for admission to educational institutions in order to curb the menace of drug addiction in Pakistan's schools, colleges and universities.  Officials from the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) briefed the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Narcotics Control on Monday on efforts to prevent drug supply around educational institutions in the country. They apprised the committee about the actions taken so far against those found involved, Express News reported. The meeting was chaired by committee chairman Salahuddin Ayubi.  ANF officials informed the committee that 160 kilograms of drugs were recovered in operations around educational institutions in 2022. They said that 63 suspects were arrested while drugs—including 116 kg of hashish, 18 kg of opium, nine kg of heroin and seven and a half kg of ice—were recovered during the operations. Read more: Students to undergo drug screening Terming the situation alarming, committee member Aliya Kamran expressed concern over drug use in educational institutions. She questioned where the drugs were coming from and how they reach the country's schools. Chairman Ayubi suggested mandatory drug testing of prospective students during the admissions stage. Committee member Aliya said that such a measure would require legislation.  Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Anti-Narcotics Sabio Sikandar Jalal said the Senate Standing Committee on Narcotics has approved a bill for the formation of vigilance committees to prevent the use and supply of drugs in educational institutes, adding that it would now be presented in Senate after which it will be moved to the concerned NA committee as well for approval. The members agreed that the provision of drug testing at the time of admissions and conducting such tests again after two months would be added to the committee's bill or, if required, a new bill would be presented. Earlier this month, The Express Tribune reported that every tenth student in the country is suffering from substance addiction, while every second educational institution has allegedly become a hotbed of drugs, according to a report prepared by experts in psychology and social styles. Also read: Educational institutions plagued by narcotics The report reveals that educational institutions have become the safest place for students of all backgrounds to take substances out of compulsion or to reduce mental stress. According to the report, these institutions have no effective mechanism stop the students falling prey to the substance addiction and sometimes, these incidents are ignored to protect the educational institutions from disrepute.

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Experts emphasise medical staff training

As the Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology wrapped up its five-day international conference on Sunday, nursing staff and paramedics from Lahore General Hospital were given practical training in endoscopy. Prof Ghiyasun Nabi Taiyab and Israrul Haq Toor emphasised the importance of well-trained and well-equipped nursing staff and paramedics in successful medical practice. Foreign doctors, gastroenterologists and experts in attendance praised the Gastroenterology Department of Lahore General Hospital for providing patients international standard facilities for endoscopy, colonoscopy and other medical services. The conference saw 127 research papers presented, with 80 lectures delivered by participants. Over 3,000 doctors attended the conference and were given hands-on training and live procedure demonstrations. Prof Toor, the chief organiser of the conference, stressed the need for timely diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and urged the participants to spread awareness in their communities. He also emphasised the responsibility of patients and their attendants to seek medical attention promptly. Foreign participants were treated to visits to historical sites in the city. Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2023.

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Selection board convened for officers’ promotion

The government has decided to convene a meeting of the high-powered selection board during the week for the promotion of bureaucrats to Grade 22. Instructions have been issued to form panels containing the names of qualified officers against the number of vacancies in all cadres. February 28 has been fixed as the cut-off date for counting the posts. According to details, a panel of 54 officers for 10 posts of Pakistan Administrative Service, while another panel of 27 officers for two posts of Police Service of Pakistan and one panel of 19 officers for one post of Secretariat Group have been formed. Similarly, a panel of 13 officers for five posts of Foreign Service of Pakistan, a panel of 15 officers for two posts of Pakistan Customs Service, and a panel of five officers for one post of Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service have been formed. The Inland Revenue Service has also constituted a panel of 26 officers for one post while a vacancy panel was formed for one vacancy of Information Group.

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Shahi Qila comes alive with truck art

The Walled City of Lahore Authority has organised a truck art workshop at Lahore Fort to promote and highlight the work of the artists. Truck art, in which artists create designs on trucks and buses using bold and dark colours, has become an iconic feature of Pakistani roads. It's been a part of the country's cultural heritage since the early 1950s and is primarily done in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, along with a few artists in Lahore as well. Hasan Ali is one of the many artists participating in the workshop. As he busily creates truck art on a small canvas, he explains while speaking to The Express Tribune that truck art involves the use of not only colours but also plastic pieces for decoration. The pieces shine at night when light falls on them, adding to the beauty of the design. “What makes truck art unique is that there is no designer involved in the process. All the carvings are a creation of the artist's mind. The artist thinks of a design and scatters it on the body of the truck through colours,” he pointed out. Ali learned the skill from his father and has been practicing it for 14 years. The workshop has attracted the attention of tourists visiting the Shahi Qila and Badshahi Mosque. The artists have created designs on various utensils, clothes and decorative items, which have become the centre of attention due to their bright and bold colours. Visitors buy the small pieces of art as souvenirs to keep in their drawing rooms. A visitor, Fatima Zeeshan, expressed her surprise at the workshop under way near the main gate of the fort. She bought a model decorated with truck art. Another tourist, Sehar Afshan, expressed similar feelings, saying that visitors from within the country and abroad not only came to see the ancient walls but also wanted to experience the culture. The event organiser from the Walled City of Lahore Authority, Rana Ali Haider, stated that the aim was to highlight the endangered truck art and provide an opportunity to promote the craftsmanship of the artists. “These activities not only provide employment opportunities for people but also play an essential role in promoting tourism,” he added. Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2023.

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PML-N leaders call for course correction after loss

After losing another election to the PTI in its political bastion Punjab, most of the PML-N leaders called for a course correction, fearing that they would not be able to win in the next general elections. The loss reaffirmed the concerns held by many within the party that the compromise their leaders had made to come to power was a catastrophic mistake, however, other party leaders termed the defeat a “clan affair”. The PML-N that had decided not to contest any by-elections and even convinced the PPP to follow suit, interestingly contested the by-election in NA-193 Rajanpur, which according to unofficial results it lost. This was not the first time the PML-N lost to the PTI. Previously, the PTI had bagged two major victories in Punjab. It had won elections on two National Assembly seats from the PML-N, held a few months prior. During this round of elections, the PTI only lost one seat that too was to the PPP in Multan. Previously, it won 15 provincial assembly seats of the 20 that came up for grabs. These back to back defeats sounded alarms in the PML-N circles regarding the party's political future. The concern held by those that The Express Tribune talked too, was not about the mistakes the party had committed, instead it was more about the mistakes that the leaders believed the party was about to commit. A senior party leader and MNA from Punjab told The Express Tribune that the PML-N was where the PTI was in late 2020 – at the lowest point of its popularity. “Not immediately heading into elections after dislodging the PTI, is the biggest blunder the party made.” He said the party compromised on everything it stood for. Even today, the party’s narrative was centered on its own needs and desires. He said that talking to a poverty-stricken audience about biased judiciary and the PTI’s failure to negotiate a fair deal with the IMF was something that had no takers in the masses. The party was being reduced to a laughing stock by its leading family. “The senior leaders despite knowing the ground realities are happily enjoying mighty positions in the government.” However, he said, all was not lost for the PML-N. Without naming Maryam Nawaz, he said the Sharif family should interact with the public to know the real issues confronting the masses. He said that the party leaders should not surround themselves with blue-eyed people and shower all their affection on them. “The PML-N still has a vote bank, which is not that difficult to reenergise.” A former provincial minister, on the condition of anonymity, said that these were wake-up calls for the party. “Maryam’s leadership may help the party turn things around but she needs to grow as a leader.” Making same mistakes over and over again, will not help the party, he added. PML-N MNA Chaudhary Khalid Javed said that Rajanpur defeat was a completely different story as it was less between parties and more of a “clan fight”. When asked that Sardar Awais Lagari’s son was in the running who was second in command in PML-N Punjab (general secretary), he said that “yes, it is a reality that his son lost” but still it was a clan fight. He said overall when inflation figures drop, things would rapidly change for the PML-N. He said the three rounds of elections that the PML-N lost were all PTI’s vacated seats, “so it wasn’t like the PML-N is losing a seat”. When asked why contest these elections when the decision was vice versa, he said that the decision to contest this by-election was taken prior to the decision of other by-elections, which was why the party went ahead with it. Former provincial assembly member Uzma Qadri also maintained that post-IMF deal, the economic situation would improve in the country, which would change the public perception.

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‘Jail Bharo:’ 70 PTI leaders, workers court arrest in Gujranwala

As many as 70 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and leaders on Sunday voluntarily presented themselves for arrest to the police in Gujranwala on the fifth day of the Jail Bharo Tehreek (fill the prisons movement). Earlier this week, PTI chief Imran Khan had launched the movement aimed at pushing the government towards early elections, registering a protest against the prevailing economic instability in the country as well as condemning the alleged crackdown on party leaders and activists. According to Express News, a large number of PTI activists gathered outside the ‘Jail Bharo’ camp in the district and dozens of party workers forced themselves into five prisoner vans. Taking to Twitter, former PM Imran hailed the PTI leaders and workers for coming out in “huge numbers for court arrest movement”. “Congratulations for breaking the chains of fear with your junoon (passion) & commitment,” he said. Today, Gujranwala: PTI leaders & workers came out in huge numbers for our Jail Bharo (court arrest) movement. Congratulations for breaking the chains of fear with your junoon (passion) & commitment. Our teams are in place to maintain contact with those arrested & their families. pic.twitter.com/xJcXM9V4Oi — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 26, 2023 Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry in a statement said that the police in Peshawar and Multan had refused to arrest the party workers during the ‘court arrest’ movement. Also read: Multan-leg of PTI's 'Jail Bharo Tehreek' also ends with no arrests He said that more than 200 workers are in different jails in Lahore and Rawalpindi, adding that the detained activists had refused to file bail applications in the court. Earlier today, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the government would first direct PTI leaders and workers – who voluntarily presented themselves for arrests – to far-off jails before sending them to prisons in Lahore or Rawalpindi. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said that between 100 to 150 people have thus far courted arrests as part of the PTI's 'Jail Bharo' movement. "Eighty per cent of the arrested ones are asking to be released," claimed Sanaullah as he revealed that all participants of the PTI's drive have been taken into custody for 30 days. "You wished to go to jail, so you have been sent there," he said mockingly, adding that "we are making you visit the jails so you can acquaint yourselves with the conditions there". Meanwhile, several petitions have been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC), with complainants expressing fears that the arrested PTI leaders and workers may be falsely accused of involvement in unlawful activities to cause them "maximum harm", adding that they have been transported to "some unknown place" to "torture" them.

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Parliamentary politics: A moment of reckoning for PTI

Renowned political experts have said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) desire to return to the National Assembly was reflective of its "flawed decision-making" and noted that the party did not think through the political implications of its decision to quit the House en masse in April last year. The experts said that abandoning the assembly right after the successful execution of the vote of no-confidence against the then-premier Imran Khan indicates that the party’s decision-making process was flawed, and immaturity and stubbornness put the whole system at risk. “The PTI’s desire to go back to the assembly indicates that the party leadership did not think through at the time of resigning en masse from the assembly,” Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said. The PILDAT chief said that the PTI envisaged in April last year that en masse resignation will lead to a crisis and the federal government would be forced to announce elections but that turned out to be an incorrect decision. Now, Mehboob said, the PTI chief was thinking to go back to parliament as the interim government is formed through a consensus of the government and opposition before the elections and the PTI has realised that it will not have a say in the formation of the caretaker set-up and the same would be proved to be detrimental for the party in the next general elections. Mehboob, being the political and constitutional expert, said that the PTI has realised that it should try to get back all the key positions, including the office of the opposition leader and the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and bring itself into a position where it will have a say in the making of the caretaker set-up. Otherwise, he said, the realisation is that everything will be lost. By abandoning NA, Mehboob said, PTI not only lost a forum where it had the opportunity to express its opinion and convey its stance to the masses but left the field open for the government. At the time of its resignation from the assembly, he said, all these arguments were raised but rejected, saying “immaturity and stubbornness” prevailed over the opinion of the experienced party leaders. “This proves that PTI’s decision-making is flawed and deficient,” Mehboob said. Though the issue of the appointment of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)’s chairman has suddenly surfaced, Mehboob said, PTI has felt that it would not have a say in the appointment of the new accountability czar unless it goes back to the assembly, especially when Imran in being summoned by NAB. Earlier, the PTI kept saying that it would not go back to the assembly but now the party even challenged the NA speaker’s decision of accepting PTI MNAs’ resignations before the Lahore High Court (LHC) so that they could go back to the assembly and have a say in the caretaker setup. Eminent scholar Professor Dr Hassan Askari said that one reason for PTI to go back to the assembly is that it will face severe loss as the incumbent leader of the opposition in the NA, Raja Riaz, happens to be a disgruntled PTI member and might contest the next elections on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket. “The PTI wants to take back the office of the opposition leader from Raja Riaz,” the professor said, saying the PTI has been trying to return to parliament in an effort to take back all key positions meant for a major opposition party. He said that the party now wants to have a say in the NAB chief’s appointment too. “The PTI’s decision to resign en masse shows that there was no long-term thinking,” the professor said, adding that “it was a knee-jerk reaction; political implications were not carefully gauged back then; and the focus was on only on the short-term objectives”. Reiterating that things were not considered carefully, Professor Askari said that “the whole system was put at risk for immediate political gains. He feared that system cannot survive for long this way, saying currently the country did not have a normal functioning system. It was advantageous for PTI to stay in the assembly, he said, but the notion was rejected at that time. Professor Askari blamed all the political parties for focusing on achieving short-term goals only, saying they never think beyond tactical gains. Contrary to its claims, he said, the incumbent government has failed to revive the economy as the whole focus was on arresting PTI chief Imran and other opponents. To a question about elections bringing stability in the country, Professor Askari said that elections provide a margin to bring stability, but it depends on the upcoming government if it can do something in a year or so or not otherwise things would go back to square one. “Elections give an advantage, but it is up to the government if it can capitalise on the situation or not,” the professor said.

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Commissioners to identify ghost workers

Punjab Caretaker Minister for Local Government and Community Development (LG&CD) Ibrahim Hasan Murad has directed the commissioners to identify ‘ghost’ workers from waste management companies as well as from other subordinate offices besides ensuring timely resolution of citizens' complaints. He expressed these views during a meeting on Saturday with commissioners to discuss standard of municipal services to masses and law and order situation in Gujranwala and Bahawalpur divisions. The minister gave various targets to the commissioners for improvement of municipal services in the districts across their divisions and asked them to create realisation among the subordinate officers that they were actually servants of people. Murad directed the officers concerned that an effective plan should be made for the success of the proposed 30-day "Safai Nisaf Iman" campaign and all streetlights should be switched to LED to save electricity. He said for effective elimination of encroachments, separate places should be allocated for the cart vendors and they should be shifted there. The provincial minister said plans should be initiated for establishment of model cemeteries. He urged the. He said the best facilities should be provided in cattle markets across the divisions by ending overcharging. Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2023.

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Hamid group clinches LHCBA presidential slot

The professional group, led by Hamid Khan, clinched the victory on presidential slot in Lahore High Court Bar Association’s (LHCBA) poll by defeating the Independent group of late Asma Jahangir. Ishtiaq A Khan became the new president of LHCBA for the year of 2023-24 after securing 7,293 votes. While Lehrasib Gondal, who was also in the race of presidential slot, could only obtain 3,372 votes. On vice president’s seat, Rabia Bajwa was elected who grabbed 3,590 votes while Sabahat Rizvi was elected secretary LHCBA who obtained 4,310 votes. For finance secretary’s position, Muhammad Shahrukh Shehbaz Warraich clinched the victory by securing 7,109 votes. In LHCBA’s poll, there were 10,576 voters who exercised their right of vote. It is worth mentioning that there were 14 contesters who were in the race for four positions. Total strength of the registered voters was 26,043 out of which 24,271 were the male while 1,772 were women lawyers. Both male and female lawyers believed that the polling day was actually their traditional festival they marked every year with enthusiastic manners. Different groups of lawyers displaying badges of their favorite candidates canvassed the lawyers at entrance points of LHC for their votes to their favorite ones. Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2023.

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Parliamentary politics: A moment of reckoning for PTI

Renowned political experts have said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) desire to return to the National Assembly was reflective of its "flawed decision-making" and noted that the party did not think through the political implications of its decision to quit the House en masse in April last year. The experts said that abandoning the assembly right after the successful execution of the vote of no-confidence against the then-premier Imran Khan indicates that the party’s decision-making process was flawed, and immaturity and stubbornness put the whole system at risk. “The PTI’s desire to go back to the assembly indicates that the party leadership did not think through at the time of resigning en masse from the assembly,” Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said. The PILDAT chief said that the PTI envisaged in April last year that en masse resignation will lead to a crisis and the federal government would be forced to announce elections but that turned out to be an incorrect decision. Now, Mehboob said, the PTI chief was thinking to go back to parliament as the interim government is formed through a consensus of the government and opposition before the elections and the PTI has realised that it will not have a say in the formation of the caretaker set-up and the same would be proved to be detrimental for the party in the next general elections. Mehboob, being the political and constitutional expert, said that the PTI has realised that it should try to get back all the key positions, including the office of the opposition leader and the chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and bring itself into a position where it will have a say in the making of the caretaker set-up. Otherwise, he said, the realisation is that everything will be lost. By abandoning NA, Mehboob said, PTI not only lost a forum where it had the opportunity to express its opinion and convey its stance to the masses but left the field open for the government. At the time of its resignation from the assembly, he said, all these arguments were raised but rejected, saying “immaturity and stubbornness” prevailed over the opinion of the experienced party leaders. “This proves that PTI’s decision-making is flawed and deficient,” Mehboob said. Though the issue of the appointment of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)’s chairman has suddenly surfaced, Mehboob said, PTI has felt that it would not have a say in the appointment of the new accountability czar unless it goes back to the assembly, especially when Imran in being summoned by NAB. Earlier, the PTI kept saying that it would not go back to the assembly but now the party even challenged the NA speaker’s decision of accepting PTI MNAs’ resignations before the Lahore High Court (LHC) so that they could go back to the assembly and have a say in the caretaker setup. Eminent scholar Professor Dr Hassan Askari said that one reason for PTI to go back to the assembly is that it will face severe loss as the incumbent leader of the opposition in the NA, Raja Riaz, happens to be a disgruntled PTI member and might contest the next elections on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket. “The PTI wants to take back the office of the opposition leader from Raja Riaz,” the professor said, saying the PTI has been trying to return to parliament in an effort to take back all key positions meant for a major opposition party. He said that the party now wants to have a say in the NAB chief’s appointment too. “The PTI’s decision to resign en masse shows that there was no long-term thinking,” the professor said, adding that “it was a knee-jerk reaction; political implications were not carefully gauged back then; and the focus was on only on the short-term objectives”. Reiterating that things were not considered carefully, Professor Askari said that “the whole system was put at risk for immediate political gains. He feared that system cannot survive for long this way, saying currently the country did not have a normal functioning system. It was advantageous for PTI to stay in the assembly, he said, but the notion was rejected at that time. Professor Askari blamed all the political parties for focusing on achieving short-term goals only, saying they never think beyond tactical gains. Contrary to its claims, he said, the incumbent government has failed to revive the economy as the whole focus was on arresting PTI chief Imran and other opponents. To a question about elections bringing stability in the country, Professor Askari said that elections provide a margin to bring stability, but it depends on the upcoming government if it can do something in a year or so or not otherwise things would go back to square one. “Elections give an advantage, but it is up to the government if it can capitalise on the situation or not,” the professor said.

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'Draw line somewhere': Imran urges judiciary to protect fundamental rights

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday urged the judiciary to protect the fundamental rights of party members and citizens of Pakistan, asking the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial to "draw a line" somewhere. "People should have confidence that judiciary will protect them... what namaloom afraad (unidentified persons) and dirty Harry are doing is in front of everyone to see," he said during a press conference flanked by PTI leader Usman Dar and a watchman in education department named Javed Ali. Javed, during the presser, narrated how he was picked up by some ‘unidentified people’ and was tortured after being taken to an unknown locality blindfolded. "People came and picked me up and took me to some unknown place. They blindfolded me. They asked me how much money Usman Dar got from you. They had hanged me upside down," he said. He said that the unknown people stripped him naked and asked him to confess that Usman Dar had taken money from him, saying that they had involved his wife and children too. https://ift.tt/362Ej7i Imran Khan said that the unidentified people told Javed's wife that they would make an obscene video of her husband if he did not give statement against Dar. "They wanted to make a case [against Dar]. They wanted the statement [from Javed] just like they wanted a statement against me from Shahbaz Gill," he added. Also read: Multan-leg of PTI's 'Jail Bharo Tehreek' also ends with no arrests Imran said that PTI leader Azam Swati was picked up and tortured on the basis of only one tweet. "They send an objectionable video to his daughter. I did not know before that such treatment was meted out to the citizens of this country," he added. The PTI chief said that many social media workers belonging to the party were also taken into custody and were subjected to severe torture. "Parents of a boy called me and said that their son has not recovered yet... they fear to publicly come out as everyone fears namaloom afraad," he said. Lashing out at the incumbent government, Imran Khan said that they should not be considered politicians but mafia. "Interior minister is running an [audio] tape of a judge. Maryam runs tapes too. Saqib Nisar's tape was also leaked. What kind of politicians does that," he questioned. He urged the CJP to take suo motu on the treatment meted out to Javed, saying that it was the duty of judiciary to protect the fundamental rights of citizens. "I urge CJP to listen to Javed and draw line somewhere. People should have confidence that judiciary will protect them," he added. Hitting out at the Chief Election Commissioner, Imran said that there has never been a more dishonest CEC in the history of Pakistan. The remarks by the PTI chairman come just days after Maryam fired a broadside against Imran Khan, Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed besides four serving and former judges of the Supreme Court in an address to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers’ convention. The chief organiser and senior vice president of the PML-N trained all guns at the PTI chairman, saying that Imran was thrown into the garbage bin but the judges were picking him up. It is pertinent to note that the statements by the leaders of the political parties come as Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Wednesday stepped in and took suo motu notice of the delay in holding polls in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as the election process remains virtually paralysed by tensions between the stakeholders who disagree on the electoral law. Justice Bandial constituted a nine-member larger bench to adjudicate on the matter and said there was an apparent lack of clarity on the matter.

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PTI rejects new JIT on Wazirabad attack

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday rejected the new joint investigation team (JIT), constituted by the federal government to investigate the failed assassination attempt on party chief Imran Khan in Wazirabad. Imran had sustained multiple injuries in the gun attack on November 3 last year while leading his ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ march towards Islamabad. One person died in the shooting, while several other members of the PTI chairman’s close circle, including Faisal Javaid, Imran Ismail, Ahmad Chattha and Imran Yousaf were also injured. Speaking to the media in Lahore on Saturday, PTI Central Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid said that the new JIT included all those officers – Syed Khurram Ali, Ehsanullah Chauhan, Malik Tariq Mehboob, Naseebullah Khan and Kamran Adil – who had earlier derailed the investigation. Read more: 'Draw line somewhere': Imran urges judiciary to protect fundamental rights "They were involved in destroying the evidence of the attack. The prosecutor had clearly stated that these four people disappeared evidence and thus we do not accept this new JIT," she maintained. She was accompanied by PTI Central Punjab Information Secretary Andleeb Abbas and other party leaders. Rashid said that the JIT constituted by Punjab government was already investigating the Wazirabad attack then why did the federal government intervene and constituted a new JIT. “We will file a petition in the Lahore High Court on Monday against the constitution of the new JIT,” she added. Also read: Multan-leg of PTI's 'Jail Bharo Tehreek' also ends with no arrests The former Punjab health minister alleged that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and another person were not letting the investigation proceed and they attempted to weaken the evidence of the attack. “The federal government was involved in the attack, ploys were being concocted to murder the country’s most popular leader,” she added. She alleged that Sanaullah was a murderer and he wanted to kill the former prime minister. "The terrorists were not being caught by the government whereas we were made into terrorists." Taking a dig at PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz, she accused her of maligning the judiciary, “as she knows that she could get things done with the help of her father Nawaz Sharif”. “If your party was the most popular then hold elections, if it were indeed popular it would win,” she added. Important record pertaining to the investigation of the attack on the former prime minister in Wazirabad had gone missing from the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE). The record contained the investigation files of the JIT formed to probe the assassination bid. An ACE officer, Anwar Shah, was a member of the JIT, and was looking after the record at the vigilance cell. The officer was later suspended. Earlier this month, newly appointed ACE Director General Sohail Zafar Chatha had announced the establishment of a five-member committee to investigate the matter.

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Police to intensify Katcha area operation

Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) South Punjab Maqsoodul Hasan chaired a high-level meeting at the RPO office on Friday to review steps taken to maintain law and order in the Katcha area and future strategies to deal with criminal elements. RPO Capt (retd) Sajjad Hasan Khan warmly welcomed the Additional IGP South upon his arrival, while RPO Bahawalpur Rai Babar Saeed, DPO Rahim Yar Khan Rizwan Umar Gondal, circle officers, and SHOs posted in Katcha area participated in the meeting. Officials briefed the AIG about the Katcha area, the overall crime situation, the gangs operating in Katcha and ongoing police action against them and others. The AIG expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of police in Katcha area and issued orders to deal with violators of the law by utilising all available resources. He also directed officials to mutually exchange information to suppress criminal elements and to accelerate ongoing operations against Katcha gangs, assuring that all required resources would be provided to police in the area. In return, all officers made a commitment to further promote mutual cooperation between DG Khan and Bahawalpur police against gangs in Katcha to maintain law and order. Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2023.

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13 dead, over 9 injured in M-5 Motorway accident

Thirteen people were killed and nine others were injured in an accident on M-5 Motorway near Rukanpur. According to details, a collision between a van, a bus, and a jeep occurred in the middle of M-5 Motorway within the limits of Thal Khair Muhammad police station. As a result, around thirteen people were killed while more than nine others were injured, of which the condition of four was said to be critical. According to initial reports, the accident occurred when the tyre of the van carrying members of a family burst and the vehicle overturned. As residents of the area came to the rescue of the family members travelling in the van, a speeding jeep and a bus rammed into it. DSP Motorway Abdul Qadir Sindhu said, “Thirteen people died on the spot and more than nine are seriously injured.” The bodies and injured were shifted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital with the help of rescue and Edhi ambulances. Police, Motorway Police, Rescue 1122 and Edhi Foundation teams were engaged in the rescue operation. According to eyewitnesses, the locals who came to help were also victims of the accident.

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Maryam trying to pressure judiciary, claims Fawad

While the Supreme Court (SC) is hearing a case pertaining to elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz is trying to pressure the judiciary through her statements. Speaking to the media here on Friday, Fawad said that the apex court was hearing the case pertaining to elections, but the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government was "ready to confront the judiciary". Fawad said that they want to hide their performance by calling others stupid. He added that in the past, "Maryam Nawaz and company" had launched an offensive against the judiciary, alleging that they were doing the same now. The PTI leader said that the judges who invalidated Qasim Suri's ruling were also part of this bench, but the PTI did not launch any offensive against the judges. He claimed that Maryam believed that she could pressure the judiciary, adding that the entire country was facing a "blackmailer government". "Some people are being blackmailed through audio and some are being blackmailed through videos. Blackmailing through audio and video is a very dangerous trend," Fawad remarked. "In the past, Saqib Nisar's audio was also propagated and a spectacle was staged on the audio but the judiciary was requested not to come under any pressure," he added.

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Tensions rising over Indus Waters Treaty

  As climate change impacts strengthen and water security becomes a growing concern in both Pakistan and India, New Delhi has proposed renegotiating a six-decade-old water sharing treaty - a move Islamabad so far opposes. But renegotiation -- or at least tweaking the treaty -- may be as important for Pakistan as India, environmental experts say, as a dam-building push in both countries, rising water demand from growing populations and faster swings between drought and floods make water rights and access an ever-bigger worry. The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty - mediated by the World Bank - splits the Indus River and its tributaries between the South Asian neighbours and regulates the sharing of water. The treaty has withstood standoffs, skirmishes and even wars, but diplomatic relations between the two foes have been reduced since 2019 due to tensions over the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and a feud over water sharing and supplies is now intensifying. While each country has dozens of hydropower projects in the Indus Basin currently operational or under construction, the ongoing water dispute centers around Pakistan's opposition to India's 330 megawatt (MW) Kishanganga project on the Jhelum river and the 850 MW Ratle project on the Chenab river. Pakistan is seeking resolution at the Court of Arbitration in The Hague over its concerns with the two projects, while India has asked its neighbour to enter into bilateral negotiations to modify the Indus Waters Treaty, to stop third parties intervening in disputes. Under the current terms of the treaty, the two countries can resolve disputes either through a neutral expert appointed by the World Bank, or at the Court of Arbitration. Pakistan has taken the latter route because it is concerned that some of India's planned and commissioned hydropower dam will reduce flows that feed at least 80% of its irrigated agriculture. India, however, says that the way it is designing and constructing the hydroelectric plants is permitted under the terms of the treaty. Analysts on both sides of the border say Pakistan is unlikely to reopen the agreement with India bilaterally because, as the smaller nation, it believes the involvement of international institutions strengths its position. Yet some academics think the agreement should be reviewed to factor in climate change impacts for the first time. For example, Daanish Mustafa, a professor of critical geography at King's College London, said that doing so could ultimately benefit Pakistan, as India would be expected to take warming impacts into consideration when designing hydropower projects and making decisions about water. A 2019 study in the journal Nature by Pakistani and Italian researchers noted that climate change was "quickly eroding trust" between the two nations and that the treaty "lacks guidelines ... (on) issues related to climate change and basin sustainability". However, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, an environmental and development analyst based in Islamabad, said increasingly worrying climate change pressures are currently "the best instrument available for ensuring water cooperation and regional stability". Rather than "playing as victims of climate change", the two nations should work together to create policies that work for both, he said, adding that the treaty should be updated to cover climate-related concerns from melting glaciers to more intense rainfall. Last month, proceedings Pakistan had sought to resolve the disagreements over water started at the Court of Arbitration. Pakistan is concerned about two Indian hydropower projects that it says will affect water flows on the Jhelum river and one of its tributaries, and water storage on the Chenab river. India has boycotted the case, having previously suggested appointing a neutral expert while blaming Pakistan for dragging out the complaints process. Just two days before the proceedings in The Hague began, New Delhi sent a notice to Islamabad asking it to agree to modify the Indus Waters Treaty within 90 days to guarantee that disputes would be handled between the two nations without any outside interference. Neither nation can pull out of the treaty unilaterally as there is no exit clause, according to Sheikh, who said the countries "must agree over practical solutions". Pakistan's Institute of Policy Studies said in 2017 that the Indus Waters Treaty now needs to be considered in light of other international agreements such as the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming, which Pakistan and India have both signed. "There is very little in the treaty for the best possible use of the water resources of the river system, especially when we are in an era of climate change," said Ashok Swain, a professor at Sweden's Uppsala University and UN cultural agency UNESCO's chair of international water cooperation. 

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PTI's 'jail bharo tehreek' enters 3rd day

More PTI workers and leaders volunteered to be detained en masse on Friday as the party’s ‘Jail Bharo Tehreek’ picked up steam into its third day – a drive designed as a countermove to the government’s persecution of the Imran Khan-led opposition. After Lahore and Peshawar, the party’s Rawalpindi chapter followed the suit with Fayyazul Hassan Chohan setting the ball in motion along with Zulfi Bukhari and Sadaqat Abbasi. Over 150 party activists, including five former lawmakers, reached the Committee Chowk in the garrison city to force themselves into prisoner vans. Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed and PTI leader Aamir Kayani, along with several other leaders, also reached the designated spot to surrender themselves to the authorities. Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen’s head Allama Nasir Abbas, along with his three colleagues, also volunteered for a voluntary arrest. Senior PTI leaders had courted arrests on the call of party chief Imran Khan on Wednesday in order to counter the ruling coalition’s “attack” on the party’s fundamental rights and the economic “meltdown”. Read more: Attempts being made to sabotage Wazirabad JIT findings: Imran On Friday, Chohan, along with 50 other workers, was put into the prisoner van. However, these leaders and workers were later “released” at Mandra Road. The police officers said over 150 arrests were made till late Friday night, of which several will be released later. They shared that the leaders will be sent to different jails after receiving one-month detention orders. ‘Illegal detention’ At the same time, PTI approached the Lahore High Court, seeking the location of its top leadership and supporters who volunteered for arrests two days ago under the party’s “Jail Bharo Tehreek" and prayed it to restrain the authorities from shifting the detainees anywhere else. Likewise, the court was also petitioned in a habeas corpus plea for the recovery of party leader Asad Umar from “improper, illegal and unlawful” custody of the Lahore police. In a petition filed by PTI’s senior leader Fawad Chaudhry, the party sought directions to “restrain concerned quarters from involving the detainees into false and fabricated criminal cases”. The former minister requested the court to issue directions to respondents to not shift the detainees out of the Lahore district and to adopt due process by producing them before the court of law. Governor Punjab through the chief secretary, home secretary, inspector general police (IGP) Punjab, IGP prisons, CCPO Lahore, SP operations, the government of Pakistan through the interior secretary, the federal investigation agency (FIA) through its director general and others were made respondents in the petition. Also read: Wazirabad attack JIT members replaced Fawad further implored in his petition that Imran had announced a “jail bharo" drive across the country to safeguard the provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan, as well as the rights of the general public. "The said movement is constructed on the violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, by the sitting government by not announcing the elections of provincial assemblies (Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa)." The PTI leader contended that the LHC had already passed a direction to concerned corners for announcing the election date in a separate writ petition but even the court’s order is not being complied with. "As the top leadership and supporters offered their voluntary arrests, the respondents not only maltreated and manhandled them but also made efforts to threaten the respective contenders," read the petition. The party’s senior vice president also stated that the “respondents failed in rendering their duties and proved themselves as a puppet of the sitting government despite the fact that not even a single incident was reported about any illegality on part of their leadership, supporters or workers.” Habeas corpus petition Meanwhile, in a separate petition, the wife of PTI Secretary General Asad Umar filed a habeas corpus petition in the LHC for her husband’s recovery from “improper, illegal and unlawful” custody of the Lahore police. The petition filed under Articles 4 and 9 of the Constitution named Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rafia Haider, Lahore Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana, Punjab Inspector General of Police (Prison) Malik Mubashar Ahmed Khan and Central Jail’s superintendent as respondents. Umar’s wife contended that Umar was in “illegal and improper custody” and was being deprived of basic amenities such as food and necessary medicine by the superintendent. She said she had found out that the Lahore DC had issued an “illegal and unlawful” 30-day detention order for her husband while the police refused to share any information. She further said that she had tried her best to Umar so she could notice his health and life quality but was denied by the authorities from meeting him. The petition said that Umar was detained without any allegation and was “not involved in any anti-social activities”. It added that his life was at stake at the hands of the respondents and could suffer “irreparable loss and injury”, along with her too. She requested the court to set aside the detention order and issue directions for his release and production before the court. The petition was fixed for hearing on Feb 27 (Monday).

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Basant turns bloody, claims another life in Rawalpindi

A 20-year-old man was killed and at least 50 others, including children, injured in aerial firing and kite-flying related incidents as Basant was celebrated in Rawalpindi despite a ban on the illegal spring festival. Last month, the Rawalpindi administration imposed a ban on Basant celebrations and kite flying under Section 144, with the Rawalpindi City Police Officer issuing crackdown orders to 33 police stations across the district against those who manufacture kites and strings, or order them from other cities, and sell or buy them. But, despite the restictrions originally imposed by authorities in 2007 following a spate of accidents, enthusiasts continued to flout the ban on Friday, celebrating the ancient colourful spring festival by flying kites from rooftops in the garrison city. Picture shows a young girl injured by a stray string from a kite during illegal Basant celebrations in Rawalpindi on Friday, Feb 24, 2023.—Photo: Express 20-year-old Arham Fazal died during the celebrations when he was hit by a stray bullet in the head within the limits of the Airport Police Station of ​​Rawalpindi. After the incident, rescue officials and a police team reached the spot and shifted the body to the District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital. Hospital sources said stray strings and bullets injured at least 50 other people, including children, with some of the injured in serious condition. Also read: Enthusiasts all set to fly kites during second Basant festival An official of the SP Potohar Division also sustained minor injuries after being hit by a stray bullet in his arm. Picture shows a young biy injured during illegal Basant celebrations in Rawalpindi on Friday, Feb 24, 2023.—Photo: Express Apart from this, fireworks and aerial firing continued intermittently in different parts of the district as police failed to control the violators. However, the district police claimed that they have arrested dozens of people for flouting the ban on Basant and detained many kite-sellers. Picture shows a man receiving medical treatment after being injured during illegal Basant celebrations in Rawalpindi on Friday, Feb 24, 2023.—Photo: Express Taking notice of the situation, RPO Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali ordered the senior superintendent of police (SSP) operations to take immediate action against those responsible and house-owners for allowing kite-flying on rooftops. The official said that no one would be allowed to play with the lives of citizens. Basant is a centuries old spring festival in Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province. Enthusiasts have in the past used acid-soaked string and piano wire in kite-fighting battles, causing terrible injuries to people caught by tangles across roads—including slitting the throats of motorcyclists. Victorious participants and their supporters firing into the air can also cause death or injury when the rounds fall back to the ground. Last month, the Rawalpindi Kite Flying Association had announced celebrating the festival in the Cantonment and city areas on February 24 despite the Punjab government ban.

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UK honours WWII veteran from Chakwal

The British High Commission on Thursday handed over the United Kingdom’s three replacement medals to a Chakwal veteran for his services and sacrifices he made while working as a driver in the British Indian Army during World War II (WWII). Lance Naik Umar Hayat, now 99 years old, gathered with his family and neighbours at a ceremony where the Commission’s Deputy Head of Communication, Tom Hyde, honoured him with three medals – The Burma Star, The War Medal and The 1939-1945 Star – that he had lost in 1975 when his house collapsed due to torrential rains causing flooding. “Medals reflect the official thanks of a government to those who have served it honourably, often with gallantry or distinction,” Hyde maintained, noting how important this year is for the Commonwealth ties and given King Charles II interest, the UK decided to replace the medals the veteran had lost. Under blue skies in a warm winter day, Hayat along with his sons and some of the total 95 members of the family attended the ceremony organised at his village Dhermond in the Talagang Tehsil, Chakwal District, Punjab, in line with the Remembrance Day – the day to honour and commemorate the British service members who had taken part in the wars. Hayat served the army from 1941 to 1948 and fought at Burma now Myanmar. The Chakwal veteran, who wore white Shalwar Qameez matching with his turban and beard, shiny black shoes and sat with straight back on a charpoy at his home, held the mementoes with pride, saying “these medals have brought back all the memories of the war (WWII). I can see my unit, my friends, my officers and all the sacrifices that we gave while fighting”. “Really it is an honour for me,” said Hayat when given his replacement medals. The veteran revealed that his father, Aulia Khan Major, had fought in the First World War. When the second one started, he recalled, his father told him to join the army and embrace martyrdom but not take a step back. For Hayat, war is a good thing as it gives one a chance to show bravery against his enemies. Agreeing that people die in wars, he argued, winning and losing is also a part of it, saying that in earlier times “kings were fond of expanding their empire”. In the next breath, Hayat, showing high spirits, said that he was still ready to fight a war, observing that he could use his gun but not a rifle or heavy artillery that he used during the war days. “My officer used to call me an all-rounder as I didn’t limit my work to driving only,” he said while crediting his good health to desi ghee and pure milk. Going down memory lane, Hayat while reading his name and service number written on the medal box recalled that his father had taken him out of school when a teacher beat him up, adding, he later on learned reading and writing after joining the army. To mark Remembrance Day last year, the Commission paid special visits to some of the last remaining veterans of the Second World War in Pakistan, hailing their courage and sacrifice, and reinforcing the point that the UK is here today because of them. Last November, the former British High Commissioner Christian Turner had acknowledged Hayat’s services and sent him a framed letter, which he fondly hangs on a wall. He still has his Military Motor Vehicle Drivers’ Licence, a character certificate dated March 6, 1948, a service certificate and two plates in which they were served meals during wartime. World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries. Sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the war dragged on for six bloody years until the allies – the UK, Soviet Union, United States, and China – defeated Nazi Germany and Japan in 1945. Hyde said that a 2.5 million British Indian Army in WWII was the largest volunteer army ever mobilised. On 75 years of Pak-UK Dosti, Hyde said, the veterans that we have been visiting were there at the start of the relationship 75 years ago and it’s “only right that 75 years later we mark their achievements again as we celebrate our shared values through the Commonwealth.” Remembering the day when the war was over, Hayat recalled that the troops celebrated the victory and his unit was happier as it did not suffer huge losses in terms of fellow troopers, including Hindus and others that many other units had. War veterans receive a small allowance from the Commonwealth Ex-Services League. Hayat, who appeared content with getting his medals back, had only one wish from local authorities: “give a job to my two grandchildren in the army”.

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14 terrorists killed in Balochistan, K-P operations

Security forces killed 14 terrorists in two separate operations in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the past 24 hours, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and the K-P Counter-Terrorism Department said in their statements on Thursday. The operations were carried out in the Kech district of Balochistan, where eight terrorists were killed, when they tried to ambush a convoy of forces. Six more terrorists were killed in the Lakki Marwat district in a raid by the CTD Bannu and the local police. The ISPR said that operation in the Kech district was launched after terrorists attempted to ambush a convoy of the security forces the previous day. It added that the forces, who were alert and combat-ready, foiled the terrorists' attempt without any loss of life. “In ensuing, heavy exchange of fire, 8 Terrorists have been killed while a large cache of arms and ammunition including explosives has also been recovered,” said the statement issued by the media wing of the military. Subsequently, the forces launched a follow-up operation, using ground and aviation assets, to track down fleeing terrorists. It led to the identification of a suspected terrorist hideout in Mazaaband Range, where a sanitisation operation was conducted on Thursday. The ISPR statement reiterated Pakistan's commitment to thwart any attempts by inimical elements, acting at the behest of hostile intelligence agencies, to disrupt peace in the province. According to a separate statement, the CTD Bannu and the Lakki Marwat police carried out a joint intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Dadiwala area of the Lakki Marwat district, killing six terrorists and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition. The operation was carried out on information that terrorists involved in various bomb and other attacks were present in Dadiwala and plotting to launch another attack on Chowki Abbasa – where six policemen were martyred in an attack in November last year. In an exchange of fire, the forces killed six terrorists, who were wanted to the Lakki Marwat police and the CTD over terrorist attacks on police and other security personnel, according to the CTD statement. Four of the dead terrorists have been identified as Ziaullah alias Kochi, son of Dawood; Safatullah alias Daroon, son of Hayatullah; Muhibullah, son of Sharif; Kaleemullah alias Faqir, son of Amir Nawaz. The identity of the two dead terrorists is being ascertained. Pakistan's security forces have conducted numerous operations across the country in the past three months, arresting terrorists and their facilitators and foiling several attacks. In Balochistan alone, 3,414 operations were conducted.

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Registration of 85 private schools okayed

After a long wait of two years, the District Education Authority (DEA) finally approved granting registration to 85 new private schools in the Rawalpindi district. The DEA also allowed these private schools to start new admissions. The registration of 186 new private schools and the renewal of registration of over 30,000 private schools in the whole district had been hanging in the balance for the last two years. The approval was given at a meeting of the DEA chaired by Chief Executive Officer Dr Tariq Qazi. All-Pakistan Private Schools Management Authority Chairman Abrar Ahmed Khan and others also participated in the meeting The authority will convene another meeting on March 1 to approve the registration of more schools. A weekly meeting of the DEA will be held on a weekly basis to dispose of pending applications, seeking registration and renewal of registration of private schools. The private schools earlier barred from admitting students have conditionally been allowed for admissions. Currently, a total of 2,700 government schools, 3,000 registered private schools and 5,000 unregistered schools are functioning in the district. According to authority member Abrar Ahmed Khan, all pending cases would be resolved during the registration authority's weekly meetings. “We will also find a solution to other problems being faced by private schools,” he said. Earlier, all these schools had been denied affiliation by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education and the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Rawalpindi after the DRA failed to register them and renew their registration. According to sources, this had put the career of thousands of students enrolled in these schools at stake, risking their appearance in the next matriculation examination. School principals of these new schools including Hafiz Idris Ali and Raja Zulqarnain said that they have completed all legal papers and the registration should be started immediately. The district government had earlier decided to bring all private schools, academies and colleges across the district under the ambit of the law. All private schools will have to be divided into three categories and the fee structure was to be formulated according to category. It was also decided to close down private schools consisting of two rooms. In 2021, the Punjab government made the registration system of all private schools completely online and it was decided to register all private schools for only one year. After a thorough inspection of the said schools during the one year, they were to be issued permanent registration licences. Owing to the frequent shuffling of the Punjab governments, this system has been paralysed. Under the new system, all registered private schools across the province were instructed to obtain registration for extended two years instead of one year.   Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2023.

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RDA devises strategy to improve revenue streams

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has devised a strategy to improve its revenue streams by bringing in new asset construction projects under which commercial real estate projects will be developed on all RDA-owned plots. Sources said that the RDA mega complex will also be built beside the construction of another three stories of the unfinished parking plaza at Fawara Chowk to solve the city's mounting parking issues. According to sources, the shelter that was removed from the parking lot's basement will be replaced with a motorcycle parking. Before awarding the parking contract for the basement, ground and first floors of the parking plaza, a decision has been made to conduct a survey of the building's capacity and market rate, the sources said. The sources disclosed that although the foundation stone of the complex project was laid at the authority’s old building on June 4, 2005, the construction work of the project could not be started due to a lack of resources available to the RDA. Similarly, the RDA's low funding prevented it from even starting its housing society project. According to sources, RDA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa has decided to launch a strategy to start commercial projects on all of its owned plots to stabilise its financial situation, begin development initiatives with its funds and become economically self-sufficient. In this regard, it has been decided to build a commercial building comprising a basement plus three stories on an 11-marla commercial plot owned by the RDA in the civil lines neighbourhood. The design of the project has been prepared by the Land Utilisation and Building Control Department under the direction of Director Jamshed Aftab. The building will be rented out for shops and offices and the contract for the construction of the project will soon be awarded. RDA sources claim that all commercial plots owned by the RDA around the city are to be identified so that work can begin on commercial developments there under the directives of the authority’s top official. Shops and offices will be constructed on vacant RDA plots, they said. The sources also claim that to develop a significant business hub near Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh work would also begin on the RDA Mega Complex project, which has been stalled since last year. The RDA is also reviewing the development of parking lots on its land in other parts of the city, the sources said. The stalled auction procedure for awarding the contract for the construction of the three-floor parking of the unfinished parking plaza at Fawara Chowk will now be completed in accordance with the building's maximum capacity and the market pricing, the sources added.   Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2023.

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Islamabad confronts Kabul with ‘irrefutable evidence’ of TTP hideouts

Pakistan has presented “irrefutable evidence” to the Afghan Taliban about the presence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts and precise location of its leadership in Afghanistan, sources told The Express Tribune on Thursday. The evidence was shared during the visit of a high-powered delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to Kabul on Wednesday. Contrary to the statement issued by the Afghan government, the visit had only one point agenda focusing on counter terrorism and presence of the TTP sanctuaries on the Afghan soil. It was the first high-level visit from Pakistan since the change of government and particularly after the surge in TTP sponsored terrorist attacks. Also read: Pakistan gets ‘fresh commitment’ from Afghan Taliban on TTP There was a shift in Pakistan’s stance on the TTP after the recent spike in terrorist attacks with the country’s civil and military leadership no longer seeking talks with the terrorist outfit. Against this backdrop, the Pakistani delegation not only shared what sources said “irrefutable evidence” about the presence of TTP leadership but sought decisive action with "no ifs and buts". What was significant during the visit was that the Pakistani side for the first time confronted the Afghan Taliban leadership with evidence that TTP leadership was freely moving in Afghanistan and importantly with the facilitation of the interim government. The Afghan side gave a detailed briefing to the Pakistani side and conceded that terrorism was originating from the Afghan soil. The Pakistani delegation was presented with different options and solutions to deal with the problem. However, the Pakistani side was not satisfied with the presentation and proposals to resolve the TTP issue. Pakistan then shared evidence and “precise location” of TTP leadership in Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban government could not deny the hard facts but failed to mention the same in its official handout. Nevertheless, the Afghan Taliban promised to take care of the TTP elements inside Afghanistan and agreed to work for regional peace. The pledge came after Afghan Taliban were conveyed in clear terms that Pakistan’s goodwill should not be misconstrued as its weakness and demanded robust steps against the TTP. The issue of border management also came up for discussion and the Pakistani side rebutted claims of the Afghan Taliban that Islamabad was responsible for frequent incidents that led to the closure of border points on a few occasions. Also read: Islamabad in quiet diplomacy with Kabul to neutralise TTP The Afghan government was informed that Pakistan was facilitating the Afghan nationals in the best possible way but Afghans seeking to cross the border repeatedly failed to comply with protocols by providing fake and incomplete documents. Meanwhile, speaking at the weekly news briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch was more diplomatic when asked to comment on the outcome of the Pakistani delegation’s visit to Kabul. “Since it is a very sensitive matter relating to security and counterterrorism, we are not in a position to share the details with the media about what was agreed and how the discussions went,” she said in response to a question about whether Pakistan shared any evidence with the Afghan Taliban about the linkages between the recent terrorist attacks and the TTP sanctuaries across the border.

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Govt to distribute 100,000 laptops to youth across Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Thursday that the federal government would distribute 100,000 laptops to meritorious youth and top achievers across the country. The prime minister announced this while addressing a ceremony to distribute cheques among beneficiaries of the Youth Loan Programme. He said that those who used to criticise the laptop scheme in the past should have witnessed that the very laptops helped the youth to earn sustenance, particularly during the Covid pandemic. “I am giving laptop, not Kalashnikov,” remarked the prime minister, who also launched a freelancer card during the ceremony.  Shehbaz said that country’s progress was linked to the success of the Youth Loan Programme which, besides supporting unemployed youngsters, will also benefit the national economy. The prime minister said that if provided ample opportunities, Pakistan’s youth would take the country to new heights. He said that the loan scheme was a continuation of the PM Youth Loan scheme launched in 2013 by then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif under which billions of rupees were disbursed among the entitled youth. Shehbaz Sharif recalled that a youth loan scheme was also launched in Punjab and that 75,000 youngsters were also given vehicles on loan when he was the chief minister of the province. Read more: Pakistan collapsing at Shehbaz speed He said that the recovery ratio of the youth loan scheme was around 99 per cent which manifested the honesty of the country’s youngsters. PM Shehbaz said that the 99% recovery ratio of the youth and Kissan loan schemes falsified the misconception about the risks involved in the individual loans by the banks. He said that the Pakistani youth never got their loans waived off. The prime minister congratulated the beneficiaries and appreciated the services of SAPM Shiza Fatima Khawaja, banks, and other partners for their efforts to make the programme a success. He said that considering their immense potential, the government would never disappoint the youth and would scrape the maximum resources to extend them loan facilities. Freelancer card launched Earlier, SAPM on Youth Affairs Shiza Fatima Khawaja apprised the audience of the performance of Youth Loan Programme and assured that a target of Rs30 billion loan to the youth would be achieved. She also thanked the relevant ministries, banks, microfinance organisations, business and social media partners for their services and contribution to the success of the programme. She said that the agriculture and SME sector would be among major beneficiaries of the loan programme. Punjab Bank President Zafar Masood, highlighting the features of the freelancer card, said the freelancers could bring in revenue worth billions of rupees if card was issued and account access was made easy. He recalled that, in the past, the recovery ratio of the Rozgar scheme was 99% while the recovery rate of Kissan scheme was 99.6% which removed misconceptions about the government's loan schemes. Earlier, a documentary was played marking the testimonials from the beneficiaries of the youth loan scheme which enabled them to earn sustenance for their respective families.

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CTD kills six terrorists in Lakki Marwat

The Bannu Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Lakki Marwat police on Thurday killed six terrorists in a joint intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), reported Express News. According to details shared by the K-P CTD, the operation was conducted within the limits of the Dadiwala police station in the Lakki Marwat district of K-P. Police sources said that they received information that the terrorists were planning to attack a police post. As soon as the CTD and police personnel reached the suspected hideout, the terrorists opened fire from multiple sides. During the exchange of fire, six terrorists were killed. Weapons, ammunition and grenades were recovered from their possession. Read Security forces kill terrorist in North Waziristan Police sources say that four out of the six terrorists have been identified. The four identified include Ziaullah alias Kochi son of Dawood, Safatullah alias Drone son of Hayatullah, Mohibullah son of Sharif and Kaleemullah alias Faqir son of Amir Nawaz. The CTD search operation is ongoing in the area. "The killed terrorists have been involved in attacks on police and security forces as well as other terrorist attacks," said the CTD in a statement. It should be noted that in November, six police personnel were martyred in the same area when militants opened fire on a police van travelling to the Abbasa police post in Lakki Marwat.

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