Govt to revise banned entities list

Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik has said the government will revise its list of proscribed organisations with assistance from US agencies, including the State Department. He added that individuals linked to these groups could face US travel restrictions. Speaking on a private news channel the other day, Aqeel said that Pakistanis would not be subjected to any travel ban. "People need not get worried that there is some visa ban on Pakistan or that they will be denied entry," he said. "We are not looking at an outright ban on Pakistanis entering the US." He noted that both Pakistan and the US must update their lists of banned organisations. "The list of proscribed groups needs to be updated, and I am sure that the State Department will update their own lists as well," Aqeel said. "We will share information with them - there is intelligence sharing - and based on our list, they will update their lists about banned Pakistani organisations as well," he stated. "If any individuals maintain links with these organisations, their entry may be denied, and their visas may be revoked." Addressing concerns, the minister reiterated that ordinary Pakistanis would not face travel restrictions.

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'Govt ensuring better prices for crops'

Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain has the government is working to ensure better prices for crops including wheat to benefit farmers. Talking to media in Muridke on Sunday, the minister noted that the government is determined to increase agricultural produce to maintain food security. The minister said farmers will get better price for their crops and measures are being taken to provide them relief. In reply to a question, he said that no opposition movement is taking place after Eid. He alleged that the PTI leaders are resorting to abusive language and pleas which has "become their political strategy".

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PM forms committee to probe Port Qasim land scandal

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the alleged irregularities in the leasing of valuable Port Qasim Authority (PQA) land, following explosive revelations by Senator Faisal Vawda that the land was leased at throwaway prices during the current government’s tenure. According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the land was allocated for a small and medium industrial park. It added that the alleged financial irregularities in the leasing process will be probed by the panel.  The committee will be led by the chairman of the prime minister’s inspection commission, who has been appointed as the convener, while Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Sirajuddin Amjad and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director Syed Shahid Hussain will serve as its members. The committee has also been assigned a special task to examine the legal strategy of PQA in seeking the cancellation of the lease, including efforts to overturn the stay order issued against its revocation. It will investigate the factors considered by the PQA Board in its decision to reach an out-of-court settlement with the claimant. Furthermore, the inquiry panel will review all legal opinions that supported the out-of-court settlement.  As per the terms of reference (ToRs), the committee will assess whether PQA reassessed the land's value before proceeding with the settlement and whether prevailing market prices were taken into account in the final decision. The committee will also determine why the out-of-court settlement offer was not immediately withdrawn when the claimant refused to accept it. In addition, it will identify governance issues that contributed to delays in the process. If necessary, the committee has been authorized to co-opt additional members to assist in the investigation. The ministry of maritime affairs will provide secretarial support. The inquiry committee is required to submit its report to the prime minister within two weeks. Last week, Senate Committee on Maritime Chairman Senator Faisal Vawda exposed a Rs60 billion corruption scandal, accusing a federal minister of "criminal negligence". Vawda detailed the land scam and held Maritime Affairs Minister Qaisar Sheikh accountable for the oversight. He claimed the deal was scrapped within 72 hours. "I asked for one thing, but they ignored me and rushed to cancel the deal in 72 hours," he said. During this time, he added, an official denial was published in obscure newspapers. Land worth millions per acre was allegedly sold for as little as Rs800,000 to Rs1 million.

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PTI's Buppi dismisses Chinkara case as farcical

PTI Senator Aon Abbas Buppi on Saturday claimed that authorities have implicated him in a false case of hunting five Chinkara gazelles, which, he claimed, are non-existent in Pakistan. "There is not a single Chinkara in Pakistan, yet five such cases have been registered against me," Buppi said while talking to reporters after attending a Senate session. "The case registered against me is entirely based on lies," he added. The Punjab Wildlife Department registered a case against Buppi and nine others for illegal hunting of Chinkara. The Bahawalpur police later arrested the PTI senator. Buppi told reporters that he was told that Ejaz Chaudhary would also be brought to the upper house but the order of the Senate chairman was once again ignored. The senator said during his incarceration he had not endured a fraction of the suffering that Ejaz Chaudhary was enduring. He said it would weigh heavily on his conscience if Chaudhary were in jail and he were in the Federal Lodges. "I made a principled decision and requested the Senate chairman to cancel my production orders. Senator Ejaz Chaudhry is like a friend, mentor, and a father to me," he added. He said he requested the Senate chairman to send him to Bahawalpur so that he could face the case. "At the police station where a charge sheet was filed against me, a case of wheat theft was registered against PTI leader Shahryar Afridi. It is the price of loyalty to [PTI founder] Imran Khan—price that has been paid and will continue to be paid," he concluded.

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WhatsApp group admin shot dead in Peshawar

A man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting the administrator of a community WhatsApp group who removed him from the chat, police said on Saturday. Mushtaq Ahmed was shot dead on Thursday evening in Peshawar. A man named only as Ashfaq has been charged with his murder, according to police documents seen by AFP and a local police official. Mushtaq allegedly kicked Ashfaq out of the WhatsApp group following an argument, according to a statement by Mushtaq's brother seen by AFP. He said that both parties had arranged to meet and reconcile but alleges that Ashfaq turned up with a gun and opened fire, killing his brother.

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IHC launches inquiry into bribe allegation

Islamabad High Court's (IHC) Acting Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar has taken notice of a letter written by the secretary of an IHC judge with regard to alleged demand of bribes by the court staff — transferred to the IHC from other courts — from litigants. Justice Dogar on Friday constituted a committee comprising IHC Registrar Yar Muhammad Walana and Additional Registrar Establishment Rai Muhammad Khan to launch an inquiry into the matter and submit a report within three days. In a letter written to the IHC registrar by Justice Babar Sattar's secretary on the judge's instruction, alarm had been raised over the reported demand of "gratuity/ handouts" from litigants by the staff recently transferred from other high courts to the IHC. The letter had noted that the "pernicious practice" of court staff chasing after counsels and litigating parties, who have been granted relief by the court, to demand gratuity and handouts has begun rearing its ugly head in the IHC recently. "The staff of the IHC are full-time employees of the court and are paid appropriate compensation for their services and duties as fixed by law. For an employee to seek gratuity from a counsel or a litigating party for having been granted some relief by the court is an act of misconduct. It said all courts, including the high courts, have been established to discharge services to citizens and as service providers it is for the courts and their staff to discharge such services to the best of their ability. "To accept any handouts or gratuity paid by a counsel and/or a litigating party qualifies as bribery on part of a court employee, and to demand such gratuity qualifies as seeking rents for dispensation of justice, and can have no place in the culture of the court that exists to provide citizens access to justice. Such demands, therefore, must attract strict disciplinary action," it said.

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Pakistan honours female polio workers ahead of International Women's Day

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Program paid tribute to female polio workers on Friday, recognising their dedication and contributions in high-risk areas during a ceremony in Islamabad on Friday ahead of International Women’s Day (March 8). Female health workers are at the forefront of the country's polio eradication efforts, constituting more than 58.4% of the polio workforce. They play a leading role in the crucial door-to-door inoculation drives, often working in some of the most challenging environments. During the ceremony, Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting female workers. "Today, as we commemorate International Women’s Day, I want to reaffirm our collective commitment to ensuring a safe, dignified, and enabling environment for every female frontline worker," she said. Farooq also highlighted the Pakistan Polio Programme's implementation of an anti-harassment policy, ensuring a secure and professional environment for female workers. The event gathered national and provincial coordinators of the polio program, alongside senior officials, and included video messages from frontline female workers who shared their experiences. Many spoke about the challenges they face, such as convincing hesitant families to vaccinate their children, while expressing pride in their role in working towards a polio-free future. Anwarul Haq, the top official at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), praised the dedication of female workers, calling them the “backbone” of Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts. “This year’s theme resonates deeply with us at the National Emergency Operations Center as we honor female polio workers who are considered as the backbone of Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts,” he said. "These women work tirelessly, often in difficult and high-risk areas, to ensure every child receives the life-saving polio vaccine," he added. Haq further emphasised the importance of empowering women in public health roles. "Their courage and unwavering commitment reflect the incredible strength of Pakistani women," he said. "Empowering them is not just about recognizing their contributions: it is about strengthening our communities and ensuring a healthier, polio-free Pakistan," he added. Haq also stressed the significance of gender sensitivity in public health, noting that supporting women in frontline health roles contributes to building a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous society. Pakistan recently concluded its first nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025, with authorities reporting six polio cases so far this year. Additional vaccination rounds are planned for April and May, as the country continues its efforts to eradicate the disease.

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