Mobile services to be suspended in 10 Punjab districts on Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA)

Mobile services will be partially suspended in 10 districts of Punjab on the occasion of Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA).  The suspension will be in effect from 5 AM to 11 PM at specific locations where religious gatherings are taking place, according to the spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department. The affected districts include Rawalpindi, Jhang, Layyah, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Chakwal, and Toba Tek Singh. Mobile services will remain operational in other districts of Punjab, including Lahore. The decision to suspend mobile services at specific locations was made to ensure law and order and the safety of citizens. The Punjab Home Department has communicated this decision to the federal government following a request from the police.        

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Khawaja Asif alleges ex-army chief threatened martial law to secure term extension

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that former Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa threatened to impose martial law as he sought a second extension to his term in November 2022.  Asif’s remarks came in response to Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan’s recent denial that Bajwa ever sought such an extension. Khan, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and a close friend of Bajwa, had stated that Bajwa, during a meeting at the US embassy, denied any desire for an extension. He suggested that Asif might have misunderstood or forgotten details about the situation. In a local television interview, Asif insisted that he remembers events clearly and stood by his claim. He described Bajwa’s threat of martial law as a serious matter, stating, “General Bajwa made it clear he would impose martial law if necessary.” Asif suggested that the discrepancy between his account and Khan’s was due to them referring to different contexts. He noted that Bajwa had sought an extension of six months to a year to address a deadlock, a claim that has been a point of contention. During the same programme, Khan reaffirmed that Bajwa, during his US visit, explicitly stated he would not seek an extension. He quoted Bajwa as saying, "I am an old soldier and an old soldier fades away," and emphasised that Bajwa had consistently maintained he was not pursuing an extension. Khan also mentioned that Bajwa supported the appointment of General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and General Asim Munir to key military positions. In a separate interview on a local television network, Asif reiterated his assertion that Bajwa had played a pivotal role in bringing Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, to power and had significant influence over him.  He further alleged that Bajwa had close ties with General (retd) Faiz Hameed, who was rumoured to be a successor Bajwa favoured.

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Internet disruptions could cost Pakistan $300m, IT group warns

Pakistan could lose up to $300 million because of internet disruptions, an IT group warned Thursday. "We see a careless and reckless implementation of the national firewall that threatens to strangle the IT industry before its maturity," said Ali Ihsan from the Pakistan Software Houses Association. “The internet, its reliability, quality, and throughput are of national interest. Anyone acting against it should review their decisions.” Amid the government’s attempt at controlling social media content, Pakistani netizens have complained about a slowdown in internet services which have become routine. Many have complained of losing freelance jobs as the internet is their main source. The X platform remains blocked in the country of nearly 250 million since Feb. 18. "These disruptions are not mere inconveniences; but, a direct, tangible and aggressive assault on the industry's viability – inflicting devastating financial losses estimated to reach $300 million, which can further increase exponentially," said Ihsan, as his group demanded the government review its decision. Read also: Senate committee demands action on internet slowdown within two weeks The IT industry is facing a “disaster; grappling with unprecedented operational disruptions that threaten the very foundation of Pakistan's burgeoned tech sector,” he added. The government has denied installing a firewall. "I am creating logos and selling them to different companies and people across the world but I am unable to work for the last one week as the internet is not working in our area," Islamabad-based freelancer Muhammad Amin told Anadolu. Amin said government action has created trouble for all freelancer workers. "I am earning around $700 to $1,000 but this month, I don't think would be able to earn in this situation," he said.

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No trains for the disabled

While a regular passenger might enjoy the thrill of jumping onto a crowded train just in time for departure, for a differently-abled person stuck on a wheelchair, boarding a train is anything but fun especially when travelling through Pakistan Railways, where absolutely no accessibility arrangements have been made to facilitate passengers with special mobility needs. For instance, Babli Naseem, a 58-year-old polio patient on a wheelchair revealed that she was travelling to Rawalpindi to attend her niece's wedding. "Once I reached the platform, I realized that there were no special desks or ramps available for helping differently-abled persons like me. Hence, my brother and cousin had to lift me onto the train, which had no space for a wheelchair. The entire journey was extremely uncomfortable for me since there were no restrooms for people with disabilities either. It is the incompetence of the railway authorities that they have failed to consider the accessibility needs of differently-abled persons. Are people like us not a part of society?" she lamented Similarly, Hafiz Qari Asif, another person with restricted mobility was en route to Multan with his wife through the Bahauddin Zakaria Express. "Since there were no special stairs or ramp to board the train compartment, we had to take the help of another passenger to get me onto the train. "There were no reserved seats for people with special needs. Although the government has discounted the fare for differently-abled persons, due to the lack of accessible facilities, they have to face severe difficulties," complained Asif. According to Rana Asif, who leads an organization working for the special needs of people with disabilities, even though the government has issued identity cards to differently-abled persons alongside fixing a quota for them in government jobs, the community was still more or less marginalized by society. "The accessibility needs of such people are not considered by institutions like Pakistan Railways, which has not bothered setting up a wheelchair ramp let alone a special counter. Hence, no person with a physical disability can even imagine travelling by themselves on a train," regretted Asif, who urged the government to pay serious attention to the issue. Expanding on the same, Dr Nasreen Aslam Shah, Professor at the Department of Social Work, University of Karachi reiterated the fact that differently-abled persons were guaranteed the same rights as any other citizen. "Special people, whether they are disabled or blind, have a lot of trouble moving around. They have no special facilities in buses and trains. The government should allocate one carriage for special persons and design it in such a way that all facilities are available for special persons. In this way, the problem of their transportation can be resolved to a great extent," suggested Dr Shah. "It is true that special persons are not provided any facilities in the passenger trains of Pakistan Railways. Wheelchairs are available at major stations but usually at smaller stations this facility is also not available. Between 100 to 150 differently-abled people travel through the passenger trains of Pakistan Railways on a daily basis. Therefore, trains should have special seats and restroom facilities for these people," said Railway Workers Union Chairman, Manzoor Razi. On the other hand, officials from Pakistan Railways claimed that it is the task of the higher authority of the railways to determine the need for separate carriages for special persons.

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1,200 students form massive human flag in Pakpattan

In a momentous event, 1,200 students from Government High School in Pakpattan came together to create a massive human flag, covering 9,600 square feet. Chief Digital Monitoring Officer Dr Abdullah Tabassum said the students of Government High School Pakpattan participated in the creation of a human flag, a feat never before seen in the Sahiwal Division. The event, organised in connection with Independence Day celebrations, was attended by key figures, including MPA Chaudhry Javed Ahmed, MPA Motiya Masood Khalid and others. Dressed in traditional Pakistani attire, the students stood together to form the giant flag, showcasing their commitment and love for the country. Deputy Commissioner Sadia Meher lauded the students' performance. She emphasised that this display of unity and patriotism is exactly what Pakistan needs at this time. The event was part of broader Independence Day celebrations across Punjab, initiated by the Chief Minister. The success of the event was attributed to the hard work of the students, teachers, and particularly Dr Abdullah Tabassum, who provided training and guidance to ensure the flag was formed correctly. In her address, Sadia Meher acknowledged the efforts of the education department officials and teachers who contributed to making the event a success.

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Weakening the military is weakening the nation, says COAS

On the occasion of Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir emphasised that any attempt to undermine the military is tantamount to weakening the country itself. Addressing the Independence Parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul on Tuesday night – the eve of August 14 – where he was the guest of honour, General Munir reiterated the military’s commitment to defending the nation. "Our national consciousness is rooted in the ideology of Pakistan, which is based on the Two-Nation Theory. Any effort to weaken our armed forces is akin to weakening the state," he stated. He expressed confidence that no negative force could undermine this trust. The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a laser light show depicting Pakistan's struggle for independence and nation-building. The cadets performed a march-past, and a flag-hoisting ceremony was held at midnight, where the national anthem was sung. The national flag was hoisted by the 12th Baloch Regiment at midnight, and attendees stood to sing the national anthem. The event was attended by cadets, their families, and other distinguished guests, who praised the cadets for their disciplined march-past. The troops reaffirmed their commitment to making every sacrifice for the nation. General Munir expressed gratitude for the blessings of freedom and the establishment of Pakistan, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the forefathers and paying tribute to the heroes of the independence movement. He also highlighted the importance of unity, warning that discord and division could hollow the nation from within, paving the way for external aggression. He noted that Pakistan, despite the rapid global changes, held a prominent position within the Muslim Ummah and the world due to its steadfast stance. "Pakistan’s future is bright and secure, and our forces will continue to defend it with unwavering resolve," he said, underscoring the enduring bond between the military and the people of Pakistan. He concluded by acknowledging the ongoing threat of extremism and terrorism in the region, commending the sacrifices made by the people, armed forces, and law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism, and reaffirming their resolve to continue making sacrifices for the nation's security.

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Punjab Police to use AI to track and arrest May 9 fugitives

Punjab Police have decided to employ artificial intelligence (AI) technology to apprehend suspects who are still at large in connection with the May 9 cases. According to sources within Lahore Police, a crackdown has been launched to tighten the noose around fugitives involved in the May 9 incidents. Out of approximately 4,500 suspects, efforts are now focused on arresting those who remain at large. The police plan to utilise AI technology and Safe City Authority cameras to identify and apprehend the fugitives. Additionally, the Face Trace app will be employed to track and arrest suspects. Special teams have been formed by Lahore Police to carry out these operations, and arrested individuals will undergo identification parades related to the May 9 cases. The riots erupted following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.

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