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Opposition leaders stage symbolic protest outside Parliament

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Opposition leaders stage symbolic protest outside Parliament
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ISLAMABAD: The opposition parties staged symbolic protest against the arrest of their leaders and attitude of Speaker National Assembly (NA) outside the parliament.

According to reports, the parliamentarians from the opposition also called for the issuance of production orders of members from the National Assembly and Senate who have been arrested by NAB.

The members who were protesting include senior members from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the PPP. The protesters also donned black arm bands to highlight their cause.

On the occasion, the opposition leaders chanted slogans against the Speaker NA and demanded his resignation while opposition leaders said that if the government didn’t issue the production orders then they will contact courts for the issuance of production orders.

Addressing the protest former defence minister and senior leader of PML-N Khawaja Asif said that the rights of assembly members were being denied, adding that if the speaker didn’t issue the production orders then they will contact the courts of the country.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Naveed Qamar said that the government has made a record after arresting Khursheed Shah, adding that political leaders in such numbers never arrested even it did not happen in Musharraf era.

The Opposition members demanded the Speaker National Assembly (NA) to issue production orders of the detained MNA’s being as an impartial speaker instead of performing duties as the PTI member.

At the end of the protest camp, the opposition leaders chanted slogans against the Speaker as well.

According to sources, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri had earlier informed the Lower House that NAB had taken the Speaker into confidence about the arrest of Khursheed Shah.

Speaking during the Assembly session earlier, PTI leader Murad Saaed mocked the black arm bands worn by the members of the opposition.

Saeed said that the opposition was only trying to point-score with their protest, while ignoring real issues like the one of Indian-occupied Kashmir.(INP)

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Court grants two-day transit remand of Khursheed Shah to NAB

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Khursheed Shah excuses himself from appearing before NAB
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ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Thursday granted the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) two-day transit remand of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Khursheed Shah in assets beyond means of income case.

Shah, who was arrested a day earlier by NAB in a case pertaining to acquiring assets beyond means of income, will be shifted to Sukkur for investigation.

The accountability watchdog’s prosecutor had requested for three-day transit remand.

“How much time will it take to fly to Sukkur,” Judge Bashir asked during hearing.

To this, the NAB investigating officer said they will take the PPP stalwart on the first available flight to Sukkur.

The court then granted two-day transit remand of the PPP leader to NAB.

The PPP leader is accused of allotting to himself an amnesty plot illegally from a cooperative society in Sukkur.

Read more: NAB arrests PPP stalwart Khursheed Shah

The investigation has been ongoing since August 7 and it was alleged that the PPP leader built bungalows, petrol pumps, and hotels in the name of others (benamidaar).

NAB Sukkur had summoned Shah through a letter, however, the PPP leader wrote back to the authority, declining to appear before it.

On July 31, the NAB had given approval for an inquiry against the senior PPP leader.(INP)

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Pakistan refuses India’s request to open airspace for PM Modi

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India approaches world body after Pakistan refuses airspace access for Modi
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ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not be allowed to use Pakistan’s airspace for his upcoming visit to Germany, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Wednesday, after New Delhi requested Islamabad’s permission.

India had requested Pakistan to allow Modi to use its airspace to travel to Germany on the 21st and return on 28th

Announcing the decision via a video statement, Qureshi said, the Indian High Commissioner had been informed of Pakistan’s decision to not allow Modi’s aeroplane ‘the VIP jet Air India One’ to fly over the country.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Important Video message on decision to decline India’s request for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi use of airspace (18.09.19) #Pakistan 🇵🇰 #Kashmir #UnitedNations 🇺🇳 #UNGA وزیر خارجہ مخدوم شاہ محمود قریشی کا اہم ویڈیو پیغام ہندوستان سے درخواست آئی تھی کہ ہندوستان کے وزیر اعظم نریندر مودی بیس تاریخ کو جرمنی جانے اور اٹھائیس تاریخ کو واپس آنے کیلئے فضائی حدود استعمال کرنے کی اجازت طلب کی ہے پاکستان نے مقبوضہ جموں و کشمیر کی صورتحال اور ہندوستان کے روئیے کو سامنے رکھتے ہوئے ہندوستان کو اجازت نہ دینے کا فیصلہ کیا ہے اور ہم نے انڈین ہائی کمشنر کو اس فیصلے سے آگاہ کر دیا ہے

A post shared by Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@smqureshi.pti) on

Qureshi noted that the Indian government had sought permission to use the Pakistani airspace for Modi to travel to Germany.

“India had requested Pakistan to allow Modi to use its airspace to travel to Germany on the 21st and return on 28th,” he said.

Read more: Pakistan rejects Indian president request to fly over its airspace

Qureshi added: “However, considering the situation in occupied Kashmir and India’s behaviour, including the violence and aggression and the denial of rights in Kashmir, we have decided not to give permission to the Indian prime minister.

“We have conveyed this decision to the Indian High Commissioner,” he added. (INP)

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NAB arrests PPP stalwart Khursheed Shah

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ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday arrested senior PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah in a case regarding his alleged assets beyond means.

“NAB Sukkur has arrested Syed Khursheed Shah in the assets beyond means case,” a brief handwritten statement issued by NAB Islamabad said.

He will be presented before the relevant accountability court in Sukkur for remand tomorrow, the press release added.

The PPP stalwart was arrested in a joint operation by NAB’s Rawalpindi and Sukkur chapters, according to reports. He will remain in NAB Rawalpindi’s custody tonight.

Shah was taken away by nearly 20 personnel of NAB and police during a raid at his Islamabad residence, the domestic staff at his house told newsmen.

They claimed that the NAB and police personnel had neither allowed any discussion nor let the servants take out their mobile phones before they took Shah away with them.

Read more: Khursheed Shah excuses himself from appearing before NAB

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders condemned the arrest of senior party leader Khursheed Shah by the National Accountability Bureau Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Senator Murtaza Wahab spoke to Geo News, saying that several federal ministers are facing inquiries, but they weren’t arrested. ‘Whoever criticises the government gets arrested,’ said the PPP senator.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also strongly criticised the arrest. ‘There should be any law, whose law is it?’ she said. She said that the party leaders have approached the assembly speaker, adding that the arrest came without his knowledge.

Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah said that the PPP senior leader was not evading any investigation and the government made a wrong move by arresting the PPP leader. (INP)

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Chaudhry mills case: Court approves seven-day physical remand of Maryam Nawaz, Yousaf Abbas

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LAHORE: Accountability court on Wednesday has approved seven-day physical remand of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz and managing director at Sharif Group of Industries and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s nephew Yousaf Abbas in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case.

During the hearing, the court has directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to again produce the accused on September 25.

Previously, NAB prosecutor had submitted a report in the court and told that Saeed Saif Bin Jabbar Asadi had transferred 94 lac shares to Maryam Nawaz in 2008 whereas she further transferred 70 lac shares to Yousaf Abbas in 2019.

On August 8, NAB team had detained Maryam Nawaz outside the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore for skipping appearance in Chaudhry Sugar Mills due to meeting with her father and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Maryam Nawaz was unable to provide the required details of foreign investment in sugar mills while she was also failed to satisfy the bureau regarding source of income for purchasing the shares. NAB has also claimed that three foreigners had transferred 11000 shares worth millions of rupees on Maryam Nawaz’s name.

The anti-corruption watchdog’s daycare centre was declared sub-jail for the PML-N leader while female police and NAB personnel were deployed for her.

On July 19, accountability court had turned down petition of NAB claiming Maryam Nawaz had produced a bogus trust deed in Avenfield reference.

Judge Mohammad Bashir had declared anti-corruption watchdog’s appeal as unmaintainable and ruled that no action can be taken in this regard until the decision of Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Maryam’s petition against the Avenfield properties verdict.

On July 6, 2018, accountability judge Mohammad Bashir had convicted former premier Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in Avenfield properties reference and sentenced them 10 years and 07 years imprisonment, respectively.

Read more: ECP dismisses petition seeking disqualification of Maryam Nawaz from party office

In the verdict, judge Bashir had declared that “The trust deeds produced by the accused Maryam Nawaz were also found bogus… In view of the role of this accused Maryam Nawaz, she is convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for seven years with fine of two million pounds.”

She was arrested and shifted to Adiala jail. Later, in September 2018, she was released from jail after the Islamabad High Court suspended her prison sentence. (INP)

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HRCP says ‘deeply concerned’ about government’s special media tribunals

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HRCP says 'deeply concerned' about govt's special media tribunals
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ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Wednesday said it was deeply concerned about the government’s decision to establish special media tribunals to settle cases of media organisations, workers, owners and citizens.

In a post on Twitter, the independent watchdog on human rights said, “HRCP is deeply concerned at the government’s announcement that it is setting up media tribunals. Given the government’s woeful record on press freedoms, HRCP urges it to refrain from pressurising the media further. How are tribunals expected to maintain the media’s independence?”

On Tuesday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said after the establishment of the tribunals, all media-related cases would be transferred to them, which would be bound to decide on the matter within 90 days of receiving complaints.

The decision to the effect had been taken as part of media rules and regulations the government intended to introduce in Pakistan like the best practices being followed in other democratic countries, she added.

Setting up the tribunals would make the media more responsible, she added.

Awan added, at present, media organisations, owners, workers and the civil society moved their media-related complaints to the judiciary to get relief. “The decision would help prevail truth and supremacy of law, besides encouraging the process of self-accountability in the media,” she added.

She said the tribunals would hear specific media complaints and any organisation or person having any complaint against the media could approach them.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, she said, was of the opinion that positive criticism was vital for the development of a society and better governance, but some elements were using freedom of expression for personal objectives.

The prime minister remarked that some elements were intentionally spreading baseless rumours to fulfil their nefarious designs and a section of media was being used as a tool, she added.

She quoted the prime minister as saying that it was being done to create mistrust between the people and the government.

Responding to questions from reporters, she said that all the stakeholders would be taken on board regarding the media tribunals, which would work under the supervision of the superior judiciary.

The tribunals would be free from government control or influence as government functionaries would also be accountable to them. (INP)

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Taxpayers should not be harassed: Chief Justice IHC

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Taxpayers should not be harassed: Chief Justice IHC
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ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Athar Minallah has said that taxpayers should not be harassed as it hurts the economy.

He said that tax collectors can also raise revenue without being harsh while taxpayers should discharge national obligation by honestly paying taxes which is imperative for national development.

Chief Justice IHC Athar Minallah said this while speaking at a function jointly organised by Rawalpindi Islamabad Tax Bar Association (RITBA) and Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA) to announced provision of free legal aid to taxpayers facing harassment.

He said that taxpayers would be provided relief by adopting the procedure of Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (ADRC) and file their tax matters before the ADRC for early resolution of their disputes.

President of RITBA Syed Tauqeer Bukhari, President PTBA Abdul Qadir Memon, noted tax expert Hafiz Muhammad Idrees and others also spoke on the occasion.

They informed about some cases of harassment, threw light on providing legal aid to deserving taxpayers and vowed to end harassment of taxpayers by the tax department.

The speakers said that there are a lot of corporate and tax cases pending in the IHC, therefore, IHC should appoint a tax expert as judge of the high court following the suit of Sindh High Court and Lahore High Court.

They also demanded to increase the number of judges in the IHC to provide relief to masses and taxpayers.

The meeting was also attended by office bearers and members of various tax bars and SVP RITBA Faraz Fazal Sheikh, VP Naeemul Haq, Sec. Gen Zahid Shafique, Syed Tanseer Bukhari, Media Coordinator Sofia Akhtar, Jamal Akhtar Mian, Safeer Ahmed, Azhar Hussain Sheikh, Habibullah, Khalid Masood Malik, Tauseef Alam, Hassan Raza Baluch, and Ijaz Hussain Rathore. (INP)

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Aseefa Bhutto meets Asif Zardari in Adiala Jail

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Aseefa Bhutto meets Asif Zardari in Adiala Jail
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ISLAMABAD : Daughter of the former President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto met her father in Adiala Jail on Monday, where the politician is currently under custody for corruption investigations.

Rukhsana Bangash and Sardar Latif Khosa also accompanied Aseefa during the meeting with co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

Earlier in the day, an accountability court (AC) has rejected plea seeking permission to meet former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur, twice a week.

The court after hearing arguments from the accused lawyer and the NAB prosecutor had reserved its verdict earlier in the day.

In the absence of Latif Khosa, the lawyer of the accused, his assistant appeared before the NAB court to fight the plea.

In his supporting arguments, Zardari’s counsel said, Monday, has been fixed as a meeting date with his clients, but the jail administration always asks for the court orders, whenever anyone comes to meet them.

He requested the court to grant permission of meeting twice in a week with his clients, however, NAB prosecutor opposed it.

The court, after hearing arguments from both sides, had reserved the verdict. Pronouncing the reserved verdict later, the court rejected the plea and fixed Monday as a meeting day with Zardari and Faryal Talpur.

Both Zardari and Talpur are being held at Adiala Jail after they were arrested by the accountability watchdog earlier this year on charges of laundering billions of rupees through fictitious accounts.(INP)

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Nuclear war’s consequences are inconceivable: PM

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned the global powers and the international community of grave consequences if a nuclear war breaks out between arch-rivals Pakistan and India.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said, “It is a nation that will fight till the last breath,” he said while referring to a possibility of using nuclear arms in the war.

“The aftermath of a nuclear conflict is unimaginable and anything is possible if two nuclear-armed states enter into war against each other,” he said.

Pakistan doesn’t want to initiate a war as wars create more problems. I am against war as I believe that wars don’t solve problems

“No sane person can talk of a nuclear war. Pakistan will go to every extent for [rights] of Kashmiris.”

He affirmed that this was the reason Pakistan has been approaching every international forum for resolution of the longstanding dispute as the possible devastation would affect the entire subcontinent.

“Pakistan doesn’t want to initiate a war as wars create more problems. I am against war as I believe that wars don’t solve problems,” he added.

As an example, the premier referred to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and mentioned those wars later unfolded more intense issues.

PM Khan outlined that Pakistan has ensured religious freedom for followers of all religions and termed ill-treatment towards minorities “violation of the Constitution.”

Read more: US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib condemns revocation of IOK autonomy by India

He further compared religious freedom in Pakistan with under Modi regime in India, and stated: “India has been following the ideology of RSS.”

On Thursday, the premier, in a tweet, welcomed the European Union‘s call for a peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute, in line with the UNSC resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.

He had also thanked the rest of the world for its support for Kashmir.”I commend 58 countries that joined Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council on September 10, reinforcing demands of international community for India to stop the use of force, lift the siege, remove other restrictions, respect and protect Kashmir’s rights, and resolve Kashmir dispute through the UNSC resolutions.” (INP)

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Pakistan needs to mobilise tax revenue to fund development: IMF

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ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday said Pakistan needs to increase its tax revenue in order to fund development.

In a press briefing, IMF Director Communications Gerry Rice said, “One of the key elements of the program that the IMF is supporting in Pakistan, Pakistan’s program, is the need to mobilise domestic tax revenue to fund much needed social and development spending while placing debt on a firm downward trend.”

Rice further said this was something that was emphasised by acting Managing Director David Lipton during his recent meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“Let me add that we expect an IMF team to be in Pakistan in the next few days, including our Director for that area, Jihad Azur will be there,” he added.

On July 10, Pakistan received the first tranche of loan of $991.4 million from the IMF under the under Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), following the loan from the IMF, the country’s foreign exchange reserves now stand at above $15.0431 billion.

The IMF’s Executive Board on July 3 had approved a three-year bailout package worth $6 billion to Pakistan.

Rice, had confirmed saying, “IMF Executive Board approved today a three-year US$6 billion loan to support Pakistan’s economic plan, which aims to return sustainable growth to the country’s economy and improve the standards of living.”

Read more: French Court convicts Saudi king’s daughter over assault

“The country’s economic plan seeks to return sustainable growth to the economy by adopting reforms to foster stronger and more sustainable growth,” Rice had added.

The IMF and Pakistan’s government had earlier already signed a staff agreement on May 12 in this regard. (INP)

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