KARACHI: Renowned Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Naik has revealed that the fake rumors were being spread against Islam by forces of evil.
Dr Naik said while addressing a gathering at the Sindh Governor House. “The propaganda is being staged on foreign media against Islam. I feel that the media is the most dangerous key tool, contemporary”, Dr Naik told the gathering.
He further stated, “I have come to Pakistan on the invitation of the government”.
“We Muslims are quite experts of the entertainment media,” Dr. Naik added.
He maintained: “I had a wish of visiting Pakistan on tour of delivering lectures.”
Expressing his thoughts, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said: “Today, the people belonging to all the religions, sects are present today. I have always tried my level best to do something for the sake of the masses.
He commended the efforts of Dr Naiik, saying, “The entire world acknowledges the contributions made by Dr. Zakir Naik.”
“Sindh is the land of saints, while Karachi is an economic hub of Pakistan”, he concluded.
ISLAMABAD: Due to potential road closures across the federal capital, the private schools’ association has announced that schools will remain closed on Friday (today) as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans to hold a protest for the “independence of the judiciary” at D-Chowk.
“Children’s safety is our top priority […] Even today, students faced difficulties due to road blockades,” said Waheed Khan, General Secretary of the Private Schools’ Association, in a statement issued late Thursday.
This development follows the former ruling party — founded by Imran Khan — announcing its plans to hold a demonstration at D-Chowk for the “independence” of the judiciary and the release of the former prime minister from jail.
The Islamabad district administration has already enforced Section 144 and the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024,” regulating public assemblies in certain areas of the capital.
In efforts to prevent the potential protest, authorities have begun sealing parts of the federal capital by placing containers to block Murree Road, leading towards Faizabad Interchange and Islamabad Expressway.
In addition to strict security measures, road blockades have been set up at various points to prevent protesters from gathering in the capital. Meanwhile, the motorway police have also closed Motorway M-1 at Swabi Interchange.
In a separate statement, Islamabad police announced that all Khidmat Markaz Centres and driving license branches will also remain closed.
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi has been put on high alert, with at least 4,000 security personnel deployed across the city. Furthermore, the metro bus service from Saddar to IJP Road will remain suspended today (Friday).
ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to withdraw its planned protest on October 4, emphasizing the importance of maintaining calm during a sensitive period, as foreign dignitaries are set to visit the capital.
In a press briefing, the Security Czar stressed that protests are ill-timed when a foreign head of state is in the country, particularly with the upcoming visits of a high-level Saudi delegation and the Chinese President.
Naqvi, accompanied by senior officials including Federal Secretary of Interior Agha Khurram and IGP Islamabad Police Ali Nasir Rizvi, outlined the government’s stance on the matter.
“We are at a critical juncture in the administration of Islamabad, with significant international events on the horizon,” Naqvi remarked. The Chinese President is scheduled to arrive on October 17, coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference.
The minister urged PTI to pursue political discourse without jeopardizing diplomatic relations. “Protest is a right, but it should not come at the expense of our nation’s honor,” he said, referencing past incidents that have affected Pakistan’s international reputation.
He highlighted the example of a minor incident during former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore, which has since been ridiculed.
Reiterating the government’s firm stance, Naqvi declared that there would be “no leniency” for those attempting to disrupt peace. He referenced the enforcement of Section 144 in Islamabad, which prohibits public gatherings without prior approval.
“If PTI insists on proceeding with the protest, they must comply with legal protocols, including reserving a venue,” he added.
The interior minister called on PTI leaders, particularly the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to reconsider their plans in the national interest. “These are not the right days for protests. We must prioritize Pakistan’s interests over political affiliations,” he asserted.
Naqvi confirmed that security measures were being intensified, with the deployment of police and paramilitary forces starting on October 5. “The police have made all necessary arrangements, and we will take every precaution to ensure the safety of our guests,” he assured.
In response to questions about the legality of the protests, IGP Islamabad revealed that preparations had been made to arrest individuals linked to organizing demonstrations. “Items intended for potential violence, including sticks, stones, and other projectiles, have been recovered from some protesters,” he reported.
The PTI had announced the protest to demand the “independence of the judiciary,” despite the ban on public gatherings in Islamabad, with plans to rally at D-Chowk. This announcement followed threats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur against the federal government.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan has also called for a series of protests across various cities, including Lahore, despite the new Public Order Act 2024, which mandates prior notification for public gatherings.
KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has reportedly sealed a dental clinic owned by former president of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, citing violations of zoning regulations.
SBCA officials revealed that the clinic, located in the Sindhi Muslim Cooperative Housing Society (SMCHS), was being operated in a residential bungalow, which is in violation of the authority’s rules.
The operation to seal the clinic was conducted under the supervision of SBCA Assistant Director Shakeel Jamali. A team of SBCA officials, accompanied by local police, participated in the action.
Authorities claim that the clinic was being operated in a residential area without the necessary permits for commercial activity.
Sources further disclosed that the clinic’s location in a residential zone had prompted complaints, leading to the SBCA’s crackdown. “This is part of our ongoing efforts to address the illegal commercial use of residential properties,” said an SBCA official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Dr. Arif Alvi, who served as Pakistan’s president from 2018 to 2023, has not yet publicly commented on the matter. The clinic, a long-standing establishment in the area, has garnered attention due to Dr. Alvi’s political profile.
SRINAGAR: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament) Rahul Gandhi will address two public rallies in Ramban and Islamabad (Anantnag) districts today, September 4.
The two public rallies will kickstart the Congress party’s campaign for the J&K Assembly polls being held after a gap of 10 years.
These rallies are part of the campaign for the party’s candidates contesting in the first phase of the elections on September 18.
Besides Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are among the 40 star campaigners of the party in the upcoming three-phased Assembly polls.
Polling to elect 90 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly members will be held on September 18, 25, and October 1. “Rahul ji will kickstart the party’s campaign starting tomorrow. On Wednesday, he will address two public rallies in Ramban and Islamabad (Anantnag) districts in support of Congress candidates,” Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hamid Karra told media person in Srinagar.
Rahul and Kharge were in Jammu and Kashmir last month ahead of NC-Congress alliance announcement.
The Congress and the National Conference have entered into a pre-poll alliance for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, being held for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019.
Karra said Rahul Gandhi will arrive in Jammu from Delhi on Wednesday and then fly to the Gool area of Ramban district to address a rally in the afternoon. He will campaign for former Jammu and Kashmir unit chief of the party Vikar Rasool Wani, who is contesting from the Banihal assembly constituency. Polling for the seat will be held in the first phase on September 18.
SRINAGAR: The highly anticipated ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’ (Delhi March) commenced today Monday from Memorial Park in Leh, Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, (IIOJK) with hundreds of participants and supporters in attendance.
Thupstan Chhewang, Chairman of the Leh Apex Body, flagged off the march, joined by Co-chairman Chering Dorje and other prominent figures.
The 30-day peaceful march, organized by the Leh Apex Body, aims to draw attention to Ladakh’s four-point agenda including implementation of the Sixth Schedule. Renowned environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk leads the march, which will culminate in Delhi on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti.
Participants include religious leaders, activists, and concerned citizens, such as 75-year-old Tsering Namgyal, who expressed concerns about Ladakh’s future and rising unemployment. The march has garnered widespread support, with members of the Kargil Democratic Alliance expected to join in Delhi.
This initiative follows a series of hunger strikes, including Wangchuk’s 28-day hunger strike and a subsequent 66-day strike by thousands of volunteers. Leaders in Leh have vowed to continue the movement.
NEW DELHI: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at a book launch event, firmly stated that the “era of uninterrupted dialogue” with Pakistan is over, emphasizing that actions have consequences.
The Minister expressed India’s unwavering stance that New Delhi would not resume regular diplomatic talks with Islamabad until Pakistan takes effective measures to curb terror groups involved in cross-border terrorism.
Addressing the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, Jaishankar asserted that there is no chance of reversing the decision. “As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, Article 370 is done,” he said.
During his speech at the book release of Ambassador Rajiv Sikri’s book, *Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping India’s Foreign Policy*, Jaishankar also touched on the broader challenges of maintaining diplomatic relations with neighboring countries. “For every country, neighbors are always a conundrum. They can never be fully resolved. They are ongoing relationships that will always present challenges,” he said, citing recent diplomatic issues with the Maldives and Bangladesh.
“People sometimes come and say, ‘This happened in Bangladesh’ or ‘That happened in the Maldives.’ They need to look around the world and tell me which country doesn’t face challenges with its neighbors. It is in the very nature of being a neighbor that these things will happen,” he remarked.
India’s relationship with Pakistan remains volatile, with border disputes in Jammu and Kashmir serving as a frequent flashpoint. New Delhi has consistently raised concerns over Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism, stressing that “terror and talks” cannot coexist. India maintains that the bilateral relationship hinges on Pakistan’s ability to control terror groups operating from its territory.
In the region, many leaders from Jammu and Kashmir’s regional parties have advocated for dialogue and diplomacy with Pakistan as a means to achieve lasting peace.
However, it remains unclear whether Prime Minister Modi or the Minister of External Affairs will make the trip to Pakistan for the upcoming SCO meeting, with Pakistan currently holding the rotating chairmanship of the organization.
The minister’s comments have sparked considerable speculation about whether India will attend the SCO meeting in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch revealed that Pakistan had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming SCO meeting in Islamabad.
The SCO Heads of Government meeting is scheduled for October 15-16, preceded by a series of ministerial and senior officials’ meetings focusing on various areas of cooperation among member states.
Baloch confirmed that invitations had been sent to the leaders of all member countries, adding that some nations had already confirmed their participation. However, she did not disclose which countries had responded affirmatively.
Despite the invitation, the Ministry of External Affairs has remained silent on whether Prime Minister Modi will attend the SCO meeting.
The uncertainty is further compounded by the ongoing elections in Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir, which are set to conclude by October 4. It is widely speculated that New Delhi may not announce its decision until after the election results are declared.
Education is universally recognized as a fundamental human right. It not only provides stability, enriches lives, and fosters personal growth but also plays a crucial role in enhancing one’s standard of living, increasing social importance and offering individuals the chance for better lives.
Furthermore, education equips people with knowledge, skills, and a constructive attitude that empowers them to positively impact society. As Nelson Mandela famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
However, in Pakistan, education has been consistently neglected. Despite its pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future, the sector has not received the attention it deserves. A recent report by the Ministry of Planning has highlighted significant gaps and weaknesses in Pakistan’s education system, drawing attention to a critical issue that has long been ignored.
The District Education Performance Index (DEPIx) Report for 2020-2023 reveals alarming statistics. Pakistan’s national average score in the DEPIx is 53.46, placing the country in the “low” performance category. Among the five assessed domains, infrastructure and access scored the highest at 58.95, indicating some progress in expanding educational opportunities.
The inclusion domain, which encompasses equity and technology, follows as the second highest.
However, the report underscores that public financing recorded the lowest score, signaling an urgent need for increased and better-targeted spending in the education sector. The learning domain also scores poorly, reflecting persistently low learning outcomes among students.
Governance and management, though slightly better than the learning domain, still fall within the “low” category, mainly due to teacher shortages and high bureaucratic turnover.
Notably, none of the 134 districts assessed falls within the ‘very high’ performance category, with only Islamabad ranking in the ‘high’ category.
The situation is further exacerbated by the lack of access to education for children, particularly those from poor families or residing in backward areas. The Prime Minister recently highlighted that 26.5 million children aged 5 to 16 years are currently out of school in Pakistan, representing nearly 36% of the total number of children in this age group.
This is one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the world, blatantly contravening Article 25-A of the Constitution, which guarantees free and compulsory education for all children in this age group—a promise that remains unfulfilled even 14 years after its enactment.
The chronic neglect of Pakistan’s education system stems from decades of deliberate ignorance and disregard. One of the primary reasons for the underdeveloped education sector is the lack of consistent investment.
Government spending on education, currently at approximately 1.7% of GDP, falls far short of the 4% minimum recommended by international education monitors, highlighting a chronic lack of prioritization. This underfunding has led to insufficient infrastructural facilities, underpaid teaching staff, and ultimately, a low-quality education system.
The disparity in educational quality between urban and rural areas is another significant issue. Many schools in rural areas suffer from a lack of qualified teachers, outdated curricula, and inadequate facilities. In fact, 70% of children who do not attend school live in rural areas, a reflection of limited access to educational institutions in these regions.
Furthermore, the education a child receives in Pakistan is heavily dependent on household income. Surveys by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reveal that children from the top income quintile have significantly higher enrollment rates compared to those from the bottom quintile.
Gender inequality also exacerbates the educational crisis. Of the children who do not attend school, 58% are girls. In many parts of the country, the education of male children is given greater priority, further widening the gender gap in educational attainment.
Socioeconomic factors, particularly poverty, play a crucial role in limiting educational opportunities. Many children are forced to work to support their families, which restricts their ability to attend school regularly. According to a World Bank report, nearly 37% of Pakistan’s population earns less than $3.65 per day, with over 83% earning less than $6.85 per day. This level of poverty severely hampers children’s access to education.
Corruption, misuse of authority, and mismanagement of funds are also significant contributors to the underdevelopment of Pakistan’s education sector. According to Transparency International, education is the fourth most corrupt sector in Pakistan.
Corruption manifests in various forms, including the embezzlement of funds, manipulations in teacher appointments and transfers, grade inflation, fake degrees, and corruption in development projects.
A serious lack of accountability further exacerbates these issues, allowing corrupt practices to persist unchecked.
These factors have collectively contributed to Pakistan’s education sector becoming one of the worst in the world. However, with consistent and pragmatic policies, these problems can be addressed. The government must take a step-by-step approach to identify and rectify the challenges facing the education system, ensuring a brighter future for the nation.
(Umar Sajjad is an A-level student at LGS Gulberg, Lahore. He can be reached at umerrsajjad4929@gmail.com)
ISLAMABAD: Former Spy Master and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed has been placed under military custody as disciplinary action is initiated against him.
The Pakistan Army has commenced a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) to address charges brought against the retired officer. This significant development is part of the military’s internal accountability mechanism.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s orders, a detailed court of inquiry was conducted by the Army to investigate the complaints against Hameed in the Top City Case.
“Consequently, appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) under the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act,” the ISPR added.
Furthermore, the ISPR reported that multiple instances of violation of the Pakistan Army Act post-retirement have also been established. “The process of the Field General Court Martial has been initiated, and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd) has been taken into military custody,” it added.
Earlier this year, the Pakistan Army announced it had initiated an inquiry against the retired general in response to allegations raised by Moeez Khan, the owner of Top City society. Khan had approached the Supreme Court, which subsequently ordered an inquiry into the matter. In November 2023, the Supreme Court declared that the allegations against Faiz Hameed were serious and could not be ignored, alleging misuse of authority and office by Hameed, according to the petitioner.
Sources privy to the development revealed that the army constituted an inquiry committee, chaired by a major general, to investigate the accusations against Faiz Hameed under the directives from the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court exercised powers under Article 184(3) in its judgment, stipulating that the petitioner’s complaint should be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The inquiry originated from a petition filed by the owner of the private housing society, detailing incidents allegedly involving Faiz Hameed and his associates, including Brigadier (retd) Naeem Fakhar, Brigadier (retd) Ghaffar, and Irtiza Haroon.
The petitioner claimed that in May 2017, Pakistan Rangers and ISI officials raided the society’s office and a resident’s home, seizing valuables including gold, diamonds, and cash in connection with a terrorism case.
ISLAMABAD: The much delayed local body elections in Islamabad are likely to be held in September. this year said a schedule announced by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
If the things go as per planning, local government elections in the federal capital will be held on September 29, the ECP schedule stated while commenting on electioneering.
According to Election Commission, almost one million voters would cast their votes to elect their representatives in the 125 union councils of Islamabad.
The Election watchdog of Pakistan also barred the executive authorities of the city from announcing any development project and using state resources to influence the elections in favor of a particular candidate.
The ECP stated that after the issuance of this schedule, no transfer/posting of government officers and officials would be carried out in Islamabad without its prior approval.
Despite issuing election schedules twice in recent years, the Election Commission has failed to hold the local government election in Islamabad even though the local government ended its tenure in February 2021. The election should have been held within six months but the ECP failed to conduct polls.
A schedule issued by the election watchdog on Thursday said that polling would be held on 29 September and results would be announced from September 30 to October 4.
The schedule said that from August 15, “public notice inviting nomination papers to be issued by returning officer”. From August 16 to 20, nomination papers could be filed. On September 6, electoral symbols will be issued and polling will be held on September 29.
Meanwhile, the ECP also notified the district returning officer, returning officers, and assistant returning officers. Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon has been notified as the district returning officer.
Elections are going to be held under the Local Government Act 2015 on the basis of which the previous polls were held. Though members of the previous Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) on many occasions criticised the act for alleged loopholes, the PTI and PML-N governments could not make any changes to the law. In the last elections held in 2015, PML-N and PTI candidates gave tough time to each other.
Those elections were won by PML-N and Sheikh Anser Aziz was elected as the first mayor of Islamabad. However, the MCI failed to deliver as it could not get the patronage of the then-ruling party, the PML-N. The MCI was not given any funds from the federal government nor its financial rules were finalized for proper disposal of works.
Later, the PTI came to power at the centre but it too did not pay any heed to the MCI. As a result, the first-ever local government completed its tenure in February last year without even paying the due honorarium to the UC chairmen. On the last day in their office, the UC chairmen were seen making efforts to get their honorarium but to no avail.
