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.
PESHAWAR: Faisal Karim Kundi, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has expressed concern about the administrative, financial, and academic issues of public sector universities in the province and urged Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to work together to resolve these issues to secure the future of youths.
In a letter addressed to the chief minister, the governor called for the immediate appointment of VCs to those universities.
Kundi, who is also the chancellor of government universities in the province, said that the prolonged delay in the appointment of vice-chancellors to 25 government universities had caused serious administrative, academic, and financial challenges for them, jeopardising the future of students.
Former governor Ghulam Ali had also issued such letter to the chief minister on April 17 regarding the appointment of VCs.
Governor asks the KP Government to take corrective steps besides filling VC posts
Under Section 12(3) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act, 2012, the process of selection of a new vice-chancellor shall be initiated six months prior to the expiration of the existing term of the incumbent, according to letter of Kundi.
He, however, said that despite the recommendations of the academic search committee, the process for approving recommended candidates had not been initiated, exacerbating the situation.
“Failure to act promptly may jeopardise the future of higher education in the province and may also lead to the displeasure of the Peshawar High Court due to the established violation of law. Your (chief minister’s) sincere cooperation in resolving this issue is essential for securing the future of our province’s youth,” he said.
The issue of long delays in the appointment of VCs to universities was recently taken up by a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
During the May 15 hearing into the case, the bench observed that it expected that the vacant positions in universities would be filled “as soon as practicable.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa additional advocate general Shah Faisal Ilyas informed the bench that the search committee had selected eligible candidates for the appointment as VCs, but they had yet to be appointed.
Meanwhile, the Government fficials were of the view that the universities functioning in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa without regular VCs for the last one year included Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, Khushhal Khan Khattak University Karak, University of Agriculture Dera Ismail Khan, University of Lakki Marwat, Hazara University Mansehra, University of Engineering and Technology Mardan, and Women University Swabi.
Also, seven other universities in the province have been awaiting the filling of the top position for four months. They include Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, Shuhada-i-APS University of Technology Nowshera, Kohat University of Science and Technology, University of Peshawar, University of Science and Technology Bannu, and University of Engineering Peshawar.
Officials said five universities, including Fata University Dara Adamkhel, Islamia College University Peshawar, the University of Buner, and the University of Chitral, had been functioning without regular VCs for the last two months.
The newly-established University of Agriculture Swat, University of Engineering and Applied Sciences Swat, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Swat, and University of Shangla also don’t have regular VCs, according to them.
ISLAMABAD: Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), and Shell Pakistan Limited jointly hosted the Pakistan Energy Symposium, which was produced by the Nutshell Group and took place at a local hotel.
The Pakistan Energy Symposium – ‘Powering the Future’ brought together public stakeholders, policymakers, thought leaders, and industry specialists, to chart out a course for Pakistan’s sustainable energy future.
Deliberating on adding renewables to Pakistan’s energy mix Senator Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Petroleum & Water Resources, said, “Pakistan has sunlight, wind, water, and nuclear energy. We can produce green electricity on a large scale. In 2018, when the strategy was being made, solar energy was 22 cents and wind energy was 23 cents, which has now been reduced to 3 to 5 cents. Pakistan can produce energy using a hybrid system. Battery technology is improving, and if that happens, we can generate electricity from sun, wind, and water.”
In his welcome address, Rehan Shaikh, President and CEO, Standard Chartered Pakistan & President, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), highlighted that Pakistan is at a pivotal juncture in its journey towards energy sustainability. Rehan shared that, Energy security and self-sufficiency are the fundamentals of progress and prosperity for any nation. While Pakistan’s power sector has faced issues like circular debt, demand & supply gaps, and rising costs and tariffs, there is huge potential to change the course. With over 300 sunny days in a year, vast wind corridors in Sindh and Baluchistan, and abundant hydropower in the North, Pakistan must capitalize on these green energy resources and move to a sustainable energy mix.”
In his opening address, Waqar Siddiqui, CEO & Managing Director, Shell Pakistan Limited, stressed urgent action to achieve sustainability. “Pakistan is at a critical economic juncture, and to steer the country on a sustainable trajectory, resolving the energy puzzle is of utmost importance. There is tremendous opportunity for growth in the energy sector of the world’s 5th most populous country, with sizable potential for investment. What we propose are partnerships and solutions that seek to shape the energy future of Pakistan.”
Rabia Shoaib Ahmad, Director & CEO, Nutshell Group, added that by fostering innovation and leveraging partnerships, we can pave the way for a resilient and energy-efficient Pakistan. In her remarks, she said, “To help highlight the issues of the investors, to create an enabling environment, and to help promote a healthy investment climate for foreign investors in Pakistan, Nutshell Group has been working with the OICCI for over a decade. Nutshell Group is known for curating dialogues on critical sectors of the economy and bringing together multiple stakeholders under one roof, providing platforms for collective thought, value-adding debate, and devising result-oriented, actionable solutions.”
During his address at the Pakistan Energy Symposium, Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi, CEO, K-Electric, highlighted the numerous opportunities in Pakistan’s energy sector. He said, “While Pakistan has competitively low energy purchase prices, we still face significant challenges such as high-capacity charges and circular debt, unlike other countries. The strategic shift towards utilizing our abundant coal reserves and transitioning to indigenous resources will result in reduced energy costs and enhanced self-sufficiency. Notably, K-Electric’s zero contribution to the circular debt highlights the importance of privatization and thus sets a roadmap for other distribution companies to follow.”
Moonis also discussed K-Electric’s renewable energy initiatives, adding, “We remain committed to achieving the vision of increasing our share of renewables to 30% in KE’s energy mix by 2030. We are garnering significant interest from foreign and local investors on our renewable energy projects which are part of our long-term Power Acquisition Program. This is very encouraging for K-Electric as well as for the power sector of Pakistan at large.”
Dr. Nazir Abbas Zaidi, Secretary General, Oil Companies Advisory Council, recommending possible solutions for the structural issues to unleash the possibilities of the power sector said, “Implement rules to curb the inflow of smuggled products, close approximately 2,500 illegal retail outlets immediately, roll out new explosives rules and remove non-aligned rules/standards between OGRA and Department of Explosives. Oil Marketing Companies should have their licenses extended by OGRA for 30 years as per initial application, the building of strategic stocks to ensure energy security, fast-tracking infrastructure upgradation around oil storage areas, and one window solution for all required regulatory approvals.”
Sharing recommendations on how LNG can fuel Pakistan’s economic progress, Mazhar Hasnani, CEO, Engro Vopak & Engro Elengy Terminals Limited, said, “We aim to expand LNG infrastructure and deregulate the market, devise solutions to curb gas circular debt, establish new LNG terminals to bridge the supply-demand gap, create an LNG taskforce for streamlined regulatory approvals, develop strategic onshore LNG terminals for long-term supply security, and address pipeline capacity issues by leveraging declining gas production and new pipeline development.”
The session titled Unlocking the Opportunities in the Oil & Gas Sector was moderated by Faisal Iftikhar, Head of Supply Operations, Shell Pakistan Limited and included Masroor Khan, Chairman, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA); Ahmed Zahid Zaheer, Country Chairman & General Manager, Chevron Pakistan Lubricants (Private) Limited; Adil Khattak, CEO, Attock Refinery Limited; Habib Haider, Director Corporate Relations, Shell Pakistan Limited; Asrar Muhammad, VP, Finance and Commercial, United Energy Pakistan Limited, as the esteemed panelists. Referring to Pakistan’s vast untapped reserves of oil and gas, particularly in the Indus Basin and offshore areas, the discussants concurred on the need for significantly increased investment in exploration and production activities. Enhancing exploration activities can reduce the country’s reliance on imported energy, which currently leads to a substantial trade imbalance.
The session on, Unearthing the Potential of Pakistan’s Power Sector, was moderated by Palwasha Ahsan Riar, Head of Learning, Asia Pacific, Shell Pakistan Limited. The panelists comprised Aftab Mahmood Butt, CEO, Kot Addu Power Company Limited; Ruhail Muhammad, CEO, Lucky Electric Power Company; Ali Khizar, Head of Research, Business Recorder; Amir Iqbal, CEO, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company; and Dr. Khalid Waleed, Head of Energy and Climate at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute. The panelists concurred on the criticality of expanding renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind into the energy mix. Referring to the ambitious 30/30 plan that entailed increasing the share of renewables in the electricity generation mix to 30% by 2030- equivalent to around 24,000 megawatts, the experts highlighted its multiple benefits, including lower electricity costs, enhanced energy security, reduced carbon emissions, and significant economic savings.
In his vote of thanks, M Abdul Aleem, Secretary General, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), said, “As we conclude the Pakistan Energy Symposium – ‘Powering the Future’, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, stakeholders, policymakers, and industry experts for their invaluable contributions. Together, we have laid the foundation for a discourse on a sustainable energy future in Pakistan, driving innovation, collaboration, and progress. Let us continue to work hand in hand to harness the power of renewable energy, technology, and policy to shape a brighter tomorrow for generations to come. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support.”
About OICCI:
The OICCI is the collective voice of major foreign investors in Pakistan, with over 200 members, from more than 30 countries. OICCI members contribute over one-third of Pakistan’s total tax revenue and are involved in 14 sectors of the economy. They facilitate the transfer of technology and skills and provide employment to a significant number of people. About a third of OICCI member companies are listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, and many are associates of Global Fortune 500 companies. OICCI members also engage in corporate social responsibility activities benefiting 46 million persons from underprivileged communities.
Shell Pakistan Limited is a leading energy company with a long-standing presence in the country. Committed to powering progress, Shell Pakistan provides a range of energy solutions and is dedicated to driving sustainable energy practices.
ISLAMABAD: A group of around four people, apparently transgender persons, attacked and injured Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) spokesperson Raoof Hasan in Islamabad on Tuesday, drawing strong condemnation from his party.
“Extremely shameful and deplorable,” PTI said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, adding: “Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan attacked by unknown persons outside the office of a private channel.”
It is, however, unclear why did the persons attack the politician.
In the video shared along with the statement, Hasan could be heard asking people to call the doctor, with injuries and blood seen on his face as he walked into a building.
PTI, in another statement, said if the spokesperson of the “largest party” can be attacked in the federal capital in broad daylight, then “what can we make of the safety of others”.
According to the CCTV footage of the incident obtained by Geo News, Hasan can be seen being attacked by a group of apparent transgender persons, who used a sharp object as well.
The footage shows Hasan was interrupted by an apparent transgender person while he was walking on the side of a road, subsequently, the attacker engaged in conversation with the PTI leader for a few seconds.
After a brief conversation, the PTI chief spokesperson tried to take a few steps back, seemingly sensing danger.
However, the attacker grabbed the PTI leader from his collar and along with three other apparently transgender persons began thrashing him. The attackers were only dispersed after the intervention of a passerby.
The footage also shows a person filming the entire incident. It is not clear whether the attackers were really transgender persons or they were guised as transgender persons.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar condemned the attack and called for a detailed investigation into the incident.
Prior to the party’s walkout, Opposition Leader in the Senate Shibli Faraz, during the session, condemned the attack with PTI lawmakers resorting to sloganeering against the government.
In response, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the incident will be treated in line with the law. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that citizens are treated in line with the law.”
He asked the PTI leaders to register a case and assured that action would be taken in line with the law. Senator Sherry Rehman, who was presiding over the session, asked the law minister to present a report before the house.
Senator Faisal Vawda, while speaking on the floor of the Upper House of the Parliament, condemned the attack.
When the party’s lawmakers rejoined the session, Faraz said the attack on Hasan was not a “common incident” and called on his colleagues of the treasury benches to raise their voice as if they did not, “then this house would lose its stature”.
At this, Rehman informed Faraz that a senator had condemned the attack. The PTI leader then apologised to his colleagues and welcomed their condemnation.
“If a government exists, whether it be a Form-47 government, then we need an explanation within 24 hours and a report should be presented in the Senate,” Shibli added.
In a statement, the Islamabad police said according to eyewitnesses, transgender persons attacked Hassan in his face using a blade. They said the police were present on the site of the incident and are collecting evidence.
“Strict action will be taken against transgender persons involved in attacking [the PTI leader],” the police statement added.
ISLAMABAD: The fruits of the reduction in the price of flour have started reaching the people, as flour has become cheaper by Rs10-20 per kilogram in Islamabad.
According to market sources, the price of a 10kg bag of flour had been reduced from Rs1,470 to Rs1,200, bringing the price down by Rs270.
A bag of 15kg flour has become cheaper by Rs600, and is available at Rs1,650 as compared to the previous rate of Rs2,250. In the market, a bag of 20kg flour has become cheaper by Rs630, from Rs2,880 to Rs2,250.
On the other hand, the price of small and big bread has also decreased by up to Rs20. A small loaf of bread is available now at Rs120, down from Rs120, while the price of big bread has come down from Rs240 to Rs230 and Rs220, as per market sources.
Furthermore, the price of first-grade chakki flour has decreased from Rs170 to Rs160 per kg, second-grade flour from Rs160 to Rs150 per kg, while in the suburbs of Islamabad, the rate of chakki flour has dropped from Rs150 to Rs140 per kg.
Earlier, a bag of 20 kg flour in Lahore had been reduced by Rs.800 per kg in a few days. In Lahore, the price of a 20 kg flour bag had come down from Rs.2800 to Rs.2000.
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif expressed hopes for betterment in bilateral ties with India after the neighbor comes out of its election phase commencing from April 19 and ending in June.
Regional arch-rivals — Islamabad and New Delhi — have a long history of strained relations, primarily due to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) dispute which led to several wars while tensions usually rise on the occasions of countrywide elections in India.
“Our relations with India could be improved after elections there,” the defence minister expressed his views while speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House in Islamabad, adding that Pakistan and India ties have its “own background”.
As the country which borders with China, India, Afghanistan, and Iran witnessed tensions with other neighbors, except for China, following cross-border attacks from Iran and Afghanistan, Asif is hopeful for a turn of event in terms of improvement of bilateral ties with New Delhi after the neighbour completes its upcoming election phase.
It is noteworthy to mention here that India will begin voting in phases starting April 19 to elect a new parliament, the world’s largest election in which nearly one billion people are eligible to cast ballots, Reuters reported.
The election pits two-term strongman Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his regional allies against a bickering alliance of two dozen opposition parties, with surveys suggesting a comfortable win for Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Epicentre of recent wave of terrorism in Pakistan is Afghanistan until the neighbouring country takes decisive action against the banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) safe havens there.
The defence minister said that he, along with a high-level delegation, visited Afghanistan to request the Taliban government there to take effective steps to stop terrorism. However, the solution proposed by Kabul was not practically possible, he added.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Police has got new chief as in a recent reshuffle, the federal government has replaced Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, with Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, a BS-20 officer currently posted in Punjab.
A notifications issued by the Establishment Division, Dr Akbar Nasir Khan was posted to the Establishment Division “with immediate effect and until further orders”.
Khan had been serving in Islamabad since May 2022. He was appointed IG Islamabad soon after the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) assumed power.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had asked the Establishment Division a number of times to replace Dr Akbar Nasir Khan before the February 8 polls, but to no avail.
The notification issued by the Establishment Division stated: “Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, a BS-20 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan, presently serving under the Government of Punjab, is transferred as Inspector General, Islamabad Capital Territory Police (ICT), under the Interior Division, under Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973, with immediate effect and until further orders.”
Moreover, the Establishment Division also posted retired Capt Khurram Agha as interior secretary while Additional Interior Secretary Khushal Khan has been posted to the Power Division.
Interestingly, Interior Secretary Khurram Agha was serving in the Prime Minister Secretariat and was posted as commerce secretary on March 3. This is his second posting in less than three weeks.
According to another notification, Khushal Khan, a BS-21 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, has been posted from the interior ministry to the Power Division.
Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, chaired a meeting concerning the Park Road Housing Scheme in Islamabad, a collaborative effort between the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
Capt. (Retd.) Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Director-General of FGEHA, provided updates on the infrastructural development of the project. Both sides engaged in constructive discussions regarding the project’s progress, addressing pertinent matters and concerns.
The gathering included Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Mr. Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Interior, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Shahzad Shaukat, Secretary SCBA, Syed Ali Imran, and Ahsan Bhoon, alongside senior officials of the SCBA.
Azam Nazeer Tarar and Ahsan Bhoon conveyed the concerns of the lawyer’s community and SCBA regarding the project’s pace of work, urging for expedited efforts.
Minister of Interior, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, pledged full support regarding security matters within the project area and stressed the importance of timely completion. Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Federal Minister for Housing and Works, assured all participants of his commitment to accelerating the pace of work and ensuring timely completion. He recognized the crucial role played by lawyers and reiterated his dedication to safeguarding their rights.
Dr. Shahzad Khan Bangash, Secretary of Housing and Works, along with other senior officers of the ministry and FGEHA, were also present during the productive meeting. The gathering underscored the collaborative efforts between government entities and the legal community towards advancing the Park Road Housing Scheme, reflecting a commitment to meet the housing needs of Federal Government employees and members of the legal fraternity in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD: The nomination papers of foreign minister Ishaq Dar were submitted to contest the technocrat seat reserved for Islamabad.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders and Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Hanif Abbasi submitted nomination papers for former finance minister Ishaq Dar as proposers.
