TOKYO: The Defence Ministry of Japan is arranging to develop multiple long-range missiles with a range of up to about 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) and aims to deploy them in the 2030s, Kyodo news reported on Saturday, citing a source familiar with the matter.
The government is looking to deploy a 2,000-km range missile by the early 2030s and a 3,000-km hypersonic missile that can reach anywhere in North Korea and some parts of China by around 2035, Kyodo said.
Japan this month unveiled its biggest military build-up since World War Two with a $320 billion plan that will buy missiles capable of striking China and ready it for sustained conflict, as regional tensions and Russia’s Ukraine invasion stoke war fears.
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) kept all of its polling stations locked in the federal capital as people headed out to their respective stations to cast their votes Saturday morning in the Islamabad local government polls.
The voters, while standing in a queue outside the polling stations, recorded their protests after witnessing the closed offices and the absence of the ECP’s staff.
A day earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC), while accepting the petitions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) for nullification of ECP’s decision of LG polls’ deferral, directed the electoral body to hold the elections as per the schedule. But the ECP challenged the IHC order today.
The electoral body had cancelled the December 31 schedule to hold the local government elections in the federal capital earlier this week, citing the change in the union councils of the capital territory.
However, the high court in its one-page short order, asked the federal government to ensure that “it assists the election commission in holding the local government polls”.
Earlier this morning, the ECP filed an intra-court appeal against the orders of the high court to hold local government polls in Islamabad today.
The PTI, taking to Twitter, claimed that voters are waiting outside the stations, but that the ECP staff is missing despite the court’s orders to hold elections.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that the ECP has “shown it is B team of imported government and its backers” by not implementing IHC’s orders.
“PDM, fearful of the people, is running away from all elections. Right to vote is a fundamental democratic norm & PTI stands committed to it,” he added.
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said on Thursday Islamabad wanted India to end its suppression in the occupied Kashmir and desist from supporting terrorist activities inside Pakistan to destabilize the country.
During her year-end briefing, she said Pakistan was interested in peace and dialogue and it was up to the Indian authorities to take a responsible position to improve relations.
The spokesperson said the recent tours of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari were a demonstration of international community s interest to engage with Pakistan and to develop understanding on a range of issues. She said Pakistan was also interested in expanding and strengthening its friendship around the world. “With the enhanced interactions, visits and exchanges, we can strengthen our friendship, cooperation and dialogue with the international community,” she said.
Mumtaz Baloch said Pakistan was grateful to various countries and multilateral financial institutions and organisations for providing humanitarian assistance for the flood-affected people.
Replying to a question about Afghanistan, she said Islamabad had been engaging with Kabul authorities on all matters including the border situation and security of diplomats and missions and terrorist threats. She said the Afghan interim authorities had assured to resolve all such issues soon. She said Pakistan had a natural stake in peace and stability in Afghanistan and it would continue to engage with the neighbouring country.
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Tuesday slashed the power tariff by Rs3.60 per unit in a bid to provide relief for agriculture consumers.
In a notification, Nepra stated that the decision was taken after the Ministry of energy on December 14 asked to slash the power tariff.
The new prices will be applicable be applicable from November 2022 bills, stated Nepra.
According to Nepra officials, consumers will get relief of Rs 28 billion due to reduction in tariff, and the federal government will pay this amount in the form of subsidy.
Earlier today, the power authority approved an increase of 18.57 paisas per unit in electricity prices.
The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) had sought 19 paisas per unit hike on account of the fuel adjustment for November 2022. The price hike will not apply to lifeline consumers, the Nepra said in its order.
Meanwhile, the regulatory body has decreased power tariff for consumers in Karachi by Rs7.43 per unit. The K-Electric had sought Rs7.04 per unit cut in the electricity prices. The decision would provide a relief of Rs10.61 billion to the power consumers.
Earlier this month, the Nepra slashed the power tariff by Rs2.45 per unit for the Karachi Electric (KE) consumers on account of fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for October.
According to the notification issued by Nepra, K Electric requested to reduce power tariff by Rs1.88 per unit upon this the authority slashed the tariff price and new prices would be implemented for 1 month only. The updated rates shall not be implemented on the domestic consumers consuming 300 units, it added.
KARACHI: Pakistan were bowled out on Tuesday after posting a total of 438 against New Zealand in the first innings of the opening Test played at the National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi.
Right-handed batter Agha Salman hit a ton — his first Test century — helping his team take a strong position after Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed’s knocks.
The Pakistani skipper got out early, without adding to his overnight score, in the first session of the second day after scoring 161(280) runs.
Century-maker Salman was the last man out, who was trapped LBW off Tim Southee at 103.
At the close of day one on Monday, Babar Azam was batting at 161 as Pakistan overcame a wobbly start to score 317-5.
Babar rode his luck in a 277-ball innings which contained 15 fours and a big six to bring up his century while Agha Salman was unbeaten on three at stumps after New Zealand failed to capitalise on a strong start with the ball.
Babar opted to bat first and the touring side began their first test in Pakistan in 20 years by taking two quick wickets via stumpings, with Ajaz Patel removing Abdullah Shafique for seven and spin partner Michael Bracewell dismissing Shan Masood for three.
Bracewell could have had the key wicket of Babar in the 15th over, but Daryl Mitchell dropped a simple chance at first slip, though the bowler responded by having Imam-ul-Haq caught for 24 at mid-off three deliveries later.
Pakistan recovered from the early blows as Babar reached his half-century, but New Zealand skipper Tim Southee reduced them to 110-4 when Saud Shakeel (22) edged one to Henry Nicholls at gully shortly before lunch.
Babar continued his rescue act after the break, however, reaching his ninth test century in the company of Sarfaraz Ahmed, who made 86 in his first test since 2019 after replacing wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan in the side.
Babar enjoyed an excellent 196-run partnership with Sarfaraz before Patel dismissed the former captain when he edged one to Mitchell at first slip shortly before the close.
New Zealand, who abandoned their white-ball tour of Pakistan last year due to security concerns, are looking to end a run of four straight test defeats with Southee as the new captain following the six-year tenure of Kane Williamson.
Pakistan are seeking to overcome a similar slump, including a 3-0 home series defeat by England, in the two-test series against the New Zealanders.
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday postponed the local government elections scheduled for December 31 in Islamabad following a change in the union councils of the federal capital.
A five-member bench had reserved the verdict earlier in the day after arguments were concluded in the case.
During today’s hearing, former attorney general Ashtar Ausaf Ali, who is representing the federal government in the case, told the bench that the union councils were increased in Islamabad based on the increase in population.
At this, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja asked whether the census report had been published.
Ausaf told the bench that the census bureau had informed about the increase in Islamabad’s population, adding that the ECP must look at the increase in population.
“The Islamabad High Court (IHC) also recognised the increase in population but authorised the Election Commission to take the final decision after listening to the government’s point of view,” Ausaf told the bench.
“In the past, even after the schedule was released, elections were postponed. The Election Commission has to decide according to the constitution and the law,” said Ausaf, adding that the ECP cannot deprive citizens of their fundamental rights.
The lawyer also told the bench that the Parliament has passed the legislation increasing the number of union councils, adding that ECP must conduct delimitation in Islamabad in light of the new law.
Meanwhile, a member of the ECP wondered why there was a sudden increase in the population in six months.
The lawyer informed that the government reviewed NADRA’s data.
However, CEC Raja said that the delimitation of constituencies was done for Islamabad twice. He also gave the example of Punjab where the exercise was done twice and is now being done for the third time.
“Why did the government not realise at the right time to increase the UCs,” asked CEC Raja. He added that UCs were increased once the election schedule was issued, saying that the government has put the electoral body in a difficult situation.
“If a mistake is made then the commission should provide assistance,” responded Ausaf. However, CEC Raja reminded the counsel that a mistake is made once not again and again.
“In Article 148 of the Constitution, it is written that elections are to be conducted according to the local law. Now, if that law is changed, then what should be done? There should be legislation binding the authorities to hold elections held on time,” remarked CEC. He added that the ECP also faced resistance in provinces over the local government elections.
Meanwhile, Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan, a member of the bench, remarked that general elections are also supposed to be held, and wondered what would happen to the future of local body elections.
On the other hand, CEC Raja said that the ECP fears that the government may change the UCs again, adding that the government has to stop this at some point.
On this, Ausaf assured the ECP bench that there will be no changes in the law and wrapped up his arguments.
Meanwhile, PTI’s lawyer Babar Awan told the bench that the ECP has already issued the schedule and elections are supposed to be held on December 31, reminding that the law has been changed twice.
Awan said that the ECP was being misled by the government.
“The president has not yet approved the bill,” said Awan, adding that the president may send back the bill to the Parliament within 10 days with objections while backing the ECP’s views on the local body elections.
The PTI counsel also said that if the president signs the bill then the law can be challenged in a court of law, adding that under Article 264 even if a new law is made then elections are to be held under the previous law.
The PTI counsel, while wrapping up his arguments, urged the bench to let the polls happen on December 31.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) counsel Hassan Javed reminded the bench that the people of Islamabad have been deprived of representation for the last two years.
He told the bench that his party is standing with the ECP. He added that the IHC in its judgment did not challenge the ECP’s order.
“The high court did not declare the authority, opinion or decision of the Election Commission as wrong. It only said that these parties were not heard, take a decision after listening to them, “said the lawyer.
After listening to all the parties, CEC Raja, while wrapping up the hearing, remarked that the voter list has no link with the election schedule.
The bench after hearing all the arguments reserved its verdict in the case.
LAHORE: A Well known Pakistan actress Sanam Chaudhry has turned to her creator and left the showbiz industry and said she confessed that she regrets her past life.
In her Instagram story, she wrote that she was doing everything which was forbidden in Islam and all the Harams and sins never bothered her at that time.
She said,
“everytime if I look back at my previous life, I regret my wrongdoings, being a Muslim, I was having a secular life style, what was I doing in my life, I get teary eyed while thinking that Allah has showered his blessings upon me and changed me, Alhamdulillah.”
Sanam left her showbiz career at its peak. She was already doing many serials as lead when she decided to marry and quit showbiz. Sanam Chaudhry got married to Somee Chauhan.
She is mother of a son and is now a practicing Muslim and she spends her time in learning Quran with translation and tafseer.
ISLAMABAD: Police have further tightened security in the capital city as part of a special plan chalked out amid rising trend in terror activities in the country.
The Islamabad police in a couple of tweets said 25 temporary checkposts had been set up at different points, adding that entry points of the Red Zone will be recorded via Safe City cameras. The video surveillance passengers travelling in the metro bus would also be conducted.
The police have asked citizens and foreign nationals to carry their identification documents with them while travelling across the city. They also warned of action against people using non-specimen number plates for their vehicles.
Last week, the Capital City Administration (CDA) banned all public gatherings for the next two weeks and declared a high alert in the city. The ban was announced after a suicide blast took place in Islamabad’s sector I-10 in which a policeman was martyred and two terrorists were killed.
According to a notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, “In light of recent advisories/threat alerts issued by the law enforcement agencies and today’s attack on police, the security of Islamabad has been beefed up to obviate the threats within the jurisdiction of capital which can disrupt peace and tranquility causing damage to public life and property. However, the likelihood of such activities cannot be ruled out in coming days.”
Meanwhile, the USA, the UK, Saudi Arabia and Australia have issued an alert to its citizens in the wake of possible terror attacks in Islamabad.
WASHINGTON: The United States senators have approved a sweeping annual spending package, allocating $200 million for gender equality and strengthening democracy in Pakistan.
The $1.7 trillion omnibus bill includes the allocation of $45 billion Ukraine aid and reforms to election law aimed at avoiding a repeat of last year’s assault on the Capitol.
Pakistan’s allocation is under the US fund for gender equality, which is a 20-fold increase from the funds reserved in 2020.
In December 2020, the US congress cleared $10 million for addressing gender disparity and $15 million for strengthening democracy in Pakistan. While in 2000, Pakistan received $25 million for the same purpose.
The sweeping annual spending package on Friday was rubber-stamped by the House of Representatives just hours ahead of a midnight deadline to keep the federal government open — although a damaging holiday season shutdown was never a serious threat.
“This bill is a critically important piece of legislation not only to keep our government funded, keep our people being served but also to show that the United States of America’s government works,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said ahead of the vote.
Failure to get the package to Joe Biden’s desk would have been an embarrassment for the president, days after his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House to argue for the $44.9 billion emergency military and economic aid proposed as part of the legislation.
But it ultimately enjoyed a smooth passage through the lower chamber, where Democrats have a slim majority for a few more days, until the Republican-led 118th Congress opens for business.
Ten Republicans cast votes in favor to help see the package cross the line by 225 votes to 201.
The giant bill keeps the lights on until next October, paying for almost every aspect of the day-to-day management of the federal government, from law enforcement to printing money.
But it also features add-ons less obviously connected to funding, such as a reform tightening a 19th-century election law to make clear that vice presidents do not have the power to overturn election results.
Defeated president Donald Trump exploited the loose wording of the text to argue that his deputy Mike Pence could halt the transfer of power after the 2020 election, amid bogus claims of voter fraud.
Pence rebuffed Trump’s entreaties and the billionaire Republican’s vilification of his vice president was the cornerstone of his speech that allegedly incited a mob to storm the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Trump, who has launched a run to regain the White House despite being the focus of several criminal and civil investigations, released a statement on Thursday describing the package as a “monstrosity… crammed with left-wing disasters.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had also urged his party to vote no, arguing that his side would have more sway in negotiating the size and scope of federal spending when they wrest the lower chamber from the Democrats in early January.
The House was half empty on Friday, with more than 200 representatives using an absentee voting provision, strictly meant only for those with Covid-19, to stay home and cast their ballots by proxy.
Republicans there in person lined up to bemoan the lack of time they had been given to study the bill — it was finalized just three days ago — and the “woke” previsions it contained.
There were rumours circulating among congressional staffers and media that McCarthy would use his so-called “magic minute” privilege to spend hours lambasting the bill.
McCarthy held up a budget vote last November with a rambling address lasting a record eight-and-a-half hours.
But he took pity Friday on colleagues trying to get home amid a once-in-a-generation winter storm, reining in his criticism of the legislation to just 25 minutes.
“We are two days away from Christmas,” he said. “The Christmas season is the season of giving, but in Congress it appears the season of giving will line the pockets of Democrats’ special interests and stick the hard-working Americans with the tab.”
KARACHI: Former Pakistan skipper and renowned all-rounder Shahid Afridi said that outdated cricket behind Pakistan’s debacle against England in the historic Test series.
To continue his discussion, Shahid Afridi mentioned different teams’ strategies for playing aggressively in Test cricket.
Lamenting that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and former cricketers need to work at the grass-roots level for talent hunting.
Shahid Afridi defended skipper Babar Azam, saying it was unfair to hold him [Babar] responsible for the team’s defeat against England.
He also spoke in favor of cricketers Shahnawaz Dahani and Mohammad Hasnain, saying that when the team needed the duo, they were out of team.
