NEW YORK: Foreign Minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reached New York on late Sunday night to attend the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Bilawal Bhutto was received at the airport by Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations Munir Akram and a large number of PPP workers.
FM Bilawal Bhutto is scheduled to participate in 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) beginning September 20th in New York. He will also hold meeting with world leaders at the sideline of UNGA session.
LAHORE: Pakistan Railways (PR) launched a new rail car between Lahore and Rawalpindi. The train was inaugurated by Divisional Superintendent Railway Lahore Muhammad Hanif Gul along with Senior Train Driver Hanif Ghazi. The train consists of five Economy Class, two AC Standard, two AC Business and one power plant.
The train left on schedule at 7:30PM. Inshallah, it will reach Rawalpindi at 11:55PM. We believe in passenger safety and punctuality. DS Railway Muhammad Hanif Gul said that we would continue to provide good service to passengers while staying within limited resources.
Meanwhile. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chinese Railway Construction Company Chen Feng visited the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) headquarters here on Friday.
On this occasion, Chief Operating Officer PSCA Kamran Khan gave a detailed briefing about the working of Safe Cities Authority. He said that PSCA is expanding Safe City Centres in other districts of Punjab as well. The PSCA is a role model for modern policing in Pakistan, he added.
Expressing his views Chen Feng said that they would continue to provide more support to Pakistan in building top class infrastructure. Later, Kamran Khan presented a commemorative shield to Chen Feng.
LAHORE: Pakistani singer Aima Baig has announced that she has separated from Shahbaz Shigri a showbiz start and now they are not more husband and wife.
Taking to Instagram, the ‘Baazi’ singer has cleared the air over the matter, which was being discussed by fans, when they [fans] came to know that Aima and fiancé Shigri had deleted all their snaps together on Instagram.
Sharing a note on the social media platform, Aima penned, ”Yes, I will always respect this person for giving me a good time. Sometimes, sh*t happens for a reason. And to answer all your questions, yes we have parted ways. But we are both doing good and fine, so don’t worry. I wanted to do it in the most respectful way and so I did. People can choose their ways of expressing their feelings, which define who they are from the inside.
Aima added. “That’s me telling the truth to anyone wondering they are or they are not together. And the answer is, nope. Me and Shahbaz are not together anymore.” Aima concluded her statement with, “PS: No more ‘feeling sorry texts’ please! We are doing just fine.”
: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accepted the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Moscow that shows eagerness of Russian leadership to foster relations with Pakistan.
A trip of Premier Shehbaz Sharif is likely to travel to Beijing in November while he has also accepted an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to a visit to Moscow.
The acceptance of Shehbaz Sharif to visit oscow is categorical contradiction of the claims that Pakistan may distance itself from the US adversaries following the ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan.
The development comes at a time when efforts are underway to reset the troubled relationship between Pakistan and the US.
A senior adviser of the US secretary of state recently visited Islamabad, while the US President Joe Biden Administration approved $450 million sale of the F-16 equipment in a sign that Washington wants to maintain a working relationship with Islamabad.
In the middle of all this, Shehbaz’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday are significant and show that Pakistan is trying to maintain a delicate balance in its ties with big powers.
The transcript released by Putin’s office after meeting Shehbaz suggested Russian eagerness to deepen ties with Pakistan. At the same time President Xi in his maiden meeting with Shehbaz termed the Pakistani prime minister “a person of pragmatism and efficiency.”
Shehbaz also heaped praise on Putin, calling Russia a “superpower” and its president a “man of words”. On his part, the Russian president began his meeting with Shehbaz by recalling his working relationship with his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, when he was the prime minister.
Observers believe that Shehbaz’s flurry of meetings with Russian and Chinese presidents indicated that Pakistan’s policy, seeking diversification in the country’s foreign policy options, remains intact.
It is worthy to be mentioned here that in 2011 it was a unanimous decision of the country’s parliament and other stakeholders to reach out to Russia after Islamabad’s relationship hit the lowest ebb because of a series of debacles.
Since then successive governments, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had pursued the policy of normalising ties with Russia.
In 2015, the two sides signed an agreement under which Russia would lay a gas pipeline from Karachi to Punjab for supply of the liquefied natural gas (LNG). The project could not take off because of possible US sanctions but both sides did not give it up and are still making efforts to turn the project into a reality.
In their Thursday’s meeting in the Silk Road city of Samarkand, Putin and Shehbaz brought up the Pakistan Steam Gas Pipeline project in their discussions. “There are very interesting and large-scale projects, namely the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline project, which involves building the infrastructure needed for the delivery of LNG,” Putin told Shehbaz.
The Russian president also offered Pakistan to supply gas through a pipeline. “This is possible as well, in view of the fact that some infrastructure is already in place in Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,” he said.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who attended the Putin-Shehbaz meeting, said in a tweet that the prime minister’s meetings with President Putin and President Xi were extremely successful.
He said both leaders invited Shehbaz on a visit to their respective countries. He confirmed that the prime minister would embark on his maiden visit to China in November, while he did not confirm the date of his visit to Moscow.
ISLAMABAD: An Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday granted an interim bail extension up to September 20 to Imran Khan during a hearing of the terrorism case leveled against him after his anti-judiciary speech.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chaitman Imran Khan appeared before the ATC to record his statement at 11am.
ATC judge had asked Imran Khan to appear before the court in person to face the trial as well as a probe by the case’s investigation officer within the court premises.
The former premier’s legal counsel Babar Awan implored the court to take notice of police reluctance in conducting an inquiry within court premises.
“Why is it insulting for the police to grill Imran Khan in the judicial complex?” Babar Awan questioned Special Prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi.
He warned the prosecution that the court has the authority to take punitive action against the police for willfully obstructing legal proceedings and hiding evidence.
Though the judge seconded the opinion, he noted that the court cannot intervene in the investigation and therefore it is better for both parties to lock a location for interrogation on their own.
Earlier on Monday, ATC asked Imran Khan to appear before the court in person whilst allowing the investigation officer to conduct an inquiry within the court premises.
During the hearing of the case, the Sessions Court judge asked the investigation officer (IO) if Imran Khan participated in the investigation proceedings or not, in response, the IO said the PTI chief only submitted a written statement.
Upon learning that Imran Khan’s written response was not submitted in the report given to the court, the judge bashed the IO for willfully obstructing legal proceedings based on ill intent.
Defence counsel Babar Awan told the court that Imran Khan will arrive at 11am to participate in the proceedings and if the case demands, police can probe the former premier in the bar room of the judicial complex.
Agreeing to the viewpoint of the defence counsel, the judge allowed the IO to conduct a probe within court premises and adjourned the hearing till 11am today (Monday).
On September 2, the ATC granted interim bail to PTI Chief Imran Khan till September 12.
Imran had been booked in a case with terror clauses after he had stated in a public rally that they would not spare the judge who had approved the remand of Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shahbaz Gill.
Imran subsequently approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking bail in the case. However, the court had told him to take it up with the anti-terror court since terrorism cases are handled by the specific court.
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s application for obtaining a passport has been set for hearing on September 14 (Wednesday).
A three-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Lahore High Court has been constituted on Monday to hear Maryam Nawaz’s application.
The bench consisted of Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, while the full bench will hear the petition of Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday.
LAKKI MARWAT: At least four terrorists of banned outfit were killed during a joint operation conducted by Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and police personnel in Lakki Marwat on late Sunday night, reports said.
According to details, the CTD and police personnel conducted an intelligence based operation (IBO) in Takhti Khel area in the jurisdiction of Naurang Police Station in Lakki Marwat during which terrorists hiding in the area opened fire.
The law enforcement agencies personnel returned the fire as a result four terrorist were killed. The CTD spokesperson informed that automatic weapons have been recovered from the dead terrorists.
The spokesperson also informed the a few accomplices of the dead terrorists managed to escape from the scene. The law enforcement agencies have also launched a search operation in the area to arrest other terrorists.
ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad Monday resumed hearing of a pre-arrest bail petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in a case filed against him for threatening Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry during a public rally in Islamabad on August 20.
ATC on Monday asked Imran Khan to appear before the court in person whilst allowing the investigation officer to conduct an inquiry within the court premises.
During the hearing of the case, the Sessions Court judge asked the investigation officer (IO) if Imran Khan participated in the investigation proceedings or not, in response, the IO said the PTI chief only submitted a written statement.
Upon learning that Imran Khan’s written response was not submitted in the report given to the court, the judge bashed the IO for willfully obstructing legal proceedings based on ill intent.
Defence counsel Babar Awan told the court that Imran Khan will arrive at 11am to participate in the proceedings and if the case demands, police can probe the former premier in the bar room of the judicial complex.
Agreeing to the viewpoint of the defence counsel, the judge allowed the IO to conduct a probe within court premises and adjourned the hearing till 11am today (Monday).
On September 2, the ATC granted interim bail to PTI Chief Imran Khan till September 12.
Imran had been booked in a case with terror clauses after he had stated in a public rally that they would not spare the judge who had approved the remand of Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shahbaz Gill.
Imran subsequently approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking bail in the case. However, the court had told him to take it up with the anti-terror court since terrorism cases are handled by the specific court.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Dr Arif Alvi and others expressed sorrow over the death of Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, and offered condolences to the Royal Family and the people and government of the United Kingdom.
The Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the nation’s figurehead for seven decades, has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.
“Deeply grieved at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Pakistan joins the UK & other Commonwealth nations in mourning her death,” PM Shehbaz Sharif wrote on his official Twitter handle.
“My heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, people & government of the UK.”
President Arif Alvi, has expressed his sincere condolences to the Royal family, the government, and the people of Great Britain on the sad demise of Queen Elizabeth II, the second longest reigning monarch in the history of Great Britain.
The President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, has expressed his sincere condolences to the Royal family, the government, and the people of Great Britain on the sad demise of Queen Elizabeth II, the second longest reigning monarch in the history of Great Britain. pic.twitter.com/x2R3TIAz4m
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) September 8, 2022
PPP chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said he is deeply saddened by “the loss of one of the most iconic figures of our times”. “Queen Elizabeth II personified an era & embodied hope & compassion. At this time of grief, our thoughts & prayers go out to people & govt. of UK and Royal Family,” he said on his Twitter handle.
National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf also extended deepest condolences and sympathies to the Royal family, friends, people and the UK government. “He [NA Speaker Asraf] recalled day when she [Queen] addressed a joint sitting of Pakistan’s Parliament & expressed desire to see peaceful region by addressing all causes of concern,” the official statement quoted him as saying.
Her Majesty #QueenElizabethII addressing the joint sitting of Parliament of Pakistan 🇵🇰 on 8th October, 1997.@RoyalFamily @ForeignOfficePk @NASpeakerOffice @GovtofPakistan @SenatePakistan @AP_Archive pic.twitter.com/G5UTQK9rdo
— National Assembly of Pakistan🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) September 8, 2022
Senate Chaimran Sadiq Sanjrani on behalf of the upper house of parliament extended condolence to the Royal Family and marked it as a moment of grief.
“Death of the Queen is an End of an era, heartfelt condolences to the people and UK government,” PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said in a tweet.
PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz wrote: “My condolences to the people of the United Kingdom and the royal family on the demise of Queen Elizabeth II. A great legacy and an era have come to an end. May The Queen rest in eternal peace.”
Former Punjab chief minister and PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz extended condolences to King Charles and the Royal Family on the sad demise of the Queen. “For over 70 years, Her Majesty personified dedication, guidance and devotion to not just the United Kingdom and Commonwealth but the world. May She Rest In Peace.”
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postponed the by-elections in thirteen (13) constituencies of the National Assembly.
An important meeting of ECP was held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, the members of Election Commission, Secretary Election Commission and senior officers of Election Commission participated in the meeting.
In the meeting, the Secretary Election Commission briefed the Election Commission that in the following constituencies of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Election Commission had given a schedule for the by-elections according to which polling will be held on September 11, 25 and October 2, 2022.
Among the constituencies in which the election has been postponed are NA-157, PP-139 Sheikhupura, PP-241 Bahawalnagar, NA-22 Mardan, NA-24 Charsadda, NA-31 Peshawar, NA-45 Karam, NA-108 Faisalabad, NA-118 Nankana, NA-237 Malir, NA-239 Korangi Karachi, NA-246 Karachi and PP-209 Khanewal.
Secretary Election Commission said that due to the recent disasters and floods in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and South Punjab, the means of transportation have been disrupted, buildings have been destroyed and transport system has been disrupted, while the national emergency has been declared.
