ISLAMABAD: An instance of strange theft has been reported at the Embassy of Italy, Islamabad as around 1,000 stickers of Schengen visas have been reported missing, sources informed The News Today.
The Foreign Ministry has written a letter in this regard to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Interior Ministry.
The Foreign Ministry informed the Interior Ministry about the number of the stolen visa stickers. It revealed that 1,000 visa stickers had gone missing from the locker of the Italian Embassy.
The serial numbers of 750 stolen stickers of Schengen visas start from 041913251 to 041914000 and the serial numbers of 250 stolen stickers start from 041915751 to 041916000.
Foreign Ministry said that the Italian Embassy in Islamabad is also investigating the matter itself.
It directed the Interior Ministry to check visas bearing the afore-mentioned numbers at all entry and exit points of Pakistani borders.
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any members of the Schengen Area, per stay up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It also enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries.
There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), has signed strategic contracts with Huawei Technologies Pakistan for the transformation of its IP Edge and Optical Transport Network (OTN).
Nadeem Khan, Acting CEO & Group CFO, PTCL & Ufone and Mark Meng, CEO, Huawei Technologies Pakistan, signed the contract during a ceremony held at PTCL HQ, Islamabad. Jafar Khalid, GCTIO (Development), PTCL & Ufone, Ahmed Bilal Masud, Deputy CEO, Huawei Technologies Pakistan, also attended the ceremony, along with senior management from both organizations.
Aimed to meet the exponential growth in traffic, this transformation involves modernization of existing inter-city and long-haul network, with a state-of-the-art OTN network.
Combined with the existing Optical Transport Network backbone, PTCL long-haul capacity will become Multiple Terabits per seconds, capable of delivering better services across the country.
Furthermore, PTCL, in-line with its vision to revolutionize widespread availability of IP connectivity in Pakistan, will deploy a Unified IP Edge network, spreading across more than 130 sites, for providing next generation IP services.
This up-gradation along with PTCL’s recently modernized Multi-Service Core & Internet Gateway network, will enable provisioning of high-speed & reliable ICT services across Corporate, Carrier & Consumers segments, supporting future customer-end demands of 100-400 Gigabit per second scalability.
Speaking on the occasion, Nadeem Khan, Acting CEO & Group CFO, PTCL & Ufone, said, “PTCL continues to transform its network with scalable architecture and futuristic technologies, to meet growing bandwidth demand from our subscribers, corporate and carrier customers. We are glad to partner with Huawei on this strategic initiative that will go a long way in enabling the widespread availability of quality ICT Services across Pakistan.”
On the occasion, Mark Meng, CEO, Huawei Technologies Pakistan, said, “We greatly value our long-term relationship with PTCL Group, and continue to support its vision for technological evolution. PTCL is playing a leading role in enhancing customer experience through innovation, and definitely this network transformation will empower and exceed customer expectations in times to come.”
Being the national flagship carrier, PTCL is fully committed to the vision of a Digital Pakistan, by further strengthening its commitment for continual network infrastructure evolution and resolve for consistent improvement of our valued customer experience.
ISLAMABAD: Protests erupted in Islamabad after the death of a suspect in the custody of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
The relatives and acquaintances of the deceased staged a sit-in on IJP Road with the body of the suspect, demanding an inquiry into his death and “justice”.
The sit-in caused a disruption in the flow of traffic. It was called off later in the evening after talks were held with Additional Deputy Commissioner General Islamabad Rana Waqas, who promised a judicial inquiry within three months.
The suspect had been arrested a few days ago on suspicion of involvement in the deaths of two policemen in the G-13 neighborhood of the capital.
The suspect’s mother told the media person that her son had surrendered to the police willingly for questioning and lamented that he had met such a fate. “If he was involved in any way, why do this to him? Why not forward the matter to a judge,” she asked.
She had vowed to continue her protest till she gets answers.
Other protesters, some of whom were neighbours of the suspect, accused the police of torturing and killing him.
“There are signs of torture on the body,” they said, adding that they had been handed over the body after being told he had “died of fever”.
They demanded that the prime minister and senior government officials take notice of the matter.
ADCG Waqas, speaking to the protesters camp, termed the incident “unfortunate” and promised he would get to the bottom of the matter.
Later, the police said a case has been registered against the police personnel involved in the incident — CTD Station House Officer Fayyaz Ranjha and Inquiry Officer Shams Akbar — both of whom have been arrested.
According to a statement by the police, the suspect died due to inadequate medical treatment amid extreme heat and a fever.
ISLAMABAD: Russia lifts ban on import of Pakistani rice, as the ban was imposed two years back due to differences in the quality of rice.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Federal Minister for National Food Security Fakhar Imam said that the ban on the import of Pakistani rice was imposed two years ago due to differences in quality.
He said that there is a market of 2.5 million tonnes of Pakistani rice in Russia and Pakistan is exporting rice to 140 countries.
On the other hand, the Adviser to Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said that Russia has initially given permission to four firms to export rice, while more companies will be allowed after inspection by Russian authorities.
“Breakthrough in rice exports! We are glad to share that Russia has allowed the import of Pakistan’s rice from 11 June 2021. Initially, 4 firms have been allowed & more will be allowed after virtual inspection by Russian Authorities which would be coordinated by DPP,” he wrote on Twitter.
ISLAMABAD: In making attempts to bring PPP and ANP back into the folds of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said that no party has the right to kick out another from the alliance.
The PML-N president was addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman after the two met today ahead of tomorrow’s much-awaited meeting of the alliance.
“No party has the right to bring or kick another party out [of the alliance]. PDM is a forum and decisions are taken with consensus,” said Shehbaz when asked about the PPP and ANP.
He also explained to reporters that when the consultations are completed and a decision is taken then the president of the alliance announces the future course of action.
When the reporters pressed the PML-N president about his stance on the two parties’ returns, he clarified that he does not have a “personal opinion” and whatever he says is always the “party’s opinion”.
The former Punjab CM also shared with the media personnel the agenda for tomorrow’s PDM meeting. He said that meeting that will be chaired by Maulana Fazlur Rehman will discuss the country’s political situation.
Shehbaz said the alliance will also discuss the budget that will be presented by the PTI government next month and the situation in Afghanistan.
The PML-N president also clarified on the PPP’s invite to the dinner party held for the Opposition by him.
Shehbaz said that his party had invited parliamentary leaders of all opposition parties to the dinner and the “PDM had no link with it”.
“We had invited parliamentary heads in NA and Senate and as I am the leader of the opposition and it was my responsibility,” said Shehbaz, adding that the dinner was held to discuss how the Opposition could adopt a “joint strategy” against the government ahead of their budget and exposed their “massive failures in all areas” in Parliament.
The Opposition leader then slammed that ruling party for their “failures”, saying that they speak about the state of Madina every day but do not implement “anything”.
Meanwhile, PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the Shehbaz had arrived at his residence to inquire about his health.
The former Punjab CM’s arrival at the PDM chief’s residence was expected.
Earlier today, it was reported that Shehbaz and Fazlur Rehman would meet to discuss the strategy and future course for the Opposition alliance.
The PDM is scheduled to hold an important meeting of party chiefs and take important decisions on whether the PPP and the ANP will be taken back into the alliance’s fold or not.
ISLAMABAD: President of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Volkan Bozkir on Thursday said that the UN’s inaction on the issue of Palestine is hurting its credibility.
Speaking at the National Defense University in Islamabad, Bozkir shed light on various issues, including Palestine, the Kashmir Issue, and the coronavirus pandemic.
“Inaction on the issue of Palestine, which is a grave matter, is damaging the credibility of the United Nations and the Security Council,” Bozkir said, adding that it is hoped that the Security Council will also hear a unanimous vote on this important and necessary issue.
“Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in blatant human rights abuses,” Bozkir said, adding, “Negotiations are urgently needed to establish two independent states. The UN General Assembly will not sit idly until peace is restored in the Middle East”.
The UNGA Secretary-General also spoke about the Kashmir issue and said that he is well-aware of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that he knows who a common Pakistani feels about the issue.
“I have always urged the parties to refrain from changing the status of the disputed territory. I urge India and Pakistan to work for a peaceful solution to this problem,” he said, adding that peace, stability and prosperity hinge on the normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India through the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Bozkir also spoke about the coronavirus pandemic and said that the coronavirus vaccine is equally needed by rich and poor countries, adding that governments’ efforts are yielding results.
Regarding Afghanistan, Volkan Bozkir said that peace in the country is imperative for stability in the region.
“The Afghan peace process should be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led,” he said while appreciating Pakistan’s role in the peace process in Afghanistan.
It should be recalled that PGA Bozkir had reached Pakistan on a three-day visit at the invitation of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi a day ago (Wednesday, May 26).
He landed in the country after concluding his visit to Bangladesh. “After an important and fruitful official visit to Bangladesh, I arrived in Islamabad for my official visit to Pakistan,” Bozkir had said. “I look forward to my important meetings in Islamabad.”
Bozkir is the first Turkish national to preside over the UN General Assembly. He is a former diplomat and a senior politician.
Following his 39-year long illustrious diplomatic career in the Turkish Foreign Service, Bozkir was elected thrice as a member of the Turkish Parliament and has served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee and EU Affairs minister.
He last visited Pakistan in August 2020 before taking up the position of president of the UNGA.
“The visit of the PGA would lend an opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s active contributions to multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations in international affairs,” the Foreign Office had said in a statement.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said that there are no US military bases in the country and neither is it considering any such proposal.
“There was no US military or air base in Pakistan, nor was any such proposal envisaged,” said the foreign office’s spokesperson in a statement.
The statement from the foreign office’s spokesperson comes a day after Afghan media reported that the US was constructing military airbases in Pakistan’s former tribal areas across the Durand Line.
“Any speculation on this account was baseless and irresponsible and should be avoided,” read his statement.
Pakistan provided bases to the US to operate drones at one time. Last time, President Arif Alvi had told Voice of America that his country won’t become “a base of US action in Afghanistan” after withdrawal of its troops from the neighbouring country in September.
“I think we should be careful in ensuring the fact that Pakistan doesn’t become a base of US action in Afghanistan of any sort,” President Alvi had said.
ISLAMABAD: The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) will meet today (Wednesday) to sight the Shawwal moon. The meeting will take place in Islamabad under the chair of RHC Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, as per an earlier statement of the committee.
The meetings of zonal committees would take place in their respective areas, while the central committee would gather witnesses from across the country.
Azad has earlier stated his resolve to ensure that Eid is celebrated on the same day throughout Pakistan.
In Peshawar, the zonal RHC meeting will be held at the Auqaf Hall under the chair of Maulana Ehsaan. He is the chief of the Peshawar zonal RHC.
Maulana Ishaq, Qadri Abdul Rauf and Mufti Fazlullah Jan, Maulana Mohammad Ali Shah, Maulana Irshad Hussain and Maulana Abdul Baseer will also partake in the meeting.
Earlier, the Meteorological Department had said that Pakistan would observe Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday, as there was “no chance” of citing the Shawwal moon on May 12, Wednesday.
If the moon is not sighted on Wednesday — Ramadan 29 — then the holy month would extend to 30 days, and the festival of Eid will be celebrated on May 14 — Friday.
The weather department said the new moon of Shawwal would be born on crossing conjunction point at “00-01 PST on 12-05-2021.”
LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore chapter has written a letter to its headquarters in Islamabad, asking it to place PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s name on the Exit-Control List (ECL).
The request was made to place Shehbaz Sharif’s name on the ECL the no-fly list as he is being investigated in an assets beyond means case and is accused of money laundering.
The former Punjab chief minister has denied all charges of wrongdoing. However, the interior ministry officials did not confirm receiving any letter from the NAB Headquarters on the issue.
NAB Lahore wrote a letter to the DG Operations NAB Headquarters on April 28, recommending that the PML-N president be placed on the ECL as there were several investigations against him, his sons Hamza Shehbaz, Suleman Shehbaz and others, sources said.
All of the above-mentioned are being probed in assets beyond means and money laundering cases.
According to a copy of the letter, NAB Lahore stated that via order dated 22-04-2021, the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted bail to the accused Shehbaz Sharif, whereas no orders regarding the placement of his name on the ECL or asking the PML-N leader to surrender his passport have been issued.
“As the presence of the accused is required to face the trial, it is recommended that the name of Mian Shehbaz Sharif be placed on the ECL for the smooth trial of the reference no 22/2020,” the letter read.
The letter further mentioned that the NAB Headquarter was earlier asked to place Shehbaz Sharif’s name on the ECL and whereas the Ministry of Interior was requested through letter No 3-1(1)285/L/WII/NAB/Dy Dir (ECL) dated 19.02.19 and resultantly Ministry of Interior vide letter No12/46/2019-ECL dated 21.02.2019 confirmed the placement of accused Shehbaz Sharif on the ECL.
The letter further stated that thereafter the accused Mian Shehbaz Sharif filed a writ petition with the LHC for removal of his name from the ECL and a subsequent LHC order set aside the memorandum of the Ministry of Interior.
The letter stated that in this regard another request for the placement of Shehbaz Sharif’s name on the ECL was forwarded to the NAB HQ in Islamabad.
In response, the prosecutor-general NAB HQ, in a letter, had conveyed that instead of placing the name of the accused on the ECL, it has approved to place, before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the material collected against the accused to place his name on the ECL.
The letter stated that a reference (ACR No 22/2020) has been filed against Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Mrs Nusrat Shehbaz, Hamza Shehbaz, Suleman Shehbaz, Muhammad Usman, and 11 others and the said reference was filed on August 20, 2020, on the allegations that the suspects had accumulated disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs7,328 million through dishonest means. It said the suspects were also guilty of the offence of money laundering, with the case pending before an accountability court in Lahore, Geo News reported.
The letter stated that the names of all persons except Shehbaz Sharif had been placed on the ECL and 11 other accused with Shehbaz Sharif were facing trial.
The letter further stated that five of the accused had been declared proclaimed offenders in the case.
ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has decided to extend closure of all educational institutions uptill 23rd of this month.
The decision to this effect was taken at the NCOC meeting held in Islamabad on Saturday.
According to a Tweet of NCOC, the decision has been taken in view of ongoing trends of disease. However, the review will be carried out in the next meeting of the NCOC to be held on 18th of this month.
Earlier Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar had called for a united response to deal with the third wave of Covid-19.
In his tweets on Saturday, he had said the world community appreciated Pakistan for handling the first wave of coronavirus. He was confident that we will do it again together.
The Minister had said that the danger is higher than ever and there is a clear need to observe caution.
He said we realize that the mobility restrictions put in place from today till the 16th of this month are going to cause inconvenience. He, however, said these measures have been necessitated by the extremely dangerous situation which has been created in the region with the spread of virulent mutations of the virus.
Pakistan reported 120 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 854,240. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 18,797 on Saturday.
According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) 4,109 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
