ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary party of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) meeting will be held in Islamabad today (Monday).
According to party sources, PML-N parliamentary party meeting will be held at the Parliament House at 3:00 pm. PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz will preside over the meeting.
Sources said that the meeting will chalk out future strategy of the anti-government campaign. The meeting will be attended by all key members of the PML-N.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) an 11-party anti-government coalition is all set to stage a massive protest in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office in Islamabad today (Tuesday).
The PDM president and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the 11-party opposition alliance will stage a protest in front of the ECP against the delay in PTI foreign funding case.
Earlier, addressing a press conference with Maryam Nawaz Sharif after a PDM steering committee meeting in Islamabad, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has termed the foreign funding case as the ‘biggest scandal in the history of the country’ and said that Imran Khan had created political instability by taking “Mother of NROs”.
Maulana told media that the meeting of the conglomerate discussed the strategy of PDM’s protest before the Election Commission. “On Tuesday, the PDM leadership will stage a massive protest in front of the Election Commission of Pakistan”, he added.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman alleged that Imran Khan was the main accused in the foreign funding case in which private business was done through a secret account. He said that PDM will protest in front of the ECP office and demand an early verdict as the delay is raising suspicions.
Informing about the decisions taken by the PDM steering committee, he said that on January 21, there will be a million march rejecting Israel followed by a rally in solidarity with Kashmiris on February 5 at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi. “There will be a full-scale protest against those who sold off Kashmir”, he said.
He further said that historic rallies would be held in Hyderabad on February 9, Sialkot on February 13, Pishin on February 16, Sargodha on February 23, Khuzdar on February 27, followed by the decision to march towards Islamabad. The final date for the Long March will be announced at the PDM rally, said Fazlur Rehman.
Meanwhile, in view of the PDM protest planned for Tuesday, the security of the Election Commission of Pakistan has been tightened, with orders to not let protesters enter the ECP building and parking lot.
The administration has issued a security plan, according to which, more than 1800 police personnel will be on duty for the security of the building.
Additional security cameras have also been installed for better surveillance of the ECP office. Officials have been directed to not allow protesters to enter the Election Commission building and parking lot.
On Monday, the Deputy Commissioner and SSP Islamabad visited the Election Commission office and reviewed the security arrangements. On this occasion, DC Islamabad also briefed the Election Commission officials on the security situation.
According to the district administration, 5 SPs and 10 DSPs will be present for maintaining law and order. Protesters and rally participants will park their vehicles in the parking lot of the convention center and come to the Election Commission on foot.
Moreover, Islamabad Police will issue alternative routes to maintain flow of traffic in the vicinities.
ISLAMABAD: The passengers, who boarded Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Boeing 777 that was seized by Malaysia, have reached Pakistan through alternative airline.
According to details, 118 passengers have landed in Islamabad from Kuala Lumpur Airport via Dubai while 54 passengers have been taken back to Pakistan via Doha.
It is pertinent to mention here that Malaysian authorities on Friday had seized PIA Boeing 777 over being defaulter of lease payment.
The plane was taken into custody on court’s order at Kuala Lumpur Airport with passengers on board.
PIA had purchased the aircraft on lease from a Vietnamese company in 2015. The national flag carrier’s spokesman said that the matter was under hearing at British court.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan hasd claimed that PIA acquired Boeing 777 on expensive lease during tenure of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The aviation minister, while talking to media persons, said that PIA had failed to pay lease on time due to coronavirus pandemic but Malaysian court issued order without listening to arguments of the airlines.
He also said that PIA will appear before London court on January 22 and in Malaysian court on January 24.
ISLAMABAD: King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) had distributed US$ 1.3 million 22,550 winter kits among poor and deserving people residing in District Chitral, Swat and Shangla in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and surrounding areas of Islamabad.
The project covered and benefited 135,300 people with the total cost of US$ 1,258,164.
KS Relief distrubuted winter kits under winter relief package of the Saudi King Salman, in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration.
Each package comprises of 02 Quilts, shawls of men and women, 09 pairs of socks and warmers for both men and women of needy families living in the colder regions.
We are proud that we had completed this challenging project in a very short span of time and in harsh and extremely cold weather with the help of government of Pakistan.
The targeted areas were at very high peaks with no proper roads and with little or no facilities.
At a total cost of US$ 1,258,164 and 135,300 individuals benefited from this project.
Project was one of the humanitarian projects by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and relief center to assist needy families living in the coldest areas in north region of Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Peoples’ Party stalwart Yousaf Raza Gillani has termed the passport issue of Mian Nawaz Sharif just politics nothing more saying the Government is making efforts to hoodwink public.
Talking to media outside Accountability Court on Islamabad, Gillani said that the talk on cancelling Nawaz Sharif’s passport is nothing but politics.
To a question, Gillani said they can’t make any demands from the Pakistan Army. Such a demand would be unconstitutional, he remarked.
Talking on Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) decision has said that the 11-party national alliance is making united decisions for betterment of country. All parties in the alliance are united and firm on its cause.
Accountability Court in Islamabad resumed hearing the Toshakhana reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari and Yousaf Raza Gillani.
Gillani appeared in court for the hearing, while Zardari applied for exemption from appearance because of his health.
NAB Prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar said the defendants keep asking for more time to present their arguments. If they don’t present their arguments then the court should do away their right to do so, he said.
The judge said they will make a decision after looking at all the legal aspects involved.
NAB has accused former prime minister Gilani of illegally allotted cars to Nawaz and Zardari.
The accountability watchdog stated that Zardari and Nawaz obtained cars from the Toshakhana by paying only 15% of the price of the luxury vehicles.
It also alleged that Gillani had facilitated the allotment of the vehicles to Zardari and Nawaz by illegally relaxing the rules.
According to the reference, Zardari had received armoured vehicles as gift from the UAE and Libya between 2005 and 2008 but didn’t report the report the gifts or deposit them.
The Toshakhana is an official treasury where gifts from foreign dignitaries or heads of state are deposited. Two former prime ministers, Nawaz and Gilani, have also been nominated in the reference. Gilani, however, has been granted an exemption from appearing for the case hearings.
ISLAMABAD: The One Man Commission, headed by Dr Shoaib Suddle, has returned to Islamabad after completing its visit to Katas Raj Temple and Prahlad Temple Multan, under the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Other members of the commission Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani MNA and Advocate Saqib Jilani were also part of the delegate.
On arrival in Islamabad, Dr. Ramesh Kumar, while talking to the media, informed about the details of the visit.
“Our recent visit to Katas Raj Temple and Prahlad Temple Multan was part of the ongoing efforts to restore the historical Hindu holy sites,” Dr Ramesh said, adding that the commission would visit Hinglaj Mata Temple Balochistan and Sindh next week.
The historic Prahlad Temple is one of the sacred sites in Hinduism, Dr. Ramesh Kumar, who is also patron-in-chief of Pakistan Hindu Council, said. He informed that the Holi festival was originally started from the Prahlad Temple in Multan which is now considered as an international festival.
He hoped that under the orders of the Supreme Court, the Prahlad Temple would soon emerge as the best example of interfaith harmony and religious tolerance.
Talking to the media, Dr. Ramesh Kumar also criticized the incompetence of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). He regretted that the Prahlad Temple is currently in a very miserable condition and needs urgent attention by the management.
It is worth mentioning that the historic Prahlad Temple was demolished by local extremists in response to the Babri Masjid tragedy in India.
“The ETPB, instead of taking care of Hindu temples and Gurudwaras, is much more interested in making money from selling evacuee properties,” Dr Ramesh said.
On the occasion, he also acknowledged the positive role of the Supreme Court for protection of minorities’ rights.
“If a local Muslim national can be authorized to take care of Muslim minority religious properties in India and Israel then why in Pakistan, every government is reluctant to appoint Hindu chief of ETPB since last 74 years?” Dr Ramesh questioned.
According to him, the first prime ministers of Pakistan and India, Liaquat Ali Khan and Jawahirlal Nehru, signed a remarkable agreement in New Delhi in April 1950. Under the Liaquat-Nehru Accord, both governments agreed to provide equal civic rights to the minorities, and protection.
Dr Ramesh further emphasized that the accord, which was signed 70 years ago, also urged to punish all those who are found guilty of offences against minorities and their property.
“In view of their deterrent effect, collective fines shall be imposed, where necessary.
Special Courts will, where necessary, be appointed to ensure that wrong doers are promptly punished,” he elaborated.
On the occasion, Dr. Ramesh Kumar also demanded that a case of criminal negligence must be initiated against the officials for not performing their duties to protect temples and other religious places, adding that the restoration of historic temples would help in projecting a positive image of Pakistan on the international level.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif (L) and US ambassador to Pakistan David Hale attend the 4th Round of the US-Pakistan bilateral dialogue in Islamabad on November 6, 2017.
The event, organised by private think tanks, is aimed at improving US-Pakistan relations, and working towards a resolution to the conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan. / AFP PHOTO / AAMIR QURESHI
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart and former defence minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said that there have been many attempts to break the PML-N and weaken its supremo Nawaz Sharif over the last two and a half years.
Khawaja Asif, who was arrested by the anti-graft watchdog late Tuesday night in a case pertaining to acquiring assets beyond means of income, was talking to reporters outside an accountability court in Islamabad.
The PML-N lawmaker said he was “100% sure” that Prime Minister Imran Khan was behind his arrest.
It may be added here that National Accountability Bureau arrested Khawaja Asif outside fellow PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal’s house in the federal capital where the party had gathered for a meeting. Following the arrest, Maryam Nawaz addressed reporters and said that Khawaja Asif had been told all cases against him would be written off if he stood against Nawaz Sharif.
When a reporter asked Khawaja Asif to elaborate on Maryam’s statement, the lawmaker said: “This is what we are all being told.”
“I was given a charge sheet that assets increased but NAB has not conducted any investigation in the matter. I have been facing this case for over two years, first in Rawalpindi then in Lahore.”
Meanwhile, inside the accountability court of judge Mohammad Bashir, NAB prosecutor sought a two-day transit remand.
To which the defence counsel pointed out that travel between Islamabad and Lahore takes only four hours and questioned why the bureau was seeking a two-day transit remand. He also informed the court that the counsel was awaiting grounds of arrest.
It may be noted here that since the case’s jurisdiction is with the accountability court in Lahore, the accountability court in Islamabad could only grant a transit remand.
Taking the rostrum, Khawaja Asif also informed the accountability judge that NAB has not provided grounds of arrest yet.
After hearing both sides, judge Mohammad Bashir granted a one-day transit remand and directed NAB to provide Khawaja Asif and his counsel grounds of arrest.
“In view of the distance between Islamabad and Lahore, transit remand is granted subject to medical fitness as such as the Investigating Officer (IO) is directed to produce the accused before concerned accountability on or before December 31 [Thursday]”.
In Lahore, a resolution was submitted to the Punjab Assembly condemning Khawaja Asif’s arrest. Filed by PML-N leader Hina Pervez Butt, the resolution said Khawaja Asif is a democrat and a supporter of the supremacy of the Constitution.
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Accountability Court approved on Wednesday two-day transit remand for PML-N leader Khawaja Asif. NAB has been ordered to immediately present him before the relevant court.
Asif, a former defence minister, was arrested on Tuesday on four charges, including owning more assets than his reported income can justify, providing false sources of income and accumulating undue assets while in public office.
Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the case.
According to NAB, Asif hid his illegally gained assets by transferring them to other people’s names. In 1991 he had assets worth Rs5.1 million but in 2018 they were worth Rs221 million.
Before the 2018 general election, the Islamabad High Court had disqualified Asif for holding a foreign iqama (work permit) but the Supreme Court had overturned the order and allowed him to contest the election. He was elected an MNA from NA-73 Sialkot.
The NAB chairperson had ordered the inquiry against Asif after it emerged that the sources of income he provided in his official documents was not the actual source of his assets.
He was summoned for a second time by NAB after he failed to satisfy it regarding his assets. A warrant for his arrest was issued as part of the investigation after which he was arrested.
The PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz vowed that there would be a reaction to Asif’s arrest.
“Now, you have arrested the PML-N parliamentary leader,” Maryam said. “Do you fear that the PML-N is going to resign and Khawaja Asif can play a better role in it?”
She said such tactics would not work because she had already received resignations of PML-N MPAs and MNAs.
The PML-N leader warned that such moves would only expedite the government’s departure.
ISLAMABAD: Kashmir Premier League (KPL) organized a signing ceremoney in Islamabad with Shahid Afridi Foundation as charity organization.
KPL aims to align the societal development with the cricketing activity creating a platform which would positively encompass the people and land of Kashmir.
KPL signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Shahid Afridi Foundation as charity organization with the aim of transforming the lives unprivileged communities.
Arif Malik – President KPL mentioned “We already have Shahid Khan Afridi on board as our brand ambassador for the League and he already has a personal association and empathy for Kashmir and its people”.
Shahid Afridi mentioned that he has visited Kashmir and term it as the ‘Heaven on Earth’. He also said he supports the Kashmiri Agenda and vow the launch of KPL a brand dedicated to the region.
Afridi is willing support the league initiative as it would open doors to new opportunities for the people. Through this process KPL will be promoting Shahid Afridi Foundation on shirt logos and sponsoring food drives and other CSR projects.
On this event Ch. Shahzad Akhtar CEO – KPL, shared his thoughts and highlighted the importance of KPL for the Kashmiri Community and said this will be a landmark event for the region.
Other designated guests included Adil Waheed – Owner Mirpur Royal, Muhammad Arshad Khan Tanoli – Owner Muzaffarabad Tigers, Samar Abbas – Member Advisory Council KPL, Amir Nawab – Director Cricket Operations and Tanveer Mughal – Manager Cricket Operations KPL.
KPL is a T20 league which comprises of 6 teams entitled as Rawalakot Hawks, Kotli Panthers, Mirpur Royals, Muzaffarabad Tigers, Overseas Warriors and Bagh Stallions. The event will be executed in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Rawalpindi Cricket grounds from 1st to 10th April, 2021.
This league is an initiative to promote the domestic Cricket in Pakistan and highlight the talent and natural magnificence of Kashmir.Read more:
LAHORE: A woman and his friend who allegedly attacked and misbehaved with cops in Lahore DHA area, got bail from Islamabad and Gujrat respectively on Wednesday.
Lahore Police sent a report to CCPO Lahore that a woman identified as Kanza d/o Abdul Rehman, who created a scene in DHA market slapped and hurled verbal abuses at the police personae outside a coffee shop and got bail along with his friend.
The woman was taking drugs in her car and later misbehaved and confronted cops
She tried to rip the jacket of policeman Qaiser, the complainant said, before fleeing away with her male friend.
It is pertinent to note that after the incident a video of the incident quickly went viral rounds on the internet.
Lahore CCPO Omer Sheikh ordered the arrest of both involved in the incident and appreciated the cops who showed restraint in the tense station.
Earlier, CCPO Lahore Muhammad Umer Sheikh took notice of the incident where the tipsy woman and her male friend misbehaved with the police constable and then beat him.
As the constable tried to avoid their onslaught, they both ran after him and slapped him again and again.
The constable did not fight back and kept his calm while trying to avoid the couple.
