ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the alliance of opposition parties, announced to hold its first public gathering in Karachi on October 18.
Talking to media after attending a meeting of Pakistan Democratic Movement’s steering committee in Islamabad on Monday, Ahsan Iqbal, while announcing the new schedule of anti-govt rallies across the country, said that the first public rally of the PDM will be held in Gujranwala on October 16 and the second rally will be held in Karachi on October 18.
He said that third rally will be held in Quetta on October 25, while fourth public gathering will be held on November 22 in Peshawar and fifth rally will be held on November 30 in Multan.
The PML-N leader said that the alliance wants an independent judiciary in the country.
The huddle also strongly condemn lodging of treason cases against the political leadership.
Following the decision in the PDM meeting, former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior vice president Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been appointed general secretary of the opposition’s alliance.
Earlier, the PPP had objected to an October 18 rally in Quetta, saying that it commemorated the date for the Karsaz bombing incident that had targeted slain party leader Benazir Bhutto.
To PPP’s objection, the PDM decided to shift the venue of October 18 rally from Quetta to Karachi and the opposition’s alliance will join the PPP for its Karachi rally and postponed the Quetta rally to October 25.
ISLAMABAD: The cases of novel coronavirus have surfaced in a federal government educational institution here, sources said.
According to sources, two cases of COVID-19 have been reported at College for Boys in sector G-6 (III) area of Islamabad,
Two teachers including the vice principal of the college have been reported positive for coronavirus, according to the sources.
The authorities likely to seal the college after emergence of confirmed cases of coronavirus
An educational institute in Islamabad was earlier sealed after the emergence of novel coronavirus case in September.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the institution was sealed after surfacing of 16 coronavirus cases.
Meanwhile, the contact tracing was started after the cases, to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
Pakistan reopened schools, colleges and universities on September 16 under standard operating procedures (SOPs), ending a nearly six-month-long closure due to coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier today, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) said eight more coronavirus-related deaths were reported in the country during the past 24 hours, pushing the death toll from the disease to 6,507.
As many as 35,071 samples were tested during this period, out of which 553 turned out to be positive. The number of Covid-19 cases across the country has reached 313,984 with the addition of the new cases.
There are 8,884 active Covid-19 cases as 298,593 patients have recuperated from the infection.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Advisor on Interior and Accountability Shahzad Akbar has said that former rulers have committed money laundering in an organized manner and the black money obtained from money laundering was used by Shehbaz Sharif.
Talking to media in Islamabad, he said National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed money laundering reference against former Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and his children in a Lahore based NAB court.
He said soon they will likely be indicted in this regard. He said they used Telegraphic Transfer (TT) or fake foreign remittances to launder money abroad. He said the NAB has made 177 such incidents part of the reference. He said there are 16 accused in this reference, including Shehbaz Sharif and his family members, 10 accomplices, and four approvers.
He said billion of rupees were laundered through front men and personal servants. He said the Federal Investigation Agency has detected money laundering of 9.5 billion rupees in Ramazan Sugar Mills, owned by Shehbaz Sharif family.
Shahzad Akbar also asked Shehbaz Sharif whether or not his sons Hamza Shehbaz and Salman Shehbaz have been running a network of kickbacks in Punjab from 2008 to 2018; whether he has not been getting benefits from this black money and how your family affords living in London and what is their business in the United Kingdom.
Responding to a question, Adviser on Accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar said the government made public the sugar inquiry commission s report and the legal action was taken against the persons involved.
He said the process of accountability will continue without any interruption and those involved in the corruption will be held accountable.
ISLAMABAD: Middle schools in Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan have reopened from today (Wednesday) in second phase under strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had allowed reopening of middle schools for grade six to eight students from September 23.
Earlier, Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Minister Shahram Tarakai also announced that middle schools will reopen from today. Murad Raas said that coronavirus pandemic is not over in the country so virus cases will emerge in schools but strict implementation of SOPs should be ensured.
On the other hand, Sindh government has decided to postpone the second phase of reopening of educational institutions.
Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said in a news conference that the coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) were not followed 100% at the government schools but situation was relatively better.
“Classes from fifth to eighth will not resume and situation will be analyzed after a week. Middle classes can be started on September 28 if condition improves but will be postponed if situation deteriorates.”
It is pertinent to mention here that in first phase universities, colleges and school for ninth and tenth grade were allowed to reopen from September 15 under strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Primary Schools will be allowed to reopen from September 30 in third phase.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate more flights to Saudi Arabia from today (Tuesday). Flights will take passengers from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to Saudi Arabia.
According to a PIA spokesperson, the booking of seats was started soon after the Saudi Civil Aviation granted the permission to PIA on September 15 to operate more flights to the Kingdom.
Sources said that the PIA schedule was limited to 13 flights a week due to coronavirus pandemic. They said that due to the incessant rush, the PIA had sought permission from the Saudi authorities for 28 more flights. However, Saudi Civil Aviation has granted permission for 13 more flights.
PIA has requested the Saudi government to extend the stay of Iqama holders from Pakistan. The Iqama expires on September 25 due to which there is great rush in the booking offices.
ISLAMABAD: The opposition parties ]during the All Parties Conference (APC) announced that a new alliance named Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) would be formed under which the parties would unite to oust the incumbent government.
Following a multi-party-conference in Islamabad — billed by the opposition as an “All Parties Conference” — the opposition shared the plan of action devised to “rid the country” of the government.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, addressing a media briefing, said that the opposition demands the “immediate resignation of selected Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Niazi”.
He said that a failure to do so will result in the joint opposition announcing country-wide protests that will include the participation of lawyers, traders, labourers, farmers, civil society, and the people in general.
“In the first phase, beginning October, rallies will be held in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab.
“In the second phase, starting December, huge demonstrations will take place country-wide. In the third phase, to begin in January next year, a long-march will move towards Islamabad,” Fazl said.
“To oust the selected government, the joint opposition will use all tactics, including a vote of no confidence and resignations from the parliament.”
Meanwhile, PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif said that the opposition had no option but to arrive at these decisions as the incumbent government was “selected” and could not handle the country’s affairs, including the situation in Kashmir and the coronavirus crisis.
“The country’s future is at stake if the government continues its regime,” he said.
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the opposition is headed towards its “mission” under the guidance and support of the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP chairman Asif Zardari.
Responding to a question, Bilawal said that if any party goes back on the commitments made today, then the people must hold it accountable.
The PPP chairman said the leader of the movement has not yet been decided.
He said that the movement would struggle not only against the government but also “the ones who brought it into power”.
When asked about the extent of the opposition’s unity going forward, Bilawal said that in every situation the opposition would stand together, and Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman would not be abandoned.
“A committee comprising senior members has been constituted and when the numbers are right it will decide when to strike,” he said.
When asked about whether another candidate for the post of prime minister from PTI was acceptable, Bilawal rejected the suggestion and said that it was unacceptable.
Speaking about the recent passing of FATF-related legislation in the parliament, Bilawal said that the opposition demanded that the votes be recounted, but the speaker shot down the demand.
He said that the opposition is not one to deceive the people regarding this, insisting that the voting was “rigged”.
“We have always tackled non-democratic forces with democratic ways, ” he said, adding that the opposition will not engage in politics of coercion.
Opposition’s 26-point charter of demands
At the outset of the media briefing, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman read out the parties’ 26-point charter of demands.
The meeting declared that the “incumbent selected government has been granted artificial stability by the establishment that has imposed it on the people through rigged elections”, said the JUI-F chief.
He said that the forum demands transparent elections in the country and calls for electoral reforms.
“The selected government has ruined the common man’s life with record-high inflation, unemployment, and taxes […] we demand that the prices of flour, sugar, ghee, electricity and gas be immediately brought down.”
Due to the “selected” government’s failed policies, the crumbling economy is posing a serious danger to the country’s atomic power and sovereignty, said Fazl.
“The 1973 Constitution, the 18th Amendment and the current National Finance Commission (NFC) award are a reflection of the nation’s united viewpoint and we will fight to guard these from any attack and will protect our provincial autonomy. No compromise will be made on this.”
He said that the opposition rejects the “nefarious intentions” of introducing a presidential system in the country.
“The selected government is responsible for the fall of Kashmir,” Fazl said, alleging that India’s move to annex Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir was made “with the incumbent government’s support”.
The APC expressed grave concerns over the “complete failure” of the government’s policy regarding Afghanistan, said the JUI-F chief.
He said that the meeting condemns “unprecedented” gags on the media and censorship. It demands that Editor-in-Chief Jang and Geo Media Group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman be released along with other media persons.
It also condemns the “false cases based on political revenge” against political leaders, leaders, and activists, he said.
According to the declaration, due to the “non-implementation” of the National Action Plan there has been “a surge in terrorism”.
The forum has also expressed grave concerns over the dismal law and order situation, saying that the government had “failed miserably” to ensure the basic rights of citizens.
Fazl said that the “inexperienced government” has put the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into danger”. The opposition demands that CPEC projects be expedited and the motorway and railways on the western routes be developed on an emergency basis, he added.
“The selected government has paralysed the parliament and the voice of the opposition was being suppressed […] the opposition will not cooperate with the rubber-stamp Parliament anymore,” the JUI-F chief declared.
The opposition has also called for elections in Gilgit-Baltistan to be held on time and “without intervention”.
“After the elections, through national consensus, steps should be taken to include GB within Pakistan’s political parameters”, he said.
Fazl said that the tribal areas have been made no-go areas, and that the forum demands an end to this.
He said that a committee has been constituted to draft a Charter of Democracy which would guide the country to becoming the Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam had envisioned.
The JUI-F chief added that a truth commission will also be formed which will “bring forth Pakistan’s true history since 1947”.
Prior to the press conference, PML-N secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal said that the parties have agreed that the “artificial setup that was established in 2018” had failed on several fronts and has made the country nearly ungovernable.
Talking about what the opposition has planned, he said that it would be a phase-wise campaign, that would take place within as well as outside of parliament.
The PML-N leader, responding a question on whether the opposition would resign from the assemblies, said that such a move would be akin to dropping an “atom bomb”.
“In wars, you don’t drop atom bombs suddenly,” he said, adding that at the same time the people were “asking the opposition to get rid of the government”.
“It has been 72 years and the country is still not stable; countries like Bangladesh and Afghanistan are ahead of us. We cannot let this continue”, Iqbal said.
“We want a non-political role of the state’s institutions,” he added.
Speaking about the change that the opposition has demanded, he said that the country needs “a new covenant” — like the one signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.
Iqbal said that Nawaz “wants to come back to Pakistan” and that once his doctors approve, he will.
ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday proposed resignations from the assemblies and immediate dissolution of the Sindh Assembly.
Addressing the All Parties Conference (APC) hosted by the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) in Islamabad on Sunday, he said that the decision regarding resignation from the assemblies should be taken today.
The JUI-F chief said that the bottom line is that he no longer believe in verbal claims, adding that the instead of verbal claims, the opposition parties would now have to talk in writing.
Fazlur Rehman said that the restrictions have been imposed on media that they are not broadcasting our speeches and gatherings of millions of people.
“We have to decide today whether we will resign from the assemblies,” he said and added the assemblies, including the prime minister, and in my opinion, the Senate chairman are also fake.
Sources said that while recording his protest on the occasion, the JUI-F chief said that said that the media was not showing his speech and even the APC has also stopped it from being aired.
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has joined the social networking site Twitter a day before the All Parties Conference being held today on Sunday at Islamabad.
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz wrote in her message on social networking site Twitter that she is very happy and privileged to announce that Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has joined Twitter to stay connected with the people.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) September 19, 2020
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned Advisor to Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar over rising crime rate and disappearances in the federal capital.
Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that land grabbing crimes are on the rise in Islamabad and surprisingly state ministries are involved in illegal real estate business and ordered Shahzad Akbar to appear in court in person on September 21. Chief Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and IG Islamabad have also been summoned.
The court order asked Shahzad Akbar to state whether he had given any advice to the Prime Minister for maintaining law and order and protection of civilians. Legal assistance has also been sought from the Vice Chairman of Islamabad Bar Council and the President Islamabad High Court Bar Association.
The court order said that reports show how the system has become corrupt and is on the brink of collapse. Powerful elite of Islamabad are directly responsible for breaking of the law and there is no hesitation in saying that the state has failed to protect ordinary citizens.
The court said that the institutions that were set up to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens are directly or indirectly involved in breaking the law. The dire law and order situation in Islamabad is unbearable and citizens’ confidence in the justice system is waning.
IHC said that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure rule of law to restore the confidence of citizens.
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Islamabad Waqar Uddin Syed on Friday directed heads of all police stations to improve performance and accelerate efforts for effective policing in the city.
He stated this while addressing a meeting held following directions of IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar khan to review the performance Station House Officers (SHOs).
SSP (CTD) Dr. Syed Mustafa Tanveer, SP (Investigation) Malik Naeem Iqbal, SP (City) Omer Khan, SP (Saddar) Sarfaraz Virk, SP (Industrial Area) Zubair Ahmed Sheikh, SP (Rural) Farooq Amajd Buta, all SDPOs and SHOs were present on the occasion.
The DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed reviewed performance of police officials during the last 45 days and suspended three SHOs over performance issues which included SHO Ramana, Sabzi Mandi and Shehzad town police stations. He also directed to serve show cause notices to SHOs of four police stations including Kohsar, Golra, Tarnol and Industrial area.
He directed to constitute special teams for arrest of proclaimed offenders and evolve effective strategy to counter criminal elements and ensure strict patrolling in their respective areas.
Waqar Uddin Syed also gave deadline of 15 days to all police officers to ensure effective policing and said those would continue to serve at police stations showing good performance.
Those not showing satisfactory performance would be transferred to other divisions and no laxity would be tolerated, he added.
The DIG (Operations) said that accountability process would remain continue and those showing good performance would be awarded. He also directed for effective crackdown and operation in the city against drug pushers, bootleggers, proclaimed offenders, court absconders and professional alm-seekers.
He also asked to improve security measures around banks and effective patrolling measures to be ensured in the city.
Waqar Uddin Syed asked to keep reviewing progress of investigation officers and conduct checking of bikes and vehicles driven without documents.
