Arrest warrants issued against former PM Nawaz Sharif in Toshakhana reference

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May 29, 2020

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad has issued arrest warrants for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau after no one appeared on his behalf to represent him in Friday’s hearing.

The accountability court was hearing a reference filed against former prime ministers Yousuf Raza Gilani, Nawaz Sharif and ex-president Asif Ali Zardari.

During today’s hearing, former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani appeared before the court. However, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and ex-president Asif Ali Zardari did not appear despite the summons issued to them.

NAB during today’s hearing asked judge Syed Asghar Ali to issue arrest warrants for Nawaz, Zardari and Abdul Ghani Majeed.

“Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari had received their summons at their houses,” the NAB prosecutor told the court. He added that the Anwar Majeed could not receive the summon as he was under treatment at a hospital.

However, the defendants’ lawyer interjected and stated that Yousuf Raza Gilani and Abdul Ghani Majeed were represented before the court today. He added that if the accused are present then they ought to be allowed to leave after recording their appearance.

“When chairman NAB has not issued the warrants then how can the NAB prosecutor ask for the same?” asked the defendants’ lawyer.

When Judge Ali remarked that Asif Zardari’s summons was received by his guards, NAB’s Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi told the court that a servant of the accused can receive the warrants on behalf of the accused under the law.

“Asif Ali Zardari is under treatment at a hospital,” said the former president’s lawyer while filing a plea seeking his client be excused from appearing in today’s hearing.

The judge also asked about the details of who had appeared on behalf of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. However, the NAB prosecutor told the court that no one had appeared on his behalf.

The court after hearing the arguments issued arrest warrants for Sharif and accepted the plea filed by Zardari’s lawyer.

“I’m only excusing Asif Ali Zardari for today’s hearing,” remarked the judge while issuing the orders. He added that the former president has to appear before the court at all costs in the next hearing and summoned all the accused to appear before the court on June 11.

The accountability court also rejected NAB’s plea to arrest former prime minister Gilani and Abdul Majeed Ghani.

Earlier this month, the accountability court had summoned the accused to appear before it on May 29 in the Toshakhana reference.

NAB has alleged Zardari and Nawaz had received luxury vehicles from Gillani allegedly through unlawful means.

The Toshakhana is a department which stores gifts given to Pakistani heads of states and premiers by other countries.

According to the gift depository rules, the presidents and prime ministers have to deposit any gifts they receive in the Toshakhana as they are the property of the state — unless sold at an open auction. The rules, however, do allow officials to retain gifts with a market value of less than Rs10,000 without paying anything.

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Pakistan’s Nuclear Program is helping meet National Security and 12 SDGs

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Our Correspondent

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May 28, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s nuclear program has not only ensured its national security and regional peace but also helped pursue 12 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote socio-economic development.

Pakistan is one of only 13 countries that are effectively using nuclear technology to meet a variety of their own socio-development needs but are also capable of sharing its nuclear knowledge and expertise with other countries for peaceful purposes.

These thoughts were shared at a webinar titled ‘Youm-e-Takbeer 2020’ organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad to mark the 22nd anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests that were conducted on May 28, 1998.

Kamran Akhtar, Director General Arms Control & Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the huge Indian defence acquisitions and developments in the areas of artificial intelligence, cyber security and space militarization are destabilizing for the region and the international community must exercise care and caution in sharing its advanced nuclear and other related technologies with India which is emerging as an extremist and anti-status quo State.

He further emphasized that the international community has a collective responsibility to dissuade India from engaging in any misadventure as any such India step will lead to grave consequences that will not remain limited to this region but will impact the entire world.

He further stated that Pakistan can be compared with any developed country in terms of its nuclear expertise, knowledge and capabilities, and is completely qualified to become an active and productive member of the strategic export control regime of the world.

Dr Ansar Pervez, former Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) said that the nuclear technology was being used for peaceful purposes all over the world in diverse sectors including medicine, health, agriculture, industry, pollution control, water resources management, safe and sustainable electricity production.

The nuclear technology, for instance, has allowed Pakistan to develop 100 new crop varieties, which have added Rs 1200 billion to our national exchequer, whereas Eight hundred thousand cancer patients are treated every year by hospitals using nuclear radiation.

Dr Naeem Salik said that Pakistan became a nuclear weapon State once its security needs were neither understood not met by the world and its several arms control initiatives were not reciprocated and expectations for security assurances were not met. Pakistan has a credible minimum deterrence posture which provides Pakistan security without engaging in a costly arms race with India.

Syed Muhammad Ali stressed that Pakistan’s strategic restraint must not be seen as a sign of weakness and any type or level of aggression against Pakistan in any domain will be swiftly and effectively responded through a quid pro quo approach. Pakistan’s nuclear programme has given security and pride to the nation and confidence to our leadership and diplomats.

The speakers maintained that the whole country is really proud of its scientists and engineers who have played the central role in the development of Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

Khalid Rahman, Executive President IPS said in his concluding remarks that the unparalleled success of Pakistan’s nuclear program is evidence that whenever the Pakistani nation and its leadership have resolved and consistently pursued any goal with strong commitment, then we can achieve it despite all hurdles and against heavy odds.
This aspect of the nature of the Pakistani nation provides us with a guiding principle to follow in policymaking to address various issues of national significance as well. If we understand this principles and pursue our other national goals with similar zeal, spirit, determination, consistency and unity, then we can effectively meet all other challenges that our nation faces.

The guest speakers include Dr Naeem Salik, Senior Fellow CISS and former director of ACDA, Strategic Plans Division (SPD), Dr Ansar Pervez, former Chairman, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), and Mr. Kamran Akhtar, Director General, Arms Control & Disarmament (ACDIS), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Khalid Rahman, Executive President, IPS, chaired the event which was moderated by Syed Muhammad Ali, Senior Research Fellow, IPS. Other participants included security analyst Brig. (Retd) Said Nazeer Mohmand, Air Commodore (Retd) Khalid Iqbal, Cdr (Retd) Dr Azhar Ahmad, HoD, Humanities & Social Sciences, Bahria University, Islamabad, and IPS Associate and former AJ&K Minister Ms. Farzana Yaqoob.

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Subsidy of Rs29b given to sugar industry in last five years: Shahzad Akbar

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Our Correspondent

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May 27, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Barrister Shahzad Akbar on Wednesday exposed former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s role of giving Rs. 20 billion subsidy to the Sugar Mafia, in his tenure.

“Commission’s report is an indictment against Ex-PM Abbasi” Akbar addressing a press conference in Islamabad said, adding, total subsidy of Rs. 29 billion was given to sugar mills in last five years. Out of Rs 29 billion, Rs 2.4 billion subsidy was given by the incumbent Government of Punjab, Akbar said.

He exonerated the federal government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in giving any subsidy on Sugar in its tenure but only allowed to export the surplus sugar, adding, the investigation report of the sugar commission is comprehensive and an eye opener.

He said the credit goes to the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who probed sugar scam, collected evidence, made the report public and now going to take corrective measures.

The commission in its report wrote about the subsidy given in 2017 by Ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbassi that on the basis of superficial calculations, a subsidy of more than Rs. 20 billion was allocated from the public exchequer to the sugar mills.

He said Salman Shehbaz, son of opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif, was the facilitator who by leading a cartel of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) manipulated the former PM Abbasi for giving subsidy of Rs. 20 billion.

He said irrespective of their party affiliation, the government would take action against all culprits exposed in the investigation report of the commission.

He said after the publication of the report, the Prime Minster Imran Khan would be briefed in the next week to direct the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and other concerned departments to file references in the court of law, in light of the commission’s report.

He said Shahbaz Sharif returned from London to lead the Nation but has self quarantined himself to avoid appearance in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court to face corruption charges against him, adding, no matter what Shahbaz Sharif would have to submit before the court of law in corruption cases against him.

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Eight NADRA employees test positive for coronavirus in Islamabad

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Our Correspondent

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May 16, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Overall eight staffers of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) serving at the NADRA Headquarters in Islamabad tested positive for coronavirus.

All COVID-19 positive employees have been isolated at their homes, accordingto the NADRA spokesperson.

He said that daily 100 employees and officers are undergoing coronavirustests since the services resumed at NADRA headquarter.

It must be noted that the federal government decided to reopen country-wide NADRA offices from May 04 amid coronavirus pandemic.

With input from INP

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Country to go into three-day lockdown from today (Friday)

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Our Correspondent

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May 15, 2020

LAHORE: Four days after lockdown across the nation was lifted, Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi and other parts of the country will again go into three-day lockdown from today (Friday). Food outlets and other markets will reopen from Monday.

According to the government’s directive, aluminum industries, ceramics, paint industries, centrifuges and hardware stores in Lahore selling steel, PVC pipes and electrical products will remain closed for three days.

Shops and businesses will be open from 8am to 5pm during the week except on fridays, saturdays and sundays. Vegetable markets, dairy shops, grocery stores, petrol pumps, medical stores and tailor shops will remain open however supermarkets will only be allowed to open their grocery departments.

Islamabad will also be closed for the next three days starting from Friday. Medical stores will be allowed to remain open 24 hours a day and grocery stores will be open till 5 pm.

According to the SOPs issued by the district administration, Islamabad will be completely closed from Friday to Sunday and only construction industry, grocery stores, medical stores, auto workshops, dairy shops and bakeries will be allowed to open.

Medical stores will be open 24 hours a day while the rest of the business will be open until 5 pm. According to the district administration, strict implementation of SOPs issued by the government will be ensured.

In Karachi, business activities will again be shut down on Friday after a resumption of four days. Only medical stores, grocery stores and dairy shops will be allowed to remain open from 8am to 5pm.

The Sindh Home Department had issued a notification to open markets from 8 am to 4 pm from May 11, declaring Friday, Saturday and Sunday as safe days, meaning that there will be 100% lockdown during them.

However, movement of law enforcement personnel, medical and technical staff, courier workers, journalists, goods transport and social workers will be allowed.

Grocery shops, dairy shops and medical stores will be allowed to remain open from 8 am to 5 pm during these three days but prohibition of processions and public gatherings will remain in place.

Lastly, public transport, cinemas, sea-view and other entertainment venues, including barber shops, beauty parlors, gaming zones, cafes and gyms will remain closed.

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CDA Development Working Party approves two key projects for Capital

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Our Correspondent

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May 7, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Development Working Party has approved two key projects for Islamabad. The approved vital projects include Development of Blue Area G-9/F-9, Islamabad and Development of Park Enclave Housing Project Phase-II (Block A), Islamabad.

Approval of development work for one commercial and other housing project in Islamabad confirms resolve of present CDA administration to provide holistic and integrated development to Islamabad.

The CDA according to vision of incumbent government is planning to develop Blue Area Islamabad on International Standards. The auction of the Blue Area plots is also being planned in near future.

In this regard basic infrastructure needs to be developed in the area in order to facilitate general public and to get attention of national and international community. For this purpose, CDA Development Working Party approved Development of Blue Area G-9/F-9, Islamabad project.

The estimated cost of the project as is 612.252 million rupees and is to be completed in 12 months from CDAs own resources. The project includes road work, drainage work, foot path, protection work, culverts, water supply, sewerage work, landscaping work, electrification and shifting of IESCO, PTC etc services.

In order to cater housing needs of the capital city, and to conclude the projects stalled for years, CDA Development Party approved Development of Park Enclave Housing Project Phase II (Block �A) , Islamabad.

After nearing conclusion of development activities at Park Enclave I as model housing project In Zone �IV in Islamabad, the development of Phase II (Block A) has been approved. The project cost is 1628.412 Million with 24 months as completion period and will be from CDA S own sources.

The project will include boundary wall, gate house and security pickets, Roads work, storm water drainage, foot path work, nullah protection work, sewerage system, culverts, water supply and rain water harvesting works, sanitation works, landscaping, Electrical and mechanical works, irrigation system, public building, cost of project director and staff, employees and Engineers facilities.

With input from INP

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COVID-19 death toll in Pakistan reaches 486; infections cross 21,501

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Our Correspondent

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May 5, 2020

ISLAMABAD: COVID-19 epidemic death toll all over Pakistan reached to 486 while the toll of confirmed coronavirus infections surged to 21,501 after more 1,315 new infections were reported across the country.

The figure of people recovered from the COVID-19 epidemic has reached to 5,782 so far.

As per the figure given on Coronavirus Dashboard by the National Command and Operation Center in its province-wise break up at 09:00am on May 05, Tuesday, was total 21,501 after 1,315 new cases were confirmed. Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Pinjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Province-wise break up shows the figures of 8,103 of coronavirus cases were confirmed in Sindh province followed by 7,646 infections of coronavirus pandemic in Punjab. The infections confirmed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 3,288, in Balochistan toll surged to figure of confirmed cases 1,321, 372 was figure in Gilgit-Baltistan, 464 in Islamabad Capital Territory and 71 in Azad Jammu Kashmir.

The figure given by Coronavirus Dashboard in its province-wise break up at 09:00am on May 05, Tuesday total deaths reported in the country were 486 after 24 more fatalities were reported round the country. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on top of the fatalities list with 185 deaths while Sindh is at number 2 with 137 deaths, Punjab with 136, Balochistan 21, Gilgit-Baltistan 3 and Islamabad Capital Territory 4.

Islamabad reports 49 new cases and confirmed cases in the country jumped to 21,501 after new cases were reported in Islamabad.

According to the national dashboard, Islamabad reported 49 cases in the last 24 hours taking the tally to 464.

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Toll of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan surges to 19,103 while death toll reaches to 440

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Our Correspondent

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May 3, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Toll of the confirmed coronavirus infections surged to 19,103 after 989 more infections were reported round the country. Death toll in Pakistan on Sunday reached to 440 after 32 more fatalities were reported.

The figure of people recovered from the epidemic has reached to 4,817.

As per the figure given on Coronavirus Dashboard by the National Command and Operation Center in its province- wise break up at 09:00am on May 03, Sunday, was total 19,103 after 989 new cases were confirmed during last 24 hours. Punjab remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Province-wise break up shows the figures of 7,106 infections of coronavirus pandemic in Punjab, followed by Sindh with 7,102, The infections confirmed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2,907, in Balochistan toll surged to figure of confirmed cases 1,172, 356 was figure in Gilgit-Baltistan, 393 in Islamabad Capital Territory and 67 in Azad Jammu Kashmir.

The figure given by Coronavirus Dashboard in its province-wise break up at 09:00am on May 03, Sunday total deaths reported in the country were 440 after 32 more fatalities were reported round the country. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on top of the fatalities list with 172 deaths while Sindh is at number 2 with 122 deaths, Punjab with 120, Balochistan 19, Gilgit-Baltistan 3, Islamabad Capital Territory 7.

Murtaza Wahab, Advisor to Chief MInister Sindh clarified that no Iftaar party was attended by CM Sindh. There is a defamatory campaign going on in social media showing photos of an Iftaar Party attended by CM Sindh & other PPP leaders.

Please note that no such event has taken place this year since there is a ban on social gatherings & the photos being circulated are of May 2018

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PTM leader Arif Wazir dies in Islamabad after being attacked in Wana

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Our Correspondent

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May 2, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Arif Wazir, a leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), died in Islamabad on Saturday after being attacked a day ago by unidentified assailants outside his home in Wana, South Waziristan.

Wana Station House Officer Usman Khan confirmed Wazir had passed away after being shifted to Islamabad for treatment.

The police official said a first-information report (FIR) of the incident had been lodged at the Wana police station.

According to another official, on Friday Arif Wazir was strolling outside his residence in Ghwa Khwa, near Wana, when armed persons opened fire from a moving vehicle. The official had told reporters that Arif Wazir received life-threatening injuries.

He was initially admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital, Wana, but later shifted to an Islamabad hospital.

Arif Wazir is the first cousin of MNA Ali Wazir. Seven members of Arif Wazir�s family were killed in a clash with militants near Wana in 2007. His father, Saadullah Jan, and uncle, Mirza Alam, were among the dead.

Arif Wazir was released from jail on bail about one month ago.

Rights group Amnesty International in a statement on Saturday said authorities must carry out an independent and effective investigation into the attack on Arif Wazir, and that the suspected perpetrators must be held accountable.

PTM is a rights-based alliance that, besides calling for the de-mining of the former tribal areas and greater freedom of movement in the latter, has insisted on an end to the practices of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions, and for their practitioners to be held to account within a truth and reconciliation framework.

The party has been critical of the state’s policies in the country’s tribal belt, where a massive operation against terrorists was conducted in recent times leading to large-scale displacement and enforced disappearances.

PTM’s leaders, in particular its elected members to the National Assembly, have come under fire for pursuing the release of individuals detained by authorities without due process. The army has alleged the party of running an anti-national agenda and for playing into the hands of the state’s enemies.

The party while rejecting these allegations, has insisted that theirs is a peaceful struggle for the rights of people from the country’s tribal belt.

Last year, MNAs Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir were arrested by police after a protest gathering in Kharqamar for allegedly using violence and clashing with army personnel.

This year in January, PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen was arrested from Peshawar’s Shaheen Town for making a speech in Dera Ismail Khan during which he allegedly said that the 1973 Constitution violated basic human rights. The FIR said Pashteen also made derogatory remarks about the state.

A day later, Dawar was arrested briefly from outside the Islamabad press club alongside several other individuals while protesting Pashteen’s detention.

Pashteen was later released on bail on January 25.

With input from INP

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Japan to decorate two citizens with 2020 Spring Decorations for promoting Pak-Japan friendship

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Our Correspondent

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April 30, 2020

ISLAMABAD: Japan has announced to confer 2020 Spring Decorations upon ORITA Toshiko, Vice President of the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association (PJCA), Islamabad, and MUKAI Mizue, former senior staff of the Consulate-General in Karachi, in recognition of their significant contribution to the promotion of long-term cultural exchanges and friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan.

ORITA Toshiko will be decorated with ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays’ while MUKAI Mizue will be conferred ‘The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays’.

ORITA Toshiko, also laureate of Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation, has been serving as Vice President of the PJCA since decades and also used to work as a senior staff at the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan in the past. Fluent speaker of Urdu language, Orita has worked continuously with utmost dedication from the platform of PJCA to promote Japanese culture such as Ikebana among the people of Pakistan.

MUKAI Mizue is a former senior staff of the Consulate-General in Karachi and has worked with devotion to familiarize the culture of Japan in the Metropolitan city of Karachi and the Sindh as well as Balochistan Province.

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Japan to decorate two citizens with 2020 Spring Decorations for promoting Pak-Japan friendship

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