Blaze News - Pakistan

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday recommended that both Pakistan and India should restore high commissioners in each other’s capital. According to an official handout issued by the NA Secretariat said Chaired by Mohsin Dawar, the committee was briefed on the foreign minister’s recent visit to India and it was underscored that the minister’s participation in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the relevance of the SCO and the importance that Pakistan attaches to regional peace, security, economic prosperity and connectivity. The committee was informed that the member states do not bring bilateral relations on SCO platform. However, to respond to the insinuating remarks of Indian Foreign Minister over cross-border terrorism, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto in his statement, condemned the “unilateral and illegal measures by states in violation of international law and Security Council resolutions”, which run counter to the SCO objectives....

Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said on Wednesday the 250 million people of Pakistan cannot be left at the mercy of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM). Addressing a press conference along with former PTI leaders Maulvi Mahmood and Imran Ismail outside Adiala Jail, Fawad said that they will not allow the PDM government to freely operate, adding that it was their responsibility to get innocent arrested PTI workers released. Under the circumstances, he said, the PDM government cannot be left unopposed. “We are still standing with our principles and ready to play a role for the betterment of the country,” he added. Fawad stated that discussions and negotiations have been conducted with the former PTI leadership regarding the present situation and matter at hand. Read more: In another setback, Asad Umar steps down as PTI secretar...

Minister of State for Finance Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha termed a statement spelling out conditions to unlock the stalled bailout package by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as "meddling in internal affairs". Earlier this week, the IMF had urged Pakistan to follow the Constitution in order to resolve its political disputes, as Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif contacted Managing Director (MD) Kristalina Georgieva to revive the derailed $6.5 billion bailout package apparently in a last-ditch effort to avoid default. The discussion between Shehbaz and Georgieva took place on Saturday after the finance ministry could not break the deadlock over the loan talks during the past four months, official sources told The Express Tribune. Two days after the highest-level contact was established between Shehbaz and Georgieva, IMF Mission Chief to Pakistan Nathan Porter gave an unusual statement, expanding the IMF’s focus to the political arena. “We take note of the recent political develo...

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday declared the deputy commissioner's orders to arrest those accused of involvement in May 9 protests under Maintenance of Public Order (3 MPO) as null and void. The law of 3 MPO in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) had been challenged in the high court. A writ petition was filed by Advocate Naeem Ahmed Khattak through the mediation of Advocate Ali Azim Afridi against the powers granted to the district governments under 3 MPO. In the writ petition, the provincial government had been made a party through the chief secretary and the law secretary. It was submitted that the bill is not correct and is unconstitutional. According to the writ petition, any citizen can be arrested without giving any reason under the law of 3 MPO. Along with this, the administrative officers have the power to issue, execute, punish, and try warrants, it noted. Read Imran skips JIT’s Jinnah House attack probe Although the SC has on various occasions given decisions regarding t...

The special parliamentary committee formed by the National Assembly speaker to probe into audio clips involving the son of former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar was stopped from proceeding any further on Wednesday by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The court also suspended the audio leaks commission probing the matter. A day earlier former CJP Nisar's son, Najam Saqib, had approached the high court challenging the formation of the committee as illegal. Previously, a couple of audio clips allegedly featuring the voice of Najam Saqib appeared on April 29. In one of the clips, Najam could be heard telling a politician, Abuzar Chadar, that his father, Nisar, had “worked really hard” to get Chadar a ticket for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. In the second audio, Najam allegedly tells one Mian Aziz how much money he expects in return for the party ticket. On May 2, the NA passed a motion demanding the formation of a special parliamentary committee to investiga...

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif defended the military against allegations of involvement on Tuesday in former premier Imran Khan's arrest saying the army had "no role" in it. Speaking to journalists outside the parliament, the minister said, "Imran Khan was not arrested by the Rangers or the military. The Rangers only assisted the police in carrying out the arrest." He also lambasted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief for "hurling baseless accusations at the armed forces", which he maintained was in fact an effort to "justify" the May 9 attacks. On May 9, in an unprecedented show of vandalism, protestors allegedly belonging to the PTI, vandalised public and state properties and even attacked the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and Lahore corps commander’s residence. The attack occurred hours after the paramilitary Rangers arrested Imran in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, later retitled as National Crime Agency £190 million scandal,...

A special court in Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati on Tuesday over the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) request. Earlier, the court deferred the indictment of the PTI leader in a case registered against him over a controversial tweet. The special judge central Islamabad presided over the proceedings while Swati failed to appear before the court for his indictment. The investigating officer (IO) told the court that the arrest warrants previously issued by the court had been executed. However, Swati was not present at his residence at the time. Swati's lawyer also admitted before the court that he was not in contact with his client while simultaneously informing the court that he had no knowledge of the IO's visit to Swati's residence. The court briefly adjourned proceedings and summoned the FIA officer who had executed the arrest warrant. Read Judicial complex clashes case: Azam Swati granted pre-...

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore summoned DIG operations to provide an explanation for the search warrants issued for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's residence in Zaman Park. Notably, the ATC had issued the warrants on May 18 which have been challenged by the PTI Chairman. As the proceedings commenced, Commissioner Lahore, DC Lahore and other officials appeared before ATC judge Abhar Gull's court. The judge inquired why the officials had visited Imran Khan's residence, to which the commissioner responded by saying that they had not yet implemented the search warrant. "We visited Zaman Park to remove encroachments," he said contending that the PTI chief had consented to their removal as well. The judge questioned whether the police required the search warrant. Read May 9 riots: ‘8 terrorists’ escaping Zaman Park The Investigation Officer (IO) replied that they needed some time to consult and would only then be in a position to provide furth...

Former interior minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ally Sheikh Rashid Ahmad distanced himself on Tuesday from the Al-Qadir Trust probe being pursued by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against former prime minister Imran Khan and others. In a written reply to NAB, which Rashid shared online as well, he claimed that he had been absent from the cabinet meeting where the matter of the trust was taken up and had "no information and evidence" with regards to the issue. Today copy of my reply to Nab against there short notice to me to appear be fore Nab as a witness in Al-Qadir Trust case pic.twitter.com/SgtED5aadA — Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) May 30, 2023 "Furthermore," he stated, "I was having strained relations with Shahzad Akbar and was not even on talking terms with him. "I have no evidence or document in my possession with regard to the Al-Qadir Trust case." Read 'Standing with Imran', says Sheikh Rashid as PTI exodus ...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former finance minister Asad Umar has said that despite the fact that a large number of leaders are parting ways with the party, the vote bank is still intact and it belongs only to Imran Khan. "You know that the vote belongs only to Imran Khan, whether someone is there or not, it doesn't make any difference… when [former prime minister] Zulfikar Ali Bhutto faced difficult times, where were the party leaders? There was no one left in PPP. When PML-Q formed the government in 2002, all the PML-N members were in it," he said while speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court. When asked about a possible meeting with Imran Khan as he was leaving for Lahore, Umar replied, "Yes, it is possible that I may meet him." In response to a question about future plans, Asad Umar smiled and said nothing. Read more: ‘Walls of shame’ erected against PTI at many places in twin cities Answering a question about "scripted...

Japan put its ballistic missile defences on alert on Monday, vowing to shoot down any projectile that threatened its territory after North Korea notified it of a satellite launch between May 31 and June 11. The nuclear-armed North says it has completed its first military spy satellite and leader Kim Jong Un has approved final preparations for the launch. It would be the North's latest step in a series of missile launches and weapons tests in recent months, including a new, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. Japan expects North Korea to fire the rocket carrying its satellite over the southwest island chain as it did in 2016, a defence ministry spokesperson said. Analysts say the new satellite is part of a surveillance technology programme that includes drones, aimed at improving the ability to strike targets in wartime. "We will take destructive measures against ballistic and other missiles that are confirmed to land in our territory," Japan's defence minis...

The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the Punjab polls review petition after being caught off guard by the AGP arguing that a new law passed has enlarged the scope of review petitions against judgments. Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan told the Supreme Court (SC) that the new act had been notified under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution. In view of the new law that was signed by President Arif Alvi only yesterday, a larger bench will hear review petitions. AG Awan informed the court of the development as a three-member bench headed by CJ Bandial comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar was hearing the ECP's review petition against the bench’s April 4 order. The same three-judge bench had on April 4 ordered the ECP to hold elections in Punjab on May 14. Notably, the federal government and the apex court have been at loggerheads over the provision of polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for months. During previous proceedings, the governme...

Congratulating the country on the silver jubilee of Youm-e-Takbeer, President Dr Arif Alvi said conducting nuclear tests in response to India doing the same was essential for maintaining the balance of power in the region. In a statement issued on the eve of May 28th, Dr Alvi said the achievement of nuclear capability was indeed a remarkable feat and for this, our scientists, engineers, political and military leadership of the time deserve high commendation. On this day, the whole nation pays tribute to the contributions of our eminent engineers and scientists who made Pakistan a nuclear power within a short period of time, said Alvi, adding that the country must appreciate our political and military leadership that took wise decisions at that time to achieve nuclear capability making defense of the country unassailable. “For this, our whole nation is indebted to all those who played their part in making Pakistan the 1st Islamic nuclear power.” “On this day, let us pledge to make Pakis...

A gas explosion, purportedly due to gas cylinder leak, at a residence in Shamsabad claimed the lives of three children, while their mother and another sibling suffered 70 per cent burns. The incident took place within the limits of the Sadiqabad police station. Area residents said that the area suffers from severe gas shortage due to which most households use gas cylinders for cooking. The same was the case for Muhammad Shahid, who lost his three children in a fire that is suspected to have been caused by a gas leak. Shahid’s wife Noreen Shahid, 35, was at home when the incident took place. Their three sons and two daughters were also at home. The incident is believed to have occurred when was preparing breakfast for the five children. When she lit a match in the house, there was a loud explosion and fire engulfed the whole house. The intensity of the explosion was so severe that the windows and doors of the house were broken, and the furniture in the house was reduced to ashes. Area r...

The Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) Board of Governors has approved in principle the introduction of a business model for the Metro Bus Service and Orange Line Metro Train stations. A proposal to set up stalls, shops, ATMs and vending machines at the stations was reviewed in a meeting of the board on Saturday. Consultation was also held during the meeting to introduce digital streamer, glass board at the stations along with various other tools of advertisement. The board approved the extension of the contract of the Bahawalpur-Lodhran Speedo Bus Service. Approval in principle was also granted to avail the services of a private contractor for the Lodhran Bus Service through the Punjab Transport Company. Presiding over the meeting, Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued directions to improve the transport system in Bahawalpur. Matters relating to the Islamabad, Rawalpindi Metro Bus were also reviewed. The chief secretary, IG of police, chairman of Planning and Developme...

A new adventure awaits tourists in Kaghan Valley as the world's tallest and South Asia's longest zipline has officially opened in Noori Valley in Kaghan. Spanning a remarkable distance of 7,521 feet and towering at a height of 1,250 feet, the zipline has quickly become a major attraction, enhancing the beauty and excitement of the picturesque valley. Located just 40 kilometers from Balakot, the zipline offers visitors a thrilling experience amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Kaghan Valley. Mansehra Deputy Commissioner Bilal Shahid Rao lauded the addition of the zipline, stating that it further elevates the allure of the valley for tourists. The zipline has already garnered praise from those who have had the opportunity to ride it. Visitors, delighted by the new adventure experience, have expressed their satisfaction with this latest addition to Kaghan Valley’s tourism sector. They believe that it injects a refreshing element into the tourism offerings of the valley, which wa...

The second day of the three-day Jashn-e-Jaun Elia organised jointly by the Lahore Arts Council and Ishqabad saw panelists engaging in vibrant literary sessions, fostering new avenues of dialogue. The day featured various sessions, including discussions on historiography, a dialogue with writer Asghar Nadeem Syed, exploration of the history of journalism, a tribute to then late poet Amjad Islam Amjad and events inspired by Jaun Elia's work. Discussions on contemporary Urdu Ghazal and fiction, storytelling, soulful Punjabi poetry by Sultan Mahmood Ashafta, reflections on the Indus Valley Civilisation, a conversation with writer Anwar Maqsood, analysis of Majeed Amjad's poetry and a Mushaira also enthralled the audience. The sessions celebrated diverse literary genres. The festival will conclude on Sunday. Alhamra Centre Executive Director Muhammad Saleem Sagar emphasised his commitment to providing a conducive environment for the local and international participants. Published in...

In another major blow to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) which landed in trouble following the May 9 riots, founding member and former Sindh governor Imran Ismail on Saturday bid farewell to the former ruling party, resigning from all party positions. "This is my final political press conference. I am one of the founding members of PTI. Today, those who used to advise Imran Khan, they should think about it. Those who used to sit around Imran Khan and give him advice should reflect on their actions," Ismail said during a press conference in Karachi after being granted bail by an anti-terrorism court. Former Sindh governor —who was among the members who sang the party's famous song "Tabdeeli Aaye Ray" — was arrested for inciting violence during the protests on May 9. He was released on a surety bond of Rs50,000. Read: Ex-PTI MPA among 16 handed over to army for trial He said that those involved in the events of May 9 should be punished, but it has not yet been prov...

The federal government revoked on Saturday the diplomatic passports of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Parvez Khattak, Sheikh Rasheed and six other political leaders associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The move comes amid a slew of incarcerations, legal harassment and defamatory public campaigns against the PTI and its top leadership. The past week has seen several PTI leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry, Dr Shireen Mazari, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, Malik Amin Aslam, Mahmood Moulvi, Amir Kayani, Jai Prakash, Aftab Siddiqui and Sanjay Gangwani, announcing their exit from the party. Some, like Dr Mazari and Chaudhry, have also announced a break from politics altogether. Read: In blow to PTI, Mazari quits party, politics Rumors abound that Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who has been incarcerated since May 11, with local police maintaining ignorance over his whereabouts before the Islamabad High Court, may quit the party soon. The court was informed by the Attorney General of Pakistan that Q...

At least 10 people were killed and 10 others were injured on Saturday in an avalanche on Shunter Top in Astore district of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Express News reported. According to reports, a control room has been set up in the district to facilitate rescue operations and recover people from under the debris. Officials said that those affected in the incident were nomads. Chief Minister G-B Khalid Khurshid expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives and directed the authorities "to provide all possible help to the affected people". Read India bolsters search for 20 still missing after avalanche In January, at least four people were killed in an avalanche in Asheri Darra area of the mountainous Upper Dir district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, local residents said. Residents of the area told The Express Tribune that four people, including a man and his son, were killed in the avalanche when they were chopping timber from a fallen tree. “They were buried in th...

  The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has sought Rs45 billion from the budget of the upcoming fiscal year’s annual development programme for a project that has failed to take off despite the passage of 15 years: the Nullah Leh Expressway. The project was first proposed in 2007 when Pervaiz Elahi was the chief minister, with construction inaugurated by the president at that time, General Pervez Musharraf. The estimated cost was Rs17 billion at that time but that has increased manifold since. The project was put on hold in 2008 when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government came to power. The RDA, in its latest request for funds, said the expressway and the ring road project were a necessity to mitigate floods and sustain traffic flow in Rawalpindi. For the expressway, it has sought almost Rs25 billion for the acquisition of land for the Leh Expressway and Flood Channel project. Another Rs20 billion has been requested for the civil works on the project, with Rs30 million sou...

In another setback, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Ali Zaidi and Makhdoom Khushro Bakhtiar made announcements on Saturday of parting ways with the former ruling party following May 9 events. In a video message, Zaidi, the party’s Sindh president, said that quitting politics was not an easy decision, adding that he took the decision after much deliberation. “I resign from PTI Sindh chairmanship, core committee and membership of the National Assembly,” he added. Zaidi added that he will "continue working for Pakistan, and bring foreign exchange to the country". Read Ex-PTI MPA among 16 handed over to army for trial Once again, condemning the incidents of May 9, he said that “whatever happened was wrong, whoever was involved in it should be brought to justice”. “Pakistan Army is our pride because of them we sleep peacefully as they protect our borders," Zaidi stated. He said he entered politics for Pakistan. In another development, former federal minister Makhdoom K...

Although the new academic year began in Punjab three months ago, yet the Punjab School Education Department failed to provide government schools with free textbooks, The Express Tribune has learnt. The summer vacations in Punjab are starting from June 6 at public and private schools while students are tense due to unavailability of textbooks. The teaching community is also confused in connection with giving task of homework for summer vacations as students have no textbooks. On the other hand, the Punjab School Education Department has advised all the chief executive officers to ensure books at the government schools and also assign homework to students for summer vacations. Private schools in Lahore and other districts of the province are engaged in assigning homework to their students, but the situation in around 50,000 government schools is different. Non-availability of textbooks at thousands of government schools in the Punjab has become a serious issue when summer vacations are r...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised on Friday that the government of Pakistan has every right to lawfully punish the individuals responsible for the May 9 arson incidents, similar to the actions taken by the United States government against its citizens who stormed the Capitol Hill building on January 6, 2021. The chaos on January 6, 2021 erupted as the US Senate and House of Representatives met to certify Joe Biden's victory in November's presidential election. It was the most violent attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812, forcing lawmakers and then US President Donald Trump's own vice president, Mike Pence, to scramble for safety. Five people died and more than 100 police officers were injured in the incident. Read more: PM Shehbaz arrives in Karachi on day-long trip “Today, in the city of Quaid, we all are ashamed of what happened on May 9 in Lahore. Justice requires punishing the perpetrators like the rioters of the Capitol building on January 6, 2021. If tha...

Firdous Ashiq Awan became the latest senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader to announce her decision to distance herself from the party, adding her name to the long list of members who have deserted the former ruling party post-May 9. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad she cheekily said "good to see you", saying that the phrase had become the talk of the town. She told reporters that she had decided to leave the party under the pretenses that PTI chief Imran Khan's agenda had become "detrimental for the nation". "My politics centres around serving humanity," she said adding that "this was the reason I had joined the PTI". "I took on a responsibility to work for the betterment of this country," she continued. But, she regretted that "while the national security agencies were continuing their fight against terrorism, some elements were misguiding [then] premier Imran Khan." "Billons were spent from the nat...