Blaze News - Pakistan

Cricket ventures into uncharted territory on Saturday as the first ever major tournament to be staged in the United States gets under way in Texas with the opening game of the T20 World Cup. A month-long festival of the fastest and most explosive form of the sport -- which is being shared between venues in Texas, Florida, New York and the Caribbean -- begins with the US taking on Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium on the outskirts of Dallas on Saturday. It marks the opening skirmish of the first ever major International Cricket Council (ICC) event to be held in part in the United States. While the bulk of the tournament will be played out in the Caribbean, 16 group stage games in the 20-team tournament will be played on American soil, including the highlight of the group stage -- a clash between India and Pakistan due to be played in Long Island, New York. The rest of the tournament will be held in the West Indies, including the Super Eight stage, the semi-finals and the final, which ...

The African National Congress appeared poised on Thursday to lose a parliamentary majority it has held for 30 years, partial election results indicated, as South African voters punished the former liberation movement after years of national decline. While the party of Nelson Mandela looked likely to remain the largest political force, such an outcome would push it into a coalition with other parties, the first time it would share power in the country's post-apartheid history. With results in from 29.5% of polling stations, the ANC's share of the vote in Wednesday's election stood at 42.5%. It won 57.5% of votes in the previous election in 2019. "The ANC might have to consider forming an alliance with one of its major rivals in order to maintain its hold on power," said Andrew Bahlmann, a senior executive at mergers and acquisitions advisory firm Deal Leaders International. Which party it might choose remained unclear. The partial results released by the electoral ...

The Election Tribunal (ET) Islamabad on Wednesday imposed Rs15,000 on the returning officer of the NA-47 constituency of Islamabad for not appearing before the tribunal and ordered him to appear in any case in the next hearing. The tribunal gave a last chance to the RO to appear. The tribunal also gave the last and final opportunity to PML-N MNA Tariq Fazal Chaudhry from NA-47 to submit his reply. The MNA was ordered to submit Forms 45, 46 and 47 along with the affidavit. In a written order, the tribunal stated that MNA Tariq Fazal didn’t submit the answer as per the court order and it was the last and final chance to submit Forms 45, 46 and 47 along with the affidavit. Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri of the Election Tribunal heard the application of Shoaib Shaheen, an independent candidate from the NA-47 constituency, against poll rigging in the constituency. Lawyers appeared before the court on behalf of Shoaib Shaheen. Justice Jahangiri remarked that the Election Commission of Pakis...

Despite severe concerns shown by educators and educational bodies, the Punjab government has initiated the privatisation of government colleges after schools across the province. Around 37 colleges of the Rawalpindi division will be included in the privatisation process. A total of 168 colleges are slated for privatisation out of 550 colleges throughout the province. The Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) has opposed selling government colleges to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and announced challenging the government’s decision in the Lahore High Court (LHC). The Maryam-led government has also decided to return the colleges taken into national custody, including the historic Rawalpindi Gordon College, to their old owners. The privatisation plan also includes the sale of nine colleges, including the Post Graduate Girls College on Railway Road, built by former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in Rawalpindi. Additionally, both the girls' and boys' degr...

In a move aimed at bolstering investment in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a cabinet committee on the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The newly formed committee, which will be chaired by the prime minister himself, includes a total of 12 members, with special invitations extended to the army chief and chief ministers of all four provinces. The committee has been constituted under Rule 17 of the Rules of Business, 1973. The Cabinet Division has issued a notification for its establishment. The committee comprises six regular members and six co-opted members. Among the regular members are key ministers including the finance minister, defence and defence production minister, planning and development minister, information technology minister, national food security minister, power minister, law and justice minister, investment board minister, industries and production minister, and the minister of petroleum. Read also: SIFC paints picture of unit...

Huqooq Tahaffuz-e-Ulama Mehakama Auqaf has demanded to upgrade the scales of salaries of imams and muezzins of mosques of all public hospitals across the province, to keep the mosques of hospitals open 24 hours and to make it mandatory to teach the Holy Quran in the morning, afternoon and evening, in the mosques. They have demanded the establishment of free tables, the creation of religious libraries in mosques and the beautification of the lawns of mosques. Maulana Abdul Rahim Abbasi, the central spokesperson for the Huqooq Tahaffuz-e-Ulama Mehakama Auqaf, said the mosques of the district headquarters should be made model mosques. Their imams, khatibs and muezzins should be given privileges equal to district khatibs. Hundreds of relatives of patients come to hospitals. If mosques are open 24 hours a day and they have free food tables and reading of the Holy Quran and teaching, relatives of patients will be able to read the holy book along with free food. Perks should be announced for ...

At least six individuals lost their lives and seven others were injured when a passenger jeep plunged into a ditch in Liran village in Abbottabad on Sunday. According to preliminary reports, the tragic accident took place within the jurisdiction of Bakote police station. The injured were transported to a hospital in Muzaffarabad for medical care. The unfortunate accident occurred as residents of Liran Beri Bagla village were travelling from Kalyan Bazaar in Azad Kashmir when their vehicle veered off the road and fell into a deep ditch, resulting in the immediate death of several passengers. Among the deceased were a woman, her two daughters-in-law, and a young girl. Additionally, Muhammad Aslam and Umar Khattab also perished at the scene. The seriously injured were rushed to a healthcare facility in Ambor for urgent medical attention. In the aftermath of the accident, SHO of Bakote police station, Zubair Tanoli, along with his team, also arrived at the scene. However, by the time they ...

An intense cyclone smashed into the low-lying coast of Bangladesh on Sunday, with nearly a million people fleeing inland for concrete storm shelters away from howling gales and crashing waves. "The severe Cyclone Remal has started crossing the Bangladesh coast," Bangladesh Meteorological Department Director Azizur Rahman told AFP, adding the raging storm could continue hammering the coast until at least the early hours of Monday morning. We have so far recorded maximum wind speeds of 90 kilometres (56 miles) per hour, but the wind speed may pick up more pace." Forecasters predicted gusts of up to 130 kilometres (81 miles) per hour, with heavy rain and winds also lashing neighbouring India. Authorities have raised the danger signal to its highest level. Read: India and Bangladesh brace for year's first cyclone Cyclones have killed hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh in recent decades, but the number of superstorms hitting its densely populated coast has incr...

Next month, the European Union’s landmark rules on artificial intelligence (AI) will come into force, following the endorsement by EU countries of a political deal reached in December. This AI Act is poised to set a global benchmark for the regulation of a technology that is rapidly becoming integral to business and daily life. Unlike the United States’ light-touch voluntary compliance approach or China’s state-controlled framework aimed at maintaining social stability, the EU’s comprehensive legislation hopes to ensure not just accountability but also ethical use of AI. The AI Act, first drafted by the European Commission in 2021 and refined by EU lawmakers over the past two years, introduces stringent transparency obligations for high-risk AI systems. This encompasses AI applications in critical sectors such as healthcare, transportation and law enforcement, where the potential for harm is significant if these systems malfunction or are misused. The implications of this legislation e...

The clash between the judiciary and security establishment has further intensified as the Islamabad High Court has summoned a serving military officer – the sector commander of the central Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Islamabad -- in the case of the missing poet Ahmed Farhad Shah. Usually, the superior courts avoid summoning serving military officers in any matter with some exceptions. Former additional attorney general Tariq Mahmood Khokhar recalled that a serving military officer was summoned in the apex court bench led by Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) case. “Justice Isa had directed two successive ANF director generals, both serving major generals, to appear before him in the Supreme Court.” He continued that a Lahore High Court judge had also summoned a serving army officer in a missing person case. “Justice Waqas Rauf Mirza had directed a judge advocate general, a serving brigadier, to appear before him in the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench.” It...

The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has sought Rs4.445 billion in funds to construct 14 new major water supply and sewage system schemes for the new financial year 2024-25. The proposed budget also covers other general annual and district development schemes. Under these schemes, major water supply schemes of 24 old rural union councils in urban areas of suburban areas within the Rawalpindi district are also included. Additionally, the budget also accounts for a project that is aimed at converting all Wasa installations and over 500 tube wells to solar power. Funds of Rs102 million have been sought for the project’s first phase. The completion of this project is expected to reduce Wasa’s electricity bills by a significant 40 to 55 per cent. The development of 14 new water supply schemes will also get Wasa an additional 1.255 million water and sewerage customers, consequently increasing its income. Thirteen new tube wells will also be constructed under these schemes. The tube wells w...

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is investigating the recent attempt to sell Graceland, Elvis Presley's Memphis home. The announcement comes after a judge halted the sale following a lawsuit by Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough, who inherited the property, alleging fraud in the loan agreement used to justify the sale. Keough's lawsuit as obtained by PEOPLE claims that the documents used to justify the sale were fraudulent and that the signatures of both her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, and the notary public were forged. Attorney General Skrmetti stated that his office has fought fraud against homeowners for decades and that there is no home in Tennessee more beloved than Graceland. The investigation will determine the full extent of any misconduct that may have occurred and identify ways to protect both Elvis Presley's heirs and others who may be similarly threatened. If the allegations of fraud are proven true, those involved could face charges of identit...

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday sealed the Central Secretariat of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad and demolished “illegal structures” on the premises, Express News reported. According to details, a CDA team, accompanied by a heavy police contingent, conducted an operation to remove the encroachments and unauthorised constructions at the PTI headquarters. The CDA officials stated that an additional floor was constructed in violation of building bylaws. During the operation, a portion of the PTI Central Secretariat was demolished. News of the headquarters being sealed quickly spread, prompting PTI leaders, including the party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, to arrive at the site. CDA officials reported that the plot, located in Sector G-8/4, had been encroached upon and unauthorised constructions erected. The plot was originally allotted to a person named Sartaj Ali, and PTI had allegedly taken over the land and built on it illegally. Read more: Pol...

Mercury level soared to an unprecedented 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) on Thursday in Sindh’s Jacobabad district, the highest temperature recorded this year so far, the country's weather agency said. Sardar Sarfraz Ahmad, the director general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, told Anadolu that the district remained the hottest spot on the planet with a whopping 50C. It was followed by 49.7C (121.47F) in Larkana, 49.5C (121.1F) in Dadu, and 49.3C (120.74) in Khairpur districts. Read more: Heatwaves linked with heart attacks, strokes Pakistan is currently in the grip of a severe heatwave, which is likely to further aggravate in days to come. Ahmad said the ongoing heatwave is likely to prevail till the first week of June. The highest-ever temperature recorded in Pakistan is 54C (129.2F), which was logged in the coastal district of Turbat on May 28, 2017, according to Ahmad. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/Dm...

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), has confirmed seeking guarantees from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) before joining the opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain-e-Pakistan (TTAP). Rehman questioned who the PTI should negotiate with— the prime minister, the president, or the army chief. In a joint press conference with PTI leaders following their meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday night, Fazlur Rehman stated that JUI-F has not yet decided to join the opposition alliance but acknowledged ongoing efforts to persuade them. https://ift.tt/bXC1TZr When asked by a journalist if JUI-F had sought any guarantees from PTI before starting an anti-government movement, Fazl replied, "Yes, when serious negotiations are held, certain measures are necessary to build trust." He further questioned, "Who should we talk to? Will the prime minister, the president, or the army chief conduct the negotiations?" Fazl condemned the attac...

A 15-year-old orphan girl was allegedly abducted and raped by four men in the Civil Lines police station area of Rawalpindi. Details of the haunting case reveal that the assaulters allegedly posed as suitors to lure the victim, A, then made explicit images and videos of her after intoxicating her. They then proceeded to blackmail and threaten the mother of the victim. The police have registered a case but the perpetrators have not yet been apprehended. The case was reported by M from Kamalabad, who reported that her 15-year-old daughter was deceived by a boy named Zahid Ali, who she had befriend over the phone. She alleged that Zahid had lured the victim to come to his house with the promise that he would marry her. M, along with her other daughter were out when A packed up five tolas of jewellery and some clothes to leave the house. Zahid, and his friend Osama, came to pick her up in a white car, and took her to a house in Shani Colony, where two men and a woman were already present. ...

As the summer heat intensifies, the price of ice has surged across the city, accompanied by a significant increase in the sale and cost of unhealthy ice balls, colourful sugary drinks, ice creams, and other refreshments in the Twin Cities. The price of lemons has also gone up to Rs600 per kg due to the high demand for lemon water. Solid ice is being sold at Rs50 per kg, while hollow ice is priced at Rs60 per kg. The demand for ice in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has reached record highs, prompting all four ice factories in Rawalpindi to operate round-the-clock. The number of loader vehicles supplying ice has increased, and temporary stalls selling ice have emerged in bazaars and trading centres throughout the cities. In the open market, a glass of lemon soda is now Rs150, a large glass is Rs170, and a glass of tamarind prune juice is Rs200. Various harmful colorful juices are being sold for Rs30 to Rs50, with hundreds of carts set up near schools, streets, neighborhoods, workers' camps...

It is often said that nations which fail to learn from their past cannot hope to have a prosperous future and throughout history, museums have played a crucial role in safeguarding the artefacts and relics unearthed through archaeological excavations, thus passing on key elements of history to the next generation. In recognition of this, May 18 is celebrated as World Museums Day, a tradition that began in 1977 to emphasise the importance of museums in preserving cultural heritage and educating the public. A ceremony at the Taxila Museum marked this global observance. The event saw the participation of delegations, including directors from the Asian Development Bank, who visited the museum. A drawing competition for students was also organised as part of the celebrations. The dual purpose of this day is to educate people worldwide about their cultural heritage and to raise awareness about the necessity of preserving historical artefacts. Founded in 1928 by Sir John Marshall, the Taxila ...

Norway's Ambassador to Pakistan, Per Albert Ilsaas called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and safe and unhindered humanitarian access to alleviate the suffering of Gazans. "We must put an end to the escalating violence in the occupied Palestinian territories," he urged, reflecting Norway's commitment to global peace and humanitarian efforts. The envoy’s remarks came at a reception he hosted to celebrate Norway's Constitution Day on Friday, while delivering a heartfelt plea for peace in Gaza. This national day, observed annually on May 17, commemorates the signing of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814 and pays homage to the royal family. The event was attended by up to 450 guests including a distinguished assembly of diplomats, government officials, bureaucrats, the diplomatic community, journalists, civil society activists and notable figures from various sectors of society, all gathered to honour Norway's national heritage. Speaki...

Contrary to the policy of the Punjab government and strict direction from the country’s superior courts, city managers have turned a blind eye to the ever-increasing encroachments in the city. Sources said all major markets and city bazaars are grappling with encroachments and traffic congestion each day. The areas of Raja Bazaar, Anarkali Bazaar, Barra Bazaar, Dalgaran Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Namak Mandi Bazaar, Lal Haveli Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Iqbal Road, Commercial Market, Sadiqabad Bazaar, Muslim Town Bazaar, Khayaban Sir Syed Bazaar, Adiala Road Bazaars, and several other localities were bursting with encroachment. A leader of the Traders Association Commercial Market Rizwan Sunny said the Commercial Area had turned into an encroachment hub with the nexus of Municipal Corporation officials and parking contractors. He said push-up carts, chips, soda, juice, hangers and chat vendors were ruling the commercial market area and businessmen and vehicle movers were hostages i...

The Sindh government and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) have agreed to collaborate on providing non-formal education, vocational, and technical training to out-of-school children. NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmed met with Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah to discuss these initiatives. Present at the meeting were Sindh Textbook Board Chairman Abdul Aleem Lashari, NAVTTC Sindh Director General Aziz Chandio, and Chief Program Manager RSU Dr. Junaid Ali Sammo. Ahmed stated that out-of-school children will receive technical education after school hours with NAVTTC's support, including trainers from the private sector. The scheme will also benefit regular students. Minister Shah emphasized the importance of technical training in the modern economy and the need to support children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He noted that non-formal education would provide these children with employment opportunities. Additionally, the Sindh...

The port city experienced a further rise in temperature due to hot gusts of north-westerly winds from Balochistan blowing into the city on Wednesday. The temperature reached 39.9 degrees Celsius. The weather was hot and humid, with the city's humidity increasing to 52%. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Wednesday's maximum temperature of 39.9 degrees Celsius marked an increase of 2.1 degrees from the previous day. The PMD Early Warning Centre forecast indicates that the temperature may exceed 39 degrees on Thursday and Friday. Hot and dry north-westerly winds are anticipated between the morning and afternoon, however people will get some respite when the cool and refreshing sea breeze - the south-westerly winds from the sea, start to blow during the evening. Humidity levels are expected to range between 34% and 35%. The Early Warning Centre also predicts that the weather will remain hot in the upper and central parts of Sindh, with maximum temperatures ...

A young Japanese musician enthralled the audience with his performance at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan in the federal capital on Tuesday. Singer Kenta Shoji was invited to the residence of WADA Mitsuhiro, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan. The singer first mesmerised the audience with his mastery of playing the piano and then sang captivating songs in Japanese, English and Urdu languages. The singer from Kyoto (Japan) took the audience by surprise when he sang popular Pakistani hits by Vital Sign “Dil Dil Pakistan” and “Aitebar”, and received great applause from the attendees. Kenta started playing the piano at the age of 20. He has produced a wide range of vocal/piano songs covering his favourite genres of music such as Soul, R&B, Rock, Pop and Jazz. In 2022, he launched his album “Skip”. The following year he started travelling around the world performing his music on the streets and at various live music events. Published in The Express Tribune, May 15t...

At least 31 cases of theft were reported in the federal capital, which included citizens being deprived of 18 valuable mobile phones, seven motorcycles, cash in US dollars worth Rs4.3 million and another swipe of Rs5.5 million. In one of the major cases, Khurram Satti reported to the Lohi Bhir police that three unknown armed robbers took his family hostage and looted a combined amount of cash in domestic and foreign currency that was worth Rs5.5 million. He said that the robbers ransacked the entire house and took away all the valuables including jewellery. Secondly, a retired intelligence institution officer told the Humak police that US dollars worth Rs3.4 million were stolen from his house. Meanwhile, Mohammad Talha, a resident of PWD, reported to the Lohi Bhir police station that unknown suspects had robbed his sanitary shop. In another part of the city, two motorcycles belonging to Muhammad Hashim and Muhammad Hashim Qasim were stolen from the Patwar Khana parking lot and the mosq...

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong elucidated on the concept of "new quality productive forces" and its implications for the transformative collaboration between China and Pakistan. According to Ambassador Zaidong, this concept, introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2023, underscores the fusion of innovation, technology, and industry to drive sustainable development and prosperity. At its core, the vision recognises innovation as the catalyst for progress in the 21st century. President Xi Jinping's advocacy for integrating scientific and technological resources stresses leveraging advancements in these fields to enhance productivity and spur the emergence of new industries and economic sectors. Ambassador Zaidong stated, “New quality productive forces are characterised by innovation; the key lies in high quality, the essence is advanced productivity.” This approach aligns with China's pursuit of high-quality development, evident in its resi...

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has sent the PC-2 worth Rs54.9 million to solve the long-standing and complex problems of Nullah Leh to the Punjab government for approval. The revised feasibility study of the project involves the efficient diversion of sewage, anti-flood steps and alternative traffic routes between the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad permanently. The Nullah Leh has been causing environmental pollution and flooding in Rawalpindi for the last several years. The PC II has been dispatched to the provincial Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and final approval of PC-2 will be taken from the Planning and Development department. Earlier, the Rs48.9m worth of PC-2 of the project was limited to sewage diversion only. Sources in the RDA said that upon completion of the feasibility study of the project, the total cost will be spent in three phases as per the consultant's report. In the first phase, the sewage of the city and cantonment will be trans...

A comprehensive water quality testing campaign is being launched for all Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) sources and end users. A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) DG Kinza Murtaza, to discuss this campaign, during which WASA MD stated that a water quality analysis lab has been established at Rawal Lake filtration plant to regularly monitor & analyse the quality of water supplied through Rawal Lake filtration plant, the overhead reservoirs of Khanpur Dam and other mini filtration plants and tube-wells that fall under the jurisdiction of WASA. The lab would also assess the quality of water in the distribution system as it reaches the consumer’s tap. Presently, the WASA Lab is analysing three kinds of water quality parameters, which are, physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters. Physical parameters include water appearance, temperature, PH level, turbidity, conductance, dissolved oxygen and its Total Dissolved Solids (TDS...

The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad witnessed heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning, relieving the citizens of the scorching heat. However, the heavy downpours also caused disruptions in daily life, accumulating rainwater in low-lying areas and affecting the traffic system. The rain, which started early in the morning, brought a significant drop in temperature, decreasing by 10 points, from 31 degrees Centigrade to 21 degrees Centigrade. The citizens, who were facing severe heat and humidity, welcomed the rain with joy. However, the accumulation of rainwater in low-lying areas, including Jamia Masjid Road, Shah Khalid Colony Railway Underpass, Rahimabad Bridge, and many streets of Sadiqabad, caused problems for the citizens. The flow of traffic was also affected by rainwater accumulated at several places on Murree Road, Rawal Road, Bank Road, and other major roads. The district administration, considering the forecast of more rains, put all departments, including Wate...

The Lahore High Court (LHC)’s Rawalpindi Bench and the district courts observed a complete strike on the call of the Pakistan Bar Council and the Punjab Bar Council. The strike was called in protest against the violent arrests of lawyers in Lahore a day earlier. Due to the strike, more than 8,000 cases could not be heard in the sessions, civil, magistrate, family and special courts throughout the district. Consequently, the hearings were adjourned without any progress. Moreover, the hearings of family matters of women who had come from remote areas also could not be carried out due to the strike. The bustling courthouses, which remain operative until 4pm, seemed deserted at 9am. The office bearers of the high court and district bar associations restricted lawyers from attending court. As a result, the courtrooms were left devoid of lawyers in the early morning. All unheard cases were adjourned and rescheduled on new dates. The judiciary did not register new bail applications and shut d...

The price of electricity supplied through ex-Wapda distribution companies (XWDISCOs) has been increased by Rs2.83 per unit as part of the fuel cost adjustment (FCA) charges for the month of March, according to a notification issued by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday. The power regulator added that the additional charges would be retrieved from the consumers in their electricity bills for May. The notification read that the additional charges would be applicable to all categories of consumers except Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCs) and lifeline ones. Even K-Electric customers will be exempted from this price hike. This increase will burden the consumers with an additional Rs26 billion. Last month, the government had sought clearance from Nepra to extract about Rs23 billion additional in FCA from consumers for electricity consumed in March despite 79 per cent of power generation coming from cheaper local fuels. The Central Power Purchasing A...

Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani on Tuesday wrote a letter to IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq for taking contempt of court action over the growing negative social media campaign against him. A day earlier, IHC’s Justice Babar Sattar had also penned a similar letter to the high court’s chief justice, informing him about a malicious social media campaign targeting him. The court decided to elevate the matter from a mere letter to formal contempt of court proceedings against those maligning the judge. According to sources, Justice Kayani in his letter highlighted the importance of urgently taking action against the individuals responsible for spreading misinformation about him and engaging in activities maligning the court. On April 28, the IHC issued a statement denouncing the online campaign against Justice Sattar as “false and malicious”. The court emphasised that the judge had solely held Pakistani nationality throughout his life. The IHC clarified that Justice...

The country’s telecom companies have assured the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) that they would block the mobile phone SIMs of over half a million non-filers but sought a period of one to 1.5 weeks for this carrying out this task. FBR Chairman Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana held meetings with the officials of the telecom companies and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for three consecutive days in which the implementation of the Income Tax General Order (ITGO) issued by the board to disable the mobile phone SIMs of 506,671 individuals, who had failed to file their returns for the year 2023, was discussed. Sources said on the first day of the meeting, the telecom companies opposed the move to block mobile SIMs. Read more: Telecoms protest SIMs blocking They pointed out that the law to block the SIMs of non-filers had been in place for two years, but not been implemented so far. The telecom companies contended that it was unfair to implement it so strictly after two years. Beside...

Solo exhibition and launch of Urdu and Punjabi poetry book, titled “Mureed o Murshid” by Muhammad Sajjad Akram explores spirituality in modern art while showcasing his multi-disciplinary mastery. The exhibition which commenced on May 6, is hosted by the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Visual Arts Division. Since then, it has drawn the attention of art enthusiasts, cultural connoisseurs, and esteemed guests alike. The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Gallery 6 Curator, Dr Arjumand Faisel, whose remarks underscored the profound journey of spiritual connection depicted in Akram's works. "Muhammad Sajjad Akram's art expresses a profound journey of spiritual connection between teacher and student which is encapsulated in his exhibition 'Mureed o Murshid',” remarked Dr Arjumand Faisel during the inauguration. "His ability to convey the beauty and depth of art through paintings, sculptures and installations is truly inspiring." Akram,...

A tremendous amount of focus is now visible from actions of the current leadership, spearheaded by supremely empowered Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) with support of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Reportedly, the PM was lauded as a “man of action” by one of the Saudi Arabian ministers and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb too has focused his entire energy on implementation of policy prescriptions: 1) increasing tax revenues 2) privatisation of SOEs and 3) energy sector reforms. A huge red carpet is invariably laid for foreign investors. But could we do better? Overseas Pakistanis are the biggest dollar-earning asset of Pakistan. Having left the country to seek greener pastures in different countries, the generation remains intertwined with the wellbeing of Pakistan and its citizens due to the inability to secure nationalities, lack of permanent status, desire to support families back home and emotional want to head home at some later stage of life. No wonder, sending ...

Minister for Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon affirmed government's commitment to revitalise public  transport sector of Sindh, particularly, Karachi, to better serve general public on Sunday. Speaking to media during his visit to the BRT Red Line site, Memon assured that Sindh government had resumed work on Red Line project and vowed to leave no stone unturned in ensuring its completion. He attributed project's delay to necessary relocation of utility services but emphasized that provincial government would ensure no further delays in its execution. Highlighting government's dedication to addressing public issues, Memon reiterated that resolving problems faced by people remained a top priority for the present government. In response to inquiries, Memon acknowledged the cost implications of infrastructure development for buses, surpassing those of the buses themselves. He expressed regret for any inconveniences experienced by university students due to project...

Featuring 29 embassies, the International Food Festival “Taste of the World” was held here on Sunday as a fundraising event for vulnerable segments of society in the country. The event was a celebration of culinary diversity and cultural exchange, bringing people together through the universal language of food. The participating embassies offered a unique and authentic taste through cuisine ranging from savoury dishes to sweet treats representing the flavours and traditions of the world. Taste of the World, a charity event, is the collaborative effort of many embassies, IFWA (Islamabad Foreign Women’s Association), Serena Hotels, the Head of Missions’ Spouses (HOMS) Group with the participation of the Pakistan Foreign Office Women Association (PFOWA). IFWA and the Serena Hotels have a long history of partnership that aims to make a meaningful impact by raising funds for charity projects that benefit vulnerable groups, especially women and children in Pakistan. Aziz Boolani, the Chief E...

An Accountability Court in Karachi has ordered National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present all documents in the reference against alleged allocation of government land in Clifton by MQM leader Syed Mustafa Kamal and others. During the hearing of the reference on Saturday, Mustafa Kamal and other accused appeared in court. The court inquired whether NAB had filed a request to restore the reference. The NAB prosecutor replied that they had filed the request. The prosecutor alleged that Mustafa Kamal had illegally allotted shops in Jahangir Kothari Parade, which were part of the park's land. Defence lawyer Safia Hassan Sabir Advocate argued that the shops were allocated in 1984, and Mustafa Kamal was not even in the picture at that time. The court remarked, verbal arguments are not enough, documentary evidence is needed. The NAB prosecutor replied that the documents were not available, and the office was also closed. The court expressed surprise, wondering how NAB court could be w...