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Author: News Desk

  • Clashes between PTI workers and police amid general elections

    Clashes between PTI workers and police amid general elections

    Clashes have been reported between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police officers, after imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan gave calls for rallies ahead of the February 8 general elections.

    Numerous PTI supporters attempting to organize rallies in cities like Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar were taken into custody during the crackdown, adding to mounting political tension. Reports also indicate police raids on election offices, confiscation of party paraphernalia, and the removal of banners and panaflexes, allegedly aimed at intimidating party workers and voters.

    In Lahore, former Punjab governor and PTI candidate for NA-129, Mian Muhammad Azhar, was arrested by the police during an attempt to lead an election rally in his constituency. He was reportedly released later in the day.

    His son, PTI Central Punjab General Secretary Hammad Azhar, took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated, “My 82-year-old father was arrested. He wanted to lead a rally as per his democratic and constitutional rights”.

    “Pakistan has today been reduced to a total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law. One Nawaz Sharif and his daughter calling the shots and ruining the country,” he added.

    Despite the challenges, Mian Muhammad Azhar, upon his release, maintained that he had not committed any crime, asserting that his sole offense was organizing an election rally. He highlighted the apparent disparity in treatment, alleging that all political parties were allowed to conduct rallies and public gatherings, except the PTI.

    In Karachi, over 20 PTI workers were arrested as the party attempted to conduct an election rally near Clifton Teen Talwar. Violent clashes erupted between PTI workers and the police, turning the area into a battleground. The confrontations resulted in injuries to police officials, including SHO Boat Basin Riaz Niazi, whose jaw was reportedly broken.

    Police used baton charges and tear gas to disperse the PTI workers, leading to further injuries among the protesters. The clash disrupted traffic near Teen Talwar, Clifton, for a significant period.

    SSP South Sajid Amir Sadozai told Express Tribune that no prior permission was taken by PTI workers to hold a rally in Clifton.

    The PTI workers had blocked the road, following which the police asked them to clear the road.

    In reply, they attacked the police with stones and sticks as a result more than 10 police personnel including SHO Boat Basin and a lady SHO were injured. SHO Boat Basin’s jaw was broken and he is in critical condition.

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) chief organiser took to X and said, “They should be dealt with iron hands.”

    PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan condemned the actions of Karachi Police, emphasizing the constitutional right of every citizen to hold a peaceful rally during the election campaign.

    Similarly, in Peshawar, PTI workers held rallies across various locations in the city, including Ring Road. The police apprehended 30 individuals from Pahari Pura, Faqieerabad, Sharqi, Hayatabad, Khazana, and Sarband.

    Moreover, cases were filed against over fifty workers and community leaders.

    Seventeen individuals were mentioned in the FIR within the jurisdiction of Paharipura police station, with seven of them being taken into custody. Likewise, Faqeerabad police station detained seven workers.

    Sarband police arrested 17 individuals, while Hayatabad and Sharqi police each apprehended three PTI workers.

    Earlier, PTI Chakwal candidate Ayyaz Amir reported a peculiar situation emerging in Chakwal involving the police. He highlighted instances of police raids on the homes of prominent local citizens, arrests of their family members, and acts of vandalism against local leaders.

    Major election rallies were observed in various constituencies, including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Okara, Chakwal, Mandi Bahudin, Layyah, Bahawal Nagar, Mansehra, Gagu Mandi, Chitral, Banu, Peshawar, Karachi, Hyderabad, and other cities.

  • PPP claims police detained Bilawal Bhutto’s supporters in NA-127 Lahore

    PPP claims police detained Bilawal Bhutto’s supporters in NA-127 Lahore

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, claiming that police are arresting their supporters in Lahore’s NA-127 constituency, where party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is contesting in the February 8 elections.

    PPP Secretary General Taj Haider wrote a letter to ECP claiming that detention of PPP supporters by the police has instilled fear in the constituency.

    The letter mentioned that the police arrested Shahbaz and Shahzad, workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for joining the PPP. They also arrested Khalida Parveen, a former counsellor of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), for supporting the PPP. When they reached out to the police, they were told that Parveen had been arrested in a case filed against her four months ago.

    Haider said PPP’s Zulfiqar Badar contacted high officials for the release of the party activists, but to no avail. He feared that the fascist measures would multiply if police were not stopped.

    The PPP leader requested that the CEC issue an order for releasing PPP workers and take action against the culprits.

    The PPP chairman is contesting elections from the same constituency against PML-N’s Atta Tarar.

  • Pakistan sets sights on $5 billion smartphone exports by 2029

    Pakistan sets sights on $5 billion smartphone exports by 2029

    Pakistan’s mobile phone industry is experiencing a significant boom, with plans to export smartphones worth $500 million in the next two years and an ambitious target of $5 billion in the next five years, according to the Federal Minister of IT and Telecom, Dr Umar Saif.

    The announcement was made during the Pakistan Mobile Summit 2024, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of IT and Telecom and mobile phone manufacturers.

    Dr Umar Saif, speaking at the summit, drew parallels with neighbouring India, which currently exports mobile phones worth $10 billion annually.

    He expressed confidence in enhancing Pakistan’s presence in the global mobile phone market and outlined steps being taken to boost smartphone exports manufactured within the country.

    During the summit, the minister disclosed that 35 companies have been licenced to assemble smartphones of different brands.

    Furthermore, a comprehensive policy is in the works to facilitate the local production of complete phones and some of their components.

    This initiative is expected to not only strengthen the local industry but also contribute significantly to Pakistan’s standing in the international mobile phone market.

    Dr Saif highlighted the progress made so far, indicating that approximately 90 million mobile phones have been assembled in Pakistan over the past two years.

    Additionally, the country has successfully exported around 250,000 mobile phones, amounting to a value of $15 million. These figures showcase the growing capabilities of Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing sector.

    The minister emphasised the need for sustained efforts to capitalise on the industry’s potential and underscored the importance of innovation and competitiveness to further enhance Pakistan’s share in the global market.

    As the country moves forward, there is a concerted push to not only meet but surpass the set export targets, contributing significantly to the national economy and establishing Pakistan as a key player in the international mobile phone industry.

    The success and growth of the mobile phone industry align with the government’s broader vision for economic development and technological advancement, showcasing Pakistan as a competitive player in the global digital landscape.

  • Bilal Saeed is sorry for throwing mic at fans during concert

    Bilal Saeed is sorry for throwing mic at fans during concert

    Pakistani singer Bilal Saeed is facing criticism from fans and critics after he threw his microphone into the crowd during a university concert. A video of the incident went viral on social media, showing Saeed abruptly ending his performance and tossing the mic forcefully before leaving the stage.

    Fans were surprised and upset by his actions, drawing comparisons to American rapper Cardi B’s mic-throwing incident. Some users expressed worry about Saeed’s anger and suggested he take a break from public appearances.

    After a long wait, the singer of ‘Hogai Ghalti’ took to Instagram and explained what happened. Bilal shared pictures of himself performing at past concerts, expressing how the stage means everything to him and is where he feels most alive.

    “I have always felt the most complete and the most alive while performing,” he begun his long caption. “I forget my sickness, stress, worries – I leave everything behind when I perform for my fans. And no matter what, nothing should have come in the way of me and the respect that my stage deserved from me.” Bilal acknowledged the unexpected nature of the incident and clarified that it was a response to an attendee’s misconduct.

    The songwriter made it clear that he really cares about his fans. He said, “I love my fans and sometimes that love can be overwhelming for both sides.” As per Bilal, it was not the first time he had encountered someone in his audience misbehaving but he had never before reacted in such a manner.
    He wrote, “It wasn’t the first time someone was misbehaving in the crowd but it was definitely the first time I gave the wrong reaction!” Without disclosing any details as to the nature of the attendee’s misconduct, Bilal firmly stated, “I should have never left the stage.”

  • Gold glitters again: Domestic bullion rebounds with Rs1,500 per tola increase

    Gold glitters again: Domestic bullion rebounds with Rs1,500 per tola increase

    In a notable reversal, domestic bullion has rebounded from a four-week decline, initiating the current week with a positive trajectory. The price of 24-karat gold has seen a robust surge, ascending by Rs1,500 per tola and reaching Rs215,400. 

    The Karachi Sarafa Association reported a noteworthy uptick in the 10-gramme 24-karat gold, now standing at Rs184,671, reflecting a gain of Rs1,286 from the preceding day. Meanwhile, the 10-gramme 22-karat gold is reported at Rs169,282.

    Contrary to the gold market’s dynamic, silver prices have maintained stability domestically. The 24-karat silver is being traded at Rs2,600 per tola and Rs2,229.08 per 10-gramme.

    This positive shift in the domestic gold market is attributed to the rise in international prices. At present, the international spot gold is trading at $2,032.5 [12:42 p.m. PST], exhibiting a 0.7 per cent increase from the closing of the previous session. 

    Notably, the global market witnessed a second consecutive weekly loss last week, driven by diminishing expectations of a rate cut.

    However, the current surge in gold prices is fueled by escalating tensions in the Middle East, prompting an increased demand for safe-haven assets. 

    This geopolitical development signals a bullish trend for gold, counteracting the pressure on domestic gold caused by the continuous strengthening of the Pakistani Rupee (PKR). 

    The sudden upturn in international prices has effectively outweighed the market impact of the PKR’s persistent strength.

  • ECP releases comprehensive summary of polling stations

    ECP releases comprehensive summary of polling stations

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has released a detailed summary of polling stations and booths as the upcoming elections are set to take place on February 8, 2024, across the country.

    The electoral watchdog’s data shows that they’ve set up a total of 90,675 polling stations across the country. Out of these, 25,320 are specifically for male voters, while 23,950 are for female voters. They’ll also have 41,405 combined polling stations open for everyone to use.

    In Punjab, the ECP will establish around 50,944 polling stations, including 14,556 for men, 14,036 for women, and 22,352 that both men and women can use. In Sindh, they’re planning to set up 19,006 polling stations, with 4,439 for men, 4,308 for women, and 10,259 where both genders can vote.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will host around 15,697 polling stations, distributing 4,814 for men, 4,289 for women, and 6,594 combined polling stations. Meanwhile, Balochistan will have 5,028 polling stations catering to both male and female voters.

    Furthermore, the summary stated that Punjab will have 149,434 polling booths, Sindh will have 65,005, KP will have 47,081, and Balochistan will have 14,882.

  • Athletes return medals after Sports Minister Wahab Riaz’s ‘false promises’

    Athletes return medals after Sports Minister Wahab Riaz’s ‘false promises’

    Athletes who participated in the Punjab Rising Games have returned their medals to the office of caretaker Sports Minister Punjab Wahab Riaz as a protest. The players returned their medals to expose the “false promises” of cash prizes by the Punjab Sports Board and Wahab Riaz.

    All the national and international players participating in the tournament won medals by competing with heart and soul and they deserve better treatment. When the players tried to meet former cricketer and caretaker sports minister Wahab Riaz, his office was locked.

    Riaz had earlier announced that the mega event will continue for 16 days and will include sports like volleyball, hockey, football, badminton, athletics, and table tennis.

    The ongoing Punjab Rising Games started on January 18 and the final of the games will be held on February 2.

    Wahab Riaz had announced before the tournament that the top performers in the mega event would be given a monthly stipend of Rs 70,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 30,000 for a year based on their performance. The former cricketer also announced that a prize money of Rs 25 lakh will be given for each game during the mega event, but all these promises and announcements have not been fulfilled yet. A total of 950 players from all divisions of Punjab have registered for the event.

  • PSX declines by nearly 1% amid investor focus on Monetary Policy meeting

    PSX declines by nearly 1% amid investor focus on Monetary Policy meeting

    In today’s financial update, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened the week on a downbeat note, as the benchmark KSE-100 index experienced a decline of 628.33 points, or 0.98 per cent, settling at 63,184.74 by 10:20 am PST.

    Investor focus is keenly directed towards the impending Monetary Policy Committee meeting later today. 

    Expectations loom large that the central bank will maintain the policy rate unchanged, although some are optimistic about the possibility of a marginal rate cut.

    The KSE-100 index witnessed a trading volume of 19.534 million shares. Notably, the underperformance is attributed to key sectors, with fertiliser, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies, oil and gas marketing companies, and cement collectively contributing to the index’s dip by 138.49, 135.75, 111.02, 40.79, and 39.84 points, respectively.

    Specific companies weighing down the index include EFERT with 81.35 points, PPL with 56.52 points, OGDC with 45.06 points, MEBL with 39.27 points, and MCB with 30.37 points.

    In the broader market scenario, the All-Share index is trading at 42,871.61, witnessing a net loss of 341.49 points.

    It is noteworthy that during the fiscal year, the KSE-100 displayed substantial growth, gaining 21,732 points, or 52.43 per cent. In the ongoing calendar year, there has been a cumulative increase of 734 points, equivalent to 1.17 per cent. 

    Investors are navigating a dynamic landscape, closely monitoring the evolving economic indicators and anticipating the outcomes of the central bank’s policy decisions.

  • Japan’s moon lander back to life after ’20 minutes of terror’

    Japan’s moon lander back to life after ’20 minutes of terror’

    Japan’s Moon lander has come back to life, the space agency said Monday, enabling the craft to proceed with its mission of investigating the lunar surface despite its rocky start.

    Officials from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), smile in front of a screen showing an image taken by LEV-2 on the moon, after their press conference on SLIM’s moon landing mission, in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters

    The surprise announcement was a boost to Japan’s space programme, nine days after the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) touched down at a wonky angle that left its solar panels facing the wrong way.

    “Last evening we succeeded in establishing communication with SLIM, and resumed operations!” JAXA said on social media platform X, posting a grainy image of a lunar rock known as a “toy poodle”.

    The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is seen in this handout image. Reuters

    “We immediately started scientific observations with MBC, and have successfully obtained first light for 10-band observation,” it said, referring to the lander’s multiband spectroscopic camera.

    Terrifying minutes

    SLIM’s January 20 touchdown made Japan only the fifth nation to achieve a “soft landing” on the Moon after the United States, the Soviet Union, China and India.

    But on its descent, dubbed the “20 minutes of terror”, the craft suffered engine problems and ended up at a skewed angle, images released by JAXA showed.

    This meant the solar panels were facing west instead of up, and it was uncertain if they would still get enough sunlight to function.

    Last week JAXA said it had switched the elevator-sized SLIM off with 12 per cent power remaining, hoping that the craft would wake up this week.

    A JAXA spokesman told the media on Monday that the SLIM operation resumed “presumably because power generation resumed in its solar battery as it received sunlight”.

    “We will prioritise what we can do now — observing and collecting information — rather than adjusting SLIM’s position since adjusting the position could lead to a worse situation,” he said.

    “The daytime (where SLIM is on the Moon) will last until around the end of January and it will be at night from around February,” he said.

  • Two injured in grenade attack on PPP, NP election Balochistan offices

    Two injured in grenade attack on PPP, NP election Balochistan offices

    Unknown men targeted the election offices of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the National Party (NP) in Balochistan on Sunday, ahead of the highly anticipated nationwide elections set to take place on February 8.

    The two grenade blasts have sparked concerns about security measures leading up to next month’s general polls, while election campaigns of all political parties are underway throughout the country.

    Unknown men lobbed a grenade at the NP election office in Mastung district, leaving two people wounded following its explosion at Muhammad Shahi Road, police said, noting that the attackers managed to flee from the scene.

    The police quickly took the injured people to the hospital. The police force launched a search operation in the area to catch the culprits.

    The NP spokesperson strongly condemned the “cowardly” grenade attack, stating that despite such “cowardly acts,” they will continue to push forward with campaign efforts at an accelerated pace.

    On the other hand, unidentified miscreants threw a hand grenade at a PPP election office in the Qalat district, specifically in the Mangocher area. There were no reported casualties in this incident.