Current Final

Author: News Desk

  • Islamabad’s public transport fares reduced by 10% 

    Islamabad’s public transport fares reduced by 10% 

    With immediate effect, public transport fares in Islamabad have been reduced by 10 per cent in direct response to the recent decline in petroleum prices.  

    This decision emerged following a meeting convened by the Secretary of the Islamabad Transport Authority, involving consultations with representatives from the Drivers Welfare Association as well as transportation business owners. 

    This fare reduction is poised to make a significant impact, encompassing 23 distinct routes crisscrossing the capital city of Islamabad. It serves as a vital measure to alleviate the financial burden borne by commuters in the region. 

    Notably, this benevolent gesture is mirrored in Lahore, where transport operators have also undertaken fare reductions for both long-haul and short-haul journeys. 

    Furthermore, as part of its ongoing commitment to ease the economic challenges facing the populace amidst escalating inflation, the caretaker government took decisive action on Sunday.  

    This action involved a substantial reduction in petrol price by a notable Rs40 per litre and an equally substantial reduction of Rs15 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD) over the forthcoming two weeks.  

  • PM Kakar calls for reduction in prices of essential items and services after petrol price cut 

    PM Kakar calls for reduction in prices of essential items and services after petrol price cut 

    On Monday, Caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaar ul Haq Kakar called upon the chief ministers to take decisive action in lowering the prices of essential goods and services in response to a significant reduction in fuel costs. 

    In a momentous development, the government has implemented a substantial reduction of Rs40 in the price of petrol. 

    Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar issued clear directives at both the federal and provincial levels, urging the implementation of a stringent price control mechanism. 

    PM Kakar stressed that all endeavours must be focused on ensuring that the benefits of reduced petroleum prices are passed on to the citizens of Pakistan. 

    The prime minister emphasised the unwavering enforcement of his directives. 

    Prior to this decision, the cost of petrol had seen a remarkable reduction of Rs40 per litre in Pakistan. 

    As per a notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, the price of petrol now stands at Rs283.38 per litre, reflecting a reduction of Rs40 per litre. 

    Meanwhile, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) has been lowered by Rs15 per litre to reach Rs303.18, while kerosene oil prices have witnessed a reduction of Rs22.43 per litre, now standing at Rs214.85. 

  • Major ANF operation uncovers online drug trafficking ring, resulting in 11 arrests 

    Major ANF operation uncovers online drug trafficking ring, resulting in 11 arrests 

    In a significant revelation, drug trafficking operations conducted through online shopping platforms have come to light, resulting in the apprehension of 11 individuals in various cities across Pakistan. The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has been at the forefront of this enforcement effort. 

    According to the official spokesperson for the ANF, ongoing investigations have unearthed additional suspects connected to this illicit network, all of whom hail from different regions within the four provinces of Pakistan. 

    During the course of these operations, the ANF has successfully seized 33 parcels, containing a total of 53.7 kilogrammes of hashish, 1.6 kilogrammes of ice, and 1.2 kilogrammes of opium, dealing a severe blow to the illegal drug trade. 

    Reports of drug trafficking through online shopping platforms had been circulating for several months prior to these recent arrests.  

    The ANF’s spokesperson disclosed that a well-organised group had been exploiting registered companies on these platforms as a front for their drug smuggling activities. 

    Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasised that the ongoing investigation has revealed the existence of a far-reaching network of this criminal group, spreading its tentacles across the entire country.  

    As the investigation continues, concerns have been raised that employees of major e-commerce platforms may also be involved in this heinous act.  

    The full extent of their involvement remains under scrutiny as authorities work diligently to dismantle this dangerous network. 

  • ICC may review Mickey Arthur’ comment ‘bilateral series’ after match against India

    ICC may review Mickey Arthur’ comment ‘bilateral series’ after match against India

    International Cricket Council (ICC) may take action against Pakistan’s cricket team’s director Mickey Arthur for his comment referring to “bilateral series” after match between Pakistan and India.

    During a press conference on Saturday after the match between Pakistan and India, Mickey Arthur said, “Today’s match looked like a BCCI event not ICC, I didn’t hear “Dil dil Pakistan” coming through the microphones too often tonight”.

    ICC chairman Greg Barclay was attending a session of the International Olympic committee in Mumbai where he voted for inclusion of T20 cricket in Olympics 2028. He reportedly asked about Mickey Arthur’s comments.

    “Every event that we have, there’s always criticisms from various quarters,” Barclay said, adding that “Perhaps we’ll take away and try to work on, try to do better, so this event’s only the start. Let’s see how the whole thing plays out and we will go away and we will review what could change, what we can do better than this, how we can improve World Cups, and the general offering around cricket.”

    Barclay stressed that he was satisfied that the tournament will still be an “outstanding” World Cup.

  • Israel-Palestine war: 10 days in 10 pictures

    Israel-Palestine war: 10 days in 10 pictures

    Here are 10 pictures from the past 10 days following Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7.

    Israel has been accused of using white phosphorus in Gaza and Lebanon [File: Mohammed Abed/AFP]

    An airstrike destroyed buildings and cars around Jabaliya in Gaza on Monday.Credit…Mohammed Abed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
    A fireball erupts during one of the latest Israeli bombardments of Gaza Strip on Monday night (October 9) and early Tuesday (October 10) [Mahmud Hams/AFP]
    Palestinian men carry bread through a heavily bombed street following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City on October 10, 2023.   © 2023 Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images
    Palestinian relatives stand with bodies wrapped in funeral shrouds with their names written for identification, at a hospital following Israeli military attacks on Rafah, in the southern of Gaza Strip on October 16, 2023. – The death toll from Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip has risen to around 2,750 since Hamas’s deadly attack on southern Israel last week, the Gaza health ministry said October 16. Some 9,700 people have also been injured as Israel continued its withering air campaign on targets in the Palestinian coastal enclave, the Hamas-controlled ministry added. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
    A protestor is detained by French Police during an unauthorized demonstration in support of Palestinians at Place de la Republique, in Paris, on October 12, 2023. Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images

    People rally to protest against the Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen [Khaled Abdullah/Reuters]
    A man man works on moving the body of a Palestinian, who was killed in Israeli strikes, from an ice cream truck where it was kept, as the hospital morgues are packed, amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in the central Gaza Strip October 15, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer

    Graphic content / The foot of a young Palestinian sticks out from under the rubble of a home following an Israeli attack on the town of Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, on October 15, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. – Thousands of Palestinians have gathered in the south of the Gaza Strip, laying out beds on the streets after UN-run schools filled up following Israel’s warning to evacuate the north of the impoverished enclave. (Photo by Mohammed FAEQ / AFP)
    Israeli civilians volunteers feed soldiers at a barbeque and check their wellbeing prior to their deployment to the zone along the Israel-Gaza border near southern Israeli city of Ofakim on October 16, 2023, amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. – Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants based in the Gaza Strip, entered southern Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in Gaza on October 8. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)

  • Approval of Al-Qadir UNIVERSITY was done in a hidden manner, even we weren’t aware that Khan took watches from Toshakhana: Farrukh Habib

    Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and ex-federal minister Farrukh Habib announced his departure from the party on Monday, pledging allegiance to the Jahangir Tareen-led Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) during a press conference held at the IPP’s head office in Lahore.

    In a significant blow to the PTI, Habib condemned the May 9 riots, attributing the responsibility for the turmoil to former prime minister and Chairman of PTI, Imran Khan. He criticized Imran Khan’s handling of the political situation, alleging that the former premier fueled violence and instigated a confrontation against state institutions.

    Habib said PTI’s “war” with the state institutions was “not a war between believers and non-believers,” lamenting that the ex-premier brought the country to the verge of violence.

    The IPP was formed on June 8 by estranged PTI leaders Tareen and Aleem Khan, who left the ex-PM’s party after severe disagreements, while several Imran loyalists have also joined hands with them.

    “I wasn’t at my house for the past five months […] and for the last few weeks, I wasn’t even in contact with my family,” Habib told journalists.

    “Since May 9, we did not face the law and were away from our houses. For the past five months, I was constantly pondering whether I joined politics for this reason,” he said.

    During the press conference, Farrukh Habib highlighted a series of grievances with the PTI’s leadership, citing instances where he felt the party had deviated from its ethical and moral compass. He criticized the PTI chief for allegedly accepting gifts from the Toshakhana despite previously condemning similar actions by other political leaders.

    “I realised that we took our real struggle to the path of violence. We stepped away from Pakistan which was envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam,” he said.

    Habib recalled that the PTI government was ousted via a vote of no-confidence constitutionally, but regretted that the party did not wait peacefully after that. Expressing his perspective, he said the PTI should have opted for a “democratic struggle” and waited for elections.

    “But you opted for violent resistance. We have faced beatings as youth leaders but we never opted for a violent approach. We used to work so dedicatedly for our vision,” Habib said. “But if you look at that struggle and compare it with the post-May 9 violence, you will see a difference.

    “There were messages for people to take to the streets and their minds were hijacked. Their sentiments were provoked that Pakistan’s institutions are working against them,” he claimed.

    Habib stated that “a message of hatred” was run on television all the time and a “bullet approach instead of ballot approach” was taken.

    Habib’s decision to join the IPP follows a series of similar defections from the PTI in recent weeks, suggesting internal upheavals within the party ranks. The former minister’s remarks resonated with similar sentiments expressed by other estranged PTI members who have found a common cause in the IPP.

  • Court rejects Imran Khan’s petition challenging jail trial in cipher case

    Court rejects Imran Khan’s petition challenging jail trial in cipher case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has said that security concerns justifying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s jail trial in the cipher case are valid.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq announced the verdict on the PTI chairman’s petition, which challenged the decision to conduct his trial at Adiala Jail in a case registered under the Official Secrets Act.

    The IHC directed Imran Khan to bring forth his concerns regarding the matter before the trial court.

    The PTI chairman, whose government was ousted following a vote of no confidence in Parliament last April, has petitioned the IHC to conduct his trial in a courtroom rather than in prison.

    “The jail trial is in favour of the PTI chairman in view of his security,” the court said, adding that Khan has repeatedly expressed fears about his safety.

    On the other hand, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi has submitted a petition to the IHC, contesting his imprisonment trial and urging the court to nullify the trial court’s decision from October 9. In that ruling, the special court announced that both politicians would be indicted in the cipher case on October 17.

  • Bushra Bibi gets bail in Toshakhana, Al-Qadir Trust cases

    Bushra Bibi gets bail in Toshakhana, Al-Qadir Trust cases

    Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has been granted interim bail by an accountability court in Islamabad while barring the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting her in the Toshakhana and GBP 190-million Al-Qadir Trust cases.

    Bushra Bibi appeared in the court of duty Judge Raja Jawab Abbas along with her counsel Latif Khosa for pre-arrest bail.
    The interim bail was granted in exchange for bonds worth Rs500,000 in each case and the hearing was adjourned till October 31.

    ATC adjourns hearing on bail:

    The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad has postponed the bail hearing for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in three separate cases until October 24.

    These cases, two of which were registered at the Khanna police station and one at Bhara Kahu, require the court to carefully examine the details of each case. The court requested the relevant records for further review.

    During the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, appealed for the production orders of his client, emphasizing that the Islamabad High Court had reinstated the bail applications, making Khan’s appearance in court necessary for all three cases.

    Safdar asserted, “Don’t think you have the powers of an Official Secrets Act court also. When a bail application is filed, it is decided on merit. If the court thinks the production cannot be ensured today, then the hearing should be held tomorrow. Whether the client has to be brought by a helicopter or an armored vehicle, it is the responsibility of the prison authorities.”

    Responding to the concerns raised, Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain stated that if the suspect’s appearance posed a challenge, the court would prioritize the bail application where another case was scheduled for the following day. He emphasized that even though the application was for pre-arrest bail, the fact remains that the suspect is currently in jail.

    In response to the lawyer’s request to avoid conducting the bail application hearing within the jail premises the next day, the judge assured him that the appropriate relief would be provided as per the law.

    Cipher Case Updates:

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) has determined that the trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in a cipher case can proceed within the confines of Adiala jail, citing concerns about the leader’s security. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq made the announcement, responding to Khan’s plea challenging the authorities’ decision to hold the trial within the jail premises, under the Official Secrets Act.

    The court directed Khan to take up any reservations he might have regarding the matter directly with the trial court. Khan, whose government was ousted following a vote of no confidence in April last year, had sought for his trial to be conducted in a regular court, rather than within the jail’s confines.

    Citing security as a crucial factor, the court stated, “The jail trial is in favor of the PTI chairman in view of his security,” acknowledging Khan’s repeated expressions of concern about his safety.

    In a related development, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi also filed a petition in the IHC, challenging his own jail trial. He requested the annulment of the trial court’s order and urged for an open trial. The special court had set the date for the indictment of both Khan and Qureshi in the cipher case on October 17, after the copies of the challan provided by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were shared with the accused’s counsels.

    In response to the developments, Khan’s lawyer, Latif Khosa, presented arguments highlighting the former prime minister’s concerns and previous legal history. Khosa emphasized that Khan had previously been sentenced to three years of imprisonment in the Toshakhana case, which was suspended shortly after. He questioned the legality of the jail trial, stating that it took place after the judicial remand and that the accused had not been provided with substantial evidence.

  • Six labourers in Turbat killed in terrorist attack

    Six labourers in Turbat killed in terrorist attack

    Six labourers, natives of Shujaabad, 50 kilometres away from Multan-were killed in their sleep in Turbat, Balochistan in a terrorist attack.

    The victims were all from the same family, including two brothers. They have been identified as Rizwan, Shehbaz, Waseem, Shafiq Ahmed, Mohammad Naeem and Sikander.

    The two survivors of the attack are Ghulam Mustafa and Tauheed.

    Earlier today, their bodies were sent to Multan via Quetta by the Balochistan Government. Caretaker Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki was present at the Khalid Military Airbase to send off the dead bodies via helicopter, brought to Quetta from Turbat last night. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and stated that, “Everyone in Balochistan is saddened by the killing of innocent workers”.

    The poor labourers were shot by unknown gunmen while they were asleep in an under-construction house, said the police. An investigation has been initiated.

    PM Kakar also condemned the “heinous act” and reasserted the Government’s resolve against terrorism.

  • These are the celebrities raising their voice for Palestinians

    These are the celebrities raising their voice for Palestinians

    While it does feel like many celebrities in Hollywood are either pushing false information or ignoring the bombing of Gaza, there are singers and actors who are raising their voice in favour of Palestinian civilians, demanding that a ceasefire be declared.

    Roger Waters

    The former Pink Floyd singer released a video statement where he spoke about his Palestinian friend Lomi Algeria, who lost 11 members of her family during the Israeli bombing. He called for a ceasefire between both parties. Waters has been a very vocal proponent of the Palestinian cause.

    Academy and Emmy award winning actor Riz Ahmed released a lengthy statement on his social media accounts where he called for the world’s attention to the crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.

    Veteran Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon has been a staunch supporter for the freedom of Palestine, sharing video clips on her Twitter account calling to attention the dilapidated hospitals of Gaza.

    Hollywood actor John Cusack shared an account of his visit to Palestine and the difficulty it took to get through the security and borders, describing the land as an “open air prison”.

    He also addressed the argument that Palestinians should call for their freedom in a peaceful manner, sharing how they were shot by Israeli’s

    Avengers star Mark Ruffalo, shared a post by the UN calling to attention the limited facilities available for children and women in Gaza.