Geetika Srivastava will be the first-ever female chargé d’affaires (an ambassador’s deputy) appointed by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, reports The News.
She was appointed soon after the designation of the United Kingdom’s first female high commissioner to Pakistan.
Following the friction in the bilateral relations between Pakistan and India in 2019, no full-time high commissioner has been posted in Islamabad or New Delhi, and instead, junior diplomats are posted as chargé d’affaires.
The last Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Ajay Bisaria, was removed in 2019 after Pakistan decided to downgrade diplomatic ties over India’s revocation of the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Some of the qualified Indian high commissioners serving in Islamabad departed and were promoted as foreign secretaries in India.
Who is Geetika Srivastava?
Geetika Srivastava is from the 2005 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
She speaks Chinese (Mandarin) fluently and has previously been appointed in China for an assignment. Originally from Uttar Pradesh, she has also served as Regional Passport Officer in Kolkata and Director in the IOR Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
She is currently a Joint Secretary in charge of the Indo-Pacific Division in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. The Indo-Pacific Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) looks after India’s multilateral diplomacy with ASEAN, IORA, FIPIC, and other entities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Four suspects in the 10-year-old Fatima case have been rearrested after a short release on Sunday.
The suspects included SHO Ameer Chang; two doctors Dr. Fateh Memon and Dr. Ali Hasan Wasan and hospital worker Imtiaz Meerasi.
According to Investigation Officer, Qazi Bachal, they were released on evidence of their innocence. However, they are still under investigation.
The four were accused of concealing facts, concealing crime and neglect of duties.
Samaa news reports that no suspect was produced in court and that they were free without any investigation allegedly due to political pressure.
Additionally, on Saturday, Judicial Magistrate Khairpur extended the physical remand of Pir Asad Shah, the main suspect in the Fatima murder case, by three days.
Previously
Pir Asad Shah, the main suspect in the Fatima murder case at Ranipur Haveli in Khairpur, was being facilitated by a local SHO of police to remain in contact with his mureeds [followers], geo.tv has reported.
Earlier, DIG Sukkur Javed Jaskani had said in a conversation with Geo News that the police will not accommodate any pressure in the case.
The seven days long bail period of Hina Shah, another suspect in the case, has also ended.
Pir Asad Shah is the main suspect in the killing of 10-year-old Fatima who was found dead at the Haveli. The child, who was working as a domestic servant at the Haveli, was hastily buried. However, subsequent exhumation and autopsy revealed that Fatima had multiple injuries over her body, and had been raped vaginally and anally.
More cases linked to Ranipur Haveli
Recently, National Commission for Human Rights tweeted that four children, along with their mothers, have been rescued from Ranipur Haveli in Khairpur, where they had been working.
However, more troubling details emerged from the Haveli where 10-year-old Fatima was previously found dead.
A 20-year-old girl named Sana has reportedly gone missing from the Haveli.
She was a resident of Meena village in Qamber. According to Geo, Sana’s father Deedar Gurhmani said that he sent his daughter to the haveli of Pir of Ranipur Syed Sohail Ahmed Shah, one and a half years ago, “for trust and protection until his problems were resolved”.
It was about a month ago that Shah called him to tell that Sana had disappeared. When Gurhmani tried to get more details, Sohail told him off.
While the family still does not know about her whereabouts, the parents claim that the police have still not lodged a complaint regarding the girl’s disappearance despite their insistence.
They also appealed to higher authorities to help find their daughter.
Sindh caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retired) Maqbool Baqar has taken notice of the incident and has directed the Sukkur divisional commissioner and DIG to ensure the safe recovery of the missing girl.
Previously, Fatima’s mother stated that her daughter had been burned with hot iron, had her hair pulled out, and was also sexually assaulted.
As reported by Samaa news, Fatima’s mother has claimed that hundreds of teenage girls are held as maids by the Pir’s family. These girls are the daughters of mureeds, each of whom is supposed to send one girl to ‘serve’ the Pir. They are kept as domestic workers and can meet with their families only if the mureed allows it.
According to a representative of Khairpur Civil Society (KCS), “There are mureeds who willingly entrust their children to Pirs as they view it as an honour,” while others are financially unstable and give their children at the Pir’s service so that they have shelter and food.
The representative, however, says that not all Pirs are like this, “there are good and bad people everywhere”.
However, social activist and a member at Sindh Human Rights Commission, Dr. Aisha Hassan Dharejo, tweeted the account of two more girls working at the haveli. They, too, have been subjected to torture and sexual abuse.
SP Mir Rohal Khoso responded to the tweets saying that their statements have been recorded “so that the element of torture in this particular case may be evident and the case be stronger, to ensure conviction”.
یہ دوں لڑکیاں بھی اُسی حویلی کے وکٹم ہیں جہاں سے فاطمہ کا لاش گھر پہنچا تھا ان کے ظلم کے داستاں سُنیں ،یہ حویلیاں جہاں بچوں سے جبری کام لیا جاتا ہے جہاں پر عورتوں اور بچیوں کو جنسی طور پر حراساں کیا جاتا ہیں جہاں پر بچیوں کو تشدد کا نشانا بنایا جاتا ہے @khalidkoree@NJLahoripic.twitter.com/WhE7kMWqWr
10-year-old child named Fatima Phuriro has been found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ranipur city, District Khairpur.
The child had been working as a domestic worker at a haveli owned by an influential local, Pir Asad Shah Jilani.
Fatima’s mother, Shabana, was informed about the death by the employer who asked her to remove the body from the premises where two of Fatima’s sisters are also employed.
According to DIG Sukkur Javed Jiskani, the parents initially did not share the facts of the case with the police and claimed that the girl was suffering from gastroenteritis. While her diagnosis was also confirmed by Dr Abdul Fatah Memon who treated her, the DIG revealed that Fatima was taken to the hospital either by the Pir or his staff and that the SHO was present at the time she was pronounced dead.
It was not until videos of torture were leaked by an unknown source and circulated in social media that the case caught media’s eye. By then, the family had buried Fatima on August 15.
As per police sources, CCTV footage from the house’s bedroom also revealed Fatima in a troubling state. In the video, the child can be seen lying on the ground. She tries to get up, then gets agitated, before collapsing. A woman later enters the room with another minor maid. They both try to wake the girl up. When they fail to do so, a man gets up from the bed and tries to shake her awake.
https://youtu.be/QcgCrFYYI9g
Journalist Riyaz Sohail claimsedthat the police had been trying to coerce the relatives to remain silent about the incident.
DSP Qudoos Kalwar met Fatima’s parents and reported the seriousness of the case to the DIG and demanded exhumation of the body. After being taken into confidence, Shabana revealed details to the SSP Khairpur district Rohail Khoso. “The parents were told that if they didn’t disclose facts, police will take action on their own, and they will go for exhumation and lodge a case,” the DIG said.
Moreover, according to Dawn.com, Sindh Director General Health Dr Irshad Memon believes that the doctors’ reports about her examination needed to be verified.
The SSP ordered to conduct a DNA test in case of apprehension of rape.
“My daughter had a fractured arm. She had bruises and some marks — apparently of torture — were there on her body, especially around her neck and belly.”, described Shabana.
According to Geo reports, Shabana claimed that Fatima was subjected to torture for several days and that she died as a result of multiple injuries.
DIG Sukkur formed a team headed by an SSP, and ordered an investigation into the matter. He also ordered to that the body of the child be exhumed to verify the allegations of torture. The investigation team also includes DSP Counterterrorism Department Sukkur Abdul Qudoos Kalwar and ASP Gambat, Noman Siddiqui.
The DIG also suspended SHO Ranipur Ameer Chang.
Furthermore, the police arrested Pir Asad following the registration of an FIR under Sections 302 (qatl-i-amd; premeditated murder) and 34 ( acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the PPC on the Shabana’s complaint.
Asad has denied all charges and said that his family’s name is being tainted. He says that Fatima’s death was caused by a stomach ailment.
As Fatima Phuriro’s case came to the fore, rumours circulated that the alleged murderer, Pir Asad Shah Jilani, is the son-in-law of PPP vice chairman, Syed Fayyaz Shah.
Bakhtawar Bhutto dismissed these rumours while condemning the murder in her latest tweet.
For sheer political hatred people are projecting blame away from the demented perpetrator (who personally speaking should be burnt alive for his sins) & instead deflect to somehow blame PPP – the only party that has actually legislated against both child labour & child marriage. https://t.co/LXVoX3LDTZ
Qazi Asif, a Sindh based senior journalist, has on Sunday shared the autopsy report of 10-year-old Fatima who was found dead in suspicious circumstances at the haveli of a pir in Ranipur. Viral footage filmed most likely on CCTV cameras inside one of the bedrooms in the house showed the child collapsing on the ground, after rising up in a distressed state from a makeshift bed on the ground.
A man, purportedly Pir Asad Shah Jelani, a member of the notable Pirs of Ranipur, can allegedly be seen in the video, rising from bed and trying to wake the girl up.
The post mortem examination has confirmed her parents’ fears, revealing that the 10-year-old domestic worker was raped both vaginally and anally. The report also pointed out multiple injuries all over her body.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior leader Khursheed Shah said on Sunday that the health of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is not good, and he doesn’t think that Nawaz Sharif is coming to Pakistan in October, Geo News has reported.
Nawaz went to London in November 2019 for medical treatment, and has been living there since then.
Khursheed Shah said that Nawaz Sharif has no plan to return to the country soon, as his health cab deteriorate at the last moment. It seemed that he was being sarcastic about Sharif.
Earlier, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, will return to Pakistan next month and face the law. It will be a major development if Nawaz Sharif comes back, as the upcoming elections are going to be held very soon.
According to Dawn.com, Lahore is experiencing a severe shortage of life-saving medicines with more than 120 drugs unavailable at the local pharmacies and medical stores. The shortage has resulted in stress among patients and attendants.
These include medicines like Glucophage (for diabetics) that are prescribed at a large scale. In fact, an alternative to Glucophage for type 2 diabetes to control sugar levels, is also in short supply in local stores.
Others include blood thinning medicines used by cardiac patients; Hepa-Merz used as a supportive therapy for liver diseases like jaundice, hepatitis (infection of the liver), hepatic cirrhosis (scarring/fibrosis of the liver).
According to medical practitioners, medicines for diarrhea treatment are also in short supply even though the demand is high following rain spells. Severe stomach-related ailments can lead to complications and even death.
Moreover, as per medical practitioners, widely-used drugs prescribed to children and adults for coughs are being sold in the black market and that pharmacy owners are hoarding commonly used medicines like Pyodine and Polyfax skin ointment etc to earn unjustified profits.
Pharmaceutical companies are also struggling with drug manufacturing and supplying them against the approved rates due to the frequent dollar rate hike. This has also resulted in increased prices of raw material being imported from other countries.
Additionally, medicines for Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and gynae-related complications are also short.
Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari has been arrested by the Bara Kahu police Islamabad outside Adiala Jail after getting bail from ATC this morning. According to her lawyer, no new FIR or arrest warrant has been shared with them.
What a disgrace! As you all know by now, @ImaanZHazir has been rearrested on terrorism charges by the @ICT_Police from outside Adhilya Jail. Bara Kahu police has taken custody of Imaan & have refused to share any FIR with us nor have they shared any arrest warrants with us. pic.twitter.com/vAZ6j3Tfca
— Barrister Ahsan J. Pirzada (@AhsanJPirzada) August 28, 2023
On Monday morning, an Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has granted bail to human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Ali Wazir in a sedition case related to controversial speeches allegedly made against state institutions at PTM’s public rally.
The two were arrested on August 20 and sent on physical remand after they were accused of delivering a controversial speech. ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain heard the plea and approved post-arrest bail of Imaan and Wazir against surety bonds of Rs30,000 each.
On August 19, two first information reports (FIR) were registered against Imaan and Wazir at the Tarnol police station and Counter-Terrorism Department police station. Both were booked on the charges of sedition, preventing government officials from carrying out their duties and damaging public property.
The cases so far
Two first information reports (FIR) have been registered against Wazir and Imaan.
The first FIR was registered on the complaint of Tarnol Station House Officer (SHO) Mian Mohammad Imran who was present at Tarnol Phatak chowk to ensure peace during a rally led by PTM. According to the complainant, the rallly devaited from the allocated area violating no-objection certificate
The FIR was filed under Sections 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 395 (punishment for dacoity), 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt) and 506ii (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
The SHO has claimed that the participants, numbering about 700-800, were armed with sticks and attacked the police, official vehicles, and shut down shops when asked to restore access to GT road that they had blocked.
The second FIR was registered under the complaint of Inspector Mohammad Ashraf who was present when about 950 PTM supporters blocked GT road. He said that people including Manzoor Pashteen and Iman Mazari spoke against the state, inciting hatred and revolt. The second FIR was registered under PPC Sections 124A (sedition), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) among others.
Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem has won a silver medal at the World Athletics championship in Hungary. Twelve athletes, including Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem and India’s Neraj Chopra, are competing in the javelin throw at the 2023 Athletics World Championships.
Neeraj Chopra secured the Gold medal with a throw of 88.17 meters.
What a day! Tiring yet rewarding. Like to thank Allah for this giving me the ability to go this far. This was the first time in the history of Pakistan that any Pakistani athlete won a medal at the World athletics championships pic.twitter.com/DaZDeRNyq7
In the end, there was an intense rivalry between Arshad Nadeem and Niraj Chopra, who won gold with a throw of 88.17 meters, while the national athlete took silver.
Arshad Nadeem threw 74.80m in the first attempt 82.81m in the second attempt, 87.82m in the third, and 87.15 in the fourth. In the final throw of the field championship, Arshad threw 81.86 meters.
Arshad Nadeem has already qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The toll tariff for the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2) underwent a 10 per cent increase, with the new rates becoming effective starting from Saturday, August 26th, 2023.
The decision to revise the toll rates comes as the National Highways Authority (NHA) releases an official notification, citing the execution of a concession agreement with M/s Motorway Operations and Rehabilitation Engineering (Private) Limited, a subsidiary owned by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).
The agreement, which was formalised on April 23, 2014, pertains to the modernisation and overlay of the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2) under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) framework. The agreement spans two decades.
As per the terms stipulated in the concession agreement, an escalation of 10 per cent in toll rates is set to be implemented from the second operational year onward. Thus, from the 26th of August 2023 to the 25th of August 2024, the revised toll rates are set to take effect.
According to the official notice provided by the NHA, the revised toll rates are outlined as follows:
Car/Jeep/Pickup: Rs1,100, equivalent to Rs3.07 per km
Van: Rs1,840, equivalent to Rs5.15 per km
Coaster: Rs2,590, equivalent to Rs7.22 per km
Coach: Rs3,690, equivalent to Rs10.29 per km
Truck: Rs4,800, equivalent to Rs13.39 per km
Trailer: Rs6,170, equivalent to Rs17.22 per km
The decision to raise toll rates by 10 per cent reflects the ongoing economic trends in Pakistan, where a range of commodities and services have experienced notable price increments.
The revised toll rates are envisaged to contribute to the sustainability and enhancement of the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway infrastructure, supporting ongoing operational and maintenance efforts.
As Pakistan grapples with economic dynamics, this adjustment in toll rates underscores the authorities’ focus on maintaining and improving critical transportation networks across the country.
Amid escalating protests across the nation demanding relief from inflated power bills, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has taken proactive steps to address the pressing issue. In response to the ongoing unrest, Prime Minister Kakar convened a high-level meeting yesterday to strategise and formulate a comprehensive relief plan within the next 48 hours.
آج منعقدہ اجلاس میں پاور ڈویژن نے بریفنگ دی، مخلتف وفاقی وزراءسمیت سیکٹریز نے شرکت کی۔ اجلاس میں عوام کو بجلی کے بلوں میں ریلیف دینے کے لئے وزارت توانائی اور وزارت خزانہ کو مل کر لائحہ عمل بنانے کی ذمہ داری دی گئی ہے۔ مختلف سرکاری ملازمین کو مفت یونٹس کے معاملہ پر بھی تفصیلی… https://t.co/soXBVtLScK
The focal point of the meeting was an informative briefing provided by the Power Division, shedding light on the notable increase in power bills during the month of July. Attended by esteemed members of the interim cabinet, including Dr Shamsad Akhtar, Dr Gohar Ijaz, and the PM’s advisor, Dr Waqar Masood, the meeting aimed to address the mounting concerns over the substantially high electricity bills. There are growing fears that if swift action is not taken, the situation could spiral into widespread public protests and potentially even riots.
In the aftermath of the meeting, PM Kakar took to social media to communicate the intended course of action. “The Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance have been tasked with collaboratively devising an action plan aimed at providing relief to the public with regard to their electricity bills,” announced the Prime Minister, reiterating the government’s commitment to addressing the pressing issue.
Beyond seeking immediate measures to curtail electricity consumption on government premises, Prime Minister Kakar emphasised that consultations would be initiated with all provincial representatives. He further assured the public that the caretaker government was resolute in its commitment to providing the maximum possible relief while remaining within its designated mandate.
The Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments by sharing the key outcomes of the meeting via social media. He conveyed that PM Kakar had stressed the urgency of devising an action plan within the next 48 hours to alleviate the mounting financial burden caused by excessive charges on electricity bills. The Prime Minister’s emphasis was on implementing measures that wouldn’t have a detrimental impact on the national exchequer yet would genuinely alleviate the financial strain on consumers.
The meeting concluded with a comprehensive commitment to tackle electricity theft, roll out energy-efficient initiatives, and initiate dialogue with provincial chief ministers regarding the substantial charges incurred in July. The meeting also included detailed briefings on pertinent issues within the electricity sector and strategies to counteract electricity theft.
Against the backdrop of sustained protests, political parties from diverse backgrounds have voiced their concerns and demands. Jamaat-e-Islami has taken a decisive step by announcing a nationwide strike on September 2 as a means of voicing their discontent with the drastic surge in electricity bills. The party’s leader, Siraj-ul-Haq, articulated his intention to mobilise people across the country to participate in these protests, lamenting the financial hardship faced by salaried individuals due to soaring living costs.
According to Brecorder, adding to the chorus of concerns, MQM-P leaders have issued a stern warning that the ongoing protests could rapidly escalate into violent riots if prompt relief measures are not taken. Farooq Sattar, Senior Deputy Convener of MQM-P, highlighted the burden of multiple taxes contributing to the high electricity bills, underscoring the palpable frustration among the populace.
As the nation anticipates the proposed relief plan within the stipulated 48-hour timeframe, the government’s actions in response to the mounting crisis will significantly shape the trajectory of the ongoing protests and public sentiment at large.
In a significant stride towards modernising waste management operations and addressing the escalating waste challenges within the provincial capital, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the recent communication from LWMC, a transformative journey towards digitalization has been set in motion to revamp waste management practices. In its initial phase, AI-driven route optimisation has been deployed in Gulberg Town, yielding remarkable outcomes. Notably, the integration of AI has led to a reduction in both the number of vehicles deployed and the distance covered, resulting in substantial fuel savings.
In addition, the implementation of AI-powered attendance monitoring has not only bolstered the presence of field staff but has also unveiled instances of ghost employees, thereby fortifying operational credibility. The commitment of LWMC to digitalization is further exemplified by its initiatives encompassing GIS-based live mapping of containers and vehicle routes, the introduction of the ‘Hot Spot’ application for real-time container monitoring, and an upcoming Android application tailored for waste-related entity registration.
According to Brecorder, speaking about these innovative measures, Babar Sahib Din, the CEO of LWMC, said that these endeavours underscore the organisation’s dedication to efficiency, ecological sustainability, and revenue enhancement. He underscored that waste management remains a universal challenge for urban centres worldwide, and Lahore, akin to the global arena, faces a mounting waste predicament. To effectively address this challenge, the adoption of digital reforms for comprehensive solid waste management is imperative.
Din stated, “By harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence, LWMC has introduced pivotal interventions, including AI-optimised routes, waste segregation via a three-bin system, digital monitoring of field operations, vehicle tracking, and a centralised command center.” This transformative approach has been realised in collaboration with the Centre for Urban Information, Technology, and Policy at LUMS University.”
He further highlighted, “The recent strategic partnerships with Harvard University, the International Growth Centre, and the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan attest to LWMC’s commitment to evidence-based research, innovation, and digitization for sustainable waste management. As Lahore residents, it was incumbent upon us to support these advancements and maintain a clean city. Through these transformative digital initiatives, we envision a cleaner, more efficient waste management landscape that benefits both the environment and the community.”
Furthermore, LWMC has diversified its revenue streams with the aim of elevating the annual collection rate from the current Rs40 million to an impressive Rs1 billion. This ambitious goal has been realised by extending coverage to encompass a wide spectrum of establishments, including previously untapped revenue sources such as private clinics and industrial units.
According to ARY News, Maryam Nawaz, senior vice president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), will release covert audio tapes of notable individuals during her party’s campaign in general elections.
After PML-N leadership met in London to discuss the upcoming general elections, the party made the decision to take a strong stance against specific individuals.
The meeting decided that retaliatory action in the election campaign would be brought forward in the form of a documentary, sources have told ARY.
Forner Prime Minister and party supremo Nawaz Sharif will expose the role former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and others played against the PML-N, while Maryam Nawaz will release audios of prominent figures during the election campaign.
Sources also said that only Nawaz Sharif has the authority to decide whether seat adjustment with any political party will be considered or not.
