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Author: News Desk

  • LHC suspends PEMRA order banning Imran Khan’s speeches

    LHC suspends PEMRA order banning Imran Khan’s speeches

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended an order of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) which banned the broadcast of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s speeches on TV.

    Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza announced the suspension of the order in a verdict he had reserved earlier today.

    Khan’s lawyer informed the court that an earlier ban imposed by PEMRA was also suspended by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    The ban was imposed after Khan lashed out at former army chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa for what he called “protecting incumbent rulers in their corruption cases”.

    PEMRA again bans IK’s speeches on TV after he lashed out at Bajwa

    On March 6, PEMRA imposed a ban on the broadcast of speeches, talks or public addresses of Khan and barred news television channels from airing them.

    It is pertinent to mention that this is the third ban on Khan’s speeches and press talks on all satellite TV channels.

    Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned PEMRA’s ban and demanded it to be lifted immediately.

    Earlier in the day, the PTI chief dodged arrest as Islamabad Police showed up at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore with a court summons to take him into custody for his persistent absences from Toshakhana court hearings.

    However, when the police reached Khan’s residence, they were met by a large number of PTI workers, who gathered outside his residence on Fawad Chaudhry’s call. 

    The police were informed that the PTI chief was “unavailable”. With PTI workers outnumbering the police contingent, and despite the Islamabad Police chief earlier saying that they won’t go back empty-handed, the arrest could not be made. Eventually, the Islamabad Police left Imran’s residence.

    Later, in the evening Khan addressed its supporters from his Zaman Park residence where he said that there is no security risk, adding that “they” wanted to “remove” him.

    He also said that he was being dragged into courts in fake cases while demanding that he should be allowed to attend the hearing of the Toshakhana case via video link.

    Khan, reportedly also moved Islamabad sessions court seeking cancellation of his non-bailable arrest warrant in the Toshakhana case.

  • Record of Toshakhana gifts will be posted online soon, promises Khawaja Asif

    Record of Toshakhana gifts will be posted online soon, promises Khawaja Asif

    The federal cabinet under the supervision of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has decided to make the details of state gifts received over the past two decades available to the public soon.

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced the development on his Twitter account where he revealed that the declassification of Toshakhana records has been allowed by the cabinet, adding that the record would be posted soon on the website of the cabinet division.

    Last year in June, PM Shehbaz Sharif constituted a ministerial committee to redesign Toshakhana policy.

    Toshakhana has been at the center of a political storm since 2021 when former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was accused of hiding details of the gifts he received during his tenure. A case and an investigation pertaining to the same are currently going on.

    However, responding to the controversy Khan said that the gifts were given to him, therefore it was his choice to keep them or not.

    Last year, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also disqualified the PTI chief as Member of the National Assembly (MNA) in the Toshkhana case.

    Recently, non-bailable arrest warrants were issued for Khan in the Toshkahana case because of his continued absences from Toshakhana court hearings. Last week, Islamabad Police reached Zaman Park to arrest the PTI chief, however, he managed to evade it.

    Later, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the arrest warrant but directed Khan to appear before the trial court by March 13 or face the proceedings of declaring him a proclaimed offender.

  • Toyota IMC records worst sales in three years, selling less than 2,000 cars in February

    Toyota IMC records worst sales in three years, selling less than 2,000 cars in February

    Toyota Indus Motor Company (IMC), a leading automaker renowned for offering the country’s best-selling sedan, has reported a significant decline in sales in February 2023, marking the worst sales month since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Having previously sold over 7,100 units in March 2022, the company’s sales have now plummeted to a meager 1,803 vehicles in February 2023, according to Autojournal.

    It is pertinent to note that this represents the lowest sales figures for Toyota in the past three years, since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

    Toyota is not the only company experiencing this phenomenon, as Pak Suzuki Motor Company has also reported a massive decline in sales, selling only 544 units in February 2023, despite having sold over 6,000 units of Suzuki Alto in a single month previously.

    Pakistan’s auto industry is currently facing significant challenges due to production halts, resulting from a lack of availability of auto parts and restrictions on imports.

    As a result, car manufacturers are facing difficulties in meeting consumer demands, leading to decreased sales figures for many companies, including Toyota and Suzuki.

  • ‘As a woman, it is insulting that I have to take Imran Khan’s name’: Maryam Nawaz

    ‘As a woman, it is insulting that I have to take Imran Khan’s name’: Maryam Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz has said that she, too, has faced harassment even though she hails from a privileged background and has a powerful father.

    Addressing a PML-N women workers convention in Lahore on International Woman’s Day, Maryam said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his party has always targeted her with “personal attacks” when she says something political.

    “They talk about my marriage. My wedding was done with alot of love and festivities by my parents and grandparents. And I am still married to the same person. I don’t want to attack anyone personally,” said Maryam.

    “As a woman, it is insulting that I have to take Imran Khan’s name. Due to the current situation in the country, I have to take his name. Being a woman, I have said this many times, I would never let a person like Imran Khan inside my house,” said Maryam, adding that when Imran is asked about politics, he never gives a political answer. Instead, he, in his jalsa says, “Maryam Nawaz, you say my name so many times, be careful; your husband might get angry with you.”

    Khan in May last year made misogynistic remarks about Maryam Nawaz.

    “In that speech, she took my name with such passion that I would like to tell her: Maryam, please be careful, your husband may get upset because you were constantly repeating my name,” said IK during the speech.

    “I am like a daughter to him [Imran Khan], and now because of the fear of arrest, he has become old and is 72 years old, but when it comes to slurs and personally attacking me, where does his old age go?” questioned Maryam.

  • Establishment ki zaroorat nahi, jiskay sath awam ho usay besaakhion ki zaroorat nahi’: Khan

    Establishment ki zaroorat nahi, jiskay sath awam ho usay besaakhion ki zaroorat nahi’: Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman (PTI) Imran Khan has said that he only wants free and fair elections for which he is ready to talk to anyone, however, he does not require “crutches”.

    Talking to BBC, Khan said that he was asked if the establishment was ready for talks, will he do so. He responded by saying that he is a political worker and is ready to work, however, he will not to talk to thieves.

    The question popped up after multiple sources disclosed that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir told a group of businessmen that Imran Khan had wanted to meet him but had refused. Imran said that he did not need the establishment.

    He further added that the people of Pakistan are with PTI so he doesn’t require crutches to seek help or support.

    Talking about the new establishment, Khan said that he hoped the changed establishment would do things differently, but nothing changed, infact, matters had become more difficult and serious.

    Talking about elections, Khan said that the caretaker government’s job is to hold elections. If elections are to be held, he asked, how can they take place without campaigns and rallies?

  • Anupam Kher honours Deepika Padukone, shares old picture from his acting institute ahead of Oscars

    Bollywood veteran actor Anupam Kher congratulated Deepika Padukone for being selected as one of the presenters at the upcoming Academy Awards, posting an old picture of her at his acting institute.

    In the caption, he praised Padukone for her achievement and said that as a teacher, he was proud to witness her journey.

    “Dearest @deepikapadukone! Congratulations on being one of the presenters at this year’s #Oscar ceremony! Every time you climb one step higher on the ladder of success, we at @actorprepares feel proud to have been part of your journey. On a personal note as your teacher I always knew sky is not the limit. You will go beyond!! Love and blessings always! Congratulations for #Pathan too! Jai Ho!  #ActorPrepares #Student #Actress“

    Padukone, along with Pakistani-British actor Riz Ahmed, are the only South Asians to be announcing the Oscar awards that will be held on 12 March.

  • Chris Rock sparks controversy after comments about Meghan Markle, Will Smith in Netflix special

    Chris Rock has sparked outrage on social media after making controversial comments about fellow actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinket Smith, as well as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.

    Will Smith got universally slammed last year after hitting Rock the Oscars after the comedian cracked a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s, baldness.

    “Jada, I love you. G.I Jane 2, can’t wait to see it, all right?” said Rock.

    Smith went on stage, slapped Rock and bellowed “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth!”

    At the Netflix special, Rock addressed the controversy for the first time:

    “Y’all know what happened to me, getting smacked by Shug Smith. Everybody knows. Everybody f*ing knows. Yes. It happened: Like a year ago, I got smacked at the fing Oscars by this motherf*ker.”

    Rock then said he saw Smith’s new film ‘Emancipation’ to watch him getting beaten up. Smith plays a former slave who fights to seek his freedom:

    “I loved Will Smith, my whole life I loved him. I saw him open for Run DMC … he has made some great movies. I have rooted for Will Smith my whole life. And now I watch Emancipation just to see him get whooped.”

    This comment has sparked outrage on Twitter, as users called Rock insensitive for mocking a film about slavery

    https://twitter.com/thecindynoir/status/1631773147979472898?s=20

    Rock also didn’t hold back from trolling about Pinkett-Smith’s affair with rapper August Alsina, which she had confessed to at the Red Table Talk:

    “Will Smith practices selective outrage. Everybody knows what the fk happened. And everybody really knows I had nothing to do with that shit. I didn’t have any ‘entanglements’…His wife was fking his son’s friend, OK? I normally would not talk about this shit, but for some reason … [they] put that shit on the internet. I have no idea why two talented people would do something that lowdown. What the fk?”

    Rock also talked about Meghan Markle and the interview with Oprah where she had opened up about experiencing racism when she had married Prince Harry and became the Duchess of Sussex:

    “It’s the royal family! You didn’t Google these motherfers? What the fk is she talking about, ‘she didn’t know’? They’re the original racists. They invented colonialism. They’re the OGs of racism. They’re the Sugar Hill Gang of racism.”

  • Cannot air anything related to the conduct of serving judges, says PEMRA

    Cannot air anything related to the conduct of serving judges, says PEMRA

    Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has prohibited electronic media to broadcast anything which is related to the conduct of serving judges of High Courts and Supreme Court (SC).

    In a notification, issued on Thursday, PEMRA said that it has been observed that despite repeated directives, satellite TV channels are “persistently discussing the conduct of honourable judges of superior courts and orchestrating vilification campaign through airing slanderous allegations.”

    It also added that the broadcast of such a thing is a clear violation of the PEMRA Ordinance, hence they have issued the orders.

    PEMRA has also warned that if the orders are not implemented, the license of the respective TV channel will be suspended.

    The development has taken place when the credibility of judges is being discussed after alleged audio leaks of a Supreme Court judge came to light.

    In the audio conversation that was leaked online last month, allegedly featured former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Pervaiz Elahi talking to and about a sitting SC judge.

    Later, in a YouTube show “Talk Shock”, veteran journalists Azaz Syed and Umar Cheema claimed that more audio leaks related to judges might surface soon.

  • Royal family skips invitation to Harry, Meghan’s daughter’s christening

    Royal family skips invitation to Harry, Meghan’s daughter’s christening

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter Lilibet has been christened last Friday in an intimate gathering of around 20 to 30 guests. However, none of Harry’s royal family were present, despite being invited.

    A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that Lilibet Diana was christened last week on Friday by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Reverend John Taylor.

    Among the attendees were Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, Lilibet’s godfather, Tyler Perry, and another unnamed godmother.

    Since the release of Prince Harry’s controversial biography ‘Spare’, there have been extensive reports of the divide between the younger son of King Charles and royal family members, who had also recently asked Harry and Meghan to leave Frogmore Cottage, where the family had stayed during their trips to Britain.

    British media has reported that the King will offer them an apartment at Buckingham Palace instead.

    When contacted by media outlets, the Palace did not comment on “personal invitations” as is routine.

    Harry and Meghan were officially invited to King Charles’ coronation, scheduled to take place in May. The Duke and Duchess are yet to confirm if they will attend what is perhaps the most important day in Charles life.

  • Pakistan ‘very close’ to signing staff-level agreement with IMF, says Finance Minister

    Pakistan ‘very close’ to signing staff-level agreement with IMF, says Finance Minister

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed his team’s commitment to completing Pakistan’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Speaking at a seminar organised by the Finance Ministry in Islamabad, Dar acknowledged the need for swift implementation of measures to reach an agreement with the IMF as the country has reserves barely sufficient for three weeks of essential imports.

    He noted that the government had inherited an economy that was “in a shambles” and that it had decided to honour the commitments made by the previous administration, despite a serious trust deficit with the lender.

    According to Dawn, the minister also confirmed that Pakistan was “very close” to signing a staff-level agreement with the IMF, which would unlock inflows from friendly countries and lead to a disbursement of $1.2 billion. The prerequisites by the lender are aimed at ensuring Pakistan reduces its fiscal deficit before its annual budget around June. The country has already taken most of the other prior actions, including hikes in fuel and energy tariffs, the withdrawal of subsidies in export and power sectors, and generating more revenues through new taxation in a supplementary budget.

    Furthermore, Dar highlighted the need for all stakeholders to contribute to overcoming the challenges facing the country, including the implementation of austerity measures. These measures, which include cabinet members forgoing their salaries, paying their own bills, banning the purchase of luxury vehicles from 2024, and slashing current expenditure by 15 per cent, have already been implemented and notified to the Finance Ministry.

    Dar also noted that Pakistan’s economic difficulties were compounded by the devastating 2022 floods, which affected 33 billion people and caused physical and economic losses of nearly $30 billion.

    Despite fiscal constraints and limitations, Dar pledged that the federal and provincial governments had jointly allocated Rs452 billion for relief and rehabilitation work of flood affectees. International agencies have calculated that around $16 billion would be required for reconstruction and rehabilitation work in Pakistan in the next two years, half of which will be met by Pakistan from its own resources.