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Category: National

  • More MNAs likely to be expelled from PTI after Sher Afzal Marwat

    More MNAs likely to be expelled from PTI after Sher Afzal Marwat

    Days after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expelled maverick leader Sher Afzal Marwat, the former ruling party has reportedly decided to expel more legislators, a media outlet reported on Sunday.

    As per the media report, PTI decided to expel those party lawmakers who had failed to attend the parliamentary session for the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendments.

    Incarcerated former premier Imran Khan, the head of the party, has issued directives from jail to remove absent Members of Parliament (MP), said the report, noting that senators Dr Zarqa Suhrawardy and Faisal Saleem were among those who had remained absent on the day the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment was passed. 

    Moreover, the party also issued show-cause notices to Member National Assembly (MNAs) Aslam Ghuman, Riaz Fatyana, Zain Qureshi, Miqdad Ali Khan and Aurangzeb Kachhi for their absence.

    Imran Khan conveyed a message to party leaders, urging that lawmakers who had been absent on the day of passage of the Amendment had no place in PTI, as they had acted against party line, said the media report.

    The National Assembly (NA) passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment in the wee hours of October 20, 2024. Speaking on the NA floor, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan criticised the constitutional amendments, calling them an attempt to strangle the independent judiciary.

    He said those who had “gone missing” should have been thanked as well, adding that the government, which came into power of what he believed via rigging, had no right to amend the Consitution.


    Sher Afzal Marwat’s expulsion

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) firebrand Sher Afzal Marwat’s expulsion notification, which was posted on PTI’s official X account on Wednesday night, read, “Further to the Show Cause Notice issued to Mr Sher Afzal Marwat and his subsequent reply, the party has considered his reply and also his actions subject to the Show Cause notice.”

    “Taking both these aspects into consideration and on the instructions of Founding Chairman Imran Khan, Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat is being expelled from the party with immediate effect.”

    Marwat’s termination came just three days after the former ruling party staged a rally in Swabi against what it believes was the rigged election of 2024.


    A media report had earlier claimed that PTI leaders complained to Imran Khan about Marwat’s behaviour at the February 8 Swabi public gathering.


    During his speech, Marwat cryptically said that “bad people” always became helpful during “bad times”, but some “good people in good times” have zipped their lips.


    Last month, PTI issued a show-cause notice to the lawmaker for violation of the party discipline for his remarks against the party’s Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on a private news channel.

  • PTI lawyers get paid for leaking Adiala Jail conversation to YouTubers, alleges journalist

    PTI lawyers get paid for leaking Adiala Jail conversation to YouTubers, alleges journalist

    Journalist Haider Sherazi, who had been covering Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) since many years, has alleged that party lawyers routinely leak details of conversations from inside Adiala Jail, where former premier Imran Khan is incarcerated, to YouTubers in exchange for money.

    Appearing on a private media outlet, Sherazi claimed that PTI leaders were concerned about how the conversation between Imran Khan and party leaders was being leaked to YouTubers. 

    “Party leaders are claiming and accusing lawyers of going inside Adiala jail and getting paid by YouTubers after giving inside information to them,” the reporter said. However, he did not reveal the lawyers’  names.

    On being asked about how much lawyers are getting paid for providing conversation details, Sherazi said that lawyers received money ranging between five to seven lacs monthly.

    He went on to further reveal that lawyers close to YouTubers have so much influence that they don’t even let Chief Minister (KP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur, former Speaker of National Assembly Asad Qaiser’s companion, meet with party founder in Adiala Jail. “Junaid Akbar [KP party President] was even barred from meeting Imran Khan,” he added.

    He substantiated his claims by giving the example of Gandapur once informing Imran Khan of the KP team’s visit to Khan to provide input regarding the province’s financial situation. He said, “When Muzammil Aslam [KP financial advisor to CM], Shahid Khattak [MNA], and Musaddiq Abbasi [KP CM’s aide] reached to meet Imran Khan, they were denied meeting with Khan.”

    Additionally, Sherazi claimed that lawyers had complained about Gandapur, Asad Qaiser, Junaid Akbar, and Sher Afzal Marwat, who was recently terminated from PTI, to Imran Khan and his sister Aleema Khan.

    Revealing the complaint, the journalist, while citing Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, said that Imran Khan was told that Qaiser was not in contact with the opposition alliance.

    Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s counsel, Faisal Chaudhry, has told a leading English Newspaper that parliamentary party leaders have not been allowed to meet Imran Khan for almost five months, adding that the party will approach the Islamabad High Court today (Monday) against curbs on its parliamentary leaders to meet Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

    “According to the standard operating procedures (SOP), Mr Khan meets his family members and lawyers on Tuesday and the party leaders on Thursday. He also shares the names of six leaders for the meeting, but for the last five months, the jail administration has not allowed them to meet him,” said Chaudhry.

  • Rain, snow coming for some areas amid drought-like conditions

    Rain, snow coming for some areas amid drought-like conditions

    A westerly system is making its way to some parts of Pakistan as the majority of the country grapples with the debilitating effects of a prolonged dry season. 

    The westerly system is set to bring rain and snow to parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 

    Meteorologist Javed Memon has told Geo that while many areas may receive moderate to heavy snowfall and rain, Sindh will mostly remain dry. 

    Rain and snowfall are predicted in Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Qila Saifullah, and Khuzdar. Light to moderate rain is also likely in Gwadar, Pasni, Turbat, and Ormara, with hailstorms in some parts of the province.

    Parts of Punjab might receive a few substantial rain spells between February 19 and 21 in central and southern regions. Some areas may even get hailstorms. 

    Islamabad is also predicted to receive a couple of spells of moderate rain in the same system.

  • Fawad lashes out at Salman Raja, Raoof among others after PTI’s condemnation notice

    Fawad lashes out at Salman Raja, Raoof among others after PTI’s condemnation notice

    Former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry launched a scathing attack against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Raoof Hassan, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram on Sunday after PTI issued a statement condemning his violent altercation with lawyer Shoaib Shaheen. 

    Chaudhry took to X (formerly Twitter) to write a series of allegations against the PTI political committee, saying that it was involved in the embezzlement of public funds. 

    “The majority of members in PTI’s political committee […] have embezzled millions in party funds. They refuse to be held accountable for funds collected in the name of Imran Khan [PTI founder] and party workers,” Chaudhry said, stressing that holding them accountable for the funding is extremely important.

    Chaudhry claimed that lawyer Shoaib Shaheen, who had earlier been a victim of a Chaudhry punch outside Adiala Jail on Saturday, Waqas and Raja had caused severe damage to PTI. “This group has swallowed millions under the guise of legal and media management,” he alleged.

    Fawad Chaudhry revealed that PTI Secretary Information received 50 million rupees in salary despite PTI’s media team not getting paid for the last four months.

    He reiterated, “Accountability for funding is crucial because PTI’s media department has not received salaries for the past four months, and the cleaning staff has been laid off. Meanwhile, people like Raoof Hassan are getting a hike in salary.”

    Chaudhry then moved his crosshair towards PTI Secretary-General. “Salman Raja has been a legal aide and supporter of the Sharif family in every corruption case, from Panama to other scandals,” he alleged.

    Chaudhry said that Akram started his career as a courier. “Now, he is enjoying luxury at the expense of PTI’s funding and the provincial budget,” he added.

    Chaudhry’s allegation against PTI leaders came hours after the PTI political committee issued a statement condemning his violence against lawyer Shoaib Shaheen. The statement dubbed Chaudhry’s action a “crude and callous demonstration of the animal instinct over logic and reason.”

    The altercation between Chaudhry and the PTI senior leader occurred outside Adiala Jail gate no. 5 on Saturday after Chaudhry called Shaheen a “tout”. In response, Shaheen told him to “mind his own business”.

    Chaudhry then punched Shaheen, resulting in the latter falling to the ground and sustaining an injury on his arm. Following the altercation, Chaudhry went inside the jail while Shaheen was called inside by the Superintendent of Adiala Jail.

    Further terming Chaudhry’s action “a criminal act”, the statement said, “It is not a slap on the face of Mr. Shoaib Shaheen alone. It is a slap on the face of PTI.”

    Additionally, the statement read, “His dastardly conduct further reflects the frustration that Fawad Chaudhry may be suffering from when, as per instructions of the Founder Chairman Mr. Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, the party announced its complete dissociation from his person. It was also announced that Mr. Fawad Chaudhry would not represent the party at any forum in any manner whatsoever.”

    “The Political Committee of PTI takes a serious note of the incident and condemns Mr. Fawad Chaudhry’s gross demeanour in the strongest possible words. The Political Committee also reiterates its complete support for Mr. Shoaib Shaheen for his sagacity in the face of adversity. We salute his courage and composure in dealing with an ugly situation. Despite the dastardly provocation, we call upon our activists and workers to remain peaceful. The party shall prevail.”

  • US to award 16 officials for exceptional care of American woman

    US to award 16 officials for exceptional care of American woman

    16 government officials will be awarded certificates of appreciation by the US Consul General on February 18 for their excellent care of an American woman, Onija Andrew Robinson.

    The US Consul General will present certificates of appreciation to 16 officers and employees of the FIA, as well as police and airport medical staff, for the excellent care and kindness shown to Onijah.

    According to sources, certificates of appreciation will be presented to Director FIA Karachi Noman Siddiqui, Deputy Director Immigration Bahawal Dosto, Assistant Director Immigration Abdul Jabbar, Immigration Officers Ghulam Sarwar and Omar Daraz, Police Officers Shabana Jilani, Nosheen Akhtar, SHO Airport Kaleem Musa, Protocol Officers Syed Danish, Furqan Rahim, Sagheer Ahmed, Director Airport Security Force Ehsanullah, Executive Director of Airport Medical Staff Shahid Rasool, Joint Director Muhammad Suleman, Deputy Director Yahya Tanio and Dr. Chani Lal at a special ceremony.

    After leaving Pakistan in early February, Onija, who travelled there to marry a man but was rejected due to family pressure, stopped in Dubai on February 7 with an on-arrival visa. She was supposed to be on her way back to the US, but after not complying with the plan, she has now been placed in protective custody.

    She was scheduled to board Emertite flight EK203 to New York but chose not to despite her family and US officials expecting her.

    Videos of her strolling the streets of Dubai circulated the internet yet again, after which the American agencies alert UAE authorities.

    Onijah in Pakistan

    Onijah Andrew Robinson, the American woman who had been in Karachi ever since her Pakistani lover abandoned her after making false promises of marriage last year, now returned to the US on February 7, 2025.

    She reportedly landed in Karachi on October 11, 2024, while her visa was set to expire on November 10, but despite her online paramour’s refusal to marry her, she chose to stay.

    In February, she was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, with concerns for her mental health.

    According to media sources, incoherence in speech and swelling in her hands and feet caused concerns. Admitted to the  Department of Psychiatry, reports of her detailed examination are due.

    Jeremiah Andrew Robinson, Onijah’s son, revealed in a video statement earlier this week that his mother is mentally unwell and experiences cognitive hindrances. He stated that her claims and actions must be perceived and dealt with accordingly.

    He also claimed that Onijah was supposed to return to the US two weeks after she arrived in Pakistan in October, and that he and his brother had bought a return ticket.

    The 33-year-old US national’s criminal record shows that she was arrested in Charleston County in South Carolina in 2021, “ENTERING PREMISES AFTER WARNING”. It also revealed that a bail bond of $465 is possibly not paid.

    On February 7 a medical board gave the green signal for her to travel, deeming her fit to go, after which the police escorted her to the airport. US Consulate staff also paid her a visit in the hospital, persuading her to go back to the US, and organised her flight.

    While Onijah Robinson was in Pakistan, people around the world, especially in America, followed her story with zesty as her odyssey turned into a media storm. Foreign netizens shared how their perspective of Pakistanis changed upon witnessing the hospitality given to Onija and the patience people here showed towards her. Comparisons were drawn with the depiction of Pakistanis in Western media, which is often bleak and fearful.

  • Fawad Chaudhry ‘knocks out’ Shoaib Shaheen outside Adiala Jail

    Fawad Chaudhry ‘knocks out’ Shoaib Shaheen outside Adiala Jail

    A scuffle broke out between former federal minister for information and broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shoaib Shaheen outside Gate No. 5 of Adiala Jail on Saturday. 

    As per media details, Chaudhry called Shoaib Shaheen a “tout”. In response, Shaheen told him to “mind his own business”.

    Chaudhry then punched Shaheen, resulting in the latter falling to the ground and sustaining an injury on his arm. Following the altercation, Chaudhry went inside the jail while Shaheen was called inside by the Superintendent of Adiala Jail.

    Media reports later in the day claimed that the former minister had made peace with Shaheen who, however, maintained that no such thing had happened.

    As to the reason behind the altercation, it was claimed that Shaheen had quoted PTI founder as calling Chaudhry a “bhagora” [deserter]. But Chaudhry claimed that he had asked Khan, who told him he had not said any such thing. 

    It may be noted that this is not the first time that Chaudhry has physically attacked a famous person. In January 2020, the then- Minister of Science and Technology was present at the walima ceremony of then Punjab Irrigation Minister Mohsin Leghari’s son. It was widely reported by media that Fawad slapped television anchor Mubashir Luqman.

    Following the scuffle, Chaudhry took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “People like Mubashir Luqman have nothing to do with journalism. […] It is everyone’s duty to expose such journalistic brokers.”


    The former confidante of Imran Khan, while speaking to a private media news channel hours after the altercation, claimed, “There was a scuffle that broke out. A small fight broke out. In a fight, as usually is the case, he may have got one (slap) in, I may have hit one (sic).”

    On being asked about whether his action was justified, Chaudhry responded, “Of course. It was my right. When you level such allegations, anyone will react.” He added, “Everyone has a tolerance level. I face a lot of criticism. But I have not even blocked people on Twitter.” 

    He said that he had complained to the then-prime minister’s aide on accountability, Shahzad Akbar, about Luqman’s YouTube show and had also called the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency’s cyber wing but did not get the desired response.

    According to media reports, the physical altercation apparently occurred when the former TV host Mubashir Luqman uploaded a video on his YouTube channel on January 4, 2020, featuring him and anchorperson Rai Saqib discussing the TikTok stars Hareem Shah and Sandal Khattak’s connection with Chaudhry.

    Saqib, while citing TikTokers, claimed that both have multiple “immoral videos” of Chaudhry that they could release them at any time. “I have seen the video,” Saqib said upon being asked if he had watched Fawad’s videos.

    In June 2019, Chaudhry was accused of slapping YouTuber Sami Ibrahim at a wedding function in Faisalabad days after Ibrahim had posted a video on social media, alleging that a plot to oust then Prime Minister Imran Khan and weaken the Pakistan Army was being orchestrated.

    He further alleged that some from within the PTI were a part of this so-called plot, and without offering any concrete proof to support his accusation, Chaudhry was implicated in the video.

    Following the allegation, Chaudhry took to X (formerly Twitter) on June 3, 2019, launching a piercing attack on Ibrahim. The then-minister resorted to slurs and insulting language against the anchor.

  • Faiz Hamid facilitated 600 kanals of land for Imran Riaz, Sher Afzal Marwat says Ali Amin tells him

    Faiz Hamid facilitated 600 kanals of land for Imran Riaz, Sher Afzal Marwat says Ali Amin tells him

    Days after being expelled from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sher Afzal Marwat, citing Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur, claimed that former intelligence chief General Faiz Hamid facilitated more than 600 kanals of land for YouTuber and former TV host Imran Riaz Khan.         

    Speaking to reporters in Islamabad on Friday, the KP firebrand claimed, “Ali Amin Gandapur told me that General Faiz Hamid facilitated more than 600 kanals of land for Imran Riaz in Chakwal, where the latter built a palace, fish ponds, and a horse stable.”

    While raising questions about how Riaz made billions of rupees when he did not even have a motorbike, Marwat remarked, “Ali Amin also told me that he [Riaz] was the confidant of Faiz Hamid,” alleging that the ex-TV host had a close relationship with the intelligence agencies during PTI’s reign.

    “Imran Riaz came to me 10 times seeking a mining contract,” Marwat quoted Gandapur as saying, adding that he found Riaz every time he visited the CM House.

    He further quoted CM KP as saying that, in an “attempt to become a hero” through collusion with agencies, Riaz got arrested.

    Inquiring about how the YouTuber ran away from Pakistan merely with the help of mules, Marwat said that if the government had the intention of not letting Riaz leave, his passport could have been blocked within a minute. “Then how did he reach the United Kingdom?” he questioned, adding that Riaz’s passport was valid.

    Concluding his tirade on the former TV host, Marwat said that he had made a video exposing Riaz’s properties, which he planned to share soon.

    Separately, Marwat, while speaking to a private news channel, claimed that PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja was behind his expulsion from the party.

    He said that Raja became the party’s secretary general through the “influence of powerful individuals”.

    “Non-elected individuals in the party are running the party matters,” he said, asserting that he would respond to those responsible for the propaganda against him.

    It merits a mention that following the instructions of party founder Imran Khan, Marwat was expelled from the party on Wednesday. He was sacked “due to his continuous violations of the party discipline”.

    Riaz, while confirming on his X (formerly Twitter) account last month that he had left the country, wrote, “….I am proud that my Lord granted me steadfastness against every injustice. I have endured the worst torture and terrifying imprisonment. I have been arrested 10 times and faced dozens of cases. I was even forcibly stopped from performing Hajj, but my Lord granted me patience. I have some important responsibilities to fulfil, and I will return to Pakistan soon, InshaAllah.”

    In an interview with the Sherin Zada YouTube channel, Riaz revealed that former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Suri, introduced him to individuals who accompanied him during his escape from the country.

    The former TV host clarified that he had been residing in Swat before leaving Pakistan. Prior to that, he had stayed at safe locations across Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and Swabi.

  • Sent teetar, goose, desi chicken dishes to Imran Khan before leaving country: Aftab Iqbal

    Sent teetar, goose, desi chicken dishes to Imran Khan before leaving country: Aftab Iqbal

    Former TV host Aftab Iqbal claimed on Thursday that he had prepared and sent a breakfast of teetar (francolins), desi murgh (organic chicken), and geese to former premier Imran Khan a day before running away from the country.

    In an interview with ex-TV host Imran Riaz Khan on his YouTube channel, Iqbal said, “I personally cooked the food the entire night with the help of two assistants,” so that it could be sent to Imran Khan before Iqbal’s departure

    He further stated that after arriving in Dubai, he asked Imran Khan about the food via text; the latter responded that he had expected it for dinner instead of breakfast. “I have rarely tasted such delicious food. It was so delicious,” Iqbal quoted Imran Khan as saying.

    Recalling the time Imran Khan scolded him, Iqbal tells Riaz, “The last time I was berated by Imran Khan was on texts. Imran Khan told me that you sound very disappointed and dismayed. If you panic, then your listeners will panic as well.”

    “You are looking disappointed. I’m not enjoying talking to you today,” Iqbal quoted Imran Khan as saying.

    Iqbal then made a bizarre comparison between jailed Imran Khan and South African leader Nelson Mandela, claiming that Mandela did not endure as many hardships despite serving 27 years in prison in solitary confinement.

    Meanwhile, Riaz interrupted Iqbal by arguing that President Asif Ali Zardari served time in imprisonment while living in a palace, which was connected to his jail. Multiple people were present there to serve Zardari.

    “I’m a witness to Nawaz Sharif’s imprisonment. Nawaz Sharif Sahab’s doctor always remained with him. Mian Sahab enjoyed imprisonment as all of his meals were delivered from Raiwind,” Riaz said, adding that Imran Khan had not even eaten homemade food for a single day since he landed in jail.

    Both YouTubers offered no proof of their statements. 

    It should be mentioned here that Riaz had left the country last month. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce that he had left the country. 

    “….I am proud that my Lord granted me steadfastness against every injustice. I have endured the worst torture and terrifying imprisonment. I have been arrested 10 times and faced dozens of cases. I was even forcibly stopped from performing Hajj, but my Lord granted me patience. I have some important responsibilities to fulfil, and I will return to Pakistan soon, InshaAllah,” Riaz wrote on X.

    Imran Riaz Khan, in his maiden interview after being run away from the country on the YouTube channel Sherin Zada, had claimed that former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri assisted him in escaping from the country. “Qasim Suri asked me to shave my beard, which I refused; however, I used spray to dye my beard black before leaving Pakistan,” he said.

  • Bakhtawar trolls Fawad Ch for ‘demanding’ president, PM’s resignation over headwear choices

    Bakhtawar trolls Fawad Ch for ‘demanding’ president, PM’s resignation over headwear choices

    Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari, the daughter of President Asif Ali Zardari and the late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, has hit back at former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry for demanding “resignations” from her father as well as Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif over their choice of headwear.

    “Resignations should be demanded from Zardari and Shehbaz Sharif for their caps at Erdogan’s reception alone,” Fawad wrote in a social media post as pictures and videos of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s arrival in Pakistan went viral over the internet.

    The visuals from the reception showed President Zardari and PM Shehbaz receiving the Turkish president upon his arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase on a two-day visit late Wednesday night.

    With Fawad taking to X to poke fun at the two leaders, Bakhtawar hit back with a picture of PTI founder and jailed former premier Imran Khan’s photo from one of his court hearings. The picture showed Khan wearing a makeshift black box-like bulletproof helmet to an anti-terror court for seeking his bail extension back in 2023.

    It may be noted that the now-jailed former PM was repeatedly spotted wearing the bulletproof box every time he left his Zaman Park residence in Lahore following the attempt on his life during a party rally in Wazirabad. Khan had received a bullet injury to his right leg back in November 2022 when an assailant opened fire at his container during a protest march across Punjab. The attack had led to widespread claims that Khan faced threats to his life and thus had to travel under high security.

    Erdogan in Pakistan

    Meanwhile, President Erdogan’s Pakistan trip has wrapped up. During his stay, both countries signed 24 agreements and memorandums of understanding to enhance their cooperation across various sectors, including trade, media, defence, and healthcare.

    “We aim to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion,” PM Shehbaz said as he bid farewell to the Turkish leader.

    While the visit marked a significant milestone in fostering stronger diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries, the two leaders also held talks on regional and global issues, underscoring their mutual interest in strengthening bilateral relations.

    The high-level meetings also saw the co-chairing of the Pakistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council’s seventh meeting. Both sides reviewed reports from nine joint committees across various sectors, including health and information technology.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir also participated in the session.

  • Lahore: Gang war threat averted as two key stakeholders make peace

    Lahore: Gang war threat averted as two key stakeholders make peace

    In a major development, the risk of a gang war in Lahore has been averted as two key stakeholders have made peace, Geo News reported citing sources.

    Lahore had been at the brink of an all-out gang war since after the assassination of Truckanwala family’s Ameer Balaj Tipu who was shot dead at a wedding ceremony in February last year. The death and subsequent allegations had led to the murder of a relative of the accused party that had then filed a case against an ally of Balaj’s family.

    Amid conflicting claims regarding the situation while both sides maintained they had nothing to do with the killings or gang-related activities, peace has reportedly been achieved.

    According to reports, Khawaja Tareef Butt aka Teefi Butt and Qaiser Butt groups made peace at a meeting held at the former’s residence with Shafqat Bagga Butt, Israr Butt and business community leaders in attendance.

    During the meeting, Qaiser Butt, who was nominated in the murder case of Teefi Butt’s brother-in-law Javed Butt, announced cutting off ties with the Truckanwala family, reports said.

    The development comes months after the Organised Crime Unit (OCU) of Lahore police started to track down the shooters who murdered Javed Butt and seriously injured Teefi’s sister.

    The names of three suspects, including slain Ameer Balaj’s two brothers, Ameer Mussab and Ameer Fateh, and Qaisar Butt, were included in the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) on the recommendations of Lahore police high-ups.

    Of them, Fateh and Qaisar Butt were nominated in the murder case. Two other assailants were also included in the FIR, registered on the complaint of Javed Butt’s son Hamza Javed.

    A senior OCU official had said that all Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) cameras installed near the crime scene on the Canal Road were found “dysfunctional”.

    Reports quoted him as saying that the PSCA cameras were the primary source for police to track down those involved the street crimes and murder cases. In the past, the Lahore police, particularly, the OCU, has traced and arrested many criminals, resolving several high-profile cases with the help of the PSCA cameras.

    “Our investigators were left shocked to find that all the five PSCA cameras [near the crime scene] on the Canal Road were not functioning,” he said.

    Meanwhile, in the FIR, complainant Hamza Javed stated that his mother, who got injured in the attack, had recognised the both nominated suspects when they allegedly opened fire on his father’s vehicle.

    Hamza said that the four attackers riding two motorcycles opened fire when his father slowed down the vehicle near the FCC Underpass, leaving Javed Butt dead on the spot.

    According to the postmortem report, Butt received five bullets in various parts of his body.