Category: National

First Lady and member of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Aseefa Bhutto Zardari is the only Member of the National Assembly (MNA) among 314 legislators who is not receiving a monthly salary.

A media report claims that 313 lawmakers, including Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former premier Nawaz Sharif, are receiving salaries from the government. 

Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and independent candidates had submitted a written demand for a hike in salaries, said the media report.

President Aif Ali Zardari’s daughter, Aseefa, youngest sister of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, was elected unopposed in the by-election held on National Assembly seat NA-207 in Nawabshah, Sindh.

Two months after being sworn in as an MNA, Aseefa declared in June last year that she will not take any salaries or allowances. “I will not take any salary or allowances as a member,” she said in a letter addressed to the Secretary General of the NA.

Meanwhile, the lower house of parliament on Tuesday passed the Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025, increasing lawmakers’ salaries from PKR180,000 to PKR519,000.

As per media reports, the bill was presented by Romina Khurshid Alam in the Lower House. Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar did not oppose the proposed legislation.

During the session, PTI lawmakers raised slogans and tore copies of the agenda, calling the assembly a “fake parliament.” In response, the Law Minister challenged the lawmakers to not take their salaries if they believed that the assembly was illegitimate.

The National Assembly’s Finance Committee, headed by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, approved the proposed increase in the monthly salary of each MNA and senator.

The bill, which amended the Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 1974 [The Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2025], was already passed by the Senate before being tabled at the NA.

It should be mentioned here that the Punjab Assembly In December had also passed an amendment bill for a hefty increase in financial perks and privileges of elected members, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, ministers, parliamentary secretaries, special assistants and advisers.

Following the passage of the bill, a provincial minister’s salary increased to PKR960,000 from PKR100,000. The Speaker’s salary was increased from PKR125,000 to PKR950,000, whereas the Deputy Speaker will draw PKR775,000 instead of PKR120,000. The monthly salary of MPAs also increased from PKR76,000 to PKR400,000.

Pakistan’s food and hospitality continue to amaze tourists, creating positive vibes for the country  as a must-visit destination. 

Kate Woodley, an Instagram influencer with over 41K followers, has recently posted a video about the Top 5 Countries for food. The full time traveler, who goes by the account kateacrossborderss, says in the video that she has travelled to 55 countries and now wants to list down the top 5 destinations for food. 

She puts Vietnam on number 5, praising the country’s banh mi and spring roles. Same, Kate, same. Nothing beats a good spring roll. 

On number 4, she names Peru, pointing out that unusual items like guinea pig are quite tasty. 

Spain comes in at number 3 for its tapas (small plates) and the iconic rice dish paella. 

Mexico lands the number two spot. “Tacos are legendary. If you don’t like tacos, I’m sorry, you’re crazy,” Kate playfully says while also naming tostadas and elotes along with a host of other Mexican dishes. 

And finally, at number 1 is Pakistan. “My favourite cuisine of all time? Pakistani. I haven’t had a bad meal in Pakistan,” she says while showing glimpses of the country. 

She singles out the fresh naans and parathas that are served with the food and then says that up north, almost all the food is organic. Accompanying her narration are visuals of kababs, white karahi, naans and the fabled apples of the northern areas. 

“I am literally counting down the days till my next chicken karahi,” the traveller says at the end. 

We can’t help but agree. There are few things on earth as good as a fresh chicken karahi topped with a dollop of butter, served with piping hot naan from the tandoor.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has forwarded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s letter to the constitutional committee, saying that the request pertained to Article 184(3) of the Constitution and is to be handled by the constitutional bench.

Last month, Khan wrote a lengthy 349-page letter to the CJP and Justice Aminuddin, addressing issues related to human rights violations, alleged electoral fraud and the arrests of party workers. Article 184 (3) of the Constitution gives SC the power to take on cases involving fundamental rights violations and issues of public importance.

“I have asked the committee to review the letter and make a decision,” reports quoted the apex court judge as saying in conversation with journalists after an hour-long meeting with a six-member delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Earlier, the CJP briefed the IMF delegation at the Supreme Court (SC) on the country’s judicial system and ongoing reforms. The discussion, reports said, also included matters pertaining to the appointment of judges and constitutional amendments that have been dubbed as “controversial” by the opposition and certain lawyer groups.

The top judge told media persons that he informed the IMF delegation of the judiciary’s independent operations under the Constitution, and clarified that it was not the judiciary’s mandate to provide the IMF with all the details they had asked for.

“I informed the delegation about the agenda of the National Judicial Policy-Making Committee (NJPMC). The supervision of subordinate courts falls under the jurisdiction of high courts. The delegation expressed interest in Pakistan’s adherence to agreements and property rights, to which I responded that reforms were underway,” reports quoted CJP Afridi as saying.

The top judge said that the delegation provided suggestions regarding the protection of property rights, to which he assured them that the country would consider their recommendations. “They were also informed that special benches would be formed in high courts to expedite hearings.” 

On controversy surrounding the judicial commission’s proceedings, CJP Afridi said that he had already expressed his opinion in the meeting and acknowledged that judicial review could be applied to his stance.

“Had there been no boycott yesterday, another competent judge could have been appointed to the Supreme Court,” he said in reference to the boycott by PTI members as well as two judges of the SC amid isolated lawyers’ protests.

“I expect the agenda for the National Judicial Committee to be finalised by tomorrow,” reports quoted him as saying, adding that the opposition leader had also been asked for suggestions.

To a question about alleged cracks within the judiciary, the CJP said that previous practices among judges persisted, and it would take time for them to change.

“Everything will gradually be set right,” he said and highlighted recent changes within the JCP. “Any member can now propose a name for consideration. Excellent judges are being brought in.”

Incarcerated former premier Imran Khan’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry took a witty jab at talk show host Kamran Shahid for using the word “system” to refer to the establishment. 

During the talk show, the TV host said, “You [PTI leadership] seem helpless, and the system looks strong.” In reply, Chaudhry mocked Shahid by saying, “What is the ‘system’? Call it the establishment, which is involved in court packing.”

In reply, the TV host said, “Let’s say it in this manner: the establishment is looking strong (sic).”
Imran Khan’s counsel went on to tell Shahid that systems are meant for democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law, which do not exist in Pakistan.

Stressing that the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment was against the judiciary, Chaudhry opined that clauses related to the judiciary were focused on dividing the courts.

The TV host asked why Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was unable to mobilise all lawyer’s associations for Monday’s protests against a controversial meeting of the Judicial Commission Pakistan (JCP) which took place yesterday. Chaudhry replied that a significant number of lawyers were present in the demonstration at the federal capital.

“They [lawyers] did not sit there but ended the protest [shortly]?” said Shahid. “[lawyers] were not present to engage in war but to protest. The protest did not intend to stage a sit-in there,” Chaudhry responded.

Lawyers on Monday had orchestrated a protest in Islamabad, demanding the JCP meeting scheduled on the same day be called off, no new judicial appointments be made till the case pertaining to the amendment is decided upon and the senior-most judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) be made its chief justice.

 
Six leading bar associations, including representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council, Supreme Court Bar Association, Punjab Bar Council, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council, Balochistan High Court Bar Association, and Sindh High Court Bar Association, have condemned the protests, saying that political groups within the legal community were attempting to advance their agendas.

 
Despite PTI lawmakers boycotting the JCP meeting and the lawyer’s protest at the federal capital, the JCP nominated six high court judges for elevation to the Supreme Court.

 
The judges elevated to the apex court include four high court chief justices: Hashim Khan Kakar of the Balochistan High Court (BHC), Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui of the Sindh High Court (SHC), Ishtiaq Ibrahim of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), and Aamer Farooq of the IHC.

Additionally, SHC Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and PHC Justice Shakeel Ahmed were also nominated for elevation to the Supreme Court.

Amid social media claims that a police officer slapped a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) employee outside the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore, We News has revealed that the individual in plain clothes was not an employee of the cricket board but a Special Branch officer.

The incident came to light yesterday when a video showing a police officer slapping a person wearing plain clothes went viral online.

In the viral video, the plain clothed individual can be heard shouting in a heated argument with police officials. “Motorcycle lo iss ka (Take his motorbike),” a police officer says. “Ja raha hu main (I’m leaving now),” the plain cloth individual tells the police officer.

However, suddenly, the police official pulled the man and slapped him while using abusive words. A senior police officer can be heard calling the police official  “Adnan.” 

“Bann gaya tamasha, main keh raha hu ban gaya tamasha (A spectacle has been created. I’m saying a spectacle has been made),” the plain clothed individual said instantly, after being beaten by the SI.

The report reveals that the misunderstanding erupted when the special branch officer parked his motorcycle at a restricted place, leading to a heated debate with police officers. During the row, the police officer slapped the special branch officer in the face.

Model Town superintendent of police (SP), Akhlaq Ullah Tarar, while taking notice of the incident, directed Assistant Superintendent Police (ASP) Gulberg to present an inquiry report within 24 hours, media has stated. 

The video sparked outrage online after it went viral yesterday, with some internet users calling for action against the police officer, while others opined that the plainclothes men must follow security-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

“Sad, truly sad. A young police officer slapped the civilian. Are they not given proper training? How can such emotional and irrational officers provide security to the public,” a social media user asked on X (formerly Twitter).

Another user wrote that when an officer wearing a uniform beats a civilian in plain clothes, it is an insult to civilians. “Our tragedy is that we can never be civilized. Everyone is ready to cross every limit for power—no matter who they are or what the limit is,” said the third user.

“The plain clothed man was the one who behaved rudely first, disrespecting the police. Why was he acting so arrogantly and pushing the police officers,” asked another netizen.

A car mechanic who specialised in removing dents from cars was killed on Monday night in Karachi by irate customers for not fixing their car on time. 

Afzal, 38, was attacked with knives by the other party inside his home in Zakariya Goth in Malir after a furious argument in the night. He lost his life in the attack while his wife Fatima, 28, was left badly injured. She has been admitted to the hospital. 

The attackers fled the scene. Police are conducting search operations to look for them.