Current Final

Category: National

  • Shehbaz files contempt petition in LHC against FIA officials

    Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif submitted a contempt petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday, against six officials who allegedly barred him from flying abroad despite the court’s order granting him permission.

    PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s name has been added to the Exit Control List (ECL).

     Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry, in a tweet said that with the approval of the cabinet and completion of all legal formalities, Shehbaz’s name was added to the no-fly list.

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that Shehbaz had not submitted any medical documents for travelling abroad or specify the treatment for his illness.

    “This is the first time that a verdict was given the same day a petition was filed. Shehbaz was trying to flee the country,” he remarked.

    Sheikh further added we want fair treatment for all prisoners and this is not fair. “What are the chances that Shehbaz Sharif will return when his brother Nawaz Sharif has yet to come back?” said Sheikh.

    He added that the PML-N leader may influence the approvers.

    Rasheed said Shehbaz can file an appeal against the decision in the Interior Ministry within 15 days.

    Earlier this month, the Lahore High Court granted Shehbaz permission to travel abroad once for medical treatment.

    After obtaining bail, Shehbaz was about to fly to London when an FIA team at the airport stopped him from travelling on the grounds that his name had been on the list of persons barred from leaving the country.

  • VIDEO: Kashif Zameer beats pet lion

    A video of Kashif Zameer beating his pet lion has gone viral on social media.

    JFK Animal Rescue and Shelter shared the video of Zameer beating his pet lion as two women stand on the side and watch him.

    Sharing the video, the animal rights body questioned why regular citizens are allowed licenses to keep such exotic and wild animals as pets in their homes.

    https://twitter.com/jfkshelter/status/1392170494389063688

    Earlier this month a video of a man torturing a lion cub had gone viral on social media. Pakistan’s relaxed wildlife laws and the ability for everyone to secure a license allows such distressing acts to take place.

    Read more – PEMRA fines ‘Time Out with Ahsan Khan’ Rs 500,000 for using animals as props

    Lawyer and activist Hassaan Niazi commenting under JFK’s tweet said that he working with the wildlife and law ministry to introduce stricter laws for animal abuse.

    Zameer has remained a controversial figure in Pakistan ever since he hosted Diriliş: Ertuğrul star Engin Altan Düzyatan in Lahore and later duped him. While Zameer initially trashed the rumours saying that Engin had assured him that the deal will not be disbanded, Düzyatan, in a statement on February 16 said, that he no longer represents Zameer’s Chaudhry Group of Industries as brand ambassador.

    Meanwhile, in February Zameer was also accused of attempting to kidnap YouTuber Ali Virk.

  • Peace with Pindi? Nawaz Sharif’s Spokesperson tells all

    Peace with Pindi? Nawaz Sharif’s Spokesperson tells all

    Mohammad Zubair, Spokesperson to Mian Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, claimed in a TV talk show that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has made peace with Rawalpindi. Zubair made this statement in ARY News programme ‘The Reporters’.

    Alluding to a rapprochement between the establishment and PML-N, anchorperson Sabir Shakir directly asked Mohammad Zubair about ‘sulaah‘ (rapprochement) with Rawalpindi. The PML-N leader confirmed to Shakir that there has indeed been a reconciliation.


    “All it will take is to pull the ladder away from PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] and the government will be in trouble,” added Zubair. He said that this is what the PTI fears.

    Zubair further added that the relations of PML-N with the army have always been good.

    PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has been targeting the establishment quite vocally. At a rally in Gujranwala held by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) last year, Sharif’s comments against army chief shocked Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

    Senior PML-N politician Javed Hashmi recently criticised the establishment in a video that went viral on social media. The PML-N has officially distanced itself from Hashmi’s comments by tweeting: “Javed Hashmi’s statement about the national institution is his personal opinion.”

  • Political leaders laud Shehroze Kashif for becoming youngest person to summit Mount Everest

    Political leaders laud Shehroze Kashif for becoming youngest person to summit Mount Everest

    Shehroze Kashif on Tuesday became the youngest person to summit the world’s highest mountain above sea level, Mount Everest. As per details, 19-year-old Kashif climbed Mount Everest at 5:05 am on May 11 and hoisted the Pakistani flag on an 8,849-metre high mountain peak.

    Following his feat, several political leaders including Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry lauded the young man and congratulated him on his achievement.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also celebrated Kashif’s big win.

    Hailing from Lahore, Kashif is also the youngest Pakistani to have climbed Broad Peak (8,047m) at the age of 17, earning him the title “The Broad Boy”.

    Kashif reportedly developed an interest in trekking at a young age after he went with his father on an outdoor trip. His first climb was at the age of 11 when he trekked to Makra Peak (3,885m) followed by Musa Ka Musalla (4,080m).

    Meanwhile, Samina Baig was earlier the first Pakistani woman on Everest, was also the youngest Pakistani, at the age of 23, to reach the summit of the tallest 8,000er in the world.

  • Pakistan to observe Palestine Day on May 14

    Pakistan to observe Palestine Day on May 14

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony Maulana Tahir Ashrafi on Tuesday said that Pakistan would observe Palestine Day on May 14.

    Ashrafi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council, said that the prime minister has tasked Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi to liaison with other countries regarding the situation in Jerusalem.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he spoke to his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, about the dire situation in Palestine.

    “Fully support Turkey’s call to convene meeting of OIC and UN. Storming 1st Qibla of Islam Masjid Al Aqsa, killing children and forcing evictions — absolutely unacceptable,” Qureshi tweeted.

    Pakistan has strongly condemned the attack by the Israeli forces on hapless Palestinians.

  • Vaccination registration for ages 30 and above to start from Sunday

    Vaccination registration for ages 30 and above to start from Sunday

    The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday allowed citizens aged 30 and above to sign up for Covid-19 vaccination from Sunday (May 16).

    Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar tweeted, “As vaccine supply continues to improve and vaccination capacity gets enhanced in all Federating units, we continue to expand the categories of those who are eligible to get vaccinated.”

    Asad Umar announced that from Sunday, registration will be open to all 30 years and older citizens for Covid-19 vaccine.

    On May 3, Pakistan opened registration for the coronavirus vaccination for people aged between 40 to 49 years across the country.

    Special Assistant to CM Punjab for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan tweeted that the corona vaccine will be given to the journalist community on a priority basis.

    “The process of vaccinating Punjab journalists will begin after the Eid holidays,” Firdous tweeted.

    A digital portal has been launched by the federal government for the registration through which a code is assigned to the person and then they can go to a designated vaccination centre and get a jab.

  • Deal with Amazon will transform Pakistani businesses, says PM Khan

    Deal with Amazon will transform Pakistani businesses, says PM Khan

    Amazon has added Pakistan to its list of seller countries with Pakistanis now able to create accounts using Pakistani credentials and details. PM Khan said that the deal with Amazon will open new prospects for entrepreneurs and businesses in Pakistan. This new avenue will transform Pakistan’s economy as more sellers from the country will be able to sell on the International platform.

    No Talks with India

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has categorically said that Pakistan is not returning to the negotiating table with India till New Delhi reverses its August 5 decision of scrapping Article 370.

    He said this while responding to a question regarding human rights abuses in India and a muted response from the international community during a live Q&A session with the public.

    PM Imran Khan under the programme “Aapka Wazir- e-Azam Aap Kai Sath” took calls from the public over an array of issues that included corruption, inflation, relations with India, problems with the tourism sector, the government’s housing societies, work efficiency of his team and Pakistani embassies abroad.

    Rule of Law

    In response to a question as to why there was no rule of law in Pakistan, the prime minister said the powerful and the weak should both be equal before the law.

    He said it would take time for change to take shape in Pakistan, adding that expecting the country to be reformed overnight would only lead to disappointment. “I can’t turn on a switch and rivers of milk will flow,” he said.

    The prime minister said fighting the status quo and mafias was the only reason he had become a politician in the first place.

    Ill -treatment of Pakistani diplomats

    One caller complained about the ill-treatment meted out to him by a foreign embassy to which the prime minister spoke about his recent public criticism of Pakistani diplomats. Khan praised Pakistan’s embassies, saying that they had rendered great services for Pakistan, especially when it comes to highlighting the Kashmir issue in front of the entire world. Referring to his live conversation with envoys, PM Khan said the “programme should not have been broadcast live” and only excerpts from that session should have been shared.

    Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed his reservations over the live coverage of the virtual meeting and said, “In-house meetings have norms of their own and their respect is obligatory on all.”

    Sugar scandal

    Replying to another caller on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen’s case, PM said: “There won’t be any injustice with anyone, but I promise the masses that I won’t spare the sugar barons. I won’t grant them an NRO.”

    He cited the example of PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif, saying that he was accused of misappropriating Rs 7 billion. “This is just one case against him; there are many others registered against him [Shehbaz Sharif],” he said, adding that it was just the “tip of the iceberg”.

    Inflation

    The prime minister addressed the inflationary situation in the country and said increased prices of basic commodities bothered him the most. “We have appointed Shaukat Tarin finance minister to slash inflation and increase growth,” added Khan.

    Performance of ministers

    The premier said that several ministers are doing a remarkable job and added, “For those who aren’t, I can only say that we will then have to change the team.”

    Palestine massacre

    Responding to a caller, the prime minister condemned atrocities committed by Israel against unarmed Palestinians, regretting that violence had taken place on the holy night of Ramzan 27 and at Al-Aqsa mosque.

    Follow SOPs to avoid lockdown

    PM once again urged people to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to save themselves from the coronavirus and to avoid another countrywide lockdown.

  • Israelis dance as third holiest mosque attacked

    Israelis dance as third holiest mosque attacked

    Israelis were seen dancing and singing in front of the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem while a fire blazed on.

    More than twenty people including nine children and a Hamas commander were killed in Gaza Strip overnight – making it one of the bloodiest days of fighting in several years.

    While Israel continues to bomb Gaza and kill childern, this bloodbath has been the reality of Palestinians under apartheid.

    The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned escalating Israeli aggression and attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque. The meeting of the OIC Permanent Representatives was convened upon the request of the State of Palestine. During the meeting, Pakistan’s permanent representative at the UN also strongly condemned the Israeli aggression.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on innocent Palestinians by the Israeli forces during the month of Ramzan.

    Last month Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on how Israel is an apartheid state.

    The report says: International criminal law has developed two crimes against humanity for situations of systematic discrimination and repression: apartheid and persecution. Crimes against humanity stand among the most odious crimes in international law.

    Tensions in Jerusalem have flared since Israeli riot police attacked Palestinian worshippers on the last Friday of Ramazan in the city’s worst disturbances since 2017.

    Nightly unrest since then at the Al-Aqsa compound has left hundreds of Palestinians wounded, drawing international calls for de-escalation and sharp rebukes from across the Muslim world. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site of Islam.

  • 19-year-old becomes youngest Pakistani to summit Mount Everest

    19-year-old becomes youngest Pakistani to summit Mount Everest

    A 19-year-old Pakistani, Shehroze Kashif has become the youngest person to summit the world’s highest mountain above sea level, Mount Everest.

    As per reports, Kashif hoisted the Pakistani flag on an 8,849-metre high mountain peak. He climbed Mount Everest at 5:05 am this morning.

    https://twitter.com/Alpine_Pakistan/status/1391936953822720003?s=20

    Kashif is the fifth Pakistani to summit the peak and has also won the title of the world’s youngest climber.

    Earlier, Kashif has also climbed Broad Peak before which is the world’s 12th highest mountain with 8,051 metre high.

    People including celebrities on social media are celebrating his achievement.


  • PM’s surprise visit to PIMS Hospital’s Covid ward

    PM’s surprise visit to PIMS Hospital’s Covid ward

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday night paid a surprise visit to the coronavirus ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, to review the conditions there. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Khan met with the patients and inquired about their health.

    The premier particularly inquired about the facilities being provided to COVID-19 patients at the hospital, particularly the availability of oxygen and medicines.

    Addressing the staff at the hospital, the PM said that since healthcare workers are the country’s frontline fighters, they should also take care of themselves apart from taking care of the patients.

    The premier also inquired from doctors and the staff if all of them have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

    He said that the third wave of the coronavirus is more lethal than the previous two ones, adding that people should follow the SOPs to protect themselves from the virus

    The virus has so far claimed 19,106 lives in Pakistan, while the number of total cases in the country has reached 864,557.