Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan lashed out at PPP’s Agha Rafiullah during Geo NewsAapas Ki Baat, after which PML-N leader Mian Javed Latif walked out from the show.
The debate started when Dr Awan mentioned PML-N while replying to a question about recent political developments, and Agha Rafiullah interrupted her, which enraged her and she lashed out at him and programme host Muneeb Farooq. Things further escalated when Rafiullah used a derogatory term to refer Firdous Ashiq Awan. The heated debate was beeped out several times when abuses were reportedly exchanged.
She also accused the host of ‘ fixing’ the show saying such things always happen in this show.
In December last year, PML-N’s Azma Bukhari and Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan had traded barbs in the same show, forcing the host to end the programme. However, their disagreement did not end even after the show, as both politicians almost came to blows on the news channel’s premises.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday launched the first Policy Advisory Portal at the inaugural session of the Islamabad Security Dialogue. The portal has been developed by the National Security Division (NSD) to engage over hundred think tanks and academia in policy making, said the Prime Minister’s Office.
PM @ImranKhanPTI launched the first of its kind Policy Advisory Portal on the inaugural session of the Islamabad Security Dialogue (@IsbDialogue).The portal has been developed by the National Security Division to engage over 100 think tanks and academia in policy making. pic.twitter.com/zdbitfoPBD
PM Khan said that when his government came to power, he tried to resolve issues with India.
“We just have one issue, which is Kashmir,” said the premier, adding that August 5 happened, which “led to a total breakdown between both countries.”
PM Khan said he hopes that the right of self-determination given to the Kashmiris as per UN Security Council resolution would be given to the Kashmiris.
“It would benefit India if there is a resolution on the Kashmir issue. If we achieve peace through dialogue, it will change the entire landscape of the region. There is a lot of poverty in India. Our trading and economic ties should be strong, which will increase regional connectivity. It will help India that it can have regional connectivity up to Central Asia. India has to take the first step after August 5, otherwise, we cannot move forward.”
While inaugurating the Advisory Portal, Prime Imran Khan appreciated the initiative and said that Pakistan has immense young talent in this country. “This is a step in the right direction”, he said.
The advisory portal will be a dedicated and integrated platform through which major think tanks and universities working on the subject of comprehensive national security will be able to share policy recommendations directly with the national leadership.
“The aim of the portal is to bridge the gap between intellectuals and policymakers,” said SAPM on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning Dr Moeed Yusuf who conceived the portal.
Islamabad Security Dialogue is a two-day international conference. Two sessions of the Islamabad Security Dialogue were held on Wednesday, while three sessions will take place on Thursday. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa will inaugurate the second day.
Being held mostly in a virtual format, the Dialogue is being attended by officials, global and regional experts and media. The main theme of the Islamabad Security Dialogue is Comprehensive Security Framework that will enable the country to unfold its untapped potential in becoming a hub of global and regional development.
The NSD plans to make the Islamabad Security Dialogue an annual event to parallel the world’s leading security dialogues.
Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has said that the government will begin contempt proceedings against the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), including the chief election commissioner (CEC) if they do not resign from their posts.
Addressing a press conference along with Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar on Tuesday, Fawad said that the government is working with the Attorney General of Pakistan and will go for contempt of court proceedings against ECP officials. He warned that the ECP officials should step down themselves or legal options will be exercised.
Earlier, the government had demanded election commission officials to resign and reconstitute the election body as it “failed to act as a neutral umpire”.
Meanwhile, ECP has sent notices to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its own scrutiny committee to appear before the watchdog on March 22 to explain their stance over keeping secret the foreign funding documents of the ruling party.
With differences apparently coming to the fore among ranks of the opposition alliance as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) seems to be stepping back from confrontation, a statement by former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has raised quite a few eyebrows.
Talking about the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) Tuesday meeting, Nawaz told reporters in London that the long march “was set to be held on its time”, but the PPP had sought time to discuss the issue of the resignation in its Central Executive Committee (CEC) due to “reasons you already know”.
He, however, dodged a question pertaining to the possibility of a deal being struck, “a consequence of which could be delays in joint opposition’s anti-govt plans, as sought by the PPP time and again over the past several months”.
Earlier in the day, PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari urged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo to return to Pakistan to strengthen the PDM.
The two senior leaders spoke during the meeting of the anti-government alliance, wherein the former president told Nawaz that he must be ready to go to jail if they wish to fight against the establishment.
Zardari said that he remained in jail for 14 years. He urged the PML-N supremo to return to the country at the earliest. He complained that PML-N Senator Ishaq Dar did not come to Pakistan to cast his vote in the Senate election.
“The struggle against the establishment should be aimed at achieving democratic stability, instead of settling personal scores,” Zardari told the meeting.
Nawaz, who attended the meeting through video link, was told that he needs to return whether the PDM moves forward with a long march or a no-confidence motion. Zardari further said that Nawaz’s presence was extremely important to secure support from Punjab.
Speaking to Nawaz about the idea of mass resignations, Zardari maintained that such a move would only help PM Imran Khan and the members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.
He further stated that no move would be made to divide the parties of the PDM, emphasising that their war is within the parliament, not from the mountains.
“When you return to Pakistan, we will hand over our resignations to you,” Zardari added, urging both Sharif and Dar to return.
Defending her father, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz stressed that her father’s “life is in danger” and questioned how he could return under the circumstances.
“Does Zardari sahab guarantee that my father’s life will not be in danger in Pakistan?”
Maryam then reportedly said that she is there “of her own accord”.
“Just like you are on video link, so is Mian sahab,” she said.
She said that Nawaz’s life is “threatened under NAB custody” and that he had suffered “two heart attacks while in jail”.
While the episode has “exposed” cracks within the opposition alliance which analysts say have now been there for a long time, reports claim Zardari later apologised to Maryam.
“It was never my intent to have you apologise. I merely considered myself a daughter to you and complained as Bakhtawar or Aseefa would,” Maryam reportedly told the former president.
The Islamabad police receives approximately 2,700 fake calls daily because of which the police response system is being badly affected, Inspector-General Qazi Jamil ur Rehman has said.
The police chief appealed to the masses to avoid making hoax calls as it may put someone’s life in danger.
“If we are sent to a hoax call, it means we’re not available when someone really needs our help. It could be a matter of life or death,” said the IG in a statement.
He said that police emergency department 15 plays an important role in receiving and transmitting calls from the public.
However, the fake calls not only waste the time of the operator but may cause a delay in responding to an emergency situation.
The IG directed 15 authorities to book frequent callers and proceed with legal action against them.
SMS alert service launched
Meanwhile, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has taken several initiatives like issuance of smart driving licenses, online appointment system, SMS alert service for the convenience of motorists, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Farrukh Rashid announced.
Islamabad Traffic Police launched SMS Traffic Alerts System. Simply send "Update" to 03310487487 and get latest traffic update 24/7.
The ITP also revealed that over Rs20 million fine was collected from drivers by issuing as many as 73,609 challans over various traffic violations during the ongoing year. Some 1,420 were ticketed against over-speeding, 2,767 for tinted glasses, 566 for illegal lights, 2,590 for lane violation, 8,816 for not using a helmet and 3,150 for not fastening their seat belt. Similarly, 1,831 people were fined for using mobile phones while driving, 737 over wrong parking and 3,136 were charged for using fancy number plates.
Earlier, PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan had also shared a picture of himself getting fined by the police for not wearing a seatbelt.
I am really sorry for not wearing the seat belt while driving and hats off to the police officer as despite recognizing me he still went on to issue me the ticket. It's a public service message to both Awam and Khawas of our country. https://t.co/Jms61C1taQ
Reacting to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’ tirade, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has dismissed the same as an attempt to halt ongoing investigation against the Sharif family in Chaudhry Sugar Mills and money laundering cases.
A day ago, Maryam had questioned who gave the bureau the right to “judge [her] statements”.
سنا تو یہ تھا کہ نیب احتساب کا ادارہ ہے احتساب میں تو وہ صرف الزامات اور انتقام تک رہےجب اس میں وہ بری طرح ناکام ہوگئے تو اب نیب نے خود ہی ٹھیکہ اٹھا لیا ہے کہ اب وہ سیاستدانوں اور عوامی نمائندوں کے بیان بھی جانچا کرے گا.@MaryamNSharifpic.twitter.com/mW0pnjZyQD
Taking notice of the allegations that came as NAB moved LHC seeking cancellation of Maryam’s bail, the bureau, in a press release, said that the PML-N leader was trying to cause differences among institutions.
“Statements against NAB and judiciary had been given in the past and attack over NAB Lahore office last year is evidence of it.”
The bureau claimed that Maryam had “challenged law and order by giving inciteful speeches”, citing the violence that had erupted during her appearance at the NAB Lahore office in August last year.
“NAB is an independent institution and striving to eliminate corruption from the country without any discrimination.”
It said that after NAB summoned her in a personal capacity, Maryam was “making efforts to create an environment of chaos in the country, besides continuing to give treasonous statements against respectable institutions like NAB, judiciary and law enforcement agencies”.
The primary purpose of these statements was to create obstacles in, and influence, the investigation of cases related to corruption and money laundering against the Sharif family besides promoting conditions that were detrimental to peace, the handout said.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly asked former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan in the ongoing meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
According to reports, Zardari asked Sharif to return to Pakistan while discussing the resignations from the assemblies. He also said that “if we have to fight together, then we have to go to jail together as well”.
“I have spent 14 years in jail,” said Zardari. He also complained about Ishaq Dar not returning to Pakistan for the Senate elections. Zardari asked both Sharif and Dar to return to the country, saying that if they return to the country, then the PPP will submit its resignations to Nawaz Sharif.
Zardari said that if the opposition resigns from the assemblies now, it will strengthen Prime Minister Imran Khan as well as the establishment.
Sources say that Maryam Nawaz has said her father’s life is under threat. She asked Asif Zardari to give a guarantee that nothing will happen to Nawaz Sharif upon his return.
Later, after the meeting, core members of the PDM including Maulana Fazl ur Rahman, Maryam Nawaz and Yousuf Raza Gilani addressed a press conference in which they confirmed Zardari’s request.
A bride in Mardan has asked her husband to give her Rs 100,000 worth of books as Haq Mehr.
According to details, Naila Shamal Safi is a writer and says that she wanted books to highlight their importance in our daily lives. Naila is a resident of Tangi area of North Safi Charsadda while her husband Dr Sajjad Jwandun is a resident of Bhai Khan area of Mardan. Dr Jwandun has completed his Ph.D in Pashto while Naila is currently pursuing her Ph.D.
Haq Mehr is the obligatory gift or dower given to the wife by the husband at the time of nikkah.
Talking to BBC Urdu, Dr Sajjad said that he was happy to hear about his fiancee’s demand and hopes that this step will pave the way to end the practice of asking a big amount in Haq Mahr.
“In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, boys are often asked for Rs 10 to 20 lacs in Haq Mehr, while different demands are made for dowry,” said Dr Sajjad, adding: “People criticise when the first step is taken against the norm but our work is appreciated by all so far and I think the world has come a long way so we must move forward.”
Naila said that she is now in a relationship with not only her husband but also with the books.
“I have a lot of books in my bedroom and other rooms in my house. We have put some books in the cupboards but many are still in cartons. I will set those up after my wedding rituals,” she shared.
The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) will decide on long march and resignations from assemblies today in a meeting chaired by PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
Maulana Fazl, while talking to the media on Monday had said that in his personal opinion, without submitting resignations, the Opposition alliance does not stand to gain much benefit from the long march.
سینیٹ الیکشن میں اداروں کی مداخلت نظر آئی،کل پی ڈی ایم کا سربراہی اجلاس ہوگا، جس میں لانگ مارچ سےمتعلق حتمی حکمت عملی طےکی جائے گی، پارلیمنٹ سے استعفے نہیں دیتے تولانگ مارچ کی زیادہ افادیت نہیں ہوگی۔ pic.twitter.com/My4MxJBVqp
— Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) March 15, 2021
PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz also said that the issue of resignations will be decided in the PDM meeting on Tuesday. She said the PML-N will try to convince those who don’t agree on resignations.
“We have also agreed to their ideas before and they should also help us with the last push to get rid of this government in the larger interest of the nation,” said the PML-N VP.
تکلیف آواز اٹھنے کی نہیں جتنی عوام کے اندر پذیرائی کی ہے.اتنے ظلم اور انتقام کے باوجود عوام نے جس طرح اس آواز میں آواز ملائی ہے یہ بہت حوصلہ افزا بات ہےاسکا مطلب یہ ہے پاکستان اب کسی بہتر مستقبل کیطرف بڑھے گا.@MaryamNSharifpic.twitter.com/7LDrEwlwiq
Pakistan ambassador in Colombo and a United Nations expert have expressed concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed move to ban the wearing of burqas.
Last week, Sri Lanka announced plans to ban the wearing of burqas and said it would close more than 1,000 Islamic schools known as madrassas, citing national security.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Sri Lanka, Saad Khattak, tweeted the ban would “only serve as injury to the feelings of ordinary Sri Lankan Muslims and Muslims across the globe.”
at international fora, such divisive steps in the name of Security, besides accentuating economic difficulties, will only serve as fillip to further strengthen wider apprehensions about fundamental human rights of minorities in the country.
The United Nations’ special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, tweeted that the “burqa bans are incompatible with [international] law guarantees of the right to manifest one’s religion or belief & of freedom of expression.”
Burka bans are incompatible with int’l law guarantees of the right to manifest one’s religion or belief & of freedom of expression!
Sri Lanka to ban burkas, shut Islamic schools for ‘national security’ https://t.co/w0dhgtMUc8
On Saturday, Sri Lanka’s minister of public security, Sarath Weerasekara, called the burqa a sign of religious extremism and said it has a direct impact on national security.
Weerasekara signed a paper on Friday seeking Cabinet approval to ban burqas.
The wearing of burqas in Sri Lanka was temporarily banned in 2019 soon after the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on churches and hotels that killed more than 260 people in the Indian Ocean island nation.
Two local Muslim groups that had pledged allegiance to the Daesh group, or Daesh, have been blamed for the attacks at six locations — two Roman Catholic churches, one Protestant church, and three top hotels.
Sri Lanka also plans to ban more than 1,000 religious seminaries, saying they are not registered with the authorities and do not follow the national education policy. The decision to ban burqas and seminaries is the latest move affecting Sri Lanka’s minority Muslims they make up about 9 per cent of the 22 million people in Sri Lanka.
