Current Final

Category: National

  • Lion manhandled during Maryam Nawaz’s rally rescued by Punjab Wildlife Dept

    Lion manhandled during Maryam Nawaz’s rally rescued by Punjab Wildlife Dept

    The Punjab Wildlife Department has rescued a lion that was being manhandled by supporters during Maryam Nawaz’s rally in Lahore on Thursday.

    According to the Focal Person on Digital Media to CM Punjab Azhar Mashwani, the lion has been shifted to the zoo while the Wildlife Department has initiated legal action against five persons under the Wildlife Act.

    Further reports have suggested that authorities have also detained two PML-N supporters over the incident and fined them Rs 80,000.

    The incident had sparked outrage on social media with netizens demanding the government take action against those involved in harassing the animal during the rally. Under the law, people are not allowed to own wild animals like lions without a permit. It is unclear whether those involved in the incident have one.

    https://twitter.com/wildpakistan/status/1337289938585456640?s=20

    This is not the first time a lion has been spotted at a PML-N rally. Earlier in 2018, a few months before the 2018 General Elections, members of the party brought a lion in a cage to the rally venue in Haripur where Nawaz Sharif addressed his supporters.

    However, for today’s jalsa in Lahore, the PML-N has advised their supporters against bringing any animal. The spokesperson said that it is against the law and the party workers should not do any such thing.

  • Authorities to restore historic mosque near Lotus Lake

    Authorities to restore historic mosque near Lotus Lake

    City managers have decided to restore a historic mosque near Lotus Lake in Shakarparian.

    According to details, the mosque is believed to be over 100 years old. It was a  worship place for villagers of Pairan, who migrated from the area in the 1960s during Islamabad’s development.

    Like Pairan, many villagers from Islamabad moved to Rawalpindi and other parts of the capital after getting compensation from Capital Development Authority (CDA) for their homes and land.

    “During construction of Lotus Lake, when we carried out cleanliness operation and removed bushes etc., we found an abandoned mosque,” said Environment Director Irfan Niazi, adding construction material of the mosque suggested that it was built over 100 years ago. The banyan tree located in the mosque’s courtyard is believed to be 500 years old.

    CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed said that the authority will restore this historical mosque. “I have already directed my team to take steps for restoration of this mosque, which is also our heritage,” he said.

    He further said that the construction of the lake is in its last stage and will soon be a new facility for tourists.

    There was a natural lotus lake in the area which diminished during the construction of a cultural complex between 2004-5. CDA is now constructing the lake at a new place near the Natural History Museum. The new Lotus Lake is 100ft long and 68ft wide.

  • Khokar resigns as Bilawal’s spokesperson

    Khokar resigns as Bilawal’s spokesperson

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar has confirmed his resignation from the position of spokesperson to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari a day ahead of the joint opposition’s power show in Lahore.

    In a statement on Twitter on Saturday, Senator Khokhar responded to the reports that claimed he had quit the PPP, saying that he will remain in the PPP and will stand by Bilawal “through thick and thin”.

    “In my years as his spokesperson, have given counsel with honesty, sincerity and in the best interests of the country and the party,” he added.

    Insiders say the PPP chief’s spokesperson had issues with the party’s stance on mass resignations, resulting in his resignation from the post on Thursday. Subsequently, Senator Khokhar also quit the party’s Whatsapp group, giving birth to speculations about his departure from the party.

    However, PPP media cell was quick to shoot down these reports. In a statement issued on Friday, the media cell said that Khokhar will remain in the PPP and serve as the spokesperson of the chairman. Whereas, Khokhar on the other hand remained silent on the issue till his aforementioned tweet wherein he confirmed his resignation from the post of the spokesperson.

    Dawn had reported that Senator Khokhar was “angry over the PPP’s decision about resignations from the assemblies and party leadership’s back-channel contacts with the military establishment”.

    It further reported that while almost all important PPP leaders are in Lahore ahead of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) plan to hold a rally on Sunday, the PPP senator preferred not to go to Lahore.

  • Teen arrested for vandalising Ranjeet Singh statue at Lahore Fort

    Lahore police have arrested a teenager for vandalising a statue of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, who ruled Punjab in the 19th century, installed in front of the Haveli of Rani Jindan at Lahore Fort.

    Police said that the boy Zaheer — a resident of Harbanspura — was inspired by the speeches of late firebrand cleric Khadim Rizvi. As per the teenager, Ranjeet Singh killed Muslims and converted Badshahi Mosque into a stable, adding that these reasons compelled him to destroy the statue of the Sikh ruler.

    It was learned that Zaheer broke the arm in an attempt to damage the statue. He was caught by the security guards on the spot, who stopped him from further damaging the statue.

    A Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) spokesperson said that a case has been lodged against the suspect at the Tibbi City police station. Strict action will be taken against the accused, it said, adding that the statue would be repaired by the WCLA at earliest.

    The nine-foot-tall statue of Ranjeet Singh, who died in 1839, was unveiled in June 2019 on his 180th death anniversary. The statue, made of cold bronze, depicts the emperor sitting on a horse with a sword in his hand. Popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruled over the Sikh empire in the Punjab region in the early half of the 19th century. 

    After almost decade-long infightings, his empire came to an end in 1848 with the colonisation of Punjab by the East Indian Company.

  • Lahore admin puts 13 more localities under ‘smart lockdown’

    Lahore admin puts 13 more localities under ‘smart lockdown’

    Amid an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the city, the district authorities have decided to impose “smart lockdowns” in 13 more areas of Lahore in a bid to contain the virus.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan reported 71 deaths and 2,700 cases as the infections continue to peak across the country.

    According to a notification issued by the Punjab Primary & Secondary Health Department, smart lockdowns with “controlled entry and exit points” have been imposed in several localities of the provincial capital.

    Due to the lockdown, all types of gatherings, including social and religious ones, will be completely banned. On the other hand, medical services, pharmacies, laboratories, collection points, hospitals, and clinics will remain open 24 hours a day.

    Shops selling essential items, including milk shops, meat shops, and bakeries will remain open from 7 am to 7 pm, as per the notification. The grocery stores, general stores, flour mills, fruits and vegetable shops, and petrol pumps will remain open from 9 am to 7 pm, it added.

    According to the notification, smart lockdowns will be imposed in the following areas of Lahore due to a high number of COVID-19 positive cases.

    Khucha Mission Das, Mian Wacho Wali Street, Rang Mehal; Street No 7, Androon Sheran Wala Gate; Street Adjacent to Fazal Sweets, Mochi Gate; Street Kosha Alam Yar, Androon Bhatti Gate; Main Street H No.100 near Butt Sweets, Chuhan Road, Islamia Park; Street 61, Almadad Pak Colony, Ravi Road; Tufail Street, Kila Lakshman, Ravi Road; St#3, Ravi Road, St#13 Kasur Para, Ravi Road; Main Street, Moh Khokhar Road, Badami Bagh; Street No 6, Data Nagar, Badami Bagh; St No7-A Siddiaqia Colony, Badami Bagh; St No 3, Mohalla Kachi Abadi, Iqbal Park, Badami Bagh.

  • Lahore’s popular Butt Karahi sealed after Maryam compliments their food

    Lahore’s popular Butt Karahi sealed after Maryam compliments their food

    Lahore admin has sealed Butt Karachi, Lakshmi Chowk, for violating coronavirus SOPs after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz ate there along with her party leaders following the conclusion of a rally in the area.

    The police have also registered cases against Maryam, PML-N leaders, and at least 200 other people. Two cases have been registered at the Gawalmandi police station, and one each at the Mozang police station, Ichra police station, and Lohari Gate police station.

    The cases were filed in response to the rally that was taken out by Maryam from Jati Umra to Data Darbar. The aim of this rally to galvanise supporters ahead of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) jalsa in Lahore on Sunday.

    Earlier, a video of Maryam Nawaz eating ‘karahi’ had gone viral on Twitter. As she had her food, a large number of people could be seen in the background trying to get a glimpse of the PML-N leader.

    The video clip was shared on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday. On Twitter, it also got the attention of the PML-N leader, who retweeted it with a caption, “Kamaal karahi thi.”

    Maryam had spent several hours canvassing supporters in Lahore ahead of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday. The PDM leadership said it will take ‘big decisions’ at the jalsa, which probably includes mass resignations. 

  • PM appoints Sheikh Rasheed as interior minister

    In another reshuffle in the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Imran Khan has appointed Sheikh Rasheed as the interior ministry while Brig (r) Ijaz Shah, who had held the portfolio of the interior ministry, has been named as the narcotics minister.

    Senator Azam Swati, whose portfolio has been given to Ijaz Shah, will replace Sheikh Rasheed as the railways minister.

    Meanwhile, Hafeez Sheikh, who was serving as PM’s aide on finance, has been inducted in the cabinet as a federal minister for finance. Sheikh is not a member of parliament, but the PM can appoint “an unelected individual as a minister for six months under Article 91(9) of the Constitution”. He took oath as a federal minister earlier in the day.

    “A Minister who for any period of 6 months is not a member of the National Assembly shall, at the expiration of that period, cease to be a Minister and shall not before the dissolution of that Assembly be again appointed a Minister unless he is elected a member of that Assembly,” reads Article 91(9).

    Earlier, the Islamabad High Court had ruled that a special assistant or PM’s aide cannot head a public body without being an elected member of parliament. After this decision, Sheikh was unable to head the Economic Coordination Council (ECC) meeting.

    This is the fifth time Prime Minister Imran Khan has reshuffled the federal cabinet since assuming office in 2018.

  • Video of Maryam enjoying ‘kamaal karahi’ goes viral

    Video of Maryam enjoying ‘kamaal karahi’ goes viral

    A video of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz eating ‘karahi’ at a Lakshmi Chowk restaurant in Lahore has gone viral on Twitter.

    A large number of people can be seen in the background trying to get a glimpse of the PML-N leader, who is seen enjoying her food along with other party leaders.

    The video clip was shared on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday. On Twitter, it also got the attention of the PML-N leader, who retweeted it with a caption, “Kamaal karahi thi.” 

    Maryam had spent several hours canvassing supporters in Lahore ahead of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday. The PDM leadership said it will take ‘big decisions’ at the jalsa, which probably includes mass resignations. 

    Meanwhile, the prime minister has said that the government will not stop the opposition from organising a jalsa in Lahore, but cases will be registered nonetheless. He said the government never shied away from a national dialogue.

    On Wednesday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf senior leader Shireen Mazari alleged that the PDM, a joint opposition alliance, is receiving foreign funding. The federal minister had claimed that a lot of people who are part of the PDM have received “a lot of foreign funds”. She, however, couldn’t provide any proof.

    “If we get the evidence […] but when we receive hardcore evidence, then it will become the responsibility of the government to take action,” she had.

  • Dawn sacks Lahore resident editor as layoffs continue

    Dawn sacks Lahore resident editor as layoffs continue

    Amid staffers’ protests against its policy of retrenchment and pay cuts, Dawn on Thursday sacked Asha’ar Rehman, the newspaper’s Lahore resident editor.

    His sacking was the first from the editorial department in Lahore, after the managers laid off 24 employees in November, including cleaners and security guards, reported JournalismPakistan.com.

    It said the staff felt uneasy following the editor’s termination and sensed more layoffs in the days ahead.

    Rehman had joined Dawn in February 2007 from The News on Sunday, where he worked as an editor. He was on the launch team of The News. Earlier on in his career, he had stints with the Kuwait Times and the Frontier Post.

    Dawn also laid off several employees at other centers earlier, prompting protests by the workers’ union and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). The paper has also slapped pay cuts.

    The Dawn union held the protest in Karachi on Tuesday. The journalists warned the newspaper management against any further layoffs and cuts in salaries and benefits. They also asked the government to protect journalists’ economic rights.

    Earlier, the employees held a similar protest outside the Dawn Islamabad office.

  • ECP finds ‘serious discrepancies’ in Hammad Azhar’s assets: report

    ECP finds ‘serious discrepancies’ in Hammad Azhar’s assets: report

    The Election Commission of Pakistan is likely to take action against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and federal minister Hammad Azhar over “some serious discrepancies observed during scrutiny of [his declared] assets”.

    The News reported that the minister did not declare his “shares in a flour mill and few other businesses in one of his declarations submitted to the ECP”.

    “After he became MNA in 2018 and later became a member of the cabinet, the assets declared by him and his spouse were different from those he had declared earlier” while filing his nomination paper, the report said, adding that this prompted ECP to launch the scrutiny some two years back.

    “Our [ECP’s] team found an apparent mis-declaration, serious discrepancies and deficiencies in Hammad’s declarations, and he failed to explain his position before the electoral body scrutinising his and his wife’s assets and liabilities,” the report quoted an ECP official.

    Meanwhile, Hammad Azhar has refuted the content of the report and said that it “is compiled without reading my reply to ECP which easily answered all queries in May 2019”.

    He said the reporter ignored his written filed in the election commission in response to the scrutiny.

    About his response in 2019, the ECP official quoted by The News said that it was “unsatisfactory”.