Current Final

Category: National

  • First picture of Mir Shakilur Rehman in jail emerges

    First picture of Mir Shakilur Rehman in jail emerges

    The first picture of media mogul and philanthropist Mir Shakilur Rehman in jail emerged on Friday — a day after the National Accountability Bureau arrested him from Lahore in a case pertaining to the purchase of a 54-kanal piece of land.

    The picture showed the Jang/Geo Group owner behind bars at what appeared to be the Lahore office of the anti-graft watchdog.

    Rehman had on Thursday appeared before NAB for the second time to answer the bureau’s questions about the land in question. He was subsequently arrested after failing to satisfy officials with his answer.

    According to NAB, former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif had illegally leased the land to Rehman in 1986.

    NAB will produce Rehman in front of an accountability court today for his physical remand.

    According to the notice issued on February 28, Rehman had been called to appear before NAB on March 5 to record his statement regarding the land allotted to him in 1986 in Block H, Johar Town Phase 2 “by then Punjab chief minister (CM) Mian Nawaz Sharif in violation of the relevant laws and rules”.

    According to an official statement issued by the Jang Group, the property “was bought from a private party 34 years ago and all evidence of this was given to NAB”.

    The statement maintained that today’s appearance was for the verification of the complaint, yet Rehman was arrested. It also accused the anti-graft watchdog of harbouring a vendetta against the publication.

    “During the past 18 months, NAB has sent our reporters, producers, and editors […] over a dozen notices threatening to shut down our channels […] due to our reporting, and programmes about the anti-corrupton watchdog.”

    “NAB has also, through several means, tried to persuade us to go slow, to stop stories and to do others in its favor at the expense of the full truth.

    “We will not stop any reporter, producer or anchor from any story that is on merit, and at the same time will include NAB’s version,” the statement read, adding that the bureau has denied all the allegations and claimed they are independently pursuing all cases.

    On March 5, The News had reported that Rehman had appeared before the anti-corruption watchdog and had informed the bureau that he had purchased the land from a private owner and that he possessed evidence of the same.

    Rehman had said that he was hopeful that the watchdog and the courts would decide the case fairly.

    Speaking to the media outside, he had said that similar accusations had been levelled against him in the past as well but had been proven to be false.

  • Punjab Governor House to open doors for weddings, commercial events

    Punjab Governor House to open doors for weddings, commercial events

    After allowing the general public to visit his official residence on recreational tours earlier, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has announced that the Governor House in Lahore will soon open its doors for weddings and commercial events.

    Addressing a news conference at the Governor’s House on Wednesday, Sarwar announced that the lawn of the building was available for corporate events at Rs1 million per function while any kind of function could be hosted for Rs500,000 in Darbar Hall. Wedding shoots can be arranged for Rs50,000 and commercial photo-shoots against Rs1 million, while guided tours of the Governor’s House will be organised for groups of 10 persons on Saturdays and Sundays.

    “We believe the business plan will help the Governor’s House to reduce its burden on the public kitty. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has made this business plan as its promise and all earnings of these functions will be directly deposited in the government of Pakistan’s account,” The Express Tribune quoted Sarwar as saying.

    “The estate will be rented out for commercial events only and no political party will be allowed to host its function at the Governor’s House,” he said and indicated that all events would be booked on the official website of the Governor’s House.

    “When someone will send his request to book an event at the website, the Governor’s House staff will contact the person to finalise arrangements. All the payments will be made through bank account and no Governor’s House employee will be authorised to receive payments in cash from the person or company holding the event,” he elaborated while highlighting the procedure for booking.

    The Governor’s House website shows that name, CNIC, passport number, nationality, mobile phone number and address is required for booking of events. Events can be booked for two slots from 10 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm for seven days a week. Event booking will be granted subject to approval. Prior approval is required for payment and confirmation will be made accordingly while two functions can be booked for the same date and time.

    As per booking terms mentioned on the website, the applicant has to provide a complete list of participants, staff and workers. Administration of Governor’s House will not be responsible for arrangements or installation of any temporary facility.

    A glimpse of Governor House:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMGjcWmB-gM&t=321s
  • ‘Oh my God!’: Maryam reacts to Mir Shakilur Rehman’s arrest during media talk

    ‘Oh my God!’: Maryam reacts to Mir Shakilur Rehman’s arrest during media talk

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, who on Thursday made her maiden media appearance since being released in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case in November 2019, was in a viral video seen expressing her shock upon hearing the news of media mogul Mir Shakilur Rehman’s arrest.

    Rehman, earlier in the day, was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore in a case pertaining to the purchase of a 54-kanal land. He is accused of leasing the said land from former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif in Lahore in 1986, which he was not eligible for.

    “Oh my God!” Maryam was seen exclaiming during the media talk as a reporter informed her of Jang/Geo Group owner’s arrest by NAB.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    The anti-graft watchdog will produce Rehman in front of an accountability court on Friday for his physical remand, NAB spokesperson Nawazish Ali has said.

    Earlier, daughter of former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif said she could not be threatened or intimidated in backing off from her narrative.

    “I remained silent due to some personal reasons and my resolve against this [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] government has further strengthened and I cannot be threatened,” she said while speaking to journalists in Islamabad, flanked by senior party leaders including PML-N senior vice president Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

    Maryam’s four-month silence had intensified the speculation that it was part of a “deal” that the main opposition party had reached with the “power that be”. Subsequently, her father was also allowed to travel to London for the treatment under the same understanding.

    “I was silent and there could be too many reasons,” she told reporters. “But will you show me if I speak today,” she asked.

    The PML-N leader said that media was under restrictions and there was a ban on her appearance. “Media is in chains and I have sympathy for you,” she said, adding that she was bound to follow the party discipline. “However, I will play my role in politics whenever my party asks me to do so.”

  • Suhail Warraich says PM Imran has ‘invited wrath of God’ by arresting Jang/Geo owner

    Suhail Warraich says PM Imran has ‘invited wrath of God’ by arresting Jang/Geo owner

    Moments after Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), a senior journalist affiliated with the media house, Suhail Warraich, has called out Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for “crossing all limits and inviting the wrath of God”.

    “Imran Khan [has] crossed all limits by arresting MSR [Mir Shakilur Rehman] thus inviting wrath of God Almighty,” Warraich said in a tweet.

    Earlier in the day, media mogul, philanthropist and Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman was arrested by NAB Lahore in what sources said was a case pertaining to the purchase of a 54-kanal land.

    Rehman is accused of leasing the said land from former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif in Lahore in 1986, which he was not eligible for.

    The anti-graft watchdog will produce Rehman in front of an accountability court on Friday for his physical remand, NAB spokesperson Nawazish Ali has said.

  • NAB arrests Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman

    NAB arrests Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman

    Pakistani media mogul, philanthropist and Jang/Geo Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman on Thursday was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore in what sources said was a case pertaining to the purchase of a 54-kanal land.

    Rehman is accused of leasing the said land from former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif in Lahore in 1986, which he was not eligible for.

    The anti-graft watchdog will produce Rehman in front of an accountability court on Friday for his physical remand, NAB spokesperson Nawazish Ali has said.

    The arrest comes a week after the Jang Group of Newspapers editor-in-chief appeared before NAB Lahore and informed anti-graft officials that he had purchased the 54 kanals from a private owner and possessed evidence of the same.

    He also asked the anti-graft watchdog to let him know in writing the information they required of him.

    “The NAB has honest officers as well,” Rehman had said while speaking to journalists outside the NAB office. The media mogul had added he was hopeful that the watchdog and the courts would decide the case fairly.

    In response to a question, he had said everyone was fully aware of the curbs on Pakistani media, and noted that similar accusations were levelled against him in the past as well but were proven to be false.

  • Prime Minister Imran Khan breaks silence on Aurat March

    Days after it was held, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has broken silence on Aurat March 2020, saying that a “culture clash” was developing in the country due to different education systems and it was most visible in the mixed reactions drawn by women marching on International Women’s Day to demand basic rights.

    “We will, hopefully by next year, introduce a core syllabus for all schools that will be mandatory for students apart from the additional subjects each institution chooses to teach,” the premier said in a speech marking the groundbreaking ceremony of housing projects for low-income people.

    “This is how you create a nation. This is how you end rival cultures from developing,” he said. “The Aurat March that just happened… a different culture was visible in it… this is a cultural issue and this comes from the schooling system,” he added.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    https://twitter.com/mmnewsdottv/status/1237783284723179522

    PM Imran said that by adopting a uniform education system, Pakistan could bring an end to the societal divide that is perpetuated by different educational standards.

    In various cities across Pakistan, the Aurat March was held on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day. The marches were attended by women, children, men, transgender people and others.

    The first Aurat March was held in 2018 in Karachi. Last year, it was extended to more cities, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Larkana and Hyderabad. The Aurat March, as it has come to be known since its first iteration, was organised by Hum Aurtain — a feminist collective.

    It has a manifesto demanding basic rights for women in each field of life.

    Many people object to placards and demands of women marchers, saying that they are “un-Islamic” and “unconstitutional”.

  • Pashtun singer spotted shooting TikTok video at KP CM’s official residence

    Pashtun singer spotted shooting TikTok video at KP CM’s official residence

    Months after heated debates regarding TikTok star Hareem Shah’s connections within the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) made headlines, a viral video has shown renowned Pashtun singer Sofia Kaif walking around what reports claim is the official residence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Mahmood Khan.

    According to reports, Sofia, who was present at the CM House in Peshawar for a ceremony held in one of its lawns, went inside to record the TikTok video shot in a hall of the provincial chief executive’s residence. In the video, the staff of the CM House can also be seen facilitating her.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    This is not the first time a TikTok video has shown an internet celebrity walking around an official building.

    Before Sofia, who had reportedly been invited as a singer to the ceremony at the CM House, Hareem Shah, who had become an internet sensation after her viral videos with influential political leaders took the country by storm, had also been spotted walking around the Foreign Ministry’s office in a TikTok video.

    An investigation had been launched into Hareem’s video, following which multiple controversies involving senior political figures had allegedly forced her to leave the country.

  • WEF names Minister Hammad Azhar as one of ‘most promising young leaders’ in world

    In recognition of his services in the field of politics, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has named Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar as one of its ‘Young Global Leaders’ from South Asia.

    According to the details, WEF included Azhar’s name in the list of the world’s “most promising leaders under the age of 40” for the year 2020.

    He has been selected for being Pakistan’s youngest state minister and for his services in the field of politics.

    Last year in July, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, following his successful visit to the United States (US), had become the 8th most popular leader of the world on Twitter.

    The number of his Twitter followers had increased to over 10 million that had landed the premier on number 8 in the ranking of world’s most famous leaders over the social network.

    Get to know Hammad Azhar better:

  • China, Russia, Italy make Pakistan 11th largest arms importer in world

    Pakistan is the 11th largest arms importer in the world, a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) — an institute that tracks arms deals around the world — has revealed.

    As per the figures released by SIPRI, China, Russia and Italy are the main suppliers of arms to Pakistan, with Beijing accounting for 73% of the total imports during 2015-2019, and Moscow as well as Rome accounting for 6.6% and 6.1%, respectively.

    The actual share of Pakistani imports in the world has, however, decreased by 39% during the said period, the report revealed. The overall decrease in Pakistan’s arms imports over the latest five-year period was linked to the United States’ (US) decision to stop military aid to the country.

    The institute further noted that Pakistan was among the top three buyers of arms from top weapons exporters like Italy and Turkey. Pakistan had a 7.5% share in arms imports from Italy between 2015-2019, and 12% share in Turkish arms over the same period.

    SIPRI also identified a significant drop in arms sales to South Asia by the US, which was listed as the largest arms exporter in the world between 2015-2019. The institute noted that US arms imports to Pakistan declined by 92%, and to India by 51% over this period. The US, which had accounted for 30% of Pakistan’s arms imports in 2010–14, was responsible for only 4.1% in 2015–19.

    Meanwhile, Islamabad was identified as the largest buyer of Chinese arms between 2015-2019, accounting for 35% of the arms exported by Beijing — the fifth largest exporter of weapons in the world in the five-year period.

    According to SIPRI, China accounted for 51% of Pakistan’s arms imports in 2010–14 and for 73% in 2015–19. SIPRI also noted that Pakistan continued to import arms from Europe, strengthening relations with Turkey with orders for 30 combat helicopters and four frigates in 2018.

    India, on the other hand, has retained its position as the second-largest arms importer in the world followed by Saudi Arabia that now imports 12% of its arms (2015-19) as against 5.6% in 2010-14 — a jump of 130%, the report said.

  • PTM lawmakers travel to Kabul on Afghan army helicopter

    PTM lawmakers travel to Kabul on Afghan army helicopter

    Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) lawmakers Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir on Monday got a free ride on an Afghan National Army helicopter from the Pak-Afghan border crossing to Kabul to attend the oath-taking ceremony of President Ashraf Ghani, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

    Mohsin Dawar thanked Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for delaying his oath, because of the two Pakistani legislators who were barred by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from flying to Kabul for being on the Exit Control List (ECL).

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Sunday gave one-time permission to the two Pashtun legislators to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Afghan President Ghani.

    Mohsin Dawar, in his tweet after reaching Kabul, said, “Wanted to express my gratitude to President @ashrafghani for delaying his oath-taking for the arrival of @Aliwazirna50 and myself.”

    The Afghan government specially dispatched a military helicopter to rush the two parliamentarians to the ceremony from Torkham.

    Mohsin Dawar, in another Twitter post, from Kabul said, “Overwhelmed by the welcome we have received here. Wishing a peaceful future for Afghanistan and the region.”

    Dawar also shared some pictures showing them travelling in an Afghan army helicopter.

    According to Afghan media, before reaching Kabul, the PTM leaders also briefly visited some officials in eastern Nangarhar province.