Category: National

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices to multiple government officials and institutions in response to a petition highlighting “inappropriate” video recordings taking place within the premises of Faisal Mosque.

According to the petition, various videos circulating on social media show individuals recording content inside the mosque while wearing what he argued were “inappropriate clothes”, and in some cases, dancing.

The petitioner argued that such acts violate the sanctity and dignity of the mosque and offend the religious sentiments of the public.

The petitioner emphasised that the recording of such content within a place of worship was also a breach of Article 20 of the Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom and the right to practice one’s faith in peace and respect.

Despite submitting written complaints to the mosque administration, the deputy commissioner of Islamabad, and the chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), no action was taken to address the issue, the petitioner claimed.

During the hearing on Monday, the judge asked whom the court should direct for action in this matter.

The petitioner’s lawyer responded that several parties, including those in charge of Faisal Mosque, had been named in the petition.

In response, the IHC issued formal notices to all relevant parties and asked them to submit their replies.

The Lifestyle Monitoring Cell of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has flagged over 20 individuals believed to be hiding their income and assets despite exhibiting a luxurious lifestyle.

These cases involve taxpayers who possess multimillion-rupee real estate, high-end vehicles, and frequently travel abroad, yet declare very low incomes in their tax returns.

Official statistics reveal that three prominent cases have been brought to light so far. One case centers on a digital content creator and travel vlogger whose public social media updates displayed extensive international travel from 2020 to 2025. 

The FBR uncovered through his online posts that he visited numerous countries including Seychelles, the UAE, the Philippines, Spain, the Netherlands, Türkiye, the UK, the Maldives, Georgia, Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

While the costs related to these travels are significant, the individual reported an annual income averaging less than Rs0.8 million.

His 2020 tax return indicated earnings of Rs490,800, expenses of Rs390,000, and net assets amounting to Rs1,090,800. In 2021, he reported an income of Rs541,880 and expenses of Rs385,000. For 2022, his declared income was Rs564,040 with expenses at Rs396,000. In 2023, he reported an income of Rs784,600 and expenses of Rs480,000, with net assets of Rs1,672,320. The income reported for 2024 was Rs816,800, while expenses tallied to Rs504,000 and assets totaled Rs1,929,120. These figures do not align with the scale of his travel and lifestyle, suggesting hidden income.

In a separate case, the FBR discovered undeclared assets totaling Rs180.5 million owned by an individual linked to a political family in South Punjab.

 Public records indicated that he possessed and used four luxury vehicles not documented in either his or his father’s tax filings. These included a Lexus LX 570 valued at Rs80 million, a Toyota Fortuner Legender worth Rs15 million, a Suzuki Hayabusa superbike priced at Rs5.5 million, and a BMW i7 electric car valued at Rs80 million. However, his tax returns only mentioned two motorcycles: a BMW M1000 RR, valued at Rs14.2 million, and a BMW R1250GS worth Rs9.8 million, summing to a declared value of Rs31.28 million. In the subsequent year, only one motorcycle continued to be declared.

A third instance involved a taxpayer from southern Punjab owning 19 vehicles, which included sports cars, SUVs, motorcycles, and off-road trucks, collectively appraised at Rs624 million. 

The identified vehicles comprised a Chevrolet Corvette C8 worth Rs80 million, a Yamaha Raptor 700R ATV valued at Rs6.5 million, a Harley Davidson Pan America motorcycle priced at Rs15 million, and a Chevrolet Silverado worth Rs40 million. Other vehicles included two Toyota Hilux Revo double cabins valued at Rs40 million, a Toyota FJ Cruiser priced at Rs15 million, a Ford F-150 Raptor at Rs70 million, along with numerous variants of Land Cruisers ranging from Rs4 million to Rs90 million. Additionally, the taxpayer owned a Range Rover appraised at Rs80 million, an Audi Q7 valued at Rs30 million, a Toyota 4Runner worth Rs60 million, a Toyota Tundra priced at Rs25 million, among several other models. None of these vehicles were reported in the taxpayer’s income declarations.

The FBR’s investigations revealed a substantial discrepancy between reported wealth and visible assets, indicating substantial tax evasion.

Inconsistencies between reported income and expenditures have been confirmed, and formal inquiries have commenced against all identified individuals. Officials mentioned that the identities of these taxpayers cannot be disclosed due to confidentiality regulations concerning income tax. 

The Lifestyle Monitoring Cell functions under the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (Inland Revenue) and was created to identify individuals who openly exhibit luxurious lifestyles while reporting minimal or no taxable income. 

By utilizing social media and other public data sources, the cell observes these inconsistencies and sends intelligence reports to the appropriate Regional Tax Offices for legal measures and recovery actions. Officials have stated that all 20 cases are currently being investigated, and additional action will be taken once the inquiries are concluded.

Local authorities in Karachi, in collaboration with city police, have demolished more than 1,000 houses vacated by Afghans at the United Nations-designated Afghan Camp in Sohrab Goth over the past five days, officials confirmed on Sunday.

According to SSP-West Tariq Illahi Mastoi, the operation began on October 15, and so far around 1,200 out of more than 3,000 houses have been torn down.

 He said that over 14,000 Afghan nationals had already departed the camp before the demolition drive started.

SSP-West Tariq Illahi Mastoi reports that since the operation started on October 15, almost 1,200 of the more than 3,000 houses had been demolished. Before the demolition effort began, he said, more than 14,000 Afghan nationals had already left the camp.

The clearance operation commenced on Sunday and should be finished in the coming days, he added. Law enforcement officers faced some opposition from a suspected land mafia on the first day, but since then, operations have moved forward without any problems.

SSP Mastoi explained that the operation was being carried out in line with the federal government’s policy after concerns emerged that certain groups were attempting to seize the land illegally, potentially disturbing public order.

The land in question is owned by the Malir Development Authority.

About 15,680 Afghans had previously lived at the camp, according to officials. Of these, 1,384 are being transported back in stages, while 14,296 have made it back to Afghanistan.

The operation followed a letter from West-Zone DIG Irfan Ali Baloch to the Additional IGP Karachi and other authorities, warning of attempts by the land mafia to occupy the vacated area.

The DIG also recommended forming a special committee comprising representatives from the city administration, police, and other relevant departments to safeguard the government-owned land from encroachment.

The Afghan Camp was once considered the largest settlement for displaced persons, with an estimated 30,000 residents at its peak.

Lahore was ranked as the world’s most polluted major city on Monday morning as dipping temperatures worsened air quality to “very unhealthy” levels, fata from IQAir has shown. 

The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI⁺) was 297 at around 8 a.m., and PM2.5 levels were 222.5 micrograms per cubic meter, which is almost 44.5 times higher than the WHO’s recommended annual limit. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory diseases are especially at risk from fine particulate matter, which is tiny enough to reach the bloodstream.

Mumbai (182) and New Delhi (287) were also in the top three on the worldwide pollution table. Three Indian cities were in the top five, while other cities in the top 10 were Kolkata (158), Tashkent (158), Jakarta (154), Dhaka (152), and Dubai (152).

The average AQI in Lahore on Sunday was 160, which is considered “unhealthy.” The most common pollutant, according to IQAir, was PM2.5, which was 13.7 times higher than the WHO guideline value.

 The Lahore Development Authority and Metropolitan Corporation Lahore, among other civic organizations, failed to enforce effective anti-smog measures amid continuous development and construction activities, according to environmental experts, which is why PM2.5 levels remained high.

They called on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to immediately halt major construction and infrastructure projects in Lahore and other cities, warning that without urgent steps, “the situation will continue to worsen.”

Meanwhile, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said nine provincial departments had launched a “grand operation” to tackle smog. She claimed that coordinated government efforts and public cooperation had helped bring AQI levels “under control.” 

According to Aurangzeb, environmental protection teams were
working in the field, drones were monitoring brick kilns, and daily reports were being released.

 She added that smog guns and air quality monitors had been deployed, and for the first time, a unified government strategy was being implemented to manage pollution levels in line with forecasts.

She further said a modern meteorological data centre was identifying high-pollution areas in advance, allowing targeted action in “smog hotspots.” Construction material was being covered, traffic police were restricting heavy vehicles during the day, and multiple agencies including WASA Lahore, LDA, PHA, C&W, and the Agriculture Department  had begun enforcement operations and a crackdown on crop residue burning across Punjab.

Lahore’s air quality has been steadily declining every winter in the period between October and February, making it one of the most polluted cities in the world. Burning crop residue, sluggish weather, and emissions from automobiles, factories, brick kilns, and construction projects are all contributing factors to this seasonal surge. 

Air quality has also gotten worse as a result of trees being cut down for new infrastructure projects.

Temperature inversion is a climatic phenomena that intensifies smog during the winter by trapping pollutants close to the ground.

Lahore’s AQI peaked at a dangerous 1,110 on November 14 of last year, according to IQAir, with PM2.5 levels hitting 632 micrograms per cubic meter. The alarming figures led the provincial government to declare a health emergency, close schools, shift university classes online, and impose a construction ban to ease the crisis.

Experts have warned that this year’s PM2.5 concentrations have already surpassed hazardous levels, marking some of the city’s worst readings in five years.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended warm greetings to the Hindu community in Pakistan and around the world on the occasion of Diwali.

Sharing his message on X, the prime minister said, “On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I extend my heartfelt greetings to our Hindu community in Pakistan and around the world.”

He added, “As homes and hearts are illuminated with the light of Diwali, may this festival dispel darkness, foster harmony, and guide us all toward a future of peace, compassion, and shared prosperity.”

Highlighting the festival’s deeper meaning, Shehbaz Sharif said, “The spirit of Diwali that embodies light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair inspires our collective resolve to overcome the challenges confronting our societies, from intolerance to inequality.”

The prime minister urged unity among all citizens, saying, “Let us work together to ensure that every citizen, regardless of faith or background, can live in peace and contribute to progress.”

He concluded his message with warm wishes, saying, “Happy Diwali .”

Amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has warned the Taliban regime against its inaction over terrorist proxies using Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan.

Addressing a passing-out parade at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul in Abbottabad, the army chief urged the people of Afghanistan to choose “mutual peace and security over violence”, saying the country should act decisively against militant proxies operating from its soil for terrorist activities in Pakistan.

Celebrating the country’s decisive victory over India during May’s clashes, the army chief said that Pakistan once again stood victorious, further strengthening public confidence in the competence and capabilities of Pakistan’s armed forces.

He said that the armed forces had neutralised all threats with remarkable professionalism and Pakistan had demonstrated its readiness and will to defend the nation by downing advanced aircraft like Rafales, targeting multiple bases such as S-400.

All of it, the COAS added, showcased the country’s multidomain warfare capabilities.

“Pakistan gained deep respect and admiration from the people of Pakistan and the international community because of the legitimacy and clear victory against a numerically superior adversary. Internally, it has further unified the nation and strengthened its resolve to defend against any threat, whether external or internal. It has reinforced the confidence, particularly among the youth, that the armed forces of Pakistan are an essential element of national power and are trusted with the responsibility to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state,” he said.

The army chief further said that there was no room for war in a nuclearised environment.

“I advise and firmly caution the Indian military leadership that there is no space for war in a nuclearised environment,” he said.

Field Marshal Munir also reiterated the Pakistani leadership’s resolve to reduce every state proxy of our neighbour to dust. “We shall never bow against a handful of misguided terrorists having a purported interpretation of Islam.”

The army chief’s statements come a day after the extension of a temporary truce between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following days of fierce fighting that left dozens dead and hundreds wounded. The confrontation began as the Afghan foreign minister was on an official visit to India, releasing questionable joint statements over which the Pakistani Foreign Office expressed “strong reservations”.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has denied reports claiming that the country will experience one of its coldest winter this year, saying there is no scientific evidence to support such predictions.

The Met Office said Pakistan is likely to experience mild winter conditions with less-than-normal rainfall in the coming months. It stated, “The country can expect some winter waves with minor intensity due to western winds, but there are no chances of an intensely cold winter. This year, Pakistan is expected to see below-normal rainfall between December and February.”

The clarification came after the Intersector Coordination Group (ISCG) suggested that Pakistan could face one of its coldest winters in decades due to the La Niña climate pattern. The PMD disagreed with the assessment, saying that no scientific facts supported such an extreme forecast.

A situation report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) warned that the La Niña pattern could bring colder-than-usual temperatures to several parts of Pakistan. The report said this may put additional pressure on flood-affected communities, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The report explained that La Niña occurs when sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean drop abnormally, disrupting global weather systems and causing major temperature shifts.

According to UN-OCHA’s October forecast, slightly negative phases of both the El Niño Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole are expected to influence Pakistan’s rainfall pattern. It said northern regions such as Punjab, KP, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan may receive below-normal rainfall, while southern regions including Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab are expected to get near-normal precipitation.

The report also warned of possible effects such as disruptions to Kharif crop harvesting, increased risk of dengue due to stagnant water, potential glacial lake outburst floods in upper areas, reduced river inflows affecting irrigation, higher smog levels in plains, and negative impacts on livestock health due to above-normal temperatures.

US President Donald Trump has said that resolving the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan would be “very easy” for him.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, “I like stopping wars. I am fully aware of the recent border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and if I want, I can end this war immediately.”

During the conversation, Trump also mentioned the ceasefire between Pakistan and India again, saying, “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told me that I saved millions of lives by ending the Pakistan-India war.”

In recent days, cross-border attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan have continued, prompting the Pakistani military to target militant hideouts across the border. Dozens of militants were reportedly killed in the strikes.

Both countries had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire, which has now been extended. 

Reports said that the temporary truce between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government has been extended until the conclusion of ongoing talks in Doha. 

High-level discussions are expected to begin on Saturday.