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  • Imran vs govt? FIR registered against student marchers despite PM expressing support

    Imran vs govt? FIR registered against student marchers despite PM expressing support

    A sedition case has been registered against organisers and participants of the recently held Students’ Solidarity March despite Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan expressing his government’s willingness to allow the restoration of student unions subject to the establishment of a “comprehensive and enforceable code of conduct”.

    “Universities groom future leaders of the country and student unions form an integral part of this grooming,” the premier tweeted Sunday.

    Referring to the student unions of the past, PM Imran said that they had become “violent battlegrounds and completely destroyed the intellectual atmosphere on campuses”.

    He, however, clarified that unions will be “restored and enabled to play their part” in grooming the future leaders of the country. The premier said that a “comprehensive and enforceable conduct” based on the “best practices in internationally renowned universities” will be developed so that their restoration can be made possible.

    The tweets came a while after reports claimed that a sedition case had been registered against participants of Friday’s march.

    According to reports, Lahore’s Civil Lines police, on behalf of the state, registered the case on sedition charges against Ammar Ali Jan, Farooq Tariq, Iqbal Lala (father of Mashal Khan, who was lynched over allegation of blasphemy in Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan), Alamgir Wazir (nephew of MNA and Pashtun Tahafuz Movement leader Ali Wazir), Mohammad Shabbir and Kamil Khan, besides 250-300 unidentified participants.

    The action flew in the face of the recent statements by several ministers and government representatives, including the premier, who supported the students.

    On Friday, the students had taken to the streets in 50 cities of the country to voice their demands, including the restoration of student unions.

    According to the FIR, complainant Sub-Inspector Mohammad Nawaz said he was on patrol when he received information that a rally of 250-300 people led by Ammar Ali Jan, Farooq Tariq, Iqbal Lala, Alamgir Wazir, Mohammad Shabbir and Kamil Khan was being taken out. He said he reached Faisal Chowk on The Mall where the protesters were forcibly blocking the road to set up a stage to deliver speeches.

    “The speakers incited the students against the state and its institutions and speeches and slogans were recorded on mobile phones and can also be checked through PPIC3 cameras,” he claimed.

    Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Zulfiqar Hameed told Dawn that one of the suspects, Alamgir Wazir, was arrested two days ago in the case. He said the case was registered on behalf of the state because the students were delivering provocative speeches and chanting slogans against the state and its institutions. He said police would arrest the other people involved in the case as well.

  • Maiden trial of India’s ‘nuclear-capable’ missile ends in failure

    Maiden trial of India’s ‘nuclear-capable’ missile ends in failure

    The maiden night trial of India’s “nuclear-capable” Agni-III missile ended in failure on Saturday after it crashed into the sea in Odisha, according to a report published by Indian news outlet New Indian Express.

    According to the details, the missile deviated from its flight path and the mission team had to terminate it.

    “Starting from the launch to the first phase separation, everything was smooth in accordance with the mission plan but suddenly it started behaving abnormally” the publication quoted sources as saying.

    “It could possibly be due to metallurgical defects,” it added.

    The missile, which could carry both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes, had already been inducted in the inventory back in 2011.

    Two other variants of the missile, Agni-I and Agni-II, have failed during both development and user trials in the past. Agni-II had failed to deliver desired result during its first night trial in 2009.

  • How much did the ‘Azadi March’ cost the government?

    How much did the ‘Azadi March’ cost the government?

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s ‘Azadi March’ which took place from October 31 to November 13 cost the government over Rs240 million, Rs248 million to be exact.

    According to a report in Dawn, this amount is payable to contractors/vendors whose services were hired for security and other arrangements which included lodging, meal and transportation of police called from other districts.

    As many as 5,000 from the capital police along with 3,000 Frontier Constabulary, 1,500 Punjab Constabulary, 2,000 from KP police and 500 from Kashmir and railway police were deployed in Islamabad during the sit-in. 550 containers were also arranged to block roads as a part of security measures and 105 vehicles, including 88 buses, were used to transport the security personnel.

    The rent of a 40-foot container was Rs20,000 a day and Rs14,000 for a 20-foot container. On the other hand, the rent of a bus was Rs25,000 per day and Rs15,000 of a wagon/truck. The fuel for these vehicles cost the police Rs 20 million.

    The capital police also purchased anti-riot gears to deal with confrontations, though none took place in the 13-day sit-in.

    Other expenses included the rent of nine buildings hired for the force requisitioned from other provinces.

    Meanwhile, Rs695.6 million were spent during PTI and PAT’s dharna in 2014.

  • Darul Aman superintendent says orphan girls being ‘misused’ by minister, govt officials

    Darul Aman superintendent says orphan girls being ‘misused’ by minister, govt officials

    Darul Aman’s Lahore superintendent has alleged that orphan girls living in the shelter homes are being “misused” to fulfill the demands of ministers and government officials.

    In a video doing rounds on Twitter, the superintendent has stated that orphan girls are being misused under the guise of giving them shelter and food.

    In another video, she has claimed that she was being pressurised by Social Welfare Director General (DG) Afshan Kiran Imtiaz to marry underage girls to fulfil demands of some higher government officials and a provincial minister.

    She added that Chief Minister’s Inspection Team was consistently pressurising her to take back her statement, and her refusal to do so had resulted in the budgetary allocations to her department being held back.

    In a recent video, the same official can be seen saying that she is facing arrest for exposing the happenings in the shelter homes as police had broken the door of Darul Aman’s Lahore office.

    In a reference to authorities and those involved, she said that they were trying to wipe out evidence and requested people to spread her message.

    She added that she did not know what was to happen to her and where she would be taken now.

    Another video — tweeted by the same handle sharing the Darul Aman official’s videos — showed police barging in through the doors, with the claim that it was being done to teach an unforgettable lesson to the official for exposing Punjab CM Usman Buzdar’s cabinet members allegedly raping orphans.

  • Law ministry refuses to share details of lawyers, fee paid for Musharraf trial

    The law ministry has rejected an application seeking details of the legal team hired to prosecute former army ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on treason charges, and the fees paid to them by saying that its a classified matter, thus can’t be held answerable by common citizens Geo News reported.

    According to the details, Mukhtar Ahmed Ali, the applicant, had sought the details under the Right of Access to Information Act 2017, commonly known as RTI law. Mukhtar wanted to know how judiciously the money contributed by public through their taxes is being used by the ministry.

    Mukhtar Ali said, the ministry declared him ineligible to post such inquiries. The ministry in its reply referred to a Cabinet Division notification’s issued in 1993, but it did not explain or share the contents of the notification. The reply also stated that the ministry has claimed exemption by saying it has been declared “classified, therefore, your request is hereby declined on this aspect”.

    Ali had earlier sought answers to four questions, asking for the list of the members of the prosecution team, and relevant law firms engaged for Pervaiz Musharraf’s trial under Article 6 of the Constitution and the fees paid to them.

    He further sought details of out-of-pocket expenses (e.g. travel, lodging, meal) reimbursed to them and asked for the fee break-up paid to each member of the legal team.

    After the ministry’s refusal, Mukhtar has approached Pakistan Information Commission (PIC), an appellant body set up under the RTI law for dealing with the complaints lodged by the applicants against the government.

    In a rejoinder sent to the law ministry, Mukhtar said his application has been rejected without being given due consideration as the authorities “has not even bothered to consider Article 19A and the (Right of Access to Information) Act in the course of deciding my application.”

  • ‘Army chief is our nation’s father,’ says Shehryar Afridi

    Minister for Narcotics Control Shehryar Khan Afridi has said that army chief is considered as nation’s both mother and father.

    While talking during a talk show on ARY News channel the minister said that in tough situations a nation always takes bold steps to maintain peace in the region.

    Replying to a question about why Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) government thinks that a single man can avert tough situations in the country, Shehryar said, “Every house has a father and a mother and both have their own roles, at this stage when the country is in critical situation and facing threats from all sides, all nations has to take bold steps”.

    To this journalist Waseem Badami said that “this seems like an inappropritate example, as you cannot change your father after three or six years”.

    To this the minister said that “the head of state and the head of institution [Army Chief] can be considered as both, a father and a mother”.

    Watch Video:

    Army Chief extension case

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday allowed the federal government to grant a six-month extension to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    In its short order, the SC directed the government to bring necessary legislation within six months’ time.

    The order, read out by Chief Justice (CJ) Asif Saeed Khosa, ordered the parliament to introduce legislation for appointment of Gen Bajwa under Article 243.

    The order stated regarding the Article 243: “Article 243 of the Constitution clearly mandates that the Federal Government shall have control and command of the Armed Forces and the supreme command of the Armed Forces shall vest in the President.”

    CJ Khosa remarked that the court is observing judicial restraint and leaving the matter to the parliament, adding that “We have reviewed several laws including Army Act 1952 and Rule 1954”.

    The court had earlier reserved its verdict in this high-profile case and directed the federal government to furnish a fresh summary of the army chief’s extension of services.

  • Support pours in against ‘undemocratic’ rules as students take to roads across country

    Support pours in against ‘undemocratic’ rules as students take to roads across country

    Ministers, leaders of opposition parties, journalists as well as rights activists have voiced their support for marchers as students across the country take to roads for 2019 edition of the Students’ Solidarity March and press the authorities for better educational facilities.

    The marchers insist that the government must ensure the following:

    • Lift the ban and hold elections for student unions
    • Abandon privatisation of educational institutes and reverse the recent decision of school and college fee hike
    • The state should pledge free education for all
    • No more budget cuts for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) or sacking of educational staff
    • At least five per cent of the GDP should be allocated for education
    • Abolish the semester system
    • Lift the ban on students from participating in political activities
    • End the intervention of security forces in educational institutions and release all students held captive in the name of national security
    • Establish committees to investigate incidents of sexual harassment and ensure women are made a part of the setup
    • All universities should have a library, hostel and provide transport and an internet connection
    • Modernise education systems according to the modern scientific requirements
    • Set up schools and colleges in lesser developed areas and increase the quota of students coming from outside main cities
    • Establish research centres for a transition from fossil fuel energy to renewable energy in public sector universities
    • Announce April 13 as a national holiday to honour Mashal Khan

    The march on Friday was held in over 50 cities across Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Gilgit, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and interior Sindh.

    Students, labourers, lawyers and rights union members all joined in as thoroughfares flooded with marchers holding banners, placards and red flags. Solidarity was also expressed with members of New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) as protests against fee hike continues across the border.

    In a tweet, the Progressive Students’ Collective (PSC) shared the final locations for the march.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also lent his support to the marchers.

    “The PPP has always supported student unions. The restoration of student unions by SMBB [late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto] was purposely undone to depoliticise society,” he tweeted.

    “Today students are marching in the #StudentSolidarityMarch for the restoration of unions, implementation of right to education, end to privatisation of public universities, implementation of sexual harassment legislation, right to student housing & the demilitarisation of campuses. The spirit of activism and yearning for a peaceful democratic process from a new generation of students is truly inspiring [sic].”

    Earlier in the day, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary also came out in support of the restoration of student unions and termed the ban “undemocratic”.

    Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari wrote:

    Among others who expressed support for student marchers were politicians including PPP’s Farhatullah Babar, former Awami National Party (ANP) parliamentarian Bushra Gohar and journalists, including Mazhar Abbas.

    Earlier, the PSC and other organisations from all over Pakistan had formed the committee (SAC) at a national level to demand the revival of student unions and other issues. Representatives of student organisations from Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, KP, AJK and Punjab are part of the SAC.

    According to Dawn, over the past three weeks, SAC office bearers have conducted corner meetings in public and private educational institutions to hold the march in their respective areas. They said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had left students dejected and directionless and reduced the higher education budget to almost half, bringing Pakistan into the list of countries that spend very less on education.

    Ahead of the march, scores of Pakistani student leaders studying at international universities have also voiced their support for the march.

    In an open letter addressed to the government, students have come together under the banner of the Pakistan International Students Alliance (PISA) and registered opposition to the ban on student unions.

  • Lahore is the capital of Khalistan: Google

    Lahore is the capital of Khalistan: Google

    In yet another faux pas, Google now says that ‘Lahore’ is the capital of Khalistan — a seperate country that Indian Sikhs seek as their homeland in the Punjab region of eastern Pakistan and western India.

    An Indian Twitter user attached the screenshot of the Google search declaring Lahore as the capital of Khalistan state with a blue-saffron flag and a ‘Khanda’ insignia of Sikhism on it.

    Indian media went into haywire following the circulation of the images, saying that Google search had “substantiated its accusations on Pakistan for fanning and supporting the separatist movement”.

    “The new state created would be called Khalistan in the modern territories of Eastern Pakistan and Western India. Its stated capital would be Lahore, a city where the Sikh empire was commenced by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and ruled for centuries by his descendants,” one of the search results read.

  • VIDEO: Colleagues toss ex-CJCSC Gen Zubair Hayat into air at retirement party

    VIDEO: Colleagues toss ex-CJCSC Gen Zubair Hayat into air at retirement party

    Former chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, who retired on November 27, is tossed high into the air by colleagues on the tunes of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”.
  • ‘We’ve been told that generals never retire,’ says CJP Khosa

    ‘We’ve been told that generals never retire,’ says CJP Khosa

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khan Khan Khosa, hearing the petition challenging Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extension, has said the court was told that “generals never retire”.

    A three member bench of the Supreme Court (SC), headed by CJP Khosa and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, on Thursday allowed the federal government to grant a six-month extension to Army chief Gen Bajwa.

    In its short order the apex court directed the government to bring necessary legislation within six months’ time. The order, read out by the CJP, ordered the parliament to introduce legislation for appointment of the army chief under Article 243 of the constitution.

    He remarked that the court was observing judicial restraint and leaving the matter to the parliament. “We have reviewed several laws including Army Act 1952 and Rule 1954.”

    The court had earlier reserved its verdict in this high-profile case and directed the federal government to furnish a fresh summary of the army chief’s extension of services.

    “We were told yesterday [Wednesday] that generals never retire,” the top judge remarked as hearing resumed on Thursday.

    The attorney general (AG) informed the court that Gen Bajwa has been reappointed under Article 243, to which the CJP remarked that the government had to convince the court that it was legal.

    After arguments made by the AG and Gen Bajwa’s counsel Farogh Naseem, the bench stated that a 10-member full court will announce the short order in the afternoon, whereas the detailed verdict would be issued in the evening.

    In the meantime, the court granted Gen Bajwa permission to continue working, conditionally. It further instructed the government to prepare a fresh notification, which did not list the tenure of the extension.