Category: Politics

  • ‘Aaj iftari mein kya banaein’; Maryam Nawaz talks about issues with deciding menu

    ‘Aaj iftari mein kya banaein’; Maryam Nawaz talks about issues with deciding menu

    Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab, paid an impromptu visit to the Johar Town Model Ramzan Bazaar in Lahore and had a relatable discussion with one of the shoppers.

    She examined various stalls and inspected the prices of fruits, vegetables, and other commodities.

    She also inquired about price lists and whether they were displayed as per instructions or not.

    Engaging with shoppers, Maryam asked about their satisfaction with both prices and the quality of available products, garnering positive responses from the women purchasing goods.

    She also asked a shopper what she was planning to make for iftari and then they discussed how deciding on the menu daily is an issue.

    Meanwhile, Lahore Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa announced the continuation of relief hamper deliveries as part of the ‘Ramazan Negahban’ package, aimed at assisting beneficiaries during the holy month of Ramadan. Presiding over a meeting, Randhawa disclosed that thus far, over 117,781 eligible individuals in the Lahore division had received food hampers directly at their doorsteps.

    With a focus on efficient distribution, the commissioner outlined daily delivery targets for each district, underscoring a zero-tolerance policy towards deviations from these targets. Lahore aims to achieve a daily delivery target ranging from 25,000 to 30,000, with other districts like Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Nankana Sahib also striving to meet their respective goals.

    Furthermore, it was disclosed that the ‘Ramazan Negahban’ package had reached approximately 75,000 eligible individuals in Lahore alone, with stringent measures in place to verify beneficiary data using CNIC numbers and household addresses. The ambitious initiative is set to extend its reach to over a million eligible individuals across the division.

  • Lahore kay naalay aur Maryam ka saaf suthra Punjab

    Lahore kay naalay aur Maryam ka saaf suthra Punjab

    As Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz launched Saaf Suthra Punjab Campaign in Lahore, netizens all over the internet have started posting photos and information about the overflowing drains, sewage spillage, huge piles of garbage, and poor hygiene conditions in their cities.

    Newly elected Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is on a mission to transform Punjab. The latest in the series is the ‘Saaf Suthra Punjab drive’. Netizens are quick to remind her of the poor condition of drains and garbage in Lahore and other cities of Punjab.


    In Lahore, citizens are struggling with the issues of overflowing drains, sewage water, and the stink emitting from them.


    Blogger and activist Riaz Ali Turi posted about the uncovered drains in Lahore causing health risks and nauseating smells in NA-127 of Lahore which include the prominent areas of the city like Township and Green Town.


    Another user with a pseudo name of I M Imran Khan shared the pictures of Shadman area in Lahore where overflowing drains are disturbing life. Adil posted about how the area around Urdu Bazaar is facing sewage issues to which Maryam Nawaz assured him of holistic action.
    Noman Waseem tagged CM Maryam that even though the initiative is great, nothing has been done in his city of Multan.


    Waseem Aslam posted a series of photos from Chichawatni where the roads are broken and littered.


    In response to Zeeshan Malik’s tweet about the Punjab government’s work in Bahawalpur, a netizen commented that Pindi needs the same attention, and, not just on the roads but in the walled city as well.

    A resident of Sheikhupura posted a series of littered streets that are disturbing the lives of citizens yet the commissioner was claiming to have started the project.


    Ramish Fatima posted a detailed video of Tehsil Headquarters Hospital where the corridor is severely fungus-ridden.


    Dawn’s Khalid Hasnain interviewed a resident of a locality of Pine Avenue near Valencia Town named Aziz who complained, “You see the Sattukatla drain full of waste, which is choking its sewage flow. The water level in the drain is also rising due to the choking caused by the waste piling in it.”


    “It is also surprising that though the WASA’s machine meant for desilting or cleaning the drain is parked here but no one has visited the site since long to operate it,” Aziz adds the Sattukatla drain overflows in the monsoon or the unexpected heavy rain while its choking is also spreading a very foul and unbearable smell everywhere.


    The Current went to ask the residents near drains at Upper Mall which are especially disturbed by the foul smell which gets unbearable during rains.


    Around Walton drains, a resident named Zahid Abbas complained that occasional breaking of the walls of the drain and overflowing of its contents causes many hindrances on daily basis. “When there is rain we become restricted to our homes and transportation via cars become increasingly difficult especially crossing the road,” says Zahid.


    Traditionally, the epicentre of PML-N’s politics, Lahore has always been flaunted as the most developed part of the province the drains and heaps of garbage are depicting an opposite story. The situation is no better in other cities where grave problems require immediate action across the Punjab.

  • PTI’s Faisal Javed indicted for misbehaving with journalist

    PTI’s Faisal Javed indicted for misbehaving with journalist

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Javed has been indicted on Wednesday for inappropriate behaviour with a journalist, ARY News has reported.

    The charge sheet against him stated that Faisal Javed attacked a TV reporter and threatened him on August 9, 2022, noting that threatening a journalist is a crime. The indictment ordered to move forward with a case against the PTI leader.

    The PTI leader has denied the accusations and said that he didn’t threaten the journalist.

    Last month, Faisal Javed came out of months-long hiding and secured transit bail from Peshawar High Court (PHC).

  • Ali Amin Gandapur to meet Shehbaz Sharif today

    Ali Amin Gandapur to meet Shehbaz Sharif today

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is scheduled to meet newly elected prime minister Shehbaz Sharif today (Wednesday) to talk about the replacement of Chief Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chaudhry.


    ARY sources have confirmed that Ali Amin Gandapur didn’t attend the oath ceremony while a meeting is scheduled for today to discuss the matter of the CS’s appointment.


    A day earlier, chief minister KP send a summary to Shehbaz Sharif for removal of Chief Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chaudhry. Gandapur wanted to appoint Shahab Ali Shah as the new Chief Secretary, expecting him to bring fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to the role, thereby contributing to the overall development of the KP province.

  • ECP issues notice to Gandapur over disqualification petition in property case

    ECP issues notice to Gandapur over disqualification petition in property case

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sent a notice to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur after a petition was filed against him for misleading the commission about a piece of land, The News reported on Wednesday.

    Two members of the ECP bench, including Sindh Member Nisar Ahmad Durrani and Balochistan Member Shah Muhammad Jatoi, heard the plea and adjourned the hearing of the case till March 26.

    In a short order, the electoral authority decided to send a notification to newly-elected KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who won his provincial seat from Dera Ismail Khan.

    In his plea, Muhammad Kafeel — the petitioner — claimed that 735-kanals of land, situated in Mouzah Girah Muhabbat and Muzah Rohri, Kulachi, district DI Khan, was transferred in the name of Gandapur temporarily while Asif Khan was the real owner.   

    Muhammad Kafeel highlighted that Gandapur is not the actual owner of property and he was supposed to return the property back to actual owner on his demand.

    The petitioner said in liabilities forms furnished for the year 2020 and duly published, Gandapur had allegedly shown purchase of a Toyota Land Cruiser, YB-777 from the funds which he received from the sale of 735 kanal land. He also contended that on account of such wrong declaration, Gandapur was not qualified to hold the office of member provincial assembly.

    With the signatures of ECP Sindh member, the order said, “We have heard preliminary arguments which need consideration on merits. Office to issue notice to respondent No. 5 (Ali Amin Gandapur) for the date fixed through District Election Commissioner concerned. The service report of DEC shall reach to this office before the date fixed. Case to come up on 26.03.2024.”

  • Hassan, Hussain Nawaz reach Lahore after suspension of arrest warrants

    Hassan, Hussain Nawaz reach Lahore after suspension of arrest warrants

    After the suspension of arrest warrants by an accountability court, Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz — sons of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif- have reached Lahore on Tuesday.  

    Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif received his sons at his residence, Jati Umrah, Geo has reported.

    Last week, an accountability court suspended the arrest warrants for Hassan and Hussain Nawaz in the Al-Azizia, Flagship, and Avenfield cases.

    Judge Nasir Javed of an accountability court announced the decision. The arrest warrants for Nawaz Sharif’s sons are suspended until March 14.

    The warrants of the brothers were issued seven years ago when the court had declared them absconders.

    Earlier, their lawyer Qazi Misbah filed the plea seeking suspension of the warrants were filed as both brothers planned to return to Pakistan on March 12. National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutors Sardar Muzaffar, Usman Masood and Sohail Arif also appeared in the court.

  • ‘There is a serious threat alert,’ Azma Bukhari defends barring meetings with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail

    ‘There is a serious threat alert,’ Azma Bukhari defends barring meetings with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail

    Punjab government has clarified on Tuesday that recent restrictions imposed at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail were not intended to obstruct meetings of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders with party founder Imran Khan.

    The statement came after Khan, the former prime minister imprisoned in several cases and serving more than three decades of sentences, was barred from holding meetings inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail for two weeks owing to security concerns.

    “This move wasn’t made to take away any facility from him [Khan]. There is a serious threat alert, which is under investigation,” Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bukhari told Geo News’ Shahzeb Khanzada.

    Denying PTI’s claims of a false flag operation, Bukhari assured that Khan was being provided with all necessary facilities and emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of all prisoners at Adiala Jail.

    “The incident is under investigation. A series of threat alerts have been issued. These measures were taken to ensure the security of all the prisoners. The security of the facility has to be improved,” she said.

    Slamming PTI’s allegations that the capture of the terrorists was a false flag operation, Bukhari clarified that the opposition party “sees conspiracies” in everything, assuring the party that their leader was being provided all prison facilities.

    “There’s a threat in general [to the Adiala Jail], not Imran Khan, that something unpleasant might happen. Therefore, it is important not only to ensure Imran Khan’s security but everyone else’s.”

    Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan expressed severe concerns over the sudden ban on Khan’s meetings, fearing for the former prime minister’s safety. He demanded immediate consultations with Khan and sought details regarding his health.

    In a related development, the Punjab Home Department requested the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to postpone a meeting between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan due to the prevailing security situation. Temporary restrictions on visits and meetings have been imposed in various jails across Punjab as a precautionary measure against potential threats.

    The Home Department highlighted the existence of multiple security threats to several jails, including Adiala Jail, and directed authorities to conduct security audits and bomb disposal operations promptly.

    As tensions escalate, the Punjab government remains vigilant in safeguarding the security of inmates and ensuring the smooth functioning of correctional facilities across the province.

    Read more: No more meetings with Imran Khan in Adiala Jail but who ordered the ban?

  • Tayyip Erdogan congratulates Asif Zardari on becoming president

    Tayyip Erdogan congratulates Asif Zardari on becoming president

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called newly-elected president Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday to congratulate him on becoming the head of state.

    The President’s Secretariat said in a statement that both leaders talked about important issues and agreed to work together for the betterment of the countries.

    President Zardari also thanked Erdogan for his phone call and best wishes.

    “President Asif Ali Zardari wished a happy Ramadan to the Turkish nation and desired to see the role of Turkish women in the Islamic world,” read the statement.

    He also expressed a desire to invite the Turkish President to Pakistan for a visit soon.

    Asif Zardari became president for the second time with a big majority on Saturday. He got 411 votes from parliament and the four assemblies.

    Besides the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the newly elected president had the backing of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-Pakistan), and other smaller parties.

  • Maryam Nawaz to launch free WiFi pilot project in Lahore

    Maryam Nawaz to launch free WiFi pilot project in Lahore

    A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, in which it was decided that a free WiFi project will be launched in 10 different places in the provincial capital in two weeks while free WiFi points will be set up at 516 places in the city.

    Maryam Nawaz has directed officials to start free WiFi preferably at educational institutions, airports, railway stations and bus stands.

    She has also approved the construction of the 21-storey Arfa Karim Tower 2.

    While briefing the meeting, it was said that the IT, Education and Film City project will start soon; while Microsoft, Oracle and other big companies have expressed their willingness for IT City.

    Maryam Nawaz has also directed authorities to invite Chinese IT companies to build offices, adding that the best IT companies of the world will be provided business opportunities in the IT City.

    The Chief Minister of Punjab has set a deadline for the plan of the establishment of Lahore Knowledge Park and IT City.

  • Aik MNA ki salary kitni hai?

    Aik MNA ki salary kitni hai?

    Whenever you start a new job people ask “Salary kitni hai?” Well our newly inducted Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) are being asked the same and we are telling you what their salary is.

    Their basic pay is Rs 150,000 while the sumptuary allowance, a benefit granted to several grades of Central Government employees to cover the expenses incurred on entertaining visitors, is 5,000. They also get a telephone allowance of ten thousand rupees and they also get an office maintenance allowance of eight thousand rupees. In addition to this, their ad-hoc relief allowance is 15 thousand rupees.

    The breakdown of allowances for attending each session of the National Assembly is as follows:

    Daily allowance (special): Rs4,800 per day
    Daily allowance (ordinary): Rs2,800 per day
    Conveyance allowance: Rs2,000 per day
    Housing allowance: Rs2,000 per day

    These allowances are dispersed for three days preceding the session and three days following it.

    Moreover, MNAs receive additional funds based on their mode of transportation:

    By air (business class): Rs150 per kilometer
    By road: Rs10 per kilometer
    By rail: An amount equivalent to one air-conditioned class fare and one second-class fare

    Additionally, the government provides MNAs with “free travel” vouchers, enabling them to avail Pakistani airline services or Pakistan Railways. The benefits include:

    Travel vouchers worth Rs300,000 annually or a cash allowance of Rs90,000
    Twenty-five business class return air tickets per year.
    Furthermore, each MNA is eligible to have a telephone installed free of charge at their residence.

    Lastly, MNAs are reimbursed for their medical expenses, ensuring comprehensive coverage for their well-being.