Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Piracy, copyrights: How will Pakistan’s first music policy help musicians?

    Piracy, copyrights: How will Pakistan’s first music policy help musicians?

    Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb, has released a statement announcing that Pakistan’s first music policy is being designed to help boost the industry and address issues like copyrights, pirating as well as artist rights.

    According to Aaj news, Aurangzeb pointed out how Pakistani artists have suffered from theft of intellectual rights because of weak policy planning.

    “Since the 1970s, no policy parameters, including legislative and administrative, for the music industry have been introduced,” the PMLN politician lamented in a statement. “The new policy will fully protect the copyright, which [will] help compose quality music for masses.”

    Aurangzeb revealed that the music policy has been prepared according to international music law standards, and will address issues like piracy, copy rights as well as artists’ public performance, production , adaptation, duration and communication rights.

    The rights of Pakistani singers, song writers, composers and producers will fall under this policy as Aurangzeb said that all issues and demands of music stakeholders, especially copyrights will be resolved.

    Aurangzeb also stressed that the policy will work to protect classical musicians, as well as set up initiatives to promote more regional musicians by providing incentives. The policy will address how Pakistan’s musical legacy can be preserved as it is, “rich, being a unique combination of Sufi poetry, with classic and modern music”.

  • Trials of civilians have not started yet in military courts, Supreme Court told

    Trials of civilians have not started yet in military courts, Supreme Court told

    Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan confirmed on Tuesday that military trials of civilians had not started yet.
    The AGP gave the statement during the fourth hearing of the petitions filed against the cases of civilians in military trials.


    During Monday’s hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial asked for reassurance from the AGP that no such trial will be tried until the case is heard in the court.


    The AGP confirmed that trials of civilians have not started yet.
    Earlier, Petitions against military trials were filed by former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Jawwad S. Khawaja, Aitzaz Ahsan, Karamat Ali, and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

  • Senator Sherry Rehman schools CDA Chairman on Twitter

    Senator Sherry Rehman schools CDA Chairman on Twitter

    Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman is not one to hold back when it comes to calling out audacious ideas. Earlier this week, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Noor Ul Amin Mengal tweeted a suggestion for alleviating traffic congestion on the road to Daman e Koh and Peer Sohawa on Margalla Hills. He pondered planning a road from Peer Sohawa to Barri Imam and 3rd Avenue to make it a loop to facilitate traffic movement.

    Rehman clapped back today, reminding the Chairman of his domain of authority:


    Correcting the Chairman, Rehman stated that planning infrastructure through a Wildlife Board-protected green area is not under the CDA’s domain of authority. She reiterated that the plan is against Pakistan’s existing wildlife laws and goes against the country’s international commitments to preventing climate change. 

    Other Twitter users also chimed in with their opinions:

    Many users supported Rehman’s sharp response:


    Pakistan’s climate promise

    As part of UNDP’s Climate Promise, Pakistan intends to set a cumulative ambitious conditional target of an overall 50% reduction of its projected emissions by 2030, with a 15% reduction from the country’s own resources and a 35% reduction subjected to the provision of international grant finance.

    Cutting down trees in order to build concrete infrastructure stands decidedly against Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the Climate Promise.

  • Three officers including a Lt Gen sacked in connection with May 9 events: DG ISPR

    Three officers including a Lt Gen sacked in connection with May 9 events: DG ISPR

    The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, addressed an important press conference on Monday afternoon.

    While talking about self-accountability in the army, DG ISPR revealed that three officers including a Lieutenant General have been sacked and due actions have been completed against another 15 officers, including three Major General and seven Brigadiers.

    “As of now, a granddaughter of a retired four-star general, son-in-law of a retired four-star star general, wife of a retired three-star general,l and wife and son-in-law of a retired two-star general are facing the process of accountability due to irrefutable evidence,” he said.

    “So far, the investigation has revealed that the May 9 tragedy had been planned in the past few months,” said the DG ISPR.

    Stating that no one involved in May 9 riots will be spared, he stressed that the perpetrators will be punished according to the law.

    He further said that currently 102 people are being tried in military courts.

    While answering a question about the masterminds of May 9 events he said, “It would be premature to say definitively who the mastermind is. These are the same people who have influenced the minds of the people against the military.”

    This is a developing story.

  • What is happening in Dubai? Zardari, Bilawal meet Maryam Nawaz

    What is happening in Dubai? Zardari, Bilawal meet Maryam Nawaz

    The Co-Chairman and Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari and Bilwal Butto-Zardari have met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Organiser, Maryam Nawaz, on Monday in Dubai.


    The agenda of the meeting was economic and political issues in the country. According to the sources of Geo News, Maryam Nawaz took the two PPP heads in confidence over the ongoing political situation in the country.


    Another meeting will likely be held tonight between PML-N and PPP to further discuss solutions for the economic and political crisis.
    This meeting is important as PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan is expected after a law passed by National Assembly to limit the lifetime disqualification to five years.


    PML-N sources have revealed that a meeting held on Sunday afternoon had the longest discussion, but the attendees have not been disclosed as of now.

  • Arrest Shahbaz Gill whenever he lands in Pakistan, orders court

    Arrest Shahbaz Gill whenever he lands in Pakistan, orders court

    A District and Sessions Court of Islamabad has ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill whenever he comes to Pakistan.

    The court on Monday started the process of declaring Pakistan Shahbaz Gill leader as proclaimed offender (PO) in an alleged sedition case.

    “Shahbaz Gill should be arrested and brought to court at any airport where he is seen in Pakistan”, Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra ordered.

    As per courts order, advertisements of the same are to be prominently displayed outside Shahbaz Gill’s residences in both Islamabad and Faisalabad.

    The FIA also submitted an implementation report on the non-bailable warrant against Shahbaz Gill to the court.

    Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Asif Awan informed the court that an attempt was made to arrest Shahbaz Gill in accordance with the warrant, but he left for the United States (US) intentionally to avoid the arrest.

    The court also ordered the Deputy Commissioners of Islamabad and Faisalabad to submit a report on Shahbaz Gill’s properties within 30 days.

  • SC bench hearing petitions against military courts dissolved again

    SC bench hearing petitions against military courts dissolved again

    A seven-member bench of the Supreme Court, hearing a set of pleas against military trials for perpetrators of the May 9 riots, has dissolved once again on Monday. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, one of the judges on the bench, refused to be part of the bench after the government raised objections.
    The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Mansoor Usman Awan, came to the rostrum at today’s hearing and imparted the government’s objections on including Justice Mansoor in the bench as one of the petitioners is related to him.
    “One of the petitioners is Justice Shah’s relative. Therefore, it may affect his conduct,” AGP Awan said.
    However, Chief Justice of Pakistan CJP Umar Atta Bandial said, “The bench will not be made according to your whims.” The CJP expressed anger by saying that the “government should not mock the judiciary.”

    Nonetheless, Justice Shah recused himself from the bench.

    Petitions against military trials have been filed by former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Jawwad S. Khawaja, Aitzaz Ahsan, Karamat Ali, and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    At the first hearing of the case, Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood left the bench after Justice Isa said he did not consider the SC bench “a proper court.”

  • Fact-Check: Did Modi say ‘Pakistan will die its own death’, during his recent visit to the US?

    Fact-Check: Did Modi say ‘Pakistan will die its own death’, during his recent visit to the US?

    Claim:

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has said in a video statement shared from the official Twitter account of the party, that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed, “Pakistan will die its own death.”

    While quoting Modi, Imran said, “Don’t talk about Pakistan, your partner now is America. Pakistan is burdened with its own problems.” Imran further said that the arrogant statement was made during Modi’s visit to the United States.

    “It seems that by signing defense and technology agreements with America, they have become so proud that they consider themselves America’s partners,” added Imran.

    Fact:

    However, the Modi statement which Imran was referring to, was actually said in 2019, during Imran Khan’s time as prime minister. The statement was not made during Modi’s recent visit to the US, but at the “Main bhi Chowkidar” event that took place in New Delhi, India.

    Verdict: The claim is false.

  • National Assembly passes amendment limiting disqualification to maximum five years

    National Assembly passes amendment limiting disqualification to maximum five years

    The National Assembly on Sunday adopted a bill seeking an amendment to the Elections Act 2017, aimed at limiting the disqualification of lawmakers to a maximum of five years.

    The bill, presented by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the National Assembly, came into force immediately. The bill had already been passed by the Senate on June 16.

    The bill includes an amendment to Section 232 (Disqualification on account of offenses) of the Election Act, 2017.

    Any individual who is disqualified by a court ruling shall be excluded for a maximum of five years from the day the judgment is made public. The period of disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) cannot exceed five years.


    “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act, any other law for the time being in force and judgment, order or decree of any court, including the Supreme Court and a high court, the disqualification of a person to be elected, chosen or to remain as a member of the Parliament or provincial assembly under paragraph (f) of clause (1) of Article 62 of the Constitution shall be for a period not exceeding five years from the declaration of the court of law in that regard and such declaration shall be subject to the due process of law,” it stated.

  • Sanjrani takes charge as acting president after Alvi leaves for Hajj

    Sanjrani takes charge as acting president after Alvi leaves for Hajj

    Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani has taken charge as acting president after President Arif Alvi left for Saudi Arabia to perform the religious obligation of Hajj.

    According to the constitution, the Chairman of the upper house of the parliament can take charge as acting president in the absence of a President from Pakistan.
    Sanjrani took charge of the office in Quetta, and the Cabinet Division has also issued a notification in this regard.

    Sanjrani is in Quetta to attend the funeral of his aunt.
    Sanjrani is the youngest Chairman of the Senate from Balochistan.