Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Three more retired army officers taken into military custody: ISPR

    Three more retired army officers taken into military custody: ISPR

    Three more retired army officers have been taken into custody by Pakistan’s Army in connection with the recent arrest of Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid, according to a statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    This comes after the arrest of former spymaster Faiz Hamid earlier this week.

    “In connection with the FGCM proceedings of Lt Gen (Retd) Faiz Hameed, three retired officers are also in military custody for their actions prejudicial to military discipline,” noted the ISPR press release.

    The ISPR further stated that the retired officers were arrested for violations of military discipline.

    “Further investigations of certain retired officers and their accomplices for fomenting instability at the behest of and in collusion with vested political interests are continuing,” the press release read.

    Faiz Hameed was taken into custody by the army on August 12, over allegations of land grabbing and seizing valuables from the owner of Top City Housing Society.

  • COAS holds a reception for Army veterans, but netizens notice some ‘missing officers’

    COAS holds a reception for Army veterans, but netizens notice some ‘missing officers’

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, hosted a reception in honour of Pakistan Army veterans on Independence Day that brought together many retired army officers and soldiers.

    In a press release, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated, “COAS paid heartfelt tribute to the contributions of the retired personnel, lauding their dedication and instrumental role in shaping the nation’s history.”

    “COAS also cautioned against the insidious threat of fake news and propaganda being perpetrated by inimical elements to weaken the bond between the people of Pakistan and the Armed Forces,” said the ISPR press release.

    However, in an interesting development, netizens noticed a peculiar absence of some officers in the pictures circulating on social media.

    Former COAS Gen (retd) Bajwa was not seen in the picture even though Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif and Gen (retd) Kayani were present.

    Likewise, General (retd) Ahmad Shuja Pasha and Gen (retd) Zaheer-ul-Islam were also noticeably absent from the reception.

    This comes after the Pakistan Army arrested former spymaster Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, in charge of corruption and misuse of authority.

  • LEAs arrest former Adiala Jail deputy superintendent for allegedly acting as messenger for Khan

    LEAs arrest former Adiala Jail deputy superintendent for allegedly acting as messenger for Khan

    Law enforcement agencies have arrested Muhammad Akram, the former deputy superintendent of Punjab prisons, who was transferred from Adiala Jail in June this year, on charges of “facilitating Imran Khan as a messenger,” Dawn News reported.

    He was reportedly picked up from the jail colony.

    The arrest follows the military’s detention of retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), on charges of violating the Army Act.

    The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been imprisoned for over a year, with multiple cases filed against him, including the Toshakhana case, the cypher case, and the un-Islamic marriage case.

  • Normalisation of ties with Israel puts Mohammad Bin Salman’s life at risk

    Normalisation of ties with Israel puts Mohammad Bin Salman’s life at risk

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) is at risk of assassination amid his normalisation of ties with Israel, reports Politico, a U.S.-based publication.

    MBS reportedly told a U.S. Congress member that he is risking his life for a significant deal with the U.S. and Israel.

    Posing a question to the U.S., he said, “What did they do to protect Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat, who was assassinated after making a peace deal with Israel?”

    The crown prince, however, is reportedly determined to pursue the mega-deal with the U.S. and Israel despite the threats, deeming it pivotal to his country’s future.

  • Pakistan approaches international community on radioactive smuggling in India

    Pakistan approaches international community on radioactive smuggling in India

    Pakistan has reached out to the international community over the arrest of a gang charged with smuggling radioactive substances called ‘californium’ in India.
    Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) has questioned how hazardous Sealed Radioactive Source (SRS) material was stolen.

    The Bihar Police have arrested a member of a gang smuggling californium, a radioactive chemical that is used to cure cancer. It is reportedly worth RS 17 crore a gram, Indian Media report

    “It is dangerous for such sensitive material in India to be routinely found in the wrong hands. Pakistan reiterates its call for a thorough investigation of these incidents and for adequate measures to prevent their recurrence. Pakistan is gravely concerned at the reports of recurring incidents of theft and illicit sale of nuclear and other radioactive materials in India,” said the Foreign Office.

    Quoting last month’s incident where five individuals with a radioactive device reportedly stolen from Bhabha Atomic Research Center were also found from Dehradun, the FO expressed strong reservations on the developments.

  • Evidence exists of Faiz Hameed’s connection with PTI; journalist Umer Cheema claims

    Evidence exists of Faiz Hameed’s connection with PTI; journalist Umer Cheema claims

    Investigative journalist Umer Cheema and talk show host Muneeb Farooq have revealed startling details of former spymaster Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed’s links with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
    Cheema said that there is evidence that the General was connected with PTI even after his retirement.

    He further claimed that senior leaders of PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) conveyed messages from Peshawar to Bani Gala when Faiz Hameed was the Corp Commander of the city on Geo News’ Shahzaib Khanzada talk show.

    Muneeb Farooq recounted that in a sitting of powerful army officials, former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa said, “I dropped Gen Faiz Hameed’s name for the Position of (COAS) and insisted on not making Lieutenant Gen Asim Munir’s Army Chief.”
    He also said that if General Asim Muneer became army chief, Faiz Hameed would undoubtedly face a field court martial trial as there is clear evidence of his involvement in mutiny attempts.
    Muneeb also said that Faiz Hameed had a direct connection with PTI after his retirement, and the 9th May riots were the second attempt against incumbent Army Chief Asim Munir.

    “If Faiz Hameed proves guilty of sedition, he could be persecuted at an extreme level,” predicted Cheema

  • ‘Good news’ coming soon on electricity prices: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘Good news’ coming soon on electricity prices: Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that he will give the nation “good news” regarding reduced electricity costs and a new economic reform plan.

    “Today, there is inflation. People are worried about electricity bills and other problems. However, if not all is good in the country, not all is bad,” said the PM.

    “Our primary focus is on reducing power prices to provide relief to domestic consumers, agriculture, industry, exports, and business sectors. This is essential to navigate the current economic challenges. The competitiveness of our exports is directly linked to affordable electricity,” stated the premiere in an address to newly appointed officials of power distribution companies (DISCOS) on Tuesday.

    He highlighted that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was committed to lowering energy costs, which have placed a significant burden on the debt-ridden nation.

    He pointed out DISCOS’s inefficiencies and corruption, which have led to power theft costing around Rs 500 billion annually.

    “This is your greatest challenge. The government has deliberated on how to improve the system. You must give your best,” the PM stated, stressing that DISCOS officials’ appointments have been made on merit.

  • Nishan e Pakistan for Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Hilal e Imtiaz for Arshad Nadeem

    Nishan e Pakistan for Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Hilal e Imtiaz for Arshad Nadeem

    President Asif Ali Zardari has approved a grant of honour to bestow 101 national and international individuals for contributions to the country at a ceremony on 23 March 2025.
    Former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto will be awarded posthumous Nishan e Pakistan, the nation’s highest civil award for outstanding public service.

    Arshad Nadeem, gold medalist at the Paris Olympics 2024, will receive the second-highest civilian award, Hilal e Imtiaz. Murad Sadpara, who died at Broad Peak Hill after a daring rescue operation, will be bestowed with Sitara e Imtiaz in the sports category.
    Nasir Kazmi, famous poet, will also get the Nishan e Imtiaz award in the literature category.

    The President has also approved a Sitara e Shujat award to Deputy Commissioner Panjgur, Zakir Hussain Baloch, who was killed in District Mastung.

  • Imran Khan demands judicial council if Faiz’s arrest linked to May 9

    Imran Khan demands judicial council if Faiz’s arrest linked to May 9

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has suggested that a judicial commission be formed if Gen Faiz’s arrest is related to May 9 events.

    His lawyer, Intezar Panjutha, addressed the media on Tuesday after holding a meeting with Khan.

    In an unprecedented move, the country’s former spymaster, Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, was detained by military authorities and court martial proceedings were initiated against him on charges of corruption, misuse of authority and violating the Pakistan Army Act as announced by the ISPR on Monday.

    PTI has been unusually quiet on the entire matter, with Khan saying that it is an ‘internal matter’ of the Army distancing his party from it.

    Panjutha also stated that Khan believed it was time for the CJP Isa to step back, emphasising that PTI’s three seats were stolen and given to PML-N on Monday.

  • Four soldiers embrace shahadat, six terrorists killed in South Waziristan

    Four soldiers embrace shahadat, six terrorists killed in South Waziristan

    Four soldiers embraced martyrdom while six terrorists were killed when a skirmish broke out between security forces and terrorists in South Waziristan, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    The ISPR statement stated, “On night 12/ 13 August 2024, a fire exchange took place between the security forces and Khwarij in South Waziristan District.”

    Havildar Nisar Hussain, 34, a resident of District Kurram; Naik Rashid Gul, 34, a resident of District Kurram; Naik Irfan Ullah Khan, 30, a resident of District Lakki Marwat; and Sepoy Usman Rafaqat, 21, a resident of District Haripur, fought bravely to defend the motherland, embracing martyrdom.

    Since the Taliban regime came to place in Afghanistan, the security situation in Pakistan has worsened, with Pakistan repeatedly calling on Kabul to reign in TTP in its territory.