Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Imame Kaaba wants Muslims to make peace with Jews; hints at normalisation of Saudi-Israel ties

    Imame Kaaba wants Muslims to make peace with Jews; hints at normalisation of Saudi-Israel ties

    A debate is continuing on social media ever since Abdulrahman al-Sudais, the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Makkah, hinted at possible normalisation of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel during the Friday sermon.

    Imam Sudais is a senior religious leader in Saudi Arabia and is also the president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.

    In his Friday sermon, Imam Sudais spoke of peace and kindness with non-Muslims, making specific reference to Jews. He highlighted the importance of Muslims respecting other faiths and underlined several stories about interactions between Jewish people and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

    He mentioned how the Prophet (PBUH) dealt with a Jewish neighbour who eventually converted to Islam and also advised people to remain loyal and obedient towards the leaders and authorities and to stay away from the “misguided factions and groups”.

    The Imam’s remarks about peaceful coexistence are not controversial in any way but the timing of the sermon amid geopolitical changes in the region has sparked an online debate as they came less than a month after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — a close ally of the Kingdom in the Gulf — recognised Israel, leaving questions on Saudi Arabia’s next move in this regard.

    The statements have caused unrest among Muslims on social media who blame the cleric for exploiting the platform of Islam’s holiest mosque to make ground for the Saudi government.

    Here’s what Twitterati have to say about it:

    https://twitter.com/d_iplo/status/1301928122602971137

    While one user said that the sermon was against Imam Sudais’ traditional stance on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, another one shared the videos of two contrasting sermons of the Imam — one, in which he calls to save Al-Aqsa Mosque from the abomination of aggressors, and the second, which prepares the ground for acceptance of Israel.

    https://twitter.com/be4after/status/1302223008199774209
    https://twitter.com/aqadir23/status/1302557731362992129

    Muhammad al-Mukhtar al-Shinqiti, a Mauritanian author, saw the sermon as a misuse of the Grand Mosque to promote normalisation and call for the obedience of the “murderous rulers”.

    Have anything to add to this story? Let The Current know in the comments below.

  • Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize over UAE-Israel peace deal

    Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize over UAE-Israel peace deal

    United States (US) President Donald Trump has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize over his efforts to broker a deal between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel.

    According to reports, Trump was nominated by Christian Tybring-Gjedde, a member of the Norwegian Parliament, who praised the US president’s efforts aimed at resolving conflicts worldwide.

    “For his merit, I think he has done more trying to create peace between nations than most other Peace Prize nominees,” Tybring-Gjedde told Fox News.

    Tybring-Gjedde, in his nomination letter to the Nobel Committee, said the Trump administration had played a key role in the establishment of relations between the UAE and Israel. “As it is expected, other Middle Eastern countries will follow the footsteps of the UAE, which can be a game-changer that will turn the Middle East into a region of cooperation and prosperity.”

    UAE-ISRAEL PEACE DEAL“

    The UAE and Israel last month declared there would be peace between the two nations, with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin inviting the leader of the Emirates to visit Jerusalem.

    The gesture came as the UAE, after Egypt and Jordan, became the third Arab country to agree to have full ties with Israel.

    Trump took to Twitter to announce the major development.

    At the time, Trump told reporters at the Oval Office that the agreement was “a truly historic moment”. “Now that ice has been broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the UAE,” he said.

    In 2020, there are 318 candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize. Submissions should be made online and all nominees are discussed and then the most worthy and interesting are shortlisted. 

  • Earlier missing SECP official Sajid Gondal says was vacationing in northern areas

    Earlier missing SECP official Sajid Gondal says was vacationing in northern areas

    Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Joint Director Sajid Gondal, who had gone missing from Islamabad last week, returned home on Tuesday night and said was vacationing in northern areas.

    Gondal, after confirmation by his family and friends, himself also took to Twitter to announce his return, saying he was back and safe, and thankful to all those who were worried.

    Meanwhile, a report quoted him as saying that he had gone to the northern areas for recreation.

    Police sources involved in the investigation of his disappearance told Dawn that the abductors had set him free.

    He was released near Rawat, a suburb of the federal capital. Upon being freed, he contacted his family members through a phone call and informed them that he was arriving home shortly, sources added.

    Gondal had gone missing on Thursday night and his car was found from Park Road in the capital the next morning.

    His wife had submitted a complaint of the incident at the Shahzad Town police station, expressing suspicion that her husband had been “kidnapped by unidentified persons”. She had urged the police to ensure his return, adding that the family “did not have any enmity”.

    The Shahzad Town police had registered a case over the official’s disappearance under Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on the complaint lodged by his wife.

    The FIR stated that Gondal left his house on Thursday at around 7:30 pm in his official car but did not return. Later his car was found parked at Chak Shahzad Town road near the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC) but he was missing from there, the FIR stated, adding that his mobile phone was found switched off since then.

    The issue of Gondal’s disappearance was taken up by the federal cabinet on Tuesday, with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan expressing “serious concern” over such an incident taking place in the capital.

    On Monday, Chief Justice Athar Minallah of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had also expressed serious concern over the rising number of enforced disappearances in the federal capital and directed the interior secretary to take up the issue with the PM in order to devise a policy for the protection of fundamental rights of citizens.

  • Traffic warden fines new Lahore CCPO for using phone while driving

    Traffic warden fines new Lahore CCPO for using phone while driving

    Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh on Wednesday was fined by a Traffic Police cop for using his phone while driving.

    According to reports, Sheikh was on a call when his private vehicle was pulled over by the traffic warden to penalise him.

    The top cop, who reports said was on a routine drive to visit different areas of the provincial capital and monitor the security situation there, was served a Rs500 fine.

    CCPO Umar Sheikh appreciated the traffic warden over implementing the rules and regulations.

    SHEIKH IN NEWS:

    A day earlier, the Punjab government removed Shoaib Dastgir from the post of inspector general of police (IGP), making him the fifth officer to be asked to relinquish the office since the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government took the reins.

    The development had followed Dastgir refusing to work under the PTI government over the recent appointment of Umar Sheikh as the Lahore CCPO without his consultation, and had asked the chief minister (CM) to transfer him to a “suitable location”.

    A separate notification added that Inam Ghani, a BS-21 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan, has been made the new provincial police chief. Ghani is the sixth IGP to assume charge within the past two years.

  • ‘Backstabbing’: Imran govt auditing coalition partners, Chaudhrys of Gujarat, in UK

    ‘Backstabbing’: Imran govt auditing coalition partners, Chaudhrys of Gujarat, in UK

    Ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) key coalition partners, the Chaudhrys of Gujarat, are being audited by Pakistani authorities to see if they own any assets in the United Kingdom and the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

    According to sources, the Pakistani government, in a move being considered “backstabbing”, is making extensive inquiries into the potential assets owned directly or indirectly by Pervaiz Elahi, Chaudhary Shujaat, Moonis Elahi or any of their family members.

    The authorities have sent at least two requests to the British government seeking assistance in the pursuit of the alleged assets but the search has not yet yielded positive results, reports said.

    The first request to the UK government’s Home Office was made by the federal government around two years ago, soon after the PTI and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) entered into a coalition. The request was on behalf of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

    A similar letter seeking to trace Moonis’ alleged assets was also sent to the BVI. Both the Home Office and the BVI had informed Pakistani officials that they were unable to trace the assets.

    Sources say a new request – not initiated by NAB – was sent in recent months to find out if Moonis, his father, his uncle or other family members own any assets in the UK.

    The trace is based on suspicions that Moonis owns assets in the UK and possibly elsewhere too, but nothing has been identified so far.

    The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) had written in April 2013 that Moonis was a shareholder of a BVI offshore company called Olive Grove Assets Ltd and that this company was set up with the help of the UBS Switzerland AG.

    Pervaiz Elahi’s son created the offshore structure in 2006 in the BVI but no asset has ever been linked with the aforementioned offshore company yet, claimed the ICIJ.

    “All of my assets and investments have been duly declared in my tax returns. Yes, we are their coalition partners. If this is happening, I am not surprised. After a failed attempt to marginalise and persecute the opposition, they have decided to target their allies,” Moonis said while speaking to a private media outlet.

  • IG Punjab removed after standoff with CCPO Lahore

    IG Punjab removed after standoff with CCPO Lahore

    Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Shoaib Dastagir has been removed after a standoff with Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh. CCPO Lahore is accused of speaking against the IGP. Shoaib Dastagir will be the fifth IG to be changed in Punjab. Since 2008, Dr Syed Kaleem Imam, Muhammad Tahir, Amjad Javed Saleemi, Capt. (R) Arif Nawaz Khan and Shoaib Dastagir have served at the post of IG Punjab.

    Inam Ghani has been appointed as the new IGP, announced Special Assistant to PM on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill on Twitter. An official notification has also been issued.

    Inam Ghani appointed new IG Punjab

    According to reports, former IGP Dastagir got upset when CCPO Sheikh allegedly told his subordinates that on any sensitive issue, the Lahore police must seek his permission even if they receive directions from the Central Police Office (CPO).

    Also Read: ‘Will reform Punjab police first after assuming power’, vows Imran Khan

    As per a report published in Dawn, Dastagir met Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar on Monday and requested him for a “transfer to any other suitable place”, saying he would not continue as the provincial police chief until the removal of the CCPO. He is also said to have skipped office on Monday and met with the CM in plain clothes, giving the Punjab government the message that he would not accept Mr Sheikh as the CCPO at any cost.

    Shoaib Dastagir has now been posted as Secretary Narcotics Control Division according to an official notification.

    Dastagir transferred as Secretary Narcotics Control Division

    More details about differences between former IGP and CCPO in this video report:

  • Defence Day: President warns India, PM praises armed forces, army chief stresses peace

    The 55th Defence Day was observed on Sunday to commemorate the sacrifices of fallen heroes during the 1965 war with India and to renew the pledge to safeguard the country’s geographical and ideological boundaries in every situation and at all costs.

    The day commenced with special prayers in mosques for the peace, prosperity and solidarity of the country and to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the protection of their motherland.

    The main ceremony was held in the morning at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, according to Radio Pakistan, where Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs Monument.

    A change of guards was also held at the Quaid’s mausoleum with Air Vice Marshal Shakeel Ghazanfar as the chief guest of the ceremony. A contingent of 46 cadets of the Pakistan Air Force Asghar Khan Academy took over guard duties.

    A ceremony was also held at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, Radio Pakistan reported.

    In his message to the countrymen on Defence Day, President Arif Alvi said that Pakistan would never compromise on its sovereignty and security, making it clear that any kind of misadventure by the enemy would be dealt with severely.

    “It makes me happy to state that we have achieved self-reliance in the defence field […] We have thwarted external aggression; we have successfully defeated terrorism and extremism, and now we are on the path towards economic prosperity.”

    He said the day was a reminder of the spirit and valour of Pakistan’s armed forces and the nation through which they thwarted the evil designs of the enemy on this day, 55 years ago.

    The president said the nation saluted the martyrs as well as their families for their fortitude as they set a great example of patriotism by sacrificing their loved ones for defence of the country.

    “The spirit of September 1965 still lives in our hearts and I can proudly say that because of this, we have been successful in many testing times. Our armed forces’ professional excellence, combat readiness, and above all their unwavering faith in Allah has made Pakistan invincible,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that Pakistan’s desire for peace must not be misconstrued as its weakness, adding that the country’s armed forces were “fully capable” of defending the country.

    “The resilient nation and the battle-hardened armed forces of Pakistan have time and again proved that they are fully capable of defending the country and are fully prepared to meet any kind of eventuality,” the premier said in a series of tweets.

    In his message, the premier honoured the fallen heroes of the war, saying that 55 years ago, the nation and the men in uniform “proved that it is not the size that matters, but it is the courage and devotion that matters the most”.

    “September 6 is a day in Pakistan’s glorious history that is commemorated as a symbol of courage, strong will and unmatched spirit of sacrifice by our gallant armed forces.”

    Later, during an investiture ceremony held at the army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on the occasion of the 55th Defence Day, the army chief conferred military awards to army personnel for acts of gallantry during various operations.

    “Families of shuhada/ghazis, senior serving military officers/soldiers also attended the ceremony,” according to a press release by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    The military’s media wing said 40 officers were awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military), 24 officers and soldiers were awarded Tamgha-e-Bisalat and a soldier was awarded the United Nations Medal.

    The medals of the martyred were received by their family members.

    Addressing the gathering, the army chief said that Pakistan faced great trials over the last 20 years with war on the eastern and western fronts. He said that the country also faced natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, and the war on terror.

    General Bajwa said that thousands of people got displaced and many sacrificed their lives. He also noted that the country successfully fought against coronavirus and the locust attack.

  • ‘Band karo isay’: Twitterati suspect more than a technical fault on Shahzeb Khanzada’s Thursday show

    ‘Band karo isay’: Twitterati suspect more than a technical fault on Shahzeb Khanzada’s Thursday show

    With Lieutenant General (r) Asim Bajwa’s call dropping during his appearance on Geo News show ‘Aaj Shahzaeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ as he rebutted the news report linking his family’s businesses to his military career, Twitterati, owing to some background chatter, are suspecting more than just a technical fault.

    As per the details, Bajwa on Thursday issued a detailed press release rubbishing claims made regarding the assets of his family members by journalist Ahmad Noorani.

    The press release was followed by Bajwa appearing on multiple current affairs shows later in the day to further clarify the situation.

    In an on-air telephonic conversation with Shahzeb Khanzada, Bajwa reiterated his statements aimed at rubbishing the claims made in the story that he has called “malicious propaganda”.

    As the interview continued, the phone call dropped amid questions posed by Khanzada.

    WATCH INTERVIEW:

    But Twitterati suspected there was more to the dropped call than an alleged technical fault as they pointed out some background chatter.

    The former military officer, however, returned after a commercial break and responded to the question.

    What do you think of the interview? Let The Current know in the comments below

  • CPEC Authority chief Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa rubbishes report on family’s assets, resigns as Imran’s aide

    CPEC Authority chief Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa rubbishes report on family’s assets, resigns as Imran’s aide

    Lieutenant General (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa has categorically rebutted all corruption allegations levelled against him and resigned from the post of special assistant to prime minister on information and broadcasting, however, he will continue to remain the chairman of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority.

    Defending the businesses and enterprises owned by his brothers in countries abroad, he said that shameless allegations were levelled against him to tarnish his image.

    Lt Gen Bajwa, in rejoinder to a story published on an “unknown website”, lamented that the allegations were “false and incorrect”. He insisted that on the date of filing of his declaration, i.e. June 22, 2020, his spouse was no longer an investor or shareholder in any business of his brothers.

    “My wife had disinvested all her interests as at 01.06.2020 in any entity abroad and such fact has been duly documented in the official records in the USA. It may be pointed out that the company registered in the SECP [Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan] in Pakistan was Liaison Office of the companies in the USA,” he maintained.

    About the investments abroad, Lt Gen Bajwa said that since 2002 till June 1, 2020 his wife had only invested $19,492 in his brothers’ companies. He said that all investments came from his savings over the last 18 years, and no regulations of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) have been broken.

    Concerning the alleged investment of businesses in the pizza chain Papa John’s in the US and DQ, UAE, Lt Gen Bajwa said that facts and figures were fully documented.

    He insisted that Bajco Global Management, LLC did not have any ownership interest in any Papa John’s in the USA, DQ, UAE or any real estate.

    READ: ‘Who is this Mr Bajwa you are talking about?’ NAB DG on alleged assets of Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa’s family

    “The author further makes a false claim that Bajco owns 99 companies. The author has listed many companies multiple times on his list. There is a total of 27 active companies in the US and two in the UAE,” he said.

    “For eighteen years, the actual out of pocket cash investment into the said businesses by my brothers and wife has been about US$73,950/-. It is further pointed out that out of US $73,950/-, my wife’s contribution, as stated aforesaid, is US$19,492/-. Thus, the total out of pocket cash contribution of my five brothers, for eighteen years, has been US$54,458/-,” Lt Gen Bajwa added.

    He added that the cash contributions of $54,458 by his five brothers were fully accounted for and traceable to their sources. He further said that apart from his five brothers and his wife, the businesses have at least 50 other investors. He maintained that any further investments were a result of profits generated from the business, while also mentioning the various qualifications of his five brothers as a source of income.

    “One question that may be underscored is whether three persons who have worked in the US up to the positions of a Vice President in a US Bank, a Controller in a restaurant operating company, and as an operating partner of a restaurant; and two persons having worked as doctors, would not be able to save US$54,458/-,” argued Lt Gen Bajwa.

    Responding to the allegations made about businesses of his children, he said that the company Scion Builders and Estates (Pvt.) Ltd owned by his sons and registered in the SECP had never done any business and same is dormant since inception. He said the same about other businesses owned by his sons, namely Advance Marketing (Pvt.) Ltd, Scion Natura LLC, and Mochi Cordwainers.

    READ: ‘Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa to issue clarification on report linking military career to family’s businesses’

    Regarding an allegation about a house owned by his son’s Scion Management Group LLC, he asserted that the house was only 31,000 and had been bought by his sons through their independent resources in “cheap foreclosure proceedings”.

    “Baseless allegations have been levelled that a business entity of my two brothers by the name of Silkline Enterprises (Pvt.) Ltd has been formed to acquire CPEC contracts. It may be stated that this company has never acquired any CPEC contract. This company is in Rahim Yar Khan and has only provided labour/human resources to industries in Rahim Yar Khan region,” he added.

    He said that one of his sons owns a house in the USA but it has been acquired through a mortgage in the manner that 80 per cent of loan/mortgage remains unpaid.

    “This again is a small time-house. All my sons are above 18 years and none are my dependents. Masha’Allah their ages are 33, 32 and 27 years respectively. It shall be noted that my sons completed their business degrees from reputable universities in the United States and have had well-paying jobs,” concluded the retired general.

    On August 27, a website known as Fact Focus published a story, claiming that Lt Gen Bajwa’s family had set up 99 companies in four countries, including a pizza franchise with 133 restaurants.

    The website further claimed that Lt Gen (r) Bajwa’s wife was a “shareholder” in at least 86 companies. Of them, 71 were set up in the US, seven in the UAE and four in Canada.

    The rebuttal followed the statement of Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz, who had earlier this week said that Bajwa will soon be issuing a clarification on the news report.

    Bajwa had earlier called the report a “malicious propaganda story”.

    The story had been called an attack on CPEC by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

  • ‘Who is this Mr Bajwa you are talking about?’ NAB DG on alleged assets of Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa’s family

    ‘Who is this Mr Bajwa you are talking about?’ NAB DG on alleged assets of Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa’s family

    National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore Director General (DG) Saleem Shahzad has expressed ignorance when asked about media reports claiming that businesses of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on Information and Broadcasting Lt Gen (r) Asim Bajwa’s family were linked to his rise in the military, Dawn reported.

    “Who is this Mr Bajwa that you are talking about?” Shahzad volleyed back when he, during an informal talk with journalists on Wednesday, was asked about the possibility of a NAB inquiry in the wake of the news story about the alleged assets of Bajwa’s family.

    The reporter’s question followed the statement of Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz, who had earlier this week said that Bajwa will soon be issuing a clarification on the news report. 

    Faraz, in a statement on Twitter, had said that he had spoken to Bajwa, who will in a few days issue a “detailed” clarification on reports regarding his assets.

    Bajwa, who is also the chairperson of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority, has already rubbished the report while calling it a “malicious propaganda story”.

    The story that went viral last week has been called an attack on CPEC by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    BUZDAR LIQUOR LICENCE CASE:

    Earlier, the NAB DG also said that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar had not yet submitted a reply in different investigations against him despite two notices.

    “CM Buzdar has not yet filed a reply. He has been served two notices in this regard,” he said, over which Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan has said that the government would file the reply shortly.

    The CM is accused of receiving Rs50 million bribe to force the Excise and Taxation Department head to issue a liquor licence to the hotel in question in violation of the law. He is also facing charges of acquiring property, mostly in south Punjab, in the names of his relatives and others and awarding the Gateway-II Thokar Niaz Baig project to a “blue-eyed” contractor.

    ‘DON’T WANT TO BE STONED AGAIN’:

    To another question, Shahzad said that the watchdog had not yet decided on once again summoning former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s daughter and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz “to avoid being stoned again”.

    “We have not decided about it,” he said when asked about the next appearance of the PML-N leader, whose arrival at NAB Lahore had led to a clash between party workers and the police last month.

    On a lighter note, Shahzad added, “Do we have to be welcomed with stones again?”

    NAB had on August 8 been unable to record the statement of Maryam in an illegal land requisition case as her party workers ran berserk and clashed with riot police in an attempt to force their way into the office of the national graft buster.

    News channels showed chaotic scenes outside the NAB Complex at Thokar Niaz Baig as Maryam drove in accompanied by hundreds of PML-N activists in vehicles and on foot.

    The situation turned ugly when some activists in the PML-N caravan pelted stones at police, who responded by using batons, water cannons and tear gas on the rioters.

    Videos on social media and aired by TV channels showed vehicles of the PML-N activists loaded with sacks full of stones which, according to government ministers, indicate the rioting was not spontaneous — a charge the opposition party denies.