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  • PML-N leaders take oath twice, vow issues discussed with Nawaz to remain secret

    PML-N leaders take oath twice, vow issues discussed with Nawaz to remain secret

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders who are currently in London remained tight-lipped about their discussions with the party’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.

    It is being said that the PML-N delegation took an oath “not just once but twice” to ensure that the issues that came under discussion before Mian Nawaz Sharif would not be revealed outside under any circumstances, reports Dawn.

    After the meeting, the delegation talked to the media outside Hasan Nawaz’s office. They did not share what policy direction was given by the Nawaz during the meeting at Stanhope House in London and stressed that any decision taken would only be announced after consultation with the government’s coalition partners.

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that electronic voting machines (EVMs) will not be used in the next general elections.

    When asked to comment on the DG ISPR’s presser on the army’s role in politics, Rana Sana said, “Our position on this is exactly the same that institutions should not be involved in politics or be dragged into politics. It is very inspiring that courts and other institutions have at this moment played a role that is not political.”

    When asked if former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan would be arrested, the interior minister said there would be no arbitrary arrest, but anyone found involved in illegal activities would be arrested and dealt with an iron hand after all legal requirements are met.

    Meanwhile, federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said the basic purpose of the visit was to take stock of the real existing situation of the country and seek guidance from Nawaz Sharif as he is the most senior statesman of Pakistan. He said the party wanted to consult him so that in the coming days the government could steer the country out of crises at a fast pace. “Pakistan’s economy is in really bad shape and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has left it in a complete mess.”

    “We will take our partners in confidence on everything that we discussed with Nawaz Sharif. The national leadership will play its role to bring the country out of crises”.

  • Rescue 1122 service to officially launch in Karachi this month

    Rescue 1122 service to officially launch in Karachi this month

    On May 30, the Sindh government will finally launch the Rescue 1122 service in Karachi, which would provide emergency aid to those in need.

    The approval was announced at a briefing held on Thursday at the Sindh Secretariat, with Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput in the chair. The initiative to open the trauma center and Rescue 1122 service in Larkana would also be finished by May 30, according to relevant officials.

    Later on, the service would be expanded to include the province’s other divisions. The meeting resolved that on the motorway and the Indus Highway, fire engines and ambulances would be available every 50 kilometers.

    Once the ambulance service is established under the Rescue 1122 service, the fire department would follow suit. Barrister Murtaza Wahab, the Administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Law, said that a fleet of 50 ambulances will begin operating in Karachi on May 30 as part of the Rescue 1122 service.

    According to him, the Sindh government chose to introduce the rescue service in Karachi after improving the city’s civic infrastructure and transportation amenities. Under the rescue plan, he said, a quick response centre would be constructed in the city every 10 kilometres.

    Read more: Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    Meanwhile, another meeting, chaired by the Sindh chief secretary, resolved to enlist the help of the Sindh police and Rangers to combat wheat hoarding and smuggling in the state.

  • Taliban imposes new ban, men and women cannot eat out together

    Taliban imposes new ban, men and women cannot eat out together

    Taliban officials have barred men and women in the western Afghan city of Herat, from dining together and attending parks at the same time, according to an official.

    Herat is considered a liberal city in comparison to other cities of the country.

    Riazullah Seerat, a Taliban official at the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Herat, said authorities “have instructed that men and women be segregated in restaurants”.

    He told AFP that owners have been verbally warned that the rule applies “even if they are husband and wife”. One Afghan woman who did not wish to be identified said the manager told her and her husband to sit separately at a Herat restaurant on Wednesday.

    Driving instructors in Herat have been told to stop granting licenses to female drivers. Women have been prohibited from traveling alone across the country, and officials have instructed women to cover up completely in public, preferably with a burqa.

  • Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted torrential rainfall starting next week, putting an end to the brutal heatwave in most parts of Pakistan.

    As per the latest PMD forecast, a new weather system will develop in the country from Sunday, attracting downpours from the May 16 to May18.

    Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu Kashmir. Following the rain, the PMD predicts that temperatures in these areas will decrease radically.

    In addition, the PMD has directed that the relevant Disaster Management Authorities be on high alert in order to avert loss of life and property throughout the rainfall.

    In other news, the PMD has warned that a severe heatwave will approach Sindh. The extreme heat will extend through May 17th, with daytime temperatures in most regions exceeding usual.

    Read more: Heatwave Alert: All physical activities in Punjab schools suspended

    Daytime highs in upper Sindh will linger between 46°C and 48°C, in central Sindh districts between 43°C and 45°C, and in lower Sindh districts between 38°C and 40°C.

  • FIA terms withdrawal of cases against Shehbaz, Hamza ‘fake news’

    FIA terms withdrawal of cases against Shehbaz, Hamza ‘fake news’

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday termed the news story related to the withdrawal of cases against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz and others as “fake news”.

    In a statement, the FIA said that it had registered the case and it has not been withdrawn. The investigating agency further said that the proceedings are continuing in the court, with the next hearing scheduled for May 14.

    “Hence, it is fake news. FIA may legally proceed against the persons involved in spreading this fake news,” said the FIA spokesperson.

    The FIA said that on April 11, the prosecutor had submitted his opinion-based application in the court regarding a change of the prosecutor wherein he was instructed not to appear on behalf of the prosecution.

    It added that the prosecutor had alleged that the director-general of the FIA, via the investigation officer, had asked him not to appear before the court, adding that “it was not a withdrawal application anyway”.

    “On 11-04-2022, Mr Sanaullah Abbasi was the DG FIA. At the time of submission of the application, the new PM had not yet taken the oath. Tahir Rai was posted as DG FIA on 22-04-2022. This matter pertains to the timing before his arrival in FIA,” said the FIA.

    The agency said that the “change of prosecutor is a routine matter” and added that the government lawyer was also changed several times during the PTI government.

    “It is requested that fake news may not be spread in this matter,” said the FIA spokesperson.

    On the last hearing, the FIA’s special court issued an order that it will indict PM Shehbaz and CM Punjab Hamza.

  • ‘Comments on Faiz Hameed made by politicians very inappropriate’: ISPR

    ‘Comments on Faiz Hameed made by politicians very inappropriate’: ISPR

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that the Peshawar Corps was an “illustrious formation” of the army and was spearheading the national war against terrorism for over two decades.

    “One of the most competent and professional officers is entrusted with the responsibility to lead this prestigious formation. Imprudent comments made by important senior politicians recently about [the] Peshawar Corps commander are very inappropriate,” the ISPR said.

    “It is expected that the senior political leadership of [the] country refrains from passing objectionable remarks against the institution, whose brave officers and men are constantly putting their lives on the line to guard the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan,” read the statement.

    ISPR Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar reiterated that “many statements” were made in the last few days by the country’s politicians and termed them “highly inappropriate”.

    “It must be clarified that there is no problem with fair criticism,” the military spokesperson said, lamenting that social media was being used to create propaganda instead of mere criticism.

    “We, as an institution, have nothing to do with the political situation of the country,” he said, adding that the institution was showing “tolerance and restraint and requesting that the army is not dragged into politics”.

    The appointment of the next army chief should not be made “controversial” by turning it into a topic of debate. He said the procedure for the appointment of the army chief had been outlined in the Constitution, adding that it would take place in accordance with the law.

    On Wednesday, Pakistan People’s Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari had been asked about Lt Gen Hameed at a press conference in Karachi and had replied with: “The helpless Faiz Hameed has been sidelined.”

    Maryam Nawaz on Thursday said that the army chief should be a person who had a “flawless reputation”, free from any criticism or doubts.

    Maryam made these remarks in a press conference outside the Islamabad High Court on Thursday while answering a question about Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s comments, wherein he had said that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s name could be considered for the new army chief.

    She said that the Pakistan Army is a respected institution and added that “the whole nation looks at the armed forces for the stability and security of the country”.

    The PML-N leader reiterated that the army chief should be a person who has a “flawless reputation” and who is good for the people, country, and the institution.

  • Maryam Nawaz says Imran Khan ran country through sorcery

    Maryam Nawaz says Imran Khan ran country through sorcery

    Addressing a public rally in Swabi, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, on Wednesday, accused former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan of using “sorcery” to run the country.

    Maryam said that the nation should be thankful to God for getting rid of a government which ran country through ‘sorcery’ and did nothing substantial for the country.

    Moreover, the PML-N leader urged the people of Swabi to vote for PML-N in the next elections so that “KP should also get rid of Imran Khan”.

    Criticising Khan, she said there is no truth to Khan’s ‘threat letter’ claims. She was of the view that the PTI chairman is “hiding his incompetence behind a fake threatening letter despite the fact that his own party’s MNAs went against him and MPAs [in Punjab] voted in favour of Hamza Shehbaz”.

    According to Maryam, the former PM left the economy in doldrums and maintained that it would at least take two years to bring the economy back on track.

    She also accused Khan of attacking state institutions for not siding with him.

  • 49 buses arrive Karachi for Orange Line BRT, intra-city service

    49 buses arrive Karachi for Orange Line BRT, intra-city service

    A total of 49 buses procured for the Orange Line BRT project and the Intra-District Peoples Bus Service reached Karachi port on May 11.

    In June 2016, Syed Qaim Ali Shah laid the foundation stone for the Orange Line, predicting that the project will be finished in a year.

    After six years, the project is still unfinished. The Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) and contractors had originally been granted until November 2021 to complete the building of the Orange Line BRT track, however, they had missed the deadline.

    The provincial minister has directed the SMTA to finish the civil and electrical work for the Orange Line BRT by the end of this month. The Orange Line BRT is named after Abdul Sattar Edhi.

    Read more: CNG prices pushed to Rs140 per kg for sales tax collection

    As the 49 buses landed at the port, Sindh Transport and Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon tweeted that the remaining buses were on their way and will come in phases over the coming months.

  • ‘Sub nay aapnay paison se ticket li hai’: Miftah Ismail on tax money for London trip

    ‘Sub nay aapnay paison se ticket li hai’: Miftah Ismail on tax money for London trip

    Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, in a video, has said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) delegation who is currently in London has gone at their own expense.

    Miftah said, “We all have come at our own expense and bought our airline tickets ourselves. Some of us have come in business class and some via economy and all have bought their own tickets.”

    “This is what Imran Khan does, he lies but we are living at our own expense in the hotel as well. We are not like PTI who move around on the government’s expenses,” said Miftah.

    PML-N’s visit received a lot of backlash from PML-N’s opponents to the general public. The timing of the PM and his top leadership’s visit to London is being questioned, with observers asking why such a trip is necessary when the country is in dire straits.

    The PML-N was criticised that the entire cabinet was going to meet a ‘corrupt and convicted’ person, that too on taxpayers’ money.

  • Khan’s ex-bestie now Shehbaz’s advisor on tourism

    Khan’s ex-bestie now Shehbaz’s advisor on tourism

    A key member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) Group, Awn Chaudhry has been appointed as an adviser on sports and tourism to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    President Arif Alvi approved the appointment of Chaudhry on the advice of PM Shehbaz.

    It has been reported that the newly-elected Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz has also decided to accommodate the JKT group in the provincial cabinet.

    CM Hamza recently met with Jahangir Tareen, who is back in Lahore from London. Tareen congratulated Hamza Shahbaz on being elected as CM.