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  • Govt to close the National Command and Operation centre: Dr Faisal Sultan

    Govt to close the National Command and Operation centre: Dr Faisal Sultan

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Dr Faisal Sultan has announced that the government has decided to shut down the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC).

    According to Dr Sultan, PM Khan himself is expected to formally announce the shutting down of NCOC by the end of next month. He said that the responsibilities of the NCOC will be carried out by the National Institute of Health.

    March 27 will mark the 2nd anniversary of the establishment of the NCOC.

    NCOC was established after the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan. The centre is the main entity in charge of Pakistan’s national Covid-19 effort’s policies and implementation.

    In recent months, the rate of Covid cases in Pakistan has gotten low after almost three years of fighting the global pandemic.

  • ‘I am not one of those who blackmails for chief ministership with five seats in hand’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘I am not one of those who blackmails for chief ministership with five seats in hand’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has categorically said that he is standing like a “rock” with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan amidst the political chaos.

    Commenting on the politics of Punjab, Rasheed said, “I am not one of those who blackmail for chief ministership with five seats in hand.”

    A reporter questioned Rasheed if he was hinting at former Chief Minister (CM) Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan.

    “I am talking about the politics of Punjab. Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) is standing with Imran Khan,” said Sheikh Rasheed during a press conference in Quetta.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Moonis Elahi hit back at Rasheed, alleging that he “used to take money from the party’s elders during his student life”.

    The PML-Q has asked the prime minister to announce Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as the replacement of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar before calling the session of the National Assembly to take up the Opposition’s no-trust motion. The demand is despite the party holding just five seats in the lower house, reports Dawn.

    “The PML-Q leadership has conveyed to the prime minister to announce Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi as the Punjab chief minister forthwith as this will help save the PTI government in Punjab in the face of ‘rebellion’ by the [Jahangir] Tareen group.”

    “Also the PML-Q will announce its open support for the premier and use its clout to scuttle the opposition’s move in the Centre,” reported the news outlet.

  • PTI ministers confirm PM Khan to replace CM Buzdar: PML-Q

    PTI ministers confirm PM Khan to replace CM Buzdar: PML-Q

    Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) Secretary-General Tariq Basheer Cheema, in Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath” revealed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ministers [didn’t mention any name] have told him that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has given the approval to remove Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.

    Previously, it was reported that Buzdar handed over his resignation to the premier, which he declined. There are also several media reports that suggested that the Tareen group isn’t happy with Buzdar’s position as CM.

    During the show, Cheema also lashed out at Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry. While referring to the meeting between the Chaudhry brothers and Fawad on Friday, Cheema said that the no-confidence motion against PM Khan was not discussed in the meeting.

    Previously, Fawad, after his meeting, had said that PML-Q would formally announce full confidence in PM before the National Assembly (NA) session for the motion.

    “I don’t know why Fawad is giving a false statement about the settlement with PML-Q on the no-trust move”, he said while adding that if he [Fawad] has to take decisions of PML-Q then the Chaudhry brothers should leave politics.

    Moreover, the PML-Q Secretary-General said that the party will make a final decision on the no-confidence matter in the next 24 to 48 hours.

  • IN PICTURES: Malala and her husband on a romantic getaway

    IN PICTURES: Malala and her husband on a romantic getaway

    Nobel Laureate and Women’s Education Rights Activist Malala Yousafzai is currently on a holiday in Cappadocia, Turkey, with her husband Asser Malik. Asser took to his Instagram to share pictures from their romantic getaway.

    Have a look at the pictures:

    Malala re-shared the pictures on her Instagram story with a flower emoji.

    Malala and Asser tired the knot in a small intimate nikkah ceremony in November last year. The couple has been made several public appearances post-Nikkah.

  • ‘Was missile handled by Indian army or rogue elements?’ Pakistan demands ‘joint probe’ into missile incident

    ‘Was missile handled by Indian army or rogue elements?’ Pakistan demands ‘joint probe’ into missile incident

    Pakistan took notice of the clarification by the Indian Defence Ministry regretting the “accidental firing” of the Indian-origin missile into Pakistani territory and demanded a “joint probe to accurately establish the facts surrounding the incident”.

    In a statement issued today (March 12), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the grave nature of the incident raised several fundamental questions regarding security protocols and technical safeguards against the “accidental or unauthorised launch of missiles in a nuclearised environment”.

    “Such a serious matter cannot be addressed with the simplistic explanation proffered by the Indian authorities,” said the Foreign Office (FO) statement.

    Pakistan said some of the questions that need to be answered include:

    • India must explain the measures and procedures in place to prevent accidental missile launches and the particular circumstances of this incident.
    • India needs to clearly explain the type and specifications of the missile that fell in Pakistani territory.
    • India also needs to explain the flight path/ trajectory of the accidentally launched missile and how it ultimately turned and entered Pakistan?
    • Was the missile equipped with self-destruct mechanism? Why did it fail to actualise?
    • Are Indian missiles kept primed for launch even under routine maintenance?
    • Why did India fail to immediately inform Pakistan about the accidental launch of the missile and waited to acknowledge it till after Pakistan announced the incident and sought clarification?
    • Given the profound level of incompetence, India needs to explain if the missile was indeed handled by its armed forces or some rogue elements?

    “The whole incident indicates many loopholes and technical lapses of serious nature in Indian handling of strategic weapons,” said the statement, adding that the Indian decision to hold an internal court of inquiry is “not sufficient since the missile ended up in Pakistani territory”.

    “Pakistan, therefore, calls upon the international community to take serious notice of this incident of [a] grave nature in a nuclearised environment and play its due role in promoting strategic stability in the region,” the FO said.

    Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf tweeted yesterday that it has taken more than two days for India to accept that this was their missile launched ostensibly due to a technical malfunction during maintenance.

    “This raises serious questions about India’s ability to handle such sensitive technology. This missile traveled close to the path of international and domestic commercial airlines and threatened the safety of civilians,” said Yusuf.

  • Appeal filed against acquittal of Zahir’s parents, seven others

    Appeal filed against acquittal of Zahir’s parents, seven others

    On behalf of Noor’s father, Shaukat Mukadam, different appeals have been filed by lawyer Shah Khawar in Islamabad High Court (IHC), reports Arab News. The appeals challenge the acquittal of Zahir’s parents, Asmat Adamjee and Zakir Jaffer. The appeal also challenges the acquittal of domestic helper Jamil, and six Therapy Works employees including its CEO Tahir Zahoor.

    The appeal states, “Digital evidence is available against the accused. The acquittal of the trial court was against the law.” “The accused should be punished in accordance with the law,” it added.

    A sessions court on Feburary 24 sentenced Zahir Jaffer to death for the murder of Noor Mukadam. The staff members at Zahir’s house who aided in keeping Noor in Zahir’s house, Iftikhar and Jameel, were sentenced to 10 years in jail. Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani announced the verdict. All other accused were acquitted, including Zahir’s parents and TherapyWorks staff.

  • ‘Neutral tou janwar hota hai’: Opposition reacts to PM Khan’s neutral comment

    ‘Neutral tou janwar hota hai’: Opposition reacts to PM Khan’s neutral comment

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman hit out at Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and said that the premier’s recent use of tone and language was “shocking”.

    “If someone from the Opposition would have translated neutral the way [PM Khan] did, the government would have created a ruckus.”

    “The government has been saying for three and a half years that institutions are neutral,” said Rehman.

    “The prime minister himself says he is not part of any bloc and is neutral. He claims to have introduced a neutral umpire in cricket” said Sherry Rehman.

    She further accused PM Khan of pushing the country towards a crisis in his attempts to avoid the joint Opposition’s no-confidence motion against him.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted, “Imran Sahib has put dirt and filth in politics. By cleaning up this filth and filthiness, we will get rid of the stench and suffocation in society.”

    Aurangzeb even responded to Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s recent comment that democracy is not a system of extreme divisions, it is based on political consensus. Fawad also said, “I don’t think there should be such extreme division that conversations become difficult.”

    “Explain these things to Imran Sahib who has turned politics into enmity. Talks happen with politicians, not abusive thugs.”

    “The one who created division, chaos, and disorder in the society, his name is Imran Khan,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb.

    PM Khan’s recent comments have heightened the political temperature in the country.

    Prime Minister during his address in Lower Dir said, “Humans either side with good or evil. Only animals remain neutral.”

    His remarks had come a day after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (

    DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar categorically stated that the army had nothing to do with politics and called for avoiding unnecessary discussion and speculation about the army’s alleged involvement in political affairs.

  • FIFA to lift suspension imposed on Pakistan Football Federation soon after banning it last year

    FIFA to lift suspension imposed on Pakistan Football Federation soon after banning it last year

    Federation Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) appointed Normalisation Committee (NC) has reportedly regained control of Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) headquarters. The action will also pave the way for FIFA to lift the suspension on PFF.

    The newly appointed chairman of FIFA’s appointed NC Haroon Malik announced the development on Twitter. He said, “Congratulations to the football family on the return of Football House. The FIFA NC recognises and lauds the contributions of Dr Fehmida Mirza in achieving this momentous milestone. We thank the entire football family for their support. It is now time to move forward together.”

    Last year, a group of football officials led by Ashfaq Hussain Shah was elected as PFF president in the 2018 elections but not recognised by FIFA.

    FIFA said its decision to suspend the PFF was prompted by the “hostile takeover”, which constituted a serious violation of its statutes.

    However, the normalisation committee will likely resume its day-to-day affairs of PFF headquarters from Monday.

    According to Geo News’ sources, the NC has already prepared an 8-month-long roadmap for elections in the PPF. The process will start later this month and will be supervised by the Government of Pakistan.

  • ‘Fighting isn’t difficult, reconciliation is,’ Fawad Chaudhry trying to bring down political temperature?

    ‘Fighting isn’t difficult, reconciliation is,’ Fawad Chaudhry trying to bring down political temperature?

    Amidst all political chaos and unrest, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “The unintentional no-confidence motion presented by the Opposition has caused bitterness in politics.”

    “Democracy is not a system of extreme divisions, it is based on political consensus,” said Fawad, adding, “I don’t think there should be such extreme division that conversations become difficult.”

    The minister further wrote, “Fighting isn’t difficult, reconciliation is.”

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed’s recent comments on the no-confidence motion suggest mending ways with the Opposition.

    “I think we should go towards making peace with the Opposition,” said Rasheed.

    Fawad and Rasheed’s words come at a time when the political temperature is quite high.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took to Twitter yesterday and responded to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent criticism hurled at the Opposition.

    “Imran Khan’s abusive language is the biggest proof he knows he’s losing. Have you ever heard a winning captain abuse his opponents?”

    “His reference to the army in public jalsa while no confidence is pending is pathetic, desperate, and will not work,” tweeted Bilawal.

  • Phone snatching: if you aren’t a Karachi resident, you can’t resell phone in the city

    Phone snatching: if you aren’t a Karachi resident, you can’t resell phone in the city

    In order to discourage mobile phone snatching in Karachi, the Karachi Electronic Dealers Association (KEDA) have decided to ban any non-Karachiite from selling mobile device in the city. Only people with Karachi addresses on their CNICs will be able to resell mobile phones at the city’s electronics market

    KEDA President Mohammad Rizwan Irfan said the decision has been taken in response to a sharp increase in local mobile phone snatching incidents.

    “The new SOPs have been devised in consultation with the police and the CPLC in order to control the rising cases of mobile theft,” said Rizwan, adding that 100-120 million mobile phones have been seized since 2016.

    Talking to a local news publication, Chairman KEDA’s Law & Order Committee Hamza Memon said, “From now on, no shopkeeper will buy a mobile phone without a copy of the identity card.”

    “Over one million stolen mobile phones have been handed over to the authorities in the past three years by shop owners,” he added.