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Tag: islamabad

  • Khan in court, granted pre-arrest bail in 10 cases against him

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been granted pre-arrest bail till July 6 by the court of a district and sessions judge in Islamabad today (Friday). He got bail in 10 cases related to vandalism during his party’s Azadi March in the federal capital which happened on May 25.

    He is booked on charges involving interference in state affairs and damaging public property.

    Khan appeared in court with strict security arrangements. The court directed Khan to submit Rs5,000 as surety in each of the cases and directed the police to submit a record of cases in the next hearing which is on July 6.

    Prior to this development, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) granted transit bail to PTI Chairman till June 25 in different cases registered against him in connection with his party march.

    Bail to PTI leaders:

    Earlier, police had booked around 11 PTI leaders including Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhry and others in a case pertaining to violence at the Kohsar police station. However, an Islamabad court granted interim bail to them in this case on June 20.

    Similarly, last week, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) granted interim bail till June 28 to more than a dozen PTI leaders for vandalism in the case pertaining to violence at the Bhatti Gate police station, Lahore. The bail was granted to Hammad Azhar, PTI Central Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Aslam Iqbal and others.

  • Here’s how to build your new laptop without going to a shop

    Here’s how to build your new laptop without going to a shop

    As online purchasing and selling have evolved, you can now choose and order a laptop from a number of Pakistani websites without going to the market in person.

    Some of the most popular websites for online shopping include Daraz, laptopmart.pk, myshop.pk, mrlaptop.pk, telemart.pk and OLX.

    There is a distinct and significantly more effective website that delivers much more than just selling factory goods. The laptop shopping website paklap.pk offers a variety of brands from which you can choose one of your preferred models. Whatever brand or model you’re looking for, Paklap has it, from boxy Lenovo Thinkpads to sleek Apple MacBooks.

    The platform’s most intriguing feature is that it even lets you select your preferred RAM, HDD storage, and SSD storage and provides a precise cost estimate for the laptop after your chosen upgrades. In addition to laptops, the website lists a wide range of computer accessories and numerous gadgets for online shoppers at affordable prices.

    Building your new laptop and obtaining an exact price quote while you’re still in bed seems like a brilliant idea, particularly for those who lack the time to go to the market, haggle, and inquire about the cost of each upgrade.

    Despite the minimal effort, you should still confirm or check the market prices of each item you intend to purchase.

  • ITP fines hundreds of vehicles for causing environmental pollution

    ITP fines hundreds of vehicles for causing environmental pollution

    The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police fined 315 vehicles for causing environmental pollution as the ban on smoke-emitting vehicles entering the Federal Capital went into effect on Tuesday.

    Islamabad police intensified the crackdown to protect the environment, and as a result, 239 vehicles with pressure horns and 76 smoke-emitting vehicles received fines, according to a police spokesman.

    He claimed that Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, the Inspector General of Police in Islamabad, had recently announced the ban with a specific directive to start an awareness campaign for environmental preservation.

    The representative said that major thoroughfares like the Islamabad Expressway, IJP Road, Srinagar Highway, and others have special enforcement squads stationed there. Additionally, social media platforms were used to educate drivers about the ban.

    The IGP was quoted as saying, “Fitness certificates will not be issued to any unfit vehicles and no laxity in the implementation of traffic rules will be tolerated”.

    To carry out the campaign against smoke-emitting vehicles, ITP has organised mobile squads. These teams would patrol different areas and ticket any vehicles that were causing noise pollution or smoke.

  • Gold surges to Rs147,250 per tola in local market

    Gold surges to Rs147,250 per tola in local market

    On Monday, gold prices in the local market rose by Rs1,450 per tola to a new all-time high, pushed up by the Pakistani currency’s continued depreciation against the US dollar.

    Despite no change in gold rates in the international market, gold rates in the local market increased to Rs147,250 per tola, according to data released by the All Sindh Saraf Jewelers Association. Similarly, the price of a gramme of gold increased by Rs1,243 to Rs126,243.

    However, gold prices on the international market remained unchanged at $1,840 per ounce.

    The price of silver per tola remained unchanged at Rs1,560. The price of a gramme of silver also remained unchanged at Rs1,337.44. When compared to rates in the Dubai gold market, local jewellers said prices in the local market remained below Rs3,000 per tola.

    Pakistani rupee dips to new lows

    Experts predict that the Pakistan rupee will continue to fall against the US dollar and other major currencies owing to concerns regarding the IMF’s $6 billion program’s restoration, the country’s expanding current account deficit, and dwindling foreign exchange reserves.

    The PKR which lost 32.5 per cent of its value in the current financial year 2021-22 is forecasted to remain under stress as the dollar is in high demand in the market due to economic crises.

    The central bank appears helpless to stem the rupee’s speculative fall, as demand for the US dollar continues to rise due to quarter-end payment strain.

  • Pakistan Blind Cricket Council needs permission to participate in T20 World Cup in India

    Pakistan Blind Cricket Council needs permission to participate in T20 World Cup in India

    Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has reportedly contacted the Pakistani government for the issuance of a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) so that the team can participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup for Blinds in India.

    PBCC’s Chairman Sultan Shah told Geo News, “We will only confirm our participation in T20 World Cup in India once we get the NOC from the government.”

    “We have already started preparing a strong team for the event,” Shah added.

    The third T20 cricket World Cup will be played in India from December 4 to 17, 2022.

    The second T20 cricket World Cup was also hosted by India in 2017. In the final, India won against Pakistan by 9 wickets.

  • Number of 3G, 4G users in Pakistan increases to 113.89 million

    Number of 3G, 4G users in Pakistan increases to 113.89 million

    The latest data from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reveals that the number of 3G and 4G users grew by 1.14 million from 112.75 million in April 2022 to 113.89 million in May 2022.

    Pakistan’s cellular subscriber base grew by 0.25 million to 193 million by the end of May 2022, up from 192.75 million at the end of April, according to Brecorder.

    By the end of May, cellular mobile teledensity had risen from 87.6 per cent to 87.67 per cent. By the end of May, the total teledensity had risen to 88.81 per cent, up from 88.74 per cent in April.

    The monthly penetration of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) at the end of April had risen to 51.73 per cent, up from 51.24 per cent.

    Network providers

    The total number of 3G users on Jazz fell from 6.222 million at the end of April to 6.068 million at the end of May, a reduction of 0.154 million. By the end of May, the number of Jazz 4G users had risen from 36.567 million to 37.168 million.

    Zong 3G subscribers fell from 3.357 million at the end of April to 3.272 million at the end of May, while 4G users grew from 27.952 million at the end of April to 28.317 million at the end of May.

    Telenor 3G subscribers fell from 3.696 million at the end of April to 3.613 million at the end of May, whereas Telenor 4G users enhanced from 21.216 million at the end of April to 21.494 million at the end of May.

    By the end of May, there were 3.576 million Ufone 3G users, up from 3.673 million at the end of April. Ufone’s 4G users increased from 8.761 million at the end of April to 9.052 million at the end of May, a 0.291 million increase over the previous month.

  • Surge in Covid-19 cases in Pakistan

    Surge in Covid-19 cases in Pakistan

    Pakistan’s Covid-19 positivity rate has gone to 1.22 per cent today (Thursday), according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad.

    According to NIH data, 144 people have been found infected with the virus and one death has been reported.

    The positivity rate was at 0.83 per cent on Wednesday with 106 cases.

    In April, Pakistan reported zero Covid-19-related deaths for the first time since the breakout of the pandemic in the country.

    In March, the government announced the closure of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC). The body was set up in March 2020 to deal with Covid-19.

  • Govt announces Rs3 billion subsidy to provide ghee at discounted rate

    Govt announces Rs3 billion subsidy to provide ghee at discounted rate

    The Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb announced on Monday that the government would provide a Rs3 billion subsidy to lower the price of ghee to assist the masses.

    She told a press conference that the market price of ghee is currently Rs550 per kg, but it is being sold at Rs300 per kg in utility stores across the country, according to AAJ News

    “The government is bearing a cost of Rs250 per kg,” she added, adding that the price of ghee was Rs150 per kg when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) handed over the office to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 2018.

    On the other hand, the government has increased the price of ghee and cooking oil at other retailers.

    She further stated that a 10 kg wheat bag could be purchased for Rs400 at any utility store in Pakistan.

    The minister said that on June 6, about one hundred mobile vans were added to the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) network, citing residents of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) having difficulty obtaining discounted items due to limited distribution of utility stores.

    9,500 new utility stores

    “In addition, on June 9, 500 new USC stationary stations were set up to deliver wheat, and 100 more items are being added today,” she stated. “Since June 6, the USC network has grown by 700 units”.

    Price control committees have also been established, according to her, to keep hoarding and reselling of USC materials under check. The availability of items at utility retailers, she said, was also being watched.

    The minister stated that Rs17 billion had been set aside to give the public with low-cost sugar, ghee, and wheat.

  • Imran Khan responsible for the chaos during PTI’s long March: Islamabad Police

    Imran Khan responsible for the chaos during PTI’s long March: Islamabad Police

    The Islamabad Police, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and the interior secretary submitted their report regarding the Supreme Court’s (SC) order violation by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders during the long march. The report submitted on Friday by the Islamabad Police stated that PTI Chairman Imran Khan caused disorder in the federal capital during his party’s “Azadi March”, which took place on May 25.

    The federal police further told the top court on Friday that Khan had directed protesters to enter the Red Zone despite a judicial order to hold the jalsa in H-9 ground. No PTI member went there because in a video message, PTI Chairman Imran Khan instructed his party workers to reach D-Chowk.

    “The PTI Chairman Imran Khan told his workers to reach the D-Chowk in a video message. The police and law enforcers made every effort to stop the protesters but they advanced removing all containers and barriers on the night between May 25 and 26,” the report stated.

    Islamabad Inspector-General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan also attached video evidence and tweets of the PTI leaders with their report.

    The report says that the PTI supporters managed to remove containers and barriers as PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Zartaj Gul, Saifullah Niazi and Imran Ismail kept provoking them.

    Earlier, the SC sought a report from law enforcement within seven days. The top court also directed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and other authorities to submit a report before the court explaining whether the judiciary’s orders were violated on May 25 during the long march.

    On June 1st, SC gave its majority judgment after a petition was filed by the Islamabad High Court Bar Association under Article 184(3) of the Constitution in anticipation of a protest march into Islamabad by the workers of the (PTI) on May 25, the federal government had blocked highways to and roads within the Capital to prevent entry and movement of the protestors.

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial observed that Pakistani citizens have the right to move and assemble anywhere within the country under Articles 15, 16 and 17 of the Constitution of Pakistan. He also warned the government against any illegal arrests and raids.

    However, during the hearing, Attorney-General (AG) Ashtar Ausaf Ali claimed that the PTI workers and supporters moved forward to D-Chowk after their leader [Imran Khan] asked them to.

    In its majority judgment, the top court stated: “It is apparent that the assurances conveyed to the court by the learned counsel for the top leadership of the PTI may have been dishonoured by the workers/supporters/sympathisers of the party by proceeding to the D-Chowk in the Red Zone area and by allegedly committing acts of arson and destruction of public and private properties on the way. However, we note that in the early morning today Mr Imran Khan reached Jinnah Avenue leading to D-Chowk and announced the postponement of his sit-in at Islamabad for six days. As a result, further damage to property or injury to human life has been averted.”

    The judgment also added, “there is no evidence or allegation that such acts were committed on the instigation of any party or happened randomly.”

    “At its most elementary level, the PTI leader appears to have assured the holding of a political rally at the G-9/H-9 ground and therefore not to assemble and sit in another venue including at D-Chowk in G-5 Islamabad.”

    ’ Not withstanding the said request by the AGP, we exercise restraint for the time being for several reasons’: SC

    The court also said it was “disappointed” to note that riots took place in the federal capital despite its order to create a balance between both sides, PTI and the government.

    The court further added that peaceful protest is a constitutional right but PTI could have done it with the permission of the state. As long as sanctions under Articles 15 and 16 are inevitable, the right to protest cannot be restrained without legal, reasonable grounds.

    However, Justice Yahya Afridi wrote a dissenting note. He quoted Khan’s statement after the court order: “Wherever Pakistanis are, there is good news: the Supreme Court has issued an order that there will be no hurdles and no one will be arrested. This is why I want all Pakistanis to come out of their homes today evening; people in Islamabad and Rawalpindi should try their best to reach D-Chowk because I will reach there within one-and-a-half-hour.”

    Justice Afridi said that there is sufficient material before the court to proceed against Khan “for the alleged disobedience of the court order which warrants the issuance of notice by this court to Mr Imran Khan to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.”

  • Coalition govt shows ‘full confidence’ in PM Shehbaz, as Zardari hosts dinner ahead of budget

    Coalition govt shows ‘full confidence’ in PM Shehbaz, as Zardari hosts dinner ahead of budget

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari hosted a dinner for leaders and members of the coalition government, on June 9 ahead of the fiscal budget 2022-23 announcement in Islamabad.

    The fiscal budget that is to be released on June 10, 2022, (today) was the centre of discussion at the dinner. The meeting also discussed the overall political state of the country and expressed full confidence in Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    Zardari was also lauded by the coalition leaders and members for his efforts to unite the parties together. PM Shehbaz also received advice from members and leaders present at the dinner.

    In attendance were Yousaf Raza Gillani, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Sherry Rehman, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Pervez Ashraf, and Rana Sanaullah among others.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilalwal Bhutto-Zardari was not in attendance at the dinner because he is currently in quarantine.