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Tag: Pakistan

  • No issue in delay for free and fair elections, says Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    No issue in delay for free and fair elections, says Maulana Fazlur Rehman

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Wednesday that a delay of a few days in the general election will not make any difference. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari also made the same statement a few days earlier.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman said in an interview that there is no issue if the delay of a few days in the election can help in conducting free and fair polls.

    Earlier this week, the PPP co-chairman also said that there is no issue with a delay of about 10 days.

    The JUI-F head also said that he is not backing any political agenda while demanding a delay in the polls, asking that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) should consider all the concerns, including the weather conditions in high-altitude regions.

    Postponement of elections also occurred after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and it’s a valid reason for people to accept a delay in polls, he added.

    Maulana also warned that his party would come out on the streets and protest if the election were postponed indefinitely.

  • Can still go for Hajj 2024: deadline extended, restriction on performing Hajj for someone else removed

    Can still go for Hajj 2024: deadline extended, restriction on performing Hajj for someone else removed

    Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has announced that the application submission deadline for Hajj 2024 has been extended by 10 days as the previously announced December 12 deadline expired on Tuesday (today). Now the last day is December 22, reports Geo.

    A five-year restriction on Hajj-e-Badal, the Hajj performed by a person on account of another, has been removed.

    Pilgrims who have performed Hajj in the last five years are also eligible to apply for Hajj 2024.

    The statement said that Hajj applications in the sponsorship scheme are being received on a “first come first served” basis.

    In the wake of lessening foreign exchange reserves, the government has announced that those paying their dues in dollars from abroad will be declared as “winners” without the need for balloting.

    Pakistan has secured 179,000 Hajj seats, with half reserved for private Hajj operators.


    The announcement comes after the government decided to reduce Hajj expenses by Rs100,000 with the next year’s pilgrimage set to cost Rs1,075,000 to around 89,605 Pakistanis expected to perform Hajj under the government scheme.


    Pilgrims can choose between both long and short-term packages spanning over 38 to 42 and 20 to 25 days, respectively.


    It is important to note that the extension is made as the number of applicants for government hajj scheme 2024 has been unusually low which the ministry pronounced to be “disappointing”.

  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine ‘Captain’ dies

    Brooklyn Nine-Nine ‘Captain’ dies

    Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andre Braugher, famously known as Captain Holt, has passed away at the age of 61.

    He rose to fame with his role of a police officer in Homicide: Life On The Street, as detective Frank Pembleto, and was loved dearly among comedy fans for playing Captain Holt in the Andy Samberg-starrer sitcom.

    Terry Crews, who played Lieutenant Terry Jeffords in the Golden Globe-winning series, took to his Instagram account to express disbelief in the shocking news.

    “Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship. Deepest condolences to your wife and family in this difficult time. You showed me what a life well lived looks like. Rest In Peace, Andre. I love you, man,” he wrote.

    Chelsea Peretti, who played Gina, shared a picture of Andre with his portrait in police uniform and penned: “Love you ❤ ️ I will always cherish our conversations, often with me hanging in your doorway barring your exit, and the insane opportunity to be your sidekick.”

    His on-screen husband Marc Evan Jackson, who played Kevin, penned a short and sweet tribute: “O Captain. My Captain.”

    Jo Lo Truglio, aka Charles Boyle, wrote on his handle: “I miss him so much already. What an honor to work with a man who knew what it was really all about. I feel blessed and thankful. Miss you Capt Holt.”

    Joel McKinnon Miller and Dirk Blocker, known as Detective Scully and Detective Hitchcock, respectively, also extended their condolences while singing praise for Andre’s talent.

    “Sending love to Andre’s family and friends and all of us who had the honor of working with him,” Joel penned.

    “The 9 years I was able to work with him and to just be in his presence was truly a blessing. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family,” Dirk wrote.

    Melissa Fumero, who played B99’s female lead Amy Santiago, shared a picture from an old carousel she posted which featured Andre’s precinct office.

    Kyra Sedgwick, the actress who played Captain Holt’s rival Captain Madelaine Wuntch, wrote on her Instagram stories, “Playing his other half in Brooklyn Nine Nine will forever be one of the highlights of my career.”

  • Civilians to be tried in military court; Supreme Court decides

    Civilians to be tried in military court; Supreme Court decides

    The Supreme Court has, by a majority of 5-1, suspended its October 23 order that declared the trials of civilians in military courts null and void regarding the May 9 riots.

    The decision came in response to intra-court appeals (ICAs) filed by the federal and provincial governments, as well as the defense ministry, challenging the earlier verdict.

    A six-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan heard the set of intra-court appeals.

    Justice Hilali differed with the majority decision.

    On October 23, a five-member apex court bench headed by Justice Ahsan unanimously admitted the pleas and nullified the government’s decision to try civilians in military courts in connection with the May 9 riots which erupted after the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-then chairman Imran Khan.

    Four judges out of the five declared that Section 2(1)(d) of the Army Act and 59(4) (civil offences) are “ultra vires the Constitution and of no legal effect”.

    “Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing the trials of civilians and accused persons, being around 103 persons […] shall be tried by criminal courts of competent jurisdiction established under the ordinary and/or special law of the land in relation to such offences of which they may stand accused,” the short order read.

    Following its verdict, the federal and the provincial governments along with the defence ministry filed intra-court appeals (ICAs). However, the caretaker government of Sindh refused to file any plea against the SC order.

    Justice Masood, who faced objections regarding his inclusion in the bench, refused to recuse himself.

    Former Chief Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and others had raised concerns about Justice Masood’s previous expressions on the matter, but the judge maintained his position.

    The Supreme Court’s recent decision to suspend the October 23 verdict means that the trials of 103 civilians will continue, with the final ruling conditional upon the Supreme Court’s subsequent orders.

  • Water theft of billions of rupees detected in Karachi

    Water theft of billions of rupees detected in Karachi

    Water theft worth billions of rupees has been detected under the Teen Hatti Bridge in Karachi. The theft was revealed in a raid conducted by Karachi Water Corporation, which found a 22-foot-deep tunnel under the bridge where water was being stolen.

    Chief Operating Officer (COO) Asadullah Khan told Geo that the tunnel is stealing water from the Rexar Line that provides water to Lyari, adding that the 33-inch line was built to provide fifty lac gallon water daily to the area. Through this line, four connections of eight inches each were taken out to steal water.

  • Hasan Raheem in love with a new band in Shahzad Roy’s school

    Hasan Raheem in love with a new band in Shahzad Roy’s school

    Veteran singer and overall good guy Shahzad Roy posted a super cool video on social media. In the video, heartthrob singer Hasan Raheem can be seen performing with talented young students at Zindagi Trust’s school, Roy’s pet project. The heartwarming moment showed how important it is to have music education. Plus, it proved how initiatives like Zindagi Trust can have a positive impact on nurturing young talent.

    Shehzad Roy is all about making changes in education in Pakistan. He even introduced chess as a subject in a government school.

    “‘Chess is gambling.” He shared, “I first heard this when I introduced chess as a subject in government school. Fast forward to today: Hasan Raheem has found his new band in the form of young girls of Zindagi Trust’s adopted government school, the same school, where both chess and music are now school subjects”,Shehzad Roy Wrote in his tweet.

    Raheem himself took to X (former Twitter) to share his feelings about the experience, saying, “Seeing these future leaders of Pakistan playing their instruments, cheerfully humming my song, Aisay Kaisay, made me realise that the future of our girls is shiny and bright. It was touching and emotional. Zindagi Trust, you have all my respect and love.”

    The video really captured the lively atmosphere of the school, where the arts are flourishing. Shahzad Roy’s post showed how proud he is of his educational initiatives and the amazing talent that’s emerging in the school.In the video, Hasan Raheem looked happy, surrounded by a group of talented young girls who not only share his love for music but also have some seriously impressive musical skills.

  • Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed among PTI leaders declared ‘Ishtehari’

    Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed among PTI leaders declared ‘Ishtehari’

    An anti-terrorism court has declared several leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) proclaimed offenders (POs) in three cases related to the May 9 riots.

    The decision was made by Judge Abher Gul Khan in response to separate applications filed by the investigating officers (IOs) of the cases.

    The IOs reported that despite strenuous efforts, the suspects, fearing arrest, had gone into hiding, making their apprehension challenging. Non-bailable arrest warrants had previously been issued against them, but the suspects failed to surrender to the law, prompting the police to request the court to declare them POs.

    Those declared POs in two cases of torching police vehicles near Jinnah House and Sher Pao Bridge are Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed, Farrukh Habib, Azam Swati, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hamid Raza, Karamat Khokhar, Khalid Gujjar, Sajjad Ahmad and Zubair Khan Niazi.

    In the third case, which pertains to burning the PML-N office in Model Town, Fawad Chaudhry, Hammad Azhar, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema and his wife Musarrat Cheema, Zubair Khan Niazi, Ghulam Abbas, Farhat Abbas and Hamid Raza had been declared POs.

    The judge also directed the IOs to submit details regarding moveable and immovable assets of the suspects so that proceedings for the attachment of their properties under section 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) could be started.

    It is noteworthy that several of these PTI leaders have already been declared POs in other cases related to the May 9 protests, including the attacks on Jinnah House and Askari Tower.

    Hamza Shehbaz wants an exemption

    In a separate legal development, an accountability court issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on an application submitted by former chief minister Hamza Shehbaz. Hamza sought permanent exemption from personal appearance in the trial proceedings of the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference.

    Appearing before the court with his lawyer, Hamza Shehbaz’s application prompted the court to direct a NAB prosecutor to submit a reply by January 12. The NAB had reopened the reference, initially closed under defunct amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance 1999, following a Supreme Court decision that struck down those amendments.

    In the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference, NAB alleged that Shehbaz Sharif, then chief minister, and his son Hamza, in abetment and connivance, caused a loss of Rs213 million to the national exchequer by misusing their authority. The allegations revolve around the construction of a drain in Chiniot district primarily for the use of Ramzan Sugar Mills owned by Hamza and his brother Suleman.

  • Chances high for Nawaz to contest election after victory in Al-Azizia reference

    Chances high for Nawaz to contest election after victory in Al-Azizia reference

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) showed confidence regarding the “eligibility” of party head Nawaz Sharif to contest in the upcoming general election after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted him in Al-Azizia reference on Tuesday.

    This significant development can increase the chances of the PML-N supremo becoming a prime minister for the fourth time. Party leader Azam Nazeer Tarar has claimed that Nawaz Sharif is now eligible to take part in the election after the IHC’s verdict.

    “Today, Nawaz Sharif stands eligible to contest the elections. He will participate in the polls,” the former law minister said.

    PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb was also grateful after the acquittal.

    “Today, the reality of these false cases has been exposed to the nation,” she said, regretting that getting justice took seven years.

    Marriyum Aurangzeb also said that the people of the country faced severe difficulties during these years.

    “InshaAllah, Nawaz Sharif will become the prime minister for the fourth time with the nation’s votes,” she said, expressing hope that the PML-N supremo will lead the country to “prosperity.”

  • Ali Ansari’s new song is pure aspirational fantasy

    Ali Ansari’s new song is pure aspirational fantasy

    Singer Ali Ansari has released a new song called Escobar, and it’s getting a lot of attention. Unlike many Pakistani hip-hop songs that talk about going from poor to rich, Ansari does something different. He follows the Western style of showing off wealth, enjoying parties, and living a fancy life.


    In his song, Ansari proudly talks about being rich, making it clear that he lives a life that most people can only dream of. The music video adds to the overall effect by showing Ansari with fancy cars and piles of money.
    The term “Desi Columbia” is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the country’s cartels, making it seem like he’s as powerful and rich as a mafia boss or a big superstar. Ansari’s lyrics mention his expensive shoes that groove all night and the dollars around him. He even shares his playlist, including Jay-Z, to show his love for Western hip-hop.
    Even though Ansari admits that his dealings might be a bit “shady,” he confidently says he’s a millionaire, and everything is fine. The song might not be everyone’s favorite, but it’s different and definitely worth a listen.

  • PPP leader Abdul Qadir Baloch proposes election delay in security challenged regions

    PPP leader Abdul Qadir Baloch proposes election delay in security challenged regions

    Former federal minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Abdul Qadir Baloch has recommended postponing the general elections in areas that are not safe or facing security challenges.

    The PPP leader said in an interview on Saturday that by-polls can be conducted in these areas later, stressing that it will not be good to postpone general elections due to just six or seven constituencies.

    “Attacks by TTP in Balochistan are way higher than those by Baloch separatists,” the PPP leader said, adding that the terrorist organisation often targets Kalat, Mastung, and neighbouring areas.

    He also said that security threats are real because Baloch separatists don’t believe in the politics of parliament, calling the elements a hurdle for politicians to run their election campaigns.

    Abdul Qadir Baloch then said that interior minister Sarfraz Bugti should not have publicly talked to the media about threats to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, adding that it’s the caretaker government’s responsibility to give security to all politicians.