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Tag: Pakistan

  • Five-member committee to probe fake passport case

    Five-member committee to probe fake passport case

    The interior ministry has constituted a five-member committee to extensively probe cases pertaining to the issuance of over 12,000 fake passports to Afghan nationals.

    The ministry issued a notification stating that the Director General of Immigration and Passports (IMPASS) will be the convener, whereas Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) deputy secretary, a representative of National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and assistant director of IMPASS headquarters will be members of the committee. 

    The committee will investigate lapses in the issuance of passports, determining the connivance of various institutions to facilitate the departure of fake passport holders from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, to determine the responsibility of various officers in NADRA, IMPASS and FIA in the process and suggest remedial measures to curb the menace in the future.

    The report is expected to be submitted to authorities within 15 days.

    On October 14, 12,000 fake Pakistani passports were retrieved from Afghan nationals in Saudi Arabia.

    The law enforcement agencies initiate a crackdown against people and groups involved in the issuance of fake citizen documents to illegal immigrants.

    The Pakistani embassy in Riyadh was informed of the passports by Saudi authorities.

  • ‘Special relief’ to Nawaz Sharif; PPP expresses concerns

    ‘Special relief’ to Nawaz Sharif; PPP expresses concerns

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has lifted up concerns about speculation that former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif will get “special relief” on his return to Pakistan on October 21.

    PPP’s Secretary General, Syed Nayyer Husain Bukhari, said in his statement on Monday that the PML-N supremo had been legally convicted by courts, stressing that Nawaz Sharif will have to face the law after his return to the country.

    “It is surprising [for PML-N] to hope that the judiciary will set a precedent of special relief for Nawaz Sharif,” he added.

    The PPP leader also said that the election is necessary for the prolongation of the parliamentary system in the country, demanding that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announce a polling date as soon as possible.

    “The PPP demands a level playing field for all,” he maintained.

  • Nawaz Sharif’s legal team all set to file protective bail

    Nawaz Sharif’s legal team all set to file protective bail

    Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s legal team is gearing up to file three petitions seeking protective bail in the Avenfield, Al-Azizia, and Toshakhana cases.

    These petitions are expected to be submitted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) as per sources of Dawn’s reporter Malik Asad.

    It is pertinent to mention that Nawaz Sharif is set to address a public gathering at Minar e Pakistan on October 21, after spending almost four years in the UK for his ‘medical treatment’.

    Nawaz Sharif had previously faced convictions in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia references, along with being declared a proclaimed offender in the Toshakhana case, which is currently being heard in an accountability court in Islamabad. During his time abroad, he had been granted bail in these cases.

    The decision to approach the IHC for protective bail appears to have been influenced by prior instances where the court had granted protective bail to individuals who were declared proclaimed offenders, including Sharjeel Inam Memon, Arbab Alamgir, and Asma Arbab, without the requirement of surrender beforehand.

    Sources close to the proceedings disclosed that there would be at least two court hearings – one before Nawaz Sharif’s return and another where he would surrender himself before the court.

    Following this surrender, he would be required to pursue pending appeals against his convictions in the Avenfield Apartment and Al-Azizia references, as well as address the ongoing Toshakhana vehicle case.

    The Toshakhana case, previously put on hold under NAB amendments, was reopened following a Supreme Court ruling to revive corruption cases.

    In 2018, Nawaz Sharif was convicted in two cases – the Avenfield Apartments and Al-Azizia references. However, he was acquitted in the Flagship reference. The late Judge Arshad Malik, who presided over the Al-Azizia reference, later claimed to have authored the judgment under duress.

  • Imran Khan gets ‘more room’ in Adiala Jail

    Imran Khan gets ‘more room’ in Adiala Jail

    The cell of former prime minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has been extended in Adiala Jail.

    According to sources, the jail superintendent, following the orders of Judge Abul Hassanat Zulqarnain, has extended the PTI Chairman’s cell from approximately 35 feet to 60 feet.

    During the hearing, the PTI Chairman also made two more requests for the provision of home-cooked meals and a bicycle for exercise.

    The judge, while conversing with Imran Khan, stated that the responsibility for providing meals in the jail lies with the prison authorities.

    The judge also ordered the jail superintendent to provide a bicycle for exercise under the jail manual.

    Imran Khan and the PTI vice chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, are facing charges related to the alleged deliberate mishandling of a diplomatic cipher. The special court announced that PTI leaders will be indicted in the cipher case next week.

    Read more: Court postpones indictment of PTI leaders in cipher case

  • Asian Development Bank believes Pakistan is the “least ready” country for digital education

    Asian Development Bank believes Pakistan is the “least ready” country for digital education

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its report titled “Toward mature digital education ecosystems, the Digital Education Readiness Framework”, has stated that Pakistan is the least ready country for digital education among the developing member countries (DMC).

    The report has highlighted major areas of improvement in Pakistan, including low internet connectivity, low fixed broadband speeds, high fixed line broadband costs and low rural electricity supply. Only 34.1 percent of households are connected with an internet connection.

    There is an absence of teacher training in information and communication technology (ICT) skills with a special focus on delivering online education. Pakistan has also the lowest shares of ICT graduates from the total pool of tertiary education graduates-1.1 percent- standing at the lowest among all 10 ADB members.

    However, Pakistan has surpassed all countries in its cable TV subscriptions coverage with over 482 subscriptions per 1000 persons. The country’s household TV coverage rate is at 62.8 percent.

    Six of the ten DMCs are in the “initial category of readiness”. They are Cambodia, Bangladesh, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan and Fiji in order.

    The other four countries in the “emerging category of readiness” are Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

    Fixed broadband prices play an important role in the ranking of these countries. While Cambodia, Indonesia and Pakistan are least affordable in broadband, Bangladesh, Mongolia and Uzbekistan are the most affordable.

    The difference between the model country’s normalized score and the highest-scoring country’s score is almost 45 points.

  • Court postpones indictment of PTI leaders in cipher case

    Court postpones indictment of PTI leaders in cipher case

    The indictment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi occurred on Tuesday in the cipher case. The special court established under the Official Secrets Act postponed the hearing till next week.

    The hearing took place within Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, during which the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) provided the accused PTI leaders with copies of the challan submitted against them.

    The special court judge, Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, postponed the indictment of PTI leaders until next week as the counsel refrained from receiving the copies of the challan in the last hearing.

    The FIA special prosecutor, Shah Khawar, Khan, Qureshi, and their legal teams were all present in the courtroom during the hearing.

    In the last hearing on October 9, the court shared copies of the challan with the accused submitted by the FIA.

    “The accused had refused to receive a copy of the challan at the previous hearing,” the FIA special prosecutor said.

    The PTI chief’s focal person on legal affairs, Umair Niazi, told journalists outside the Adiala Jail that copies of the challan were not given in the last hearing.

  • Pakistan to send humanitarian aid to Gaza

    Pakistan to send humanitarian aid to Gaza

    Pakistan has announced it will send humanitarian aid to Gaza.

    In the light of severe dearth of food, water and healthcare, about 2.3 million Palestinians are struggling to survive. The spokesperson of the Foreign Office has thus stated that aid will be sent to the Palestinians.

    “In the wake of indiscriminate Israeli aggression and siege of the Gaza Strip, the already oppressed people of the densely populated Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance,”, the statement read.

    Pakistan is currently contacting the Egyptian government, the Red Crescent and the relevant agencies of the United Nations. Moreover, Pakistani missions abroad are also being contacted to finalise the delivery of aid.

    On Monday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke to his counterparts in Iran and Egypt and discussed the current atrocities being committed against Palestine.

    The spokesman said that the oppressed people of Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

    However, how or if Pakistan would be able to send aid remains unclear as Israel has prevented other regional countries from sending aid. This includes Gaza’s neighbour Egypt whose borders meet the strip. It was proposed that Egypt would send relief goods through Rafah Crossing in exchange for allowing Americans and other foreigners to leave Gaza but Israel has not yet agreed to it.

  • Ushna Shah, Sakina Samoon criticise Pakistani celebrities not speaking out against Palestine genocide

    Ushna Shah, Sakina Samoon criticise Pakistani celebrities not speaking out against Palestine genocide

    As the tide shifts around the world with protests calling for an end to the Palestinian genocide, many global celebrities like Riz Ahmed have joined in the cause. However in Pakistan, there is a noticeable absence of many prominent celebrities whose voices are critically needed during this time, and public figures are calling this silence out.

    Actress Ushna Shah took to her Twitter account to criticise many of her peers who have chosen to remain silent rather than call out the slaughter of Palestinians by Israel.

    “To my peers who haven’t spoken up: Say with me: I don’t support the ethnic cleansing of Palestine or Israel’s illegal occupation. I stand with Palestine.

    No excuses, no ‘both sides’, no vague ‘peace wishes’. Most of Hollywood is using their platform to be clear about their stance; we need to be clear in ours. Vague posts might protect brand deals, but this issue is bigger than ad money. Speak out, take a stand. DISINFORMATION IS EVERYWHERE; If you follow any Hollywood celebrity or western media you’ll see this clear as day. Palestine needs your voice. A massive ethnic cleansing is happening right now, this is bigger than all of us.”

    Veteran actress Sakina Samoon reshared a post by writer Fatima Bhutto on her Instagram account which condemned the silence of brown celebrities and influencers on their silence over Palestine. In the caption, the actress wrote: “Indeed pathetic. They want work from the western industry, endorsements etc.”

  • Islamabad’s public transport fares reduced by 10% 

    Islamabad’s public transport fares reduced by 10% 

    With immediate effect, public transport fares in Islamabad have been reduced by 10 per cent in direct response to the recent decline in petroleum prices.  

    This decision emerged following a meeting convened by the Secretary of the Islamabad Transport Authority, involving consultations with representatives from the Drivers Welfare Association as well as transportation business owners. 

    This fare reduction is poised to make a significant impact, encompassing 23 distinct routes crisscrossing the capital city of Islamabad. It serves as a vital measure to alleviate the financial burden borne by commuters in the region. 

    Notably, this benevolent gesture is mirrored in Lahore, where transport operators have also undertaken fare reductions for both long-haul and short-haul journeys. 

    Furthermore, as part of its ongoing commitment to ease the economic challenges facing the populace amidst escalating inflation, the caretaker government took decisive action on Sunday.  

    This action involved a substantial reduction in petrol price by a notable Rs40 per litre and an equally substantial reduction of Rs15 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD) over the forthcoming two weeks.  

  • Major ANF operation uncovers online drug trafficking ring, resulting in 11 arrests 

    Major ANF operation uncovers online drug trafficking ring, resulting in 11 arrests 

    In a significant revelation, drug trafficking operations conducted through online shopping platforms have come to light, resulting in the apprehension of 11 individuals in various cities across Pakistan. The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has been at the forefront of this enforcement effort. 

    According to the official spokesperson for the ANF, ongoing investigations have unearthed additional suspects connected to this illicit network, all of whom hail from different regions within the four provinces of Pakistan. 

    During the course of these operations, the ANF has successfully seized 33 parcels, containing a total of 53.7 kilogrammes of hashish, 1.6 kilogrammes of ice, and 1.2 kilogrammes of opium, dealing a severe blow to the illegal drug trade. 

    Reports of drug trafficking through online shopping platforms had been circulating for several months prior to these recent arrests.  

    The ANF’s spokesperson disclosed that a well-organised group had been exploiting registered companies on these platforms as a front for their drug smuggling activities. 

    Furthermore, the spokesperson emphasised that the ongoing investigation has revealed the existence of a far-reaching network of this criminal group, spreading its tentacles across the entire country.  

    As the investigation continues, concerns have been raised that employees of major e-commerce platforms may also be involved in this heinous act.  

    The full extent of their involvement remains under scrutiny as authorities work diligently to dismantle this dangerous network.