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Tag: Pakistan

  • Nawaz Sharif performs Umrah with son Hussain Nawaz

    Nawaz Sharif performs Umrah with son Hussain Nawaz

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head, Nawaz Sharif, who was in London since the last three years in self-imposed exile, performed Umrah in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

    The PML-N supremo travelled from London to Saudi Arabia with his son Hussain Nawaz and close friends, to perform Umrah together.

    Nawaz Sharif will go to Dubai from the Kingdom, where he will stay for three days. After that, the former president will fly to Pakistan on October 21 to address a gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan. He will also explain his agenda to the people of Pakistan for the upcoming general elections.

    Sharif was accompanied on the Saudi visit by his close friend Mian Nasir Janjua, aide Waqar Ahmed, Karim Yousaf, and a few others.

    According to a report filed by Geo News, the flight carrying Nawaz home will be named ‘Umeed-e-Pakistan’. It can carry approximately 150 passengers.

  • Pakistan exports first batch of Changan Oshan X7 SUVs to Kenya and Tanzania

    Pakistan exports first batch of Changan Oshan X7 SUVs to Kenya and Tanzania

    Pakistan has made a significant foray into the global automobile market, marking a historic moment as it exported a batch of 14 SUV vehicles to Kenya and Tanzania, as reported by ARY News on Thursday.

    In a landmark achievement, Pakistan, through the collaboration of Master Changan Motors, a joint venture between Pakistan and China, has officially joined the league of car-exporting nations. This endeavour has solidified their position as the first automotive company to send SUV vehicles to foreign shores.

    The occasion was celebrated with a ceremonial event held in Karachi, commemorating the milestone of becoming the inaugural Pakistani-Chinese auto entity to export vehicles to two overseas destinations. Notably, the ceremony was attended by the Federal Secretary of Industries and Production, Asad Rehman.

    Rehnan also revealed the government’s intent to urge auto manufacturers to revise their car prices, especially in light of the notable depreciation of the US dollar (USD). He underlined the efforts in this direction by mentioning a recent newspaper advertisement released by an auto company, signaling its commitment to reducing vehicle prices.

    The export of the Oshan X7 SUV is a significant milestone for Pakistan as it ventures into the global automobile market, and this achievement carries even greater importance given the challenging economic conditions the country is currently facing.

    In a groundbreaking move, Pakistan’s collaborative effort with a Chinese automotive company, Master Changan Motors, marked their entry into the league of car exporters. They proudly achieved this milestone by sending the initial consignment of 14 SUV vehicles to Kenya and Tanzania.

    A special ceremony was organised in Karachi to celebrate the occasion, as it signified the first instance of a Pakistani-Chinese automotive company venturing into foreign vehicle exports.

    The Federal Secretary of Industries and Production, Asad Rehman was also present at the ceremony.

    During the ceremony, Asad Rehman conveyed the government’s intention to encourage auto companies to lower their car prices, given the significant decline in the value of the US dollar (USD).

    He also mentioned that an automotive firm had recently placed a newspaper advertisement advocating price reductions.

    Master Changan Motors, the Pakistan-Chinese automotive collaboration, proudly shipped its SUV model, the Oshan X7, to Kenya.

    This achievement is a notable milestone for Pakistan, considering the challenging economic circumstances it faces.

  • Junaid Safdar and wife Ayesha part ways amicably

    Junaid Safdar and wife Ayesha part ways amicably

    Junaid Safdar, the son of the vice president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML- N) Maryam Nawaz and grandson of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has confirmed reports of his divorce with Ayesha.

    Taking to Instagram, Junaid Safdar requested the media to respect the couple’s privacy as it is their private matter, and wished his wife well.

    “News about my divorce is true. This is an entirely private matter and I request the media to respect our privacy. I hope with this decision we find our peace In Sha Allah. I will speak no further on this matter. I wish her well.”

    Junaid and Ayesha tied the knot in 2021 in a lavish ceremony held in the UK and Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif was present at the London event. The couple have kept away from the media since their marriage.

    Junaid has removed pictures of him and his wife from his Instagram account.

  • Are cricket lovers staying in hospitals in Ahmedabad instead of hotels?

    Are cricket lovers staying in hospitals in Ahmedabad instead of hotels?

    Reuters: Cricket fever has gripped Ahmedabad ahead of Saturday’s World Cup group stage clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan and a visit to hospitals near the venue of the match in the western Indian city clearly shows the degree of excitement.

    Quite a few of the hospitals have seen a sudden influx of patients booked in for check-ups involving a night’s stay to coincide with the most anticipated match of the World Cup.

    Several doctors told local media the rush for check-up ‘packages’ was an ingenious way to find affordable accommodation as hotel costs have soared up to 20-fold ahead of the match.

    “We have come across some cases of people coming to watch the India-Pakistan match also taking an appointment for health check-ups and staying in hospitals,” Tushar Patel, President of the Ahmedabad Medical Association, told Reuters.

    The Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association has discouraged its members from accommodating such fans.
    “We have asked our members not to entertain such requests. Hospitals are not meant for non-patients,” its president Bharat Gadhavi told Reuters.

    THREE WARS

    The Asian neighbors have fought three wars since becoming separate countries in 1947 and the relationship further soured after gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai in 2008, which India blamed on a Pakistani militant group.

    While bilateral cricket became a casualty of geopolitical realities, it also whetted the appetite for a clash between neighbours who play each other only in multi-team events.

    India and Pakistan head into the showdown having both won their opening two matches at the tournament.

    The first batch of tickets for Saturday’s game were sold out within an hour of going on sale in August, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release another 14,000 earlier this month.

    Ahmedabad resident Hemish Patel and his friends, after several days of failed attempts, grabbed four tickets, each costing 6,000 Indian rupees ($72.15).

    “We logged into the site with multiple devices,” he said.

    “We constantly kept on refreshing the site and were able to book within 10 minutes after the sale of tickets began.”
    Patel was one of the lucky few.

    Tickets are fetching up to 25 times face value on resale and city police arrested four youths on Tuesday for selling fakes.

    Airfare has surged up to four times and Indian railways will run a pair of super fast trains linking Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

    PERFECT VENUE

    The 134,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium, which hosted former US President Donald Trump in 2020 and Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this year, looks a perfect arena for cricket’s fiercest rivalry.

    The city has been declared a ‘no-drone zone’ on Saturday, and 11,000 security personnel will be deployed for the high-profile match, Ahmedabad police commissioner GS Malik said.

    On their first tour of India since the 2016 T20 World Cup, Pakistan were accorded a warm welcome in Hyderabad, where they played their first two matches.

    India have a perfect 7-0 record against Pakistan at ODI World Cups and while the rivalry assumes the Orwellian concept of serious sport — “war minus the shooting” — players from both sides share good relations.

    During the Sri Lanka leg of the Asia Cup last month, Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi gave Jasprit Bumrah a gift for the Indian’s newborn baby and the video went viral.

    It will be a special occasion for Indian Liyakat Khan, whose daughter Samiya is married to Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali.
    “My wife went to Pakistan in 2021 when my daughter was expecting her first child. We will meet again … I can’t wait to hold my grandchild,” Khan told the Indian Express newspaper.

  • Opium manufacturing plant opens after a hiatus of 11 years in Lahore

    Established in Lahore in 1942, the Government Opium Alkaloid Factory has resumed operations from today (Thursday) as per media reports.

    The plant is now overseen by the Punjab Excise and Narcotics Control Department. Members of this high-level committee include Punjab Excise Additional Director-General Mian Ahmad Saeed with Excise Director Rizwan Akram Sherwani, Muhammad Asif and Deputy Director Hafiz Zia Mustafa.

    The facility was shut down because of irregularities reported in the distribution of opium tablets to patients and lapses in enforcement.

    It is expected that the revival of the unit will bring major benefits to the economy, potentially saving $400 to $500 million in foreign exchange.

    Additionally, this reactivation may bring about the legal transmission of opium powder to licensed pharmaceutical companies and nationwide herbal centres so that they stop relying on less effective alternatives. Indigenous use may also include its provision to addicts under a registered doctor’s prescription.

  • Imran Khan details want he wants from people of Pakistan in message from jail

    Imran Khan details want he wants from people of Pakistan in message from jail

    The incarcerated Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, has a message for the people of Pakistan, shared by his family on October 10, and recently shared on his official X (former Twitter) account.

    The former Prime Minister calls his incarceration illegal but stresses that today’s Imran Khan is different from the one who went to jail.

    “When I was illegally incarcerated in Attock Jail, the first few days were particularly challenging. I wasn’t provided a bed and had to sleep on the floor and had insects and mosquitoes all over me. But with time I have adjusted well to the prison conditions.

    𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟓. 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫; 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞,” the message says.

    He tells his supporters not to give up and hopes that people will vote for PTI, whenever the elections are held.

    “Do not give up. This time of trial will end because Allah says that “with every difficulty there is ease”. Keep raising your voice against this unelected predatory group and their facilitators at every forum and keep demanding a fair and transparent election in the country,” his message said.

    The entire message by Imran Khan is as follows:

    “When I was illegally incarcerated in Attock Jail, the first few days were particularly challenging. I wasn’t provided a bed and had to sleep on the floor and had insects and mosquitoes all over me. But with time I have adjusted well to the prison conditions.

    𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟓. 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫; 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞.

    During my time in prison, I have had the opportunity to study and research the Holy Quran in depth, along with other books which has strengthened my faith.

    I was also able to introspect the last few years of my political life. Regardless of what prison they keep me in, whatever conditions they impose upon me, I will not back down even an inch from the quest of Haqeeqi Azadi, for the upholding of the rule of law and the Constitution of Pakistan, at the core of which is free and fair elections.

    To those suggesting that I leave the country, know that I will live and die with Pakistan, and I will not leave my land to go anywhere.

    As far as the Cipher case is concerned, this bogus case is designed to protect former Army Chief General Bajwa and Donald Lu. I was the elected Prime Minister of the country. Treason was committed against me and my govt by General Bajwa, instead of investigating the foreign conspiracy in orchestrating a regime change, a case has been filed against me for informing the people of Pakistan, the real protectors of this country, about this treason.

    If there’s one thing that bothers & pains me, is the suffering of my workers who have been illegally imprisoned, especially our women workers who have been in captivity for months, by a few people who abuse their power to satisfy their egos. I appeal to the judiciary to provide justice and order the immediate release of our workers.

    Finally, Do not give up. This time of trial will end because Allah says that “with every difficulty there is ease”. Keep raising your voice against this unelected predatory group and their facilitators at every forum and keep demanding a fair and transparent election in the country.

    I am predicting that on whatever day the election is held, people of Pakistan will come out in huge numbers to vote for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and defeat all these parties combined. No matter how much these people cheat, their only destiny is defeat. Pakistan Zindabad.”

    Earlier of October 7, Imran Khan’s stance regarding the Palestine issue was also shared on his Twitter account which said, “Chairman Imran Khan has been and will always remain an advocate for the Palestinian cause. He has consistently maintained his stance that oppression, occupation, and peace cannot go hand in hand. From the first Nakba in 1948, to inhumane treatment and the siege of Gaza, Palestinians have stood alone fighting for their right to peaceful existence.”

    Since Hamas sent its fighters to Israel on October 7, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared war, and Israeli forces have increased their attack in Gaza.

  • Imran Khan seeks suspension of cipher case trial

    Imran Khan seeks suspension of cipher case trial

    Imran Khan, the incarcerated Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has taken legal action against an upcoming indictment in a cipher case, filing a petition on Wednesday in the Islamabad High Court, contesting a trial court’s decision to charge him and party Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq heard the case, as the court merged the case with the plea seeking dismissal of the cipher case.

    The trial is scheduled for October 17, however, Khan claims that the relevant documents were not handed over to his defense counsel, despite the trial court’s order suggesting otherwise.

    Khan has also sought bail in two cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). These cases involve the Toshakhana case and allegations of corruption involving millions of pounds.

    Khan’s bail plea was previously dismissed by the Accountability Court due to his inability to appear in court. The petitions state that Khan’s detention in Attock Jail prevented him from attending court proceedings, asserting that his absence was not intentional.

    In a related development, the Special Court (Official Secrets Act) distributed copies of the investigation report to Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a hearing held on October 9.

    This move precedes their impending indictment. Notably, PTI lawyers have requested that the trial not be held in camera due to the small size of the prison court.

    Shah Mehmood Qureshi has submitted a petition to challenge a notification from the Law Ministry regarding the trial’s location at Adiala Jail. The court has ordered the ministry to explain its decision.

    Copies of the investigation report will be provided to the suspects, contingent on the Islamabad High Court’s decision. The court directed the suspects to sign the copies, but Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi have refused to do so.

    Special court judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain visited Adiala Jail to solve the problems allegedly being faced by PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The court ordered the demolition of the wall erected in front of Imran Khan’s cell.

    According to the jail superintendent, the PTI chief has been provided a place to walk, adding that he has requested further extension of his cell despite adequate space.

    Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be indicted in the case on October 17, said Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain.

  • 40% children in Pakistan suffer from malnutrition

    40% children in Pakistan suffer from malnutrition

    A recent report by the World Bank has revealed that 40 per cent of children in Pakistan are suffering from food insecurity, adding that most children under the age of five do not have access to clean water and do not have toilet facilities.

    The report also highlights the significance of the first 1000 days after birth that are very important for the mental health of the child because 80 per cent of the child’s mind is formed during this period.

    45 per cent of the Pakistani children who die under five years of age are due to lack of food.

    Additionally, while many children are raised with livestock animals, those who are malnutritioned consume dirt containing livestock waste.

    The World Bank report also reveals that about 50 per cent of the drinking water of Sindh contains bacteria while mothers working with livestock feed their children without washing their hands due to lack of hygiene.

    The World Bank said that comprehensive data on child malnutrition in Pakistan needs to be collected, and programs on child nutrition need to start on an urgent basis.

  • ‘Why is Shehbaz happy if the judgment is against Nawaz’ asks Asad Umar

    ‘Why is Shehbaz happy if the judgment is against Nawaz’ asks Asad Umar

    The Supreme Court (SC) has on Wednesday evening issued a verdict in favour of the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, dismissing petitions challenging its validity.

    The decision was upheld by 10-5 majority. However, by an 8-7 decision, the majority of judges decided against the provision of law wherein retrospective right of appeal was given in the Act.

    Key Provisions of Act

    The act makes a number of significant changes to the way the Supreme Court operates. These include:

    • Requiring a three-member committee of senior judges, including the CJP, to approve all suo moto notices.
    • Establishing a transparent process for the formation of benches for hearing crucial constitutional issues.
    • Giving parties the right to appeal to the Supreme Court within 30 days of a final order from a lower court.
    • Requiring the apex court to hear applications alleging urgency or requesting interim relief within 14 days of filing.

    Reaction to the decision

    Former Prime Minister and President of _ (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the decision.

    “The Supreme Court’s verdict regarding the Practice and Procedure Act 2023 is a welcome step,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter)

    Interestingly, when Asad Umar, PTI’s former secretary general, was asked about the judgment, he stated that it was the right decision but was intrigued to know if Nawaz Sharif would come back after the decision or not.

    “My question is, everyone is saying this is not a good judgment for Nawaz Sharif, why is Shehbaz Sharif liking this decision so much? I’m just asking an innocent question,” he said while talking to the media on Thursday morning.

    The verdict has caused a rift in the legal world. The decision, which involves Article 184(3), has led to intense discussions about what it means for the PML-N leader, Nawaz Sharif.

    As per Dawn, lawyer Mohammad Ikram Chaudhry explained that in cases where no review has been filed, it’s possible to request a “condonation of delay,” which means the court might accept an appeal or application even if it’s late.

    Mohammad Akram Sheikh noted that according to the law, a review must be requested within 30 days of the judgment. He mentioned that in some cases, the highest court has allowed for delays but stressed that the applicant would need to provide a valid reason for the delay.

    Senior lawyer Raja Inam Ameen Minhas mentioned that the Supreme Court Bar Association has an ongoing review petition against the disqualification of politicians. He argued that since the matter of disqualification is still under consideration, it’s “still appealable.”

    Barrister Zafarullah Khan, the former special assistant on law to the ex-PM, pointed out that the Supreme Court’s decision wouldn’t affect Mr. Sharif’s cases because he wasn’t seeking relief from the highest court. Instead, he intends to pursue his appeals against convictions, which would eventually reach the Supreme Court.

    Some lawyers believe that the decision is a setback for Nawaz Sharif, who recently planned to return to Lahore after spending four years in London.

    The decision declared Section 5(2) of an act as ultra vires, meaning that the lifetime disqualification in the Panama case remains in effect.

    Lawyer Abdul Moiz Jafferi questioned who really won in this matter.

    Lawyer Usama Khawar Ghumman argues that Nawaz Sharif and Jehangir Tareen can still contest elections.

    “Despite Supreme Court’s decision to strike down retrospective rights of appeal, Nawaz Sharif & Jehangir Tareen can, in the short run, contest elections due to the PDM-led Parliament’s amendment to Section 232 of the Election Act, 2017,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

  • ‘Reach out’: on Mental Health Day, celebrities are opening up about prioritising mental health

    ‘Reach out’: on Mental Health Day, celebrities are opening up about prioritising mental health

    International Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10, when people are encouraged to take steps to take care of their mental well-being. Celebrities like Mawra Hocane and Bollywood director Karan Johar are opening up about their mental health issues and encouraged other people to destroy the stigma that it’s a sign of weakness.

    Actress Mawra Hocane shared a video clip on her Instagram of pictures from her childhood to present, and spoke candidly about how she spent three years trying to take care of her mental health.

    “I have spent the last three years of my life focusing on this little girl.. she needed to heal.. to rest.. to be with herself.. to walk away from the noise & the lights.. find that light within instead.. to work just enough for joy & not find validation in exhaustion… most importantly she wanted to be ‘home’ & home she was after many many many years..”

    The ‘Nauroz’ actress urged her followers to never be afraid to reach out for help, and remember to listen to their body to know when it’s time for them to take a break.

    “Don’t shy away for making yourself a priority, if 2020 taught me anything, it was to not ignore my inner voice, to listen to my body, to chase happiness & nothing else because at the end of the day it’s all that matters..
    Sending love & strength to those who still suffer in silence.”

    ‘Rocky and Rani’ director Karan Johar also took time out to speak about the anxiety attacks he suffered in 2016. In March, the director wrote that his anxiety attacks came back and he knew immediately how to address them.

    “In 2015-2016 I felt the first burst of anxiety and knew within that something was wrong… my friend guided me to a psychologist and after a series of conversations I knew what I was dealing with and adressed it medically and with a change of lifestyle…. Things got better and I weaned off the meds … This year in March this year ( I knew the trigger ) it returned and I knew I had to address it immediately….”

    The K3G director urged followers to take time out to address their mental health the same way they would respond to a physical ailment, and never be afraid to take a break from life and seek professional help if they’re suffering from depression or anxiety.

    “For someone who does battle anxiety or depression “simple solutions like “ … go for a drive !!! Meet friends !! Go for a holiday …. Get a massage … these are red flag conversations to have and you must be educated enough in this zone to even offer advice…
    To family members my advice is simply to make sure that the person going through it seeks professional help…
    We tend to address blood pressure , diabetes , etc with so much instant ease then why neglect mental health….
    More power to those brave ones who acknowledge the issue and address it head on…”