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Tag: Pakistan

  • You won’t get your ‘normal passport’ in 10 days anymore

    You won’t get your ‘normal passport’ in 10 days anymore

    New guidelines have been notified by The Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) regarding the issuance of travel documents, stating that a normal passport will now be issued in 21 days which was earlier processed in 10 days, as per Geo News.

    The DGIP noted that criminal elements are trying to undermine the Pakistani Passport and the department observed illegal use, which has made it difficult to issue a passport on time, the directorate mentioned without elaborating further on the matter.
    As a result, the passport-issuing authority has increased caution and scrutiny in the process.

    However, there’s no change in the timeline for urgent and most urgent passports which are issued in 5 and 2 working days respectively.

    The DGIP also advised people to visit relevant passport offices between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., urging people to cooperate with the directorate, adding that in case of any difficulties related to obtaining a passport, they must file a complaint in the Citizen Portal.

    It’s worth noting that in April of this year, the delivery times for all three passport categories—normal, urgent, and fast-track—were reduced to 10 days, 4 days, and 2 days, respectively.

  • ‘Remove Imran’s name’; petition filed in Election Commission

    ‘Remove Imran’s name’; petition filed in Election Commission

    Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will be hearing three separate petitions filed against PTI on October 10 by Khalid Mehmood Khan and Mohammad Awn Saqlain, as per Geo News.

    The petitions seek the removal of former prime minister Imran Khan’s name as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and declare the party ineligible for obtaining electoral symbol.

    Khalid Mehmood Khan has also asked for the electoral body to take action against PTI in one of his petitions, alleging that the party is still receiving “prohibited funds from foreign entities”.

    Meanwhile, another application filed by Mohammad Awn Saqlain seeks PTI to be declared ineligible for electoral symbols under Section 215(4) of the Election Rules 2017.

    The rule states, “Where a political party or combination of political parties, severally or collectively, fails to comply with the provision of section 209 or section 210, the Commission shall issue to such political party or parties a notice to show cause as to why it or they may not be declared ineligible to obtain an election symbol.”

    The ECP will also hear a case against PTI’s former leader Fawad Chaudhry for making “contemptuous” remarks and “intemperate” language against the electoral body and its officials.

    It is pertinent to know that at present, PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan is imprisoned in Adiala jail in the cipher case after the Federal Investigation Agency — in August — booked the PTI chief under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly misplacing and misusing the classified document for vested political interests.

  • Pakistan’s economy to recover, but challenges remain: World Bank

    Pakistan’s economy to recover, but challenges remain: World Bank

    Pakistan’s economic outlook, as per the World Bank’s ‘Pakistan Development Update,’ is challenging. The report projects a gradual recovery in real GDP growth, expecting it to reach 1.7 per cent in FY24 and 2.4 per cent in FY25. However, it warns that this recovery is contingent on implementing IMF measures, securing external financing, and maintaining fiscal discipline.

    The report highlights the dire poverty situation in Pakistan, with an estimated 39.4 per cent of the population living below the Lower-Middle Income Country poverty threshold in FY23, compared to 34.2 per cent in FY22. Factors contributing to this include economic slowdown, floods in 2022, import restrictions, political uncertainty, rising global commodity prices, and reduced investor confidence.

    The fiscal deficit remains a concern. While some easing of import restrictions may widen the current account deficit, a weaker currency and higher domestic energy prices could sustain inflation. The report emphasizes the importance of comprehensive fiscal reforms, including reducing tax exemptions, broadening the tax base, improving public expenditure quality, reforming the energy sector, and managing public debt more effectively.

    The World Bank stresses that addressing these challenges is crucial for long-term recovery and recommends strengthening institutions and systems to achieve fiscal and debt sustainability. The report echoes concerns about external shocks, political instability, and debt servicing challenges, underlining the need for prudent economic management and reforms.

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts a modest GDP growth recovery to 1.9 per cent in FY24, following a contraction of 0.3 per cent in FY23, with persistent price pressures. Overall, Pakistan faces a complex economic landscape that demands immediate attention to fiscal reform, poverty alleviation, and resilience to external shocks.

  • Imran Khan’s trial to be conducted in Adiala Jail

    Imran Khan’s trial to be conducted in Adiala Jail

    The Ministry of Law has released a notification stating that the trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the cipher case will be conducted in Adiala Jail.

    Special court’s judge, Abdul Hasnat Zulqarnain, wrote a letter to the Ministry of Law for issuing a letter to conduct the hearing of the cipher case in Rawalpindi Adiala Jail due to security concerns.

    The judge said that the special court intended to hold trial in the Adiala jail and asked the law ministry in a letter to issue an appropriate notification for the hearing of the case, scheduled to be held tomorrow.

    The Law Ministry said in a notification that it didn’t have any issue with conducting Imran Khan’s trial in Adiala Jail.

    Earlier on Monday, the special court under the Official Secrets Act summoned PTI chief and Vice Chairman Imran Khan on October 4 in the cipher case.

    Judge Zulqarnain had also directed Superintendent Adiala Jail on Monday to present Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in court on October 4.

  • Earthquake predicted in Pakistan hits India, Nepal

    Earthquake predicted in Pakistan hits India, Nepal

    An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 on the Richter scale has jolted New Delhi and parts of Nepal late on Monday afternoon.

    However, according to the Solar System Geometry Survey, the magnitude of the earthquake was 5.7 while its depth was 7km.

    The earthquake is said to have lasted for more than 40 seconds, as reported by Hindustan Times.

    Simultaneously, as per the NDTV, two earthquakes shook Nepal with magnitudes of 4.6 and 6.2 in a time span of 25 minutes.

    The tremors were also felt in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, Hapur, and Amroha along with parts of Uttarakhand.

    On October 1, a Dutch research organisation predicted that a severe tremor that may hit Pakistan in the coming days.

    But the scientific community did not pay much heed to Solar System Geometry Survey (SSGS) of the Netherlands because scientifically, it is impossible to actually predict an earthquake.

    As per the predictions, nonetheless, the earthquake was to hit along the Chaman fault line, in Balochistan.

  • Nawaz Sharif will address gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on October 21, Rana Sanaullah confirms

    Nawaz Sharif will address gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on October 21, Rana Sanaullah confirms

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former interior minister Rana Sanaullah disclosed on Tuesday that party head Nawaz Sharif will address a rally after arriving in the country on October 21 at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore.

    While addressing a press conference in Lahore, Sanaullah said, “Nawaz Sharif will arrive in Lahore on October 21 at 5:30 p.m.”

    Pakistan needs an experienced leader to take the country out of the crisis, the former federal minister emphasized in the presser, adding that Nawaz Shaif is coming back to lead the country.

    While addressing speculations pertaining to any deal, Sanaullah maintained that Nawaz, “neither made a deal while leaving nor is coming back under any deal”.

    According to the former security czar, Nawaz Sharif’s legal team is ready to request prior bail from the court upon his return.

  • Ahsan Iqbal reveals what Gen Faiz Hameed wanted in Faizabad sit-in deal

    Ahsan Iqbal reveals what Gen Faiz Hameed wanted in Faizabad sit-in deal

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader and former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal has disclosed that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen. (retired) Faiz Hameed had expressed a strong desire to be included as a signatory in the agreement reached during the Faizabad sit-in in 2017 with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

    Speaking on Monday on the Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’ hosted by Hamid Mir, Iqbal expressed that neither he nor the then Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi supported the idea of a high-ranking military official becoming a signatory to that agreement.

    However, the former interior minister said Gen. Faiz maintained that the protesting TLP would only agree to the accord if he was the guarantor.

    “When I read out the contents of the agreement to the prime minister, he also suggested that it would be better that General Sahib didn’t sign it,” said Ahsan Iqbal.

    He also stated that “I also conveyed to General Sahib that it wouldn’t be good for him and his institution to sign the agreement given its political nature.”

  • No more advantage points for Hafiz-e-Quran in medical admissions

    No more advantage points for Hafiz-e-Quran in medical admissions

    As per the new policy, Hafiz-e-Quran candidates applying to medical colleges will no longer be given additional marks in their application process.

    Concurring with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Punjab Health Department confirmed that the policy has been revoked.

    According to the previous policy, Hafiz-e-Quran candidates were given an addition of 20 marks in merit calculation during the admissions process

    The marks remained a part of the admission procedure till it came to Supreme Court’s notice in April under a six-member bench, led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

    The PMDC’s lawyer, Afnan Kundi, stated during the proceedings that the policy had already been revoked.

    With no conflict over the matter raised, Justice Ijazul Ahsan closed the suo motu case.

    Eliminating advantage points is considered to be a fair move in creating an equal opportunity and chances for candidates to qualify through a merit-based system.

  • CJP Isa hints at winding up ‘Practice and Procedure’ Act case today

    CJP Isa hints at winding up ‘Practice and Procedure’ Act case today

    A full court bench comprising 14 judges headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has resumed hearing  petitions challenging the SC (Practice and Procedure) Act on Tuesday.

    State-run PTV is live-streaming the court’s proceedings.

    The full court bench includes CJP Isa, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, and Justice Musarrat Hilali.

    At the previous court hearing, the full panel of judges in the apex court had requested responses from all involved parties by September 25th.

    At the beginning of the hearing, Faez Isa said that the court will try to wind up hearings on the case today (Tuesday).

    There are many cases already pending in the court, CJP added.

    CJP Isa also directed the petitioner’s lawyer to end his arguments in 10 minutes.

    The CJP stated that this legislation does not diminish the authority of the chief justice; instead, it distributes these powers among the judges.

    He commented that this law will have a specific impact on the chief justice and the two most senior judges.

    “When martial law is imposed, everyone surrenders their weapons. There are many pictures [of judges] in this room who forgot their oath after the imposition of martial law,” CJP Isa remarked after the lawyer read out the judges oath in the court.

  • Sheikhupura woman beaten by father-in-law for serving food late

    Sheikhupura woman beaten by father-in-law for serving food late

    A video has been making rounds on X (formerly Twitter) in which an old man can be seen beating his daughter-in-law while three children try to protect her. It is being claimed that the daughter-in-law delayed serving food to the man, resulting in the beating.

    The incident happened in Sheikhupura. In the video, the man can be seen hitting the woman with an item resembling a wooden rolling pin and then he proceeds to pull her arm and kick her in the face as she struggles to protect herself. All the while, three little children can be seen defending the daughter-in-law (we do not have the confirmation if they are her children or not).

    After the video got attention, Sheikhupura police replied to the post, stating that an FIR has been registered against the man seen in the video and that a police team is conducting raids to arrest him.

    Additionally, as per claims, the police got in touch with the daughter-in-law who was brutally beaten.

    “Justice will be served”, the police replied.

    However, later, in a video message posted on X, the daughter-in-law addresses the incident stating, “I misbehaved which is why he hit me”, adding that it is a personal, domestic matter which has now been resolved and that she does not intend to take any action against her father-in-law.