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Tag: Pakistan

  • Police claims to uncover events that led to Jaranwala incident

    According to Samaa News, a spokesperson for Faisalabad Police has claimed that their depart has uncovered the events that led to the Jaranwala tragedy last month in which a mob of 7,000 Muslims attacked the Christian community, destroyed their houses, and burnt churches.

    As per the spokesperson, the incident was a result of a personal resentment between two Christians.

    Police claim that Pervez Masih, a Christian, suspected his wife of having an illicit affair with Umair Raja. Masih hired a shooter, gave him money and provided him with a motorcycle to kill Raja.

    “A heinous conspiracy was made to desecrate the Quran after the failure to kill,” the Police claimed.

    Pervez Masih is among the three suspects involved in the conspiracy. The police allege that Pervex wrote an insulting letter in Umair’s name and desecrated the holy book.

    Resultantly, on seeing the letters and papers, people got furious, leading to the formation of a violent mob.

    Currently, the three people, including Pervez Masih and Umair Raja, are under custody.

  • Who met the president in Aiwan-e-Sadr?

    Who met the president in Aiwan-e-Sadr?

    Political commentators and analysts are speculating about an alleged meeting held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (Presidency) on Friday.

    According to the sources of The News, two important personalities met President Alvi in Aiwan-e-Sadr. The meeting was held on the fourth floor of the Aiwan-e-Sadr, with the premises being off-limits for everyone, including staff.

    No statement has been issued by the President’s House to confirm or deny the meeting.

    Earlier, Kamran Yousaf reported in his vlog that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief General Nadeem Ahmad Anjum was also part of the meeting. Yousaf had earlier given the news that President Alvi was all set to announce elections dates for November.

    On the other hand, senior journalist Umar Cheema also confirmed that two generals were part of the meeting in Aiwan-e-Sadr. However,
    he did not give any names.

    According to some political pundits, President Arif Alvi will announce the date of the upcoming elections in the next 72 hours.

    President Arif Alvi’s tenure is going to complete on September 8. There is still no confirmation from the President House whether he will go home after completing his tenure as president or continue till a new president is sworn in.

    As per the Constitution, the president may continue in his office until the arrival of a new president.

    As yet, no formal announcement of a date for the polls has been announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Sunday asked the ECP to release the schedule of the general elections.

    The HRCP said that the uncertainty surrounding the elections should end and new delimitations should not be used as an excuse to further delay the general polls.

    “The law of the land says that the Election Commission of Pakistan has to decide [the date of the elections],” said caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaar ul Haq Kakar in an interview with senior anchorperson Saleem Safi in his programme ‘Jirga’ on Geo News.

  • Navy personnel martyred in helicopter crash in Gwadar

    Navy personnel martyred in helicopter crash in Gwadar

    Pakistan Navy’s spokesperson has confirmed that two Navy officers and one soldier have been martyred in a helicopter crash in Balochistan’s Gwadar on Monday.

    As per the statement, the helicopter crashed during a training flight in Gwadar.

    “The helicopter crashed during the flight due to a possible technical fault,” the spokesperson said. “As a result of the accident, two officers and one jawan of the Pakistan Navy lost their lives.”

    Moreover, the incident will be investigated.

    Political figures and parties have expressed grief over lives lost.

    In a statement issued by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he expressed “regret” over the helicopter accident in Gwadar and over the martyrdom of Pakistan Navy officers and the young soldiers in the accident

    “Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s expresses sympathy and condolence to the families of the martyrs”, reads the statement.

    Similarly, Maryam Nawaz Shairf expressed regrets on X (formerly Twitter): “We deeply regret the accident that happened to the helicopter of Pakistan Navy in Gwadar and the resulting martyrdom. We pray to Allah Ta’ala to raise the ranks of martyred soldiers and officers. These sons of the nation are the pride of the nation. May Allah grant patience and reward to their families, Ameen.”

  • Pastor attacked near Jaranwala

    Pastor attacked near Jaranwala

    Pastor Alizer Sidhu of the Presbyterian Church survived a targeted attack in Khunwana, Faisalabad.

    The incident occurred when Pastor Sidhu was returning to his home following a prayer sermon. He was stopped by armed men who shot at him. He was then taken to the nearest hospital, where he was said to be out of danger.

    While being taken to the hospital, Pastor Sidhu recorded a video statement in which he said that armed men had stopped him and asked him to recite the Kalma, and when he refused to comply, one of the armed men chanted a slogan and opened fire at him.

    According to The Friday Times, the Pastor is a father of three.

    It is worth mentioning that on August 28, unidentified men spray painted slogans of Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) on the boundary walls of the Presbyterian Church in Rehmat Town Khunwana, Faisalabad. This is the church where Pastor Alizer has been serving for the last four years.

    After the incident was picked up by the media, the slogans were removed in the presence of senior police officers.

    Last month, the Christian community in Jaranwala was attacked by a large mob of 7,000 Muslims who destroyed their houses and set fire to their churches.

    According to The Friday Times, while the Christian religious and political leadership condemned the attack on the pastor, they also demanded justice, urging for a transparent investigation into the incident.

    Additionally, they also advised the pastors and minority rights activists to remain alert and abstain from travelling unnecessarily considering the sensitive and aggravating atmosphere of Faisalabad.

  • IMF’s ‘yes or no’ decision nears on relief for electricity bills

    IMF’s ‘yes or no’ decision nears on relief for electricity bills

    In the midst of extensive protests regarding soaring electricity charges, the interim government has reportedly devised a strategy aimed at alleviating the financial burden on electricity consumers in the country.  

    According to Geo News, the interim government is preparing a relief package that will grant up to Rs3,000 in relief to customers who use up to 300 units of electricity in their October bills. Furthermore, those facing electricity bills between Rs60,000 and Rs70,000 stand to benefit from a significant reduction of Rs13,000. 

    Simultaneously, discussions between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the interim government are ongoing, focusing on providing relief to electricity consumers. 

    In a separate report by The News, it’s revealed that the IMF, headquartered in Washington, has requested additional data from the Power Division to inform its decision regarding various proposals to address the impact of high bills in August and September. 

    “We have shared the required data with the Fund people hoping that IMF may today (Monday) come up with its response with a yes or no to the assertions of the Finance and Power Divisions, seeking permission for relief to inflation-stricken people in electricity bills,” shared sources involved in discussions with the IMF. 

    Currently, officials from both the Power and Finance divisions are engaged in intensive discussions with IMF representatives, considering the data associated with proposed measures to alleviate power tariffs and their potential effects on circular debt, cash flow, and potential delays in Independent Power Producers (IPPs) payments, ensuring the stability of the power sector. 

    In response to continuous protests by citizens and traders against soaring power bills and added taxes, the government is actively seeking to convince the global lender to grant immediate relief to electricity consumers in a nation already grappling with severe inflation. 

  • Judge hearing Imran’s plea in cipher case goes on leave

    Judge hearing Imran’s plea in cipher case goes on leave

    Special Court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, who’s hearing the cipher case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has gone on leave until September 8.

    PTI’s lawyers, Babar Awan, Salman Safdar, and Naeem Haider Panjotha, reached the courtroom on Monday where staff told them that the Judge was on leave as his wife is unwell.

    Attorney Salman Safdar requested court staff to fix the next hearing for Thursday.

    However, the PTI’s legal team reached the courtroom of Judge Raja Javad and requested him to hear the case.

    Judge Raja Javad replied that he could not hear the bail plea as he is not a duty judge.

    “There is no notification of the duty judge under the Official Secrets Act. If the Islamabad High Court can mark it, only then I can hear it,” Judge Abbas remarked. “I can hear cases of 24 courts as a duty judge but not to the extent of the Official Secrets Act.”

  • Which celebrity paid Rs100,000 electricity bill? Celebs share details of inflation affecting their budgets

    Which celebrity paid Rs100,000 electricity bill? Celebs share details of inflation affecting their budgets

    After protests and demonstrations broke out across Pakistan as petrol and electricity bill hikes took effect, celebrities are amplifying voices calling for the government to provide relief packages to the masses. Many big names of the industry are sharing how their expenses are spiking because of the excessive rates. A-listers like Maya Ali condemned rising prices and demanded for people in power to step out and help the underprivileged ones who couldn’t afford basic necessities.

    Actress and television host Nadia Khan shocked audiences when in a recent video, she asked prominent celebrities like Nida Yasir, Fiza Ali and Sadia Imam about how their household expenses are being recalculated with the on-going price hikes, and the results are astounding.

    Actress Sadia Imam said her previous electricity bill was RS 75,000, after which she decided to install a solar system at her house. The result, the actress elaborated, was that her bill was Rs 19,000 but after adding Rs 5000 tax it was Rs 26,000.

    Nida Yasir had the most shocking revelation in the video. She confessed that despite the fact that for half of the month their family was out of the country, her electricity bill was Rs 1 lac.

    Fizza Ali said her electricity bill this month was Rs 67,000, adding that in the previous month her electricity bill was even higher, but during this time the actress was on vacation in Dubai.

    Nadia Khan then revealed to her audience that last month during the time she was away from her home in Karachi and was in Thailand, her bill Rs 75,000.

    ‘It’s horrifying to think that we weren’t in our homes, and our bill was Rs 75,000. So what would be the amount this month?” the actress said.

    Watch the complete video here

  • Love online: Yet another foreign woman marries Pakistani man

    Love online: Yet another foreign woman marries Pakistani man

    It looks like sirf KPK kay paani mein kuch khaas nahi hai, Sindh main bhee potent paani hai.

    Yet again, foreign women are meeting Pakistani men on social media apps and marrying them a year later. Humein bhi kuch samajh nahi araha. A Filipino woman named Mikona, has married a Larkana man, Oshaq, via video call, after meeting him on Facebook where they became close friends. According to ARY, the nikah ceremony took place at a local hotel where friends and family members were present.

    Speaking to the media, Oshaq said he will secure a visa and fly out to Philippines to be with his wife.

    The wedding follows a string of online romances where foreign women flew to Pakistan to marry men they formed connections with online. KPK was leading the race with more marriages held in the month of July than all the December shaadi seasons compiled. On 30 July, Rosa flew from Mexico to Buner, KPK, to marry Izaz Ali, whom she had met on Facebook.

    Read more: Ye KP mein kya ho raha hai: Mexican woman flies to Pakistan to marry Facebook lover

    Previously, a woman from Chile developed a relationship on Tiktok with Ikramullah from KP, and then flew to the province in July to marry him.

    Read more: Humaray paani mein kuch hai? In third love story this month, Chile woman flies to marry Pakistani lover

  • TikToker Hareem Shah’s husband abducted

    TikToker Hareem Shah’s husband abducted

    TikToker Hareem Shah’s husband, Bilal Hussain Shah, has gone missing in Karachi. Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) of the incident.

    As reported by ARY News, police officials have said that the FIR was registered in Defense police station by his mother as the complainant.

    Shah said that her husband was reportedly taken away by unidentified people in plain clothes while he was on a visit from London.

    Shah put up a video a week after efforts of finding her husband went in vain. She believes that the police is being constrained by unknown entities.

    https://twitter.com/_Hareem_Shah/status/1698372128134045795?s=20

    Hareem Shah has also filed a petition in court.

    She stated that her husband has no record of criminal activity and that his kidnapping is “disrespect for rule of law.”

    Stating that the family is in distress a result, she urged intelligence agencies to ensure her husband’s return and requested her followers to pray for his recovery.
    Previously, on January 28, Hareem Shah’s bank accounts were frozen by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after she was filmed in a video with bundles of cash of foreign exchange.

    FIA had also written a letter to the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency to probe into money-laundering.

  • Trade with India not possible without solving Kashmir issue, says PM Kakar

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that trade between Pakistan and India is not possible without solving the Kashmir issue, adding that Pakistan would act as a “willing partner” in case India initiates resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

    Relations between India and Pakistan have become tense since the Dehli administration divided Kashmir into two federally administered territories in August 2019, ending the special status the occupied region enjoyed.

    The Himalayan region, where Muslims are in the majority, has been a cause of conflict between Pakistan and India since the liberation of both countries from British rule. Both neighbouring countries rule parts of the Himalayan territory, fighting two wars to occupy the whole region.

    Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said while talking to Geo’s Saleem Safi that under the current situation, trade is not possible between Delhi and Islamabad.

    “Kashmir is at the core, but when we say Kashmir is at the core, it does not mean that we want to keep fighting with India all the time,” the Pakistan prime minister said.