Daily News Pakistan

Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced to waive off two requirements for Sikh pilgrimages coming to Kartarpur from India. In a tweet, he said they would not need a passport and just have a valid Identity Card. For Sikhs coming for pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived off 2 requirements: i) they wont need a passport - just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on day of inauguration & on Guruji's 550th birthday — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 1, 2019 He said they no longer have to register ten days in advance. Prime Minister also announced that no fee will be charged on day of inauguration of Kartarpur and on Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 550th birthday.

Azadi March of JUI-F has entered Islamabad on 5th day of its start where local leadership of PML-N and PPP welcomed the marchers. Azadi March starting from Karachi traveled 1450 Km in 5 days to finally reach federal capital. The central rally under the leadership of Maulana Fazlur Rehman had started its journey from Karachi on Sunday. The march travelling from Hyderabad, Matiari, Nawabshah, Noshehroferoz and Khairpur reached Sukkur for night stay. On Monday morning the march started its journey for Multan via Ghotki, Rahim Yar Khan and Uch Sharif. On Tuesday the marchers moved towards Lahore via Khanewal, Mian Channu, Chicha Watnai, Sahiwal, Okara and Patoki. Passing night in Lahore the marchers moved towards their final destination in federal capital via Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jehlum and Gujar Khan. JUI-F leadership remained in the container where consultations were being made. Earlier, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman rejected the news regarding postponement of Azadi March and said all ca...

Kashmir Day is being observed today to express solidarity with the oppressed people of occupied Kashmir. Exhibitions and photo competitions on Kashmir issue will be held across the country, including in Islamabad, provincial capitals, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. The Islamabad event will be organized at Constitution Avenue. Those working in the government departments will wear black arm bands entitled "I am Kashmir" to convey the message that Pakistan fully stands by their Kashmiri brethern.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday reserved its judgement on bail plea of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz. The verdict was reserved by Justice Baqar Najfi and will be announced on Friday. Also read: Accountability court extends judicial remand of Maryam Nawaz Maryam is on judicial remand in an inquiry related to Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. An accountability court last week extended her judicial remand till November 2.

Federal Minister for Interior Brig (r) Ijaz Shah while addressing the media said that when the marchers reach Islamabad they will be provided safety and security. “If they bring more people than expected, we will give them more space,” Shah told reporters, “We will make them feel comfortable, as comfortable as staying in a five star hotel.” He also added that during negotiations the only point of discussion was the venue of the protest. The marchers, he said, demanded that the government let them enter D Chowk, “we said that it not possible.” He added, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) will have to abide by the the judgments of Supreme Court judge Qazi Faez Isa and the Islamabad High Court regarding the sit-in. The federal minister said Maulana Fazl was allowed to march but he should respect the court decisions too. Shah said the prime minister decided not to prevent the JUI-F from marching since he himself is a politician. He conceded that political statements issued by bo...

Pakistan on Thursday rejected the "void" and "illegal" bifurcation of India-occupied Kashmir into two union territories, saying that "no step by the government of India" can change the internationally recognised fact that it is a disputed territory. The Indian government had on August 5 repealed Article 370 of its constitution, stripping occupied Kashmir of its special status. The orders went into effect today, dividing up occupied Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories; one Jammu and Kashmir, and the other the Buddhist-dominated high altitude region of Ladakh. In a statement released by the Foreign Office, Pakistan termed the move a "complete violation of the UN Security Council Resolutions and bilateral agreements between India and Pakistan, especially the Simla Agreement". The statement underlined that India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory. "No step by the government of India can c...

President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in Tezgam Express fire incident in Rahim Yar Khan. In their separate condolence messages, they condoled with the bereaved families. The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to provide prompt and best possible medical treatment to those injured in the incident. Special Assistant to Prime Minsiter on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan has also expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in Tezgam train incident. She condoled with the bereaved families.

Federal Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed ordered an inquiry into the incident to determine the root cause along with details of the officers that allowed gas cylinders on board the train. The minister has demanded the preliminary inquiry report within 24 hours. Sheikh Rasheed expressed tremendous grief and sorrow on the harrowing incident and condoled those whose loved ones have died or are injured due to the fact. The Minister also requested individuals traveling via trains to not cook over live flames or carry possible flammable substances during travel to safeguard themselves from such tragedies. He also informed that the train track would be cleared for commute within two hours, the Tableeghi Jamaat members were headed for a religious gathering in Rawalpindi and were trying to cook something over a gas cylinder when a possible leakage resulted in catastrophe. 10 fire extinguishing vehicles of rescue 1122 are participating in the efforts to kill the flame. Forty s...

Cuba’s Vice President Roberto Morales Ojeda on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at his office in Islamabad. Matters of mutual interest, bilateral ties, overall regional situation and other issues were came under discussion in the meeting, said sources. Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said that Pakistan and Cuba had historically enjoyed close and cordial ties. He noted that the Cuban leaders including former President Fidel Castro were held in high esteem by the people of Pakistan. PM Imran particularly recalled Cuba’s medical assistance for the victims of 2005 earthquake and for medical education of over 900 Pakistani students, both initiatives of President Castro. He added that the visit by the Cuban delegation was timely and would help reinforce the friendly relations between the two countries expand mutually beneficial collaboration in various fields. The Cuban vice president highlighted the excellent nature of Cuba-Pakistan relations and thanked Pak...

At least 11 passengers lost their lives and 30 others sustained burn injuries when three carriages of a Tezgam Express caught fire due to explosion in a gas stove, according to initial reports. Meanwhile, firefighters have initiated a rescue operation to extinguish the fire and other passengers are being evacuated from the train to safe places. The affected carriages are being separated from the train. The train, Tezgam, was on its way from Karachi to Rawalpindi, when a gas cylinder carried by a passenger exploded, leaving several dead and injured. The fire was caused by the explosion in a gas cylinder, confirmed the Pakistan Railways official. According to details, the passengers were cooking breakfast when the gas cylinder exploded. After the blast, the raging fire engulfed two other coaches as well. Fire fighters were still extinguishing the fire as per last reports.

The Lebanese government's resignation under pressure from the street looked set to ease a two-week-old nationwide lockdown but protesters vowed on Wednesday to keep pushing for deeper change. President Michel Aoun acknowledged Saad Hariri's resignation as prime minister on Tuesday but asked his government to stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is formed. But there was no clear way out of the political crisis that has drawn warnings from Lebanon's foreign partners. On the ground, security forces reopened most roads that had remained mostly blocked by protesters since a proposed tax on calls via messaging apps sparked a wave of demonstrations on October 17. The unprecedented mobilisation swelled into a popular drive to remove a political elite which has remained largely unchanged since the end of the civil war three decades ago. Euphoric protesters experiencing a rare moment of national unity have pilloried politicians of all parties, calling for better...

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a judgment reviewing the meaning and scope of the term 'terrorism' as defined in the Anti Terrorism Act, 1997 and recommended that Parliament bring changes to the current understanding of the term, which is "too wide". The 59-page judgment was authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa. The court in its judgment observed that the matter had been "a subject of controversy" for some time and that "different honourable benches of varying strength deciding different cases have [...] understood and interpreted the said term differently". "It is in this backdrop that the present larger bench has been constituted so as to put an end to that controversy," read the judgment. According to the judgment, the term 'terrorism' can be applied to the use of force, under an organised plan, for the realisation of religious, ideological or political goals. It can also be applied when, under th...

A sessions court in Lahore on Wednesday approved Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar’s bail application in a hate speech case, following which he got released from the camp prison. The court was hearing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader’s plea seeking a bail in the hate speech case filed against him. The court also asked Safdar to submit a surety bond of Rs200,000. After his release, overjoyed PML-N workers chanted slogans in Safdar’s favour. Safdar and Maryam Nawaz’s son and party workers were present outside the jail to receive him, after the court announced the PML-N leader’s bail in the case. Lahore police had arrested former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law near the Ravi Toll plaza and registered a case against him in Lahore’s Islampura police station last week. The case was registered under section 16 of the MPO and additional charges were also added after the he was presented before the court.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman urged the government on Wednesday to resign and hand power back to the people. Addressing a large rally in Kamoke where his Azadi March caravan arrived on Wednesday night, Fazl said that the present rulers had destroyed the economy of the country. “The entire nation is on a single page,” said Fazl. “Join hands with me to send these rulers a clear message. When economies of nations are destroyed, their geographies are altered,” he added. Fazl urged the masses to follow him if they wanted to ensure security in the country and make sure Pakistan’s future remains bright. A session held at the Foreign Office today, pertaining to Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s protest, concluded under the headship of Secretary Interior Azam Suleman. The session, attended by representatives of all Law Enforcement Agencies, took a closer look at Fazlur Rahman’s Azaadi March, participants of which were permitted to enter Islamabad through the assigne...

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said facilitating the small farmers is amongst the foremost priorities of present government. He was chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday which reviewed matters pertaining to the agro production especially the facilitation of small farmers. The Prime Minister pointed out the agriculture policy especially the focus on facilitation of small farmers is the manifestation of government's commitment towards the agriculture sector. Imran Khan noted that extending facilities to small farmers will not only bolster agriculture yield but also help alleviate poverty and improve the economic conditions. The Prime Minister directed to enhance coordination amongst the provinces to achieve the targets in the agriculture sector.

Traders continue nationwide shutterdown strike on Wednesday against the anti-business policies of the government and new taxation system introduced by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). According to details, traders in Islamabad and Rawalpindi gave a powerful message about their unity as many shops and outlets are remained closed in the twin cities. The nationwide strike call was given by All-Pakistan Anjuman-i-Tajiran (APAT). The leaders of traders’ associations said that if FBR does not simply the tax procedure then we will lock our shops and hand over the keys to the prime minister. Traders demanded that the incumbent government should play its role to resolve the problems of the business community.

An accountability court today resumed hearing witnesses in the Paragon Housing scam case against PMLN stalwarts, Khawaja Saad and Salman Rafique. Accountability court judge, Jawad Ul Hassan presiding over the case noted down testimonies of 5 witnesses in the first day of trial. More witnesses have been summoned by the court for the next hearing so that their statements can also be recorded. The court awarded both representatives of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) extensions in their judicial remand and asked them to appear in the court again on November 13. Saad and Salman tried to meet fellow party worker and leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shehbaz Sharif after the court was adjourned but were denied access. Both brothers currently face an assets beyond means and paragon housing scam case. On October 16, accountability court rejected acquittal pleas of former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother Khawaja Salman Rafique in Paragon Hou...

Adviser on Finance Dr. Hafeez Sheikh says the statistics of the first quarter of the current financial year indicate that the country's economy is on the right track and it is gradually stabilizing. He gave these remarks during a meeting with Pakistan's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Munir Akram in Islamabad on Wednesday. The Adviser on Finance informed Munir Akram about the measures taken for improvement of national economy and their positive results.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasized on the importance of introducing Sufi teachings in true spirit and philosophy of the Sufi saints to the youth. He was talking to Dr Tamara Sonn, a professor of Islamic History at Georgetown University, who called on him in Islamabad today (Tuesday). The prime minister said it is utmost necessary to aware the youth of Sufi saints’ service in spread of Islam in the Sub-continent and research and extensive study should be encouraged in this regard to meet the challenges of the current times. Imran Khan said his government has laid the foundation stone of Al-Qadir University at Sohawa to study Sufi teachings in its true spirit. He said a committee is being constituted under the ministry of education to introduce subjects pertaining to Sufi teachings in the educational institutions, which will present its recommendations regarding the nature of subjects and syllabus. The prime minister lauded Dr Tamara Sonn’s educational and research endevors,...

The dissident political leaders from the Indian state of Manipur have declared independence from India and forming a government-in-exile in Britain. Addressing a press conference in London, representatives of Manipur’s King Leishemba Sanajaoba also announced formation of Manipur State Council. The Chief Minister Yamben Biren and Minister of External Affairs and Defence Narengbam Samarjit of the Manipur State Council said we believe that now is the right time to make public the Independent Government of Manipur before the international community and seek recognition. They also urged all the governments of the sovereign states and members of the United Nations for recognition of the de-jure and exile Government of the Manipur from today onwards. The leaders of Manipur State Council also produced a document showing that Maharaja of Manipur has authorised them to solve the political problems of the State of Manipur. They said Narendra Modi’s government is intolerant and believes in ...

The government has established ‘FATF Cell’ in the interior ministry to ensure effective implementation on all the points of the action plan. According to sources, three officers associated with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and four from the National Counter Terrorism Authority were inducted in the cell. The sources further said that the cell was comprised 11 members and it will work on FATF action plan. The cell will help complete all the points of FATF action plan.

Internet services across the country were impacted on Tuesday evening, following a fault that developed in international submarine cables that connect Pakistan. "We regret to inform you that due to international submarine cable fault, internet services are impacted across Pakistan," said Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) in a post on Twitter. "Our technical teams are working on fully restoring internet services. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience." Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, in a statement, said: "Due to a fault in the international submarine cable, internet services have been affected." "Since today evening, some areas of Pakistan experienced a disruption in services," said the PTA spokesperson. The telecom authority said that PTCL, along with international organisations, "are working to ascertain the location where the fault has developed". According to ProPakis...

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday granted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif bail for eight weeks to obtain medical treatment. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard Shehbaz Sharif’s request to grant Nawaz Sharif bail on medical grounds in the Al-Azizia corruption reference. Announcing the verdict, the court granted Sharif bail for eight weeks to get medical treatment. He has been ordered to deposit two bail bonds worth Rs2 million each. “In case the indisposition of petitioner No.2 (Nawaz Sharif) continues, he before the expiry of perod of eight weeks may approach the Government of Punjab under Section 401 (2) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 and until the decision of the Provincial Government on the application, he shall continue to remain on bail. However, if petitioner No. 2 does not approach the Provincial Government within the period mentioned hereinabove this order shall cease to have effect on lapse of perio...

Prime Minister Imran Khan was reportedly misinformed about the presence of natural gas reserves near Karachi coast as there is a 86% chance that the expected reserves – called Kekra-I – would not be found under the surface of the sea. The project entails a cost of Rs124 billion on account of digging and associated machinery and other resources. The information from the project work would be beneficial in future. Now the authorities would dig up the surface under shallow water rather than deep water as it would have a much higher success rate and would cost less. The revelation was made by the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) managing director as he spoke to media after the PPL’s 68th annual general meeting. Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) managing director said the prospects of success in Kekra-I was only 12% and even though the project met failure, the information from the work being carried out would pave the way for discovery of new reserves. “In Kekra-I, we found nothing bu...

Sheheryar Munawar has confirmed in recent that he is single again. The actor in a recent interview with media said that his engagement was called off by his family. When asked about what’s the most daring thing he has done in his life, Munawar shared, “The most daring thing I’ve done is tell my mother that I’ve tried once because you said so and you yourself ended it. But this time, I’ll choose the girl I want to get married to.” Munawar announced engagement this year in March with Haala Soomro. The actor has also released an official statement on the matter. “I will not comment on a decision taken by my family. This is a private matter that involves two families, and I would like to take this opportunity to request everyone to give our families, myself and my ex-fiance our due share of privacy and time to deal with this new development in our lives,” he said. “I would like to thank my fans for all their love and understanding and members of the media for their continued support...

Reiterating its support to Pakistan at the FATF platform, China has categorically announced that it did not want the forum to be politicized as some countries are pursuing their political agenda in a bid to blacklist Pakistan. Talking to a group of visiting Pakistani journalists in Beijing, Deputy Director General for Policy Planning of Asian Affair in the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Yao Wen said China stood with Pakistan and blocked any attempt to include Pakistan in the blacklist. He said China made it clear to the United States and India that China cannot do this and goes beyond the purpose of FATF. Yao Wen said the Financial Action Task Force is not meant to put any country in the blacklist, rather to support it to take action against terror financing. He said Pakistan is effectively pursuing its National Action Plan, and China encouraged it to act against terrorists and strengthen its system. About the recent visit of Chinese President to India, he said the Chinese president ...

Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast and sincere support to Afghan peace and reconciliation process. PM Imran was talking to U.S. Special Representative to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad who called on him in Islamabad. The Prime Minister also underlined the need to overcome difficulties in this regard so that an enduring political solution to Afghan conflict could be achieved at the earliest. Imran Khan stressed that it was important for all sides to take practical steps for checking violence in Afghanistan. He said it was equally important to guard against the negative narratives and efforts by any quarter to undermine the progress made so far through painstaking efforts. The Prime Minister said Pakistan will continue to play its role as a sincere and honest friend for establishing peace in Afghanistan. Imran Khan said achieving sustainable peace and security in Afghanistan and the region is in Pakistan’s best national interest.