Govt to announce reduction in POL, energy prices soon: Pervez Khattak

Federal Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak said Sunday that Prime Minister Imran Khan will soon release a relief package for the masses and announce a reduction in petroleum and energy prices.

"The prime minister will address the nation shortly and announce Rs10 reduction in petroleum prices, and a Rs5 cut per unit in the electricity rates, along with several other measures," he said while speaking at a public meeting at the Mumraiz area of his hometown of Nowshera.

Several members of the opposition's Awami National Party, including Ejaz Khan, Gul Faraz, quit their party and announced joining the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the occasion. Pervez Khattak welcomed them into the folds of the party by handing them caps.

The defence minister discounted the threat to the PTI government and the prime minster, saying the opposition parties were destined for a crushing defeat and the long march will fail to dislodge the government.

He was critical of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his ongoing drive against the government and his alleged statement against state institutions. "Bilawal has courted failure by levelling allegations against state institutions," he said, adding that he hoped the no-trust motion against Imran Khan would be dropped.

Pervez Khattak claimed the government had won the support of 10 opposition lawmakers. "The opposition parties cannot dent the ruling party unity as it itself stands divided," he said.

Elaborating on his statement, he said though the opposition enjoyed a majority in the Senate, it could not stop legislation by the government in the upper house of Parliament. People who work for the party, especially young people, should take advantage of government programmes that help them get a better job.

Pakistan reports 5 more deaths in the last 24 hours

Pakistan has reported 5 more deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of confirmed positive cases has surged to 1,509,360. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 30,178 on Monday.

According to the latest figures issued by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 856 persons were tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Pakistan has conducted 53,625 tests in the past 24 hours out of which 856 persons were tested positive for the disease. The COVID Positivity Ratio was recorded at 2.56 percent.

Putin puts nuclear deterrent on alert; West squeezes Russian economy

President Vladimir Putin put Russia's nuclear deterrent on high alert on Sunday in the face of a barrage of Western reprisals for his war on Ukraine, which said it had repelled Russian ground forces attacking its biggest cities.

The United States said Putin was escalating the war with "dangerous rhetoric", amid signs that the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two was not producing rapid victories, but instead generating a far-reaching and concerted Western response.

Less than four days after it started, the invasion has triggered a Western political, strategic, economic and corporate response unprecedented in its extent and coordination.

"With this war on Ukraine, the world will never be the same again," EU's foreign policy chief Josef Borrell wrote in an opinion piece in the Guardian newspaper.

He said, "It is now, more than ever, the time for societies and alliances to come together to build our future on trust, justice and freedom. It is the moment to stand up and to speak out. Might does not make right. Never did. Never will."

The 27-nation European Union on Sunday decided for the first time in its history to supply weapons to a country at war. A source told Reuters it would send 450 million euros ($507 million) of weaponry to Ukraine. Borrell at a news conference said EU's support would include providing fighter jets.

The European Union's chief executive Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for Ukraine's membership in an interview with Euronews, saying "they are one of us." read more Ukraine, a democratic nation of 44 million people, won independence from Moscow in 1991 at the fall of the Soviet Union and has pushed to join the NATO Western military alliance and the EU, goals Russia vehemently opposes.

Opposition has reached a deadlock to bring a no-trust motion: Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad on Sunday said that the PTI-led government has "complete trust in its allies" but the joint Opposition has reached a deadlock in their efforts to bring a no-trust motion against the government.

The minister, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday, said that the Ministry of Interior would provide "full security" to the PPP-led long march that started earlier in the day from Karachi.

However, he said, that bringing about a revolution is not PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's cup of tea and referenced the result of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's Nizam-e-Mustafa movement.

"Opposition parties are only interested to protect their own vested agendas. Fazl would know what happened to the Nizam-e-Mustafa movement of 1977," he said.

The minister said that political parties trying to create chaos in the country will have to eventually face defeat.

"The circus which the Opposition wants to stage will hardly last nine days as they have no idea about how to proceed with their plans."

He went on to say that the Opposition will regret its own plans, adding that the incumbent government is about to complete its four years in power and will successfully complete another year. 

On the other hand, Bilawal on Sunday said that neither Sindh nor Pakistan could progress until the PTI government is sent packing.

His statement came during the politician's address to a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid before the commencement of PPP's long march. 

The PPP leader started his speech at the rally with the slogan "go selected".

Earlier, Bilawal thanked the people of Karachi for gathering in huge numbers to "wage war" against the incumbent government on the party's call.

He went on to say that the three years of the incumbent govt in power forced Karachi's people to protest.

"The ineligible and incompetent prime minister has plundered the rights of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," Bilawal said.

FM Qureshi underscores 'de-escalation' in conversation with Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi underscored the “importance of de-escalation” in his conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba as Kyiv battles a Russian invasion.

“Foreign Minister Qureshi shared Pakistan’s perspective in detail, reiterating serious concern at the situation, underscoring the importance of de-escalation, and stressing the indispensability of diplomacy,” said the Foreign Office spokesperson about Pakistan’s top diplomat’s telephonic conversation with Ukraine’s Kuleba.

According to the spokesperson, Foreign Minister Qureshi informed his Ukrainian counterpart that Prime Minister Imran Khan, during his recent visit to Moscow, “regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine”.

He added that the Pakistani premier “had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict”.

“Conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically, in case of conflict,” said Qureshi.

Islamabad believes that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, he added.

Pakistan’s top diplomat also took up the issue of evacuation of the Pakistani community and students in Ukraine and their safe return to their home country.

He appreciated the Ukrainian authorities’ role in the “evacuation process and asked for continued facilitation and smooth border crossing at the earliest possible”.

Russia launched its invasion by land, air and sea on Thursday following a declaration of war by President Vladimir Putin. An estimated 100,000 people fled as explosions and gunfire rocked major cities. Dozens have been reported killed.

The United States and Ukrainian officials say Russia aims to capture Kyiv and topple the government, which Putin regards as a puppet of the US. Russian troops seized the Chernobyl former nuclear power plant north of Kyiv as they advanced along the shortest route to Kyiv from Belarus to the north.

On the fourth day of the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two, the Ukrainian president's office said negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow would be held at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. They would meet without preconditions, it said.

The capital Kyiv is still in Ukrainian government hands, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rallying his people despite Russian shelling of civilian infrastructure.

Stage set for Bilawal's rally at Mazar-e-Quaid to kick start long march

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is all set to kick start the anti-government long march today (Sunday) with his address to a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid.

The long march — led by the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari — will start from Karachi and reach the capital in 10 days passing through 34 different cities.

All the arrangements for the long march have been completed, with PPP banners and flags put up across the city and the PPP workers excited for the venture.

Bilawal is expected to arrive at the venue of the rally at around noon.

The people willing to participate in the march will gather at Numaish Chowrangi and depart as a convoy.

The PPP had announced the long march to protest the inflation, hike in petroleum products prices and other measures taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan-led federal government.

Traffic plan

Keeping the commencement of Bilawal's long march, Karachi traffic police have worked out an alternate traffic plan to maintain the flow of traffic in the city despite the closure of some routes.

The traffic police say that the road leading from Gurumandir to Numaish Chowrangi, the starting point of the march, will be closed for traffic therefore the commuters may use the road leading to Soldier Bazaar from Gurumandir and the to Jail Road flyover using Jamshed Road.

Moreover, the general public will not be allowed to use the route from Society Chowrangi to the starting point. However, they can use the road leading to Jail Chowrangi from Society Chowrangi.

The road leading to New M.A Jinnah Corridor 3 from Regal Chowrangi will also be closed for the general public therefore they may take the road to Shahrah-e-Faisal through Lucky Star from Saddar Dawakhana.

Meanwhile, the flow of traffic coming from University Road will be diverted to Shaheed-e-Millat Road at Jail Chowrangi, while the traffic coming from Jamshed Road will be diverted to Soldier Bazaar.

Government, opposition in war of attrition on number game

The proverbial war of attrition over the number game in parliament between the government and the opposition seems to be intensifying with each passing day, as both the rival camps are laying claims to have the required strength to defeat each other’s move.

Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar, who on Saturday said that the opposition parties had failed to buy members of parliament in an effort to garner support for their no-trust move against the prime minister "… some dealers increased the rate when persons (MPs) did not detach… even the new rate too did not serve the purpose (horse-trading)," the minister wrote on his Twitter handle.

Azhar said he heard that 'some dealers' had increased the rate to buy the MPs, who remained steadfast and loyal to their party, from their 'illegitimate income and stolen money’. He mocked the opposition for failing to trap in the MPs saying, "Even the new rate did not work."

During a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad asked the opposition to come to its senses, saying that some short-sighted people considered the “no-confidence motion” a “child’s play”.

“These rejected people are talking about no-confidence just to satisfy their whims, but they could not build any pressure on the government,” Rashid said. “The government is strong and will complete its constitutional term under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan,” he added.

Punjab government spokesperson Hassaan Khawar said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) had denied lending support to the opposition on the proposed no-confidence motion. Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat said that government was in contact with the Jahangir Tareen group.

“The Chaudhry brothers are decent politicians and they will take a well thought-out decision. [Federal Minister] Monis Elahi and other leaders of the PML-Q have denied supporting the opposition on the no-confidence motion,” Khawar told reporters in Lahore.

Separately, talking to reporters during a friendly hockey match at the Ashfaq Nadeem Hockey Stadium, Law Minister Basharat said that the government was in contact with all its allies as well the disgruntled party leader Tareen. “Everyone is with the government,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab President and former law minister Rana Sanaullah, on a query about the no-confidence motion, said the PML-N was optimistic about the success. “They [all opposition parties] are united at the moment,” he said, while responding to a question whether the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and other parties were united on the motion.

'We must stay united and in touch,' Jahangir Tareen's message to like-minded MPs

PTI's disgruntled leader Jahangir Tareen has sent a message to like-minded lawmakers before embarking on his visit to London for a medical check-up, saying that they must remain "united and in touch.

According to sources, Tareen spent a week in a private hospital in Lahore for medical treatment.

Furthermore, sources said that the PTI leader would spend a week in London.

"I'm going for a medical checkup we must stay united and in touch," said Tareen's told lawmakers who have been sympathetic to him.

On the other hand, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif said that Jahangir Tareen's illness is a cause of concern, and asked the nation to pray for a rapid recovery for all who are unwell, especially Jahangir Tareen.

Shahbaz Sharif said, "I pray for relief for Jahangir Tareen's family in this difficult time."

Earlier, amid reports of increasing links of Opposition parties with the ruling PTI's allies and disgruntled Jahangir Khan Tareen group, PTI leader Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan had confirmed the meeting of Shahbaz and Tareen.

Chohan had said that Tareen fulfilled his duties as PTI's general secretary very well.

However, he revealed that the estranged PTI leader met with Shehbaz, who is also the leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, at former MNA Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood's residence.

Chohan also advised Tareen, who is PM Imran Khan's former confidante, to never trust the Sharif family.

"Jahangir Tareen can never get good from the Sharif family," he said.

 

Pervaiz Elahi cannot be PML-N's priority for CM Punjab slot: Mohammad Zubair

Expressing concerns over the proposal of PPP and JUI-F, PML-N leader Mohammad Zubair has said that Pervaiz Elahi cannot be the priority of his party for Punjab’s chief minister slot.

Two days earlier, the PPP and JUI-F had put up an option to offer Punjab's chief ministership to PTI's close aide PML-Q on the table before PML-N in a bid to move a no-confidence motion successfully against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly.

PML-Q had put forth a condition saying that they would stand beside the Opposition in Punjab and Centre for the no-confidence motion if CM Punjab's portfolio is offered to Pervaiz Elahi.

Talking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzaib Khanzada Kay saath, Nawaz Sharif's spokesperson Mohammad Zubair said that, it could not be our priority to hand over the CM seat to Pervaiz Elahi, adding that, “still there are many things that yet to be agreed upon."

“Discussing the option of handing over CM Punjab portfolio to Pervaiz Elahi, doesn’t mean that the PML-N leadership has decided on this,” he said. The former governor Sindh went on to say that PML-N and other opposition parties are united on one point and that is the ouster of PM Imran Khan.

“Ousting the incumbent government is in the interest of the country and we [opposition] parties are completely agreed on it,” he added.

Responding to a question regarding Maryam Nawaz's absence from the Opposition party's meeting, he said that Maryam Nawaz has been a part of all the meetings since day first as she is looking every matter behind the scene.

“She was taken on board in every meeting of Opposition and plays a key role in decision making while she is giving her input as well,” he added.

“Nawaz Sharif is overseeing the complete process as his decision is final and that is important,” he concluded.

PPP ready to 'sacrifice' PM's seat for PML-N: Bilawal

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Saturday his party was ready to back PML-N's candidate for the prime minister's slot if the Opposition is able to oust the incumbent government.

In a press conference alongside party leaders in the port city, Bilawal said in a democracy, anyone having the majority can decide who becomes the next prime minister.

"PML-N clearly has the majority; PPP and other Opposition parties are ready to sacrifice the prime minister's seat for them," the PPP chairman said, stressing the major stakeholder should announce its candidate for the office.

"We plan on not repeating the mistakes we did in the past," he added.

Bilawal said that his party has decided to launch a "democratic attack" against the government and urged the other Opposition parties to adopt a unified stance of ousting the incumbent PTI-led administration.

The PPP chairman ruled out opting for undemocratic tactics to achieve the goal of dismissing the government.

Bilawal also advised PTI's allies, especially the MQM-P, to join hands with the anti-government movement as the PPP is all set to begin its "awami march" tomorrow — from Karachi to Islamabad.

"However, if Prime Minister Imran Khan decides to resign voluntarily, then there won't be a need to hold the long march," Bilawal said.

Speaking about PTI’s Sindh Huqooq March, Bilawal said that the PTI leaders say that they have come out for the rights of the people of the province and hence, kick-started their march from Ghotki; however, they are the ones who did not give the farmers their due share of urea.

“The people of Sindh will respond accordingly,” he said.

Terming the march as a “political circus” he said that PPP has no threat from “a group of political orphans” gathered in Sindh.

Govt working on safe evacuation of all Pakistanis in Ukraine

Pakistan's Ambassador to Ukraine Dr Noel Israel Khokhar says the government is working on safe evacuation of all Pakistan nationals stranded in Ukraine.

In a statement, the ambassador confirmed that overall 1,500 Pakistanis, including 500 students, are present in Ukraine who have been asked to move to safe locations.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Embassy in Ukraine, in a tweet, said the airspace of Ukraine is closed while the Embassy is in touch with the Pakistani students, who could not leave earlier according to the advice given to them.

The Embassy of Pakistan is fully functional from Ternopil, Ukraine. Contact details of the Embassy are as follows:

Email:
parepkyiv@gmail.com

Cell Nos:

+380636965523
+380636968264
+380638282984
+380664944004@SMQureshiPTI @ForeignOfficePk #Pakistan

— Pakistan Embassy Ukraine (@PakinUkraine) February 25, 2022

Ukraine army says fighting Russian forces outside capital Kyiv

Ukraine’s army said Friday it was fighting invading Russian forces north of the capital Kyiv, as Moscow pressed on with its advance on the pro-Western country for a second day. Russian forces reached the outskirts of Kyiv on Friday, with the government saying the city was hit by "horrific rocket strikes" in the early hours.

"Airborne assault troops of the Ukrainian armed forces are fighting in the areas of the settlements of Dymer and Invankiv," Kyiv’s army said on its Facebook page. Dymer is around 45 kilometres (28 miles) north of Kyiv, while Ivankiv is about 60 kilometres northwest of the Ukrainian capital.

The military said it had stopped advancing Russian forces at the Teteriv River, a tributary of the Dnieper River that flows through Kyiv, adding that a bridge over it was destroyed.

The army also said it had retaken the Gostomel airfield, with reports that it had been captured by Russian forces the day before.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Moscow’s forces were also targeting civilian areas and praised his countrymen for their "heroism".

"They say that civilian objects are not a target for them. But this is another lie of theirs. In reality, they do not distinguish between areas in which they operate," Zelensky said in a video.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a military operation against Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday, confirming widespread fears Moscow was planning to invade its western neighbour.

Bill Gates 'blown away' after seeing Pakistan's innovation in controlling polio, COVID

Following his day-long visit to Pakistan last week, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates praised Pakistan's innovative command centres, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), for fighting diseases.

In his blog, Gates wrote: "Last week I also went to Pakistan, where I visited two of the country’s innovative command centres for fighting diseases, the NEOC for polio eradication and the NCOC for COVID."

"The NEOC uses state-of-the-art informational tools developed by Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) to track polio so that no child is ever paralysed by it again," he added.

Meanwhile, regarding NCOC, Gates said that the centre has applied resources and lessons learned from the polio programme — including data analysis, vaccine campaign planning, and community engagement— to coordinate Pakistan’s response to COVID.

During his visit, Gates attended a meeting of the National Task Force on Polio Eradication, where he noted that despite COVID-19 restrictions, Pakistan has performed "amazingly" in eradicating polio.

During the NCOC session, Gates and his delegation were apprised about the NCOC's role and methodology, its achievements since the start of the pandemic, the recent COVID-19 situation across Pakistan and various restrictions imposed by the forums to control disease spread and ensure public safety and well being.

Sharing his experience in his blog, he wrote: "At the NEOC, we pored over a wall of screens that displayed an up-to-the-minute summary of immunisation rates and areas where children have not been reached with the vaccine."

"The health officials I talked to in Pakistan told me that the polio programme’s infrastructure was invaluable once COVID-hit.

"By setting its priorities based on the needs at the time, Pakistan was able to expand and redirect health infrastructure that had been supported by the global community — the national helpline call centre, communication systems, and networks of religious leaders and community influencers — to help protect people during the pandemic," he concluded.

US reacts to PM Imran Khan's Russia visit amid Ukraine conflict

US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price responded to a question related to Prime Minister Imran Khan's Russia visit, stating that "we believe it’s the responsibility of every responsible country around the world to voice concern and to voice objection to what Putin appears to have in mind for Ukraine."

Price said this during a press briefing on Wednesday when asked about the Pakistani premier's scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

He said that they have already apprised Islamabad of Washington's position on Russia’s further escalation in Ukraine and "we have briefed them on our efforts to pursue diplomacy over war."

Price said that the US views the partnership with a prosperous, democratic Pakistan as critical to its interests.

"We certainly hope, when it comes to those shared interests – the aversion of a costly conflict, the aversion of a destabilizing conflict, that every country around the world would make that point clearly in unambiguous language in their engagements with the Russian Federation," he added.

The visit of PM Imran has assumed international significance as Russia announced to launch operation in Ukraine's Donbas region. He would be the only world leader to meet Putin face-to-face amid the unfolding crisis in Ukraine.

Last thing Pakistan wants is world divided into blocs: PM Imran Khan

Pakistan wants to establish trading relations with all other countries to lift people out of poverty rather than becoming part of any bloc, Prime Minister Imran Khan said.

Ahead of his visit to Moscow, the premier gave an exclusive interview to Russian TV, reiterating that the last thing that Pakistan wants "is the world divided into blocs."

The PM will leave for Moscow on a two-day official visit tomorrow. This is the first visit of any Pakistani premier in the last 23 years.

During the interview, the premier noted that greater cooperation between the US, China and Russia will benefit everybody much more than the conflict.

Underscoring the need for a peaceful solution to the Ukraine issue, PM Imran Khan reiterated that military conflicts do not solve problems.

He said: "Pakistan wants to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia," adding that he looks forward to his Moscow visit.

"Pakistan is a gas deficient country," he highlighted, stating that the country's North-South Gas pipeline has suffered a delay because of the US sanctions on the Russian company "we were negotiating for the construction of the pipeline."

He further added the lifting of sanctions on Iran will also help Pakistan get the cheapest gas from the neighbouring country.

Replying to a question regarding relations with India, the premier said his government immediately reached out to India after coming to power in order to resolve the outstanding Kashmir dispute.

He, however, regretted that India has adopted a "racist ideology inspired by Nazis".

To a question, PM Imran Khan said climate change and illicit flow of money from poor countries to the developed world are the two major challenges faced by the world. He said the western countries should frame laws as they have on terror financing to check the illicit flows.

Noor Mukadam murder case: Islamabad court to announce verdict on Feb 24

Following multiple twists and deferrals, a local court in Islamabad has finally reached a decision in the high-profile case pertaining to the murder of Noor Mukadam.

The District and Sessions Court judge, Justice Ata Rabbani, reserved the verdict in the case, after petitioner's counsel completed his arguments in the case. The reserved verdict will be announced on February 24.

The counsels representing the accused had already presented their final arguments in the last hearing.

At the outset of today's hearing, the main accused Zahir Jaffer was presented before court.

Advocate Khawar Shah, the counsel representing Noor's father, restated the details and events before the murder as per the CCTV footage submitted in evidence.

"The case has solid evidence against the accused, based on DVR, CDR, forensic and DNA reports. All the evidence gathered scientifically has been made part of the case," he said.

Maintaining that the prosecution has proved the case against Zahir, the counsel pleaded to the court to award strict punishment to all the accused.

Meanwhile, prosecutor Rana Hassan asked: "What would have a father gone through when he saw the decapitated body of his daughter?"

He contended that the biggest evidence against Jaffer is that he was arrested from the crime scene with the murder weapon and bloodstained clothes and the DVR was declared authentic and presented as the last evidence in the case.

"Each and every Pakistani is following [developments in] this case and observing how the country's system is working. The court should make this case an example by punishing the accused as strictly as possible," the prosecutor stated.

Countering the prosecution's arguments, Zahir's counsel maintained that the prosecution has been claiming that every object [evidence against accused] has Zahir's fingerprints, but it is still unable to state the reason for why his fingerprints weren't found on the murder weapon.

Why wasn't Noor's mother made part of the investigations, he questioned.

"Noor Mukadam could have called anyone to inform [about her situation] by locking herself in a bathroom but she didn't."

After completion of the arguments, the court reserved the verdict for announcement on February 24.

Zahir Jaffer pleads not guilty

The case took a new turn on February 10, when Zahir pleaded not guilty to the crime.

On behalf of the main accused, his lawyer submitted his client’s defence in the case in a questionnaire given by the court.

Zahir told the court that he was in a "relationship" with the victim for a long time and both the families also knew each other. However, he clarified that he was “not in touch with Noor for six months."

“On July 18, she voluntarily came to my house with a huge quantity of drugs. Noor told me to host a drug party and I refused,” said Zahir.

The accused then claimed before the court that on July 20 the victim invited her friends to the said party. He added he was alone at home at the time, as his parents and other family members were in Karachi for Eid celebrations.

“A few hours later when I woke up, I found myself tied in my lounge,” said Jaffer, adding that after a few minutes, uniformed police and people in civil clothes “rescued” him.

“When I was rescued, I got to know that Noor was murdered by someone attending the drug party or someone else murdered her,” said Jaffer.

He also claimed that the victim’s father is an “influential” person and got him involved in the case by pressurising the police.

The murder

The prime suspect in the murder of Noor Mukadam, Zahir, was formally charged for the crime by an Islamabad court in October 2021. Besides him, two of the family's employees — Jamil and Jan Mohammad — were also indicted, along with Zahoor.

Noor Mukadam, a 27-year-old woman, was murdered on July 20 within the limits of the ​Kohsar police station in Islamabad's F-7 area.

A case of murder was later registered at the same police station by Noor's father, former Pakistani ambassador Shaukat Ali Mukadam.

The Islamabad police arrested suspect Zahir on the night of July 20 from his house where, according to Noor's parents, he killed her with a sharp instrument and severed her head.

PM Imran Khan launches spring tree plantation drive

Prime Minister Imran Khan launched Spring Tree Plantation Drive 2022 in Islamabad today (Tuesday) on the occasion of World Scout Day.

Following planting 1.4 billion trees under ten billion tree Tsunami program, a target of planting five hundred and forty million trees has been set for the spring tree plantation campaign.

Seven hundred and fifty thousand scouts of Pakistan Boy Scouts Association will also participate in this drive to achieve the target.

PPP all sets to show power in Peshawer today

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is all set to exercise political power in Peshawar today (Monday).

According to sources, the reparations for workers’ convention have been completed. Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto will address the public gathering.

The PPP chief will also hold meetings with Awami National Party (ANP) leaders at Bacha Khan Markaz.

IHC issues contempt of court notice to FIA director

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday has conducted hearing on senior journalist Mohsin Baig case and issued contempt of court notice to the Director of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing over misusing their powers in every matter.

During the proceedings, IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah asked the FIA official to read the lines from which the agency has deduced the defamatory comments on which, the director FIA read the sentence said by Mohsin Baig in which Murad Saeed was defamed.

The judge then asked that if someone quotes a book, how can it be termed as obscene. Justice Athar asked when there were four people in the program, why only Mohsin Baig was arrested.

Subsequently, the hearing has been adjourned.

Earlier in the day, IHC had summoned director of FIA cybercrime wing on immediate basis, stating, “Why should we not register contempt of court case against the FIA? Do they think they are above the law?”

Previously, Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday approved three-day remand of journalist Mohsin Baig.

Inspector Sajid Cheema said that they have to recover the pistol used by the journalist on which Mohsin Baig’s lawyer replied that the pistol is already in police custody.

Mohsin Baig said that it does not matter to him even if he is kept in remand for 15 more days.

On February 17, Advocate General (AG) Niazullah Niazi while briefing Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the Additional Sessions Judge in the Mohsin Baig case issued the order in a hurry and the legal requirements were not fulfilled.

Advocate General Islamabad Niazullah Niazi called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and briefed him on the case of journalist Mohsin Baig.

During the meeting, Advocate General Islamabad Niazullah Niazi told PM Imran, "Some elements are giving wrong color to the issue in opposition to PTI". No one is above law. Mohsin Baig injured the FIA official, he added.

The AG went on to say that Mohsin Baig fired at the police and FIA personnel and threatened them.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the law is equal for all, adding that the opposition has no agenda to criticize the government.

He said that constructive criticism is beneficial for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. “The opposition is launching criticism against the government without any agenda,” he added.

Pakistan reports 31 more corona deaths in day

Pakistan has reported 31 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 1,501,680. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 30,040 on Monday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) 1,360 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Till now 13,454 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 8,030 in Sindh 6,207 in KP, 1,004 in Islamabad, 783 in Azad Kashmir, 373 in Balochistan, and 189 in GB.
Furthermore 564,522 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 499,063 in Punjab 214,955 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 133,839 in Islamabad, 42,669 in Azad Kashmir 35,274 in Balochistan and 11,358 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

President Arif Alvi signed PECA ordinance

President Arif Alvi signed two ordinances on Sunday making changes in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, (PECA) 2016, and the Elections Act, 2017.

Both laws were signed by the president after the Cabinet approved them. The changes made in the electronic crimes act have been made under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022.

Under the ordinance, the definition of a “person” has been broadened to include any company, association, institution, organisation, authority, or any other. Furthermore, anyone found guilty of attacking a person’s “identity” will now be sentenced to five years instead of three years.

The ordinance also states the informant or the complainant shall be “aggrieved person, his authorised representative, or his guardian, where such person is a minor or a member of the public in respect of a public figure or a holder of public office”.

Cases falling under PECA will be supervised by a high court and the trial court will have to conclude the case within six months.

“The court shall submit a monthly progress report of any pending trial to the concerned high court and shall give reasons for the inability of the court to expeditiously conclude the trial,” says the ordinance.

Apart from sending the report to the high courts, copies of the progress report will be sent to the law secretary if the case is registered in the Islamabad Capital Territory. However, if a case is registered in a province, then the copies of the report will be submitted to the “provincial secretaries of prosecution departments, the prosecutor general or advocate general”.

The ordinance also authorises the high court to issue “fresh timelines” of a case if it finds the “reasons” given by the trial court “plausible” and beyond its control.

The ordinance also empowers the high courts to summon federal or provincial government officers to remove any “difficulties, hindrances and obstacles” it finds in the case.

If the law secretaries find that the case was delayed due to the “presiding officer or any of its functionaries” then they may inform the high court. If the high court is of the view that the delay in the disposal of a trial is attributable to the presiding officer of the court or any other court functionary then they can initiate or “direct commencement of appropriate disciplinary proceedings."

The ordinance also empowers the chief justice of every high court to nominate a judge along with other officers.

Opposition's no-confidence motion was another "attempt at a bargaining chip for a fresh deal": Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday said that the Opposition parties’ announcement to present a no-confidence motion was another "attempt at a bargaining chip for a fresh deal".

He said that PTI legislators and their allies in parliament would collectively defeat such attempts by the Opposition leaders to evade accountability.

The minister, who is also the vice chairman of the ruling PTI, quoted Prime Minister Imran Khan as saying that there is zero possibility for an NRO for the accused politicians.

On his twitter handle, the vice-chairman wrote: “Announcement to present no-confidence motion is an attempt at a bargaining chip for a fresh deal. PTI parliamentarians & our allies will collectively defeat their attempts to evade accountability. As PM Imran Khan has consistently stated, the possibility of an NRO is zero.”

Senate elections: MQM-P leader Mansoor withdraws candidature in favour of PPP's Khuhro

Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khawaja Sohail Mansoor has announced his resignation in favour of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nisar Khuhro in the Senate elections.

Talking to media at the ECP office along with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Nisar Khuhro, Khawaja Sohail Mansoor said: “I am present here in personal capacity. I have old relations with Nisar Khuhro. I will not submit my nomination papers for the Senate seat against him. Nisar Khuhro is a senator for me from today.”

He said that if the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) had not decided to field a candidate then there should be no disagreement. “This seat belongs to the PPP and the PPP should get it,” the MQM leader said.

Khuhro is a Sindhi politician who is the President of the Pakistan Peoples Party for Sindh.

Khuhro is the Advisor of Chief Minister of Sindh on Works & Services and also on Universities & Boards since 2019. with the status of a provincial minister. He is also serving as the Pro-Chancellor of all public universities in Sindh.

Foreign office confirms PM Imran’s ‘landmark’ trip to Russia

The Foreign Office on Friday confirmed that Prime Minister Imran Khan would undertake what is seen as a landmark visit to Russia next week, bringing a turnaround in the relationship between the former two Cold-War rivals.

At a weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar told reporters that the prime minister would visit Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He, however, did not share his exact itinerary, saying such details would be shared at an appropriate time.

Official sources, nevertheless, said PM Imran is scheduled to travel to Russia on February 23. This would be the first official bilateral visit by an elected prime minister in 23 years.

The last time any Pakistani premier undertook an official visit to the country was when former prime minister Nawaz Sharif visited Moscow in March 1999. In between, former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, president Asif Ali Zardari and prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi did visit Russia but none of them was official bilateral trips.

The visit will be closely watched by outside the country as well, particularly the US given the current crisis over Ukraine. India would also keenly follow the PM’s visit since New Delhi has a long-term strategic partnership with Moscow. But in recent years, as India inched closer to the US, Russia has also made moves to improve ties with Pakistan.

The process of rapprochement began during the later years of Musharraf but picked up pace in 2011 when Pakistan’s relationship with the US went haywire. At that time Pakistan decided to diversify its foreign policy options and reach out to Russia.

The PM's visit is seen as part of the ongoing efforts by the two sides to bury their bitter past and enter into a new era of cooperation.

It is expected that the visit would focus on how to improve bilateral ties, particularly in the economic and trade sectors. Progress is also expected on the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline project that the Russian company would undertake in Pakistan laying a pipeline from Karachi to Kasur.

On the diplomatic side, the two countries are expected to discuss the regional security situation with a particular focus on Afghanistan. Unlike the past, Pakistan and Russia have convergence on the issue of Afghanistan as both sides are keen that the current dispensation in Kabul succeeds.

Moscow and Islamabad are worried that any instability in Afghanistan would give rise to terrorist groups that would pose direct security challenges to both countries.

Meanwhile, on the 15th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack on the Samjhauta Express that claimed the lives of 68 innocent passengers including 44 Pakistani nationals, the foreign office on Friday summoned the acting Indian envoy.

The Indian Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was conveyed Pakistan’s severe disappointment at the Indian government’s callousness towards the plight of the families of the Pakistani nationals, who await justice even after the passage of fifteen years, said the foreign office spokesperson.

The Indian diplomat was further conveyed our alarm that the Hindutva extremism and “Saffron terror” that had motivated the inhuman attack fifteen years ago has intensified manifold under the current regime in India.

The Charge d’Affaires was asked to convey to the Indian government in the strongest terms, Pakistan’s condemnation of the shameless acquittal and exoneration of all accused in a dastardly terrorist attack, including Swami Aseeman, an RSS activist, who publicly confessed to being the mastermind of the heinous attack.

This was just another manifestation of the brazen impunity and full state protection that perpetrators of terrorism enjoy in the BJP-ruled India.

The Charge d’Affaires was also asked to convey to the Indian government, Pakistan’s demand for a fair trial and for bringing the perpetrators and abettors of the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack to justice. The families of the innocent Pakistani nationals, mercilessly killed at the hands of the Hindutva-motivated extremists deserve closure.

Pakistan strongly called upon India to renounce the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy and faithfully implement its obligations under the international legal regime governing terrorism.

Maryam Nawaz attends PML-N MPA Sania Ashiq's wedding in Lahore

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz attended the wedding ceremony of party MPA Sania Ashiq.

The pictures of the ceremony have been surfacing on social media and several party members were spotted including MPA Hina Parvez Butt and Azma Bukhari.

In the pictures, Maryam Nawaz could be seen wearing an elegant red long dress and paired it with red heels.

She complimented the look by wearing traditional jewellery and a clutch. Maryam completed her look with a bright red lip colour.

PML-N leader Maryam congratulated Sania and her husband Abu Bakar.

The bride wore an off-white coloured lehnga with long red kameez boasted with golden embroidery.

In terms of makeup, Sania opted to go for smokey-eyes with nude lip colour. She completed the look by wearing golden and red coloured jewellery.

Meanwhile, the groom wore a black sherwani and teamed it with a red headdress.

 

 

Pakistan's economic downturn responsible for street crimes: CM Sindh

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah claimed Pakistan's economic downturn was the driving force being the rising street crimes in the port city.

The CM said this while talking to the media just after proposing Sindh PPP President Nisar Khuhro for the Senate seat that had fallen vacant after the disqualification of PTI leader Faisal Vawda.

“Street crime has increased in the city due to economic downturn but being head of provincial government, it is my responsibility to maintain law and order in the province,” said CM Murad.

Talking about the law and order, the CM said that he has made some changes in the city’s police and have ordered them to take “drastic measures”.

The CM said that the Sindh government has taken the challenge to eradicate street crimes from the metropolis to restore the writ of the government.

The minister said that his government — with the support of the people of Karachi — had eliminated terrorism from the metropolis before.

Appreciating the efforts of Sindh police, Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies, Shah said that their efforts and support crushed terrorists in this city and brought terrorism under control.

"Now we are taking drastic measures to eliminate street crime," he assured the people.

The CM also assured the reporters that the killers of journalist Athar Mateen would be arrested soon.

From COAS Bajwa to a soldier, all stands behind PM Khan: Fawad Ch

Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Saturday that everyone — from Chief of Army Staff General Qamar (COAS) Javed Bajwa to a common soldier — stands behind Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"The citizens of Pakistan stand behind PM Imran Khan as well," the confident information minister said while speaking in Geo News' programme "Naya Pakistan".

The federal minister said a person should have the tendency to resolve issues amicably and work along with the institutions.

"If soldiers are being martyred in Kargil and the if then PM (Nawaz Sharif) goes to India to expand steel business, who will stand by him?"

Chaudhry said when the PML-N was in government, they were unpopular and their ties with the institutions were not good as well. The information minister claimed the Nawaz Sharif-led party had failed to rule Pakistan.

"Institutions want to see a person in charge who is loyal to Pakistan," Chaudhry added.

The statement comes in the backdrop of the ruling party, PTI, launching a campaign in order to counter the Opposition’s efforts to bring a no-trust motion.

In his address in the first campaign rally in Mandi Bahauddin on Friday, PM Imran said that letting PML-N supremo Nawaz leave Pakistan was a "major mistake" made by the incumbent government.

"I have a message for the Sharif family: The captain is ready for all your plans. You will not only face defeat, but all of you will go to jail," the prime minister vowed.

Govt is taking steps to develop tourist destinations: Hasaan Khawar

Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab on Information and Special Initiatives Hasaan Khawar says Qaumi Sehat Card will bring a revolution in health sector.

Talking to media in Rawalpindi today (Saturday), he said Sehat Card program will enable people residing in far flung areas to avail quality health facility.

Hasaan Khawar said development projects worth 350 billion rupees are being executed in Rawalpindi division.

He said four-lane 128 kilometers long Lilla-Jhelum Road will prove to be an economic corridor for local population. He said three dams will also be constructed in Rawalpindi division.

The Special Assistant to Chief Minister said government is taking steps to develop tourist destinations other than Murree to curtail public flow there.

He said University of Chakwal and Kohsar University are government s initiative in education sector of the Division.

Opposition only wants to create an atmosphere of uncertainty: Sarwar Khan

Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan on Saturday said that the opposition has announced different dates for the long march but no one will resign on JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s call.

Talking to media persons, Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that at present there are two major issues and that are no-confidence motion opposition s long march towards Islamabad.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that the sit-in was announced by both Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The opposition only wants to create an atmosphere of uncertainty and increase problems of common man, he added.

No-confidence motion: Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif seeks Jahangir Tareen's support

President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mian Shehbaz Sharif had sought support of Jahangir Tareen for no-confidence motion during a secret meeting.

According to sources, the meeting between two leaders went on for several hours and Opposition Leader of National Assembly also offered Jahangir Tareen to work with PML-N even after no-confidence motion.

On the other hand, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Saturday criticized opposition’s move for no-trust and said that they could not even prove their majority in Senate.

Talking to media in Pind Dadan Khan, the minister expressed that no-trust move will face the failure.

He said Imran Khan’s voice is powerful and his opinion on Islamophobia and region is heard worldwide

PTI will clean sweep in the coming local bodies elections says, Fawad

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Saturday criticized opposition’s move for no-trust and said that they could not even prove their majority in Senate.

Talking to media in Pind Dadan Khan, the minister expressed that no-trust move will face the failure.

He further said that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow will be a game changer and it will strengthen Pakistan’s relations with Russia.

He said Imran Khan’s voice is powerful and his opinion on Islamophobia and region is heard worldwide.

Responding to a question on local bodies elections in Jhelum, he expressed hope that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will clean sweep in the coming local bodies elections.

Pakistan reports 26 more corona deaths in 24 hours

Pakistan has reported 26 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 1,498,676. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 29,976 on Saturday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) 1,983 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Till now 13,430 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 8,020 in Sindh 6,182 in KP, 1,002 in Islamabad, 780 in Azad Kashmir, 373 in Balochistan, and 189 in GB.

Private TV channel's senior producer Athar Mateen shot dead in Karachi

Private TV channel Samaa's senior producer Athar Mateen was shot dead in an armed attack on his car in the North Nazimabad area of Karachi Friday morning.

The police said Mateen was assassinated at a main thoroughfare in North Nazimabad while he was on his way back home after dropping his children to school.

They said that Mateen, who was driving a car registered against AHT-180, tried to foil a robbery bid when he saw armed motorcyclists robbing another citizen by shoving his car into their motorcycle.

At this, one of the motorcyclists, who fell on the ground, opened fire at Mateen's car.

The assailant fired three shots, but Mateen sustained only one bullet injury which killed him on the spot, the police said.

Meanwhile, the assailants crossed the road on foot and fled while snatching another motorcycle.

Police suspect the incident to be of resistance during a robbery. However, a final statement will be given after an investigation.

According to initial investigations, police found only one bullet shell of a 30 bore pistol and assailants' motorcycle from the crime scene.

Mateen was the brother of renowned anchorperson Tariq Mateen.

 

Economic security lies at core of national security: NSA

National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf has stated that economic security lies at the heart of national security.

Dr Moeed was speaking at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) at an event to discuss the recently unveiled National Security Policy (NSP).

The NSP, according to Dr Moeed, is an overall policy document outlining national security policy direction. He noted that the policy prioritised citizen security in order to maintain national security. He went on to say that if the influx of resources was less than the outflow, the security of the average person of the country would be jeopardised.

According to the National Security Adviser, the NSP's main goal was to increase the national resource pie and divert attention away from the guns vs. butter debate.

He insisted that securing Pakistan's economic security could only be achieved by utilising the country's geo-economic location for trade connectivity and establishing true development ties with other countries across the world rather than relying on foreign aid.

He acknowledged that the NSP had set lofty goals in a challenging regional security situation in which both of its western neighbours were sanctioned by the international community, while the eastern neighbour refused to engage effectively. He went on to say, however, that the goal of any strategy is to find a way out of any current national and international limits.

In response to complaints that the NSP's implementation strategy was unclear, Dr. Yusuf stated that the NSP's implementation plan was in the classified section of the publication. The National Security Adviser praised the public discourse on the NSP, but urged everyone to be constructive in their criticism so that the policy could be improved.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Defence, said the NSP has offered a conceptual framework for the direction of national security in the days and years ahead. He went on to say that more clarity on the policy, political ownership through Parliament, and consistency might help it get implemented. He used the examples of Pakistan's nuclear strategy and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to emphasise the significance of policy consistency for policy effectiveness under different governments.

Nation doesn't trust those trying to bring no-trust motion against govt: Fawad

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Friday hit out at opposition parties, saying "those attempting to bring a no-trust motion against the government do not even have the trust of their families and nation".

The minister's remarks come a day after PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz made another statement regarding the opposition's planned no-confidence motion, in which she termed the move was a "risk that should be taken" because Prime Minister Imran Khan was "on his last legs".

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also announced last week that the opposition alliance had decided to move a no-confidence motion against the prime minister and would contact the PTI government's allies in the centre for this purpose.

In an apparent response to the opposition's repeated warnings to the government, Chaudhry, while addressing a gathering in Pind Dadan Khan today, said opposition members must return the "public money they acquired through corruption".

"Nawaz Sharif told a lie and left the country, and now his daughter is visiting courts on a daily basis while her father and brothers are not returning to the country," said the minister.

The minister accused Shehbaz Sharif of using delaying tactics in indictment proceedings against him. "Billions of rupees have been recovered from bank accounts of peons of sugar mills owned by Sharif brothers and the PML-N leaders have to face the court of law in this connection."

Castigating PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Chaudhry said the JUI-F believed it could topple the government by gathering students of seminaries. "You need to work hard, get public support and then bring about revolution. It requires a hard work to challenge any government and everyone does not have the guts to do that."

He said the politics of Bilawal Bhutto and Maryam Nawaz was on the decline. He referred to the two leaders, saying they must contest mayoral elections in Punjab to "determine their actual popularity".

He reiterated that opposition leaders would not be able to escape the accountability process.

He said the measures taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan would result in the provision of gas to most parts of Punjab, which were earlier deprived of the important resource in the tenure of Nawaz Sharif.

The minister claimed that Imran Khan was the first prime minister in the history of Pakistan who was taking practical measures to help the poor.

Chaudhry stressed that Imran Khan would once again emerge victorious in the general elections of 2023.

Letting Nawaz leave Pakistan was govt's major mistake: PM Imran Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that letting PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif leave Pakistan was a "major mistake" made by the incumbent government.

The prime minister, addressing a rally in Mandi Bahauddin, berated PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, saying that he had a "weak heart and knew he would not be able to escape if his case (of being a guarantor in Nawaz Sharif's case) is heard".

"If Shahbaz Sharif is innocent, then why is he running away from courts?" the prime minister questioned.

Turning his guns on PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, he said the Nawaz's daughter claims she has "tapes" on government officials.

"Have you ever heard a politician blackmail (others) via tapes," he asked.

In order to counter the Opposition’s efforts to bring a no-trust motion, the prime minister has kicked off his PR campaign today, with the first public rally being held in Mandi Bahauddin.

The ruling party had announced to launch a mass contact campaign to mobilise the party at the grassroots level after the Opposition parties started contacting the PTI allies seeking support for the no-trust motion.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates meets PM Imran on first-ever visit to Pakistan

Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates met Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday during his first-ever visit to Pakistan.

Sharing pictures of the meeting on Twitter, Senator Faisal Javed Khan said Gates "greatly appreciated steps [regarding polio eradication] in Pakistan, the National Command and Operation Centre's (NCOC) performance in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic and initiatives such as the Ehsaas programme".

Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI's luncheon in honor of @BillGates

Mr. Bill Gates is visiting Pakistan at the special invitation of the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/zSYNI6ddki

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) February 17, 2022

Later in the day, PM Imran hosted a luncheon in Gates' honour. The Prime Minister's Office, which shared pictures from the luncheon, added that the Microsoft co-founder was visiting the country on the premier's "special invitation".

NCOC visit

Earlier in the day, Gates met Planning and Development Minister and NCOC head Asad Umar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan.

In a statement, the NCOC said the philanthropist attended the forum's morning session.

During his visit, Gates was informed about the NCOC's role and methodology, its achievements since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the coronavirus situation in Pakistan as well as the non-pharmaceutical interventions by the forum to control the spread of the disease.

Gates and his delegation were also informed about genome sequencing and coronavirus variants detected in Pakistan, the statement added.

"Gates took keen interest on various initiatives by NCOC, particularly smart lockdown and micro-smart lockdown strategy enforcement measures and Pakistan's vaccine administration regime which enabled NCOC to formulate and implement a comprehensive Covid response."

During his visit to the NCOC, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation chairman also shared his views on the pandemic, especially the vaccination drive.

"Gates appreciated Pakistan's success against Covid-19 despite resource constraints and introducing excellent initiatives and measures for public health safety," according to the statement.

For his part, Planning Minister Umar credited "a true national response, executed through an effective communication campaign mechanism of the NCOC" for the success in dealing with the coronavirus.

The minister thanked Gates for his foundation's support to Pakistan during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gates awarded Hilal-i-Pakistan

In addition, President Dr Arif Alvi conferred the Hilal-i-Pakistan award on Gates during a special investiture ceremony in Islamabad in "recognition of his support for poverty alleviation and healthcare", according to Radio Pakistan.

The report added that the ceremony was attended by federal ministers, senior officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

The famous philanthropist has held conversations with Prime Minister Imran in the past on various issues and their possible solutions. In October last year, the premier urged Gates to consider providing humanitarian assistance to poverty-stricken people in Afghanistan.

The two had also discussed the polio situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan with the premier appreciating the assistance provided by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in that regard. In turn, the Microsoft co-founder had praised the prime minister for the progress in eliminating the disease and pledged his foundation's continued support to the country's polio programme.

Prior to that, in April 2021, the two had discussed matters relating to the Covid-19 response, polio eradication and climate change, and agreed to continue working together on the shared objectives.

Opposition parties won’t let the PTI leadership to leave Pakistan: Maryam Nawaz

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz on Thursday has termed the hike in petroleum products prices as shameful.

Talking to media outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the PML-N leader said that inflation, lawlessness and terrorism are returning to the country during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has to be made accountable for every single penny as the list of his crimes is vast, she added.

Maryam Nawaz said he (Imran Khan) is the only PM who travels from Bani Gala to PM House on helicopter. The premier has done nothing except misusing government expenses to take revenge from his opponents, she alleged.

The PML-N leader revealed that PTI ministers personally attacked her to please their PM. You are not a king of any state that we cannot condemn your acts. If you do something that is not in the interest of the country, you will face criticism, she clarified.

Maryam Nawaz further warned that the opposition parties won’t let the PTI leadership to leave Pakistan.

Earlier, the PML-N vice president took to the Twitter to react to the arrest of journalist Mohsin Baig, stating that the houses of innocent citizens are raided for criticism on PM

“Imran Khan is not someone descended from the sky on whose criticism, the houses of citizens are raided and people put behind the bar,” she wrote on her social media handle

Democracy is not possible without law: Bilawal Bhutto

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that no nation can prosper without the rule of law because it acts as a bridge between the people and the government of the country.

While addressing the high court bar members, the PPP leader said that it was Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who gave Pakistan democracy and the Constitution. Democracy is not possible without law, he added

Bilawal continued to say that baseless cases were registered against my parents and told that his mother and father were honorably acquitted by the courts.

PPP chairman further said that our party believes in rule of law that is why we played an important role in restoration of judiciary.

Petrol price in Pakistan hiked despite decline in international market: Sherry Rehman

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) vice President Sherry Rehman said on Wednesday that the petroleum prices in Pakistan have been hiked despite the fact the price declined yesterday in the international market and now it is in interest of country as well as people that government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is sent packing.

Senator Sherry Rehman, while reacting on the recent rise in petroleum prices, said that they reject this “petrol bomb”.

The PPP leader further said that in the past three years, this government raised the petroleum prices by 65 rupees per liter and they will keep doing this every 15 days till PTI is in government.

The senator also said that the PPP will hold a long march against these selected and incompetent leaders and appealed the each and every citizen to join them.

It merits mention that the government on Tuesday jacked up the price of petrol by Rs 12.03 per litre with immediate effect.

The price of high-speed diesel (HSD) was increased by Rs9.53 per liter and will now cost Rs154.15 per liter.

The price of kerosene oil was also increased by Rs10.08 per liter to Rs126.56 per liter.

In addition, light diesel oil will cost Rs9.43 more and will thus be priced at Rs123.97 per liter.

IHC reserves verdict on Faisal Vawda's plea against disqualification decision

Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday has reserved its verdict on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda’s plea challenging Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) verdict of disqualifying him for life.

During the hearing, Faisal Vawda’s counsel Waseem Sajjad argued that ECP is not court of law, therefore, the high court should annul its judgment. My client didn’t lie in affidavit deliberately.

Meanwhile, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked the lawyer about last date of affidavit submission over which, the Waseem Sajjad told that Faisal Vawda had submitted his affidavit on June 11, 2018.

The court asked the plaintiff’s counsel to present facts why they are not accepting the decision of ECP.

Previously, Faisal Vawda had challenged ECP’s verdict of disqualifying him for life in IHC.

The former senator, in his petition, stated that the election commission has no jurisdiction to take disqualification decision. The judgment of ECP has no legal status, he mentioned.

Earlier, ECP had disqualified PTI’s Faisal Vawda for life over concealing his dual nationality at the time of participating in the National Assembly election on a Karachi seat during 2018 General Elections.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja announced its reserved verdict, directing the PTI leader to return the salary and other benefits he had received as a member of NA (MNA) within two months.

The commission had also declared the vote which Vawda had cast in the Senate elections on March 10 as MNA "invalid". Vawda had submitted a false affidavit with his nomination papers, ECP stated.

It is to be mentioned here that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Qadir Khan Mandokhail, Mian Faisal and Mian Asif Mehmood had filed a plea against Vawda, stating that he is no longer Sadiq and Ameen (truthful and trustworthy) as he concealed his dual citizenship and submitted a false affidavit in the ECP with his nomination papers.

Talking to media after the hearing, Mandokhail said he emerged victorious in the case after visiting courts for nearly four years. ECP’s order to Vawda to return all benefits he had received as a parliamentarian is a good precedent, he added.

On January 20, an investigative report revealed that Faisal Vawda had committed perjury by falsely declaring in an oath to the ECP that he did not hold any foreign nationality.

Vawda was in possession of a United States passport at the time he filed his nomination papers on June 11, 2018. The minister remained an American national even at the time the scrutiny of his nomination papers was completed, the report found.

More 2,465 new cases of Corona reported in the Pakistan

In Pakistan, 49 more people died of the global epidemic corona virus, taking the total death toll to 29,877. According to the latest data released by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), another 2,465 corona cases were reported across the country in the last 24 hours. The total number of corona cases in the country increased to 1491,423.

According to NCOC, 49,553 corona tests were conducted across the country in the last 24 hours and the rate of positive cases reached 4.97%

The number of corona cases in Sindh has gone up to 560,670, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 211,112, Punjab 496,724, Islamabad 133,388, Balochistan 35,133, Azad Kashmir 42,180 and Gilgit-Baltistan 11,250.

Punjab has the highest number of deaths due to corona, where 13,390 people have lost their lives while 8,000 people have lost their lives in Sindh, 6,153 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1,000 in Islamabad, 1,000 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 371 in Balochistan and 773 in Azad Kashmir

There is no other option than to oust the incumbent govt: Ahsan Iqbal

PML-N Secretary-General Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday has said that the allies of the government will soon realise that there is no other option than to oust the incumbent government.

Ahsan Iqbal said that those who can see their political future under Khan’s leadership will cut ties with the PTI-led government. Meanwhile, the parties standing beside the government will "not be forgiven by the people."

The PML-N secretary-general said that there would be two options if the no-confidence motion succeeds.

”One of the options is that if the Opposition and PTI candidates fail to win the backing of the Parliament, then the president will be forced to dissolve assemblies,” he said.

“The second option would be if another person is chosen for the position of prime minister, that person will act as the interim prime minister who will announce new elections after electoral reforms,” Iqbal added.

PPP announced schedule of long march from Karachi to islamabad

Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) on Tuesday has announced the schedule of the party’s long march that is set to take place on February 27.

The long march — led by the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari — will start from Karachi and will reach the capital in 10 days passing through 34 different cities.

According to the schedule, the long march will start from Karachi’s Mazar-e-Quaid on February 27 and will stay in Sukkur overnight. PPP leader Khurshid Shah will host the convoy in Sukkur, where Bilawal will address the gathering.

The marchers' next stop will be Rahim Yar Khan on February 28, while they will reach Multan on March 1, where they will be hosted by the former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani.

On March 2, the long march will reach Chichawatni where it will gather 100,000 people.

After that, the march will reach Lahore on March 3 where more people will gather to leave for Wazirabad on March 4. The last stop of the march will be Islamabad on March 6.

Pakistan reports 27 corona deaths in 24 Hours

Pakistan has reported 27 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 1,488,958. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 29,828 on Tuesday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) 2,597 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Till now 13,380 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 7,985 in Sindh 6,133 in KP, 999 in Islamabad, 771 in Azad Kashmir, 371 in Balochistan, and 189 in GB.

Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmed Vahidi arrived in Islamabad

Iran’s Interior Minister Dr Ahmad Vahidi has arrived in Islamabad today (Monday) for a day-long official visit on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed welcomed him upon arrival at the Nur Khan Airbase.

During his maiden visit, Ahmad Vahidi will meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, Sheikh Rasheed and other senior officials.

Matters relating to Pak-Iran border management and exchange of prisoners will be discussed during the meetings, said the interior ministry in a statement.

Sources privy to the matter said that Pakistan will raise the issue of Iran soil being used by terrorists active in Balochistan and involved in attacks on security forces and sensitive installations.

Ahmad Vahidi will explain his country’s position on the matter, the sources added.

The sources said that Pakistan has taken up the issue of safe havens in Iran and the supply of weapons to the terrorists engaged in Balochistan to disrupt the law and order in the province.

Pakistan lodged a strong protest after a recent attack in Balochistan by such elements where a dozen personnel of security agencies embraced martyrdom. The valiant forces of Pakistan eliminated the attackers in its response.

The official sources said that the Iranian official would discuss measures to clamp down on the terrorists who are using Iranian soil to mount attacks against Pakistan.

SC rejects plea against holding KP LG polls as per new schedule

Supreme Court (SC) on Monday has turned down the petition of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government against holding local government elections’ second phase in the province on new schedule.

During the hearing, KP Advocate General told the court that no consultation was made on this issue, therefore, the elections should be postponed. The apex court forwarded the case to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and directed to hold proceedings and conclude the matter.

SC has also ordered both the parties to present their stance before the commission. The case has become ineffective after issuance of new schedule, Justice Muzahir Naqvi remarked.

Meanwhile, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan said that the court will not set wrong example by suspending the polls.

Earlier, ECP had issued a new schedule for second phase of KP LG polls.

The Supreme Court suspended the order of the Peshawar High Court to postpone the second phase of local body elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after which the Election Commission released new schedule.

The commission had directed the districts of South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Karam, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohistan, Swat, Shangla and Dir to be included in the second phase of local body elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Election schedule was issued for Lower, Dir Upper, Chitral Lower and Chitral Upper according to which public notice will be issued tomorrow.

According to a statement issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan on its social networking site Twitter, polling for the second phase of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) local body elections will be held on March 31.

Candidates will be able to submit their nomination papers from February 14 to February 18.

Pakistan is facing grave issues because the previous Govts: PM

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Monday said that Pakistan is facing grave issues because the previous governments did not focus on constructing dams in the country.

While addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, the PM said that the electricity prices would not have increased if we had made dams in the past. Hike in electricity prices causes rise in commodity prices, he continued to say.

PM said that China has around five thousand major dams whereas Pakistan has only two.

Replying to Federal Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi’s comment in which he said that Pakistan Muslim League-Qaid (PML-Q) will respect its alliance with government, therefore, PTI members should not worry”, the PM said that the he himself has trained PTI members so they will stand firm on the party’s stance.

The PM continued to say that those who are actually worried are going to their MNA’s funerals. They have now also realized that they should inquire about Ch Shujaat Hussain’s health, he stated.

Prime Minister further expressed his confidence in Chaudhry family, saying, “Moonis Elahi is performing his duties like ‘Jihad’ and I really appreciate him.

Opposition will fail in its designs against PM Imran: Fawad Chuadry

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has said the opposition parties will once again fail in their designs against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Speaking at a ceremony in Pind Dadan Khan, he said the people of Pakistan will not pardon former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his other family members until they return the plundered amount.

He said the Prime Minister has no personal enmity against the opposition parties but he just wants the recovery of amount plundered by them. He pointed out that Pakistan is faced with dire economic situation and inflation because of the acts of past rulers.

As regards PPP, the information minister said it has no political support in Punjab, regretting that its Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wants to do politics now by using the shoulders of JUI (F). He advised Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to do politics on its own strength and take a leaf in this regard from the politics of Benazir Bhutto and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The information minister said the voice of Prime Minister Imran Khan on important matters including Islamophobia is being given weightage by the Muslim Ummah and the western countries. He said it is the first time after twenty three years that a Prime Minister is visiting Moscow.

Pakistan records 29 more corona deaths in a day

Pakistan has reported 29 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 1,486,361. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 29,801 on Monday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) 2,662 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Till now 13,363 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 7,980 in Sindh 6,130 in KP, 999 in Islamabad, 769 in Azad Kashmir, 371 in Balochistan, and 189 in GB.