Policeman martyred as terrorists attack checkpost in Lakki Marwat

A policeman was martyred after unidentified terrorists attacked a police checkpost in Lakki Marwat.

According to a police spokesman, the suspects attacked the Shahbaz Khel checkpost with sophisticated weapons. Policemen deployed at the checkpost retaliated against the attack.

During a crossfire, one constable embraced martyrdom, while a terrorist also got killed. The funeral prayer of the martyred policeman was offered at 10am.

This is not the first time that a police checkpost has been attacked in Lakki Marwat in the recent past.

On December 18, 2022, four policemen were martyred and four others suffered injuries after terrorists attacked a police station in Lakki Marwat.

According to police, the terrorists attacked the Bargi police station with hand grenades and rocket launchers in the wee hours. The terrorists fled the scene after exchanging heavy gunfire with the police. The bodies and the injured officials were shifted to the local state hospitals.

A heavy police contingent arrived at the police station later and launched a search operation in the area.

President, PM pledge Pakistan’s progress, prosperity in New Year

President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have felicitated the nation and international community on beginning of the New Year and prayed for development, progress and prosperity of Pakistan as well as peace in the world.

In their separate new year's messages, they stressed the need to work together to make Pakistan the cradle of peace, prosperity and development.

The President in his message said the nation faced various challenges last year but overcame difficult situations due to the hard work, sacrifice, determination and resilience.

He said in the new year, as a nation we must set our priorities correctly to overcome the challenges facing the nation.

The President said we need national solidarity, unity, discipline, persistent hard work, passion and dedication to make Pakistan a prosperous, developed, democratic and stable country.

The Prime Minister in his message hoped that the new year would prove to be the year of ending hunger, war, terrorism, crime, sectarianism and class division from the whole world, including Pakistan.

The Prime Minister reiterated his resolve to work day and night for improvement of economic situation of the country, rehabilitation of flood victims, end of terrorism and reduction in sufferings of the people.

UN seeks ICJ opinion on Israel's illegal occupation of Palestine

The 193-member United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Friday asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to give an opinion on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem - areas the Palestinians want for a state - in a 1967 war. It withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but, along with neighboring Egypt, controls the enclave's borders.

The Hague-based ICJ, also known as the World Court, is the top UN court dealing with disputes between states. Its rulings are binding, though the ICJ has no power to enforce them.

According to international media reports, the request for a court opinion on Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories was made in a resolution adopted by the General Assembly with 87 votes in favor. Israel, the United States and 24 other members voted against, while 53 abstained.

"No international body can decide that the Jewish people are 'occupiers' in their own homeland. Any decision from a judicial body which receives its mandate from the morally bankrupt and politicized UN is completely illegitimate," Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said in a statement ahead of the vote.

Israel's former Prime Minister Yair Lapid - who was replaced on Thursday by Benjamin Netanyahu - last month urged world leaders to oppose the move, saying that bringing the matter to the court would "only play into the hands of extremists".

The Islamist group Hamas took over Gaza in 2007 after a brief civil war with more moderate Palestinian rivals. Hamas and Israel have since fought three Gaza wars.

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour noted that the vote came one day after the swearing in of a new hard-right Israeli government that promises to expand Jewish settlements and pursue other policies criticized at home and abroad.

"We trust that, regardless of your vote today, if you believe in international law and peace, you will uphold the opinion of the International Court of Justice when delivered and you will stand up to this Israeli government right now," Mansour told the General Assembly.

The UN General Assembly asked the ICJ to give an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of Israel's "occupation, settlement and annexation ... including measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and from its adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures."

The UN resolution also asks the ICJ to advise on how those policies and practices "affect the legal status of the occupation" and what legal consequences arise for all countries and the United Nations from this status.

The ICJ last weighed in on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in 2004, when it ruled that an Israeli separation barrier was illegal. Israel rejected that ruling, accusing the court of being politically motivated.

 

CTD arrests five terrorists in Punjab during IBOs

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday arrested five terrorists from Lahore belonging to banned outfits.

As per details, the suspects arrested in the CTD operation include a banned outfit commander.

The arrested terrorist had already planned to carry out an attack in sensitive districts.

Apart from suicide jackets, explosives, guns, ammunition and literature pertaining to terror activities were recovered from the five suspects.

Earlier, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed to arrest a suspected terrorist during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Islamabad.

The Counter-Terrorism Department and other institutions conducted a joint raid on a tip-off in Islamabad and arrested a suspected terrorist. The raiding team found a large quantity of arms and ammunition in the custody of the arrested suspect.

The spokesperson said in a statement that the IBO was conducted under the supervision of the senior superintendent police (SSP) Counter-Terrorism Department.

The SSP CTD said that raids are being conducted to arrest accomplices of the suspect.

Pillion riding banned, Section 144 imposed in Karachi for two days

To ensure security and prevent any untoward situations on New Year’s Eve, the Sindh government announced a ban on pillion riding and impose Section 144 in the provincial capital for two days.

In a notification, Commissioner announced the ban, saying the decision was taken on the recommendation of Karachi law enforcers.

A large number of citizens, mostly youth, flocked around Seaview on two-wheelers and cars, causing traffic jams and inconvenience to the residents.

Meanwhile, public displays of weapons, aerial firing, crackers, and pillion riding will not be allowed as the world rings in 2023 tonight.

Officials also beefed up security arrangements amid a recent wave of terrorism. In a similar decision later, the capital administration imposed Section 144 in Islamabad city on Dec 31.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon has issued a notification in this regard, stating that action will be taken under Section 144 over violating the pillion-riding ban.

Imran terms ECP as 'B team' of Federal Government

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not holding LG polls in Islamabad despite the court’s orders.

In his tweet, Imran Khan said by not implementing Islamabad High Court orders to hold LG elections in Islamabad today, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has again shown it is ‘B team of imported govt and its backers’.

By not implementing IHC orders to hold LG elections in Islamabad today, ECP has again shown it is B team of Imported Govt & its backers. PDM, fearful of the people, is running away from all elections. Right to vote is a fundamental democratic norm & PTI stands committed to it.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 31, 2022

Imran Khan claimed that the PDM is fearful of the people and this the reason why it is running away from all elections.

Read more: ECP files intra-court appeal against IHC’s verdict on Islamabad LB polls

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the federal government have filed intra-court appeals against the Islamabad High Court (IHC) order to hold Islamabad local government (LG) polls on December 31 (today).

Islamabad high court (IHC) ordered to hold local government (LG) elections in the federal capital on December 31.

The IHC announced the reserved verdict on Islamabad LG polls against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The court accepted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) petitions and order the ECP to hold LG elections in Islamabad on the same date December 31.

 

Govt to outsource three major airports to Int'l operators

The government has decided to engage international operators to help run three major airports of the country, including Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, with a view to attract direct foreign investment and provide world-class facilities to passengers.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, which discussed matters pertaining to aviation sector.

It was decided that the government would hire the services of operators of international repute to run these major airports for a period of 20 to 25 years.

The international operators would provide services of international standards at the said airports besides uplifting them through foreign investment.

The meeting gave the Public Private Partnership Authority a go-ahead to initiate the formalities.

The Prime Minister instructed the Authority to ensure accomplishment of the process transparently and in accordance with the highest standards.

N Korea fires ballistic missiles after unprecedented year of tests

North Korea has fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, the latest in a barrage of weapons tests this year that came days after it increased tensions by allegedly flying drones into South Korean airspace.

According to international media reports, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement it detected the three launches from an inland area south of Pyongyang, the North's capital, on Saturday morning.

It said South Korea has boosted its surveillance posture and maintains a readiness in close coordination with the United States.

Japan's Defence Ministry said in a statement that North Korea fired suspected ballistic missiles.

It was North Korea's first missile launch in eight days and came five days after South Korea accused Pyongyang of flying five drones into South Korea's airspace for the first time since 2017.

South Korean warplanes and helicopters failed to bring down any of the North Korean drones spotted south of the border before they flew back home or vanished from South Korean radar.

That caused security jitters among many people in the South, for which the military offered a rare public apology on Tuesday.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has called for boosting his country's air defence network and vowed to sternly deal with provocations by North Korea.

As per international media reports, not counting Saturday's tests, North Korea fired around 70 ballistic missiles about 38 times this year, including about eight intercontinental ballistic missiles.

PM Shehbaz offers condolences to India's Narendra Modi over mother's death

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, over the passing of his mother.

On Friday, Indian PM Narendra Modi confirmed the passing of his mother at the age of 100.

Taking to Twitter, Modi tweeted: “A glorious century rests at the feet of God.”

He recalled that when had met her in June on her 100th birthday, she had advised him to “work with intelligence” and “live life with purity”.

Extending his condolences, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that there was “no greater loss than losing one’s mother”.

“My condolences to Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] on the passing away of his mother,” he added.

The Indian premier lit his mother's funeral pyre in her hometown called Gandhinagar in western Gujarat state.

Modi visited his mother on important occasions and festivals, seeking her blessings. On her 99th birthday, the Indian prime minister said that his mother's "life, sacrifices had shaped his mind, personality and self-confidence."

"My Mother is as simple as she is extraordinary. Just like all mothers," he wrote.

The Indian prime minister was last seen with his mother on December 4 in public at the time of the assembly election in Gujarat. Heerban lived with his younger son along with his family.

Several politicians, actors, and cricketers offered their condolences and expressed sorrow over her death.

 

Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant injured in car crash

Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant sustained injuries after his car crashed into a road divider and caught fire in the northern state of Uttarakhand.

The star batsman was recovering in hospital Friday, police and doctors said. He was returning from his hometown Roorkee, a few hours north of the capital, before dawn when his Mercedes SUV crashed into the median.

Police said the car immediately caught fire and he had to break the windscreen to escape the blaze. Pant was alone in the car when it collided with a divider on the road and caught fire, multiple reports in Indian media said.

Pant had multiple injuries and was first rushed to a nearby hospital before being shifted to a more advanced facility.

The exact extent of his injuries remains unknown but media reports said he had sustained head, limb and back injuries in the crash.

“His condition is stable. His detailed medical bulletin will be released once he’s examined,” Ashish Yagnik, a doctor at the Max Hospital in Dehradun, told reporters.

Fans and members of India’s cricket fraternity expressed shock at the news and wished Pant a speedy recovery.

India’s cricket board chief Jay Shah said he had spoken to the cricketer’s family and the doctors treating him.

“We are closely monitoring his progress and will provide him with all the necessary support,” he added.

 

Terrorists attack police picket in DI Khan

A terrorist attack on a check post in Dera Ismail Khan was thwarted by security forces on Friday night.

According to District Police Officer Shoaib Khan, unidentified assailants attacked a security check post by firing more than 17 rockets.

In the ensuing exchange of fire, at least thr security personnel were injured. All injured have been shifted to the hospital.

Earlier, as many as three soldiers embraced martyrdom in an exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in Kurram district of Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) on Thursday.

“The terrorists were involved to attack armed forces in the region,” the military stated, adding that the forces are committed to eliminate the menace of terrorism and that the sacrifices of brave soldiers only further strengthen their determination.

Myanmar court imprisons Suu Kyi for 7 more years on corruption charges

A Myanmar junta court has jailed ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi for seven years for corruption, ending the 18-month trial of the Nobel laureate.

According to international media reports, Suu Kyi was sentenced to seven years on five counts of corruption on Friday related to the hiring and maintaining of a helicopter that had caused a "loss to the state", a legal source said, adding there were "no more charges" against her.

Suu Kyi has been a prisoner since the generals toppled her government in February last year, ending the Southeast Asian nation's brief experiment with democracy.

The Nobel laureate, 77, has already been found guilty on a raft of charges ranging from corruption to illegally importing walkie-talkies and breaching the official secrets act and has been jailed for 26 years.

Journalists have been barred from the proceedings, which rights groups have slammed as a sham designed to remove Suu Kyi from Myanmar's political scene.

Each offence carries a maximum jail term of 15 years. In previous corruption cases, the court has generally sentenced Suu Kyi to three years per charge.

Last week, in the United Nations Security Council's first resolution on the situation in Myanmar since the coup, it called on the junta to release Suu Kyi.

It was a moment of relative unity by the council after permanent members and close junta allies China and Russia abstained, opting not to wield vetoes following amendments to the wording.

Suu Kyi is currently imprisoned in a compound in the capital Naypyidaw, close to the courthouse where her trial is being held and has been deprived of her household staff and pet dog Taichido.

Since the coup, she has largely disappeared from public view, seen only in grainy state media photos from the bare courtroom.

The country has been plunged into turmoil, with some established ethnic rebel groups renewing fighting with the military in border areas, and the economy in tatters.

 

PM Shahbaz to chair National Security Committee meeting today

The National Security Committee will meet on Friday (today) to review counter-terrorism preparedness and chalk out a strategy in the wake of rising terrorist attacks.

The decision to convene the meeting of the NSC was taken in a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir on Thursday.

The meeting between the two took place a day after the corps commanders’ conference at the General Headquarters where the surge in terrorism incidents dominated the agenda.

An important element of the military’s statement issued after the corps commanders’ conference was that the terrorist threat would be eliminated “as per the aspirations of the people of Pakistan”.

This showed that the army, with its readiness to act against terrorist groups, needed political ownership of any new counter-terrorism operation that may be launched.

The coalition government, which has so far shied away from tough decisions, was, meanwhile, finding it difficult to commit to any large-scale kinetic operation amidst economic turmoil and ahead of impending elections next year.

However, it is expected that the military’s advice would ultimately prevail in light of the urgency of the situation.

Over the past few months, the law and order situation in the country has worsened, with terrorist groups like the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the militant Islamic State group, and Gul Bahadur Group executing attacks with near impunity across the country.

Insurgents in Balochistan have also stepped up their violent activities and formalised a nexus with the TTP.

The incident at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police’s Counter-Terrorism Depart­ment interrogation centre in Bannu and the botched suicide bombing attempt in Islamabad not only set off alarm bells in the power corridors but also left several countries worried about the security of their nationals.

The US, UK, Australia and Saudi Arabia have issued advisories, asking their nationals to restrict movements in Pakistan and avoid non-essential trips.

The other issue the NSC will deliberate upon, according to reports, is the rise in cross-border attacks from Afghanistan.

The Afghan Taliban have long seen Pakistan as their bridge to the international community, but they aren’t ready to relent on the traditional Afghan position on the nearly 2600-km-long border separating the two countries.

These differences in the status of the border have often led to military skirmishes with loss of lives on both sides.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, at the weekly media briefing on Thursday, talked about the border incidents with Afghanistan.

“We are engaged with Afghan authorities on issues related to security and border management. Afghanistan has given certain assurances and we hope the promises made will be honoured,” she said without telling what assurances had been extended by Taliban authorities.

Meanwhile, on the advisories issued by some of the foreign missions, the spokesperson reassured that Pakistani security agencies were “fully capable of and prepared” to protect their citizens as well as foreign nationals residing here.

“We attach the highest importance to the safety and security of all foreign diplomatic missions in Islamabad, and have assured them of our full support and cooperation,” she maintained, adding those trying to disrupt peace in the country “would be strictly dealt with by our law enforcement authorities”.

Soccer legend Pele dies at age 82

Pele, the magical Brazilian football star who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletes in modern history, died at the age of 82, his daughter said on Instagram on Thursday.

He had been in and out of hospital in recent months after a tumor was found on his colon.

Pele, whose given name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento, scored a world record 1,281 goals, and is the only player ever to win the World Cup three times.

With sublime skills and a winning smile, he helped make football the world's most popular sport and he charmed popes, presidents and Hollywood stars in a seven-decade career as player and ambassador for the sport.

Born on October 23, 1940, in the small Minas Gerais town of Tres Corações, or "Three Hearts", Edson Arantes do Nascimento learned the game from his father, a semi-professional player whose promising career was derailed by a knee injury.

Several aspects of his youth are obscured by myth, including the origin of his famous nickname. As Pele (sometimes) told it, he often played as a goalkeeper in neighbourhood games, and kids began comparing him to a local player named "Bile" — and the letters got twisted over the years.

Whatever the truth, he was soon dazzling scouts not as a goalkeeper but as an attacking forward — a prototype number 10.

He joined Santos at the age of 15 and turned the small coastal club into one of the most famous names in football.

Over a glittering 18-year spell at the club, he won every honour in Brazilian football as well as two Copa Libertadores — the South American equivalent of the Champions League — and two Intercontinental Cups, the annual tournament held between the best teams in Europe and South America.

His talent was soon recognized by the national team and he was chosen for the Brazil squad heading to the 1958 World Cup in Sweden - although a team psychologist called the 17-year-old "obviously infantile" and advised against playing him.

 

Two terrorists killed, three soldiers martyred in Kurram gun battle

 Three soldiers were martyred and two terrorists gunned down Thursday after an intense exchange of fire in a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which is hit by a fresh wave of terrorism.

In its statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) mentioned that the troops fought bravely and effectively engaged the terrorists' location in Kurram district's Arawali area.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists who remained actively involved in terror-related activities against security forces, the military's media wing mentioned.

"Sanitisation of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area," the ISPR wrote.

The military, in its statement, said that the Pakistan Army is "determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism" and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.

For the past few weeks, Pakistan has witnessed a fresh wave of terrorism with the most recent spate of terror attacks carried out in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On Wednesday, Pakistan Army's top brass resolved to uproot terrorism "without any distinction" as the country battles a fresh wave of insurgency, which has left many soldiers martyred and several others injured.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, too, reiterated his resolve to uproot the menace of terrorism by using all available resources.

The premier said he would take all possible steps to control terrorism in all its forms in the country.

In seven separate blasts across districts in Pakistan's southwestern province, five soldiers were martyred and more than a dozen others were injured.

Earlier this month, militants also sieged a Counter-Terrorism Department’s (CTD) compound in KP's Bannu area, which was cleared by the Pakistan Army soldiers three days later. However, four soldiers embraced martyrdom and 10 sustained injuries.

 

PTI announces countrywide protests on from tomorrow

The Pakistan Tehrkeek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced Thursday it would start a country-wide protest movement starting tomorrow (Friday) as the party seeks to force the coalition government into early elections.

The PTI has been repeatedly calling for snap elections since ex-prime minister Imran Khan's ouster in April as it refuses to go back to the National Assembly and keeps on stressing that "early polls" are the only solution to the country's ongoing crisis.

But the government has ruled out staging early polls and has told the PTI that given the current situation — floods, census, and new delimitation — the elections cannot be held before October.

"From tomorrow, country-wide protests will start against rising inflation, deteriorating economy, and shortage of gas," PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry told journalists in Lahore after the party's high-level meeting with Khan in the chair.

Karachi Test: Williamson slams double ton as New Zealand declare with healthy lead

Undetterd Kane Williamson smashed a sensational double century to put New Zealand on top as the touring side declared their first innings on 612/9 on the stoke of Tea on Day 4 of the opening Test against Pakistan.

Undeterred Kane Williamson stood solid with an unbeaten 137 along with Ish Sodhi as New Zealand amassed the first-inning lead of 81 runs over Pakistan before Lunch on the fourth day of the opening Test, at National Bank Cricket Arena on Thursday.

Starting the day on 440/6, New Zealand gathered 79 runs in the first session to reach 519/6 at the interval with Williamson and Sodhi remaining unmoved.

Williamson, who brought up a century yesterday, continued to frustrate Pakistan bowlers with his solid defence as he added 32 runs to his overnight score of 105.

Sodhi, on the other hand, built a solid shield too and denied Pakistan any breakthrough that they were looking for, as the leg spinner scored an unbeaten 41 from 122 balls.

While New Zealand are looking to stretch their lead further before they pave way for Pakistan’s second turn, the chances for a draw hover over the first Test with only five sessions to go.

Pakistan made 438 in their first innings, thanks to a blistering 161-run knock by skipper Babar Azam and a brilliant century by Salman Ali Agha.

In an equal response, New Zealand openers, Tom Latham and Devon Conway raised a solid opening stand of 182 runs before the former Kiwi captain led their batting charge.

Shahbaz Gill moves SHC against arrest warrant

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former SAPM, Dr Shahbaz Gill, on Thursday moved Sindh High Court (SHC) against his arrest warrant in the sedition case.

The PTI leader pleaded with the court for an immediate hearing of the plea, which was turned down by the SHC bench. The court said it only hears new cases on an immediate basis.

The court directed Shahbaz Gill to file the plea as per rules and regulations via the roster branch.

It may be noted that on December 22, a district and sessions court in Islamabad issued a bailable arrest warrant against PTI leader Shahbaz Gill in the sedition case.

The court issued a bailable arrest warrant upon PTI leader’s absence and rejected his petition for exemption from personal appearance in the case.

The former SAPM was directed to appear before the before court on the next hearing and submit surety bond worth Rs 200,000.

Moreover, the court adjourned Gill’s indictment in the sedition case till January 6.

NA speaker refuses mass acceptance of PTI resignations

National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday informed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) delegation led by Asad Qaiser that for verification of the resignation the party’s lawmakers will be called individually.

The delegation met the speaker in his chamber to discuss their resignation verification issue amid talk of the party's return to the assembly.

The delegation included former speaker Asad Qaiser, Qasim Suri, Amir Dogar, Dr Shabbir Hussain, Ataullah, Fahim Khan and Tahir Iqbal.

“Doors are not closed in politics there should be contact between politicians,” the speaker told the delegation. He added that decision on the resignations will be made as per the Constitution and rules of the assembly.

The speaker added that he had invited PTI lawmakers to confirm the resignations. He added that when he accepted a few resignations one of the PTI lawmakers from Karachi appealed to a high court to stop the resignation.

PTI's Chief Whip Amir Dogar had contacted the NA speaker, requesting him to meet the PTI delegation.

According to Raja Parvez Ashraf, he welcomed them to meet him, saying that dialogues are the only solution in a parliamentary democracy. However, he added that verification of their resignation would still be subject to one-by-one meetings.

However, on Wednesday, the NA speaker said that the PTI delegation did not come to meet him today and asked for a meeting today at 11:30am.

"Dogar told me that some of the PTI leaders wanted to meet me regarding their resignations; however, I told him that I would meet all of them separately and not in groups," added Ashraf.

On Wednesday, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said they are willing to play a role in Parliament, but the government is not ready to commit seriously.

The PTI leader made the remarks while reacting to Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's statement against PTI chief Imran Khan.

Bilawal, addressing a gathering in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh held to mark the 15th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, asked the PTI chief to return to parliament as neither he nor his party “could bear” what’s coming to them.

The PTI MNAs had resigned en masse after PTI Chairman Imran Khan was voted out from the prime minister's office in April and have yet to return to the house.

PM Shehbaz, Erdogan discuss bilateral, international issues

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the International Conference being co-hosted with the United Nations in Geneva on January 9, 2023 in the wake of the recent devastating floods in Pakistan.

According to media reports, the Prime Minister held a telephonic conversation with the President of the Republic of Türkiye on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan to the brotherly government of Türkiye for the provision of prompt humanitarian assistance in the wake of the unprecedented catastrophic floods.

Highlighting the daunting challenge faced by the country in terms of rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas in a climate-resilient manner, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of continued international support and solidarity for Pakistan’s plans to build back better.

The two leaders also exchanged views on various bilateral matters and international issues, and agreed to remain in close contact.

Maulana Tariq Jameel ‘recovering’ after cardiac arrest

Maulana Tariq Jamil, renowned religious scholar and preacher who suffered a cardiac arrest a day earlier in Canada, is "recovering" and will be "discharged from the hospital soon".

The scholar is under treatment for his heart problem and shared an update about his improving health status.

A tweet from the preacher’s official Twitter handle, along with his smiling photograph, was shared in which he could be seen sitting on a hospital bed covering himself with a shawl and a woollen cap on his head.

“By the grace of Allah and prayers of you friends, [my] health is a little better now. Will be discharged after staying under the care of doctors in the hospital for three more days,” the tweet read, requesting for more prayers.

It was also learnt that Maulana received an angioplasty on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack during his stay in Canada, according to his family sources.

A day earlier, the scholar’s son Yousaf Jamil informed his followers on the microblogging networking site about his father’s condition and that he had been shifted to the hospital.

"He is feeling better now, Alhamdulillah!" Yousaf said, asking the followers to pray for his father's health. "May Allah grant my father complete health."

Maulana Tariq Jameel was in Canada to attend an event organised by IslamicRelief Canada which is an international charity.

Taking to Twitter, IslamicRelief Canada announced: "Unfortunately, today’s event with Molana Tariq Jamil has been postponed to December 28th due to Molana’s health."

It further said that all the will be valid for Wednesday. "You may request a refund directly through Eventbrite if you are unable to attend," the statement added.

IHC dismisses PTI's appeal against Islamabad LG polls postponement

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday dismissed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) appeal challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision of postponing the local body elections in the federal capital, terming it ineffective.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over the hearing.

During the hearing, the court inquired if the ECP is not interested in holding the LB elections. To this, the commission's officials told the court that the election has been postponed due to an increase in the number of union councils.

Irked by the remark, Justice Kayani stated that neither the previous government nor this government wants to hold local elections.

The IHC justice added that the election is not being held despite giving an undertaking in the Supreme Court.

“This falls under the category of contempt of court. This is not the job of the ECP to look at the government, you have to conduct elections freely,” remarked Justice Kayani.

Justice Kayani, however, maintained that people will get better representation if there are union councils. The court furthered that "this system is not for institutions or parliamentarians but for the people of the country".

“Local representatives have never received funds in five years. Local government will remain ineffective if funds are not given,” stated Justice Kayani.

The PTI lawyer told the court that the government had given a surety to this court six months ago to hold LG polls and questioned “how much did the population increase in the past six months”?

Read: ECP issues detailed verdict on Islamabad LB polls postponement

The lawyer furthered that candidates have spent more than Rs500 million for the municipal elections, adding that the court should ask the electoral watchdog whether they can conduct the election or not.

“Can we order the election in this situation?” the court asked the PTI lawyer. Subsequently, the court dismissed PTI's appeal as ineffective, stating that the ECP will conduct the new municipal elections according to the law.

It is pertinent to note that the former ruling party had challenged the ECP’s decision to postpone the local body elections which were scheduled for December 31.

 

PKR slips further against US dollar

Amid growing economic crisis, Pakistani rupee continued to lose ground against the United States dollar on Wednesday, for the seventeenth consecutive day, shedding 35 paisas to Rs226.50 in the interbank market during trading.

The traded value of the rupee on Tuesday settled at Rs226.15, declining by 0.15% against the US dollar.

Earlier on Monday, the rupee began the business week depreciating by 18 paisas to Rs225.82.

However, on Friday, the rupee was trading at Rs225.64 against the US dollar, down roughly 0.09% from the previous session.

The federal finance minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that the depreciation in the value of the Pakistani rupee has also caused the interest rate to go up.

In the open currency market on Wednesday, the price of a single US dollar has increased to Rs235.50.

UN Security Council denounces Taliban bans against women

The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday called for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in Afghanistan, denouncing a ban by the Taliban-led administration on women attending universities or working for humanitarian aid groups.

According to international media reports, in a statement agreed by consensus, the 15-member council said the ban on women and girls attending high school and universities in Afghanistan "represents an increasing erosion for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Twitter on Tuesday that the restrictions were "unjustifiable human rights violations and must be revoked." He added: "Actions to exclude and silence women and girls continue to cause immense suffering and major setbacks to the potential of the Afghan people."

The university ban on women was announced as the Security Council in New York met on Afghanistan last week. Girls have been banned from high school since March.

The council said a ban on female humanitarian workers, announced on Saturday, "would have a significant and immediate impact for humanitarian operations in country," including those of the United Nations.

"These restrictions contradict the commitments made by the Taliban to the Afghan people as well as the expectations of the international community," said the Security Council, which also expressed its full support for the U.N. political mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA.

Four major global aid groups, whose humanitarian efforts have reached millions of Afghans, said on Sunday that they were suspending operations because they were unable to run their programmes without female staff.

U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths told the Security Council last week that 97% of Afghans live in poverty, two-thirds of the population need aid to survive, 20 million people face acute hunger and 1.1 million teenage girls were banned from school.

The Taliban seized power in August last year. They had largely banned education of girls when last in power two decades ago but had said their policies had changed. The Taliban-led administration has not been recognised internationally.

No chance of default, finance minister assures investors

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday assured investors at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that the country will not default but did admit that the economy was in a “tight position”.

In his address, the finance czar said he always believed that Pakistan has a prosperous future and “resilience” in its economy. However, he lamented that it was unfortunate that the country has been brought to a point where it should not be.

“It’s been three months since I took charge and we listen every day that there is going to be a default. How will there be a default? There is no chance that Pakistan will default,” the finance minister assured the investors.

Dar assured that Pakistan would survive and is managing itself but conceded that the economy was in a “tight position”.

He added that the country does not have the $24 billion reserves that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) left in 2016 but that was not his fault.

“The fault is in the system and we must ensure Pakistan goes forward,” said the finance minister.

Dar said that as soon as the country’s bond payments came close a “rhetoric” was started that Pakistan will not be able to fulfill its commitment. He added that despite the payment of the bonds the “pseudo-intellectuals” kept claiming.

The rumours were started by the same people who brought Pakistan to this point, he lamented.

“Be conscious, do not listen to them. Disseminate information that Pakistan will not default. I can prove to anyone that Pakistan will not default,” the finance minister maintained.

The finance czar said that for “petty politics and objectives” the country was being harmed.

To prove his point, the finance minister said that Pakistan’s debt-to-GDP ratio is currently 72% while it was 62% when he left the charge in his last stint.

He also gave examples of other countries to further prove his point by saying that the US’s debt-to-GDP ratio is 110%, Japan’s is 257% and UK's after COVID is 101%.

“I can give you data of dozens of developed countries who are above 100% but I don’t see an alarm there all the time that we are under the debt trap or difficulty. Unfortunately, we are our own worst enemy,” said the finance minister.

Dar told the investors that they have a big role to play and urged them to allocate some time to Pakistan apart from their businesses. He added that everyone needs to work together.

Turning his guns towards the government’s arch-rival, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Dar lamented that the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) was neglected during former prime minister Imran Khan’s tenure.

The finance minister added that they focused on the PSX and the SECP when they came to power and made things transparent.

He added that the PTI government had not appointed three directors at the SECP and they filled the positions once they took over. He added that there was a need to focus on the corporate sector.

Suspects involved in Islamabad suicide bombing arrested: Sanaullah

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Tuesday that the suspects and handlers involved in last week’s Islamabad suicide bombing have been arrested.

A policeman was martyred and at least six others—including four policemen—were injured in the car bombing on Friday, the first suicide attack in the federal capital in more than eight years.

"We have arrested the suspects of the Islamabad terrorist attack and have also detaine dtheir handlers," the interior minister said in a tweet.

“The taxi driver was innocent and had no role in the attack. The terrorists moved from Kurram Agency and stayed in Rawalpindi. We have detained four or five suspects,” he added.

Following the attack, Deputy Inspector General of Police Sohail Zafar Chattha had said the police spotted a "suspicious vehicle" in the I-10/4 sector at around 10:15am with a man and a woman inside.

“The two came out of the vehicle. The man with long hair, while being checked by the officers, went inside the vehicle for some reason, and detonated himself," DIG Chattha said.

“As a result, a police officer from the Eagle Squad was martyred and four others were injured in the incident.”

The bombing, claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), took place near the police headquarters on the main road leading to government buildings housing the parliament and other high offices.

Since then, Islamabad has been on high alert and security arrangements have been tightened.

It was the first suicide attack in Islamabad since the courthouse bombing in 2014 that killed 10 people.

In light of rising security concerns, the Islamabad police on Tuesday issued a 'special' plan, keeping security on high alert.

In accordance with the plan, the police have set up 25 temporary checkposts across the city and are constantly monitoring the entry points of Islamabad's Red Zone area with the use of Safe City cameras.

"Legal action will be taken against unspecified number plates and unregistered vehicles," the police stated, directing citizens to ensure their number plates were issued by the excise office.

They have also requested foreign nationals to carry their identification documents with them and asked landlords to "register tenants and employees at the nearest police station or service centres."

The Islamabad police maintained that those employing unregistered local or foreign workers will be investigated.

The police also instructed citizens to report any unusual activity on the 15-helpline.

The plan comes two days after the US, UK, Saudi Arabian and Australian governments issued advisories to their respective citizens in Pakistan, prohibiting their nationals in the country from visiting a five-star hotel in Islamabad because of the possible threat of a terrorist attack.

Tariq Jameel hospitalised after heart attack

Renowned religious scholar and preacher Maulana Tariq Jameel has suffered a heart attack in Canada, his son Yousaf Jamil said Tuesday.

In a statement on the microblogging platform Twitter, the son said that following the attack, his father was shifted to a hospital.

"He is feeling better now Alhamdulillah," Yousaf said, asking the followers to pray for his father's health. "May Allah grant my father complete health."

It is pertinent to note here that Maulana Tariq's official account also retweeted Yousaf's tweet.

In 2019, the prominent religious scholar also suffered a cardiac arrest and underwent a successful angioplasty in Lahore.

Tariq underwent an angioplasty at a private hospital in Lahore. A stent was inserted in his heart to clear the blockage of arteries.

The religious scholar had also contracted the deadly coronavirus in December 2020, but he had fully recovered from the disease.

NEPRA slashes power tariff for Karachi consumers by up to Rs7.43

The National Electric and Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has decided to decrease tariff by Rs7.43 per unit for November under monthly fuel cost adjustment (FCA).

Under the chairmanship of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Chairman Taseef H. Farooqui, a hearing was held where they approved the tariff reduction following an application by Karachi’s sole electricity distribution company, K-Electric.

Nepra members from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were also a part of the hearing.

The authority chairman remarked that the consumers will suffer if the federal government and K-Electric will not supply power to them.

While the reduction will not be applicable to KE’s lifeline customers, the overall ease in power tariff will render a relief of Rs10.61 billion to consumers.

ECP postpones LG polls in Islamabad

Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday once again delayed local government (LG) polls in Islamabad.

The polls were scheduled to be held on December 31. The electoral body announced a short order on its reserved verdict. The federal government last week notified an increase in the number of Union Councils (UCs) in Islamabad.

The notification had been issued a day after the ministry sent a summary to the federal government which the sources said was approved through circulation.

Following this, the ECP summoned an emergency meeting to deliberate on the situation and at first decided not to delay LG elections in the federal capital.

But on December 24, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) nullified the ECP’s order.

“The election commission should revisit its decision and hear the government and other parties on December 27. For correcting the voter lists, the affected parties should also be heard on December 28,” IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said.

However, the commission went for a review of its decision again and finally decided to delay the local bodies’ elections once again.

Winter vacations extended for one week in Lahore schools

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday ordered the government to extend the winter vacations of schools and colleges of Lahore for seven more days due to the worsening smog situation in the city.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday announced the decision for the closure of the educational institutes while hearing petitions seeking its intervention in the control of smog.

The court also summoned the Provincial Disaster Management Authority's (PDMA) director general to the next hearing.

During the hearing, the court said that the smog is being controlled to an extent. "The government is responsible for the prevention of the smog," said the court.

Earlier this month, the LHC ordered closing the schools and offices for two days — Friday and Saturday — weekly owing to the smog situation.

The notification, issued by the PDMA, stated that the staff may continue to work from home. The order will remain effective till January 15, 2023.

"All private offices being operated by companies, private sector entities and other individuals, within the territorial limits of Lahore Metropolitan Corporation, shall remain closed on every Friday, and Saturday, with effect from 07.12.2022 until 15.01.2023. However, their staff may work from home," stated the PDMA notification.

Meanwhile, School Education Department's notification stated that the decision to close the schools weekly is applied to all the private and government schools of District Lahore.

"In compliance with the directions of Hon'ble Lahore High Court, Lahore, in Writ Petition No. 227807/ 2018 vide order dated 02-12-2022, it is notified that owing to prevailing SMOG condition, all Public & Private Schools in District Lahore shall remain closed on every Friday & Saturday, in addition to the weekly holiday on Sunday till further orders," stated the notification.

It also noted that the chief executive officer of the District Education Authority (DEA), Lahore and the concerned heads shall manage the distribution of homework to the students during the closure of schools.

South Korea pardons jailed ex-president Lee

Jailed former South Korean president Lee Myung-bak has received a presidential pardon, cutting short his 17-year sentence on corruption charges, the justice minister said.

According to international media reports, Lee was on a list of more than 1,300 people who received special pardons "from the perspective of broad national unity through reconciliation, tolerance and consideration", Han Dong-hoon told reporters after a Cabinet meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday.

The 81-year-old Lee, who in June was granted a temporary release from jail due to his age and deteriorating health, is serving 17 years for bribery and embezzlement.

It was effectively a life sentence as he was not due for release until 2036, when he would be 95.

The former Hyundai CEO-turned-president was charged with 16 criminal allegations in 2018 and sentenced in 2020.

He was found guilty of creating slush funds of tens of millions of dollars and accepting bribes from Samsung Electronics in return for a presidential pardon for its late chairman, Lee Kun-hee, who was jailed for tax evasion.

A self-made man who was appointed head of a major construction firm at age 35 before entering politics, Lee served as president from 2008 to 2013.

He steered the country through the global financial crisis and won its bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics, but was criticised by opponents for undermining the nation's democratic standards and freedoms of speech.

The pardons, effective at midnight on Wednesday, mark the second time Yoon has exercised his clemency power since taking office in May.

In August, Samsung Electronics executive chairman Lee Jae-yong was among the beneficiaries of Yoon's first pardons.

South Korean presidents have frequently ended up in prison after their time in power, usually once their political rivals have moved into the presidential Blue House.

Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, former army generals who served jail terms in the 1990s for corruption and treason after leaving office, received presidential pardons after serving about two years.

Ex-president Roh Moo-hyun killed himself in 2009 after being questioned over graft allegations involving his family.

Lee's conservative successor Park Geun-hye was pardoned last year while she was serving 20 years in jail for bribery and abuse of power after being ousted in 2017 over a corruption scandal that prompted massive street protests.

PM Shehbaz emphasizes need to utilize digital media to portray Pakistan’s positive image

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need to utilize digital media as a tool to portray the positive image of Pakistan.

Addressing the National Amateur Short Film Festival 2022 in Islamabad, he said our youth should take a leading role for this purpose.

Congratulating the winners of the festival, the Prime Minister said Pakistan has a wonderful soft, tolerant image which needs to be reflected all over the world through modern tools and technology.

He said the coalition government will take every possible measure to facilitate our youth for its endeavour to showcase Pakistan's diverse and beautiful image to the world.

The Prime Minister said merit based talent should be encouraged to promote Pakistan's culture and its industry.

The Prime directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to increase the number of scholarships from fifteen to fifty under National Amateur Short Film Festival so more students can get opportunity of the foreign trainings. He said these scholarships should be equally divided among male and females.

The Prime Minister also distributed awards among the winners of National Amateur Short Film Festival 2022.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said this festival is part of our National Film Policy that was launched in 2017. She said under this country's first ever film policy, we aim to revive the real glory of Pakistan's Film Industry.

Marriyum Aurangzeb stressed that Film making should be given a holistic view for the promotion of education, tourism and image building. She said the industry has a great potential in promoting screen tourism and reviving vibrant and colourful culture of Pakistan.

The Minister said keeping in view the importance of short films for the perception building in this digital age, Pakistani students who have great potential in this field will be sent to New York Film Academy for learning film production skills.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said we are also planning to launch film making curriculum across the Pakistan. She said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is launching the Artist Finance Fund to support country's artist. The fund will provide medical coverage to the artists.

 

Terrorism will be dealt with 'iron hands', vows PM Shehbaz

As the country has been witnessing an uptick in terror incidents, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday reiterated his resolve to uproot the menace of terrorism by using all resources available in Pakistan.

The premier, while addressing an event in Dera Ismail Khan, said that he will take all possible steps to control terrorism in all its forms in the country.

PM Shehbaz’s assurance came while commenting on the recent acts of militancy across the country, particularly highlighting the Bannu operation against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) where its terrorists took over the Counter-Terrorism Department compound, which was later cleared by security forces.

“Security forces bravely combatted the terrorists in Bannu. Acts of terrorism have once again seen a rise in the recent weeks. Those who embraced martyrdom in Bannu are Pakistan’s heroes. The nation will remember them,” the premier said, speaking at an event following the launch of development projects in DI Khan.

He told the attendees about his visit to the Rawalpindi Hospital to meet soldiers injured in the Bannu operation. The prime minister also spoke about the spate of terror attacks in Balochistan a day earlier.

“Another terror attack took place in Balochistan yesterday. We are working hard to prevent them. We will employ all resources to uproot terrorism to bring peace in Pakistan,” Premier Shehbaz added.

He also assured the people of the eradication of extortion and other crimes.

Inauguration of development projects
Commenting on the state of development in Pakistan, the prime minister said that the country was led towards a disaster due to the wrong policies of the previous government.

While inaugurating development projects in district DI Khan and realising the dream of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif of constructing motorways across the country, he said: “Inaugurated development works in DI Khan today. [We] have also laid the foundation for the Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway. Nawaz Sharif’s dream of motorways from Peshawar to Karachi has come true.”

The premier also lambasted the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for not doing the necessary infrastructural work in DI Khan and Zhob.

“The previous government did not even lay a brick for the DI Khan and Zhob corridor. The provincial government did not spend a penny on the project that the federal government completed in the past,” he said.

The premier went on to say that the Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project (CRBIP) would irrigate millions of acres of land in Chashma, Mainwali.

“This government has eight months. We will work day and night,” PM Shehbaz said, highlighting the need for building dams to ensure prosperity in the country.

He said that he will ask Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani to devise a plan and brief about the dam’s completion.

Speaking on the construction of an airport, the premier said that it will be a waste to invest money in the old airport as it gets flooded. He added that to ensure the success of the airport, the government will complete the project of an industrial state.

In a veiled reference to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, PM Shehbaz said that he had brought disrespect to the country after selling out precious gifts presented by foreign leaders given as a symbol of fraternal ties with Pakistan's people, but the former ruler sold them out in open markets.

He added that when taking an oath, Imran Khan did not realise the economic disaster that Pakistan was heading towards, as it was on the verge of default. But following the efforts of the coalition government, with all relevant institutions and prayers of the nation, they saved the country.

The premier said the country is still facing economic challenges. He added that Pakistan suffered a whopping loss of about $30 billion due to floods and these woes were multiplied by global inflation and recession, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the exorbitant price of gas and oil in the international market.

NSC meeting likely to be convened this week

A meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) is likely to meet during the ongoing week to discuss matters related to national security.

According to media reports, the meeting is likely to meet this week to discuss the remedy for the new wave of terrorism in the country. The high-level meeting will be briefed on the recent terror wave in Pakistan.

Pakistan has recently witnessed a rise in terror incidents in Mardan, Bannu and other parts of KP.

Dozens of terrorists, who stormed an office of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Bannu city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) sought safe exit to Afghanistan via airway.

The Pakistan Army troops swung into action and killed 25 terrorists. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that security forces killed all 25 militants who had seized the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Bannu.

IHC issues notices on Senator Azam Swati’s bail plea

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued a notice to the state over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Khan Swati's post-arrest bail plea in the controversial tweets cases against him.

Swati has been behind bars since November 27, when he was arrested for the second time for using abusive language against the top military brass, including former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa. The septuagenarian hurled swear words at Bajwa.

While issuing a notice to the state for January 2, 2023, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq also sought replies of the parties in the case over Swati's bail plea.

Swati had filed a plea seeking release on bail in the IHC in relation to the case filed against him on November 26. His earlier plea, filed on December 21, was dismissed by trial court judge Azam Khan, who said that the senator had committed the same offence twice.

In his application, the senator stated that he did not post derogatory remarks against any institutions. He added that the prosecution has no proof against him despite an investigation.

The application read that Swati is 75 years old and a heart patient and that jailing him would be a sentence without conviction as all evidence against him is documentary.

Swati is booked in multiple cases across the country for his controversial tweets against senior military officers.

Initially, the senator was arrested by the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) on October 13 after he posted a hateful and threatening message against the then-army chief, judiciary, and other state institutions on his official Twitter account.

He had secured bail in that case, but on November 27, the FIA arrested him again for using abusive language against the top military brass, including Gen (retd) Bajwa.

On December 2, Balochistan police arrested Swati in a similar case registered against him in Quetta. At the time of his arrest, he was already on judicial remand in Adiala Jail and was shifted to Quetta under a transit remand acquired by the Balochistan police.

Later, the Balochistan High Court (BHC) ordered the quashing of all cases registered against the senator in the province. Once BHC issued the order, the Sindh Police took the senator into custody over the issue of controversial tweets.

The senator then approached the Sindh High Court for bail. The court also directed the quashing of all cases registered against the senator in the province.

Following the orders, Islamabad Police took the senator into its custody and brought him to the federal capital. He is still in custody.

 

IHC seeks details of Toshakhana gifts received since 1947

The Islamabad High Court on Monday directed Cabinet Division to provide details of gifts received by top politicians since 1947.

Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard the petition seeking details of the gifts received by the heads of state since the establishment of Pakistan, more than a week after the Lahore High Court directed the government to submit the details by January 16.

During today’s hearing, the petitioner maintained that his client had asked for the details of the gifts received by the head of the states since 1947 but Cabinet Division refused to provide the information.

The petition maintained that Pakistan Information Commission issued an order in June this year but it had not been implemented, to which Justice Aurangzeb inquired why the rest of the public servants were not included in it.

The deputy AG apprised the court that the records before 1990 would not be available and that such information should be on the website.

The court later issued a notice to the Cabinet Division and sought a report within a month.

The state depository gifts continued to make headlines across the country as a series of audio recordings have surfaced featuring Imran Khan's wife talking about the sale of gifts received by the PTI chief from Gulf countries.

Earlier this year Pakistan’s top electoral watchdog disqualified Imran Khan from being a member of parliament as Khan did not disclose the assets in his declarations submitted to ECP.

Pakitan bat first in Karachi Test against New Zealand

Pakistan captain Babar Azam opted to bat first after winning the toss against New Zealand in the first Test of two-match series here at National Bank Cricket Ground.

Pakistan's former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has returned to the playing XI after almost four years. The Champions Trophy 2017 winning captain last featured in a Test against South Africa in January 2019.

Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza also made his comeback in the playing XI after he last played his only Test against Australia in 2018.

Playing XIs
Pakistan: Babar Azam (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Agha Salman, Abrar Ahmed, Wasim Jr, Mir Hamza, Nauman Ali

New Zealand: Tom Latham, David Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel

Assemblies to complete constitutional tenure: Rana Sanaullah

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan has reiterated that the government would not allow unconstitutional and undemocratic steps for dissolution of assemblies.

While addressing Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Workers’ Convention in Faisalabad, Rana Sanaullah said that not only wristwatches but the whole collection of the Toshakhana gifts were stolen which were allegedly sold by Imran Khan along with ‘murshid’.

He claimed that ‘false cases’ were dissolved against the PML-N leaders and Imran Khan will now face ‘real cases’ against him. Sanaullah said that the PTI chief will be held accountable by the institutions.

Regarding the dissolution of assemblies, the interior minister said that the dissolution process was an unconstitutional step and that the incumbent government will play its constitutional role.

He announced that PML-N will actively participate in the 2023 general elections while Nawaz Sharif will lead the election campaign.

The Interior Minister said the assemblies would complete their constitutional tenure and general elections would be held in October next year.

He said the PML-N during its previous tenures had put the economy on right rack and the other countries were trying to copy the Pakistan model.

He regretted that later the PTI government's wrong policies damaged the country's economy, which led to the current economic woes.

 

Army captain among five martyred as multiple blasts hit Balochistan

Five soldiers were martyred and at least a dozen others injured as four separate blasts hit Balochistan — two in Quetta and one each in Turtbat, Hub, and Kohlu district — officials on Sunday said as the nation battles rising terrorism.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that during an intelligence-based clearance operation — which is underway since December 24 — an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near a "leading party" in Kohlu district's Kahan area.

As a result, five soldiers — Captain Fahad, Lance Naik Imtiaz, Sepoy Asghar, Sepoy Mehran and Sepoy Shamoon — embraced martyrdom, the military's media wing said.

Describing the incident as an "externally perpetrated threat of terrorism", the ISPR said that "such cowardly acts by inimical elements cannot sabotage the hard-earned peace and prosperity in Balochistan".

The military's media wing said that the security forces remain determined to challenge their nefarious designs, "even at the cost of blood and lives".

Following the incident, according to the ISPR, a sanitisation operation was launched in the area to apprehend perpetrators.

Subsequently, today evening, unidentified men threw a grenade at a police checkpost in Quetta's Satellite Town, injuring eight — three on-duty men and five citizens — police said.

Hours before this incident, a grenade blast across the Shaheed Ameer Dasti police station at Sabzal Road in Quetta left four people injured including a woman and a little girl, the police said.

The bomb disposal squad was called in to the site of the blast after reports of another grenade at the site, according to the law enforcers.

The Quetta police added that two hand grenades were thrown on the road of which one exploded while the other was defused.

The police said they were determining the nature of the blast. The injured were shifted to the Bolan Medical Complex Hospital in the city, the law enforcers added.

In another incident that occurred in the evening, a blast went off near Turbat's Taleemi Chowk area, the police said, however, no loss of life was reported.

The security forces have cordoned off the effective areas and further investigations are underway.

Another grenade blast took place within the premises of Hub's Sadar Police Station, injuring three people, police said. The rescue sources said the injured people were to the city's civil hospital.

In a shootout with terrorists today morning, one soldier was martyred, while two others got injured in Balochistan's Zhob, according to a statement issued by the ISPR.

An operation has been initiated in Zhob, which aims "to deny the terrorists' use of a few suspected routes to move across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to sneak into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along the interprovincial boundary and target citizens and security forces."

The multiple blasts hit Balochistan as the nation is celebrating the 146th birthday of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas.

‘CM Elahi will dissolve Punjab Assembly after trust vote’, says Imran Khan

 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said Sunday he is "confident" that Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi will dissolve the provincial assembly after he wins the confidence vote.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) earlier this week reinstated Elahi as the chief minister in the country's largest province on the condition that he would not disband the legislative but did not restrict him from taking a vote of confidence.

The court will resume hearing the case on January 11 and Imran Khan, while speaking to senior journalists in the provincial capital today, said Parvez Elahi would take the vote of confidence before it.

Following the confidence vote, the PTI plans on dissolving not just the legislative in Punjab, but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well, the deposed prime minister said.

"When both the assemblies have been dissolved, then the [government] will be forced to hold general elections," the ex-PM said, adding that if polls are delayed even after PTI's move, "it won't affect" the party.

Defending the delay in the assemblies' dissolution, the PTI chief said the party had to convince its allies before it takes the major step.

The PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) are currently holding consultations on the date of dissolution and seat adjustment before they head into polls. However, for the date of dissolution, the PML-Q has time and again said it was awaiting Imran's instructions.

But both the PTI and PML-Q have stressed that assemblies will be dissolved — sooner or later.

'True freedom'
On the occasion of the 146th birthday of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the PTI chief lamented that the nation had forgotten his vision.

Imran, in a series of tweets, said one of the main reasons Pakistanis have been unable to realise Jinnah's vision for Pakistan is the absence of justice through the rule of law.

This in turn protects them from elite capture of the State & govt. Unfortunately in Pakistan bec Rule of Law was never allowed to be established, elite capture of the country has allowed powerful institutions & mafias to remain above the law as if it was their right.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 25, 2022

The PTI chief said justice ensures equality before the law for all citizens. "This leads to haqeeqi azadi, true freedom, and protection of citizens' rights," he said.

The deposed prime minister said justice protects the nation from elite capture.

"Unfortunately in Pakistan, because rule of law was never allowed to be established, elite capture of the country has allowed powerful institutions and mafias to remain above the law as if it was their right."

PCB confirms change in venue for second Test against New Zealand

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the second Test of the upcoming historic home series against New Zealand has been shifted from Multan to Karachi.

According to the PCB, the decision was taken citing the deteriorating weather condition in Multan and both cricket boards have mutually agreed to shift the venue.

Besides the change in venue, the second Test and upcoming ODI series between the two teams have also been advanced by a day.

“It has also been agreed between the two boards that the second Test and the three ODIs will now be brought forward by a day, meaning the second Test will commence on 2 January with the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures to be played on 9, 11 and 13 January,” said PCB in a statement.

Notably, flight operations in Multan are already disturbed due to dense smog which can also pose a dent to the playing overs in the city.

It is pertinent to mention that the English team also experienced a flight delay on their way back from Multan to Karachi due to dense smog in the prior-mentioned city.

Soldier martyred in exchange of fire with terrorists in Zhob

A Pakistan Army soldier was martyred and two others were injured on early Sunday during an exchange of fire with terrorists in Balochistan’s Zhob, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Sunday morning, the operation, launched on the basis of “credible information”, was continuing for the last 96 hours.

The objective was to “deny terrorists the use of few suspected routes to move across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to sneak into KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) along the interprovincial boundary and target citizens and security forces”, the ISPR added.

As a result of the continuous surveillance and sanitation of the area, a group of terrorists was intercepted in the early hours of Sunday, the ISPR said, adding that “during the establishment of blocking positions to deny the terrorists escape routes, the militants opened fire on the security forces”.

In the ensuing exchange of fire, a terrorist was killed while a soldier, Sepoy Haq Nawaz, was martyred. Two soldiers sustained were injured in the gunfight, the ISPR statement said.

It added that the terrorists were supported by their facilitators from across the border as well through firing and that the sanitisation operation continued in the area to apprehend the remaining perpetrators.

In light of the increase in terror incidents, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo presided over a high-level meeting on Saturday to review the law and order situation in the province.

It was decided during the meeting that strong measures would be taken to curb terrorism and security agencies were directed to keep a vigilant eye on the activities of the banned organisations.

Afghan Taliban orders NGOs to send women workers home

Afghanistan’s Taliban-run administration has ordered all local and foreign nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) to stop female employees from coming to work, according to an economy ministry letter.

According to international media reports, the letter, confirmed by economy ministry spokesperson Abdulrahman Habib on Saturday, said the female employees were not allowed to work until further notice because some had not adhered to the administration’s interpretation of the Islamic dress code for women.

The letter said any NGO found not complying with the order would have their operating licence revoked in Afghanistan.

The order came days after the Taliban-run administration ordered universities to close to women, prompting strong global condemnation and sparking some protests and heavy criticism inside Afghanistan.

It was not immediately clear how the order would affect United Nations agencies, which have a large presence in Afghanistan delivering services amid the country’s humanitarian crisis.

“There have been serious complaints regarding the non-observance of the Islamic hijab and other rules and regulations pertaining to the work of females in national and international organisations,” said a notification sent to all NGOs.

While the Taliban had promised a softer form of rule when they returned to power in August last year, they have instead imposed harsh restrictions on women — effectively squeezing them out of public life.

 

146th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam being celebrated today

The 146th birth anniversary of the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is being celebrated today (Sunday) with renewed pledge to uphold his guiding principles of unity, faith, and discipline.

The main program of the day will be the change of guard ceremony at Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi, during which a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army will assume the ceremonial guard duty.

Fateha Khwani and Quran Khwani will also be held at the Mazar for Quaid and other leaders of Pakistan Movement.

Special events will be arranged today to highlight and promote the ideals and views of the father of the nation, particularly with regard to rule of law, supremacy of the constitution, and upholding of democracy.

Public and private departments will hold a variety of events including seminars, conferences, competitions and discussion programs to highlight the messages and vision of Quaid-e-Azam.

 

PML-N decides to challenge LHC’s decision of CM Elahi’s reinstatement in SC

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Saturday decided to approach the Supreme Court in its bid to challenge the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) verdict reinstating Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi.

The LHC had, a day earlier, restored the provincial cabinet and Elahi as the chief minister after he assured the court about not dissolving the Punjab Assembly once he regains control of the office.

The development, as media reports, came after the party’s members of the Punjab assembly met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at his residence in Lahore.

As media reports that the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid’s (PML-Q) Tariq Basheer Cheema was also present in the high-level meeting where the decision to challenge CM Elahi’s reinstatement was taken.

Earlier today, the federal government urged the country's top court to take notice of the ongoing turmoil in Punjab, stating that the LHC's decision does not fit legal parameters.

Federal ministers Khawaja Saad Rafique, Rana Sanaullah, and Tariq Bashir Cheema had earlier in the day requested the apex court to take suo motu notice of Punjab's deteriorating political situation, including the chief minister's reinstatement.

CM Elahi's reinstatement
Before reinstating Elahi, the LHC sought an undertaking from him against the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly to lessen the ongoing political turmoil in the province.

A five-member bench — headed by Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh and including Justices Justices Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal, Tariq Saleem Sheikh, Asim Hafeez and Muzamil Akhtar Shabir — heard the case.

Following the PML-Q leader's assurance, the court reinstated him as the chief minister and also issued notices to all parties in the case, summoning them on January 11.

The court suspended Punjab Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman's order till the next hearing and also did not make it compulsory for the CM to take a vote of confidence on his orders.

The Punjab chief minister was de-notified by the governor in the wee hours of December 23 after he failed to take a vote of confidence despite the passage of several hours.

Despite submitting assurance to the LHC, Elahi insisted on dissolving the provincial legislature in line with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's directives.