Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Aftab Iqbal Tells Four Characteristics of Aleem Khan To Become Next CM Punjab
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Siyasat Aur Riyasat – 30th July 2018
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Q&A With PJ Mir – 30th July 2018
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Shocking prediction of elections long before elections by Prof. Rafique Akhtar
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Aik Hindu ka Sawal – Imam Ali As ka farman – Urdu
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Ineligible recruitments in Pakistan Kidney And Liver Institute
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Do you think Imran Khan can be the prime minister of this Country – Reham Khan Views in 2015
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PTI ke Noor Ul Haq Qadri ki jeet ki khushi mein hawai firing
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Dollar selling at the rate of Rs.120 in open market
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میرا پیغام عمران خان کے نام
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Sharif Khandan Ki Zamanatein NAB Ka Bara Faisla
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Hamid Mir’s analysis on Jahangir Tareen’s arrival at MQM-P headquarters
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See What Musadiq Malick Says to Faisal Vawda
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Imran Khan Ko Kin Challenges Ka Samna Hai… Jawed Chaudhary Telling
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Kia Ap is Election Ko Fair and Free Samjhte Hain..Watch Chairman Pildat Response
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Fawad Ch Ya Dr Yasmin Rashid ? Kon CM Bane Ga ?? Arif Nizami Response
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Ricky Ponting And Jayasurya Message For Imran Khan
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Kia Imran Khan Hukumat Bana Payen ge ?
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Kya PTI Wafaq Mein Hukumat Bana Payegi ?
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PTI Aur PMLNQ Ki Meeting Mein Kya Guftgu Huye ???
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Bushra Bibi Tried To Contact With Tehreek-e-Labbaik
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Punjab Ka Naya CM Kon Hoga ??
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Roadside bomb hits Afghan bus, killing eight, wounding 40: officials
A roadside bomb hit a Kabul-bound passenger bus in restive western Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing at least eight people and wounding around 40, mostly women and children, officials said. “It was a bomb planted by the Taliban to hit security forces but… it got a passenger bus,” Farah provincial police spokesman Muhibullah Muhib told AFP. […]
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OGRA recommends increase in petrol prices
ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has recommended an increase in petroleum prices by 1st August. In the summary that OGRA submitted to the Power Division, it was suggested there should be an increase of 2.75 PKR/litre in petroleum prices, 3PKR/litre in diesel prices and 4PKR/litre in kerosene prices. However, it is plausible […]
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IHC to hear Sharifs’ petitions against Avenfield verdict today
F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court will hear the petitions on Monday filed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar against their convictions and verdict of Accountability court in Avenfield reference.
Earlier on July 6, NAB an court had sentenced Nawaz to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) in the corruption reference, while his daughter Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine (Rs335 million). Nawaz’s son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar was also given a one-year sentence without any fine.
Later, former premier Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar had challenged their convictions in the IHC, highlighting the legal flaws in the Avenfield judgment and asking for the accountability court’s verdict to be declared null and void and the three convicts to be released on bail.
An additional appeal was also filed requesting the court to transfer the Al-Azizia and Flagship Investment references against Nawaz from the court of Accountability Judge-I Mohammad Bashir to another accountability court.
The Sharifs appeal stated that the Panamagate JIT head, Wajid Zia himself accepted that a response to the mutual legal assistance (MLA) request was not received.
NAB had filed three references against Nawaz Sharif on the directives of Supreme Court. Nawaz and his sons, Hussain and Hasan, are accused in all three references whereas Maryam and Safdar were accused in the Avenfield reference only.
The two brothers, based abroad, have been absconding since the proceedings began last year and were declared proclaimed offenders by the court.
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Pakistani Ambassador discusses bilateral ties with US defense secretary
Monitoring Desk
WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s ambassador to the US Ali Jahangir Siddiqui on Monday has discussed bilateral ties with the US Secretary of Defense General James Mattis.
The meeting was held on the request of Pakistan, the Pakistani ambassador visited Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, where among other things discussed Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan and the regional security situation.
Ali Jahangir Sidiqui was accompanied by Pakistan’s Defence and Army Attaché Brigadier Kamal Anwar Chaudhry during the visit to Pentagon.
Earlier this month, while talking to private news channel, Siddiqui had said both Pakistan and the US were aware of the issues surrounding bilateral relations and adding that two countries were working towards the restoration of their bilateral relationship.
Siddiqui has earlier stressed peace in Afghanistan is his top policy priority and Pakistan remains committed to ending regional conflict.
While giving interview to American TV, Siddiqui said Pakistan was working on a second portion of a fence at its border with its war-ravaged neighbor Afghanistan.
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Pompeo warns against IMF bailout for Pakistan that aids China
Monitoring Desk
WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that any potential International Monetary Fund bailout for the newly elected government of Pakistan should not provide funds to pay off Chinese lenders.
US Secretary of State said this while talking to new channel on Monday. Pompeo said that the United States is ready to work with the new government in Pakistan which is likely to be lead by PTI’s chief Imran Khan but said there was no rationale for a bailout that pays off Chinese loans to Pakistan.
He said that US will be watching what IMF does and adding that there’s no rationale for IMF tax dollars, and associated with that American dollars that are part of the IMF funding, for those to go to bail out Chinese bondholders or China itself.
Earlier on Sunday, it was reported that senior Pakistani finance officials were drawing up options for Khan to seek an IMF bailout of up to $12 billion.
Later the IMF spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that we have so far not received a request for a Fund arrangement from Pakistan and that we have not had discussions with the authorities about any possible intentions.”
Pakistan is struggling to avert a currency crisis that has presented the new government with its biggest challenge. Many analysts and business leaders expect that another IMF bailout, the second in five years, will be needed to plug an external financing gap.
Pakistan, which already has around $5 billion in loans from China and its banks to fund major infrastructure projects, had sought another $1 billion in loans to stabilize its plummeting foreign currency reserves.
Officials in the Trump administration, including US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, have criticized China’s infrastructure lending to developing countries, arguing that this has saddled them with unsustainable debt.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a series of port and rail improvements associated with China’s One Belt One Road infrastructure push, has led to massive imports of Chinese equipment and materials, swelling Pakistan’s current account deficit.
Pakistan has had 14 IMF financing programs since 1980, according to fund data, including a $6.7 billion three-year loan program in 2013.
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US hints at more sanctions amid violence in Nicaragua
Monitoring Desk
WASHINGTON: The U.S. on Monday issued a tersely-worded rebuke of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega amid his government’s violent crackdown on political opponents, hinting at further U.S. actions to quell the violence.
“The United States strongly condemns the ongoing violence in Nicaragua and human rights abuses committed by the Ortega regime in response to protests,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in an unusually lengthy statement.
She pointed to the U.S.’s previous blacklisting of three Nicaraguan officials, saying the penalties “are a start, not an end, of potential sanctions.”
The previously designated officials are Francisco Diaz, the deputy chief of the national police; Fidel Moreno, a local government official in the capital, Managua; and Francisco Lopez, the Sandinista Party’s treasurer and vice president of the Albanisa oil company.
The trio were blacklisted in early July.
The U.S. also revoked or restricted the visas of unidentified Nicaraguan officials and their families “when those officials have been responsible for police violence against protestors and municipal authorities, when they have supported pro-government parapolice violence, or when they have prevented victims from receiving care,” Sanders said.
More than 300 people have been killed in the last three months while protesting the government, according to rights groups.
A Catholic Church-led peace process begun in May has failed to bring an end to the blood flow.
During an interview with U.S.-based broadcaster Fox News, Ortega pinned the violence in the country on anti-government militias.
“They launched these attacks against state organizations, against the police and against loyal Sandinista families. They blocked the country, arresting and torturing citizens,” he said.
Although there is much evidence that paramilitary and police forces have been working hand in hand, Ortega strongly rejected any link to the paramilitaries, saying they had been armed by “political organizations”, of which he singled out the Liberal Party and “others who have refused to take part in the electoral process.” He also pointed to unspecified “United States organizations.”
The U.S. has taken back vehicles it sent to Nicaragua’s national police, and halted additional sales and donations of equipment “that Ortega’s security forces might misuse,” Sanders said.
“President Ortega and Vice President [Rosario] Murillo are ultimately responsible for the pro-government parapolice that have brutalized their own people,” the White House said. AA
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China touts possible UK trade deal, offers talks with US
BEIJING (Sputnik): China’s Foreign Ministry is taking a friendly stance towards both the UK and the US, saying Beijing is open to advancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation with either or both of these countries.
The Chinese government says it is open to negotiations on a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Britain after its separation from the EU in March 2019. Additionally, a top Chinese Foreign Ministry official has urged a trade dialogue with the US. These statements come amidst the heightened trade tensions between Beijing and Washington.
According to recently-appointed British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who is currently on his first overseas tour, mainland China has expressed interest in striking a comprehensive trade deal with the post-Brexit UK. Secretary Hunt stressed the preliminary understanding on bilateral trade could significantly bolster Britain’s bargaining power in the ongoing Brexit talks with Brussels.
During a joint news conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Secretary Hunt said Beijing had offered “to open discussions about a possible free trade deal done between Britain and China post-Brexit, and that’s something we welcome and we said we will explore.”
This falls in the with the broader trade agenda of the Conservative and Unionist cabinet of Prime Minister Theresa May, who has previously said bilateral trade deals would be the main priority in the immediate aftermath of Brexit.
Whilst in Beijing, Secretary Hunt also had meetings with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and top trade officials in the Communist Party of China, Yang Jiechi.
The British cabinet conveyed a message to their Chinese counterparts the UK is interested in maintaining the momentum of the “golden era” relations between the Britain and China.
“China and Britain have very different systems but we do have a lot in common, and we in the UK think that the rise of China and China’s economy and Chinese power can and must be a positive force in the world,” Secretary Hunt said.
A possible FTA between London and Beijing would also greatly benefit China as well. Following two investigations into Chinese trade practices in the US and subsequent trade restrictions, Beijing is now looking for a new source of technology, as well as new destinations for its exports in manufactured goods. While China has been advancing its “Belt and Road” initiative, aimed at securing trade and investment preferences across Asia, along with its “yuan diplomacy”, officials in Beijing realize the importance of maintaining good trade relations with advanced economies.
During the press conference with Secretary Hunt, Wang said the UK and China “agreed to proactively link up each other’s development strategies, and expand the scale of trade and mutual investment.”
The sides also reaffirmed their commitment to opposing what they called protectionist policies and trade restrictions. This comes as China has sought support for its agenda of keeping a status-quo in the global trade, which has greatly benefitted the Chinese economy over the past two decades, particularly, after China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) on its own terms.
Wang criticized the US for the new trade agenda that is being pursued by the Trump administration. The Chinese Foreign Minister stressed the US’ trade imbalances aren’t China’s fault, and stem from the expensive US dollar, America’s large consumer market, low US savings rate and the limits on US high-tech exports.
“The responsibility for the trade imbalance between China and the United States lies not with China,” Wang said. He also touted the large volumes of cheap Chinese goods, which Wang believes have benefitted the American consumer over the past two decades, whilst China has imported US grain and energy, and has been open to increasing these trades.
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‘Russia’s sovereignty to be defended despite US missile defense worldwide’
Monitoring Desk
DVORIKI: Russia is guaranteed to be provided with information on the plans that the US military and other states have in mind for it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated while speaking to participants at the Russian Youth Educational Forum “Territory of Meanings.”
“Whatever happens in the world, our security as a state, the security of our citizens, our sovereignty will be most securely protected.”
“This has been repeatedly confirmed by President Vladimir Putin, and I assure you that this is based on real, material changes that are taking place in our country and in our army, “the minister said.
The US impedes the development of rules of behavior in cyberspace in the UN, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
“We have been suggesting to develop rules for responsible behavior in cyberspace at the UN for a long time. There are no rules right now, as you know.”
“The country that impedes it is the United States,” Lavrov pointed out. “This is not surprising, because the United States has a dominant position in general with regard to Internet governance.”
“Our possession of information about the schemes nursed by the military of both the US and other Western countries against the Russian Federation is guaranteed,” Lavrov stated in response to the question about how Russia meets modern challenges in the sphere of security.
The minister highlighted that Russia keeps its global military presence to further support its defensive capacity.
“No matter what is happening in the world, our security as a state, the security of our citizens and our sovereignty will be duly protected. [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin repeatedly stated it, and I assure you that it is based on real material changes that are taking place in our country and our army,” Lavrov concluded.
Russia-US relations have been tense amid an ongoing arms race and a ban on military cooperation between US and Russian forces.
Countries “will not agree to subjecting their right to trade with whom they want and what they want to ultimatums and threats, as is now the case with contracts for the supply of Russian weapons to a number of states, for example, Turkey, Indonesia and India, when Washington openly requires refusal of these contracts,” he said.
Lavrov also warned that such U.S. demands would create “unpredictability, and an additional potential for conflict.”
In May, the US House of Representatives passed a whopping $717 billion annual defense spending bill for the 2019 fiscal year.
No Doubts Greece Decided to Expel Russian Diplomats Under Severe Pressure
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that he had no doubts that Greece had taken a decision to expel Russian diplomats under severe pressure.
“We have already commented on [the expulsion of Russian diplomats from] Greece.”
“I can just say once again that we have no reason to doubt that these decisions were made under the severe pressure of those who want to turn any country anti-Russian,” Lavrov added
Earlier in July, the Greek Kathimerini newspaper reported that Athens had decided to expel two Russian diplomats and ban two more from entering the country over national security concerns.
The accusations against the diplomatic workers were strongly refuted by Russian Ambassador to Greece Andrey Maslov, who called them “absurd.”
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SC directs to freeze fake bank accounts
F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday directed State Bank of Pakistan to freeze fake bank accounts till completion of investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the case.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar passed the directions while hearing an appeal filed by Ansari Sugar Mill, TCB Sugar Mills and Noudero Chamber requesting to allow transactions using 29 ‘fake’ accounts, allegedly used for illegal transaction worth of Rs. 35 billions.
During course of proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued before the bench that if the apex court order to halt the operation of accounts then ultimately it would be resulted into closure of their companies.
The bench, dismissing the plea, remarked that court would not allow any transaction from said accounts even companies may shut down.
The Chief Justice added that the court would only decide on the matter after the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) inquiry in the matter was completed.
The FIA is investigating 29 ‘benami’ accounts that were allegedly used to channel illicit funds. Former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur are among those who are accused of being beneficiaries of the suspicious transactions, while his close aide Hussain Lawai is one of the people accused of facilitating the opening of the fake accounts.
The apex court had earlier this month taken a suo motu notice of the 2015 probe into suspicious transactions made through 29 ‘benami’ accounts,16 held in Summit Bank, eight in Sindh Bank and five in UBL.
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BCCI demands rescheduling of Pak-India match in Asia Cup
DUBAI (Monitoring Desk): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has demanded rescheduling of Pakistan-India match on September 19 in the Asia Cup 2018 because of ‘hectic schedule’. The BCCI also terms the match schedule ‘mindless’. According to a report in the Statesman, the Indian team will be playing the opening match against a qualifier and the very next day they will be battling it out with Pakistan.
The BCCI has opined this decision to be ‘mindless’, as reported by CricketNext. The Ring of Fire is gearing up for the biggest cricket clash in the UAE after 4,536 days when India and Pakistan clash on September 19 in the biennial Asia Cup in Dubai. “Stadium preparations are in full swing for Asia Cup, be it venue operations or spectator experience, we are taking care of all the details,” a top official of the Dubai Sports City (DSC), told Khaleej Times.
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup, which will be held from September 15-28. The arch-rivals from the subcontinent last played a two-match ODI series in the UAE at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on April 18-19, 2006. “The DSC management is excited and honoured to host the Asia Cup which puts UAE on the map for yet another large scale international event.
We have a very busy season of international cricket ahead of us and we are glad to host all the teams,” added Al Zarooni Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in the opener of the biennial tournament that runs from September 15 to 28, according to a statement from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Group A consists of India, Pakistan and the qualifier while Group B comprises of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super 4 and two teams will then play the final on September 28 in Dubai.
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Blackcaps announce squads against Pakistan
Auckland (Agencies): New Zealand Cricket Board announced the squad for the Pakistan series in United Arab Emirates. Blackcaps will be touring Pakistan for a full-fledged tour consisting of three Test matches, five ODIs and three T20I games.
New Zealand’s leader of pace attack Trent Boult has been rested for the shortest format while Mumbai-born spinner Ajaz Patel has been named in the Test squad on back of impressive displays in domestic cricket. Tom Blundell found a place in the squad as the backup wicket-keeper for BJ Watling in the Test team. New Zealand Cricket announced short squads for limited overs series including only 13 members as the two remaining members for both ODIs and T20Is squads will be picked from their A team.
Test Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Matt Henry, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tom Blundell, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Colin de Grandhomme, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling and Jeet Raval
ODI Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme
T20I Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Seth Rance and Tim Seifert.
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German fans support Ozil
BERLIN (Agencies): Hundreds of German fans gathered in support for Mesut Ozil after he quit international football, citing “racism and disrespect” over his Turkish roots. Supporters gathered in Berlin on Sunday wearing ‘I am Ozil’ T-shirts, waving Turkish and German flags in solidarity with the Arsenal midfielder.
He said last week he received hate mail and threats, and was blamed for Germany’s disappointing World Cup. Germany’s football association “rejected” allegations of racism. However, it said it could have done more to protect him from abuse. Ozil, 29, was criticised after being photographed with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May.
In announcing his international retirement, he said: “I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose.” Former Germany striker Fredi Bobic, who is now the Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director, criticised the manner of Ozil’s international retirement. “I think that’s a bit cowardly,” he told German newspaper Bild am Sonntag. “Ozil’s criticism of social media, especially in the direction of the German Football Association (DFB), is unbearable. “This blanket charge of racism simply does not correspond to reality. He could have given an interview somewhere, live on TV. “For us footballers, the rule is ‘be a man and stand up.'”
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Major parties form grand opposition slamming ‘unprecedented’ rigging
ISLAMABAD: Major parties in the opposition held a meeting and decided to form a grand opposition for formulating a strategy on alleged rigging in the July 25 General Election.
Addressing media, senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples’ Party, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal and Awami National Party said there is no parallel of rigging on this scale in elections in the country, in which Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Imran Khan claimed victory.
PPP’s Yousaf Raza Gilani and MMA chief Fazlur Rehman also decried media censorship.
“The entire world, the nation and ECP [Election Commission of Pakistan] should note that there is no instance of all parties rejecting election results unanimously like this ever,” said Fazl.
Those stealing the mandate of masses should be ashamed of themselves, he said.
Gilani said that an all parties conference would be held soon, and a strategy would be formulated to take up the issue of rigging.
The parties will play the role of a strong opposition inside and outside the Parliament, the former prime minister added.
The decision to form a grand alliance was taken during ongoing meetings of the parties at the residence of Ayaz Sadiq. The political parties also agreed to protest inside and outside the assemblies.
The grand opposition will issue a white paper over rigging during the elections and meet for an All Parties Conference in two days.
The strength of the grand opposition will stand at 120 in the National Assembly, compared to 116 seats for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
According to media, political parties in Balochistan will also be taken into confidence over the grand opposition alliance. Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced that the MMA will not boycott proceedings of the parliament.
The PPP delegation was led by Khursheed Shah includes Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar and Qamar Zaman Kaira, and former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif led his party’s delegation which includes Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khawaja Asif among others.
Haji Ghulam Bilour and Mian Iftikhar are representing the ANP, while Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Maulana Anas Noorani are representing the MMA.
It is expected that following the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif will meet his brother and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was shifted from Adiala prison to PIMS hospital in Islamabad on Sunday.
Over 35 constituencies’ results manipulated for Imran’s victory: Shah
PPP leader Khursheed Shah claimed over 35 constituencies were manipulated to pave way for Imran’s victory.
Manipulation “was carried out in constituencies of Yousaf Raza Gilani, Rasool Bux Chandio, Faisal Saleh Hayat, Aijaz Jakhrani and Saad Rafique,” he said.
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PTI claims having majority both in centre and Punjab
LAHORE: After the results of the General Election 2018, the ball seems to be in the court of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as the party claimed that it has garnered enough members to form governments both in the centre and Punjab.
According to PTI Spokesman Fawad Chaudhry, the National Assembly is of around 328-330 members, out of which the PTI currently enjoys support of 168 members, including women and minority seats.
In the Punjab Assembly, the PTI spokesman claimed that the party has 180 seats to form a government. The provincial assembly generally comprises 371 members, although this time it is expected to have 360 MPAs.
The party spokesman said that with the aid of the coalition partners, the prime minister will be from the PTI.
Chaudhry further said that in Balochistan the PTI will form a coalition government, adding that the party has a two/third majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Candidates from our alliances will be made part of the cabinet, he added.
Fawad Chaudhry said that the independent candidates also signed an affidavit, stating that they weren’t forced to join the PTI.
The affidavits will be submitted to the ECP, he added.
Later in the day, a delegation of PML-Q arrived to meet PTI chief Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence in the federal capital.
In the meeting, PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Jahangir Tareen, Asad Umar, Naeem-ul-Haq and others were present.
The PTI said that seven PML-Q members and one independent (total eight) gave support to the party in Punjab, bringing the tally to 149 members in the province.
According to a PTI press statement, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain ensured complete support to Imran Khan.
The PML-Q has also rendered support to the PTI in the National Assembly.
PTI leader Jahangir Tareen has left for Karachi to meet with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leaders to gain its support. The MQM-P is pegged to give support of four of its members to the PTI.
Fawad Chaudhry, earlier talking to media, had said that four more candidates pledged alliance to the party today.
He had said that the party was in contact with other independent candidates in Punjab.
PML-N contacts Chaudhry Nisar
In a move that came as a surprise to spectators, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) contacted its former member Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan — who contested the election as an independent candidate.
The veteran politician, a political heavyweight of Rawalpindi who has been a member of every National Assembly since 1985, lost both his NA seats — NA-59 and NA-60 — in the July 25 polls.
However, he was able to win a seat in the provincial assembly from PP-10 constituency. Nisar also contested the polls from PP-12, though he was unable to stand victorious from the constituency.
According to information received from official, Nisar had responded positively to PML-N leaders.
With 13 independent candidates that the party claims have pledged support to PML-N, it now needs the support of only four more independent candidates to reach the minimum count — 148 — to form the government in Punjab.
In a statement, PML-N leader Senate Mushahid Hussain said his party was positive that it will form the government in the province. “We have more members in the Punjab Assembly and it is our right to form the government here,” he observed.
The support of at least 148 members is required for a party to have its chief minister elected in the province.
That the PML-Q refused to extend its support to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to form the government in Punjab.
With back-to-back joinings of independent candidates, PTI has emerged — at least on paper — as the largest party in terms of its share of seats in the assembly.
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IHC to hear Sharifs’ appeals against Avenfield convictions today
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court will take up the pleas filed by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar against their convictions in Avenfield reference.
On July 6, an accountability court had sentenced Nawaz to a total of 11 years in prison and slapped a £8 million fine (Rs1.3 billion) in the corruption reference, while his daughter Maryam was sentenced to eight years with a £2 million fine (Rs335 million). Nawaz’s son-in-law Capt (retd) Safdar was also given a one-year sentence without any fine.
An additional appeal was also filed requesting the court to transfer the Al-Azizia and Flagship Investment references against Nawaz from the court of Accountability Judge-I Mohammad Bashir to another accountability court.
Appeals highlight legal flaws in Avenfield verdict
The appeals state that the Panamagate Joint Investigation Team (JIT) head and prosecution’s star witness Wajid Zia himself accepted that a response to the mutual legal assistance (MLA) request was not received.
It further says that levelling allegations without receiving a response to the MLA was mala fide.
Legal counsels of the convicts have contended that the prosecution’s witness Robert Radley not only stated that Calibri font was available for testing purposes, he admitted to having downloaded and used the Calibri font which was available as pre-release of Windows Vista known as BETA-1 since the year 2005 while simultaneously admitting that he was neither a computer expert nor an IT expert or a computer geek.
The trial
The trial against the Sharif family commenced on September 14, 2017.
On July 6, after four extensions in the original six-month deadline to conclude all three cases, the court announced its verdict in the Avenfield reference.
Nawaz and his sons, Hussain and Hasan, are accused in all three references whereas Maryam and Safdar were accused in the Avenfield reference only.
The two brothers, based abroad, have been absconding since the proceedings began last year and were declared proclaimed offenders by the court.
On July 10, the Supreme Court granted another six-week extension for Accountability Court-I Judge Mohammad Bashir to conclude the remaining corruption references against Nawaz and former finance minister Ishaq Dar.
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Modi offers Imran ‘new beginning’ in ties with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: World leaders began sending felicitation messages to Imran Khan, the prime minister-in-waiting, although his party is still trying to muster the support of independent candidates and smaller parties to secure a simple majority in the National Assembly.
Most notable among these messages was the message from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who telephoned Imran Khan.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) media cell, Modi congratulated Imran on his election victory. According to the statement, the most significant aspect of the conversation was Modi’s unambiguous willingness to improve his country’s ties with Pakistan.
“India desires progressive relations with Pakistan”, the Indian PM was quoted as saying.
Both countries, Modi said, should evolve a joint strategy to develop and strengthen better ties.
In response, Imran Khan said that both neighbours should move towards conflict resolution through dialogue.
“Wars can breed tragedies instead of facilitating resolution of conflicts”, Khan was quoted as telling the Indian Prime Minister.
Appreciating the Indian Prime Minister’s positive gesture, Khan said that both countries should invest in poverty reduction, pulling millions out of the poverty trap.
Both leaders agreed to work together to tackle the challenges of poverty in the region.
Indian External Affairs Ministry also issued a statement about Modi’s call to Imran Khan.
“Prime Minister (Modi) expressed hope that democracy will take deeper roots in Pakistan. (He) also reiterated his vision of peace and development in the entire neighbourhood.”
The telephonic conversation immediately sparked a debate on social media with some reminding the incoming Prime Minister of how he used to mock the jailed former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his ‘friendship’ with Modi.
Diplomatic sources, nevertheless, pointed out that Modi telephoned Imran after his victory speech in which he offered India an olive branch.
Imran had offered India to resolve all issues through talks and even said that he was ready to take two steps if India takes one for normalising relations between the two countries.
Over the past few years, ties between Pakistan and India remained tense despite Modi’s overtures in May 2014.
There were occasions when two sides were close to the resumption of a fully-fledged dialogue. But trust deficit triggered by certain incidents on both sides of the border prevented a rapprochement between the two neighbours.
The resumption of the dialogue process became even more difficult during the end of Nawaz’s tumultuous four years in office as his political opponents, including Imran Khan, accused him of being too soft on Modi and his aggressive policies towards Pakistan.
Observers believe that given his economic reforms agenda, the PTI leader could not afford confrontation between Pakistan’s immediate neighbours, including India.
Therefore, Imran is likely to give peace a chance to settle the complex issues existing between the two countries, requiring an out-of-the-box approach.
However, any tweaking of the domestic foreign policy, particularly towards India, will certainly be closely scrutinised.
It still remains to be seen if Imran Khan has enough clout to make such major foreign policy changes, especially in connection with India given the fact that Nawaz had developed serious differences with the security establishment on the very same question.
Meanwhile, the President of the Maldives also telephoned Imran Khan and congratulated him on his victory in the general election.
Also on Monday, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing called on Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence.
The Chinese envoy congratulated him on the election victory and expressed his government’s desire to work closely with him.
Imran is reported to have told Beijing’s envoy that Islamabad valued its long-standing strategic ties with China. He said he would want to further deepen the relationships.
The Iranian government also sent him a message of felicitation through a letter and wished to work with the new government to pursue common objectives.
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Tareen invites MQM-P to join federal government
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui announced that Rabita Committee will make the final decision on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s invitation to join the federal government.
A PTI delegation led by Jahangir Tareen met with the leadership of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan on Monday night to seek their support for government formation in the centre.
The meeting held at MQM-Pakistan’s Bahadrabad office was also attended by PTI leaders Firdaus Shamim Naqvi, Imran Ismail and Haleem Adil Siddiqui.
In a press conference held after the meeting, Tareen said that he had a positive meeting with the MQM leadership and has invited the party to join federal government, adding that the people of Karachi gave a joint mandate to the PTI and Siddiqui’s party.
“To move forward we have to think of the masses. Its in the manifesto of PTI to resolve basic issues of the metropolis,” he said. “We will resolve water, transport, infrastructural issues of the city.”
Siddiqui said that the party found similar views on many of the issues with the PTI leader.
“We spoke on re-counting and census in our meeting. Imran Khan has already said that he would address the reservations of people on election results.”
Siddiqui said that the bitter past between the two parties can change into co-operation in future.
During the meeting, MQM-P put forward its demands before the PTI leaders to get its six-member support in the lower house, official informed media.
The MQM-P demands include Karachi Package, constitutional amendment for empowered local bodies, administrative units for the urban Sindh, community police and mass transit in Karachi, sources said.
The MQM-P has conditioned its support on the acceptance of their demands.
Mohammad Zubair meets MQM-P leaders
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair met with the leadership of MQM-Pakistan at its Bahadurabad.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Zubair remarked that the two parties will continue to stay in the touch in the coming few weeks, adding that MQM-Pakistan also has reservations regarding the way elections were conducted.
Regarding the meeting, he shared that the representatives of the two parties discussed the conditions in Sindh especially Karachi alongside the political situation which has emerged following the General Election 2018.
Moreover, MQM-Pakistan leader Faisal Sabzwari alleged that the Election Commission of Pakistan was involved in the rigging the elections for the first time. “The failure of the result transmission system shows that ECP was unsuccessful in its task.”
The returning officers must recount votes as per the law, he claimed.
“People whose own party wouldn’t vote for them won. How is this possible,” Sabzwari asked.
With regards to Form 45, he questioned where was it filled? “Who knows where it was filled as the polling agents weren’t present at the time votes were being counted.”
Form 45 was supposed to be submitted on the day of the election rather than being uploaded on the website after a week, he said.
When asked about the Karachi operation, Zubair clarified that it was held to bring peace to the city. “Karachi operation was not against MQM,” he said.
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NAB files corruption reference against former PM Shaukat Aziz
ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau has approved filing of a corruption reference against former prime minister Shaukat Aziz.
Also, former federal secretary Ismail Qureshi, Yousaf Memon and Dr Naseem A Khan were nominated in the case.
The NAB stated that in violation of the code of conduct, the suspects are accused of appointing Basharat Hasan Bashir consultant. Bashir did not leave his office despite his tenure ending after five years.
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Pakistani envoy meets US defence secretary
WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s ambassador to the US Ali Jahangir Siddiqui met with the US Secretary of Defence General James Mattis.
Bilateral ties were discussed in the meeting that took place on Pakistan’s request. The Pakistani ambassador visited Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, where among other things discussed were Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan and the regional security situation.
Earlier this month, Siddiqui had said both Pakistan and the US were aware of the issues surrounding bilateral ties. Speaking to media in Dallas, the Pakistani envoy said the two countries were working towards the restoration of their bilateral relationship.
Siddiqui has earlier stressed peace in Afghanistan is his top policy priority and Pakistan remains committed to ending regional conflict. In an interview to media, Siddiqui said Pakistan was working on a second portion of a fence at its border with its war-ravaged neighbour Afghanistan. The fence is a clear sign of Pakistan’s interest in ending the regional conflict and will help Pakistan and Afghanistan equally in doing so, Siddiqui said.
US Army Lieutenant General Austin Miller, Trump’s nominee to head the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, said in a statement to a Senate panel last month that Pakistan had made “many sacrifices” and “its security forces have fought bravely,” but “we have not yet seen these counter-terrorism efforts against anti-Pakistan militants translate into definitive actions against Afghan Taliban or Haqqani leaders residing in Pakistan.”
“Until we complete this fence, it’s unreasonable to say we aren’t doing anything,” Siddiqui had remarked.
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Nawaz shifted from Adiala Jail to PIMS hospital, cardiac ward declared sub-jail
ISLAMABAD: Former premier Nawaz Sharif was shifted from Adiala Jail to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital’s cardiac ward Sunday night on the orders of the caretaker government, media reported.
Upon the ex-prime minister’s complaint of chest pain, doctors carried out a check-up and advised that he be shifted to a coronary care unit (CCU) immediately, following which the jail superintendent contacted the additional chief secretary.
“In light of the additional chief secretary’s report, the caretaker government has decided to shift Nawaz [Sharif] to PIMS,” official in the Interior Ministry said.
His “ECG (electrocardiogram) was conducted and showed changes as per the medical report,” official said.
PIMS’ cardiac ward declared sub-jail: notification
According to a notification issued after Sharif’s transfer to the PIMS hospital around 8PM last night, the medical facility’s cardiac ward has been declared a sub-jail.
Sharif, who was transported under strict security, was received by PIMS’ executive director, who, upon the former’s arrival, offered a wheelchair. The former-PM, however, refused to use it and said he would rather walk into the hospital by himself, official said.
Thereafter, the hospital’s cardiac ward was closed to other patients as well as the public.
Once inside, Dr Naeem Malik, the PIMS cardiology department head, and his team carried out a check-up of Sharif and conducted blood and sugar tests.
Tightened security
Shortly after reports of Sharif’s transfer spread, workers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reached the medical facility and started chanting slogans in favour of and against the former premier, respectively.
Soon afterwards, however, police was forced to intervene, break up the group of allies and protesters, and kicked out workers of both parties off of the hospital’s premises.
Further, the security inside and outside the PIMS hospital was tightened and 10 police officers, under the leadership of superintendent of police (SP) for prison department, were stationed to stay with Sharif.
On the other hand, the PTI, in an announcement, said party chief Imran Khan has prayed for Sharif’s quick and complete recovery.
Medical board and its report
According to the findings of the medical board, which was formed on the request of the Adiala Jail superintendent, the ex-prime minister is experiencing pain in his elbows, feet, and shoulders, and there was noticeable swelling in those parts as well.
Sharif also suffers from constipation.
While further tests are advised and yet to be conducted, doctors recommended that the former premier be kept in a “stress-free environment” and under constant supervision.
The report had also noted that Sharif immediately be moved to the nearest hospital should he experience cardiac pain, whereafter he was transferred to the PIMS hospital.
Earlier, on July 24, a medical board formed to ascertain his health said the former premier was in need of constant medical care and attention.
A five-member medical board formed by PIMS had conducted a medical check-up of Sharif at Adiala Jail, formally known as the Central Jail Rawalpindi, on Monday, where the PML-N supremo is serving his sentence for corruption.
Sharif was arrested upon his arrival at the Allama Iqbal International Airport from London on July 13, wherefrom he was flown to Islamabad via a helicopter, and shifted to the prison. He is currently serving the sentence awarded to him in the Avenfield Properties case, alongside his daughter, Maryam, and son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar.
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PTI, PML-N claim independents on their side as battle for Punjab continues
LAHORE: Senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) claimed to have required support of the independent candidates to form the Punjab government.
In Punjab Assembly, PML-N won 127 seats, while PTI is a close second with 123 seats, as per the ECP’s results of total 295 total seats. But later the latter increased its tally with the joining of independent candidates in the party fold.
A PTI spokesperson said that with the back-to-back joining the party has emerged as the largest party in terms of seats share in the assembly.
“Our seat share has increased to 131,” a PTI spokesperson claimed. “More independent candidates will join the party by evening. We will soon announce our Chief Minister candidate.”
Both the parties are required to have the support of at least 148 members to have its chief minister elected.
Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid has refused to extend its support to the PML-N in forming the government in Punjab. The seven provincial members will be giving their votes in favour of the PTI’s chief minister nominee.
PTI requires to have the support of at least 148 members to have its chief minister elected.
The party with back-to-back joinings of the independent candidates and now with the support of PML-Q members has emerged, at least on paper, as the largest party in terms of seats share in the assembly with 138 members.
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Indian media unleashes rant against Imran
ISLAMABAD: Indian media’s premature shouts about Imran Khan being rigid and an ally to extremists are far from truth as candidates fielded by Hafiz Saeed’s party fared badly against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s (PTI) candidates.
A prime example is NA-53, where a PTI man won the constituency by securing more than 90,000 votes over the candidate supported by Hafiz Saeed.
Saeed’s party Allah-o-Akbar Tehreek’s candidate Chaudhry Saeed Ahmad managed to secure just 1,361 votes against PTI chief Imran Khan’s 92,891 votes.
Hafiz Saeed, considered to be a philanthropist by many in Pakistan, never did impress the masses politically.
The Allah-o-Akbar Tehreek secured just 171,587 across Pakistan against 16,851,240 votes secured by PTI.
Interestingly, Hafiz Saeed’s son Hafiz Talha Saeed secured less than 11,000 votes from NA-91, Sardgodha against 110,525 votes secured by a PML-N candidate who won this seat.
This false portrayal by the Indian media compelled Imran Khan to react in his victory speech after his party emerged victorious in the July 25 general election.
Brig (retd) Farooq Hameed told this correspondent that actually the international media and Indian media couldn’t digest Imran Khan electoral victory because of certain reasons and they all wanted to discredit him.
According to him, this was the first time that a politician who had no stake outside this country would become the Prime Minister.
He said the victory of PTI has stunned the international establishment and India which had wanted someone in Pakistan who could toe their agenda.
“This is the first time that an honest person who does not own properties outside Pakistan would become the prime minister. He does not have the support of the international establishment. Imran Khan’s victory in the election is unacceptable to the Indian media and the international establishment. They are trying to come up with ways and means to discredit him. Sometimes, they portray him as an ally of the Taliban in addition to describing him as a supporter of Hafiz Saeed,” he stated.
Contrary to the speech of Nawaz Sharif in 2013, Imran Khan specifically mentioned the Kashmir dispute in his victory speech, he asserted.
Quoting from Nawaz Sharif’s victory speech, he said that Sharif had urged the people to give him a two-thirds majority in parliament.
Welcoming Hafiz Saeed becoming part of mainstream politics, he said that it was actually the beauty of democracy.
“One of primary responsibilities of the state is to retrieve individuals like Hafiz Saeed and make them part of mainstream affairs,” he stated.
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Imran Khan’s Rivals in Pakistan Face Another Big Loss
The powerful legislature in Punjab, long a stronghold of Pakistan’s former governing party, looks to be slipping from its grasp.
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How Record Heat Wreaked Havoc on Four Continents
We talked to people who found themselves on the front lines of climate change this year. Here are their stories.
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SJC rejects Justice Siddiqui’s request for record
Expenses incurred on judges’ houses
Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The Supreme Judicial Council on Monday rejected three separate applications submitted by Islamabad High Court judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui seeking records of expenses incurred on the maintenance of official residences of all superior court judges. Justice Siddiqui is accused of spending more money on the refurbishment of his official residence than he was entitled to. A complaint in this regard had been filed with the SJC, which conducts inquiries against judges on charges of misconduct, by a retired employee of the Capital Development Authority.
For the first time in the country’s judicial history, the SJC had agreed to an open hearing of a reference against a judge upon Justice Siddiqui’s own request. Headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, the five-member council includes the chief justices of the Balochistan and Sindh High Courts. When the CJP inquired at the start of the hearing what evidence would be brought on record today, Justice Siddiqui’s lawyer, Hamid Khan, informed the top judge that his client had submitted applications requesting the council to order the production of documents and information that he could use in his defence.
The information the IHC judge had sought included the total expenditures incurred during the last seven years on the maintenance of each official accommodation of the judges of the Supreme Court, Federal Shariat Court and all the high courts. The list and particulars of those superior court judges should also be provided who, despite having official accommodation, kept on receiving, or are still receiving, house rent allowance at a rate of Rs65,000 per month, the lawyer quoted one of those applications as saying.
However, Justice Nisar remarked that the bench did not want the proceedings of this reference to drag on, and instead asked the lawyer to focus his arguments against the allegations brought against the IHC judge. “There is no purpose behind summoning this record,” he observed, noting that the applications had not sought the record of a specific judge but of all superior court judges.
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Raisani, Langove get bail in ‘mega corruption case’
Quetta
The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Monday approved the bail pleas of former Balochistan finance secretary Mushtaq Raisani and former finance adviser to chief minister Balochistan Mir Khalid Langove on Rs5 million surety bonds each in mega corruption scandal case.
In May 2016, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) raided Raisani’s office and formally placed him under arrest. They also raided his residence and seized Rs730 million in cash and jewellery worth nearly Rs40 million. Further investigations revealed that the finance secretary also possessed valuable illegal properties in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority. Several others, including Langove, were also arrested by NAB in what came to be known as the ‘mega corruption scandal’.
According to information received from sources, the NAB, on July 11, recovered assets worth Rs1.3 billion from Raisan who obtained through corrupt practices. The same day, Chairman NAB Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal handed over the documents and keys recovered from Raisani to interim Balochistan Chief Minister Alauddin Marri during a ceremony held at the bureau’s provincial headquarters.
During the ceremony, Justice (retd) Iqbal said that assets worth Rs650 million were recovered during a raid from Raisani’s home.—INP
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Girl injured in jubilant firing expires
Faisalabad
A minor girl injured in jubilant aerial firing of the winning candidates of political parties expired during treatment in hospital on Monday. According to details, one-year-old Zariab was injured during jubilant firing of candidates of the winning political parties the others.
She was under treatment at Allied Hospital where despite all out efforts of doctors, she could not survive and succumbed to her wounds.
The body of the minor girl was handed over to heirs after medico-legal formalities.—INP
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Construction of dams responsibility of elected govt: SC
Awareness, legislation needed to control ‘population bomb’
Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The Supreme Court on Monday stated that the construction of dams in the country is the responsibility of the elected government and the judiciary will not interfere in the state’s work. During a hearing of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dam case, a four-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar also said the decision to collect funds for the construction of such projects was not controversial and the government can take over the responsibility if it so wishes.
He further said that the court could not manage details of the project, such as the design and to whom the work should be contracted. Justice Nisar further said that while the public wants the judiciary to supervise fund collection, it was not their responsibility nor did they have the resources to collect such a large amount. Referring to the controversial Kalabagh dam, Justice Nisar said consensus would be left to the public and their elected representatives. He also added that as the country was going to polls on July 25, elections funds could not be collected.
The government established the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund after the Supreme Court issued directives on July 4 that construction of the two dams should start immediately and appealed to the people, including overseas Pakistanis, to make a contribution for executing the projects.
Meanwhile, as the Supreme Court resumed hearing a suo motu case related to population growth in the country, Justice Saqib Nisar remarked that public awareness as well as relevant legislation is required in order to control the “population bomb”. The attorney general informed the court that population control was assigned to the provinces after the 18th Amendment.
The AG added that one province has reservations over forming of a ‘national policy’ on the matter. The chief justice then remarked that the court can resolve the differences between the provinces. Chief Justice Nisar wondered how people are surviving in interior Sindh, adding whether the provincial government ever realised this. Highlighting how important the case is for the country, the chief justice stated that the growing population is resulting in a shortage of resources and housing.
Talking about the role of women in population control, Chief Justice Nisar remarked that women are used as a tool, adding that they are not provided with adequate birth control measures. In a society of men, women cannot even protest, he lamented further. Chief Justice Nisar observed that without stemming population growth, the country’s development plans cannot succeed, adding that provinces need to follow a policy made at the federal level.
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ECP asks winning candidates to submit election expenses
Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked the winning candidates to submit their election expenses to concerned Returning Officers till August 4 for issuing of official notification. ‘The ECP had invited the attention of returned candidates to the provision of 98 (3) of the Election Act 2017 which inter alia provides that every returned candidate shall, within ten days from the poll of an election, submit a return of the election expenses under section 134 and the commission shall not notify in the official gazette the result of a returned candidate who fails to submit his/her return of election expenses’ said a notification of ECP issued here Monday.
All successful candidates are bound to submit their expenditure detail within 10 days of polling while non-successful candidates are required to be submitted expenditure detail within 30 days. Independent candidates are either required to join any political party in the Parliament or retain his independent status after three days from the issuance of notification. It is the constitutional obligation that the session of new assembly should be convened within 21 days after elections so that the election of new prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker might be carried out. The candidates who have won the elections from more than one constituency must retain only one seat by leaving remaining seats within three days of the notification.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Spokesperson Nadeem Qasim Monday said the elections process had been completed successfully all over the country, which was more free, fair and transparent as compared to the past. He said post-election reservations by the losing candidates were a routine matter and the ECP was addressing all the complaints about the election results according to the law.
Talking to PTV, he said foreign observers had also acknowledged that the elections were held in a free, fair and transparent manner in the country. He said the ECP had permitted recounting of votes in 26 constituencies. Nadeem Qasim said the ECP was fully empowered and its functioning was much better as compared to other countries. He said the Result Transmission System (RTS) was introduced first time in the history and despite some technical faults in RTS, 90 per cent results were announced in time. Replying to a question, he said reasons for the rejection of votes were illiterate voters, double stamping and cross marks on the ballot papers.
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Elections-2018: Some observations
CASTING of vote in the general election for the National and Provincial Assemblies on July 25, 2018 was my only second experience though a number of full term and mid- term elections have been held in the politically chequered history of Pakistan which turns 71 on August 14, 2018 with the continued blessings of Almighty Allah.
First one was the election held in 2013. Two earlier attempts in 1970 and in 1990s had not been successful. In 1970, when I reached the polling station in Model Town, Lahore to cast my vote, I was told by a PPP activist that it has already been cast, you better go home and rest. In one of mid-term polls, I again went to cast my vote. After standing in a long line in the Model Boys High School Model Town, as I reached the table and asked for the chit, after checking the lists the polling staff on duty there told me that my name was in the women’s lists and I should go there and cast my vote if I want to do so.
Coming back to the latest experience, I went to cast my vote in Boys High School in Model Town, Lahore in a very orderly and peaceful as well as conducive atmosphere. I had left the mobile phone back home in strict compliance with the instructions of the Election Commission on this regard. Army jawans and policemen on duty at the main gate after verification that I am a genuine voter allowed me in. I walked in and on reaching the point where polling booths were supposed to have been established, an Army jawan saw the chit I was carrying and simply directed me to go to which direction without asking any more question or even having a look at my original Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC).
Following the guidance so provided, I reached the polling booth where I was supposed to cast my vote. The time was around mid-day. Though people were coming in but still there was no rush as such. Only one vote at time was being allowed in the polling booth. I walked in, showed the chit I was carrying with my voters list number to the staff sitting in the first table. After checking the lists, they directed me to move on to next table where a middle-aged person asked me to sit on the bench for a while as I was sweating badly. After a while, he asked me to put my left thumb impression on a document and put indelible ink mark on my right thumb.
I moved on to two next tables from where I got ballot papers in white for the National Assembly and green for the Provincial Assembly after putting my left thumb impressions on the counterfoils in each case. Carrying the stamp to put in front of my chosen candidate in both cases I moved behind the duly curtained table, cast my vote, folded both the ballot papers and put these in the two boxes placed in the middle of the room for NA and PA votes. All this was over in less than five minutes including my self-slowness.
Coming out, I recalled that I had also cast my votes in 2013 election in the same polling station though the rooms were different at that time. The room was comparatively small than the one I just had been in and number of people were sitting there in addition to the polling staff concerned waiting for their turn and thus unnecessarily crowding the little room. More importantly, there was no secrecy provided for casting the vote and couple of persons was hovering around the table to see how the voters were putting the stamp against which party’s candidates. I had asked the person to move away but on his still standing there I put the stamp on the ballot papers, put these in the boxes placed there and came out.
While for 2013 election, contesting political parties had set up their camps just across the road of the polling station thus causing avoidable rush, this time on July 25, the political parties camps were set up at some distance from where the voters were walking. Even those coming on cars had to get down at a distance and send their cars away. The Army and police on duty only allowed cars carrying elderly and handicapped persons including women to come nearest the gate, drop them with their wheel chairs or walking sticks and drive away.
As I was coming out of the polling station compound, I noticed more and more people had started coming in as the polling time was scheduled to end at 6 p.m. and they wanted to cast their votes well in time. Quite appreciably, they all were coming in good numbers bracing hot and humid weather and not withstanding the forecast about possible rain and thunderstorm. People were coming in and getting out of the main gate without causing any rush there in a smooth and comfortable manner telling the staff on duty there on being asked that they were not carrying mobile phones, which were only allowed to the polling staff on duty.
Prior to the election date, for many days there was somewhat heated discussion ion political and other circles about the reported role of Pakistan Army in the election. This discussion was highly uncalled for and unnecessary as it was pointed out by the Army at the appropriate level that its role in the election is restricted to helping the Election Commission in maintenance of law and order and ensuring peaceful, orderly and conductive atmosphere to the voters to cast their voters in a satisfying manner. The Election Commission had quite rightly called upon the Pakistan Army for assistance in ensuring peace in and around the polling stations.
Article 220 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan pertains to Executive authorities to assist Commission and reads “ It shall be the duty of all executive authorities in the Federation and in the provinces to assist the Commissioner and the Election Commission in the discharge of his or their functions”. And, Pakistan Army strictly did according to the provisions of the Constitution as I and millions of voters across the country saw and noticed that junior ranking Army officials were deployed at the polling stations for ensuring the people cast their votes in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere and they were nowhere near the polling booths where votes were being cast.
In all fairness, Pakistan Army, Rangers, Police and law enforcement agencies personnel deserve appreciation of all for ensuring a peaceful and orderly atmosphere throughout the day on the polling date and many people of all ages also appreciated them for their performance.
As I sat tuned afterwards throughout the day till results started pouring in before TV set watching different TV channels coverage of the polling and casting of votes by the people, there was no report of incidents of any kind at the polling stations throughout the country and people continued casting their votes happily, peacefully and orderly without any unpleasant happening here, there or anywhere. There was marked fairness, transparency and law and order on the whole during just held 2018 general election as compared to 2013 election about which a number of political had then and even afterwards continued to point out rigging incidents saying that there had been massive rigging in the election to the National and Provincial Assemblies.
The turn out on the Election Day has been reported about 51 per cent, which is quite appreciable and commendable. This could still be higher further had the people started earlier to go to the polling stations without wasting time in waiting to go out in the afternoon hours. Polling time ended at 6 p.m. as scheduled and the voters inside the premises of the polling stations were allowed to cast their votes still.
As the counting process started, during which only one polling agent of a contesting party/ candidate was allowed inside the room, some more people tried to be there and they were told to go out as they could not crowd the room unnecessarily. And, pending further discussion later on about the winner and loser parties in the general election which I have intentionally avoided to mention in this article, suffice to say that it would have been better for the contesting political and religious parties and alliances to lodged their complaints, if any, with the Election Commission first instead of rushing to the media. As per reports, no formal complaint or protest against the polling, counting etc has been lodged with the Election Commission even after passage of more than two days. The looser political and religious parties and alliance which have declined to accept the peoples verdict have in short insulted them in an uncalled for manner which is quite disappointing indeed to say the least, please.
The post Elections-2018: Some observations appeared first on Daily Pakistan Observer -.
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Hot, humid weather to grip most parts
Islamabad
Mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the country in next 24 hours. Seasonal Low lies over Northwest Balochistan. Weak monsoon currents are penetrating upper parts of the country, an official of Met office told APP here Monday. In last 24 hours, weather remained hot and humid in most parts of the country.
However, rain-thundershower with gusty winds occurred at isolated places in Gujranwala, Lahore, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Malakand, Hazara, Zhob divisions and Gilgit-Baltistan. Rainfall recorded during this time span remained Punjab: Gujranwala 23mm, Okara 06mm, Sahiwal 04mm, Faisalabad 02mm, Lahore, Sialkot 01mm, KP: Malamjabba 16mm, Parachinar 05mm, Kakul 02mm, Balochistan: Zhob 10mm, GB: Hunza 05mm and Gupis 02mm. Maximum temperatures recorded on Monday were: Turbat 44°C, Dalbandin, Dadu 43°C, Multan 39°C, Quetta, Hyderabad 36°C, Chitral 35°C, Peshawar, Lahore, Faisalabad 34°C, Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, Karachi 33°C, Gilgit 24°C and Murree 22°C.—APP
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Peshawar proves base camp for PTI
Staff Reporter
Peshawar
Peshawar has proved an election base camp for Pakistan Tahrik e Insaf (PTI) from where its MNAs elect secured 357,010 votes in all five national assembly seats in the provincial capital of Khyber Pakthunkhwa. PTI has outclassed all political parties including MMA, ANP, PPPP and ANP during 2018 general election in Peshawar and clinched all five national assembly seats from here after obtaining maximum 357010 votes followed by MMA with 170727 votes, ANP with 103093 votes, PMLN with 32496 votes and PPPP with 46094 votes respectively, according to ECP.
On NA-27 Peshawar-I, PTI’s MNA elect Noor Alam Khan has secured 71,158 votes followed by 39,310 votes obtained by runner up Ghulam Ali of MMA, 24,002 votes by PPPP Asma Alamgir and 6,615 votes bagged by Tahir Nadeem of ANP. Similarly, on NA-28 Peshawar-II, PTI MNA elect Arbab Amir Ayub Khan clinched victory after obtaining 74,414 votes followed by runner up Sabir Hussain Awan of MMA with 27,292 votes, Safi Akbar of ANP with 22096 votes and Muhammad Intikhab Chamkani of PMLN with 7,010 votes respectively.
On NA-29 Peshawar-III, PTI MNA elect Nasir Khan Musazai has secured 49,762 votes followed by MMA Muhammad Naeem 29,357 votes, Arbab Kamal of ANP with 20,392 votes and PMLN Amir Muqam 15,458 votes respectively.
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Man kills sister for ‘honour’
Faisalabad
A man allegedly killed his sister over her illicit relations in the Lundianwala police precincts. According to police, Nighat Bibi eloped with one Sadam Hussain of Chak No 633-GB some 10 days back. However, she returned home as a result of a ‘Panchayat’ decision. On Monday, her brother Akram exchanged harsh words with her over the issue and shot her dead. The accused fled the scene after committing the crime. The police handed over the body to her relatives for burial after completing necessary formalities and registered a case.—APP
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Woman stabs husband over domestic disputes
Kharian
A merciless woman stabbed and killed her husband with sharp edged weapons over domestic disputes and escaped the scene here Monday. Police said that Riffat hailing from Kharian who got married with Tanveer, her cousin some eight months earlier was in differences with husband over domestic issues.
An exchange of fire took placed between the couple the other day after which Tanveer subjected her with torture. In an act of vengeance, Riffat stabbed her husband with sharp-edged knife, killing him on the spot and later disappeared after committing the murder. The body was shifted to hospital for postmortem. The police after registering a case against murderer of husband started raids for his arrest.—INP
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53% Pakistanis believe Sasta Bazaars started by the government do succeed (a lot/somewhat) in providing relief to the people.
According to a Gilani Research Foundation Survey carried out by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, 53% Pakistanis believe Sasta Bazaars started by the government do succeed (a lot/somewhat) in providing relief to the people.
A nationally representative sample of men and women from across the four provinces was asked “Government has started Sasta Bazaars in Ramadan. In your opinion, to what extent government succeeded in giving relief to the people through these Bazaars?” In response to this question, 16% said a lot, 37% said somewhat, 19% said a little, 21% said not at all, while 7% did not know or did not wish to respond.
from Gallup Pakistan https://ift.tt/2As5D5u
How voters make their choice: Development seeking (31%) and patronage seeking (23%) as top motivation to vote.
How voters make their choice: Seven types of voters:
One issue often raised in political discourse about Pakistani politics is: to what extent are the voters’ loyalties bound to the individual candidate’s attributes rather than the party in whose name he contested the elections? The Gallup Pakistan Exit Poll (Election Day Survey) has some answers.
Analysis of the Exit Poll data suggests that voters can be classified into seven major types by their motivation to vote: Party Loyals, Morality Seeking Voters, Patron Seeking Voters, Legislation Minded Voters, Development Seeking Voters, Biradari Bound, and Skeptic Voters.
On the Election Day in 2018, Gallup Pakistan in its Exit Poll asked a nationally representative sample of voters regarding their motivation to vote.
Analysis of the data reveals that almost one in ten (11%) of the voters in the 2018 General Elections like to be seen as Party Loyals. The most important reason for their choice was the nomination of their candidate by the party. They chose this reason from among seven different reasons provided to them on a circular card.
31% of the voters would pass as Development Seekers. They mentioned their legislator’s ability to execute development projects, such as bringing electricity and building roads for their community, as the critical reason behind their choice.
23% of voters are the Patron-seeking types. The legislator’s ability to help them with the police, courts and other officials stands out as his major attribute.
15% of voters are Legislation-Minded. They chose their legislator because of his competence in the comprehension of national affairs.
Another 11% of voters would like to be seen as Morality/Value Seeking voters. They describe legislator’s religiosity, honesty and integrity as the principal motive behind their choice.
5% admitted to being Biradari-bound. They said they followed their Biradari’s verdict in choosing the legislator.
Only 2% placed themselves in the category of Skeptic Voters, that is, those who chose a certain legislator because he was the most capable of defeating the candidate whom the voter disliked or despised.
from Gallup Pakistan https://ift.tt/2NZ7cd7
Corbyn's ally claims 'Jewish Trump fanatics' invented anti-Semitism row
Jeremy Corbyn was plunged into a fresh anti-Semitism crisis last night after Peter Willsman was caught on tape blaming Jewish ‘Trump fanatics’ for inventing claims against Labour.
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Thug punches a woman unconscious outside an Essex nightclub
The attack, outside Faces nightclub in Gants Hill, is being treated as grievous bodily harm. No arrests have yet been made, Metropolitan police say.
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Manchester bomber was rescued by the Royal Navy from Libyan warzone
The Manchester bomber Salman Abedi was rescued from Libya together with his brother by the Royal Navy - three years before he killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena.
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Mother, 51 is branded the 'worst passenger ever' as she is jailed after drunken holiday jet rampage
Helen Butcher, of Ulverston Cumbria, was branded the 'worst airline passenger ever' as she was jailed over a drunken rampage on board a holiday jet
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Euromillions winner is quite the host as he stages festival in his own back garden
Euromillions winner Adrian Bayford looked to be in high spirits as he held a music festival in his own back yard near Haverhill, Suffolk.
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Drug-addict driver no licence insurance kills motorcyclist before fleeing to take cocaine
Daniel Pryce, 40, killed a motorcyclist and left a pillion passenger disabled when he overtook a vehicle in Lincolnshire last August. He was driving a people carrier with two young kids in it.
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Boris Johnson accuses Corbyn of 'dog whistling' to anti-Semites
Boris Johnson said Jeremy Corbyn could end the current row over anti-Semitism in an instant by accepting the international definition of racism against Jews.
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Ministers will propose laws to end train strike misery by bringing in 'minimum service requirement'
Laws which could stop rail unions holding Britain to ransom during strikes are to be proposed by ministers after a Daily Mail investigation which showed the reliance on drivers working overtime.
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