National Assembly’s VIP Lift Malfunctions, Leaves Multiple MPs Stranded in Elevator
A chaotic scene unfolded in the National Assembly on Thursday when the VIP lift suddenly malfunctioned, leaving several members of parliament, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Farooq Sattar, and their wives, stranded inside. The situation took a dramatic turn when several MPs began to feel unwell due to the prolonged wait.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s staff promptly informed the Assembly Secretariat about the situation, and after a few minutes of being stuck, the lift was finally opened. The incident sparked a humorous exchange between MP Seema Jilani and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, with Seema Jilani jokingly telling him to pray, as there was no hurry to go down to earth. Maulana Fazlur Rehman replied, saying “May Allah have mercy on all.”
In other news, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif has extended his condolences on the passing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, a Jamaat-e-Islami member in the Sindh Assembly has tabled a resolution condemning the attacks on Iran.
A member of Jamaat-e-Islami, speaking to Geo News, said that the fine of Rs 50 million imposed on players is too low and should be increased. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced the schedule for Hajj flights, with the first flight from Pakistan scheduled to depart on April 18. Under the official Hajj Scheme, 468 flights will be used to transport pilgrims to the Holy Land.
In a significant development, a telephonic conversation took place between European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell and Pakistan’s Vice President and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, regarding the increasing number of illegal immigrants in the country. A decision has been made to expedite and expand the Combating Operation to address this issue.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Murtaza Jatoi, stated that nearly 650 Pakistanis have been deported from Iran over the past two days. The committee has also decided to conduct a daily stock-taking of supplies, and a comprehensive review of all matters within its jurisdiction.
The dispute over the Lahore High Court Bar’s election has been resolved, with the high-level committee from the Independent Group and Professional Group concluding its meeting. According to security sources, the Pakistan Army has successfully destroyed another Afghan Taliban post using explosive material, as part of Operation Ghazi.
A petition has been filed in Islamabad High Court by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, seeking medical check-up in a hospital. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, discussing the deteriorating regional situation in the context of Iran. Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and is in touch with regional countries.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan’s forces have given a decisive response to the Afghan Taliban, and the sacrifices of the Pakistan Army are not limited to mere numbers. The Pakistan Army is effectively targeting the hideouts and military installations of the Tehrik-e-Khawarij and the Afghan Taliban.
A judge in the Anti-Terrorism Court, Shahid Sikander, announced the verdict in a trial case. According to US Central Command, three American F-15E fighter jets crashed in Kuwait, reportedly due to friendly fire. Donald Trump tweeted that the UK had refused to allow the use of the Diego Garcia military base for attacks on Iran, with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressing his disappointment with the decision.
Jamima Khan, the ex-wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, has been fined £1,000 in the UK. According to Afghan News Agency AMAN, several Afghan Taliban leaders have shifted to Bamiyan Province in Afghanistan, citing concerns over Pakistani airstrikes.
