PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa communication and works minister Shakeel Ahmad was de-notified as a cabinet member on Friday amid growing infighting in the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf over alleged corruption and irregularities in top echelons of the province’s leadership. Mr Shakeel claimed that he quit the cabinet, with his “resignation letter” starting to circulate on social media platforms around midnight. However, the provincial government insisted that the communication minister was removed on the recommendation of a three-member accountability committee formed by the chief minister on the orders of the ruling party’s imprisoned founder, Imran Khan. A summary for the minister’s ouster was sent to…
Author: Hasnain Abid Khanzada
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan on Friday filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court to halt the trial in the GBP190 million corruption case, while his sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, approached the Supreme Court seeking the recusal of Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa from cases involving their brother, but their plea was not entertained by the SC office. Imran Khan’s petition contended that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had recommended closing the £190m corruption reference in its 343rd Executive Board meeting in April 2020, and that during cross-examination, the investigation officer acknowledged certain facts related to the…
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Friday stressed the need for modern educational facilities in the rural areas of the federal capital. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training at a meeting chaired by Dr Azimuddin Zahid Lakhvi discussed various agenda items, including the ongoing face-lifting and overhauling projects of schools and colleges. “The committee members also noted that the schools in peripheral areas of Islamabad are deprived of the facilities being provided to elite areas. They emphasised on improving educational standards and ensuring equal opportunities for all students,” says a press release issued by the NA Secretariat. During…
LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: The Lahore High Court (LHC) grilled the state counsel on Friday for his lack of knowledge and seriousness about recent internet disruptions across the country and expressed its intent to pass an appropriate order on the matter. Presiding over the hearing of a public interest petition filed by Advocate Nadeem Sarwar, Justice Shakeel Ahmed of the LHC directed an assistant attorney general to consult with relevant authorities and present a report after a break. When the hearing resumed, Justice Ahmed emphasised the public interest nature of the issue and stated that the court would issue an appropriate order. The…
LAHORE: In a rather peculiar turn of events, confusion reigned among official and journalistic circles after it emerged that a senior official — thought to be in custody — was sitting comfortably at home as news channels ran reports of his supposed arrest. On Friday, several media outlets aired reports that former inspector general (Prisons) for Punjab Shahid Saleem Baig had been taken into custody. It was speculated that the arrest may be connected to the action initiated against other officials from Adiala jail over their alleged role in providing ‘facilitation’ to incarcerated former PM, Imran Khan. Former Adiala jail deputy superintendent Mohammad Akram and another…
GILGIT: Speedy melting of glaciers caused by heatwave and intermittent rains in different areas of Gilgit-Baltistan triggered flash floods in streams, nullahs and rivers, sweeping away a wooden bridge, damaging another, blocking roads and stranding local and foreign tourists in different areas of the region. Flash floods also damaged crops, agriculture land, uprooted trees and disconnected several villages from other GB areas. Officials of the local administration said a flash flood swept away a wooden bridge linking Finna village with other areas. Another concrete bridge was damaged extensively by the flood water, making it unusable for the people. Torrents also…
PESHAWAR: Three militants were killed and one sustained injuries in an exchange of fire with the security forces in Razmak area of the North Waziristan district on Friday, the military’s media said. A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the security forces launched an Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) after the presence of militants was reported in the area. The statement said an intense exchange of fire took place between the security forces and militants during the operation, in which three militants were killed and one was injured. The statement said that the security forces recovered weapons and ammunition from…
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Friday said trade with India was not on the cards, citing the unchanged situation in held Kashmir since the 2019 events that led to the initial suspension. “The situation remains intact, and at this point there are no bilateral talks between the two countries with respect to bilateral trade between Pakistan and India,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at the weekly media briefing. She was responding to a question regarding India’s lack of reciprocation to Pakistan’s overtures for restoring trade relations. Pakistan had suspended trade with India after it revoked the special status of the Occupied Jammu and…
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday summoned representatives from the federal government, the information ministry and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) on August 21 over the issue of countrywide internet disruptions. Major online platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp have been hit hard since last week with users reporting slowdowns and difficulties in accessing messaging and social media applications. After months of speculation about the installation of a so-called ‘firewall’ that could be leading to internet disruptions, the country’s IT minister finally confirmed a day ago that the government was indeed upgrading its “web management system” to cope with cyber security threats. Concerns about…
Jennifer Lopez is stunned by Ben Affleck’s drastic new look, which she believes is a clear sign of a midlife crisis, an insider revealed to In Touch. Ben, 52, was recently spotted cruising around Los Angeles on a blue electric motorcycle, sporting a bold new style that includes a fauxhawk haircut and a black Red Hot Chili Peppers t-shirt under an armoured leather jacket. According to the source, “She’s saying this clearly shows that Ben is clearly not in the right headspace and that he hasn’t been for some time.” The Air star’s loved ones have previously expressed concern for his well-being, with ex-wife Jennifer…
