ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had allotted as many as 551 agro farms for paltry sums a few decades ago to make Islamabad self-sufficient in fresh and dairy produce, but instead of contributing towards their original purpose, a majority of these farms have been converted into luxury houses, right under the nose of the civic agency. The practice also raises a major question mark on the efficiency of the CDA, which takes action against small-time vendors on a daily basis. “On a daily basis, the CDA teams can be seen taking action against small vendors, but they have never…
Author: Hasnain Abid Khanzada
MUZAFFARGARH: JUI-F emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticised the powerful establishment for interfering in politics over the weekend, saying that parliament should have the people’s representatives, and not those of any other agency. Since the February 8 general elections, the JUI-F emir, who is otherwise known for his ability to keep friends and foes alike on an even keel, has been critical of the establishment and the incumbent government, having repeatedly “rejected” election results. Over the past few months, he has met with opposition parties including the PTI several times, appearing visibly vexed over alleged poll rigging and outsiders’ “role in forming and dislodging governments”.…
LAHORE: Opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachhar has opposed the appointment of retired high court judges as heads of election tribunals and threatened a series of protests against PTI activists’ “victimisation”. The federal government had promulgated an ordinance allowing appointment of retired judges to fill the vacant slots of election tribunals last week. “Election is a sensitive subject and appointing a retired judge to adjudicate any objections to the election process means that a government already established through controversial Form 47 will undermine the neutrality of the institution,” Mr Bhachhar told a presser on Sunday. “Does the incumbent…
LONDON/QUETTA: The University of Oxford and Balochistan government have agreed to provide STEM scholarships to deserving students from the province. The agreement was formalised at a ceremony attended by Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai. The graduate scholarships will be provided under the Benazir Scholarship Programme. The programme will offer full scholarships to talented students from the province, enabling them to pursue higher education at one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. The scholarship, designed to provide access to quality education and empower the youth of Balochistan, was supported by the Oxford Pakistan Programme (OPP) and…
As the Supreme Court on Monday took up the case of reserved seats, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail noted that the public did not vote for independent candidates but those nominated by the PTI in the February 8 general elections. Justice Mandokhail noted, “This was the people’s right; the people voted for the PTI.” He added that the public “did not vote for an independent candidate but rather the nominated candidates belonging to a political party”. His remarks came as a full bench of the Supreme Court heard the Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) plea against the denial of reserved seats in…
A Christian man in Sargodha, who was injured and rescued from a mob attack late last month, died at a hospital in Rawalpindi on Monday, a relative said. On May 25, Sargodha police had rescued the man from a lynch mob over a desecration allegation also attacked the homes of some other members of the minority community in the district’s Mujahid Colony. People had gathered and knocked on the door of the victim. When he came out, the mob attacked him with kicks and fists and hurled stones at him. The crowd had swelled and set a shoe shop belonging…
LAHORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor and senior leader of Pakistan Peoples Party Faisal Karim Kundi has said that a decision to join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz governments in the Centre and Punjab will be taken by the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC). Talking to journalists at the residence of PPP leader Aziz-ur-Rehman Chan here on Sunday, the governor said that a committee was working on a power-sharing formula as pre-condition for joining the ruling coalition. Reports suggest that the PPP is seeking offices of chairmen of standing committees in the National Assembly, Senate and Punjab Assembly instead of slots in the cabinets apparently…
Eurovision and Black Lace star Colin Gibb’s wife paid tribute to the singer, who died on Monday, June 3 at the age of 70. His wife Sue Kelly announced his death in a sombre post that read, “I love you Colin, spent 22 years living your Agadoo dream, we were due to retire to Spain on Thursday, you were so happy, so looking forward to our new life, now you’re gone.” Expressing her love for her husband, the singer added, “As we used to say, always love you forever.” The musician, who announced his retirement on May 13 and died just…
Kate Middleton and Prince William mourned the death of rugby star player Rob Burrow by releasing an emotional statement. The Prince and Princess of Wales sent ‘love’ to the late English professional rugby league footballer who took his last breath on Sunday. The royal couple took to their social media and said, “A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a huge heart.” They added, “He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.'” “Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy. W,” the heartfelt statement concluded. It is pertinent to…
Sandra Bullock recently commemorated the death anniversary of longtime partner Bryan Randall. Speaking exclusively to OK! Magazine about The Blinds Side star’s upcoming milestones, the insider revealed, “It’s bittersweet that the two dates, Sandra’s birthday and the anniversary of losing Bryan, are so close to each other. She and the children will commemorate both, though.” Reflecting on Bullock and her two kids’ experience, they further added, “They’ve gone through it all together. She wants to show them that it is healthy to grieve, but it’s also OK for their lives to move forward and to enjoy happy times again.” The insider explained that…
