Imran accuses the PDM government of using terrorism to gain “political miles”.
In a televised speech,the PTI chairman claimed that terrorism reached an all-time low during his administration but resurfaced with vengeance during the “current administration.”“Look at the graph of terrorism and how it declined during the PTI administration,” he said. “Why wasn’t there terrorism when the PTI was in the federal government?” Imran blamed incumbent Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif for increased terrorism,recalling the sacrifices made by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the war on terror and crowded the streets for fear that there might be another operation.The PTI chief added that Shebaz had “spread lies” at a cabinet meeting over the weekend about KP’s inappropriate use of terrorism funds. “KP has spent Rs 600 crore in nine years. We have established four police training schools,elite training schools in Nowshera, Special Combat Forces to Counter Terrorism,said Imran.That’s why terrorism has subsided. In 2017 he also established a DNA lab at Kyber Medical College. Commenting on the award by the National Finance Commission (NFC), the former prime minister said only his two states, Punjab and his KP have honored the pledge and donated funds for tribal district collections.Imran said, Sindh and Balochistan did not provide the money.We have invested Rs 55 crore in the tribal districts. The PDM government only gave Rs 5b. crore.”
Journalist Imran Riaz arrested for his ‘controversial’ remarks
On Feb 2, Pakistani journalist and TV host Imran Reaz Khan was arrested in Lahore for “controversial remarks,” Geo News reported Thursday.The arrest comes hours after Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Pakistan’s Teliku-e-Insaf (PTI) ally, was arrested by Islamabad police.A Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a team from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Riaz at Allama Iqbal International Airport while he was boarding a flight to Dubai.Sources say the FIA will take the journalist to a local court in Lahore to demand custody of him. Imran Riaz’s lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq told that this is the “illegal arrest” of the journalist and they will challenge in court against it.According to the FIR ,Imran Riaz was “found involved in publicly making a hate speech at a conference which falls under the territorial jurisdiction of FIA cyber crime cell”.It was further publicly shared on social media platforms nationally and internationally. It may cause alarm or fear in the country and arise feeling of hatred and indignation among people of Pakistan. In response of this incident,Teherik-e-Insaf (PTI) condemned the arrests and said, “we can affirm that there are no human rights in Pakistan at all”. The tweet also included a video of “Where Riaz Was Filmed”.PTI leader Asad Umar also condemned the arrests, claiming that the terrorists were roaming free while Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Imran Riaz are behind bars.
Shehbaz Sharif calls for all-party meeting,invites Imran Khan
Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif called for an All Party Conference (APC) in Islamabad on Thursday and invited the country’s political leaders,including PTI Chairman Imran Khan,to discuss ways to address the challenges facing the country. The country is also in trouble economically. Foreign exchange reserves have fallen to her $3.09 billion, but analysts say this does not cover her three weeks worth of imports. The country is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to release much-needed funds under a stalled relief program.The success of the IMF will also help free money from other platforms looking for the go-ahead from lenders. Economy Minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, former Speaker of the National Assembly contacted PTI leaders Asad Kaiser and Pervez Khatak.Sadiq forwarded the invitation to PTI leader, asking him to nominate a representative for a board meeting to be held at the governor’s house in Peshawar. The meeting will be attended by all stakeholders, including rangers and operatives.The meeting will discuss the terrorist incidents in Peshawar and consider measures to eradicate terrorism and strengthen the counter-terrorism department and the police force.
Punjab is all set to welcome 3000 Sikh pilgrims this year
In 2023,over 3000 Indian Sikh pilgrims will travel to Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi,also known as vaisakhi. A meeting led by Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani(chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board) was convened to coordinate plans for the festival and other activities with other organizations. The meeting was attended by Shrein Deputy Secretary Rana Shahid Saleem, Shrine Deputy Secretary Saifula Kokar and Sardar Ameer Singh of Pakistani Sikh Gurudwara Prabandak Committee (PSGPC). Representatives of Federal and State Agencies,Rangers,Police and District Administration,Lahore,Nancana Sahib,Narowal and Hasan Abdal officials also attended the meeting. Deputy Secretary Shrein detailed the schedule and preparations for the Baisakhi Festival and “Khalsa Janam Day celebrations”. The additional secretary of shrines gave a detailed plan about the security and arrangements for pilgrims.
Call for Violence Against ECP: PTI Leader Fawad Chaudhry Grants Bail
Chaudhry was arrested on January 25 for “inciting violence against the constitutional body, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).”The First Information Report (FIR) against him was registered at Kosar’s Islamabad Police Station on a complaint by his ECP Chief Umar Hameed.Additional Session Judge Faizan Haider Gillani today granted bail to the PTI leader on bail valued Rs20,000. Fawad’s lawyer,Faisal Chaudhry,Babar Awan and Ali Bukhari attended the court and Saad Hassan made a pleading on behalf of his ECP.After investigators presented the case files,the judge accepted the bail request, stating,”Fawad Chaudhry should not have made such a statement”.“I grant bail on the condition that Fawad Chaudhry does not repeat such statements.”
Mickey Arthur will join Pakistani cricket team as a consultant
Mickey Arthur is being finalised to work as a consultant with the Pakistan team with his own handpicked support staff. PCB chairman Sethi confirmed the news and said “Currently Mickey Arthur is selecting his support staff which will comprise five officials.“While three officials have been picked and two are remaining,and as soon as he gives the names of his selected support staff,we will move forward to hire their services.” Arthur’s return as the Pakistan head coach has been in tal since Sethi took control of the board, replacing former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja.After that PCB did confirm its correspondence with Arthur but also suggested talks with him had fallen apart due to the coach`s contractual duties for English county side “Derbyshire”.The board once said the option to hire Arthur as either a coach or as a consultant to the PCB on a time-sharing basis with Derbyshire,was seen difficult on both sides,But last week he showed positive response to Sethi and informed about his decision.Mickey Arthur coached Pakistan from 2016 to 2019.In his period,Pakistan won 2017 ICC Champions trophy and placed on number one in the international Twenty20 ranking.But the 54-year-old was dismissed after Pakistan missed out on reaching the semi-finals of 2019 World Cup in England. Arthur, who has also coached his native country South Africa and Sri Lanka,now manages Derbyshire for 3 years contract.
Prince Jackson is all happy as cousin Jaafar playing his dad in Biopic ‘Michael’
Michael Jackson son Prince couldn’t be happier on cousin playing his dad in biopicMichael Jackson’s son Prince Jackson reacted after his cousin, Jaafar Jackson, landed big role of playing the “King of Pop”in his biopic “Michael”.The actor and producer took to Instagram to extend his heartiest congratulations to Jaafar with an iconic image of his late father. “My cousin @jaafarjackson is going to be playing my father in the upcoming biopic produced by @gkfilms and directed by @antoinefuqua!,” he wrote in his caption.“Truthfully I couldn`t be happier and prouder for him,he`s been working his (expletive) off and I know he`s going to do an amazing job,” Prince added. “Just being himself, he embodies so much of my dad and I`m confident we are all going to do our best to show the world a part of my father they`ve never seen and that they deserve to see.”The upcoming film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, will shed light on all aspects of his life “including his most iconic performances that led him to become the greatest entertainer of all time.” Prince further wrote, “To all of my family`s fans and supporters out there thank you for your continued support and love.”“We all know my father and Jaafar`s uncle was such an incredible human being and everyone at @gkfilms is dedicated and excited to bring my father`s story to the big screen. “This project means a lot to me for many reasons.I am so excited to be on this journey with my family.”“@jaafarjackson, I know you’ll be a great companion,and I couldn’t be more proud and happy for you, he wrote.
Pakistan prepares for fuel shortage amid liquidity crisis
The country is in a balance of payments crisis and the depreciation of the rupee is pushing up the prices of imports.Energy accounts for the majority of import bills.Pakistan typically meets more than a third of its annual electricity needs with imported natural gas, whose prices have skyrocketed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.“There have been no shortages in the last two weeks. If no LCs (letters of credit) are currently open,there could be shortages in the next two weeks,” a senior oil company official told media. A letter of credit issued by the importer’s bank is a common form of guarantee of payment to the exporter in the oil trade.However, oil traders avoid countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to severe foreign exchange shortages. Pakistan hiked gasoline and diesel prices by 16% on Sunday to Rs 249.80 a liter and is in talks with the International Monetary Fund to lift the suspended bailout.State-owned refineries Pakistan National Oil (PSO) and Pakistan LNG Ltd have failed to win a number of fuel tenders in recent months.According to a letter from Imran Ahmed(Director General of Petroleum) at an industry conference,on the financial challenges,facing fuel importers,said “the delay in opening the LC cited the “serious liquidity problem” in the country. At the same time, the managing director of PSO said a gasoline cargo due for loading on Jan 13 has already been cancelled due to the non-opening of LCs. “He added that the country is having limited stocks and this situation can lead to dry out”.
Suicide bombing at Peshawar mosque kills 32, at least 147 injured
A powerful suicide bomber attacked a mosque near Peshawar’s police station today,killing 32 people and injuring 147, an official told media.Security officials said “the suicide bomber blew himself up while he was in the front row during a prayer service, injuring dozens of worshipers attending Zohr prayers”.The banned Teherik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.Peshawar Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud said at least 28 people were martyred and 150 injured in the blast.The injured were transferred to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar. The hospital called on citizens to donate blood for the victims.Ejaz Khan of the Metropolitan Police Peshawar (CCPO) told the media that it was too early to say anything as many police officers were still trapped under the rubble.“We are currently focusing on relief efforts. I can’t say for sure, but the mosque smells of explosives,” CCPO said. He added that the headquarters of the Peshawar Police, CTD, FRP, Elite Forces and Telecommunications Division are located at this location. Usually 300 to 400 police officers pray during Zohr time. If the explosion occurred within a police perimeter, it would be a security breach, but investigation into the matter could provide further insight,” he said.Declaration of medical emergencyActing Prime Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Muhammad Azam Khan has declared a medical emergency in all hospitals in Peshawar. The interim CM also directed rescue organizations to speed up relief efforts.
Indian team finally arrives as West Asian baseball kicks off
The Indian baseball team has been stranded at the Wagah border since arriving on Wednesday, waiting to receive a NOC from the government,the Indian baseball team has finally arrived in Pakistan via Wahga border on Friday.They came after two days since the tournament has been started.On Friday, they were allowed to travel across the border to Islamabad to compete in the West Asia Baseball Championship, which started here on Friday.In the first game of the tournament, Pakistan won his 17–0 victory over Afghanistan as Fakir Hussein scored his three runs and Wasim Akram added his two runs, including a home run. The home side’s Mohammad Hussein, Arslan, Fazal Khan, Shahzad and Mohammad Younis all scored twice.In the second match of the day, defending champions Sri Lanka defeated Nepal with 26-0 win. Nepal, Bangladesh and Palestine are other teams participating in regional competitions.The president of the Pakistan Baseball Association, Fakhar Ali Shah, expressed his joy at the arrival of the Indian player and hoped the team would play passionately.