News Point

KARACHI: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has seized a huge cache of weapons in Paposh Karachi, ARY News reported on Wednesday. As per details, two suspects named Fahad Baloch and Zahid Baloch were also arrested in the raid, the CTD in-charge said. The cache of weapons includes 17 9mm pistols, one Kalashnikov, 17 9mm big magazines, 17 9mm small magazines, one thousand 9mm bullets and 500 Kalashnikov bullets recovered by CTD which were kept to use in a possible terrorist attack. The CTD in-charge Chaudhary Safdar said that both these accused were arrested multiple times. Earlier, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and police killed six ‘terrorists’ in a joint operation in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Read more: LAKKI MARWAT: CTD, POLICE KILL SIX ‘TERRORISTS’ IN JOINT OPERATION The CTD and police in a joint operation in Lakki Marwat’s Daddiwala area had met an encounter with the terrorists. The terrorists were planning to carry out an attack

In continuation of relief assistance to the earthquake-affected people of Turkiye and Syria, Pakistan dispatched the first shipment through Naval Ship NASR from Karachi Port Trust on Wednesday. Minister for Maritime Affairs Faisal Subzwari, Turkish Consul General Jamal Sangu and Commander Pakistan Fleet Rear Admiral Faisal Abbasi were present. This consignment sent by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) contains large family-sized winterized tents and blankets as per the current need of quake affectees in Türkiye whereas generators, dry rations, medicines and clothing for the victims in Syria. The ship carrying 1000 tonnes of assistance goods for the two countries would reach the destination within 14 days. Read more: 21 truck relief convoy from Pakistan reaches Turkiye On February 26, a 21-truck convoy carrying 275-ton relief assistance goods from Pakistan arrived at Malatya in Turkiye, one of the worst hit cities by the earthquake. The truck convoy carrying mainl

ISLAMABAD: Police on Wednesday booked nearly 60 students following a clash between two groups at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) in Islamabad, ARY News reported. The FIR has been registered under sections of vandalism, harassment and others on the administration of the QAU. The Islamabad police on a Tuesday night arrested several students named in the FIR. Meanwhile, Quaid-i-Azam University is shut down indefinitely following a clash between two students group. Read more: Classes resume at QAU amid students’ protest Several students were reportedly injured in the clash. The university Registrar Raja Qaiser Ahmed issued a notification in this regard on Monday. All hostel residents, boys and girls were directed to vacate the hostels immediately. from Latest Pakistan News Breaking News from All over Pakistan - ARY News https://ift.tt/ksgJLPi

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the death of two Pakistanis in the February 26 migrant boat tragedy in Italy, ARY News quoted FO statement on Tuesday. The FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch wrote on Twitter, “With great sorrow, we can confirm that two Pakistanis have lost their lives in the tragic incident of the boat capsized off the coast of Italy, as identified by their families.” It was learnt that the national women’s football and hockey player Shahida Raza was also among the victims of Italy’s migrant boat tragedy. اٹلی کشتی حادثے میں پاکستانی ہاکی ٹیم کی خاتون کھلاڑی بھی جاں بحق #ARYNews pic.twitter.com/J4Hsj1xa27 — ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) February 28, 2023 Baloch added, “However, another Pakistani national has alhamdulillah been found among survivors in the same incident, bringing the total Pakistani survivors to 17.” The spokesperson said, “Pakistani embassy in Italy remains engaged to assist in the matter. Embassy officials have met

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday slashed the prices of petrol by up to Rs5 per litre effective from March 1, 2022, ARY News reported. In a televised address to nation, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the federal government has slashed petrol prices by Rs5 per liter , reducing it to Rs267 per liter from existing Rs272 per liter. Ishaq Dar noted that the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) would remain unchanged at Rs280 per litre. The prices of Kerosene oil have been reduced by Rs15 per litre, from Rs202.73 per litre to Rs187.73 per litre whereas that of Light Diesel Oil has been reduced from Rs196.69 per litre to Rs184.68 per litre, a decline of Rs12. The new prices will come into effect from 12am (tonight, March 1) and remain in place till March 15. Earlier in February,  the federal government jacked up the price of petrol by Rs22.20 per litre in a bid to appease the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for reviving $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The rate

LAHORE: A passenger Tuesday ‘killed’ an online-ride-hailing service driver in Lahore over a tiff, ARY News reported, quoting police.  As per the details, a man named Waqar booked an online taxi for his commute to his desired destination. Soon after the arrival of the taxi, Waqar had a tiff with the driver Fakhar. After a heated argument, Waqar took out his pistol and shot dead the online taxi driver on the spot, the police said. Waqar has been taken into custody and a case has been registered against him. Read more: Driver killed in attack on Sindh University bus in Hyderabad Separately, unidentified armed men opened fire on Sindh University bus at Hyderabad’s city gate area, killing the driver of the vehicle. According to police, the incident occurred at the city gate area of Hyderabad when armed miscreants attacked Sindh University bus and shot dead the driver of the point. No student was present on the bus when the firing incident took place, said police. The body of driver

The former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan will appear before Islamabad courts in four cases today (Tuesday), ARY News reported.  According to details, Imran Khan is appearing before three courts in Islamabad today after being summoned, while a bail plea will be filed in the fourth case.  In Islamabad, Imran Khan will appear before Judge Rukhshanda Shaheen in a case registered under the Foreign Funding Act in the Banking Court.  He was summoned in person by the court and a decision on his bail application is expected today. Mr. Khan will also appear before the Anti-Terrorism Court of Judge Raja Jawad Hasan, where he will file a pre-arrest bail. It may be noted that the court had rejected Imran Khan’s bail plea in the case, earlier, over his non-appearance.  Furthermore, two cases against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief will also be heard in Islamabad Court today. The addition judge Zafar Iqbal has fixed today, the date for the indictment of Imra

An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 on the Richter Scale jolted Chilas and its adjoining areas on Tuesday, ARY News reported. The Seismological Center detailed that the epicentre of the earthquake was 35 kilometres away from Chilas southwest while its depth was 20 kilometres. The mild quake caused no life or property loss, according to the initial reports. Earlier on February 26, tremors were felt  early morning in the Awaran district of Balochistan and adjacent areas. Read more:  Earthquake tremors jolt Islamabad An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 on the Richter scale jolted Awaran and surrounding areas on Sunday morning. The residents came out of their homes reciting the ‘Kalma-e-Tayyaba’. The Seismological Center furthered that its depth was 76 kilometres. However, it didn’t confirm the epicentre of the earthquake. from Latest Pakistan News Breaking News from All over Pakistan - ARY News https://ift.tt/xsFbiPQ

A salesman lost his life and two others got injured after a group of men opened fire at a store in a shopping mall in Gujranwala on Monday, ARY News reported. The incident took place in a shopping mall in Gujranwala after a verbal fight between a customer and a salesman. Later, the accused along with his friends attacked the shopping mall’s store, leaving a salesman dead and two others wounded. Police said that the group of men also shattered the glasses of the shopping mall and fled from the scene. Police said an investigation was started to ascertain the facts. READ: WOMAN KILLED IN DACOITS’ FIRING IN FAISALABAD Earlier in the month, a police constable sustained injuries after the accused opened at the raiding party in Faisalabad. The firing incident had taken place in Chak-139 in Punjab’s Faisalabad city. Police said that the accused involved in opening fire at the police party were arrested. The arrested men were identified as Rizwan and his brother Ghulam Fareed. The injur

ISLAMABAD: The Asia Development Bank (ADB) on Monday appreciated the reforms introduced by the government and policy decisions taken in important sectors for achieving sustainable economic development. The appreciation was expressed by a delegation of executive directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The ADB delegation also exchanged views on climate financing and environment protection and extended the ADB’s all-out support and cooperation to Pakistan, the state news agency reported. On the occasion, the finance minister appreciated the ADB’s role and support in promoting sustainable development in Pakistan. He informed the delegation about the economic outlook of the country and the challenges being faced by the country, coupled with physical and financial losses due to devastating floods last year. Dar apprised the delegation that the present government with its pragmatic policy decisions

LAHORE: An accountability court (AC) has extended the interim bail of former Punjab CM Usman Buzdar in assets beyond means case, ARY News reported on Monday.  As per details, the court ordered the former chief minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar to become part of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigation. The accountability court scolded the NAB prosecutor for not providing an inquiry copy to Buzdar and said that the accused should know what he is accused for. The NAB prosecutor informed the court that a written answer was sent to the former CM Punjab Buzdar but he did not become part of the investigation. The court told Usman Buzdar to become part of the investigation today but the PTI leader urged the court to extend his bail for 10 days as he had to attend a wedding in Dera Ghazi Khan.  The judge remarked that don’t make excuses. At this, Buzdar said that attending a wedding is not an excuse.  Read more:  NAB SUMMONS FORMER PUNJAB CM USMAN BUZDAR The court told

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday served notice to the interior ministry over Rao Anwar’s petition to remove his name from the exit control list (ECL), ARY News reported. A three-member bench of the SC Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the petition of former SSP-Malir Anwar. Lawyer of Rao Anwar in his plea submitted to the SC stated that the case against his client has been dismissed on which grounds his name was placed on the ECL. There is no reason to keep Anwar’s name on the ECL, the lawyer stated and pleaded with the court to pass orders for striking down his name from the Exit Control List. The SC after hearing initial arguments in the case, issued notices to the interior ministry and other concerns and adjourned the hearing of the case for an indefinite period. Read more: Rao Anwar, other accused acquitted in Naqeebullah murder case Last month, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) acquitted former SSP-Malir and other accused in the high-profile Naqeeb Ullah Mehsud murder case.

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan is marking the 4th anniversary of Operation Swift Retort, popularly known as Surprise day in the country when country’s armed forces gave a befitting response to Indian misadventures, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday. In a statement on the fourth anniversary of Operation Swift Retort, the Director-General of ISPR Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry the daring, resolute and measured response from Pakistan thwarted Indian nefarious designs on February 27, 2019. Let this day be a reminder that while being a peace-loving nation, Pakistan Armed Forces are ever ready, not only to defend every inch of the motherland. but to take the fight back to the enemy, if ever, aggression is imposed on us. Any delusion resulting into a misadventure will always be met with full might of Pak AFs backed by a resilient nation. Pakistan Zindabad. 3/3 — DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) February 27, 2023 “CJCSC, Services Chiefs & AFs of Pak pay tribute to the

ISLAMABAD: Lieutenant General (retired) Amjad Shoaib was arrested by the Islamabad police on charges of inciting the public against national institutions, ARY News reported on Monday. Police sources said that officers from the Ramna police station apprehended him at his residence in the federal capital. Sources said that a First Information Report (FIR) was filed last evening against the former army officer at the Ramna police station following his television interview, under sections 153A and 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Read more: IHC grants bail to Azam Swati in controversial tweets case According to the FIR, Lt Gen Amjad Shoaib incited people to revolt against institutions during his television interview. Currently, he is in police custody at the lockup of the police station. Police will produce him before a local court this morning and seek his remand. from Latest Pakistan News Breaking News from All over Pakistan - ARY News https://ift.tt/oJGBXmK

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony held an important meeting on the use of ‘Saudi Visa Bio-Application’ in which it was briefed that the online fingerprint biometric would be mandatory for pilgrims this year as well. Giving presentations, the officials of Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives of Etimad Office, informed that the pilgrims could use this application through their smart cellular phones in three easy steps including taking selfies, scanning passports, and fingerprints with the help of mobile camera. The fingerprints biometric facility would also be available free of charge from the Etimad Offices across the country, they added. The religious affairs ministry’s spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt said the instructions for using this mobile application would be available on the ministry’s website and social media. He further said the hand or finger-handicapped persons had to upload computerized medical certificate of the autho

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has decided to hold ‘power shows’ against ‘flawed’ delimitations of constituencies as the Sindh government did not notify the increased number of union councils (UCs), ARY News reported on Sunday, citing sources. The decision was taken during an ‘important meeting’ of MQM-P Rabta Committee, which discussed the country’s political situation and issues regarding delimitations of constituencies, census and agreement with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Sources told ARY News that the Rabta Committee also raised concern over the non-issuance of the notification of increased number of union councils (UCs) in Karachi. In this regard, MQM-P has decided to hold power show in Karachi against the delimitation and violation of agreement with PPP. Sources further claimed that the party would hold a public rally on March 12 at Karachi’s Bagh-i-Jinnah. “A formal announcement of the public gathering will be made through a press conference”, source

LAHORE: Eight CCTV cameras worth millions of rupees installed for monitoring Pakistan Super League (PSL 8) Lahore leg matches have been stolen from Gaddafi Stadium, ARY News reported. According to details, the stolen items include generator batteries and fibre cables for closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras worth millions. Batteries of generators installed for lighting at Gaddafi Stadium have also been found missing. Meanwhile, two cases have been registered against the thieves at Gulberg police station. It is pertinent to mention here that the fate of matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi remains undecided due to the ongoing tussle between PCB and interim Punjab government over security expenses. BABAR AZAM, HASAN ALI VIDEO WENT VIRAL The Punjab government has reportedly lowered its demand for security funds — from Rs450 million to Rs250m. According to PCB sources, the Lahore and Pindi matches will be shifted to Karachi if Punjab government keeps asking the board for paying th

BARKHAN: At least four people were killed while 12 others sustained injuries in a blast that took place inside the Rakhni market in Balochistan’s Barkhan, ARY News reported on Sunday quoting police. Barkhan Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Najeeb Pandarani confirmed that four people had been killed as a result of a blast in Barkhan. According to police, the explosive material was apparently planted in a motorcycle which blew up through a remote-controlled device. The blast damaged several cars, motorcycles and shops, said the police. Soon after the blast, a heavy contingent of security forces reached the incident area and cordoned it off to carry out an initial investigation. Read More:  AT LEAST THREE KILLED, SEVERAL INJURED AS BLAST ROCKS QUETTA Rescue workers shifted the injured to a nearby hospital. PM, CM Balochistan condemn blast Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing and ordered authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the victims

Earthquake tremors were felt early Sunday morning in Awaran district of Balochistan and adjacent areas, ARY News reported. An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 on the Richter scale jolted Awaran and surrounding areas on Sunday morning. The residents came out of their homes reciting the ‘Kalma-e-Tayyaba’. The Seismological Center furthered that its depth was 76 kilometers. However, it didn’t confirm the epicenter of the earthquake. As per initial reports there was no loss of life or any financial loss. Read more: Earthquake tremors jolt Islamabad On February 24, earthquake tremors of 4.2 intensity jolted Islamabad and its adjoining areas. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the tremors were felt at 6:06 in the morning. People came out of their houses in fear by reciting Kalma-e-Tayyaba. No loss is reported as per initial reports. It is to be mentioned here that the tremors relatively closer to the surface are likely to bear long-term adverse effects on the buil

JAMPUR: Polling for the by-election in the National Assembly’s constituency NA-193 Rajanpur got underway on Sunday amid strict security. The polling began at 8am and will continue until 5pm without any pause. The seat fell vacant due to the death of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Jaffar Khan Leghari. He died in Lahore on December 31, 2022, after a prolonged illness. 11 candidates are contesting NA-193 Rajanpur by-poll, but the main contest is expected between the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Emaar Owais Leghari and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Mohsin Leghari. 237 polling stations have been set up in the constituency, of which 68 are declared sensitive. 2,650 police personnel have been deployed to deal with any untoward situation while Rangers and Army personnel will also patrol the area. Read more: ECP TURNS DOWN GOVT’S REQUEST TO DEFER RAJANPUR BY-ELECTION Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) accused the district administration of

LAHORE: The Punjab caretaker government has decided to implement the austerity policy announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, ARY News reported on Saturday. The caretaker Punjab chief minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi took a series of decisions while chairing the 7th session of the cabinet. The caretaker Punjab CM sought a plan from the concerned committee for adopting the austerity measures. The committee will forward the recommendations to the caretaker CM for cutting down the government’s expenditures. CM Mohsin Naqvi said that the provincial government will have to play its role in the austerity drive amid the economic crisis. READ: MARYAM’S LAVISH PROTOCOL MOCKS PM’S AUSTERITY MEASURES It has been decided that the government officers will donate three-day salary to the quake victims of Turkiye and Syria. The cabinet received a suggestion to fix the relief price of wheat at Rs3,900 per maund. The other decisions included the establishment of a committee for the early completion

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser has challenged the transfers and postings by the caretaker government in the Peshawar High Court (PHC), ARY News reported on Saturday. Asad Qaiser filed a petition through his counsel Barrister Gohar Khan to the Peshawar High Court (PHC), challenging the transfers and postings made by the caretaker government. The provincial government, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the administration were made parties in the case. The petition stated that the caretaker government took illegal steps by making transfers and postings which were violations of the election rules. It added that the caretaker government is responsible for holding free and fair elections but not making the transfers of the government officers. READ: ‘JAIL BHARO TEHREEK’: PTI RAWALPINDI LEADERS SHIFTED TO SHAHPUR JAIL Qaiser pleaded with the PHC to nullify the caretaker government’s notification. In another move, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded two Covid-19-related deaths and 42 fresh Covid-19 cases during the last 24 hours, ARY News reported on Saturday, quoting the National Institute of Health (NIH). According to the statistics issued by NIH, a total of 5,019 Covid-19 diagnostic tests were conducted, of which 42 samples came back positive. The COVID Positivity Ratio was recorded at 0. 84 percent. COVID-19 Statistics 25 February 2023 Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 5,019 Positive Cases: 42 Positivity %: 0.84% Deaths: 02 Patients on Critical Care: 15 (shared by NCOC-NIH) — NIH Pakistan (@NIH_Pakistan) February 25, 2023 The number of confirmed positive cases has surged to 1,576,880 while the nationwide tally of fatalities stands at 30,643. Earlier, the Sindh health department confirmed the presence of the Covid-19’s sub-variant BF-7 in Karachi. “This sub-variant of Omicron variant of the coronavirus has recently infected people in China on massive scale,” the health department h

ISLAMABAD: A banking court has ordered the former prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan to appear before court on February 28 in prohibited funding case, ARY News reported on Saturday.  As per details, the banking court judge Rakhshanda Shaheen heard the prohibited funding case against Imran Khan and others. The PTI chief Imran Khan’s legal team submitted the copy of IHC order to the banking court. His counsel Naeem Haider Panjotha said that IHC has ordered Imran Khan appear before banking court on February 28. The hearing was also adjourned till February 28. Earlier sources had said that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) decided to arrest PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in a prohibited funding case. Read more: FIA DECIDES TO ARREST IMRAN KHAN IN PROHIBITED FUNDING CASE A four-member team has been formed for the arrest, while a summary has been forwarded to the DG FIA for final approval. It is pertinent to note here that the Investigation Agency had

ISLAMABAD: The weekly inflation, measured by Sensitive price Indicator (SPI), witnessed an increase of 2.78 per cent to jump to 41.54pc on a year-on-year basis for the week ended on Feb 23, rising from 38.42pc in the previous week. The week-on-week inflation eased to 2.78pc from 2.89pc a week ago. Of the 51 items tracked, the prices of 33 items increased, six items decreased, whereas those of 12 items remained stable. During the week under review, the items whose prices increased the most compared to the same week a year ago were onions 372pc, cigarettes 164.7pc, gas 108.38pc, chicken 85.7pc, diesel 81.36pc, eggs 75.81pc, Irri 6/9 rice 75.41pc, broken basmati rice 74.16pc, bananas 72.22pc, washed moong pulse 70.39pc, and petrol 69.87pc. However, it also noted a decrease in the prices of tomatoes (67.93 percent), chili powder (7.42 percent) and electricity charges for Q1 (6.64 percent). The upward trend of inflation continues as Islamabad was taking measures to get the $1.1 billion

LAHORE: Former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Friday lambasted Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) chief organizer Maryam Nawaz for ‘maligning the judiciary’ during her speech in Sargodha, ARY News reported. The former CM criticised PML-N chief organizer Maryam Nawaz for ‘maligning judges’, stating, “Under the leadership of Imran Khan, we will not let the judiciary be pressurized or blackmailed,” Pervaiz Elahi termed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leadership ‘incompetent’ and stated that the PDM’s ‘failed strategies’ steered the country towards the worst economical crisis. READ:  ‘GROUP OF FIVE’ RESPONSIBLE FOR COUNTRY’S WOES: MARYAM NAWAZ Speaking of the election, the former CM said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Punjab Governor were not fulfilling their responsibilities. Earlier this week, PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz during her speech at the PML-N’s workers’ convention in Sargodha alleged that the ‘group of five’

RAWALPINDI: A terrorist was killed on Friday during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted by the security forces in Balochistan’s Awaran district, ARY News reported, citing ISPR. A heliborne force was used to sanitise the area which surprised the terrorists, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday. It said the terrorist was sent to hell during the ensuing operation in exchange of fire, whereas a large cache of weapons and ammunition was also seized. “The security forces of Pakistan will continue to thwart any attempt by inimical elements to disrupt hard-earned peace in the province,” the ISPR said. A day earlier, security forces foiled an armed attack on a convoy in Balochistan’s Kech district and killed eight terrorists in a follow-up operation. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that terrorists had attempted to ambush a convoy of security forces in the Kech district on the February 22 evening. The spokesperson said that the

ISLAMABAD: The Central Apex Committee on Friday called for national consensus to eliminate terrorism from the country, affirming that national solidarity, unity and collective efforts were the need of the hour, ARY News reported. According to a statement, the Apex Committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and was attended by Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, federal ministers, chief ministers, senators, heads of sensitive civil, police and military institutions, chief secretaries and other high-level officials. The meeting agreed that the elimination of terrorism from the country was interlinked with economic recovery and political stability. “Since Pakistan cannot afford internal instability, national solidarity, unity and collective efforts were the need of the hour,” the statement noted, adding that in order to achieve these targets, national consensus should be evolved and hurdles in its way should be removed. During the meeting, the

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday denotified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan from six National Assembly (NA) seats, ARY News reported. The ECP has declared the constituencies NA-22, NA-24, NA-31, NA-108, NA-118 and NA-239 vacant, on which the PTI chief won the by-election. #ECP pic.twitter.com/Uyh6kwEdbd — Election Commission of Pakistan (OFFICIAL) (@ECP_Pakistan) February 24, 2023 Last year on October 16, the former premier Imran Khan was succeeded in seven constituencies in the by-elections. Apart from  NA-45, ECP declared all the other six constituencies vacant. READ: ECP NOTIFIES IMRAN KHAN’S VICTORY ON SEVEN NA SEATS IN BY-ELECTIONS On January 19, ECP notified PTI chairman Imran Khan’s victory in seven constituencies of the national assembly in by-polls. As per details, the electoral watchdogs announced the reserved verdict on the case pertaining to PTI chief’s failure to submit details of expenditures on the by-elections

ISLAMABAD: A judicial reference, filed against Supreme Court (SC) Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), is ‘based on lies’, ARY News reported on Friday, citing judge’s family sources. Advocate Mian Dawood had filed a judicial reference against Supreme Court (SC) Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), accusing him of “misconduct” and “amassing illegitimate assets”. Sources within the family told ARY News that the reference against the SC judge was ‘malicious and misleading’, terming the leaked audio ‘cut-paste’ job. Sources claimed that Justice Mazahar Naqvi and granddaughter were travelling in a private vehicle on November 10, 2022 when police intercepted them and misbehaved. “The police started making the video even after the judge stopped his vehicle,” they claimed. “Later, senior police officers and Secretary Punjab Assembly Muhammad Khan Bhatti reached the spot,” sources said, adding that Muhammad Khan informed

KARACHI: Several passengers received minor injuries after one of the buses of the Karachi Green Line BRT lost control and hit the railing near Nagan Chowrangi on Friday morning, ARY News reported. The accident caused panic among the passengers as commuters broke the window pane to escape the bus after it crashed into the side railing. The front of the bus was damaged as a result of accident. Following the incident, authorities briefly suspended the operation of the bus service on the particular section of the track while a probe was launched into the accident. Last year, stones had been pelted at the Green Line bus service in Karachi at multiple points between Surjani and Numaish areas of the city. STONES PELTED AT MULTIPLE POINTS OF GREEN LINE BUS SERVICE The stones were pelted from the pedestrian bridge that damaged the infrastructure of buses. The Karachi Green Line BRT was launched on December 25, 2021 as the first of the six bus rapid transit projects in the city under 

On the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted and approved a resolution demanding Russia to end the Ukraine war and “immediately” withdraw its forces. As fighting raged on in Ukraine’s east and south, its allies around the world showed their support on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion. During the vote in the 193-member UNGA, 141 member nations voted in favour of the resolution. While 7 opposed the resolution, 32 members. including Pakistan, China, Iran, India and others abstained from voting. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative at UN, Munir Akram said few clauses of the resolution are against Pakistan’s stance. Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy dismissed the action at the United Nations as “useless”. Read more: Russia plans deep March oil export cuts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed the vote. “This resolution is a powerful signal of unflagging globa

Earthquake tremors of 4.2 intensity jolted Islamabad and its adjoining areas on Friday, ARY News reported. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the tremors were felt at 6:06 in the morning. People came out of their houses in fear by reciting Kalma-e-Tayyaba. No loss is reported as per initial reports. It is to be mentioned here that the tremors relatively closer to the surface are likely to bear long-term adverse effects on the buildings. Last year in December, an earthquake of magnitude 4.1 jolted Karachi. Read more:  4.5 magnitude earthquake hits Kohat, surrounding areas An earthquake of this magnitude in Karachi shocked the seismic experts as they had never earlier recorded an earthquake of such an strength with epicenter within the provincial capital city. Director Seismology Division of Pakistan Meteorology Division (PMD), had said that earthquakes of magnitude just over 3.1 have hit Karachi in the past, with their epicenters being outside the provinc

ISTANBUL: After conducting a 17-day search and rescue operation in Adiyaman in the aftermath of the massive earthquake that hit Turkiye on February 6, the Pakistani team left for the country on Thursday night. Through relentless efforts, the team managed to rescue multiple precious lives. At the farewell ceremony, attended by Deputy Governor of Istanbul Özlem Bozkurt Gevrek, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr Yousaf Junaid, Deputy Ambassador Zeynep Kaleli of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AFAD Coordinator Istanbul Mrs Seval Dedeoglu and other dignitaries, the team was sent off to Pakistan with a loud round of applause and appreciation. The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) squad from Pakistan comprised a 33-member Pakistan Army USAR team and 53-member Rescue 1122 team. Both teams were among the first ones to arrive at Adiyaman on February 7, where they successfully made miraculous live evacuations. In total, 28 live evacuations were made by the two teams. Fourteen live evacuat

LAHORE: After the commencement of Jail Bharo Tehreek, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been detained for 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, ARY News reported on Thursday. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who surrendered before the police during Jail Bharo Tehreek, was detained for 30 days under MPO by the Punjab government. At the request of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore, the Punjab home department issued a notification regarding the detention of Qureshi for a month under MPO. تحریک انصاف کی جیل بھرو تحریک۔۔ شاہ محمود قریشی 30 دن کیلئے نظر بند #ARYNews #PTI #ShahMehmoodQureshi pic.twitter.com/jbxA7IbpfH — ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) February 23, 2023 On the other hand, the Lahore High Court (LHC) fixed the hearing of petitions seeking the recovery of Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other PTI leaders. Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhary will hear the petitions on Friday (today). READ: IMRAN KHAN SAYS ‘PTI LEADERS BEING TREA