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Showing posts from August, 2023

Annual Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai begins

The 280th urs celebrations of Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai got underway in Bhit Shah on Friday, ARY News reported. The formal inauguration Urs celebration was held by laying wreath at the grave of the Sufi saint. The Sindh government has announced a public holiday on September 1 to mark the 280th Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. Strict security arrangements have been made to provide a peaceful environment to thousands of devotees while all required arrangements to provide basic facilities have also been completed. As per the reports, the three-day ceremony of the urs begins with poetry marathons, literature conferences, and other activities. The urs begins every year on the 14th Safar (the second month of the Hijra calendar) and lasts for three days. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689 to 1752) was a great Sufi poet and saint. He is widely considered to be the greatest poet of Sindhi language. His collected poems were compiled in “Shah Jo Risalo”, which exists in numerous versi

PTI still popular in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, says Pervaiz Khattak

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P) chief Pervez Khattak said that PTI is still a popular party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ARY News reported Talking to ARY News programme “Off the Record” Pervaiz Khattak said that he was offered by his friends in opposition to become prime minister but he did not choose that option. Pervaiz Khattak said that he was hiding for 20 days after the May 9 violence and there was no information that the vandalism was carried out against an institution. The former chief minister KP said that he has seen the cypher minutes but disclosing the details will create more problems. Read more: Pervez Khattak sees general elections in Feb 2024 He claimed that if the opportunities for elections were availed by the PTI chief the May 9 violence could have been avoided and if IPP’s Aleem Khan was appointed as Chief Minister Punjab then the PTI government could have survived. Pervaiz Khattak said that he knows the PTI chairman, he will not s

Heath card coverage: New policy announced in Punjab

LAHORE: The Punjab Health Initiative Management Company has unveiled a new policy regarding the coverage of health insurance cards, ARY News reported on Thursday. The company has announced a revised policy regarding the coverage of the government’s health insurance cards in Punjab. The cardholders will now have to pay 30 per cent charges for hernia, appendicitis, gallstones, prostrate and obstetric surgeries. The new policy will come into effect on September 1. In June 2022, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had signed an agreement with the health ministry for Sehat Sahulat Programme in which the computerised national identity cards (CNICs) will be used as health cards. Related: Gov Kamran Tessori announces free health card for low income people The NADRA had signed an agreement with the federal health ministry and Punjab Health Initiative Management Company for the national health card and Sehat Sahulat Program. The agreement signing ceremony was held at

ARY Laguna groundbreaking ceremony held at DHA Gujranwala

The groundbreaking ceremony of ARY Laguna was held at Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Gujranwala on Thursday, ARY News reported. The prestigious event was attended by ARY Laguna Chairman Mr Salman Iqbal, Project Director DHA Gujranwala Brigadier Muhammad Aslam Khan Niazi, industrialists, investors, DHA officers and businesspersons.  GOC Gujranwala Major General Abdul Moeed Khan was the chief guest of the groundbreaking ceremony of ARY Laguna. Addressing the event, Chairman ARY Laguna Mr Salman Iqbal said that when he announced that he is bringing ARY Laguna to Gujranwala, a lot of people asked him why is he choosing Gujranwala “I told them that Punjab would accept me openheartedly.”  Related: ARY Laguna DHA City holds first balloting ceremony He reminisced that he came up with this unique concept at a time when the country was dealing with Covid lockdowns and to launch a real-estate project and make it a success was a daunting task. “People were sceptical about the availabil

Journalist Fayaz Zafar arrested under MPO

A senior journalist in Swat namely Fayaz Zafar has been arrested by the local police under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO), ARY News reported on Wednesday. Swat police department confirmed that they arrested a senior journalist Fayaz Zafar under MPO. Later, the journalist was shifted to Swat jail from the DC Office. The journalist told the media that he was taken to the deputy commissioner (DC) office where he was subjected to torture. He added that he was arrested for reporting the truth. Related: Jan Mohammad Mahar: Post mortem report of slain journalist issued Earlier in the month, a senior journalist and Kawish Television Network (KTN) Sukkur bureau chief Jan Mohammad Mahar had been murdered by unidentified assailants on August 13. The attackers on a motorcycle had opened fire at Mahar inside his vehicle after he left his office at 9:00 am in Sukkur. READ:  Journalist sacked from PTV for ‘questioning’ PM about freedom of expression In August, another journal

Housemaid torture case: Accused couple arrested in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Police arrested the couple accused of torturing the minor housemaid aged 8 years in Rawalpindi, ARY News reported on Wednesday. CPO Rawalpindi Khalid Hamdani told the media that the couple has been arrested who subjected the eight-year-old housemaid to torture. The arrested persons include Ali Sher and his wife Bakhtawar. A case was lodged against the inhumane incident at the Rawat police station over the complaint of the victim’s father. CPO said that the accused will be produced before the court after an investigation. Hamdani said that torture on children will not be tolerated at any cost. Related: Court rejects bail petition of judge’s wife in housemaid torture case Earlier in the day, it emerged that a minor housemaid was subjected to ‘torture’ in Rawalpindi. Kinza, 8-year-old, was ‘beaten’ by her lady owner and her husband in Rawalpindi’s area of Rawat. According to the father of the minor housemaid, Kinza was tortured by Bakhtawar, the house lady and her husb

Traffic policeman killed in Karachi car accident

KARACHI: An on-duty traffic policeman killed in car accident near Jamali Bridge on Super Highway Karachi, ARY News reported. As per details, the rescue sources said that the policeman is identified as 30-year-old Abdurehman. The dead body of the deceased policeman is shifted to Jinnah Hospital for legal formalities, sources added. Earlier, at least 20 people, including women and children, were burnt to death while 14 others sustained injuries in a collision between a passenger bus and a pickup carrying diesel barrels on Faisalabad Motorway near Pindi Bhattian. Read more: 8 dead, 1,090 injured in Punjab road accidents in 24 hours On August 25, it was reported that at least eight people were killed and 1,090 others injured in 1,047 road traffic crashes in Punjab during the last 24 hours. As many as 560 people with serious injuries were shifted to different hospitals, while 530 with minor injuries were treated at the incident site by the rescue medical teams. The data analysis sho

ECP orders removal of KP Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has ordered the removal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, ARY News reported on Tuesday. The ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan wrote to letter to the Establishment Division’s secretary regarding the KP chief secretary. The ECP secretary stated in his letter that the KP CS is unable to perform his duties impartially. It further stated that the appointment of an impartial officer is necessary to conduct free and fair elections. It added that the KP CS is unable to provide required assistance to the election commission. The commission demanded the Establishment Division to immediately replace Chaudhry with another officer who could perform the tasks impartially. Related: More ministers to be inducted into KP cabinet Earlier in the month, the  resignations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) caretaker ministers  had been accepted by provincial Governor Haji Ghulam Ali in line with the directives issued by t

PTI Lahore coordinators join IPP

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Lahore coordinators have announced to join Jahangir Tareen-led Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), ARY News reported on Tuesday. The coordinators of PTI Lahore held a meeting with IPP Lahore President Murad Raas. The coordinators include Shoaib Karim, Qasim Aziz, Sohail Maqbool and Rizwan Shah. The local leaders expressed confidence in the leadership of Jahangir Tareen and Aleem Khan. Coordinators from PTI Lahore join IPP. We welcome these hard working individuals to our team. pic.twitter.com/2aHqCgoEVU — Murad Raas (@MuradRaasMR) August 29, 2023 Earlier in the month,  Jahangir Tareen’s Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) backed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement for holding upcoming general elections on 2023 census data. Related: IPP applies for party registration, seeks ‘Eagle’ election symbol IPP Central Information Secretary Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that her political party will support the elections under 2023 census data. She, how

Two policemen martyred, three injured in Lakki Marwat

LAKKI MARWAT: Two police officers were martyred and three wounded as terrorists opened fire at a patrolling van in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ARY News reported, citing sources.  Sources said the police party was on a routine patrol in Dara Peeza, Dera Road when they were attacked by unknown armed men. As a result, two cops were martyred while three others were wounded.  The bodies and wounded were rushed to DHQ Hospital, where the martyred were identified as Saif Ali and Basheerur Rehman, while the injured were identified as Inamullah, Imdadullah and Asmatullah. Following the incident, the security forces reached the area and started a search operation to catch the terrorists.  Read more: Four policemen martyred as terrorists attack PS in Lakki Marwat Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Zulfiqar Larik said cases will be filed against the terrorists and masterminds of the attack under ATA and terror financing act.  Earlier in June, two policem

Citizens move court to challenge inflated electricity bills

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi citizens have approached the court to challenge the inflated electricity bills and the imposition of taxes, ARY News reported on Monday. Rawalpindi citizens including Ghulam Shabbir, Taj Abbasi and others have challenged the inflated electricity bills, high power tariff and hefty taxes in the high court. A writ petition has been filed at the high court’s Rawalpindi bench by the citizens through their counsel Sardar Abdul Razzaq Khan Advocate. Justice Jawwad Hassan will hear the writ petition today. The petition stated that the government is responsible for improving the living standards of the citizens and providing relief to the masses. Related: Relief in electricity bills: Final decision likely today It added that the government and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approved a massive hike in the electricity bills and made the lives of citizens more difficult by imposing taxes. The petitioners sought the high court to nullify the decis

Complaint lodged against Nawaz Sharif’s guard over misconduct

LONDON: A journalist has lodged a complaint against a security guard of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif over ‘misconduct’ outside Hussain Nawaz’s office in London, ARY News reported on Monday. According to details, a complaint with London police was filed against Nawaz Sharif’s guard over aggressive behaviour and hurling abuses towards journalists who had gathered at Hussain Nawaz’s office to report on the forthcoming meeting between the Sharif brothers in London. The journalist said the former prime minister’s guard made obscene gestures and used foul language. He hoped that the police will take strict action against the accused. It is pertinent to mention here that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s security guard misbehaved with Pakistani journalists and hurled abuses for filming Shehbaz Sharif’s arrival. Read More: Video: Nawaz Sharif’s guard misbehaves with Pakistani journalists Pakistani journalists arrived at Nawaz Sharif’s residence  in London to cover

Here’s why masses are getting inflated electricity bills

KARACHI: Exorbitant bills have forced people to hit the streets across Pakistan. Here’s why the masses are getting inflated bills.  Maria Memon, the host of the ARY News program “Sawal Yeh Hai,” while discussing the situation said that by carefully analyzing the electricity bills, every consumer can understand why they are being slapped with heavy bills? She explained that the electricity bill she has in her hands is of a house that consumed 839 units in the month of August. In this bill, there are two types of charges applied, including the Islamabad Electric Supply Company and government charges. The electricity charges in the bill are Rs35,842 for 839 units. In addition to this, due to fuel price adjustment, there is an FC surcharge of Rs2,709 and a QTR tariff adjustment of 1,447 rupees, bringing the total charges of this bill to 40,244 rupees.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ARY News (@arynewstv) Furthermore, the govern

Nawaz Sharif unlikely to return to Pakistan in October: Khursheed Shah

KARACHI: Senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah on Sunday said that it is unlikely that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in October, ARY News reported. Speaking at ARY News’ programme ‘Sawaal Ye Hai’, the former federal minister said that former prime minister premier Shehbaz Sharif may say that Nawaz will be returning in October but “I say that Nawaz Sharif’s health is not good”. Khursheed Shah said that Nawaz Sharif went to London due to illness and “if he [Nawaz] is returning amid health issues that’s a good gesture”. “His [Nawaz’s] own people are defaming him by saying that the former premier wasn’t coming due to legal issues,” Shah said, adding that such statements are portraying PML-N supremo as “a liar”. Earlier, former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in October. “We held consultations with the senior leadership of

PPP announces countrywide protests against inflated electricity bills

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has announced countrywide protests against the inflated electricity bills, ARY News reported on Sunday. PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari announced that the inflated electricity bills have worried every citizen. He added that PPP will stage protests on city, union council (UC) and tehsil levels across the country. Related: Jamaat-e-Islami decides to hold strike against power tariff hike Bukhari ordered PPP workers to stage protests across the country. The movement against inflated electricity bills nationwide is gaining momentum every day. People are hitting the streets and burning the bills in protest. The inflated power bills triggered country-wide protests from Karachi to Khyber and protests in some parts of the country are turning violent. Earlier in the day, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced to observe a countrywide strike on September 2 against the increase in electricity prices amid mounting public outcry. Related: Electricity bi

Electricity bills: PESCO seeks police protection amid protests

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) has asked for police protection due to continuous protests of the masses amid inflated electricity prices, ARY News reported.  Inflation-weary Pakistanis are hitting the streets in huge numbers to protest against inflated electricity bills in almost every part of the country. In a letter penned to the police authorities, the PESCO has asked for the police protection of its offices and staff amid protests from enraged masses outside the building. The operations of the PESCO might be affected as workers are afraid due to the protests of the masses, the letter penned by PESCO read. Read more: PESCO staff advised to remove green number plates from vehicles Earlier, a notification issued by the Assistant Manager Transport PESCO directed all officers to avoid usage of government vehicles, especially those with green number plates till the normalization of Law and Order situation to avoid any untoward incident and damage to Governme

Pakistani doctor gets 18 years in US prison on terror charges

WASHINGTON: A Pakistani physician, Muhammad Masood, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organisation, Daesh. Muhammad Masood, a 31-year-old licensed Pakistani doctor, living in the United States on a work visa, was formerly employed as a research coordinator at a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “A Rochester man was sentenced today to 216 months in prison, equivalent to 18 years, followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization,” a press release issued by the US Department of Justice stated. “A Rochester man was sentenced today to 216 months in prison, equivalent to 18 years, followed by five years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization,” a press release issued by the US Department of Justice stated. “Between January 2020 and March 2020, Masood used an encrypted messaging applicati

PESCO staff advised to remove green number plates from vehicles

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) has directed its staff to remove green number plates from the vehicles to avert the possible reaction of the masses amid exorbitant power bills. Inflation-weary Pakistanis are hitting the streets in huge numbers to protest against inflated electricity bills in almost every part of the country. As people are fuming over the huge increase in rates of power tariff, Peshawar Electric Supply Company PESCO cautioned its workers to stay cautious over the mass protests. Read more: Electricity bills: Countrywide protests gaining momentum A notification issued by Assistant Manager Transport PESCO directed all officers to avoid usage of government vehicles, especially with green number plates till the normalization of Law and Order situation to avoid any untoward incident and damage to Government and PESCO assets. It may be noted that Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has called for an emergency meeting at the Prime Minister’s

Polling for LG by-polls underway in KP

PESHAWAR: The voting for by-polls in 65 different village and neighborhood councils in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is underway amid tight security, ARY News reported on Sunday. The polling began at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm in the evening without any break. The by-polls are being held in 21 districts including Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Khyber, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, Laki Marwat, DI Khan, Tank, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar, Swat, Shangla, Malakand, Upper and Lower Dir and Bajaur. A total of 256 polling stations have been established for this purpose. Out of these 159 polling stations have been declared most sensitive and 84 have been declared sensitive. A fierce contest is expected between ANP candidate Shabir Ahmed Raza, PTI candidate Muhammad Zeeshan and independent candidate Ahmed Ali on neighbourhood council Bicket Ganj-1. Also, PML-N candidate Abbas Khan, JUI-F candidate Mukhtiar Ali and PTI’s Rahim Shah are vying for the general seat of village council

Electricity bills: Countrywide protests gaining momentum

ISLAMABAD: The movement against inflated electricity bills nationwide is gaining momentum every day. People are hitting the streets and burning the bills in protest.  The inflated power bills triggered country-wide protests  from Karachi to Khyber and protests in some parts of the country are turning violent.  In Karachi, the people protested against exorbitant bills sent by K-Electric, the city’s sole power supplier. People complained that the bills they are being served are more than their salaries.  In Peshawar, a large number of people took to the streets۔ Citizens say they will no longer sit silent against this ‘injustice’۔ Traders from Ganj Bazaar and Lahore Square also set fire to power bills to record their protest۔ Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, protesters gathered at Committee Chowk and burned bills while demanding that the government abolish imposed taxes on electricity. In Gujranwala, protesters surrounded the Gujranwala Electric Power Company office in protest against e

Pakistan become No. 1 ODI team with Afghanistan sweep

COLOMBO: Pakistan on Saturday reclaimed the number one spot in the ICC men’s one-day international (ODI) rankings after whitewashing Afghanistan in a three-match series in Sri Lanka, ARY News reported. Prior to the series, Pakistan was in second place with 116 rating, just two rating behind Australia. However, after whitewashing Afghanistan, Pakistan moved to the top spot in the rankings with 118 rating, ahead of Australia in points. This is Pakistan’s second time at the top of the ODI rankings this year. They first reached the top after winning their first four matches against New Zealand in a five-match series in May. However, they lost the fifth and final match to New Zealand, which allowed Australia to reclaim the top spot. Earlier, a collective bowling effort after Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s half-centuries, led Pakistan to a clean sweep victory against Afghanistan in three-match ODI series. Set to chase 269 in the third ODI, Afghanistan could only raise 209 despite Muj

Cypher case: FIA grills PTI chairman in Attock jail

ATTOCK: Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) grilled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister in Cypher case in Attock jail, ARY News reported. As per details, PTI chief has been officially included in the FIA investigation in cypher case. The FIA team headed by Deputy Director Ayaz grilled PTI chief in Attock jail for one hour. Earlier, a first information report (FIR) was registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, for ‘deliberately missing a copy of the diplomatic cypher’, has come to light. The first information report (FIR) – a copy of which is available with ARY News – was registered on August 15 under the Official Secrets Act. It was registered on the complaint of Home Secretary. Read more: ‘Missing’ cypher copy: FIR registered against PTI chief, Qureshi comes to light Former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi were nominated in the report, while

Pakistan envoy to UK calls on PM Kakar

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK Dr Muhammad Faisal called on caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday, ARY News reported. He congratulated the prime minister on assuming the office and expressed good wishes for him. The envoy got instructions from the prime minister on the improvement of the relations between Pakistan and the UK, the PM office said in a statement. It may be noted that Dr. Faisal assumed office as the country’s HC to the UK recently, on August 2 and recently held a meeting with Nawaz Sharif in London. Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in October, his brother and party’s president Shehbaz Sharif confirmed on Friday. “We held consultations with the senior leadership of the party and we have decided that Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in October and lead the election campaign,” Shehbaz Sharif said while talking to journalists in London. The PML-N president also said that

Sutlej River surges to high flood at Islam Headworks

LAHORE/BAHAWALNAGAR: Sutlej River has been in high flood at Islam Headworks, with 1,51,000 cusecs flow, ARY News reported on Saturday. The floodwater has submerged several areas in Vehari, Burewala, Lodhran and Bahawalpur and destroyed standing crops. Sutlej has also been in high flood at Ganda Singh Headworks with present water flow 1,22,000 cusecs, Provincial Disaster Management Authority stated. The water level has been 20.8 feet. The river has been in medium flood at Sulemanki Headworks as water going down at the point with present inflow 96,638 cusecs and outflow 83,720 cusecs, Provincial Disaster Management Authority stated. A search has been underway to trace a resident of Chak Pana Mahar, Mohammad Rafique, who was swept away by the flood water. Floodwater released from waterworks in India has drowned a vast area of Sutlej River belt breaking roads and temporary protective dykes across the border in Pakistan. Flooding has wreaked havoc in the region as thousands of acres

Karachi police fail to recover ‘abducted’ 4-year-old girl

KARACHI: The city police have failed to recover a 4-year-old girl Ayesha, who was abducted during August 14 celebrations at Karachi’s M.A Jinnah Road, ARY News reported on Friday. Muhammad Asghar, a resident of Ramswami and a Rickshaw driver, said his 4-year-old daughter Ayesha went to Sindh Governor House for August 14 celebrations along with her family. The victim’s father said that she was abducted from Karachi’s M.A Jinnah Road by an unidentified person. A first information report (FIR) was registered in this regard at Soldier Bazar police station on August 16. However, the father said the police had failed to recover her daughter. Earlier in July, three minor girls who were abducted were recovered from Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi. The minor girls were allegedly abducted from the premises of the police station Soldier Board on Monday. Police officials said that a case was registered under the abduction act at the Soldier Board police station. The FIR stated that the three minor

Video: Courier rider snatches pistol from mugger in Karachi

KARACHI: A courier rider made a courageous move and foiled the robbery bid in the Nazimabad area of Karachi on Friday, ARY News reported. The failed robbery event was caught on camera. The video showed a courier rider standing outside a house in the Nazimabad area when an armed street criminal reached there. The street criminal snatched mobile phone and other valuables from the courier rider at gunpoint. Suddenly, the courier rider caught the criminal and tried to snatch his pistol. During the fight, the rider fell to the ground but he did not lose his grip and managed to take away his pistol. The street criminal fled from the scene after losing his weapon, leaving behind his motorcycle. https://arynews.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/WhatsApp-Video-2023-08-25-at-11.36.26-PM.mp4 A few days ago, a woman in Karachi successfully thwarted an attempted burglary from a family. A woman foiled an attempt of robbery from a family at Karachi’s Rashid Minhas Road. A witness said the two su

ECP delists contempt case against PTI chief, others

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday delisted September 5 cases, including a contempt case registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and others, ARY News reported. In a statement, the electoral watchdog has asserted that the cases – to be heard on September 5 – were delisted due to the unavailability of the bench. It is pertinent to mention here that the ECP had served notices to PTI chief and former federal ministers Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry in contempt case. Earlier, Lahore High Court (LHC) stopped Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from taking final decision against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief in the contempt case. LHC Judge Justice Muhammad Wahid Khan heard the plea filed by PTI chief against the  ECP proceedings . LHC stopped ECP from taking the final decision in the contempt case however directed the commission to continue the proceedings. Furthermore, the PTI chief’s petition was referred to Chief Justic

Action against medicine hoarders ordered

KARACHI: Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (R) Maqbool Baqar, while taking serious notice of the shortage of life-saving medicines in the market, directed the health department to ensure the availability of the medicines and take strict action against the hoarders. In a statement issued here on Thursday, the chief minister discussed the matter of the shortage of life-saving medicines and the circulation of substandard medicines in the market with Health Minister Dr Saad Niaz. It was decided that the health department would start a campaign against the medicine dealers involved in hoarding, the state news agency reported. It was also decided that the health department would go hard against the manufacturers/dealers and even stores involved in making and selling substandard medicines. Justice Baqar said that the people who were playing with the lives of innocent people must be dealt with iron hands. The chief minister also discussed the issue of Dengue and malaria with the hea

8 dead, 1,090 injured in Punjab road accidents in 24 hours

LAHORE: At least eight people were killed and 1,090 others injured in 1,047 road traffic crashes in Punjab during the last 24 hours, ARY News reported. As many as 560 people with serious injuries were shifted to different hospitals, while 530 with minor injuries were treated at the incident site by the rescue medical teams. The data analysis showed that 586 drivers, 33 underage drivers, 131 pedestrians, and 381 passengers were among the victims of road traffic crashes. The statistics show that 266 accidents were reported in Lahore, which affected 277 persons, placing the provincial capital at top of the list, followed by 84 in Faisalabad with 71 victims and at third Multan with 72 accidents and 81 victims. According to the data, 923 motorbikes, 63 auto-rickshaws, 96 motorcars, 24 vans, 12 passenger buses, 27 trucks and 95 other types of vehicles and slow-moving carts were involved in the road traffic accidents. Earlier, at least 20 people, including women and children, were burnt

SSGC announces 48-hour closure of CNG stations

KARACHI: Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) has announced a 48-hour closure of CNG and RLNG stations from August 26 to 28, ARY News reported on Thursday. The SSGC spokesperson said in a press statement that the CNG and RLNG stations will remain closed from 8:00 am – August 26 to 8:00 am – August 28. It added that the 48-hour closure will be made to meet the domestic consumers’ demand. The gas supply will remain closed to all industries across Sindh. A few days ago, the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) rejected a ‘fake notification’ regarding the changes in the gas supply schedule. Beware of elements circulating old communication material on social media and misguiding the general public. Please keep yourselves abreast about latest Company advertisements by visiting SSGC’s official social media pages and website. A fake notification was circulating on social media platforms regarding the increase in gas loadshedding in Karachi. The fake notification stated that the ga

PM Kakar briefed on foreign policy of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday and received a briefing on the foreign policy of Pakistan, ARY News reported. As per details, Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi briefed the prime minister about the country’s foreign policy. The briefing covered Pakistan’s external relations, the working of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recent efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with other countries, and priorities for the future, especially in view of the regional and global developments. The prime minister was apprised of the steps being taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the ministries and departments concerned, to facilitate the Pakistani diaspora working and residing abroad. The need for close coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all other national stakeholders was discussed with a view to ensuring the synergetic and holistic pursuit of Pakistan’s foreign pol

May 9 violence: ATC allows police to investigate PTI chief in jail

LAHORE: The anti-terrorism court (ATC) allowed Punjab police to conduct an investigation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief in connection with the May 9 violence, ARY News reported. As per details, the ATC announced the verdict and permitted the Punjab police to investigate PTI chairman in six cases in connection with May 9 violence. ATC yesterday allowed the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief in Jinnah House attack case. As per details, a plea was filed by the DIG investigation to permit the arrest of PTI chief in Jinnah House attack case. Read more: Jinnah House attack: ATC permits arrest of PTI chief The court was informed that the PTI premiere was convicted under the Election Act and is currently under arrest. The ATC accepted the plea and granted permission to police to conduct the inquiry and arrest of the former prime minister in Jinnah House attack case. May 9 events Violent clashes broke out across Pakistan after the former prime minister and Pakis

Battagram chairlift: Unseen pictures of Pak Army’s operation emerge

RAWALPINDI: Unseen pictures of the Pakistan Army’s operation to rescue people stranded in midair stuck chairlift in Battagram emerged on Thursday.  In the pictures, the troops of the Pakistan Army, and Pakistan Air Force can be seen rescuing the eight trapped people including school children in the Battagram operation. Local cable experts also helped the Pakistan Army in rescue operations. Eight people, including schoolchildren who got trapped in a disabled cable car dangling high above a valley in Pakistan’s Battagram, returned safely to the ground Tuesday after military commandos staged a daring and delicate rescue using helicopters and a makeshift chairlift. Pakistan Army Aviation officers, Special Service Group (SSG) commandos and locals  successfully pulled out all school students and teacher trapped in the chairlift in Battagram. Meanwhile, the KP police have arrested owner and operator of the cable car being used for transportation across rivers. from Latest Pakistan N