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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan wrote to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Thursday, seeking affirmative action against the political victimization of his party, and abductions, and disappearances of its workers. In a seven-page document, Imran emphasized the need to assert Article 184(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan, which safeguards the ‘right to liberty, to associate, assemble, and speak’ on account of their political affiliation. 'Set up commission' The PTI chief urged in his letter that a commission be established to further investigate the disappearances of PTI journalists and political workers. “These disappearances or abductions, quite apart from the arbitrary arrests, have spread fear through society and are a grotesque affront to the claim that Pakistan is a country ruled by a constitution and a set of laws," the letter noted. "Today, the power to prosecute and arrest is being used in a blatant attempt to engineer an...

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar arrived in Dubai on Wednesday to attend the 28th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP-28). Minister for Justice of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and the Pakistani diplomatic staff welcomed the prime minister at Dubai’s Al-Maktoum airport, the Prime Minister Office’s media wing said in a press release. The premier will head the Pakistani delegation at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP-28), and will also attend the World Climate Action Summit, scheduled for December 01-02. Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Caretaker Minister for Climate Change Ahmed Irfan Aslam and Caretaker Energy Minister Muhammad Ali will also be participating in the globally popular climate change event. The COP28 summit is being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from today; it will run through December 12. COP refers to si...

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted PML-N supremo and three-time former premier Nawaz Sharif in the Avenfield reference. An IHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb announced the verdict.  During the hearing today, Nawaz's counsel Amjad Pervaiz took to the rostrum and contended that the accountability court had acquitted Nawaz from Section 9A of the NAB Ordinance in the Avenfield reference. He added that now only Section 9A(5) remains in the case which pertains to assets beyond means and then read the law out in court.  After the counsel had finished reading aloud the law, Justice Aurangzeb said the court relied on several judgments by the apex court for the verdict on the suspension of the sentence.  He added that the Supreme Court had further elaborated on the matter and directed the lawyer to assist the court on this.  Pervaiz then argued that the investigation agency has to investigate the source of t...

Senator Ali Zafar of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Wednesday that party chairman Imran Khan will not be contesting intra-party elections, adding that the former premier had himself nominated Barrister Gohar Ali Khan for his position. The PTI leader's statement comes a day after an apparent indecision resulted in an awkward deep-freeze across the party, after lawyers who met PTI chief Imran Khan confirmed his decision to opt out of the chairman race in the intra-party polls. The claim was soon after dismissed by party spokesperson asserting that no conclusion had been reached. Zafar's statement also came hours after PTI chief's counsel, Sardar Latif Khosa, rubbished reports of anyone other than Imran himself taking up the position of party chairman. The senior PTI leader stated that the former premier will not participate in the elections till his conviction and subsequent disqualification in the Toshakhana cases was not overturned. from Pakistan News, La...

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) warned interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and other ministers on Wednesday that a case would be registered against them if missing Baloch students were not recovered. Presiding over the hearing Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said the caretaker premier, defence minister, interior minister, and secretaries of defence and interior would be held accountable as the court heard the case related to the implementation of the recommendations of the Baloch Students Recovery Commission. During the last hearing, the IHC summoned PM Kakar, along with the interior minister and defence minister if the 69 missing Baloch students were not recovered by today. While the prime minister did not attend the hearing today, interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Human Rights Minister Khalil George and the families of the missing Baloch youth were present in the court. Read PM summoned in missing persons case The attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) informed the court that 28...

As uncertainty continued over the nomination of a new chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sardar Latif Khosa rubbished reports on Wednesday of any person other than former prime minister Imran Khan being the party's chairman. The ex-premier’s lawyer maintained that there was no possibility of a ‘minus-Imran’ formula. “All reports regarding this are false,” he stated. “There has neither been a decision on choosing a new chairman, nor will there be one,” Khosa asserted, adding that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision on intra-party elections will be challenged in the high court. The senior lawyer's remarks came as he addressed the media outside Adiala jail following the hearing of the £190 million settlement case. Chairman or not? The PTI plunged into a fresh controversy as its senior leader, Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, claimed a day earlier that Imran will not contest the upcoming intra-party polls for the position of party chairman. Marwat asserted that...

The head of the Afghan diplomatic mission in Pakistan was summoned on Tuesday by the Foreign Office (FO) and conveyed four demands including extradition of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, whose group carried out the recent terrorist attack in Bannu. Two civilians lost their lives while 10 others, including three security forces personnel, were injured in a suicide attack in Bannu’s Bakka Khel area, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday. The military's media wing added that a motorcycle-borne suicide bomber, affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and later identified as an Afghan national, targeted a security forces convoy. Read more: Two killed in Bannu suicide attack: ISPR The representative of the Afghan Embassy in Pakistan was called on Tuesday into the foreign office to issue a strong protest over Sunday’s suicide attack. This was the 16th suicide attack in Pakistan which was carried out by the Afghan national. Although the foreign office did not issue any handout, sour...

At least four police personnel were arrested for allegedly extorting cricketer Sohaib Maqsood in the Sakrand area of Sindh on the directives of Sindh Inspector General Raffat Raja. On Monday night, Maqsood took to X (formerly Twitter) and said that he was stopped by the police while travelling from Karachi to Multan by road and was extorted by Sindh Police officials.  He further wrote that the provincial police is "so corrupt" and that he is “so lucky” to live in Punjab. We are so lucky that we live In Punjab not in Sindh first time in my life I am travelling from Karachi to Multan by Road and sindh police is so corrupt that they stop you after 50 km and ask for money or they threat you to go to the police station for no reason if you give them — Sohaib Maqsood (@sohaibcricketer) November 27, 2023 According to a statement from Sindh Police, four policemen of Sakrand were found involved in the incident. The police spokesperson said that legal action is being...

Lahore High Court Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan on Monday dismissed a plea seeking to declare the "extended stay" of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar beyond the prescribed timeframe as unconstitutional, deeming it non-maintainable. During the proceedings, Justice Bilal expressed reservations about entertaining such applications and questioned whether the court could issue an order for the caretaker PM. The law officer informed the court that Justice Raza Qureshi had previously dismissed a petition of a similar nature. Justice Bilal noted that, in compliance with the Supreme Court's order, the Election Commission of Pakistan had set the election date, and the caretaker PM had ensured the conduct of elections. Strongly opposing the plea, the law officers argued against declaring the extended stay of the interim PM as illegal and unconstitutional. The petitioner, Muhammad Muqsit Saleem, filed the plea naming the caretaker PM, the cabinet division through its secretar...

The National Counter Terrorism Centre in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Pabbi hosted a two-week long multinational joint counter-terrorism exercise Fajar Al Sharq-V, the military said in a statement. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), contingents of special forces from the brotherly countries participated in the exercise. Two weeks long multinational joint counter terrorism exercise Fajar Al Sharq-V was conducted at National Counter Terrorism Centre, Pabbi#PakistanArmy #Pakistan #ISPR Special Forces contingents from the brotherly countries participated in the Exercise Exercise Fajar Al Sharq-V… pic.twitter.com/DOarB6yy2M — Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) November 27, 2023 Fajar Al Sharq-V is a multinational joint exercise in the counter-terrorism domain among the special forces of Pakistan, Bahrain, Iraq and Kuwait. Read more: WATCH: Five-day multinational naval exercise begins The ISPR said that the exercise is aimed at nurturing joint employment and intero...

An accountability court in Islamabad on Monday rejected the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) request for extending former prime minister Imran Khan’s physical remand in the £190 million case. The court instead, sent the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chairman on a 14-day judicial remand. Judge Muhammad Bashir of the Islamabad Accountability Court-I presided over the hearing of the corruption case, with the primary accused Imran and his wife Bushra Bibi present during the hearing held at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail. Imran's sisters, Aleema Khanum and Noreen Khanum, were also present during the hearing. In the previous hearing, the judge had instructed NAB to conclude its investigation and present a report today. On Sunday, a team from NAB interrogated the former premier at the Adiala jail for 13 hours. Read Imran moves SC for bail in £190m case Strict security measures were implemented within and around the jail premises in preparation for the hearing today. The settlement c...

A group of men hurled disreputable slogans at Bushra Bibi, wife of former premier Imran Khan, as she reached Adiala jail on Monday for the hearing of the £190 million settlement case. The miscreants intercepted her vehicle and chanted "black magic unacceptable". The police officers were reportedly silent spectators to the sloganeering, that went on till she went inside the jail. The wife of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief was expected at the jail today for the hearing of her interim bail request in the £190 million settlement case. At the last hearing the court remanded Imran — who is already in prison — to National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) custody concerning the graft investigation. NAB was instructed to present its report in court by today. On Sunday, a NAB team conducted continuous interrogation sessions of the PTI chairman at the Adiala Jail for 13 hours – 9:30am till 10:45pm. The NAB team completed the investigation against the PTI chairman. Today, an a...

The apex court has been moved through a petition contending that President Dr Arif Alvi has failed to fulfil his constitutional duties and is therefore liable to be removed from his office. The petition, filed by Ghulam Murtaza Khan under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution, names the president, his secretary, and the Ministry of Law and Justice as respondents. Referring to two verdicts of the Supreme Court, the petition stated that the president failed to fulfil his constitutional responsibilities. It alleged that Dr Alvi misused his powers and undermined the office of the president. Read President Alvi’s term nears completion It stated that the president represented the entire nation, not just a political party, but Alvi, who had been a close confidant of PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, had diverted his presidential office for the political activities of the PTI. It claimed that Alvi had also committed unconstitutional actions by improperly using the authority ...

Former federal minister and senior politician Muhammad Ali Durrani has proposed that the heads of major political parties should pave a way for the formation of a national unity government by stepping aside from the prime ministerial race. “Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and Imran Khan should not aspire to become prime minister and instead play their role for the formation of national unity government in the country,” Durrani said in an interview. He said the leaders of PML-N, PPP, and PTI should put forth their respective candidates for the position of prime minister. Durrani has initiated the process of political reconciliation in the country amidst corrosive impact of divisive politics that has erected formidable barriers to the progress and uplift of the masses. On Nov 15, the former minister presented the plan for the formation of an elected national unity government in the country after the general elections. He quoted examples from Britain, Ireland, and South Afric...

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Ayesha Malik, is scheduled to address a Constitutional petition on December 1, seeking a restraining order against the enforced deportation of Afghan citizens. Earlier this month, an appeal was submitted to the apex court requesting a restraining order against the forceful deportation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan. However, the SC registrar’s office initially rejected the plea, citing its failure to specify the questions of public importance related to the enforcement of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Challenging these objections, the appellants, which include former PPP senator Farhatullah Babar and National Democratic Movement Chairman Mohsin Dawar, pursued the matter through an appeal, represented by Advocate Umer Ijaz Gilani. Also read: SC to hear plea against eviction of Afghans In their petition, the former PPP senator and oth...

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi extended the interim bail of former federal minister Sheikh Rashid in 10 cases related to May 9 riots. Bail was extended till December 9.  ATC Judge Malik Ejaz Asif presided over the hearing. At the request of the public prosecutor, the court adjourned the hearing and instructed both sides to complete arguments in the next hearing. He said there are a dozen cases against him related to the riots of May 9, however, he was not personally present at any of those locations.  Referring to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's return, the AML leader said that now elections are 'imminent'. On election day, people roaming in Murree "will face the music", he said. After the hearing, while speaking to the media, Rashid urged those responsible to focus on the country's declining economic conditions and added that the people are concerned with inflation and not elections.  He further said that the government prosecutors have requested...

Imam-e-Kaaba Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Humaid, currently on a four-day official visit to Pakistan, separately met with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir on Friday to discuss matters of mutual interest. During the meeting with Gen Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ), discussions centered around matters of shared concern. The army chief extended a warm welcome to the dignitary, emphasising the honour bestowed upon the people of the country by the visit of Imam-e-Kaaba to Pakistan. He further underlined the boundless reverence that Muslims worldwide hold for the Haramain Sharifain (two holy mosques of Islam) and the deep respect they have for their custodian. Meanwhile, Imam-e-Kaaba underscored that Islam is a religion of peace and brotherhood, emphasising the absence of space for misconstrued interpretations of the faith. Read More: Imam-e-Kaaba arrives in Islamabad on a 4-day visit The dignitaries jointly condemned t...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has to be presented in court on November 27 in the £190 million settlement case, as per the detailed order issued by the accountability court on Friday. Following the last hearing, the court, led by Judge Muhammad Bashir, issued a comprehensive five-page order, extending the physical remand of the former prime minister by four days. The move followed deputy prosecutor general NAB Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi's request for an additional 10-day remand. According to the order, advocate Ali Zafar responded to NAB summons on November 23, appearing at its offices with the pertinent record, including an agreement signed on March 24, 2021. The anti-graft watchdog told the court that the investigation into the money transferred to the national treasury necessitated an extension in the remand. The defense team objected to the extension, and submitted two letters. One of them, dated November 6, 2019, pertained to Mashreq Bank, the court was informed, ...

In a speech delivered at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers' convention in Murree, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted on Thursday that his political pursuits were not fueled by personal ambitions to reclaim power for a fourth term, Express News reported. The PML-N supremo, a three-time former prime minister, conveyed his sincere desire to witness a positive transformation in the destiny of Pakistan. He explicitly stated his commitment to avoiding misleading tactics in achieving his political objectives. مری: مسلم لیگ (ن) کے قائد محمد نواز شریف مسلم لیگ (ن) مری کی تنظیم سے خطاب کر رہے ہیں https://t.co/GGGJqiuooI — PMLN (@pmln_org) November 23, 2023 Describing Murree as his "second home," the former prime minister underscored the necessity of developing the region. He commended the scenic beauty of Murree and advocated for focused efforts on its growth, particularly highlighting the construction of a picturesque road from Islamabad to Murree. Read Mor...

Pakistan has issued approximately 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India on the occasion of the 554th Birthday Celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The pilgrims are set to attend the event in Pakistan, including visits to significant religious sites such as Dera Sahib, Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur Sahib. The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi facilitated the issuance of these visas for Sikh pilgrims, allowing them to participate in the birthday celebrations scheduled to take place in Pakistan from November 25 to December 4, 2023. The visa allocation is part of the ongoing framework established by the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines in 1974. Read also: All set for Guru Nanak’s birthday celebrations The Sikh Yatrees from India visiting Pakistan will have the opportunity to observe various religious festivals and occasions during their pilgrimage. The pilgrimage holds special significance for followers of Sikhism, particularly during the birthday...

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday in the intra-party elections case, warning it of losing the bat as its distinctive election symbol if it did not re-conduct them. The electoral watchdog has directed the PTI to re-conduct intra-party elections within a tight 20-day time frame. Under the commission's explicit instructions, the PTI is required to submit a comprehensive report on the intra-party elections within seven days following the re-election. Read ECP announces verdict on PTI intra-party polls today Criticising the commission's verdict, PTI's legal representative Barrister Gauhar voiced deep regret, asserting that it "falls short of standards of justice". He emphasised that the ECP did not allege a breach of the party's constitution, rather pinpointed inadequacies in its documentation. The lawyer maintained that commission's decision will be challenged in court. The backdrop of the PT...

The special court hearing the cypher case on Thursday ordered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi to be presented at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) in Islamabad on November 28. The directives were issued by Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain. Former foreign minister Qureshi’s counsel, Ali Bhukari and Khalid Yusuf were also present in the court. During the hearing, the judge asked for a copy of the Islamabad High Court's order, which was presented by court staff. He then ordered that the former premier and former foreign minister be presented in court on November 28. Read further Federation, FIA issued notices in Imran’s bail plea The cypher The cypher case pertains to a document waved by Imran, then the prime minister, at a public rally in March last year, terming it evidence of a foreign conspiracy behind the no-confidence motion he faced at that time. The motion was carried a few weeks later and Imran’s government ended...

The Supreme Court (SC) issued notices to the government and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief’s plea seeking bail in the cypher case. Today, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ayesha A Malik and Justice Yahya Afridi declared Imran’s plea admissible. During the court proceedings, Justice Masood asked PTI counsel Salman Safdar “how far the matter dated back to” when he was reading the first information report (FIR) registered against Imran and Qureshi in this case aloud. Safdar informed him that it was from 2022. At this, Justice Masood said to the PTI counsel that the party had spent the whole year on the cypher case. He observed that some sections in the FIR cited a two-year punishment while others entailed lifetime imprisonment as well as the death penalty. At the same time, Justice Afridi mentioned that the case inquiry maintained that the role of the co-accused would be taken into consideration during the investigation. He ...

The Supreme Court (SC) accepted on Wednesday the constitutional petition seeking restraining order against forced deportation of Afghan citizens. Justice Yahya Afridi in his order said that the objections raised by Registrar Office were legal in nature "and same be addressed by a court of law". The petition was later allotted a number. The petitioners' counsel, Umer Gilani, has moved an application seeking early hearing of the matter. Earlier in November, a petition was filed before the apex court seeking a restraining order against the forceful deportation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan. The petition sought a restraining order on forceful deportation or harassment of anyone born in Pakistan and having a claim to birthright citizenship in accordance with section 4 of the Citizenship Act, 1951 and ruling of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Read Deportation pushing Pak-Afghan ties to the edge Former senator Farhatullah Babar and other petitioners urged the ...

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday summoned interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on November 29 if 55 'missing' Baloch students were not recovered by the next hearing. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani's directives came as he heard a case concerning the implementation of the recommendations of the Baloch Enforced Disappearances Commission. Along with the caretaker prime minister, interim ministers and secretaries of defence and interior were also directed to appear before the court at the next hearing. At the previous hearing, held on October 10, the IHC instructed the state to fulfil its responsibility in recovering the missing Baloch students. The court had also approved the federal government’s request for respite in submitting the implementation report related to the recommendations of the commission. Read IHC seeks report on missing Baloch students from federal govt At today's hearing, the additional attorney general requested Justice Kayani to not summ...

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed authorities to take strict action against Station House Officers (SHOs) if motorists are found driving on roads sans licenses in their respective areas. The court further ordered authorities to launch a comprehensive campaign that would compel drivers without valid driving licenses to stop driving in order to save lives on the roads. According to the city traffic officer (CTO), 7.3 million automobiles are on roads; however, only 1.3 million vehicles were issued licenses. Justice Ali Zia Bajwa was presiding over the hearing of a case pertaining to an underage driver  plea, seeking fair trial and due process in his case. He was arrested after his vehicle collided with another vehicle.  In the tragic accident on November 13, six members of a family, including two infants and two women, were killed in Lahore's DHA locality after their vehicle was hit by an underage driver in a speeding vehicle. The driver, Afnan Shafqat Awan, wa...

The Supreme Court on Tuesday barred adding the word 'sahib' to the job title of public servants as it "unnecessarily elevates the status of public servants".  "It is about time that the practice of adding the word sahib with one’s job title is discontinued, as it unnecessarily elevates the status of public servants, discontinued, as it unnecessarily elevates the status of public servants, which may instill in them delusions of grandeur and a perception of unaccountability, which is unacceptable since it is against the interests of the public whom they are meant to serve," said a two page written order authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa. The instructions from CJP Isa came in an order pertaining to a bail plea in the case of a child's murder in Peshawar last year.  The chief justice observed in the order issued today that the AAG of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) had referred to a local deputy superintendent of police as “DSP sahib”....

In a significant development that brings relief to the people of Pakistan grappling with a persistent gas shortage, the country's state-owned petroleum giant, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), has announced the discovery of substantial natural gas reserves in the Sajawal district of Sindh. According to Express News, the breakthrough came after PPL conducted drilling operations to a depth of 2,545 meters at the Shah Bandar in Jhum East One location. Preliminary testing revealed promising results, with a wellhead flowing pressure recorded at 13.69 million standard cubic feet and a potential daily production of 236 barrels. Ongoing drilling, overseen by experts, aims to further investigate and harness the full potential of this newfound resource. A spokesperson for PPL emphasised the positive impact of this discovery, stating that it would contribute to increasing hydrocarbon reserves and play a crucial role in addressing the energy crisis that has plagued the nation's oil and gas...

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was directed by the court on Monday to record Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif’s statement in the Toshakhana case by November 30. The reference against three-time former premier Nawaz, former president Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani alleges that they purchased luxury vehicles and gifts from the state repository. Gifts given to heads of governments, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and officials by heads of other governments, states, and foreign dignitaries are submitted in the Toshakhana. At the hearing today, Nawaz’s lawyer Qazi Misbah told accountability court judge Muhamad Bashir that the PML-N chief's statement was not recorded during investigation. He requested the court to direct the graft buster to record his statement. To this, the NAB prosecutor responded that he will need to go through the plea first. The judge then questioned what the problem was, asking NAB to...

Former foreign minister and Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday moved the Supreme Court to secure bail in the cypher case. The PTI stalwart appealed against an earlier Islamabad High Court decision rejecting his bail and requested to annul the high court's decision on the matter.  The petition further contended that the subordinate courts did not examine the facts of the case in a proper manner and the case itself is politically motivated. Moreover, the petition added that FIR does not comply with the law. Qureshi added that the FIR filed in the cypher case has no direct connection with him. The petition further stated that Qureshi enjoys immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution on the basis of being the foreign minister. Read more IHC rejects Qureshi’s bail plea in cypher case Earlier, Qureshi's bail application was rejected by the IHC in a hearing conducted by Justcie Aamer Farooq. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said in his judgme...

Over a dozen robbers, some donning police uniforms, looted Rs20 million in cash, approximately 80 tolas of gold jewellery, and various valuables from a trader's residence after taking the family hostage at gunpoint in Karachi’s Orangi Town. “Over a dozen suspects broke into my house on the night between Saturday and Sunday at 2:20am, claiming to be affiliated with the police department,” the victim, Imran, who is a wholesaler of sanitary ware, said while speaking to The Express Tribune. “They wanted to search my house by falsely claiming that there were weapons hidden at my residence,” he informed. The armed intruders gathered the family at gunpoint, threatening them to cooperate. Subsequently, they searched each room before managing to escape with more than Rs20 million in cash, gold ornaments weighing 70 to 80 tolas, several mobile phones, laptops, and other valuables. Read More: Police weapons used in street crimes in city The robbers spent nearly two and a half hours in the hou...

Despite the rise in cases of diphtheria across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), victims of the disease are having a hard time finding anti-diphtheria serum in public hospitals across the province and thus have to splurge heavily to buy it from the market. The vaccine-preventable yet acute and highly contagious bacterial disease, usually starts with a sore throat and fever and often results in breathing difficulties, heart rhythm problems, and in rare cases leads to death. According to the K-P Health Department, there are presently 259 suspected cases across the province and as many as 80 per cent of the patients are young children, which means that their vaccination does not fall under the expanded programme of immunisation of the provincial health department. Consequently, they are compelled to purchase the costly anti-diphtheria serum themselves. Commenting on the predicament of the patients, Professor Dr Gohar Rehman, President of the Pakistan Pediatric Association, said that it was quite ...

A roadside explosion in Balochistan's Kech district on Sunday claimed the lives of three people, officials said. The Commissioner of Mekran Division, Saeed Ahmed Umrani, revealed that unknown terrorists targeted a vehicle using an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Hoshab tehsil of district Kech. He said that all three people inside the car were killed on the spot. Read More: Balochistan govt announces ‘all-out war’ against terrorists amid rising unrest Levies and personnel of other law enforcement agencies reached the spot and started an investigation into the incident. The deceased were promptly transported to a nearby hospital. A huge contingent of officials also later arrived at the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. The force of the explosion was so intense that it caused substantial damage to the targeted vehicle, underscoring the severity of the attack. Commissioner Umrani further said that all three victims hailed from the Balgitar area of di...

In what can be seen as another setback for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), one of its members and former special assistant to the prime minister, Ali Nawaz Awan, made a notable switch on Sunday by joining the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), which is led by the influential figure in the sugar industry, Jahangir Khan Tareen, as reported by Express News. Awan is not the first member of PTI to join the emerging political entity. The IPP predominantly comprises former members of the ruling party, many of whom have parted ways with PTI, especially in the wake of the unrest on May 9. The incident prompted several senior PTI leaders to relinquish their basic party memberships and align themselves with the IPP. Read More: IPP unveils populist manifesto Awan, who had a significant role within the PTI, reportedly met with IPP’s patron-in-chief Jahangir Tareen and President Aleem Dar to convey his decision to part ways with the PTI. Awan was welcomed by both Jahangir Tareen and Aleem Khan in ...

An accountability court in Lahore on Saturday acquitted 10 individuals, including PML-N leader and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in 2018. The reference accused Shehbaz of misusing authority during his tenure as Punjab chief minister in the execution of a low-cost housing scheme. Last year, NAB found "no evidence" of corruption in the contract for the Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Society, launched in 2010 in Lahore. Today, the accountability court considered the acquittal pleas of Shehbaz and the other nine individuals named in the graft reference, Express News reported. The Attorney General and NAB submitted their reports, with the NAB prosecutor asserting that the Supreme Court decision does not impact the current case. Also read: NAB clears PM in Ashiana case The accountability court granted acquittals to Shehbaz, Fawad Hasan Fawad, Ahad Cheema, Shahid Shafiq (Chief Executive of Bismillah Construction Compa...

A vintage and classic car rally kicked off on Saturday in Peshawar, showcasing 51 iconic vehicles from the 1930s to the 1970s. The rally commenced on November 12 in Karachi, making its way through Lahore and Islamabad before reaching the historic Balahisar Fort in Peshawar. The cavalcade, while showcasing the flamboyance of vintage and classic cars, also brings the history of Pakistan's rich landscape in different provinces to the fore. The rally explored the wealthy cultural heritage and historical fabric of Swabi and Peshawar before its special stop at the fort. The event features vehicles such as Mercedes, Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Mini, and Volkswagen. Read Vintage car rally raises awareness on prostate cancer Enthusiasts gathered at the fort to witness the display of vintage cars, expressing gratitude to the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps North for their support. The event has become a highlight for car aficionados. Emphasising the significance of showcasing historical vehicle...

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday declared that any vehicle driven by an individual without a license is a 'killing machine' and directed concerned authorities to take strict action. The court also ordered authorities to register First Information Reports (FIRs) against motorists and motorcyclists and arrest the violators if they are driving without a valid license. In a tragic accident on November 13, six members of a family, including two infants and two women, were killed in Lahore's DHA locality after their vehicle was hit by an underage driver in a speeding vehicle. The driver, Afnan Shafqat Awan, was taken into custody. Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed his condolences over the deaths and sought a report from the authorities. On November 18, reserving a decision, Justice Bajwa issued a two-page order on a plea filed by the accused teenager requesting the court to provide him protection under Article 10-A of the Constitution of the Islamic Re...

Fashion designer Khadija Shah was detained on Friday for a further 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance to 'maintain law and order situation' in Lahore. The designer has been booked in multiple cases for her alleged involvement in riots that ensued Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's arrest on May 9. The order noted that she has become a "potential danger to public peace and law and order". “There exists a genuine concern that she may once again incite the public to partake in destructive and vandalizing activities,” the SP Cantt Division and district intelligence branch mentioned in their recommendations. “In order to prevent the above named activist from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety and maintenance of public order and tranquility, it is requested that her Detention Order under section 3 of Maintenance of Public Order for a period of 30 days be issued," the police recommended. Read Top cop faces scrut...

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was granted a four-day permission on Friday to interrogate former premier Imran Khan inside Adiala jail in the £190 million settlement case. The Adiala jail witnessed a yet another flurry of activity as Bushra Bibi's lawyer, Sardar Latif Khosa, the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) team, and accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir, converged for in-prison proceedings in the £190 million pound case against the ex-premier and his wife Bushra Bibi. During today's hearing, the accountability court also granted Bushra Bibi interim bail in the case till November 21 after NAB's investigation officer informed that the chairman had not issued arrest warrants against her. However, the court directed the NAB official to submit a clarify the matter of arrest warrants against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief's wife. Read IHC stays jail trial in cipher case The hearing was adjourned till November 21. Cypher ca...