Imran throws ball in the court of 'neutrals', judiciary
“It is a test for everyone, including the police,” Imran told the party's youth wing in Peshawar on the eve of his ‘Azadi March’. Imran Khan announced that he would lead the youth and the rest of the party workers from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to Islamabad tomorrow. In a video message released from an undisclosed place, the former federal minister strongly condemned the illegal actions of the government and the use of police force against PTI workers and leaders. He asked his party workers to reach GT Road. Besides condemnations and approaching the court of law for the release of party workers, the PTI has issued a list of district lawyers’ teams along with their contact details and asked party workers to approach them in case of any difficulty.
Source:The Nation
May 25, 2022 03:51 UTC
Showdown looms as govt decides to stop marchers
According to two police officials, more than 200 supporters of PTI were arrested in overnight raids in Punjab. Sanaullah denounced PTI workers and leaders as “delinquents” out to set the stage for chaos and division in the nation. If they did not have any such purpose, they would have launched their long march from Islamabad instead of Peshawar. The federal government has sought assistance from contingents of the security personnel along with the complete command system from all provinces. Similarly, over 4,000 Rangers personnel will be in the federal capital and 15,000 tear gas shells have also been demanded from the provinces.
Source:The Nation
May 25, 2022 03:51 UTC
Very hot, dry weather likely to persist in Sindh
KARACHI – The Pakistan Meteorological department on Tuesday predicted very hot and dry weather in most parts of the Sindh province during the next 24 hours. The minimum and maximum temperatures predicted in Karachi 35-37 degrees Centigrade, Hyderabad 45-47 degrees Centigrade, Sukkur 45-47 degrees Centigrade, Thatta 38-40 degrees Centigrade, Mohenjo Daro 47-49 degrees Centigrade, Dadu 46-48 degrees Centigrade, Mithi 40-42 degrees Centigrade, and in Nawabshah 47-49 degrees Centigrade. Mostly, very hot and dry weather was likely to prevail in most parts of the province.
Source:The Nation
May 25, 2022 00:32 UTC
Cabinet sets up body on enforced disappearances
During the meeting of the federal cabinet held here, the prime minister was briefed on the issue of enforced disappearances. The cabinet committee would consist of cabinet members belonging to all the political parties. Moreover, a bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure 1860 had been tabled in the National Assembly which proposed strict punishment for the people involved in enforced disappearances. The prime minister said the enforced disappearances was a serious issue that led to the lawlessness. The federal cabinet endorsed the decision made by the cabinet committee on the legal reforms committee in its meetings held on May 19 and 25, 2022.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 24, 2022 23:38 UTC
SCBA asks govt to refrain from 'unconstitutional' moves
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) urged the government on Tuesdsay to refrain from taking steps that were against the law and the Constitution, and allow everyone to profess their fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Constitution. The officials stated that the raids being conducted at the residence of any political worker or citizen were totally unwarranted, against the law and the Constitution. The SCBA particularly condemned the raids on the residences of lawyers as well as their arrests. It contended that the instant Constitution Petition had been filed for the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan because the instant matter relates to the issue of public importance involving fundamental rights. The Constitution petition was filed under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 24, 2022 22:05 UTC
Former ally PAT distances itself from PTI’s May 25 long march
The Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), a former ally of ousted premier Imran Khan during the 2014 sit-in, said on Tuesday that it would not take part in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march against the federal government on May 25. Earlier, PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan announced that his party would kick off its much-hyped long march against the “imported government” to the federal capital on May 25. PAT still believes that holding elections without reforms would be meaningless,” the party spokesperson added. Siddique added that even in 2018, PAT had advised the PTI to conduct reforms before the elections. In this regard, the PAT spokesperson said that no party leader had supported the participation in PTI's anti-government protests.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 24, 2022 21:59 UTC
Climate change and the heatwave
Pakistan is vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change which has occurred due to rapid industrialisation with substantial geo-political consequences. According to German Watch, Pakistan has been ranked in the top ten countries most affected by climate change in the past 20 years. While adequate measures were being taken at the appropriate level for addressing the climate change challenges and minimising its adverse effects on human beings and agricultural and other sectors, Pakistan during the past couple of months, has been hit by a severe heatwave further aggravating weather conditions. The incumbent federal government has formed a Task Force for developing a comprehensive strategy for mitigating the effects of climate change in the country on a priority basis, to prevent incidents such as the glacier incident in Hunza. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already presided over the first meeting of the Task Force on Climate Change.
Source:The Nation
May 24, 2022 20:55 UTC
Long march a test for judiciary, bureaucracy, ‘neutrals’: Imran
Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday said that his party’s long march to Islamabad, scheduled for May 25 (tomorrow), was a test for the judiciary, bureaucracy and the “neutrals” to show whether they were with or against the “thieves” governing the country. “It is a test for everyone, including the police,” the ousted premier told the youth while addressing them in Peshawar. During the presser, Imran told youth that it was their responsibility to remove the obstacles in the way of long march being staged for their ‘real freedom’. Imran Khan announced that he would lead the youth and rest of the party workers from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to Islamabad tomorrow. He added that the PTI will instruct its youth to be “fully prepared” for an internet and mobile phone outage.
Source:The Nation
May 24, 2022 19:48 UTC
Avoid a no-holds-barred confrontation
What worries one however is the govt’s decision to use the state’s coercive machinery to block the PTI’s self-styled Azadi March. The government has gone even a step further to invoke the colonial-era Section 144 in Punjab and Sindh to disallow public gatherings. This can provoke PTI workers who have been told again and again that they are fighting a jihad, to undertake violent acts on a much larger scale than in 2014. Independent media has undergone unprecedented pressure and harassment under the PTI rule. Despite this it continues to support every political party’s right to peaceful protest while vigilantly watching if the rules of the game are being followed.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 24, 2022 18:00 UTC
IMF Talks
However, while talks with the IMF are ongoing, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has indicated the disastrous fuel subsidies instituted by the outgoing PTI government will not be rolled back. Negotiations for restarting the Fund’s bailout programme are underway in Doha, and the fuel subsidies were widely publicised as a key concern raised by the IMF, even during the previous government’s reign. The fuel subsidies are costing the state as much as Rs40 billion a fortnight. There are precedents for fuel subsidies in other countries; Germany has provided tax cuts on petrol and other fuel products. Even if the IMF were to agree to this problematic subsidy, the government itself should reconsider.
Source:The Nation
May 24, 2022 17:52 UTC
Ex-PM Imran says nation watching neutrals’ role as crackdown intensifies ahead of PTI's long march
PESHAWAR – Amid the ongoing crackdown against the workers and leaders of his party, the former prime minister Imran Khan said the entire nation is looking toward the neutrals. Addressing a press conference in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital, the PTI Chief announced leaving for Islamabad tomorrow amid the crackdown, saying the nation is watching the role of neutrals in the whole scenario, adding that the masses will pass a judgment on them. Khan asked and said that permission for such actions would dent the credibility of the judiciary. Recalling his tenure, the PTI chief said they never stopped the marches by then opposition members during their government. PTI chief also cautioned that they are taking a record of the government officials who are following illegal orders.
Source:The Nation
May 24, 2022 11:37 UTC
Cost of holding next polls to be Rs 47 billion
ISLAMABAD – The cost of holding General Elections has increased by 261.52pc in a span of just ten years. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has estimated the cost for upcoming 2023 general elections will be Rs 47 billion; official sources confirmed The Nation Saturday. The cost of the general elections has witnessed Rs 34 billion increases during the last 10 years, the sources said. Source disclosed that the total estimated expenses in 2013 general elections were 13 billion, However, it was jacked up to Rs 31 billion in 2018 elections. He told the court that the commission would take a minimum of four months to conduct the delimitation and another 90 days for the general elections.
Source:The Nation
May 24, 2022 11:31 UTC
PIDE has proven itself a valuable resource to the nation: Ahsan Iqbal
Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiative, was the chief guest of the ceremony. In recent times, PIDE has proven itself a valuable resource to the nation. Earlier, Vice-Chancellor PIDE, Dr. Nadeem ul Haque opened the ceremony by congratulation the graduates. It is a world-class economic development research center attracting the Nobel Planning Commission and the Government of Pakistan. The Vice-Chancellor said that PIDE students are sought after by the reputed international institutions and the top-rated institutions in Pakistan.
Source:The Nation
May 24, 2022 10:16 UTC
Photo exhibition held to mark 71st birthday of Pak-China friendship
RAWALPINDI – A photo exhibition was organised at the Punjab Arts Council on completion of 71 years of Pakistan-China friendship here on Monday. The exhibition featured photographs of heads of state from seven decades of diplomatic relations. Dr Jamal said that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor was a symbol of great friendship and not only a game-changer for Pakistan but the entire region. On the occasion, Director of Arts Council Waqar Ahmed said that the Pak-China friendship was both countries’ most valuable strategic asset. The exhibition will continue for a week.
Source:The Nation
May 24, 2022 08:22 UTC
Can passion make a nation rise?
In this era, the road to glory is not too long and requires passion, unity and consistency of efforts. Today, Pakistan is at a crossroads and passions in our country have been ignited like pent-up steam. Ready to drive a locomotive if we can unite, or scald and burn the already suffering nation, if we polarize ourselves. Logic and reason alone without passion would make for a very dry, unfulfilled life.”The time is exactly right today, so let me make an emotional appeal, as without passion the Ummah cannot fulfill its own dream. “Rise my country as the World awaits you and let not the past drag you down.”Published in The Express Tribune, May 24th, 2022.
Source:The Nation
May 24, 2022 07:22 UTC