Lahore: On Monday, Former Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Muzammil Hussain appeared before the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) office. As per reports, Hussain was interrogated about corruption worth Rs753 million in the Tarbela Fourth Hydropower project. “All allegations leveled against me are false,” Hussain said while speaking to journalists.
Islamabad: Human rights activist Imaan Mazari issued an “unconditional” apology in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in a case regarding derogatory statements about institutions. During the proceeding of the hearing today, the court remarked that as Mazari had apologized and showed regret on her remarks, so, there was no need for an FIR. The court further added that the human rights activist has also assured that she would refrain from passing derogatory statements in the future.
On Sunday, security forces killed six terrorists belonging to the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) during a search operation in Paroom area in district Panjgur of Balochistan. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the forces conducted an operation on a tip-off regarding the presence of terrorists in Zamran Range near Paroom. "Once the troops started a clearance operation in the area, terrorists tried to escape from their hideout and opened fire on security forces," the statement said.
On Sunday, PTI is holding protests against rising inflation in different cities across the country on the call of their party chairman. PTI Chairman Imran Khan is expected to address the crowds in the different cities via video link at 10 pm and announce his party’s future course of action. The protests are being held at Islamabad’s F-9 Park, Karachi’s Shahrah-e-Qauideen, Lahore’s Liberty Chowk, Faisalabad’s Ghanta Ghar chowk, Rawalpindi’s Commercial Market, Multan’s Shah Abdullah chowk and Peshawar’s Hasht Nagari Gate.
Karachi: The gold rates in Pakistan clocked in at Rs145,500 per tola to reach an all-time high after gaining Rs1,500 on Friday. According to the All Sindh Sarafa and Jewellers Association (ASSJA), the rates of yellow metal have been rising over the last two days, while gold increased by Rs1,285 per 10 grams to settle at Rs124,742. However, in the international market, the price of gold increased by $27 per ounce to close at $1,846.
Kyiv: On June 16, the leaders of Germany, France, and Italy visited Ukraine in a display of solidarity with a country pleading for weapons to fend off Russia's invasion. "It's an important moment. It's a message of unity we're sending to the Ukrainians," French President Emmanuel Macron flanked by Germany's Olaf Scholz, Italy's Mario Draghi, and Romania's Klaus Iohannis.
It emerged on Wednesday that two people were arrested for allegedly setting fire to a forest in Marghuzar valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Swat district. According to Deputy Commissioner Junaid Khan, the suspects had intentionally set fire to the forest in Marghuzar three days ago, an inferno that went on to threaten nearby settlements. According to reports, 14,000 acres of forest cover have been lost during the last three weeks.
It emerged on Monday that fresh fires erupted in the mountains and forests of Swat as authorities claimed to have doused over 70 fires in different locations of the district since June 1. According to district administration officials, an operation was underway to control the fresh fires, which broke out in the hills of Babuzai, Barikot, Charbagh, Khwazakhela, and Kabal tehsils. Officials said a fire dousing operation was underway in the mountains of Marghuzar and other areas where fresh fires erupted.
It emerged that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) allowed ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) to charge their consumers an additional fuel cost of Rs3.99 per unit as fuel charges adjustment for April. According to a Nepra notification, Discos had charged consumers a reference fuel tariff of Rs6.61 per unit in April, but the actual fuel cost turned out to be Rs10.6 per unit, a difference of Rs3.99.
Pakistan Army media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday that a soldier of the armed forces of Pakistan embraced martyrdom during an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Data Khel area of North Waziristan. "Sipahi Shahzaib Imtiaz embraced martyrdom while fighting bravely during an exchange of terrorists," a brief statement issued by the military's media wing read. The ISPR further stated that the area was being cleared to eliminate the threat of possible terrorists.
Karachi: On Wednesday, the Sindh High Court (SHC) allowed teenager Dua Zahra to decide where she wanted to go, with her parents or husband. In a three-page written order, Justice Junaid Ghaffar said the court reached the verdict in line with the testimonies. "In light of all the evidence, this is not a case of kidnapping." "...the alleged/minor Dua E Zahra Kazmi, pursuant to her statement on Oath and Age Certificate is set at liberty to decide as to whom she intends to reside and go along," the order read.
Quetta: It was reported that at least 22 people died and several others were injured as a passenger van fell into a pit on the National Highway in the Qila Saifullah. Qila Saifullah Deputy Commissioner Hafiz Qasim Kakar confirmed the number of casualties and said that the injured are being shifted to the hospital. He also said that the dead include women and children as well.
Rawalpindi: According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the 80th Formation Commanders’ Conference was held on Wednesday during which the attendees were briefed on professional matters, national security challenges, and response measures. The conference was presided by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and took place at the General Head Quarters (GHQ). COAS expressed satisfaction over the progress of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and lauded the achievements made thus far
It emerged on Tuesday that long queues lined up outside petrol pumps in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi after oil marketing companies (OMCs) stopped the supply of the essential commodity. A representative of the petrol pump association told that the supply had been stopped and tankers had lined up outside oil depots for refilling.
Islamabad: On Monday, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza emphasized avoiding baseless and superfluous comments on Pakistan's nuclear program. The CJCSC said: "In nuclear countries, only the National Command Authority has the right to comment on strategic programs." Civil and military leadership stands like an iron wall with the country's strategic program, General Raza said, adding: "National security is indivisible and Pakistan will not compromise on its nuclear program."
Load shedding will not be completely eliminated, according to Federal Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir, but its severity will be reduced in the coming weeks. He told the reporters that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would decide on early market closures. Meanwhile, Pakistan remains in the midst of a catastrophic electrical crisis, with loadshedding intensifying even after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the situation yesterday and instructed the authorities to limit suspensions to no more than two hours each day.
Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial advised the Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf to carefully reckon the appointment of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman on Friday. "One should not be influenced by the opinion of anyone outside the system over the appointment of the NAB chairman," he remarked. The NAB chairman should be a competent and trustworthy person, and therefore, his appointment should be made with careful consideration, he added.
On June 2, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) approved a hike in the power tariff by Rs7.9 per unit on account of an increase in fuel prices, capacity cost, and the impact of the rupee's devaluation. In a brief, the power regulator said: "The tariff has been determined for the FY2022-23, which on national average is Rs.24.82 per kilowatt-hour (or unit), higher by Rs.7.9078/kWh than the earlier determined national average tariff of Rs16.91/kWh." "The determined tariffs have been intimated to the federal government. The federal government as per Nepra Act is required to file an application for determination of uniform tariff for all the Discos," it added.
Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, warned on Wednesday that if elections were not called, the country would descend into civil war. "We'll see if they let us go to elections through legal and constitutional procedures, or otherwise this country would devolve into civil war," he remarked in an interview with Bol News anchorperson Sami Ibrahim for the Tajzia show. Imran further stated that returning to the National Assembly was "out of the question" since doing so would entail "accepting the plot" that had deposed his administration.
It emerged on Wednesday that a person died and three fell unconscious from inhaling smoke after a fire broke out in the basement of a well-known departmental store near Jail Chowrangi in Karachi on Wednesday. The Edhi Foundation spokesperson said that the injured and the deceased had been shifted to Jinnah Hospital. A spokesperson for Sindh Rangers said paramilitary personnel had cordoned off the area and contributed to rescue efforts.
KK, a well-known Indian musician, died on Tuesday night, according to Hindustan Times. He was 53 years old at the time. According to hospital authorities, the singer became ill while playing at an event in Kolkata and was taken to the CMRI hospital, where he was declared dead. "Singer Anupam Roy called me up and said he is hearing something bad from the hospital," Minister Arup Biswas stated of KK's death. Then I got in touch with the hospital. He was said to have been brought dead. Then I went straight to the hospital."
On Tuesday, the general public suffered from 12-hour-long power disruptions as the electrical shortage reached 6,690 megawatts. The entire power generation capacity of the Power Division was 19,310MW, compared to a demand of 26,000MW. Hydropower plants generated 4,855MW, 1,205MW from government thermal plants, 9,323MW from private sector power plants, 1,398MW from wind power plants, and 111MW from solar plants, and 164MW from Bagasse, according to Power Division sources. Nuclear power generates 2,254MW of electricity, according to sources.
The government has permitted the import of raw materials, intermediate goods (items needed to make a final good or finished product), industrial equipment, and foreign grants in aid projects, according to The News. The commerce ministry issued an Office Memorandum (OM) in response to concerns expressed by various organizations and domestic industries regarding the import of raw materials, intermediate goods, and industrial equipment falling under various Pakistan Customs Tariff (PCT) codes listed in the said SRO.
A delegation from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) met with Asif Ali Zardari, the president of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), to discuss the "political situation" in Sindh and the development of discussions between the two parties on various matters. "On Monday night, an MQM-P delegation led by its leader Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Kunwar Naveed Jameel, and others paid a visit to Mr. Zardari at Bilawal House," according to a PPP statement. "The two sides discussed the country's current political predicament. The meeting was also attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, and Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab, according to the statement.
Prakash Sunuwar was an aspiring actor residing in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. To help him achieve his dream, he worked as a trekking guide. The 37-year-old was known for attracting international clients and transporting them to exotic Himalayan landscapes. On a flight to Jomsom on Sunday, he was joined by two German visitors, Meike Graf Grit and Uwe Willner. The Tara Air 9N-AET flight, however, crashed less than 20 minutes after taking off from Pokhara, a popular tourist destination about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Kathmandu. Authorities in Nepal were able to rescue 21 bodies from the wreckage site in Sanosware Cliff in Thalang-2, a village in the Mustang district, at an altitude of 14,500 feet on Monday.
During a phone chat with his British counterpart, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underlined his intention to expand connections with the United Kingdom in numerous spheres. During the call, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that he looks forward to working with PM Shehbaz on boosting bilateral relations with Pakistan, as well as strengthening commerce, world peace, and security. The prime minister praised the 1.3 million Pakistanis residing in the UK for helping to strengthen ties and build bridges between the two countries.
Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's prime minister, has pledged to make the country self-sufficient and politically stable, while also promising to seek to increase bilateral trade with Turkey. Shehbaz told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview ahead of his three-day official visit to Ankara that while Islamabad wants to strengthen and broaden its relationship with the US, it is also focused on infrastructure development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He noted that the two countries' bilateral connections are solidly rooted in common religious, cultural, and linguistic ties and that they transcend political changes on both sides.
According to Baaghi Tv, the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) will charge Hajj pilgrims traveling on a private plan fares in US dollars for the first time in its history. Airfares for pilgrims from the Southern and Northern regions are expected to stay in the $810 to $1,100 and $860 to $1,150 ranges, respectively. It's worth noting that the national carrier used to price fares in dollars, but due to economic limitations, Muslims from all over the world have been unable to perform Hajj for the past two years.
ISLAMABAD: On Sunday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the federal government to serve notices to ex-president Pervaiz Musharraf and all other successors in missing persons cases. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah has issued a 15-page decree in a case relating to the disappearance of journalist Muadassir Naro and five other people after their petitions were fixed for final arguments. The federal government requested an adjournment.
On May 27, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday granted lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir pre-arrest bail till June 9. She was indicted under the charges of "abusing and defaming the senior command of the Pakistan Army". A first information report (FIR) was registered against Mazari-Hazir on May 26 at the capital's Ramna police station on the complaint of Lt Colonel Syed Humayun Iftikhtar, who was representing the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch of the General Headquarters (GHQ).
