Aseefa to lead PPP’s AJK election campaign

Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the daughter of former president Asif Ali Zardari, will lead the PPP’s campaign to woo voters ahead of the upcoming election in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the absence of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who is embarking on a week-long visit to the US today.

Sources told  that Aseefa Bhutto Zardari would visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir where she would address public meetings and rallies in connection with the polls.

Aseefa Bhutto Zardari was given the task to run the party’s election campaign in view of the Pakistan Peoples Party chairman’s US visit, the sources said.

During his week-long stay in the US, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be visiting Washington and New York. Moreover, he will also address a press conference there.

The PPP chairman will hold meetings with the party’s office-bearers and delegations of workers during the visit.

 

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Pakistan records 1,828 fresh corona infections within 24 hrs

Pakistan reported 1,828 new cases of the coronavirus (Covid-19) during the past 24 hours, taking the country’s virus tally to 971,304.

35 more people succumbed to the deadly disease in a single day, pushing the nationwide death toll to 22,555.

According to the latest National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) updates, as many as 36,454 tests were conducted in the previous 24 hours, out of which results of 1,828 patients came back positive.
The infection rate slightly increased to 3.79 per cent from yesterday’s 3.65pc, it said.

There are a total of 36,454 active cases in the country at present as 912 more people recuperated from the disease overnight, taking the number of recovered people to 912,295.

On Friday, Federal Minister for Planning and Development and Head of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Asad Umar warned that they are clear signs of the fourth COVID-19 wave hitting the country.

Taking to Twitter to share the news, Asad Umar said that two weeks back, he had shared their artificial intelligence models are showing possible emergence of the fourth wave.

“Now there are clear early signs of 4th wave starting,” he said and blamed it on the poor SOP compliance, coupled with the spread of variants of concern, India’s Delta variant in particular.

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Pakistan does not have control over things happening in Afghanistan: Moeed Yusuf

National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf on Friday said that the situation in Afghanistan is not stable and that Pakistan does not have control over things happening there.

Speaking to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs at the Parliament House, Yusuf questioned the narrative that if there is no peace in Afghanistan, there wouldn't be peace in Pakistan either.

Shedding light on the situation in Afghanistan, Yusuf said that security is not possible there without the prevalence of peace.

He said that the withdrawal of the US forces from Afghanistan is more of a "psychological evacuation" instead of a physical one, adding that Pakistan should make efforts to maintain stability in the war-torn country.

He said that the Government of Pakistan is devising a strategy for the country's future, adding that the government is planning to connect with the world in terms of development, partnership, and regional peace.

The national security adviser also briefed the forum about the security measures that the government is taking for Pakistan in terms of border security and said that a special visa policy has also been formulated for Afghanistan.

He also spoke about the civil-military coordination in Pakistan and said that problems that arose in the past in this regard are no longer there.

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Opposition walkout during NA session as government refused to postpond exams

Opposition staged a walkout during a National Assembly session on Friday as the government refused to agree to its demand of postponing exams in the country.

Before walking out, PML-N's Khawaja Saad Rafique said he had asked Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood to delay the exams in the country, but he was yet to hear from the government.

"If the government has not decided to delay the exams, then we should be informed as to why does it plan on taking supplementary exams within 45 days?" he asked.

At this, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Professional Training Wajiha Akram said that examinations had concluded in Balochistan, while they were underway in Sindh.

Responding to Akram, Rafique said this meant that the government does not want to speak to the Opposition about postponing the examinations.

Following Rafique's statement, the Opposition parties, along with PML-N, staged a walkout.

After the walkout, PML-N's Sheikh Fayyaz-ud-Din pointed out a lack of quorum, following which, NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, who was chairing the session, adjourned it till Monday.

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ASF arrested a heroin smuggler at New Islamabad International Airport

The Airport Security Force (ASF) thwarted a heroin smuggling bid and arrested an alleged smuggler at the New Islamabad International Airport.

According to a spokesman for the ASF, heroin weighing two kilogrammes was seized from the luggage of a passenger, Hamid Khan son of Momin Khan.

He was to board Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) Doha-bound flight, PK-287. Subsequently, the passenger was taken into custody and later handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for further investigation.

The value of the seized heroin is estimated at tens of millions of rupees, the spokesman said.

Earlier, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) had thwarted a narcotics smuggling bid at the Allama International Airport Lahore.

According to a spokesperson for the ANF, officials at the airport’s cargo office checked a suspicious parcel and discovered heroin concealed in small decoration pieces. The seized drug weighed 2.214 kilogrammes, he said.

Shahid Riaz, a resident of Lahore, had booked the parcel that was to be sent to London.

 

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Governor Sindh rejected to appoint Murtaza Wahab as administrator Karachi

Governor Sindh Imran Ismail on Friday rejected a Sindh government’s plan to appoint PPP leader Murtaza Wahab as the administrator of Karachi.

“No consultation has been made on the appointment of Murtaza Wahab as the administrator of Karachi,” the governor said adding that it could not happen as he belongs to a political party.

It has been agreed previously during a meeting attended by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Asad Umar, and military leadership at the Governor House that Karachi administrator would be unbiased and non-political, Imran Ismail said while speaking to media in Karachi.

The appointment of Murtaza Wahab as administrator, Imran Ismail said was against the promise made by the provincial government.

He said that the promise made with the Karachi stakeholders should be abided by. “This is not anyone’s aunt home where decisions could be imposed,” the governor said.

Imran Ismail further shared that the cleaning of nullahs in Karachi was solely carried out with the funds provided by the Centre.

He lamented that the Karachi package could not be completed within the stipulated time and blamed hindrances being created in this regard by the provincial government.

It is pertinent to mention here that a report on Thursday stated that the Sindh government had decided to appoint Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh on Law and Environment, Murtaza Wahab, as the new Karachi administrator.

According to sources, the PPP leader and Sindh government spokesperson Wahab would be named the new administrator of Karachi on the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto. The notification of his appointment would be issued next week, sources had said.

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We do not want more Afghan refugees here, FM Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday told a Senate panel that Pakistan would suggest a power-sharing formula in Afghanistan to avoid a civil-war-like situation in the neighbouring country, reported.

Briefing members of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan is already handling Afghan refugees in its limited resources and could not deal with more influx.

“We do not want Afghan refugees here as they should stay in their country,” he said and added that they even want three million refugees currently in Pakistan to return to their homeland.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi further warned that in the case of the Afghan Taliban strengthening across the border, TTP could also increase its influence that could harm Pakistan.

He further highlighted the important role Turkey had in the Afghan peace process and said that better initiatives were taken under the banner of the Istanbul peace process.

The foreign minister further said that they had a better relationship with Iran and border markets have been established on the Pakistani side to improve trade ties between the two sides.
Speaking during the meeting, National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf said that they want the end of violence in Afghanistan in order to prevent any fall out of it on Pakistan.

He further warned that if refugee influx was not stopped then it could lead to the arrival of TTP elements in Pakistan in their guise. “The situation in Afghanistan is going out of our hands,” NSA Moeed Yusuf said.

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Judges Barred From Using Social Media

The district judges of Punjab have been barred from using social media platforms to communicate court-related information

In a notification issued after approval of Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Justice Ameer Bhatti, the use of social media for the spread of content related to the judiciary has been restrained by terming it against the code of conduct of the judges.

The judges have been advised to communicate in legal matters through the Lahore High Court Registrar Office and immediately leave the non-governmental WhatsApp groups.

The use of social media for communication of legal issues is against the prestige of the judges and departmental action would be taken against those judges who were found violating the orders, the notification read.

Such messages are spread and displayed in print and electronic media without any proof of the credibility of said messages and no judicial officer should be doing so through any of the social media means, especially with reference to the judiciary.

The LHC CJ has directed the judicial officers to restrict their social life and avoid using social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and others.

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Afghans must decide their own future: President Biden

President Joe Biden on Thursday said it is up to the Afghan people alone how they run their country, as he announced the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan will end on Aug. 31 despite new concerns about the possibility of a civil war.

“We did not go to Afghanistan to nation-build,” Biden said. “It’s the right and the responsibility of the Afghan people alone to decide their future and how they want to run their country.”

Biden delivered his most extensive comments to date about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan under pressure from critics to give more explanation for his decision to withdraw.
Biden also said U.S. plans to move thousands of Afghan interpreters out of the country in anticipation of the end of the U.S. military mission in the country on Aug. 31.

The United States last weekend abandoned Bagram air base, the longtime staging ground for U.S. military operations in the country, effectively ending America’s longest war. The Pentagon says the withdrawal of U.S. forces is 90% complete.

Washington agreed to withdraw in a deal negotiated last year under Biden’s Republican predecessor, Donald Trump. Biden overruled military leaders who wanted to keep a larger presence to assist Afghan security forces and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a staging ground for extremist groups.

Instead, the United States plans to leave 650 troops in Afghanistan to provide security for the U.S. Embassy.

The commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, General Austin Miller, warned last week that the country may be headed toward a civil war.

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Court Grants physical remand of suspects in couple torture case

An Islamabad court on Friday approved a four-day physical remand of four suspects allegedly involved in torturing and filming an obscene video of a couple in the E-11 sector of the federal capital.

The police presented the four suspects including Usman Mirza before the court of judicial magistrate Waqar Hussain, who approved their four-day physical remand.

Police on Wednesday arrested a prime suspect Usman allegedly involved in forcefully filming an obscene video of a couple in Islamabad and blackmailing them after an uproar on social media.

According to details, the incident occurred two months back, when Usman allegedly along with his other accomplices barged into an apartment in the E-11 sector of Islamabad and shot an obscene video of a girl.

The suspect continued to blackmail the couple with the video and demanded money in return and warned to make it viral in case of non-compliance.

The police authorities took prompt action and arrested the suspect after a hashtag on Twitter- arrest Usman- remained on top.

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Only vaccinated people can travel by public transport: Sindh Govt

Sindh Transport Minister Syed Owais Shah said on Friday that only vaccinated people will be allowed to travel by public transportation in the province.

He in a statement said that vaccination certificate of travelers will be checked to make sure they have got themselves vaccinated against the coronavirus.
The minister asked netizens and transporters to get themselves inoculated. He also called for people coming to Sindh from other provinces to bring vaccination proof with them.

He further instructed drivers and their helpers to carry their vaccination certificate with them and asked owners of buses to not book tickets of people who don’t have vaccination proof.

Shah stressed the need for citizens’ cooperation to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

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NAB to challenge Rana Sanaullah,s bail in supreme court

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to challenge PML-N Punjab president and MNA Rana Sanaullah’s bail in assets beyond means case in the Supreme Court.

Sources told ARY News that the bureau has prepared an appeal against the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) decision to grant him bail. It will cite Rana Sanaullah as respondent in the appeal.

The LHC confirmed the lawmaker’s bail in negation of the facts, the sources quoted the appeal as stating. Rana Sanaullah owns more assets than his means of income justify, the appeal says and will plead with the top court to set aside the LHC’s bail verdict.
On April 5, the Lahore High Court had granted interim bail to the PML-N leader in the assets case, which was later confirmed by the court.

NAB prosecutor Faisal Bukhari had told the court that Sanaullah received Rs127 million salary while performing duties on different public positions from 1990 to 2019, whereas, he don’t have any other sources of income.

He detailed that Sanaullah’s inherited properties include a 10-Kanal agricultural land and two houses. He had not mentioned his 14 properties anywhere and it is necessary to arrest the accused for the purpose of investigation, the prosecutor added.

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Corona positivity rate jumps to 3.65% in pakistan

The COVID-19 positivity ratio in Pakistan has jumped to 3.65 per cent over the past 24 hours, reported.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data, 25 more people lost their lives, lifting the nationwide fatalities to 22,520.
The country’s caseload climbed to 969,476 after 1,737 more people tested positive for the deadly virus during this period. The new infections emerged when 47,528 tests were conducted during the said period.
The active cases were recorded at 35,573. The positivity ratio of COVID-19 cases reported a sharp increase and was recorded at 3.65% in Pakistan.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease since the pandemic began climbed to 911,383 after 774 more recovered in the last 24 hours.

Thus far, Punjab has reported a total of 347,553 COVID-19 infections, Sindh 344,223, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 139,008, Islamabad 83,400, Balochistan 27,781, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 20,811 and Gilgit Baltistan 6,700.

As of July 9, as many as 14,698,191 people have been partially vaccinated against the deadly virus, while 3,530,044 people have received both doses of the vaccine.

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Terrorism is once again rearing its head in Pakistan: Maryam Nawaz

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Thursday said that "terrorism is once again rearing its head in Pakistan".

"Never in its 70-year history has the country witnessed the decline it has in the last three years," she said in a rally in Azad Jammu and Kashmir's Muzaffarabad city.

Maryam was in the region to kick off the party's campaign for the July 25 elections to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

Her reference to terrorist activities being on the rise comes after the government recently revealed to the nation that last month's blast in Lahore's Johar Town was carried out by a man associated with India's RAW intelligence agency.

Maryam heaped scorn onto the PTI-led government, and especially on Prime Minister Imran Khan, terming him a "calamity" that has been "imposed on Pakistan" since the last three years.

She said the prime minister had "surrendered Kashmir to India".

The PML-N vice president accused the premier of having come into power with stolen votes and that a similar attempt was made in the Daska by-polls. The race was ultimately won by PML-N.

Maryam said that this time as well, if there is an attempt to steal the elections, the party will not stand by idly.

Chattar Klas address
Earlier in the day, she had delivered an address in the Chattar Klas village.

At the outset, the PML-N leader sought to remind the gathering that she is a Kashmiri with Kashmiri blood coursing through her veins.

She said that Pakistan stands in solidarity with Kashmiris on both sides of the divide.

The PML-N vice president said that the "son of Kashmir", Muhammad Nawaz Sharif (party supremo), will "fight every fight" for Kashmiris.

"He will fight for your rights, he will fight for your independence and he will see to it that victory falls into your very laps," she said.

Maryam went on to refer to a video in which there were threats to "smash" her, and she said her father called her and expressed his concern for her safety, but at the same time, said that she should go to Kashmir. "You have nothing to fear from Kashmiris."

She said she wishes to pay tribute to AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider and all the workers of the PML-N, who despite attempts to "steal the election", have "stood tall in defiance like a mountain".

Rejecting the impression she said had been put forth by the government, that the PML-N is struggling to find applicants for the election, she said that the party had received at least 10 and as many as 20 applications from each district.

Referring to two PML-N members who had reportedly jumped ship to ally with the government, she said that if the government is so confident they have a large number of contestants for the election, "why did you feel the need to turn two of ours?"

Maryam also paid tribute to Raja Abdul Qayyum, who despite having lost a ticket this time to Raja Ibrar Hussain, continued to support the party and its cause. "This shows us how big hearted he is," she said.

"This is why I have kicked off the election campaign from his house," the PML-N vice president added.

She said that the main rally will take place in Muzaffarabad today, where she has "many any important thing to talk about".

"I will of course speak about Kashmir — that is why I am here — but I will also talk about how when the one who stole your votes, deprived you of wheat, sugar, electricity and medicines, what things you must ask him, what you must ask Imran Khan."

She said she will shed light on why when Nawaz Sharif was prime minister, the Indian prime minister came to Pakistan, and why when Imran Khan "came to power after stealing your votes", the Indian government had the audacity to change the status of Kashmir.

"Are 220 million people looking to you for this? For you to go barter off Kashmir and for you to return and say something like that?" she asked the premier.

She said that PM Imran Khan "can only shed tears over how the Indian prime minister does not receive his phone calls, or how the US president does not extend an invitation to him for a visit".

Maryam asked what had happened to the government's plan of observing a two-minute silence every week for occupied Kashmir over its autonomous status having been illegally stripped by India, which continues to keep the area under siege.

"That two minute silence is seen nowhere and instead you have been absolutely silent on the issue since," she said to the prime minister.

She said to those looking to "steal the election": "Listen up! Muslim League Noon is not the Muslim League Noon of the past. Muslim League Noon now knows how to pry every stolen seat from your grasp."

Reminding people of the Daska by-election, she said every party worker now knows "how to stop the theft of votes".

"He who stole the election back in 2018, still needs to employ such tactics three years down the line," Maryam said.

Moving on to speak about the Gilgit-Baltistan election, where seven of the party members emerged as turncoats, she said that "despite being electables and winning horses, they all lost".

She said that in GB one had to fight against a mild-mannered person such as Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, "but here you have a man such as Raja Farooq Haider".

"If you steal this election, remember this, Raja Farooq Haider and PML-N AJK, along with Maryam Nawaz ,will hunt you down to the end of days."

She said the AJK PM "is not an easy man to defeat".

Maryam pledged to stand by Raja Farooq Haider if he stages a protest on Shahrah-e-Dastoor.

In the end, she sought a pledge from the gathering to guard their votes and "chase away any vote thieves".

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Interior Ministry decided to register all foreigners residing in country

The Ministry of Interior has decided to register all foreigners residing in the country and facilitate the return of all those Pakistanis who are stuck at Torkham border.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said: “We have decided to register all foreigners present in the country. People having fake Afghan visas have been also arrested. Around 40 to 50 thousand people living in the country have no record for the last 70 years and every foreigner will now be registered.”

He said that an online visa service has been initiated which will ensure visas are issued to applicants within 30 days and cases have been forwarded to the Cabinet.

Rasheed noted that more than 4,000 Pakistanis are stuck at Torkham border who want to go to Saudi Arabia or other Middle East countries. He said he would talk to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and other concerned authorities to facilitate them in their return to the country.

The minister said that rapid coronavirus testing of the people stranded at the border would be conducted and those declared negative would be brought back to the country while the NCOC and Frontier Corps would decide about those declared positive.

He also appreciated the efforts of the NCOC for its effective strategy to combat the pandemic in Pakistan.

Sheikh Rasheed said that the matter of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan would be forwarded to the Cabinet this week.

To a question, the minister said that the PTI would win general elections in Azad Kashmir.

"Imran Khan will also win the next general elections in the country and we will further improve our performance," he added.

The minister said that drugs were finding their way to Pakistan from other countries and strict action would be taken against those involved in drug peddling activities.

He said that no dialogue is possible with India until New Delhi restores the autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir.

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England squad thrashed Pakistan by nine wickets in the first ODI

A new look England squad thrashed Pakistan by nine wickets in the first ODI at Cardiff on Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in a three-match series.

Pakistan set just 142 for victory, a completely altered England XI after a coronavirus outbreak within the originally selected squad, finished on 142-1 with more than 28 overs remaining.

Dawid Malan was 68 not out and Zak Crawley 58 not out, the pair sharing an unbroken stand of 120,

Earlier, fast bowler Saqib Mahmood took an ODI best 4-42 as Pakistan were dismissed for 141 with more than 14 overs of their innings left.

The 24-year-old Lancashire fast bowler, in just his fifth match at this level and first in nearly a year, took two wickets in three balls in the first to leave Pakistan reeling after England stand-in captain Ben Stokes won the toss.

Only opening batsman Fakhar Zaman, with 47, and Shadab Khan (30) offered much resistance in the first of this three-match series.

And when World Cup-winner Stokes caught Shaheen Shah Afridi to end the innings, Pakistan had more than 14 overs left to bat.

Such was England's command that Stokes, despite being the most experienced member of the attack, bowled just the one over.

England were fielding an entirely new XI, including five debutants, after a coronavirus outbreak within their existing squad during a recent 2-0 series win at home to Sri Lanka meant all 16 players originally selected to play against Pakistan were forced to self-isolate.

In addition, England were also missing fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Olly Stone and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler through injury.

But they still made a sensational start when Mahmood had Imam-ul-Haq lbw with the first ball of the match after a review ordered by Stokes confirmed the delivery had pitched in line.

Two balls later, Mahmood had a prize wicket when Pakistan captain Babar Azam — the world's top-ranked ODI batsman — also fell for a duck after edging to Zak Crawley at second slip, with Pakistan yet to score a run.

Mohammad Rizwan had made 13 when he edged a superb, late-moving, delivery from Lewis Gregory to debutant wicketkeeper John Simpson.

And when Mahmood had Pakistan debutant Saud Shakeel lbw for five, the tourists were 26-4 from seven overs

But Zaman, on a ground where he had made a fifty in Pakistan's 2017 Champions Trophy semi-final win over England, counter-attacked.

The left-handed opener hit several fine boundaries, a four through the covers off Gregory followed by a pull off Craig Overton and a superb drive straight down the ground off debutant fast bowler Brydon Carse.

New batsman Sohaib Maqsood, playing in his first ODI for five years, flat-batted Carse over extra-cover for six.

But a promising stand of 53 ended in farcical fashion when non-striker Maqsood, lured down the pitch by the advancing Zaman's call for a single, was undone when his partner suddenly stopped, with James Vince running him out for 19.

Pakistan, restricted to intra-squad rather than tour matches, badly needed the in-touch Zaman to keep going.

However, his 67-ball innings, including six fours, ended tamely when he miscued a cut off leg-spinner Matt Parkinson and gave a gentle catch to backward point.

And when Mahmood had Faheem Ashraf caught behind, Pakistan were 101-7.

Shadab, dropped on six, checked England's progress before he holed out off Craig Overton.

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PM Khan urges nation to wear masks, get vaccinated as dangers of fourth wave loom

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday urged the masses to strictly observe the government's mandated COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the occasion of Eid ul Adha to keep the virus at bay.

PM Imran Khan warned the nation about the dangers of the Delta variant — which first emerged in India — and said that India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Indonesia are currently suffering because of it.

"Given the current situation in countries like Afghanistan, where there is an acute shortage of oxygen, I would like to say a few things to the nation," the PM said.

He said that so far, Allah has been very merciful towards Pakistan and even foreign publications like The Economist has listed Pakistan as one of the top three nations that were able to control the pandemic in an efficient way.

PM lauds masses for cooperating with government
He lauded the government, particularly the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) for carrying out research and taking timely decisions to contain the virus from spreading.

He said that Pakistan was the only Muslim country that kept mosques open for two consecutive Ramazans — thanks to the efforts, monitoring, and preemptive measures of the NCOC as well as the cooperative attitude of the nation.

"It was also because of the cooperation of the Pakistani nation that the government could save the country from getting into a catastrophic situation [like other countries]," the premier said.

The premier said that at present, however, the coronavirus cases in the country are suddenly rising again after plummeting because of the arrival of the Delta variant in the country.

"Even though I know that people are fed up of following the SOPs across the world and I understand that, I would again like to appeal to the masses to [at least] wear a mask at all times so that the country could be saved from the possible fourth wave of the pandemic."

He explained that masks should be worn at all times whenever someone is in a confined space with other people — including wedding functions, restaurants, and rooms — because the chances of the virus spreading within indoor environments are extremely high.

"If someone is out in the open, for example in a park, they can take their masks off, but when they are inside a bus or a car with other people, for instance, they must wear a mask," the premier explained while holding a mask in his hands.

"It's a very easy job to wear a mask, and this simple step can save the country and our economy from disaster," he continued.

"I would, therefore, ask Pakistanis to mandatorily wear masks and observe precautions, especially during the occasion of Eid ul Adha," he said.

"The government exerted a lot of pressure on people to adhere to the SOPs and I appreciate the nation for bearing with us, but if you want to avoid further lockdowns and restrictions, then continue to wear a mask," he said.

Towards the end of his speech, the premier also urged people to get vaccinated. He added that even though Pakistan does not manufacture the anti-coronavirus vaccine on its own and the vaccination drive is not as quick as it is in the US, for instance, people should take advantage of the available vaccines in the country and get themselves inoculated as soon as possible.

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Corona positivity ratio rises to 3.33% in pakistan

The COVID-19 positivity ratio in Pakistan has surged to 3.33 per cent over the past 24 hours, reported.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data, 24 more people lost their lives, lifting the nationwide fatalities to 22,493.
The country’s caseload climbed to 967,633 after 1,683 more people tested positive for the deadly virus during this period. The new infections emerged when 50,531 tests were conducted during the said period.
The active cases were recorded at 34,531. The positivity ratio of COVID-19 cases reported a sharp increase and was recorded at 3.33% in Pakistan.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease since the pandemic began climbed to 910,609 after 1,084 more recovered in the last 24 hours.

Thus far, Punjab has reported a total of 347,347 COVID-19 infections, Sindh 343,303, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 138,855, Islamabad 83,259, Balochistan 27,502, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 20,728 and Gilgit Baltistan 6,639.

As of July 8, as many as 14,698,191 people have been partially vaccinated against the deadly virus, while 3,530,044 people have received both doses of the vaccine.

A total of 18,228,235 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, so far.

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LHC issued its judgement on bail application of PML-N leader Khawaja Asif

Lahore High Court (LHC) issued its judgement on the bail application of PML-N leader Khawaja Asif on Wednesday.

Two weeks ago, the LHC had granted bail to the PML-N leader in a case against him filed by NAB which accuses him of money laundering and owning assets beyond known sources of income.

On Wednesday, a two-member bench of the LHC comprising Justice Aalia Neelam passed the 18-page judgment.

The court's decision read that the investigating officer's report reveals that investigation against Asif is ongoing. The NAB prosecutor said that the reference against Khawaja Asif should be sent to the NAB chairperson, the judgment said.

The 18-page judgment said that the allegation of assets in excess of income against Asif is under investigation. No reference has been filed against the PML-N leader to date.

According to the decision, a representative of UAE-based International Mechanical and Electrical Company (IMECO) wanted to come to Pakistan. The investigating officer did not include the representative of the Dubai company in the investigation, the judgement read, adding that Asif has declared his overseas income in his income tax returns.

The court ruled that it was a recognised fact that Khawaja Asif did not harm the national exchequer.

NAB's investigating officer did not verify Asif's overseas money from 2004 to 2008 with the embassy, the court said.

PTI leader Usman Dar's petition to the NAB has also been made part of the written decision.

Details of Asif's income have been included in the written statements of the LHC.

Asif was arrested on December 29, 2020. He filed a bail application on March 27, 2021. The arguments on Asif's bail application were completed in three days.

Asif, in his bail plea, stated that he was arrested by NAB on December 29 in a case alleging he owns assets beyond known sources of income and has engaged in money laundering.

He told the court that he has already submitted details sought by NAB and claimed that the anti-corruption watchdog has not shared any of the records turned in by him.

“The accountability court judge also observed that NAB has all relevant records,” Asif had said.

He had said that the Federal Board of Revenue and Election Commission of Pakistan also have records of the assets owned by him.

On December 29, NAB arrested the PML-N parliamentary leader in the National Assembly for allegedly owning assets beyond known sources of income.

He was arrested after coming out of the residence of PML-N General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal where he attended a consultative meeting to decide whether or not the PML-N should contest the Senate election.

 

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Pakistan achieved its "highest demand and supply of power" in history: Hammad Azhar

Federal Energy Minister Hammad Azhar announced on Wednesday that Pakistan achieved its "highest demand and supply of power" in history.

"Highest demand and supply of power in the history of Pakistan achieved today at 24,284 megawatts (MW)," tweeted the minister. He added that the increase was not just a reflection of higher demand and generation but also the increase in transmission capacity.

"In contrast, the highest generation and transmission achieved before PTI government was in July 2018 at 20,811 MW," said Azhar.

The minister also shared that the "record" was achieved despite the country's biggest dam Tarbela "producing just 25% of its output this year during peak season".

Last month it was reported that Pakistan's power crisis has gotten worse, with load-shedding extending up to several hours at a stretch in different cities.

The figures shared at that time by sources in the power division said that the country is facing an electricity shortfall of somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000 megawatts.

Due to a mudslide at the Tarbela Dam, power generation was stopped and machinery has also likely been damaged.

They had said that it will take time for power generation to be up and running again at the Tarbela Dam.

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Twelve Indian ministers gave their resignations to PM Modi

Twelve Indian ministers, including the health, the environment and education ministers, gave their resignations to the country's president's office as Prime Minister Narendra Modi gears up for a major reshuffle in the cabinet.

The resignations form part of a major reshuffle by PM Narendra Modi following a catastrophic spike in COVID-19 cases and ahead of important state elections.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan came in for particular criticism during the surge in coronavirus cases in April and May.

The health service came under severe pressure in many areas with hospitals running out of beds, medical oxygen and drugs.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, minister for law and justice and information technology, has been locked in a bitter dispute in recent months with foreign social media companies.

His ministry authored rule changes that require the firms to remove and identify the "first originator" of posts deemed to undermine India's sovereignty, state security or public order.

Prasad was however expected to be given an important role in Modi´s Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the state elections, press reports said.

The others resigning include Prakash Javadekar, minister for the environment, forests and climate change as well as information, broadcasting and heavy industries.

Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, minister for education, also quit, according to a press statement from the president's office.

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President Alvi appointed Zahoor Ahmed Agha as new governor Balochistan

President Arif Alvi on Wednesday appointed Zahoor Ahmed Agha as the new governor of Balochistan after the former governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai tendered his resignation.

A notification issued from President Alvi’s office said that he has accepted Yasinzai’s resignation and appointed Agha as his replacement.

Earlier today, the former chief justice of the Balochistan high court sent his resignation to President Alvi.

Yasinzai, who was appointed as Governor of Balochistan by President Alvi in October 2018, was asked to step down by Prime Minister Imran Khan in a letter after which the retired judge decided to resign.

In May, the former governor refuted the controversial statement attributed to him against PM Imran Khan and said that he did not speak to anyone and did not give an interview to any TV channel or newspaper.

"I respect Prime Minister Imran Khan from the bottom of my heart, I can't even think or dream of giving such [controversial] statements [about PM Khan]," Yasinzai had said.

According to Geo News, the premier wrote a letter to Yasinzai in which he said that he wants to appoint someone else in his place.

In his letter, the premier wrote that he wanted to meet Yasinzai in person but couldn't do so due to COVID-19.

"It has been a pleasure [working] with you, striving for the creation of a welfare state, and especially looking after the people of the province of Balochistan," the premier wrote in the letter.

"However, given the current political situation, dexterity and deftness are needed at this juncture for a delicate balancing act to simultaneously ensure political inclusion and fulfilment of our commitment towards the people of Pakistan."

"Above in view, I intend to appoint a new governor in Balochistan and would, therefore, request you to resign.

"This, of course, does not in any way reflect adversely on your competence or performance. It is just that the transformed political challenges Pakistan faces at present require, I believe, a change.

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Nation observes 22nd anniversary of Shaheed Havaldar Lalak Jan

Havaldar Lalak Jan who embraced martyrdom during the Kargil war and was awarded Nishan-e-Haider for his bravery was remembered and paid tribute on his 22nd death anniversary today,reported quoting Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

According to the ISPR, a floral wreath was laid at his grave in his native town in Gilgit Baltistan on behalf of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Commander FCNA laid a floral wreath on behalf of the army chief, the army’s media wing said.

The ISPR said that the entire nation pays homage to Havaldar Lalak Jan who laid his life defending the motherland against the odds in the most challenging battlefield environment during the Kargil conflict on 7 July 1999.
His fortitude [and] selflessness will keep inspiring the indomitable defenders of Pakistan for times to come.”

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa paid a glowing tribute to the indomitable courage, devotion and exemplary leadership of Captain Karnal Sher Khan shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider and Havaldar Lalak Jan shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, who wrote history with their blood against all odds.

According to the military’s media wing, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, in his message in connection with the 21st martyrdom anniversary of Kargil War heroes, said,” There is nothing more honourable than laying one’s life for defence of the motherland.”

The army chief said that the nation is proud of its gallant sons for valour and unwavering allegiance to defend the country, regardless of the cost.

It is pertinent to mention here that during the Kargil conflict on the Line of Control in 1999, both the martyred emerged as the symbol of mettle and courage and inflicted heavy losses on the Indian forces while defending the five strategic posts at the height of 17,000 feet in Gultray.

They had embraced martyrdom on 5th July 1999 in an attack by the Indian Army on their post.

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New york apartment case: IHC Grants bail to Asif Zardari

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted on Wednesday pre-arrest bail to former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in a NAB inquiry pertaining to his alleged ownership of a pricey apartment in New York.

An Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench approved Asif Ali Zardari’s bail until July 28 subject to submission of surety bonds worth Rs500,000. The court issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file its reply to his bail plea on next hearing.
The ex-president Asif Ali Zardari turned up before the court in pursuance of its summon.

He moved the bail petition in the Islamabad High Court after the bureau served him a notice along with a questionnaire to provide information about his Belair apartment.

“This notice hinges around the property at the Belaire, 524 East 72nd Street, 37F, Manhattan, New York, United States,” read the notice. It said an initial inquiry revealed that former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari owns the apartment, however, “this property does not figure out in the disclosures made by you in Pakistan”.

“Moreover, there appears no lawful remittances by you from Pakistan for the acquisition of the said property as well. In view thereof, you are requested to provide detailed answers to the enclosed questionnaire along with supporting information/documents concerning the subject Apartment in New York City, United States,” the notice said.

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Pakistan reports 17 more COVID-19 deaths, 1,517 new infections in a day

Pakistan has reported 17 more COVID-19 deaths over the previous 24 hours, lifting the death toll from the disease to 22,469.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the country’s caseload rose to 966,007 after 1,517 new infections were detected during this period.
A total of 46,287 samples were tested, out of which 1,517 turned out to be positive for COVID-19. The positivity ratio of cases reported a sharp increase and was recorded at 3.27% in Pakistan.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease since the pandemic began climbed to 909,525 after 877 more recovered in the last 24 hours.

Thus far, Punjab has reported a total of 347,180 infections, Sindh 342,228, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 138,727, Islamabad 83,155, Balochistan 27,502, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 20,641 and Gilgit Baltistan 6,574.

As of July 7, as many as 14,332,711 people have been partially vaccinated against the deadly virus, while 3,427,072 people have received both doses of the vaccine.

A total of 17,759,783 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, so far.

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Murad Raas announce to open school for transgenders

Punjab Minister for Schools Murad Raas on Tuesday announced to open a school for transgenders in Multan besides having a plan to open more such educational institutes in other parts of the Punjab province, reported.

“It was an entire community that we have sidelined previously and had never thought that they would be getting education or jobs,” Murad Raas said adding that they have taken the decision after meeting the representatives of the transgender community.
He said that they were asked why transgenders are not encouraged to join regular schools. “If they go to regular schools then children who do not understand the emotional side of it could hurt them by poking fun at them,” the education minister said.

Murad Raas, however, said that with a gradual process, they would bring more transgenders towards regular schools.

He said that they would be opening more schools for the community in other parts of the province and would also provide them with job opportunities.

Meanwhile, despite having minimal opportunities, the transgender community in Pakistan has made headlines globally owing to their hard work.

One such example was Pakistani transgender woman Jiya who runs a tailoring shop in a brand new Karachi market.

Pakistan’s parliament recognised the third gender in 2018, giving such individuals fundamental rights such as the ability to vote and choose their gender on official documents.

A 2017 census recorded about 10,000 transgender people, although trans rights groups say the number could be well over 300,000 in the country of 220 million.

 

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Sindh high court orders realease of CM Sindh, cabinet salaries

The Sindh High Court’s (SHC) Sukkur bench on Tuesday ordered to release withheld salary disbursement to the Sindh chief minister, his cabinet members, chief secretary, and secretaries of finance and agriculture departments in pension case.

The salaries were suspended by the SHC for the last six months for not complying with its order regarding the release of pension to retired employees of the Khairpur market committee.

The counsel of the Sindh government apprised the court that Rs60million have been released for the disbursement of the salaries to the retired employees of the market committee.
The SHC bench after confirming from the applicants in present in the court, ordered to release of withheld salaries of Sindh CM, cabinet members, chief secretary and others.

Ghulam Shabbir Mallah, a retired employee of Khairpur market committee had moved SHC Sukkur bench stating that he and his other colleagues had not been receiving pension since their retirement in 2018.

In the previous hearing of the case, the bench had issued directives to the respondents to release their pension.

Expressing its displeasure over Sindh government’s act of disregarding the court order, the bench had ordered that the salaries of all the respondents be stopped until the order was complied with.

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Balochistan is very close to the heart of Imran Khan: Fawad Chuadry

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that the country would finalize an agenda for talks with Baloch separatists now, a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan shared that he was mulling over to talk to them to settle old disputes.

Taking to Twitter, Fawad Chaudhry said that Pakistan has successfully dismantled the Indian-sponsored terrorist network in Balochistan and now they would finalize an agenda to hold talks with Baloch separatists.

Sharing details of the development projects planned for this year in Balochistan, Chaudhry said that the federal government would complete 131 projects with a cost of Rs731 billion this year alone, other than Rs180 billion earmarked by the provincial government for uplift projects.
Balochistan is very close to the heart of Imran Khan,” he asserted.

On Monday while speaking to the Gwadar business community in his official visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan said if it wasn’t for his sincere intentions for Balochistan he would instead be spending summers in London and shopping from Harrods since he did not win elections here.

Moving on with his Gwadar address, he said he was, in fact, thinking of resolving issues with Baloch insurgents by talking to them since there are possibilities of past injustices they were the victims of.

He said no rulers, federal or local, in the past have dealt with Baloch people fairly and thus deprivation of basic rights prompted despair and resistance amongst citizens there who may have been played into Indian and enemy hands.

 

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Corona claims 25 more lives, 830 fresh infections report in a day

Pakistan has reported 25 more COVID-19 deaths over the previous 24 hours, lifting the death toll from the disease to 22,452.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the country’s caseload rose to 964,490 after 830 new infections were detected during this period.
A total of 37,364 samples were tested, out of which 830 turned out to be positive for COVID-19. The positivity ratio of cases stood at 2.22% in Pakistan.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease since the pandemic began climbed to 908,648 after 714 more recovered in the last 24 hours.

Thus far, Punjab has reported a total of 347,014 infections, Sindh 341,275, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 138,616, Islamabad 83,048, Balochistan 27,445, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 220,588 and Gilgit Baltistan 6,504.

As of July 6, as many as 14,026,856 people have been partially vaccinated against the deadly virus, while 3,363,490 people have received both doses of the vaccine.

A total of 17,390,346 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, so far.

US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has decided to resume the Covid-19 vaccine supply to Pakistan this month.

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India trying to divert attention from internal issues: FM Qureshi

India is trying to divert attention from its internal issues by sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Monday, when asked to comment on New Delhi’s involvement in the Lahore blast.

The foreign minister said that Pakistan will tell the world how India is funding terrorism in other countries.

“We will raise this issue at international forums,” FM Qureshi stressed, speaking to private news channel earlier today.

On Sunday, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf had said that the main mastermind behind the attack was an Indian citizen, that investigation had revealed, had links with India.

 

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Pakistan records more than 1300 corona infections in a day

19 more people died of COVID-19 across the country over the previous 24 hours, lifting the death toll from the disease to 22,427.

According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), the country’s caseload rose to 963,660 after 1,347 new infections were detected during this period.
The number of active COVID-19 cases stands at 33,299.

A total of 45,245 samples were tested, out of which 1,347 turned out to be positive for COVID-19. The positivity ratio of cases stood at 2.97% in Pakistan.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease since the pandemic began climbed to 907,934 after 650 more recovered in the last 24 hours.

Thus far, Punjab has reported a total of 346,852 infections, Sindh 340,902, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 138,533, Islamabad 82,969, Balochistan 27,419, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 220,558 and Gilgit Baltistan 6,427.

As of July 5, as many as 14,026,856 people have been partially vaccinated against the deadly virus, while 3,363,490 people have received both doses of the vaccine.

A total of 17,390,346 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, so far.

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CM SINDH MURAD ALI SHAH LEAVES FOR US, LIKELY TO BE JOINED BY BILAWAL BHUTTO

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has left for the United States, where, he is likely to be joined by Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in the next few days.

According to details, Murad Ali Shah left for the United States via Emirates airline flight EK-607. The sources privy to details of the visit said that the chief minister will hold meetings with important personalities in the foreign country.

“Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will also join the chief minister in the US in the next few days,” they said.

This is not the first time that the chief minister had gone to the US as recently on June 09, he left for the country on a week-long private visit.

It was also speculated after his visit that he would be presenting the Sindh budget via video link, however, he later returned ahead of June 15 for presenting the budget for FY2021-22.

A spokesperson for the CM House at that time said the chief minister departed for the US on a three-day visit and would fly back home on Saturday night.

Ahead of the speculated Bilawal Bhutto’s visit to the United States for important meetings, it emerged that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman will begin the second phase of the election campaign on July 5 before Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) polls.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s campaign will comprise four power shows as PPP schedules its first rally in Kotli College Ground on July 5 in AJK. The PPP chairman will meet party leaders on July 6 and later address a rally in Rawalakot on July 7.

PPP will hold its third power show on July 8 at Boys Degree College of AJK’s Haveli District and the fourth rally on July 9 in Mirpur District.

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