Former spokesperson of PM Imran Khan, Nadeem Afzal Chan decided to rejoin PPP

In a major blow ahead of the no-trust motion, former spokesperson of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Nadeem Afzal Chan, has decided to part ways with the ruling PTI and rejoin his former party PPP.

Sources, privy to the development, said that Chan will meet PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at the party's rally in Lahore where he will announce his decision to rejoin the PPP’s ranks. 

Chan had resigned as PM Imran Khan's spokesperson in January of last year over differences with the PTI government.

According to the sources, one of the major reasons behind Chan quitting his office was PM Imran Khan's almost week-long delay in visiting the Machh massacre victims' families who were demanding justice by staging a protest in freezing temperatures on Quetta's Western Bypass.

Before his resignation, Chan had maintained a low profile for some time and was not seen defending either the premier or the PTI government.

Chan is returning to the PPP's fold after close to five years. He had joined the PTI in April 2018.  

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/WCaRkis

Everyone has come together to remove Imran Khan: Pervez Khattak

Defence Minister Pervez Khattak on Saturday claimed that over 15 Opposition members would go “missing” on the day the no-confidence motion is presented before the National Assembly.

Addressing a rally in his home district, the senior PTI leader claimed that the Opposition would face “embarrassment” when they would present the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Parliament.

“Seats on the Opposition benches would remain empty on the day of the motion,” he predicted, adding that their motion would help them reassess their worth.

Speaking about the ongoing PPP’s “Awami March” and the upcoming Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) long march, he said that no matter how many meetings, processions, long marches the Opposition holds, “PTI doesn’t care.”

Khattak said that the Opposition has joined hands as they are scared of PM Imran Khan.

“Everyone has come together to remove Imran Khan,” he said.

He urged the anti-PTI groups to immediately bring back the money kept in offshore accounts, saying that they have no particular agenda they are just against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Last month, the Opposition had announced that it would move a no-confidence motion against the incumbent PTI government.

Since the announcement, the Opposition has started contacting the allies of the PTI government and disgruntled members of the ruling party.

Three main Opposition leaders Asif Ali Zardari, Fazlur Rehman, and Shahbaz Sharif have also held multiple meetings to develop a strategy on the motion.

On the other hand, the government has downplayed the moves and has maintained that Opposition would fail.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/VuIQYC7

Jahangir Tareen to return to Pakistan on March 6

Jahangir Tareen, the Opposition’s key player in the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Friday announced that he will reach Pakistan on March 6.

Tareen is in London for his medical treatment.

PTI leader Muhammad Salman Naeem, who is a member of the Punjab Assembly, said that he spoke to the estranged leader and inquired about his health, adding that his medical reports are all clear.

He further said that Tareen would reach Pakistan on March 6 from the United Kingdom, and will be present whenever the Opposition tables its no-confidence motion against the PTI-led government.

Earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that PM Imran Khan had called Tareen to inquire about his health himself.

"The prime minister was informed that Jahangir Tareen was unwell," Qureshi had said.

Sources had informed Geo News said Tareen spent a week in a private hospital in Lahore for medical treatment, adding that the PTI leader would spend a week in London.

"I'm going for a medical checkup [but] we must stay united and in touch," Tareen told lawmakers who have been sympathetic to him.

In 2020, after revelations in a Sugar Inquiry Commission report, investigations had been launched against Tareen, with the ties between the PTI leader and PM Imran Khan turning sour.

The following year, a separate group was formed by Tareen's loyalists in the PTI, who have recently made contact with the Opposition as it seeks to oust the government.

The conversation between PM Imran Khan and Tareen comes amid increasing activities of the Opposition — PPP holding an "Awami March" and the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) bid to move a no-confidence motion against the premier.

 

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/J9kPcdy

IHC serves notice to AGP in PECA ordinance case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Friday served a notice to Attorney-General of Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan on the petitions filed by journalist organisations against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition against the PECA (Amendment) Act ordinance 2022 during which the court issued the notice to the AGP on the request of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND).

The associations, in their petition, said the ordinance would become a hindrance for journalists to cover prominent public figures. "It should be repealed."

The petition said that the president must have reasonable justification for the issuance of an ordinance as sections 2 and 3 of the Ordinance reduce the right to information and violate the fundamental rights provided by Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution.

During the hearing, Justice Minallah inquired from the petitioners as to why they had not challenged Section 20 of the ordinance as other petitioners have even challenged the criminalisation of defamation.

In response, the petitioner's lawyer, Munir A Malik, said that they have challenged the entire Peca ordinance.

The court later directed the PBA's application to be filed for hearing along with other petitioners.

The petitioners have maintained in the plea that Sections 2 and 3 of the presidential ordinance are contradictory to Articles 4, 9, 19, 19A and 89 of the Constitution of Pakistan which gives its citizens the right to know.

Govt ready to withdraw PECA ordinance: Fawad
In a major development, Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry announced on Wednesday that the PTI-led government is ready to withdraw the controversial ordinance.

Speaking to a private news channel, the minister said that in this regard, the government has handed over the mandate to Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

"If the media Joint Action Committee (JAC) could get its proposal approved, the government would also accept the recommendations," he said.

 

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/91xZYLs

Foreign powers want to destabilize Pakistan, Sheikh Rasheed

Taking notice of the deadly suicide blast inside a mosque in Peshawar, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has sought report from the chief secretary and Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.

In a tweet, the Interior Minister strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.

"I saw a man firing at two policemen before he entered the mosque. Seconds later I heard a big bang," witness Zahid Khan told AFP.

The explosion blew out the windows of nearby buildings, and frantic rescuers were seen ferrying the dead and wounded from the scene.

Muhammad Asim Khan, a spokesman for Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital, confirmed the death toll of 30 and said hospitals have declared an emergency.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/olsWeTS

Suicide attack on Peshawar mosque during Friday prayers martyred 30 worshippers, injures over 50

At least 30 worshipers have lost their lives and more than 50 have been injured in a suicide bomb attack during Friday prayers at a mosque in Qissa Khwani bazaar in the Kocha Risaldar area of Peshawar on Friday, police and rescue workers said.

The rescue teams are rushing the injured to Lady Reading Hospital, while residents and people of the neighbourhood are also helping in transporting the injured on their motorcycles and cars.

Police and security teams have cordoned off the area and started to collect evidence.

The condition of 10 injured people is critical, says the spokesperson of Lady Reading Hospital.

Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the deadly attack on the mosque and ordered efforts to provide immediate medical aid for the wounded.

The premier also sought a report on the blast from the authorities concerned.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, too, condemned the blast and sought a report from the KP inspector-general of police.

The chief minister instructed the rescue workers to speed up the rescue operation and ordered provincial cabinet members to monitor the operations.

Meanwhile, CM's Special Assistant Barrister Saif confirmed that the explosion was a suicide attack. He said that the terrorists tried to enter the mosque and then engaged in an exchange of fire with the police upon failure.

However, one of the terrorists managed to enter the mosque and detonated the suicide jacket.

An eyewitness identified a person as dressed in black as the suicide bomber, saying he entered the mosque, shot and killed the security guard first and then fired five to six bullets.

"After that, he quickly entered the [mosque's] main hall and blew himself up in front of the pulpit. Following this, there were bodies and injured people lying everywhere," the eyewitness said.

"The hall was filled with people; they were on the bottom and top floors; the incident took place at 12:55pm," he said.

He said the people took the injured worshipers to the hospital via motorcycles as rescue workers faced hindrances, while arriving at the site due to congested alleys.

The man claimed recently a hand grenade attack targeted a house in the area, after which residents had urged the authorities to beef up security. "But still, it did not happen [...] the security has been reduced."

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/vYsE9pR

PPP Chairman Bilawal used government funds for his rally in Badin, Shah Mehmood

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari used government funds for his rally in Badin.

The Foreign Minister, while talking to the media said that the opposition parties hold grudges against each other. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP are not loyal to each other either, he added.

The PTI leader also recalled that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had said that all the parties will become allies against him, which has proven to be right as all the parties have become one.

The Minister further said that the youth is now dishearten by the PPP regime and is worried about the future of Sindh. The people of Sindh are in search for a better leader which makes it quite clear who they want for the next elections, he added.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that PTI had to face a deficit of 20 billion dollars as soon as we came in power, to save the country from going bankrupt, our leadership was forced to take loans from our ally countries.

The PTI leader also said that during the pandemic, the world faced downfall in growth rate whereas Pakistan’s economy, under the leadership of Imran Khan, observed growth. In the past three years, we observed record growth in agricultural sector whereas the sales of the auto industry increased.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/kBFz8cu

PPP requests authorities to hold rally in D-Chowk

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has requested the authorities to grant permission to hold rally at D-chowk of Islamabad as the party has decided to camp there.

According to details, the PPP wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Islamabad asking for permission to hold the rally at D-chowk as the Awami March will reach the capital on March 8.

It merits mentioning here that PPP had sought the permission to hold rallies in Faisalabad for three days, upon which the authorities granted permission for one day.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/Nw1fGtZ

Govt's top most priority is to control effects of inflation, Hammad Azhar

Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar Thursday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI) government had decided to make the electricity relief package of Rs 5 per unit, announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan, more effective aimed at protecting the masses of the impacts of global inflation.

Hammad Azhar said he would unveil details of the more effective relief package at a news conference today (Friday).

"It is the foremost priority of the government to protect the masses of the impacts of global inflation," the minister said on his Twitter handle.

He also announced what he called a big relief for the farming community using solar power for tube wells, under which "their (farmers) electricity bills will start reversing during the days the tube wells are not needed to be run. All distribution companies will also implement this announcement."

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/QzblGaX

Various parts of the motorway closed due to fog

Dense fog in various cities of Punjab including Lahore, has badly affected the traffic flow on night between Thursday and Friday, Dunya News reported.

According to details, the visibility has dropped due to dense fog on main roads in plain areas across the province as a result Lahore Motorway M2 from Thokar Niaz Baig to Pindi Bhattian, Motorway M3 from Lahore to Rajana and Motorway M11 from Lahore to Sialkot have been closed at for all kind of traffic.

The Motorway police have appealed the drivers to use Grand Trunk (GT) Road for travelling. They have also urged the drivers to drive slowly and switch on fog lights.

The Motorway police have also requested the people to stay home and avoid unnecessary travelling. Dense fog has also disrupted traffic at several places in the province at the National Highway due to low visibility.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/Ck61BA4

Corona claims 11 more deaths across the country

Pakistan has reported 11 more deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of confirmed positive cases has surged to 1,512,707. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 30,248 on Friday.

According to the latest figures issued by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 953 persons were tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Pakistan has conducted 36,678 tests in the past 24 hours out of which 953 persons were tested positive for the disease. The COVID Positivity Ratio was recorded at 2.59 percent.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/kJWLmq3

Intermittent Rain Continues Lashing Various Parts Of Country

The intermittent rain has lashed parts of country today. According to details, Lahore has witnessed light and heavy rain while weather in Islamabad, Okara, Jhang, Pir Mehal, Pakpattan and Bahawalpur also became cold after the rain.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted mainly cold and dry weather in most parts of the country. However, rain-wind/thunderstorm (snow over the hills) is likely in Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir.

Punjab: Chakwal 12, Kot Addu 09, Murree 07, Bahawalpur 06, Sargodha, Layyah 05, Rawalpindi (Chaklala 04, Shamsabad 03), Multan, Sahiwal, Okara 04, DG Khan 03, Jhang, Bahawalnagar, Toba Tek Singh 02, Mangla. Jhelum, Hafizabad, Joharabad, Khanewal, Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan 01

Balochistan: Barkhan 27, Zhob 05

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Parachinar 04, Saidu Sharif 03, Balakot, Kakul 01

Kashmir: Rawalakot 03, Garhi Dupatta 01 and Sindh: Jacobabad 02.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/Z2rSVEX

Government provide more relief to public in coming days, Farrukh Habib

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib on Wednesday hinted that the government would provide more relief to the masses in coming days to mitigate their sufferings.

“Inflation has risen around the world, big economies like the United States are bearing the brunt of Covid-19, but Prime Minister Imran Khan is committed to provide relief to masses,” he said while addressing a press conference here.

Flanked by Minister for Industries and Production Khusro Bakhtiar, he said the prime minister announced a mega relief package for public, reducing the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre and electricity by Rs 5 per unit as he felt the pain of common man.

Farrukh rejected the opposition’s claim that the PM’s relief package was an attempt to woo voters ahead of the 2023 general elections, insisting that the move was a part of the government’s strategy to roll out relief measures for different segments in phases.

He slammed the PML-N senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, for point scoring over the government relief measures instead of extending appreciation.

The minister said due to prudent policies of Imran Khan, the economy of the country was still flourishing even after being hit by the pandemic of Covid-19.

He said Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had collected taxes amounting to Rs 3799 billion during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (July-February), posting a 30 per cent increase in tax collection as compared to the same period of the last year.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, during its last year in power (2018), had collected taxes of Rs 3800 billion, he added.

Farrukh said opposition parties had lost their reputation at home and abroad due to their alleged corruption, adding it posed no genuine threat to the elected government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/BkrqM7W

3 dead, more than 20 injured in blast on Quetta's Fatima Jinnah Road

Three people, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were killed while 24 people were injured in a blast near a police van at Quetta's Fatima Jinnah Road, officials said on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media, DIG Operations Fida Hussain said that a police mobile from the City police station was in the area around 7pm when a loud explosion took place.

He said that the nature of the blast was being ascertained, but added that 2-2.5 kilogrammes of explosives were used.

Hussain also identified one of the deceased as a DSP, adding that 24 people — including police officials — were injured.

Quetta Civil Hospital Spokesperson Dr Waseem Baig said that the injured were being transported to the hospital for medical treatment.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, in a statement, strongly condemned the incident. He also directed hospitals to impose an emergency and for all doctors and paramedical staff to ensure their presence.

"Cowardly terrorists targeted innocent citizens in a terrorist attack," he said. "Efforts are being made to disrupt peace in Quetta and the province under a planned and well-thought-out conspiracy."

The chief minister said terrorists and their sponsors were receiving "external support", directing the IG to submit a detailed report of the incident.

"All resources should be utilised to bring those responsible for the incident to justice," the chief minister said in his directives, also telling officials to make security arrangements in the city more effective.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/u3DHLm6

PM Imran Khan to launch interest-free loan scheme

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Friday has launched interest-free loans under the Kamyab Pakistan Program at an event in Islamabad.

While addressing the ceremony, the premier told that we have not progressed due to non-implementation on ideology of Pakistan. The society that punishes weak class and pardons strong sector cannot be developed, he added.

Kamyab Pakistan Program is part of the Prime Minister’s Vision for Poverty Alleviation, which will provide loans of worth 407 billion rupees to youth, women and farmers and for construction of low-cost houses and starting business in two years. During this period, the government will provide a subsidy of 56 billion rupees.

The main objective of Kamyab Pakistan Program is to provide relief to the lower class and promote economic growth.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/57hCEck

no-confidence motion can succeed even without support of Chaudhry brothers, Shahid Khaqan

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday said that no-confidence motion can succeed even without support of Chaudhry brothers of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

Talking to media persons in port city, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Finance Minister should elaborate how the measures announced by prime minister will decrease prices of commodities in the country.

Talking about claims of PTI about PM’s Russia visit, the PML-N leader said that whenever a Pakistani leader visits another country this counts as a success but now the government should also announce what Imran Khan achieved during the visit to Russia.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/LNw23DV

Shah Mehmood Qureshi calls Romanian minister to discuss safe evacuation of students from Ukraine

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Wednesday had a telephone conversation with his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu and conveyed his appreciation for the assistance rendered by the Romanian side in the evacuation of people from Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said that he looked forward to continued and swift facilitation in border crossing of the Pakistani students and community members being evacuated.

The Romanian foreign minister assured of Romania’s full support and cooperation in the evacuation process. Besides reviewing bilateral relations, the two ministers also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Sharing Pakistan’s perspective, the foreign minister noted that Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his recent visit to Moscow, had regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, as they hit developing countries the hardest economically.

The foreign minister underlined the indispensability of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes. The two Ministers agreed to remain in close contact.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/s4f7Vbt

Prime Minister Imran Khan will launch the disbursement of the interest-free loans

Prime Minister Imran Khan will launch the disbursement of the interest-free loans to the people of the low-income group under Kamyab Pakistan Program today (Wednesday). According to sources, the launching ceremony will be held at Faisal Mosque.

Under Kamyab Pakistan Program – a component of the prime minister’s vision for poverty alleviation – loans worth Rs 407 billion would be disbursed among the youths, women, farmers and for the construction of low-income houses during the next two years.

During the the next two years, the government would provide a subsidy of Rs 56 billion for the purpose. The key objective of the Kamyab Pakistan Program is to provide relief to the low-income group and increase economic growth.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/a1Mde2O

Corona claims 22 more deaths across the country

Pakistan has reported 22 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 1,510,986. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 30,218 on Wednesday.

According to the latest figures by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) 765 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Till now 13,504 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 8,073 in Sindh, 6,274 in KP, 1,014 in Islamabad, 788 in Azad Kashmir, 375 in Balochistan and 190 in GB.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/3g7zvJV

PM's relief 'package for middle-class' is part of strategy, no election stunt: Fawad Chaudhry

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday rejected the opposition's claim that the relief package announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan a day earlier was an attempt to woo voters ahead of the 2023 general elections, insisting that the move was a part of the government's strategy to roll out relief measures for different segments in phases.

Chaudhry passed these remarks during a media talk in Lahore today when asked to comment on the opposition terming the prime minister's package as an "election stunt".

The premier had on Monday stunned his critics when he announced a "relief package" for the inflation-hit citizens of Pakistan, reducing the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs10 per litre and electricity by Rs5 per unit with a pledge that they would not be increased until the next federal budget.

Responding to a query during an interaction with the media today, Chaudhry clarified that the relief package would not be financed through any loan. "We just made adjustments to our existing budget to facilitate our middle class. Previously, we had given targeted subsidies to extremely poor segment."

The minister said the affluent segment will also contribute to the relief package, adding that the Finance Ministry will hold a press conference, detailing financial adjustments made to the current budget to provide relief to the public.

When asked whether the government was feeling the heat of the PPP's ongoing long march, Chaudhry said Bilawal must go through the "videos of previous long marches held by (late) Benazir Bhutto to learn how such rallies are conducted".

He said the reality of such protests would become clear in three months. "We first want them to get tired by holding this march, then we will make our next move," he told journalists.

To another question about PTI's ties with its allies in the government, the minister said the prime minister was in close contact with PML-Q's Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi.

"We will soon meet PML-Q and MQM," he said, claiming that "some friends" from the PML-N and the PPP friends who were fed up with their party leadership had also contacted the PTI.

Earlier, he recounted the challenges faced by the incumbent government, including Covid-19, Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, and global inflation faced by the PTI government after it took power.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/irzj8us

Seems PM misguided about PECA ordinance: IHC

slamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah took exception on Tuesday to the remarks made by Prime Minister Imran Khan in support of the controversial PECA ordinance, saying it seemed like the prime minister had been misguided about the law.

During the hearing of a petition filed against the ordinance by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) president, the IHC CJ said, “From the speech made by the prime minister, it was apparent that he was misguided.”

Justice Minallah said that anti-defamation laws already existed in Pakistan independent of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The CJ said that in Pakistan, however, laws are implemented to target the critics.

The high court also barred the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from acting against anyone without following the proper arrest protocols.

The IHC also clubbed the application filed by the LHCBA with other petitions against PECA being heard by the same bench, and fixed the case's hearing for March 10.

In its plea, the LHCBA president said the application raised new points in the case. It said the FIA could not take action in matters that were private in nature. It added that even Islam allowed the freedom of expression.

 

The remarks by the IHC judge came a day after the prime minister defended the PECA ordinance, saying that the amendments were brought because “social media was filled with filth such as child pornography”.

According to PM Imran, the content being shared on social media was causing a threat to the institution of family. He had regretted that even he was not being spared, recalling that a few years ago a journalist had reported that his wife had left him and that he had done something illegal at his Bani Gala residence.

Lamenting that he had filed a case but hasn’t got relief in three years, he had said the same journalist had now written that his wife has left the house. “If this can happen with the country’s prime minister ... imagine what would happen to the rest of the people,” he had wondered.

Shocking as it may seem, Imran had revealed that the same journalist was locked up and beaten for three days when he wrote about former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s corruption during the PML-N government.

The prime minister had charged that there were journalists who were spreading filth in exchange for money, adding that the good journalists had no issue with PECA and would want fake news to be eliminated.

Imran recalled that three leading newspapers had carried stories, stating that the selection of AJK’s PM was based on some magic and movement of stars. He had said one couldn’t even think about saying such things under democracy in any other country.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/r10fxsi

PM Imran Khan announces 5-year tax relief for overseas investors

Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced a five-year tax exemption for overseas investors to bolster investment in Pakistan.

He made the announcement during a gathering in Lahore to announce an industrial package to promote business activities in the country.

Addressing the ceremony, the premier said that countries progress from industrial development. “No country can become great without a manufacturing base and industrial growth,” he said.

“A country develops when there is wealth creation, without it they cannot move forward,” he said, adding that when a government forms policies against profit-making, it halts the development of industries and reduces investment opportunities.

He further explained when industries earn profit, other investors get attracted to that particular sector.

PM Imran Khan said that earlier such policies were made which were unfavourable for industrial growth, due to which the country’s exports stopped increasing as there was no long-term plan in place.

“Pakistan never paid attention towards the export sector; whenever we faced a shortage of the US dollar we approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF),” he lamented.

Sharing details of the package, the premier said that the growth of small and medium industries have been focused on, for which the government has introduced a policy and is creating facilities for the sector's growth.

Speaking about the five-year tax exemption for foreign investors, the premier said that if they invest in the industries of Pakistan, our country will develop further.

“Facilities will be given to overseas Pakistanis who face difficulties investing in the country,” he said, citing an example that whenever overseas Pakistanis purchase land in Pakistan it has been illegally occupied as they are not personally around to look after their property.

‘I should have announced an amnesty earlier’

During his address, he highlighted the issue of the rising current account deficit.

“The biggest challenge that we face is of a current account deficit which is triggered due to stagnant exports,” he said.

Pakistan’s current account deficit — the gap between the country’s higher foreign expenditure and low income — widened to a 13-year high of $2.6 billion in January 2022 in the wake of a surge in import payments due to rising commodity prices in the international market.

This was the highest-ever monthly current account deficit. The last time the figure was this high was back in October 2008 when it was $2.03bn.

PM Imran Khan admitted that he should have announced an amnesty for the industries as soon as he was sworn as the prime minister back in 2018.

Expressing hope in the IT sector, he said that the most rapid growth will be seen in this sector; however, he regretted that we treat the sector like normal industries.

“We are trying to make the country self-sufficient and the business community will play a major role in doing so,” he said.

Earlier, during a meeting with Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, the premier directed him to take effective measures for the provision of maximum relief and ensure the delivery of quality services to the people of Punjab.

PM Imran Khan further instructed Buzdar to protect the rights, lives and property of people and to take stern action against encroachers, hoarders and miscreant elements in society.

During the meeting, the premier was briefed about developmental projects being carried out across the province.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/Zc0mBCe

Prime Minister Imran Khan Meets CM Punjab Usman Buzdar

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to take effective measures for the provision of maximum relief and ensuring the delivery of quality services to common man in Punjab.

He was talking with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, who called on him in Lahore on Tuesday.

Imran Khan also instructed to protect the rights, lives and property of people and to take stern action against the encroachers, hoarders and miscreant elements in the society.

During the meeting the Prime Minister was briefed about developmental projects being carried out across the province.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/SFJzpgf

TikTok Increases Maximum Video Length to 10 Minutes

TikTok on Monday began letting users upload videos as long as 10 minutes, ramping up the young platform´s challenge to veteran titan YouTube. TikTok, owned by ByteDance in China, launched with a one-minute limit on uploaded videos, but bumped the cap to three minutes last year.

"Today we are happy to start rolling out the ability to upload videos up to 10 minutes long," TikTok said in response to an AFP inquiry.

"We hope this will further stimulate the creativity of our creators around the world."

TikTok more than tripling the length of videos comes as YouTube and Facebook-parent Meta strive to counter the rival with short-form content options and incentives to creators whose posts draw audiences.

"YouTube is still ahead of TikTok in terms of time spent, but its not immune to the ´TikTok effect´," Insider Intelligence analyst Jasmine Enberg told AFP.

"The gap in time spent between the two platforms is narrow, and longer videos could help TikTok catch up in terms of both eyeballs and engagement."

Longer videos could also enable TikTok creators make more money and boost the platforms advertising business, the analyst added.

YouTube recently laid out goals for this year that included making the lives of creators easier and boosting a popular format that rivals TikTok.

The video-sharing platform is investing in short-form and live video, along with tools to help creators make money and produce fresh content, according to chief product officer Neal Mohan.

"YouTube creators are the heart and soul of the platform," Mohan said in a blog post.

"To give them every opportunity possible, we´ll continue to invest across our multiple formats."

Short-form content like the video snippets that are a winning ingredient at TikTok are incredibly popular. YouTube´s take on the concept, called "Shorts," has logged more than five trillion all-time views, according to Mohan.

 

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/QhOamFv

Pakistan reports more 5 deaths in last 24 hours

Amid a continuous decline in the new COVID-19 cases in the country, Pakistan's daily case count remained below the 1,000 mark for the third consecutive day, the National Command and Operation Centre's (NCOC) data showed Tuesday morning.

The national COVID-19 body said it conducted 37,566 diagnostic tests for coronavirus during the last 24 hours, of which only 861 came back positive.

The fresh cases placed Pakistan's COVID-19 positivity ratio at 2.29% and the overall case count at 1,510,221.

Meanwhile, the daily death toll shot up to 18 again in a single day after falling to only five deaths Monday morning.

The new additions pushed the country's total coronavirus deaths to 30,196.

Moreover, 489 people suffering from COVID-19 recovered overnight, taking the active cases down to 37,087. However, 988 patients are still in critical care units.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/hjVP3tF

Pak vs Aus : PCB, CA and security agencies investigate and dismiss threat against Ashton Agar

Following the incident of a “death threat” being received by the family of Australian spinner Ashton Agar, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Cricket Australia, and government security agencies have begun an investigation in this regard.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, a message was sent to Agar’s partner, Madeleine, on social media, which was immediately reported to CA and the PCB.

The cricket board, however, clarified that "extensive security plans are in place for this type of social media activity."

Earlier today, in a bid to sabotage Australia’s historic tour of Pakistan, a person from India had reportedly sent threats to the family of an Australian cricketer and had warned them of "dire consequences" if the player travels to Rawalpindi, security sources have revealed.

According to the international publication, the team spokesperson confirmed Agar was the subject of the death threat, but team security has investigated and does not believe it is a “credible threat”.

Taking notice of the viral news, Cricket Australia issued a statement saying that Cricket Australia is aware of a social media post, of which the nature and content have been investigated."

“There are extensive security plans in place for this type of social media activity, which — in this case — is not considered a risk. No further comment will be made at this time," the Cricket Australia statement read.

CA has also confirmed in a statement that a social media post was sent. The governing body says the threat is “not a risk”.

“Cricket Australia is aware of a social media post, of which the nature and content have been investigated by the PCB, CA, and combined government security agencies,” the statement read.

“There are extensive security plans in place for this type of social media activity, which, in this case, is not considered a risk. No further comment will be made at this time.”
the family of the Australian cricketer was sent threatening messages via a fake Instagram account —jyot.isharma391. The messenger warned him against playing in Pakistan.

The security sources said that the Instagram account was being handled from India’s Gujarat state. Providing further details of the account, the well-informed sources said that the Gujarat-based Mridul Tiwari, who is working as an environmental, health, and safety officer at the IMC Limited, has issued threatening messages to the cricketer’s family.

His e-mail address is mridul.tiwari07.com, while his phone number is 00917060185885.

India had been using "notorious tactics" in the past to make Pakistan a no-go zone for international cricket, sources said.

Earlier, West Indian cricketers were also issued threats to stop them from visiting Pakistan. The players had talked about the threats on social media and had asked their followers whether they should be opting for the Indian Premier League (IPL) or the Pakistani tour.

New Zealand and England Cricket Board (ECB) had cancelled their scheduled tour after receiving the same types of threats.

Australia, however, expressed satisfaction over the foolproof security arrangements made by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the tour.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/qQEokz9

No international football match will be played in Russia: FIFA

FIFA has strongly condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine and announced sanctions on Russia.

FIFA's governing body has announced sanctions against Russia, saying it would ban the waving of the Russian flag and playing anthems at international matches. No international football matches will be played in Russia.
 

According to the foreign news agency, FIFA has said in its statement that the Russian national football team will play matches as the Football Union of Russia instead of Russia, while these matches will be played at a neutral venue without spectators.

 

On the other hand, the Football Association of England has announced that it will not play any match against Russia in future.

 

Earlier, the Czech Republic, Poland and Sweden announced that their national football teams would not play World Cup qualifiers against Russia next month.

 

 

 

 

 

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/gP6bUJz

Govt to announce reduction in POL, energy prices soon: Pervez Khattak

Federal Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak said Sunday that Prime Minister Imran Khan will soon release a relief package for the masses and announce a reduction in petroleum and energy prices.

"The prime minister will address the nation shortly and announce Rs10 reduction in petroleum prices, and a Rs5 cut per unit in the electricity rates, along with several other measures," he said while speaking at a public meeting at the Mumraiz area of his hometown of Nowshera.

Several members of the opposition's Awami National Party, including Ejaz Khan, Gul Faraz, quit their party and announced joining the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the occasion. Pervez Khattak welcomed them into the folds of the party by handing them caps.

The defence minister discounted the threat to the PTI government and the prime minster, saying the opposition parties were destined for a crushing defeat and the long march will fail to dislodge the government.

He was critical of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his ongoing drive against the government and his alleged statement against state institutions. "Bilawal has courted failure by levelling allegations against state institutions," he said, adding that he hoped the no-trust motion against Imran Khan would be dropped.

Pervez Khattak claimed the government had won the support of 10 opposition lawmakers. "The opposition parties cannot dent the ruling party unity as it itself stands divided," he said.

Elaborating on his statement, he said though the opposition enjoyed a majority in the Senate, it could not stop legislation by the government in the upper house of Parliament. People who work for the party, especially young people, should take advantage of government programmes that help them get a better job.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/v54HD2L

Putin puts nuclear deterrent on alert; West squeezes Russian economy

President Vladimir Putin put Russia's nuclear deterrent on high alert on Sunday in the face of a barrage of Western reprisals for his war on Ukraine, which said it had repelled Russian ground forces attacking its biggest cities.

The United States said Putin was escalating the war with "dangerous rhetoric", amid signs that the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two was not producing rapid victories, but instead generating a far-reaching and concerted Western response.

Less than four days after it started, the invasion has triggered a Western political, strategic, economic and corporate response unprecedented in its extent and coordination.

"With this war on Ukraine, the world will never be the same again," EU's foreign policy chief Josef Borrell wrote in an opinion piece in the Guardian newspaper.

He said, "It is now, more than ever, the time for societies and alliances to come together to build our future on trust, justice and freedom. It is the moment to stand up and to speak out. Might does not make right. Never did. Never will."

The 27-nation European Union on Sunday decided for the first time in its history to supply weapons to a country at war. A source told Reuters it would send 450 million euros ($507 million) of weaponry to Ukraine. Borrell at a news conference said EU's support would include providing fighter jets.

The European Union's chief executive Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for Ukraine's membership in an interview with Euronews, saying "they are one of us." read more Ukraine, a democratic nation of 44 million people, won independence from Moscow in 1991 at the fall of the Soviet Union and has pushed to join the NATO Western military alliance and the EU, goals Russia vehemently opposes.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/n1uyTEU

Pakistan reports 5 more deaths in the last 24 hours

Pakistan has reported 5 more deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of confirmed positive cases has surged to 1,509,360. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 30,178 on Monday.

According to the latest figures issued by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 856 persons were tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Pakistan has conducted 53,625 tests in the past 24 hours out of which 856 persons were tested positive for the disease. The COVID Positivity Ratio was recorded at 2.56 percent.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/n7LXv2l

Opposition has reached a deadlock to bring a no-trust motion: Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad on Sunday said that the PTI-led government has "complete trust in its allies" but the joint Opposition has reached a deadlock in their efforts to bring a no-trust motion against the government.

The minister, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday, said that the Ministry of Interior would provide "full security" to the PPP-led long march that started earlier in the day from Karachi.

However, he said, that bringing about a revolution is not PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's cup of tea and referenced the result of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's Nizam-e-Mustafa movement.

"Opposition parties are only interested to protect their own vested agendas. Fazl would know what happened to the Nizam-e-Mustafa movement of 1977," he said.

The minister said that political parties trying to create chaos in the country will have to eventually face defeat.

"The circus which the Opposition wants to stage will hardly last nine days as they have no idea about how to proceed with their plans."

He went on to say that the Opposition will regret its own plans, adding that the incumbent government is about to complete its four years in power and will successfully complete another year. 

On the other hand, Bilawal on Sunday said that neither Sindh nor Pakistan could progress until the PTI government is sent packing.

His statement came during the politician's address to a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid before the commencement of PPP's long march. 

The PPP leader started his speech at the rally with the slogan "go selected".

Earlier, Bilawal thanked the people of Karachi for gathering in huge numbers to "wage war" against the incumbent government on the party's call.

He went on to say that the three years of the incumbent govt in power forced Karachi's people to protest.

"The ineligible and incompetent prime minister has plundered the rights of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," Bilawal said.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/HS2miU3

FM Qureshi underscores 'de-escalation' in conversation with Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi underscored the “importance of de-escalation” in his conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba as Kyiv battles a Russian invasion.

“Foreign Minister Qureshi shared Pakistan’s perspective in detail, reiterating serious concern at the situation, underscoring the importance of de-escalation, and stressing the indispensability of diplomacy,” said the Foreign Office spokesperson about Pakistan’s top diplomat’s telephonic conversation with Ukraine’s Kuleba.

According to the spokesperson, Foreign Minister Qureshi informed his Ukrainian counterpart that Prime Minister Imran Khan, during his recent visit to Moscow, “regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine”.

He added that the Pakistani premier “had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict”.

“Conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically, in case of conflict,” said Qureshi.

Islamabad believes that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, he added.

Pakistan’s top diplomat also took up the issue of evacuation of the Pakistani community and students in Ukraine and their safe return to their home country.

He appreciated the Ukrainian authorities’ role in the “evacuation process and asked for continued facilitation and smooth border crossing at the earliest possible”.

Russia launched its invasion by land, air and sea on Thursday following a declaration of war by President Vladimir Putin. An estimated 100,000 people fled as explosions and gunfire rocked major cities. Dozens have been reported killed.

The United States and Ukrainian officials say Russia aims to capture Kyiv and topple the government, which Putin regards as a puppet of the US. Russian troops seized the Chernobyl former nuclear power plant north of Kyiv as they advanced along the shortest route to Kyiv from Belarus to the north.

On the fourth day of the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two, the Ukrainian president's office said negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow would be held at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. They would meet without preconditions, it said.

The capital Kyiv is still in Ukrainian government hands, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rallying his people despite Russian shelling of civilian infrastructure.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/qIfLFDa

PSL7: Lahore Qalandars defeated Multan Sultans by 42 runs in Final

Lahore Qalandars on Sunday put up a clinical performance to defeat Multan Sultans by 42 runs and secure their first Pakistan Super League (PSL) in seven editions.

Although Lahore had handed Multan a stiff 181-run target, still they were required to be at their best both with the ball as well as in the field.

And, they just did that. Once again skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi deployed Mohammad Hafeez early, and he didn't disappoint as he removed the in-form Mohammad Rizwan for 14 runs with the score of 36 runs in four overs.

Fakhar who failed with the bat, but was light wire in the field as he ran out Shan Masood with a brilliant direct-hit, and also took a great catch of Aamer Azmat to reduce Multan 46-3.

Asif Afridi was removed four runs later, and the dangerous Rilee Rossow was sent back for 15 by young pacer Zaman Khan as Multan's batters were falling like a pack of cards.

Khushdil Shah and Tim David smashed some boundaries, but they had a huge task against a world-class bowling attack of Lahore. Khushdil was bowled by Haris Rauf, while David was sent back by Shaheen after Fakhar took a great diving catch.

After that Willey, Tahir, Rumman was removed in the wink of an eye, as Tahir was the last man to go when Rauf took a great catch, and the entire Gaddafi Stadium erupted in joy.

Among the bowlers, Shaheen took three, Hafeez and Zaman two, while Wiese and Rauf one as Lahore won their maiden PSL crown.

Earlier, Lahore Qalandars had handed a 181-run target to Multan Sultans.

Lahore, after electing to bat first, got off to the worst possible start as they were reduced to 25-3 in 4.2 overs. The in-form Fakhar Zaman was removed for just three runs by Asif Afridi with Shahnawaz Dahani taking a great catch, while Abdullah Shafique was also removed by Asif.

After that, Mohammad Hafeez showed his experience and class as he steered the ship for Lahore by playing sensibly. With Kamran Ghulam, he forged an important 54-run partnership to steer the inning.

Hafeez took the attacking mode as he went after the opponent bowlers, and was finally removed for 69 runs by Dahani. He scored those runs off 46 balls with one six and nine fours.

After, his dismissal Harry Brook and David Wiese registered a 43-run stand in just 2.4 overs as they went rampant against the Multan bowlers.

Wiese remained not out for 28 runs off just eight balls with three sixes, while Brook scored 41 runs off 22 balls.

In terms of bowling for Multan, Asif was the stand out bowler with brilliant figures of 3-19 in four overs, while leggie Imran Tahir gave away just 22 runs in a wicket-less four-over spell. Dahani went to the cleaners in the late overs as he ended with figures of 1-34 in three overs. Rumman Raees conceded 35 runs in just two overs.

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (c, wk), Shan Masood, Aamer Azmat, Rilee Rossouw, Tim David, Khushdil Shah, David Willey, Asif Afridi, Rumman Raees, Imran Tahir, Shahnawaz Dahani

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam Mohammad Hafeez, Zeeshan Ashraf (wk), Harry Brook, David Wiese, Samit Patel, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/HtYds5v

Stage set for Bilawal's rally at Mazar-e-Quaid to kick start long march

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is all set to kick start the anti-government long march today (Sunday) with his address to a rally at Mazar-e-Quaid.

The long march — led by the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari — will start from Karachi and reach the capital in 10 days passing through 34 different cities.

All the arrangements for the long march have been completed, with PPP banners and flags put up across the city and the PPP workers excited for the venture.

Bilawal is expected to arrive at the venue of the rally at around noon.

The people willing to participate in the march will gather at Numaish Chowrangi and depart as a convoy.

The PPP had announced the long march to protest the inflation, hike in petroleum products prices and other measures taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan-led federal government.

Traffic plan

Keeping the commencement of Bilawal's long march, Karachi traffic police have worked out an alternate traffic plan to maintain the flow of traffic in the city despite the closure of some routes.

The traffic police say that the road leading from Gurumandir to Numaish Chowrangi, the starting point of the march, will be closed for traffic therefore the commuters may use the road leading to Soldier Bazaar from Gurumandir and the to Jail Road flyover using Jamshed Road.

Moreover, the general public will not be allowed to use the route from Society Chowrangi to the starting point. However, they can use the road leading to Jail Chowrangi from Society Chowrangi.

The road leading to New M.A Jinnah Corridor 3 from Regal Chowrangi will also be closed for the general public therefore they may take the road to Shahrah-e-Faisal through Lucky Star from Saddar Dawakhana.

Meanwhile, the flow of traffic coming from University Road will be diverted to Shaheed-e-Millat Road at Jail Chowrangi, while the traffic coming from Jamshed Road will be diverted to Soldier Bazaar.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/dJSAg47

Government, opposition in war of attrition on number game

The proverbial war of attrition over the number game in parliament between the government and the opposition seems to be intensifying with each passing day, as both the rival camps are laying claims to have the required strength to defeat each other’s move.

Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar, who on Saturday said that the opposition parties had failed to buy members of parliament in an effort to garner support for their no-trust move against the prime minister "… some dealers increased the rate when persons (MPs) did not detach… even the new rate too did not serve the purpose (horse-trading)," the minister wrote on his Twitter handle.

Azhar said he heard that 'some dealers' had increased the rate to buy the MPs, who remained steadfast and loyal to their party, from their 'illegitimate income and stolen money’. He mocked the opposition for failing to trap in the MPs saying, "Even the new rate did not work."

During a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad asked the opposition to come to its senses, saying that some short-sighted people considered the “no-confidence motion” a “child’s play”.

“These rejected people are talking about no-confidence just to satisfy their whims, but they could not build any pressure on the government,” Rashid said. “The government is strong and will complete its constitutional term under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan,” he added.

Punjab government spokesperson Hassaan Khawar said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) had denied lending support to the opposition on the proposed no-confidence motion. Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat said that government was in contact with the Jahangir Tareen group.

“The Chaudhry brothers are decent politicians and they will take a well thought-out decision. [Federal Minister] Monis Elahi and other leaders of the PML-Q have denied supporting the opposition on the no-confidence motion,” Khawar told reporters in Lahore.

Separately, talking to reporters during a friendly hockey match at the Ashfaq Nadeem Hockey Stadium, Law Minister Basharat said that the government was in contact with all its allies as well the disgruntled party leader Tareen. “Everyone is with the government,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab President and former law minister Rana Sanaullah, on a query about the no-confidence motion, said the PML-N was optimistic about the success. “They [all opposition parties] are united at the moment,” he said, while responding to a question whether the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and other parties were united on the motion.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/yCQY7fz