local Bodies Elections in thirty two districts of Balochistan

Polling is underway for local Bodies Elections in thirty two districts of Balochistan under strict security arrangements.

According to details, polling will continue till 5:00 in Sunday evening without any break.

As per Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), over 3.5 million voters are eligible to cast their votes in the local bodies elections while 5,226 polling stations including 1,974 highly sensitive stations have been established for the Balochistan LB polls.

Tight security measures have been taken to avoid any kind of untoward incident during the elections across the province.

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Seven Indian troops killed in accident near disputed border with China

At least seven Indian soldiers were killed and 19 others injured in a road accident in the remote Ladakh region, close to the country's disputed border with China, police said Friday.

The world's two most populous nations redirected tens of thousands of additional troops into the high-altitude Himalayan region after a deadly hand-to-hand battle in June 2020 left at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead.

“Seven soldiers killed, 19 injured in the remote Nubra area,” a senior police officer in Ladakh told AFP.

The incident happened early Friday when a vehicle carrying the soldiers for deployment close to the contested frontier skidded off the road and plunged about 15 metres (50 feet) into the Shyok River, according to the official.

 

India and China, after fighting a full-scale border war in 1962, have long accused each other of trying to seize territory along their unofficial divide, which is known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Relations have soured dramatically since a June 2020 clash along one section between Ladakh and Tibet.

Both sides have since reinforced the region with extra soldiers, military hardware and new infrastructure as multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks have failed to de-escalate tensions.

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Live; Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing nation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is addressing nation

 

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Govt increases petrol price by Rs 30 per litre

The government on Thursday jacked up the price of petrol by Rs 30 per litre with immediate effect.Federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail told a press conference that the IMF program could not move forward without raising the prices of petroleum products.

Following Rs 30 per liter increase in price of Petrol the new price will be Rs 179.86.

The price of high-speed diesel (HSD) was also increased by Rs 30 per liter and will now cost Rs 174.15 per liter.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken this difficult decision in the larger interest of national economy. He said that it is a hard decision for the government to impose such kind of burden on general public.

He said the government is providing 56 rupees per liter subsidy on petroleum products as the previous government had fixed these prices which caused to increase inflation in the country.

Miftah Ismail said that IMF Program cannot be approved for Pakistan without increase in petroleum prices.

Earlier today, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged Pakistan to end subsidies on electricity and petroleum products to revive the program.

According to a statement issued by the IMF, the IMF mission, led by Nathan Porter, held virtual and direct talks with Pakistani officials on policies to ensure economic stability and sustainable growth in Pakistan from May 18 to May 25.

The statement stated that the mission held constructive talks with Pakistani officials to reach an agreement on policies and reforms to conclude the seventh review of the pending reform program, which is supported by the IMF Extended Fund Facility arrangements.

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Russia commits 'all its forces' to take Ukraine's Lugansk, Kyiv says

Russia on Thursday made an all-out effort to capture the rest of the industrial region of Lugansk in eastern Ukraine, officials said, as President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of seeking to commit "genocide" across the eastern Donbas.

As the fighting intensified, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba aired Kyiv s increasing frustration with the West, accusing allies of dragging their feet on arms deliveries and telling his German counterpart that Ukraine needs heavy weapons "as soon as possible."

Russian forces are now closing in on several urban centres, including the strategically located Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. Lugansk is part of the Donbas, the industrial basin comprising that region and Donetsk.

"The situation remains difficult, because the Russian army has thrown all its forces at taking the Lugansk region," regional governor Sergiy Gaiday said in a video on Telegram.

"Extremely fierce fighting is taking place on the outskirts of Severodonetsk. They are simply destroying the city, they are shelling it every day, shelling without pause."

Russian forces also bombarded Ukraine s second city Kharkiv, killing nine people, and five civilians were killed Thursday in the Donetsk region to the south, according to the governor.

In his daily televised address, Zelensky said Moscow was pursuing an "obvious policy of genocide" in the Donbas -- after failing to take the capital Kyiv -- and its bombardments could leave the entire region "uninhabited".

Kyiv has been losing patience with what it views as the West s failure to quickly arm Ukraine and impose a ban on Russian oil exports on top of punishing economic sanctions already in place.

"We need more heavy weapons delivered as soon as possible, especially MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems) to repel Russian attacks," Kuleba wrote on Twitter after speaking with Germany s Annalena Baerbock.

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Qureshi expresses concern over bill to bar overseas Pakistanis from voting

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday expressed concern over the passage of a bill in the National Assembly to abolish the former government election reforms giving expats the right to vote through I-Voting and the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the country.

The National Assembly on Thursday approved a bill to bar overseas Pakistanis from voting and stop the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the country.

Qureshi strongly criticised the move and termed it a "regressive and condemnable act" of the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sherif of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: "PTI gave over nine million Overseas Pakistanis the right to vote. Today, this band of thieves and thugs removed this, disenfranchising a staggering number of Pakistanis and barring the use of electronic voting machines."

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Truck motorcycle collision in Shujabad, Two killed

At least two persons were killed and one more was wounded when the motorcycle they were riding on was hit by a truck in Shujabad on Thursday night.

According to details, the accident occurred at the National Highway in Shujabad where a recklessly driven truck hit a motorcycle, killing a man and his wife on the spot while their daughter was injured.

Rescue teams reached the spot after being informed and shifted the dead and injured to Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, Shujabad.

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Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Ali Raza Sadpara passed away

Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Ali Raza Sadpara passed away in the wee hours of Friday at the age of 55.

Ali Raza Sadpara had suffered critical injuries after falling from a mountain during a routine climbing practice near his village in Skardu. He met an accident while pre-expedition preparation of his K-2 summer expedition and got severe injuries.

He was under treatment at the RHQ Hospital Skardu, in Gilgit−Baltistan where he breathed his last on Friday.

During a career that started in 1986, Ali Raza Sadpara has summited 17 8,000m peaks, including each one in Pakistan except K2. He has climbed many signature Pakistani 8,000’ers multiple times, including Broad Peak (8,047m) and Gasherbrum I (8068m) four times, and Gasherbrum II (8,035m) five times, most recently last summer.

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11 babies killed in Senegal hospital fire

Eleven newborn babies died in a hospital fire in the western Senegalese city of Tivaouane, the president of the country said late Wednesday.

Just before midnight in Senegal, Macky Sall announced on Twitter that 11 infants had died in the blaze.

"I have just learned with pain and dismay about the deaths of 11 newborn babies in the fire at the neonatal department of the public hospital," he tweeted.

"To their mothers and their families, I express my deepest sympathy," Sall added.

The tragedy occurred at Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh Hospital in the transport hub of Tivaouane, and was caused by "a short circuit", according to Senegalese politician Diop Sy.

"The fire spread very quickly," he said.

The city s mayor Demba Diop said "three babies were saved". According to local media, the Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh Hospital was newly inaugurated.

Health minister Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, who was in Geneva attending a meeting with the World Health Organization, said he would return to Senegal immediately.

"This situation is very unfortunate and extremely painful," he said on radio. "An investigation is under way to see what happened."

The tragedy in Tivaouane comes after several other incidents at public health facilities in Senegal, where there is great disparity between urban and rural areas in healthcare services.

In the northern town of Linguere in late April, a fire broke out at a hospital and four newborn babies were killed. The mayor of that town had cited an electrical malfunction in an air conditioning unit in the maternity ward.

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We will return if elections not announced within 6 days, Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday has given deadline of 6 days to the government to dissolve the assemblies and announce fresh elections.

Former Prime Minister while addressing to the protestors of long march in Islamabad, warned the government that if announcement of elections will not be made, he will return to Islamabad.

After Imran Khan s announcement, protesters of the sit-in also dispersed at the Numaish Churangi in Karachi.

Earlier, Imran Khan asked his party workers and supporters to reach D-Chowk, Dunya News reported.

The PTI chief Imran Khan while leading his party’s Haqeeqi Azadi March against the "Imported Government" reached Islamabad in the wee hours of Thursday where he delivered a short speech.

Imran Khan said that we are waging a "Jihad against this Imported Government" and asked the PTI workers that we will not move from here till the date for fresh election is not announced.

On the other hand, Interior Ministry had summoned the Pakistan Army for the security of the Red Zone in Islamabad after Pakistan PTI workers and supporters reached Islamabad to attend the march.

According to a notification issued in this regard, Pakistan Army was summoned under Article 245 of the Constitution.

All security arrangements in the Islamabad’s Red Zone was handed over to the Army. Pakistan Army personnel were stationed at PM House, PM Office, Supreme Court and other sensitive government buildings in the area.

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Pak Army Takes Control of Sensitive Buildings in Red Zone

Pakistan Army contingent reached Islamabad s Red Zone to take control of sensitive buildings after they were summoned by to Interior Ministry for the security of the area.

All security arrangements in the Islamabad s Red Zone have been handed over to the Army. Pakistan Army personnel have been stationed at the President House, PM House and PM Office, the Supreme Court and other sensitive government buildings in the area.

Earlier, Interior Ministry had summoned the Pakistan Army for the security of the Red Zone in Islamabad after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and supporters reached Islamabad to attend the Haqeeqi Azadi March on the call of their party chief Imran Khan, Dunya News reported.

According to a notification issued in this regard, Pakistan Army has been summoned under Article 245 of the Constitution.

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PTI leaders, workers stage sit-in in Quetta

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and workers staged a sit-in protest on the call of PTI chief Imran Khan against the ‘Imported Government’ in the lawns of Quetta Metropolitan Corporation on Wednesday.

The PTI sit-in protest entered the second day on Thursday. The provincial leadership of the PTI including Syed Zahoor Agha and Khadam Hussain Wardak are leading the sit-in protest in which party workers from across the province are present.

The participants of the sit-in are of the view that our sit-in will continue till the overthrow of the ‘Imported Government’ and the announcement of date for the new elections.

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IMF delays revival of much-needed programme for Pakistan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) late Wednesday delayed the revival of the stalled $6-billion programme under the External Financing Facility (EFF) for Pakistan.

The revival was expected to bring stability to the financial markets, the fast-weakening Pakistani rupee, and the depleting foreign exchange reserves, as the government had pinned hopes on the programme's resumption.

Pakistan failed to convince the IMF, as both sides could not reach a staff-level agreement despite week-long negotiations in Doha, Qatar, from May 18-25.

The Fund, in a statement, has emphasised the abolition of subsidies on petroleum products and electricity, among other conditions, as a prerequisite for the programme's revival.

Following the conclusion of the talks, IMF Mission Chief for Pakistan, Nathan Porter, said the Fund held constructive discussions with the Pakistani officials, which aimed at reaching an agreement on policies and reforms.

“Mission has held highly constructive discussions with Pakistani authorities aimed at reaching an agreement on policies and reforms that would lead to the conclusion of the pending seventh review of the authorities’ reform program, which is supported by an IMF Extended Fund Facility arrangement."

Porter said considerable progress was made during the mission, including the need to continue to address high inflation and the elevated fiscal and current account deficits, while ensuring adequate protection for the most vulnerable.

The Fund also appreciated the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) decision to hike the policy rate from 12.25% to 13.75% — a move made to control the increasing inflation.

But the mission chief noted that on the fiscal side, there were deviations from the policies agreed upon in the last review, partly reflecting the fuel and power subsidies announced by the authorities in February.

The PTI-led government had originally agreed on raising the price of electricity and petroleum products, but later in March, Imran Khan announced subsidies on both commodities — and the current government is continuing with the same arrangement.

"The IMF team emphasised the urgency of concrete policy actions, including in the context of removing fuel and energy subsidies and the FY2023 budget, to achieve program objectives," Porter said in the statement.

The mission chief added that the IMF team looks forward to continuing its dialogue and close engagement with Pakistan’s government on policies to ensure macroeconomic stability for the benefit of all of Pakistan’s citizens.

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Fawad urges masses to 'come out for Pakistan'

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has urged the people of Pakistan to "come out for Pakistan" as PTI chairman Imran Khan called on Pakistanis for a long march towards Islamabad.

Taking to Twitter, former Minister Fawad said, "Today people of Pakistan will come out for rightful independence and it will be a day when sovereignty of people will be decided."

Fawad urged the people to come out for their future generations. He also insisted to join their voices with Imran Khan’s call which is for the revolution and for the people.

Earlier, the government sealed several cities of Punjab including provincial capital Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahawalnagar in an attempt to stop PTI long march, Dunya News reported on Tuesday.

According to sources, the government has sealed all entry and exit points of provincial capital of Punjab by placing containers on the roads.

The police have closed Ravi River Bridge with containers and and also closed GT Road with containers. Lahore-Islamabad Motorway has also been closed by placing containers.

Heavy contingent of police have been deployed at Thokar Niaz Baig and Babu Sabu interchanges of Motorway. Authorities have also closed Sagian Bridge with containers.

In Gujranwal, police have sealed all the entry and exit points of the city with containers in an attempt to stop PTI long march. Police have also conducted raids at PTI leaders and workers houses in the city and have arrested over 150 workers.

In Bahawalpur too, police in a bid to stop PTI workers from reached Islamabad have suspended all public transport. Police have also closed bus stands in the city.

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IG Punjab: Hammad Azhar moves LHC against CM Hamza,

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar on Wednesday filed a contempt of court petition in Lahore High Court (LHC) against Chief Minister of Punjab Hamza Shahbaz and Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab.

Hammad Azhar, in his petition, states that lawmakers are being harassed and arrested and government is violating fundamental rights of the people.

The PTI leader has prayed the court to start contempt of court proceeding against CM and IG Punjab.

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Russian troops aim to 'destroy everything' in Donbas: Zelensky

Russian troops advanced in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, pounding key cities and aiming "to destroy everything there," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as Moscow signalled it was digging in for a long war against its neighbor.

Three months to the day since Russia launched its invasion, Zelensky mourned the thousands of Ukrainian men and women who have perished and he renewed calls for heavy weapons from foreign partners saying arms for Kyiv were "the best investment in stability in the world."

Read more: From Missiles To Helicopters: US Says 20 Countries Offer New Arms For Ukraine

Sergiy Gaidai, governor of the eastern region of Lugansk, said Russian forces were bombarding the industrial city of Severodonetsk with air strikes, rockets, artillery and mortars in an effort to solidify control over the province and move further into Ukraine.

"The situation is very difficult and unfortunately it is only getting worse. It is getting worse with every day and even with every hour," Gaidai said in a video on Telegram. "The Russian army decided to completely destroy Severodonetsk."

He added: "They are simply erasing Severodonetsk from the face of the earth."

In Moscow, Russian Defence Minister Sergei made it clear Russia was bedding in for a long war in Ukraine.

"We will continue the special military operation until all the objectives have been achieved," Shoigu said, using Moscow s name for the war.

In his daily address to the nation late Tuesday, Zelensky called the situation in Donbas "extremely difficult," saying Russian forces were mounting a massive assault on Severodonetsk and several other cities.

Read more: Ukraine rejects concessions as Russians attack in east and south

"All the strength of the Russian army which they still have was thrown there for the offensive," Zelensky said. "The occupiers want to destroy everything there."

Supplying Ukraine with rocket-propelled grenades, tanks, anti-ship missiles and other weapons is "the best investment in maintaining stability in the world and in preventing many serious crises that Russia is planning or has already provoked," Zelensky said.

"The longer this war lasts, the greater will be the price of protecting freedom not only in Ukraine, but also in the whole free world."

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FM Bilawal, Romanian FM discuss areas of mutual cooperation

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu have discussed areas of mutual cooperation including in the areas of trade and investment, development and education as well as collaboration at multilateral forums.

They met on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release on Tuesday.

Minister of State Hina Rabbani Khar was also present during the meeting.

The foreign minister underscored that Pakistan attached high importance to its relations with Romania, both bilaterally and in the context of the European Union.

The two ministers also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest

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Police arrest PTI leaders Ijaz Chaudhry, Mehmood ur Rasheed

With the clock ticking on PTI’s ‘Azadi March’, the police on Tuesday arrested PTI’s Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Punjab senior leader Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed and other party workers.

The police continued to raid the houses of the PTI leaders and workers as the government has decided to stop PTI’s 'Azadi March' set to begin today (May 25).

Despite the government ban, ex-prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan and other party leaders have vowed to reach Islamabad for the sit-in till the announcement of new elections.

A day earlier, Punjab Police raided the houses of several PTI leaders, including former energy minister Hammad Azhar, Usman Dar, and Babar Awan, while a police constable was also shot dead during a raid in Lahore.

On Tuesday, police arrested senior PTI leader Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed in a late-night raid under section 16 of the Maintenance of the Public Order (MPO).

Earlier, police also raided former education minister Shafqat Mehmood's residence, however, he was not present at home.

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PTI's long march: Govt seals Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahawalnagar

The government has sealed several cities of Punjab including provincial capital Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahawalnagar in an attempt to stop Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long marc.

According to sources, the government has sealed all entry and exit points of provincial capital of Punjab by placing containers on the roads.

The police have closed Ravi River Bridge with containers and and also closed GT Road with containers. Lahore-Islamabad Motorway has also been closed by placing containers.

Heavy contingent of police have been deployed at Thokar Niaz Baig and Babu Sabu interchanges of Motorway. Authorities have also closed Sagian Bridge with containers.

In Gujranwal, police have sealed all the entry and exit points of the city with containers in an attempt to stop PTI long march. Police have also conducted raids at PTI leaders and workers houses in the city and have arrested over 150 workers.

In Bahawalpur too, police in a bid to stop PTI workers from reached Islamabad have suspended all public transport. Police have also closed bus stands in the city.

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TikTok lets creators charge monthly subscriptions

TikTok on Monday said it will start letting some popular accounts at the video-snippet streaming star charge subscriptions for live streams. Similar money-making tools have been added to rivals such as Instagram and Facebook as the social media platforms compete for online personalities that attract audiences.

"LIVE Subscription is an extension of our efforts to build diversified creator monetization opportunities that suit a range of creator needs," TikTok said in a blog post.

TikTok said the subscription feature being introduced this week will only be available to creators by invitation for now but will be expanded globally in coming months. The company did not disclose pricing.

Creators will be able to switch into a chat mode exclusive to subscribers, "enhancing an even more personal connection between creator and viewer," the company said.

To access the LIVE Subscription feature, creators will need to be at least 18 years old, while users will have to be at least the same age to subscribe, TikTok said in the post.

Subscriber perks will include digital badges and, in some cases, the ability to control camera angles during streamed sessions, according to video clips posts by TikTok creators invited to take part.

TikTok early this month announced an ad revenue-sharing program with the social media platform s most prominent creators, moving closer to a model already used by its competitors.

The short-video format app has become wildly popular in recent years with more than a billion active users globally, but has been criticized for not providing a way for creators to effectively monetize content.

Under a TikTok Pulse program to be rolled out in the United States next month, companies can place their ads next to user content in specific categories and creators will get a cut.

"We will begin exploring our first advertising revenue share program with creators, public figures and media publishers," the company, a subsidiary of Chinese tech firm ByteDance, said in a statement.

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Asian markets fall on China growth concerns

Asian stocks retreated Tuesday on concerns over the impact of China’s Covid restrictions on the world’s second-largest economy as investment banks slashed their forecasts.

A strong rally on Wall Street, where the Dow closed 2.0 percent higher, did not carry over to Asia, and Beijing’s announcement of a fresh raft of measures to stimulate the economy did little to calm nerves.

The package announced on Monday includes more than 140 billion yuan ($21 billion) in additional tax rebates, bringing the total amount of tax relief this year to 2.64 trillion yuan, Xinhua news agency reported following a meeting of the State Council chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.

China’s economy has taken a hit from Beijing’s zero-Covid approach to the pandemic, which has resulted in lengthy lockdowns of major cities and mass testing of millions of people.

Prolonged virus lockdowns have constricted supply chains, dampened demand and stalled manufacturing.

Investment banks UBS Group and JPMorgan Chase cut their China economic growth forecasts due to the impact of the coronavirus strategy.

UBS on Tuesday cut its 2022 GDP growth forecast to 3.0 percent from 4.2 percent while JPMorgan on Monday trimmed its forecast to 3.7 percent from 4.3 percent, Bloomberg News reported.

"The lingering restrictions and lack of clarity on an exit strategy from the current Covid policy will likely dampen corporate and consumer confidence and hinder the release of pent-up demand," UBS economists including Tao Wang wrote in a research note, according to Bloomberg.

China has targeted full-year growth of around 5.5 percent, but data published in April showed that first-quarter growth slowed to 4.8 percent after its economy lost steam in the latter half of last year.

Concerns over the economic fallout from China’s dogged pursuit of a zero-Covid approach and its knock-on impact on supply chains and the wider global economy spooked investors, with Asian markets well into the red on Tuesday.

Tokyo was off 0.5 percent while Hong Kong was down 1.5 percent after the city’s leader Carrie Lam said there would likely be no relaxation of quarantine travel restrictions for the remainder of her term, which ends on June 30.

Shanghai and Seoul were both down 0.8 percent, while Taiwan, Bangkok, Sydney and Manila also retreated. Singapore was one of the few markets to post gains.

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From Missiles To Helicopters: US Says 20 Countries Offer New Arms For Ukraine

Some 20 countries offered new security assistance packages for Ukraine to battle invading Russian forces in a meeting of allies on Monday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced.

In their second gathering, nearly four dozen countries and organizations forming the Ukraine Defense Contact Group met online to discuss helping Ukraine, and 20 nations pledged arms, ammunition and other supplies to support Kyiv.

The group was briefed by Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov on the current situation of the three-month-old war, in which the two sides are fighting along a long front line over territory Russia has seized in Ukraine s east and south.

"Today, together with Minister Reznikov and his team, we ve gained a sharper and shared sense of Ukraine s priority requirements and the situation on the battlefield," Austin said.

"Many countries are donating critically needed artillery ammunition, coastal defence systems and tanks and other armoured vehicles," he said.

Others, he added, are offering training for Ukraine s military.

He said that Denmark committed to send a Harpoon anti-ship missile system, and the Czech Republic was offering attack helicopters, tanks and rocket systems.

Harpoons are cruise missiles that can skim the surface of the sea to target ships as far as 187 miles (300 kilometers) offshore, depending on the type.

Usually Harpoons are mounted aboard ships or aircraft, but Denmark is the only country that acquired land-based systems for coastal protection.

The Danish battery would add a layer of protection to Ukraine s Black Sea port of Odessa, which is believed to be under threat of Russian invasion from the sea.

They could also potentially reach the port of Sevastopol, where some of the Russian Black Sea fleet is based.

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Punjab Police raid houses of several PTI leaders ahead of 'Azadi March'

A police constable embraced martyrdom during a raid at a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker residence in Model Town area of Lahore on Monday night.

According to DIG Operations, police conducted a raid at 112-C Model Town, the residence of a PTI worker named Sajid, during which the police party came under fire from the roof of the house.

DIG Operations also informed that police constable Kamal Ahmed was hit by a bullet during the raid and was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

He said that police will take action against those who took law into their hands. He also informed that police are in search to arrest the culprit behind the incident.

It a pertinent to mention here that Punjab police have launched a crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers ahead of PTI long march during which one MAN and dozens of PTI workers were taken into custody.

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Cheap tactics cannot stop Real Independence March: Farrukh Habib

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former minister Farrukh Habib on Monday said that PTI call for long march on May 25 has baffled the imported government.

He said that police have launched a crackdown against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers in Punjab and Islamabad ahead of PTI long march during during which dozens of PTI workers have been arrested.

Farrukh Habib has advised the police officers to refrain from obeying illegal orders of the government and added that PTI Real Independence March will reach Islamabad at any cost.

He said that government s cheap tactics cannot stop Real Independence March and we will reach Islamabad on May 25.

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Sindh govt to impose section 144 across province

Sindh government has decided to impose Section 144 in Sindh in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the province.

According to sources, Sindh home department will issue a notification in this regard very soon. Sources further said that Section 144 will remain in force for 20 days.

Sources further said that meetings, processions, and public gatherings will be banned across Sindh after the issuance of the notification by the home department.

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Oil climbs in tight market as US driving season looms

Oil prices rose in early trade on Monday with U.S. fuel demand, tight supply and a slightly weaker U.S. dollar supporting the market, as Shanghai prepares to reopen after a two-month lockdown fuelled worries about a sharp slowdown in growth.

Brent crude futures rose 82 cents to $113.37 a barrel at 0126 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed 69 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to $110.97 a barrel, adding to last week’s small gains for both contracts.

"Oil prices are supported as gasoline markets remain tight amid solid demand heading into the peak U.S. driving season," said SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes.

"Refineries are typically in ramp-up mode to feed U.S. drivers’ unquenching thirst at the pump."

The U.S. peak driving season traditionally begins on Memorial Day weekend at the end of May and ends on Labour Day in September.

Analysts said despite fears about soaring fuel prices potentially denting demand, mobility data from TomTom and Google had climbed in recent weeks, showing more people were on the roads in places like the United States.

"High frequency data suggests demand continues to grow," ANZ analysts said in a note.

A weaker U.S. dollar also sent oil higher on Monday, as that makes crude cheaper for buyers holding other currencies.

Market gains have been capped, however, by concerns about China’s efforts to crush COVID with lockdowns, even with Shanghai due to reopen on June 1.

Lockdowns in China, the world’s top oil importer, have hammered industrial output and construction, prompting moves to prop up the economy, including a bigger-than-expected mortgage rate cut last Friday.

The European Union’s inability to reach a final agreement on banning Russian oil for its invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special operation", has also stopped oil prices from climbing much higher.

 

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Ukraine rejects concessions as Russians attack in east and south

Ukraine ruled out a ceasefire or any territorial concessions to Moscow as Russia stepped up its attack in the eastern and southern parts of the country, pounding the Donbas and Mykolaiv regions with air strikes and artillery fire.

Kyiv s stance has become increasingly uncompromising in recent weeks as Russia experienced military setbacks while Ukrainian officials grew worried they might be pressured to sacrifice land for a peace deal.

"The war must end with the complete restoration of Ukraine s territorial integrity and sovereignty," Andriy Yermak, Ukraine s presidential chief of staff said in a Twitter post on Sunday (May 22).

Polish President Andrzej Duda offered Warsaw s backing, telling lawmakers in Kyiv on Sunday that the international community had to demand Russia s complete withdrawal and that sacrificing any territory would be a "huge blow" to the entire West.

"Worrying voices have appeared, saying that Ukraine should give in to (President Vladimir) Putin s demands," Duda said, the first foreign leader to address the Ukrainian parliament in person since Russia s Feb 24 invasion.

"Only Ukraine has the right to decide about its future," he said.

Speaking to the same parliamentary session, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed a plea for stronger economic sanctions against Moscow.

"Half-measures should not be used when aggression should be stopped," he said.

Shortly after both finished speaking, an air raid siren was heard in the capital, a reminder that the war raged on even if its front lines are now hundreds of kilometres away.

Zelenskyy said at a news conference with Duda that 50 to 100 Ukrainians are dying every day on the war s eastern front in what appeared to be a reference to military casualties.

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Pakistan reports 49 corona cases in last 24 hours

Pakistan has reported no death in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has risen to 1,529,834. The nationwide tally of fatalities stands at 30,379 on Monday.

According to the latest figures by the National Institute of Health (NIH), at least 49 persons were tested positive for COVID-19 across the country in the past 24 hours.

Pakistan has conducted 13,078 tests in the past 24 hours out of which 49 persons were tested positive for the disease. The COVID Positivity Ratio was recorded at 0.37 percent.

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PM Shahbaz took notice of the eruption of fire at the Margalla Hills

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday took notice of the eruption of fire at the Margalla Hills and directed Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other officials to immediately put out the blaze.

Shehbaz Sharif also directed that emergency steps should be taken to keep the citizens safe from fire.

The Prime Minister also asked the relevant institutions to seek help from disaster management authorities and take effective steps for protection of wildlife and trees.

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PTI long march: Hamza to chair meeting to chalk out strategy

Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz has convened an important meeting to be held today (Monday) to chalk out strategy to deal with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) long march.

CM Hamza Shehbaz will preside over the meeting. Sources privy to development said, Punjab CM has also sought strategy from Punjab police, Special Branch while Punjab Police has started preparing lists of PTI activists.

The sources further said that a briefing on the lists will be given during the meeting.

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No-confidence motion against Pervaiz Elahi dismissed after Punjab Assembly defers session till June 6

The no-confidence motion against Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi was dismissed on Sunday after the much-anticipated session of the assembly was postponed till June 6.

The session was adjourned within six minutes despite it starting after a delay of two hours.

MPAs reached the PA to attend the meeting previously scheduled to begin at 12:30pm. However, the session couldn't be started on time as the lawmakers were stopped from entering the premises.

Security had been tightened around the Assembly in Lahore on Sunday morning. PA Speaker Pervaiz Elahi called the session today while cancelling the previous date of the assembly session scheduled for May 30.

The political situation intensified Sunday morning with the arrest of the PA Director-General for Parliamentary Affairs Rai Mumtaz after the announcement of an emergency session. The police were directed to stay on high alert and a heavy police force was deputed in the surroundings of the provincial assembly.

Police also barricaded different spots on Lahore's Mall Road, including the routes leading from CM House and Aiwan-e-Iqbal to the PA.

Earlier, the administration had closed the doors of the PA, while barbed wires were placed in front of the assembly building. Punjab Assembly staff said that even they are not allowed to enter the building.

Due to strict arrangements, even the security team of Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz wasn't allowed to enter the Assembly. Meanwhile, PML-N decided to send only 15 to 20 MPAs inside the PA in the first phase as soon as the gates opened.

Earlier, the security team of Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz was barred from entering the House. Meanwhile, PML-N leader Ata Tarar said that MPAs and media were not allowed to enter the provincial assembly.

“Speaker Pervaiz Elahi has brought goons from Gujrat,” he claimed, adding that “some people” were brought to the House yesterday night.

“You [Pervaiz Elahi] are disrespecting the House,” the PML-N leader added. He said they would enter the assembly accompanied by media persons.

He maintained that the government had submitted a no-confidence motion against the speaker as per the Constitution and vowed to challenge the speaker’s “illegal actions” in court.

Responding to a question, the PML-N leader said that the ECP has not de-notified the 25 defiant lawmakers of the House so far.

The PA session was due to begin at 12:30pm with the no-confidence motion against the speaker and deputy speaker on the agenda. However, the session couldn't be started.

PTI and PML-Q submitted the no-trust motion against PA Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari, while PML-N submitted the motion against PA Speaker Elahi under Article 127 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

A very noisy PA session was expected as the temperature was high on both sides.

Punjab police arrested Punjab Assembly Director-General for Parliamentary Affairs Rai Mumtaz in the wee hours of Sunday ahead of the PA session.

Mumtaz's family alleged that the police raided their house and shifted him to an unknown location.

The Punjab Assembly spokesperson confirmed reports of Mumtaz's detention, saying that the police leapt the walls of the DG's house.

He added that the houses of PA Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti and Coordination Secretary Inayatullah were also raided.

The spokesperson further stated that they also have video evidence of the raids on assembly officials' residences and also accused police of vandalism during the raids.

 

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Gilgit Baltistan Affairs | 22 May 2022

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Crucial Punjab Assembly session yet to start as lawmakers stopped from entering premises

As the clock ticks on the crucial Punjab Assembly session, MPAs have reached the PA to attend the meeting previously scheduled to begin at 12:30pm. However, the session couldn't be started on time as the lawmakers were stopped from entering the premises.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the Assembly amid rising political tensions in Lahore on Sunday morning. PA Speaker Pervaiz Elahi called the session today, while cancelling the previous date of the assembly session scheduled for May 30.

The political situation intensified Sunday morning with the arrest of PA Director General for Parliamentary Affairs Rai Mumtaz after the announcement of an emergency session. The police has been directed to stay on high alert and a heavy police force has been deputed in the surroundings of the provincial assembly.

Police also barricaded different spots on Lahore's Mall Road, including the routes leading from CM House and Aiwan-e-Iqbal to the PA.

The administration has closed the doors of the PA, while barbed wires have been placed in front of the assembly building. Punjab Assembly staff said that even they are not allowed to enter the Assembly building.

Due to strict arrangements, even the security team of Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz wasn't allowed to enter the assembly. Meanwhile, PML-N decided to send only 15 to 20 MPAs inside the PA in the first phase as soon as the gates open.

Sources said that the allied parties' members would take media representatives inside the building due to reports of presence of unauthorised individuals in the assembly.

 

 

Police detain PA parliamentary affairs DG

Punjab police arrested Punjab Assembly Director General for Parliamentary Affairs Rai Mumtaz in the wee hours of Sunday after a PA session was summoned ahead of the scheduled date.

Mumtaz's family alleged that the police raided their house and shifted him to an unknown location.

The Punjab Assembly spokesperson confirmed reports of Mumtaz's detention, saying that the police leaped the walls of the DG's house. He said that the houses of PA Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti and Coordination Secretary Inayatullah were also raided.

The spokesperson further stated that they also have video evidence of the raids on assembly official's residences. He also accused police of vandalism during the raids.

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FM Bilawal meets Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on first bilateral visit

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday held a meeting with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Guangzhou, after his arrival in China on his first bilateral visit at Wang's invitation.

According to the PPP's Media Cell, Bilawal was holding talks with his counterpart. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar was also present.

Yesterday, the foreign minister said his visit coincided with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan's diplomatic ties with China.

“Landed in Guangzhou, China on my first bilateral visit. Today also marks 71st anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China. Looking forward to meeting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for in-depth discussions on Pakistan-China relations,” he tweeted after arriving in the Southern Chinese city which is also largest city and capital of China’s Guangdong province.

The minister left for the two-day visit to the neighbouring country on Saturday which is the first in-person high-level interaction between the two countries since the establishment of the coalition government in April.

This is Bilawal’s first bilateral visit as foreign minister to a foreign country after he took up the post in April.

Extensive consultations were set to be held with his Chinese counterpart, during which the entire gamut of bilateral relations will be reviewed, with particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.

"Fast-tracked progress on the transformational China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative, will feature in the discussions," the statement said.

The two sides will also have wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues, it added.

According to the Chinese state-affiliated Global Times, the foreign minister’s visit is a part of the high-level exchanges between China and Pakistan, which recently also included the message of felicitations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and a telephonic conversation between the two leaders on May 16, 2022.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin said that as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, it was necessary for China and Pakistan to improve communication and coordination on major issues to deal with changes in the region and risks and challenges.

"China hopes to use this visit as an opportunity to carry on with the traditional friendship with Pakistan, consolidate strategic mutual trust, and further deepen the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future," the spokesperson added.

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Police detains parliamentary affairs DG ahead of Punjab Assembly session

Punjab police on Saturday night arrested Punjab Assembly Director General for Parliamentary Affairs Rai Mumtaz after a PA session was summoned ahead of the scheduled date.

In a surprise move, PA Speaker Pervaiz Elahi convened a meeting of the provincial assembly today (Sunday). The assembly was previously slated to meet on May 30.

Mumtaz's family alleged that the police raided their house and shifted him to an unknown location.

The Punjab Assembly spokesperson confirmed reports of Mumtaz's detention, saying that the police leaped the walls of the DG's house. He said that the houses of PA Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti and Coordination Secretary Inayatullah were also raided.

The spokesperson further stated that they also have video evidence of the raids on assembly official's residences.

He also accused police of vandalism during the raids.

Keeping the intensifying situation in the provincial politics in mind, the police has been directed to stay on high alert and a heavy police force was deputed in the surroundings of the provincial assembly.

The administration closed the doors of the PA while barbed wires were placed in front of the assembly building. Punjab assembly staff said that even they are not allowed to enter the assembly.

Condemning the arrest and raids, Elahi said that every action is being taken at the behest of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He termed the arrest and raids a “fascist action” by the government.

"The arrest of an assembly official and raids is a proof that the government is panicked. The face of the Sharifs is being exposed before the nation," Elahi said.

He said that the government is revealing new tactics after violating the sanctity of Parliament, as he referred to the Punjab Assembly ruckus during the election for the chief minister. The government is taking unconstitutional steps, he added.

Elahi, while referring to PM Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz, said "the father-son duo are doing this to the assembly because they have less numbers."

He questioned how he could assume charge as the Punjab governor when Omar Sarfaraz Cheema still serves the post. He said that he is still a candidate for the CM's slot.

Despite the security situation around the PA, the speaker urged the MPAs to reach the assembly by 12.

"The assembly will surely meet today. Let's see who stops the elected MPAs from entering the assembly," Elahi said, adding that they will face the government's fascism firmly.

He said that all MPAs will attend the session as no one can stop the elected representatives from going to the assembly.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Musarrat Jamshed Cheema said that there is lawlessnes in the country and no one is safe here. She said that the PML-N is in the government to close all the cases against its leaders.

"They [government] accepted its defeat by arresting Rai Mumtaz," Cheema said.

This is the third time that the date of the PA session has been changed as the speaker first gave the date of May 16 when the assembly was scheduled to meet in the first week of May. However, the session wasn't held on the given date and rescheduled for May 30.

Given the dramatic change in the numbers game in the PA after the Election Commission of Pakistan's decision to de-seat the dissident PTI MPAs, Elahi called the assembly meeting just on the notice of one day.

 

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IHC orders immediate release of Mazari, directs govt to hold judicial probe

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) late Saturday ordered the immediate release of former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, who was arrested by Islamabad police earlier in the day in a case related to illegal transfer of land.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition filed against the arrest of Mazari and directed the federal government to conduct a judicial inquiry into the matter.

He also directed the IG Islamabad to drop her home and remarked that security personnel should be deployed at her residence as well.

The judge has also ordered the authorities concerned to return mobile phone and other belongings of the PTI leader.

Speaking to the media outside the IHC before hearing, Mazari said this was her first experience of disappearance. “I will tell everything they have done to me, my phone has not been returned yet. My case is a case of enforced disappearance.”

The IHC had ordered the authorities concerned to produce Mazari before the court at 11:30pm.

Earlier in the day, Mazari was allegedly beaten up and arrested from her home. The reports of her detention were confirmed by her daughter, lawyer Iman Mazari.

Mazari's daughter tweeted about her mother's arrest saying, "Male police officers have beaten and taken my mother away. All I have been told is that Anti-Corruption Wing Lahore has taken her.

Islamabad Police however refuted claims of mishandling during the arrest. “Dr Shireen Mazari was arrested by female police officers as per the law on the request of the anti-corruption department. News of any mishandling is baseless,” it said in a tweet.

Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz hours after the arrest ordered ‘immediate release’ of Shireen Mazari.

CM Hamza in a statement said that Shireen Mazari as a woman is respect worthy and he has ordered for her release. “Arrest of any woman does not hold compatibility with our moral values,” he said, adding that the investigation should also be made against the anti-corruption staff for arresting Dr Mazari.

Hamza also underscored that if the arrest is inevitable as a result of investigation then the law will take its own course. The Punjab CM said that he does not agree with the way Dr Mazari was whisked away by police, adding that PML-N as a political party believes in giving respect to the women.

CM Hamza also condemned the indecent language being uttered about his party’s vice president Maryam Nawaz. “However, taking revenge is not our tradition and practice,” he added.

The first information report (FIR) registered against the former minister said during the scrutiny of record, it revealed that Shireen Mehrun Nisa Mazari in connivance with revenue officials fraudulently and through bogus mutation transferred 800 Kanal land in favour of bogus company namely M/s Progressive Farms Limited.

Furthermore, the FIR said the Federal Land Commission in its report declared this mutation bogus. “During the perusal of record, it revealed that land measuring 1,386 Acres of Mst. Shireen Mehr-un-Nisa Mazari was surrendered to Provincial Govt through Land Commission. In Mutation No. 39 dated 05.07.1973, there is cutting and tempering.”

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