The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday reinstated a ban on the transmission of Indian content on local television channels, setting aside an earlier verdict by the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a case filed by the United Producers Association pertaining to the broadcast of foreign content on Pakistani television channels in the SC Karachi registry today.

"They are trying to [obstruct the construction] of our dam and we cannot even ban their channels?" the top judge fumed as he ordered the broadcast of Indian shows to be "shut down" before adding that the authorities should "only air appropriate content".

In 2016, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had imposed a complete ban on airing Indian content on local television and FM radio channels.

The decision was largely seen as a tit-for-tat move after similar actions were taken by some channels and the entertainment industry in India against Pakistani content and artists.

In 2017, the LHC had lifted the Pemra-imposed ban, declaring it null and void as the federal government had no objections regarding the same.

A complete shutdown is being observed in occupied Kashmir today to mark the "Black Day", the day the Indian forces had first entered the valley in 1947 — Radio Pakistan reported.

Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), as well as around world capitals, are observing the day and taking out rallies.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Black Day is observed to show the world that India has occupied Kashmir against the will of its people and was "denying them their inalienable right to self-determination".

The Government of Pakistan has reiterated its unwavering support to the Kashmir cause, saying: "Pakistan will continue to support the brave people of Jammu and Kashmir."

Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for the UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights abuses by Indian occupation forces.

"Pakistan will not relent in its moral, political and diplomatic support until the Kashmiris realise their legitimate right to self-determination in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions," he stated.

President Dr Arif Alvi paid "homage to the sacrifices of our brethren in occupied Kashmir and reiterate our unflinching and steadfast moral, diplomatic and political support for the just cause of the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir".

A Lahore sessions court on Saturday acquitted all three accused in stage actress Sangam Rana's murder case after the victim's mother forgave them in the court.

In December 2015, after Sangam was found dead at her residence, police had suspected foul play and treated it as a murder case despite her relatives insisting that she had committed suicide.

Days later, the deceased's mother, Sughran Bibi, had filed an application alleging that her daughter was murdered and that her death was being portrayed as suicide to mislead the police.

However, Sughra Bibi today pardoned Akash Ramzan, Usman and Amna Bibi — the three accused in the case — following which the additional sessions judge passed the order of their acquittal.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announced on Friday a major reshuffle in diplomatic assignments abroad, including the proposed appointments of two career diplomats — Dr Asad Majeed Khan and Nafees Zakaria — as Pakistan’s new ambassador and high commissioner in Washington and London, respectively.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the appointment of career diplomats as new envoys at Washington, London, Ottawa, Riyadh, Doha, Rabat, Belgrade, Havana and Dubai was aimed at replacing some political appointees with senior and career diplomats so that they could safeguard Pakistan’s interests and present the country’s points of view on various issues in a more effective manner.

He said Raza Bashir Tarar would be appointed high commissioner in Ottawa, Raja Ali Aijaz ambassador in Riyadh, Syed Ahsan Raza Shah ambassador in Doha, Hamid Asghar Khan ambassador in Belgrade, Sahibzada Ahmad Khan ambassador in Havana and Ahmad Amjad Ali consul general in Dubai.

Replying to a question about the coming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China, the foreign minister said the prime minister would hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, besides visiting Shanghai to represent Pakistan at the International Expo being hosted by China and attended by various countries.

Mr Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was among the leaders invited by China as special guests, would deliver a key-note address at the event.

Talks with UAE team

The foreign minister also briefed media persons about the discussions made with the visiting UAE delegation comprising CEOs/senior officials of major companies — including Mobadla Petroleum, ADIA (Sovereign Wealth Funds), Etisalat, DP World, Dubai Investment Authority, Emaar Company, Aldahra Agriculture and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

He said the one-day visit of the delegation headed by Dr Sultan Aljaber, minister of state and CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, was a follow-up to the prime minister’s official visit to Abu Dhabi on Sept 19 and his understanding with Crown Prince Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to forge closer economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries in all areas of common interest.

During the discussions, the FM said, two sides deliberated on the ways and means to further broaden and deepen economic relations in diverse areas of mutual benefit between Pakistan and the UAE. The areas identified for cooperation are agriculture, agricultural exports, fruit and vegetables, food processing industry, energy, housing, water etc.

He said as Pakistan’s rice exports to the UAE had decreased over the past few years, as compared to India, there was a need to correct this situation and the two sides discussed the ways and means in that respect.

Mr Qureshi said Pakistani fruit and vegetables, particularly citrus and mango, were available in high quality and quantity and could be exported. But, these fruits go waste due to short shelf life and inadequate storage facilities. with the UAE having quality packing expertise, it can invest in Pakistan’s food processing industry for onward exports of the country’s perishable food items for mutual benefit of the two countries.

The foreign minister said in the energy sector the UAE side had expressed interest in the establishment of an oil refinery and a state-of-the-art energy terminal in Pakistan, which could serve as a hub of energy in the region.

He said the two sides also discussed how the UAE could facilitate Pakistan, like Saudi Arabia, in oil supply through a preferential treatment and help the country to meet its high fiscal needs.

The foreign minister said the two sides also discussed how the UAE companies could contribute to implementation of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s initiative of the housing project for the low income groups.

He said since the UAE had modern technology and expertise in desalination of sea water, the two sides deliberated upon the ways and means for cooperation in this area, particularly to meet water requirements of Karachi and Gwadar.

Published in Dawn, October 27th , 2018

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After taking charge as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the national carrier, Air Marshal Arshad Malik has said he is "well aware" of the challenges faced by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), a statement issued on Friday said.

Malik served in the Pakistan Air Force for forty years, during which he rose to the rank of Air Marshal.

Prior to joining PIA, he was serving as the vice chief of air staff. He is a recipient of the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (M), Sitara-e-Imtaiz (M) and Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (M).

In an opening message to employees of PIA, Malik said that in order to improve the airline, the main points he would work towards were improving overall flight regularity and punctuality as well as improved services for passengers so that the revenue of the airline can be increased.

He said that the aim was to achieve profitability so that the airline's liabilities can be payed off.

Malik added that PIA's system would be "brought at par with best standards and practices in the aviation industry".

The new PIA chief said that the airline's human resources were a "national asset" and there would be no retrenchment.

However, he added, that those found trying to tarnish the image of the airline or Pakistan would not be tolerated.

"It is the duty and responsibility of everyone in the airline to work for the betterment of the airline and there is no doubt that PIA will God-willing achieve great success very soon."

Although PIA was facing financial and administrative problems, Malik said that with his faith in God and on the basis of the principles of the Quaid-e-Azam, he had no doubt that PIA would once again achieve its past glory.

He said that he was grateful to God for receiving the opportunity to serve Pakistan in a new arena as well as to the Pakistani government for showing "confidence in him for the revival and turn around of PIA".

Malik added that although the way forward is difficult it was "certainly achievable".

MULTAN: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has constituted a 12-member executive council for the creation of south Punjab province.

According to a letter issued on Oct 22, former MNA Chaudhry Tahir Bashir Cheema is the chairman of the council, while its members include Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Khan Mazari, Minister for Food Samiullah Chaudhry, MPAs Sahibzada Ghazain Abbasi, Syed Ali Abbas Shah, Sardar Shahabuddin Khan Seehar, Sardar Javed Akhtar Khan Lund and Nawabzada Mansoor Ahmed Khan, former MPA Mina Ehsan Leghari, agriculturalist Sardar Ali Raza Dareshak and three former civil bureaucrats, including Anwar Ahmed Khan and Javed Iqbal Awan. Athar Hussain Khan is the secretary of the council.

“The chief minister has been pleased to desire for constitution of an executive council on the creation of south Punjab province. The council will be on behalf of the chief minister,” the notification stated.

Governor says nation will soon get good news about new province

The council will identify all possible issues pertaining to the creation of a separate province and engage all relevant departments to provide assistance where required, address all legislative matters concerning the creation of the province with the support of law and parliamentary affairs department, engage all relevant stakeholders to muster their support for the task, develop consensus, coordinate all matters with the federal committee on the creation of south Punjab province and any other ancillary matter related to the purpose.

“The council, in pursuance of the aforementioned terms of reference, shall seek institutional support, information and expert advice from all through any provincial department, public sector organisation or local government in the Punjab. The council shall have its office at the chief minister’s office, which shall be responsible for provision of necessary support to the council as and when required. In view of the forgoing, it is requested that further necessary action(s) in the matter, including notification of the aforementioned council, may kindly be taken,” the letter issued by the secretary to chief minister (coordination), Dr Muhammad Shoaib Akbar, stated.

Earlier, efforts to establish a sub-secretariat in Multan had been initiated on the directions of former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif to counter the demand for a south Punjab province.

Former governor Malik Rafique Rajwana was made the head of the committee that also included some parliamentarians, serving provincial secretaries and retired bureaucrats hailing from south Punjab and a retired judge.

Talking to Dawn, the former governor said that a list of all government employees belonging to south Punjab had been prepared.

“It was decided that special secretaries of important departments, including irrigation, agriculture, education, health and communication, will be deputed at the sub-secretariat,” he recalled.

He further said that recommendations were prepared on the directions of Mr Sharif and a draft handed over to relevant quarters. “But before any concrete measure was taken, the government got stuck in the worsening political affairs,” he said.

Mr Rajwana said that the purpose behind establishing the sub-secretariat was to counter the difficulties the people of south Punjab faced by visiting Lahore for their official work relating to major departments.

Meanwhile, incumbent Governor Chaudhry Sarwar has said that people will soon hear good news regarding the creation of south Punjab province.

He said this while addressing a gathering on Friday at Lal Sohanra National Park, about 35 kilometres from Bahawalpur, where he also planted a sapling in connection with the Green and Clean Pakistan campaign.

The governor claimed that the government would definitely establish south Punjab province and further claimed that under his party’s rule a huge change in the country would come about during the next two years when there would be no distinction between the poor and rich.

Punjab CM spokesperson Dr Shahbaz Gill says creation of south Punjab province warranted a rigorous process and could not be done haphazardly and added that no time-line could be given.

He was talking to newsmen in Lahore.

He said the committee, led by Tahir Bashir Cheema, would consult stakeholders and the government would also get their consent.

Majeed Gill from Bahawalpur and Mansoor Malik from Lahore also contributed to this report.

Published in Dawn, October 27th , 2018

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ISLAMABAD: As the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led government and the opposition parties were flexing their muscles for the National Assembly session commencing on Monday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Friday warned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that the government could split the main opposition party any time.

However, the government issued a production order for PML-N president and leader of the opposition Shahbaz Shairf, who is in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau, after Prime Minister Imran Khan met Speaker Asad Qaisar and apparently discussed the possible move of a no-confidence motion by the opposition against the two-month-old government.

The PML-N had recently submitted two adjournment motions to the NA Secretariat against government’s decisions about the media regulatory authority and abolition of subsidy on Metro bus services, while former president and PPP leader Asif Zardari, along with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman, had announced that the opposition parties were going to hold a multiparty conference to devise a joint strategy against the government.

Govt can split PML-N any time, claims Fawad; production order of Shahbaz issued for NA session

About Friday’s meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Speaker Asad Qaiser, PM Office said in statement that matters pertaining to legislative business in the National Assembly came under discussion.

The information minister said the government had no fear of any move of the opposition because the latter lacked capability to create any trouble for the former.

“We can split the PML-N into many parts any time if we want to do so because neither the party has any ideology nor it has leadership,” Mr Chaudhry told Dawn on Friday. He said the PTI government was “giving space” to the opposition.

Otherwise, he added, the PML-N could be deprived of even the slot of leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.

The information minister said the government had decided to issue a production order of the jailed PML-N president and opposition leader for the fresh NA session.

Production order for lawmakers is issued by the NA speaker.

It is believed that the government-opposition tussle will intensify in the next week and the two sides are making strategies to foil each other’s strategies.

During the NA session, the opposition may give a tough time to the treasury by raising the two recent decisions of the government — the abolition of subsidy on Metro bus services and the proposed establishment of Media Regulatory Authority (MRA), an umbrella of all media regulatory bodies, which the PML-N claimed was aimed at controlling the media.

The second largest opposition party in parliament ­— PPP — is also ready to join hands with other parties against the government as its leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari told a press conference that the opposition would press the government to bring it back on track to democracy. He said the ruling party had failed to even understand the problems confronting the country.

Meanwhile, the JUI-F is planning to hold another multiparty conference with representation of all opposition parties in parliament to discuss the prevailing political situation and devise a joint strategy against the government.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2018

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An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Gujranwala on Saturday handed Abid Hussain, the main accused in the Ahsan Iqbal assassination case, 27 years in prison while acquitting four others accused of facilitating him, DawnNewsTV reported.

The convict was also handed fines to the tune of Rs280,000. In case of non-payment of the fine, the accused faces an additional three years in prison, the judge Syed Ali Imran ruled.

Former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal had been shot at and injured during a corner meeting in Narowal's Kanjrur tehsil on May 6, 2018, in what had been described as an assassination attempt.

District Police Officer (DPO) Imran Kishwar had told DawnNewsTV at the time that Iqbal was shot by the assailant ─ who was also present at the corner meeting ─ with a 30-bore pistol from a distance of 20 yards.

Iqbal had sustained a bullet wound in his right shoulder, the DPO had added.

Thankfully, the people standing around the assailant overpowered him before he could fire a second shot at his target. The policemen present at the site then arrested the suspect, seized his weapon and shifted him to a police station.

The interior minister was initially shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Narowal following the attack, but was later airlifted in a helicopter to Lahore where he received further medical treatment.

The suspected shooter had been immediately taken into custody. At the time, he was identified as a local 20 to 22-year-old youth residing in the jurisdiction of the Shah Gharib police station in Kanjrur tehsil.

It later emerged that the suspect had had a declared affiliation with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik.

In a preliminary report sent to the Punjab chief secretary hours after the attack, the Narowal deputy commissioner had reported that the suspect had identified himself as Abid Hussain, son of Mohammad Hussain, a resident of Verum village, Tehsil Shakargarh of Narowal district.

The then Punjab inspector general of police, Arif Nawaz, had told Dawn that the 22-year-old suspect, who was arrested from the spot, had confessed to attempting to assassinate the minister over the issue of Khatm-i-Nabuwwat (finality of prophethood).

Read more: Attack on Ahsan Iqbal result of appeasing Faizabad protesters, says Nawaz

Meanwhile, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had issued a statement condemning the attack on the minister and attempted to paint it as some sort of pre-election conspiracy.

TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Pir Afzal Qadri, in a joint statement, had demanded that the government initiate a judicial inquiry into the attack.

This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Gujranwala on Saturday handed Abid Hussain, the main accused in the Ahsan Iqbal assassination case, 30 years and two months in prison while acquitting four others accused of facilitating him, DawnNewsTV reported.

Judge Syed Ali Imran also handed fines to the tune of Rs280,000 and ordered the convict's assets to be confiscated.

Former interior minister Ahsan Iqbal had been shot at and injured during a corner meeting in Narowal's Kanjrur tehsil on May 6, 2018, in what had been described as an assassination attempt.

District Police Officer (DPO) Imran Kishwar had told DawnNewsTV at the time that Iqbal was shot by the assailant ─ who was also present at the corner meeting ─ with a 30-bore pistol from a distance of 20 yards.

Iqbal had sustained a bullet wound in his right shoulder, the DPO had added.

Thankfully, the people standing around the assailant overpowered him before he could fire a second shot at his target. The policemen present at the site then arrested the suspect, seized his weapon and shifted him to a police station.

The interior minister was initially shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Narowal following the attack, but was later airlifted in a helicopter to Lahore where he received further medical treatment.

The suspected shooter had been immediately taken into custody. At the time, he was identified as a local 20 to 22-year-old youth residing in the jurisdiction of the Shah Gharib police station in Kanjrur tehsil.

It later emerged that the suspect had had a declared affiliation with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik.

In a preliminary report sent to the Punjab chief secretary hours after the attack, the Narowal deputy commissioner had reported that the suspect had identified himself as Abid Hussain, son of Mohammad Hussain, a resident of Verum village, Tehsil Shakargarh of Narowal district.

The then Punjab inspector general of police, Arif Nawaz, had told Dawn that the 22-year-old suspect, who was arrested from the spot, had confessed to attempting to assassinate the minister over the issue of Khatm-i-Nabuwwat (finality of prophethood).

Read more: Attack on Ahsan Iqbal result of appeasing Faizabad protesters, says Nawaz

Meanwhile, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had issued a statement condemning the attack on the minister and attempted to paint it as some sort of pre-election conspiracy.

TLP chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Pir Afzal Qadri, in a joint statement, had demanded that the government initiate a judicial inquiry into the attack.

This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.

An official of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police has gone missing from the Ramna neighbourhood of Islamabad, it emerged on Saturday.

Superintendent of police (SP) Tahir Khan, who was deployed in the Peshawar rural zone, had left his residence in the capital for a walk on Friday evening but did not return home, police said.

Khan's family members have expressed the fear that he may have been abducted. His mobile phone is also currently powered off, federal police officials said.

Senior Superintendent Police (operations) Mohammad Amin Bukhari told DawnNewsTV police teams have been constituted to look for SP Khan.

"It cannot be said at this point whether he was kidnapped or he met an accident," SSP Bukhari said.

KP police has been informed of SP Khan's disappearance.

The Landhi Jail superintendent was on Saturday suspended on the instructions of Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar after the top judge found during a surprise visit to the penitentiary that Shahrukh Jatoi — the main accused in the 2012 Shahzeb murder case — had been accorded extraordinary facilities in a C-class jail.

The chief justice, after hearing a slew of cases at the Supreme Court Karachi registry today, visited Landhi Jail where he also stopped by Jatoi's cell.

Upon witnessing the facilities granted to Jatoi — which, from a recording of the visit, seem to include a large flat-screen TV — the top judge was considerably irked. He immediately ordered that Jatoi be transferred to a death row cell and instructed the IG Prisons to submit a report on why he had been given preferential treatment.

"On what basis and law is a murder accused being given this many facilities," Justice Nisar asked as he also ordered an investigation to identify those responsible.

Later on, acting IG Prisons Qazi Nazir appeared in the SC registry on the CJP's orders. "Go to the jail immediately and take action against those responsible," the judge told him.

Jatoi is one of the accused in the 2012 murder of Shahzeb Khan — a tragedy that had sparked nationwide outrage and triggered debate over if people of influence will ever be held accountable for their actions.

PPP co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari claimed on Saturday that he is being "attacked from all sides" and his friends are being taken into custody as part of a larger conspiracy to reverse the 18th Amendment.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Zardari said even if he tried to repeal the amendment, other provinces would not agree to it.

"I saw during the election campaign why they are attacking me from all sides," he said, without specifying to whom he was referring. "I am now understanding that it is a quarrel over the 18th Amendment."

He said when "they" had failed in their effort to take away the government in Sindh from the PPP, efforts were started to undo the amendment.

The 18th Amendment, a landmark legislation that has lent greater autonomy to the provinces, was passed unanimously by the parliament in 2010 with all major political parties on board.

More to follow.

In an unusual development, more than 2,200 cars have been found registered in the name of a former judge.

Sikandar Hayat, an 82-year-old former judge, owns just one car, his lawyer Mian Zafar informed the Supreme Court on Saturday.

"[But] 2,224 cars were registered in the name of my client," the counsel said.

According to Zafar, his client had received a challan a few days ago for a car which he did not own.

Upon contacting the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department, it emerged that an eye-watering 2,224 vehicles had been registered in Hayat's name.

After hearing the lawyer, the top court sought a reply from the secretary and director of the Punjab excise department.

The department has been directed to submit a report on the matter within a week.

The PML-N has called a meeting of its parliamentary party on Monday that will be chaired by its president Shahbaz Sharif, who has been in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Ashiyana housing scam.

The meeting will be held at the Parliament House at 3pm on October 29, an hour before the upcoming session of the National Assembly is scheduled to commence.

During the meeting, the PML-N will decide its plan of action for the NA session, party sources told DawnNewsTV.

Sharif is expected to brief the party's lawmakers regarding their political strategy during the gathering.

Speaker Asad Qaiser had on Friday convened a session of the lower house, scheduled for Monday, and issued orders for the production of Sharif.

Members of the main opposition PML-N had earlier in the week formally submitted an application to the NA Secretariat, requesting the speaker to issue a production order for the opposition leader so that he could attend the upcoming session of the house.

Sharif was arrested by NAB Lahore authorities in the Ashiyana housing scam case on Oct 5 and since then he has been in detention on physical remand.

Soon after his arrest, the PML-N had submitted a requisition notice to the speaker who later called the session on Oct 17 after issuing the production order for Sharif.

The PML-N president had been specially brought to the Parliament House by NAB authorities for the one-day session in which Sharif revealed the questions being asked to him by the investigators, alleging that there was an unholy alliance between NAB and the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

ISLAMABAD: The Oct 31 election of the Supreme Court Bar Association — a lawyers’ body that attained national and international significance after the successful movement for the independence of the judiciary in Pakistan — has generated much interest with major contenders running for a second time for the coveted post of SCBA president.

A tough contest is expected between the Independent Group (Asma Jahangir’s panel) led by Ali Ahmed Kurd and Professional Group (Hamid Khan’s panel) led by Amanullah Kanrani.

Whoever wins the 2018-19 election, the presidential post will go to Balochistan as this is the term of the province by rotation. Both groups claim to be in a comfortable position to win a landslide victory but independent observers say the contenders will be running neck and neck.

Bar presidency will go to Balochistan after Oct 31 polls

Both Mr Kurd and Mr Kanrani are running for SCBA presidency for a second time, as the former had won the election and served as SCBA president in 2008 whereas the latter lost the election against Kamran Murtaza in 2013.

However, Mr Kurd is a late starter of his campaign this time since the decision to field him by Independent Group was taken too late with the result that he only had one month to campaign when his competitor started his campaign over a year ago and that too very vigorously.

At a reception hosted in his honour at Islamabad Club last Wednesday, Mr Kurd acknowledged that he was given only 35 days for the election campaign but claimed he completed his entire election campaign by visiting the bars of the country. He vowed to continue fighting against injustices. He was very critical of the way cases were being dismissed without counsel being heard. He also talked about impediments to the quick dispensation of justice.

Admirers of Mr Kurd consider that the firebrand leader from Balochistan would give a new impetus to the struggle that the lawyers had put up under his leadership during the 2007 lawyers’ movement for the rule of law and restoration of an independent judiciary. “Our institution is getting weaker day by day and that is why we need people like Kurd all the more,” said former SCBA president Yasin Azad.

Former advocate general for Balochistan, Mr Kanrani takes pride in ensuring the payment of compensation to the families of the lawyers who lost their lives or were critically wounded in the Quetta suicide attack in 2016.

Mr Kanrani said that being the advocate general, he personally contacted each family to ensure that they receive the compensation amount timely and without much hassle.

Siddiq Baloch, deputy prosecutor general of Punjab, says that Mr Kanrani had been on a quite campaign for the past one year by reaching door to door in his canvassing for the election.

Some observers say that as Mr Kurd had been instrumental in the removal of over 100 judges who had taken oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), neither the former judges nor lawyers under their influence would vote for him.

Senior member of the Pakistan Bar Council Raheel Kamran Sheikh, however, regretted that even in this day or age, many voters preferred to vote on the basis of personal relationship with a candidate and sometimes his caste and grouping. “It is very painful to acknowledge the fact that the role a candidate can play is often ignored while exercising their right to franchise,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2018

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ISLAMABAD: The Nat­ional Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday furnished a report before the Supreme Court highlighting ongoing inquiries against the Pak­istan Petroleum Limited (PPL) about acquisition of MND Exploration and Production.

The report was submitted by NAB in response to an earlier direction by the apex court to come up with particulars about the pending inquiries and investigations into a case relating to the acquisition of MND Exploration and Production by PPL at a price twice the market value.

According to media reports, PPL acquired MND in 2012-13 for Rs12.81 billion against its actual market value of Rs6.21bn thus allegedly causing a net loss of Rs6.6bn to PPL.

In its report, NAB stated that after receiving a complaint from PPL, the NAB chairman authorised an inquiry on Sept 19 last year, whereas another complaint was received on Jan 29 this year under Section 41-B of the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan Act, 1997. Subsequently, the NAB chairman authorized another inquiry on May 25. This inquiry was then merged with the previous ongoing inquiry.

The inquiry established that during 2011-12, PPL through a fictitious evaluation report concluded by the financial adviser of KASB Bank acquired assets of MND E&P UK at $180 million. However, the actual worth of the assets was not more than $56m to $60m.

This fact is further supplemented by an RPS Energy Austria Evaluation Report conducted in 2015-16 and Forensic Investigation Report conducted by Deloitte UK.

The inquiry has been completed highlighting a criminal role of five accused persons, including the beneficiary accused of Czech Republic who was also identified and forwarded to the NAB headquarters for conversion of inquiry into investigations, the report said, adding that the final approval in this regard would be accor­ded in the next meeting of the bureau’s executive board.

Moreover, an investigation into complaints against officers of the Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Byco and PPL is also under process, besides the draft reference and investigation report have also been sent to the NAB headquarters for approval of reference after fulfilling legal and codal formalities.

The report also mentioned a number of inquiries pending before NAB in matters relating to the ministry of petroleum and natural resources, PSO, the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2018

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QUETTA: The Inspector General of Frontier Corps, Balochistan (South Region), Maj Gen Saeed Ahmed Nagra, has vowed to purge the province of terrorism.

The country’s armed forces would not allow a small group of terrorists to spoil the law and order situation, he said while pledging to take decisive action against terrorist activities.

Gen Nagra, who narrowly escaped an attack in Washuk on Oct 25, was addressing the passing-out parade of the 62nd batch of the Frontier Corps Khuzdar on Saturday.

Around 700 recruits after completing their training joined the FC during the ceremony. Sector Commander of FC West Brig Saqib Mirza, Commandant of Kalat Scouts Col Arshad Mehmood, Khuzdar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ilyas, tribal leaders and families of the recruits witnessed the parade.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2018

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KARACHI: Disgruntled Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Dr Farooq Sattar was on Saturday formally removed from the party’s top decision-making forum by his rivals as they accepted the resignation he tendered as a member of the party’s coordination committee last month.

The decision came a day after Dr Sattar formed a parallel body — the organisation restoration committee — against the coordination committee and announced launching struggle to reorganise the MQM-P on ideological grounds.

Dr Sattar, who was removed from the post of party convener by the Bahadurabad group following a split in the party earlier this year, had returned to the party as a member of the coordination committee in June. However, on Sept 13, he sent his resignation from the coordination committee due to internal differences.

A meeting of the MQM-P coordination committee, chaired by convener and federal minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, was held at the party’s temporary headquarters in Bahadurabad.

Following the meeting, senior leader Kanwar Naveed Jameel told media that the coordination committee had accepted the resignation of Dr Sattar.

He said Dr Sattar had held a press conference on Friday in which he presented certain demands. “The MQM-Pakistan has decided to issue him a show-cause notice for frequent violation of party discipline,” he added.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2018

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KARACHI: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi on Saturday witnessed mano­e­u­­vres carried out in the Arabian Sea in connection with the ongoing Maritime Exercise Seaspark 2018.

Upon his arrival onboard a Pakistan Navy ship in the North Arabian Sea off Ormara, Admiral Abbasi was received by Commander of Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi. Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) Rear Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi was also present.

The naval chief was given detailed briefing on conduct of the exercise and deployment of PN assets out at sea — including ships, submarines, aircraft, UAVs, special forces and marines — along with elements of Pakistan Marine Security Agency and Pakistan Air Force.

Expr­essing satisfaction over the operational capabilities of Pakistan Navy, Admiral Abbasi said the prevalent challenges necessitated eternal vigilance and readiness to safeguard the national maritime interests against external and internal threats.

He interacted with the crew of the ships and lauded their professionalism and dedication while performing the duty of defending maritime frontiers of the motherland.

Later, Admiral Abbasi attended operational briefings of Force Commanders at PNS Bahadur to review and validate their deployment/war plans.

The exercise will afford valuable opportunity to enhance combat readiness of Pakistan Navy and interoperability with its sister services. Besides enhancement of operational preparedness, the exercise will focus on defence of the coast and effective response against emerging non-traditional threats emanating from sea, including maritime component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Gwadar port.

Pakistan Navy is a combat-ready multidimensional force that is committed to protecting national maritime interests at all costs. The exercise Seaspark 2018 would therefore provide impetus to Pakistan’s resolve of maintaining peace, security and lawful order at sea.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2018

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ISLAMABAD/MUZA­FFAR­ABAD: The ‘Kashmir Black Day’ was observed on Saturday across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan as well as the country’s embassies around the world to condemn the fresh wave of Indian brutalities against innocent Kashmiris being perpetuated to stop their just struggle for securing their right to self-determination.

Participating at various events held in connection with the day observed to condemn India’s invasion of Kashmir on this day in 1947, speakers urged the international community to shun double standards on the issues of human rights and called upon them to play an active role in persuading India to resolve the lingering dispute.

Warning that the situation in India-held Kashmir was getting out of control in the wake of atrocities by Indian forces, Kashmiri leaders called upon Islamabad to extend to them “full military support” before it was too late.

Black day observed to condemn Indian atrocities against Kashmiris

Speaking at a press conference in Muzaffarabad, United Jihad Council (UJC) chief Syed Salahuddin said a great human tragedy was unfolding in held Kashmir and urged the government of Pakistan to announce full military support to the Kashmiris without wasting “even a second”.

The UJC brings together around a dozen groups fighting Indian occupation of Kashmir, of which Mr Salahuddin’s Hizbul Mujahideen is the largest constituent.

Leaders of almost all the member outfits were accompanying Mr Salahuddin at the press conference.

“There does not arise any question of a peaceful negotiated settlement of the longstanding [Kashmir] issue in the presence of such an attitude and atmosphere in India,” he said, adding that if the government of Pakistan was unable to save the Kashmiris from genocide it should make it clear to them.

Draconian laws

Speaking at a seminar organised by the Senate’s standing committee on Kashmir to mark the black day, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan lamented that the world powers were backing India and covering its crimes. “In fact, turning a blind eye towards the crimes being committed by India in held Kashmir is a crime in itself,” he said.

He called upon the international community to give up its double standards and help Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator retired Gen Abdul Qayyum criticised India for the draconian laws in Kashmir where fair trial and cross-examination of witnesses was not possible. “Mental torture, humiliation and use of third-degree methods are order of the day,” he remarked.

He said the United Nations, which took credit for decolonisation in the post-Second World War era, had failed to achieve its fundamental objectives as stipulated in the UN charter. He said the big powers were in fact hostage to their strategic interests and economic priorities. “This is the reason why UN commission for human rights’ recent report has fallen on deaf ears,” he said.

Chairman of the Senate standing committee on Interior Rehman Malik said that since Narendra Modi took over as Indian prime minister, oppression against Kashmiris had intensified. The gathering also passed a resolution moved by Senator Rehman Malik expressing concern over the news about the ‘Seoul peace prize for 2018’ being conferred upon the Indian premier.

Wondering how a violator of human rights could be awarded a peace prize, the resolution demanded that the South Korean president and chairman of the award committee of the Seoul peace prize foundation withdraw the award given to Mr Modi.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Senator Sirajul Haq while speaking at a ‘Kashmir march’ observed that the attitude of United Nations towards Muslims was biased.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2018

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