Islamabad court dismisses Gill’s bail plea in sedition case

A District and Sessions court of Islamabad dismissed the post arrest bail petition of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill on Tuesday.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal pronounced the reserved verdict.

Gill was arrested on August 9 in Islamabad after a sedition case was filed against him for inciting mutiny within the Pakistan Army. He was already facing sedition charges, but the Islamabad Police last week also registered a case against the PTI leader over possession of an illegal weapon.

His bail in the arms recovery case has already been approved.

Gill was booked in the case after police raided the incarcerated PTI leader's room in Parliament Lodges late Monday where they recovered weapons, a satellite phone, and foreign currency.

The PTI has repeatedly demanded that the party leader be released on bail, alleging that he is facing humiliation, torture and sexual abuse in police custody.

Gill, during the raid at his Parliament Lodge's residence, also told journalists that he had been sexually assaulted.

The party leader also asserted that he was denied treatment for asthma; however, the federal government and police have refuted the allegations.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115476-islamabad-court-dismisses-gill-s-bail-plea-in-sedition-case.html

13 people dead due to the turn of the boat in sindh still now

Deputy commissioner says death tolls rise to 13.Total of seven people, including children, drowned. Search for more people is underway.

The death toll from a boat that capsized while carrying flood affectees near Sindh’s Bilawalpur earlier today is presumed to have surpassed 10 after officials said on Monday a search for more people is underway.

The deputy commissioner said that the death tolls rose to 13; while eight people have been rescued. Rescue sources said that nearly 25 flood victims were being taken to the relief camps when the incident took place.

A total of seven people, including children, drowned as the boat capsized, their bodies have been rescued and recovered.

A huge relief operation is underway in Pakistan as the country struggles to deal with monsoon flooding that has affected more than 33 million people.

Officials said 1,136 people have died since June when the seasonal rains began, but the final toll could be higher as hundreds of villages in the mountainous north have been cut off by flood-swollen rivers washing away roads and bridges.

Officials said this year's flooding has affected more than 33 million people — one in seven Pakistanis — destroying or badly damaging nearly a million homes.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115475-sindh.html

IHC dismisses plea seeking contempt of court proceedings against Nawaz, PM Shehbaz

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday dismissed a petition seeking contempt of court proceedings against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The petitioner had contended that the prime minister was the guarantor of his elder brother's return to Pakistan after he gets medical treatment, however, he has yet to return — despite the passage of nearly three years.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, in the order, mentioned that his court could not take up the plea as it was already pending in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

"The petitioner has been heard at length. In response to the court’s query, he has admitted that the petition wherein interim order was passed is pending before the learned Lahore High Court," the order read.

The order mentioned that the petitioner also admitted that the name of Nawaz was removed from the Exit Control List (ECL) pursuant to the decision of the federal cabinet — subject to certain conditions.

"...the removal of the name from the Exit Control List was not pursuant to an order or direction passed by any Court," the order read.

The conditions imposed by the federal cabinet were challenged before the LHC and they were suspended and modified vide an interim order, in 2019, the order mentioned.

The IHC noted it appears that the said order was never challenged —neither by the federal government nor the National Accountability Bureau — and, therefore, it stood implemented.

"The petitioner after arguing the matter at length has stated that he does not press the petition so that he may approach the competent forum," it added.

During the hearing, IHC CJ Minallah also told the petitioner — lawyer Syed Zafar Ali Shah — that he was not imposing a fine on him as he was a senior attorney.

Brief timeline

Nawaz arrived in London nearly three years ago in November 2019 in an air ambulance to seek further medical treatment for multiple diseases after he was allowed to leave Pakistan.

He was accompanied by his brother — PM Shehbaz — and a personal physician as he was taken to his London residence at Avenfield apartments.

The former prime minister had arrived in London for a few weeks only and he has been getting regular medical check-ups at the Harley Street clinic.

He decided not to return to Pakistan and initiated his speeches to party workers from London and has been conducting party affairs ever since from here.

There are reports that the PML-N wants him to lead the next elections campaign, but he has not finalised his plan to return to Pakistan.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115471-ihc-dismisses-plea-seeking-contempt-of-court-proceedings-against-nawaz-pm-shehbaz.html

IHC suspends Pemra’s order to ban live telecast of Imran Khan’s speeches

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday suspended the Pakis­tan Electronic Media Regu­latory Authority’s (Pemra) orders to ban the live telecast of Imran Khan’s speeches.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, after taking up the matter on an application filed by the former prime minister today, observed that the watchdog had “exceeded its authority” and directed Pemra to appoint an officer who could justify the ban in court.

On August 20, while addressing a rally in Islamabad to express solidarity with party leader Dr Shahbaz Gill facing proceedings in a sedition case, Imran warned the judiciary against its “biased” attitude and warned the judge who sent Mr Gill on physical remand to brace for consequences.

Subsequently, a ban was imposed on the live broadcast of Imran’s speeches on television and a case was also registered against him.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115470-ihc-suspends-pemra-s-order-to-ban-live-telecast-of-imran-khan-s-speeches.html

Sindh Govt announces free medical facility for flood affectees

Sindh government has announced free of charge medical facility for the flood-affected people at Dow Medical University Hospital in Karachi.

This was stated in a news release issued from Commissioner Karachi office on Monday.

In Sindh, so far 349 people have been killed by floods with over 170,000 houses destroyed and crops spanning 2,800,000 acres were severally damaged.

Pakistan Army has joined the national and provincial authorities in responding to the floods and COAS on visited the areas which has been hit heavily by the rains.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/sindh/item/115469-sindh-govt-announces-free-medical-facility-for-flood-affectees.html

Shaukat Tarin allegedly directs Punjab, KP to withdraw from IMF deal

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shaukat Tarin has allegedly asked Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Ministers to backtrack from IMF commitments in order to pressurize federal government.

According to details, an audio clip has surfaced in which former finance minister was allegedly giving directions to provincial finance minister to derail International Monetary Fund deal.

In alleged audio, Shaukat Tarin said that they need to backtrack from Rs750 billion commitments and tell the lender that the commitment Punjab made was pre-floods and now the province "cannot honor it".

The PTI leader told the finance minister to draft a letter and send it to him for vetting so it could be sent to the federal government and later on to the IMF representative in Pakistan.

At Tarin’s request, Leghari asked whether Pakistan would suffer if Punjab withdraws from the deal.

"Well, frankly isn’t the state already suffering because of the way they are treating your chairman [Khan] and everybody else? IMF will definitely ask them: where will you get the money from now?" Tarin responded.

He further said that Centre is sending PTI leadership to jail and filing terrorism case. Tarin said that this could not go on further and the party could not bear being "mistreated" and not respond. "We cannot be blackmailed.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/item/115468-shaukat-tarin-allegedly-directs-punjab-kp-to-withdraw-from-imf-deal.html

PM Shehbaz visits flood affectees in Nowshera

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has visited Nowshera to review operation in flood-affected areas.

During the visit, the prime minister would also distribute cheques of cash relief assistance among the flood-stricken people.

The PM has also been briefed by the relevant authorities on the damages and relief operations in the area. PM have also been informed about the relief camps arranged for the flood affected.

Apart from reviewing the relief work, the Prime Minister also met the flood victims.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/kp-fata/item/115467-pm-shehbaz-visits-flood-affectees-in-nowshera.html

Sedition case: Shahbaz Gill willing to apologise, lawyer says

Shahbaz Gill is willing to apologise for his controversial remarks, his lawyer told a district and sessions court in Islamabad.

On August 9, Gill was arrested from Banigala Chowk in the capital a day after making controversial remarks on a private TV channel. He was subsequently booked on charges of sedition and inciting members of state institutions against the Pakistan Army.

At the outset of the hearing, the Islamabad Capital City Police presented the case record in court as directed by the judge at the last hearing of his bail plea.

Additional District and Sessions judge Zafar Iqbal resumed the hearing on the bail plea this morning.

During the hearing, Gill's lawyer Burhan Moazzam asked if he can see the case records submitted in court by inspector Arshad.

The court directed the inspector to show the record to the lawyer. However, prosecutor Raja Rizwan Abbasi objected that they cannot show the supplementary challan of the case.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing shortly.

After the hearing restarted, Gill's lawyer maintained that the police didn't show the statement recorded under Section 161.

"The police is showing all statements except for Gill's," the lawyer said.

At this, the court directed the police to show Gill's initial statement to the defence lawyer.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115466-sedition-case-shahbaz-gill-willing-to-apologise-lawyer-says.html

Death toll breaches 1061 mark as flash floods sweep country

Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains across Pakistan have killed over 1,061 people and injured and displaced thousands more.

Powerful flash floods in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caused the Kabul River to swell, sweeping away bridges overnight, cutting off some districts from road access.

Downstream, fears of flooding around the river banks prompted thousands in the district of Charsadda to flee their homes, according to disaster officials, with some spending the night on highways with their livestock, miles away from their inundated villages and towns.

The picturesque Kalam Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is one of the areas most affected by the rains and flooding. Waters from overflowing rivers swept away entire buildings, including an iconic hotel.

The monsoon season, which began earlier than normal this year, has lashed Pakistan with particularly heavy rains and rescuers have struggled to evacuate thousands of marooned people from flood-hit areas. The crisis forced the government to declare a state of emergency.

Historic monsoon rains and flooding have damaged more than 950,000 homes while over 800,000 animals were killed. Over 3,400km of roads and about 150 bridges were severely damaged.

In Balochistan all 34 districts of the province were badly affected by heavy rain and flooding and road networks were destroyed and bridges washed away and relief was only possible by deploying helicopters, which are not often able to operate because of bad weather.

Provincial officials have confirmed over 250 deaths but the number was expected to increase significantly after communications are restored.

In Punjab, the Rajanpur district appeared to be the hardest hit along with the district of Dera Ghazi Khan. Thousands of mud and brick houses were inundated by water, most of them completely demolished or at least partly destroyed.

Residents made homeless by the flood took shelter on higher ground, where they waited for relief goods and other help.

In Sindh, so far 349 people have been killed by floods with over 170,000 houses destroyed and crops spanning 2,800,000 acres were severally damaged.

Pakistan Army has joined the national and provincial authorities in responding to the floods and COAS on visited the areas which has been hit heavily by the rains.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115465-death-toll-breaches-1061-mark-as-flash-floods-sweep-country.html

PM summons 'emergency meeting' of Govt's allies

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called an "emergency meeting" of the government s allies to deliberate upon the current situation in the country.

The emergency meeting of the government allies will be held at the Prime Minister house at 6:00pm today (Monday).

The chief ministers of all provinces have also been invited to attend the meeting. The meeting will be also attended by the heads of the three armed forces.

According to media reports, the meeting will review the current flood situation in the country. Important decisions are expected to be taken during the meeting.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115464-pm-summons-emergency-meeting-of-govt-s-allies.html

Pope Francis urges aid for flood-hit Pakistan

Pope Francis on Sunday called on the international community to help flood-hit Pakistan.

According to international media, his comments came as he visited the city of L'Aquila in central Italy, which was hit by an earthquake that killed more than 300 people in 2009.

The 85-year-old pope praised the people of L'Aquila's "resilience" and "dignity".

Pope Francis, who used a wheelchair during the visit, was due to return to the Vatican early this afternoon.

He will chair a meeting with cardinals from around the world on Monday and Tuesday, where they will discuss the future of the Catholic Church.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/115463-pope-francis-urges-aid-for-flood-hit-pakistan.html

Monsoon floods: PM convenes APC on Monday

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has summoned an “All Parties Conference” (APC) over the ongoing flood disasters in the country, which will be held at the Prime Minister’s House on Monday.

The conference will discuss measures to tackle the calamity befallen on the people due to the monsoon brust and flooding across the country.

It should be noted that the humanitarian situation in Pakistan has deteriorated further over the past two weeks as heavy rains continue to cause flooding, over 1000 have died due to rain and flood disasters in the four provinces including Gilgit-Baltistan, while millions have been displaced.

Furthermore, crops on millions of acres have been completely destroyed and many houses have become piles of rubble

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115462-monsoon-floods-pm-convenes-apc-on-monday.html

Death toll breaches 1030 mark as flash floods sweep country

Flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains across much of Pakistan have killed over 1,030 people and injured and displaced thousands more.

Floods continued to devastate the country on Sunday, particularly the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan leaving at least 119 people dead and more than 70 injured in the past 24 hours.

Floods have claimed over 1,030 lives, with 74 deaths reported in Sindh, 31 in K-P, six in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), four in Balochistan, and one in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

According to the data released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 32 children, 56 men and nine women are among those who died in the flood after the rains, while the number of victims has reached 5.77 million.

Over the past 24 hours, nearly 0.95 million houses and 0.72 million livestock were flooded while 0.27 million houses were destroyed and 3,116 kilometres of highways and 149 bridges were washed away.

According to media reports, 0.49 million people in Sindh, 0.45 million in Punjab, and 0.36 million in Balochistan have been affected by floods.

Meanwhile, two ships carrying relief goods from Turkiye are expected to arrive in Karachi tomorrow [Monday]. The Turkish Consul General in Karachi will hand over the relief goods to the Pakistani authorities at the airport tomorrow morning.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Sunday that various private mobile network services had been restored in the provincial capital of Balochistan, while efforts were underway “to restore services in other affected areas”.

Earlier this week, as the unprecedented vicious attacks triggered by climate change had continued unabated, leaving many marooned, the environmental crisis had robbed Balochistan of digital connectivity after almost cutting it off from the rest of the country physically.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115461-death-toll-breaches-1030-mark-as-flash-floods-sweep-country.html