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

PTI plotting against IMF deal: Shehbaz Sharif

Self-centred politics can cause irreparable damage to Pakistan as unfortunately, a party is playing politics over the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when the lender's board meeting is around the corner, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, without naming the PTI.

"I have never seen such self-centered politics; it will be a huge injustice with Pakistan and a big conspiracy against the country,” the premier said while referring to PTI on his visit to the flood victims in Sujawl, Sindh.

PM Shehbaz said that the federal government had allocated Rs38 billion in grant to support the flood-affected families with the disbursement of Rs25,000 to each of them.

Speaking to the flood victims, the prime minister said he had already announced Rs15 billion in grant to Sindh while the distribution of flood relief amount among the affected families had commenced in the province after Balochistan under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). “The BISP has complete data, ensuring prompt and fair distribution among the deserving families,” he added.

Assuring the provincial governments of the federal government’s support, the prime minister said other provinces would also be provided with grants. The prime minister was accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, federal ministers and relevant authorities.

The prime minister said the federal government had continued it efforts to support the provincial governments in rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts with the support of the National Disaster Management Authority and other relevant departments. “A survey will be launched soon to assess the damages and losses caused by floods across the country,” he added.

The prime minister stressed that in the hour of trial, they had to work collectively, instead of playing politics.

The prime minister said that they would have to devote themselves to the country and the nation and urged industrialists and businessmen to come forward and support people suffering from the impacts of rainfall and floods. He said it was time to seek Allah Almighty’s mercy.

“In Swat and Kalam, flash floods have caused colossal losses as hotels have been swept away and scores of lives were lost,” he maintained. The prime minister also directed Minister for Energy Khurram Dastagir to supervise efforts for restoration of power supply to affected areas.

Meanwhile, Pakistan contacted the IMF for a clarification of a letter written by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra to Finance Minister Miftah Ismail.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115443-pti-plotting-against-imf-deal-shehbaz-sharif.html

All eyes on Pak vs Ind clash in Asia Cup 2022 today

The high-octane clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India in the T20 Asia Cup 2022 is all set to take place today (Sunday) at the Dubai Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 7pm PST.

Both teams are well prepared for the major cricket event. Pakistan has finalised its playing eleven but the names of the team will be revealed before the toss.

The green shirts will have batting powerhouses like captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali and Hyder Ali. Both Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz will showcase their spinning skills along with their batting prowess.

Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf will join the team as fast bowlers. Either Shahnawaz Dhani or Muhammad Hasnain will be in the playing eleven.

The Indians will feature big names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul who will be aided by talented pacers and spinners. The two major bowlers of the two teams -- Shaheen Shah Afridi and Jasprit Bumrah -- will not be available for this match. Cricket fans will miss both of them.

The Asia Cup 2022 will feature six teams from the Asian continent divided into two groups. Pakistan is in Group A along with India and Hong Kong. Group B has the other three Asian teams -- Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Following the group matches, two top teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage, which will begin on September 3.

The final between the top two teams of the Super Four will be played on September 11. The cricket action will continue in Dubai and Sharjah till the final on September 11.

Pakistan playing XI (probables):

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani.

India:

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/115442-all-eyes-on-pak-vs-ind-clash-in-asia-cup-2022-today.html

PM to visit Balochistan today to review rescue, relief activities in flood-hit areas

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will visit Haji Alladino village of Jafarabad district Balochistan on Sunday to review the rescue and relief activities in the flood-hit areas.

Chief Secretary Balochistan and Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority will brief the Prime Minister about the relief provided to the flood affected people and restoration of the infrastructure.

The Prime Minister is expected to interact with the flood-hit people to know about the relief being provided to them.

Shehbaz Sharif will also have an aerial view of flood-affected villages of Hafeezbad, Gaibi Khan, Qadirpur and Shikarpur.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/balochistan/item/115441-pm-to-visit-balochistan-today-to-review-rescue-relief-activities-in-flood-hit-areas.html

Twitter is working on adding new features to the platform

 Twitter is aiming to develop its live-audio platform, Spaces, by adding a podcast tab on the app.

The news spread through engineer Alessandro Paluzzi's tweet which included a picture screenshot of where the Podcast tab might be placed. The tab might allow users to browse through recorded Spaces, for better engagement and content. Live audio sessions might be placed separately for distinction.

When reached out for comment, a Twitter spokesperson remarked, “We’re always exploring new ways to help people engage in the conversation on Twitter, but have no further details to share at this time.”

Twitter has previously worked on podcast features on Spaces to expand its features. The platform allows users to listen to Spaces after a live recording, increasing engagement and the number of listeners for the hosts. Spaces also let hosts see the stats on their audio sessions for feedback and a better experience.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/technology/item/115435-twitter.html

Flood causes a high current account deficit upcoming year in Pakistan

Repercussions may include higher imports, compromise on exports and rising inflation, which will undermine efforts of the government to tackle the macro headwinds. “Based on our preliminary estimates, the current account deficit may increase by $4.4 billion (1% of GDP) – assuming no counter-measures are taken, while around 30% of the CPI basket is exposed to the threat of higher prices.

The unusual heavy monsoon rains and flash floods are initially estimated to cost Pakistan’s economy over $4 billion in the current fiscal year as the calamity has badly hurt agricultural activities in Sindh and Balochistan. While it is early to assess the actual impact, Pakistan, where agriculture has a 23% share in gross domestic product (GDP), can remain highly vulnerable in the aftermath of the floods.

The situation may force the government to make additional import of cotton worth $2.6 billion, wheat worth $900 million and the country will lose textile exports of around $1 billion. This comes to around $4.5 billion (1.08% of GDP) in current fiscal year 2022-23. Owing to the flash floods, the consumers are expected to face supply deficit of household groceries such as onion, tomato and chilli.

The worst affected crop is cotton. Farmers produced 8 million bales in the previous fiscal year, but now they will again have a poor crop, like previous years, amid heavy rainfall in Sindh. “Cotton sowing has reportedly been destroyed to a large extent (in Sindh), it said. “Assuming the country requires import of cotton to fulfill 80% of demand this year, the import bill will likely exceed $4.4 billion (+144% year-on-year) in FY23.

On the other hand, any unavailability of imported raw cotton or other unprocessed textile will negatively impact the country’s textile exports,” the research house said. Rice is another crop that is expected to endure massive damage in the ongoing floods. It is among the few crops where the area under cultivation has increased significantly in the recent past (+20% in two years). It contributes $2.5 billion in annual exports. “Damage to rice crops will result in loss of exports, in addition to a slight reduction in GDP growth and higher CPI inflation.”

As water from the flash floods is believed to take two to three months to disappear, the aftermath is likely to result in delay in wheat and edible oil seed sowing. Delay in wheat plantation will be a double blow as many farmers have already switched from wheat to edible oil seed cultivation. Moreover, the post-flood situation is also expected to negatively impact the yield of upcoming wheat crops. With the delay in sowing and higher wheat import prices, the import of 15% of wheat demand of 30 million tons may take its import bill to $1.7 billion in FY23.

Alongside crops, more than 500,000 livestock have reportedly perished in the floods. This will add to the burden on the rural people, already reeling from higher diesel and fertiliser prices, and will lead to the shortage of milk supply. Moreover, the shortage of livestock, coupled with the probability of disease outbreak among the cattle, can also cause the scarcity of meat. Besides, tomato prices have already started increasing due to the monsoon.

This together with wheat, edible oil, milk and meat hold 18% weight in the CPI basket. It poses the risk of high food inflation (at 28%; 13-year high). “Any risk to food security, shortages and bottlenecks in supply chain will cause an increase in our existing FY23 CPI estimate of 21%.” “We expect fertiliser, banks, tractors and oil marketing companies to be among the sectors that will be negatively impacted by the flash floods.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/115434-business.html

Pak vs Ind: Can Green Shirts repeat last year’s World Cup feat against India?

The Green Shirts, with strong T20 cricket credentials over the years, can repeat last year’s World Cup feat against India with their opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who will be a real threat to the Indians.

 There is no bigger game in cricket than the clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, and one is due on Sunday (tomorrow).

The two neighbouring nations, with a bitter cricketing history, will lock horns in the Asia T20 Cup. Having being whipped by a whopping margin of ten wickets by the Green Shirts in the T20 World Cup game on October 24, 2021, last year in Dubai, India will be very cautious in the much-anticipated showpiece.

And indeed it would not be easy for India to dent Pakistan’s hopes. The Green Shirts, with strong T20 cricket credentials over the years, can repeat last year’s World Cup feat against India with their opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who will be a real threat to the Indians.

With Babar having stamped his authority as the most reliable batsman in all three formats with enormous consistency, Rizwan is undoubtedly the most dangerous T20 player which the world has produced in recent years.

Having played together for quite some time while opening the innings in the T20 forma,t both know the art of handling any top attack with an enviable ease. With Babar elegant in his approach, Rizwan is brutal when it is his day. The contracting characters will be a real threat to India, which are hot favourites of the six-nation event.

If both bat for a few overs, they may take the game away from India. Besides being highly reliable, both also know each other and can put a lot of pressure on the Indians with their singles and twos which are at times needed in T20 cricket.

Irrespective of his fluctuating fortunes in the longer format, Rizwan always has shown a killer instinct in T20 cricket. And his recent stint with Sussex shows this.

Rizwan had a wonderful 2021, amassing 1,326 runs in 26 innings with 12 fifties and one century. He also scored the most runs in the format in a calendar year than any other batter to date.

And the Peshawar-born wicket-keeper batsman will look to build on his heroics from the previous match in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

After Rizwan, Babar was the second-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket in 2021. And he has not shown any signs of shifting gears at any stage, having ruled the world’s cricket for the previous two years or so.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/115433-cricket.html

Army called in as floods uproot millions

Government has decided to deploy Pakistan Army to help the civilian authorities in rescue operations in the flood-hit areas.

The troops are being deployed in pursuant to the requests made by all the provincial governments in wake of the emergency situation due to torrential rains and floods.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, scores of people have died due devastating floods in rivers and streams. The flash floods washed away dozens of hotels, bridges, mosques and link roads in the Upper Swat district while hundreds of houses, shops and restaurants were submerged.

The Munda Headworks in Charsadda on Friday collapsed due to heavy monsoon rains due to which water levels in Jindi and Khiyali canals had increased.

The provincial government has declared rain emergency in several districts as flash floods triggered by torrential rains wreaked havoc in most parts of the province.

Meanwhile Balochistan remained cut off from the rest of the country as linking highways remained non-operational because relentless rains and floods did not allow authorities to repair the damaged artery.

Quetta and its outskirts remained submerged as over a day long rain spell inundated most parts of the provincial capital, bringing life to a standstill and leaving hundreds of families without homes.

Elsewhere in the country, a Punjab PDMA spokesperson said that moderate to high level of flooding was expected in the Indus River at Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa during the next 48 hours, which could affect the Mianwali, Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur districts.

In Sindh, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Badin, Jacobabad, Umerkot, N. Feroze, Kashmore, Jamshoro, Dadu, Sujawal, Khairpur, Ghotki, Sanghar, Kamber, Umerkot, Matiari and Keamari were battered by the monsoon.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115432-army-called-in-as-floods-uproot-millions.html

PTA reports internet service outages in KPK after flash floods

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported a disruption in communication lines in several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a statement today morning, the telecom regulator said flash floods have damaged optical fibre cable and led to power outages, due to which there is an "impact" on the services.

Services have been affected in Chitral, Upper Dir, Donbala, Swat, Mardan, Lal Qila Samarbaghdir, Tank, and Dera Ismail Khan.

"PTA is monitoring the situation closely. Work is underway to fully restore services," the telecommunication authority said.

Devastating flash floods have brought the lives of people across Pakistan to a standstill, with the rain and flood related death toll jumping to 982, according to official statistics.

Hundreds of thousands of homes have been destroyed and scores have been displaced as the government appeals to international donors in its bid to provide relief to the people. 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/kp-fata/item/115431-pta-reports-internet-service-outages-in-kpk-after-flash-floods.html

Devastating flash floods cripple Pakistan

Thirty million people have been affected and hundreds have been killed, government declares a national emergency, after heavy rains triggered historic flooding in the country.

The flow of water at the Munda Headworks bridge which collapsed last night has slowed down, but the threat of floods in Charsadda and Nowshera districts remains.

The bridge had broken down overnight due to the severe pressure of flood water, which disconnected Tehsil Shabqadar and Prang from the district.

As per media reports, the flow of water at Munda Headworks has reduced from 260,000 cusecs to 135,000 cusecs, said Charsadda Deputy commissioner Abdur Rehman Saturday morning.

In view of the expected flood, nearby localities were evacuated, he said, adding that the emergency measure was taken to avoid any human loss.

The deputy commissioner said that 17 relief camps have been established in Charsadda to deal with any emergency situation.

“Kabul River is still running in high flood,” he said, adding that the flow of water in the river is recorded at 280,000 cusecs.

“Water level is still high at Khayali Bridge in Kabul River,” he added.

A flash flood of 400,000 is expected to pass through the Kabul Rives in the next few hours, he warned.

The deputy commissioner confirmed that the flood water entered several areas in the district.

The Munda Headworks bridge incident took place late at night on Friday at around 11pm. The residents were then advised to leave their homes and go to government designated camps.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115430-devastating-flash-floods-cripple-pakistan.html

Floods kill more than 180 in Afghanistan

Flooding in Afghanistan this month has killed more than 180 people as torrential rains wrought widespread devastation in central and eastern provinces.

As per international media reports, 182 people had been killed and 250 injured. More than 3,100 houses were destroyed and thousands of livestock were killed, exacerbating the country’s economic and humanitarian crisis.

Afghanistan has been reeling from natural disasters this year, including drought and an earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people in June.

The nation has been largely cut off from the international financial system since the Taliban took more than a year ago.

Global humanitarian agencies have provided assistance for months, but have warned they need more access and funding to avoid a humanitarian disaster with thousands left homeless and no access to shelter or clean drinking water.

In Khoshi district in central Logar province, aid workers described widespread destruction from the powerful floods in recent days, with fields of crops reduced to mud and bodies of dead animals lying in piles.

About 20,000 people in the district were affected by flooding and 20 people, including at least six children, were killed with two more missing, the UN children’s agency said.

Last year, casualties topped 100 while dozens were reported missing in the remote Kamdesh district, about 200 kilometres northeast of the capital, Kabul.

In 2020, at least 100 people were killed in northern and eastern Afghanistan as the deluge ravaged large parts of Charikar city, the capital of Parwan province.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/115429-floods-kill-more-than-180-in-afghanistan.html

Asia Cup: Muhammad Waseem is likely to be injured

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is on its toes with bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr's complaint of back pain after a bowling session coming in just a few days after pace ace Shaheen Afridi was benched due to a knee injury ahead of Asia Cup 2022.

As the rest of the team gets ready for its crucial opening encounter set for Sunday, August 28, against India in Asia Cup 2022, the board management decided Wasim should get an MRI scan. The report is expected to be in by today (Friday) evening.

As per media report, a decision on whether Wasim will play in the Asia Cup will be taken based on the report.

The team management is hopeful that the pacer's back pain will not exacerbate and the immediate MRI was just a precaution.

Wasim's back ache comes after Shaheen was ruled out of Asia Cup as he suffered a knee injury during the Test series against Sri Lanka in July.

Although Shaheen will not be playing in the tournament, he is still on the trip with the team. He is undergoing rehabilitation.

After the match against India, Pakistan's second Group A fixture will be against a qualifier (UAE, Kuwait, Singapore or Hong Kong) in Sharjah on Friday, 2 September. The Super Four matches will be played from 3-9 September.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/115428-cricket.html

IHC issues show-cause notice to Imran Khan in contempt of court case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a show-cause notice to former prime minister Imran Khan in the contempt of court case.

It was stated in the notice that Imran’s threatening remarks against a female judge at a rally in Islamabad’s F-9 Park amounted to contempt.

“Therefore, you appear before the IHC bench on August 31, 2022 and explain as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against you,” the notice read.

It was further stated in the notice that the reason why the PTI chairman made threatening and insulting remarks against the judge because he wanted to get the verdict of his choice in the case which was sub judice at the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

It was alleged in the notice that by making the objectionable speech, the former prime minister tried to obstruct justice.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Thursday approved an interim bail of Imran Khan and directed the authorities not to arrest him until September 1.

Imran Khan appeared before the anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad and filed a petition for pre-arrest bail in a case of hurling threats at police officers and a lady judge.

The former premier adopted in his petition that the police registered an anti-terrorism case against him out of vengeance, demanding that the court accept his request for pre-arrest bail.

It is to be noted here that an anti-terrorism case had been registered against Imran Khan at Margalla police station in Islamabad after he threatened the Islamabad police officers and a lady judge at a public rally.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115427-ihc-issues-show-cause-notice-to-imran-khan-in-contempt-of-court-case.html

Pakistan floods: Death toll nears 1000

Flash floods have wreaked havoc in the country as the death toll has reached 1,343 people across Pakistan with scores injured due to rain-related incidents.

As per details, in the last 24 hours, 34 deaths were recorded taking the toll to 1,343. Meanwhile, the incessant rains in many areas have caused massive destruction across Pakistan.

As per an estimate, in Balochistan, the death toll has reached 234 so far while in Sindh 306 people have succumbed to the recent floods.

On the other hand, a total of 185 people died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in the recent monsoon spells while 37 died in Azad Kashmir and 9 in Gilgit Baltistan (GB).

The data shared by the NDMA revealed that 6 lac 70 thousand 328 houses were completely destroyed due to rains and 7 lac 93 thousand 995 cattle have died. Highways were also affected by rains and floods across the country.

In Sindh, 2,328 km of highways were affected, 60 bridges were damaged, NDMA said.

The Climate-Change Minister Sherry Rehman said that the recent heavy monsoon falls have created a humanitarian crisis in the country.

In a series of tweets, Rehman said that heart-wrenching scenes of devastation were emerging from the affected areas, as thousands of people had been displaced because of the floods.

She also revealed that thousands of people have been trapped in floodwater waiting for rescue and relief.

On the other hand, the government has appealed to the nation to join hands for the relief of the flood affectees in Pakistan.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115426-pakistan-floods-death-toll-nears-1000.html

Flash floods wreak havoc in Swat

Flash floods damaged houses and crops, blocked roads and caused power outages in Swat with several people to leave their houses due to the damage caused by the floodwater.

Several houses and hotels were flooded at Mingora by-pass. While the road of Mingora by-pass was blocked for any kind of travelling as it was inundated with the floodwater.

Due to the risk of a high-level flood in the Swat river, the administration directed the residents to leave their houses.

Also, rains wreaked havoc in the Tank district. 90 percent of the area has been badly affected by the flood. The flashfloods also swept away 3 people.

On the other hand, due to the floodwater of the Chenab river, residents have been facing food shortages, power outages. The people have lost their lands and animals. Their houses have also been swept away with the flashflood. The people of the area are living under the sky without any roof or shelter.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/kp-fata/item/115425-flash-floods-wreak-havoc-in-swat.html

PM Shehbaz orders revision of electricity bills

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the power distribution companies to revise the electricity bills of up to 200 units within 24 hours.

The prime minister, who chaired a high level meeting to address the issues faced by the power consumers, also constituted a committee on the subject.

He instructed that the staffers of the distribution companies should work round the clock to ensure the revision of electricity bills.

He asked the authorities concerned to cancel the leaves of all the staffers and present him a compliance report immediately.

The prime minister said that the banks should also be directed to remain open in the coming days to enable the consumers pay their revised electricity bills.

The meeting was told that the implementation of the relief package announced by the prime minister was being ensured. The electricity bills of around 16.6 million were being corrected to provide them the relief under fuel price adjustment.

The prime minister instructed the authorities concerned to ensure the execution of the relief measures announced by the government.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/115424-pm-shehbaz-orders-revision-of-electricity-bills.html

IHC rejects contempt plea against PDM leaders

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has dismissed a contempt petition filed against Maryam Nawaz, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The IHC upheld the registrar’s objection regarding that it was not the relevant forum to file the petition.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani heard the plea with the objection raised by the registrar on Friday.

Local lawyer Ali Ijaz Buttar requested the court to start the contempt proceedings against the coalition leaders.

Justice Kiyani asked the lawyer what was his petition?

He replied that Maryam, Rana Sanaullah, Fazlur Rehman and others made contemptuous remarks about the judiciary on social media.

Justice Kiyani asked the lawyer if this court was mentioned in those remarks. He advised him to take his petition to either Supreme Court or the Lahore High Court.

Why the petitioner who belongs to Lahore has filed his plea in the Islamabad High Court, the judge objected saying nobody bothered to take notice of the contemptuous remarks at the time when they were uttered then why the filing of petition now.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115423-ihc-rejects-contempt-plea-against-pdm-leaders.html

North Korea logs new fever cases weeks after COVID victory claim

North Korea says it has found four new fever cases in its border region with China that may have been caused by coronavirus, two weeks after Kim Jong Un declared victory over COVID-19.

According to international media, North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency said on Thursday that health workers were conducting genetic tests on the samples taken from four people in the Ryanggang Province who exhibited fevers to confirm whether they were caused by the “malignant epidemic”.

Authorities immediately locked down the areas where the fever cases emerged and plan to maintain tight restrictions and quarantines until health workers determine the cause of the illness.

“[Health authorities] pay attention to the fact that those with fever had not been infected by the malignant epidemic,” KCNA said.

The country’s emergency anti-virus headquarters dispatched “talented epidemiological, virology and test experts to the area” and is taking steps to “trace all persons … connected with the suspect cases, and persons going to and from the relevant area and keep them under strict medical observation”, the report said.

North Korea said there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases in any part of the country since August 10 when Kim declared victory over the virus and ordered preventive measures eased, just three months after the country acknowledged an outbreak.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/115414-north-korea-logs-new-fever-cases-weeks-after-covid-victory-claim.html

PM Shehbaz cancels London visit in view of floods in country

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cancelled his London visit in view of heavy rains and floods in the country.

On his return home from Qatar, he will chair a meeting regarding flood situation and relief activities.

All the relevant departments including National Disaster Management Authority will brief the Prime Minister about the steps taken for rescue and relief of flood affected people.

The Prime Minister had to leave for London from Qatar due to the ailment of his granddaughter who is under treatment at the British capital. In view of the flood situation, the Prime Minister however decided to immediately return to the country.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115412-pm-shehbaz-cancels-london-visit-in-view-of-floods-in-country.html

Court accepts Asad Umar’s pre-arrest bail

A court in Islamabad on Thursday accepted the pre-arrest bail application filed by PTI leader Asad Umar in the case of violation of section 144.

In his petition, PTI leader had said that he was ready for interrogation by the police in the case.

He went on to say he feared that the police would arrest him only to demean and insult him. “When PTI was holding rallies across the country on the call of its Chairman Imran Khan, I was in Lahore,” Asad said, and prayed to the court to accept his bail plea in the case.

Earlier, PTI secretary general went to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the purpose where the court registrar raised objection to the petition, saying the forum of a sessions court was already available to him for seeking bail in the case.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115408-court-accepts-asad-umar-s-pre-arrest-bail.html

Netizens in Pakistan may face more outages due to floods

The Pakistani internet users may face outages in the days to come as the country deals with extreme flooding due to incessant rains.

The IT ministry had sought a report from the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) after incidents of cable cuts recently.

According media reports, PTCL in its report stated that internet outages during the past few days were actually caused by “flood relief efforts in the Sukkur division where fibre-optic cables were being damaged mainly by heavy machinery used to clear water in Sindh”.

The netizens experienced disruptions in services multiple times during the past several days as the rescue efforts kicked off amid heavy rains in Sindh.

Meanwhile, Minister for IT and Telecom Syed Aminul Haque, citing the technical report, warned that “the situation was serious and more such incidents could be expected in near future”.

The minister told the publication that due to extensive flooding, most of the pathways of underground cables have been submerged, as relief workers or locals were trying to divert floodwater by digging trenches on roads and footpaths.

Haque said that the PTCL has been asked to declare an emergency so that repair work could be initiated when any such incident is reported in the system.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/technology/item/115402-netizens-in-pakistan-may-face-more-outages-due-to-floods.html

Hong Kong beats UAE to qualify for Asia Cup

Hong Kong National Cricket Team have qualified for the Asia Cup 2022 group stage round after defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 8 wickets.

The Asia Cup 2022, which is the 15th edition of the tournament, is scheduled to be played from August 27 to September 11. The entire tournament is set to be held in United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the hosts Sri Lanka taking on Afghanistan in the opening clash.

The tournament was originally set to be played in Sri Lanka but was shifted to United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the economic and political crisis in the country. The matches of the tournament will be played across two venues, including Dubai International Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Notably, the Asia Cup, which was last played in 2018, will be played in the T20 format with 6 teams fighting for the title. The 5 teams that will be fighting for the championship were already confirmed. Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan were the confirmed teams.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/115395-hong-kong-beats-uae-to-qualify-for-asia-cup.html

Torrential rains, flash floods leave 151 people dead in Punjab

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has released a report containing the details of the damage caused by torrential rains and floods in Punjab from June 15 to August 21.

The PDMA Punjab report states that heavy downpours submerged 69 schools and seven basic health centres under rainwater. Rains and flash floods unleashed devastations in 555,893 areas in six districts of the province.

Rajanpur, DG Khan, Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Sialkot and Layyah are the most affected areas, according to the PDMA report. The rainwater inundated 201,965 agricultural areas and 12,628 houses under flood water.

The PDMA data shows that at least 151 people lost their lives due to floods and rains, 606 people were injured and 341,077 others were displaced.

Rain and flood caused death to over two lakh large animals, and 2,586 small animals, while 37 roads and eight bridges were swept away in the water. Flood water also destroyed seven canals.

According to the PDMA Punjab report, 20,264 people and 516 animals were rescued from flood-affected areas. The report said the government has established at least 147 medical camps while 9,355 tented settlements were set up for the affected people.

According to the data released by PDMA, over one lakh animals were vaccinated. Food hampers were distributed to 19,839 people.

According to PDMA, rescue operation is still underway in the affected areas of the province with 551 rescuers and 84 boats participating in the relief and rescue activities.

The PDMA Punjab said the authority in concert with other government organisations is carrying out relief activities in the flood-ravaged areas and all resources are being utilized to provide relief to the flood victims.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/punjab/item/115394-torrential-rains-flash-floods-leave-151-people-dead-in-punjab.html

Terrorism case: Imran Khan due in ATC today

Former prime minister Imran Khan will appear before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad to seek pre-arrest bail today (Thursday) in a terror case filed against him for threatening Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry during a public rally.

Khan will appear in person before the court where ATC judge Raja Jawwad Abbas will hear his plea.

The PTI chair had staged a rally in the federal capital on August 20 to express solidarity with his chief of staff Shahbaz Gill after claims of torture in custody. He said that the additional sessions judge who sent Gill into physical remand on the police's request should brace herself for consequences.

An FIR was registered against him under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act at the Margalla police station for threatening the judge and other senior officers of the Islamabad Police during the rally.

A day after the registration of a case against him, Imran Khan secured transit bail till August 25 from the Islamabad High Court which directed him to approach the relevant forum for pre-arrest bail.

For today's hearing, strict security arrangements have been made around the Federal Judicial Complex, which is home to Islamabad's ATC. Security arrangements include the deployment of additional police personnel comprising 400 cops and FC personnel to assist the police.

All the ways leading to the judicial complex have been blocked using barbed wires and irrelevant persons have been restricted to enter the vicinity. Moreover, an armoured vehicle is also present outside the court.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115393-terrorism-case-imran-khan-due-in-atc-today.html

Pakistan condemns sacrilegious remarks by another BJP official

Pakistan has strongly condemned the blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by another official of India's ruling BJP.

This is the second time in the last three months that a BJP leader has made derogatory remarks against the holy prophet (PBUH) as the first time was when Nupur Sharma committed blasphemy in June.

"Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the highly provocative and sacrilegious remarks made against the Holy Prophet [Muhammad] (PBUH), by Raja Singh, a BJP official and a member of the state legislative assembly of the Indian state of Telangana," a statement issued by the Foreign Office read.

It stated that these highly derogatory remarks have gravely hurt the feelings of the people of Pakistan and billions of Muslims around the world, including India and the token and perfunctory disciplinary action taken by the BJP against the said official cannot assuage the pain and anguish caused to the Muslims.

The FO berated the Indian authorities for what it called "highly reprehensible" that Singh was released on bail within hours of arrest and was welcomed by BJP zealots.

"Despite global outrage and denunciation of an earlier similar and equally pernicious act, the current incident once again highlights the present Indian regime’s obsessively spiteful demeanour towards the Muslims and the worrying trajectory of Islamophobia in India. The fact is that India is nothing more than an undeclared ‘Hindu Rashtra’ where Muslims are routinely denigrated, dispossessed and marginalised and their religious beliefs are trampled under majoritarian hegemonism."

The statement further condemned the BJP's top leadership saying that its deafening silence on the abhorrent incident is a manifest reflection of their approval and full support to the radical Hindu zealots within and beyond the party.

Referring to Sharma, the FO stated that the extension of full state protection to the former BJP spokesperson, despite her highly condemnable remarks against the dignity of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is reflective of the impunity being enjoyed by those attacking Islam in India.

It demanded the Indian government on Pakistan's behalf to take immediate and decisive action against the BJP members who are habitually involved in attacking Islam and targeting the dignity of our beloved prophet (PBUH).

It said that Pakistan also calls on the international community to take urgent cognisance of the aggravating situation of Islamophobia in India and hold the current BJP government to account for its overt espousal of an anti-Muslim and anti-Islam agenda.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115379-pakistan-condemns-sacrilegious-remarks-by-another-bjp-official.html

Islamabad court sends Shahbaz Gill on judicial remand

Rejecting Islamabad police's plea for an extension in the physical remand of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, who is party chair Imran Khan's chief of staff, a district and sessions court Wednesday sent him to prison on judicial remand.

Judicial magistrate Aman Malik heard the plea seeking a seven-day remand extension in a sedition case. Apart from that, the police also asked the court to grant judicial remand of the PTI leader in an arms recovery case.

Gill was arrested on August 9 in Islamabad after a sedition case was filed against him for inciting mutiny within the Pakistan Army. He has since been back-and-forth in police custody and at the PIMS hospital.

He was already facing sedition charges, but the Islamabad police — a day earlier — also registered a case against the PTI leader over possession of an illegal weapon.

He 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 prosecution sought an extension in the remand, which was strongly opposed by PTI's lawyers. After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its verdict and announced it a few moments later.

The court sent the PTI leader on judicial remand in the sedition as well as the arms recovery case.

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.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also demanded an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the alleged torture of Gill in police custody.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115378-islamabad-court-sends-shahbaz-gill-on-judicial-remand.html

Local body’s polls in Karachi to be held as per schedule on Aug 28: ECP

The spokesperson for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday, said that the local body’s elections in Karachi Division will be held as per the fixed schedule on Aug 28.

He further said that the decision about the election in Hyderabad Division would be taken keeping in mind the convenience of the voters.

Earlier, the Government of Sindh requested the ECP to postpone the second phase of the local body’s election in Karachi and Hyderabad Divisions as it would be difficult to hold the elections due to continuous rains, badly damaging the infrastructure, adding that another expected rain spell in Sindh was forecast by the Met Office from Tuesday.

The provincial government further said the police and other relevant departments are engaged in relief operations in interior Sindh.

It would be indispensable to provide security in matters of election in an emergency.

The Sindh government requested the ECP to consider a new date for the second phase local body’s elections.

In the first phase of local government’s elections in Sindh, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) took a lead. The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) stood second, followed by independent candidates. They were followed by PTI and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F).

The MQM-P boycotted the elections in Mirpurkhas citing low voter turnout and accusation of rigging. MQM leader Waseem Akhtar claimed that dacoits stole ballot papers and accused the ECP of mismanaging the polls.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/sindh/item/115370-local-body-s-polls-in-karachi-to-be-held-as-per-schedule-on-aug-28-ecp.html

PKR continues fall against dollar after currency shortage

The Pakistani rupee continued to lose ground against the US dollar during in the interbank market as the country faces a currency shortage.

The local unit closed at 217.66 after losing Re1 against the greenback in the interbank market following a currency crunch, which according to analysts is taking place due to the new rules imposed by the United Arab Emirates, smuggling, and the lifting of the import ban.

The UAE has made it mandatory for Pakistani travellers to declare 5,000 dirhams at the airport when landing leading to an increase in the price of the US dollar in the open market.

Apart from this, the government's decision to lift the ban on the import of non-essential and luxury goods to meet a condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is also gradually increasing the pressure on the rupee.

The ban was scrapped ahead of the Fund's executive board meeting, scheduled to take place in Washington on August 29, where Pakistan's request for the loan programme resumption will be taken up.

The market, however, seems to have failed to respond to the development of funds from Qatar.

In a briefing, Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Murtaza Syed said that Pakistan's funding gap of $4 billion will be fulfilled through $2 billion funds from Qatar, $1 billion from Saudi Arabia, and a similar amount from the UAE.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/115369-pkr-continues-fall-against-dollar-after-currency-shortage.html

PM announces end to fixed tax for traders

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced fixed taxes have been abolished for retailers and more than 1.7 million people will now be exempt from fuel charges adjustment on electricity bills.

Addressing the nation on Tuesday from Qatar where he arrived today on a two-day trip the premier said that fixed taxes were imposed on the people in the federal budget for the fiscal year 2022-23, announced on June 10, against the intention of the coalition government.

The move will translate into a tax gap of Rs42 billion, but PM Shehbaz said that the coalition government "cannot add further pressure on small traders".

In a press conference last week, Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail said that the coalition government aimed to collect Rs42 billion through retail taxes, however, after the tax exemption, it would no longer be able to meet the target.

Ismail revealed that the revised target is now Rs27 billion. “To meet the gap, which will be created by the exemption of fixed taxes on small traders, the government is imposing a further tax of Rs36 billion on the tobacco industry,” he said.

Addressing the backlash received in the last two days regarding inflated electricity bills, the prime minister announced that the coalition government, after intense discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has decided to exempt 17.1 million people from paying excessive amounts charged under fuel charges adjustment for the month of July and August.

“We have been working on the fuel charges adjustment case for last five days and we have decided to exempt a major chunk of the population from these charges; however, we are yet to take a decision regarding the 13 million people falling under the category of people who consume more electricity,” he said.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/115368-pm-announces-end-to-fixed-tax-for-traders.html

Medicines worth over Rs15m being dispatched to flood-hit areas: Qadir Patel

Minister for National Health Services, Abdul Qadir Patel on Tuesday said that the necessary medicines valuing over Rs 15 million, and other relief items including 0.6 million medicated mosquito nets were being dispatched to flood-hit areas of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab within the next few days.

Talking to media persons, he said his ministry was making extraneous efforts to help flood hit people in distress.

Giving details of the relief work he said: “A 12-member team of doctors has already been sent to the worst hit Lasbela district. Some 30,000 vaccines, a truck carrying medicines worth Rs 100,000 has already been sent to flood hit areas.

A contingent of 200,000 vaccines was also being sent to the affected areas. The ministry has already dispatched 36,000 medicated mosquito nets. Over 1.4 million more medicated mosquito nets would soon be dispatched to flood hit areas.”

He said anti-venom serum was ready for immediate delivery to any flooded areas that might be in need. He said a donor conference had also been arranged on Wednesday for helping flood hit people as the government did not have enough resources to rehabilitate the destroyed infrastructure. He said Lasbela district was among the worst hit areas as its infrastructure had completely been destroyed.

He said the federal government would serve the flood hit people without any discrimination.

He further said Punjab had sought help for the flood hit people of Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan and federal government would respond soon. He also added that he would visit Thatta this week for distributing relief items among the flood hit people.

He said the Health ministry had appointed two coordinators to have liaison and promptly convey the needs of flood hit people of Balochistan and Sindh.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115367-medicines-worth-over-rs15m-being-dispatched-to-flood-hit-areas-qadir-patel.html

Govt must show their writ over 'power-hungry' Imran: Zardari

Former president Asif Ali Zardari urged on Tuesday the institutions and government to establish their writ as he took a jibe at PTI Chairman Imran Khan for criticising Pakistan's armed forces, police and judiciary.

"The institutions and government will have to establish their writ or else the law, Constitution and institutions will keep falling pray to his [Imran Khan] demands," a statement issued on Twitter stated.

As per media reports, in a meeting with Sindh ministers, Zardari was quoted as saying by the PPP said that the flood affectees in all four provinces are looking towards the government for help while the hunger for power is driving Imran Khan crazy day by day.

"This person is criticising our army every day and the same army's officers and soldiers are fighting against terrorists and laying down their lives in two provinces. He threatens the army, police and then a female magistrate and challenges them to arrest him," he said.

Zardari said that the judiciary must decide if Imran Khan is above the law, can take extra-judicial actions against "me, Mian Nawaz Sharif, my sister and Maryam Nawaz while trampling every law himself."

He also drew attention towards the flood emergency situation in all the four provinces and said that politicians should focus on the flood victims instead of engaging in politics.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115366-govt-must-show-their-writ-over-power-hungry-imran-zardari.html

Police raid Shahbaz Gill’s room in Parliament Lodges; recover weapons, satellite phone

Islamabad Police raided incarcerated PTI leader Shahbaz Gill's room in Parliament Lodges late Monday and it recovered weapons, satellite phone, and foreign currency.

According to details available with the media house, the raid was carried out under the supervision of a senior superintendent of police (SSP) and Gill accompanied them there with police officials in handcuffs.

A pistol was recovered during the operation; however, Gill refused to take ownership of the weapon.

Apart from weapons, a mobile phone, satellite phone and USBs have also been recovered from the room. Moreover, his wallet, that was missing, has also been recovered in which two of his CNICs were also found. Along with all these two passports were also recovered.

Gill told journalists that he had no clue as to why is wallet was found in the room, claiming that he had left it in the car when he was taken into custody.

“My wallet was usually carried by my driver and the room from where the pistol has been recovered was in use of my guards,” he said.

Replying to the questions of the journalists, Gill confirmed PTI chief Imran Khan's claims regarding being sexually assaulted in police custody.

"Yes, I was sexually abused," said Gill in response to the question.

“I see some changes in my room, my passport wasn’t found at its usual place…this hints that somebody came here during the period of my custody,” he added.

Police then whisked Gill to the Punjab House. They also searched the room used by Shahbaz Gill there. But, they found none of his belongings there, said police sources.

Police said Gill's belongings had already been shifted to the Parliament lodges. Police also said a case of the pistol recovered from Gill's Parliament Lodges room is being registered at the Secretariat police station.

A red-coloured diary was also found in Shahbaz Gill's room. When the SSP asked him about it, Gill said he didn't know it. "It's not mine," said Gill.

The police official also asked Gill about the names of people who lived in the room. Izhar and Jabir lived here, he answered.

Sources said Gill's Parliament lodges room is allotted to Senator Abdul Qadir.

According to sources, the police raided the room to recover the script read by Gill on the private TV channel.

Earlier on Monday, a district and sessions court in Islamabad granted a two-day physical remand of Gill in a sedition case filed against him, after reviewing his medical report.

Imran Khan's chief of staff was presented before the court earlier shortly after being discharged from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

Gill was taken into custody on August 9 from Banigala Chowk over charges of inciting mutiny among public against the ranks and files of Pakistan Army by making some remarks during a TV programme.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115365-police-raid-shahbaz-gill-s-room-in-parliament-lodges-recover-weapons-satellite-phone.html

IHC initiates hearing on contempt case against Imran Khan for threatening judge

A larger bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has taken up contempt of court proceedings against PTI Chairman Imran Khan for threatening Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry during a public rally.

The bench comprises Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.

The PTI chair had staged a rally in the federal capital on August 20 to express solidarity with his chief of staff Shahbaz Gill after claims of torture in custody. He warned the Islamabad inspector-general and deputy inspector-general that he would “not spare” them, vowing to file cases against them for subjecting Gill to alleged inhuman torture.

Turning his guns towards the additional sessions judge, who sent Gill into physical remand on the police's request, Imran Khan had then said she [the judge] should brace herself for consequences.

This issue could be a threat for Khan, who has been campaigning for new elections since being forced to step down this year, since a conviction would disqualify him from standing for election, legal experts said.

The contempt issue is in addition to charges under an anti-terror law that police filed against Khan over what they said was a threat in his speech about Shahbaz Gill who faces sedition charges for inciting mutiny in the military.

The use of anti-terrorism laws as the grounds for cases against political leaders is not uncommon in Pakistan, where Khan’s government also used them against opponents and critics.

His political party, the PTI, has dismissed the accusations against Khan as being politically motivated, saying they were being used to block him from leading anti-government rallies.

Earlier today, Islamabad Advocate-General Jahangir Khan Jadoon filed a miscellaneous application in the IHC, seeking permission to submit the concerned record to court.

In his application, the advocate-general pleaded to the court that he wanted to submit the record of anti-judiciary remarks and speeches made by Imran Khan in the past.

“I want to put Imran Khan’s video clip on record,” said the applicant.

He pleaded with the court to allow the petitioner to play the video showing the anti-judiciary and anti-state institution remarks made by the PTI chairman in the past.

The applicant requested the IHC to allow the material to be played in the courtroom through USB or other digital means.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115362-ihc-initiates-hearing-on-contempt-case-against-imran-khan-for-threatening-judge.html

PM Shehbaz leaves for Doha on two-day official visit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has left for Doha on a two day official visit to Qatar on the invitation of Amir of state of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

This is the Prime Minister's first visit to Qatar after assuming the office.

The Prime Minister is accompanied by a high level delegation including key members of the cabinet.

During the visit, Shehbaz Sharif will hold in-depth consultations with the Qatari leadership. The two sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with a particular focus on advancing energy related cooperation, deepening trade and investment ties and exploring greater employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Qatar.

They will also exchange views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister will also engage with leading Qatari and Pakistani business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs.

He will visit Stadium 974 in Doha, where he would be briefed on the extensive preparations undertaken by Qatari government to host FIFA World Cup.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/115358-pm-shehbaz-leaves-for-doha-on-two-day-official-visit.html