Urdu news

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Tough contest expected between Hamza, Elahi as Punjab Assembly to elect new CM today

A tough contest is expected in the Punjab Assembly today between the joint Opposition’s candidate Hamza Shehbaz and the government’s ally Chaudhry Parvez Elahi for the coveted slot of the chief minister.

The prized slot fell vacant after the resignation of Sardar Usman Buzdar following a deal between the ruling PTI and PML-Q few days back.

Both candidates need at least 186 votes in the House of 371 to win the poll for the slot of CM Punjab.

With the full House comprising 371 MPAs, PML-N seems highly optimistic of regaining the crown of Punjab that it lost in 2018.

The Opposition claims that its joint strength comprising its own 160 MPAs (PML-N total strength is 165 out of which five MPAs are siding with the government), seven MPAs of PPP and rest from the rebel groups of PTI headed by Jehnagir Khan Tareen (JKT) and Abdul Aleem Khan and four out of five independents, stands above 188.

On the other hand, the ruling coalition candidate has also used his experience and influence in winning the support of JKT group MPAs and publicly, MPA Rafaqat Gilani, a part of JKT group has claimed that he was “siding with Imran and cannot leave him in crucial time”.

Rafaqat claims that nearly five to six MPAs of JKT group, who are PTI MPAs would vote for Parvez Elahi. Rafaqat Gilani had reached PA alongwith Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, son of Chaudhry Parvez Elahi. On the other hand, Malik Nauman Langrial, Saeed Niwani, Tahir Randhawa and many other MPAs of PTI have openly announced to support Hamza in the CM contest. Malik Nauman Langrial also held a press conference with Hamza in which he announced support to PMLN.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112300-tough-contest-expected-between-hamza-elahi-as-punjab-assembly-to-elect-new-cm-today.html

Govt removes Chaudhry Sarwar as Punjab governor

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Friday that the federal government had removed Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar from his post.

The announcement came hours before crucial sessions of the National and Punjab Assembly on the no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Imran Khan and outgoing Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

The minister said that the new governor would be announced later. "According to the Constitution, the deputy speaker [of the Punjab Assembly] will be the acting governor," he said.

وفاقی حکومت نے گورنر پنجاب چوہدری محمد سرور کو ان کے عہدے سے برطرف کر دیا ہے، نئے گورنر پنجاب کا اعلان بعد میں کیا جائیگا، آئین کے مطابق ڈپٹی اسپیکر قائم مقام گورنر ہوں گے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 3, 2022

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/punjab/item/112299-govt-removes-chaudhry-sarwar-as-punjab-governor.html

All eyes on NA as clock ticks on vote of no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan

All eyes are on the National Assembly today as the clock ticks on the vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The day to determine the premier's future is finally here after a series of incidents and multiple shifts in the country's political scenario, with NA all set to hold the crucial vote and sitting of Parliament today, which will begin at 11:30 am today (Sunday).

The prime minister himself will attend the crucial session of the Lower House to be held under NA Speaker Asad Qaiser, said the sources.

PM Imran Khan is confident that he will defeat the no-confidence motion against him, the sources said, adding that the premier has decided to fight till the last ball.

Section 144 imposed in capital

To avoid any untoward incident on the decisive day, the district administration has imposed Section 144 and completely banned pillion riding in Islamabad for today.

A statement issued by Islamabad deputy commissioner said that the Red Zone has been sealed with big containers and barbed wires and with tightened security in the federal capital.

The local administration has also prohibited all kinds of gatherings in areas in and outside the Red Zone within a one-kilometre radius.

Moreover, a notification issued by Islamabad’s district magistrate prohibits ‘all kinds of gatherings of 5 or more persons, processions/rallies and demonstrations inside the Red Zone.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112298-all-eyes-on-na-as-clock-ticks-on-vote-of-no-confidence-motion-against-pm-imran-khan.html

PCB eyes $650m in revenue from quadrangular series

The four-nation Super Series involving Pakistan, India, Australia and England — suggested by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) — is estimated to generate $650 million in profit.

The proposal will be presented formally at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting on April 10 in Dubai which will be attended by PCB Chairperson Ramiz Raja and Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain.

The PCB chairman is taking a keen interest in the series.

The PCB has proposed series be played from September-October every year at one venue, which is an ideal period as it is the start of the season in Australia, Pakistan and India, and the near end of the English season,

The hosting rights for the tournament will be decided on the rotation policy and the ICC will look into the matters of the series, the report said.

The money generated by the tournament will be distributed among the four sides and the ICC members. "It is not clear what the breakdown will be of the revenue, but it is thought that a significant portion could go towards the non-participating Full Members and Associate members”.

A PCB official who is familiar with the plan said: "This is a strategic paper in which the ICC and its members have been encouraged and invited to explore an untapped event opportunity around traditional rivalries in cricket, turn them into a cricket extravaganza, attract a new generation of cricketers, speed up cricket development and maximize revenues for the members."

According to the PCB, this attempt is to add another short event to the calendar.

The PCB official said: "This event will also bring a further nation vs nation event, in a cricket calendar that is being increasingly influenced by mushrooming of various T20 leagues around the world. Because of that, bilateral T20Is have become meaningless. The four-nation Super Series can fill the vacuum."

source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/112290-pcb-eyes-650m-in-revenue-from-quadrangular-series.html

Friday, April 1, 2022

Tareen group to back Hamza for Punjab CM slot: Dar

Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar said on Saturday that the Jahangir Khan Tareen group will support the joint Opposition’s candidate Hamza Shahbaz for Punjab’s chief minister slot.

The Punjab Assembly is set to conduct a session to pick Usman Buzdar's replacement.

The development came after a meeting between former finance minister Ishaq Dar and PTI's ex-secretary general Jahangir Tareen at a hotel in London.

As per media reports said that the two sides discussed the upcoming no-confidence vote on Sunday and the election of the chief minister of Punjab.

Had fruitful final round of discussion with Mr Jehangir Khan Tareen.
Mutually concluded that #JKT_Group will support joint Opposition's candidate, Mr Hamza Shehbaz Sharif, for the slot of Chief Minister, Punjab.
Deeply appreciate support of #JKT and #JKT_Group
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) April 1, 2022

Two days earlier, it was also reported that Dar and Tareen spoke over the phone. The telephonic conversation was confirmed by sources close to Dar and Tareen. People, with knowledge of the meeting, said that the two leaders discussed possible ways of cooperation in Punjab and the Centre.

PML-N leader Ishaq Dar took to Twitter to share the big political development and thanked Tareen for announcing his support for Hamza Shahbaz.

Meanwhile, Tareen group spokesperson Aun Chaudhry has claimed that their 16 MPs will support the joint opposition's candidate.

As per media reports said that Hamza Shahbaz will meet with the PTI's disgruntled lawmakers today and give them all necessary assurances.

Meanwhile, all the efforts of PML-Q leader and federal minister Moonis Elahi went in vain to cajole the Jahangir Tareen group in a bid to garner support for Pervaiz Elahi as Moonis Elahi had a four-hour long meeting with the disgruntled JKT group, however, the meeting did not end up with a positive result.

Upon asking about the meeting result, Moonis Elahi tried to put off journalists by saying, “all is well.”

However, PTI MPA Nauman Langrial said they had been in contact with Jahangir Tareen and the next round of meetings would be held at 2 PM today.

To foil the Opposition’s no-trust motion and to woo allies, PM Imran Khan had asked Usman Buzdar to resign from the post of CM Punjab. The PM also nominated Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as the new chief minister of Punjab.

On Friday, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhamad Sarwar accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

Meanwhile, following the acceptance of the resignation, the Punjab cabinet has also been dissolved.

Sarwar sought approval from PM Khan before taking his final decision, sources said after which he summoned a session of the Punjab Assembly today to elect the new leader of the house.

However, Secretary Assembly Muhammad Khan Bhatti said that only a schedule will be issued today for the election of the chief minister and it is up to the speaker to decide about the day of voting.

The speaker has the authority in this regard and will make the final call in this regard whether the voting will be held tomorrow or on Monday, Bhatti said.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112289-tareen-group-to-back-hamza-for-punjab-cm-slot-dar.html

Microsoft's cloud business targeted by EU antitrust regulators

EU antitrust regulators are quizzing Microsoft’s (MSFT.O) rivals and customers about its cloud business and licensing deals, a questionnaire seen by Reuters showed, in a move that could lead to a formal investigation and renewed scrutiny of the U.S. software company.

The European Commission has fined Microsoft a total 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in the previous decade for breaching EU antitrust rules and for not complying with its order to halt anti-competitive practices.

The company found itself on the EU competition enforcer’s radar again after German software provider NextCloud, France’s OVHcloud (OVH.PA) and two other companies filed complaints about Microsoft’s cloud practices.

"The Commission has information that Microsoft may be using its potentially dominant position in certain software markets to foreclose competition regarding certain cloud computing services," the questionnaire said.

Regulators asked if the terms in Microsoft’s licensing deals with cloud service providers allow rivals to compete effectively.

They also want to know if companies needed Microsoft’s operating systems and productivity applications to complement their own cloud infrastructure offering in order to compete effectively.

Companies also were asked about the differences in license fees and commercial terms between the licensing deals with cloud service providers and another programme in which they package and indirectly resell Microsoft’s cloud services together with their own.

Another focus was potential technical limitations on cloud storage services available on companies’ cloud infrastructure.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/technology/item/112288-microsoft-s-cloud-business-targeted-by-eu-antitrust-regulators.html

Final One-Day International will be played today in Lahore

The third and final One-Day International between Pakistan and Australia will be played today (Saturday) in Lahore. With the three-match ODI series levelled at 1-1, both the teams will want to produce some dominating performance and clinch the series in the final clash.

Pakistan registered their highest successful run-chase in ODIs and ended their ten-match losing streak against Australia by winning the second ODI. After a setback in the first match, the hosts were desperate to make a comeback, and an excellent performance from the batters helped them level the series 1-1.

Chasing 349, Pakistan openers Fakhar Zaman (67) and Imam-ul-Haq (106) laid the foundation with a century stand before skipper Babar Azam starred with an 83-ball 114, pushing his side closer to the victory line.

Their top-order batters performance in the series has been a significant plus for Pakistan; Imam has now already scored back-to-back hundreds in both ODIs, and the in-form Azam has also contributed, including a masterclass in the second game. The middle-order batters also played some handy knocks as they successfully took Pakistan across the line after two big wickets of Imam and Babar, but Pakistan will be expecting more from Mohammad Rizwan, who hasn t been able to impress with the bat.

The Pakistani batters success in chasing the total, however, overshadowed all of their bowling shortcomings. Heading into the series decider, there is plenty of room for improvement in the bowling department as they have struggled to pick wickets in both the ODIs. With another similar pitch expected in Lahore for the last ODI, spinners will need to bowl economically. The batters, on the other hand, will want to keep up their good form and put up another dominant batting performance.

Australia, on the other hand, are nowhere behind in producing exceptional performances. Their batters have ticked all the boxes, while their bowlers, especially the spinners have turned up at the right time to keep them in the game. Travis Head s promotion to the top of the order has reaped a lot of benefits for Australia and Ben McDermott following up his half-century in the first ODI with a century in the second, has made the visitors top-order look solid throughout the series.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/112287-final-one-day-international-will-be-played-today-in-lahore.html

Shaukat Tarin on Twitter, FBR surpass its 9 months target by over Rs 240 billion

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Shaukat Tarin on Friday applauded the nation on the Federal board of Revenue (FBR) surpassing its nine months target by over Rs.240 billion in annual revenue target.

Shaukat Tarin applauded the FBR for surpassing its 9 months target by over Rs.240 billion posting an ever highest growth of 30 percent, he said on his official twitter account.

At this run rate we are all set to knock down the annual target of Rs. 6.1 trillion, he hoped.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/112286-shaukat-tarin-on-twitter-fbr-surpass-its-9-months-target-by-over-rs-240-billion.html

Russia Regrouping for 'Powerful Strikes,' Zelensky Warns

Ukraine s President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Russia is consolidating and preparing "powerful strikes" in the country s east and south, including besieged Mariupol, where a new attempt will be made Friday to evacuate civilians from the devastated city.

Russia meanwhile threatened to turn off its gas taps to Europe if payments are not made in rubles, as US President Joe Biden ordered a record release of strategic oil reserves to ease soaring US prices.

In peace talks this week, Russia said it would scale back attacks on the capital Kyiv and the city of Chernigiv, but Ukrainian and Western officials have dismissed the pledge, saying Moscow s troops were merely regrouping.

"This is part of their tactics," said Zelensky in a late-night address.

"We know that they are moving away from the areas where we are beating them to focus on others that are very important... where it can be difficult for us," he said.

In particular, he warned, the situation in the country s south and east was "very difficult".

"In Donbas and Mariupol, in the Kharkiv direction, the Russian army is accumulating the potential for attacks, powerful attacks," he said.

Washington echoed that assessment, with a senior US defence official saying Russia s focus on Donbas could herald a "longer, more prolonged conflict".

Military experts believe that Moscow is ditching efforts to advance simultaneously along multiple axes in the north, east and south, after struggling to overcome stronger-than-expected Ukrainian resistance.

Instead it wants to establish a long-sought land link between Crimea, which Moscow occupied in 2014, and the two Russian-backed Donbas statelets of Donetsk and Lugansk.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/112285-russia-regrouping-for-powerful-strikes-zelensky-warns.html

Tareen group announces to support PMLN

The dissident Jahangir Khan Tareen group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced to support Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Hamza Shahbaz for the Chief Minister Punjab post.

The decision was taken during a meeting between disgruntled PTI leader Jahangir Khan Tareen and PML-N leader and former finance minister Ishaq Dar in London on Friday night.

The PML-N leader in a message on Twitter said that a meeting was held with Jehangir Khan Tareen during which it was decided that Tareen grou will support joint opposition s candidate Hamza Shahbaz for the slot of Chief Minister, Punjab.

Had fruitful final round of discussion with Mr Jehangir Khan Tareen.
Mutually concluded that #JKT_Group will support joint Opposition s candidate, Mr Hamza Shehbaz Sharif, for the slot of Chief Minister, Punjab.
Deeply appreciate support of #JKT and #JKT_Group

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112284-tareen-group-announces-to-support-pmln.html

Who's ploting to kill PM IMRAN?

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Friday that a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Imran Khan had been reported by security agencies.

"After these reports, the prime minister's security has been beefed up as per the government's decision," he said.

Earlier this week, PTI leader Faisal Vawda had made similar claims, stating that a conspiracy was being hatched to assassinate the prime minister over his refusal to "sell the country".

Vawda had made the remarks on talk show "Off the Record" in response to a question about a letter PM Imran brandished at the PTI's March 27 power show in Islamabad, claiming it contained "evidence" of a "foreign conspiracy" to topple his government.

Vawda said there was a threat to the prime minister's life but remained evasive when asked whether the purported conspiracy to assassinate the premier was mentioned in the letter.

He also said that the prime minister was told multiple times that bulletproof glass needed to be installed before his dais at the March 27 rally. "But as always and as usual, he said my [death] will come when Allah wills. Don't worry about it," Vawda quoted him as saying.

The news also comes a day after the premier, during a nearly hour-long live address to the nation, vowed to foil "an international conspiracy" hatched against his government by opposition leaders and their alleged handlers ahead of the no-confidence vote in the National Assembly.

In an apparent slip of the tongue, he had revealed the name of the United States as the country behind the “threat letter”. However, reacting to the prime minister's address, opposition parties had declared him to be a "security threat".

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112270-who-s-ploting-to-kill-pm-imran.html

Heatwave expected to grip Pakistan

A heatwave is going to grip the country for the next 10 days Pakistan Metrological Department has asked the public to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight for the sake of their health.

The latest weather alert issued by the Met Department stated that temperatures during daytime are likely to remain unusually high in most of the country in the coming days in effect of a persistent high pressure in the upper atmosphere.

The mercury may shoot 9 to 11 degrees Celsius higher than the average temperatures during the day in Sindh, South Punjab, and southern and central parts of Balochistan in the coming days. While in upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the temperatures will remain 8-10°C above normal levels.
Rain coupled with wind and thunderstorms is expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir on April 2 and 3 (Saturday and Sunday), while light rain-wind/thunderstorm is also expected in Islamabad, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum during the period.
As for the possible impacts of the weather condition, the Met Office said the long dry spell could cause water stress on water reservoirs, standing crops, vegetables, and orchards. It advised farmers to manage crop water accordingly and go for early harvesting of wheat crops. The people were asked to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight for good health as well as use water judiciously.
Earlier, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had forecast a “very hot and dry weather spell” in Karachi which was supposed to start today (Friday).

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112269-heatwave-expected-to-grip-pakistan.html

Space race: Blue Origin carries out 4th crewed spaceflight

Jeff Bezos´ Blue Origin successfully carried out its fourth crewed spaceflight Thursday, a ten-minute ride beyond the planet´s atmosphere and back again.

The New Shepard suborbital rocket blasted off from the company´s Launch Site One base in west Texas at 8:58 am local time (1358 GMT) with six crew members.

The crew included Gary Lai, chief architect of the New Shepard program, plus five paying customers -- though the ticket price hasn´t been disclosed.

"I felt my skin pulling taut," Lai said, of the rocket ride.

Lai´s inclusion came after comedian Pete Davidson, the boyfriend of reality star Kim Kardashian, canceled his participation without disclosing a reason.

After launch, the reusable, zero greenhouse gas emissions rocket landed vertically at a pad, while the capsule continued soaring, crossing the Karman line that marks the start of space, 100 kilometers (62 miles) high.

Passengers unbuckled and enjoyed a few minutes of weightlessness, taking in the majesty of Earth before the capsule re-entered the atmosphere, deployed its chutes and floated to the surface for a gentle desert landing.

Blue Origin´s past flights have included its founder Bezos as well as Star Trek icon William Shatner.

After years of promise, the space tourism sector is finally taking off.

Lai told reporters the company was continuing to make improvements to the vehicle "under the hood" aimed at pushing down costs and reducing the time between flights.

"Someday you´re going to see us launching every single week," he said.

Elon Musk´s SpaceX is targeting next week to fly three tycoons and a former astronaut to the International Space Station on the Axiom-1 mission -- though the crew involved insist they´re doing serious research work rather than going on vacation.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/technology/item/112268-space-race-blue-origin-carries-out-4th-crewed-spaceflight.html