Islamabad ready for 'biggest' political power show

The federal capital is all set to host a major political power show as the workers of ruling PTI from different parts of the country have started reaching the Parade Ground, where Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI will stage the "biggest" rally.

PTI is all set to stage its "Amr-bel-Maroof" public gathering successfully in Islamabad as the political pressure mounts with the opposition parties also marching towards Islamabad ahead of the vote of no-confidence against PM Imran Khan.

The PTI has called their public gathering "Amr-bel-Maroof" in response to the Opposition’s no-trust motion to show support to the prime minister.

"Today is a battle for Pakistan [...] and not for PTI, it's a battle for the future of our nation," Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a message issued hours before the gathering.

The premier urged the citizens willing to attend the rally to leave their homes early as there would be rush and blockages on the roads. He said that he fears that the people might not reach the venue on time.

"We are out to make Pakistan's history today," PM Imran Khan concluded.

Stage set

As the clock ticks towards PTI's rally, all the preparations of the event also move towards completion. The stage for the "biggest" rally has been made using 36 containers while a special container has been placed for the senior leadership.

Moreover, a special enclosure has been prepared for women where 800 seats have been arranged. The enclosure has been surrounded by safety sheets and barbed wires for security.

For the male participants of the rally, 6,000 chairs have been placed, while the organisers say that an order for 30,000 seats has been made.

Meanwhile, the workers and leaders of the JUI-F, representing the opposition parties' alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), are already at the venue of their rally to be held tomorrow (Monday) at Srinagar Highway. Whereas, PML-N caravan, “Mehngai Mukao March”, led by Maryam Nawaz and leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz are also on their way to join PDM to "say goodbye to the already ousted prime minister".

Prime Minister Imran Khan had tasked party leaders to gather one million people for the rally. Addressing a rally in Swat recently, the premier had urged the nation to reach Islamabad on March 27 to tell the world that Pakistanis "stand with the truth and are against corruption".

The interior minister said that everyone is allowed to hold public gatherings in Islamabad; however, according to the directions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, no one will be allowed to enter the Red Zone.

He warned that nobody will be allowed to take the law into their hands as the apex court has tasked the interior ministry to maintain the law and order situation in the federal capital.

‘Those who stage sit-ins will be arrested’

Responding to the Opposition’s warning to stage a sit-in in Islamabad, the interior minister cautioned them against doing so and said action will be taken according to the directives issued by the court.

He said that the Opposition would have to seek permission again if they wanted to hold a rally today as well since they had been permitted to hold a gathering on Saturday only.

“If they stage a sit-in they will be arrested,” he said, adding that the federal government also has the authority to call army under Article 245 following approvals from the prime minister and the cabinet.

 

“Mehngai Mukao March”

PML-N’s “Mehngai Mukao March” kick-started on Saturday from Lahore's Model Town in the leadership of party's vice president, Maryam's leadership.

“[Prime Minister] Imran Khan‘s government has gone he is shouting every day. The government has gone we are going to say goodbye to it, Maryam said.

The PML-N leader said that the “people are echoing” the name of party supremo Nawaz Sharif due to the “incompetent government and inflation”.

“The government has gone a goodbye is left only. He’s (Imran Khan) is pleading but nothing will happen now,” said the PML-N leader. She added that move to oust PM Imran was taken by the government and not the Opposition.

Talking about the government allies who are yet to make a decision, Maryam said that no one will stand with the premier as his own party members were ditching him.

Since then all eyes have been on Islamabad as the Opposition is trying to cajole the PTI allies to leave the government, while PM Imran Khan and his ministers are trying to ensure that the allies do not jump ship.

Apart from the allies, many PTI lawmakers have also come out in the open and started to express their frustrations against PM Imran. However, they are yet to decide whether they would support the motion or go against it.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112158-islamabad-ready-for-biggest-political-power-show.html

ICC: Pakistan bowl first in New Zealand showdown

Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof has won the toss and elected to bowl first in their ICC Women s Cricket World Cup clash against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

While New Zealand still have a mathematical chance of reaching the semi-finals, Pakistan are playing for pride in this contest having won just once through their first six games.

Read more: Pakistan chasing 278 on final day after Australia declare

The White Ferns need a resounding victory that boosts their net run rate and then rely on India and England losing heavily in their final matches on Sunday just to have any chance of sneaking in.

Veteran seamer Lea Tahuhu is out of the New Zealand side with a hamstring injury and Rosemary Mair is her replacement, while Pakistan have made two changes to their playing XI.

Nahida Khan and Aiman Anwer miss out, with Muneeba Ali and Anam Amin named included.

New Zealand XI: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amelia Kerr, Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Katey Martin, Frakie Mackay, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair

Pakistan XI: Sidra Amin, Muneeba Ali, Bismah Maroof (c), Omaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz, Fatima Sana, Diana Baig, Nashra Sundhu, Anam Amin

source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/112152-women-s-cricket-world-cup.html

Da Silva steers West Indies into narrow lead in Test decider

Joshua da Silva s unbeaten maiden Test half-century in the Caribbean anchored a West Indies lower-order revival which pushed the home side ahead of England on the second day of the third and final Test on Friday.

Replying to the tourists first innings total of 204, da Silva s unbeaten 54 and vital contributions from Kyle Mayers, Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach lifted the home side from the depths of 95 for six to 232 for eight at stumps.

Read more: Australia win third Test to claim historic series against Pakistan

While not nearly as dramatic as the last-wicket stand of 90 between Saqib Mahmood and Jack Leach on day one which resuscitated the English from 114 for nine, the West Indian version of tail-end resistance saw 137 runs added for the loss of two wickets.

In stark contrast to the dreary cricket which defined most of the drawn first two matches, da Silva (54 not out) and Roach (25 not out) will be keen to extend a ninth-wicket stand on the third morning which has already produced 55 runs and earned the home team a lead of 28 runs with two wickets in hand.

Chris Woakes led the England effort with the ball, taking three wickets in mid-afternoon to trigger a West Indies slide which seemed terminal until da Silva joined Mayers.

Successive partnerships of 33 with Mayers, 49 with Joseph (28) and the unbroken stand with Roach followed, the ninth-wicket pair unperturbed by the arrival of the second new ball half-hour before the close of play.

Da Silva s half-century, his fourth overall in Test cricket, has occupied more than three hours in which he faced 152 deliveries, stroking four fours.

"My home form hasn t been very good so it was especially pleasing to get runs in from of home support," said de Silva.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/sports/item/112151-da-silva-steers-west-indies-into-narrow-lead-in-test-decider.html

Digital Markets Act: EU Negotiators Agree To Landmark Law to Curb US Big Tech Dominance

Negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states agreed Thursday on a landmark law to curb the market dominance of US big tech giants such as Google, Meta, Amazon and Apple.

Meeting in Brussels the lawmakers nailed down a long list of do’s and don’ts that will single out the world’s most iconic web giants as internet "gatekeepers" subject to special rules.

Read more: OneWeb to launch satellites with rival SpaceX

The "Digital Markets Act" (DMA) has sped through the bloc’s legislative procedures and is designed to protect consumers and give rivals a better chance to survive against the world’s powerful tech juggernauts.

"The agreement ushers in a new era of tech regulation worldwide," said German MEP Andreas Schwab, who led the negotiations for the European Parliament.

"The Digital Markets Act puts an end to the ever-increasing dominance of Big Tech companies," he added.

The main point of the law is to avert the years of procedures and court battles needed to punish Big Tech’s monopolistic behaviour where cases can end with huge fines but little change in how the giants do business.

Once implemented, the law will give Brussels unprecedented authority to keep an eye on decisions by the giants, especially when they pull out the chequebook to buy up promising startups.

Read more: Thailand to ban use of digital assets as payments from April - SEC

"The gatekeepers -- they now have to take responsibility," said the EU’s competition supremo Margrethe Vestager.

"A number of things they can do, a number of things they can’t do, and that of course gives everyone a fair chance," she added.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/technology/item/112150-digital-markets-act-eu-negotiators-agree-to-landmark-law-to-curb-us-big-tech-dominance.html

US, EU announce new partnership to undercut Russian energy

The United States and European Union on Friday announced a new partnership to reduce the continent’s reliance on Russian energy, a step top officials characterized as the start of a years-long initiative to further isolate Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin uses energy to “coerce and manipulate his neighbors” and uses the profits from its sale to “drive his war machine.”

Read more: CPEC extend to Afghanistan says China

Biden said the partnership he announced jointly with a top European Union official will turn that dynamic on its head by reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian energy sources, as well reducing the continent’s demand for gas overall.

The president said such a step is not “only the right thing to do from a moral standpoint” but “it’s going to put us on a stronger strategic footing.”

Under the plan, the U.S. and other nations will increase liquified natural gas exports to Europe by 15 billion cubic meters this year, though U.S. officials were unable to say exactly which countries will provide the extra energy this year. Even larger shipments would be delivered in the future. .

At the same time, they will try to keep their climate goals on track by powering gas infrastructure with clean energy and reducing methane leaks that can worsen global warming.

Although the initiative will likely require new facilities for importing liquified natural gas, the partnership is also geared toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels in the long run through energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy, according to the White House.

Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU’s executive arm, said it is important for Europe to shift away from Russia and toward energy suppliers that are trustworthy, friendly and reliable.
“We aim to reduce this dependence on Russian fossil fuels and get rid of it,” she said.

Read more: KSE-100 index gains over 300 points on high yields

Russian energy is a key source of income and political leverage for Moscow. Almost 40% of the European Union’s natural gas comes from Russia to heat homes, generate electricity and power industry.

Biden was leaving Brussels after the announcement and heading to Rzeszów in Poland, where U.S. troops are based roughly an hour’s drive from the Ukrainian border.

He will be briefed on the humanitarian response to the refugees streaming out of Ukraine and those still suffering inside the country. He also will meet with U.S. service members from the 82nd Airborne Division, who serve alongside Polish troops.

Biden is then expected to fly to Warsaw for talks Saturday with Polish President Andrzej Duda and an address to the Polish people before he departs for Washington.

While in Brussels, Biden participated in a trio of summits hosted by NATO, the Group of Seven industrialized nations and the European Union, all on Thursday. The extraordinary series of meetings reflects heightened concerns about the war in Ukraine, which has entered its second month.

Although Ukraine has resisted the Russian invasion much more successfully than initially expected, the conflict has become a grueling and bloody affair, with thousands of casualties on each side and millions of refugees fleeing the country.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/112149-us-eu-announce-new-partnership-to-undercut-russian-energy.html

Jordan king hosts leaders of UAE, Egypt and Iraq for rare meeting

Jordan s King Abdullah II hosted leaders from Egypt, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates on Friday for "consultative" talks, state media said. The meeting with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi in the Red Sea port city of Aqaba was "consultative", according to state television.

An official source requesting anonymity told AFP that the "consultative brotherly meeting dealt with recent international and regional developments". The source did not elaborate.

Read more: Nato will ‘respond’ if Russia uses chemical weapons in Ukraine

A statement from the royal court said others in attendance included Jordan s Crown Prince Hussein and Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz.

The meeting comes just a day before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to travel to Israel, the West Bank, Morocco and Algeria to discuss the Ukraine war, Israeli-Palestinian relations and Iran.

Israel said it would host a "historic summit" from Sunday of top diplomats from the United States and three Arab states with which it has normalised ties -- the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco.

Earlier in the week, Egypt hosted the Israeli and UAE leaders for unprecedented three-way talks as Russia s invasion of Ukraine rocks energy and food markets and major powers inch toward a revived Iran nuclear deal.

The summit was held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh between Sisi, the Abu Dhabi crown prince and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Analyst Oraib al-Rantawi, head of the Al-Quds Center for Political Studies, said "most" of the parties to Friday s meeting in Jordan are "historic allies and friends of Washington but are linked to Moscow through deep ties and interests".

source https://www.suchtv.pk/world/item/112148-jordan-king-hosts-leaders-of-uae-egypt-and-iraq-for-rare-meeting.html

Corona claims 4 more deaths across the country

Pakistan has reported 4 more deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of confirmed positive cases has surged to 1,523,590. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 30,340 on Saturday.

According to the latest figures issued by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 189 persons were tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Read more: Corona claims 2 more deaths across the country

Pakistan has conducted 30,417 tests in the past 24 hours out of which 189 persons were tested positive for the disease. The COVID Positivity Ratio was recorded at 0.62 percent.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112147-corona-claims-4-more-deaths-across-the-country.html

More than 600 children with cancer evacuated from Ukraine

More than 600 children with cancer have now been evacuated from Ukraine in order to resume life-saving treatment in Europe and North America.

About 200 hospitals worldwide have offered care - without which, the children have no chance of survival.

Doctors helping to co-ordinate the international effort say it's the largest rescue mission of its kind.

 

source https://www.suchtv.pk/health/item/112127-more-than-600-children-with-cancer-evacuated-from-ukraine.html

CPEC extend to Afghanistan says China

Beijing welcomes Afghanistan’s active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure plan proposed by China, and is willing to push for extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corri­dor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday as he made a surprise visit to Kabul.

Wang met acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss political and economic ties, including starting work in the mining sector and Afghanistan’s possible role in China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, according to a statement from an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman.

Read more: Ukraine pleads for help as Joe Biden heads to summit

China was willing to promote the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan, making the latter a bridge for regional connectivity, Wang said on Thursday .

He also said China hoped Afghanistan would fulfil its commitment of not allowing any external forces to use its territory as a tool to oppose neighbours, or harm the security of other nations.

Wang visited Kabul on Thursday, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said, the highest-level visit by a Chinese official since the Taliban took power last year and a day after many in the global community were angered by the group’s closure of girls’ high schools.

China is among just a handful of countries, including Pakistan and Qatar, that has sent a minister to Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country in August.

Foreign governments, including Beijing, have held back on formally recognising the Taliban administration, with many saying the Taliban need to prove their commitment to human rights, counter-terrorism and inclusive governance.

The visit came after widespread global condemnation of the Taliban administration a day earlier, when it unexpectedly ordered girls home from high school, an abrupt U-turn on policy after having said earlier in the week school would be open to all students.

China will host a meeting of regional foreign ministers later this month, and the statement said Muttaqi would also participate in the meeting.

Read more: Russia to expel US diplomats in tit-for-tat move

Earlier in September, Pakistan also discussed Taliban-led Afghanistan joining the multibillion-dollar CPEC infrastructure project.

“Regional connectivity is an important element of our discussion with Afghan leadership and our way forward for our economic interaction with Afghanistan,” said Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Pakistan’s envoy to Kabul, in an interview with Reuters at the time.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/business/item/112126-cpec-extend-to-afghanistan-says-china.html

No-Confidence Motion, Joint opposition convenes parliamentary members meeting

The joint opposition parties have convened a parliamentary members meeting to be held today (Friday) for consultation on no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran.

According to sources, the meeting will be held in Parliament House at 10:00am during which a strategy will be chalked out for today’s National Assembly session.

Sources further informed that consultations would also be held on expected protests by the joint opposition parties against the government and the Speaker National Assembly during the assembly session.

Read more: PPP assures MQM-P of ‘accepting demands’ to seek support for no-trust move

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari called on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday night in Islamabad for consultation on no-trust motion.

According to sources, the joint opposition stalwarts held consultation on no-trust motion to be tabled against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly today.

Sources said that the joint opposition leaders during their meeting decided that Fateha would be offered for the departed soul of PTI MAN Khyal Zaman at the start of the National Assembly proceedings as it is the tradition that Fateha is offered on the death of any member at the beginning of the assembly session.

After the Fateha Khwani, the opposition will table no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sources said that opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif would present no-confidence motion against PM Imran on behalf of the joint opposition.

Read more: Early elections are a possibility: Sheikh Rashid

The meeting also decided that the leaders of joint opposition parties would be responsible to bring 161 out of 162 opposition members for the assembly session while Ali Wazir, a member of the opposition, is in jail.

Sources said that no production order was issued for Ali Wazir to attend the National Assembly session. It was also decided in the meeting that the opposition will request National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser to issue a production order for Ali Wazir to attend the assembly session.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112125-no-confidence-motion-joint-opposition-convenes-parliamentary-members-meeting.html

PM urges nation to attend PTI’s March 27 gathering in Islamabad

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has made an impassioned appeal to the entire nation to come out and join his gathering to be held on Sunday in Islamabad to give a message that they stand against the vice of horse trading.

In a video message on Thursday, he pointed out that a particular group has been looting and plundering this nation over the last thirty years and now they are openly using the looted money to purchase the conscience of the public representatives. He also claimed that this is a crime against democracy and the nation.

Read more: Does not believe in politics of accusation: CM Buzdar

The Prime Minister said God Almighty also ordains in Holy Quran to stand with the good and abhor the vice. He said the nation should made it clear to those purchasing the conscience of parliamentarians that they are against this act so that nobody could damage the democracy through horse trading.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112113-pm-urges-nation-to-attend-pti-s-march-27-gathering-in-islamabad.html

Does not believe in politics of accusation: CM Buzdar

Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar said on Thursday that he does not believe in politics of accusations nor he has ever done such kind of politics.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said that he thinks it is wastage of time to even reply to these baseless accusations of the political opponents.

Read more: ECP serves notice on Bilawal over Malakand rally

Usman Buzdar also said that he has faced these accusations before and is ready to stand firm against these blames. The adversaries can keep on leveling accusations but we will keep on serving the nation, he added.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112109-does-not-believe-in-politics-of-accusation-cm-buzdar.html

ECP serves notice on Bilawal over Malakand rally

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has sent a notice to Chairman Pakistan People s Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for addressing a public meeting in Malakand on March 23.

The district monitoring officer (DMO) Malakand had served the notice to Bilawal Bhutto for addressing the public meeting in violation of the code of conduct for the local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa phase-II.

Read more: About current political situation talks between PPP, MQM-P to be held today

The notice added, "It has come to the knowledge through monitoring teams and media that you have participated in a public meeting at Tehsil Dargai District, Malakand as a part of election campaign of PPP candidates for Tehsil, despite issuance of advisory letter on March 22." It said, "You were allowed to participate in election campaign of candidate as per clause 16 (i) of the revised Code of Conduct issued by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)." The clause says, "The parliamentarians like members national assembly, provincial assembly and senate are allowed to participate in the election campaign.

They will strictly abide by the code of conduct directions, instructions and regulations issued by the ECP and violations thereof will entail legal consequences including contempt proceedings as contemplated in section 10 of the elections act 2017." The ECP added the Jalsa was held and Bilawal Bhutto had addressed in violation of clause 30 of the Code of Conduct.

In exercise of the powers, conferred upon the DMO, under section-234 (3) of Election Act, 2017, Bilawal Bhutto has been called upon to appear in person or through counsel to explain position for violating the clause 30 of the Code of Conduct, on 25th March at DMO Malakand.

The commission said that in case failure to appear and submit written reply by due date, the matter will be dealt with and decided under the law, rules and available record in absence.

source https://www.suchtv.pk/pakistan/general/item/112100-ecp-serves-notice-on-bilawal-over-malakand-rally.html