Siasat Wala Blog

LIAQUATPUR: Two people were injured on Saturday, when a bull fled minutes before being sacrificed in Liaquatpur, Rahim Yar Khan, ARY News reported. Eidul Adha is being celebrated across the country with religious zest and fervor. As per details, a bull named ‘ Badshah ‘ ran away before sacrificial ritual. The bull was caught by the residents of the area after struggle of one and half hour. Two people got injured in the activity, who were given first aid. Eidul Adha is being celebrated today across the country with religious fervor to commemorate the great sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Ismael (AS). The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for well-being of the Ummah and progress, prosperity and security of the country. Eid congregations were  held at mosques, Eidgahs and open places in all cities, towns and villages across the country. Ulema in their Khutbah of Eid highlighted the significance of the philosophy of great sacrifice offered by Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazr

RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has reiterated that Prime Minister Imran Khan is not going anywhere, ARY News reported on Saturday. Talking to media after performing Eid prayers in Rawalpindi, Sheikh Rasheed said that the opposition will make noise for next three months but nothing will change. “Strict action would be taken if anyone tries to take law into hands.” Replying to a query, the federal minister PM Khan will not spare wheat and sugar thieves, they will be made accountable. He further said that Pakistan’s economy is passing through tough phase but economy of a country like United States of America (USA) has also been destroyed by coronavirus pandemic. He also claimed that people who looted the country want changes in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws. Read more: Sheikh Rasheed says PM Khan to complete his constitutional term Earlier this year, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed had said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would complete

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have urged the nation to strictly follow precautionary measures on the occasion of Eidul Azha and perform the obligatory rituals of Qurbani, taking care of the poor and needy people. In their separate messages on the eve of Eidul Azha, felicitating the nation, they said this is a day of remembrance of the obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and the reverence of Hazrat Ismael (AS), who set an extraordinary example of sacrifice and selflessness. The president in his message said coronavirus pandemic has negatively affected the economy, urging people to help the poor and needy in this critical situation. “These great personalities have been fully successful in the tests, giving us a lesson that the key to success is to be steadfast in the face of trials and difficulties and to be ever ready to make any sacrifice” he said. Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message said the whole world is facing a critical situation right now

MOSCOW: The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev has said that the vaccine against the novel coronavirus, developed by country’s scientists, has created immunity in 100% of volunteers who took part in its trials. According to the Russian official, 100% of volunteers developed immunity on the 21st day after receiving the first dose. Their immunity doubled after the second injection. “I can tell you, from first and second phase we have hundred percent of people developing immunity after day 21. It doubles after the second shot. Hundred percent of animals were also protected [against the novel coronavirus],” Dmitriev said. When asked when Russia would publish its findings, the RDIF head replied that all information would be released in August. Read more: Impact of coronavirus will be felt for decades to come, WHO says “We selected the safest approach, it has been extensively tested not only now, but also in Ebola vaccine we got approved, in MERS vaccine

ISLAMABAD: Eidul Azha is being celebrated today (Saturday) across the country with religious fervor to commemorate the great sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Ismael (AS). The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for well-being of the Ummah and progress, prosperity and security of the country. Eid congregations are being held at mosques, Eidgahs and open places in all cities, towns and villages across the country. In the federal capital, the main Eid congregation will be held at the Faisal Mosque. Ulema would deliver Khutbah highlighting significance of the day and philosophy of great sacrifice. Read more: Sindh govt extends Eid holidays After offering Eid prayers, the faithful will sacrifice animals to follow the Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). The federal and provincial governments have chalked out elaborate security plans. The government has advised the faithful to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for containing the COVID-19 while perform the ritual

SYDNEY: Australia will force US tech giants Facebook and Alphabet’s Google to pay Australian media outlets for news content in a landmark move to protect independent journalism that will be watched around the world. Australia will become the first country to require Facebook and Google to pay for news content provided by media companies under a royalty-style system that will become law this year, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said. “It’s about a fair go for Australian news media businesses. It’s about ensuring that we have increased competition, increased consumer protection, and a sustainable media landscape,” Frydenberg told reporters in Melbourne. “Nothing less than the future of the Australian media landscape is at stake.” The move comes as the tech giants fend off calls around the world for greater regulation, and a day after Google and Facebook took a battering for alleged abuse of market power from U.S. lawmakers in a congressional hearing. Following an inquiry into the state

An antibody drug already being used against the coronavirus in Cuba decreased the risk of intensive care admission and death among nursing home residents with moderate COVID-19, according to a small study conducted in the island nation. India’s Biocon said earlier this month it received regulatory approval in India for itolizumab for use in coronavirus infected patients with moderate-to-severe respiratory distress. It was originally tested as a treatment for psoriasis. Researchers, including from Cuba’s Center of Molecular Immunology, which developed itolizumab, said timely use of the drug in combination with standard therapy helped reduce inflammation and prevented COVID-19 from worsening. The 19 hospitalized patients from a single nursing home had tested positive for the virus in April. All were older than age 64 and had chronic health conditions such as hypertension, dementia, heart disease, diabetes and lung diseases. Their age and health issues are considered risk factors for

KARACHI: Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday chaired a meeting on the rain emergency situation caused by recent monsoon rains, ARY News reported. Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal and Corps Commander Karachi Humayun Aziz also attended the meeting along with provincial ministers. During the meeting, the CM said that advanced irrigation system should be used to drain the water and clean sewerages in the metropolis. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah informed the session that the city received 63 to 86 mm rainfall within the duration of less that an hour adding that the drainage system have a capacity of drain 25 to 30 mm water within 30 minutes. Sindh CM said that the areas adjacent to the Green Line project faced problems as the water stops at the place due to slightly defected design of the project. The Soldier Bazaar nullah was choked by inserting boulders in the drain, provincial minister Nasir Hussain Shah sa

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has hailed decision of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to end ban on most popular online game Player Unknown’s Battleground (PUBG). In his tweet, Fawad Chaudhry said to end ban on PUBG in Pakistan is a sane approach and ban is an extreme measure must be very careful in future. For the solution of the problems Pakistan must work closely with Tech companies to resolve issues, he added. Keeping in view the positive engagement and response of the company, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Saturday had lifted ban on PUBG. Read more: Islamabad High Court orders to lift PUBG ban According to the details, a meeting was held between PTA and legal representatives of Proxima Beta Pte Ltd (PB). The officials of PB briefed the authority on response to queries raised by PTA with respect to controls put in place by PB to prevent misuse of the gaming platform. PTA had expressed its satisfaction on mea

LOS ANGELES: Pop stars Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga led a girl power list of nominations on Thursday for the MTV Video Music Awards, which added two new categories to reflect how musicians are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Grande and Gaga got nine nominations each, mostly from their dancey collaboration Rain on Me  whose nods included best video, song and collaboration of the year. Gaga, John Legend, Post Malone and DJ D-Nice all won nominations in the special best quarantine performance category for their appearances earlier this year on a series of virtual concerts, fundraisers and social media events. Grande’s first duet with Justin Bieber, Stuck with U , was nominated in the new best music video from home field, along with Drake’s Tootsie Slide, Legend’s Bigger Love and Level of Concern  from Twenty One Pilots. Billie Eilish, who swept the Grammy awards in January, won six VMA nominations in a lineup dominated by women, including rapper Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa

LOS ANGELES: Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday sent an emotional message to the staff of her television talk show saying she was taking steps to improve the culture on set following accusations of a hostile working environment. The email followed an internal investigation by Warner Bros. Television, which produces The Ellen DeGeneres Show , of complaints ranging from bullying to racism among production staff. Warner Bros. Television said in a statement that although “not all of the allegations were corroborated, we are disappointed that the primary findings of the investigation indicated some deficiencies related to the show’s day-to-day management.” It said several staffing changes and other measures were being implemented, but did not give details. The allegations, which were made by several former staff members in a BuzzFeed article earlier in July, painted a radically different view of life behind the cameras from the upbeat and positive vibe presented by DeGeneres on the show. “On

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday has constituted an 11-member team for action on the report submitted by the sugar commission, citing sources, ARY News reported. FIA Chief Islamabad Dr Moeen Masood would be the head of team, sources privy to the development said. The team will investigate the matter of illegally exporting sugar to Afghanistan while it will also find evidence regarding money laundering. Read more: PM Imran Khan gives nod to launch action against sugar barons On July 27, Prime Minister Imran Khan had ordered authorities to launch a crackdown against sugar mafia in light of the sugar inquiry commission report. The prime minister had ordered Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch an investigation against sugar barons in light of the sugar inquiry commission report. The premier had also directed  the Feder Read more: Govt to refer issue of subsi

LAHORE: Punjab reported 218 fresh cases of the COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the province’s total number of confirmed infections to 92,873, ARY News reported on Friday. According to a spokesperson of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, two more patients died from novel coronavirus during the period, due to which the death toll in the province rose to 2,140. The province has conducted overall 7,26,089 COVID-19 tests so far, according to the statement. The number of the patients recuperated from the disease in Punjab has now reached to 82,526, the spokesperson said. The Punjab government had earlier decided to close markets and shopping malls till August 05 to avoid the spread of coronavirus in the province during Eid-ul-Azha. Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Thursday said that 19 districts in Punjab, which had earlier reported COVID-19 cases, not reported a single case of the disease. “The coronavirus outbreak in Punjab is now under control. Nineteen di

KARACHI: Jinnah International Airport authorities here have launched an operation to restrict bird activity at the airport, ARY News reported on Friday. Concerned staff has initiated a drive on the directives of the airport’s chief operating officer to limit the bird movement in the area, an official said. The bird shooters have hunted more than 25 birds on the runway, the airport manager said. Garbage dumps in the areas adjacent to the airport attracts increasing movement of birds in the vicinity of the airport. Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has launched a public awareness campaign on Eid ul Azha to avoid piling of garbage. Carcasses and remains of sacrificial animals dumped near airports attract a large number of birds, making them a potential hazard to air-traffic, airport manager said. The official advised the people to pack the animal offal and leftovers in garbage bags and dispose off them at the designated places. The bird shooters are routinely deployed by th

LOS ANGELES: Emmy-winning “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston disclosed on Thursday that he had recovered from mild symptoms of COVID-19 and donated his plasma in the hopes that his antibodies would help others with the disease. Wearing a face mask, Cranston revealed the news in an Instagram video in which he documented the donation process at a blood and plasma center run by the University of California at Los Angeles. Cranston said he had experienced mild symptoms including a slight headache, tightness in the chest and loss of his sense of taste and smell. View this post on Instagram Hi. About now you’re probably feeling a little tied down, restricting your mobility and like me, you’re tired of this!! Well, I just want to encourage you to have a little more patience. I was pretty strict in adhering to the protocols and still… I contracted the virus. Yep. it sounds daunting now that over 150,000 Americans are dead because of it. I was one of

Dutch airline KLM said Friday it would shed up to 5,000 jobs due to a “crisis of unprecedented magnitude” caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The carrier, part of the Air France KLM group, said the cuts through the end of 2021 were necessary as it had made huge losses despite a 3.4-billion-euro ($4.0-billion) Dutch government bailout. The cuts would involve around 1,500 compulsory layoffs from KLM’s current workforce of 33,000, the airline said. There would also be 2,000 voluntary redundancies announced earlier this year, while further cuts would be made through non-renewal of 1,500 temporary contracts. “KLM is in the throes of a crisis of unprecedented magnitude… Expectations are that the road to recovery will be long and fraught with uncertainty,” KLM said in a statement. “This means that KLM’s structure and size must be rigorously adjusted even further in the years ahead. Consequently, a total of 4,500 to 5,000 positions in the entire KLM Group will cease to exist.” The jobs

MOSCOW: At least nine people were killed after a minibus crashed in Crimea in the early hours of Friday, authorities in the Russian-annexed peninsula said. The driver of the minibus, which was carrying tourists from the southern Russian city of Krasnodar, fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a large truck near a village northeast of the regional capital Simferopol, Russian news agencies reported. Seven people died on the spot, while another two died as they were being treated for their injuries. Another nine people were injured. The local branch of the Interior Ministry said it was launching a criminal case into a suspected violation of traffic regulations. Russia has a patchy road safety record. Nearly 17,000 people were killed as a result of road accidents last year, according to the traffic police. Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, was a favoured destination for Soviet workers’ state-funded holidays and now attracts a steady influx of Russian tourists.

BENGALURU: India reported another record surge in daily COVID-19 cases on Friday, taking the total to 1.64 million, as the government further eases virus curbs in a bid to resuscitate the economy, while also trying to increase testing. Infections jumped by 55,078 in the past 24 hours, while the death toll rose by 779 to 35,747, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on its website. The ministry also said it aimed to raise the country’s capacity to 1 million coronavirus tests per day in the medium term, from a record 600,000 on Friday. The federal government this week announced the reopening of yoga institutes and gymnasiums, and removed restrictions on the movement of people and goods. The post India’s coronavirus cases rise by a daily record of 55,078 appeared first on ARY NEWS .

The Saudi King, custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, left King Faisal hospital on Thursday after undergoing surgery to remove his gallbladder earlier in the week, the state news agency SPA had reported. The king, who has ruled the world’s largest oil exporter and close U.S. ally since 2015, also prayed for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. “I congratulate everyone on the occasion of Eid al-Adha,” the Tweet said. أهنئ الجميع بعيد الأضحى المبارك، أعاده الله علينا وعليكم بالخير والبركة والصحة والعافية. كما نسأله تبارك وتعالى أن يتقبل من الحجاج حجهم، ومن المسلمين طاعتهم، وأن يرفع عن بلادنا والعالم وباء جائحة كورونا بفضله ورحمته، وكل عام وأنتم بخير. — سلمان بن عبدالعزيز (@KingSalman) July 31, 2020 “I ask God almighty …. to lift the pandemic from our country and the world with his grace and mercy.” Friday marks the first day of Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice, one of the two most important festivals of the Islamic calender. King Salman had been admitted to hospital on July

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan to observe ‘ Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir’ (Day of Exploitation in occupied Kashmir) on August 5, to mark one year of Indian government’s move of scrapping special status of the valley. This was announced by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while addressing a press conference in Islamabad. Last year, Modi government launched demographic apartheid in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and divided the region into three parts. FM Qureshi said Indian government tried to divide the Kashmiri people through this illegal act. The foreign minister said that Kashmiri people are facing immense difficulties, pain and persecution under the continued military siege for the last one year. FM Qureshi reiterated government’s resolve that entire Pakistani nations stands by with their Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle for right to self-determination. Read more: Pakistan condemns restriction on Eid ul Azha prayers in occupied Kashmir Shah Mehmood Qureshi said

LAHORE: An identified thieve took away three sacrificial goats from a house located in Lahore’s area of Gulberg, ARY News reported. As per details, the thieve after entering the house took away three sacrificial goats worth Rs 110,0000 from the house and fled away easily. The case of theft has been registered at the Nasirabad police station on the complaint of the house owner. The police has started search of the goat thieve. Last week, five armed men had snatched a truck loaded with sacrificial goats in Karachi’s area of Sukhan. Read more:  Two dacoits caught and beaten up by citizens in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Johar Unidentified armed men intercepted a mazda truck and took away 67 sacrificial goats from Sukhan. Following the incident, the traders reached Sukhan police station to register the case of the incident. Describing the incident, the traders had said that five unidentified gunmen made them hostage and managed to flee after snatching their livestock. The post Three sacrif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in its weather outlook for Eid-ul-Azha holidays, from Friday to Sunday, predicted rain/wind-thundershowers with isolated heavy falls at several places in the country, ARY News reported. The met office has forecast rainfall in Hazara, Malakand, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Barkhan, Khuzdar, Zhob, Musa Khel, Kashmir and Islamabad from evening or night to morning hours in eid days, while humid and partly cloudy weather conditions during the day. Light rain is also expected along Sindh-Makran Coast on Friday and Saturday, according to the weather report. Hot and humid weather expected in other parts of the country. The weather in Karachi will remain partly cloudy on Friday (today) with maximum temperature between 35 to 37 degree Celsius. Southwestern winds are blowing with 12 kilometers per hour speed, the met office report said. Mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts

Muslims across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, and other gulf countries are celeberating Eidul Adha with religious fervour to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Over a billion Muslims from around the world are celebrating Eidul Adha, which is also known as the “Festival of the Sacrifice’. In Saudi Arabia, Eid prayers were offered at Masjid-e-Nabvi and the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The pilgrims, who spent the whole night in the open sky offering prayers in Muzdalifa have started moving towards Mina. After reaching Mina, they will perform stoning at Jamarat Al-Aqba, sacrifice animals, shave their heads and then leave for Makkah to perform Tawaf Al-Ifada and Sai, two other pillars of Haj. Eid is also being celebrated in Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar. Indonesia, Iran and Malaysia are also marking the day with simplicity. Muslims living in Turkey have offered Eidul Adha prayers at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia. It’s the first time that Eid prayers hav

KARACHI: In view of recent terrorism acts and imminent threat Pakistan Rangers, Sindh and Sindh Police conducted search operations in three jails in the province, ARY News reported on Friday. According to a spokesperson of Rangers, different wings of the paramilitary force participated in search operations in Central Jail Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur. The law enforcement agencies personnel thoroughly searched the barracks and cells in prisons along with the bomb disposal squad and sniffing dogs, Rangers spokesperson said. Several prohibited items including television sets, knives, scissors, USBs, memory cards, MP5s, lighters, nail cutters and heaters recovered in search operation, according to the spokesperson. The law enforcement officials also checked entry and exit points and other security arrangements in jails, spokesperson said. The post Rangers, Police conduct search operations in three Sindh jails appeared first on ARY NEWS .

QUETTA: Balochistan government has extended the timing of businesses till midnight tonight in the wake of Eidul Adha, which will be celebrated tomorrow (Saturday), ARY News reported on Friday. The provincial government has allowed continuing businesses at markets and shopping malls till 12:00 midnight, an amended notification was also released in this regard. The move has been taken after decease in coronavirus cases and Eidul Adha. However, tandoor, dairy shops, medical stores and blood banks will remain open round the clock. Earlier on Tuesday, Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani had said that the number of new Covid-19 cases in Balochistan were going down and routine life will return to normalcy soon. He had said that from overall 22 active cases of the novel coronavirus in the province, nine patients were in critical condition. He warned of stern action against the people who would violate the standard operating procedures (SOPs). He had earlier said that new

ROJHAN: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Friday killed five terrorists in an operation in Rojhan, an area in Rajanpur district of Punjab, ARY News reported. As per details, the CTD on a tip-off conducted search operation in Arbi Taba area. Seeing the CTD team, the terrorists opened fire and in retaliatory fire five of the terrorists were dead. Arms and a bomb of 10 to 15 kg were recovered from the possession of the neutralized terrorists. On June 10, two alleged terrorists belonging to a banned outfit were apprehended in a raid by Counter-Terrorism Department from Bhakkar. According to details, the detained individuals whose names have been revealed to be Muhammad Ullah and Fazal Razzaq were involved in questionable activities, said a CTD spokesperson. Read more: CTD apprehends two alleged terrorists from Rawalpindi Donation receipts and banned literature were recovered from their possession by law enforcement officials. CTD police station has registered an FIR against

KARACHI: The weather in Karachi to remain cloudy today and drizzling is expected tonight, forecast Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday, ARY News reported. The temperature was recorded 32 degree centigrade in the morning, while the maximum mercury to remain in between 35 to 37 in the metropolis today. South-westerly winds with the speed of 12km/hour are blowing in the city currently and humidity was recorded at 68 percent. Meanwhile, mainly hot and humid weather is likely to prevail in most parts of the country during the next twelve hours. However, rain with wind-thundershowers is expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Temperature of some major cities recorded this morning: Islamabad and Karachi twenty-six degree centigrade, Lahore twenty-eight, Peshawar thirty, Quetta twenty-four, Gilgit nineteen, Murree eighteen and Muzaffarabad twenty-five degree centigrade. According to Met Office forecast about Indi

ISLAMABAD: The number of coronavirus cases continue to decline in Pakistan as the country reported 903 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. According to the latest figures released by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 27 deaths were also reported due to the virus in the last 24 hours. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 5,951. Pakistan has so far conducted 1,978,247 coronavirus tests and 25,507 in past 24 hours. 247,171 coronavirus patients have recovered in the country so far. Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic in terms of cases followed by Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad. Till now 120,052 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 92,655 in Punjab, 33,845 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11,708 in Balochistan, 14,987 in Islamabad 2,090 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 2,065 in Azad Kashmir. Read more: ‘ So far, so good’ on leading COVID-19 vaccine Global coronavirus cases The number of coronavirus cases across the world has

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday set August 3 as the date to hear the case pertaining to the appointment of legal representative for Indian spy and agent of intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Kulbhushan Jadhav, ARY News reported. As per details, the IHC has constituted a bench to hear plea submitted by the federal government under Presidential Ordinance for the appointment of legal representative for Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav against his sentence. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah will hear the case on the government’s plea on August 3. Last week, the federal government had filed a petition in Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking appointment of legal representative for Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav. The petition was filed by the Federal Ministry of Law and Justice. Earlier on July 17, it emerged that Pakistan had decided to provide consular access to convicted Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav for a third time. Read More:  Indian officials ran aw

QUETTA: Chief Minister (CM) Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan has said that situation regarding coronavirus has improved in Balochistan and urged public for their cooperation for implementing SOPs on the eve of Eidul Azha and Muharram-ul-Haram to curb the spread of the COVID-19. He was chairing a meeting in Quetta, in which matters pertaining to the implementation of SOPs, Security and cleanliness on the occasion of Eidul Azha and Muharram-ul-Haram across the province were reviewed. Jam Kamal said the situation regarding coronavirus has been improved in the province but carelessness on this stage would be precarious. He appealed people to celebrate Eidul Azha with simplicity and prefer to spend time at homes. Read more: 32 more COVID-19 deaths take Pakistan’s toll to 5,924 The meeting decided that the public parks and picnic points across the province would remain closed on the occasion of Eidul Azha while proscribed outfits will be banned from collecting sacrificial skins. Earlier on

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday decided to seize vehicles of former president Asif Ali Zardari and erstwhile prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif in Toshakhana case. As per details, the anti-graft watchdog has frozen the ownership of co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Zardari’s three vehicles including two BMW and one Lexus car. On the other hand, NAB also seized the ownership of one Mercedes owned by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif. Accountability court has also ordered investigation officer of NAB to present record of all vehicles on August 5. Toshakhana reference The NAB had filed a reference with the accountability court against the former heads of the state for not depositing luxury vehicles and valuable gifts received from the foreign leaders in the treasury. NAB sources said that former president Asif Ali Zardari had only paid 15 per cent of the total cost of the vehicles received as gifts through fake

KARACHI: The novel coronavirus has claimed 20 more lives and infected at least 498 people during the past 24 hours in Sindh, ARY News reported. In a statement on the COVID-19 situation, CM Murad Ali Shah said that 20 more people died from the COVID-19 in past 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 2209. The chief minister said that 10942 samples were tested today, which detected 498 cases of COVID-19, making the total count of the infected people in the province 120,896. Currently, 8454 patients are under treatment. “The province currently has 399 critically ill COVID-19 patients,” the chief minister said with over 67 of them put on ventilators. Read More:  Sindh not to close markets, shopping centres before Eidul Azha Ali Shah said that 689 more COVID-19 patients recuperated today, taking the number of recovered patients to 110,233 in the province. It is pertinent to mention here that the country reported 1,114 new novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the last 24

ISLAMABAD: In a horrific incident, a lion reportedly died of suffocation after his cage was set on fire while being transferred from Islamabad’s Marghazar Zoo to Lahore, ARY News reported on Thursday. According to details, the lion’s enclosure cage was set on fire as the zoo staff wanted to transport lion and other animals out of the facility on the May 22 orders of the Islamabad High Court.  Sources said the condition of the lion deteriorated because of burns and suffocation, which later on resulted in his death. Three blue bulls (Nilgai) and an ostrich have already died at the Islamabad zoo due to the incompetence of Zoo administration. Upon being contacted by ARY News to get information about the incident, the wildlife department has denied giving any information related to the incident and said that they can share more information after the release of the postmortem report. It must be noted that IHC had ordered the Marghazar Zoo on May 21 to move caged animals to their res

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged the international community to dissuade India from its disproportionate arms build-up which could lead to an arms race in South Asia. Addressing weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, FO Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said the world is already a witness to the bellicose and irresponsible rhetoric by the BJP Government in pursuit of a revisionist agenda in the neighbourhood. Reacting to the reports of recent acquisition of Rafale jets by Indian Air Force, the Spokesperson said India continues to amass military capabilities beyond its genuine security requirement. The Spokesperson said Pakistan has been consistently highlighting the risks of massive Indian arms buildup as well as their offensive security doctrine and force postures, which are adversely affecting strategic stability in South Asia. She said this arms buildup is being aided and abetted through a policy of exemptions, waivers and supply of advanced equipment, technology and weapons for

CHICAGO: Johnson & Johnson on Thursday kicked off U.S. human safety trials for its COVID-19 vaccine after releasing details of a study in monkeys that showed its best-performing vaccine candidate offered strong protection in a single dose. When exposed to the virus, six out of six animals who got the candidate vaccine were completely protected from lung disease and five out of six were protected from infection as measured by the presence of virus in nasal swabs, according to the study published in the journal Nature. “This gives us confidence that we can test a single-shot vaccine in this epidemic and learn whether it has a protective effect in humans,” Dr. Paul Stoffels, J&J’s chief scientific officer, told Reuters in a telephone interview. The U.S. government is backing J&J’s vaccine effort with $456 million in funding as part of a spending spree aimed at speeding production of a vaccine to end the pandemic, which has infected millions and killed more than 660,000 peo

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Sindh chapter leader Haleem Adil Shaikh has thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for taking notice of the Karachi’s situation after rain, ARY News reported on Thursday. In his statement, Haleem Adil Shaikh that on the directives of PM Khan, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt General Muhammad Afzal is reaching Karachi to analyse the situation of the metropolis. The PTI stalwart asked Sindh government that what the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) did to control over the situation of Karachi after rain. Yesterday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the National Disaster Management Authority chairperson to reach Karachi and start a “clean up” drive in the aftermath of the monsoon rains. Read more: PM Imran Khan seeks SC’s help in empowering LG system in Karachi “I have asked the NDMA Chairman to go to Karachi immediately and start the clean up in the aftermath of the rain,” said the premier in a tweet. Earlie

ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) government has donated 100 ventilators to support Pakistan in its fight against Covid-19, ARY News reported on Thursday. US Ambassador to Pakistan Paul Jones handed over the US-made ventilators to Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal in a ceremony held in Islamabad. Addressing the USAID ventilators handing over ceremony in Islamabad, NDMA chairman said government upgrading hospitals across the country to facilitate the COVID-19 patients. He further said that additional ventilators and beds were installed in the hospitals across the country. “NDMA is acquiring all necessary equipment to deal with the pandemic,” he added. The ventilators arrived in Islamabad on July 28 and will be deployed in hospitals across the country, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Islamabad. Read More:  NDMA to provide more ventilators, oxygen beds to KP hospitals: chairman “This donation delivers on P

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has set August 4 as the date to hear the case pertaining to the 2014 attack on Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar, ARY News reported. The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed will head the two-member bench. A notice has been sent to the attorney general. The judicial commission formed to investigate the 2014 attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School had already submitted its report in the Supreme Court. The commission recorded the statements of 101 witnesses and 31 police and other officials of law enforcement agencies for its 3,000-page report. Read More:  SC forms inquiry commission to probe APS attack It may be noted that the then chief justice of the Supreme Court Saqib Nisar had ordered judicial inquiry of the carnage in 2018. On Dec 16, 2014 six terrorists stormed the school and martyred around 150 students and teachers. After this tragic incident, the government chalked out the National Action Plan (NAP) to eliminate terr

ISLAMABAD: The Senate of Pakistan on Thursday passed two important bills regarding amendment in Anti-Terrorism Act, ARY News reported. The bill seeking amendment in the Anti-Terrorism Act was presented before the Senate by Adviser to PM on Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Babar Awan. Senate which met with Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani in the chair, passed the amendments in the act. Meanwhile, bill seeking amendments in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) laws moved by Babar Awan on behalf of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was also passed. It may be noted that yesterday, Federal Law Minister Senator Farogh Naseem laid six ordinances before the upper house for approval including the International Court of Justice (Review and Re-consideration) Ordinance, 2020; Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020; Public-Private Partnership Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020; Corporate Restructuring Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 and Companies (Second Amendment)

ISLAMABAD: Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday filed a petition in accountability court challenging Thatta water supply corruption reference against him. Zardari’s lawyer Farouk H Naek filed the petition against the reference requesting the court to halt indictment proceedings against the former president in Thatta water supply reference. The accountability court has issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Zardari’s plea, seeking to dismiss the reference connected with the water supply reference. It is to be mentioned here that the court had decided to indict Asif Ali Zardari in Thatta water supply reference on August 4. All the accused were also summoned on the same day for further proceedings. According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the instant case pertains to illegal award of a contract by Special Initiative Department for water supply scheme, Thatta to a private contractor, Harish &am

UPPER DIR: At least nine people were shot dead over property dispute in Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, ARY News reported. According to the local police, the incident took place in Cheeragalai, an area of Upper Dir, in which unidentified men opened fire after performing funeral prayers. As result of indiscriminate firing nine people lost their lives on the spot, while two others sustained wounds. The bodies and injured were moved to hospital for medico-legal formalities. The police has launched investigation into the matter and conducting raids for the arrest of killers. In a separate incident of multiple fatalities, last year, at least five people were killed and four others were injured in an armed clash between two rival groups over a property dispute in Lahore . According to the police, the firing incident took place in Lahore’s area of Batapur. Read more:  Three gunned down in Peshawar property dispute Police had said that Amjad Group had shot and injured a memb