Siasat Wala Blog

KARACHI: A body found in a car near famous Do Darya beach here has been identified of a retired senior military officer Lt. General Muzaffar Hussain Usmani, citing police ARY News reported on Thursday. According to police officials, while driving he suffered heart attack, which proved fatal. The police after taking the car in its custody shifted the dead body to PNS Shifa, officials said. It is to be mentioned here that Lt. General (retd) Muzaffar Hussain Usmani had also remained the Corps Commander of Karachi in late 90s and later promoted as Deputy Chief of Army Staff. The post Body found in car at Karachi’s Do Darya identified: police appeared first on ARY NEWS .

SRINAGAR: The Indian occupation forces continued its acts of state-terrorism in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and martyred 18 Kashmiris including one in custody during the last month of September. The killings rendered two women widowed and four children orphaned by the brutal action of the Indian troops, according to a report issued by the Kashmir Media Service (KMS). During the period, at least 16 persons were injured due to the use of brute force including the firing of bullets, pellets and teargas shells by Indian troops and police personnel on peaceful protesters in the territory. Indian police and paramilitary personnel arrested 88 people and destroyed or damaged 14 residential houses and structures during 567 cordons and search operations in different areas of the occupied Kashmir during September. Read: PM Imran ‘deeply’ appreciates Turkish president raising voice for Kashmiris The Indian troops had martyred 148 Kashmiris during violent cordons and search operation

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline for filing of income tax returns for the tax year 2020 until December 8. “In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 214A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the Federal Board of Revenue is pleased to extend the date of filing of Income Tax Returns/Statements for the Tax Year 2020,” read a notification issued by the FBR. The FBR said individuals and “associations of persons” who were required to file their income tax returns for the tax year 2020 by September 30 but failed to do so will now be allowed to file their income tax returns by December 8, 2020. The tax body said companies that were required to file returns of total income/statements of final taxation for the tax year 2020 by September 30 but failed to do so will also be able to file their returns until December 8. “No further extension for filing of Income Tax Returns/Statements will be granted,” the FBR warned. The post FBR extends deadline

LAHORE: An accountability court in Lahore has accepted Hamza Shehbaz’s plea of exemption from personal appearance in Ramzan Sugar Mills case, ARY News reported on Thursday. The accountability court’s judge Amjad Nazir Chaudhry conducted the hearing of Ramzan Sugar Mills case where the counsel of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Shehbaz Sharif’s son, Hamza Shehbaz, submitted his exemption plea. Hamza Shehbaz Sharif had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, confirmed party leader Atta Tarar on September 13. Read: AC indicts Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz in Ramzan Sugar Mills case The judge summoned witnesses in the case in the next hearing. It is noteworthy to mention here that the court also approved permanent exemption from personal appearance of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif in the case. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till October 20. Ramzan Sugar Mills case The NAB had filed a reference accusing former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif, his so

LAHORE: A young woman waiting for transport to commute at Jaranwala Road was allegedly gang-raped by six men on Thursday, ARY News reported. As per details, the woman was waiting for the conveyance at the Jaranwala Road in the limits of PS Mangatwala, after the bus, she was traveling in went out of order. Moments after, she was given a lift by passing by car on the road. The woman was intoxicated by the men traveling in the car and was gang-raped by six men, the police said and added that the incident was reported on September 24. The case of the incident has been registered, while no arrests have been made so far. Read more: Man arrested for attempting to rape 12-year-old girl in Lahore In a separate incident of gang-rape reported in Okara in the month of September, a woman was allegedly gang-raped during a robbery in Depalpur. Police registered an FIR of the incident against seven suspects on the complaint of the victim’s husband. The woman was shifted to Tehsil Headquarters

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday issued notices to the Sindh chief secretary, the local government secretary and others on a petition challenging the provincial government’s decision of carving a seventh district out of Karachi. A two-judge SHC bench was hearing the petition filed by PTI MNA Aamir Liaquat Hussain who questioned the formation of Keamari district. The court directed the official respondents to submit their comments by next hearing. During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer placed on record a notification regarding the creation of Keamari district. Read More: Sindh govt officially notifies Keamari as seventh district in Karachi At the previous hearing, the SHC had turned down a request by the petitioner to issue notices on his petition saying it can’t do so until the notification is submitted in the court. “Karachi used to be a district and then was divided into four districts. Malir district was carved out of it and Korangi was later given the stat

KARACHI: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mirpurkhas, Zahid Memon lost his life battling the novel coronavirus on Thursday, ARY News reported. As per details, Zahid Memon was admitted to a private hospital in Karachi after contracting coronavirus. He was put on a ventilator by the doctors due to worsening condition. Hospital sources said the body of the deceased DC Mirpurkhas would be handed over to his heirs by implementing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set to contain coronavirus spread. On Wednesday, the novel coronavirus had claimed two more lives and infected at least 311 people during the past 24 hours in Sindh. Read more: Coronavirus: Sindh decides to impose ‘micro smart lockdown’ in Karachi In a statement on the daily COVID-19 situation in the province, CM Murad Ali Shah had said that two more people died from the COVID-19 during the past 24 hours. He had said that 10,9400 samples were tested today, which detected 311 cases of COVID-19. The chief minister had maintain

Millions living in Paris and surrounding regions were startled by a huge sonic boom caused by a French military jet breaking the sound barrier above the city. The loud bang rattled residents of the French capital and neighbouring suburbs. The military said the jet had been scrambled to go to the aid of another aircraft that had lost radio contact, and was authorised to travel at supersonic speed. “The noise would have come as a surprise and that is why there is an investigation,” local media outlets quoted a Defence Ministry source as saying that. “The fighter jet was returning from a mission and may have been travelling too fast. The pilot will be spoken to.” A local police spokesman said: “A very loud noise was heard in Paris and in the Paris region.” “It was not an explosion, it was a fighter jet crossing the sound barrier. People should stop making emergency calls.” The sound of French Airforce fighter jets breaking the sound barrier at approximately 767mph is common in areas

KARACHI: The National Accountability Court (NAB) on Thursday arrested Makhdoom Jalil-u-Zaman, the son of Pakistan People’s Party deceased leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, ARY News reported, citing sources. He was taken into custody by NAB Sindh from his house in Karachi. Sources said Makhdoom Jalil-u-Zaman is accused of embezzlement of funds while being Taluka Nazim of Hala. He was summoned by the graft-buster body in August, but he did not show up. Earlier, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal had said that all mega corruption cases would be brought to their logical end. Presiding over a high-level meeting in Islamabad, the NAB chairman reviewed the overall performance of the anti-graft watchdog. During the meeting, Javed Iqbal was briefed over the investigation into different corruption cases at the NAB Islamabad Office. The post NAB arrests Makhdoom Amin Fahim’s son Jalil-u-Zaman appeared first on ARY NEWS .

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reported five more coronavirus-related deaths during the past 24 hours, pushing the death toll from the disease to 6,484. According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 34,239 samples were tested for the infection during this period, out of which 543 turned out to be positive. The number of Covid-19 cases across the country has reached 312,806 with the addition of the new cases. Read More: Russia to supply Egypt with COVID-19 vaccine Thus far, 297,497 patients have recuperated from the infection across the country. The number of active Covid-19 cases stand at 8,825. More than 3.5 million tests have been conducted in the country.  As many as 490 patients under treatment at various hospitals across the country are said to be in critical condition. Read More: Oxford to study anti-inflammatory drug as potential COVID-19 treatment So far, Sindh has reported 137,106 cases of the coronavirus, Punjab 99,497, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 37,811, Balochistan 15,2

A poor old woman became rich overnight after she caught a huge fish weighing 52 kilogrammes from a river in West Bengal, India. Pushpa Kar, a resident of Chakphuldubi village on Sagar Island in West Bengal, pulled out a giant fish from a river, which fetched Rs300,000. The catch was sold at the local market for Rs6,200 per kilogramme. “The fish turned out to be a jackpot for me. I got more than 3 lakh by selling it in the wholesale market at Rs 6,200 per kilogram,” Pushpa said. “I have never seen such a giant fish in my life. It is called ‘Bhola’ fish in Bengali.” According to the locals, the size of the fish and the amount it fetched were both huge. The woman had to make a lot of effort to drag the fish from the river and bring it to the village. She was able to bring it to the fish market with the help of the locals. “The fish most was probably killed as it collided with a vessel,” a villager said. On the other hand, local traders said that the fish would have fetched more am

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will chair a United Nations session over environmental issues today (Wednesday), said SAPM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam. Environment Day is being observed in the United Nations today, for which Prime Minister Imran Khan has been given the honor to represent under-developed countries at the international forum. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will represent developed countries in the forum. Pakistan and Germany are getting more attention in the world due to their green policies to deter the hazards of environmental changes. SAPM Malik Amin Aslam said that the countries in the forum will present their environmental agendas for the upcoming 10 years. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s address will be telecast at 11 pm according to Pakistan Standard Time  (PST) today. Read more: PM Imran Khan launches ‘record-breaking’ plantation drive Furthermore, PM Khan will inform the forum about the construction of nine new national parks, ten billion T

ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) Wednesday expressed its concern over spike in COVID-19 cases in Karachi and recommended smart lockdown in the port city to curb hike in coronavirus infections, ARY News reported. The NCOC meeting was briefed that out of total 747 positive cases reported in the country in 24 hours, 365 infections were reported in Karachi. Special Assistant to the PM on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan emphasized that smart lockdown, contact tracing and following health protocols is important for containment of the virus. “The city administration was monitoring the situation and appropriate administrative steps will be taken in consultation with stakeholders after taking into account disease prevalence and spread pattern,” Secretary Health Sindh apprised the NCOC session. Pakistan on Wednesday reported five deaths by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 312,263. The nationwide tally of fatalities has soared to 6,479. Sin

LUCKNOW: In a ruling in a 28-year-old case of Babri Masjid demolition, all 32 accused including senior politicians LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi have been given clean chit by a special CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation] court in Lucknow in India. The 32 accused including BJP’s founder-members LK Advani, Uma Bharti, former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP) Kalyan Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi and others were acquitted in Babri Masjid demolition case as the court found ‘not enough’ evidence against them. The verdict was announced by Special Judge SK Yadav which stated that the demolition of Babri Masjid by ‘unlawful elements’ ‘was not pre-planned’ while the BJP politicians, LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, had tried to stop it. Read: Black Day: Babri Masjid dispute ends in favour of Indian Hindus The judge observed that Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 was not a criminal conspiracy. While the verdict being announced, strict security measures were made around the special co

ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday decided to cut the price of high-speed diesel by Rs2.40 per litre and keep that of petrol unchanged for a period of fifteen days with effect from October 1. The prices of other petroleum products will also remain unchanged for the next 15 days. Read More:  ECC approves mechanism to change petroleum prices after 15 days Earlier, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) put forth a proposal to reduce the prices of petroleum products by up to Rs2 per litre for the month of October. According to sources, OGRA recommended Rs2 per litre cut in the price of petrol and diesel following the decrease in fuel prices in the international market. The summary for the revision of fuel prices for the month of October was sent to the Ministry of Petroleum for approval. Read More: Fed govt announces petroleum prices for next 15 days The post Diesel price cut by Rs2.40 per litre, petrol rate to remain unchanged appeared first on ARY NEWS .

SUKKUR: Lauding the smart lockdown policy of Prime Minister Imran Khan to contain coronavirus spread, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail on Wednesday said that the world is following the smart lockdown policy of PM Khan.  Talking to media in Sukkur, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail said PM was ridiculed when he introduced a smart lockdown policy to counter coronavirus spread, but today, the world is appreciating and following it. He said that number of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan has declined but not completely eliminated from the country, the threat is still there.”Insha Allah second wave of coronavirus will not come in Pakistan.” Read more: 747 more people test positive for coronavirus in 24 hours Replying to a query, Imran Ismail said that he is unaware of the imposition of governor rule in Sindh and added that Prime Minister Imran Khan has never discussed this matter with him. The governor ruling out any political change in the country said that PTI government will complete its 5-year con

ISLAMABAD: After remaining closed for more than six months due to coronavirus pandemic, govt and private sector schools have resumed primary level classes from Wednesday (today), under strict COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).  The educational institutions have been directed to ensure strict compliance of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including the use of masks and hand sanitizers besides social distancing to avoid the spread of Coronavirus. It is to be mentioned here that all the educational institutions in Sindh had already been reopened on September 28. The decision to reopen primary schools across the country was taken in the National Comand and Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting, yesterday. Read more: Primary schools across Pakistan to reopen tomorrow: Shafqat Mahmood Briefing the media after a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Covid-19, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood had said the decision to reopen primary schools was t

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sought resignation from its provincial lawmaker and Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Firdous Shamim Naqvi, citing sources, ARY News reported on Wednesday. Sources privy to the development told ARY News that Firdous Shamim Naqvi failed to perform well as the Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly, whereas, his controversial statements also created issues for the political party. Moreover, some members of provincial assembly (MPAs) raised complaints against Firdous Shamim Naqvi for the harsh attitude towards them. Sources said that Prime Minister Imran Khan seeks resignation from Naqvi. It emerged that the opposition leader started contacting lawmakers of his political party to appease them. Earlier in July, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Discipline of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had taken strict action against one of its lawmakers, MPA Uzma Kardar, and ordered her to resign as the provincial legislat

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday took up a petition challenging a ban on the use of digital currency in the country and directed the federal government, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to submit their detailed reply in the case on November 5. Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro, who headed the bench hearing the case, resented the SBP prohibiting the use of cryptocurrency, saying Pakistan still lags behind the rest of the world in using modern technology. Why is cryptocurrency outlawed in Pakistan when it is being used globally, he questioned. To this, an SBP lawyer replied that there is no ban on it in Pakistan but it has not been regulated. Read More: SHC seeks FIA reply on petition against ban on cryptocurrencies Justice Kalhoro further asked why cryptocurrency has not yet been regulated. “If using digital currency doesn’t constitute an unlawful act, why is it not being allowed?” The court directed the authorities to place

KARACHI: A meeting of Sindh Cabinet on Wednesday turned down a proposal of the use of the Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) in the province, ARY News reported. The provincial cabinet session chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in a consensus decision said Sindh should be given its rightful share of the natural gas of its gas-fields and not the RLNG as being recommended. Sindh Cabinet also approved granting the land to the gas company for laying pipeline in the province. It is to be mentioned here that the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) had sought government permission for laying a pipeline in Malir, Jamshoro and Thatta districts. The opposition lawmakers of Sindh Assembly yesterday protested at the Chief Minister House in Karachi and submitted a memorandum, holding the PPP-led Sindh government responsible for the gas crisis and demanded the Right of Way for a new Sui Southern Gas Company pipeline. Meanwhile, PPP legislators protested outside the SSGC’s office i

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has stopped the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from taking action against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) pilot Asim Aziz in pursuance of legal procedures over possessing a dubious licence, ARY News reported on Wednesday. The Lahore High Court (LHC) heard the case related to the suspension of the licence of an aviate of the national carrier. A notice has been issued to the aviation authority by the LHC judge and sought reply over suspending the licence of the PIA pilot Asim Aziz. The PIA pilot filed a petition to challenge the suspension of his licence by the CAA after expressing suspicions on its credibility. The petitioner stated that he possesses a commercial pilot licence and the aviation authorities violated the regulations by suspending the licence without listening to his stance. Read: CAA blames airlines for dubious pilots licenses issue In August, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had also suspended a notice issued to a PIA pilot by the

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet will discuss six-point agenda in its meeting on Wednesday, ARY News reported. The ECC meeting chaired by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh will likely to discuss the sale price of the natural gas. According to sources, a summary of the OGRA on sale price of the natural gas will come under consideration in the meeting today. The ECC will consider over the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) recommendations with regard to the sale price of natural gas to the gas companies. The meeting will also consider over cut in commission charges of the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) over the import of wheat and sugar, sources said. The ECC session will also mull over converting the National Highway Authority (NHA) loans into government grants, according to sources. A summary about Rs. 80 billion credit facility to the Power Division would likely to be discussed in the ECC meeting,

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Wednesday reserved its verdict in acquittal pleas of former aviation adviser, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, and co-accused in a reference related to illegal appointments made in the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), ARY News reported.  AC Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the pleas. After hearing the arguments from the counsel of the accused and NAB, the court reserved its verdict in the acquittal pleas till October 21. Last year, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed a reference against the  Sardar Mehtab Abbasi and other accused over charges of illegal appointments made in the PIA. The anti-corruption watchdog nominated Mehtab Abbasi, who had also served as a former governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), and Sqn. Ldr (Retd) Muhammad Irfan Elahi in a case related to illegal appointments in PIA. Musharraf Rasool and Tariq Mehmood Pasha were also among the accused who were

PESHAWAR: An accountability court here on Wednesday extended physical remand of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman’s close aide Moosa Khan for five days. The accountability judge directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present him before it on October 5. The bureau produced him before the court on expiry of his previous remand and requested an extension in his remand for further investigation. Read More: NAB arrests JUI-F leader Moosa Khan in Peshawar The national graft buster had arrested Moosa Khan on September 23 on charges of amassing assets disproportionate to sources of his income. He is a former DFO and his eldset son Tariq Baloch is Fazl’s personal secretary. It is pertinent to mention here that the corruption watchdog is also investigating the JUI-F chief in an assets beyond means case. Read More: Fazlur Rehman yet to receive NAB notice, claims JUI-F    On September 29, the bureau had said that the inquiry against Maulana Fazal-

SIALKOT: Police on Wednesday arrested an Indian who illegally crossed into Pakistan from India via working boundary in Sialkot, ARY News reported.  As per details, an Indian national named Harinder Singh was arrested over illegally crossing into Pakistan. He is said to be a resident of Kamilpur. The case against the Indian national has been registered under the Foreigners’ Act. Meanwhile, the police have begun its investigation from Harinder Singh from various aspects. In August, last year, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) personnel conducted an operation near Lari Adda area of the city and arrested an Indian national residing in the area. Read more: Indian national arrested in KP district According to deputy director FIA Amir Nawaz, Pancham Tiwari is a resident of the Indian city of Banaras (Now known as Varanasi) and had entered Pakistan illegally ten years ago and had been residing in the country ever since. Amir Nawaz informed that Pancham Tiwari and Kamran, a resident

ISLAMABAD: The leadership of the opposition parties will hold a session of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on October 2 where central positions of the alliance will be assigned, sources told ARY News on Wednesday. The 12 opposition parties had agreed to initiate anti-government movement after all parties conference (APC) hosted by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in Islamabad on September 20. The alliance will finalise names for the central positions of PDM in the October 2’s session, whereas, a meeting of its steering committee under the chair of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s (PML-N) Ahsan Iqbal will be held on October 5 in the federal capital, sources added. Read: If opposition lawmakers resign, elections will be held on vacant seats: PM In the forthcoming sessions, the opposition parties will finalise roadmap of the series of rallies and demonstrations from October to December, sources said. Earlier on Tuesday, the opposition parties had started considering the suggestion for

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the federal authorities to file comments on a petition against the killing of 11 Pakistani Hindus in Jodhpur city of India. After an initial hearing, an IHC bench issued notices to the official respondents and adjourned the hearing for two weeks. Read More: PHC demands access to Pakistani Hindus staying in India The Islamabad High Court Bar moved the petition, pleaded the court to issue directives to the federal government and the Foreign Office to take the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “The constitution gives equal rights to minorities. Pakistan’s 11 Hindu citizens were murdered in India over refusing to spying on Pakistan,” the petitioner stated. “The Indian High Commission in Islamabad had issued visas to the victims. Indian diplomatic mission working against diplomatic norms.” Read More: Pakistani Hindus call off sit-in outside Indian HC over Jodhpur killings The Bar sought the cour

KARACHI: The Sindh health department has decided to impose ‘micro smart lockdown’ in Karachi after surge in the coronavirus cases, ARY News reported on Wednesday. As per details, the provincial health department has asked deputy commissioners and senior police officials in Karachi to ensure micro smart lockdowns and implementation of SOPs at designated sites. In a letter, the health department told authorities that it had noticed an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Karachi. “It is, therefore, requested to deploy police force at designated MSLD sites in consultation with concerned District Health Officers,” the letter read. On Tuesday, Sindh reported 400 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths in the past 24 hours, said Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. Murad Ali Shah ln a statement on the COVID-19 situation said that 297 infections were reported in Karachi from a total of 400 cases in Sindh. The province conducted 10881 diagnostic test in past 24 hours. Overall 4161

ISLAMABAD: As many as 747 new cases of the coronavirus surfaced in Pakistan during the previous 24 hours, pushing the number of infections so far reported in the country to 312,263. According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Covid-19, tests of 32,031 people were conducted during this period, out of whom 747 turned out to be positive. Read More: 303 Covid-19 positive cases detected at Sindh schools The pandemic claimed the lives of five more people during the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll from the disease to 6,479. 296,881 patients have so far recovered from the disease. There are now 8,903 active cases in the country. Read More:  Primary schools across Pakistan to reopen tomorrow: Shafqat Mahmood ‘One million deaths’ The global death toll from the new coronavirus, which emerged less than a year ago in China and has swept across the world, passed one million this week. The pandemic has ravaged the global economy, inflamed geopolitical tensions and u

LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has extended interim bail of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Rana Sanaullah and Capt (retd) Safdar in a case related to clash outside the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office during the appearance of Maryam Nawaz, ARY News reported on Wednesday. The ATC extended interim bail of Capt (retd) Safdar and Rana Sanaullah till October 6. The hearing was conducted by ATC Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta. At the outset of the hearing, the investigation officer of PS Chohang presented his report in the case. The accused persons were involved in hurling stones at police teams and brawl outside the NAB office, the report said. On the other hand, the defence lawyers denied the charges of their clients’ involvement in the clash. The judge extended the bail of the accused till October 6. Read more: Lahore NAB office clash: 58 PML-N workers get bail It may be noted that on August 12, Lahore police had registered a case against 300 P

Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden battled fiercely over Trump’s leadership on the coronavirus pandemic, the economy and the integrity of November’s election in a chaotic first debate on Tuesday marked by personal insults, name calling and Trump’s repeated interruptions. Moderator Chris Wallace never established control of the debate. The two White House contenders talked over each other and lobbed insults in a breathtaking political brawl that made it hard for either to make a point. “Will you shut up, man? This is so unpresidential,” said an exasperated Biden after Trump’s repeated interruptions during the first segment of the debate on the Supreme Court. Biden later called Trump a “clown,” a “racist,” and “Putin’s puppy” in reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin and told Trump: “You’re the worst president America has ever had.” Trump for his part said: “There’s nothing smart about you, Joe.” Late in the debate, Wallace himself urged the pre

A 29-year-old man survived after falling more than 300ft down a mountainside in the snowy German Alps. The British mountaineer went for a hike in a pair of shorts and trainers. He along with three other Englishmen set out for Kehlstein’s 6,171ft peak on Monday, a subpeak of the colossal Göll massif in the Berchtesgaden Alps. They were facing difficulty navigating due to poor visibility and slippery track when he fell down the rocky gully and suffered serious injuries to his legs, head and feet. It took a rescue helicopter more than an hour to find them in the dense fog. They were spotted about 45 minutes after their call by mountain rescuers who were able to reach them at their location around 5,000ft up. The helicopter arrived 20 minutes later, at around 5:30pm and the injured man was winched up and whisked off to hospital. The others were rappelled off the steep slope by the ground crew who had hiked up to their position. The four men set out that day in shorts and trainers

KARACHI: A terrorist of a banned outfit was killed in an exchange of fire with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Karachi, ARY News reported on Wednesday. According to details, the CTD met an encounter with a terrorist at the Hawks Bay road and managed to arrest him in injured condition. The injured terrorist was shifted to the hospital where he succumbed to his bullet wounds during treatment. According to in-charge CTD Mazhar Mashwani, the dead terrorist was identified as Saeed Loha and belonged to a banned outfit. The accused fled Afghanistan after killing of his accomplice in 2016, Mashwani added. The CTD officials also recovered two Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which were later diffused by Bomb Disposal Squad. Read more:  CTD apprehends two alleged terrorists from Rawalpindi In the month of September, Sindh Rangers and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in their joint operation had killed two terrorists of a banned organization in Karachi. CTD and Rangers had

A Chinese teacher was sentenced to death for poisoning 25 students with sodium nitrite after a brawl with their teacher. The incident happened in the central Chinese province of Henan last year in March. Wang Yun was arrested and charged with “intentional injury” after adding sodium nitrite to students’ breakfast. Yun poisoned the colleague’s students after falling out with her at the school. She spiked the children’s porridge with sodium nitrite, which made 25 children ill and left one child dead. “The kids said the porridge tasted salty,” a parent of one of the surviving children said. According to the American Journal of Public Health, sodium nitrite is generally used as a dye or for curing meats. When ingested in large amounts, it can be fatal. The court termed Yun’s actions “despicable and vicious,” and ordered her to be “severely punished in accordance with the law.” This isn’t the first time she used sodium nitrate as poisoning as she had poured nitrate into her husband’s

RAWALPINDI: A 15-year-old boy embraced martyrdom and four got injured when Indian troops resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Broh and Tandar sectors, according to Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR). The military’s media wing said the Indian forces targeted civilian population which resulted in the martyrdom of 15 years old boy and injuries to four others. “Pakistan Army troops responded effectively to Indian firing and targeted their posts,” it added. Indian forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have been continuously targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons. This year, India has committed 2,340 ceasefire violations to date, resulting in the martyrdom of 18 people and serious injuries to 187 innocent civilians, said FO Spokesperson Zahid Hafiz Chaudhry. Read more: Pakistan lodges protest with India over LoC ceasefire breach Last week, Foreign diplomats and defence

RAWALPINDI: The members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence have arrived in Miranshah to review socio-economic conditions of the tribal area, ARY News reported on Tuesday. A 20-member NA standing committee on defence headed by its chairman Amjad Ali Khan reached Miranshah where it will be given a special briefing on socio-economic conditions of the tribal area, uplift projects and construction of security check posts, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. The spokesperson of the military’s media wing said the members will be briefed regarding the ongoing border-fencing along Afghanistan border and construction of check posts and forts. Moreover, the defence committee’s members will also visit parts of the area located in the North Waziristan for reviewing the progress of ongoing projects for socio-economic developments of the masses. A briefing will be given to the members pertaining to the projects for youth and sports. Read: Miranshah v

LAHORE: In a major development in the Lahore motorway gang-rape case, the rape victim woman has agreed to record her initial statement via telephone, ARY News reported, citing sources.  On September 9, the woman along with her children was waiting for help on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway after her car ran out of fuel when she was forcefully brought out of the car at gunpoint and gang-raped in  Gujjarpura  area on the outskirts of the provincial. As per sources, after 20 days of the gang-rape, the victim has agreed to identify Shafqat Ali, in the identification parade and record her statement via phone under section 161. It was further learned that the police will request the court for an in-camera trial in which real identification of the rape victim would be kept in secret. Read more: Police form eight teams for arrest of Abid Ali Meanwhile, Punjab police have failed to nab main suspect Abid Malhi in the case despite the passage of 20 days. Police sources said that the accused i

KARACHI: As many as 56,299 Covid-19 tests were conducted at government and private schools across Sindh after they resumed classes in phases starting September 15, Education Minister Saeed Ghani said on Tuesday. Thus far, 40,414 samples have been taken at government schools, out of which 217 came back positive, whereas 86 positive cases emerged when 15,885 tests were conducted at private schools, he disclosed. Read More: Primary schools across Pakistan to reopen tomorrow: Shafqat Mahmood Saeed Ghani said a total of 303 samples were declared positive, which is 0.75 per cent of the total samples taken for Covid-19. Expressing satisfaction over the implementation of SOPs at schools, he said he along with the education secretary and other officials of the department have been visiting schools and monitoring the situation. Read More:  Balochistan reports 12 more cases of COVID-19 in schools “Our main focus is to peddle awareness about precautions among parents,” the minister said, ad

PESHAWAR: At least five people were killed and one injured after a mortar shell exploded at Akbarpura in Nowshera district, ARY News reported on Tuesday. According to reports, a mortar shell in scrape went off in the area leaving five people dead and one injured. Five deceased in the blast have been identified as Shafqat, Mukarram, Ali, Zahidullah and Hidayatullh, officials said. District Police Officer (DPO) Najmul Hasnain and other police officers rushed to the spot and inspected the site of explosion. Police has collected evidence from the site of the incident, DPO Najmul Hasnain said. The mortar shell was found near the riverside at Akburpura, which exploded when being sold at the scrape shop, the DPO added. Akbarpura has been at around 13 miles distance from Peshawar and is part of Pabbi Tehsil of Nowshera District. Presence and explosions of mortar shells time and again reported in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which have claimed scores of lives in the region. The post Pe

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan Dr Abdullah Abdullah said on Tuesday that both countries have paid a heavy price for peace establishment and joint efforts needed to achieve the targets of prosperity for the masses on both sides. Dr Abdullah Abdullah, while addressing a conference at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS), said that it was not an easy path to define future as it needs joint efforts by both sides. He thanked Pakistani officials for showing hospitality and giving him warm welcome upon his arrival in Islamabad. The top negotiator of the Afghan peace process also praised Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees. Read: Commencement of intra-Afghan dialogues is very important: Qureshi He highlighted that prosperity of the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan are linked with each other. Abdullah said that he has talked with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi regarding the ongoing peace dialogues. Doha