Rain, thunderstorm to grip most parts of country from today

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Rain-wind and thunderstorm with isolated few heavy falls and hailstorm and occasional gaps is expected in most parts of the country including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock and other parts of the country from Thursday to Monday (March 16-20).

According to the weather forecast, a westerly wave is likely to enter the country and grip the upper and central parts on Friday, persisting until Monday.

The Met Office has advised the concerned authorities to remain alert and take precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.

Infrastructure and standing crops may be damaged due to windhailstorm, and local authorities have been warned to be prepared to cope with possible landslides in hilly areas. Day temperatures are expected to fall by 6 C to 8°C during the spell, and tourists have been advised to remain cautious. The Barani areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to benefit from the rain. Tourists are also advised to remain more cautious during the forecast period. The rain wind dust and thunderstorm is expected in Murree, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Haripur, Karak, Peshawar, Kohat, Charsada, Nowshera, Swabi, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan from March 16 to 20.

While, rain will occur in Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Khushab, Mianwali, Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, Dadu, Karachi, Quetta, Zhob, Khuzdar, Naseerabad, Dera Bugti, Barkhan, Harnai, Qila Saifullah, Qillah Abdullah, Chamman and Pishin from Friday (evening/night) to Sunday. Rain-wind/thunderstorm (with few heavy falls & hailstorm) is expected in Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), GilgitBaltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar) from Friday (evening/night) to Monday.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has implemented an Online Scrutiny System (OSS) to aid the Returning Officers (ROs) in rigorous scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates, contesting the general election to the Punjab Assembly. According to the ECP, the system has proven to be a valuable legal tool, providing assistance and support to 297 ROs in their task to ensure fair and transparent elections. By using this system, the ECP aims at ensuring the election process is free from any malpractices, and that only eligible and qualified candidates are allowed to contest in the elections. According to ECP official source, the special software links several government agencies such as the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) with the Election Commission Secretariat. The Cell, tasked with work round the clock, was also equipped with fax, telephone, and internet facilities. The necessary proforma and Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) have been devised and provided to all the Returning Officers (ROs) to help them carry out their duties effectively.The returning officers were required to send candidate’s particulars to the online Scrutiny Cell daily. This information was being scrutinized by special teams appointed by various government bodies including NADRA, FBR, SBP, and FIA. They have already appointed their focal persons to assist with the process.

rulers will pay heavy cost if anything happens to imran: rashid

RAWALPIND

Staff RepoRt

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid warned on Wednesday that the government will have to pay a heavy price if anything bad happens to PTI Chairman Imran Khan as clashes between party workers and law enforcers underway in Lahore over ex-prime minister’s possible arrest. In a series of tweet, former interior minister said situation in Lahore had worsened enough that former US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad had reacted to it, adding that US Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources Monica Medina was also due to reach Pakistan.He said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) had agreed to $6 billion external financing assurance but on ground situation showed the country was heading towards uncertainty. He said people had taken the streets over the possible arrest of Mr Khan. The AML chief warned that the political turbulence would heighten further if the Supreme Court’s order regarding holding of elections are defied. He asked Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to introspect his motives.

embattled Shehbaz claims political uncertainty not a hindrance in imf talks

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However, this scheme along with others have not been made actionable yet because the government is fearful that the IMF might raise issues and halt the deal.

An elusive deAl: Pakistan and the IMF have been negotiating the resumption of an installed $7bn IMF programme for months now but are yet to reach an agreement. The country had been able to secure the last tranche of $1.17 billion back in August 2022 under the leadership of former finance minister Miftah Ismail. The disbursement had been achieved by ending a massive fuel subsidy introduced by former prime minister Imran Khan and by agreeing to other terms of the IMF. The state bank at the time had more than $8 billion in foreign reserves. In September 2022, however, Ishaq Dar took charge of the finance ministry and further negotiations with the IMF took a different turn. Dar, who during a television interview said “he knew how to deal with the IMF” since he had been doing it for decades, decided to artificially keep the price of the rupee high. However, this strategy failed within a few months and by January 2023 Pakistan was staring down the possibility of default. The country began facing a shortage of forex reserves that has led to a curb of imports and skyrocketing inflation.

LHC halts police operation for Imran’s arrest till today

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The court further observed that it wanted peace in the city and ordered police to stop the operation. The IGP submitted that he wanted to have police presence in Zaman Park.

Subsequently, the court ordered the IGP to withdraw police personnel from Zaman Park and station them at The Mall road bridge, Dhrampura bridge and Thandi Sarak, besides adjourning further hearing till Thursday at 10am.

Earlier, the court heard the matter in the morning and summoned the IGP Punjab, chief secretary and other government officials. LEAs personnel withdraw from around Zaman Park

Following Lahore High Court orders, the police and other law enforcers withdrew from around Imran Khan’s Zaman Park home on Wednesday, putting a halt to clashes that had erupted after police tried to arrest the former prime minister for not appearing in court in the Toshakhana case. Law enforcement personnel were seen leaving the neighbourhood after day-long clashes with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters as renewed attempts were made earlier Thursday to arrest the party Chairman Imran. Police resumed firing tear gas rounds and used water cannons against defiant PTI workers and supporters as fresh skirmishes broke out in the morning after law enforcers intensified the operation in a standoff that lasted almost 24-hours.

CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana and DIG Operations Lahore Afzal Kausar also reached the area to lead the operation.

A large contingent of Punjab Rangers – in riot gear – also joined the police operation.

On Tuesday night, the provincial government had sought three companies of Punjab Rangers to reinforce the police contingent. But after they withdrew, Khan was seen standing outside his home, wearing a gas mask and talking to supporters, as they cheered and celebrated “chasing the troops away”. The development occurred hours after the PTI chairman called on the judiciary and military establishment to end the “farce”, as the troops resumed the standoff with his supporters after a night of violent clashes. The crackdown on Khan and supporters of the opposition party came as the government of Shehbaz Sharif attempted to arrest the former prime minister, accusing him of failing to appear in court on what he calls trumped-up charges.

Zaman Park remained under siege since Wednesday morning and the government was sending additional police to tackle the situation after hundreds of his supporters showed unexpected perseverance.

In an early morning address to workers via video link, Khan expressed concern over the escalating situation and the lack of control he has over the workers.

“The kinds of actions that are taking place […] the boys [supporters] outside [my home] are not listening to me. When this anarchy and shelling is taking place against them, they won’t listen to me anymore,” he said. “I have no control over them now.”

As a result, Khan said he believes the only hope for a resolution lies with the judiciary and establishment. He urged them to put the country’s interests first and to end the ongoing chaos.

“Do not work on this London plan [sic].

This country is heading towards destruction.

It is my appeal to all of you that now, think of this country,” he added, in reference to an alleged understanding between the military and deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif to keep Khan from coming to office.

Earlier in the day, the party said Khan’s residence was “under extreme attack” as it posted footage of law enforcement personnel opening fire on unarmed protestors.

In a tweet, the party shared a video and claimed “open firing by Rangers and police”, but did not specify when the video was filmed. Pakistan Today could not independently verify the claim.

It added that Zaman Park is “under extreme attack”.

In the morning, Khan emerged from his house to meet with his supporters, who faced tear gas and police baton the whole night to save him from arrest. He said he was ready to travel to Islamabad on March 18 under his arrest warrant, but police did not accept the offer. IHC maintains Imran’s arrest warrants

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) maintained the non-bailable arrest warrants of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case and directed him to approach the trial court for relief. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq announced the verdict which was earlier reserved on the petition filed by Imran Khan against his non-bailable arrest warrants issued by the trial court in the Toshakhana case.