PreSideNt exhortS Political leaderShiP to Sit together for couNtry’S future

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

PRESIDENTDr Arif Alvi on Monday emphasized that the entire political leadership of the country should show magnanimity by burying their bitterness and come forward for the country’s progress and prosperity.

Pakistan was once a fast-developing country in the region, but now other countries were leading the path which required serious retrospection, he opined.

The president was addressing at the Paigham-e-Islam Conference as a chief guest. The event was attended by a large number of ambassadors, Ulema, parliamentarians and scholars.

The holy month of Ramazan taught the Muslims of the quality of forgiveness, therefore, all the political leadership of the country should emulate that quality in the face of prevailing challenges faced by the country, he added.

The president said considering the current challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah, it was imperative to draw strength from the Islamic values and qualities.

He said besides focusing on economic stability, the Muslim countries should also concentrate on seeking the knowledge, enabling them to address the contemporary challenges.

The president said he was appalled at the spectacles of macabre aggression and violence unleashed on the innocent people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine.

A danger of genocide was lurking over the Muslims in India as the mosques were being demolished with suppressed religious identity and freedom, he added.

He said it was indeed a difficult time for the Muslim Ummah, but he was optimistic that through collective efforts, cooperation and unity, they would overcome all the challenges.

The president further regretted that from human history, it was evident that mankind had not learnt from its bitter experiences of wrangling and tussles. The human race had witnessed large-scale massacres. He said the teachings of the Holy Quran were eternal in nature which provided guidance to the human beings.

The president stressed upon the teaching of certain Islamic values to the coming generations, including the supreme quality of forgiveness. The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was an embodiment of that quality who forgave all his tormentors.

President Alvi also lauded the role of leadership of Saudi Arabia for resuming ties with Iran. Earlier, Ambassador of Kingdom of

CBD’s work on Kalma Chowk underpass is almost done. Will it be worth it?

LAHORE pRofit RepoRt

Commuters in Lahore may receive some respite soon with the completion of the Rs 5 billion Kalm Chowk Remodelling Project currently being undertaken for the development of the city’s Central Business District (CBD).

The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) announced on Wednesday that it has “almost” completed the mammoth project, opening the Central Business District (CBD) Punjab Boulevard and Upper roads of the Centre Point and CBD underpass for motorists.

“We are currently focusing on the completion of underpass-1 that originates from Kalma Chowk Underpass, takes a right turn and finally connects the CBD and the centrepoint underpass leading to Firdaus market,” said PCBDDA Executive Director (Technical) Riaz Hussain.

With construction work starting in December, the project constitutes two parts: the construction of the CBD Punjab Boulevard and the remodelling of Kalma Chowk Underpass.

Why is the project even being undertaken?

The project aims to offer motorists a signal-free drive from Barkat Market (Garden Town) to Cavalry via Kalma Chowk, Centre Point and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar underpasses and Barkat Market to Mozang and Cantt via Kalma Chowk Underpass.

It’s meant to improve Lahore’s traffic congestion, and is part and parcel of an effort to improve access to Lahore’s Central Business District (CBD). The CBD project is a major undertaking of the Punjab Government billed to utilise government owned land for urban regeneration. The government claims that the efforts of the district will attract investors to the area and boost economic development in the province.

Yet there is more than meets the eye

imran Khan lodges protest on ‘abduction’ of his security in-charge

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday claimed that his security in-charge Iftikhar Ghumman has been abducted. “When [PTI leader] Ali Amin was abducted, the DPO told sessions judge in DIK that he would take a contempt charge but had to take custody of Ali Amin as orders came ‘from above’,” Imran wrote on his official Twitter account. The former prime minister claimed that now his security in-charge Iftikhar Ghumman has been abducted, terming it “all part of London plan where former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was given assurances that PTI would be crushed”. He further claimed that individuals close to him, including his party’s leadership, were being harassed, abducted, tortured, and confronted with sham cases across Pakistan, which he believes are a violation of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Last month, Imran Khan’s focal person on social media, Azhar Mashwani, also remained missing from Lahore for eight days. In the First Information Report (FIR) of the disappearance of the PTI activist, Mashwani’s brother Mazharul Hasan stated that on March 23 at 3:30 PM, Mashwani went missing after he left for Zaman Park from Lahore’s when it comes to the CBD and its projects, including the extension of the Kalma Chowk extension project.

Environmental experts and urban researchers say that the infrastructural development is not meant for public interest and incurs a huge environmental cost in addition to the massive Rs 5 billion development bill.

The CBD, however, has said that they are generating funds for the project themselves. Essentially, the project has taken under utilised government land and by developing it into a high-rise residential project and selling that land, has raised money for development work. However, this land is still very much government owned and thus within the ownership of the tax-paying public.

The project has regularly been marketed as an “amenity” for Lahore’s residents with the authority’s guarantees of safe, comfortable and hassle-free routes for commuters during the phases’ construction. the route: The project’s construction begins from the Kalma Chowk underpass, separates it from the first underpass access towards the Lahore Central Business District, and then opens to another underpass, as it turns towards Firdaus Market (Ali Zeb Road) from Centre Point. The first underpass measuring 632 metres will have two barrels and a 5.1 metres vertical clearance. The second underpass from Barkat Market to CBD area at Walton will be of 285 metres and have two barrels (each of 35 feet width and 17 feet vertical clearance).

The project will ultimately offer signal-free access to motorists from the CBD project area (including Ali Zeb Road and Walton) towards Firdaus Market and finally to Cavalry Ground through Lal Shahbaz Qalandar underpass.This means that if you were to drive through Gulberg main boulevard, you will find no signals from Centre Point till Siddique Trade Centre, and then from Jail Road till Mozang/Qartaba Chowk.

Govt to take strict action against smugglers of essential items: Rana Sanaullah

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

The government on Wednesday vowed to take strict action against those elements involved in smuggling of essential items and to make border control system more active and monitor inter-provincial transportation.

These decision were made in the meeting cochaired by Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan and Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif which reviewed the measures regarding the prevention of smuggling of wheat, sugar, fertilizer and other essential items.

Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for National Food Security Tariq Bashir Cheema, Minister for Industries Makhdoom Murtaza

Mehmood, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Interior Secretary Ali Murtaza, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Asif Ahmed and representatives of federal and provincial institutions also attended the meeting.

Minister for Interior reiterated the government’s resolve to take strict action against elements involved in smuggling and their facilitators. He directed to ensure the implementation of a track and trace system on essential items so that the elements involved in the smuggling of these items can be checked.

He instructed to prevent the excessive supply of essential commodities in the border districts and take action against those involved in the excessive stocking. The minister said strict action will be taken against officers and staff involved in smuggling. For this purpose, he stressed the need of lunching joint operations and intelligence sharing of the institutions

He said that the smuggling of essential commodities out of the country needs an emergent step to control it. He asked representatives of institutions to ensure strict action against those who are involved in this illegal activity as well as their facilitators.

The minister said that the implementation of joint check posts and joint patrolling should be ensured as soon as possible. He said there is a need to make the border control system more active and monitor interprovincial transportation to check smuggling of essential commodities.

Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said AlMalki highlighted the significance of fraternal, historic and brotherly ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

He said the close and warm ties were rooted deeply and shaped by shared mutual interests, adding the people of Kingdom and the Muslim countries held Pakistan in high esteem.

Malki said both the countries had been working closely to further strengthen their mutual cooperation in diverse fields, including trade and investment.

He reiterated that Saudi Arabia would continue extending its support to the people of Pakistan through different development initiatives.

Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan, Ahmed Rabei conveyed his gratitude on behalf of the Palestinian people for the solidarity and support shown to the Palestinian cause by the Pakistani people, government and political leadership.

He also highlighted the recent surge of brutalities by the occupation Israeli forces in the holy month of Ramazan.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi and other speakers also spoke on the occasion.

lhc bars NaB, ace from taking action against imran till april 24

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday stopped the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) from taking coercive measures against Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf chairman Imran Khan till April 24. The court also sought details of cases registered against the PTI leadership from the NAB and ACE. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh passed the orders while hearing a petition filed by Imran Khan for details of cases registered against him and other PTI leaders. As the proceedings started, federal and provincial law officers submitted reports about details of cases registered against the PTI leadership and workers. The federal law officer submitted a list of 43 cases and the provincial law officer submitted a list of 84 cases registered against the PTI leadership, adding that 6 cases were registered in Punjab and 28 were registered in Islamabad against Imran Khan. The federal law officer also apprised the court that the Federal Investigation Agency had also registered a case against Imran Khan. At this stage, the court addressed NAB’s counsel and questioned how many cases were registered by the bureau against the PTI leadership. To which, the NAB’s counsel sought time for submitting details of the cases. Subsequently, the court adjourned further hearing till April 24 and stopped NAB and ACE from taking any coercive measures against the PTI chairman till the next date of hearing, besides seeking details of the cases. The court further observed that since the police had provided details of the cases, therefore, it withdrew the orders of coercive measures, given on last hearing, to the extent of the cases.

three terrorists bite the dust in Bajaur iBo

RAWALPINDI

Staff RepoRt

Security forces killed three terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in Loesum area of Bajaur district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), ISPR said on Wednesday. According to the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR), security Forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Loesum area of District Bajaur on 11 April 2023. During conduct of the operation, intense fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists. Resultantly, three terrorists were killed. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in multiple terrorist activities against security forces as well as extortion and target killings of innocent citizens, the ISPR release said. Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to security forces, determined to eliminate menace of terrorism from the area.

Kh Farooq named acting PM as AJK SC takes up Tanvir’s appeal against disqualification today Sikh Baisakhi festival ends at Nankana Sahib

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt

The three-day celebrations of Baisakhi festival at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara Janam Asthan have been concluded on Wednesday. Like every year, 2,470 Sikh pilgrims from around the globe, including India, participated in the religious festival of Baisakhi. Sikh pilgrims were sent to Hasan Abdal by special 58 air-conditioned coaches amid tight security. The Sikh pilgrims stayed at Nankana for three days and performed their religious rituals. The best arrangements were made regarding accommodation, food and transport of Sikh pilgrims. The Sikh pilgrims said they are extremely grateful to the government of Pakistan for making the best arrangements. The [Pakistani] people here have given us a lot of love, we felt like we were in our own home,” Sikh pilgrims said. Every year a large number of Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including India, visit Pakistan to participate in various religious festivals and events.

MUZAFFARABAD

Staff RepoRt

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed for hearing Sardar Tanveer Ilyas’s appeal against his disqualification on Thursday (today) after initially rejecting his appeal on technical grounds while Khawaja Farooq Ahmad has been appointed as acting AJK prime minister.

A full court bench of the AJK High Court on Tuesday disqualified Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas for contempt of court.

Earlier in the day, an appeal against the decision was rejected by the Chief Justice of AJK, declaring it ‘faulty’ as the appellant was mentioned as Prime Minister.

The Registrar of the court rejected the appeal thrice raising objections and at last when finally objections were removed, the court time was over and the hearing was deferred for Thursday (today).

The appellant raised significant legal questions on the Judgment of the High Court, contending the order was unlawful and prayed the court to declare it null and void.

A separate plea for granting an interim relief has also been filed with the main appeal seeking the court to suspend the high court order till final disposal of the appeal. Leading lawyer Sardar Abdul Razaq Khan, the counsel for the appellant, said the high court order was without any legal grounds and justifications and was liable to be declared null and void. He said the Election Commission had issued disqualification notification of the Prime Minister without having any lawful authority. He said a minimum of 2 years imprisonment was required for disqualification of a person from public office while the maximum punishment in the contempt case was six months. He said the court has punished his client without framing a charge and giving him the opportunity of fair trial thus having no legal effects.

NotificatioN of actiNg Prime miNister: aPeal’s ProceediNgs iN sc: During the hearing of the petition against disqualification on Wednesday, AJK Supreme Court Chief Justice Saeed Akram inquired from the petitioner’s lawyer why he wrote ‘Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas’. Write him as former prime minister, the AJK top judge told him off.

Meanwhile, a notification in this regard was issued by the President House Muzaffarabad after AJK President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry signed the summary late on Tuesday.

“The president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in exercise of powers vested in him under sub-article (1) of Article 17 of the AJK Constitution, is pleased to call upon Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, the most senior minister, to perform functions of the Office of the Prime Minister until a new prime minister has been appointed and elected upon his office,” it said.

According to the notification, Khawaja Farooq Ahmad will remain acting prime minister of the Azad Kashmir till the appointment of new Leader of the House. Mr Ahmad is a veteran politician who is in politics for more than three decades.

The lawyer told the court sheepishly that it should be read and written as former. The judge objected how the court could read what was not written in the text.

“He (Tanveer Ilyas) has been de-notified (by the election commission). This is Supreme Court, it’s not a joke,” Justice Akram rebuked the petitioner’s lawyers.

However, SC Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram rejected the appeal saying that it was “incompetently worded”. He noted that the plea mentioned Ilyas as the prime minister even though the high court’s order was still holding ground. After this, the court dismissed former prime minister’s appeal on technical grounds.

The judge asked the lawyers to submit another appeal, “we see whether we will entertain it or not.”