ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has formally appealed to the U.S. President for clemency for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, currently serving a sentence in the United States, seeking her release and return to Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally addressed the letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to grant Dr. Siddiqui a pardon. This crucial development was revealed by Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal during a hearing at the Islamabad High Court. The case, filed by Dr. Aafia’s sister, Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, was heard by Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan. Dr. Fouzia had long been advocating for her sister’s…
Author: Saifullah
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SLAMABAD: In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has declared that job quota policies and related employment packages for the children and widows of government employees are unconstitutional. The 11-page judgment, authored by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, ruled that such policies violated merit-based recruitment principles. The court overturned the 2021 decision by the Peshawar High Court in a case filed by the General Post Office (GPO), which had challenged the appointment of a petitioner under the Prime Minister’s Employment Package. This package, along with relevant office memorandums, has now been nullified. Additionally, the Supreme Court struck down several…
LAHORE: The Punjab Home Department has established a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to thoroughly investigate the dissemination of fake news regarding the alleged harassment of a female student at a private college. The six-member JIT will be led by SSP Investigation Muhammad Naveed, with additional members including SP/Investigation Cantt, DSP/Investigation Barki Circle, and representatives from key intelligence agencies, including ISI, IB, and FIA. Read More: Schools in Islamabad to Remain Open on Saturday, October 19 The case under investigation has been registered at Defence A police station, where the JIT will focus on identifying the main culprits involved in inciting violence…
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has announced that all schools under its jurisdiction will remain open tomorrow, Saturday, October 19, despite it being a usual day off. This decision comes in response to the local holidays declared during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. In a notification issued by the FDE, it was emphasized that the Saturday working day aims to make up for the academic time lost due to the suspension of educational activities during the SCO summit. The directive applies to all schools across Islamabad under the FDE’s authority. The notification highlighted that this step is…
In a landmark decision, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has approved life insurance for all citizens of the province, along with seven other ambitious projects. The cabinet meeting saw the green light for initiatives aimed at improving social welfare, trade, tourism, and infrastructure, with a target completion date of 2027. The life insurance scheme, a significant addition to KP’s social security measures, will provide Rs. 0.5 to 1 million to the families of deceased heads of households. This insurance, along with the existing health-card scheme, will be managed by the newly…
In a recent interview with Khyber News, senior journalist Murtaza Solangi commended Pakistan for successfully hosting the SCO Summit 2024 in Islamabad. Solangi highlighted that all SCO member nations, including India, were represented at the summit. Despite initial speculations of possible tensions, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s presence was amicable, even amidst a scheduled PTI protest near D-Chowk in Islamabad’s Red Zone, where high-ranking delegates were present. Solangi noted that Jaishankar was seen sitting with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, which many interpret as a positive gesture. He suggested that this interaction indicates a shift in India’s approach…
The federal government has committed approximately Rs72 billion to five Independent Power Producers (IPPs) following their agreement to terminate contracts early. The payments include Rs36.5 billion to Hubco, Rs15.5 billion to Rousch Power, Rs12.8 billion to AES Lalpir, Rs6 billion to Atlas Power, and Rs1 billion to Saba Power, as per sources. The terminated IPPs, with a combined capacity of 2,400 megawatts, were previously found to have over-invoiced, raising the cost of electricity. The decision to close these plants aligns with efforts to reduce electricity prices. Despite Pakistan’s coal reserves, IPPs relied on imported fuels, which resulted in costly power…
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have backed down from their initial demand to establish constitutional courts, instead aligning with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) on the formation of a constitutional bench. Sources reveal that JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will present the revised draft to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) today. The development follows Maulana Fazl’s earlier objections to the government’s proposed constitutional amendment, citing potential threats to individual freedoms. He had raised concerns that the amendment might undermine both judicial and public rights. However, after consultations with PPP, certain provisions were revised. PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed optimism,…
The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) will see a Rs. 3,000 increase in its quarterly stipend for recipients, following approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Beginning in January, the new total will be Rs. 13,500, up from the current Rs. 10,500. This adjustment is part of the IMF’s efforts, in collaboration with the World Bank, to strengthen the BISP and its administrative systems. For the current financial year, the program’s budget stands at Rs. 599 billion, equating to 0.5% of Pakistan’s GDP and marking a 27% increase over the previous year. New enrollments for BISP will continue over the…
In Rawalpindi, more than 100 students were arrested as violent protests erupted over an alleged rape incident involving a Lahore college student. The protests, sparked by reports that went viral on social media, saw students rallying outside Punjab Group of Colleges campuses, resulting in clashes with police and significant property damage. Read More: Barrister Gohar Claims Seven Govt Members Oppose Amendment The unrest spread across the city, with students vandalizing college property and setting fires. Police responded with tear gas and arrests to restore order. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz dismissed the incident as “fabricated news” and accused PTI of…
