Author: Saifullah

ISLAMABAD: The physical remand of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, has been extended for another 11 days in connection with the Toshakhana case. The hearing took place at Adiala Jail, where the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presented its investigation progress. Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana presided over the session. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were arrested shortly after their acquittal in the illegal marriage case last month, now facing charges related to the Toshakhana reference. The NAB inquiry report alleges that Khan misappropriated and sold seven luxury watches, including Rolex, diamond, and gold pieces, without…

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the National Assembly on Tuesday that new machinery and software would be installed to increase the printing capacity of passports to 55,000 to 60,000 per day by the end of September this year. Responding to concerns over delays in issuing passports, the minister expressed optimism that the new system would help clear the existing backlog of applications. He noted that the process of implementing the new system had begun during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government and continues under the interim government. The minister emphasized that with the number of…

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government has allocated a budget of Rs 140.46 million for print media advertisements for the fiscal year 2023-24. According to the Information Department of Gilgit-Baltistan (IDGB), regional weekly newspapers received Rs 9.59 million, regional daily newspapers were allotted Rs 68.32 million, and national newspapers were granted Rs 62.55 million during this period. The funds were distributed among 10 regional weeklies, 21 regional dailies, and 21 national dailies. The IDGB highlighted the ongoing preference for print media in government advertising, noting its role in supporting the industry and providing employment opportunities for journalists. However, the department also expressed…

ISLAMABAD: Leaders from the Sunni Ittehad Council and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have announced their intention to challenge the recent Election Act amendment, which prohibits party members from changing their affiliation. During a National Assembly session, PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan criticized the amendment, calling it a tactic to undermine the Supreme Court. He argued that the law infringes on fundamental rights and restricts political freedom, vowing to seek judicial review. Sahibzada Sibghatullah of the Sunni Ittehad Council echoed these concerns, describing the bill as an attack on both the Constitution and the Supreme Court. He accused the ruling party of undermining…

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon chaired a meeting to discuss the regulation of open air spaces for restaurants in the city. The meeting focused on developing a comprehensive code of conduct for restaurant use of open areas. DC Memon instructed Assistant Commissioners to measure all relevant areas for accurate implementation. He emphasized that while open air dining will be permitted, any encroachment beyond approved spaces will not be tolerated. The initiative aims to balance the needs of restaurants with public convenience, ensuring fair and responsible use of open spaces in Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and his family have donated over 31,000 square feet of land to the Balochistan government as a gift for Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day. The land, adjacent to Quaid-e-Azam’s Residency in Ziarat, is intended to be used as an environmental center. In a joint letter sent to the Balochistan government, Isa and Qazi Azmat Isa expressed their wish to donate the land for the benefit of the public. The letter also stated that the land is licensed to the government free of charge. The letter, dated August 2, 2024, was also sent to the president,…

LAHORE: Former federal minister and ex-PTI leader Asad Umar was rushed to the hospital after experiencing chest pain at an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore. Umar’s lawyer reported that his client felt unwell in the courtroom, prompting immediate medical attention. Doctors conducted an ECG and took blood samples. Read More: PTI’s Raoof Hasan Granted Bail in Terror Financing Case While the initial ECG results were normal, Umar’s blood pressure was found to be low. He is currently under observation as doctors continue to monitor his condition.

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad approved the bail petition of PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan on Tuesday. He was granted bail in a terror financing case by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra after posting surety bonds worth Rs200,000. Hasan was implicated in the case following a statement from co-accused PTI International Media Coordinator Ahmed Waqas Janjua, who alleged Hasan’s involvement in financing terrorists. Earlier, on August 3, the court had dismissed Janjua’s bail plea.

ISLAMABAD: Official documents reveal that Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have received a Rs168 billion tax exemption from the federal government. The Auditor General of Pakistan’s latest report highlights poor oversight of these exemptions, exposing weaknesses in the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) control. According to Section 53 (a) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, IPPs are exempt from income tax under specific conditions. These include being managed by a registered company, not being formed from an existing business, and not being controlled by government entities. The audit found that tax exemptions for electric generation projects from FY-2018 to 2022 totaled…

LAHORE: Pakistan Post has halted parcel bookings for the United States for a month, causing significant financial losses. The suspension affects e-commerce orders and has disrupted trade and national revenue. The halt is due to improper parcel packing, non-payment to American shipping companies, and errors in parcel handling. The Directorate General of Pakistan Post reported several issues, including missing Electronic Advanced Data (EAD), incorrect mail classification, and errors in ITMATT messages. Small businessmen and e-commerce sellers have urged the government to address these issues and resume bookings. Despite the suspension to the U.S., bookings to the United Kingdom and other…