In response to escalating protests against rising wheat prices, the Gilgit administration has imposed Section 144, banning all processions, rallies, and demonstrations on key inter-district connecting roads, including KKH and JSR, for 90 days. The District Magistrate cited serious public uneasiness caused by protests on Karakoram Highway (KKH) and Jaglote-Skardu Road (JSR), expressing concerns about socio-economic implications and potential threats to public order. The order aims to ensure the security of people and property, authorizing police officers to strictly enforce compliance. The ban comes amid discontent over the recent significant increase in wheat prices by the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government, prompting…
Author: Saifullah
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Starting January 1, 2024, the National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) is enforcing a strict policy, prohibiting vehicles without an M-Tag on the motorway. Travelers are advised to obtain the mandatory M-Tags for their vehicles before this date, with a warning that vehicles, including cars and passenger buses lacking an M-Tag, will be banned from entering the motorways. Non-compliance will result in fines, as stipulated by the NHMP. This regulation extends across all motorways, encompassing major routes such as Islamabad-Peshawar M-1, Lahore-Abdul Hakeem M-3, Pindi Bhattian-Multan M-4, Multan-Sukkur M-5, Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan M-14, and Hasan Abdal-Mansehra Expressway E-35. Notably, the…
The federal government has made a strategic decision to release Rs400 billion to electricity and gas companies, aiming to alleviate the burden of revolving loans within the energy sector. This substantial reduction in revolving credit aligns with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) benchmark, with a specific allocation of 260 billion rupees earmarked for power plants and 140 billion rupees designated for K-Electric by June 2024. The finance ministry outlined the phased disbursement, initiating the release of 140 billion rupees to power plants and 57 billion rupees to K-Electric. Notably, out of Rs197 billion, 70 billion rupees will be withdrawn from…
Senior politicians, once affiliated with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Raza Haroon and Anees Advocate, along with their associates, have officially joined the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ahead of the February 8 general elections. The announcement followed a meeting with former president and PPP’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi. Both Haroon and Anees, former members of MQM’s Rabita Committee, were welcomed by Zardari into the party. During the meeting, discussions centered around the “charter of Karachi,” addressing development, peace, security, and fostering a friendly environment in the port city. Zardari emphasized the PPP’s commitment to Karachi’s future, stating that the…
The Director General of Passports Pakistan, Mustafa Jamal Qazi, announced that 6.5 million passports will be issued in 2023, emphasizing the transition to e-passports by 2027. During a visit to the Karachi Passport Office, he revealed that necessary preparations have been completed, with plans to install the new system in the next six to seven months. Read More: Punjab Govt Seeks Pak Army Deployment for Election Security Responding to concerns, Qazi mentioned a high-level task force investigating 12,000 Pakistani passports issued to Afghans. He assured that delays in passport issuance have been resolved, citing the procurement of ample lamination paper,…
The Punjab government has made a strategic decision to seek the assistance of the federal government in deploying the Pakistan army for enhanced security measures during the upcoming general election. A senior official revealed that a formal letter is in the works, requesting the deployment of 0.25 million army personnel to collaborate with Punjab police and other security agencies on the crucial polling day. This significant resolution emerged from a high-stakes security meeting led by the caretaker chief minister of Punjab. The rationale behind this decision, as explained by the official, stems from the imperative need for an additional 0.25…
Noor Bukhari, renowned for her past in Pakistani showbiz, has officially stepped into politics, aligning herself with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). The actress, also the wife of IPP leader Aun Chaudhry, recently submitted nomination papers for a reserved seat for women, marking a significant shift in her career. Having bid farewell to showbiz, Noor personally oversaw the scrutiny of her nomination papers at the Punjab Election Commission office. The 41-year-old actress, who has been married four times, is gearing up for this new chapter in her life, representing IPP in the upcoming elections. In a notable parallel, Tiktoker Sandal Khattak…
The Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability – Free and Fair Election Network (TDEA-FAFEN) marked the successful conclusion of its four-year program “WE’RE Leaders,” funded by Global Affairs Canada. The initiative focused on empowering women in politics, reducing the gender gap on electoral rolls, and enhancing leadership skills. The project collaborated with various institutions, rights-based commissions, and media to address women’s issues and strengthen their participation in the political process. Despite progress, challenges persist, with around 13,000 female voters still missing in each of the 266 National Assembly constituencies. The project received praise for its achievements and commitment to…
The caretaker federal government in Islamabad has released 34 Baloch protesters, who were detained during a police crackdown last week. The decision, made on the advice of the negotiation committee led by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, follows talks between the government’s team, headed by Privatization Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad, and the protesting marchers. The demonstrators had demanded the immediate release of those arrested. The protest originally stemmed from the alleged “extra-judicial killing” of a Baloch youth by Counter-Terrorism Department officials in Turbat. The crackdown on the Baloch marchers in Islamabad sparked nationwide condemnation from human rights organizations, politicians, and…
Renowned fashion designer and social media activist Khadija Shah has been granted post-arrest bail by a local court in Quetta. Accused of involvement in the May 9 riots, Shah faced charges of murder and attempted murder related to the violent protests. The anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge approved her bail application after her counsel argued that she was innocent, emphasizing that Shah was a victim of a political vendetta with fabricated cases against her. The court ordered her release while instructing Shah to cooperate with the police in the ongoing investigation and appear when summoned.
