Author: Sajjad Ali

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan electoral watchdog has barred former foreign minister and senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Shah Mahmood Qureshi, from contesting elections for a five-year period following his conviction in the cipher case. A notification issued by the ECP states that the former foreign minister has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty in the cipher case. “In consequence, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi is disqualified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, read with Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017. Therefore, Mr. Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi is…

Former cricketer Bazid Khan praised fast bowler Ubaid Shah for his resilient performance, describing him as a “tough character” who played a crucial role in guiding the Pakistan U19 team to the World Cup semi-final. Via X (formerly Twitter), the renowned commentator commended Shah for bowling through pain, making a comeback after dropping a catch, and taking a crucial wicket, declaring him “definitely one to watch.” Khan characterized the match against Bangladesh as a nerve-racking contest. Separately, cricketer Ahmed Shehzad congratulated the Pakistan U19 team on qualifying for the U19 World Cup semi-finals in Benoni. Via X (formerly Twitter), Shehzad…

The forthcoming elections on February 8th in Pakistan’s NA-48 Islamabad constituency present a distinctive scenario, as major political parties have chosen not to field candidates, leaving the field to two independent heavyweights. Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz, who secured victory in the 2018 election with the backing of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), is set to face a robust challenge from Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, a notable local figure and former senator with deep-rooted family connections in the constituency. With a registered electorate of 299,248, including 157,306 males and 141,942 females, NA-48, situated in the federal capital, is anticipated to witness a fierce…

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced for seven years each in the illegal marriage case as a local court found them guilty of matrimony before the end of the four-month period subscribed in Islam after getting divorce. The verdict was announced by Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah Niazi, who heard the case at the Adiala jail during the past weeks, as he also slapped Rs0.5 million fine each to the convicts. The statements of Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband Khawar Manika, his employee Latif, Mufti Saeed and the witness of the marriage, Aun Chaudhry, were recorded…

ISLAMABAD: The interim federal cabinet has granted approval for the extension of the residency of 1.3 million undocumented Afghan refugees. The extension allows these refugees to stay in Pakistan until March 2024. The decision to extend the proof of residence card was made based on a summary presented by the Ministry of Safran. Additionally, in consultation with the Afghanistan-related coordination cell, it was determined to prolong the stay of these undocumented immigrants. The extension of the Afghan refugees’ stay was prompted by a request from the Afghan government. The refugees’ residency had initially become unauthorized due to the non-approval of…

KARACHI: The price of per tola gold Saturday recorded a decline across the country. According to All Pakistan Gems and Jewelers Association (APGJA), the price of gold per tola has decreased by Rs1700 to settle at Rs216,000. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold has decreased by 1458 rupees, after which it settled at Rs185,185. On the other hand, the price of gold in the international market has decreased by 15 dollars to settle at $2039 per ounce.

LAHORE: The pneumonia upsurge has claimed 11 more lives in Punjab within 24 hours. According to details, the pneumonia cases are on a peak these days amid smog, dry and cold weather. 415 cases were reported from Punjab within 24 hours and 11 children capitulated to the deadly virus. 13720 cases were reported from Punjab during the ongoing winter season while Lahore alone reported 3205 cases. The deadly score has reached to 309 in the province while hundreds of newborns are under treatment in Lahore’s hospitals suffering from chest infection. The health experts have identified smog and air pollution as…

LAHORE: In a series of intelligence-based operations conducted by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in various locations across Punjab, five terrorists were apprehended, as reported by ARY News on Saturday. The CTD carried out a total of 70 operations, resulting in the arrest of individuals identified as Sharafat, Yaseen, Talha, Abdurehman, and Usaid. The operations took place in Mianwali, Jehlum, Hafizabad, and Okara. The CTD spokesperson revealed that a significant quantity of explosives, two improvised explosive devices (IED) bombs, 10 detonators, weapons, and cash were seized from the arrested terrorists. Earlier, two terrorists were arrested in an Intelligence Based Operation…

PESHAWAR: Peshawar police have declined the responsibility of providing security to election candidates in the run-up to the 2024 general elections, as reported by ARY News. Details reveal that Peshawar police have advised political party candidates to hire security personnel from private security companies. However, the police will continue to offer security for corner meetings and public rallies during the election campaigns. The decision not to provide security to election candidates stems from a shortage of additional security personnel, as they will be deployed at polling stations during the 2024 elections. This development follows the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) releasing…

The UAE Dirham saw a marginal increase in the Pakistani open market, reaching Rs76.6 for buying and Rs77.45 for selling on Saturday. This reflects a 10-paisa uptick from the previous day’s closing rate of Rs76.45, as reported by forex.pk. For the substantial Pakistani community in the UAE, constituting 16.73 percent of the Gulf country’s total population, the daily fluctuations in the exchange rate hold considerable importance. The Dirham, with the currency code AED and divided into 100 fils, holds significant sway in the lives of these expatriates, whose earnings are in the official UAE currency. In terms of the exchange…