PECA petition
The FIA’s withdrawal of the petition it had filed before the Supreme Court, against the IHC judgement striking down the clauses enhancing certain punishments and making certain offences non-bailable, makes it doubtfuil if the FIA is under any sort of control. The filing of the petition implies that there is a strong lobby within the FIA in favour of the struck-down sections. If the courts could take up cases of fake news and defamation and punish perpetrators swiftly, it would prove a powerful deterrent. However, such a criminal justice system would mean that the tremendous powers of the law-enforcing agencies, to persecute individuals, would be ended. The rule of law does not suit certain powerful quarters either, so no government presses for the abolition of what is a powerful tool in its hands.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 08, 2022 18:34 UTC
Iconic Georgia championship defense elevates NFL interest in where 57 Bulldogs rostered
Rarely has a collegiate football unit become so iconic as the 2021 Georgia football defense, the heroes of the Bulldogs’ first national championship since 1980. The 2022 NFL Draft provided proof positive to its legitimacy, with a record five players selected off Kirby Smart’s elite defensive unit. For that very reason, Georgia fans will follow the careers of the departing stars into the NFL like no group before them. There are 57 Georgia players on NFL rosters at the start of May, not counting Jayson Stanley who recently worked out for the Chicago Bears but has yet to make the roster. Here’s a look at how the Georgia players are currently dispersed on NFL rosters: Arizona Cardinals WR A.J.
Source:The Nation
May 08, 2022 18:31 UTC
Hot, dry weather to prevail in Balochistan
QUETTA – The Met Office has forecast hot and dry weather in most parts of Balochistan during the next 24 hours. According to the Met Office, the minimum temperature in Quetta was recorded at 12.5 degrees centigrade and 7.5 degrees centigrade in Ziarat on Saturday.
Source:The Nation
May 08, 2022 08:21 UTC
Pakistanis need to speak up against growing religious intolerance: moot
Addressing the occasion, Church of Pakistan’s Moderator/President Bishop Dr Azad Marshall lauded Bishop Joseph for highlighting the injustices in society. He recalled the time when during a press conference, Bishop Joseph had encouraged him to speak up against regressive laws and inequality. The senior church leader also reiterated the need for introducing a strong deterrent against the misuse of the blasphemy laws. In his speech, CSJ Executive Director Peter Jacob said that Bishop Joseph worked relentlessly for interfaith harmony, peace and justice for two decades. Jacob also called for the implementation of the recommendations made by the judicial inquiry after the Gojra incident in 2009, to address the issue of abuse of blasphemy laws.
Source:The Nation
May 08, 2022 03:49 UTC
‘Honest, impartial police officers pride of nation’
Islamabad : Even after 75 years of our independence, training still remains the grey area of police and other civil services. He told them that despite positive public perception about ASPs, the rate of honest and upright officers is not more than 25%, which is extremely alarming. Zulfiqar Cheema shared with the trainees some audio/video leaks where some SHOs and some young Sub-Inspectors commented about the corrupt ASPs while talking to each other, they also cast aspersions on the families and parents of corrupt officers. Former IGP, speaking to the under training ASPs, told them that for a police officer, ‘impartiality’ is as important as honesty. He told the trainee officers that “honest and impartial officers are the real pride of not only the police service but of the entire nation.
Source:The Nation
May 08, 2022 01:02 UTC
Officials told to explain blasphemy cases
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has especially been invited to attend the meeting. They include a briefing from the officials on the legal formalities followed before filing the FIRs as well as if similar cases were registered in Saudi Arabia or not. In addition, they have also been told to explain why these cases had been filed in Pakistan. The interior minister had tweeted that there was no justification to not register a case against those who had violated the sanctity of Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH). He asked the interior minister to seriously rethink the matter.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 07, 2022 23:02 UTC
Lettergate: Imran wants institutions to know where nation stands
"Unfortunately, our ruling elite is corrupt, soft and a slave and they think we cannot survive without the United States," Imran said while addressing overseas Pakistanis. I want institutions to know where our nation stands [on alleged US conspiracy]." Imran Khan said that handing over power to these "corrupt" people was even a "bigger conspiracy" and a great disrespect to a nation of 220 million people. Run campaigns on social media and express that you do not support this government," he urged the overseas Pakistanis. This is a defining moment for Pakistan," Imran Khan further said.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2022 21:56 UTC
Working Week
In order to endorse a healthy work-life balance and increase productivity, countries like the UK and Japan are considering a transition towards a four-day working week instead of the traditional five. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s newly formed federal government has decided to continue with a six-day working week despite countless protests with the belief that this will be the only way to improve economic performance. This inspired countless protests by exhausted and overworked employees who feared that their situation would only get worse with an additional working day in the week. Surely if there are moves being made to alter the working week, the government can also introduce hourly wages, opportunities to earn a bonus, offer a higher pay or give a greater say to worker unions. Plus, there are consequences for an extra working day that no one seems to have factored in.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2022 21:43 UTC
Defection and the coming crisis
In the aftermath of Imran Khan’s removal from office, a similar vote was called against PTI’s Chief Minister in Punjab. For this purpose, “Party Head” forwards a declaration of defection to the Presiding Officer/Speaker, and to the Chief Election Commissioner. Thereafter, “within two days”, such declaration is referred to the Election Commission for “its decision thereon confirming the declaration or otherwise within thirty days of its receipt by the Chief Election Commissioner”. The dissident PTI members had not yet ‘defected’ from the party line, because the vote of no confidence had not been tabled at the time. But all that changed during the recent election of Hamza Shehbaz as the Chief Minister Punjab.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2022 21:42 UTC
Alcaraz downs Djokovic to reach Madrid Open final
1 Novak Djokovic, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5) and reach the Mutua Madrid Open final. Fresh off a milestone victory over childhood idol Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz was not only taking on the world No. Alcaraz shook off a lost 40-15 lead to save the break point with an audacious drop shot. Alcaraz saved it but both men continued testing each other on return; after taking turns digging out of 0-30 holes, the No. The two traded mini-breaks throughout the tiebreak, but it was Alcaraz who maintained his lead to find himself up two more match points.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2022 19:45 UTC
Pakistan sends first batch of assistance to flood-hit Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: The first batch of food assistance announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the flood-affected people of Afghanistan reached the neighbouring nation on Saturday, his office said. “At the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan today dispatched first C-130 to Afghanistan containing relief assistance in tents, food items and medicines for the people affected by recent flash floods,” Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan tweeted. At the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan today dispatched first C-130 to Afghanistan containing relief assistance in tents, food items & medicines for the people affected by recent flash floods. On the directions of PM Shahbaz Sharif, first consignment of relief goods from Pakistan for flood victims in Afghanistan has been delivered today by a special aircraft of Pakistan Air Force. — Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) May 7, 2022Sharif said that Pakistan would extend all possible support to the flood-hit Afghanistan.
Source:Pakistan Today
May 07, 2022 13:31 UTC
'Punjab will not be the only province to prosper in my govt'
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday promised the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa that Punjab will not be the only province that will prosper during his government. Punjab will not be the only province to prosper," Shehbaz said. The prime minister said that former prime minister Imran Khan only made false promises and disappointed the nation for four years. Rs2 billion uplift package announced for ShanglaPrime Minister Shehbaz also announced a Rs2 billion mega development package for speedy uplift of Shangla district during his address. The prime minister said that there would be no shortage of wheat flour in the province and asked the K-P government to facilitate and ensure the just distribution of Punjab flour to its people on prescribed rate.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 07, 2022 13:21 UTC
An Inquiry Commission
The foreign conspiracy allegation that the PTI has levelled against the new government has become a dilemma that appears to have no resolve. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced on Thursday the government had decided to form an “independent” inquiry commission to probe the alleged “foreign conspiracy” that former prime minister Imran Khan has been claiming was behind the ouster of his government. It is unlikely that this solution will lead to any kind of solution but may provide both sides with some time. It is unlikely that the PTI will accept the decision of this inquiry commission, but the process and the ensuing result will provide it with the opportunity to present again the allegations and ramp up the rhetoric, ensuring the momentum stays alive. For the new government, however, a decision by the inquiry commission negating the allegation may provide it with the leeway then to take contempt of court actions to put an end to the PTI’s raising of the allegations.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2022 06:58 UTC
Country most likely to face wheat shortage, PM told
The prime minister also issued directions for curbing smuggling of wheat, evolving a comprehensive strategy to check theft of the commodity and corruption. Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is an agrarian country and wrong decisions and lack of timely strategy have made it a net importer of wheat. He expressed the resolve to make Pakistan self-sufficient in wheat production through better strategy. Additionally, increase in oil prices and climate changes like early rise in temperature also obstructed the achievement of the set target for wheat production. Also, former Inspector General of Punjab Police Zulfiqar Cheema Friday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and congratulated him on the assumption of office.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2022 03:06 UTC
Heal the nation
Maybe, we the people of Pakistan, are the messiahs of shattered glasses; we hold the power to heal our wounded souls and perhaps it can start by answering hard questions. The political parties need to reach out to them and provide an alternate to the only reality they have ever believed in. Our political parties have to open their doors to the other side. Only then we can heal the nation and mend the shattered glasses. We have to choose democracy over populist autocracy again.
Source:The Nation
May 07, 2022 00:59 UTC