Elections 2024: PML-N names 33-member manifesto committee

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) announced on Tuesday a 33-member manifesto committee days after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) set February 8 as the date for general elections.

Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal issued an official notification following the approval of party president Shehbaz Sharif.

The four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and minorities have been represented in the manifesto committee. Senator Irfan Siddiqui will be the chairman of the committee while Ahsan Iqbal, Parvez Rasheed, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, Khurram Dastgir were appointed as members of the committee.

The other PML-N leaders include Rana Ahsan Afzal, Rao Ajmal, Riaz-ul-Haq, Senator Musaddik Malik, Barrister Zafarullah, Dr. Tariq Fazal, Pir Sabir Shah, Akhtar Wali, Khildas Kohistani, and Bashir Memon .

Raheela Durrani, Uzma Bukhari, Nasir Mehmood, Kamran Michael, Senator Nuzhat Sadiq, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman from Gilgit-Baltistan, Shah Ghulam Qadir from Azad Jammu and Kashmir are also part of the manifesto committee.

Senator Dr. Afnanullah Khan, Barrister Amjad Malik, Salma Butt, Ashiq Kirmani, Rahila Khadim Hussain, Rana Sikandar Hayat, Central Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb, Assistant Secretary General Bilal Azhar Kayani, Ali Pervaiz Malik and Shaza Fatima Khawaja are also among the members of the manifesto committee.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the MQM-Pakistan (MQMP) headed by its Convenor Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi today met with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif at Raiwind.

Dr Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal accompanied MQM-P head Siddiqui.

The political leaders discussed the overall political situation prevailing in the country and future course of action as the MQMP, JUIF, and GDA are already working on establishing an electoral alliance in the Sindh province, especially in Karachi.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/QsfHCZY

Virat Kohli dances to wife Anushka Sharma’s song during Ind vs SA – Watch

Former skipper of the Indian cricket team, birthday boy Virat Kohli was spotted having a party on the field as he danced to Bollywood numbers during their latest World Cup fixture against South Africa.

Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tv

After smashing his 49th ODI century on Sunday against South Africa, star batter of the Indian cricket team Virat Kohli was spotted having a celebration of his own on the ground for his 35th birthday.

In the viral videos from Eden Gardens, Kolkata, doing rounds on the internet, Kohli seems to be having a blast while dancing to the Bollywood banger of his wife Anushka Sharma, ‘Ainvayi Ainvayi’, from her movie ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ with Ranveer Singh.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ICC (@icc)

In a separate video, the former skipper was captured while grooving to Shahrukh Khan’s latest chart-topper ‘Chaleya’ from his movie ‘Jawan’, and fans seem to be loving his dancing chops as much as his extraordinary batting prowess.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ICC (@icc)

As for the 37th World Cup fixture on Sunday, Virat Kohli’s record 49th ODI century on his birthday and Ravindra Jadeja’s five-fer powered India to a commendable victory against South Africa.

With the eighth successive triumph, India currently leads the points table and is the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023.

Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most ODI centuries

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/WtMg6jI

SHC hearing over prisoners languishing in jails for non-payment of fine

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Monday heard petition with regard to prisoners remaining in jail over non-payment of paltry fine or Diyat, ARY News reported.

Justice Amjad Ali Sehto heard petition of Shahab Osto Advocate with regard to plight of the prisoners, who failed to pay small fines or Diyat over non-payment.

The bench expressed resentment over non-payment of the money despite court orders, “Don’t you feel how people suffer in each and every moment in jail,” Justice Sehto asked.

“Sindh government has already paid fines of prisoners to the Nazir Sindh High Court in 2019,” Additional Advocate General said. “Four inmates were released after the amount paid by the government,” AAG further said.

The high court bench summoned the Nazir SHC and the jail superintendent.

Petitioner had pleaded to the court that thousands of poor prisoners have been imprisoned for years over non-payment of fines or diyat amount despite their release orders.

He pleaded to the high court to summon the list of such prisoners in Sindh’s jails and sought court order for payment of money from Bait-ul-Mal for poor and destitute prisoners.

Diyat is financial compensation that is paid to a victim or heirs of a victim. The compensation may be paid in the cases of murder, bodily harm, or damage to property.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/x7CmbkD

China advocates two-state solution amid Gaza conflict

LAHORE: China on Monday reiterated its demand for a two-state solution amid the Israeli conflict in Gaza, Palestine.

In an exclusive interview with ARY News, the Chinese Consul General in Lahore, Zhao emphasized that China’s position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is “very clear.”

The land historically belongs to the Palestinians and they have every right to establish an autonomous state in the Middle East, the Chinese diplomat said.

Zhao Shiren said China is against the use of power over civilians and the loss of human lives. He urged the need for international mediation to resolve the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Replying to a question regarding the return of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan, Zhao Shiren said the return of the former prime minister is Islamabad’s ‘internal matter’ and China avoids interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs.

Read more: Pakistan laud ‘courageous’ UN workers serving Gazans amid Israeli bombing

However, the Chinese diplomat said, Beijing desires free and fair elections in Pakistan and wants every political force and stakeholder on ‘one page’ for the development of the country and the success of CPEC projects.

Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren further said he is unable to understand why some ‘elements’ are opposing CPEC and the good ties between Islamabad and Beijing.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/W4opVHO

Hamburg airport traffic halted over ‘custody dispute hostage situation’

Traffic at Hamburg airport was halted and the terminals evacuated on Saturday night over a “hostage situation” believed to have arisen over a custody dispute, police said.

At around 8 pm (0600 GMT), a gunman had rammed his car through the security area onto the tarmac, firing two shots in the air and flinging two burning bottles out of the vehicle, a police spokesman said.

At least two individuals — including a child — were in the car, police said.

The wife of the driver had placed an emergency call alerting police to the abduction of her child, the spokesman added.

“We are on site with a large contingent of emergency services. We are currently assuming a static hostage situation,” Hamburg police said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The car remained parked in the apron area of the airport.

Police added later Saturday that they believed “that a custody dispute is the background to this operation”.

Psychologists as well as officers specialised in negotiations are on site, said police, adding that they were in contact with the individual in the vehicle.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/Z43fEDU

‘Sack them all’: Outcry in Sri Lanka after World Cup humiliation

COLOMBO: Anger over Sri Lanka’s miserable World Cup campaign has erupted after a humiliating 302-run thrashing by hosts India, with the island nation’s sports minister demanding the cricket board’s resignation.

Sri Lanka were dismissed for 55 while chasing 358 in Mumbai on Thursday, the fourth-lowest total at a World Cup tournament.

Sports minister Roshan Fernando, who has long been at loggerheads with the board and previously accused it of being “traitorous and corrupt”, upped the stakes by telling officials and selectors to quit.

“Sri Lanka Cricket officials have no moral or ethical right to remain in office,” the minister said in a statement issued on Friday night. “They should voluntarily resign.”

Local newspapers echoed Fernando’s dismay with mass daily Lankadeepa on Saturday writing that explanations were needed from coaching staff over the “heart-wrenching defeat”.

“SACK THEM ALL,” screamed the front-page headline of the Daily Mirror, in reference to the board.

There was no immediate formal comment from Sri Lanka Cricket, but board officials said it had sought an explanation from coaching staff over the crushing defeat.

Sri Lanka has not won the Cricket World Cup since its sole victory in 1996, with Fernando blaming the board for the “deterioration” of standards since then.

Another cabinet minister, Prasanna Ranatunga, told parliament in August that Sri Lanka’s win turned out to be a “curse” in disguise that fostered a culture of corruption spanning decades.

“The World Cup victory was the biggest curse for our cricket,” said Ranatunga, the younger brother of Arjuna Ranatunga, who skippered Sri Lanka to victory that year.

“Money started flowing to the cricket board after 1996 and with that came those who wanted to steal.”

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/FDrNXOL

Rupee gains 23 paisa against US dollar

The Pakistani rupee (PRK) appreciated by Rs0.23 against the US dollar (USD) in the interbank on Friday, ARY News reported quoting forex dealers.

According to forex dealers, the local currency gained Rs0.23 against the US dollar. The USD is currently trading at Rs283.20 in the interbank market.

The banks are selling the dollar to importers at Rs283.70, while the same is being sold at Rs284.50 in the open market, the forex dealers said.

Meanwhile, bulls asserted their dominance in the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Friday after the Election Commission Pakistan set February 8 as the election date after meeting President Arif Alvi.

Read more: INR: India rupee ends flat

The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 index gained 309 and was trading at 52,965 points at 10am on Friday.

This is the highest-ever level of the PSX benchmark KSE-100 index after May 2017. On May 22, 2017, the 100 index touched 52,876 points.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/eI3NAmS

Who killed Moosewala? Project about Punjabi singer’s life in the making!

An on-screen project about crime, fame, and the tragic murder of slain Indian musician Sidhu Moosewala is in the works.

Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tv

As reported by Indian media outlets, production banner Matchbox Shots has acquired the rights for the book ‘Who Killed Moosewala?’ by the crime journalist Jupinderjit Singh, to adapt for an on-screen project based on the life of Punjabi rapper Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu aka Sidhu Moosewala.

According to the details, Matchbox Shots, known for critically acclaimed projects like ‘Andhadhun’, ‘Monica O My Darling’ and the web series ‘Scoop’, is yet to decide on whether the title will be released as a film or a series.

“The story is an intricate interplay of crime, fame, and music in Punjab, a narrative that demands contemplation and understanding,” said the team about the upcoming title. “We have always found the macabre relationship between the music industry and gang wars in Punjab extremely intriguing. With Jupinderjit’s book Who Killed Moosewala? we know we have a strong backbone for our story.”

Singh shared that a number of production houses have shown interest in his book ever since its release in June this year, however, given the impressive work of Matchbox, he is thrilled that the team have taken the rights to adapt it for screen.

It is pertinent to mention that Indian Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead by six men in the Mansa district of the Punjab state in India on May 29 last year, a day after his security was reduced by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

His killing is being probed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Punjab police. The officials filed a chargesheet against 32 accused, including gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria among others.

Moosewala is best remembered for his chart-topping tracks ‘So High’, ‘Same Beef’, ‘The Last Ride’, ‘Just Listen’ and ‘295’.

Jasmine Sandlas gets death threats from Sidhu Moosewala’s killer

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/SOi9Hpx

SHC dismisses plea against Murtaza Wahab’s UC election

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Thursday heard a petition seeking restraining order against Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s contesting elections from various UCs, ARY News reported.

The high court directed the petitioner to take the matter to the election tribunal.

Acting Chief Justice Aqeel Abbasi also directed that the tribunal must look into the objections and decide the matter urgently. “Election is a key issue. These cases should be heard on daily basis,” Justice Abbasi observed.

“The matters with regard to the legal flaw, should be heard on priority,” court observed. “Unfortunately, election cases used to be heard for years until the time comes for next election,” Justice Abbasi said.

“Even Supreme Court’s instructions with regard to the local elections are not being followed,” he said.

Jamaat Islami’s lawyer earlier said that Murtaza Wahab contesting elections from irrelevant union committees. “It is mandatory that the chairman candidate belongs to the same UC. Murtaza Wahab has not been registered as voter in Ibrahim Hyderi or Keamari UCs,” JI lawyer Usman Farooq said.

“Mayor Karachi using government machinery for his election campaign,” he further argued.

Advocate General Sindh argued that the petition was non-maintainable as only a candidate could object over the matter.

The court dismissed the plea on the basis of petitioner’s withdrawal of the case.

Pakistan People’s Party’s Murtaza Wahab has recently won a UC chairman seat to retain his position as Karachi Mayor. In the by-polls, Wahab was elected unopposed as the UC Ibrahim Hyderi’s chairman.

He is also contesting polls from Gizri and Keamari areas.

The PPP leader had been directly nominated and elected as the Karachi Mayor by the majority of LG representatives in June. However, it was mandatory to win UC election within six months to retain his mayoral position in accordance with the amended Sindh LG Act.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/XeGxTq6

Israel’s strikes on Jabalia refugee camp kill more than 195 people

More foreign nationals are preparing to leave the besieged Gaza Strip as the enclave’s government said at least 195 Palestinians died in Israel’s attacks on the Jabalia refugee camp.

Hamas media office said that at least 195 Palestinians were killed in the two Israeli attacks on Jabalia on Wednesday, with 120 still missing under the rubble. At least 777 more were wounded, it said in a statement.

“Given the high number of civilian casualties & the scale of destruction following Israeli air strikes on Jabalia refugee camp, we have serious concerns that these are disproportionate attacks that could amount to war crimes,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights wrote on social media site X

Passport holders from Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States were evacuated.

Gaza officials said the Rafah border crossing would reopen on Thursday so more foreigners could exit. A diplomatic source said some 7,500 foreign passport holders would leave Gaza over about two weeks.

Pressing an offensive against Hamas militants, Israel has bombed Gaza by land, sea and air in its campaign to wipe out the Iran-backed Islamist group after its cross-border rampage into southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israel said Hamas gunmen killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took more than 200 hostages.

The Gaza health ministry says at least 8,796 Palestinians in the narrow coastal enclave, including 3,648 children, have been killed by Israeli strikes since Oct. 7.

Explosions were heard in the early hours of Thursday around the al-Quds hospital in densely populated Gaza City, the Palestinian Red Crescent said. Israeli authorities had previously warned the hospital to evacuate immediately, which U.N. officials said was impossible without endangering patients.

The Israeli military announced the death of an another soldier in Gaza fighting, bringing to 17 the number killed since ground operations were expanded on Friday.

U.S. DIPLOMAT DEPARTS FOR ISRAEL, AGAIN

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to depart on Thursday for his second visit to Israel in less than a month. He plans to meet Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to voice solidarity but also to reassert the need to minimize Palestinian civilian casualties, his spokesperson said.

Blinken will also stop in Jordan, one of a handful of Arab states to have normalised relations with Israel. On Wednesday Jordan withdrew its ambassador from Tel Aviv until Israel ends its assault on Gaza. Israel said it regretted Jordan’s decision.

In Jordan, Blinken will underscore the importance of protecting civilian lives and reiterate a U.S. commitment to ensure Palestinians are not forcibly displaced from Gaza, a growing concern in Arab nations, the spokesman said.

Blinken will also pursue talks led by Egypt and Qatar on securing the release of all of the hostages held by Hamas.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/k9SYj2T

Azerbaijan’s first direct flight touches down in Islamabad

KARACHI: The national airline of Azerbaijan – Azal – has started its flight operation to Pakistan, after which the first direct flight from Baku touched down in Islamabad on Wednesday night, ARY News reported.

According to the details, Azerbaijan’s national airline – AZAL – commenced direct flights to Pakistan, while an inaugural flight from Azerbaijan, comprising 100 passengers, landed at Islamabad airport.

On arrival, the authorities at Islamabad airport saluted the inaugural flight from Baku, Azerbaijan, with a water cannon and a cake-cutting ceremony was held with the Airline staff along with CAA Additional DG AVM Taimur Asghar as well as Azerbaijan Embassy Deputy head of mission.

Aftab Gilani, the Chief Operating Officer and Airport Manager of Islamabad extended a warm welcome to the passengers, marking a significant milestone in the ever-strengthening ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijan airline will launch weekly two flights for Islamabad,” Gillani said.

Aftab Gilani, the Chief Operating Officer and Airport Manager of Islamabad Airport is optimistic about the prospects for the future. “Besides the evident boost in the aviation sector, we anticipate substantial growth in tourism and trade between our two nations. This new connectivity will open doors to greater opportunities and exchanges for both countries,” he stated.

He noted that this expansion of flight operations would not only enhance the travel experience for passengers but also contribute to the growth of foreign exchange.

He maintained that Azerbaijan’s flight operations were the 22nd airline to commence operations at Islamabad International Airport.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/9DpO8Lg

Azerbaijan Airlines launches direct flights to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan’s national airline has launched direct flight operations to Pakistan from today, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

Azerbaijan’s national airline – AZAL – commenced direct flights to Pakistan, while an inaugural flight from Azerbaijan will reach Islamabad airport tonight.

According to Aftab Gillani, the Azerbaijan airline will launch two weekly for Islamabad.

The opening of new AZAL flights promises to promote the development of ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, promote tourism, international transportation and strengthen diplomatic relations, he maintained.

Customers can get acquainted with the flight schedule and purchase tickets on the official website of the airline www.azal.az/en or via AZAL mobile application.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/zLcJ7Nf

4,000 illegal Afghans leave Karachi, says Haris Nawaz

KARACHI: Around 4000 Afghan nationals illegally staying in Karachi, have returned back to home, Sindh’s Home Minister said on Tuesday.

Haris Nawaz, talking to media said that illegal Afghan immigrants in batches of 300 to 400 will be sent to Chaman border crossing within two to three days.

Today, October 31, is fixed by the government as the last day of the immigrants illegally staying in Pakistan to leave voluntarily.

Home minister said that illegal immigrants will not be kept in the country for more days. “An operation will be launched against illegal immigrants from tomorrow,” caretaker minister said.

“Pakistan has host Afghan brethren for long time,” he stated. “Those staying legally in the country, wouldn’t have any problem. Those without travel papers will be sent back to their country,” he said.

“There are 1,70,000 Afghan citizens in Sindh, around one Lac in Karachi,” Nawaz said.

He said that illegally staying Indian and Bangladeshi citizens will be sent back to their countries by trains.

“A crackdown will be launched against those who won’t leave the country voluntarily,” he further said.

“Those harbouring illegal immigrants would also face legal consequences,” provincial minister said.

The government has setup refugee camps in KP and Balochistan with arrangements of food, medical treatment and other basic necessities.

from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/t1vhSI3