SC will not interfere in ECP’s domain, CJP tells PTI lawyer in bat symbol case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday said regulating political parties is the job of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), ARY News reported.

These remarks were made by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa while hearing the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) appeal against the Peshawar High Court (PHC) verdict restoring the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) electoral symbol — bat.

“SC will not interfere in the domain of the Election Commission of Pakistan. However, if ECP commits any unconstitutional act then the court can look into it,” the CJP added.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarat Hilali hearing the electoral body’s appeal.

The proceedings of the case are being broadcast live on the SC website and YouTube channel.

Barrister Gohar, Shoaib Shaheen, Niazullah and Waleed Iqbal attended court proceedings today. PTI’s lawyer Hamid Khan in his remarks said the SC has clarified that no institution can file an appeal against the verdicts.

The ECP can file a review on appeals else there will be no worth of its decisions, the CJP remarked and added if the argument of PTI is accepted then questions will also be raised on its appeal in Peshawar High Court.

The CJP Isa asked Makhdoom whether the PHC’s written order had been issued or not, the latter replied that it had not been.

The lawyer then read out the PHC order that restored the PTI’s ‘bat’ symbol. He said that the ECP had not yet received “any notice” of the PHC order, to which the chief justice said, “I have not read the case file either.”

The top judge asked Makhdoom when he would be ready to present the case, at which the counsel urged the SC to adjourn the hearing till Monday. Makhdoom further said that the political parties would be allotted electoral symbols tomorrow.

Read more: ‘PTI bat symbol’: ECP challenges PHC decision in Supreme Court

The top judge observed that to adjourn the hearing till Monday, the PHC’s recent verdict would have to be suspended, adding that the apex court was ready to hear the case on Saturday and Sunday as well.

The ECP lawyer then sought time till tomorrow to prepare for the case.

PHC verdict

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Wednesday got back ‘bat’ as its election symbol after the Peshawar High Court (PHC) nullified the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order to strip the party of using the ‘bat’ symbol.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf moved Peshawar High Court to challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision declaring the intra-party election as null and void and revoking their electoral symbol “bat”.

A two-member Peshawar High Court (PHC) bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Arshad Ali announced the verdict.

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UK unveils plans for ‘biggest nuclear power expansion in 70 years’

The UK government on Thursday announced plans for what it said was the country’s “biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years” to bolster its energy independence and meet carbon emission targets.

The Civil Nuclear Roadmap includes exploring the construction of a major new power station, £300 million ($382 million) of investment to produce an advanced uranium fuel and “smarter regulation”.

Taken together, the measures would quadruple UK nuclear power by 2050 to 24 gigawatts, enough to provide a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs.

“Nuclear is the perfect antidote to the energy challenges facing Britain — it’s green, cheaper in the long-term and will ensure the UK’s energy security,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

“This is the right long-term decision and is the next step in our commitment to nuclear power, which puts us on course to achieve net zero by 2050 in a measured and sustainable way,” he added.

The government says it is committed to the 2050 net zero target but has come under fire after announcing last summer it will issue “hundreds” of new oil and gas licences in the North Sea.

It is also grappling with a cost-of-living crisis partly caused by the spike in oil and gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Energy minister Claire Coutinho said the plans would mean the UK would “never again be held to ransom over energy by tyrants like Vladimir Putin”.

The government said the proposals represented “the biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years”, adding it would “reduce electricity bills, support thousands of jobs and improve UK energy security”.

Construction

The most eye-catching proposal is the possible construction of another power station as big as Sizewell in east England, construction on which is due to begin this year, and Hinkley in west England, which is currently under construction.

Both power stations will be capable of powering six million homes each.

The UK currently has nine operational nuclear reactors on five sites but many are nearing the end of their operating lives.

Six reactors on three sites have been shut down since 2021 and will be dismantled.

However, operator EDF announced in March that it was extending the life of two British power plants — Heysham 1 and Hartlepool.

The UK intends to build up to eight new reactors by 2050.

The government said on Sunday it will invest up to £300 million into producing the HALEU fuel required for new high-tech reactors, and which currently is only commercially produced in Russia.

“The UK will lead the way from its North West production hub to provide the world with this form of uranium fuel, with the first plant aiming to be operational early in the next decade,” said the government.

Regulators will also be allowed to assess projects while designs are finalised in a loosening of rules aimed at speeding along construction plans.

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WATCH: Man suffers heart attack while playing cricket, died

A tragic incident was reported, where a 36-year-old engineer suffered a heart attack while playing cricket and died in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, India.

Vikas Negi was collapsed on the pitch while taking a run during a cricket match in Noida Sector 135 and was later pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

A video of the incident went viral on social media platforms, showed the engineer collapsing in the middle of the pitch while going for a run.

WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO HERE: (Trigger Warning: Disturbing Visuals)

TRIGGER WARNING

A 34-year old from Noida died after suffering a heart attack during a cricket match.pic.twitter.com/YAgITxhkpR

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) January 9, 2024

Negi’s friends rushed him to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The initial reports from doctors suggest that Negi likely died of a heart attack, adding that Vikas Negi had a history of COVID-19, but had recovered well and was completely healthy.

However, the Indian Police have registered a case in this regard and the body has been sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death and rule out any foul play.

Meanwhile, police said that further investigation in the case is underway.

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Echo: Everything you need to know about new Marvel miniseries

Marvel Cinematic Universe celebrates this new year with a fresh miniseries about Maya Lopez, ‘Echo’, which premiered on Disney+ on Wednesday.

Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tv

Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, a five-episodic series, the tenth in the MCU, ‘Echo’ finally debuted on the streaming platform, Disney+ on January 10, after being delayed from the original November release, due to dual strikes which hit Hollywood studios, including the Writers Guild and SAG AFTRA.

The long-anticipated series shares continuity with the franchise films and is the spin-off to the 2021 series ‘Hawkeye’.

 

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As per the synopsis, ‘Echo’ follows former criminal gang leader of Tracksuit Mafia, Maya Lopez, a deaf native American, who ‘struggles to reconnect with her Native American roots while balancing aspirations tied to a life of crime as successor to the brutal legacy of Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin’.

Born-deaf American actor Alaqua Cox essays the titular Lopez in the series, also featuring Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs, Charlie Cox, Zahn McClarnon, Cody Lightning, Graham Greene, and Vincent D’Onofrio.

Respectively, Sydney Freeland and Catriona McKenzie directed four and one episodes of the series, created by Television writer and producer, Marion Dayre, who also serves as executive producer with Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Richie Palmer and Jason Gavin.

All five episodes of the Marvel series are now streaming on Walt Disney’s streaming services, Disney+ and Hulu.

‘The Marvels’ sets unwanted MCU record

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Murder case of private company’s finance manager registered in Karachi

KARACHI: Police on Wednesday registered a murder case of a private company’s finance manager, who was shot dead in Liaquatabad Underpass on Tuesday, ARY News reported.

Shakeel Shaikh, who was working as a finance manager in a private company located in Karachi’s Korangi area was targeted by unknown armed men inside Liaqutabad underpass when he was going to the office.

The case has been registered at Sharifabad police station under section 302 at the complaint of the deceased’s cousin, Salman.

According to FIR, Salman got a call from a man named Iftikhar about the death of Shakeel Shaikh en-route to his office.

Read more: Private company’s accountant shot dead in Karachi

The body was handed over to me as the deceased had no son or brother, Salman stated in his statement in FIR.

The applicant has pleaded for the arrest of the killers and strict action against them.

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IPP demands seven NA seats from PML-N for seat adjustment

LAHORE: The issue of seat adjustment between the PML-N and the IPP still to be finalized, citing sources ARY News reported on Wednesday.

The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) demanding seat adjustment on seven National Assembly constituencies from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) instead of five seats, sources said.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and the talks committee have been agreed to the IPP demand but conditioned it with the final approval of the party’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, party sources said.

PML-N has offered Jahangir Tareen to contest from Multan constituency instead of Lodhran. The PML-N will also be likely to enter in seat adjustment with IPP’s Noman Langrial in Sahiwal and Abdul Aleem Khan and Awn Chaudhry in Lahore, according to party sources.

The PML-N will likely to adjust with IPP’s Amir Kayani in Rawalpindi, Ghulam Sarwar in Taxila and a seat in Khushab.

Party sources said that IPP’s Samsam Bukhari refused the PML-N’s adjustment offer from another constituency instead of his native constituency.

The adjustment likely to be announced with approval of Nawaz Sharif by tomorrow, sources added.

Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif has summoned senior party leaders to his Jati Umra residence to discuss the election tickets issue.

He has also called the party’s coordinators from Punjab as well as other provinces, sources shared.

The PML-N likely to announce its tickets distribution today.

Sharif will hold final consultations with the party leaders about issues of seat adjustment with other parties.

The party is expected to announce the names of its national and provincial assemblies’ candidates today, sources added.

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PML-N, GDA set to ‘strike deal’ on seat adjustment in Sindh

KARACHI: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) have ‘almost finalised’ their seat adjustment deal for February 8 elections in Sindh, ARY News reported.

Sources privy to the development told ARY News that GDA is ready to support PML-N candidates on 8 provincial assembly and eight National assembly seats in Sindh.

An important meeting of four-party alliance will take place today to finalise matters pertaining to seat-adjustment in Sindh.

This four-party alliance, according to sources, comprises the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif recently visited Sindh and met with different parties to form electoral alliances.

During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif and Pir Pagara affirmed their commitment to collaboration, pledging to jointly participate in the forthcoming elections and extend mutual support as necessary.

Meanwhile, refuting the media reports of seat adjustment, Convener MQM-Pakistan Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said on Wednesday that his party will not withdraw its candidate in favour of PML-N’s Shehbaz Sharif from Karachi’s NA-242 constituency.

In a statement, Khalid Maqbool said that Mustafa Kamal will be MQM-P’s candidate from NA-242 – the constituency from where PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif is also contesting general elections.

“All reports regarding seat adjustment with PML-N on NA-242 seat are baseless,” he clarified.

Siddiqui’s clarification comes a day after it emerged that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N have agreed over seat adjustment on Karachi’s NA-242 seat.

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PTI founder also arrested in GHQ attack case

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former premier, who is already imprisoned in Adiala Jail in multiple cases, has been arrested in GHQ attack case relating to the May 9 violent protests, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi summoned Khan in connection with the GHQ attack case, as well as two other cases related to the arson at a metro station and the incitement of violence on May 9, 2023.

Khan, who is already behind bars in Adiala jail in the cipher and grafts cases, attended the court proceedings via video link, as he could not be produced in the court by the jail authorities owing to security concerns.

During the hearing, the RA Bazar police station officials sought physical remand of Imran Khan in the May 9 cases, but the ATC judge, Malik Aijaz Asif, turned down the request and directed the police to interrogate Khan in the jail.

The judge also issued notices to the prosecution and the defense lawyers to submit their arguments and evidence on the next hearing, which is scheduled for January 23, 2024.

Committee formed to probe May 9 violence

Earlier, the federal government constituted a cabinet committee to investigate the incidents of May 9.

According to the notification, the caretaker federal law and justice minister will be the convener committee. Other members of the committee include ministers of interior, information, and human rights.

The notification further stated that a new member can also be added to the committee to solve any problem.

Read More: Govt forms committee to probe May 9 violence

According to the terms of reference (TORs), the committee is mandated to examine the events leading up to the incidents of 9th may, 2023, with a view to ascertain the identity and role of mastermind, planners, facilitators and executors.

The committee will analyses the causes, and determine responsibility for these events. It will evaluate their immediate and long-term implications.

May 9 violence

The PTI chairman was arrested on May 9, 2023 from the premises of the Islamabad High Court, where he was attending a hearing in a corruption case. Khan, who served as the prime minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022, was accused of receiving illegal gifts and assets from foreign countries.

Imran Khan’s arrest sparked widespread protests and riots across the country, as his supporters and party workers took to the streets to demand his release.

The PTI protesters attacked and vandalized several civil and military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the army in Rawalpindi, the Jinnah House in Lahore, the Mianwali airbase and others. The protesters also burned vehicles, blocked roads, and clashed with the police and security forces.

More than 5,000 people were arrested and charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other laws for their involvement in the riots. The government also accused Khan of being the mastermind behind the attacks and said that it had evidence of his involvement.

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Pakistan Startup Fund launched by IT minister

Caretaker Minister for Information Technology Dr Umar Saif on Tuesday launched the Pakistan Startup Fund to catalyze investments in Pakistani startups.

Umar Said said Rs2 billion has been allocated to the Pakistan Startup Fund by the caretaker government to boost investment in Pakistani ventures.

The minister said the Pakistan Startup Fund will help the startups up to 30pc. He added that the Pakistan Startups Fund attracted foreign investment of $800 million in the last four years.

With PSF we hope to create a value of at least Rs 50 Billion per year in the startup ecosystem in Pakistan, he added.

Today we launched the Pakistan Startup Fund (PSF) which will invest up to Rs 2 Billion every year in Pakistani startups. The fund is structured as an equity-free capital to help close a VC round for a startup. PSF is designed to help a startup raise its first external investment.… pic.twitter.com/I0CGdZ9Js1

— Umar Saif (@umarsaif) January 9, 2024

Umar Saif further said currently, more than 4000 startups are working in Pakistan.

Read more: Pakistan’s first-ever IT Export Strategy announced

On Saturday, Caretaker Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunications Umar Saif announced good news for freelancers in Pakistan regarding PayPal payment gateway.

As per details, IT minister Dr Umar Said said that PayPal is ready to provide its services in Pakistan.

The international payments will be carried out in Pakistan through a third-party gateway by PayPal as they will establish their presence in Pakistan via a strategic partnership.

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Rizwan named vice-captain of Pakistan’s T20I team

The wicketkeeper-batsman, Mohammad Rizwan, appointed the vice-captain of Pakistan’s T20I team, ARY News reported on Monday.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Muhammad Rizwan as the vice-captain of the T20I national team led by Shaheen Shah Afridi for the series against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the first T20 match between Pakistan and New Zealand will be scheduled to be played on January 12 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Earlier today, the cricket team of Pakistan reached Auckland from Sydney, Australia, for a T20 international series against New Zealand.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan recently got whitewashed against Australia in a Test series.

Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (vc/wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir and Zaman Khan

Schedule of Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series

• 1st T20 – 12 January 2024 at Eden Park, Auckland
• 2nd T20 – 14 January 2024 at Seddon Park, Hamilton
• 3rd T20 – 17 January 2024 at University Oval, Dunedin
• 4th T20 – 19 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
• 5th T20 – 21 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch

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Woman ‘raped’ in Islamabad

A woman was ‘raped’ by an influential in Islamabad, ARY News reported on Sunday.  

As per details, a woman has accused the brother of two police officers in Islamabad police of raping her and alleged that police have denied registration of the case.

The woman alleged that the brother of the accused, Safdar, who is a police officer, is putting pressure for the settlement of the issue.

The ‘raped’ woman demanded justice.

Read more: Deaf and dumb girl raped in Punjab province, two held

It is pertinent to mention here incidents of rape and sexual assault against women have been reported time and again amid calls for strict action against the culprits.

A report on criminal activities in Lahore shared by police authorities on June 08 showed that 327 incidents of kidnapping were reported in the city of which also included eight women being sexually assaulted.

The figures were more than the previous year when 265 abduction cases were registered including gang-rape of four women.

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Somalia signs law ‘nullifying’ Ethiopia-Somaliland port pact

NAIROBI, Kenya: Somalia’s president has signed a law “nullifying” a contentious agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland in a largely symbolic gesture of his government’s displeasure over the deal to grant port access.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the law voided the “illegal” pact giving landlocked Ethiopia long-sought access to the Red Sea through Somaliland, a separatist northwestern region over which Somalia exercises little real authority.

The central government in Mogadishu has vowed to strenuously oppose by any legal means the port agreement between regional power Ethiopia and Somaliland, whose 1991 claim of independence from Somalia is not recognised internationally.

Somalia called the surprise pact signed on Monday an act of “aggression” and a violation of its sovereignty and appealed for international support.

It staunchly opposes Somaliland’s claim to independence but in reality has little say over the affairs of the de facto state, which has its own government, security forces and currency and a long coastline on one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

Somaliland’s leadership has said Ethiopia would “formally recognise the Republic of Somaliland” under the deal, but this has not been confirmed by the government in Addis Ababa.

The agreement has raised tensions in the Horn of Africa and the African Union, United States, European Union and the Arab League have called for calm and for Somalia’s sovereignty to be respected.

The memorandum of understanding gives Ethiopia access to commercial maritime services and a military base, with Somaliland leasing it 20 kilometres (12 miles) of coastline for 50 years.

Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa and one of the biggest landlocked nations in the world, was cut off from the coast after Eritrea seceded and declared independence in 1993 following a three-decade war.

Addis Ababa had maintained access to a port in Eritrea until the two countries went to war in 1998-2000, and since then Ethiopia funnels most of its trade through Djibouti.

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Actor Christian Oliver, daughters die in a plane crash

Hollywood actor and stuntman Christian Oliver (Klepser), along with his two pre-teen daughters, has died in a small plane crash.

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As per the reports from foreign-based news agencies, German actor Christian Oliver, best known for his work in ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’, ‘Speed Racer’ and ‘Valkyrie’, and his two daughters, Madita, 12, and Annik, 10, were killed in a plane crash on Thursday.

According to the details shared by the authorities, a small, single-engine plane carrying three of a family and pilot-owner Robert Sachs, took off on Thursday afternoon from J.F. Mitchell Airport on the tiny island of Bequia, heading to St Lucia, when it crashed into the sea off a Caribbean island.

While the cause of the crash is under investigation, local media reports suggest that the pilot was experiencing trouble shortly after taking off and was on the way back, as informed in the last communication from the plane.

US actor Christian Oliver and his two daughters died in a plane crash near a tiny private island in the eastern Caribbean, according to police in St Vincent and the Grenadines.https://t.co/i0MwuG8E4Y pic.twitter.com/xrgxbDMYW6

— Jamaica Observer (@JamaicaObserver) January 5, 2024

“Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced difficulties and nose-dived into the ocean. Fishermen and divers from Paget Farm went to the scene of the incident in their boats to render assistance,” said the statement from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force on the incident.

Officials also confirmed that all four dead bodies have been recovered.

‘Black Panther’ actor Carrie Bernans injured in NYC hit-and-run

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