Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa declared on Monday that no journalist or member of the public can be prevented by the Supreme Court from voicing criticism. He also instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) not to file a lawsuit against any of these individuals for their criticism of the highest court. During a suo motu case hearing on journalist harassment, the chief justice addressed the investigative body and directed the immediate removal of notices sent to journalists who had criticised judges. The top court postponed the hearing on the harassment of journalists to Tuesday (tomorrow), directing the director general of the FIA to meet with the journalists. In addition, the federal government was ordered by the court to provide a report on the tormenting of journalists within two weeks.
Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, has attributed the nation’s long-standing issues on “powerful lobbies and bureaucracy,” calling his party’s manifesto solution for all the challenges ahead of the national elections. Bilawal was discussing his party’s manifesto, “Chuno Nai Soch Ko (Choose new thinking)” with students on Monday at the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST) campus in Islamabad. The PPP chairman reaffirmed his commitment to help the poor after eliminating all subsidies to the upper strata of society, promising tough steps to break the hold of elites and powerful lobbyists. With the election on February 8, all political parties are gearing up for battle, their platforms and pledges aimed at appeasing voters.
According to Interior Minister Dr. Gohar Ejaz, the administration is committed to protecting people’s lives and property in addition to maintaining law and order. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Golra Police Station building in Islamabad today, he announced that 13 police stations in the federal capital have started the process of being renovated, and in 30 days, they will all have a state-of-the-art look. In a same vein, the government is working to transform Islamabad’s hospitals into models of excellence that benefit the populace. He promised improvements to the Polyclinic and PIMS hospital facilities.
President Shehbaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) made a jab at Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday, stating that the “lion” would roar in the nationwide polls on February 8 while the political rivals would hold “mourning processions” following devastating blows. In anticipation of the next national elections, political tensions increased between PML-N and PPP as they continued their verbal sparring at their rallies with an aim towards taking the prime ministership. During an election rally in Sialkot, he took aim at the PPP chairman, saying that he was acting like a “referee of a football match” by showing different cards to workers and Kisan participants. Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the PML-N, will take over as prime minister for the fourth time.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Sunday that February 8 is the day for the people to carry out their duties and cautioned against placing all the blame for democracy’s problems on politicians. In describing the elections as a process that relied on the people, Fazl stated that the days coming up to February 8 were the time for the people to fulfil their role. In Larkana, the JUI-F head told his followers, “People would be responsible for the good or the bad [result on February 8].” The chief is targeting a strong showing in upper Sindh, where he has been able to garner a huge support base because of a multitude of economic, social, and political factors.
Pakistan has received condolences from Iran on the death of nine of its labourers on Iranian soil. In a statement, the Iranian envoy to Pakistan denounced the murders of Pakistani labourers in Iran and declared that Tehran and Islamabad would not stand for harm to their relations to be done. The Iranian diplomat declared, “Iran and Pakistan will not allow enemies to cause damage to the countries’ brotherly relations.” His comments were made just hours after unidentified gunmen shot and killed at least nine Pakistani citizens in the Saravan district of the province of Sistan and Baluchestan in southeast Iran, injuring three more. Out of the dead, five were from different parts of Punjab province’s Alipur and had been employed in Iran.
Haji Ghulam Ali, the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated on Sunday that no one is unaware of the sacrifices made by the tribal people for the nation and the country. The federal and provincial governments are taking comprehensive steps to end the deprivations of the merged districts, and very soon the tribal areas will be brought on par with other developed areas of the province. Everyone must contribute to the development and prosperity of the nation. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of the country. In a meeting with a delegation of 60 elders, youth, and supporters of Baizai Hassan Khel, led by Amanullah Mohmand from Mohmand District, he shared these opinions. Mayor Haji Zubair Ali of Peshawar was also present on this occasion.
Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori has said that individuals over 75 who have never completed the sacred journey will be granted extended opportunities to complete the Hajj and Umrah. He made this announcement at a media conference following his visit to the Sindh Government Hospital in Liaquatabad (SGHL). “Such persons should register themselves with Governor House and they would be sent to holy mosques after balloting” , he added. Additionally, Governor Sindh declared that he will take on a large number of these pupils whose parents cannot pay the high cost of tuition and books. He continued, “Such parents can also approach 1366.” He claimed that improvements are needed to address the emergency at Sindh Government Hospital Liaquatabad, which is comparable to the emergencies at the Jinnah, Civil, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospitals.
The president of UNRWA, the UN agency that helps Palestine refugees, has urged some countries to reconsider their decision to stop financing since it could jeopardise the organization’s life-saving efforts, particularly in Gaza. The suspension of money in response to accusations made against a small group of employees was alarming, according to a statement released by UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini. Sanctioning an organisation and the community as a whole due to accusations of criminal activity against certain individuals would be incredibly reckless, particularly during a period of political unrest , conflict, and displacement in the area. Lazzarini asked the nations that withdrew their financial support to reconsider their choices before UNRWA is compelled to cease its humanitarian efforts.
All political parties have equal opportunities to participate in the elections, according to Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, and millions of people will be able to freely choose their representatives. In different interviews, he declared that holding peaceful elections is the top priority of the caretaker administration and that the Election Commission would receive all necessary assistance. He disregarded the idea of prohibiting internet and social media use during the election season. Regarding the relationship between Pakistan and India, he stated that while Pakistan is a responsible nuclear power, it would retaliate violently should India do any unwise actions. He added that Kashmir is the sole point of contention between Pakistan and India. According to the prime minister, terrorism is on the rise in Pakistan.
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