ISLAMABAD, AUG 09 (DNA) – The Sindh High Court has raised several questions over the prosecution during the hearing of Baldia Factory fire tragedy case saying it seems the big fish are being protected in this case.

The court inquired of the Rangers prosecution had they appealed the acquittal of ex-MPA and MQM leader Rauf Siddiqui. When the prosecution replied in negative, the high court judge, Justice Karim Khan Agha remarked that the prosecution should take action against him.

The Sindh High Court on Monday heard the Baldia Factory fire tragedy case in Karachi. The court raised question over the prosecution and asked why it had not challenged the acquittal of Rauf Siddiqui.

“It looks like that big fish are being provided protection. In small cases, if prosecution can file appeal, then why it did not file appeal in this case,” the SHC said and added ‘what stops court to take action against the prosecution’.

During the hearing of the case, Justice Agha asked Rangers prosecutor Rana Khalid had anybody acquitted in this case?

Khalid told the court that ex-provincial minister Rauf Siddiqui had acquitted. Justice Agha further questioned, had the prosecution appealed his acquittal.

When Rana Khalid replied in negative, the judge showed his annoyance over it saying the court could take action against the prosecution.  The court asked the prosecution to submit a reply in this regard in three months.

The junior lawyer said that barrister Faisal Siddiqui could not come to the court due to his busy schedule. On non-availability of the lawyer, the court rejected the plea of the heirs of the Baldia Factory fire victims to become party to the case.

The court further said that if barrister Faisal wanted to help the state, he could do so.

In Sept 2020, an anti-terrorism court awarded death penalty to two MQM workers, Zubair aka Charya and Abdul Rehman aka Bhola, who found guilty of setting fire to a garments factory in Karachi on September 11, 2012 which killed 264 people, majority of them were factory workers. The factory’s four gatekeepers — Shahrukh, Fazal Ahmed, Arshad Mehmood and Ali Mohammad — were also convicted for facilitating the carnage.

However, the court acquitted MQM leader Rauf Siddiqui, then-provincial minister for commerce and industries, and three others — Iqbal Adeel Khanum, Umar Hassan and Dr Abdul Sattar Khan citing that prosecution failed to establish the charge against them. In January 2018, Rauf Siddiqui was declared accused in the Baldia factory fire. = DNA

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 09 (DNA) – For the inflation-hit public, there is another bad news for the power consumers as the government has made a plan to reduce the subsidy given on electricity.

The government was advised to slash 40% subsidy given to the undeserving power consumers. This would result in Rs57 billion savings. Sources revealed that the undeserving consumers are being given an annual subsidy to the tune of Rs142 billion.

According to the documents, the process of subsidy structuring is suggested to be completed in three stages. For domestic consumers, there is a suggestion of restructuring of power tariff. The government is recommended to form a new category for those consumers who are using 200 units per month.

The customers who will use 200 units per month for a period of six months consecutively, are recommended to remain safe from the effects of power tariff price surge.The documents suggest a gradual reduction in the net subsidy for the undeserving consumers.

The sources said the circulation debt will be decreased following the reduction in the subsidy. The subsidy will be given to the deserving consumers only, they maintained and added that the deserving power customers will be safeguarded against the rise in electricity prices.

Sources further divulged that the government has been advised to abolish subsidies for undeserving consumers in phases in a period of five years. It is also recommended to withdraw the previously available slab’s benefit to the undeserving consumers. = DNA

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Islamabad: /DNA/ – The COVID-19 has hit even the economies of developed countries that are still struggling to get revived back. On contrary, the international financial institutions that have been sharing concerns about the economic indicators of Pakistan are today quoting examples of measures we have taken during the pandemic. The prices of edible oil and petroleum products tend to go up and thus, it is impacting Pakistan as well. The halt of trade with India through borders is also having its impact on the prices. The provincial governments and district administrations need to play their role to keep the prices in check. Dr Abid Suleri, Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), said this during a special session held by Progressive Writers Association, here at national Press Club, Islamabad.  

Dr Suleri on the occasion said that the economy tends to get under pressure due to imbalance between income and expenditure. It was a general perception that Pakistan and several other countries will be facing economic slowdown and food insecurity. However, in practical terms, people in countries like America were seen looting food items and stores due to shortage of these items. In Pakistan, not a single hunger related death has been reported and it was made possible due to some steps under social protection mechanisms. The effectiveness of these measures has been acknowledged at global level.  

“The growth rate of Pakistan was being projected as 1.3% to 1.5% by international financial institutions but Pakistan has been able to achieve a growth rate of 3.9%,” Dr Suleri said while attributing this success to special incentives to various sectors of economy, Smart lockdown policy, and steps to respond reservations shared by FATF, especially to curb illegal channels for the transactions of remittances. Roashan Digital Account is also a positive step and helped in winning trust at international level.       

The Executive Director of SDPI added further that the money that could not be spent by rich Pakistanis on international tourism etc. also remained in circulation within country and thus, helped in getting better indicators. Due to regulation of the remittances, Pakistan receives remittances from Saudi Arabia worth 7 billion dollars and from UAE, 6.5 billion dollars. The increase in importance and lesser exports however resulted as pressure on rupee which could be tackle through right policies of the State Bank of Pakistan.  

Dr Suleri hinted on the occasion that the government tends to import 0.6-million-ton sugar and 2.0-million-ton wheat to ensure food security in the country. In response to various queries raised by the participants, he said that the provincial governments and district administration should come forward to play role in keeping the prices in check whereas government should help people to increase their income to be able to absorb the shocks they face due to inflation.  

ISLAMABAD, AUG 9 /DNA/ – An important meeting on Muharram ul Haram was held under the chairmanship of CDA Chairman at CDA Headquarters Islamabad on Monday in which Member Admin, Member Engineering, DIG Operations, SSP Traffic Police, AIG Special Branch, AIG Islamabad, DC Islamabad and other senior officers gave a detailed briefing to the CDA Chairman on the special arrangements to be made during Muharram ul Haram.

In addition, on the special instructions of the CDA administration, the relevant staff of the Sanitation Department will be on duty 24 hours a day at different times on the routes of Majalis and processions of Muharram. A 24-hour high alert has been issued on special orders

It should be noted that in the light of the orders of the CDA administration, the best arrangements for cleaning and lighting for the mourners on the routes of majalis and processions are in full swing so that the citizens do not face any difficulties. Any incompetency and shortcomings in the affairs will not be tolerated at all

In addition, instructions have been issued to the CDA administration and the district administration to be in constant touch with each other round the clock, orders have also been issued to the concerned departments, in addition emergency response centers are also high alert during the Moharam on 24 hours in the light of CDA administration orders.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 9 /DNA/ – Ulemas-Mashaykh and leadership of different religious schools or thought while denouncing Hindu temple attack in Sadiqabad called for strict legal action against the perpetrators and also announced to observe Friday (August 13, 2021) as ‘Unity or Ummah Day’.

For restoration of law and order situation and religious harmony during the month of Muharramul Haram, and to ensure implementation on Coronavirus SOPs, a meeting was held here on Monday at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in the chair of Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Special Aide to Prime Minister on Interfaith Harmony and Middle East, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, in which Code of Conduct was issued for restoration of religious harmony during  Muharramul Haram in accordance of Paigham-e-Pakisran draft.

The meeting  was held under the auspices of Parliamentary Secretary for Religious Affairs Aftab Jahangir and Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs Sardar Ijaz Khan Jaffer and was attended by leading Ulemas-Mashaykh including Allama Arif Wahidi, Maulana Chiraguddin Shah, Maulana Tanveer Alvi, Maulana Abu Bakar Hameed Sabri, Maulana Tahir Aqeel Awan, Pir Azmatullah Sultan, Maulana Abdul Qudoos, Allama Akhtar Abbas, Allama Basharat Emami, Maulana Sharif Hazarawi, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad and Senior officials from Ministry of Interior Affairs, Ministry of Health, officials of NCOC attended the meeting and put forward various proposals for maintaining law and order, promoting Interfaith harmony and preventing the Coronavirus in the country.

After deliberation, the meeting agreed on the following points.

 1) All schools of thought will cultivate an atmosphere of honour and affection, tolerance and understanding among themselves.

2) Respect for the leadership of other religious sects; Insulting and desecrating each other’s sanctities will be avoided.

3)  Religious scholars, preachers and writers should create balance and moderation in their speeches and writings. 

4) Avoid provocative statements and writings that may offend others.

5) Resolve sectarian disputes in the light of the principles of mutual consultation, understanding and serious dialogue. 

6) Slander against one another’s opponents from the public platform will be completely avoided.

 7) The respect and honour of the spouses  of the Prophet, the Companions of the Prophet, the Ahl al-Bayt, the saints, the followers and the sanctity of the renowned scholars of Ummah will be kept and none of them will be subjected to insult and degradation. 

8) Scholars of all schools of thought will remain united and in collaboration in perspective of national issues and circumstances.

9) Scholars and preachers should also mention the sacrifices of Kashmiris in the context of Karbala.Meanwhile Expressing solidarity with the Kashmiris spread the oppression against people of Kashmir to the world.

10) Strict implementation of SOPs issued by the government in rallies / meetings for the prevention of Coronavirus pandemic will be ensured.

11) Such meetings should also be held at the respective provincial and district level so that an atmosphere of interfaith harmony is maintained throughout the country during the month of Muharramul Haram and at the same time prevention of the coronavirus is possible.

 12) The coming Friday should be observed as Unity of Ummah Day. 

13) Ulemas and Mashaikhs condemn the vandalism to the Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan and demand from the government that those responsible for the incident should be punished according to law.