Home Blog Page 2737

PAKISTANI KIDNAPPED IN MOROCCO RECOVERED

Dr. Ikram was kidnapped and held hostage by his in-laws; Pakistan embassy intervened and helped recover Ikram; Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan played key role in this recover; Dr. Ikram all praise for Pakistani mission and staff for quick action

Special Report

RABAT: The Pakistan embassy in Rabat, Morocco has helped recover a Pakistani doctor who was reportedly kidnapped by his in-laws. Dr. Ikram Ullah, a Ph.D after his release visited the Pakistan embassy in Rabat and met with Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan and expressed his gratitude.

It may be mentioned here that brother of Dr. Ikram had sent a plea to Pakistani mission in Rabat asking for help. In his plea he had mentioned that his brother Dr. Ikram Ullah (Ph.D), national of Pakistan with passport ID BU1324122 was held hostage for the last two weeks at the residence of his now ex-wife Wiam El Alami daughter of Ahmed Bin Mohammed and Fatiha Bint Mohammed at her parent’s residence located at 65 MARJANE 1 TRANCHE 1 MEKNES.

They were married in August 2019 at Morocco with the consent and blessings of their parents at Wiam’s residence in an intimate family gathering. Their marriage was registered at Morroco.  After marriage Dr. Ikram went to China to continue his Post Doctoral research.

Later, Ikram and his wife visited Ikram’s parents in Pakistan in Feb 2020. After spending some days here, his wife went to Morocco to see her parents. After that, lockdown started in result of Covid-19.Since then, Feb-March 2020 his wife was in Morocco and Ikram in Pakistan.-

Last month Dr. Ikram flew to Morocco as flights resumed and he got two months visa from Morocco embassy after lot of effort to meet his wife and also to attend final marriage ceremony which was postponed last time due to visa issues. After three days once he reached there, Wiam and her family closed internet on him, took away his passport, return ticket, held him hostage, kept him in seclusion, mentally tortured him and demanded divorce to which he conceded.

His brother further narrated that somehow, he got internet and contacted his friends and family to report the matter in the mission to rescue him. Our last and only contact with him since he left for Morocco was on last Thursday, 6th of May 2021. He was terrified and scared to the core. He told us that they had taken divorce from him on Quran and wanted him to appear in court for the same to which he agreed.

He told us that he will contact us after that hearing in the court but he didn’t. Since then, we haven’t heard from him. We are very much concerned about his safety and life. We want immediate intervention of our mission in Morocco to take up the matter with Moroccan authorities to rescue him and take him out for his safe return to his family in Pakistan, the plea concluded.

Upon this letter, the Pakistan embassy contacted the in-laws and wife of the doctor and asked them to free him. Upon refusal, the Pakistan mission started weighing all its legal options. As a final resort, doctor was released when he told the captives that Pakistani embassy team along with police force was on its way to Meknes.

Dr. Ikram in his video message thanked the Pakistani embassy staff and especially Ambassador Hamid for quick action. He said the way Ambassador took personal interest in this matter is a clear manifestation of his earnest desire to help Pakistani Diaspora and those trapped in difficult situations like him.

Govt failed to control inflation: Bilawal

KARACHI, MAY 17 (DNA) – Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said that government has failed to control inflation in the country and no relief was provided to masses even at Eid.

Bilawal Bhutto, in his statement lashed out at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and said that Prime Minister Imran Khan spent Eid at Nathia Gali despite ban on tourism, while common was left at mercy of inflation. PPP Chairman said that masses, who are forced to buy milk at Rs150/liter and dry fruits at 50 percent inflated prices, are disheartened from PTI government. Despite claims on Eid, Imran Khan failed to do anything to stop inflation, he added.

Won’t spare those who looted country: PM Imran

ISLAMABAD, MAY 17 (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that the government doesn’t have enmity with anyone but cannot spare those who looted the country.

The prime minister presided over a meeting in Islamabad and took the party and government members and spokespersons in confidence regarding Saudi Arabia visit.

Federal ministers, special assistants, advisers and other officials attended the meeting. The meeting reviewed the agreements signed with Saudi Arabia during the visit. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Malik Amin Aslam briefed the meeting.

PM Imran Khan was apprised about the details of Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia. The premier was also given briefing on the duration of the sentences of the prisoners, details of the fines and repatriation.

Imran Khan was also briefed on the Billion Tree Tsunami Project. The meeting also held consultations on advancing several projects with various countries, including Saudi Arabia. Speaking on the occasion, the PM said, “Our political struggle is for the rule of law and justice, adding that accountability process and struggle for rule of law will continue.”

Virus infects 3,232 more people

ISLAMABAD: The national tally of total active COVID-19 cases on Monday recorded 68,223 with 3,232 new cases during the last 24 hours.

According to the latest update issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 3,754 virus patients recovered and 74 died.

Sixty-three (63) were under treatment in the hospital, 36 of them were on ventilators and 11 out of the hospital in their respective quarantines or homes. Most of the deaths were occurred in Punjab followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Some 36,725 tests were conducted across the country on Sunday, including 14,792 in Sindh, 15,543 in Punjab, 3,724 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 1,372 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), 604 in Balochistan, 319 in GB, and 371 in AJK.

Around 792,522 people were recovered from the disease so far across Pakistan making it a significant count with over 90 percent recovery ratio of the affected patients.

AFZAL LATIF APPOINTED SECY ESTAB

DNA
 
ISLAMABAD: The Establishment Division Monday ordered transfers and posting of high ranking officers. A Grade 22 officer of PAS Afzal Latif has been appointed Federal Secretary Establishment Division.


Khalid Khurshid Kunwar, a BS-21 officer of Railways (Commercial & Transportation) Group, presently posted as Senior Joint Secretary, Communications Division, is transferred and repatriated to his parent department, Railways Division, with immediate effect.

Similarly, Neelofur Hafeez, a BS-20 officer of Secretariat Group, presently severing as Joint Secretary, Finance Division is transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, Economic Affairs Division with immediate effect until further orders.

While, Dr. Faheem Muhammad, a BS-20 officer of Inland Revenue Service (IRS), presently posted as Director-General, National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), on deputation basis, is transferred and repatriated to his parent department, Federal Board of Revenue, with immediate effect.

SAPM Zulfi Bukhari resigns over allegations

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari has resigned from his post over allegations made against him in Rawalpindi Ring Road inquiry. 

The SAPM, who is known as Zulfi Bukhari, made the announcement on Twitter.

Bukhari said that he resigned from the post as PM Imran Khan has always maintained that a person named in an inquiry should resign from public office till, he or she are cleared of charges.

“My prime minister has always said that if a person has been named rightly or wrongly in any inquiry he should cease to hold any public office till his name has been cleared of charges. Owing to the allegations in ongoing Ring Road inquiry I want to set this example by resigning from office until my name is cleared up of any allegations and media’s obnoxious lies,” said Bukhari.

The SAPM, who is a close confidante of PM Imran Khan, reiterated that he has nothing to do with Rawalpindi Ring Road or any ongoing Real Estate project of the country.

However, he urged that the “inquiry should be done by capable personnel” and backed the idea of “judicial inquiry” of the project.

“I’m here to stay in Pakistan and stand united with the prime minister and his vision. I sacrificed my life overseas to come and serve my country, I am ready to face any inquiry,” said the SAPM. 

Last week, the Punjab government removed six mid-career officers over their alleged involvement in the Rawalpindi Ring Road scam, a report in The News said.

An inquiry had been held at the highest level in the provincial government after which it emerged that changes had been made to the actual plan of the Rawalpindi Ring Road to create new road infrastructures.

FM Qureshi, Palestinian envoy slam Israeli aggression

: Ambassador of Palestine Ahmed Rabei in a meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi

Says Pakistan supports whole-heartedly to the brother and sisters of Palestine; Ambassador of Palestine thanks minister for unwavering support

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has strongly condemned violence by the Israeli forces against innocent worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Foreign Minister expressed these views during a meeting with Ambassador of Palestine Ahmed Rabei who called on the minister at his office.

 While conveying his deepest sorrow and condolences for the innocent victims of lethal attacks by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza and the West Bank, he categorically condemned IDF’s continuous and indiscriminate attacks that had resulted in martyrdom of more than 182 Palestinians, including 39 children and 22 women, and injured more than 1000. Reassuring Ambassador Rabaei of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts, Foreign Minister Qureshi briefed him about his outreach to Foreign Ministers of important regional partners.

Ambassador Rabaei expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s unwavering support and steadfast policy on Palestine. He appreciated Pakistan’s continuous efforts to engage the international community for protecting Palestine.

 The Palestinian Ambassador apprised the Foreign Minister about the latest situation on ground, which was already dreadful due to COVID-19, and the ensuing humanitarian suffering.

Terminated officials to be restored on MD PTV’s directions

Managing Director PTV is once again making concerted efforts to illegally reinstate these individual which is in gross violation to the specific orders of the Prime Minister

Islamabad: ​In blatant disregard of the directions of the Prime Minister, Managing Director PTV is all set to illegally restore through back channel, seven contractual officials drawing high salary packages whose services had been terminated by the PTV Board of Directors.

​It may recalled that the PTV BoD in its 243rd meeting held on December, 7th, 2020 had decided to the cap the salary packages of contractual employees at Rs. 350,000/- . The board further resolved to terminate the services of seven contractual employees that had been employed on posts specially created for these individuals without advertising the position or obtaining concurrence from the Ministry of Finance which is in gross violation of rules and judgments of the superior courts.

​According to well placed sources, the Managing Director PTV dissented the decision of the board. He raised the matter of their re-instatement during a meeting with the Prime Minister in February, 2021, wherein the Prime Minister did not accede to the request and directed that as the appointment of these individuals was irregular and on heavy packages, on no count should they be restored.  

​Seven of these individuals, namely Khawar Azhar, Asim Baig, Nasir Naqvi, Nadeem Niazi, Tahir Mushtaq, Qatrina Hosain and Khurram Mushtaq filed a writ against their termination before the Islamabad High Court which was dismissed in illumine, which was not challenged and has attained finality. ​With the cabinet reshuffle in March, 2021, Managing Director PTV is once again making concerted efforts to illegally reinstate these individual which is in gross violation to the specific orders of the Prime Minister. While the Federal Minister for Information has denied that any such move is on the cards, offices have been allocated to these individuals and reinstatement letters are likely to be issued today by Pakistan Television. Sources privy to the facts have expressed amazement and dismay at the move by Managing Director PTV and fear that it is likely to became the source of another major scandal at the national broadcaster and embarrassment to the office of the Prime Minister.

NA condemns Israeli attacks in Palestine

The resolution urged the international community and Muslim countries to adopt effective strategies against Israel

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday has tabled a resolution in National Assembly (NA) against the brutalities of Israel in Palestine.

The resolution demanded emergency meeting of Security Council to take action against the attacks of Israeli forces on innocent Palestinians. It also urged the international community and Muslim countries to adopt effective strategies against Israel.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Monday the PTI-led government would never step back from the country’s stance on Palestine and Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

FM Qureshi, speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, said he would leave for Turkey tonight and meet his Turkish, Palestinian, and Sudanese counterparts there.

He said Pakistan, Turkey, Sudan, and Palestine’s foreign ministers would visit New York and raise their voices against Israel’s aggression in the Gaza Strip at the UN General Assembly.

“I will represent the voices of 22 million Pakistanis in New York,” he said.

Permanent Observer Mission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to the United Nations will contact the president of UNGA and ask him to summon a session on the issue immediately, he said.

FM Qureshi said the war-like situation in Palestine should come to an end as innocent Palestinians are being martyred every day.

“Even the people in Western countries aren’t quiet about it,” he said. “Tomorrow, the European Union has called its meeting of foreign ministers to deliberate over the matter of Palestine — given that they have 65 million Muslims residing there, so they won’t let them down.”

The foreign minister said Pakistan had adopted a clear stance during a session of the OIC yesterday, where it demanded Israel’s crimes against humanity should not escape accountability.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif addressed the floor of the Lower House and spoke in detail about the ongoing situation in Palestine.

The PML-N president said he would not shed light on the government’s tactics against the Opposition as the lawmakers had gathered today to voice their concerns against Israel’s attacks on Palestine.

Innocent people were attacked in Al-Aqsa Mosque after which Israel’s air force pummeled the Gaza strip and destroyed numerous homes, the Opposition leader said.

“Since 1948, the way that Israeli governments and their armed forces have attacked Palestinians is not hidden from anyone,” he said.

In East Jerusalem, extremists had chanted “Death to Arabs” and the entire world witnessed the attacks on innocent Palestinians after that, he said.

He said that six to seven million Palestinians have been displaced from their homes because of Israeli aggression, adding that if a Muslim country had restored to such atrocities, then war would have been started against it.

“Today, international media is silent. If another country had killed so many innocent civilians, the whole world would have imposed sanctions on it,” said Shahbaz.

Shahbaz further said that Islamic countries should represent people’s emotions regarding the Palestine issue, adding that Muslim nations should unite and voice their concerns without wasting time. He also suggested that Pakistan should observe “Youm-e-Quds” on Friday to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and said that Pakistan should send relief to Palestine through the Red Cross.

Stay Connected

64FansLike
60FollowersFollow

Latest Reviews

Exchange Rates

USD - United States Dollar
EUR
1.14
GBP
1.34
AUD
0.70
CAD
0.71