ISLAMABAD – Five officials of the Counter Terrorism Department were arrested after being booked on Saturday for the murder of a 22-year-old man in Islamabad earlier in the day.

According to the first information report of the incident, registered on the complaint of the deceased’s father, Nadeem Younis Satti, at the capital’s Ramna police station, Osama received multiple bullets and died on the spot after the policemen opened fire at his car on Kashmir Highway.

Satti said his son’s body was shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences where it was found he had received one bullet in his head, one in his chest and the others all over his body.

He further claimed that the policemen had shot dead his son “brutally” over a mere exchange of words the previous day after which they had threatened his son. “My son lost his life due to an ordinary exchange of terse words,” Satti said in the FIR, adding that his son had told him about the verbal altercation after it had happened.

Police, on the other hand, said the incident was a case of “misunderstanding”. Spokesperson for Islamabad police, sub-divisional police officer Khalid Awan, said police had received reports of a fleeing car after a robbery in Shams colony.

“Coincidentally Osama’s car was also in the vicinity,” he said, adding that it seemed suspicious to an anti-terror squad, which at first motioned the vehicle to stop but opened fire once it did not comply.

“After Islamabad police chief took notice and other senior officials reached the scene, they determined the deceased was innocent and started proceedings following which the squad personnel were taken into custody,” he said.

Osama had gone out to drop a friend at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) around 2am, according to his father, who alleged that the five policemen had followed his son before attacking.

“They forced his car to stop and then in a display of terrorism and barbarity they fired 17 bullets at the car from all four sides,” Satti said in the FIR.

The FIR, which was registered under section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, and sections 302 (premeditated murder), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon) and 149 (common intention/object) of the Pakistan Penal Code, identified the shooters as Mudassar Iqbal, Shakeel Ahmed, Muhammad Mustafa, Saeed Ahmed and Iftikhar Ahmed.

All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran (APAT), a traders’ body of which Satti is a member, condemned the incident. The president of the APAT, Ajmal Baloch, said the youth’s killing was “the worst example of police brutality”. He called for immediate arrests of the accused and an inquiry in the high court.

“The trader’s son was a student, not a terrorist. The trader community of Islamabad strongly protests this unnecessary killing,” said Baloch.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmed took notice of the incident and ordered a judicial inquiry, to be conducted by an additional district magistrate, into the police firing of Osama Satti, a statement from his office said.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 02 (DNA): Advisor to Prime Minister on Accountability and
Interior Shahzad Akbar has said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif has failed to satisfy National
Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Talking to media persons along with Special Assistant to Prime Minister
on Youth Affairs Usman Dar, Barrister Shahzad Akbar has said that
Khawaja Asif had assets worth Rs5.1 million in 1993 and the PML-N leader
has no proof of Rs2.2 million monthly income he received from UAE.

He said the assets of former federal minister Khawaja Asif multiplied in
various cities of the country especially during his stint as minister in
PML-N’s tenure. In 1993, Khawaja had only Rs 5.1 million assets that too
was in shape of his inherited house.
The declared assets of Khawaja Asif touched Rs 118 million mark in the
2013 but on query he failed to explain any legitimate reason of the
increase in assets.

Khawaja Asif had been receiving 2.2 million rupees per month salary from
a Dubai firm during his stint a minister in Pakistan from 2013-18. He
claimed receiving a sum of Rs 140 million in five years as salary in
cash.

Khawaja was perhaps world’s only employee who received millions in cash
as salary. Later Khawaja transferred that amount from his Dubai account
to Pakistan through Telegraphic Transfer (TT). Obviously which was not a
legitimate source.

Furthermore the salary payment to Khawaja Asif was stopped with the
completion of the five years term of (PML-N) Pakistan Muslim League
Nawaz. Khawaja Asif purchased a Rs 80 million plot in Gujranwala
September 2014 and sold to same party after few months to Rs 40 million.

Khwaja Asif also claimed selling a plot adjacent to his home in Sialkot
at Rs 125 million, he said adding, the cheque of the sale agreement was
showing Nov 28,2018 as date of payment.

After investigation it was transpired that the same bank was bogus as
the same cheque was issued by the relevant bank three months after the
sale deed. Interestingly the sale plot was still in custody of Khawaja
Asif.

Another Rs 150 million transaction of rice export was proved bogus.
Khawaja failed to explain the source of that transaction.

No source was explained of the transactions of Rs 507 million from the
year 2009 to 2018, he said adding that proving corruption was difficult
in the absence of documented economy.

Shahzad Akbar said under the law, unexplained wealth of a public office
holder was perceived to be corruption. Responding to a question, he
lauded the performance of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for
making record recoveries as comparing to recoveries made during  PML-N
regime by same NAB.

To another question, he said an inquiry committee headed by Senior
Superintendent of Police has been constituted to probe Islamabad
incident in which the police allegedly killed a student the other day.
Judicial inquiry of same case could also be conducted if required. He
said he has recommended legislation for improving performance of
Islamabad police.

Dispelling the impression that the government was committing political
victimization of its opponents, Usman Dar said the investigation,
carried out by the departments concerned including National
Accountability Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency, had completely
exposed the corruption of Khawaja Asif.

He said if that was the political victimization then it could have done
some two and half years ago when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf came into
power. “Political victimization did not take two and half years,” he
added.

The SAPM hoped that investigation of the concerned agencies would surely
bring more evidences before the nation about the corruption, committed
by Khawaja Asif.

Recalling his legal conflict against Khawaja Asif, Usman Dar said he had
moved to the Election Commission of Pakistan against him and submitted a
copy of his contract with a United Arab Emirates-based private company
to the Islamabad High Court that led to his disqualification.

However, the PML-N leader got relief from the apex court due to various
reasons, he added.  Usman Dar said there would be no such example in the
world that a defence minister of a country had a contract with a foreign
company and drawing 50,000 dirham salary per month. This could only
happen in Pakistan where people like Khwaja Asif considered themselves
above the law.

Referring to the senior PML-N leadership, he said all of them including
Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Nawaz Sharif had followed the same model,
adopted in Hudaibiya Paper Mills case to commit corruption.

The country’s institutions were weakened when its prime minister and
ministers committed corruption, he remarked while pointing out massive
corruption during the PML-N regime.

He asked Khawaja Asif to fight his case in the court and produce
evidence instead of questioning the fair accountability process, being
carried out in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran
Khan.

Usman Dar reiterated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance that the corrupt
leaders would not get NRO-like concession under his rule. He said
opposition only wanted to evade the accountability process as it did
during the FATF legislation by proposing amendments in the NAB
ordinance.

The SAPM said the opposition would never succeed in misleading the
nation with their lies.
He said the nation had seen Ishaq Dar interview with the British
Broadcasting Corporation’s anchor in which he failed to produce any
concrete evidence to justify his claims. DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JAN 2 (DNA) – The management of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has collected revenue of Rs 1.92 billion for the approval of building plans in 2020. While maps of 2315 buildings were approved in 2020.

According to details, Capital Development Authority (CDA) management has collected record revenue in the year 2020 for the approval of maps of commercial and residential buildings despite the worst outbreak and lockdown of COVID-19. From 1.1.2020 to 31.12.2020, the authority has approved maps of a total of 2315 buildings.

In these maps, 2075 residential and 138 commercial buildings have been approved. Last year, completion certificates of 359 buildings have been issued by this authority. However, revenue of Rs. 1.92 billion has been collected in respect of building approval fees.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD – Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday vowed that action would be initiated within 72 hours against anyone found using derogatory language against the Pakistan army and state institutions.

Rashid’s remarks, made while speaking to reporters in Rawalpindi, come a day after Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the opposition’s movement would no longer be directed only at the government but also against it’s “backers”.

Rehman had also stated that the alliance’s possible long march to the capital “could also be to Rawalpindi”. He had also said that the opposition will participate in the upcoming by-elections, but indicated that there had been no decision on contesting the Senate elections.

In today’s press conference, the interior minister said that the PDM has “accepted defeat” because of its decision to contest the upcoming by-elections.

He welcomed the development as “good news”, adding that no “political stage should be left vacant”. Rashid said he was vindicated since he maintained the PDM would contest the elections and now “there are no resignations […] they’re not boycotting elections nor are they boycotting the Senate”.

Elaborating on the government’s response to the PDM’s long march, he said the government is ready to welcome them. He said the government does not plan to trouble anyone and will respond in kind to the PDM’s actions so “democracy, [the] Constitution and the law” are not besmirched.

People won’t pay heed to PDM protest plans: PM

On Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said people will pay no heed to the PDM’s call for a ‘long march’ and rejected the opposition’s allegation of a ‘puppet’ premier, arguing that if it was true why he did not hold talks with them even after the military leadership had asked him to do so in order to end political instability.

While reiterating that he would never give any National Reconciliation Ordinance-like relief to the opposition leaders facing corruption references, the PM said: “Pakistani nation takes to streets only against corruption and for their genuine rights, but this time they know PDM leaders are planning the long march only to save their ill-gotten money.”

Asked about the opposition’s one-month deadline before holding a long march against his government, the prime minister said: “I can give in writing that Pakistani nation will not come out on the streets on the call of PDM.”

Responding to another question, he said: “If I am a puppet and if the army has asked me to hold talks with the opposition then why I am not doing so.”

He said if he was a puppet, why he was not making any compromise on the manifesto of ruling PTI. “The fact is that army stands by me in implementation of my government’s manifesto. Army wants stability and progress of the country and that is why it is with me,” he said, adding that the government did not interfere in the affairs of state institutions including the army.

“I am ready to hold negotiations with opposition on important national issues. I am ready to talk but I will commit treason if I give NRO to the opposition. Whatever they (opposition) will do, I will not give them NRO,” the premier had declared.

DNA

LAHORE, JAN 2 – The top leadership of United Business Group  (UBG) Saturday reaffirmed that it firmly believed in democracy, rule of law and supremacy of constitution but outrightly rejected the rigged election result of top slot of president Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

UBG Presidential candidate Muhammad Khalid Tawab talking to media in city today alleged that despite securing equal number of 178 votes biased election commission unlawfully announced his rival Mian Nasir Hayat Mangoon  of Businessman panel as president. He said it’s tradition that in case of tied election ,the fate of office bearer is decided very next day through toss at the annual general meeting of the FPCCI but unfortunately in an undemocratic move and through unlawful recounting of votes, engineered and manipulated result of the election of President was  announced on December 31 while results of SVP and all VPs were declared same day of polling on
December 30.

Khalid Tawab further explained that it was also unanimously agreed by the polling agents of both groups that three disputed votes will not be included in the voting but again election  commission unilaterally and without any lawful authority counted these three votes in favour of his rival in a clandestine manners showing an edge over him with 180 votes.He further explained that actually during counting in presence of polling agents his rival got 177 votes while he was polled 178 votes but election commission illegally opened the sealed vote of Pak Afghan Joint Chamber Balouchistan making the total number of votes equal.He said that DGTO had already cancelled the votes of all joint chambers across the country and didn’t allow them to take part in election process. but his opponents were bent upon to clinch the top slot by hook and crook.

Hanif Gohar UBG Chief Polling Agent present on the occasion said that former FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar and his over ambitious team not only sabotaged the results but ransacked the annual general meeting which speaks of their immortality and glaring violations of code of ethics which was once a hallmark of August office of Federation President.

He said UBG will toe the all legal course of action including DGTO and superior courts for justice and restoring the lost glory of apex body of chambers and trade associations.

LAHORE, JAN 2 /DNA/  – The Pakistan Industrial & Traders Association Front (PIAF) has greeted Businessmen Panel (BMP) Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar for clinching the historic victory in the annual elections of the country’s apex trade body, retaining almost all the main seats of the office for second year in a row. 

PIAF chairman Mian Nauman Kabeer, senior vice chairman Nasir Hameed and vice chairman Javed Siddiqi congratulated the BMP candidate Mian Nasser Hyatt Magoo for his election as FPCCI president and Khawaja Shazaib Akram as senior vice president after fighting a tough battle. 

Mian Nauman Kabir said that credit of historic success goes to the top leadership of the group for working day and night for the betterment and welfare of the business community. He hoped that FPCCI President, SVP and other body members will take up the issues, being faced by the business community, with the government. He hoped that FPCCI leadership will accord top importance to the prompt solution to collective problems and issues being confronted by the business community. He said that candidates for the FPCCI elections-2021 deserve appreciation for becoming part of a democratic process and also for ensuring a good atmosphere for the elections. He said that BMP victory clearly reflects the confidence of business community in judicious policies being followed by this group leadership. He hoped that the BMP would now push the government to initiate long-term economic planning for the betterment of business community of Pakistan, as they have the ability to change the fate of Pakistan and transform it into a prosperous country.  

PIAF vice chairman Javed Siddiqi suggested that FPCCI should be strengthened to enhance the role of the private sector in the country’s economic development. 

He said that FPCCI advocates collective opinion, concern and aspiration of the private sector and offered helpful advice and assistance to the government in its efforts to promote exports, encourage foreign investment and stimulate economic activity in the country. 

PIAF leadership on this occasion also said that the business community wants to see more employment opportunities, greater economic activity and an increase in the growth rate. 

He said the government’s aim should be raising exports so businessmen can earn more. For that the export sectors should be offered loans at lower interest rate. 

“Our industry has a potential to double its exports if provided level of playing field. Unless and until the cost of doing business is not reduced desired results as per incentives given for increasing exports would not be achieved,” they added.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JAN 2 – The Pakistan Information Commission has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to provide minutes of the meeting and file noting to the information seeker, in which PTA had decided to ban TikTok Application in the country.

The Commission asked PTA to ensure provision of information and minutes of the meeting to the applicant within 10 working days.

As per details, the scribe approached the PTA to get information regarding total number of complaints received against TikTok Application, copies of the letters/emails communication with TikTok management, and copies of the notes and minutes of meeting in which the decision of banning the application was taken.

Initially, the PTA refused to share the requested information as the information request was made through Pakistan Citizen Portal, but later, after the intervention of the PIC, the PTA submitted its response and stated that copies of the email send to and received from received from the TikTok Application management and copies of the notes and minutes of meeting in this regard can not be shared with the applicant under the section 7(e) of Right of Access to Information Act 2017.

The commission in its order stated that Section 7 (e) relates to records pertaining to the defence forces of the country.

Furthermore, disclosure of “Copies of the letter(s)/ email (s) between the Respondent and the company managing TikTok application is not likely to adversely impact national security of the country nor the commercial activities of the company which manages TikTok application.

The Seven-page verdict, authored by Information Commissioner Zahid Abdullah, states that ‘noting on the files’ and ‘minutes of the meeting’ are given qualified and not absolute exclusion from disclosure. Exclusion of ‘noting on the file’ and ‘minutes of the meetings’ is subject to a final decision. The disclosure of ‘minutes of meetings’ and ‘noting on the file’ during the deliberative process is protected to ensure that outside influence does not create hindrances in the deliberative process.

However, once a public body has taken a final decision, as is the case in the instant appeal, noting on the files and minutes of the meetings cannot be treated as excluded records. ‘Noting on the file’ and ‘minutes of the meeting’, once final decision has been taken, reflect the quality of input by different officers which become basis for the final decision. Therefore, citizens of Pakistan have the right to have access to ‘noting on the files’ and ‘minutes of the meetings’ which led to the imposition of ban on Tiktok application so that they can judge for themselves the input provided by officers involved which led to the ban through the final order.

This commission is of the view that the disclosure of ‘file notings’ and ‘minutes of the meetings pertaining to the imposition of ban on Tiktok application will contribute to Making government more accountable to citizens, Greater level of participation of citizens in the affairs of the government, reducing corruption and inefficiency, promoting sound economic growth’ and Promoting good governance and respect for human rights in the country, Order states.

The commission in its order has also established that Citizens can seek information from the government departments using the option of Right to Information in Human Rights category of Pakistan Citizen Portal.

Section 11 (2) of the Right of Access to Information Act 2017, clearly states that a citizen can file a request for information “in any manner”. Furthermore, PM Portal has provided a facility to citizens to file information requests under the Act.