ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Ayaz Sadiq lied confidently over Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman issue, who was captured by Pakistan on February 27.

Expressing his views on the floor of the National Assembly, Fawad Chaudhry said Pakistan gave a befitting reply to India after the Pulwama incident and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) hit the enemy after entering their territory.

He advised the opposition to recheck their behavior and added that criticism over the federal government is always welcomed but the state should not be subjected to criticism.
The federal minister said the government will only hold dialogues with the opposition on national issues, not on corruption cases.

Earlier in the day, Special Assistant to Prime Minister of Pakistan on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill said that PM Imran Khan wanted peace and it was the only reason that Indian pilot Abhinandan was released.

Talking to ARY News, Dr Shahbaz Gill said that PML-N MNA, Ayaz Sadiq should be ashamed of himself over his statement on the floor of the National Assembly.

“Sadiq’s statement indicates his affection with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif”, while many of PML-N lawmakers do not agree with elder Sharif’s policy, he added.

ISLAMABAD: Proving its commitment to eradicate drugs from our homeland, Anti Narcotics Force Pakistan seized 2293.845 Kgs narcotics valuing US$ 79.848 Million internationally, arrested 15 culprits and impounded 8 vehicles while conducting 16 counter-narcotics strikes throughout the country. The seized drugs comprised of 2257.771 Kg Hashish, 26.474 Kg Heroin, 7.600 Kg Opium & Amphetamine (Ice) 2 Kg.

ANF Balochistan, the staff of Police Station Regional Directorate ANF Quetta recovered 1500 Kgs Hashish from a nullah situated at Killi Daman Tehsil Gulistan District Qilla Abdullah.

ANF Punjab, the staff of Police Station, Lahore conducted an operation at House of the accused Naeem Akhtar Buttranwali road, near Grid Station Aroop, Gujranwala and recovered 46.800 Kg Hashish from the said house. In another operation, police station Faisalabad established a naka near Sahinwala Toll Plaza Faisalabad and arrested accused namely Gul Taiz Khan resident of Lakki Marwat, and 9.600 Kg Hashish was recovered from the personal possession. In third Operation, Police Station Sialkot intercepted a Honda City Car near Dry Port Chowk, Wazirabad, Sialkot, accused namely Muhammad Shahid resident of Faisalabad was arrested on the spot and recovered 4 Kg Opium from secret cavities of the seized car. In fourth operation, Police Station Lahore raided at Shell Petrol Pump Shahdarah Chowk, Lahore and recovered 1.650 Kg Heroin from personal possession of the arrested accused namely Muhammad Ijaz Iqbal resident of Rahim Yar Khan. In fifth operation, Police Station Regional Directorate,Lahore intercepted two vehicles Toyota Hilux Vigo Dala and Toyota Corolla Car at Ghazi Ghat Toll Plaza District D.G Khan. Three accused persons namely Raz Muhammad resident of Peshawar, Muhammad Tahir resident of Charsada and Muhammad Haroon Rasheed resident of Lahore were arrested on the spot and recovered 606 Kg Hashish from secret cavities of the seized vehicles.

ANF Sindh, the staff of Police Station Korangi, Karachi conduct a raid at Bilal Chowrangi near Korangi Industrial area, Karachi and recovered 2 Kg Hashish. In another operation, the staff of Police Station Korangi, Karachi intercepted a Suzuki Car at Bilal Chowrangi near Korangi Industrial area Karachi and recovered 2 Kgs Heroin & 1 Kg Hashish. Accused Muhammad Yasir resident of Karachi was arrested on the spot. In third operation, the staff of Police Station Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi conducted a raid at New Subzi Mandi, Super Highway Karachi and recovered 32.805 Kgs Hashish from personal possession of the arrested accused namely Niamat Ullah resident of Quetta.

ANF Rawalpindi, the staff of Police Station Regional Directorate Rawalpindi, intercepted a accused namely Haji Imam Din resident of Islamabad at Islamabad International Airport, who was travelling to Heathrow (London) through flight no.BA-260 and recovered 1.824 Kg Heroin (Brown) from his Shoes. In another operation, the staff of Police Station Dina while establishing naka near Tarakai Toll Plaza, Main G.T Road Sohawa, District Jehlum intercepted a Motorcycle and apprehended two accused namely Shoaib Muhammad & Ayaz Khan residents of Swabi with recovery of 2.466 Kg Hashish from shoes of the both accused.

ANF KP, Police Station DI Khan in collaboration with Lakki Marwat Police conducted an Intelligence based operation near Pezu bypass near Indus Highway Lakki Marwat and recovered 8.400 Kg Hashish from arrested accused namely Naseeb Khan resident of Lakki Marwat. In another operation, police station KP intercepted a Suzuki car near Tarnab CNG, Tarnab Farm Peshawar and recovered 21 Kg Heroin & 2 Kg Amphetamine (Ice) which was laying in the diggi of seized car. Two accused namely Said Amin and Kabul Khan residents of Khyber District were arrested on the spot. In third operation, Police Station DI Khan intercepted a Toyota Hilux Vigo during naka near Darbang road, at the spot, the said vehicle managed to escape which was chased by ANF Team. Thereafter, vehicle diverted to sugarcane fields, where taking advantage of night all three accused (leaving behind vehicle) ran away, upon whom cross fired were also exchanged between ANF team & smugglers. Upon detail checking of the seized vehicle, 42 Kg Hashish was recovered, which was tactfully concealed in rear body of the vehicle. The recovered drug was being smuggled from Quetta to DI Khan. In fourth operation, the staff of Police Station Peshawar Det at Shin Qamar, intercepted a car, arrested an accused namely Shakeel Ahmed resident of District Khyber and recovered 5.500 Kg Hashish from the said car. Later on, who managed to escaped from the site. An FIR was registered against the accused person. In fifth operation, the staff of Police Station Regional Directorate ANF KP in collaboration with 166 Wing Barra Rifles, intercepted a Suzuki Mehran Car, Muhammad Rasool resident of District Peshawar with recovery of 3.600 Kg Opium and 1.200 Kg Hashish which was concealed under driving seat of the said vehicle.

All cases have been registered at respective ANF Police Stations under CNS Act 1997 and further investigations are underway.

STATEMENT

Ops:                16

Accused:         15

Vehicles:         8

Total Drugs:    2293.845 Kgs

Total Worth: 79848363 (79.848 Million US $)

ISLAMABAD : Professional matters pertaining to Pakistan Army, internal and external security situation was discussed during the meeting.

Taking into account recent efforts to stoke violence in  Pakistan, Prime Minister resolved that entire nation is united against the cowardly acts of the enemy.

Prime Minister paid tributes to personnel of Pakistan Army, FC and Law Enforcement Agencies  who sacrificed their lives for the defense of the motherland.

Ufone to provide subsidized data bundles and free Ubanking facility to AIOU students

Islamabad, October 29 (DNA). Allama Iqbal Open University and Ufone signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here at the main campus of the university.

According to the agreement, Ufone will provide data bundles to AIOU’s students and tutors on subsidized rates. Furthermore, as per the MoU students will pay zero charges while using Ufone’s Ubanking facility for depositing their admission fee, and other dues.

Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmood, Dean Faculty of Education chaired the session. Professors, principal officers of the university, and senior management staff of the Ufone participated in the MoU signing ceremony. Sohail Nazir Rana, Registrar AIOU, and Atif Ishaq, General Manager Ufone signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations.

Atif  Ishaq appreciated the role of AIOU in promotion of education. He said that AIOU is one of those national institutions of the country which contribute tremendously to building the nation. He further said , “by imparting education to the poor and disadvantageous class of the country, Allama Iqbal Open  University is abridging the gap between various social strata of the society”.Ajmal Farooq, Director ICT, AIOU briefed the participants about the ongoing automation and digitalization process of the university.

He said that AIOU was converting all its academic and administrative operations and procedures from manual to digital. He termed the agreement as a landmark achievement in facilitating the students to participate in online academic activities. He said as per the agreement those students who would use Ufone banking facility for admission fee and other dues would not be charged for any extra amount other than their actual dues.

While speaking on this occasion Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmmod said, “AIOU is imparting low cost education to almost 1.4 million students and by joining hands with Ufone and other telecom companies AIOU would be able to improve its reach and accessibility”.Director Regional Services, Inama Ullah Shaikh, and Treasurer of AIOU, Dr. Aamer Shah, and Prof. also spoke on this occasion and termed the agreement as beneficial for both the parties.

LAHORE : The Lahore High Court (LHC) has imposed a ban on broadcasting videos and photos of gang-rape victim and suspects including Abid Malhi in motorway gang-rape case.

The Chief Justice of Lahore High Court (CJ LHC) Muhammad Qasim Khan issued a written order regarding a petition filed against the ban on media coverage of motorway gang-rape case.

The high court stated in its three-page written order that a ban is being imposed on broadcasting videos and photos to disclose the identities of the gang-rape victim, accused and co-accused.

Moreover, the high court summoned the records of press conferences organised by ministers and advisers regarding the arrests of the suspects.

A verdict given by a trial court for the imposition of a ban on reporting of motorway incident has been suspended by the LHC chief justice. It read that the anti-terrorism court’s judge had not taken care of the Punjab Witness Protection Act while imposing a ban on reporting.

It added that the ATC had ordered Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to stop print and social media from covering the incident which was not within its domain and ‘against the spirit of the Statute’.

The high court directed PEMRA to fully implement the recent order and adjourned the hearing for one week.

Earlier on October 2, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had imposed a ban on media coverage of Lahore motorway gang rape case following the orders of an anti-terrorism court. The PEMRA had conveyed its decision via handout sent to all television channels and other broadcaste

ISLAMABAD : A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday dismissed an appeal filed by a convict challenging his death sentence in a triple murder case.

Headed by Justice Mansoor Malik, the bench upheld three death sentences awarded to Imran by a trial court for murdering his wife and two daughters over a domestic dispute. As a ditch-attempt, the convict moved the appeal in the apex court after the high court turned down his plea to overturn his conviction.

His lawyer contended before the bench that the prosecution failed to prove his client had any personal grudge with the deceased persons. At this, Justice Malik remarked the lawyer was suggesting that since there was no motive behind the murders, the convict should be set free. The appellant committed three murders and this is nothing in your opinion, he censured the counsel.

Earlier, on October 28, the SC had acquitted a murder suspect, Yaseen, after 12 years by giving him the benefit of doubt. Muhammad Yaseen has been imprisoned in Okara jail since 2008 over allegedly murdering a citizen over a minor dispute. He had been pronounced death sentence by a trial court and later it was converted into life imprisonment by the high court.