ISLAMABAD : Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has been declared ‘proclaimed offender’ in Toshakhana reference by an accountability court in Islamabad besides indicting four accused persons including former president Asif Ali Zardari and former premier Yousaf Raza Gillani.

The accountability court conducted the hearing of Toshakhana reference today against prominent political personalities including Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif over allegedly obtaining luxury vehicles from the treasury by paying 15 per cent of the actual price, whereas, the former premier Yousaf Raza Gillani had allegedly facilitated the allotment of the cars to both of them.

Former president and Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and ex-premier Yousaf Raza Gillani appeared in the hearing conducted by the accountability court’s judge Asghar Ali.During the hearing, the judge declared Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif a proclaimed offender in the case and sought details of his movable and immovable assets within a week.

Moreover, the accountability court also issued a non-bailable warrant for the arrest of the former premier Nawaz Sharif.

Judge Asghar Ali remarked that the court will indict other accused persons in Toshakhana reference after separating the case related to Nawaz Sharif.

However, the accused persons have denied the charges in the courtroom.

Yousaf Raza Gillani appeared at the rostrum and said that he has never violated the rules and regulations while approving the summary. He argued that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed the reference without considering rules of business.

The judge remarked that merits are not being debated in the hearing regarding the summary and it will be questioned during the trial.

Later, Asif Ali Zardari signed surety bonds after being indicted in the Toshakhana reference.

The accountability court summoned three witnesses including Waqarul Hassan Shah, Zubair Siddiqui and Imran Zafar on September 24 and adjourned the hearing.

Earlier, the anti-corruption watchdog presented a probe report regarding Nawaz Sharif in Toshakhana reference before the court today.

The report stated that Nawaz Sharif was fully aware of his expected arrest which led him to file a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for challenging to advertise a summon issued by the accountability court.

According to the NAB report, Sharif had not responded to the questionnaire sent by the investigators in the case. The questionnaire had been handed over to Nawaz Sharif when he sought more time to consult his lawyer after being interrogated in Kot Lakhpat Jail on July 5 last year. However, the PML-N supremo had kept excusing to respond by telling the investigators for not concluding legal consultation.

Toshakhana reference

The NAB team said in its report that maximum efforts are being made to produce Nawaz Sharif before the court, however, he is deliberately avoiding the appearance in the hearings.

The prominent political personalities including Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif are accused of illegally obtaining luxury vehicles from the treasury by paying 15 per cent of the actual price, whereas, the former premier Yousaf Raza Gillani had allegedly facilitated the allotment of the cars to both of them.

Zardari had received expensive cars as a gift from Libya and the UAE as president but did not deposit it in the Tosha Khana, the sources added.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 8 (DNA) – Islamabad police, being a professional force, is making efforts to promote relations with community and win public support through resolving issues at their door steps.

It was stated by the Superintendent of Police ( Saddar-Zone ) Sarfraz Ahmed Virk while speaking to the participants of `Open Kutchery’ at Sector G-13  on Tuesday. The Open Kutchery was organized following directions of Inspector General of Police Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan and Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed who asked for effective interaction of police with people. It was attended among others by SDPOs ,Station House Officer, members of conciliatory committees and a large number of notables as well as people of the area.

SP Sarfraz Ahmed Virk listened to the problems of the people residing in areas of Saddar-Zone police stations. He gave directions to immediately resolve them so that public can trust police and culture of friendly policing can be ensured as per prime objective of Islamabad police.

He said that Islamabad police is taking every possible step to maintain peace in the city and the force requires the cooperation of citizens to ensure fool proof security.  He said public cooperation is vital for effective policing and crime can be controlled through involving community in policing affairs fairly.

He appealed citizens for checking activities of the people in their surroundings and inform the police in case of observing the suspects.  He said that effective policing is only possible through cooperation of public and trust between police and citizens would be ensured through resolving their problems at their door steps.

Mr. Sarfraz Ahmed Virk said that Islamabad police launched effective crackdown against those involved in drug peddling, land occupation and criminal activities in their respective areas.

He said that conciliatory committees would be made more effective and appealed more cooperation of citizens with police to resolve public issues.

The people thanked IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed for directions to arrange such activity. They appreciated policing efforts to maintain law and order and ensured their cooperation when needed. DNA

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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 8 (DNA) – The family of Sajid Gondal, a former journalist and an official of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan who had gone missing in Islamabad on September 3, staged a protest outside Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Tuesday.

His vehicle was found abandoned outside the Agriculture Research Centre in Shehzad Town, according to the police. The vehicle’s doors were open and the key was in the ignition.

Gondal’s wife, parents, and children along with others held placards and chanted slogans for his immediate release.

Talking to the media, Gondal’s wife Sajeela Sajid said, “I request the prime minister, army chief, and the chief justice to at least inform us what he has done wrong.” If there’s a case against him, he should be presented before the court, said Sajeela Sajid. He is a Pakistani citizen, she said.

On the other hand, investigators from Islamabad Police visited the spot from where Gondal went missing. Police said

that SECP employees have also been included in the investigation. DNA

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 8 – Pakistan Navy celebrated 55^th anniversary of ‘Navy Day’ to honour heroic achievements of our Ghazis and Shuhadas who fought gallantly against a much bigger adversary with absolute courage and profound faith in Allah SWT. The Navy Day is a glorious reminiscence of daring operation ‘SOMNATH’, when Pakistan Navy Warships destroyed important shore installations and inflicted irreparable damage to the Indian pride. Pakistan Navy lone Submarine Ghazi reigned and remained unchallenged at sea throughout the war.

In his message on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said that 8^th September, marks a golden chapter in our rich naval history and rekindles hope and pride in our new generation. On this day, Pakistan Navy acknowledges the sacrifices and spirit of our Naval heroes who epitomized grit, courage and valour during the 1965 War. Today, Pakistan Navy being potent naval force in the region is alive to its growing responsibilities and role to vigilantly guard country’s maritime interests. The Naval Chief also underlined that Pakistan Navy is spearheading various initiatives to jump start Pakistan’s Blue Economy in line with the Govt’s renewed focus on the maritime sector and its decision to declare 2020 as the ‘Year of Blue Economy’. He added that all ranks of Pakistan Navy reiterate solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren and denounce the blatant annexation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).

The day dawned with special prayers offered in all Naval mosques for peace and prosperity of the country and particularly for the success of Kashmir struggle. Quran Khawani was arranged for eternal peace of Shuhada of the 1965 war. Flag hoisting ceremonies were held at all Naval units and establishments. Other activities of the day included Navy Day Boat Rallies prominently in Karachi.

Moreover, on the occasion of Navy Day, Pakistan Navy also released a special docufilm, ‘SURKHRU’ which features the story of Pakistan Navy’s successful detection of Indian submarine and deterring it from entering into Pakistani waters on 4^th March, 2019. The story of the docufilm demonstrates the rundown of action and sequence of the incident and pays tribute to its heroes for displaying the true professionalism and valour in safeguarding maritime frontiers.

LAHORE : Inam Ghani has been appointed as new police chief after the federal government decided to remove Inspector General (IG) Punjab Shoaib Dastagir from his post.

The decision has been taken by the federal government after differences emerged between the IG Punjab and Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO).

Sources claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved the decision for the removal of Shoaib Dastgir as the provincial police chief.Meanwhile, CCPO Lahore Umar Shaikh has been directed to continue his duties as CCPO Lahore, while notification in this regard is said to be issued today, sources added.

The main reason behind the removal of  Inspector General (IG) Punjab Shoaib Dastagir has also surfaced as former police chief expressed reservations over the appointment of Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Umair Shaikh over action against the land mafia.

The IGP was allegedly not in favour of strong operation against the land mafia, while the CCPO was neglecting his opinion in this regard and was carrying out a stern operation, well-informed sources said.