ISLAMABAD, MAY 21: PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan was injured in an attack in Islamabad on Tuesday.

“Very shameful and reprehensible!!” the party said in a post on X. Video footage shared by the party showed Hasan bleeding from the face with anchor Shahid Masood with him.

“This reprehensible act of violence is an assault on free speech, democracy, and the rule of law.

“Such shameful tactics will not deter Raoof Hasan or the PTI from our cause. Attempts to intimidate or silence us will only strengthen our resolve to fight for a just and equitable society,” the party said, adding that he was attacked outside the office of a private media channel.

A statement from the Islamabad police spokesperson said Hasan was attacked with a blade outside the office of a private TV channel. “Hasan was attacked on the face with a blade by transgenders according to eyewitnesses,” the statement said.

It added that the police were present on the spot and collecting evidence. “Strict action will be taken against the transgenders who have done this,” it said.

CCTV footage posted by the PTI seemed to corroborate the police account, showing Hasan being attacked by four individuals who appeared to be from the transgender community.

The party questioned who was the “ringleader” for the assailants.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz raised the incident in today’s Senate session and said he wanted an immediate reaction from Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on the issue because “this incident that happened is very serious that the state of affairs has reached this extent that the spokesperson of Pakistan’s biggest party is physically attacked. This is unacceptable.”

He called on the law minister to give his opinion on the matter and give the relevant orders. PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said the party was staging a walkout.

Tarar said multiple aspects of the case needed to be dealt with as per the law, adding that it was the government’s responsibility to ensure that citizens were dealt with as per law.

He said there would be legal proceedings on any report filed by the aggrieved party. Tarar said he would share information from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Islamabad police chief shortly.

Later, Faraz criticised the treasury benches for not even expressing verbal support for Hasan and condemning the incident. He said the incident was “no small matter” and held great symbolic value.

Calling for a complete investigation within 24 hours, Faraz said the party expected the government to give an incident report in Wednesday’s Senate session as well as a briefing from the interior minister on the culprits and their arrests.

PTI leader Hammad Azhar said the attack by “unknown persons was a sign of cowardice and panic”.

He also posted a picture of a blade, allegedly used to attack the PTI spokesperson. “Panic is at its peak,” he said.

“The worst period of fascism continues in Pakistan,” PTI leader Qasim Suri said while addressing the attack.

Journalist Mubashir Zaidi strongly condemned the attack.

Former PTI leader and federal minister Fawad Chaudhry said the attack was an “assault on Pakistan’s political values”, adding that all politicians irrespective of party or political affiliation should strongly condemn the incident.

Ambassador Jemal Beker said this is an ideal time for forging strong collaboration in the health and education sector of both the countries that have been enjoying cordial and brotherly relations for many decades

DNA

ISLAMABAD: A delegation from the health sector of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) on Tuesday visited the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and held a fruitful discussion with the management of the commission for potential collaboration between the two countries in healthcare sector.

On arrival, the HEC management including its Chairman H.E. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed accorded a warm welcome to the delegation which was led by H.E. Jemal Beker Abdula, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the FDR Ethiopia to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. 

The two sides had a detailed discussion on the matters of mutual interest including the modalities for initiating a collaboration for sharing knowledge, experiences and expertise in the health sector.

They also discussed arrangements regarding mutual initiatives for capacity building of health experts from both the countries through short and long term training courses.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Ambassador Jemal Beker said this is an ideal time for forging strong collaboration in the health and education sector of both the countries that have been enjoying cordial and brotherly relations for many decades.

He underlined the need for strengthening people-to-people contacts between the two countries through bilateral cooperation and collaboration in diverse areas of economy, culture, health and education.

The Ambassador said the Government of the FDR Ethiopia was looking forward to establish institutional linkages between the two countries in various sectors especially health and education.

He said the people of Ethiopia and Pakistan had strong affinity, affection and love for each other and there is an immense potential for the collaboration to promote people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

On the other side, HEC Chairman H.E. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed assured the Ambassador of all-out support for strengthening cooperation and collaboration in education sector between Ethiopia and Pakistan.

He briefed the delegation about the initiatives being taken by the HEC for the enrollment of foreign students in the public sector universities.

The Chairman said the HEC had established a Global Engagement Department and Ethiopia had been made its focal point to enhance educational collaboration in Africa which is strategically very important for Pakistan.

He briefed the delegation on advancement and digitalization in education sector that included establishment of digital libraries and smart class rooms giving access to education to the millions of students in Pakistan and abroad.

ASTANA, MAY 21 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the SCO Charter and the “Shanghai Spirit” of mutual trust and shared prosperity.

Dar outlined Pakistan’s priorities as the current Chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. These priorities include connectivity, transport links, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation.

He called for upholding international law and the UN Charter, emphasizing self-determination and peaceful dispute resolution.

Dar warned against confrontational geopolitics and supported a multipolar world based on multilateralism.

He stressed the need for collective efforts to combat terrorism, addressing its root causes, and rejecting political misuse of terrorism.

Dar condemned Israel’s attacks in Gaza, which killed over 35,000 civilians, and called for an urgent ceasefire and humanitarian aid.

He emphasized the need for a two-State solution for peace in the region.

Dar discussed Afghanistan, urging international engagement with the Interim Afghan Government to meet Afghanistan’s economic needs.

He called on the Afghan government to ensure Afghan soil is not used for terrorism.

Dar highlighted Pakistan’s geostrategic location as an ideal trade and transit hub for the SCO region.

He emphasized the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for regional connectivity and economic integration.

From Attaullah Cheema

MANCHESTER, MAY 20: The Press Club of Pakistan, United Kingdom, hoisted a gorgeous interfaith festive here in Manchester, while Ch. Pervaiz Mashi Matto, President of the organisation, Presided over the event. While Lord Mayor of Manchester councilor Mohtarma Yasmin Dar was the chief guest whereas member of British parliament Afzal Khan, and Pakistani community welfare Attache, here at Consulate General, Manchester, Ms Misba Naureen were the guests of honour at the function.

Ch. Pervaiz Masih Mattoo, in his presidential welcome address, maintained that the prime objective of this event is to bring religious cohesion among the people and promote tolerance, brotherhood, and honour the faith of others and say a big “No “to hatred, racism and other social evils. While recounting various achievements by the PCPUK, he also said, that we have carried out many projects, seminars journalists refreshers, and workshops, commemorating, Quaid e Azam, Independence Day of Pakistan, and other national and religious, festivities of Eid, Christmas etc. Our members, he added have published their new books and encouraging British, poets, and writers, he concluded. Mohtrma Misbah

Naureen, community welfare Attache of Pakistan at consulate-general of Manchester, while speaking at the occasion, highly appreciated the constructive role of PCPUK, in community development, creating interfaith respect among all the segments of the British community. She suggested to the participants, mainly

representing Pakistani Muslims, and Christians, here have substantial educational facilities and our Pakistani immigrants, should  focus their more and more attention towards the education of their children.

She also lauded the role of organisation and termed its  activities commendable, for the promotion of social, religious, and political norms   Lord mayor of Manchester  Yasmin Dar, in her speech, thanked all the participants and appreciated, how the  Local communities came together, in a spirit of unity and brotherhood. MP Afzal Khan described organizing such  events as an extremely  important  step on the part of PCPUK for social diversity.  The city of Manchester has been unique and remarkable in the sense that it is home to people of all races and religions, who live here in harmony, as exemplified by today’s event.

The minister highlighted the significant improvements in Pakistan’s economic landscape. He discussed the government’s achievements, in decreasing the current account deficit, globalization of currency

ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Marilina Armellin called on Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Finance Division today to discuss the cooperation and longstanding relations between Pakistan and Italy.

The minister highlighted the significant improvements in Pakistan’s economic landscape. He discussed the government’s achievements, in decreasing the current account deficit, globalization of currency, the stock market reaching an all-time high, and the successful completion of the nine-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He further mentioned that the ministry is currently in engagement with the IMF mission for a new program on a longer term basis.

He also outlined the government’s strategic initiatives aimed at broadening the tax base by targeting previously untaxed and under-taxed segments. Additionally, he reiterated the government’s commitment to privatize various State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), starting with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also followed by major airports.

He noted that the government’s policy reflects a shift from aid to investment in Pakistan’s economic strategy. The minister also shed light on Pakistan’s potential in the IT and agriculture sectors, inviting Italian investors to explore these investment areas.

Ambassador Armellin acknowledged the promising economic indicators and appreciated the upward trend in Pakistan’s economy. She emphasized the potential for enhanced cooperation between Italy and Pakistan, particularly in the textile, machinery, agriculture, and dairy sectors.

Justice Isa picks six judges from LHC, three from SHC as JCP set to convene on June 7

Mehtab Pirzada

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has nominated nine judges from the Lahore and Sindh high courts to fill three vacant positions in the Supreme Court (SC).

From the Lahore High Court (LHC), six judges have been proposed for two SC seats:

• Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan
• Justice Shujaat Ali Khan
• Justice Ali Baqar Najfi
• Justice Shahid Bilal
• Justice Abdul Abid Aziz Sheikh

From the Sindh High Court (SHC), three judges have been nominated for one SC seat:

• Justice Aqeel Abbasi
• Justice Shafi Siddiqui
• Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) will meet on June 7 to consider these nominees. The JCP, led by the CJP, is the highest authority for recommending judicial appointments to the SC, high courts, and the Shariat court.

This meeting takes place amidst a proposal to change the rules for appointing judges to the apex court. This proposal, prepared by JCP member Akhtar Hussain from the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and former JCP member Advocate Amjad Farooq Khattak, suggests that judge appointments should be based on merit, not relationships or affiliations.

Hussain mentioned that at least one judge should be appointed from the SHC and one from the LHC, and that the power to nominate judges should not rest solely with the chief justices. The draft of the proposed changes has been finalized, and a full JCP meeting is needed for approval.