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• Ex-PM, spouse each get 14-year jail in Toshakhana case; Banigala declared sub-jail for Bushra Bibi • PTI calls it ‘travesty of justice’ • IHC refuses to quash proceedings in iddat case • Bilawal, Maryam offer mixed reaction to ruling ISLAMABAD: A day after a hasty trial ended in a 10-year jail term for him and his close aide, an accountability court sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi to 14 years in jail and imposed Rs1,540 million fine in the Toshakhana reference. After the conviction, Mr Khan and his spouse are barred from holding public office for 10 years. The case said the couple retained expensive jewellery from Toshakhana after paying a nominal price. Separately, the Islam­abad High Court refused to quash proceedings in the Iddat case, saying the charge had already been framed by the trial court. It, however, gave the couple some relief by dropping the ‘illegitimate relations’ charge (496-B). Toshakhana reference Accountability judge...

WASHINGTON: The US State Department emphasised on Wednesday that violence at election rallies undermines the electoral process in Pakistan. Strongly condemning Tuesday’s bomb explosion at a PTI rally in Sibi that killed 10 people, the State Department said that incidents like this “undermine the electoral process”. The department asserted: “The Pakistani people have the right to choose their leader without fear for the country’s stability and prosperity.” The statement also offered Washing­ton’s “deepest sympathies” to those affected. Condemns blast at PTI rally, says people have right to choose their leader without fear Another State Department spokesperson, while responding to Dawn ’s query, said that questions about judicial decisions should be addressed to Pakistani courts. But the US official assured the Pakistani people that Washington would continue to support the democratic process in Pakistan. “We want to see the process unfold in a way that allows broad participat...

ISLAMABAD: Just before a PTI’s general body meeting on Wednesday, police and security officials in plainclothes allegedly raided and took control of PTI’s central secretariat in Islamabad’s Sector G-8, stopped members from entering the premises, warning them that they would have to face consequences, party sources said. The PTI general body, however, managed to hold a virtual meeting in which it decided to hold intra-party elections within a fortnight. An official of the capital police denied the allegation, pointing out that a raid could not be conducted without having its permission from a magistrate and no such order was issued on Wednesday. He claimed on condition of anonymity they went there for security. “[As] a judgement against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi was announced, there was a possibility that a protest would be held there. Police did not enter the secretariat and remained outside.” At the online meeting, the PTI general body nominated Omar Ayub as chief organsier and em...

The caretaker government on Wednesday hiked the price of petrol by Rs13.55 per litre for the next fortnight. The new price of petrol is now Rs272.89 per litre from the previous price of Rs259.34, according to a notification from the Finance Division. The price of high-speed diesel (HSD) was increased by Rs2.75 to Rs278.96 per litre. The notification did not mention any changes in the prices of light-diesel oil (LDO) and kerosene oil. The petrol price increase is higher than what was expected earlier . The prices of petrol and HSD were estimated to go up by Rs5-9 per litre for the next fortnight owing to higher international prices and import premiums, nullifying an impact of minor exchange rate gains. Informed sources had said the prices of both major petroleum products had increased in the international market over the past fortnight and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) also had to pay higher import premiums even though the rupee had gained against the US dollar. As a result, the p...

• Also revises next fiscal year’s projection downward to 3.5pc • Lifts global growth forecast to 3.1pc citing unexpected ‘resilience’ • Indian economy expected to grow at a faster 6.5pc ISLAMABAD: Des­pite an improved global outlook, the Interna­tional Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday lowered Pakis­tan’s economic growth forecast to two per cent for the current fiscal year, down 0.5 percentage points from its October estimate of 2.5pc . In its latest World Eco­nomic Outlook (WEO) rep­ort released on Tue­sday, the Washington-based global lender also slightly revised downward (by 0.1pc) the next fiscal year’s growth forecast to 3.5pc. The revised growth estimates are based on the Fund’s recent deta­iled quarterly review of Pakistan’s macroeconomic position as part of the ongoing $3bn Standby Arrangement (SBA), which is set to expire in March. The IMF’s growth forecast is significantly lower than the government’s 3.5pc GDP growth target for the current year but generally in line w...

• Raises inflation target to 25pc for current fiscal year • To introduce new currency notes after cabinet’s approval KARACHI: The State Bank on Monday kept the interest rate unchanged at 22 per cent and increased the inflation target in the range of 23 to 25 per cent for the current fiscal year. “The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) deci­ded to maintain the policy rate at 22pc. The frequent and sizeable adjustments in administered energy prices have slowed down the pace of decline in inflation anticipated earlier, besides impeding a sustained decrease in inflation expectations,” SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad said while revealing the monetary policy. Incorporating the inflation in the first half (July-December) of FY24, the exp­ected significant dec­line in the second half and the evolving risks, the MPC expects average inf­la­tion to fall in the range of 23-25pc during this fiscal year and continue to trend down noticeably in FY25, the central bank said. Earlier, the State Bank projecte...

JUBA: Fighting between rival communities in a disputed region claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan has killed 54 people, including two UN peacekeepers, the United Nations said on Monday, calling for calm. One of the two peacekeepers was Pakistani, according to the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). The clashes in Abyei, a contested oil-rich territory straddling the border of both countries, broke out at the weekend, according to local authorities. In a statement on Monday, the US, the UK and Norway — the international “troika” that sponsored South Sudan’s independence — said they were “deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in recent months between communities living in and around” Abyei. “All leaders who have influence with involved communities and who fail to use it to support peace are demonstrating their disregard for the interests of their people,” the troika said. The UNISFA said it “strongly condemns these attacks against civilians and peacekeepers. Curr...

ISLAMABAD: Brush­ing aside reports about the harassment of journalists in the matter related to a ‘malicious’ campaign on social media against judges, caretaker Minister for Information, Broad­casting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Sunday said a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) is probing the matter in accordance with law. “So far no FIR has been lodged against anybody, nor has anyone been arrested,” the minister said while addressing a news conference along with the officials of Federal Investi­gation Agency, Pakistan Tele­communication Autho­rity and other institutions. “Nobody has been picked up since the formation of JIT,” he said while dispelling the impression of a witch-hunt under the garb of the JIT. The minister explained that the JIT, formed on Jan 16 to probe the anti-judiciary campaign, held its first meeting the next day and another on Jan 23, adding that investigation was still underway. He said it was imperative to bring forth facts in this regard. So fa...

KARACHI: A day after the Election Commission of Pakistan issued a notice to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab for violating its code of conduct, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday came up with a complaint against him and the Sindh governor, asking the poll supervisory body to “temporarily remove” them from their offices to ensure free, fair and impartial elections. PTI-Karachi president Khurrum Sher Zaman, who is also contesting the Feb 8 elections from NA-241, accused him and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori of indulging in activities tantamount to violation of the ECP’s code of conduct. In a formal complaint sent to the provincial election commissioner, the PTI leader contended that both the governor and mayor were engaging in activities that violate the code of conduct of the ECP, undermining the principles of a fair and impartial electoral process. In light of these serious allegations, Mr Sher Zaman called upon the ECP to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation int...

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari demanded the “city and date” from PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday after the latter responded to a challenge from the former to hold a public debate by saying it would be better to compare Sindh’s state instead. Bilawal has criticised the PML-N on the regular during his election trail as the competition heats up with less than two weeks to go to the February 8 general elections. The PPP scion’s digs have prompted responses from the PML-N’s top echelon in return. A day ago, Bilawal proposed a debate between him and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif anytime before the election date. “Globally, presidential and prime ministerial candidates participate in televised debates, providing voters with crucial insights into their plans. This transparency is vital for an informed electorate ahead of the voting process,” he had explained. In an apparent response to the challenge, Shehbaz posted on social media platform X today that it would’ve been be...

KHYBER: Tribal customs and traditions are the main hurdle to three women candidates for general seats of provincial assembly in Khyber district as they run a restricted door-to-door campaign and focus mostly on female voters. Shakira Shinwari, Lal Zaida and Naseem Riaz have filed their nominations for PK-69, PK-70 and PK-71, respectively, alongside 76 other male contestants for the three provincial assembly seats in Landi Kotal, Jamrud and Bara. Shakira Shinwari and Naseem Riaz are contesting elections as independent candidates while Lal Zaida has the backing of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-Parliamentarians. None of these three female candidates have so far organised any public meeting nor are their personal posters or banners anywhere in sight in their respective constituencies. Motivated by her family support and backing to try her luck in the February 8 general elections for the first time, Shakira Shinwari believes that she can be a better choice to raise voice for the legitimate...

MANSEHRA: A group of Kohistan clerics, mostly members of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, on Friday issued a fatwa (Islamic decree) against canvassing by and for women election candidates and declared the act un-Islamic. “The women’s act of going from door to door to solicit votes is against sharia [Islamic laws],” declared seminary head Mufti Gul Shahzada after a meeting of clerics in the Kandia area of Upper Kohistan district. He said the fatwa against women’s election campaign was issued by 30 authorised religious scholars and endorsed by participants, including around 400 clerics from Kohistan region. For the first time in Kohistan, three women have entered the electoral arena. They insist it is sinful to defy fatwa They include the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed Tehmina Faheem (PK-31 Kohistan-I) and Momina Basit (PK-33 Kolai-Palas) and independent Sannaya Sabeel (PK-33 Kolai-Palas). Cleric Shahzada claimed that it was sinful to defy the fatwa. He also said the sharia di...

Stepping out from his father’s shadow, Bilawal has taken on the mantle of leadership, on both the national and global stages.—White Star archive NOVEMBER 2023; the aisles of the Gizri Football Stadium are jam-packed with throngs of full-throated jiyalas . A group of young PPP workers manically try to manage the crowd, extolling them to stay behind the fences. One of the volunteers, Sumair Ali, scrambles alongside his colleagues to enforce the discipline at the sports facility, where PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is scheduled to appear as the chief guest who would inaugurate the facility, being reopened after renovation. But Sumair and his fellow workers — and even those in attendance — could never have anticipated what would happen when the Bhutto scion arrived at the venue. In complete disregard of security protocols, young Bilawal mingled with the crowd. After attending the opening ceremony and a brief customary interaction with the media, he and Karachi mayor Murtaza W...

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has hundreds of thousands of child labourers, reveals the province’s first Child Labour Survey 2022-23. The working children totalling 922, 314 make up 11.1 per cent of the province’s child population with 745,165 beingchild labourers, according to the survey findings that were unveiled in a special ceremony here. The event was attended by representatives of government departments, UN agencies, donor organisations, academia and civil society. Adviser to the chief minister on labour Riaz Anwar Khan was chief guest on the occasion. The survey said working children were economically active, while child labour was the work that was not only mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous for children but also interfered with their schooling. It was the second such exercise conducted in the country after Punjab. The survey conducted by the labour department across the province, including the newly-merged tribal districts, said the residents aged 5-1...

WASHINGTON: The United Arab Emirates and its powerful ruler were sued in a Washington court on Wednesday, accused of bankrolling a “dark public relations” operation that falsely linked an American oil trader to terrorist financing. The lawsuit filed by the trader Hazim Nada in the District of Columbia alleges that starting in 2017 the UAE paid a Swiss private intelligence firm, Alp Services, to “seriously damage” his reputation and business in a sweeping smear campaign. The alleged operation against Nada, first reported by The New Yorker last year, spotlights a booming industry of what security analysts call “disinformation-for-hire” enterprises that seed false narratives and peddle influence operations on behalf of governments and other paying clients. Nada is suing dozens of parties including the UAE, its President Sheikh Moha­med bin Zayed Al Nahyan — often known as MBZ — its national oil company ADNOC, Emirati officials and Alp Services. Nada is seeking damages worth $2.7...

BEIJING / ISLAMABAD: China has said it is ready to work with Pakistan to upgrade the China-Pakistan Economic Corri­dor (CPEC) and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. Separately, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said after having achieved the first phase of CPEC, Pakistan is benefiting from its early harvest projects while remaining engaged with China to execute the next phase. Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson Wang Wenbin while answering a question during a briefing on Wednesday said, “China stands ready to work with Pakistan to deliver on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, and expand practical cooperation.” About the recent visit of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong to Pakistan, he said the minister during his Jan 20-22 trip called on President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Kakar, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Com...

With the February 8 general election roughly two weeks away, the PTI will be contesting the polls without a common electoral symbol after being stripped of its iconic ‘bat’. Despite the party’s best efforts, its candidates will be competing in the polls as independents, each having a separate symbol, and that’s because the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to revoke their long-held symbol, which held additional value due to party founder Imran Khan’s cricketing roots. The verdict has also resulted in the party losing out on reserved seats for women and minorities. Resultantly, the PTI has alleged that revoking its ‘bat’ will cast a shadow on the freeness and fairness of the election, as its candidates would be vulnerable to horse-trading. Let’s take a look at the significance of electoral symbols and the challenges which the PTI faces in the Feb 8 polls. What is an electoral symbol? Electoral symbols — unique pictorial identifiers — are...

ISLAMABAD: As PTI-backed candidates struggle to launch their election campaign amid a crackdown on the party supporters, imprisoned PTI foun­der Imran Khan has war­ned that he would replace ‘inactive’ nominees with ‘suitable candidates’ if the former failed to step up their election campaigns. The PTI leader made these comments during his interaction with reporters at Adiala Jail on Tuesday after the hearing of the cipher case, in which star witness Asad Majeed — a central character in the cipher controversy — recorded his statement. Speaking to reporters, Mr Khan asked his party’s candidates to take out ‘massive rallies’ and organise public gatherings to show the strength of the PTI in their constituencies. He said their tickets would be cancelled if the PTI electioneering did not pick up steam by SSunday “I will replace such nominees with suitable candidates,” he said, asking the public to remain peaceful. He said the PTI was being denied the fundamental right of electioneerin...