Murtaza Solangi, the federal minister of information and broadcasting, emphasised on Monday the importance of using democratic methods, dialogue, and respect for the law to handle the nation’s problems because using extraconstitutional tactics would only result in their devastation. Speaking at a speech competition for students from Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) model schools and colleges, held in honour of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his birth anniversary, he emphasised that maintaining democratic traditions was essential to addressing the nation’s pressing problems. The competition was organised by the Directorate of Electronic Media and Production (DEMP). Honouring the Constitution is essential because growth depends on abiding by the law. A departure from this could result in anarchy and a violation of fundamental constitutional rights,” the minister stated.
Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Special Representative to the Caretaker Prime Minister on Religious Harmony & Islamic Countries, stated on Monday that minorities, especially the Christian community, and ulema were united for the country’s peace and development. The Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman, Ashrafi, stated that the PUC and the churches have consistently advocated for national peace. When he went to Holy Trinity Cathedral to spend Christmas with the Christian community, he said this. In expressing gratitude to the Christian community on this important occasion, Ashrafi stated that Ulema held the belief that all religions should be respected. He said that minorities, including as Christians, Sikhs, and Hindus, were allowed to travel to their places of worship anywhere in the nation and that it was the duty of the State to ensure their safety.
Khalil George, the federal minister for human rights, stated on Monday that Pakistan grants full religious freedom to all minorities, including the Christian community. The priest noted in his Christmas Day sermon that sharing joys and bringing the needy and impoverished into our delight, rather than putting a stop to disagreements, is the finest way to celebrate Christmas and bring people closer together. “We are all Pakistanis and we are united for the progress and prosperity of our country,” he declared during the Christmas cake-cutting event that was taking place at this hotel. He added that all prophets carried the universal message of love, peace, hope, brotherhood, and coexistence when they came to this world to guide humanity.
The Establishment Division on Monday relieved Dr. Akbar Nisar Khan, the Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP), and Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon of their positions effective immediately, following the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) directives. It is important to note that the former coalition government led by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) nominated Nasir, a DIG (grade-20), as the senior police officer in the federal capital in May 2022. A number of political parties submitted complaints against the officers in October, and the ECP requested that the interior ministry transfer them because they were suspected of influencing the results of the impending elections. The Interior Ministry requested in November that the deputy commissioner and the Inspector General of Islamabad be transferred immediately to the Establishment Division.
With Israel bombarding the beleaguered Palestinian territory on Monday with no end in sight to the war that Hamas claims has taken more than 20,000 deaths, Palestinians said they had “no joy” this Christmas. The occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, which is regarded as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, practically abandoned its celebrations, as there were hardly any worshippers or tourists in the typically bustling streets. Early on Monday, the Hamas organisation in the Gaza Strip reported 50 strikes in core areas, including the Nuseirat refugee camp. Fadi Sayegh, whose family has previously been granted permission to travel to Bethlehem for holidays, declared he would not be enjoying Christmas this year at a hospital in the recently-fighting southern city of Khan Yunis.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the prime minister, has allayed concerns regarding the February 8 election. In an interview with a private television channel, he stated that because candidates have begun filing their nomination papers and political parties are working to create compelling narratives to win over voters, there should be no room for uncertainty over the results of polls. According to the Prime Minister, elections are required under the constitution and will take place on February 8 in order to form a new elected administration. In response to a query, he stated that the government of Pakistan is in charge of ensuring the safety of the country’s political elite and electorate. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar stated that the caretaker administration will carry out its duties while elections were taking place.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Friday evening stripped off the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of its iconic ‘bat’ symbol — a sign that depicts its founder,...
In the cypher case, the Supreme Court granted bail to former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and former prime minister Imran Khan on Friday. It ordered the PTI leaders to produce one million rupee surety bonds apiece. On a series of PTI petitions, the ruling was made by a three-judge panel led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and consisting of Justices Athar Minallah and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah. The Federal Investigation Agency’s charge sheet in the cypher case claims that Imran never returned a diplomatic document. The PTI has long maintained that the document was a threat to remove Imran from office as prime minister from the United States.
Justice Athar Minallah of the Supreme Court said on Friday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) claims that the equal playing field is being denied in advance of the next general elections are “prima facie correct.” While listening to the PTI’s demand for equal rights in the general elections, he offered these observations. The petition was heard by a three-judge panel that included Justice Minallah, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, and Acting Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood. Regarding the raid on the former leader of the Pakistan Terrorist Organisation, Justice Minallah stated that all events at the residence of politician Usman Dar were reported in the press. In the courtroom was also the director general law of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The ECP official was instructed by the highest court to meet with the PTI attorneys at 3:00 PM today.
Madad Ali Sindhi, the acting federal minister for education and professional training, emphasised on Friday the necessity for a paradigm change in educational exams and evaluation systems in order to bring them into compliance with the demands of the contemporary technological era. Exams and assessment are essential components of the educational system, and we must implement policies that foster critical thinking, creativity, and the application of knowledge in real-world contexts. He made these remarks at the opening session of the two-day IBCC First Annual Conference, “Examination and Assessment Practices in Pakistan.” Academicians, teaching faculty, students, and vice-chancellors of universities from throughout the nation attended the conference, which was arranged by the Inter Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) here at a private institution.