Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday adjourned hearing on GHQ attack case against PTI founder and other accused, and also summoned five prosecution witnesses for testimony.

ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah was to hear the case but hearing was postponed due to security arrangements in Adiala Jail in line of the judgment in 190 million pounds reference.

The court adjourned the case till January 15.

Islamabad: Around 26 missing children were found through the Zara Alert app by the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) in December 2024.

Speaking to reporter on Monday, an official from the Ministry of Human Rights stated that from December 1 to December 31, 2024, the Zara Alert service received a total of 75 cases nationwide. The gender-wise distribution included 52 boys and 23 girls. Among the cases, 20 involved children aged 1 to 5 years, 9 involved those aged 6 to 10 years, 23 were in the 10 to 15-year age group, and another 23 cases involved children aged 16 to 18 years.

Around 44 open cases were received, and 25 preliminary examinations were conducted, he added. A total of 5 FIRs were registered, and 9 verification cases were also received.

He further mentioned that five cases are under investigation, and 31 cases have been closed. Additionally, three duplicate cases and two fake cases were reported, he added.

He further mentioned that three duplicate cases and two fake cases were reported. He stated that the Ministry of Human Rights is actively working to address evolving threats and aims to make the country the safest place for children through its helpline services.

He further mentioned that individuals can contact the Ministry at [email protected], and the ministry will ensure service delivery. Approximately 450 cases were related to reminders or follow-ups: 77 in the first week of December, 96 in the second week, 122 in the third week, and 155 in the last week of December.

Islamabad: The armed forces of Uzbekistan have emerged as a cornerstone of national pride and security, reflecting the country's renewed strength under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The Uzbek Embassy, in a statement, said the reforms initiated by the government in recent years have fundamentally transformed the country's military structure and capabilities, enabling Uzbekistan to ensure its national security, border protection, and societal stability.

The Day of Defenders of the Motherland, celebrated annually on January 14, pays tribute to the valiant service of the Uzbek armed forces. The statement highlighted the unwavering dedication of military personnel, who uphold the country's sovereignty and peace while embodying the spirit and traditions of their great ancestors.

The Uzbek Constitution, recently amended through a nationwide referendum, has paved the way for further strengthening the country's defense potential. The ongoing reforms aim to enhance the combat readiness of troops and modernize the armed forces to meet contemporary security challenges.

The "Uzbekistan-2030" strategy, adopted under a presidential decree, underscores the prioritization of defense advancements. Over the past three years, more than 35 conceptual directive documents have been developed to refine troop preparation methods, drawing from the best practices of developed nations.

The statement also outlined key advancements in military training and readiness. Combat and special training hours for permanent-readiness brigades have increased significantly, with 70% of exercises conducted practically and 50% taking place at night under conditions simulating real combat.

Since 2018, the intensity of troop readiness exercises has increased by 2.5 times. Modular training systems have been implemented, focusing on combat coherence at various levels, while professional skills development remains a priority.

The Uzbek Ministry of Defense has expanded its infrastructure, establishing 19 specialized training centers compared to just two five years ago. These centers have garnered international recognition, with military specialists from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and other nations proposing joint experience-sharing initiatives.

Uzbekistan currently operates over 20 general-purpose training grounds, with 16 designated for hosting international military events. The Armed Forces actively engage in joint exercises with foreign counterparts, ensuring the continued evolution of their capabilities.

In the face of global geopolitical shifts and evolving security threats, Uzbekistan's Armed Forces stand as a powerful, mobile, and well-equipped entity safeguarding the peace and harmony of the nation - a testament to the vision of New Uzbekistan.

Islamabad: Chairman of Pakistan Textile Council, Fawad Anwar on Monday issued an urgent appeal to the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb, emphasizing the critical need for immediate policy intervention to prevent for the revival of Pakistan's textile industry.

In a letter addressed by the Chairman of PTC, Fawad Anwar, the Council highlighted the severe financial strain faced by the textile sector, which contributes nearly 60% of Pakistan's export earnings and employs over 15 million people, said in a statements issued here.

'We believe a calibrated policy approach which can safeguard Pakistan's textile sector from irreversible damage while still aligning with the country's macroeconomic goals,' Fawad Anwar, Chairman of Pakistan Textile Council said.

He said that despite the positive impact of structural reforms under the IMF program, their implementation has resulted in unsustainable financial challenges for the textile industry, requiring immediate policy recalibration.

Key Concerns Raised by PTC is crippling energy Costs and industrial electricity tariffs have reached 16-18 cents/kWh, nearly double the rates in Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and China, he said.

Chairman PTC said that as prices for captive power have surged above $13-14/MMBtu compared to $5-8/MMBtu in regional economies, with additional capacity charges and surcharges further inflating costs.

He said the working capital rates have jumped from 2% to approximately 14%. And recent IMF-driven tax policies, including minimum turnover taxes and super taxes, have increased effective tax rates to over 50%, significantly impacting profitability in this low-margin, high-volume industry.

The investment in industrial re -investments, crucial for sector survival, has become difficult due to soaring short-term interest rates, he said.

PTC also warned that the continued financial stress could result in the closure of textile mills, sparking mass unemployment, civil unrest, and long-term economic instability.

He said that giving recommendations for Sustainable Sector Stability and urged the government to adopt a balanced and calibrated approach that ensures economic stability without compromising the long-term viability of Pakistan's key foreign exchange-generating industries. Key recommendations include:

Balancing proposed reforms with global competitiveness considerations for export sectors and gradually phasing out subsidies while enhancing public infrastructure for sustainable energy pricing, he said.

He proposed reducing capacity charges by negotiating lower tariffs with power producers, especially for imported fuel-based plants and revisiting levies on captive power and ensuring regionally competitive gas rates for industrial use.

He proposed implementing a more balanced taxation framework that ensures industry viability and retains critical foreign exchange inflows.

The Pakistan Textile Council remains committed to working collaboratively with the government to ensure sustainable growth for Pakistan's textile industry, which is vital for the nation's economic stability and long-term prosperity.

Islamabad: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police have dismissed Dolphin Squad officer Hassan Maqsood over bribery allegations.

A police spokesperson told reporter on Sunday that the decision was taken under the direct supervision of Dupty Inspector General (DIG) Syed Ali Raza.

He said the officer faced allegations of accepting a bribe during a vehicle check. Reportedly, Hassan Maqsood allowed a vehicle with tinted windows to proceed after receiving illegal payment.

He added that a complaint was initially lodged by a fellow police officer, prompting the immediate suspension of the accused. A comprehensive departmental inquiry followed, which concluded that the officer was guilty of the charges. Consequently, the officer was terminated from service.

'There is no place in the department for corrupt officers,' DIG Syed Ali Raza stated. Hr emphasized that such actions undermine public trust and vowed to maintain a strict stance against any personnel found misusing their authority.

Islamabad: The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) on Friday expressed dissatisfaction with the inadequate preparation of the management in delivering a comprehensive presentation on the agenda concerning the recent elections conducted by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) at the federal, provincial, and district levels.

The meeting was chaired by its Chairman, MNA Muhammad Sana Ullah Khan, said a press release. The meeting included a briefing on the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), as well as discussions on Pakistan Kabaddi Federations.

The committee directed the PFF to provide a more thorough and well-prepared briefing on the agenda within 15 days. Additionally, the committee instructed the PFF and the Pakistan Sports Board to ensure the briefing/working papers are submitted at least three days prior to the next committee meeting.

The committee urged the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) to include details in the next briefing regarding the eligibility of voters for the election, decisions on appeals by individuals or bodies banned by the PFF during the elections, and the orders of the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, it instructed the representative of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) to convey its directive to the PKF President, ensuring his presence at the next meeting.