Wednesday 9 August 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

UN concerned over tens of thousands trapped in Raqa battle

Posted:

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The United Nations on Wednesday urged those fighting in Syrias Raqa to remember obligations to protect civilians, voicing concern over the tens of thousands of people still trapped without access to aid.An estimated 10,000 to 25,000 people are stuck in the city, the Islamic State groups main stronghold, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who noted that exact figures remain difficult to verify due to the situation on the ground.Access to Raqa is not currently possible for the UN, due to the fighting on the ground, Dujarric said during his daily briefing.We remind all military actors of their obligations to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access, in line with international humanitarian law.In July humanitarian organizations distributed aid, including food and medications, to some 263,000 people out of at least 46 sites within the Raqa region, Dujarric said.The Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-Arab alliance backed by an international coalition battling IS, entered Raqa city two months ago.But the forces progress has been hindered by IS which is fighting hard to hang on to the de facto Syrian capital of the caliphate it self-proclaimed in June 2014.The SDF is backed by the US-led coalition battling IS in Iraq and Syria, which has supplied weapons, air cover and a limited number of troops.The fight for Raqa has prompted tens of thousands of civilians to flee, with many wounded by crossfire or IS-planted explosive devices during their escape.

Netanyahu slams media campaign to 'overthrow' him

Posted:

TEL AVIV (AFP) - Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday slammed what he called a left-wing and media campaign aimed at overthrowing him as he faces ongoing investigations.The media has mobilised in an obsessive campaign against my family and me, but you the voters are the ones really targeted, he said to applause at a rally of his right-wing Likud party in Tel Aviv.Organisers said more than 3,000 people gathered in support of the premier.The rally came after officials last week said Netanyahus former chief of staff, who has been investigated in graft cases involving the premier, had agreed to turn state witness.According to reports, Ari Harow has already been supplying investigators with information regarding two of the ongoing investigations.One is based on suspicions that Netanyahu unlawfully received gifts from wealthy supporters, including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.Also being probed are allegation that he sought a secret deal with the publisher of top-selling daily Yediot Aharonot.The deal, not believed to have been finalised, would reportedly have seen Netanyahu receive positive coverage in return for helping scale down the operations of Israel Hayom, Yediots main competitor.Netanyahu has been questioned on both cases.The investigations have stirred speculation that Netanyahu may be forced to step down.The premier has rejected allegations of misconduct in all the affairs, saying repeatedly that he is the target of a campaign by political opponents.The people are with us, Netanyahu said at Wednesdays rally, accompanied by his wife Sara, who has also been grilled on suspicion that she diverted public money for private housekeeping expenses.

UN: 20 million face war-linked famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria

Posted:

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - More than 20 million people are at risk from famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and the northeast of Nigeria, the United Nations warned on Wednesday.The Security Council officially declared for the first time that the threat was directly linked to the armed conflicts raging in the afflicted areas.The Security Council notes the devastating impact on civilians of ongoing armed conflict and violence, the 15-member UN body said.The declaration added that the council also emphasizes with deep concern that ongoing conflicts and violence have devastating humanitarian consequences and hinder an effective humanitarian response in the short, medium and long term and are therefore a major cause of famine in the situations above.It called on all parties involved in the various conflicts to respect and protect medical facilities and personnel and their means of transport and equipment.The declaration, based on a Swedish initiative and subject to tough negotiations, was the first time the UN has formally established a link between famine and conflict in the region.The Security Council underlines the obligations of all parties to armed conflict to respect and protect civilians, it said.It went on to issue a call for all parties in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and northeast Nigeria to urgently take steps that would enable a more effective humanitarian response.The council also called on UN members to make good on their pledge of aid to help tackle the burgeoning threat of famine.According to the UNs humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, only $2.5 billion have so far been paid up by donors to tackle the crisis, out of a total of $4.9 billion urgently needed.

'Mother Teresa' of Pakistan Dr Ruth Pfau hospitalized

Posted:

KARACHI (Dunya News) - Dr Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau, who spent over 50 years of her life to fighting leprosy in Pakistan, is critically ill and currently admitted at a private hospital in Karachi, Dunya News reported.Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau, who is also known as ‘Pakistans Mother Teresa, was admitted to the ICU on Wednesday as she was having breathing difficulties. A team of doctors, treating the 88-year-old Dr. Ruth, has shifted her to ventilator and were struggling to save her life.In 1960 Dr Ruth decided to dedicate the rest of her life to the people of Pakistan and their battle against Leprosy. She came to Karachi and started treatment of the Leprosy patients.In recognition of her service to the country, she was awarded Pakistani citizenship in 1988. Dr Ruth received the Hilal-i-Pakistan award for her work with leprosy patients in 1989. She also received Nishan-i-Quaid-i-Azam in 2010.

Increase in unscheduled loadshedding irks masses in Faisalabad

Posted:

FAISALABAD (Dunya News) – People in Faisalabad are suffering due to increase in unscheduled loadshedding in the city by the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO). With hot weather becoming unbearable for people, the situation gets worse when electricity goes out.The urban areas in Faisalabad are experiencing up to 12-hour loadshedding with no letup in the hot weather while up to 14 to 16 hours of loadshedding is being carried out in rural areas.The long and unscheduled loadshedding in FESCO region amid scorching heat has affected domestic life to a great extent. Women are facing numerous problems in carrying out domestic chores. Meanwhile, the traders and business outlets are irked by the disproportionate long duration of power outages.

Ranatunga urges ICC to probe Sri Lanka chief

Posted:

COLOMBO (AFP) - Former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has blamed Sri Lankas string of humiliating defeats on the countrys cricket chief and demanded his investigation by the International Cricket Council.In what could be the opening shots of a new bid to head Sri Lanka Cricket, Ranatunga, 53, told AFP there was no proper discipline in the national team which has had a horror run of results.The team lost by an innings and 53 runs in the second Test against India on Sunday, after being crushed in the first match by 304 runs. They are now fighting to avoid a whitewash in the three-Test series.Sri Lanka also suffered an early exit from the Champions Trophy, and lost a one-day series at home to bottom ranked Zimbabwe last month.Ranatunga accused Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala, 52, of being involved in gaming -- a claim Sumathipala denies -- and said he should not be allowed to hold office.There is no proper discipline in the team... (but) no point in blaming the cricketers when they get involved in all these gambling things. First they have to get the officials in order, Ranatunga told AFP.There have been reports of attempts to approach Sri Lankan players for alleged match-fixing.Several officials, umpires and players have been suspended or fined for involvement in match-fixing or refusing to cooperate with investigations.Ranatunga said the International Cricket Council should investigate Sumathipala over alleged gambling links and the conduct of the Sri Lankan board.I want to know if the ICC has a backbone to check if these people (Sri Lanka Cricket management) are in compliance with ethics standards, Ranatunga told AFP.There was no immediate comment from the ICC. But Sumathipala denied the allegation and accused Ranatunga of a smear campaign in a bid to take over the board.Sumathipala said Sri Lankas sports ministry and the ICC had both cleared him to hold office at SLC, as well as at the Asian Cricket Council and ICC.I deny any involvement personally, directly or indirectly with gaming business, Sumathipala told AFP.He also slammed Ranatunga, Sri Lankas minister of petroleum, for accusing President Maithripala Sirisenas government of failing to protect the game.If he wants to criticise the government, he must first resign, Sumathipala, said adding that allegations are frequently made against the board when the national team performs badly.Every time the game is affected at the middle, Sri Lanka cricketers are not performing to the expectation, we hear this kind of noise coming from the same quarter, Sumathipala said.He added that Ranatunga was hoping to oust him as Sri Lankas cricket chief, a position he tried and failed to secure in elections in January 2016.The same man (Ranatunga) is continuously making every effort undemocratically, unethically to hold office of Sri Lanka Cricket, even when he has been democratically defeated more than once, Sumathipala said.Ranatunga and his younger brother Nishantha stood against Sumathipala at last years board elections and lost. The next elections are due in five months.Since retiring from the game, Ranatunga has entered politics and he was an unelected cricket administrator in 2008.Authorities have not responded to his demand that an interim committee run Sri Lankan Cricket.I thought OK, if the government thinks this is right -- and I am part of this government -- I tried to take a step back and allowed them (the board) to run. They have messed up everything, Ranatunga said.Last month Ranatunga also demanded an investigation into the countrys 2011 World Cup final defeat by India, which was accompanied by allegations of match-fixing.Sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said he was willing to order a probe if there was a written complaint.

Filling in for Jadeja exciting and nerve-racking: Yadav

Posted:

PALLEKELE (AFP) - Indias Kuldeep Yadav said Wednesday he felt both excited and nervous before the final Test against Sri Lanka as the left-arm wrist spinner prepared to fill in for suspended star bowler Ravindra Jadeja.Yadav is expected to make the starting XI in the Test at Pallekele starting Saturday in place of Jadeja, who was handed a one-match ban for dangerous play in Indias last Test against Sri Lanka.The 22-year-old spinner made an impressive Test debut against Australia in India in March before going on to claim eight wickets in five one-day international appearances between June and July against the West Indies.If I get a chance to play in Sri Lanka I will be very happy because I have been working hard and this will be a result of that. So obviously excited, Yadav told reporters.But also there is nervousness that I should be able to perform.Yadav joined the squad for the three-Test series in Sri Lanka, but the presence of world-number one Test bowler Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin denied him a slot in the starting lineup.Despite being overshadowed, the Kanpur-born player said exposure to these two star spinners had served him well.Definitely you will have to wait for your chance if the number-one and number-two spinners are in the same squad as you, said Yadav.It is good that I have worked with them and I have been in the team with them for last 6-7 months... I try to stay with them mostly and keep talking to them and they help me a lot.Yadav, one of the few left-arm unorthodox spinners alongside Sri Lankas Lakshan Sandakan and South African Tabraiz Shamsi, said the style was gaining in popularity.When I started there were hardly any, he said, adding cricket academies were honing more unorthodox bowlers.It is a happy feeling that people have recognised this skill.

People's mandate not respected for past 70 years, Nawaz addresses 'GT Road homecoming rally'

Posted:

(Web Desk) – Former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has said that the mandate of the people has never been respected for the past 70 years and that he was disqualified on July 28 this year for not accepting salary from his sons company.He addressed the party workers for the first time in his ‘GT Road homecoming rally’ at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi despite earlier scheduled addresses that were not delivered.He said that the people of Pakistan have not accepted the judgment of the top court.Pakistan Stock Market (PSX) has plummeted at least by 10,000 points since the Panama Papers case has been pursued. PSX hit 54,000 points during the government of PML-N.The disqualified PM claimed that he does not bear any corruption allegation against him, forget a proved case.He urged the party workers to help him change the course that Pakistan is following. He vowed that he would contribute towards a better Pakistan along with the people.Nawaz Sharif condemned attack on the media during the rally. He said that his political opponents resort to the use of force out of frustration and not PML-N. He said that he has seen all of the Rawalpindi locals out on the roads today in the rally.He announced to resume the journey at Kacheri Chowk in Rawalpindi at 11:00am on August 10. Be two days or three days, he does not mind reaching home late when people are giving him and his party so much love, the former premier added.He said that the people cannot lead respectable lives without the rule of independent judiciary in Pakistan.Criticising Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief who has landed in Lahore from Canada yesterday, Nawaz claimed that he leads a luxurious life abroad and does not care for the people of Pakistan.Rawalpindi arrivalCavalcade of disqualified prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted by Supreme Court (SC) under article 62 and 63 in Panama Leaks case, reached Rawalpindi in wee hours of Thursday, pursuing ‘mission Grand Trunk (GT) Road’ to Lahore.The ex-premier has stayed in Punjab House, Rawalpindi for the night and will set out on the road in the morning.The route taken by the ousted premier to RawalpindiThousands of PML-N supporters had thronged the federal capital today to express solidarity and love for their ousted leader whereas camps have been formed all along the Grand Trunk Road to welcome the former premier.Nawaz Sharif‘s rally reached Faizabad after crossing Zero Point and more groups of PML-N supporters joined the cavalcade while on way to Rawalpindi. The ex-premier was reported to be addressing the supporters in Faizabad but that did not happen.As the convoy reached Faizabad:Former prime minister was initially scheduled to address party workers at D-Chowk, Kachehri Chowk however, he has not delivered a single address since kicking start the journey at 11:00am today from Punjab House.While in Faizabad, the former premier moved from BMW four-wheeler to his makeshift private space formed out of a goods container.See pictures of Nawaz’s private space for GT Road rallyherePM Nawaz embarks on the journey from Punjab House, IslamabadSharif was seen off by PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Federal Minsiter for Finance Ishaq DarPakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) caravan will first reach D-Chowk from Punjab House and then will head towards Faizabaad through Blue Area and Zero Point. It will enter Rawalpindi via Murree Road from where it will depart for Lahore via GT Road.He has been directed by the security personnel to not step out of the container due to security concerns.Convoys of passionate PML-N supporters joining the cavalcadePML-N leader Amir Muqam led a rally from Peshawar to Islamabad to join the cavalcade and while talking to the media, he said that the party workers live and die for Nawaz Sharif.“The people are going along with Nawaz Sharif out of their love and loyalty with him. We are committed to the public and not to the opposition. Nawaz Sharif was PM and will also be in the future,” he maintained.PML-N’s consultative meeting ahead of GT Road marchIt is reported that Nawaz Sharif chaired a consultative meeting of party workers ahead of the rally and discussed arrangements for his Lahore arrival and future agenda.Former information minister Pervez Rashid, Asif Kirmani and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb attended the meeting and gave their suggestions.Preparations completed for PML-N rallyAll arrangements were finalised as banners and posters were displayed on the route while the local administration granted permission for the rally as well.The security plan was devised under which more than 6,000 security personnel have been deployed while all the areas around the route will be sealed as the cavalcade approaches.Helipads have also been built in Gordon College in Rawalpindi and in ten other colleges of the district including Rawat and Gujar Khan to handle any untoward incident.Goats being sacrificed before departure of rallyPanamagate verdictOn April 20, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa had announced Panama Leaks case decision comprising of 540 pages, saying that the court issued a split ruling calling for a JIT. Two of the five judges went further, branding Sharif dishonest and saying he should be disqualified, but they were outnumbered.The court formed a six-member inquiry team that included Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Additional Director General Wajid Zia, Military Intelligence’s Brig Kamran Khurshid, National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Director Irfan Naeem Mangi, State Bank of Pakistan’s Amer Aziz, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) Executive Director Bilal Rasool and Inter-Services Intelligence’s Brig Muhammad Nauman Saeed.The JIT members during the seven-week period interrogated eight members of Sharif family including Nawaz Sharif, his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, daughter Maryam Nawaz, son-in-law Captain Safdar, cousin Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and brother-in-law Ishaq Dar and submitted its report on July 10.On July 29, the five-judge larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan after a week-long hearings unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif. It is hereby declared that having failed to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from Capital FZE Jebel Ali, UAE in his nomination papers filed for the General Elections held in 2013 in terms of Section 12(2)(f) of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 (ROPA), and having furnished a false declaration under solemn affirmation respondent No. 1 Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is not honest in terms of Section 99(f) of ROPA and Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and therefore he is disqualified to be a Member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).The fresh PM for PakistanOn August 2, President Mamnoon Hussain had administered oath to Shahid Khaqan Abbasi after he was elected as the leader of the House in National Assembly (NA) for 45 days by securing 221 votes.On August 4, a 43-member new cabinet that included 27 federal and 16 state ministers took oath in a ceremony at Prime Minister House.Panama Papers FalloutPanama Papers had published a leak of documents belonging to Mossack Fonseca, a law firm in April 2016 creating uproar in Pakistan among other countries. The leak was studied by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and stated names of incumbent as well as former leaders of the world who owned shell companies. Opposition parties in Pakistan saw offshore companies as proof of money laundering done by Sharif family. Questions over the source of money used to purchase flats in London’s posh Mayfair locality by Sharif family were raised.The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami.Watch Video Below:

Fiat Chrysler employee pleads guilty to fraud scheme

Posted:

CHICAGO (AFP) - A former Fiat Chrysler employee has pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and tax violations as part of a case that involves skimming money meant for training autoworkers into the pockets of labor union and company officials.In the case that has implicated former US executives at the company and at the United Autoworkers Union, Jerome Durden, who worked as a financial analyst for the automakers American subsidiary, reached a plea agreement with US prosecutors announced late Tuesday night.And investigators revealed in court documents that they are still probing a number of other people in the alleged scheme to take money from a training program for union workers, including at least one other UAW employee.Durden admitted that he and his co-conspirators used the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center as a conduit to conceal over $1 million in prohibited payments and things of value paid to UAW Vice President General Holiefield, who died in 2015, and other UAW officials, the court documents said.And a US Labor Department official said in a statement that Durden had conspired to divert more than $4.5 million from a union training fund and failed to report taxable income.We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat crimes that deprive American workers of training opportunities, Labor Department investigator James Vanderberg said in a statement.A Detroit grand jury in July indicted former FCA US executive Alphons Iacobelli, who was in charge of negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements, and Holiefields widow Monica Morgan.Prosecutors alleged Iacobelli hid illegal payments and gifts over a five-year period ending in 2014, including designer clothing, jewelry and furniture, and paid off a $262,219 mortgage on Holiefield and Morgans residence.Mr. Dardens criminal conduct was part of a broader pattern of dishonesty and collusion among those implicated in this investigation, the FBIs David Gelios said in a statement.The ongoing federal probe comes at a time when the UAW has struggled to unionize new auto factories in southern US states.Workers at a Nissan plant in Mississippi last week rejected a bid to join the UAW. The union criticized the auto maker for engaging in scare tactics, which included telling workers the union was just after their dues money.And in 2014, workers at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee also voted against joining the UAW.The union said it has 55,000 members in southern factories, accounting for 13 percent of its active membership.Meanwhile, Fiat Chrysler is facing challenges of its own. European and US regulators allege some of its diesel cars also had defeat devices to cheat on emissions tests, similar to those Volkswagen admitted using.

Trump's childhood home listed on AirBnb at $725 a night

Posted:

NEW YORK (AFP) - Those looking to savor US presidential history first-hand are being invited to rent Donald Trumps childhood home at $725 a night on AirBnb, complete with a giant presidential cut-out in the living room.The $2 million, mock Tudor-style family home in Queens, where the New York tycoon turned Republican commander-in-chief lived for the first four years of his life, sleeps up to 20 people in five bedrooms.Equipped with internet and cable TV, the listing says it is verified and calls itself the perfect accommodation for a New York vacation.We decided to put it on AirBnb to share the house with the world, said Michael Davis, the real-estate developer who bought the home last year, sold it for profit and now leases it back at $4,000 a month.Theres been a lot of activity, Davis said, with the first guests expected to stay this weekend.The listing shows several dates blocked off in August but currently there are no reviews.It claims little has changed since the Trumps time, boasting an original kitchen and opulent furnishings.We tried to have presidential furniture, explained Davis. Its decorated very, very nicely and it has all of the amenities that you would need.Built by father Fred in 1940 in the upmarket enclave of Jamaica Estates, the president lived in the home until the family moved into a colonnaded mansion that Trump senior built nearby in 1951.The two-story home embellished with red brick sold at auction in January for 54 percent more than the $1.39 million the investor paid for last year. The $2.14 million deal closed in March.Listing pictures show photographs of the president and quotations sprinkled around the property. Trumps best-selling business tome The Art of the Deal is in the house library -- the only book in the house.It remains unclear what the president would make of the venture.I think he likes a good deal, said Davis. His brand creates value and we were certainly the beneficiaries of that.Asked about the house when he appeared on NBCs The Tonight Show during the election campaign, Trump said it was sad the building was on sale and said he wanted to buy it.This AirBnb listing authors say they have no relationship with the White House, Trump or his Manhattan-based Trump Organization.

'GT Road homecoming': Nawaz to rest in Rawalpindi, will set out on Aug 10 morning

Posted:

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Cavalcade of disqualified prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted by Supreme Court (SC) under article 62 and 63 in Panama Leaks case, reached Rawalpindi on Wednesday pursuing ‘mission Grand Trunk (GT) Road’ to Lahore.The ex-premier has stayed in Punjab House, Rawalpindi for the night and will set out on the road in the morning.The route taken by the ousted premier to RawalpindiThousands of PML-N supporters had thronged the federal capital today to express solidarity and love for their ousted leader whereas camps have been formed all along the Grand Trunk Road to welcome the former premier.Nawaz Sharif‘s rally reached Faizabad after crossing Zero Point and more groups of PML-N supporters joined the cavalcade while on way to Rawalpindi. The ex-premier was reported to be addressing the supporters in Faizabad but that did not happen.As the convoy reached Faizabad:Former prime minister was initially scheduled to address party workers at D-Chowk, Kachehri Chowk however, he has not delivered a single address since kicking start the journey at 11:00am today from Punjab House.While in Faizabad, the former premier moved from BMW four-wheeler to his makeshift private space formed out of a goods container.See pictures of Nawaz’s private space for GT Road rallyherePM Nawaz embarks on the journey from Punjab House, IslamabadSharif was seen off by PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Federal Minsiter for Finance Ishaq DarPakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) caravan will first reach D-Chowk from Punjab House and then will head towards Faizabaad through Blue Area and Zero Point. It will enter Rawalpindi via Murree Road from where it will depart for Lahore via GT Road.He has been directed by the security personnel to not step out of the container due to security concerns.Convoys of passionate PML-N supporters joining the cavalcadePML-N leader Amir Muqam led a rally from Peshawar to Islamabad to join the cavalcade and while talking to the media, he said that the party workers live and die for Nawaz Sharif.“The people are going along with Nawaz Sharif out of their love and loyalty with him. We are committed to the public and not to the opposition. Nawaz Sharif was PM and will also be in the future,” he maintained.PML-N’s consultative meeting ahead of GT Road marchIt is reported that Nawaz Sharif chaired a consultative meeting of party workers ahead of the rally and discussed arrangements for his Lahore arrival and future agenda.Former information minister Pervez Rashid, Asif Kirmani and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb attended the meeting and gave their suggestions.Preparations completed for PML-N rallyAll arrangements weren finalised as banners and posters were displayed on the route while the local administration granted permission for the rally as well.The security plan was devised under which more than 6,000 security personnel have been deployed while all the areas around the route will be sealed as the cavalcade approaches.Helipads have also been built in Gordon College in Rawalpindi and in ten other colleges of the district including Rawat and Gujar Khan to handle any untoward incident.Goats being sacrificed before departure of rallyPanamagate verdictOn April 20, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa had announced Panama Leaks case decision comprising of 540 pages, saying that the court issued a split ruling calling for a JIT. Two of the five judges went further, branding Sharif dishonest and saying he should be disqualified, but they were outnumbered.The court formed a six-member inquiry team that included Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Additional Director General Wajid Zia, Military Intelligence’s Brig Kamran Khurshid, National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Director Irfan Naeem Mangi, State Bank of Pakistan’s Amer Aziz, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) Executive Director Bilal Rasool and Inter-Services Intelligence’s Brig Muhammad Nauman Saeed.The JIT members during the seven-week period interrogated eight members of Sharif family including Nawaz Sharif, his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, daughter Maryam Nawaz, son-in-law Captain Safdar, cousin Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and brother-in-law Ishaq Dar and submitted its report on July 10.On July 29, the five-judge larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan after a week-long hearings unanimously disqualified Nawaz Sharif. It is hereby declared that having failed to disclose his un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from Capital FZE Jebel Ali, UAE in his nomination papers filed for the General Elections held in 2013 in terms of Section 12(2)(f) of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 (ROPA), and having furnished a false declaration under solemn affirmation respondent No. 1 Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is not honest in terms of Section 99(f) of ROPA and Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and therefore he is disqualified to be a Member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).The fresh PM for PakistanOn August 2, President Mamnoon Hussain had administered oath to Shahid Khaqan Abbasi after he was elected as the leader of the House in National Assembly (NA) for 45 days by securing 221 votes.On August 4, a 43-member new cabinet that included 27 federal and 16 state ministers took oath in a ceremony at Prime Minister House.Panama Papers FalloutPanama Papers had published a leak of documents belonging to Mossack Fonseca, a law firm in April 2016 creating uproar in Pakistan among other countries. The leak was studied by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and stated names of incumbent as well as former leaders of the world who owned shell companies. Opposition parties in Pakistan saw offshore companies as proof of money laundering done by Sharif family. Questions over the source of money used to purchase flats in London’s posh Mayfair locality by Sharif family were raised.The top court took up the case in October last year on petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Awami Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami.Watch Video Below:

Shoaib Akhtar shares reason behind his special celebration style

Posted:

(Web Desk) – Record-holder for the quickest delivery ever bowled, Shoaib Akhtar, revealed the reason behind his particular flying airplane celebration style.The 41-year-old, who took retirement from international cricket in 2011, took to Twitter to share the logic behind it. He said, “And this F-16 was better thn All. Celebration after talking wicket bcoz I wanted to be a fighter pilot more I have endless love for jets..”And this F-16 was better thn All.Celebration after talking wicket bcoz I wanted to be a fighter pilot more I have endless love for jets.. pic.twitter.com/PA0i93ySrv— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 9, 2017 Akhtar always wanted to be the pilot of a fighter jet. He had ‘endless love for jets’ which comes as no shock as he always bowled fast and troubled the batsmen with his pace. Speed is one thing that he always admires.Sharing more about the jets, he tweeted photos of fighter jets with Pakistani flag on them. “This fab machine was soaring in the Sky over my house along with miraj & f16 & da sounds of jets makes me go crazy like a kid .. Love PAK,” read the caption.This fab machine was soaring in the Sky over my house along with miraj & f16 & da sounds of jets makes me go crazy like a kid ..Love PAK. pic.twitter.com/HSwasDiMjf— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 9, 2017 In his ODI career, he took 247 wickets after playing 163 matches with an average of almost 25 and 4 five-wicket hauls. He won several games for green shirts taking eight man of the match awards.

US sanctions Rafa Marquez for alleged drug cartel ties

Posted:

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Treasury on Wednesday accused Rafa Marquez, captain of Mexicos national football team, of being a front person for a major drug trafficking organization.Marquez was one of 21 people and 42 entities the US Treasury placed on a sanctions list in relation to a drug trafficking cartel controlled by Raul Flores Hernandez.The Treasury said Marquez has a longstanding relationship with Flores, has acted as a front person for him and held assets on his drug groups behalf.

Qatar seeks to end isolation

Posted:

DOHA (AFP) - Qatar introducing visa-free entry for 80 nationalities on Wednesday is the latest of several measures to end the emirates isolation two months into a crisis with its neighbours.IsolatedOn June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the Maldives sever diplomatic ties with Qatar.They accuse it of supporting terrorists and of being too close to Iran, Saudi Arabias regional rival.It is the biggest diplomatic crisis to hit the region in years.The countries also impose economic sanctions, shutting down air, maritime and land links with Qatar.Qatar accuses its Gulf neighbours of seeking to put it under guardianship and of strangling it economically.US fighter jetsOn June 14, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and his Qatari counterpart Khaled Al-Attiyah seal a $12-billion deal for the sale to Doha of F-15 fighter jets.Qatar is home to a huge US air base, where the headquarters of Centcom -- the regional command which leads operations against the jihadist Islamic State group -- is based.Major gas projectOn July 4, energy-rich Qatar says it plans to increase natural gas production by 30 percent to 100 million tonnes a year by 2024.Partnership with TotalOn July 11, Qatar Petroleum and French energy giant Total announce the launch of a 25-year joint venture to develop the Al-Shaheen oil field, off Qatars northeastern coast.Italian warshipsOn August 2, Qatar announces a five-billion-euro order for seven warships from Italy.War games with AnkaraFrom August 1 to 7, Qatar and Turkey hold military exercises in the emirate that involve some 250 Turkish troops and 30 armoured vehicles.Sanctions imposed on Doha have led Qatar to turn to Turkey and Iran for its food needs.Neymar transferOn August 4, Brazilian footballer Neymar arrives in Paris to join his new club Paris Saint-Germain owned by Qatar, which put up more than 220 million euros for his transfer.Visa-free entryOn August 9, Qatar, introduces a visa-free entry programme for 80 nationalities to stimulate air transport and tourism.

PML-N will ensure completion of 5-year terms of future premiers: Saad

Posted:

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has asserted on Wednesday that the political party would ensure that upcoming premiers of Pakistan complete their five-year term and supremacy of people’s mandate is supreme.Rafique addressed gathering of PML-N workers at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi and in his speech he claimed that political opponents of former premier Nawaz Sharif has not gained anything out of his disqualification.The minister asserted that legislation would be done to ensure future premiers’ tenures.Rafique among several ministers are rallying with Nawaz Sharif on his ‘GT Road homecoming’ that began in the morning today and would end in Lahore in coming days.Nawaz Sharif departed from Punjab House in the federal capital at 11:00am today and reached Rawalpindi late evening. He is reported to stay the night tonight at Punjab House in Rawalpindi.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)