Chief secretary suspends 44 employees over illegal deforestation in Gilgit

GILGIT: The Chief Secretary of Gilgit has taken strict action against the rampant and unlawful cutting of trees in Jaglot forests and suspended ten permanent watchmen and seven forest guards, ARY News reported on Sunday.

Expressing a zero-tolerance policy regarding the unlawful cutting of trees in Gilgit, the Chief Secretary dismissed 17 permanent guards and 27 temporary employees of the Forest Department in connection with the illegal logging.

READ: Chairman senate for measures to mitigate effects of deforestation

The Forest Department has forwarded the cases of Foresters and Range Forest Officers (RFOs) involved in the illegal activities to the Secretary of Forests for further action.

The Forest Department has announced strict action in Diamer and other areas facing illegal logging. The department is geared towards curbing such activities and ensuring the sustainable management of forest resources.

To reinforce their commitment, the Forest Department asserted to confiscate vehicles transporting illegal timber.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/ZIG5jgX

Watch: Naseem Shah makes grand return

The video of Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah’s brilliant performance on comeback is going viral on the social media application Twitter.

Watch ARY News live on live.arynews.tv 

Naseem Shah was the centre of attention when he stepped onto the field to play a local-white ball competition. The viral video of his performance showed him taking a wicket.

Good news for PCT fans.

Naseem Shah is fit & ready for HBL PSL 9. #NaseemShah #PSL9 pic.twitter.com/Ej0S2f8ehT

— Nawaz (@Rnawaz31888) February 2, 2024

Naseem Shah returned with figures of 2-30 in three overs.

Netizens expressed their excitement over his comeback. They wished him the best of luck for his endeavours.

Ma’sha’Allah Allah buri nazr sy bachay ab

— Zaheer (@ZaheerAhmad0786) February 2, 2024

That’s great news

— Rameen Khan (@rameen___khan) February 2, 2024

This is really a great news that Nseem Shah is fit and ready to play PSL 9. This will make a big difference and our National Team will be strong. We missed him in Australia and Newziland as a Bowler and Batsman. Good luck to Naseem.

— Syed Khalid Mahmood (@SyedKhalidMah12) February 2, 2024

His pace was only concern for me and he looks pretty quick…all good

— Ahmad Mehmood (@mynameisahmad97) February 3, 2024

Our Champion is back

— umershehzad (@umershehzad6363) February 2, 2024

The right-arm pacer has bagged 98 wickets for Pakistan in 50 appearances. He was initially a Test bowler but impressed the selectors with his performances in the limited-overs formats.

It led to a significant increase in his workload.

The right-arm pacer injured his right shoulder during the Super Four stage fixture of the Asia Cup 2023 against India. He underwent a successful surgery and hasn’t played for the country since then.

Related – ICC showers praise on Naseem Shah, brother Ubaid Shah in viral video

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/y5MGLF9

Survey: Who will Karachi vote for in General Elections 2024

KARACHI: The latest survey among Karachi residents for the upcoming 2024 general election on February 8, 2024, revealed that 25 percent are undecided on their voting choice, while an equal number intend to vote for Jamaat-e-Islami.

According to details from a survey released by the Public Voice, conducted from January 15 to January 26 via telephone interviews disclosed that 25 percent of respondents, planning to vote on February 8, haven’t decided which party to support. Meanwhile, another 25 percent have declared support for Jamaat-e-Islami.

Among the respondents, 24 percent indicated their inclination to support independent candidates backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), although 73 percent of them were unaware of the specific electoral symbols of the PTI candidates.

The data further stated that a total of eight percent of voters stated their intention to vote for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), while four percent mentioned Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P), and seven percent expressed support for the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N).

The Public Voice survey, with 10,000 calls and 1,800 interviews, revealed that 51 percent of respondents identified water, electricity, and gas shortages as the most pressing issues in Karachi.

Additionally, 20 percent prioritized peace and security, 19 percent unemployment, 16 percent inflation, 14 percent basic necessities, 14 percent poverty, nine percent education, seven percent health, and seven percent corruption.

In response to inquiries about their votes cast during the 2023 local elections, 35 percent mentioned Jamaat-e-Islami, 26 percent mentioned PTI, 24 percent did not specify any party, 7 percent mentioned PPP, 4 percent mentioned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), and 2 percent mentioned PML-N.

Upon asked about their preferred political leaders, 76 percent named Hafiz Naeemur Rehman from Jamaat-e-Islami, 62 percent mentioned Imran Khan, 55 percent named Sirajul Haq, 41 percent mentioned Altaf Hussain, 41 percent mentioned Murtaza Wahab, 34 percent mentioned Nawaz Sharif, and only six percent named Mustafa Kamal as their choice.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/vR07JO4

Bilawal Bhutto says JI always supports dictators

JACOBABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto turned his guns towards Jamat-e-Islami (JI), saying that the politico-religious party has ‘always supported’ dictators and was still looking for another military dictator General Ziaul Haq, ARY News reported.

The former foreign minister made these remarks while addressing a press conference on Friday night after PPP’s public gathering in Jacobabad, in connection with general elections, washed out due to consistent rain.

Responding to a question, Bilawal Bhutto said Sirajul Haq-led JI was looking for another Ziaul Haq – referring to JI’s alliance with the deceased military dictator.

“They [Jamaat-e-Islami] know that if no dictator comes then their government cannot be formed,” he said, castigating the party for “always supporting” dictators.

He pointed out that some parties do politics in the name of linguistics and some in the name of religion. “People associated with Kite want to divide us on linguistics, some on sects, and some on religions,” he added.

Read More: Bilawal raises slogans of ‘Nawaz na Khappay’

Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto expressed optimism about his party’s victory in the forthcoming upcoming general elections 2024. “We have come up with the manifesto in line with the problems of the country,” he stressed.

“We will provide 300 free units of power. If PPP votes into power, we want to construct three million houses,’’ he reiterated.

Bilawal further said that the PPP will not only extend the BISP programme but also provide all-out support to the women. “We will establish a university at every district and want to uplift the people of Jacobabad and Kashmore,” he added.

“We want to establish free health institutions. The PPP is eager to bring the health revolution to other provinces like Sindh,” he said, adding: “I am thankful to the people of Jacobabad for expressing their confidence in the PPP.”

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/GJL7URO

Akbar S. Babar extends reconciliation offer to PTI founder

ISLAMABAD: PTI founding member Akbar S. Babar on Friday extended a reconciliation offer to party founder Imran Khan, urging for collective action to salvage and reorganise the party, ARY News reported.

Addressing a press conference, Babar said that the party is at critical juncture, highlighting the urgent need for reform. He clarified that his intentions were not adversarial but rooted in a genuine desire to see PTI thrive.

Akbar S. Babar underscored the importance of transparent intra-party elections, expressing concerns that PTI could face irreparable damage if crucial reforms were not implemented.

He proposed a collaborative effort, suggesting the nomination of representatives from both sides to spearhead necessary changes.

In his reconciliation offer to Imran Khan, Babar outlined a framework for cooperation, urging the nomination of representatives and lawyers from both factions to develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the party.

He emphasised the need for reconciliation and unity, labeling it as the last opportunity to rescue PTI from further deterioration.

He also called for an investigation by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) into the intra-party election process, highlighting the impact of poor decisions and leadership deficiencies within PTI.

He reflected on PTI’s journey, acknowledging its past successes but lamenting its deviation from its original path.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that PTI has postponed its intra-party elections – scheduled for Feb 5.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announced to hold its intra-party polls after the general election 2024 as the party members are busy in their election campaigns.

Furthermore, the new schedule of the intra-party polls will be announced after the upcoming election.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/JEcZTsm

Elections 2024: JUI-F announces to support MQM-P in THESE constituencies

KARACHI: Jamiat Ulemae Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has announced withdraw its candidates from three constituencies of Karachi in favour of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), ARY News reported.

As per reports, the JUI-F withdrew its candidates from NA-232, PS-90 and PS-91 after the MQM-P delegation visited its office in Shah Faisal Town. JUI-F’s Qazi Muhammad Idrees withdrew from NA-232 in favour of MQM-P’s Asia Ishaq.

JUI-F’s Janab Muhammad stepped down in favour of MQM-P’s Muhammad Abu Bakar. The MQM-P’s candidate Shariq Jamal also managed to get the JUI-F’s support in PS-90.

Read More: Elections 2024: MQM-P, JUI-F strike seat adjustment on another constituency

Earlier on January 16, the MQM-P managed to get the support of Jamiat Ulemae Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on another provincial assembly constituency from Karachi.

Both the parties strike seat adjustment on PS-99 as JUI-F’s nominee Babar Qamar has withdrawn in favour of the MQM-P candidate. The JUI-F announced to support Farhan Ansari of the MQM-P from PS-99.

Babar Qamar and Farhan Ansari in their meeting also discussed issues of the constituency.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/XDtEwZN

Elections 2024: Safe Election App introduced by KP police

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police has launched a Safe Election App (SEA), featuring security features for the General Elections 2024.

Talking to a private news channel KP’s Deputy Inspector General Information Technology (DIG IT) Irfan Tariq said that that ‘Safe Election App’ has been introduced regarding the security for forthcoming elections.

Irfan Tariq said that mapping of the police across the province is completed in the mobile app. “Many other features including emergency alert, go online, notification alert and health facilities are also available in ‘Safe Election App’

The DIG IT said that all monitoring would be done in the City Police Office (CPO), District Police Office (DPO), and Regional Police Office (RPO), on the Election Day.

Irfan Tariq said the mobile app also includes the feature of audio and video calls. Police personnel will use body camera at 137 hotspots in the provincial areas, he added.

Read More: KP political figures receive threats ahead of elections

Earlier in the day, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) released a list of political figures who received threats ahead of the general election 2024. According to the CTD 15 politicians from of the province have received threats from terrorists.

Here’s the CTD list of Political leaders who received threats,

• MNA Mohsin Dawar
• Ex-provincial minister Imtiaz Qureshi
• Senator Hidayatullah
• Former PML-N MNA Amir Maqam
• Former PTI MNA Pir Mansoor Shah and Shah Muhammad
• JUI-F’s Malik Adnan Wazir and Ehsanullah
• Senator Bakhti Afsar
• Senator Maulana Abdur Rasheed

The CTD spokesperson stated that the police officials of concerned districts have been informed about the threats and directed for additional security of the listed politicians.

Read More: ‘4,812 KP polling stations declared most sensitive for elections 2024’

Earlier on January 17, Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Justice (retd) Syed Arshad Hussain was informed that 4,812 polling stations out of total of 15,737 across the province have been declared the most sensitive for the general elections 2024.

The caretaker chief minister was briefed that 6,581 polling have been declared sensitive while 4,344 polling stations are declared normal besides 1,919 polling stations would be established in the snow-bound areas of the province.

from Latest Pakistan News and Breaking News from All over Pakistan https://ift.tt/Y791gRz