FEATURED – Page 34 – OVERSEAS TRIBUNE

Religious Parties ‘Sit in’ Islamabad & state’s responsibility to bring a mutual consensus.

November 23, 2017November 23, 2017 News Desk

Islamabad, The capital city of Pakistan is at halt and disrupted for almost two weeks by protesters belonging to Pakistani religious parties including- Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) and the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST) — who are calling for sacking of the Law Minister Zahid Hamid and a strict action against those behind the amendment to the ‘Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath’ in the Elections Act 2017. The protestors are mainly demanding the removal of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Asiya Bibi’s execution, dismissal of cases…

Facebook apologises for removing condolence messages for Toto Riina

November 23, 2017 News Desk

(AP/Dawn) Facebook issued an apology to the family of the “boss of bosses” of Italy’s Mafia for removing messages of condolences that flowed in after his death last week. A Facebook spokesperson tells The Associated Press that the posts on the feed of Salvatore “Toto” Riina’s son-in-law were removed in error after users complained that they violated Facebook’s standards. After a review, Facebook restored the posts and apologised, the spokeswoman said. The apology came as Riina’s remains arrived on Wednesday in Sicily following his death on November 17 in Parma. The family buried…

Imran Khan moves SC against ECP’s decision to allow Ayesha Gulalai retain NA seat

November 22, 2017November 22, 2017 News Desk

(Haseeb Bhatti/Dawn) PTI chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday submitted a petition in Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision which allowed MNA Ayesha Gulalai to retain her National Assembly’s membership. Khan in his petition claimed that Gulalai had violated party laws and should be deseated as she had abstained from voting for the PTI’s chosen candidate, Sheikh Rasheed, for the office of prime minister after the ouster of ex-PM Nawaz Sharif. It said that Khan had issued a show-cause notice and gave Gulalai ample time to explain…

Hafiz Saeed set to be freed after LHC turns down extension in detention order

November 22, 2017November 22, 2017 News Desk

(Idress Sheikh/Dawn) A review board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court on Wednesday refused to extend the detention orders of Jamaatud Dawa’s (JuD) chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed. His current house arrest is going to expire on Nov 24 (Friday). The review board under the chair of Justice Abdul Sami Khan passed these orders after a senior finance ministry official failed to convince the board that the release of Saeed would bring diplomatic and financial problems to the country. During the last hearing, the government while seeking extension in the detention orders…

At least 50 dead in Nigeria mosque bombing during early morning prayers: police

November 21, 2017November 21, 2017 News Desk

(AFP/Dawn) At least 50 people were killed on Tuesday when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, police said, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram militants. The blast happened during early morning prayers at the Madina mosque in the Unguwar Shuwa area of Mubi, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) by road from the Adamawa state capital, Yola. “So far, we have at least 50 dead from an attack at a mosque in Mubi,” Adamawa state police spokesman Othman Abubakar told AFP. “Several people were injured.…

Accountability court declares Ishaq Dar an absconder

November 21, 2017November 21, 2017 News Desk

(Mohammad Imran/Dawn) Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was declared an absconder by an accountability court in Islamabad on Tuesday in a corruption reference filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). During an accountability hearing pertaining to Dar, who is accused of amassing assets of an approximate value of Rs831.7 million — disproportionate to his known sources of income ─ NAB’s investigating officer Nadir Abbass told the court that a NAB team had visited the minister’s residence in Lahore and Islamabad after non-bailable arrest warrants were issued against him. However,…

Arab League chief says Lebanon should be ‘spared’

November 20, 2017 News Desk

(AFP/Dawn) Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit said on Monday Lebanon should be “spared” from spiralling regional tensions, during a visit to Beirut a day after Arab diplomats blasted Lebanese movement Hezbollah. “Arab countries understand and take into account the situation in Lebanon and want to spare it… from any dispute,” Abul Gheit said after landing in Beirut, in comments carried by Lebanon’s National News Agency. His visit comes a day after the Arab League held an extraordinary general meeting in Cairo, at the request of Saudi Arabia. Riyadh called the ministerial-level…

Ace boxer Waseem might quit representing Pakistan due to lack of funds, support

November 20, 2017November 20, 2017 News Desk

(Abdul Ghaffar | Dawn) The unbeaten World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Silver Flyweight Champion, Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem, expressed disappointment again over the lack of funds and support, and said he was thinking of accepting offers from other countries and play for them. The country’s ace boxer announced his decision through a video message on Monday, saying he had no sponsors to fund his participation in the international boxing events and represent Pakistan — therefore he was thinking of switching sides. Waseem, who hails from Quetta, told his fans that his upcoming fight for the…

Islamabad protesters given more time by govt to reconsider protest

November 20, 2017 News Desk

(Mohammad Imran | Dawn) Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Monday announced an extension granted by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the deadline for religious parties to end their sit-in at Islamabad’s Faizabad Interchange. Daily life in the capital has been disrupted for nearly two weeks by protesters belonging to religious parties — including the Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) and the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST) — who are calling for the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid and strict action against those behind the amendment to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat…

Nawaz is name of ideology for revolutionary change, says former PM

November 19, 2017November 19, 2017 News Desk

Nawaz Sharif at Anti Corruption Court Islamabad

(Abrar Rasheed/Geo) ABBOTTABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday that he has brought his review petition [in the Panama Papers case] to the people today. Addressing a public gathering of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at the Abbottabad college ground, the party chief said, “you have to decide my appeal. Give a decision that echoes far and wide”. The PML-N president said he is not scared of jail or death. “You have to promise, we will march together towards our destination. Don’t sit at home, we will walk together…

PTV current affairs director sacked after allegations of harassment, misuse of authority

November 18, 2017 News Desk

(Shakeel Qarar/Dawn) Pakistan Television (PTV) on Friday sacked its suspended director of current affairs, Agha Masood Shorish, following allegations of sexual harassment and misuse of authority by multiple staffers at the state-run broadcaster. A total of five inquiries had been initiated against Shorish, including three for sexual harassment. PTV’s 14 producers had also filed a complaint against him in the Islamabad High Court, and the issue was also taken up in the National Assembly. Shorish, who was suspended three months ago for negligence, had continued to receive his salary and…

NAB moves to put names of Sharif, four relatives on ECL

November 18, 2017 News Desk

Nawaz Sharif gets Angry on arrest of PML N social media activists

(Imran Gabol/Dawn) LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Lahore, on Friday initiated the process to place ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and four of his family members on the Exit Control List (ECL). According to the NAB Islamabad spokesman, the other members of the family who may face travel restriction are Mr Sharif’s sons Hussain and Hassan, daughter Maryam and son-in-law retired Capt Mohammad Safdar. An accountability court had earlier declared Hussain and Hassan proclaimed offenders for skipping court proceedings in references pertaining to their family’s Avenfield properties, Azizia Steel…

In light of Dar’s health, Finance Ministry portfolio with prime minister: PM house

November 18, 2017November 18, 2017 News Desk

(Murtaza Ali Shah/Geo) ISLAMABAD: Reports of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s resignation circulated on Saturday morning, claiming he had sent his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. However, credible sources inside the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) denied the reports terming them as mere rumours. Later the prime minister house spokesperson Musadik Malik, cleared the confusion stating that in light of Ishaq Dar’s health and him seeking treatment abroad, as per cabinet rules, the finance ministry portfolio had already come under the prime minister’s control The spokesman added, that the prime…

Half of the beneficiaries of social help in Norway are immigrants, Says NAV

November 16, 2017November 16, 2017 News Desk

Oslo (Bureau Report) It was mentioned in a report compiled by NAV, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Authority that half of the people who receive social help from the government are the people of foreign origin. The Norwegian minister for labour and Social Affairs, Anniken Hauglie termed the situation alarming The report said, the number of receivers of the social assistance have been increased in the recent years and today around 67,000 people with immigrant background receive social assistance in Norway. Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Anniken Hauglie describes the…

IHC orders end to Islamabad protest

November 16, 2017November 16, 2017 News Desk

Overseas Tribune Exclusive, Finally, Islamabad High Court (IHC) stepped in to end protest by a religious group at Faizabad Interchange. Islamabad High Court has ordered authorities to clear the area captured by protesters. Justice Shaukat Aziz heard a case regarding hastily-abandoned amendment in Elections Bill 2017. Addressing lawyer of the religious party, Justice Shaukat Aziz said their application against the federal government will be considered as subjected to an end to the protest, Sammaa. On the other hand, People are facing severe issues of transport. Public transport is available till Faizabad…