Sindh appoints Murtaza Wahab as administrator Karachi

Adviser to the chief minister of Sindh Barrister Murtaza Wahab has been appointed as the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's (KMC) administrator by the Local Government (LG) Department.

The LG Department on Thursday issued an official notification to announce the appointment.

Referring to the relevant Sections of the Sindh Local Government Act and the decision of the Sindh Cabinet, the notification stated that Wahab has taken charge as the new KMC administrator, replacing Laeeq Ahmed, with immediate effect.

In the meantime, four elected members of the assembly were sworn in as new ministers at an oath-taking ceremony at the Governor House.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail administered the oaths taken by the new ministers, including Sajid Jokhio, Giyan Chand Esrani, Ziauddin Abbas Rizvi, and Jam Khan Shoro.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and several PPP and PTI members of the assembly attended the ceremony.

Fayyaz But and Rasool Bux Chandio were appointed as the CM’s aides during the ceremony.

 

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Pakistan will not accept 'forceful takeover' in Afghanistan: Moeed Yusuf

National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf has said that Pakistan will not accept a "forceful takeover" in Afghanistan and instead support a political solution to the war-torn country's conflict.

"We will not accept a forceful takeover," he told reporters at a press conference held at the Pakistan embassy in Washington, DC late on Wednesday, wrapping up a week of talks with the US administration.

The NSA stressed that the only solution for peace in Afghanistan was a “political one”.

"We have made it absolutely clear that we are with the international community on where this goes," he said. "But the world also needs to be clear that the US invests in a political settlement.”

Dr Yusuf said the harsh rhetoric of the Afghan government against Pakistan was making it impossible to maintain good relations between the neighbours.

"We are beginning to see a very conscious, deliberate effort by the Afghan government to scapegoat Pakistan," he said, adding that Afghanistan wanted to shift the entire blame of its failures onto Islamabad.

He reiterated that although Pakistan wanted to have very good relations with the Afghan government, "unfortunately, the vitriol and rhetoric coming from there is making that impossible".

He urged the Afghan government and the Taliban to “compromise and reach a peace settlement” as the insurgents make rapid gains amid the US troop withdrawal.

He stressed that the internationally recognised government in Kabul needed to stop looking for a military victory and should include a broader range of Afghans in any future talks.

“There will have to be some compromise given the ground reality. But the violence will have to stop,” he said.

Yusuf said his US counterpart Jake Sullivan and others in President Joe Biden's administration did not make specific requests of Pakistan, but discussed “how quickly we can get all these actors in one room to have a sincere conversation”.

He dismissed talk of Islamabad exerting leverage over the Taliban.

“Whatever limited leverage we had, we used,” he said, pointing to Pakistan encouraging the Taliban to enter talks with the Afghan government in Doha.

“Now with the troop withdrawal, that leverage has logically gone down further,” he added.

Yusuf further said Pakistan was no longer in a position to accept Afghan refugees as it currently hosts about 3.5 million.

"Peace in Afghanistan is non-negotiable for us," he said. "We under no circumstances are prepared to see protracted instability that in the past has caused spillover into Pakistan."

The NSA's remarks came after the US said it wanted Pakistan to keep its borders with Afghanistan open for Afghan refugees, a demand that could strain already tense relations between the two countries.

“So, in a place like Pakistan, it’ll be important that their borders remain open,” said a senior State Department official while briefing journalists on the new US refugee admission programme for Afghan nationals.

NSA Yusuf had said at a briefing in Washington this week that arrangements should be made to keep displaced Afghans inside their country instead of pushing them into Pakistan.

“Why make them dar-ba-dar (homeless)? Make arrangements for them inside their country. Pakistan does not have the capacity to take more refugees,” he said.

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CJP takes notice of attack on Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan

Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Thursday took notice of the attack on a Hindu temple by a charged mob in Bhong village of Punjab's Rahim Yar Khan district, a statement said.

The top judge took cognisance of the incident after MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, who is the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, called on Chief Justice Ahmed at the Supreme Court in Islamabad today to discuss the issue of the temple attack.

The chief justice "showed grave concern over the tragic incident", according to a press released issued by the Supreme Court.

He fixed the matter before the court on August 6 (tomorrow) at Islamabad, and directed the Punjab chief secretary and inspector general of police to appear for the hearing along with a report. Dr Vankwani has also been summoned, the statement added.

The incident took place on Wednesday, when hundreds of people vandalised the Hindu temple in Bhong and blocked the Sukkur-Multan Motorway (M-5) after a nine-year-old Hindu boy, who allegedly urinated in a local seminary, was granted bail by a local court.

Responding to the situation late in the evening, the district administration deployed Rangers in the area after Deputy Commissioner Dr Khuram Shehzad and District Police Officer Asad Sarfraz visited the town.

On the complaint of a cleric, Hafiz Muhammad Ibrahim, of Darul Uloom Arabia Taleemul Quran, the Bhong police had registered a case against the boy (who was not named) under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Pakistan Penal Code on July 25.

Sources said some Hindu elders tendered an apology to the seminary administration, saying the suspect was a minor and mentally challenged. But when a lower court granted him bail a few days ago, some people incited the public in the town on Wednesday and got all shops there closed in protest.

A video clip that went viral on social media showed charged people wielding clubs and rods storming the temple and smashing its glass doors, windows and lights, and damaging the ceiling fans and idols.

Later, the protesters also blocked the M-5 motorway for more than three hours.

District police spokesman Ahmed Nawaz Cheema said Rangers had been deployed in the troubled area and the situation was under control.

About the alleged late response by the police authorities, sources said senior officials were busy attending the police martyrs’ day ceremonies.

Cheema confirmed that the suspect was a minor, saying he had no information about his mental health so far.

There were reports of some old monetary dispute between Hindu and Muslim groups in the area which was stated to be the actual cause of the unrest.

A PTI member representing minorities said after getting the Bhong market closed, the mob also tried to attack some houses of people belonging to the Hindu community.

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Pakistan will not accept 'forceful takeover' in Afghanistan: Moeed Yusuf

National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf has said that Pakistan will not accept a "forceful takeover" in Afghanistan and instead support a political solution to the war-torn country's conflict.

"We will not accept a forceful takeover," he told reporters at a press conference held at the Pakistan embassy in Washington, DC late on Wednesday, wrapping up a week of talks with the US administration.

The NSA stressed that the only solution for peace in Afghanistan was a “political one”.

"We have made it absolutely clear that we are with the international community on where this goes," he said. "But the world also needs to be clear that the US invests in a political settlement.”

Dr Yusuf said the harsh rhetoric of the Afghan government against Pakistan was making it impossible to maintain good relations between the neighbours.

"We are beginning to see a very conscious, deliberate effort by the Afghan government to scapegoat Pakistan," he said, adding that Afghanistan wanted to shift the entire blame of its failures onto Islamabad.

He reiterated that although Pakistan wanted to have very good relations with the Afghan government, "unfortunately, the vitriol and rhetoric coming from there is making that impossible".

He urged the Afghan government and the Taliban to “compromise and reach a peace settlement” as the insurgents make rapid gains amid the US troop withdrawal.

He stressed that the internationally recognised government in Kabul needed to stop looking for a military victory and should include a broader range of Afghans in any future talks.

“There will have to be some compromise given the ground reality. But the violence will have to stop,” he said.

Yusuf said his US counterpart Jake Sullivan and others in President Joe Biden's administration did not make specific requests of Pakistan, but discussed “how quickly we can get all these actors in one room to have a sincere conversation”.

He dismissed talk of Islamabad exerting leverage over the Taliban.

“Whatever limited leverage we had, we used,” he said, pointing to Pakistan encouraging the Taliban to enter talks with the Afghan government in Doha.

“Now with the troop withdrawal, that leverage has logically gone down further,” he added.

Yusuf further said Pakistan was no longer in a position to accept Afghan refugees as it currently hosts about 3.5 million.

"Peace in Afghanistan is non-negotiable for us," he said. "We under no circumstances are prepared to see protracted instability that in the past has caused spillover into Pakistan."

The NSA's remarks came after the US said it wanted Pakistan to keep its borders with Afghanistan open for Afghan refugees, a demand that could strain already tense relations between the two countries.

“So, in a place like Pakistan, it’ll be important that their borders remain open,” said a senior State Department official while briefing journalists on the new US refugee admission programme for Afghan nationals.

NSA Yusuf had said at a briefing in Washington this week that arrangements should be made to keep displaced Afghans inside their country instead of pushing them into Pakistan.

“Why make them dar-ba-dar (homeless)? Make arrangements for them inside their country. Pakistan does not have the capacity to take more refugees,” he said.

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Pak vs NZ series crucial for practice ahead of T20 World Cup: Wasim Khan

Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Wasim Khan on Thursday said the upcoming series against New Zealand was crucial for the Men In Green before they head into the T20I World Cup.

In a video message, the PCB chief executive appreciated the Kiwis for accepting Pakistan's offer to play three ODIs and five T20Is — meaning an additional two matches of the short format.

New Zealand are set to tour Pakistan after an 18-year hiatus, which is exciting news for the country, he said.

"I am delighted they accepted our offer to play two additional T20Is leading into the World Cup; it's about giving our team enough practice before they head into the World Cup," he said.

The PCB chief executive said it's a busy time for the team and management as South Africa visited Pakistan in February, and then in the 2021-22 season, New Zealand and England have accepted to come, West Indies are ready to tour, Pakistan Super League will take place, and later Australia will also visit the country.

"This is the busiest time in the history of Pakistan cricket," he said.

"It's one thing to improve your domestic cricket and another to give an opportunity to youngsters to watch their heroes live, through which they will aspire to become cricketers," he said.

"They will want to be the next Shaheen Shah Afridi and the next Babar Azam," said Khan, who is looking to get as many people in the stadium as possible for the upcoming tours.

New Zealand's engagements in Pakistan

The PCB has released the schedule of New Zealand's upcoming tour to Pakistan, with the first ODI match slated to take place on September 17 at Rawalpindi.

In an extended series, New Zealand will play three ODIs and five T20Is on their first visit to Pakistan since November 2003.

The three ODIs will be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs, confirmed both boards.

Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will be the venue of the 17, 19 and 21 September ODIs, while the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will stage the five T20Is from September 25 to October 3, as per the PCB's press release.

Pakistan and New Zealand will both have high stakes in the T20I series as both teams will be looking to grab the third spot in the ICC T20I Team Rankings.

New Zealand, the ICC World Test Championship winners, will return to Pakistan next year to play Test matches.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief David White expressed his excitement at the Kiwis touring Pakistan for the first time in more than a decade-and-a-half.

"We’re very much looking forward to returning to Pakistan for the start of their home international season.

"New Zealand was the first country outside India to tour Pakistan and we share a close relationship with the PCB," he said.

"It’s great that, after such a difficult time for Pakistan, international cricket is again being played in the country," the NZ chief added.

Schedule of events

11 Sep – Arrival in Islamabad

12-14 Sep – Room isolation

15-16 Sep – Training/practice/intra-squad match

17 Sep – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

19 Sep – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

21 Sep – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

25 Sep – 1st T20I, Lahore

26 Sep – 2nd T20I, Lahore

29 Sep – 3rd T20I, Lahore

1 Oct – 4th T20I, Lahore

3 Oct – 5th T20I, Lahore

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CJP takes notice of attack on Hindu temple in Rahim Yar Khan

Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed on Thursday took notice of the attack on a Hindu temple by a charged mob in Bhong village of Punjab's Rahim Yar Khan district, a statement said.

The top judge took cognisance of the incident after MNA Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, who is the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, called on Chief Justice Ahmed at the Supreme Court in Islamabad today to discuss the issue of the temple attack.

The chief justice "showed grave concern over the tragic incident", according to a press released issued by the Supreme Court.

He fixed the matter before the court on August 6 (tomorrow) at Islamabad, and directed the Punjab chief secretary and inspector general of police to appear for the hearing along with a report. Dr Vankwani has also been summoned, the statement added.

The incident took place on Wednesday, when hundreds of people vandalised the Hindu temple in Bhong and blocked the Sukkur-Multan Motorway (M-5) after a nine-year-old Hindu boy, who allegedly urinated in a local seminary, was granted bail by a local court.

Responding to the situation late in the evening, the district administration deployed Rangers in the area after Deputy Commissioner Dr Khuram Shehzad and District Police Officer Asad Sarfraz visited the town.

On the complaint of a cleric, Hafiz Muhammad Ibrahim, of Darul Uloom Arabia Taleemul Quran, the Bhong police had registered a case against the boy (who was not named) under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Pakistan Penal Code on July 25.

Sources said some Hindu elders tendered an apology to the seminary administration, saying the suspect was a minor and mentally challenged. But when a lower court granted him bail a few days ago, some people incited the public in the town on Wednesday and got all shops there closed in protest.

A video clip that went viral on social media showed charged people wielding clubs and rods storming the temple and smashing its glass doors, windows and lights, and damaging the ceiling fans and idols.

Later, the protesters also blocked the M-5 motorway for more than three hours.

District police spokesman Ahmed Nawaz Cheema said Rangers had been deployed in the troubled area and the situation was under control.

About the alleged late response by the police authorities, sources said senior officials were busy attending the police martyrs’ day ceremonies.

Cheema confirmed that the suspect was a minor, saying he had no information about his mental health so far.

There were reports of some old monetary dispute between Hindu and Muslim groups in the area which was stated to be the actual cause of the unrest.

A PTI member representing minorities said after getting the Bhong market closed, the mob also tried to attack some houses of people belonging to the Hindu community.

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Noor Muqadam case: Court rejects bail plea of Zahir jaffer's parent

The local court judge has Thursday rejected the bail plea by Zahir Jaffer’s co-accused parents in the high profile Noor Mukadam murder case, reported.

Additional District And Sessions Judge Muhammad Sohail Anjum reserved yesterday the verdict on the pleas by prime accused Jaffer’s parents.

It was reported earlier yesterday, the local court dealing the Noor Mukadam murder case reserved its verdict on the plea for bail by Zakir Jaffer and Mrs Asmat Zakir, Zahir’s parents, for their suspected complicity in the grisly murder of ex-diplomat’s daughter.
The plea was submitted by defense counsel of Jaffer’s parents who, vis a vis the prosecution, fought the case with arguments drawn from preceding cases and verdicts.

The Additional District And Sessions Judge Muhammad Sohail Anjum heard the arguments and reserved the verdict which is set to roll out tomorrow.

It may be reminded that, facing their judicial remand, the co-accused parents of prime accused Zahir Jaffer are imprisoned in Adyala Jail.

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