PM Imran Khan censures ECP over opposition to EVMs

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday censured the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for opposing electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The prime minister's comments came during his address to members of the parliament, where he laid emphasis on electoral reforms, saying that EVMs were necessary for free and fair elections.

The premier said that over the past 50 years, Pakistan had failed at conducting elections that were free, fair, transparent and acceptable to all parties.

The government is responsible for bringing electoral reforms, he said, as he mentioned that PTI had staged a 126-day sit-in in 2014 to push for reforms.

"We wanted to bring reforms so that the next elections would be fair," he said.

Highlighting the importance of electoral reforms, he said that the 2018 general elections were termed as "rigged" by the PML-N despite the election personnel being appointed during their tenure.

Politicians are aware of what happens during Senate elections, he said.

"Videos surfaced that money was being distributed [for horse-trading]. This is how low our moral values have fallen. The public representatives are seen putting money in their bags, while the election commission and the government look on silently."

"The Supreme Court said that verifiable vote should be introduced in Senate elections, but the Opposition parties and election commission opposed it," he said, wondering why the government was being criticised for electoral reforms as it would gain no "personal benefit" from it.

The prime minister asked when everyone knew that horse-trading takes place in Senate elections, then why did the election commission and Opposition oppose electoral reforms.

The prime minister wondered why the election commission and the Opposition opposed the electoral reforms despite videos showing lawmakers taking money.

The prime minister wondered why the Opposition parties and the election commission had supported the secrecy of the ballot during the Senate elections.

PM Imran Khan said the government had sought input from the Opposition over the past year-and-a-half on how reforms could be introduced for EVMs.

He lamented how "nothing happened" even after videos emerged of senators allegedly receiving bribes for their votes.

The prime minister said he had entered politics to bring about change in the country, and that the goal behind "Naya Pakistan" was to put the nation back on track to fulfil its founders' aims.

"They had put their health on the back seat [...] in their struggle to form a country in line with Islamic teachings," he said, adding that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had established Riasat-e-Madina and set an example for the rest of the world.

The prime minister said Scandinavian countries, China, and Jews were progressing as they had followed the way of the Prophet. "Any person who follows his footsteps will thrive."

The premier said if a nation's morality remains intact, they cannot be beaten even with atomic bombs — just like Japan. PM Imran Khan said corruption thrives when a nation's moral values have declined.

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Rise in the price of all vehciles made by Toyota company

Indus Motor Company (IMC), commonly known as Toyota has increased prices on its entire lineup, confirmed Indus Motor Company chief executive officer (CEO) Asghar Ali Jamali on Wednesday.

Jamali says the new prices would not affect customers who booked their vehicles before November 10.The prices have been increased by a minimum of Rs140,000 and a maximum of Rs580,000.

Following are the new prices of Toyota Yaris, Corolla Altis Grande, Revo, and Fortuner models.

Toyota Corolla
The prices of Corolla Altis Grande X CVT 1.8 and Corolla Altis Grande X CVT 1.8 B have gone up by Rs210,000. These variants will now be selling for Rs4,079,000 and Rs4,099,000, respectively.

The prices of Corolla Altis X Automatic 1.6 and Corolla Altis X CVT-i 1.8 have gone up by Rs200,000 each. The new price of both variants are Rs3,449,000, and Rs3,779,000.

The manual version of Corolla Altis X 1.6 has seen a price hike of Rs190,000. Its new price is Rs3,299,000.

Toyota Fortuner
Fortuner Diesel has seen the highest price jump of Rs580,000, which took its price to Rs9,849,000 from Rs9,269,000.

Fortuner Lo has seen a price hike of Rs500,000 and will cost Rs8,149,000 against the old price of Rs7,649,000.

Another Rs500,000 was added to the price-tag of Fortuner Hi. The variant, which was available at Rs8,899,000, will cost Rs9,399,000.

Toyota Revo
The auto and manual versions of Revo G went up by Rs330,000. The new prices are Rs7,109,000 and Rs6,759,000, respectively.

The price of REVO V Auto rose Rs400,000 to Rs7,779,000.

Toyota Yaris
Toyota Yaris ATIV CVT (Hi) and Yaris GLi CVT (Lo) will now be selling for Rs2,849,000 and Rs2,749,000, respectively.

The new price tag of Yaris ATIV X CVT (Hi) and Yaris ATIV MT (Hi) are Rs3,099,000 and Rs2,899,000 with an increase of Rs200,000 and Rs180,000, respectively.

The price of Yaris GLi M/T (Lo) has increased by Rs140,000, and will be available at Rs2,549,000 against the old price of Rs2,409,000.
Indus Motor Company CEO Asghar Ali Jamali told that the new prices would be applicable on bookings made after November 10. “The new rates, however, will not apply to those who have already booked their cars and have deliveries due by December,” said Jamali.

“We won’t impose the burden of the price hike on customers. As a result, we have to bear the loss of Rs3 billion,” Jamali added.

Jamali said that those who have booked their vehicles and have November-December deliveries would pay the old rates. However, they will have to clear the remaining amount by November 15.

Jamali added that deliveries for January would be charged the new rates.

“The cost of raw material has increased in the international market that causes production cost to rise and the dollar rate has reached Rs174.70. Moreover, freight charges have gone up,” he said.

Toyota reports highest ever sales in Pakistan
In August, Toyota reported its highest-ever sales in terms of revenue and a 152% increase in its annual profits for the financial year 2021.

Toyota sold 57,236 vehicles during the year that helped the company improve revenues to Rs179.2 billion. It earned Rs12.8 billion during the year, which was 152% higher than last year.

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PPP, PML'N Decides to give tough time govt in its legislation bids

PPP senior leader Khurshid Shah met Opposition Leader of National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif to discuss matters of mutual interest including parliamentary and political situation of the country.

Opposition leader Mian Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Khurshid Shah on his bail.

Both parties agreed on giving tough time to government in its legislation bids and Shehbaz Sharif said that they cannot let government to bulldoze legislation from parliament.

A day earlier, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Tuesday that the opposition is united under the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his party will fully cooperate in the joint sitting of Parliament.

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PPP, PML'N Decides to give tough time govt in its legislation bids

PPP senior leader Khurshid Shah met Opposition Leader of National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif to discuss matters of mutual interest including parliamentary and political situation of the country.

Opposition leader Mian Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Khurshid Shah on his bail.

Both parties agreed on giving tough time to government in its legislation bids and Shehbaz Sharif said that they cannot let government to bulldoze legislation from parliament.

A day earlier, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Tuesday that the opposition is united under the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his party will fully cooperate in the joint sitting of Parliament.

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Shaheen can destroy any team's batting line-up: Matthew Hayden

Pakistan cricket team's batting consultant Matthew Hayden has thrown his weight behind left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, saying that he has the ability to destroy any team's batting line-up.

Hayden was addressing a virtual press conference, a day ahead of the T20 World semi-final between Pakistan and Australia.

The former Australian opener heaped praise on Shaheen Afridi's bowling prowess, saying that the delivery that bamboozled Indian batsman KL Rahul was impressive.

He expressed concerns over the fast bowler playing every single game for Pakistan across all three formats, saying that it will be a challenge for Shaheen Afridi to do so.

He spoke about the current progress by the Pakistan cricket team in the T20 World Cup, saying that he was quite happy with the national squad. Hayden said though he had spent less amount of time with Pakistani cricketers, he had learnt that they were all really impressive cricketers.

"The Pakistan cricket team can play good cricket against any team in the world," he said.

However, Hayden warned that Australia were not an easy opponent, adding that the Kangaroos had a stellar record when it comes to playing in world cups.

Hayden said he had played for the Australian cricket team for two decades hence he knows the team very well.

The former Australian cricketer praised left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman, saying that his role in Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad was an important one.

"I know him quite well, I know that he used to be in the navy and that he knows how to fight," said Hayden of Fakhar Zaman. He said as a fielder, Fakhar Zaman saves a lot of runs.

He said Australian legend Dean Jones was also quite fond of Pakistani cricketers, and used to refer to the Men in Green as "his boys".

Hayden lavished praise on Pakistani skipper Babar Azam, saying that he has been scoring runs consistently. Hayden compared Azam to Kohli, saying that unlike the latter, the former does not demonstrate aggression all the time.

He praised the Pakistani captain's batting skills, saying that Babar Azam also has a very good temperament.

Hayden said Islam had also played an instrumental role in unifying the cricket team.

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APS massacre case: Supreme Court summons PM Imran Khan

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has summoned Prime Minister Imran Khan today (Wednesday) in the Army Public School (APS) massacre case.A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed is hearing the case.

On December 16, 2014, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants stormed the Army Public School in Peshawar and gunned down over 140 people, mostly schoolchildren, in cold blood.

A hearing of the case took place today during which the apex court summoned the prime minister to appear before the bench at 11:30am, in his personal capacity.

During the previous hearing of the case, parents of the children martyred in the 2014 terrorist attack had complained to the court that they had lost their children in the incident hence the top civil and military leadership of the country should be summoned by the Supreme Court and cases registered against them.

The victims' parents had also demanded of the apex court to hold a transparent inquiry into the incident. The court had asked the attorney general to review the situation and take necessary steps--whether it be an investigation or filing cases against those responsible-- and inform the court.

When the hearing resumed today, the court asked the attorney general for an update, who responded by saying that FIRs cannot be registered against the top leadership.

At this, the bench angrily told the government's lawyer that the incident had taken place as a result of a "security lapse" which the government should accept, adding that the top civil and military leaders of the time should have known about the attack.

The chief justice then remarked that Pakistan's agencies and institutions have access to all sorts of information but when it comes to the security of the people "our security agencies fail".

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan said the APS massacre had taken place in response to Operation Zarb-e-Azb, adding that state institutions should have taken effective steps against it.

During the hearing, the attorney general sought time from the court to seek directives from the prime minister and other officials so he can respond to the court.

However, the bench said this was a very serious case and that it would summon the prime minister and seek answers from him.

The attorney general had sought further time for the prime minister to appear before the court. However, the bench expressed anger at his request and said the parents of the victims of the APS massacre are also in court.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned for the time being and will resume by 11:30am.

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President Alvi summons a Parliament joint session on 11 November

President Dr Arif Alvi has summoned a joint session of the Parliament on Thursday, November 11, as Opposition parties brace to give a tough time to the government on legislation over electoral reforms, NAB and other issues.

Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry disclosed that the session had been convened to pass the electoral reforms and various other bills.

The minister criticised Opposition parties, advising them to "learn to stand on your feet".

"You can't succeed by hatching conspiracies all the time," the minister said. "The Opposition will have to patiently wait for two-and-a-half years more and later, for another five years," he taunted, hinting that the PTI would complete its present tenure and win another term in office during the next general elections.

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