British police arrest 3 men after deadly car blast outside hospital

British police announced the arrest of three men after a car exploded in front of Liverpool Women's Hospital, in the city centre, killing one man and injuring another on Sunday morning.

Officers arrested the three men, aged 29, 26 and 21, in Liverpool's Kensington district under the anti-terrorism laws, Greater Manchester Police said in a tweet.

The man killed in the blast has not yet been identified, the statement said. The injured man, who was driving, was in a stable condition in hospital.

Counter-terrorism police in the region were working closely with the Liverpool force, the statement added.

Merseyside police, who cover Liverpool, said in a separate statement that while anti-terrorism police were leading the investigation, the blast has not yet been declared a terrorist incident.

They were keeping an open mind as to the cause of the blast, the force added.

“So far we understand that the car involved was a taxi which pulled up at the hospital shortly before the explosion occurred,” said Merseyside police.

'Calm, but vigilant'

“We would urge the public to remain calm (but vigilant),” Merseyside Police added.

On Twitter, Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the emergency services for their work on the incident so far.

Interior Minister Priti Patel tweeted earlier that police were keeping her up to date on developments. “Our police and emergency services are working hard to establish what happened and it is right they are given the time and space to do so,” she added.

The blast had happened just before 11:00 am (1100 GMT), said police.

Images posted on news and social media showed the cordoned-off blast site, and heavy grey smoke rising.

Phil Garrigan, the head of the Merseyside fire service, said that by the time their engines arrived at the scene, the fire was well under way.

One person had managed to get out of the vehicle before the fire took hold, but a second had died, he added.

A statement from Liverpool Women's Hospital said that, where possible, patients were being diverted elsewhere.

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Thai protesters call for reform of monarchy after court ruling

Hundreds of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Sunday against a decision by a top court that ruled calling for royal reforms amounted to a bid to overthrow Thailand’s ultra-powerful monarchy.

The Constitutional Court — which critics have long said is politicised — announced on Wednesday that three prominent protest leaders had made speeches that “aim to overthrow the constitutional monarchy”.

While the court’s decision does not result in criminal penalties for the protest leaders, observers say the ruling could shrink an already narrow space for activists campaigning for reform of the monarchy.

Defying a ban on gatherings, hundreds of protesters assembled in Bangkok’s main shopping district to rail against the decision, holding signs that said they do not want an absolute monarchy.

“We are not overthrowing this country. The reform is to make it better,” shouted protest leader Thatchapong Kaedam, as demonstrators waved placards that said “reform does not equal overthrow”.

“The Constitutional Court is seizing power from the people,” he said.

Protesters flung effigies of the Constitutional Court’s judges off a bridge and later burned them, while a small group of saffron-robed monks flashed a three-fingered salute for democracy.

Police briefly clashed with some demonstrators, firing rubber bullets which hit at least one protester who was bleeding from his chest, according to a reporter on the ground. The injured man was rushed into an ambulance.

The city’s Erawan Emergency Centre said at least two people were injured, though no details were given about their condition.

Earlier in the day, police had warned rallygoers against gathering.

“We want the public to focus on how to use their rights and freedoms but not violate laws which were ruled by the Constitutional Court,” said Bangkok police spokesman Jirasant Kaewsangake.

By nightfall, protesters had marched to the German embassy — a commentary on the king’s frequent stays in the European country.

They submitted a letter to the embassy expressing concerns about a return to absolutism, and the rally dispersed soon after.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn flew to the country this week, according to German media — his first trip abroad in over a year. Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since the end of absolute royal rule in 1932, but democracy has been punctuated by regular military coups, most recently in 2014.

The current protest movement kicked off mid-2020, with student-led rallies calling for Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and for reforms to the monarchy.

The controversial call for royal reforms sent a lightning bolt through Thai society, which has long regarded the king as sacrosanct. Any criticism of the royal family opens a person up to criminal prosecution under lese majeste laws.

Tens of thousands thronged the streets at the height of the demonstrations but now scores of protesters and their leaders are facing multiple criminal charges including royal defamation.

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PM Imran Khan rejects OGRA's recommendation to hike petrol price

Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday rejected the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority's (OGRA) recommendation to hike the price of petroleum products.

According to sources, the premier has rejected the summary of an increase in prices of petroleum products.

Sources said that OGRA had sent a summary of changes in prices of petroleum products which was rejected by PM Imran Khan.

Therefore, following the prime minister's decision, the petrol price will likely remain unchanged at Rs145.82 per litre and that the price of diesel will remain Rs142.62 per litre as before.

The prices of kerosene oil and light diesel are also expected to remain at Rs116.53 and Rs114.07 respectively.

Earlier, on November 5, the government had jacked up the price of petrol in Pakistan by Rs8.03 per litre.

The decision came as a surprise for the masses as on November 1, which was the scheduled date to announce results, the Prime Minister had not agreed with the proposals worked out by OGRA and Finance Division and was directed to maintain the prices as notified on October 16, 2021.

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Rana Shamin recorded statement before oath commissioner in London: Abbasi

Ex-chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan apex court Rana Shamim had recorded his statement about former chief justice of Pakistan, Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar, before an oath commissioner in London, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Monday.

Shamim has alleged that Nisar had given instructions to keep former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz in jail till the general elections in 2018, a claim which ex-chief justice completely denies.

In a press conference with PML-N leader Khawaja Asif, Abbasi said Nawaz was sundered from politics after he was disqualified as the prime minister back in 2017.

"Three people, including Rana Shamin and Saqib Nisar, are aware of the facts, but the people of Pakistan should also know the truth. If someone meddles with elections, so don't we hold the right to question them?" he said.

Abbasi said when the country's chief justice could be involved in such practices, then how could justice be delivered in the country.

"I pray that Nisar is not involved in this act. Getting involved in the country's affairs is unconstitutional [...] Nisar had visited hospitals and tried to build dams, thus we have to believe Rana Shamim's statement," he said.

Meanwhile, Khawaja Asif said PML-N would raise Shamim's allegations in the Parliament, as he had recorded his statement "without any coercion".

Shamim had stated in a notarised affidavit that he had been witness to the then CJP Saqib Nisar’s direction to a high court judge not to release Nawaz and Maryam on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections.

“Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he [Saqib Nisar] became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” Shamim said in the affidavit as he talked about then top judge of Pakistan.

Nisar says report 'contrary to facts'

Reacting to The Newspaper report, former chief justice Justice (retired) Saqib Nisar said the report is "contrary to the facts", adding that he would not respond to the "white lies" levelled against him by ex-GB chief justice Rana Shamim.

Nisar levelled allegations against Shamim, accusing him of asking for an extension as the chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan. Nisar added that he had denied him the extension.

"At one point in time, Rana Shamim also complained to me about not getting the extension," he said.

"It is not wise to respond to every lie," he added.

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IHC takes notice of ex-CJ GB Rana Shamim’s allegations against former CJP Saqib Nisar

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned former chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (retd) Rana Shamim in relation to his allegations against ex-CJP Saqib Nisar.

The IHC has summoned Shamim, and journalist Ansar Abbasi tomorrow (Tuesday).

A report in a english newspaper had stated that then CJP Saqib Nisar had directed a high court judge to not release Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 General Elections.

“Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he (Saqib Nisar) became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” this is what is said in the affidavit of the former top judge of GB talking about the then chief justice of Pakistan.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah held an urgent hearing and took the decision to summon the above-mentioned persons after the Islamabad High Court Registry took notice of the report.

During the hearing, Justice Minallah said the court will treat this matter very seriously, adding that an attempt has been made to shake the people's confidence in the judiciary.

Justice Minallah will preside over the hearing tomorrow at 10:30am.

Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar refutes allegations

According to the affidavit, Shamim’s statement was given under oath before the Oath Commissioner on November 10, 2021. The affidavit, duly notarised, contains the signature of the ex-CJ of Gilgit Baltistan as well as an image of his NIC card. The notary public stamped the affidavit and recorded that it was “sworn under oath before me” on Nov 10, 2021.

Both Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz were convicted by an accountability court in a graft case before the July 25, 2018 general elections. Their lawyers had moved the court for suspension of the conviction but the case, after initial hearings, was postponed till last week of July.

But former chief justice Saqib Nisar, when approached, categorically denied that he had ever directed any of his subordinate judges in connection with any judicial order whether it pertained to Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz or anyone else.

In his response, the former CJP said that the newspaper report about him "contradicts the facts", adding that he would not respond to the "white lies" levelled against him by ex-GB chief justice Rana Shamim.

Nisar accused Shamim of asking for an extension as the chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan. Nisar added that he had denied him the extension.

"At one point in time, Rana Shamim also complained to me about not getting the extension," he said.

"It is not wise to respond to every lie," he added.

Former chief justice GB apex court Rana Shamim sticks to his story

But Shamim has not taken back his allegations.

Sticking to his statement, the ex-GB CJ responded that former CJP Saqib Nisar had no authority to extend his [Shamim's] tenure.

Shamim said that he would stick to everything he had said. He said that Saqib Nisar was a guest of him in Gilgit. "I did not spend any government money on Saqib Nisar's visit to Gilgit," he said.

He further said that he did not feel any need to ask for an extension in his tenure and that the former CJP had no authority to extend his tenure as per law. "Who is Saqib Nisar to give me an extension?" he asked.

Rana Shamim added that he could not say when and to whom the affidavit was given, but that the Supreme Courts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are not subordinate to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

He said that it is the prerogative of the prime minister to give an extension to the chief justice in the Supreme Court of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

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Rana Shamin recorded statement before oath commissioner in London: Abbasi

Ex-chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan apex court Rana Shamim had recorded his statement about former chief justice of Pakistan, Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar, before an oath commissioner in London, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Monday.

Shamim has alleged that Nisar had given instructions to keep former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz in jail till the general elections in 2018, a claim which ex-chief justice completely denies.

In a press conference with PML-N leader Khawaja Asif, Abbasi said Nawaz was sundered from politics after he was disqualified as the prime minister back in 2017.

"Three people, including Rana Shamin and Saqib Nisar, are aware of the facts, but the people of Pakistan should also know the truth. If someone meddles with elections, so don't we hold the right to question them?" he said.

Abbasi said when the country's chief justice could be involved in such practices, then how could justice be delivered in the country.

"I pray that Nisar is not involved in this act. Getting involved in the country's affairs is unconstitutional [...] Nisar had visited hospitals and tried to build dams, thus we have to believe Rana Shamim's statement," he said.

Meanwhile, Khawaja Asif said PML-N would raise Shamim's allegations in the Parliament, as he had recorded his statement "without any coercion".

Shamim had stated in a notarised affidavit that he had been witness to the then CJP Saqib Nisar’s direction to a high court judge not to release Nawaz and Maryam on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections.

“Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he [Saqib Nisar] became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” Shamim said in the affidavit as he talked about then top judge of Pakistan.

Nisar says report 'contrary to facts'

Reacting to The Newspaper report, former chief justice Justice (retired) Saqib Nisar said the report is "contrary to the facts", adding that he would not respond to the "white lies" levelled against him by ex-GB chief justice Rana Shamim.

Nisar levelled allegations against Shamim, accusing him of asking for an extension as the chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan. Nisar added that he had denied him the extension.

"At one point in time, Rana Shamim also complained to me about not getting the extension," he said.

"It is not wise to respond to every lie," he added.

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IHC takes notice of ex-CJ GB Rana Shamim’s allegations against former CJP Saqib Nisar

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned former chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (retd) Rana Shamim in relation to his allegations against ex-CJP Saqib Nisar.

The IHC has summoned Shamim, and journalist Ansar Abbasi tomorrow (Tuesday).

A report in a english newspaper had stated that then CJP Saqib Nisar had directed a high court judge to not release Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 General Elections.

“Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif must remain in jail until the general elections are over. On assurances from the other side, he (Saqib Nisar) became calm and happily demanded another cup of tea,” this is what is said in the affidavit of the former top judge of GB talking about the then chief justice of Pakistan.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah held an urgent hearing and took the decision to summon the above-mentioned persons after the Islamabad High Court Registry took notice of the report.

During the hearing, Justice Minallah said the court will treat this matter very seriously, adding that an attempt has been made to shake the people's confidence in the judiciary.

Justice Minallah will preside over the hearing tomorrow at 10:30am.

Justice (retd) Saqib Nisar refutes allegations

According to the affidavit, Shamim’s statement was given under oath before the Oath Commissioner on November 10, 2021. The affidavit, duly notarised, contains the signature of the ex-CJ of Gilgit Baltistan as well as an image of his NIC card. The notary public stamped the affidavit and recorded that it was “sworn under oath before me” on Nov 10, 2021.

Both Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz were convicted by an accountability court in a graft case before the July 25, 2018 general elections. Their lawyers had moved the court for suspension of the conviction but the case, after initial hearings, was postponed till last week of July.

But former chief justice Saqib Nisar, when approached, categorically denied that he had ever directed any of his subordinate judges in connection with any judicial order whether it pertained to Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz or anyone else.

In his response, the former CJP said that the newspaper report about him "contradicts the facts", adding that he would not respond to the "white lies" levelled against him by ex-GB chief justice Rana Shamim.

Nisar accused Shamim of asking for an extension as the chief justice of Gilgit-Baltistan. Nisar added that he had denied him the extension.

"At one point in time, Rana Shamim also complained to me about not getting the extension," he said.

"It is not wise to respond to every lie," he added.

Former chief justice GB apex court Rana Shamim sticks to his story

But Shamim has not taken back his allegations.

Sticking to his statement, the ex-GB CJ responded that former CJP Saqib Nisar had no authority to extend his [Shamim's] tenure.

Shamim said that he would stick to everything he had said. He said that Saqib Nisar was a guest of him in Gilgit. "I did not spend any government money on Saqib Nisar's visit to Gilgit," he said.

He further said that he did not feel any need to ask for an extension in his tenure and that the former CJP had no authority to extend his tenure as per law. "Who is Saqib Nisar to give me an extension?" he asked.

Rana Shamim added that he could not say when and to whom the affidavit was given, but that the Supreme Courts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are not subordinate to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

He said that it is the prerogative of the prime minister to give an extension to the chief justice in the Supreme Court of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

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