In partnership with
Profit
COUNTRYWIDE SHUTDOWN OBSERVED AGAINST INFLATED ELECTRICITY BILLS, INFLATION Sunday, 3 September, 2023 I 16 Safar, 1445
g TAC, OTHER BODIES GIVE 72 HOURS JI, TRADERS ASSOCIATIONS, LAWYERS MARK STRIKE TO VENT ANGER ON WORST ECONOMIC TO REDUCE EXCESSIVE ELECTRICITY SITUATION, RISING COST OF LIVING BILLS, WITHDRAW POL PRICE HIKE
A g
Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 64 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
KARACHI/LAHORE/PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT
shutdown was observed across the country on Saturday with commercial hubs and business centres remained shut in all major cities across the country to protest against rising inflation and unprecedented electricity bills. The strike call was given by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and supported by most of the traders associations, lawyers and other segments of the society. All commercial hubs and business centres remained shut in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar as well as other major cities across the country while public transport were also restricted, reducing vehicular traffic on major thoroughfares. In Karachi, the Tajir Action Committee (TAC) has given the interim government 72 hours to reduce excessive electricity bills and withdraw recently imposed petroleum levies. This announcement was made yesterday (Friday). While commending JI for raising its voice against increasing costs of living, TAC Convener Muhammad Rizwan said that there was no compulsion on traders in the metropolis to join the strike but skyrocketing inflation is worrisome. The traders’ body warned that if the interim government does not follow through within the 72-hour deadline,
they would hold a prolonged strike of 10 days, impacting commercial activities across the board. He reminded Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar that a caretaker government’s mandate is to hold elections not impose new taxes. Most commercial markets remained closed in the metropolis with smaller shops remaining open. The strike call by the traders’ association was extended support by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). Speaking to the media KCCI Presi-
dent Mohammad Tariq Yousuf clarified that large-scale industries were not part of the strike while expressing verbal support for small traders and wholesalers to ensure its success. Nevertheless, KCCI itself remained closed, suspending the issuance of certificates to exporters and the processing of visa documents for businessmen for one day. It was learnt that this impacted export consignments and shipments at the ports. He expressed hope that the incumbent government would find a viable solution to emerge out of the crisis and said that a meeting would be held in a
few days to review the situation. Similarly, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh has said that the government is failing to read the writing on the wall. By increasing petrol prices once again, the interim set up is inviting a fresh wave of inflation, he said, adding that it is most worrisome that the petroleum levy has been raised to Rs60 per litre. “Out-of-box thinking is required to emerge out of the economic crisis,” he said. The caretaker premier has on his part denied that the sudden increase in electricity bills is a concern and termed it a “non-issue” while asserting that consumers “have to pay the bills”, reported several media outlets. Meanwhile, the Punjab Bar Council along with district and tehsil bar associations also protested against rising inflation by boycotting proceedings in lower courts. Lawyers also called for the arrest of those responsible for opening fire at the house of a local lawyer Nazia Nawaz. The people staged protest demonstration on National Highway in Karachi and all the shops and restaurants remained closed. The Red Bus Service also remained suspended in Karachi. In Jhang, there was complete shutter down observed by the traders against the inflation and electricity overbilling.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
ATC grants bail to Imaan Mazari in ‘terror funding,’ IHC stops her arrest in any case
Court puts off PTI chief’s bail plea in cypher case until Monday ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Special Court Islamabad on Saturday adjourned till September 4 (Monday) hearing on the PTI chairman’s bail application in the cypher case was. Special Court Judge of the court established under Special Secrets Act Abul Hasnaat Zulqarnain presided over the proceedings. Babar Awan and Salman Safdar, the lawyers of PTI chairman, advanced arguments on the bail application. Salman Safdar said the lawyers of PTI chairman should not be obstructed in Attock Jail. The PTI chairman’s legal team requested the court to hear the arguments on the bail plea today (Saturday), but the FIA’s special prosecutor opposed PTI lawyers’ request. The special prosecutor objected to applications filed by the PTI’s legal team in the Islamabad High Court and requested to adjourn the hearing on the bail application. During the hearing, the FIA prosecutor said PTI chief had filed petitions related to the case in the IHC. At which, the former prime minister’s lawyer Intizar Panjotha said they were ready to withdraw the petitions from the high court. He informed the court that the high court had not issued any stay on the bail application. After hearing arguments of both parties, the special court judge adjourned the hearing on PTI chairman’s bail application till September 4 (Monday). During the hearing, Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s lawyer Ali Bukhari also appeared in the court and said that he would like to present arguments on his client’s bail application today. However, the court did not allow him to put forward arguments.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Islamabad on Saturday granted post-arrest bail to the human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari in the Terrorism Funding Case while the IHC barred authorities from arresting the human rights lawyerin any new cases. According to details, the Anti-Terrorism Court heard the bail application of Imaan Mazari, the daughter of former minister Shireen Mazari. Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain, presided over the hearing and passed the decision on Imaan Mazari’s bail application, granting her bail in the Terrorism Funding Case. The development comes a day after the ATC sent her to jail on judicial remand and issued directives to keep her in a women’s police station in the capital city until her bail hearing. On August 20, Imaan Mazari and former lawmaker Ali Wazir were arrested for alleged sedition, two days after a Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) public meeting in Islamabad. Videos circulating on social media showed speakers criticizing the military establishment over enforced disappearances. They had been booked in two separate cases — for alleged sedition by the Counter-Terrorism Department police and “rioting” by the Tarnol police. The next day on Aug 21, an Islamabad ATC had granted police
a three-day physical remand of her and Wazir in the sedition case. The court has directed Imaan Mazari to submit a Rs 10,000 surety bond, the case against Imaan Mazari pertains to alleged financial assistance to terrorists, and has been registered at the Bhara Kahu police station. IHC BARS ARREST OF IMAAN MAZARI IN ANY NEW CASES: Earlier in the day, the IHC barred authorities from arresting the human rights lawyer – Imaan Mazari – in any new cases. A single member IHC bench, comprising Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb issued a two-page written directive, barring the authorities from arresting the human rights lawyer in any new cases. The court in its written directive ordered the federal Interior Secretary, Inspector General (IG), and Director General (DG) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) not to arrest Mazari after her release. The IHC also directed the Interior Secretary, nor the police or
FIA, should provide any assistance in the arrest of Mazari. Moreover, the authorities are mandated to ensure that Mazari should not transported the confines of the capital city. Shireen Mazari – the mother of the petitioner – raised concerns about the potential re-arrest of her daughter following her release on bail in a third case. The Interior Secretary has been tasked with coordinating with provincial authorities to assess the various cases registered against Mazari by Monday. On August 28, she, along with Wazir, received bail in the sedition case but was re-arrested within hours by the Islamabad police in connection with a freshly filed terror case. The following day, the ATC handed her over to the police on three-day physical remand in the same case. During yesterday’s hearing, Imaan’s lawyer, Qaiser Imam had filed a bail petition and had urged the court to hear it soon, citing health concerns about his client.
Amid souring sectarian tension, GB govt mulls calling in army to maintain peace GILGIT
AGENCIES
The Gilgit-Baltistan government has decided to call in the army to ensure peace in the region and maintain the law and order situation, it emerged on Saturday. The decision was arrived at during a meeting of the Parliamentary Peace Committee — the apex body headed by the chief minister that decides on matters related to law and order — held yesterday. The authorities also decided to deploy personnel of Rangers, GB scouts and Frontier Corps in big cities across the region. However, state-run APP later quoted a GB Home Department statement as saying that the “situation in Gilgit Baltistan is completely peaceful and the news and speculations circulating in the media regarding the deployment of the Pakistan Army are baseless”. “The services of the Pakistan Army and civil armed forces have been procured to maintain peace and order at Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain,” the clarification cited by APP said, adding that special measures were taken for the security of the procession routes and Imambargahs, as practiced in the past. The developments come after panic and unrest spread in the region following protests in Diamer’s Chilas. The protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway and the Babusar Pass road for three days demanding the arrest of a religious leader from Skardu for allegedly passing controversial remarks. Protest demonstrations were also held in Astore, Gilgit, however, they were called off after the registration of a first information report against religious leader Agha Baqir Al-Hussaini. In reaction to it, a markets and transport strike was observed in Skardu with protesters also blocking main roads, including the Juglot-Skardu road. Subsequently, the GB government had decided to deploy the Karakoram Task Force and police personnel on the KKH, Juglot-Skardu Road and Babusar Top to ensure the safety of passengers and the movement of vehicles. Yesterday, a meeting of the Parliamentary Peace Committee was held in Gilgit to discuss the law and order situation in the region. It was presided over by GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and attended by a number of ministers, the GB chief secretary, the home secretary, the police chief and members of intelligence agencies. According to a handout issued by the GB Information Department, it was decided in the meeting that legal action would be taken against those who insult the beliefs and holy personalities of any religion in public meetings. “It was decided in the meeting that the army will be called in in light of the overall situation of the region and for maintaining peace. Besides this, Rangers, GB Scouts and FC personnel will be posted in the big cities”. “The government will take all measures to maintain law and order and continue tourism activities in any situation. In this regard, the Gilgit-Baltistan Home Department has immediately imposed Section 144 on illegal gatherings and blocking roads,” it stated, adding that strict action would be taken against violators. The government has also urged the citizens to cooperate with the administration by displaying “unity and harmony”. “We believe that people will reject miscreants who are trying to create an atmosphere against brotherhood and peace in the region,” the press release said, adding that law enforcement agencies were determined to give a “befitting response” to such elements. It added that the GB government was keeping a close watch on “those who propagate hatred through social media and other means”. Meanwhile, the Special Communications Organisation (SCOM) — a public-sector organisation working under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to develop, operate and maintain telecom services in Azad Jammu Kashmir and GilgitBaltistan — said mobile internet services in GB have been stopped and downgraded to 2G. It said that decision was taken on orders of the government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
Pakistan qualify for Super Four after rain washes out thriller ASIA CUP 2023 ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Rain played spoilsport, dampening the high hopes of fans to see a thriller between Pakistan and India in the much anticipated Asia Cup 2023 match on Saturday. However, Green shirts qualified for Super 4s — despite not having to bat as their run chase was called off due to persistent showers — after a successful day in the field. Rain returned for the third time to Kandy during the innings break at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium. Before that, during the Indian innings, much to the disappointment of cricket fans rain played spoilsport twice. The Men in Blue had handed a 267-run target to Pakistan after they opted to bat first at the toss. However, the Indian team was dismissed for 266 as the bowlers brought the national side back into the game.
At the start of the innings, star seamers of Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, ripped through the Indian top-order after Rohit Sharma decided to bat first. However, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya keep the scorecard ticking for their side. After Pakistani pacers dismissed four key batters early, the Indian middle-order fought back and managed to score above 130 by the 27th over. However, the Pakistan pacers struck again and gave three consecutive blows to the Men in Green in the latter part of the innings. The lethal bowling spell brought the team back into the game at a crucial point. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf each picked three wickets, while the last two dismissals Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav came off Naseem Shah’s bowling. DISAPPOINTING END Former PCB chief Najam Sethi took to social media platform X to express disap-
pointment over the washed out match, blaming the BCCI for the lost game. “How disappointing! Rain mars the greatest contest in cricket. But this was forecast. As PCB Chair, I urged the ACC to play in UAE but poor excuses were made to accommodate Sri Lanka. Too hot in Dubai, they said. But it was as hot when the Asia Cup was played there last time in Sep 2022 or when IPL was played there in April 2014 and Sep 2020. Politics over sport. Unforgivable!,” he wrote. Despite the draw, Pakistan have qualified for the Super 4s stage as Pakistan began their Asia Cup 2023 campaign on a high note with a massive 238-run win over Nepal on Wednesday. Meanwhile, this was India’s first match in the tournament making the clash with Nepal a must win. Considering the format of the Asia Cup it is likely that we may see another between Pakistan and India soon.