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Petrol prices to stay UNRESTRICTED FREEDOM OF SPEECH LEADING unchanged for next TO MORAL DEGRADATION IN SOCIETIES: COAS fortnight Ogra announces no Saturday, 16 November, 2024 I | 13 Jamadi ul Awwal, 1446
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Gen Munir states Fitna al-Khawarij has become ‘home’ to all terrorist organisations and proxies of the world
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 130 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Pakistan will not participate in any global conflict, but will continue contributing to global peace and stability: Army chief
Says without comprehensive laws and regulations, false and misleading information will destabilise political and social structures ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Friday highlighted the impact of technology in spreading false information, reiterating that unrestricted freedom of speech was “leading to the degradation of moral values in all societies.” Gen Munir was speaking on the topic of “Pakistan’s role in peace and stability” at the Margalla Dialogue 2024 in Islamabad, organised by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) on Friday. According to a statement issued by PTV on its X account, the COAS said, “Unrestricted freedom of speech is leading to the degradation of moral values in all societies.” He said that while technology had played an important role in the dissemination of information, “the spread of misleading and incorrect knowledge was a major challenge”.
“Without comprehensive laws and regulations, false and misleading information, and hate speech will continue to destabilise political and social structures,” he said. ‘TTP home to all terrorist proxies worldwide’
SC still wields authority to take suo motu notice: Justice Mazhar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Supreme Court’s Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar on Friday stated that the apex court’s constitutional bench enjoys the power to take suo motu notice after the enactment of 26th Amendment. The top court judge made the remarks during the hearing of an anti-terrorism case after the petitioner’s counsel Advocate Munir Paracha argued that no further action was needed in the case. He contended that following the 26th Amendment, the Supreme Court no longer had the authority to initiate suo motu proceedings. Justice Mazhar responded the lawyers, clarified that while the amendment had brought in procedural changes, it did not eliminate the apex’s ability to take suo motu notice. “The procedure may have changed, but the Supreme Court still retains the power to take suo motu notice. The only difference is that such cases are now heard by the Constitutional Bench,” he remarked. “Constitutional Bench is empowered to hear such cases and initiate suo motu proceedings if necessary,” SC judge Muhammad Ali Mazhar observed. The bench, which included Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, also observed that any relevant issues could be addressed in future cases. Justice Mandokhel further noted that the matter would be considered in the context of another case if it arises again. Furthermore, the six-member constitutional bench, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, heard another case regarding granting the right to appeal to judicial employees. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel remarked that making rules is the responsibility of the respective high courts, and a petition cannot be filed under Article 199, Clause 5. The constitutional bench issued notices to the parties involved. The constitutional bench also adjourned the LPG price fixation case until the second week of December, directing lawyers appearing via video link to attend the next hearing in person at the Supreme Court in Islamabad. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel remarked that two commissions had been formed in this case, and it was unclear under what authority the commissions had been established. The constitutional bench disposed of the case related to appeals under the Banking Ordinance, while the case of Al-Jihad Trust vs Federation was dismissed due to being rendered ineffective. The constitutional bench consolidated all cases related to the service structure of lady health workers, issued notices to the parties, and adjourned the hearing.
During his speech, the COAS talked at length about how violent non-state actors and state-sponsored terrorism had become major global challenges. “Terrorism is a common challenge for all humanity globally, and Pakistan has an unwavering commitment to the
fight against terrorism,” he said. He also stated that a robust border management system had been implemented to secure Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan against Fitna al Khawarij, who he said was “home to all the terrorist organisations and proxies of the world”. “Pakistan expects the Afghan Interim Government not to allow Afghan territory to be used for terrorism and to take strict measures in this regard,” Gen Munir reiterated. In July, the government, through an official notification, designated the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as Fitna al Khawarij, while mandating all institutions to use the term khariji (outcast) when referring to the perpetrators of terrorist attacks on Pakistan. Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad The Chief of Army Staff stated that Radd-ul-Fasaad is an essential part of the National Action Plan, aimed at eradicating terrorism and extremism.
Punjab declares emergency measures as smog turns into ‘health crisis’ LAHORE
SALEEM JADOON
The Punjab government on Friday declared health emergency and three-day lockdown in Lahore and Multan, besides a series of emergency measures to mitigate the smog [crisis] turned into a health crisis. Addressing a presser on Friday, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced a series of emergency measures in response to the worsening smog crisis in the province, including the declaration of a health emergency and three-day lockdown in Lahore and Multan. Mrs Aurangzeb stated that a health emergency declared in Lahore and Multan and leaves of all doctors and paramedical staff has been cancelled, while closure of schools and colleges has also been extended for one more week.
Due to the smog, schools will be closed for another week, online classes will be held in colleges and universities. Restaurants have been given time till 4pm, however, taking food from restaurants will be allowed till 8pm. “A new campaign, named “Detox Lahore,” will be launched to address the smog crisis. Restaurants will be restricted to takeaway
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services after 4 PM, and brick kilns and furnace-based industries will remain closed for a week. Aurangzeb emphasized that smog is not a short-term issue, and the government is preparing 3month action plans to tackle the crisis over the next year. She referred to smog as a national disaster affecting not just Lahore, but also Abbottabad and Multan. She emphasized the countries that curbed smog received a lot of cooperation from their citizens, urging people to stay at home on Saturday and Sunday. She also highlighted the role of actors, artists and the media in helping deal with the health menace. “To all the detractors, I will urge them to unite against smog. Considering all the circumstances, the decisions will be implemented from next week,” the minister announced.
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change in fuel prices despite recent increase in international oil costs PROFIT
NEWS DESK
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has announced that the prices of petroleum products, including petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), will remain unchanged for the next fortnight. Earlier this week, estimates suggested that the prices of these key petroleum products could rise by Rs4-5 per litre due to higher international oil prices and increased import premiums on petrol. Sources revealed that the average international prices for petrol and HSD had risen by about $1.7 and $4.4 per barrel, respectively, in the last fortnight. Additionally, the import premium for petrol had risen to nearly $1 per barrel. Despite these increases, Ogra’s notification, which was issued late Friday night, stated that the prices would remain steady “based on the price trends in the international market during the last two weeks.” As a result, the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) will remain at Rs255.14 per litre, and the price of petrol (MS) will stay at Rs248.38 per litre for the next 14 days. This decision comes amid rising global oil prices but reflects a decision by Ogra to maintain stability in domestic fuel costs for the time being.
Trump vows to push for end to Russia Ukraine conflict FLORIDA
US President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday that his administration will work hard to end the RussiaUkraine war. “We’re going to work on the Middle East, and we’re going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It’s gotta stop. Russia and Ukraine’s gotta stop,” Trump said at a gala for the America First Policy Institute at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida. Turning to his election victory last week, Trump said the American people delivered “something very, very amazing.” “The biggest political victory in 129 years…We swept all swing states. We won the popular vote,” he said. He stressed that the country is “doing good” since he was elected on Nov. 5. “Now the only thing is, Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important, maybe you should pass a bill — you have to start my term from November 5, OK? Or November 6 if you want. November 5, because the market’s gone through the roof, enthusiasm’s doubled in the last short while,” he said. Republicans secured a majority in last week’s election, assuming control of the House and Senate and the White House. Trump won the election with 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 threshold against his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris. He will be sworn into office on January 20, 2025 for a four-year term.
Interior ministry pens letter to PTA seeking ban on illegal VPNs ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Ministry of Interior has penned a letter to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block illegal Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), highlighting increasing risks to national security and public morality. “VPNs are increasingly being exploited by the terrorists,” stated the ministry’s letter. “Off late, an alarming fact has been identified, wherein VPNs are used by terrorists to obscure and conceal their communications.” Additionally, the unregulated VPNs were also being used for discreetly accessing pornographic and blasphemous content, it added. VPNs are commonly used worldwide
to bypass restricted content. In Pakistan, the use of VPNs witnessed a spike after authorities banned social media site X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year over “national security” concerns. However, when it comes to its misuse, Pakistanis are making up to 20 million daily attempts to access blocked explicit content via unregistered virtual private networks, despite government restrictions. Pointing to another issue related to public morality, the ministry stated that “Pakistan is considered one of the countries where porn sites are frequently visited by using VPNs, however, these trends warrant the prohibition of unauthorised virtual private networks to address the critical threats”.
STAFF REPORT
In its formal request to ban these illegitimate platforms, the PTA was requested to “block illegal VPNs across
Pakistan so that registered VPN users may not be affected”. “In addition, registration of VPNs with PTA may also be made till November 30, 2024,” it asserted. This development came after the top telecom regulator intensified efforts to regulate VPNs for legitimate users and introduced a streamlined process for registering these platforms two days ago.
ISLAMABAD: Mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended in certain areas of Balochistan to “ensure public safety” amidst the sharp rise in terrorist attacks, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) stated on Friday The PTA, in a statement, explained that the decision followed directives
from relevant authorities and was implemented to “ensure public safety given the security situation in these areas.” “The general public is hereby informed that, under the directives of authorised departments, mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended in certain areas of Balochistan,” Friday’s statement said. STAFF REPORT
Internet services go off in parts of Balochistan to ‘ensure public safety’: PTA
Why people would take to streets for Imran who did nothing for them, argues Nawaz Sharif LONDON
STAFF REPORT
PML-N President Nawaz Sharif Friday reacted to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan’s “final protest call”, arguing why people would take to the streets on his call when the former premier did nothing except “bringing disrepute to the country” during his nearly four years in power. “What Imran Khan has done during his tenure that people would take to the streets on his call. Tell me a single [development] project that he could proudly present as evidence of development during his tenure,” the former premier said in an informal interaction with reporters in London. PTI founder announced a protest march to Islamabad on November 24, his lawyer
and sister said on Wednesday. “Imran Khan says this is the final call for a [anti-government] protest. The PTI founder has stressed that the party’s entire leadership will be part of the march,” lawyer Faisal Chaudhry told reporters in Rawalpindi. The protest will not only take place in Islamabad, but throughout Pakistan and across the world where Khan’s supporters are present, Chaudhry said. The lawyer said that the party founder had also formed a committee for the march and asked not to reveal the names of those who are part of it as Imran fears they’ll be arrested. The News already reported on Wednesday that PTI’s founder chairman wants a date for a do-or-die ultimate protest and possible sit-in in Islamabad but he was being persuaded by his party’s
senior leaders that it may backfire if such a protest was announced without proper planning and considering all pros and cons. “Tell me, can Imran say he has constructed a motorway for Pakistan, brought a project for Pakistan, established power pants or ended loadshedding […] His performance is zero,” Nawaz said today. Instead of taking measures for the country’s development, the PML-N president said, the incarcerated PTI founder conspired with judges such as Saqib Nisar to disqualify him back then in 2016. He further said that Imran damaged the democracy in the country. Nawaz noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is leaving no stone unturned to recover the country’s economy, prompting “fruitful re-
sults” with economic indicators improving. “Pakistan has come out of difficulties and is now on the path of prosperity,” he said, adding that obstacles were being created in the way of development. He went on to say that the PML-N suffered the worst victimisation during Imran’s tenure, adding that the PTI founder along with former army chief General (retd) Bajwa and former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed “victimise us in every possible way”. He added that he was not granted permission to travel to London to meet his ailing wife Kulsoom Nawaz. The former premier further said that they did nothing but harm the country. “They have to be held accountable for such practices before giving a ‘call’,” he added.