Influential family in Mianwali parts ways with PTI after ticket snub

Former Member National Assembly and granddaughter of Nawab Amir Muhammad Khan of Kalabagh, the former governor of erstwhile West Pakistan, along with her family members on Thursday announced to part  ways with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, ending her six-year affiliation with the party after being denied party ticket to contest the upcoming general election.Coming from one of the influential families of Mianwali, the home town of PTI chairman Imran Khan, the ex MNA and journalist  served as Imran Khan’s campaign manager in the district during the last general election.Addressing a press conference at her residence in Kalabagh on Thursday, she said: "We opened doors of our historical mansion to Imran Khan and became his companions in his journey to change." Ayla Malik who served as member of the lower house of the parliament from 2002 to 2007 on a reserved seat for women said: "With our hard work, and with the help of Allah we managed to win four seats out of six in last election. The biggest Tsunami wave during the last election was witnessed in Mianwali. All because of our hard work," said Ayla Malik."We had to face a little disappointment when Khan decided to leave the seat from his ancestral town (after 2013 election) and left us to fight state machinery and government prosecution in the by-election. He practically disassociated himself from the constituency but our family stood by him.Imran Khan left the seat, but we remained stuck to his slogan of change,Ignoring our selfless sacrifices, once again unpopular decisions have been taken that has  caused disappointment among party workers. And despite being aware of all the facts, Imran Khan, instead of addressing the issue, handed over the matters to non-serious elements"."From today, we are parting our ways with the PTI, and in the coming days we would be free to take our own decisions and set our direction.All options are open for us. We will decide our future course of action after consultation with people of our constituency".She said her family stood by Imran Khan despite having a lot of reservations over the former cricket hero's unpopular political decisions."The manner in which we were snubbed while awarding party tickets is unacceptable. We would be the first to welcome the party's decision, if we had been taken into confidence," said she.The former MNA is expected to field her son-in-law, Amir Muhammad Khan, as an independent candidate from the Punjab Assembly Constituency PP-86 Mianwali.Talking to The News on condition of anonymity, a PTI leader from Mianwali said Imran Khan’s complacency could jeopardize party’s position in his hometown.The PTI leader said Haji Sheeka Khan, another disgruntled leader of the PTI who is contesting the election as an independent candidate from PP-86, together with young Nawab can pose serious threat to party’s campaign in Mianwali.He said Sheeka Khan is far more popular than Ameenullah Khan, party’s ticket holder from the constituency. Resentment over the party tickets has triggered protests and resignations in different parts of the country ahead of the general elections which Imran Khan is confident his party will sweep.  

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Noor shares picture with Imran Khan's wife

Former Pakistani actress Noor Bukhari on Thursday posted on Twitter a picture of herself with Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi."With my mentor," Noor Bukhari captioned the picture that according to Geo News was taken during their encounter at Masjid-e-Nabwi (SAW).Imran Khan recently travelled to Saudi Arabia along with his wife and close aides to perform Umrah.The former film and TV actor was also in Saudi Arabia on a pilgrimage.According to the TV channel, Noor is the former wife of Awn Chaudhry, political Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan.

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A glimpse into the many sights, sounds and colours of Hindu temples in Thar

Scattered all over the seemingly barren, yet culturally diverse region of Tharpakar, Sindh are Hindu temples that have been thriving in the belt ever since its birth.With Hindus constituting an eminent part (approximately 41%) of the entire population in Thar, their numerous prayer sites have predominantly marked this part of the country’s history. Narrating a story of great reverence that the people of the area, irrespective of religion, have for the Hindu Gods and Godesses, one of the best-preserved Hindu temples was the one situated in Khipro, near Achro Thar. Boasting a series of Hindu idols and artifacts, the temple is huge, properly-maintained and a major tourist attraction. According to the care-taker, it is almost 400 to 500-years-old. Temple's exterior as seen from the outside. Courtesy: Zoya Anwer A plaque indicating the history of the temple 'GORI TEMPLE'A number of temples are also landmarked near the Pakistan-India border in Nagarparkar district that is home to historic temples of sorts that have otherwise withered out with time. One such mandir is the Jain Gori Temple, originally built in the 16th century. Although dilapidated, the gorgeous white temple hardly has any visitors now, despite the existence of Gori village situated between Islamkot and Nagarparkar where Hindus live in large numbers. According to local traditions, the temple was built in reverence of Lord Parshwanath, the 23rd Tirthankara of Jainism faith who attained Nirvana in 777 BCE. 'BODHESAR TEMPLE'Located in the heart of Nagarparkar is the Bodhesar Temple, in close proximity of the Bodhesar Mosque, both of the structures only separated from each other by a small plain. The structures date back to 1375 to 1449. Known as the last of three Bodhesar Temples, the mandir is set close to the foot of the Karoonjhar hills, a little south to the Bodhesar Mosque. It consisits of an open hall called ‘Mandapa’ with a chamber interlinked with cells. *Pictures by author and Zoya Anwer 

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Kalash man elated after historic PTI nomination for KP assembly

KARACHI: A Kalash man has been nominated for the first time in Pakistan’s political history for the assembly on a minority seat.Wazir Zada, a community worker from Chitral, has been nominated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as their second choice on reserved seats in the Khyber Pakhtwnka assembly for elections 2018.Zada termed his nomination as historic and a giant step forward towards the promotion of diminishing Kalash culture.Talking to The News from Peshawar, where he appeared before the Returning Officer for scrutiny of nomination papers, Zada said this will be for the first time that a Kalash man is going to the assembly and raise voice for the community. Legislation for the preservation of indigenous Kalash culture is top of my mind, he said of his plans if he reached the provincial assembly after July 25th polls, which PTI hopes to win comprehensively. Praising PTI for nominating him, Zada said we are happy that at last we are considered as an important part of Pakistani society by a national party.He vowed to work for all the minorities. The Kalash valleys of Chitral are located in the southern gorges of the Hindu Kush mountain range in KP. The valleys share a 380 km border with Afghanistan.The population of Kalash people has declined to just over 4000.

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Shawwal moon not sighted, Eid-ul-Fitr in Pakistan on Saturday

KARACHI: The Shawwal crescent, 1439 Hijri, has not been sighted and Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in Pakistan on Saturday, June 16, 2018, announced Ruet-e-Hilal committee here Thursday.The announcement was made by Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal committee Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman. He chaired the meeting at the Met office Karachi.The evidence of moon sighting was not received from any part of the country, therefore, Eid would be celebrated in Pakistan on Saturday, Mufti Muneeb said.Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department, had said that it was unlikely the Shawwal moon will be sighted on Thursday.“There are fewer chances of the Eid moon being sighted today,” the Met Office said while stating that chances are higher of Eid-ul -Fitr would celebrated on Saturday, June 16 across Pakistan.The moon can only be sighted if it is 26 hours and 42 minutes old, it added while stating that at sundown the moon will be 19 hours and three minutes old.The new moon of Shawwal, 1439 AH will be born on crossing conjunction point at 00-45 PST on 14-06-2018, a statement by the Met office said.In a press release on June 14, the Met office said that there was slight chance of sighting of the moon. According to astronomical parameters, there is a slight chance of sighting the new moon of Shawwal, 1439 AH on the evening of 14-06-2018 i.e. on 29th of Ramzan, 1439 AH.Moon sighted in UAE: reportThe crescent of the Shawwal moon has been sighted in Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, the UAE's International Astronomy Center announced on Thursday.This means Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated on Friday.According to Khaeej Times, the final decision will be taken when the moon-sighting committee in the UAE, which will meet only after Maghrib prayer, announces its decision.Eid in Turkey on FridayTurkey will celebrate the Islamic holiday of Eid Ul-Fitr starting on June 15 until June 17, marking the end of 30 days of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, Hurriyet Daily reported.In Turkey, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan began on May 16.Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time when Muslims abstain from food, drink and smoking from the “sahur” meal at sunrise to the “iftar” meal at sunset.Eid in India The crescent of the moon is not sighted in India Thursday. Hence, Eid ul-Fitr will not be celebrated on June 15 in India but people all across India will ring into the festival on June 16 and in Maharashtra on June 16 or 17, Indian media reported.  

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Army to be deployed at polling stations in elections 2018: ECP

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan has decided to deploy Army personnel both inside and outside polling stations to ensure security during general elections.The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan Thursday. The meeting reviewed security arrangements for general elections.It was also decided that foolproof security would be provided during printing of the ballot papers. For this purpose, army would be deployed at Security Printing Press from 27th of this month to 25th of next month.The CCTV cameras would be installed at 20,000 sensitive polling stations in the country.He said close coordination would also be maintained with National Counter Terrorism Authority for security issues.The meeting was attended by defence, interior and foreign secretaries, chief secretaries and inspector generals of police of all provinces.General elections 2018 will be held on July 25, 2018.

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Code of conduct issued by ECP for General Election 2018

ISLAMABAD: An 86-point code of conduct has been issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday for the upcoming general elections 2018.Issued with two parts, the code of conduct is concerning political parties, electoral candidates, election and poling agents.As per the document, the candidates, political parties and election agents are required to maintain the rights and independence of the people of Pakistan as assured by the Constitution and law. It went on to further instruct that candidates and election agents are to comply with all directives and rules imparted by the ECP infrequently, in regards to the refined election conduct, upholding of public order and integrity and has also counseled to abstain from slandering the ECP in any way. It has also been noted that defiance of these would necessitate disdain as Section 10 of the Elections Act 2017 weighs up. It further adds that political parties shall make an effort to endow equal opportunities to both male and female eligible members to join the electoral race.Furthermore, it stated that whilst the assortment process of candidates for general seats in an Assembly, the party is required to make certain at least a five percent female demonstration in their list of candidates beneath Section 206 of the Election Act 2017.

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We have to strive for Pakistan where rule of law is supreme: COAS Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa we have to strive for a Pakistan where rule of law is supreme.The Army Chief visited National Defence University Thursday, Inter Services Public Relations said.While addressing the participants of National Security and War Course, General Bajwa congratulated them on successful completion of the course. The COAS’ address focused on internal and external challenges facing Pakistan.COAS Bajwa said, “Pakistan is fully committed to peace and stability both within and without.” Talking about regional peace and development, he said that all stake holders need to get out of conflict paradigm as only cooperative framework can unlock the true potentials of the region. For this Pakistan has done its part in tackling the security challenges which seemed insurmountable a few years ago.Talking about internal challenges, the Army Chief said, “We have to strive for a Pakistan where rule of law is supreme and where we have the same attitude towards duties as we have towards rights.”The COAS reiterated that a coordinated and committed national approach is effective response to all challenges. Pakistan belongs to all Pakistanis regardless of beliefs or opinions, COAS remarked.Talking about Hybrid War COAS said that it’s the National will which is targeted in such war. For effective counter and response to hybrid war there is a need that national issues having impact on our national security like economy, education, water security and national integration etc must take precedence through relevant national institutions, COAS concluded.

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5 Things About Self-Defense Every Woman Should Know

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Imran congratulates Rashid on Supreme Court verdict

ISLAMABAD: PTI chairman Imran Khan has felicitated AML head and political ally Sheikh Rashid Ahmed for being declared eligible to stand in the upcoming general election. According to sources, Rashid called on Imran at his Bani Gala residence after his return from Saudi Arabia where he performed umrah along with his wife and friends. The two leaders discussed political issues and matters pertaining to the general elections. Sources add that Imran Khan congratulated Sheikh Rashid after Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking his disqualification over alleged non-declaration of assets. 

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Khadija Siddiqui stabbed 23 times fights to see her attacker jailed

LAHORE: A Pakistani law student has emerged as a women´s rights crusader after she was stabbed 23 times in a busy street only to see her alleged attacker walk free, igniting outrage across the country.Khadija Siddiqui, 23, survived the frenzied attack in broad daylight outside her sister´s school on a busy thoroughfare in the teeming eastern city of Lahore in May 2016.Her sister was also injured as she tried to defend her, and the brazen attack only ended when her driver managed to pull the assailant off and rush Siddiqui to hospital, where she was admitted to intensive care with her neck slashed, her arms wounded, and a deep injury to her back.Siddiqui named her attacker as Shah Hussain, a classmate whom she had rejected romantically. He was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison in July 2017.But Hussain, the son of a prominent Lahori lawyer, appealed the decision -- and in a shock judgement released on June 4, the Lahore High Court acquitted him on all charges. The decision was greeted with an uproar in Pakistan, where hundreds of women are murdered and attacked by men each year, with many struggling to get justice in a sluggish court system that advocates say is often slanted against them. "I was shocked," Siddiqui, who spent three weeks in hospital after the attack and whose back still pains her, told AFP. "But unfortunately it was true." Siddiqui´s long struggle to put her attacker behind bars had already drawn attention from women´s rights campaigners, but when Hussain walked free it unleashed a wave of anger. "I am heart broken, speechless, shattered after hearing what our judiciary system did to you @khadeeeej751 - But do not give up , keep fighting, and we shall overcome this together," tweeted actress Urwa Hocane. Hamza Ali Abbasi, another TV personality and activist, commented: "We must all unite & be Khadija´s voice & leave no stone unturned to get her justice against this barbarian! #WeAreWithKhadija". The hashtag was trending in Pakistan within hours of the acquittal. The reaction intensified when the court´s judgement was released, with critics accusing it of "victim-blaming" after it poked holes in Siddiqui´s credibility. The judgement questioned why she did not name Hussain as her attacker immediately, despite testimony saying she had fallen unconscious; and noted that at one point prior to the assault she had written a letter proposing marriage to him.The outcry was so great that Pakistan´s Supreme Court has now taken up the case and will hold hearings later in the summer, it announced Wednesday.Hashmi, Hussain´s father, has told AFP that his child is innocent. "My son is a brilliant student," he said. "How can he be a criminal?" ´Prejudice against women´Siddiqui´s case highlights how Pakistan´s judicial system fails women, says Hina Jilani, a leading lawyer and human rights activist.The young law student is lucky in that she received high-profile support and it came to the Supreme Court´s attention, Jilani says -- but that is rare."There is a prejudice against women," she argues.Pakistan is deeply conservative, and violence against women remained "pervasive and intractable" in 2017, according to a yearly report by the country´s Human Rights Commission.It documented thousands of reported violent incidents including rapes, assaults, sexual harassment, acid attacks, murders, and even four examples of "stove burning" -- understood to be when a woman is taken into a kitchen, covered in kerosene and set alight; then the perpetrators claim she was burned by the stove.The real figures, the commission said, are likely to be much higher.Many cases of violence against women are not reported to authorities. In rural areas such cases often bypass the formal justice system and are dealt with by village "jirgas" or councils, often in a manner that is punitive for women.But even for those cases which do enter the court system, the conviction rate is "below one percent", says Rabeea Hadi, an activist with the Aurat Foundation, a women´s rights watchdog.In cases of domestic violence and sexual abuse, it is "almost zero", adds Anbreen Ajaib, the executive director of another women´s rights group, Bedari.Siddiqui says women, including herself, are often pressured to drop their cases, and can face blackmail and harassment. But she is determined to see hers through, and says the attention it has received has prompted many women to contact her to say they, too, are encouraged to stand up for themselves."I have been told by the prosecutors... that I´m probably the first woman who is fighting so hard to get justice," she told AFP, sounding calm and confident."It has proved that if women fight, they can turn things around, so they should never give up... they should not tolerate injustice, violence and blackmail."

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