Bharat Rakshak

After the US DoD Press Briefing, excerpt from the US State Department Press Briefing again dealing with the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s involvement in Terrorism following the disclosure by the Islamic Republic’s former PM Nawaz Sharif that his country was involved in the 26/11 Mumbai Terrorist attack:

Heather Nauert
Spokesperson
Department Press Briefing
Washington, DC
May 17, 2018 ……………………………………..

QUESTION: And second, madam, one strange thing is going on on Pakistani television is that former prime minister of Pakistan, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, he told the Pakistani television and – that Pakistan was behind the Mumbai attacks in India. Now, this also asserted that last year, General Musharraf said that Pakistan is favoring terrorism against India.

MS NAUERT: Say the last part again.

QUESTION: General Musharraf also said last year that Pakistan is supporting terrorism against India as far as Kashmir is concerned, and we are making it public that we will be supporting terrorism against India.

MS NAUERT: So --

QUESTION: And now it’s the prime minister of Pakistan who just stepped down.

MS NAUERT: Look, the only thing I can – I have to share with you about that in terms of the Mumbai attacks, and we’ve been – we’ve addressed this on numerous occasions from this podium here, and those would be our concerns about the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. And he’s a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba guy who was being held in Pakistan, and he was eventually let out on house arrest, and we have a reward out for – I believe it’s for his arrest – not information leading to his arrest, but his arrest. I don’t recall off the top of my head the award amount, but that person out in the open is a tremendous concern to the United States. In terms of your other question, I’d just have to look into that for you. Okay.

QUESTION: Thank you, madam.

See here:

Department Press Briefing - May 17, 2018

I thought reward is for information!?

X Popsted on the PESW Thread

Pakistan receives $9.2b in foreign loans, but reserves still plunge

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan received $9.2 billion in new foreign loans during the first 10 months of the ongoing fiscal year, increasing cumulative borrowing by the PML-N government to over $44 billion in tenure of four years and 10 months.

Largely pulled by Chinese commercial loans and issuance of sovereign bonds, the disbursements of foreign loans touched $9.2 billion from July through April of this fiscal year, said officials in the finance ministry. In April alone, Pakistan received [/b]$1.6 billion as loans and three-fourths of it was contributed by two Chinese commercial banks,[/b] they added.

China’s share was $3.7 billion or 40.3%, indicating Pakistan’s heavy reliance on its northern neighbour. From July through April, China gave $1.5 billion as project financing and $2.2 billion in commercial loans. In April, Bank of China disbursed $200 million and the China Development Bank released $1 billion. Pakistan has already contracted a loan of $1 billion from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

With the fresh borrowing of $9.2 billion, total foreign loans the PML-N government so far obtained during its third stint (July 2013 to April 2018) have now increased to a record $44.2 billion.

Most of these loans have been obtained to help boost foreign currency reserves, finance a bulging current account deficit and for budgetary support. A major chunk of $44.2 billion has been spent on non-productive areas of the economy, which has created issues for the government in managing the country’s external debt.

Pakistan’s external debt and liabilities have soared to a record $91.8 billion as of March-end, an increase of over 50% or nearly $31 billion in past four years and nine months, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Out of total external debt and liabilities, the government’s public debt obligations including that of foreign exchange liabilities were $76.1 billion as of end March.

In the past four years and nine months, public debt-related obligations increased by 42.5% or $22.7 billion, showed the central bank data. In June 2013, the public external debt including foreign exchange liabilities was only $53.4 billion.

The public debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio has been estimated to peak to 70.1% by the end of fiscal year 2017-18 in June. This ratio is far higher than the sustainable levels for a country like Pakistan. High debt levels are consuming over 30% of the federal government budget on account of debt servicing cost.

For the outgoing fiscal year 2017-18, the government had initially budgeted $8 billion worth of foreign economic assistance. Due to the higher-than-estimated current account deficit, the finance ministry has now revised its estimates to nearly $11 billion.

The SBP also reported that the current account deficit widened to a 10-month record of $14.03 billion during July-April. It was higher by 50% or $4.7 billion over the previous fiscal year.

Despite obtaining heavy loans, the SBP and finance ministry have failed to retain gross official foreign currency reserves, which stood at $10.8 billion. Since the start of the fiscal year, the central bank has lost one third or $5.4 billion of its total reserves.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that in case of low disbursements, Pakistan’s foreign currency reserves may slip to $9.4 billion by June this year.

Out of $9.2 billion disbursements, about 70% or $6.4 billion were taken for non-project financing purposes. This included $2.5 billion sovereign bonds, $2.9 billion foreign commercial loans and $987 million financing by Islamic Development Bank for oil imports.

The project financing has been consistently declining in terms of its share in total foreign loans. Against Pakistan’s estimates of receiving around $1 billion from the World Bank, the Washington-based lender disbursed only $426.3 million in ten months. Pakistan had also hoped of receiving $1.1 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in fiscal year 2017-18, but actual disbursements from July through April remained at $646.2 million. The ADB disbursed $34.6 million in April for Peshawar metro bus project.

The only major project financing was coming from China that disbursed $1.5 billion in ten months, better than Pakistan’s estimates. Last month, China released $111 million for Lahore Orange Metro train project.

Bilateral economic assistance remained an important component. But now, almost the entire bilateral assistance has shifted towards China. From July through April, the bilateral assistance stood at $1.6 billion and 93.5% came from China. Only Japan gave $59.4 million followed by $22.5 million by Saudi Arabia.

Cheers

X Posted on the PESW Thread

LE DOOM ÉCONOMIQUE ET LE GLOOM DE TERRORISTAN CONTINUENT À BLOOM

Pakistan’s current account deficit widens to record high

KARACHI: Pakistan’s current account deficit has widened 50% to a record high of $14.03 billion in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year 2018, reported the central bank on Friday.

The deficit stood at $9.35 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The deficit Increases woes of the country’s economic managers as a widening current account takes toll on foreign exchange reserves that have already fallen below $11 billion last week.

The situation may even force the government to go back to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package, analysts say.

The deficit is also expected to surpass the estimated figure of $16 billion for fiscal year 2018 after the price of crude oil (the benchmark Brent crude) surged sharply in the international market to three-and-a-half-year high of $80 per barrel on Thursday from around $50 per barrel at the outset of the current fiscal year on July 1, 2017.



Pakistan’s economy depends heavily on imported oil and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to fuel its industries as well as fulfil demands of domestic consumers. The country meets almost three-fourths of its energy needs through imports, which contributes close to one-third in the overall import bill of the country.

The government has also devalued the rupee by around 9.5% in two rounds (5% in December 2017 and 4.5% in March 2018) in a bid to narrow down the deficit. The measure has resulted in increasing exports, but largely failed to slow down imports.

The 10-month cumulative deficit of $14.03 billion is much higher than the complete fiscal year 2017’s deficit of $12.62 billion, according to the central bank.

April’s figure

The current account deficit in April 2018 alone stood at $1.95 billion, which is 61% higher than $1.21 billion recorded in the prior month of March 2018, it added.

The trade deficit increased 20% to $25 billion in 10 months compared to $20.77 billion in the same period last year. Accordingly, imports increased 17% to $45.56 billion from $38.91 billion and exports enhanced 13% to $20.55 billion from $18.14 billion.

The trade deficit (including of services) rose to $29.21 billion from $24.09 billion.

On the other hand, uptick in workers’ remittances sent home by overseas Pakistanis slightly controlled the widening deficit. Remittances rose 4% to $16.25 billion in the 10-month period compared to $15.64 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year.

FDI increased 2.4% in July-April, amounting to $2.24 billion from $2.18 billion in the same 10-month period of the previous year.

Cheers

“Chabahar is a clean city and Gwadar is not!”

Cheers

anupmisra wrote:

Falijee wrote:Nehru abolished the zamindari system in India. Pakistan, to date has retained the Zamindari system. The zamindari system is responsible for producing politicians like Z.A. Bhutto, Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif.

Zamindars (jagirdars, landlords and waderas) were the main backers of the pakistan movement. They knew that their days would be numbered in a unified independent India.

Yes, so true.

The British had assiduously cultivated the ashrafs, men from reputed and landed Muslim families in the Punjab, Sind, Balochistan, Bihar and United Provinces in the then united India, who later on assumed key positions in Pakistan, mostly to protect their land ownership, and filled important administrative positions. The British found it easy to rule through the landlords and the Muslim League as well as Bhutto’s PPP which took over power in Pakistan adopted the same technique and thus perpetuated the rule of the landlords. Even today, a mere 0.5% of the population owns 37% of the land in a still feudal Pakistani society, where land-holding determines power. Even in c. 1937, when the G.B.Pant-led Congress Government in the United Provinces passed the Tenancy Reforms Bill to curb the powers of the landlords. The elite Muslim Leaguers, like Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan who later rose to be the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, opposed it and called it ‘destructive of Muslim culture’. The feudal setup consists of zamindars (big landowners) known variously as Sardars(in Balochistan), Pirs, Jagirdars (in the Punjab), vaderas (in the interior Sind) and khawaneen (in the NWFP areas) and narcotic barons and is constrained by fierce notions of biraderi (clannish affinity) and ghairat (honour). Frequently, Pakistani politicians invoke ‘honour and dignity’ to justify their actions. The three land reforms bills of 1959, 1972 and 1977 as also the Tenancy Act, 2002, could not be effectively implemented due to the powerful stranglehold of the feudal landlords. The 1959 Land Reform bill allowed a holding of 500 acres per person (not a family) of irrigated land and 1000 acres of unirrigated land. It also gave exemptions to landowners when their productivity was high or if they owned orchards. It is an irony that all these land reform bills were promulgated during military rule. It is an irony that while the Zamindari system was abolished in East Pakistan as early as c. 1950, West Pakistan could not take similar measures.

Distribution of Dawn the oldest English newspaper of Pakistan has been suspended in several parts of Pakistan like Baluchistan https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/p ... 2018-05-19

Resignation letter of Jogendra Nath Mandal to Liaquat Ali Khan citing the reasons for his resignation as a minority member of cabinet

Long story short. The Minister laments the treatment to Hindus meted out in the then East Pakistan now called Bangladesh , in spite of various promises that were given to him. He could not bear this farce and longer and therefore he resigned ! The same scenario is presently enacted in Pakistan ( what was then known as West Pakistan ) Although on paper, there are all sorts of Laws into place , "protecting" minorities and their place of worship etc etc . But this does not stop the majority community from abducting Hindu girls , because someone from that majority community "fell in love" with her ! She is later produced in court, with a brand new Malsic name , saying that she has married and converted on her "own accord" . Case closed ! And stories are still being published in Paki newspaper reporting that temples and gurdwaras are in decrepit state and are used as karkhanas, shops, shelters, etc etc and the pleas of Hindu lawmakers, social workers, are just plain ignored by Paki Officials

Paki Exchange Student Collateral Damage In That Texas Shooting !

Apparently a Pakistani exchange student died in the latest Texas school shooting.


PS: Was not aware that these sorts of exchanges are still continuing is spite of the Paki US ties going south !

Paki Authorities "Take Revenge" On The Oldest English Paper DAWN Founded By "Quaid -E- Azam ", Mohamed Ali Jinnah, The Creator Of Pakistan. Reason They Published Ganja Sharif's Interview Where-In He Lamented That The 26/11 Mumbai Attack Trial Is Being Hindered !

Pakistan authorities block distribution of oldest newspaper
May 18, 2018
Reporters Without Borders

Distribution of the English-language daily Dawn, Pakistan’s oldest newspaper, is being disrupted in much of the country since it published an interview with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns this latest attack on media freedom. Doubt that this "negative publicity" is going to make any difference !

The interview, which reportedly displeased the Pakistani military, appeared in the 12 May (Saturday) issue and the blocking began on 15 May. According to RSF’s information, distribution is being disrupted in most of Baluchistan province, in many cities in Sindh province and in all military cantonments.

The Press Council of Pakistan has notified Dawn’s editor that the newspaper breached the ethical code of practice by publishing content that “may bring into contempt Pakistan or its people or tends to undermine its sovereignty or integrity as an independent country.” “The unwarranted blocking of the distribution of one of the main independent newspapers has yet again shown that the military are determined to maintain their grip on access to news and information in Pakistan,” RSF said. It is very hard to silence Social Media in this day and age of Globalization , so maybe, there is some hope !

Last month, the military were said to have given unofficial instructions to cable TV operators to stop carrying the Geo TV network’s channels, including Geo News, in most of the country. One of the reasons was the airtime that the network had dedicated to Sharif, who was removed as prime minister by the supreme court in July 2017 in connection with a corruption case.

Pakistan is ranked 139th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2018 World Press Freedom Index.

IndraD wrote:Distribution of Dawn the oldest English newspaper of Pakistan has been suspended in several parts of Pakistan like Baluchistan https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/p ... 2018-05-19

IndraD Ji :

OH! The Irony of it!

1. Jinnah conned the Nawab of Kalat to join Terroristan. The Nawab paid Jinnah by "weighing Jinnah in Gold".

2. Dawn Newspaper was founded by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Delhi, India, on 26 October 1941 as a mouthpiece for the Muslim League.

Woe is me!

Cheers

Another Paki - Italian Youngster Brought Over To "The Land Of The Pure" By Her Parents To Get Her Married Against Her Will !

Girl rescued from parents’ confinement

LAHORE: The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) successfully rescued a 19-year old Pakistani girl from confinement by her parents and other members of her family in Lahore. Reportedly, the girl was brought to Pakistan from Italy in February 2018 for 10 days, under false pretenses of her brother’s engagement. It later transpired that her parents wished to marry her off against her will. IMO, this is going to be a perennial problem, now that second generation Paki Ayeshas, ( not born in Pakiland !) specially in Europe , are coming of age , adapting to "western culture" and are straying away from the straight and narrow of Malsi

While in Italy, her father had put a stop to her studies. The Italian Embassy informed the PCSW chairperson about the matter with the request to ensure safety of the girl, while the Ministry of Interior continuously followed up and provided assurance of full support. The Embassy will support the girl in case she wishes to return to Italy, where she has resided for the past 10 years. Now the Italian Govt has been faced with one more "headache" which they do not want !

The PCSW team and Garhi Shahu SHO located the girl’s address and recovered her, after which she was transported to a secure location. She is adamant to go back to Italy and continue her studies, so that she may pursue a career path of her own choice. The girl is safe and relieved that the PCSW, the Punjab police and the Italian Embassy reacted swiftly to rescue her.

In the last five years, several laws for protection of women have been passed by the Punjab Assembly as well as the National Assembly of Pakistan. These laws aim to curb the incidence of honour crimes, forced marriages, deprivation of inheritance, domestic violence, trafficking of women and children, and sexual violence against women.

Furthermore, the Punjab government has taken multiple initiatives for the protection and empowerment of women, and is stringently implementing them. These include establishment of dedicated institutions such as the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women, a woman ombudsperson against workplace harassment, women’s shelters in every district, a toll-free 24/7 helpline for women, through which women are made aware of their rights and redress mechanisms. For "this one caught", there are countless others , who have succeeded in accomplishing their mission of getting their daughters married to local Pakis . Interestingly, we never hear Press Reports of Paki Abduls of European origin brought over here against their will to find Paki Ayeshas to get married . Guess double standards prevail

Fauzia Viqar, chairperson of the Punjab Commission, expressed her appreciation for seamless coordination among various government agencies to ensure the safety and protection of a woman. She also greatly appreciated support of the Italian Embassy. Paki "Do Gooder"

Falijee wrote:Resignation letter of Jogendra Nath Mandal to Liaquat Ali Khan citing the reasons for his resignation as a minority member of cabinet

I am sorry but I do not buy Mandal's moaning, groaning and complaining. He willfully and knowingly collaborated with the muslim league, swayed the votes of the dalits to the league during crucial elections, demanded reserved seats in the new paki parliament and, when he did not get them, complained about bigotry and decided to come back to mother India.

Sounds familiar?

Not sure about the credibility of this source but...

PEMRA bans broadcast of VOA, BBC and DW news programmes

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has prohibited private Television Channels from airing programmes produced by foreign entities BBC, Voice of America (VOA) and Deutsche Welle (DW).

Anup-Misra - ji . Your Post confirmed by another ( Sarkari !) Source :

PEMRA bans broadcast of VOA, BBC and DW news programmes

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has prohibited private Television Channels from airing programmes produced by foreign entities BBC, Voice of America (VOA) and Deutsche Welle (DW) ( The present German Amb. is a "great friend" of Pakiland . Sources says that he has gone "completely native " ! )

The prohibition orders have been forwarded to Express-News and AAJ TV through two separate letters, compelling the media franchises to take off the programmes with immediate effect.One of the letters stated that Express-News was broadcasting a programme titled ‘DW Sawal’ produced by Deutsche Welle’, a Germany’s International Broadcaster, without any approval of the media watchdog. It seems that Ganja's interview is having a "multiplier effect "

Report PEMRA
✔
@reportpemra
PEMRA prohibits Express News to broadcast or Re-broadcast, programme titled "DW Sawal"
2:39 PM - May 18, 2018

Moreover, instructions were issued to AAJ TV to avoid broadcast or re-broadcast of two programmes by foreign entities, titled ‘View 360’ produced by Voice of America and ‘Sairbeen’ produced by BBC. The authority said that the channels were airing the programmes unlawfully without any approval.

Fill In The Blanks", PEMRA Form Letters are ready to be sent out by E mail to other media outlets as well . There appears to be a full fledged media clampdown, coinciding with the "Holy" Month of Ramazan , the period where usually "normal" work life comes to a standstill , and when the "faithfool" usually indulge onlee in sleeping, namaz , and eating and drinking . PEMRA employees forced to do "double time" at the threat of losing their jobs

Report PEMRA
✔
@reportpemra
PEMRA prohibits Aaj TV to broadcast or Re-broadcast, programmes titled "View 360" and "Sairbeen"
2:41 PM - May 18, 2018 [/quote]

“Therefore, the competent authority in exercise of delegated powers of the authority vested in Section 27(a) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, hereby prohibits broadcast or re-broadcast” of these programmes “with immediate effect”, the orders state.The media regulator also warned that in case of non-compliance with the prohibition orders, the authority shall proceed against the said TV channels under Section 30 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002.

Demonizing The Pashtuns. Paki Officials Reach A New Low IMO !

Carrying ‘naswar’ to Iraq can land Pakistani visitors in jail, say officials

PESHAWAR – Pakistani visitors have been advised not to carry naswar, the powdered tobacco snuff, to Iraq as it can land travellers in trouble.
Pakistan’s embassy in Baghdad sent a letter to the director general Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Karachi, stating that Iraqi officials have reportedly arrested several Pakistani nationals at airports for possessing naswar after mistaking it for drugs.

The arrested persons were later freed by the authorities, the letter said, adding that carrying naswar caused problems for passengers as they are put in jails until the test of the material for drugs is conducted.“In the meantime, visas of many Pakistanis also expired thus it hindered Pakistani Zaireen [pilgrims visiting holy shrines in Iraq] besides defaming the country,” the letter, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, read.

The embassy has requested the CAA to install warning boards in Urdu language at all airports, asking people not to carry such items to Iraq, to avoid such an embarrassing situation. The officials of the mission in Iraq also requested the officials concerned to instruct visitors to carry a medical prescription duly translated in Arabic to enable them to carry the medicines.

Naswar is an addictive substance mostly used by Pashtuns in or outside Pakistan. It is, sometimes, taken from Pakistan to Gulf countries or sometimes prepared abroad.

SSridhar wrote:

anupmisra wrote:
Zamindars (jagirdars, landlords and waderas) were the main backers of the pakistan movement. They knew that their days would be numbered in a unified independent India.

Yes, so true.

The British had assiduously cultivated the ashrafs, men from reputed and landed Muslim families in the Punjab, Sind, Balochistan, Bihar and United Provinces in the then united India, who later on assumed key positions in Pakistan, mostly to protect their land ownership, and filled important administrative positions. The British found it easy to rule through the landlords and the Muslim League as well as Bhutto’s PPP which took over power in Pakistan adopted the same technique and thus perpetuated the rule of the landlords. Even today, a mere 0.5% of the population owns 37% of the land in a still feudal Pakistani society, where land-holding determines power. Even in c. 1937, when the G.B.Pant-led Congress Government in the United Provinces passed the Tenancy Reforms Bill to curb the powers of the landlords. The elite Muslim Leaguers, like Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan who later rose to be the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, opposed it and called it ‘destructive of Muslim culture’. The feudal setup consists of zamindars (big landowners) known variously as Sardars(in Balochistan), Pirs, Jagirdars (in the Punjab), vaderas (in the interior Sind) and khawaneen (in the NWFP areas) and narcotic barons and is constrained by fierce notions of biraderi (clannish affinity) and ghairat (honour). Frequently, Pakistani politicians invoke ‘honour and dignity’ to justify their actions. The three land reforms bills of 1959, 1972 and 1977 as also the Tenancy Act, 2002, could not be effectively implemented due to the powerful stranglehold of the feudal landlords. The 1959 Land Reform bill allowed a holding of 500 acres per person (not a family) of irrigated land and 1000 acres of unirrigated land. It also gave exemptions to landowners when their productivity was high or if they owned orchards. It is an irony that all these land reform bills were promulgated during military rule. It is an irony that while the Zamindari system was abolished in East Pakistan as early as c. 1950, West Pakistan could not take similar measures.

Excellent summary of the situation sir. I would like to add that the thing that keeps the Pak Army, especially the officer cadre, buzzing and attracting the best talent (other than the fact that there is little else happening in that wasteland) is a ticket to the Ashrafi class. Farmland/"farmhouse land"/large residential plots are doled out to officers upon retirement which then become a huge source of funds that give them and their large clans lives of honour & dignity for several generations.

This is just a continuation of the Mughal jagardari system, where land was conquered or confiscated from its past owners and handed out to the military victors. The erstwhile owners became tenants and this underclass of tenants/bonded labourers is hugely important in ensuring that the land stays productive, just enough to keep the workers fed while enriching the jagirdars.

anupmisra wrote:

Falijee wrote:Resignation letter of Jogendra Nath Mandal to Liaquat Ali Khan citing the reasons for his resignation as a minority member of cabinet

I am sorry but I do not buy Mandal's moaning, groaning and complaining. He willfully and knowingly collaborated with the muslim league, swayed the votes of the dalits to the league during crucial elections, demanded reserved seats in the new paki parliament and, when he did not get them, complained about bigotry and decided to come back to mother India.

Sounds familiar?

That may be true but Mandal's letter is a great tool to use to shut up the Pakis, and for that reason alone the man's omissions can be overlooked.

Falijee wrote:Paki Exchange Student Collateral Damage In That Texas Shooting !

Apparently a Pakistani exchange student died in the latest Texas school shooting.

PS: Was not aware that these sorts of exchanges are still continuing is spite of the Paki US ties going south !

There's always a fascination/fetish of coming face to face with your enemies, trying to see if you can win them over by holding candles etc. Plus I am sure the kid had connections, but what a sad irony to escape from Karachi and meet your maker in Texas.

Ganja Lighting A Fire Under The Warm Seats Of The Paki Establishment. Seems That They Are Working Overtime

National Security Committee extraordinary meeting ends in Islamabad

National Security Committee meets yet again

Ya allah, iron birather is acting up
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/worl ... 57966.html

IMO, Dr Shakil Afridi Was Moved From Peshawar Jail To Avoid Him Being Sprung Out By His Fellow Afridi Pashtuns, Who Are Nowadays Fed Up With The Oppressive Pakis Who Are Creating Mayhem In FATA And KP And Has To Do Absolutely Nothing With The Recent Fake News That The CIA Attempted To Jail Break And Get Him Out

US expresses concerns over Dr Shakil Afridi in Pakistani Jail

ISLAMABAD - The US has expressed concerns for the safety of a doctor who helped track down Osama bin Laden, the world’s most wanted terrorist. It follows his transfer to a maximum security prison in Pakistan.

“We are aware of reports that Dr. Shakil Afridi has been transferred to another prison,” said Helaena White, the US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs spokesperson, told Arab News.

“We expect the government of Pakistan to take all necessary measures to ensure Dr. Afridi’s safety.”

The doctor, regarded as a hero by the US but a traitor in Pakistan, was transferred last month from Peshawar Central Jail, where he had been held since 2012 after being charged with anti-state activity and colluding with terrorists. POTUS has promised to make the Paki Govt release this innocent man ! IMO, he has wrongly been confined to "take revenge" on the US killing OBL, on the pretext that Afridi "helped" CIA identify the location of the Al - Qaeda Leader by providing DNA/ blood samples on some pretext. The truth of the matter is , as reported by Seymour Hersh , Investigative Reporter, is that it was in fact an higher up Ex ISI Afsar , who walked into the US Embassy in Islamabad and spilled the beans on OBL . He and his family are now enjoying the bounty of $ 10 Million somewhere in Massaland, under the Witness Protection Program. !! If true, it says "something" about their loyalty to Pakistan

The shift sparked speculation that Afridi may be released or handed over to the US.The doctor’s lawyer and cousin, Qamar Nadeem Afridi, interpreted the transfer as a sign his client might be released soon. He said Afridi would complete a 10-year jail sentence on May 23 after official remissions were taken into account.Afridi was initially sentenced to 33 years in prison on four different counts, but his jail term was reduced to 23 years in 2014. Under Pakistani law, when a prisoner is awarded concurrent sentences, he can be released after completion of his maximum sentence on one charge.

Kishanganga Dam - Time For Pakis To Apply Burnal Medication - Again !

Pakistan protests India’s inauguration of controversial Kishanganga dam inoccupied Kashmir

Didn't take that long to pin the blame on you know who...

India, not Punjab, blocking Sindh’s water, says Rana Mashhood

https://www.dawn.com/news/1408514/india ... a-mashhood

NSC meets for a second time in 5 days

The Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi-chaired committee saw the top civil military leadership exchange ideas on several important issues, including the internal and external challenges facing Pakistan as well as India's aggression on the Line of Control (LoC).

Did I miss something? Looks like there were many unadmitted TSPA casualties along with the usual made up "innocent civilians including women and children".

https://www.dawn.com/news/1408702/nsc-m ... -in-5-days

This made my day.

Nusrat Sehr Abbasi ordered out for showing shoe in Sindh Assembly

Nusrat Sehr Abbasi, a female lawmaker belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PMLF), was ordered out of the Sindh Assembly after she showed a shoe to the Deputy Speaker in a sign of defiance during a session of the house.

"Today, Sehr Abbasi has made a bad name for her"

TV footage showed Abbasi lifting her leg to display one of her shoes to the speaker.

How the F does one do that, while dressed in a shariah compliant burqa? Hainji?



https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/31884 ... h-assembly

More fun stuff.

Khurram Gandapur misbehaves with hostel girls

Secretary-General Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Khurram Nawaz Gandapur has misbehaved with the girls and shouted at them at the Minhaj-ul-Qur’an Girls Hostel here on Friday.

The girls tried to talk with him but Gandapur did not hear anything and said shut up to them.

While shouting at the girls he said gave them threats.

On the other hand, Khurram Nawaz said that some of the girls at the hostel wanted to go to an Iftar party but he did not allow them.

if the girls wanted to go outside the hostel they would be accompanied by a female member of the staff.

Gandapur also said that the girls misbehaved with the hostel staff and threatened them

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/31841 ... stel-girls

US Secretary of State offers condolences for Pakistani exchange student Sabika Sheikh’s death

WASHINGTON – United States’ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement offering condolence on the death of Pakistani exchange student Sabika Sheikh.“I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sabika Sheikh, who was killed in the tragic shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas, yesterday,” the statement said. Inspite of the "deadly Anti US" sentiments prevailing among the Aam Abduls of Pakiland, and richly "harvested" by the Paki Establishment for its own nefarious purposes , ( even though their own kids are well settled here !) the US is still pinning its hope on young Paki kids like Sabika to repair the damage done to their "image" !

Pompeo said that Sabika was in the United States on the State Department-sponsored Youth Exchange and Study program, helping to build ties between the United States and her native Pakistan. Competition for such coveted exchanges are so intense, the parents use all possible means to "promote" their child, including the notorious sifarish as it is considered a "passport" to greener pastures abroad for them as well !

Sabika Sheikh was studying at the school under the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programme since August 2017. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan’s ambassador to the US also expressed deep condolences for the victims of the tragic incident and said his prayers were with Sabika’s family and friends. He assured that all arrangements are being made to send her body to Pakistan at the earliest.

Unconfirmed Reports Say That A Paki Retd General Is Killed In Afghanistan .

Reports of ex-Pakistani general Shahid Aziz death in Afghanistan ‘fake’, says son

LAHORE – Family of retired Lt Gen Shahid Aziz, a former Director General Military Operations (DGMO) and former chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), has rejected the reports of his death in Afghanistan. According to media reports, Lt General (r) Shahid Aziz was in Afghanistan fighting against US troops, whom he helped once in Musharaf era. However, Aziz’s son denied the reports that his father had been killed in Afghanistan.

Earlier, former army chief General (r) Pervez Musharraf expressed that Shahid Aziz had grown a beard and gone to Syria, and according to some people, he (Shahid) had been killed there. Mush is one "beardless jehadi" who till date has maintained a " phony western facade " and is still preaching moderate enlightment " to record TV audiences in The West
Shahid Aziz served in Pakistan army for 37 years and retired in 2005. While being in the army, he remained as the DGMO, the chief of general staff and Lahore corps commander.

After his retirement from the army, Aziz was appointed as the NAB chairman in November 2005 by the then president Pervez Musharraf.

Lt General (r) Shahid Aziz also wrote a book titled “Yeh Khamoshi Kahan Tak” in which he made Shocking revelations about certain issues including the Kargil War.

More News About That Jihadi Paki General Killed In Afghanistan From Other Paki Sources !



Lt Gen (r) Shahid Aziz Reportedly Found Dead

Lahore (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 19th May, 2018) Lieutenant General (r) Shahid Aziz is reportedly found dead. According to media reports, his dead body has been recovered from Pak-Afghan border.

The risk of "doing" Jihad

Media sources said that he has been killed in Afghanistan some time ago. According to sources, Lt Gen (r) Shahid Aziz was in Afghanistan in an attempt to compensate for what he had done in favor of the US troops.

Jernail "for hire". Like Raheel Sharif

But Upon contacting, Lt Gen (r) Shahid Aziz's family refused to confirm his death news. Earlier, Media sources claimed Shahid Aziz's own family broke the news of his death. But in latest development, family sources denied any such claims and refused to confirm death news of Pakistan Army's retired General.

Not to forget, Aziz had taken admission in Islamic Studies department of a university. He had written a book ‘Ye khamoshi kahan tak’ and had criticized Pakistan for being an ally to the United States in war against terrorism.
Former president Pervez Musharraf had said in a recent statement that Shahid Aziz had grown beard and gone to Syria where he had been killed.

If he is the news like this , surely "something" is cooking ! But , if he has been killed in Syria has Mush is "broadcasting ", it is less than zero percent chance that he was NOT fighting on behalf of Extreme Sunnis ( and ISIS )

PS: There have some reports in Pentagon Circles that "beard watching" of the Paki Officer Corps by US officials has been one unscientific method to gauge the radicalization of the Paki Fauj . Like anything else, there are exceptions to the rule ! Zia and Mush are two notable examples

Pashtun Fruit Sellers At The Retail Level Are AGAIN Likely To Become A Target Of Consumer Outrage At "Price Gouging" During The "Holy" Month Of Ramazan

Social Media Campaign to Boycott Fruits Because of High Prices Gains Steam

Instead of providing relief to the public by slashing prices, the profiteering group of fruit vendors and related businessmen makes sure that they get maximum financial gain instead.

however, the Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan seem to be going the opposite way. The authorities have somewhat given up as they have failed time and time again to control the hike in prices.

According to the customers, some of the food items are being sold at following rates;

Chickpeas (Kabuli Chana): High-quality being sold at Rs 220 per kg against the government’s approved rate of Rs 150 kg. Low-quality being sold at Rs 195 kg against the official rate of Rs 125 kg.
Bananas: The market rate at which it is sold stands at Rs 150 per dozen against government’s approved rate of Rs 11o per dozen.
Khajla: Per kilogram of Khajla costs Rs 240 in the market against government’s approved rate of Rs 200 per kg.
Samosa: Official low-quality Samosa’s rate stands at Rs 10-14, however, it is being sold at Rs 18-20.

The authorities arrested and fined several vendors from some areas of Karachi, however, it has failed to control the spiking prices. 7 fruit sellers were arrested and sent to jail for as many days along with a fine of Rs 175,000. In another raid, shopkeepers were fined Rs 16,000 for violating the official price list. Some "fat cat" wholesalers must be minting lots and lots of money catering to the high demand in the "holy" month. And the poor Pashtun fruit retailer will face a boycott , leading to further increase in inter - ethnic tension, specially in Karachi !

Here is what his message to the public says;

1st #Ramadan and fruits prices are touching skies. On inquiry from citizens of Islamabad & Rawalpindi following rates were observed:
1. Lemon ranged from Rs.280 to 350kg.
2. Banana ranged from Rs.200 to 300 Dozen
3. Peach ranged from Rs.200 to 280Kg
4. Mango ranged from Rs.210 to 270Kg
5. Apple ranged from Rs.150 to 400Kg
6. Water Mellon ranged from Rs.25 to 35Kg
7. Falsa ranged from Rs.290 to 330Kg
All these rates are from the markets of G,F,H,I Sectors, Bani Gala, I-10 Bazar, PWD Housing Society, Chaklala.
I request all of you to #BoycottFruits till Monday i.e 21/05/18. Avoid buying fruits from Friday, Saturday & Sunday Bazars. Join hands together to make it a successful one. I also request Commissioner Islamabad & authorities of Twin Cities #Islamabad #Rawalpindi to take strict & earliest possible action against them.

Again the brunt of the citizens' ire likely to be targeted to the "poor Pashtun" retailers of Pindi and Isloo !

The spike in prices can’t be justified by any means as it deprives the poor class of having any chances of buying them.
Will you join the #boycottfruits campaign? Let us know in the comments below.

Going By This Attached Piece, It Seems That Pakistan Is Not Ready For "Medical Tourism" ( which is a booming industry in India ) Yet !

SC judge’s family latest victim of private hospital’s criminal negligence

ISLAMABAD: While the public hospitals have largely failed to provide quality healthcare to masses, unregulated and expensive private hospitals are playing havoc with the lives of patients and such is the power of the medical mafia that even the families of Supreme Court judges are not immune to their criminal negligence. With this kind of a reputation, Pakiland can "forget" medical tourism as a source of revenue for a long long time . No chances of an = = here !

According to well placed sources, an application has been submitted to the Registrar Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) by the family of a serving Supreme Court judge detailing how the daughter of an SC Justice -a young medical student- became permanently disabled owing to criminal professional negligence of “senior” doctors and staff of Islamabad’s most well-known private hospital Shifa International Hospital. Hope that an "objective" investigation is done , and the case is, as usual, NOT decided as to who brings the larger sifarish to the investigating table

However, weeks after the complaint was filed neither the PMDC-the regulatory body of medical practitioner- nor the private hospital has taken any specific action against those responsible for this gross misconduct. The complaint also mentioned other cases, some of them in court of law, against the hospital involving unnecessary use of ventilators on exorbitant price, retention of dead bodies till clearance of all dues and case and criminal medical negligence. It is possible that the doctors who are responsible for this "criminal behaviour" are either sons, daughters, cousins, in laws , uncles, aunts etc etc of powerful faujis and important politicos . Can this case be ultimately decided by Sharia ? Just wondering !

Even the PMDC Registrar Dr Waseem Hashmi told The News that the professional physician’s body receives a large number of complaints about this and other private hospitals in Islamabad every month. Not sure what can be done in the corruption infested environment of Pakiland !

When contacted by The News, Federal Minister for National Health Services Regulation and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar admitted that there is currently no mechanism to regulate the private hospitals ( and this nation wants to become an economic mini -super - power by 2020! ) but she hopes that this will change when a new law is enacted. Lack of due diligence !

Meanwhile, The News has learnt reliably that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has also started a probe into the complaints against the hospital. The "dreaded" FIA

According to the application, on 4th September 2017, the 22-year-old daughter of the SC justice was airlifted from a remote area to Shifa International Hospital for the hepatic injury aftera traffic accident. Three weeks later the parents were shocked to hear from the senior doctor that the girl’s leg will be amputated owing to a hospital acquired bug called “Necrotizing Faciitis”. So, other patients are also at risk !!

“Without any signs of regret on their face, the team of senior doctors told the parents that they had left with no option but to amputate the leg above the knee joint. The parents were asked to choose the limb or the life of the patient.” The doctors need to "upgrade" their "peoples skill" in conveying such "bad news" to the patients !

The application mentioned that on the second of her arrival at the hospital she was taken to operation theatre for Laparatomy. A senior doctor removed packs of the liver “but the most unprofessional and criminal act done by him was that he did not even touch the two small lacerated wounds near the knee joints in spite of the fact that patient was under General Anesthesia,” says the application, adding that the doctor at a later stage confessed that such simple wounds are treated by general surgeons. So, ego was more important to the "doctor" rather than saving the life of the patient . Maybe, he was "running late" for a social engagement in Isloo

However, two days later a plastic surgeon, who is called “unskilled” and “unprofessional” in the application conducted another surgery under general anesthesia but instead of debriding and cleaning the wounds in one go went for partial debridement and this practice went on for three weeks till 25th September 2017. During the period the girl went through 11 surgeries. “Simple wounds which were curable and treatable by a general surgeon of a tehsil hospital but they because of their negligence and professional incompetence turned these two simple wounds into a horrible condition” the application said. The US and UK Certification Personnel need to re -visit this hospital , if they are still keen to hire Paki recruits from this hospital to service their patients in US and UK

The patient was later shifted to another hospital when skin grafting was made and her leg was saved from amputation but she received permanent disability due to dropped foot because of nerve damage at Shifa International Hospital.

The application also mentioned a case during the stay of girl at hospital where another patient was made to go for Rs4.5 million liver-transplant despite the fact that the patient was not fit for the extensive surgery.The hospital received an advance sum of Rs4.5 million from the patient for 21 day package of liver-transplant. The main surgeon left for Haj after surgery ( where he "enjoyed" his "Umra " without any guilty conscience !) but the patient died after five days of surgery. However the bereaved family was refused death certificate for yet another claim of Rs80,000.

The PMDC Registrar Waseem Hashmi told The News that the authority usually processes dozens of complaints daily through its disciplinary committee. When asked why incidents of criminal negligence of doctors are still rampant if the Council is taken action on complaints, he said: “Our disciplinary committee takes strict action on complaints but unfortunately sometime people do not lodge complaints to us.” Without naming Shifa International, the registrar said the authority in past have imposed fines and taken action against private hospitals. The registrar promised to take action “soon” on the above mentioned complaint by the family of the Supreme Court judge. It is pertinent to mention that this is not the only hospital in Islamabad which is minting money from patients without justification.Another famous hospital in F-10 sector had issued official notice to doctors to increase ER Admissions promising to pay lucrative incentive package to the doctors who will admit maximum number of patients on a given day. The notification went viral on social media but no action was taken against the hospital for unethical practice.

PS After reading the above, it is no wonder that the Ex Hockey Legend Of Pakiland ( who recently died! ) vehemently insisted to go to a Indian Hospital for a Heart Transplant ( ie To Put An Indian Heart Into Him )

Contrary To Sharia And Hadith Edict, Paki Politicos Are Rushing More And More To Pirs And Pirnis ( ) And Seeking Their Blessings To Win The Upcoming Elections

Bilawal meets spiritual leader of Dargah Syed Hussain Shah Bukhari

The Oxford "Educated" Bilawal With The Madrassah "Educated" Pir ( language a problem )

QAMBAR-SHAHDADKOT: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the Dargah Hussainabad and met spiritual leader and custodian of Dargah Syed Hussain Shah Bukhari.According to a statement issued by the PPP on Saturday, Syed Hussain Shah Bukhari prayed for the chairman’s well-being and victory as well as the progress of the country. Earlier, he visited the mausoleum of martyrs at Garhi Khuda Bux on Saturday offered Fateha and showered rose petals at the Mazars of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and others. Seeking the "blessings" of the "departed elders" shows that in spite of your western upbringing you have not "lost" your (feudal) Sindhi heritage

Yesterday, he attended and addressed an iftar dinner hosted by the people of Larkana city at Jinnah Bagh. Spoke from a prepared speech in Urdu

MNA Faryal Talpur, Aseefa Bhutto Zardar, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Suhail Anwar Siyal, Khursheed Junejo and other party leaders were also present. Abseentee Dus Percenti not observing the mandatory roza

PS: Not sure right now if the Kaptaan is still going to seek the blessings of the Pirni to ensure "victory" in the coming election ? Maybe, he is on a hunt for a New Pir (or Pirni for that matter !)

PPS : Shahbaaz , Maryam and the whole Sharif Clan are of course staunch supporters, of the tried and trusted "Hazrat" Data Ganj Shrine In La-Whore . Hope the respected and departed Pir does not let them down this time in their hour of need

" Star Prisoner" Now Complains ! Going By This Drama, It Is Very Unlikely That The Family Of Naqibullah Mehsud Are Likely To See Justice From A Paki Court

Rao Anwar complains of AC's performance in hot court room

A hot court room in intense summer heat on Saturday irked former SSP Malir Rao Anwar, who is accused of killing Naqeebullah Mehsood, an aspiring model from South Waziristan, in a staged encounter in Karachi.The former SSP was brought to an anti-terrorism court in connection with the extra judicial murder as Karachi baked at over 40 Celsius.According to Geo News, Rao Anwar complained of the heat saying the air conditioner in the court room was not functioning properly.

Anwar, attired in shalwar Qameez, was brought to the court without handcuffs.
According to Geo News, Jail official have exempted the former SSP from wearing orange prison uniform. Other suspects in the case appeared wore the jail outfit as they appeared before the court. The police also submitted a report on the non-arrest of absconding officials Shoaib Shooter, Amanullah Marwat and others. Police said the suspects are still at large, and they were making every effort to arrest them.

The court also heard a plea seeking b-class status for Rao Anwar.The TV channel reported that Rao Anwar conversed with his co-suspects asking them about their routine. But they had nothing much share with him. The hearing was adjourned till May 28.

Due to his high level connections, concession after concession have been granted to this Pashtun killer ( home designated as jail, no prison uniform, unfreezing of bank account, long time taken to make court appearance etc etc ), it seems that this court proceedings are going to be dragging on forever !

"La-Whore" In New York Once Again

Lahore Literary Festival held in New York for the third time

The third edition of Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) concluded in New York on Saturday night after a series of lively discussions on Pakistan’s arts and literature as well as other key facets of its national life, with Pakistani Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi stating that the event has become “a prominent voice of our country’s intellectual journey.” The festival drew a large number of New Yorkers to the spacious hall of Asia Society, which co-hosts the event.

Good time to do "chai - biscoot" and catch up on what is going on "in good ole Pakiland "
In keeping with Pakiland's Honor And Dignity ( Enchendee ) Factor, the Reporter can be excused for not referring to the "unstable security situation" in La-Whore as THE REASON for holding Lahore Literary Festival outside of Pakiland, in the UnIslamic (but safe and sound !) environment of the Premiere City Of Massaland . Of course, the gathering most likely is confined to RAPE citizens and other Pakjabi participants in The Big Apple and nearby cities . Not sure if Paki Diplomutts from DC could make the commute due to the introduction of the New Travel Rules . Not sure if local (deserving) Abduls , eager to make the long trip from LaWhore would have been given a US Visa ! So, it must have been a strictly RAPE Affair !

X Posted on the I W T Thread

India moves to use Indus water against Pak terror

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated two hydroelectric projects in Jammu & Kashmir, indicating his government's political will to respond to Pakistan's use of terrorism against India with every option at its command, including using in full India's share of water from western tributaries of the Indus, as possible leverage points.

The inauguration of the 330-MW Kishanganga hydel station in Bandipore and laying of the foundation of the 1,000-MW Pakul Dul project in Kishtwar express the government's intent to follow through PM's decision to review water use within the ambit of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan.

The decision to maximise water use was taken after four Pakistan-backed militants attacked the Indian Army base at Uri in Jammu, killing 18 soldiers on September 18, 2016. "Blood and water cannot flow together", Modi had told a meeting of government officials on the Indus treaty 11 days later. The message to Pakistan was clear: stop backing terror attacks on India or lose the liberal water flow in excess of the treaty's provisions at present.

Soon after that decision, three hydel projects on Chenab and its tributary - Sawalkote (1,856 MW), Pakal Dul (1,000 MW) and Bursar (800 MW) - were fast-tracked. Building infrastructure on Indus, Chenab, Jhelum and their tributaries is part of the Modi government's plan to utilise India's share of water from western tributaries of the Indus.

Speeding up pending hydel projects is a key component of what India can do to use as much of Indus water as it can under the water treaty, which allows New Delhi to construct storage capacities on the western rivers up to 3.6 million acre feet (MAF) for various purpose, including domestic use.

Pakistan's water supply is dwindling because of climate change, outdated farming techniques and an exploding population. A 2011 report by the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations said India could use these projects as a way to control Pakistan's supplies from the Indus, seen as its jugular vein. "The cumulative effect of these projects could give India the ability to store enough water to limit the supply to Pakistan at crucial moments in the growing season," the report said.

Most of the projects proposed on the Indus and its tributaries had been held up for at least a decade awaiting clearances. Sawalkote, which was cleared by a government-constituted environment committee in January 2017, was first given techno-economic approval in 1991. Pakal Dul was stuck in litigation, which has now been resolved.

Cheers

“Mr Clean” caught with his hands dirty?[/b]

It came as a surprise to many of us when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed an application in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), requesting to scrutinise the party’s foreign funding in secrecy. The ECP is hearing a case against the PTI regarding violations of the law while receiving funds.

Imran Khan always speaks a lot against white collar crimes and claims to possess the highest level of honesty; after all, he was proven to be sadiq and ameen (honest and truthful) by the court. His followers blindly follow him, as he is deemed to be the most ethical and just political leader in their eyes. Unfortunately for them, things aren’t always the way they are perceived to be. Akbar S Babar, once a close aide of Imran, has accused him of not only mishandling the party funds but also taking funds from abroad, which are not declared to the ECP.

According to Babar, the funds were not utilised properly by the PTI leadership, including Imran, and further alleges that PTI was given funds by the Indian and Jewish lobby.

It is being alleged by Babar that foreigners, including American Barry C Schneps and US born Indian Indur Dosanjh, had been funding PTI for lobbying in their favour and interests. Babar has also revealed that an audit in 2011 revealed illegal funding in the party, but its report was not made public. He repeatedly claims that the PTI chairman has always refused the audit of the funding sources of the party.

There is an allegation made by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Hanif Abbasi as well, who alleges that Imran’s party funds are coming from Israel.

According to Pakistan’s Constitution,

The Pakistan Election Laws (Volume 1) states in this context: “The contribution made by members or supporters of any party shall be duly recorded by the political parties. Any contribution made, directly or indirectly, by any foreign government, multi-national or domestically incorporated public or private company, firm, trade or professional association shall be prohibited and the parties may accept contributions and donations only from individuals. Any contribution or donation which is prohibited under this Order shall be confiscated to the State in the manner as may be prescribed.”

Section 13, pertaining to information about the sources of a party’s funds, states:

“Every political party shall, in such manner and in such form as may be prescribed or specified by the Chief Election Commissioner, submit to the Election Commission, within 60 days from the close of each financial year, a consolidated statement of accounts of the party audited by a Chartered Accountant containing – (a) annual income and expenses; (b) sources of its funds; and (c) Assets and Liabilities etc.”

In politics, no one is let out easily, and since Imran has been busy in the character assassination of his opponents, this foreign funding case can prove to be catastrophic for him. Revealing those sources can definitely damage him in the current election campaign, as his opponents will highlight the issue and accuse him of taking funds from Jews. The voters in rural Punjab and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) will definitely not like this, and Imran is aware of this fact, which is why he has filed the application to not make the report public.

He may be riding the horse of luck with all the invisible forces backing him, but he faces the potential threat of losing his vote bank in case the report is leaked. This leaves the ECP in a state of confusion; if for some reason it decides to not to make the report public, Imran’s opponents will accuse the ECP of bias, and to some degree, the perception will be created that the institutions have a soft corner for him. Imran has also filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the jurisdiction of the scrutiny body of election commission to question the source of party funding.

Strangely, Imran has always been vocal against hiding sources of income and he has always stated that it means illegal wealth or money is being earned. Going by Imran’s own theory, hiding PTI’s funding sources is equivalent to hiding suspicious money transactions. It is also strange to see that being a critic of slow proceedings and delaying tactics itself, the PTI has used every possible means to delay the case and slow the proceedings in the election commission tribunal, since the case was filed in 2014. PTI has also not been able to provide a money trail for its funding sources. Instead, over the last four years, it has only applied delaying tactics to buy time.

Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court (SC) because he was not able to satisfy the court regarding his money trail, which is why Imran should expect the law to be applied to him the same way. If he is clean and there is no corruption or any forbidden source of funding, then why is he not ready to disclose the source publicly?

Moreover, if a political party likely to form the next government cannot provide details of its own funding sources and uses delaying tactics to further linger over the matter, then how can one expect transparency from the party in the future, when it will be at the helm of the affairs in the country?

The other concerning point is the unwillingness of PTI to address the issue within the party and correct its structure. It is very easy to criticise opponents and accuse them of corruption and other allegations, but it is very difficult to fix one’s own house; in this case, the PTI’s party structure and its vague funding sources.

If these charges were levelled on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) or the PML-N, they would have by now been declared traitors and a security risk to the country by Imran and his party. However, this time, it is Imran and his party under scrutiny, which is why there is complete silence on the matter from PTI. Even the vibrant social media is mum about this case.

It is not a simple case of enmity between the founding member Babar and PTI Chairman Imran; in fact, it is a very serious and strong case against a popular party for taking donations from abroad and not abiding by the country’s law. By no means can Imran or his party be accused of taking help intentionally from the Jewish or Indian lobby, but Imran needs to come up with some answers and he needs to make a good internal party structure that can stop discrepancies in the financial accounts of PTI. He also needs to develop a mechanism that can identify the donors in real time so in the future he cannot be accused of taking money from foreign lobbies.

Imran needs to give the money trail of the source for PTI’s funding, and should come clean. After all, he is the only self-proclaimed “Mr Clean” in the political horizon of the country. Refusing to submit a money trail and using delaying tactics will tarnish this self-created image, even within the ranks of PTI supporters. His party prides itself on “saaf chali, shafaf chali” (runs on transparency); maybe it is time to prove this is actually true.

Cheers

Truly tragic. Teenager grows up and survives in Terroristan. Then travels to the only part of the world where guns are easier to get and wackos more prevalent and where people can get shot dead inside class, trying to get an education.

Sabika Sheikh, a student from Pakistan who was at Santa Fe High School for an exchange program, was also killed. Her funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dulles Masjid in Stafford, Texas.
"I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sabika Sheikh," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. "Sabika was in the United States on the State Department-sponsored Youth Exchange and Study program, helping to build ties between the United States and her native Pakistan. Sabika’s death and that of the other victims is heartbreaking and will be mourned deeply both here in the United States, and in Pakistan."

Falijee wrote:

1st #Ramadan and fruits prices are touching skies. On inquiry from citizens of Islamabad & Rawalpindi following rates were observed:
1. Lemon ranged from Rs.280 to 350kg.
2. Banana ranged from Rs.200 to 300 Dozen
3. Peach ranged from Rs.200 to 280Kg
4. Mango ranged from Rs.210 to 270Kg
5. Apple ranged from Rs.150 to 400Kg
6. Water Mellon ranged from Rs.25 to 35Kg
7. Falsa ranged from Rs.290 to 330Kg
All these rates are from the markets of G,F,H,I Sectors, Bani Gala, I-10 Bazar, PWD Housing Society, Chaklala.
I request all of you to #BoycottFruits till Monday i.e 21/05/18. Avoid buying fruits from Friday, Saturday & Sunday Bazars. Join hands together to make it a successful one. I also request Commissioner Islamabad & authorities of Twin Cities #Islamabad #Rawalpindi to take strict & earliest possible action against them.

I am unable to understand this based on basic economics of supply and demand.

Price goes up when demand outstrips supply. So it appears that there is sudden demand for all these fruits, nuts and other food products.

Ramzan is a month of prayer/penance, and fasting is one requirement. Fasting (even for a portion of the day) would imply that demand of food products should largely go down, rather than up. Are Pakis stuffing themselves silly during the holy month?

They feast in the evening. So rich food is all in demand during the month.

Muslim concept of fasting is very much unlike christian fasting like during season of lent (40 days before Good friday and ends with easter) and hindu upvaas period esp during ekadashi where hardly anything is eaten at all and there is no question of any non-veg being allowed whatsoever. But in muslims case this concept of fasting is turned to its head by overeating & binge eating at evenings (iftar) and morning (sehri) and then not even swallowing spittle during day time. What they are trying to prove here has probably beaten the logic of every God out there and they may well curse this nation with even more misery after the period of fasting is over considering the insurmountable problems faced by all muslim countries.