Police in Karachi claim to have arrested a suspected hitman associated with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L) for his alleged involvement in killings of 96 persons. The anti-street crime squad and Soldier Bazaar police arrested Yusuf alias Thelewala and seized a TT pistol, grenade and a motorbike from him. Yusuf had been in hiding since 2003 and got directions from MQM leadership in London.
The government is studying a proposal to impose ban on social media sites and communication networks like Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube in the government offices fearing a risk of leakage of important data. Under a proposed plan by the National Information Technology Board (NITB), the government officials would also be banned from bringing storage devices like –USBs – to the offices.
A day before his departure to London with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif resigned from his position as Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chief. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president in his brief resignation to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, nominated party MNA from Sheikhupura Rana Tanvir Hussain as his replacement.
Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has declared five mineral water brands unsafe for drinking. After taking samples of water from different cities including Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad PCRWR shared a report declaring TAJ Pure Water, Livon, Sunlay, MM Pure Drinking Water and Jami Water unsafe for consumption due to the presence of high levels of Sodium and not meeting the set standards by Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
Skyrocketing shop rents in major Pakistani shopping malls is forcing menswear apparel businesses to operate online and reduce number of shops. The rent of shops in big shopping malls in Pakistan was higher than the rent charged in US. A shop measuring 1,000 square metres anywhere in North America could be rented for $5,000 per month but in Pakistan rent is much higher.
The Environment Protection Department (EPD) of Punjab has directed that brick kilns using “old technology” in the province be closed immediately. The brick kilns will be closed in select cities from November 20 till December 20. The notification, however, stated that brick kilns using “zig-zag technology”, a design change that makes more efficient use of fuel, would be allowed to operate.
National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has decided to reserve every Friday for women. Each Friday, NADRA officials will only issue CNIC cards to women.The people have appreciated NADRA’s initiative with Some saying that this empowers women in the country. Others suggest that women will more actively participate in the electoral process because of this measure.
A video has recently surfaced on social media, where a chicken supplier was seen readying a pickup full of dead chicken for delivery. When asked he clearly mentioned that he will be delivering the chicken to “Bao Jee Murgh Pulao at Khanna Pul” Islamabad. An inquiry has been initiated after the release of video to ascertain the authenticity and food samples have been taken for testing by Deputy Director of ICT Food department.
The federal government is setting up a new force to put an end to cross-border smuggling incidents as it has caused a significant loss to the national exchequer over the years. Under the Border Monitoring Initiative (BMI), more than 2,000 officials will be inducted into the security forces and strict action will be taken against relevant authorities indulged in such activities.
The federal government has started the process of identifying retired federal government employees in attempt to keep track of pensioners. Pensioners’ Identity Card forms and proformas, devised by the Accountant General Pakistan Revenue (AGPR), have been forwarded to all government departments and will be available online to facilitate the employees in distant areas and also to eliminate fake pensioners.