As tensions escalate between Pakistan and India, Pakistan has decided to suspend the last public transport service between the countries: the ‘Dosti’ Bus. The bus service has been suspended for an indefinite period of time. Two days ago, train service to India called the ‘Samjhota express’ had also been suspended. Railway minister Sheikh Rasheed announced the news via Twitter.
PML-N vice president and daughter of ousted premier Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, has been arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The anti-graft body has also arrested Yousaf Abbas Sharif, a nephew of Nawaz, in same case. The move comes following Maryam and Yousaf’s reported refusal to appear before NAB in Chaudhary Sugar Mills and assets beyond means case today at 3pm.
The United States informed Pakistan that it has removed a 25-mile travel ban and other restrictions imposed last year on Pakistani diplomats and diplomatic staff stationed in the country. In return, Islamabad also has restored facilities that US diplomats had enjoyed in Pakistan until last year. Trump administration imposed these restrictions on May 10, 2018 and on May 11, Islamabad imposed similar restrictions.
Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership have decided to suspend bilateral trade in with India in the aftermath of its illegal move of revoking occupied Kashmir’s special status. The meeting also concluded with a decision to expel Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria. Pakistan has also informed Indian government that Pakistan will not be sending its High Commissioner-designate to India.
PML-N leader and former finance minister, Miftah Ismail was arrested outside Islamabad High Court (IHC) by National National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday. Miftah was arrested after IHC rejected his request for an extension in his pre-arrest interim bail in the LNG import case. NAB is charging Miftah in connection with illegal awarding of LNG terminal-1 to Engro Energy Terminal Private Limited.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmaker Attaur Rehman, accused of rape and blackmail of a university student in Multan for 11 months, has apparently fled the country. The Punjab Assembly lawmaker flew from Multan to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to avoid a possible arrest. Rehman had allegedly raped a first-year MSCS student and was using video of the rape to threaten her.
The National Assembly is decorated with a massive national flag, prepared by the country’s Hindu community with over 60,000 balloons. Installed on one side of the main entrance, the 40-feet flag covers the whole area from floor to ceiling of the assembly hall. Students belonging to different educational institutions across the country are also invited to visit the Parliament House on August 14.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative Teresa Daban has said that it is essential for Pakistan to exit the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in order to secure private sector credit to meet external financing needs. “Failure to exit from the FATF grey list is a risk to the recently approved $6 billion IMF deal,” said Daban.
Veteran journalist Najam Sethi has been served a defamation notice of Rs. 10 billion by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s counsel Babar Awan. Sethi has been served for claiming on his TV show that Bushra Bibi, Khan’s wife, had filed for divorce. Azhar Laghari, the Central Head of PTI’s Public Relations, shared the copy of the notice on his Twitter handle.
SHO Kulsoom Fatima, appointed two months ago in Pakpattan has manifested remarkable performance by solving 200 sexual abuse cases in her short tenure. In an interview to British Broadcasting Channel (BBC), Fatima revealed that she always wanted to do something for victims of sexual abuse. Luckily, she was appointed sub-inspector in Punjab Police and that gave her opportunity to work on her dream job.