Pakistan's daily COVID-19 case count crosses 5,000 mark

Pakistan's daily coronavirus case count crossed the 5,000 mark for the first time in five months after the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) reported 5,026 fresh infections in the country on Sunday morning.

According to the NCOC's latest stats, 56,965 coronavirus tests were conducted during the last 24 hours, out of which 5,026 turned out to be positive. The virus cases reported today were the highest since April 4.

At present, the COVID-19 positivity rate in the country stands at 8.82%, said the NCOC.

Meanwhile, the novel coronavirus has claimed 62 more lives in the last 24 hours, pushing the national death tally to 23,422.

Pakistan's fight against coronavirus continues to get worse and worse every day.

Earlier on Saturday, 4,950 fresh infections were detected over the last 24 hours after 58,479 COVID-19 tests were conducted, the NCOC said.

The nationwide death toll from coronavirus stood at 23,360 after 65 people lost their lives to the disease, while the number of recovered patients stood at 940,164 and the active cases of the country were 66,287, NCOC's stats had shown.

According to a province-wise breakdown, the total number of cases in Sindh had reached 380,093, 143,673 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 356,211 in Punjab, 87,304 in Islamabad, 30,289 in Balochistan, 24,145 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and 8,096 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

 

MICRO-SMART LOCKDOWN IMPOSED IN 13 COVID-19 HOT SPOTS OF LAHORE

In a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19 virus, the local administration has notified micro smart lockdown in 13 areas of Lahore on the instruction of Punjab government,

The local administration has notified to restrict movement in 13 areas of Lahore till August 12.

“All markets, offices and restaurants will remain closed in these hot spots of the Covid-19,” according to a notification.

“All government and private offices will remain closed in these areas, while all religious, cultural and private gatherings will be prohibited,” the administration notified.

“The businesses related to the necessities will remain open, while in departmental stores only grocery and pharmacy sections will be opened.”

“Funeral prayers and other essential religious rituals will be allowed,” according to the notification.

“The water, electricity, gas and other utility services will remain open. The call centres will be allowed to work with 50 percent staff and the banks will remain open with essential staff,” the administration notified.

“Home delivery service of restaurants will remain continue, free dining services and charities could remain functional, other necessary businesses and activities will be allowed by the commissioners according to the necessity,” the notification said.

 

ZARDARI DENIES OWNING NEW YORK APARTMENT

PPP co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari has submitted his reply to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a New York apartment case, ARY News reported, citing sources.

PPP Co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari denied owning the expensive apartment in Manhattan. “I had sold out the apartment the same year I purchased it,” the sources quoted him as saying in the reply he filed through his lawyers.

The former president stated that he didn’t hold any public office when he bought the flat, adding he went to the United States (US) for treatment. He accused the corruption watchdog of subjecting him to vengeful action.

The bureau had served him a notice along with a questionnaire to provide information about his Belair apartment. He subsequently obtained pre-arrest bail from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to avoid his arrest at the hand of the NAB.

‘DON’T POLITICISE COVID RESPONSE’: MINISTER HITS OUT AT BILAWAL DEFENDING SINDH LOCKDOWN

Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar on Saturday hit out at PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari after the latter defended the Sindh government’s decision of imposing a lockdown in the province to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“Bilawal zardari says if what happened in India happens in Karachi PM [will be] responsible,” the minister tweeted.

“Mr zardari what you wanted.. Lock down lock down lockdown..Was done in India & the world saw the devastation,” he continued. “Crores thrown into poverty from which they have still not recovered. Economy shrank 7%.”

“Remember Mr zardari last year you told me in a meeting that you believed in the Imperial study which had predicted 78 thousand deaths in Pakistan in a single day.

This is obviously a subject that you do not understand very well. Please do not politicize the covid response.”

Asad Umar said the PTI government’s strategy based on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of protecting both lives and livelihoods produced “dramatically superior results”.

India’s economy had the worst year since independence while Pakistan’s economy grew 4%, he pointed out, adding at the same time Indian per capita Covid mortality is three times higher than that of Pakistan.

 

FAWAD SLAMS INDIAN GOVT OVER SPREAD OF DELTA VARIANT OF COVID-19

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has slammed the Indian government for failing to check the spread of Delta variant of COVID-19.

In a tweet, Fawad Chaudhry said the world was close to victory in its war against the pandemic, but the irresponsible handling of the Modi government has again pushed us into deep trouble.
It may be noted that Pakistan continues to record a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases as the country has registered 4,950 new infections over the last 24 hours, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said earlier in the day.

 

Pak vs WI: Azam Khan hospitalised after head injury

Pakistan’s batsman Azam Khan has been hospitalised after sustaining a head injury during the training session ahead of the remaining T20 matches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that Azam Khan has been ruled out of the second and third T20Is against West Indies.

The 22-year old batsman got a blow on the head during the Pakistani team’s training session on Friday.
He was immediately taken to a hospital for further tests.

“A neurosurgeon recommended an observation in hospital for a period of 24 hours,” the PCB said. He will then be reassessed on Monday.

His availability for the 4th and final T20I will depend on the reassessment done on Monday.

Pakistan are currently in West Indies to play four T20Is and two Test matches. The first match between the two sides was washed out.

PM Imran expresses solidarity with Turkey over loss of lives in wildfires tragedy

Expressing solidarity with the Turkish government and the people over the loss of precious lives in the wildfires tragedy, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan stands ready to offer any help at this difficult time.

Taking to Twitter, PM Imran Khan said, "We stand with the government and people of Turkey and share in their sorrow at the tragic loss of life in the wildfires tragedy".
The forest inferno on Turkey’s southern coast has claimed at least four lives so far, according to a report published in Reuters.
Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan has said that more than 70 wildfires have broken out that week in provinces on Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts as well as inland areas. Out of the 70, 14 were still burning, he added.
According to Reuters, firefighters were battling blazes for a third day on Friday after the evacuation of dozens of villages and some hotels and television footage has shown people fleeing across fields as fires closed in on their homes.

Pak-US relations 'normal' despite no call between Biden, PM Imran Khan: US diplomat

The US' spokesperson for the Office of International Media Engagement Zed Tarar has said that no telephone call from President Joe Biden to Prime Minister Imran Khan in over six months doesn’t mean that US-Pakistan relations are not functioning well.

“The officials of the two administrations are in regular contact with each other and cooperating at various levels, as normal. I don’t want to go into the logistics of the telephone call matter. Only a few days ago, the US gave three million vaccine doses to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture,” Zed Tarar said, during an interaction with Pakistani media.

The diplomat said that US-Pakistan relations are based on “mutual respect” and the two countries have an “old friendship”. He said that it is actions that speak and that is reflected in the relations between the two countries.

DELEGATION OF AFGHAN JOURNALISTS CALLS ON COAS BAJWA

A delegation of Afghan journalists has met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters (GHQ), ARY News quoted the spokesperson of the military’s media wing on Friday.

A 15-member delegations of Afghan media paid a visit to GHQ and met COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Speaking at the occasion, COAS said media can act as a bridge to create conducive environment for promoting cultural / social and people to people engagement between the two countries.

coas bajwa afghan journalists media delegation ispr
“It is the responsibility of media and people to identify and defeat the spoilers of peace. Peace in Afghanistan is Pakistan’s earnest desire because peace of the two countries is interlinked,” COAS said, adding that the spoilers will not be allowed to derail peace process.

Referring to Pakistan’s comprehensive border management regime, COAS said security of borders is in the best interest of the two countries.

Alluding to the benefits of regional connectivity for the two countries, COAS highlighted the importance of restoration of peace in Afghanistan for sustainable development of the region.

coas bajwa afghan journalists media delegation ispr
Appreciating Pak-Afghan Youth Forum’s initiative for organising the journalists’ visit, COAS hoped for more frequent exchange of visits in future. Pak- Afghan youth is the hope for future peace and progress of the region, COAS concluded.

The Afghan journalists thanked COAS for the opportunity for candid interaction and appreciated Pakistan’s sincerity and efforts for Afghan people including hosting of refugees and facilitative role in Afghan peace process.

 

SINDH POSTPONES INTER, MATRIC EXAMS

The Sindh government postponed on Friday intermediate and matriculation exams that were scheduled to take place next week as it announced a province-wide lockdown from Sunday to control the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said a “partial lockdown” was being imposed for a week from July 31, Sunday, till August 8 due to rising cases of Delta variant that first emerged in India.

Following are the restrictions that will be imposed in the province

Grocery stores, meat shops, and milk shops will stay open till 6pm.
Restaurants will remain open only for deliveries and takeaways will be banned
Markets will remain closed
Pharmacies and medical facilities will remain open round the clock
Public transport will operate partially with some Covid-19 restrictions
Movement of media persons wearing masks will be allowed
Earlier today, the Sindh government announced to impose a lockdown in the province from July 31 (tomorrow) until August 08 after an abnormal surge in COVID-19 cases especially in Karachi.

The decision was taken by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah during a meeting of the COVID task force that was specially attended by opposition leaders and traders. “Lockdown would remain in place in the province from July 31 to August 08,” Murad Ali Shah said.

Later addressing a press conference, CM Murad clarified that it was not a complete lockdown where we shut down everything barring no exception however, this time we are making a number of exceptions whose list we will share.

 

Pandemic won't end after 9-day lockdown 'but hospitals will not choke up': Sindh CM

After the Sindh government on Friday announced a nine-day lockdown in Karachi — from July 31 to August 8 — Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressed a press conference to respond to concerns and criticism regarding the decision.

The chief minister said that it is being said that "it is not as if the pandemic will end in nine days", but what must be understood is that in this period "hospitals will not choke".

Answering a question regarding why a nine-day lockdown was announced, versus a 15-day one, Shah said that the task force, in its meeting today, acknowledged that this period — which amounts to five actual days of lockdown as four days will be regular off days for businesses anyway — will be one "that will cause minimum economic damage".

He added that doctors concurred that "something is better than nothing".

"At least a break will be provided — think of it as a speed breaker slowing things down," Shah said.

"Then, when we reopen, I hope people will continue to follow SOPs, so we are not forced to repeat such a move," the chief minister said.

Shah said that after the meeting, he spoke to National Command and Operation Centre chief Asad Umar, as well as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan "and both assured me of the Centre's cooperation".

"Whatever we have notified is after consultations and taking NCOC on board."

The Sindh chief minister said that the order extends to all of Sindh "but our focus is on Karachi because it is the worst off".

He said that no exams will take place from Monday-Friday and the two weekends that fall within the lockdown period.

Shah, responding to whether private organisations will be required to remain shut, said that the government "is advising that they do remain shut or keep staff to a minimum".

"The purpose is for no one to exit their home, unless there is an emergency," he explained.

The Sindh chief minister urged all the media persons to encourage everyone to get vaccinated, as all vaccines offer protection.

"Vaccinated individuals are an extremely low percentage of those people who die due to coronavirus," he said.

Shah said that in the next nine days, people should "forget about everything else, and just focus on getting vaccinated".

He acknowledged that people might have to queue up in long lines to get themselves inoculated "but this is in your own benefit".

To a question, he said that the government is trying to increase the number of vaccination centres and mobile vaccination centres, and is mulling on a suggestion by the ulema to have mosques and imambargahs used for the exercise.

The Sindh chief minister said that those wearing a mask "will not be caught", whereas he "won't be able to anyone found not wearing one".

Shah said that the lockdown being put into practice now is not as severe as the one that was in place last year in March, and gave credit to the swift and steadfast lockdown in March 2020 as being one of the primary reasons for COVID infections not overwhelming the province.

Russia's Nauka science module docks with ISS

Russia said it successfully docked the Nauka laboratory module with the International Space Station on Thursday -- though the troubled unit caused yet another fright after accidentally firing and briefly throwing the entire station out of position.

The mission comes after more than a decade of delays and as Russia seeks to boost its space industry, which has fallen behind since the collapse of the Soviet Union and struggles to keep up with competition from the United States.

A few hours after docking, Nauka's propulsive devices unexpectedly fired, forcing personnel aboard the multinational manned orbital platform to fire thrusters on the Russian segment of the station to counter the effect.

The module started firing "inadvertently and unexpectedly, moving the station 45 degrees out of attitude," NASA said on Twitter. "Recovery operations have regained attitude and the crew is in no danger," it added.

In a press call, NASA's human spaceflight program chief Kathy Lueders called the incident a "pretty exciting hour", and praised the crew for stabilising the situation.

The US space agency also revealed that the SpaceX Dragon docked to the orbital station was powered up and ready to evacuate crew if needed.

An uncrewed test launch of a Boeing Starliner crew capsule to the ISS will be pushed back from Friday until at least August 3 while an investigation is underway.

Earlier, the Russian space agency Roscosmos showed the new addition to its segment of the ISS docking with the nadir (Earth-facing) port of the Zvezda service module at 1329 GMT.

"There is contact!!!" Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin tweeted as Russia completed the first docking of an ISS module in 11 years.

It will now take several months and multiple spacewalks to fully integrate the module with the space station.

- Decades in the making -

The Nauka module blasted off last week from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carried by a Russian Proton rocket.

Nauka -- which means "science" in Russian -- will be primarily used for research and storing laboratory equipment.

It will also provide more storage space, new water and oxygen regeneration systems and improved living conditions for cosmonauts of the Russian ISS sector.

The Nauka multipurpose laboratory module was conceived as early as the mid-1990s when it was intended as a back-up for the Russian control module Zarya.

It was later repurposed as a science module but joined a line-up of stagnating Russian space projects that have fallen victim to funding problems or bureaucratic procedures.

The launch of the 20-tonne Nauka -- one of the largest modules on the ISS -- was initially scheduled for 2007 but has been repeatedly delayed over various issues.

While last week's launch was successful, Nauka experienced several "hiccups in orbit" during its eight-day journey to the ISS, the European Space Agency said.

"We won't lie... We had to worry for the first three days," Rogozin told journalists after Nauka had docked, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.

- Russia's future on ISS -
Launched in 1998 and involving Russia, the United States, Canada, Japan, and the European Space Agency, the ISS is one of Russia's few remaining collaborations with the West.

The ISS is divided into two sections: the Russian Orbital Segment, and the remainder run by the US and other partners.

For years, NASA was reliant on Russia to ferry its astronauts to the ISS and paid millions of dollars for a seat on a Soyuz rocket.

But last year Russia lost its monopoly for manned flights to the ISS after the successful mission of US billionaire Elon Musk's Space X.

In April, Russia said it was considering withdrawing from the ISS programme citing ageing infrastructure, and was planning to launch the first core module of a new orbital station in 2025.

Russia has announced a series of projects in recent years, including a mission to Venus and a station on the Moon, but as the Kremlin diverts funding to military ventures, analysts question the feasibility of these ambitions.

Heavy rains landsliding renders KKH Shut-Off

Due to frequent heavy rains throughout the night on Friday, the city and its adjoining parts have conceded road damages and power outages due to landsliding and flash floods, reported.

Swathes of lands in the northern region have been deluged due to flash floods in river channels and nullahs while many roads have succumbed to the landsliding.

The Babusar Top route connecting Chilas with Naran national highway has too been blockaded for over the past 10 hours due to torrential rains.
Buses and private transport remain stuck with locals and tourists both stranded on roads hapless.

Separately, yet pertinent, the Pakistan Meteorological Department warned, in a weather alert yesterday, of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in the vulnerable areas of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral regions.

A weather system is likely to prevail for next 1-2 weeks in Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral after persistent high temperatures having potential to produce Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in the vulnerable areas of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral, Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) said in its alert.
The weather office advised local communities to remain alert and asked concerned authorities to take precautionary measures to meet any emergency situation.

MICROSOFT SHARES FIRST BETA BITS OF WINDOWS 11 FOR PROMOTION, TESTING

Microsoft has released on Friday the preview of its new Windows 11 operating system via its Insider Beta Channel so that more Windows Insiders would download and test Windows 11 if they weren’t already testing the Dev build.

It has been learned that Dev and Beta Channel testers are on the same bits as the build rolling out to Beta Channel is the same one that’s in the Dev Channel currently, that is  22000.100.

It is available to those enrolled in its Windows Insider Program and the people currently opted in the Dev Channel are encouraged to switch to the Beta Channel.

President Biden asks every US govt worker to get Covid jabs or wear masks

President Joe Biden on Thursday stepped up actions to combat the spread of Covid-19´s surging Delta variant, asking every US federal worker to either declare they are fully vaccinated or wear masks and be tested.

"We have the tools to prevent this new wave of Covid from shutting down our businesses, our schools, our society as we saw happen last year," the veteran Democrat said in a speech on his administration´s new initiatives.

The White House said ahead of the address that all four million federal employees and on-site contractors "will be asked to attest to their vaccination status."

Those who do not declare they are fully vaccinated will be required to wear a mask on the job regardless of location, physically distance from co-workers, and be tested either once or twice a week.

The moves stop short of a vaccination mandate for federal workers -- something that was being considered as the administration was mulling ways to protect federal workers and set an example for the private sector.

But they mark a dramatic return to controversial restrictions that Biden had predicted would be relics of the past in June, when he proclaimed America would be able to enjoy a "summer of freedom" including more socializing and in-person celebrations.

Today, with hospitalizations and infections up nationwide, Americans need to remain vigilant, Biden said.

"We are not fully out of the woods, because what is happening in America right now is a pandemic, a pandemic of the unvaccinated," Biden said, in words sure to antagonize some who have declined to take the shots.

"If in fact you are unvaccinated, you present a problem -- to yourself, to your family, and to those with whom you work."

Nevertheless, the president urged citizens not to politicize the issues of vaccinations or masks.

"This is not about red states and blue states. It´s literally about life and death."

Lifter Talha Talib gets hero’s welcome upon return to Pakistan

Pakistani weightlifter Talha Talib returned to Pakistan from Japan Friday morning after competing in the Tokyo Olympics.The office-bearers of the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, players and a large number of fans were present at the occasion to give him a hero's welcome at the airport.

The 21-year-old weightlifter finished fifth in the 67kg category with an impressive performance of overall lifting of 320 KG weight and won laurels from the countrymen.

In the clean and jerk third attempt, Talha Talib lifted 170 kg, which is more than twice his bodyweight.

"I thank Allah and the nation for the prayers," the star weightlifter said while talking to media at the airport.

"I am grateful to the Pakistan Weightlifting Federation and the Olympic Association. I attribute my success to the nation. I am happy that the Pakistani flag soared higher."

Also read: Five out of ten Pakistani athletes eliminated from Tokyo Olympics
Talha also reiterated his resolve to surmount all mistakes and bring a gold medal next time if the government provide proper support.

The weightlifter said he is looking forward to making his mark in the Commonwealth Games and then the World Championship scheduled in October.

Talha missed bronze by a slight margin of two kilograms but he won the hearts of Pakistanis around the world for putting up a solid show in the Olympics.

NSA Moeed Yusuf meets US counterpart, discusses Afghanistan situation

Top national security officials of Pakistan and the US held a discussion on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and the need for an urgent reduction in violence in the country.

National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf is in the US to meet with senior US officials, lawmakers and think tanks to exchange views on the changing regional security situation.

His visit is part of high-level bilateral engagements between the two countries, read a statement.

“Had a positive follow-up meeting with NSA @JakeSullivan46 today in Washington. Took stock of progress made since our Geneva meeting & discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the Pakistan NSA tweeted.

Had a positive follow-up meeting with NSA @JakeSullivan46 today in Washington. Took stock of progress made since our Geneva meeting & discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. Agreed to sustain the momentum in Pak-US bilateral cooperation.

I met with Pakistan’s NSA today to consult on regional connectivity and security, and other areas of mutual cooperation. We discussed the urgent need for a reduction in violence in Afghanistan and a negotiated political settlement to the conflict.

— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) July 30, 2021

— Moeed W. Yusuf (@YusufMoeed) July 30, 2021

He said they agreed to sustain the momentum in Pak-US bilateral cooperation.

 

On the other hand, US NSA Jake Sullivan said that he consulted Yusuf on regional connectivity and security and other areas of mutual cooperation.

“We discussed the urgent need for a reduction in violence in Afghanistan and a negotiated political settlement to the conflict,” he said in a statement after the meeting.

Sindh likely to okay two-week lockdown in Karachi

As COVID continues to up the ante against the province’s capacity to fight its speedy spread and to cope with challenges such as exhausting public hospital beds, Sindh’s Covid task force is set to meet later Friday to deliberate suggestions for a complete lockdown over the fortnight, reported.

The provincial health department has called for a complete lockdown ahead of the decisive task force meeting today convened by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The meeting will be attended by all provincial ministers, health experts and parliamentary leaders to huddle over possible solutions to the raging pandemic.

It is also expected that lockdown shall be extended to the educational institutions for the same period of time.
Total lockdown in a city is not the solution to the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic, head of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Asad Umar said in a press briefing as the ideas of Sindh lockdown were floated in the preliminary meeting of the task force.

NCOC chief said that vaccination is the only solution to get rid of the pandemic. “Vaccination drive is ongoing in all parts of Pakistan. We have set a new record of maximum vaccination by administering over 8.5 Lac vaccine shots in a day, yesterday,” Umar said.

Sindh govt plans complete lockdown in Karachi as positivity ratio reaches 30pc

It was initially reported earlier this week that the Sindh government mulled over strict measures including imposing a lockdown as COVID positivity ratio reached 30 per cent in the national business hub.

According to sources privy to the details, the positivity ratio has reached 30 pc in the metropolis forcing the provincial authorities to mull over strict measures in order to avoid a catastrophe.

Corona claims 86 more lives in pakistan, 4,537 fresh cases reported

Pakistan continues to record a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases as the country has registered 4,537 new infections over the last 24 hours, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said on Friday.

The country last recorded more than 4,000 cases in a single day on May 21, when 4,007 new cases were reported.
The NCOC said that the country’s number of overall confirmed cases has risen to 1,024,861, including 938,843 recoveries, adding that the positivity rate of infections was recorded at 7.79 per cent.
The COVID-19 claimed 86 more lives across the country in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 23,295, the NCOC said, adding that 3,117 people are in critical condition.

Sindh province is the most affected region of the country with 377,231 infections, followed by the Punjab province which has reported 355,483 cases. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains third on the list with 143,213 cases. Islamabad, 86,945, Balochistan, 30,162, AJK, 23,819 and GB has reported 8,008 new infections, so far.

To curb the spread of the disease, Pakistan also expedited the pace of vaccination and administered overall 27,875,999 COVID-19 vaccine doses on July 30, including 21,968,070 partial doses and 5,907,929 two doses.

Islamabad Rains: President Alvi offers help to islamabad administration

President Dr Arif Alvi has said that he is ready to help the affectees of heavy rains in Islamabad, reported on Thursday.

The heavy rains in Islamabad left the city at the mercy of torrential streams inducing fears of high-level flooding of Lai Nullah as Army teams and resources turned up to rescue people.

President Arif Alvi in his tweet said, Islamabad is my city just like Karachi and all other lovely cities of Pakistan and he is ready with his boat if needed.

Islamabad is my city just like Karachi and all other lovely cities of Pakistan.
I am confident that Islamabad's administration are doing their job well but if need be, I am ready with my boat ? pic.twitter.com/whOskBKsNf

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) July 28, 2021

“I am confident that Islamabad’s administration are doing their job well but if need be, I am ready with my boat,” the president added.

It is to be noted that President Arif Alvi came out with his boat to rescue people in Karachi during the 2017 heavy rains in Karachi when he was MNA.

Vaccination is only solution to control corona: Asad Umer

Total lockdown in a city is not solution to the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic, head of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Asad Umar said here in a press briefing.

The Sindh government is proactively taking steps to curb spread of the coronavirus, Federal Minister for Planning and Development said on Thursday.

“As and when the lockdown restrictions ease, the virus rapidly spreads,” Umar said. “Proper enforcement and compliance of the SOPs could help in success against the pandemic,” NCOC head said.
Umar assured every possible cooperation to the government of Sindh for implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the province including deployment of military troops and Rangers.

NCOC chief said that vaccination is the only solution to get rid of the pandemic. “Vaccination drive is ongoing in all parts of Pakistan. We have set a new record of maximum vaccination by administering over 8.5 Lac vaccine shots in a day, yesterday,” Umar said.

Punjab made maximum vaccination record yesterday with inoculating around five Lac people, which is maximum record in a day for the province, Asad Umar said.

“Sindh administered 1.69 Lac vaccines on Wednesday, which is also the maximum record for the province,” he said. All provinces have set new records of maximum vaccination yesterday, the federal minister said.

Pakistan corona postivity ratio surges as 4,497 fresh cases report in a single day

Pakistan has reported the highest single-day spike of COVID-19 cases in two months with 4,497 new cases over the last 24 hours, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said on Thursday.

The country last recorded more than 4,000 cases in a single day on May 21, when 4,007 new cases were reported.
The NCOC said that the country’s number of overall confirmed cases has risen to 1,020,324, including 935,742 recoveries, adding that the positivity rate of infections was recorded at 7.53 per cent.
The COVID-19 claimed 76 more lives across the country in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 23,209, the NCOC said, adding that 2,898 people are in critical condition.

Sindh province is the most affected region of the country with 371,762 infections, followed by the Punjab province which has reported 354,312 cases.

To curb the spread of the disease, Pakistan also expedited the pace of vaccination and administered 683,616 COVID-19 vaccine doses on July 29. The country has administered a total of 26,248,235 vaccine doses so far.

 

Son of Ali sadpara Sajid summits the mighty K2

Sajid Sadpara alongside different mountain climbers has ascended the second-most elevated worldwide pinnacle K2-a day after he discovered the assemblages of his dad Mohammad Ali Sadpara, Iceland's John Snorri, and Chile's Juan Pablo Mohr at the bottleneck.

A message from the Twitter record of Sajid Sadpara reported the K2 culmination from the climber alongside Canadian producer Elia Saikaly and Pasang Kaji Sherpa, who dispatched an endeavor to discover collections of the three fallen mountain climbers.

In his message, Ali Sadpara said that the most recent couple of days have been testing and fortunate for them all, high up in the mountains.

Last few days have been challenging and lucky for us all, high up in the mountains. With whole nation waiting and looking to hear about search and recovery of their hero #AliSadpara. We are lucky enough to find the bodies of my companions from #K2Winter2021 and trying to 1/n

— Sajid Ali Sadpara (@sajid_sadpara) July 28, 2021

 

With entire country pausing and hoping to catch wind of search and recuperation of their legend Ali Sadpara. We are adequately fortunate to discover the groups of my allies from K2," he said added that they were attempting to get and protect it at a protected area for additional conceivable outcomes.

He said that being at an exceptionally specialized and perilous slant, recovering it in any case is testing and to respect his dad Ali Sadpara and lost colleagues, he had by and by set his foot on the highest point of K2 and tied down collections of fallen climbers to a protected spot as moment recovery from above bottleneck is preposterous without imperiling numerous lives.

Conceivable outcomes of recovering bodies minus any additional harms and without gambling lives would be done at a later stage subsequent to counseling families and specialists," he said while saying thanks to the whole country for their affection and petitions.

He further mentioned everybody at K2 to try not to share any photograph or video of the bodies, as it would be excruciating for all families and companions.

There is no military solution to the Afghan issue: PM Imran Khan

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that political reconciliation is the only solution to the Afghan issue as the United States (US) failed to seek a military solution to the conflict.

In an interview with a US media outlet, he said Pakistan is a partner in peace and cannot become a part of the dispute. He categorically said that there is no military solution to the Afghan issue.

PM Khan said Pakistan played a key role as a facilitator to bring the Taliban and the United States to negotiating table.

He said any kind of unrest and anarchy in Afghanistan will directly affect Pakistan and it will have to face multiple problems.

Imran Khan said the incumbent government revived the national economy after hectic efforts and now it cannot bear the burden of more Afghan refugees. Insurgency in Afghanistan will force more Afghanis to rush to Pakistan, but we cannot host more refugees, PM Khan made it clear.

He said there is 1500 kilometers long border between Pakistan and Afghanistan and for the first time, Pakistan is fencing along the Pak-Afghan border by spending a huge amount. “90 per cent of the work has been completed.”

The prime minister said Pakistan had nothing to do with 9/11 and New York incidents as no Pakistani national was involved in the 9/11 incident, but the country suffered a lot after the incidents.

Replying to a question about elections in Afghanistan, Imran Khan said the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani should have delayed the elections, as it would have provided an opportunity for to Taliban to participate in the political process.

Clarifying his comments on the rape crisis in the interview, PM Imran Khan said that his comments were taken out of context, and said that anyone who commits rape is solely responsible for the crime.

“The person who commits rape is fully responsible for the crime; the victim is never responsible” Prime Minister Imran Khan categorically states his thoughts on sexual crimes. He also claimed that his statement was taken out of context deliberately in an interview few weeks ago.

He said I used the word ‘Pardah’ during my interview and added that ‘Pardah’ brings the temptation down. He said that ‘Pardah’ is not restricted to women but it is for men as well.

Pakistan aims 1MN Vaccination in a day after record doses administered

Pakistan on Wednesday crossed another milestone after Minister for Planning and Development and head of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) Asad Umar said that the country vaccinated 778,000 people in a day, breaking the previous record, reported.

Taking to Twitter to share the news, the NCOC head said that they have set another daily vaccination record after 778,000 people were vaccinated in a day on Tuesday.
He further shared that the record of most first dose vaccinations was also broken the other day after 561,000 people received their first jabs. Asad Umar announced that they are now targeting to cross 1 million vaccinations in a day.

On July 25, Asad Umar said that by end of August at least 40 percent of the eligible population in major cities will be vaccinated against COVID-19.

In a tweet on Sunday, he said that the process of vaccination will be accelerated in August.

 

Pakistan records more than 4000 corona cases after months, positivity rate surges to 7.8%

Pakistan's daily COVID-19 case count crossed 4,000 for the first time in two months Wednesday morning after the National Command and Operation Centre reported 4,119 fresh infections.

The country last recorded more than 4,000 cases in a single day on May 22.

According to the NCOC's latest stats, 52,291 coronavirus tests were taken in the last 24 hours across the country. Of these, 4,119 came back positive.
Another 44 people, meanwhile, lost their lives to the virus in the last 24 hours, pushing the national death tally to 23,133.

The positivity rate, too, went up again. The current rate is 7.8%

The total number of cases has reached 1,015,827. In addition to this, 7,020 patients have recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 935,742 while the number of active cases is 56,952.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Pakistan's coronavirus death rate in July surpassed the global death rate figures, according to officials from the health ministry.

The death rate in July was between 2.30% and 2.37% in Pakistan, according to data shared by the World Health Organisation. The worldwide death rate in July was between 2.15% to 2.17%.

Health experts says non-compliance with standard operating procedures and no vaccination can increase death rates.

Police arrest MPA Nazir chohan

Pro-Jahangir Tareen group MPA Nazir Chohan has been arrested by police on Tuesday, reported.

The arrest has been made in a first information report (FIR) registered by Adviser to the prime minister on accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar at Lahore’s Race Course police.

MPA Nazir Chohan was taken into custody near Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Plaza. On the other hand, a meeting of the pro-Jahangir Tareen lawmakers has been called in to discuss the arrest of MPA Nazir Chohan.
The meeting will be held in Lahore to discuss the future course of strategy.

The case against Chohan was registered under sections 506 (punishment for intimidation), 189 (threatening public servant), 298 (hurting religious sentiments) and 153 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Shehzad Akbar said the MPA made false allegations about his faith in a TV show.
“The offence had been committed to cause injury to the reputation, body, property and mind of the applicant and cause hatred in public at large towards the applicant,” the FIR reads. Chohan committed “the offence with the nefarious design to wound the religious feelings of the applicant”, it added.

 

19-YEAR-OLD PAKISTANI MAKES WORLD RECORD BY SCALING K2

Shigar: A 19-year-old Pakistani has made a world record by scaling the world's second-most noteworthy mountain, K2, media provides details regarding Tuesday.

As per deatils, Shehroze Kashif, 19 years of age, effectively scaled the K2 mountain and lifted the Pakistani banner.

 

#PakistanOnK2 #Project14x8000ers #ShehrozeKashif has summited K2 today 27 July 2021 at 8:10 a.m.

ALHAMDULILLAH #Pakistan #TheBroadBoy @RaiTaimoorPTI #TheKarakoramClub @KarakoramClub pic.twitter.com/wxalju5wfF

— TheBroadBoy (@Shehrozekashif2) July 27, 2021

Recently, Shehroze Kashif turned into the most youthful Pakistani to scale the world's biggest mountain over the seal level, Mount Everest.

On Monday, the group of missing Pakistani climber Mohammad Ali Sadpara was found beneath 300m from the bottleneck K2.

Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) data serve Fatehullah Khan had revealed that the assemblages of Mohammad Ali Sadpara and John Snorri were recuperated.

'Three assemblages' of the missing climbers were spotted from optics at 9:00 am today and it will require some days to carry the bodies to the headquarters through Pakistan Army helicopters, he had said. Khan added that Sadpara's body was distinguished from the dress he wore throughout the colder time of year culmination.

Bodies of legendary Ali Sadpara, Snori and Mohr found on K2

Gilgit-Baltistan Information Minister Fatehullah Khan on Monday said the bodies of world fame mountaineer Muhammad Ali Sadpara and two other foreign climbers are spotted at the Base Camp of K2.

The body of another foreign climber was also seen by a telescope, he said while talking to a private television channel.

The minister said the army helicopters would approach the Base Camp to lift bodies. Ali Muhammad Sadpara and two other climbers Iceland’s John Snorri and Chile’s Juan Pablo Mohr had gone missing on February 5 this year while trying to climb K2, the world’s second highest peak at 8,611m (28,251 ft). His son Sajid Ali Sadpara also confirmed the news about the body of his father spotted on K2.

Pakistan records 39 more corona deaths in last 24 hrs

The COVID-19 has claimed 39 more lives across Pakistan in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 23,087.

According to the latest National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) updates, as many as 3,262 new cases of Covid-19 emerged when 49,412 samples were tested.
The positivity rate of infections was recorded at 6.6 per cent, it said. Pakistan’s caseload climbed to 1,011,708 after 3,262 new infections were detected.
The number of active cases currently stands at 59,899.

A total of 2,722 patients are in critical care at hospitals across the country, the NCOC said, adding 1,123 people recuperated from the disease in the past 24 hours, taking the number of people who have recovered since the pandemic began to 928,722.

Sindh remains the topmost affected province with 369,245 cases followed by Punjab with 353,695 COVID-19 cases. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 142,139 cases, Islamabad 85,947, Balochistan 29,681 cases while Gilgit Baltistan has reported 7,798 COVID-19 cases and AJK registered 23,203 cases.

Yesterday, the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) had changed its strategy regarding imposition and lifting of smart lockdown in coronavirus hit areas across Pakistan.

According to sources, the NCOC in its new strategy had decided to launch a Covid-19 vaccination campaign in smart lockdown areas and announced that lockdown would be lifted on 100 per cent vaccination of people living in the virus-hit areas.

COURT EXTENDS PHYSICAL REMAND OF PRIME SUSPECT IN NOOR MUKADAM MURDER CASE

An Islamabad court Monday extended the physical remand of Zahir Jaffer, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of Noor Mukadam case, by two days, reported.

According to details, Zahir Jaffer was presented before the court after completion of his two-day physical remand.

The Islamabad police asked the court to extend his remand by another two days, saying that they had recovered the pistol from the possession of the suspect but still they had to recover a mobile phone from his possession.

The duty magistrate hearing the proceedings extended the remand by another two days and directed the police to present him before the court on July 28.

Earlier in the day, the Police have added four more clauses of hiding evidence and being complicit in the Noor Mukadam murder case.

Islamabad police had arrested the parents of suspect Zahir Zakir Jaffer and two security guards for assistance in crime, hiding evidence, tampering with evidence in order to save the accused, and complicity, officials said.

After the arrest of more accused the police have decided to add relevant clauses of the law in the case. An Islamabad court had yesterday granted physical remand of the parents of Zahir Jaffar and two servants.

The court handed over the co-accused to police on two days’ physical remand in the killing case of Noor Mukadam, a daughter of a former Pakistani ambassador to South Korea Shaukat Mukadam.

The murder and beheading of Noor Mukadam has sparked nationwide outrage, with thousands of people calling on the authorities to take the case to its logical end.

The post-mortem report of the Noor Mukadam was released on Friday, stating that she was beheaded after being murdered in Islamabad.

Joe Biden 'mentally unsuitable to proceed with office: Ex-White House specialist

Respresntative Ronny Jackson, the previous White House doctor turned-representative, has asserted that US President Joe Biden has "genuine medical issues" that will just deteriorate with time, on account of which he will be "compelled to leave office."

Jackson, who served under the residencies of previous presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, says President Joe Biden is "ineligible to campaign for office due to genuine medical issues."

He proceeded to say that if Biden, 79, doesn't leave his office, he could be strongly taken out under the 25th Amendment.

"I believe he's either going to leave — they will persuade him to leave office eventually soon for clinical issues — or they must utilize the 25th Amendment to dispose of this man," Jackson said, as cited by New York Post.

It is accepted that Biden has been having issues with recalling things, as he stalled out a few times while conversing with columnists on Wednesday. A month prior, Biden needed to remove a pamphlet from his pocket to peruse while answering to the correspondent.

PTI won through rigging in Kashmir elections: allege Bilawal,Maryam

PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Monday alleged that the PTI won the Kashmir polls through rigging and rejected the results of the elections held Sunday.

Maryam praised the party workers for "putting up a good fight" despite "violence and rigging by PTI" in the Kashmir elections held Sunday.

According to unofficial results, the PPP has emerged as the largest Opposition party in the AJK Legislative Assembly with 11 seats while PML-N bagged six and two other parties got one each. The PTI won 25 out of 45 seats.
Taking to Twitter, Bilawal Bhutto claimed the election commission had failed to take action against the PTI for violating electoral rules.

"Despite this, PPP emerged as the largest opposition party in AJK with 11 seats, up from 3 seats last time. incredibly proud of PPPAJK for putting up a good fight," the PPP leader tweeted while sharing the list of the party's winning candidates.

Meanwhile, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz tweeted that she has not accepted the results and will never accept them. "I did not accept the 2018 results either or acknowledge this fake government," she added.

She lauded the party workers and voters.

AJK Elections: Survey reveals PTI likely to win

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged as the most popular party in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and is likely to win the upcoming election in the region schedule on July 25, according to a survey conducted by Gallup Pakistan.

The Gallup Pakistan survey put PTI ahead of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has been placed at the third position.

According to a survey of Gallup Pakistan, 44 per cent in AJK think that PTI will win the election tomorrow (Sunday) while PML-N has 12 per cent and PPP 9 per cent popularity.

Both PML-N and PPP have collective 21 per cent popularity as compared to 44 per cent of PTI.

According to the survey, Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared as the most trusted political leader in the survey with a 67 per cent positive rating, Bilawal Bhutto with 49 per cent followed by Shahbaz Sharif with 48 per cent.

“47% have a positive opinion of Nawaz Sharif and 45% have a positive opinion of Maryam Nawaz,” the survey result show.

Moreover, mostly Kashmiri people were of the view that polls in Azad Jammu and Kashmir would be free and fair.

Over 3.2 million voters will exercise their right to vote to elect members of Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly for a five-year term.

A total of 32 political parties are contesting the elections and hundreds of independent candidates are also vying in all the 45 electoral constituencies including 33 in AJK districts and 12 meant of Jammu and Kashmir refugees settled in various parts of Pakistan.

Five seats are reserved for women and three are meant for the technocrats, one each reserved for overseas Kashmiris and Ulema/Mashaikh and professionals.

Top political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have fielded their candidates for polls in AJK. Prime Minister Imran Khan, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto visited AJK and addressed multiple public gatherings for their candidates.

AJK Elections: PTI worker shot dead, two injured in violent incidents during polls

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker shot dead two others sustained injuries in separate violent incidents during polls in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

As per details, the firing incident was reported in Charhoi area in which a PTI local leader named Muhammad Zaheer lost his life, while another identified as Ramzan sustained bullet injuries.

In a separate incident, a PTI worker got injured after being attacked with sticks. The injured and body were moved to a nearby medical facility.

On the other hand, firing incidents were reported in various polling stations in the LA-10 Kotli-3. The firing incidents were reported in the limits of polling stations numbers 91,92,93,94,95 and 101.

The vehicle of the PPP candidate, contesting the polls was damaged in the firing incident. Senator Taj Haider of the Pakistan People’s Party has registered the complaint with the Election Commission of AJK.

On Saturday, a clash reportedly broke out between workers of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ahead of polls in the AJK.

According to police, a clash was reported between workers of two political parties in the Khaliqabad area of Mirpur district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Four people including PPP and PTI workers were injured as a result of the clash, said police.

Unofficial results start pouring in as voting ends in AJK Elections

Polling for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has ended and counting of votes is currently underway.

Unofficial and unconfirmed results of a large number of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seats have been received as more are pouring in.

The polling started at 8 am and continued till 5 pm without any break. Over 40 thousand security personals including PAK Army, FC, Rangers & Police performed duties to ensure peaceful polling.

Unofficial results of AJK elections 2021 are as follows:
_________________________________________________________________

LA-2 Mirpur unofficial results
PTI’s Zafar Anwar is in the lead with 136 votes. PPP’s Qasim Majeed is in second place with 87 votes.

_________________________________________________________________

LA-3 Mirpur III unofficial results
PTI’s Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry is leading with 1539 votes while PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed is in second place with 1479 votes, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results.

_________________________________________________________________

LA-17 Bagh unofficial results
PPP’s Mumtaz Rathore: 353 votes

PML-N’s Chaudhry Aziz: 305 votes

PTI’s Amir Nazeer: 91 votes

_________________________________________________________________

LA-21 Poonch unofficial results
An unofficial count of votes from LA-21 Poonch shows PPP in the lead and PTI in second place.

_________________________________________________________________

LA-15 Bagh II unofficial results
PTI’s Sardar Tanvir Ilyas is leading with 630 votes, whereas PPP’s Sardar Ziaul Haq is in second place with 328 votes.

_________________________________________________________________

LA-28 Muzaffarabad
Unofficial results PTI candidate Chaudhry Shehzad is in the lead in this constituency with 226 votes while PML-N’s Murtaza Gillani is behind with 50 votes.

_________________________________________________________________

LA-40 Kashmir Valley-1
As per unofficial results, PPP candidate Amir Abdul Ghaffar leading with 238 votes and PTI is behind with 111 votes.

_________________________________________________________________

LA-42 Kashmir Valley-II
Unofficial results show Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Asim Sharif is leading with 221 votes while PML-N’s Shaukat Ali Shah is behind with 87 votes.

_________________________________________________________________

A total of 32 political parties are contesting the AJK elections 2021 and hundreds of independent candidates are also vying in all the 45 electoral constituencies including 33 in AJK districts and 12 meant of Jammu and Kashmir refugees settled in various parts of Pakistan.

The remaining 8 seats are reserved out of which five are for women, and one each for overseas Kashmiris, technocrats and religious scholars.

Eight people were injured after a scuffle between two workers of political parties outside a polling station in Bagh.

The scuffle took place in a polling station set up for the constituency LA-15.

Here is the list of candidates contesting the polls:

LA-1 Mirpur-1: Tough contest is expected between PTI’s Azhar Sadiq, PML-N’s Chaudhry Masood Khalid and Muhammad Afsar Shahid of the PPP.

LA-2 Mirpur-2: PTI’s Zafar Anwar, Muhammad Nazeer Inqalabi of the PML-N and PPP’s Chaudary Qasim Majeed are contesting the seat.

LA-3 Mirpur: A neck and neck contest is expected between PTI’s Sultan Mehmood Chaudhary vs PML-N’s Chaudhary Muhammad Saeed. Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, who is leading the party in the region, is the strong candidate to head the next government.

Read also: FAIR, TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS TO BE ENSURED IN STATE: AJK CEC

LA-4 Mirpur-4: Ch. Arshad Hussain of the PTI, PML-N’s Ch. Rukhsar Ahmad and PPP’s Riyasat Tabasum are fighting for the LA-4 Mirpur seat.

LA-5 Bhimber-1: PTI has fielded Anwar Ul Haq Noor, PML-N has put its weight in Col (R) Waqar Ahmad Noor and PPP’s Chaudhry Pervez Ahsraf are fighting in the constituency.

LA-6 Bhimber-2: Ali Shah Soni Raja (PTI) Maqsood Ahmad Khan (PML-N) Choudhary Idress (PPP).

LA 7 Bhimber-3: A tough contest is expected between PTI’s Chaudhary Anwar ul Haq and PML-N’s Chaudhary Tariq Farooq. In 2016, Farooq defeated Haq with over 2,000 votes.

LA-8 Kotli-1: Zafar Iqbal Malik (PTI) Zulfiqar Ali (PML-N) Muhammad Aftab Anjum (PPP).

LA-9 Kotli-2: Asif Hanif (PTI) Munir Hussain Khan (PML-N) Javed Iqbl Badhanvi (PPP).

LA-10 Kotli-3: Malik Yousif (PTI) Zubair Iqbal Kiani (PML-N) Ch. Muhammad Yaseen (PPP).

LA-11 Kotli-4: Choudhary Muhammad Akhlaq (PTI) Raja Naseer Ahmad Khan (PML-N) Sardar Muhammad Bashir Pehalwan (PPP)

LA-12 Kotli-5: Shoukat Farid (PTI) Raja Muhammad Riasat Choudhary (PML-N) Muhammad Yasin (PPP).

LA-13 Kotli-6: Nisar Ansar Abdali (PTI) Raja Ayaza Ahmad Khan (PML-N) Muhammad Waleed Inqalabi (PPP).

LA 14 Bagh: Top contestants: Former prime minister and head of the Muslim Conference’s Sardar Ateeq Ahmed Khan, vs PTI’s Major Lateef Khaleeq.

LA 15 Bagh: Top candidates: PTI’s Tanveer Ilyas vs PML-N’s Mushtaq Minhas vs Muslim Conference’s Raja Yaseen.

LA-16 Bagh-3: Sardar Mir Akbar Khan (PTI) Ejaz Ahmed (PML-N) Sardar Qamar Zaman (PPP).

LA-17 Bagh-4: Aamir Nazeer (PTI) Choudhary Muhammad Aziz (PML-N) Faisal Mumtaz Rathor (PPP).

LA-18 Poonch & Sudhnuti-1: Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi (PTI) Ch. Muhammad Yasin Gulshan (PML-N) Sardar Amjad Yousuf Khan (PPP).

LA-19 Poonch & Sudhnuti-2: Sardar Arzish Sudhozai (PTI) Sardar Aamir Altaf Khan (PML-N) Sardar Saud bin Sadiq (PPP).

LA-20 Poonch & Sudhnuti-3: Khattab Azam Khan (PTI) Abdul Rasheed Khan (PML-N) Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob (PPP).

LA-21 Poonch & Sudhnuti-4: PTI has not fielded any candidate in this constituency, while PML-N has fielded Tahir Anwar Khan and PPP is backing Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob.

LA-22 Poonch & Sudhnuti-5: Sardar Muhammad Sagheer Chugtai (PTI) Sardar Abdul Khaliq Wasi (PML-N) Syed Dilawar Bukhari (PPP).

LA-23 Poonch & Sudhnuti-6: Sardar Muhammad Hussain Advocate (PTI) Dr. Najeeb Naqi Khan (PML-N) Sardar Muhammad Raees Khan (PPP).

LA-24 Poonch & Sudhnuti-7: Faheem Akhtar (PTI) Sardar Farooq Ahmad Tahir (PML-N) Sardar Inayat Ullah Arif (PPP).

LA-25 Neelum Valley-1: Sardar Gul e Khandan (PTI) Shah Ghulam Qadir (PML-N) Mian Abdul Waheed (PPP).

LA-26 Neelum Valley-2: Mian Shafiq (PTI) Shah Ghulam Qadir (PML-N) Mian Abdul Waheed (PPP).

LA-27 Muzaffarabad-1: Mir Attique (PTI) Noreen Arif (PML-N) Sardar Muhammad Javed Ayyub (PPP).

LA 28 Muzaffarabad: A tough contest is expected between PTI’s Chaudhary Shehzad Mehmood and PPP’s Syed Bazil Naqvi.

LA-29 Muzaffarabad-3: Khawja Farooq Ahmad (PTI) Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani (PML-N) Sardar Mubarak Haider (PPP).

LA-30 Muzaffarabad-4: Muhammad Rashid (PTI) Doctor Mustafa Bashir Abbasi(PML-N) Mubashar Munir Awan (PPP).

LA31 Muzaffarabad-5: Top candidates: Raja Muhammad Abdul Qayyum (PML-N), Raja Muhammad Mansoor Khan (PTI) and Chaudhry Latif Akbar (PPP). Raja Muhammad Farroq Haider of PML-N had won the election in 2016 from this constituency.

LA 32 Muzaffarabad-6: Top contestants: PML-N’s Sardar Farooq Haider, PPP’s Shahibzada Muhammad Ashfaq Zafar. AJK’s Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider had won this constituency in 2011 and 2016.

LA-33 Muzaffarabad-7: Dewan Ali Khan Chughtai(PTI) Raja Muhammad Farooq Hyder Khan (PML-N) Shaukat Javid (PPP).

LA-34 Jammu-1: Riaz Ahmad (PTI) Nasir Hussain Dar (PML-N) Sardar Zahid Iqbal (PPP).

LA-35 Jammu-2: Maqbool Ahmad (PTI) Choudhary Muhammad Ismail Gujjar (PML-N) Muhammad Iqbal Mujadadi (PPP).

LA-36 Jammu-3: Hafiz Hamid Raza (PTI) Muhammad Ishaq (PML-N) Chaudhry Shaukat Wazir Ali (PPP).

LA-37 Jammu-4: Muhammad Akmal Sargala (PTI) Muhammad Siddique Chaudhry (PML-N) Mazhar Yousif Choudhary (PPP).

LA-38 Jammu-5: Muhammad Akbar Choudhry (PTI) Ch. Zeeshan Ali Muhammad (PML-N) Ashraf Chugtai (PPP).

LA-39 Jammu-6: Nazia Niaz (PTI) Raja Muhammad Siddique (PML-N) Chaudhry Fakhar uz Zaman Gul (PPP).

LA-40 Kashmir Valley-1: Muhammad Saleem Butt (PTI) Tahir Ali Wani (PML-N) Amir Abdul Ghaffar Lone (PPP).

LA-41 Kashmir Valley-2: Ghulam Mohi Uddin Deewan (PTI) Muhammad Ikram Butt (PML-N) Shabbir Abbas Mir (PPP).

LA-42 Kashmir Valley-3: Muhammad Asim Sharif (PTI) Syed Shaukat Ali Shah (PML-N) Hafeez Ahmed Butt (PPP).

LA-43 Kashmir Valley-4: Javed Butt (PTI) Naseema Khatoon Wani (PML-N) Azhar Hussain Gilani (PPP).

LA-44 Kashmir Valley-5: Bashir Ahmad Khan (PTI) Muhammad Ahmad Raza Qadri (PML-N) Muhammad Rashid Salam Butt (PPP).

LA-45 Kashmir Valley-6: PTI has fielded Abdul Majid Khan, while PML-N and the PPP have not placed any candidate, while Noor Ul Bari is the candidate of JI and Sumiya Sajid Raja is representing MC.

PTI, PML-N, PPP EYE VICTORY AS AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR GOES TO POLLS TODAY

All preparations have been finalized to ensure a smooth polling process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir as the voters will elect members for the 45 general seats of the legislative assembly

According to the Election Commission, 5129 polling stations have been established for 3.2 million registered voters out of which 826 have been declared most sensitive and 1209 as sensitive deploying additional forces.

Polling will continue from 08:00am to 05:00pm while results at the polling stations will be announced after one hour of the conclusion of the polling.

According to data, 701 candidates are contesting for 45 general seats including 12 refugee seats in Pakistan. Tough contest has been expected between three main political parties Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim league Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan Peoples party (PPP) while on 7 seats regional parties Muslim Conference (MC) and Jammu Kashmir peoples party (JK-PP)’s candidates are in tough contest against candidates of major political parties, on 6 MC and on one JKPP.
A total of 32 political parties are contesting the elections and hundreds of independent candidates are also vying in all the 45 electoral constituencies including 33 in AJK districts and 12 meant of Jammu and Kashmir refugees settled in various parts of Pakistan.

The remaining 8 seats are reserved out of which five are for women, and one each for overseas Kashmiris, technocrats and religious scholars
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged as the most popular party in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and is likely to win the upcoming election in the region schedule on July 25, according to a survey conducted by Gallup Pakistan.

The Gallup Pakistan survey put PTI ahead of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has been placed at the third position.

According to a survey of Gallup Pakistan, 44 per cent in AJK think that PTI will win the election tomorrow (Sunday) while PML-N has 12 per cent and PPP 9 per cent popularity

COVID-19 has claimed 45 more lives across the country in the last 24 hours

The COVID-19 has claimed 45 more lives across the country in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll from the disease to 23,016.

According to the latest National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) updates, as many as 2,819 new cases of Covid-19 emerged when 44,579 samples were tested.
The postivity rate of infections was recorded at 6.32 per cent, it said. The country’s caseload climbed to 1,004,694 after 2,819 new cases were detected.

A total of 2,573 patients are in critical care at hospitals across the country, the NCOC said, adding 1,176 people recuperated from the disease in the past 24 hours, taking the number of people who have recovered since the pandemic began to 925,958.

Sindh remains the topmost affected province with 364,784 cases followed by Punjab with 352,682 COVID-19 cases. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 141,627 cases, Islamabad 85,519, Balochistan 29,494 cases while Gilgit Baltistan has reported 7,702 COVID-19 cases and AJK registered 22,886 cases.

Statistics 25 Jul 21:
Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 44,579
Positive Cases: 2819
Positivity % : 6.32%
Deaths : 45

— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) July 25, 2021

(PTI) worker shot dead two others sustained injuries in separate violent incidents during polls in (AJK)

 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker shot dead two others sustained injuries in separate violent incidents during polls in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

As per details, the firing incident was reported in Charhoi area in which a PTI local leader named Muhammad Zaheer lost his life, while another identified as Ramzan sustained bullet injuries.

In a separate incident, a PTI worker got injured after being attacked with sticks. The injured and body were moved to a nearby medical facility.

On the other hand, firing incidents were reported in various polling stations in the LA-10 Kotli-3. The firing incidents were reported in the limits of polling stations numbers 91,92,93,94,95 and 101.

The vehicle of the PPP candidate, contesting the polls was damaged in the firing incident. Senator Taj Haider of the Pakistan People’s Party has registered the complaint with the Election Commission of AJK.
On Saturday, a clash reportedly broke out between workers of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ahead of polls in the AJK.

According to police, a clash was reported between workers of two political parties in the Khaliqabad area of Mirpur district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Four people including PPP and PTI workers were injured as a result of the clash, said police

ice

Chief Election Commissioner said arrangements have place to ensure fair and transparent elections

 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (r) Abdul Rashid Sulehria on Sunday said best arrangements have been put in place to ensure fair and transparent elections.

Talking to the media, the CEC said that the incumbent government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has provided every kind of support for arranging the polls.

He urged the people of Kashmir to use their right to vote. Mr. Rashid hoped that turnout to remain more than 56 per cent in today’s elections.

Replying to a question, Justice (r) Abdul Rashid further said that action against Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur is being taken. “We have the powers and will continue to exercise them.”

On the other hand, polling for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is underway.
According to the Election Commission, 5129 polling stations have been established for 3.2 million registered voters out of which 826 have been declared most sensitive and 1209 as sensitive deploying additional forces.

According to data, 701 candidates are contesting for 45 general seats including 12 refugee seats in Pakistan. A tough contest is being expected between three main political parties Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) while on 7 seats regional parties Muslim Conference (MC) and Jammu Kashmir peoples party (JK-PP)’s candidates are in a tough contest against candidates of major political parties, on 6 MC and on one JKPP.

12 seats are reserved for Kashmiri Legislative Assembly refugees in Pakistan

 Polling for 12 refugee seats in Pakistan for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has started amid strict security measures across the country

The 12 seats are reserved for Kashmiri refugees in Pakistan, six each for those migrated from the Jammu region and Kashmir Valley.

The voting has been underway to elect representatives for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
In Rawalpindi division and Islamabad voters casting votes for three AJK Assembly seats. LA-93 Jammu-VI constituency comprises of Rawalpindi division and some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwan region with total 36,455 voters.

Meanwhile, LA-43 Valley-IV comprises of some parts of Rawalpindi division, with eight candidats in contest. The number of votes in the seat are 2457.
In the third seat of the Kashmir legislature LA-44 Valley-V 13 candidates competing for the seat with 6340 total votes.

In Peshawar votes being cast for LA-45 constituency of the Kashmir assembly. The police has detained six persons over allegations of disrupting the electoral process.

People’s Party’s Senator Taj Haider has lodged a complaint to the election commission over firing near the polling stations 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 101 in the electoral constituency LA-10. “The firing damaged the vehicle of the People’s Party candidate,” Taj Haider said in his complaint.
Votes are also being cast at Karachi, Hyderabad, Ghotki, Sanghar and other areas of Sindh.

Some constituencies of the AJK Assembly are largest in terms of area such as Jammu-1 constituency, whose voters are spread over Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan provinces, involving 48 districts.
The voters of another constituency reserved for refugees from Kashmir Valley are scattered around 27 districts of Sindh and Balochistan.

According to the Election Commission, 5129 polling stations have been established for 3.2 million registered voters for the AJK election, out of which 826 have been declared most sensitive and 1209 as sensitive.

Polling that started at 08:00am will continue until 05:00pm without any break while results at the polling stations will be announced after one hour of the conclusion of the polling.

According to data, 701 candidates are contesting for 45 general seats including 12 refugee seats in Pakistan.

ECP issued show cause notice to PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued an advance warning to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz over her visit to PP-38 Sialkot constituency.

The ECP has issued an advance warning to Maryam Nawaz and directed her to refrain from Azad Jammu and Kashmir electioneering during her visit to PP-38 Sialkot constituency in connection with by-elections to be held on July 28.

Maryam Nawaz will visit Sialkot today where she will address a public gathering in PP-38 Sialkot constituency.

It is pertinent to mention here that the PP-38 by-poll is due on July 28 whereas polling for AJK Legislative Assembly’s LA-36 comprising Kashmiri emigrants from Jammu settled in Sialkot tehsil is scheduled for July 25, a day after Maryam Nawaz’s Sialkot trip.

The PP-38 Sialkot by-poll is scheduled on July 28 on the slot vacated after the death of PML-N Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Khush Akhtar Subhani.

The PML-N had issued an election ticket to the younger brother of the deceased lawmaker, a former MPA Tariq Subhani, whereas, Qaiser Iqbal had been given the poll ticket by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Justice Qazi Faez Isa and his wife Sarina Isa tested positive for COVID-19

Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa and his wife Sarina Isa have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has confirmed it in a handout issued on Saturday by the deputy registrar of the apex court.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa and his wife Sarina Isa have quarantined themselves at their home.

It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed has also undergone COVID tests previously, however, he had tested negative for the virus every time.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed and his family have tested negative on April 14 after they underwent coronavirus tests in wake of precautionary measures taken after one of the Supreme Court’s naib-qasid tested positive for the infection.

According to a handout issued from the apex court at that time, coronavirus symptoms were found in one of the naib-qasid of the top court and was put in quarantine.

“During his first test, the reports highlighted some suspicions of the virus symptoms to which he underwent another test,” it said adding that the second test confirmed that the court employee was affected by COVID-19.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed, his family and a secretary also underwent the tests and all of them have tested negative for the virus, the handout released from the Supreme Court said.

Govt decided to investigate India’s use of Pegasus spyware against Pakistan

Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Shahzad Akbar on Saturday announced that PTI-led federal government has decided to investigate India’s use of Pegasus spyware to spy on the country’s public figures including Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He announced this while addressing a press conference here in Islamabad flanked by Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

The SAPM said that the federal government has decided to launch an investigation into the Pegasus spyware scandal and a committee to probe the matter would be announced soon.

“Foreign Office officials, intelligence agencies FIA and other security institutions will be included in the committee to probe what kind of information was leaked by NSO’s Pegasus spyware,” he said.

Shahzad Akbar further said the committee would also ascertain whether an Indian cyber attack against notable figures of Pakistan remained successful or not. He said that the investigation will take two or three months to complete.

“India attacked the sovereignty of Pakistan through Pegasus spyware. Pakistan will also raise this issue with relevant United Nation bodies,” he said and added that Pakistan will use every legal option to protect its integrity and sovereignty.

“At least three numbers used by Prime Minister Imran Khan were also targeted by NSO Group and its Pegasus spyware,” the SAPM shared.

It is pertinent to mention here that the mobile phones of at least two dozen Pakistani senior defence and intelligence officials were allegedly targeted with technology owned by the Israeli spyware company NSO Group.

The alleged breach of privacy was discovered during an analysis of 1,400 people whose phones were the focus of hacking attempts in a two-week period earlier this year, the report says quoting sources familiar with the matter who wished not to be named.

Fawad blasts Nawaz for meeting Afghan NSA
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry criticised PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for meeting Afghan National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib, saying it “proved his connections with Pakistan’s enemies.”

The federal minister also demanded to public audio transcripts of Nawaz’s meeting with the Afghanistan NSA. He said PML-N should issue a clarification on it.

Earlier in a tweet, Fawad said: “Sending Nawaz Sharif abroad was dangerous because such people become helpful in international conspiracies.”

“Modi, Mohib or Amrullah Saleh every enemy of Pakistan is a close friend of Nawaz Sharif,” he added.