Daily Archives: May 17, 2023

ISLAMABAD, LATEST, Rawalpindi

“45 Head Constables and 43 ASIs Promoted: RPO Rawalpindi Region Commends Excellent Service and Dedication to Duty”

Regional Police Officer Syed Khurram Ali of the Rawalpindi Region has recognized and rewarded 45 Head Constables and 43 ASIs in the form of promotion orders. These promotions were the result of an evaluation process conducted by a special board, comprised of district police officers from all four districts. In congratulating the officers, RPO Ali emphasized that these promotions are a reflection of the officers’ excellent service records and best performances. The process of timely promotions for deserving personnel will continue, based on the orders of IG Punjab.

The promotion comes with increased responsibilities, and he encouraged the officers to approach their duties with even greater hard work and dedication. He reminded them to remain committed to the spirit of service and to work diligently to ensure justice is delivered to all citizens.

As per the recent development, 45 Head Constables of Rawalpindi Region listed in List D have been promoted to the post of ASI and 43 ASIs listed in List E to the post of Sub-Inspector on the basis of their excellent service record. The recommendations for these promotions were made by a special departmental board, chaired by RPO Rawalpindi Region Syed Khurram Ali, which also included City Police Officer Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani, DPO Attack Dr. Sardar Ghiyas Gul, DPO Chakwal Wahid Mahmood, and DPO Jhelum Nasir Mahmood Bajwa. The promotion orders were issued after careful consideration of all personnel data and service records.

“Newly Promoted 43 ASIs Show What Hard Work and Dedication Can Achieve – Congratulations!”

43 hardworking and dedicated ASIs have been promoted to the post of Sub-Inspector, following their outstanding service records and performance. RPO Rawalpindi Region Syed Khurram Ali congratulated these officers and assured them that the IG Punjab’s orders to timely develop the force will continue. This promotion means that your responsibilities have increased, and your best performance is crucial in maintaining your position. It is vital to perform your duties with utmost effort and dedication, in line with the spirit of service and ensuring the delivery of justice to the citizens. The promotions include 31 head constables from Rawalpindi district, 7 from Attock district, 4 from Jhelum district, and 3 head constables of Chakwal.

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ISLAMABAD, LATEST, Technology.

Twitter’s verified users get early access to encrypted messaging

Twitter Inc on Thursday allowed users who subscribe to its Blue verification feature early access to its encrypted messaging service.

The social media platform, owned and run by Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk, said the service was now available to verified users who have the latest version of the app installed.

A Twitter Blue subscription, which has now become the basis for verification on the platform, starts at $8 per month, or $84 a year.

“As Elon Musk said, when it comes to direct messages, the standard should be, if someone puts a gun to our heads, we still can’t access your messages,” the company said on a blog post.

“We’re not quite there yet, but we’re working on it.”

ISLAMABAD, LATEST, WORLD

“IHC Saves Imran Khan from Arrest, Extends Bar on New Cases Till May 31!”

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has extended its order to prevent the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in cases filed against him after May 9. The extension is effective until May 31.

Last week, an IHC bench accepted Imran’s bail petition in the Al-Qadir Trust case for two weeks, a day after the Supreme Court termed his arrest in the case “invalid and unlawful”.

It had also stopped authorities from arresting the PTI chief until May 17 in any case registered in Islamabad after May 9 — the day of his arrest.

Today, Imran’s lawyer, Barrister Gohar, represented him in court today. Additional Attorney General Munawar Dugal, Advocate General Islamabad Jahangir Jadoon and state counsel were also present.

The case was heard by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.

The government’s counsel requested more time to provide information about the cases filed against the PTI chief.

The court granted the request and adjourned the hearing until May 31.

Journalists’ boycott

Earlier today, several reporters chose to boycott the hearings conducted by Justice Aurangzeb. This decision came in response to his alleged directive limiting the journalists in his court to five.

Dawn.com’s reporter, along with several others, was denied access to the case hearing related to the ex-PM’s bail today. Upon inquiry, the court’s deputy registrar revealed that the judge had issued an order allowing only a maximum of five journalists to be present in the courtroom. As a result, the journalists boycotted the hearings conducted by Justice Aurangzeb.

Typically, the IHC permits around 30 journalists to attend proceedings related to the cases of the PTI chief, whereas in other cases, there is no specified limit on the number of attendees.

A May 15 circular issued by deputy registrar of the IHC allows at least 30 journalists to attend the court proceedings. — By author
A May 15 circular issued by the deputy registrar of the IHC allows at least 30 journalists to attend the court proceedings. — By Author

Imran’s arrest

Imran was whisked away from the IHC premises by paramilitary forces on May 9, leading to violent protests across the country. The PTI chief had immediately approached the high court for release but it had declared his arrest legal.

The former premier’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, then petitioned the SC on his behalf for Imran’s release.

Subsequently, the Supreme Court on Thursday termed Imran’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case “unlawful” and directed him to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) a day later.

“The manner of execution of the arrest warrant issued by the Chairman, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) dated 01.05.2023 in the Al-Qadir Trust case within the premises of the Islamabad High Court against the petitioner is invalid and unlawful,” the ruling had said.

The top court had also highlighted that the fundamental rights of the petitioner under Articles 4, 9, 10-A, and 14 of the Constitution had been infringed.

Later on Friday, the PTI chairman was granted a blanket relief from different benches of the IHC that not only barred the authorities from arresting him but also stayed his trial in the Toshakhana case until the second week of June.

ISLAMABAD, LATEST, WORLD

“China Fires Back: Refutes Canadian Allegation about ‘Police Stations’!”

The Chinese consulate general in Karachi has clarified a news item published by Dawn under the headline, “Canada suspects the presence of more Chinese police stations”, in its May 15 (Monday) issue.

The Reuters report had quoted a minister as saying Canada suspects the presence of “more Chinese police stations” on its soil. The report also recalled a police statement in March that they were “investigating whether two community centers in Montreal are being used to intimidate or harass Canadians of Chinese origin”.

The consulate termed the report “far from facts” and “misleading”. It referred to a statement by a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing as saying that China had no police stations overseas.

The organizations described by Canada as “police stations” are “institutions that help overseas Chinese who could not return to China due to the pandemic, renew their driving licence and perform physical examination”, the spokesperson said.

“The local Chinese groups who helped provide venues for the services and volunteers are Chinese from local communities, not police personnel,” the spokesperson added.

The official called upon Canada to “stop spreading disinformation” and “stop smearing and discrediting China”.

ISLAMABAD, LATEST

US RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COMMISSION REPORT 2023

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a governmental body has called for designating India as a country of particular concern for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, as defined by the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). In the latest report of 2023, USCIRF states that the Indian government promoted and enforced religiously discriminatory policies, including laws targeting religious conversion, interfaith relationships, wearing of hijabs and cow slaughter, which negatively impact Muslims, Christians, Sikhs,

Dalits, and Adivasis (indigenous peoples and scheduled tribes). Indian government invoked the UAPA and the Sedition Act throughout the year to target freedom of religion and expression, creating an increasing climate of intimidation and fear. Authorities surveilled, harassed, detained, and prosecuted a number of journalists, lawyers, rights activists, and religious minorities advocating for religious freedom. Hundreds of cases remained pending against individuals for involvement in the 2019 peaceful protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). As of 2022, only 92 of more than 700 cases had reached trial, and many of those arrested under the UAPA continued to languish in jail. During India’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR), UN member states emphasized protections for religious minorities and expressed concern over the broad application of India’s “anti-terror” laws. The continued enforcement of discriminatory laws facilitated a culture of impunity for widespread campaigns of threats and violence by mobs and vigilante groups. In March, for example, Karnataka’s state government issued a hijab ban in public schools. 

India’s state governments also continued to pass and enforce anti-conversion laws, currently existing in 12 states, including legislation in multiple states aimed to prohibit and criminalize interfaith marriages. Violent attacks were also perpetrated across India under the justification of protecting cows from slaughter or transport, which is illegal in 18 states. Examples of violence against Christians, Muslims, and Dalits around suspicions of cow smuggling were reported in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. In August, BJP member Gyan Dev Ahuja was recorded publicly calling for his listeners to “kill anyone involved in cow slaughter.” Throughout the year, the destruction of property—including places of worship in predominantly Muslim and Christian neighborhoods—continued. In June, local authorities demolished the homes of three Muslim families in Uttar Pradesh following protests against derogatory language used by members of the BJP. Hindu nationalists bulldozed a Catholic center near Mangalore in February and attacked, looted and destroyed the homes of hundreds of Christians in December for their refusal to convert to Hinduism.

In addition, at least four madrasas (Islamic seminaries) were demolished following a statement in May from the Chief Minister of Assam that madrasas should be eliminated. Social media platforms continued to facilitate widespread disinformation, hate speech, and incitement of violence toward religious minorities.