PAKPATTAN: Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Sirajul Haq has expressed strong criticism for the leadership of mainstream political parties for maintaining a conspicuous silence regarding Israeli atrocities in Gaza. Addressing a public gathering here on Saturday, Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Sirajul Haq asserted that the ruling parties prioritized their own self-interests over the collective interests of the Ummah. He contended that the country's ruling elite was hesitant to provoke the ire of the international establishment, fearing potential repercussions that could jeopardize their continued rule over Pakistan. He argued that the past governments led by the so-called democratic political parties had engaged in resource plunder, resulting in the deprivation of basic facilities for the masses. He attributed the escalation of national debt, inflation, unemployment, and poverty to their flawed economic policies. The ruling elite safeguarded the future of their own progeny at the expense of the nation's well-being, he said. He emphasized the pivotal role of the upcoming polling day, urging the people to make good decisions about their fate. He cautioned against voting for parties that had already been tested, contending that doing so would effectively compromise the future of the country. Appealing to the people, he encouraged them to cast their votes in favor of Jamaat-e-Islami in the upcoming February 8 elections. He envisioned the establishment of an Islamic welfare state that would actively champion the causes of Palestine and Kashmir. He pledged that, if elected, Jamaat-e-Islami would institute comprehensive accountability measures, emphasizing the urgent need for the rule of law. He criticized the established parties, asserting that they not only failed to provide solutions to the country's problems but also exacerbated crises during their prolonged periods in power. JI Central Punjab Emir Javed Kasuri and JI Youth President Rusal Khan Babar also addressed the audience. Sirajul Haq, set to embark on a two-day journey to so uthern Punjab from Sunday, aims to draw attention to the issues facing the region.

SIALKOT: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid and former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan didn't come into power on his own as he was promoted to the office, adding that those behind imposing him on Pakistan were equally responsible for the current state of affairs. This was stated by Nawaz Sharif while addressing a PML-N workers' convention in Sialkot. Why RTS was shut down and election results manipulated in 2018, Nawaz Shairf questioned and noted that the whole exercise was designed to place a person into power who knew nothing but abusive language. Nawaz Sharif said they were neither defeated in 1993 and 1999 nor in 2017 - the years when his tenures ended prematurely - and noted that his governments had always been toppled without any reason. He questioned how a country could be managed when the prime ministers were removed arbitrarily. Pakistan would have been much better placed if his governments weren't toppled an d continuity of policies had been ensured, he said. Nawaz Sharif listed the positives of his 2013-17 tenure when, he said, the country was moving forward with a lot of job opportunities and low rate of inflation, and remarked that it wasn't just removal of his government; in fact, the entire country had been derailed. A prime minister elected by millions of people was kicked out of the office by five persons, he said about the five-member bench which sentenced and disqualified him in the Panama Papers case. 'We cannot afford repeating the mistakes again and again,' the PML-N supremo said. 'We have experienced injustices but have never and would never work against the country's interests.' In his speech, PML-N senior leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Nawaz Sharif would be elected prime minister for a fourth term on February 8, adding that those trying to remove the three-time prime minister from politics had vanished. Not a single MNA of Nawaz's party switched his or her loyalty despite all the hardships and political victimisation they had to face, he said and mentioned that there was a long queue of individuals requesting forgiveness over their past actions. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, former finance minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, PML-N Secretary General and former minister for planning, development and special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, former information and broadcasting minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and other PML-N leaders were also present on the occasion.

RAWALPINDI: Major (Retired) Adil Farooq Raja and Captain (Retired) Haider Raza Mehdi, both retired officers of Pakistan Army, were convicted and sentenced through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act, 1952 for the charges of inciting sedition among army personnel from discharge of duties and violation of the provisions of Official Secrets Act, 1923 related to espionage and acts prejudicial to the safety and interest of the State. According to the statement issued by ISPR, the court of competent jurisdiction convicted and adjudged both the individuals on the date of 7th and 9th October 2023, through due judicial process, with the punishments awarded as:- Major (Retired) Adil Farooq Raja; awarded 14 years rigorous imprisonment. Captain (Retired) Haider Raza Mehdi; awarded 12 years rigorous imprisonment. Pursuant to the awarded sentence, the Ranks of both officers have been forfeited on 21 November 2023.

SIALKOT: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadre Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that I love the city of Sialkot very much, friendship with Khawaja Asif started from Government College Lahore. Your love has drawn me here and this love will last forever: Nawaz Shareef Sialkot should also be far ahead in the journey of development, Sialkot Motorway should have been built, if there is an opportunity, God willing, it will be built. The growth rate was more than six percent, Stock markets hit record highs, said Pmln leader He further added that I still don't understand why Khawaja Asif went to jail, Maryam Nawaz went to jail despite not having an official position, I went to jail for the first time in the plane conspiracy case. Nawaz Shareef stated that 'We said goodbye to the IMF during our regime.' For the development of Pakistan, we came up with the CPEC plan of 46 billion dollars, stability in the country and adherence to the constitution is very important, he added. Further he said young generation has been led astray, they need to be guided in the right direction. After meeting with the delegation of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce, Mian Nawaz Sharif said that what was the need of conspiracy against us, I was expelled and brought a person who knows nothing but abuse, we cannot afford repeating mistakes. He said that there are fond memories associated with Sialkot, Khwaja Asif's relationship is from college days, Khwaja Sahib kept trust with me and I also. Nawaz Sharif said that he has seen difficult times, he has seen in power, he has seen disagreements, he has remained in power, he has also remained in the opposition, both of them continued to run equally, the years of the prime ministership were counted and the years of my jails, deportations and trials, cases in jails were counted. And my period of deportation is long, I did not lose heart. PML-N leader said that he did not lose courage in 1993, nor did he lose courage in 1999 and 2017. After the year 2017, the series of punishments against me and my pa rty ended a few days ago. Why? Former PM mentioned his regime and said that he was ahead in the economic field, our rupee was strong, the government was terminated without any reason, if that momentum had continued, Pakistan would have been one of the strongest powers in the world today, but we ourselves have derailed and destroyed the country. How will the country run after we cut the tracks? Nawaz Sharif said that every day the prime minister goes to jails, deportations and false punishments, how will the country run, if a house, a factory and an institution do not run, how will the country run, if you still don't learn a lesson from your story. your story will not stay in stories (Dastaan tk na ho ge tumari dastaano main). He said that these are all things to think about, we have no room for mistakes, we still have to learn lessons, we have already left our history behind, was the country built for that, will we see this fate? Nawaz Sharif said with reference to the previous regime, leave 1993, don't g o too far, leave the year and year 1997, 1999, come to 2017, how prosperous the country was, your rupee was strong, the dollar was 104 rupees, the difference of one paise. It did not come, there was no such thing as inflation here, bread was 4 rupees, everything was within the reach of the people, CPEC was being built rapidly in Pakistan, load shedding and terrorism had been eliminated, people's hopes were increasing. Leader of PML-N asked whether it was necessary for the judges of that time to give judgments against us, the prime minister of millions of people was picked up and thrown out by 5 men for not taking salary from his son. He said that Pakistan was such a beautiful country, we can make it a paradise, people of Pakistan have a lot of talent, it cannot be described. There is a lot of potential for development in Sialkot. Nawaz Sharif further said that why RTS was closed, why the elections were manipulated, they bring such a person who knows nothing but abuses, when he speaks he abuses, they wielde d an axe why? Time has not seen these things, who is doing what. former prime minister said that our society and culture were destroyed, we had a very good nation, the state of the country is ruined, a person like me thinks 10 times to bring the country back to its feet, we cannot afford to make such mistakes again and again. Nawaz Sharif further said that my mind and heart are also filled with these things, along with the heart being wounded, it is regrettable what was going to happen, what has happened, the damage that has been done is very heavy, it is our duty and duty to repair it. We have to cover the loss. Further he maintained that we have been wronged but we will never do anything against the country. This is our very precious country. What has been done to this country in 70 years should not be done to any other country. We are responsible for bringing such a person. Former prime minister said that I think that our society, our traditions have been destroyed. It has happened that a person like m e thinks ten times how to bring the country back on its feet. Nawaz Sharif said that he came here for the first time after the construction of the motorway. When he came before that, it was not built. Look, this motorway was built. I traveled on it for the first time. Glad to see, we have to rebuild Pakistan, you must not make a mistake and if someone makes a mistake, catch him, I will come to Sialkot again for election campaign. He said that the country was destroyed while laughing, five judges threw away the representative of millions of people, you throw us out with your eyes closed, but who cares to throw out Nawaz Sharif? You bring such a servant who can do nothing but abuse, when he speaks he abuses. Addressing the businessmen in the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce, he said that a lot of efforts were made to give me the death penalty. I went to jail for the first time in a hijacking case, I was the prime minister in the morning and became a hijacker in Syria. He went to jail for reasons. Maryam Nawaz wa s jailed despite not having an official position. Till today, it is not understood why Khawaja Asif was jailed. In the previous regime, the young generation was misled. Nawaz Sharif further said that the culture of backbiting has also harmed the country. During the sit-ins, it was said that Nawaz Sharif will be pulled with a rope. Due to the sit-ins, the economy of the country was damaged. It is very important to maintain and stabilize the country. During our time, the growth rate was more than 6 percent, during our time the inflation rate was reduced from 12 to 4 percent, today it is difficult for a person earning 50 thousand rupees to live. We fought to establish peace in the country. We brought CPEC. Pakistan became an example of development during our time. Record exports were being made during our time. PATUKI: Patuki factory worker was severely injured and shifted to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Patuki. Last night, a worker of a brick making factory in Beharwal village near Patuki was seriously injured after being burnt by hot water containing chemicals. Injured worker was identified as Nazir Ahmed. According to Dr. THQ Patuki, the condition of the injured factory worker is out of danger. According to sources, around 30 workers are working in the private factory. It is being told that most of the young boys working in the factory were not able to contact the factory owner Haji Khurshid.

SIALKOT: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadre Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that I love the city of Sialkot very much, friendship with Khawaja Asif started from Government College Lahore. Your love has drawn me here and this love will last forever: Nawaz Shareef Sialkot should also be far ahead in the journey of development, Sialkot Motorway should have been built, if there is an opportunity, God willing, it will be built. The growth rate was more than six percent, Stock markets hit record highs, said Pmln leader He further added that I still don't understand why Khawaja Asif went to jail, Maryam Nawaz went to jail despite not having an official position, I went to jail for the first time in the plane conspiracy case. Nawaz Shareef stated that 'We said goodbye to the IMF during our regime.' For the development of Pakistan, we came up with the CPEC plan of 46 billion dollars, stability in the country and adherence to the constitution is very important, he added. Further he said young generation has been led astray, they need to be guided in the right direction. After meeting with the delegation of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce, Mian Nawaz Sharif said that what was the need of conspiracy against us, I was expelled and brought a person who knows nothing but abuse, we cannot afford repeating mistakes. He said that there are fond memories associated with Sialkot, Khwaja Asif's relationship is from college days, Khwaja Sahib kept trust with me and I also. Nawaz Sharif said that he has seen difficult times, he has seen in power, he has seen disagreements, he has remained in power, he has also remained in the opposition, both of them continued to run equally, the years of the prime ministership were counted and the years of my jails, deportations and trials, cases in jails were counted. And my period of deportation is long, I did not lose heart. PML-N leader said that he did not lose courage in 1993, nor did he lose courage in 1999 and 2017. After the year 2017, the series of punishments against me and my pa rty ended a few days ago. Why? Former PM mentioned his regime and said that he was ahead in the economic field, our rupee was strong, the government was terminated without any reason, if that momentum had continued, Pakistan would have been one of the strongest powers in the world today, but we ourselves have derailed and destroyed the country. How will the country run after we cut the tracks? Nawaz Sharif said that every day the prime minister goes to jails, deportations and false punishments, how will the country run, if a house, a factory and an institution do not run, how will the country run, if you still don't learn a lesson from your story. your story will not stay in stories (Dastaan tk na ho ge tumari dastaano main). He said that these are all things to think about, we have no room for mistakes, we still have to learn lessons, we have already left our history behind, was the country built for that, will we see this fate? Nawaz Sharif said with reference to the previous regime, leave 1993, don't g o too far, leave the year and year 1997, 1999, come to 2017, how prosperous the country was, your rupee was strong, the dollar was 104 rupees, the difference of one paise. It did not come, there was no such thing as inflation here, bread was 4 rupees, everything was within the reach of the people, CPEC was being built rapidly in Pakistan, load shedding and terrorism had been eliminated, people's hopes were increasing. Leader of PML-N asked whether it was necessary for the judges of that time to give judgments against us, the prime minister of millions of people was picked up and thrown out by 5 men for not taking salary from his son. He said that Pakistan was such a beautiful country, we can make it a paradise, people of Pakistan have a lot of talent, it cannot be described. There is a lot of potential for development in Sialkot. Nawaz Sharif further said that why RTS was closed, why the elections were manipulated, they bring such a person who knows nothing but abuses, when he speaks he abuses, they wielde d an axe why? Time has not seen these things, who is doing what. former prime minister said that our society and culture were destroyed, we had a very good nation, the state of the country is ruined, a person like me thinks 10 times to bring the country back to its feet, we cannot afford to make such mistakes again and again. Nawaz Sharif further said that my mind and heart are also filled with these things, along with the heart being wounded, it is regrettable what was going to happen, what has happened, the damage that has been done is very heavy, it is our duty and duty to repair it. We have to cover the loss. Further he maintained that we have been wronged but we will never do anything against the country. This is our very precious country. What has been done to this country in 70 years should not be done to any other country. We are responsible for bringing such a person. Former prime minister said that I think that our society, our traditions have been destroyed. It has happened that a person like m e thinks ten times how to bring the country back on its feet. Nawaz Sharif said that he came here for the first time after the construction of the motorway. When he came before that, it was not built. Look, this motorway was built. I traveled on it for the first time. Glad to see, we have to rebuild Pakistan, you must not make a mistake and if someone makes a mistake, catch him, I will come to Sialkot again for election campaign. He said that the country was destroyed while laughing, five judges threw away the representative of millions of people, you throw us out with your eyes closed, but who cares to throw out Nawaz Sharif? You bring such a servant who can do nothing but abuse, when he speaks he abuses. Addressing the businessmen in the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce, he said that a lot of efforts were made to give me the death penalty. I went to jail for the first time in a hijacking case, I was the prime minister in the morning and became a hijacker in Syria. He went to jail for reasons. Maryam Nawaz wa s jailed despite not having an official position. Till today, it is not understood why Khawaja Asif was jailed. In the previous regime, the young generation was misled. Nawaz Sharif further said that the culture of backbiting has also harmed the country. During the sit-ins, it was said that Nawaz Sharif will be pulled with a rope. Due to the sit-ins, the economy of the country was damaged. It is very important to maintain and stabilize the country. During our time, the growth rate was more than 6 percent, during our time the inflation rate was reduced from 12 to 4 percent, today it is difficult for a person earning 50 thousand rupees to live. We fought to establish peace in the country. We brought CPEC. Pakistan became an example of development during our time. Record exports were being made during our time.

RAWALPINDI: Judge Malik Ijaz Asif of Special Anti-Terrorism Court No. 1 of Rawalpindi, has extended interim bail of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and his nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq has been extended till December 9. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and his nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq of Awami Muslim League are nominated in various cases of violent protests against the arrest of Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman, attacks on government property and police personnel, vandalism and arson. Yesterday, Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Rashid Shafiq were present in the court along with their lawyers Sardar Abdul Raziq and Sardar Shahbaz Khan. Police including Waris Khan police station, City police station, Arya Bazar police station and Civil Line police station have been charged under Section 7 ATA of the Pakistan Penal Code in addition to Section 353, 324, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code in separate cases for their involvement in the violent protests of May 9 incident. However, Sheikh Rasheed and his nephew were not arrested in these cases an d both uncles and nephews are on interim bail from the court in these cases. On the occasion of the hearing yesterday, the government lawyers took a stand that some of our fellow lawyers are unable to appear today, so the hearing should be adjourned to the next date, on which the court ordered the government lawyers to appear and give arguments on December 9. The hearing was adjourned till December 9 by extending the interim bails by 14 days.

RAWALPINDI: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi has imposed an unannounced ban on media coverage of pending cases. Court security personnel prevented the media from entering the court premises Yesterday, on the occasion of the hearing of the cases against Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed, the officials posted at the entrance of the court prevented the media from entering the court premises. When asked by the media, the officials' position was that we have an order from above, but they did not said that this order was given to them by the court or that the administration and the police imposed a ban. On the question of the media, he said that the ban on the entry of the media in the courts is not appropriate. Describing the ban on the media as a violation of fundamental rights, he said that the access to the courts of the media representatives assigned to court coverage is their fundamental right. Under the concept of open court, not only the media but also the layman cannot be stopped from hear ing of the case he wants to see. Meanwhile, Vice Presidents of Rawalpindi High Court Reporters Association Rahat Munir, Babar Malik and General Secretary Iqbal Malik expressed concern over this move and said that on one hand the Supreme Court hears important cases on camera while the Supreme Court and the High Court. As the media normally fulfills its journalistic responsibilities, it is incomprehensible to stop the media representatives here. Under the guise of this ban, the security officials also misbehave with the media and the security officials maintain that they are instructed to inform the media of the upcoming date of any trial. He said that the Supreme Judiciary should take notice of such actions and order to remove obstacles in the discharge of professional responsibilities. It should be noted that under the unannounced ban on coverage of cases in the Anti-Terrorism Court, there has been a complete ban on the media from entering the court for a long time.

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army sentenced 2 retired officers Adil Farooq Raja and Haider Raza Mehdi through court martial. According to the Public Relations Department of the Pakistan Army, both retired officers of the Pakistan Army, Major (retd) Adil Farooq Raja and Captain (retd) Haider Raza Mehdi, have been declared Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952. Both were convicted on charges of sedition, violating the provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1923 and acting against the security and interest of the State. ISPR said that the court on October 7 and October 9, 2023, convicted the two men under the trial and pronounced the verdict, under which Major (retd) Adil Farooq Raja was sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment while Capt. (Retired) Haider Raza Mehdi was sentenced to 12 years rigorous imprisonment. According to ISPR statement, the ranks of both the officers have been forfeited from November 21, 2023 as punishment. Adil Raja and Haider Mehdi were convicted of inc iting military personnel to mutiny, espionage and violating certain provisions of the Official Secrets Act, which deal with threats to national security. ISPR said, a case was registered against the accused Adil Raja on May 7, 2023 in the South Lahore Cantt police station, on June 18, 2023, formal court proceedings were conducted against Adil Raja. First summons issued on 19 June 2023, Adil Raja received the summons through diplomatic channels. The second summon was issued to Adil Raja on 22 August 2023, while 30 days time was given to appear in the court. Adil Raja was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment with hard labor on 7 October 2023 for his continued absence from the court. Apart from this, a case was also registered against the other accused Haider Mehdi on May 7, 2023 in the South Lahore Cantt police station. First summons was issued to the accused Haider Mehdi on 26th June 2023, the summons was sent by Canada Post registered mail in which the court summoned the accused Haider Mehdi on 27th July 2023 but the summons was sent back without receiving. Second summon was sent on 28th August 2023 in which the court summoned the accused on 29th September 2023, the second summon was also returned without receipt. Court sentenced Haider Mehdi to 12 years of imprisonment with hard labor under section 131 of the Pakistan Penal Code for his continued absence in the case. Both accused were also provided with legal counsel, Adil Farooq Raja and Haider Raza Mehdi were already charged under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC 1860), Pakistan Electronic Crime Act (PECA 2016) and Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA 1997). He was charged with sedition, defamation, crime against the state, incitement. Accused were declared absconder by the court for sedition, terrorism and incitement of violence. Immovable and movable properties were also seized, bank accounts of the two accused were frozen, passports and CNICs were canceled and both were placed on the Exit Control List (ECL).