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Tag: Lahore

  • Imran Khan, sister summoned in land corruption scandal

    Imran Khan, sister summoned in land corruption scandal

    Lahore: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) of Pakistan’s Punjab has summoned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, his sister Uzma Khan and her husband Ahad Majeed in the Layyah land corruption case, media reported.

    According to a notification issued by the spokesperson, the PTI chief has been asked to appear before the ACE headquarters on June 19 whereas Uzma and her husband have been asked to present themselves before the ACE Director General.

    Earlier, Imran was summoned by the ACE on June 16 but he did not appear before it. The summon was affixed at Imran’s Lahore Zaman Park residence.

    The spokesperson maintained that the ACE had “clear evidence” of Imran’s involvement in the Layyah corruption scandal, adding that pressure was exerted on revenue officials from Bani Gala �- Imran’s residence in Islamabad — for illegal transfer of land, Express Tribune reported.

    Uzma is accused of alleged fraud in purchase of 5,261-kanal of land in Layyah district, reportedly worth billions of rupees, for a mere Rs 130 million. The ACE said that an FIR had been registered against the couple.

    According to the spokesperson, the land was bought in 2021-22 through fraud, adding that Uzma and Majeed made a fake transfer of the land on their names.

    He said the marker value of the land was about Rs six billion. The purchase, he added, was made when the ADB announced aid for the Greater Thal Canal project, which aimed at irrigating the barren lands through Thal canal.

    The spokesperson said Uzma had prior knowledge of the project, so the couple forced the landowner to sell it to them. He added that the land owners had filed complaints against Uzma and others to the police for forcibly buying the land, Express Tribune reported.

  • Ex-Lahore Corp Commander on probe for letting protesters enter his house

    Ex-Lahore Corp Commander on probe for letting protesters enter his house

    LAHORE: Former Lahore Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. Salman Fayyaz Ghani is under probe for allowing protesters to enter his house and carry out vandalism on May 9 amidst the violent protests that broke out after the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan, the media reported. His links with different functionaries are also under investigation, The News reported. Ghani’s wife is the first cousin of Pakistan Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, it has been learnt.

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry Sharif said: “I want to say very clearly that Gen Asim Munir and the senior army leadership under him wholeheartedly support democracy and will keep doing so. There is no question of martial law.” He reiterated his response when pressed for elaboration. “Neither any resignation was given nor any disobedience was committed,” the DG said, Dawn reported.

    On May 9, widespread protests broke out after paramilitary Rangers arrested Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The protesters vandalised public and state properties and even attacked the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and Lahore Corps Commander’s residence.

    The rioting was followed by a harsh crackdown against the PTI leaders and workers that still continues, The Express Tribune reported. Following the attack on the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) and ransacking of the Lahore Corps Commander’s home, authorities have registered cases against senior PTI leaders, Geo News reported.

    Punjab Interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that rioters wanted to torch planes at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base in Mianwali during violent riots on May 9, Samaa TV reported. Mohsin Naqvi said PTI rioters burnt 108 cars and 26 buildings and also damaged safe cities cameras.

    Naqvi said PTI woman leader Yasmin Rashid was the key player in the attack on Jinnah House. He said around 3,400 people were present outside the Jinnah House while around 400 people were present inside, Samaa TV reported.

    -IANS

  • Pakistani Sikh Killed By Unidentified Attackers In Drive-by Shooting In Lahore

    Pakistani Sikh Killed By Unidentified Attackers In Drive-by Shooting In Lahore

    A Pakistani Sikh was killed by unknown assailants in a drive-by shooting in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday, police said.

    The man, identified as Sardar Singh, was shot by gunmen riding on a motorcycle in Lahore’s residential neighborhood of Nawab Town. He was on a morning walk accompanied by his bodyguard when the attack happened, police said.

    The police declined to explain why Singh had a bodyguard or provide further details. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

    Religious minorities often face violence in Muslim-majority Pakistan, even though the country’s Constitution guarantees them equal rights and the freedom to practice their faith.

    Last month, a Pakistani Sikh businessman and a Christian cleaner were shot and killed by gunmen in separate incidents in the northwestern city of Peshawar. A day earlier, a prominent Hindu doctor and eye surgeon was gunned down in the port city of Karachi.

  • Pakistan government considering legal options to ban Imran Khan’s PTI

    Pakistan government considering legal options to ban Imran Khan’s PTI

    Lahore : Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah hinted that legal proceedings could be initiated to declare former prime minister Imran Khan’s political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) a banned outfit, Tribune reported.
    Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Rana said that the legal team of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was examining the matter in light of several revelations that could lead to a reference being filed against the party.
    He however clarified that it is ultimately up to the courts to officially ban a political party.
    According to him, Punjab Police along with other law enforcement agencies conducted an operation against the “no-go area” in Lahore where a purported political leader had allegedly created an “atmosphere of fear”.
    Sanaullah said that the action was taken after resistance was encountered during the execution of court orders, leading to concerns about a possible terrorist organisation’s presence, Tribune reported.
    “The operation resulted in the clearance of the no-go area in Zaman Park. Despite having a search warrant, officials did not enter the residential area,” he added.
    The interior minister said that 65 people have been arrested from the outer part of the building, most of them do not belong to Punjab and their role is suspicious.
    He further said that guns, petrol bomb-making equipment, slingshots and other weapons were recovered from Zaman Park.
    Earlier on Saturday, the Punjab police launched a surprise search operation at Imran’s residence, hours after he left to appear before a local court in Islamabad, and arrested several party workers.
    Former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi termed police raid at Zaman Park a grave violation of the Lahore High court orders and said that the police operation in Zaman Park was carried out on the direction of Maryam Nawaz and Rana Sanaullah.
    The PTI lead!ership has strongly condemned the “state terrorism” launched at the residence of party chairman Imran Khan which they said was “part of a London Plan to eliminate him”, the Dawn reported
    Tribune reported that the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore himself monitored the operation as the police used heavy machinery to break down the gate of PTI chief Imran Khan’s residence.
    Police were accompanied by water cannons, bulldozers, and a prisoner van. They soon demolished PTI camps in the area with the help of cranes and removed barriers and containers.
    Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar said that weapons were recovered during today’s search operation.
    “We have recovered weapons from Imran Khan’s house. There are more arms present there. An impression was being given that it is a no-go area but we have cleared it,” the Punjab IGP said during a press conference, flanked by Caretaker Punjab Minister for Information Amir Mir.
    He said that there were also some bunkers constructed at Zaman Park whereas some bullet-proof equipment was also found. He added that all illegal encroachments have also been removed, Tribune reported.
    Legal proceedings against Imran Khan began after he was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote early last year. The 70-year-old politician has been demanding a snap election and holding protests across the country.
    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected Khan’s demands, saying an election would be held as scheduled later this year. Political infighting comes as the country struggles with an economic crisis, awaiting a bailout package of USD1.1 billion from the IMF.
    The case before the Islamabad High Court accuses Imran Khan of selling luxury watches and other items that were given to the state during his 2018-2022 term as prime minister.
    The Election Commission of Pakistan found him guilty and barred him from holding public office for one parliamentary term. Imran says he is avoiding the hearings because he fears for his safety. (ANI)