16th August 2023 News Headlines
A summary of today's important and breaking news regarding PTI and the country that the mainstream media of Pakistan will never show you.
Headline 1: “Court Orders to Release Shandana Gulzar and Shahryar Afridi”
Islamabad High Court today heard a case under the leadership of Justice Babar Sattar regarding the custody of Shandana Gulzar and Shahryar Afridi. Justice Babar Sattar inquired, "Show the notification where the deputy commissioner has been authorized to issue an MPO order."
Where is the notification that grants the deputy commissioner this authority?
If the notification is not present, then there is no need for such extensive debate. Justice Babar Sattar immediately released Shandana Gulzar and ordered the removal of Shahryar Afridi's handcuffs, but he stated, "You must not leave Islamabad." The court has deferred the decision on initiating legal proceedings against SSP Operations Islamabad Police for extrajudicial actions until next week.
Headline 2:”Headline: Appeal Set for Hearing Against the Sentence of Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, in the Tosha Khana Case”
Former Prime Minister and Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, have been unlawfully detained in the country's most stringent prison for the past 11 days. The courts that oversee the daily proceedings of the Tosha Khana case have finally scheduled a hearing for the unlawful sentence on August 22, 11 days after. The hearing on the request will be conducted by a divisional bench of the Islamabad High Court, headed by Chief Justice Aamir Farooq. Imran Khan has previously expressed mistrust in Chief Justice Aamir Farooq multiple times.
Headline 3: “Lawyers File Request in Rawalpindi Bench of Lahore High Court for Permission to Meet with Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan.”
Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan's lawyers have not been granted permission to meet with him. In response to this, today, the lawyers have filed a request in the Rawalpindi Bench of Lahore High Court. The hearing for the request is scheduled for tomorrow, and there is hope that permission will be granted for the lawyers to meet with Imran Khan.
Headline 4: “Despite Imprisonment, Fear of Imran Persists - New Case Registered”
There are already 180 cases filed against Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan, and despite being unlawfully detained, the fear of his popularity persists among his opponents. Once again, utilizing the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), a new case of cypher disappearance has been registered against Imran Khan.
Headline 5: “Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Shah Mahmood Qureshi Writes Letter to Caretaker Prime Minister.”
Vice Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, has written a letter to the caretaker Prime Minister urging for fundamental facilities in jail for Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan, and to conduct elections within 90 days. In the letter, Shah Mahmood Qureshi wrote that the previous government granted unchecked powers to the police, leading to attacks on our people's homes. The caretaker government should demonstrate impartiality and immediately release over ten thousand of our workers, creating a conducive environment for elections.
Headline 6: “Aftershocks of PDM government”
After the end of the PDM government, the shocks of their mismanagement continues by the caretaker government. The caretaker government has increased petrol prices by Rs. 17.50 and diesel prices by Rs. 20 per litre. The new prices have reached nearly Rs. 300 per litre, triggering a strong public backlash.
Headline 7: “Supreme Court Sets Hearing for Imran Khan's Request Against NAB Amendments”
The PDM government had submitted an NRO2 to NAB for themselves, against which Imran Khan had filed a request in the Supreme Court. Today, the Supreme Court has set the hearing date for this request on August 18. The hearing will be led by Chief Justice Umer Atta Bandial.
Headline 8: “President Arif Alvi Sends 13 Bills Back to Prime Minister's Office Without Signing”
The PDM government, in its final days, passed various controversial laws pushing the boundaries of authoritarianism to target political opponents. President Arif Alvi refused to sign these laws, stating that they go against the spirit of the constitution and were passed without the full quorum of the assembly. These laws cannot be enacted.
Headline 9: “Lahore High Court Holds Hearing on Bail for Women Prisoners”
In Lahore High Court, a hearing took place regarding the bail of women prisoners associated with Tehreek-e-Insaf. Advocate Salman Shahid, in his tweet, revealed that "Today, the Lahore High Court bench mentioned the Supreme Court's judgment regarding granting relief to lady workers, including Khadija Shah and Aliya, and clarified that lady workers have a legal right to bail under special circumstances. We hope that on Monday, these lady workers will be granted relief. The path will also become smoother for the rest of the workers.
Headline: “Dr. Yasmeen Rashid Moved to Hospital Due to Cardiac Distress”
Dr. Yasmeen Rashid was transferred to a hospital after experiencing cardiac distress for the second time while in jail. Despite the Lahore High Court overturning its decision against Dr. Yasmeen Rashid in her case, she has been arrested in other cases unlawfully. This serves as a grave example of human rights violation.
Headline 11: “Dollar Continues Unabated, Significant Price Increase”
The trend of continuous increase in the dollar's value and depreciation of the rupee persists. In the open market, the dollar has become more expensive by 1.50 rupees, reaching a price of 303.50 rupees, while in the interbank market, it is trading at 294.50 rupees after becoming costlier by 2.99 rupees. Yesterday, the interbank rate for the dollar was closed at 291.51 rupees.
Headline 12: “Increase in Petroleum Prices, Transporters Raise Fares on their Own”
Following the rise in petroleum prices, transporters have raised fares by 20 to 30 percent. The fare from Lahore to Islamabad has been increased from 1800 to 2300 rupees, while the fare from Lahore to Mansehra has been raised from 2400 to 2800 rupees. Residents have attributed the fare increase to the previous PDM government.