Here’s what’s happening across the border: Pak judge owns 2,200 cars, claims tax department, and the court says no more Indian shows on Pakistani televisions.
Govt restrictions failed to stop PTM long march
Despite government restrictions and apparent media blackout, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) managed to organise what is viewed as one of its biggest rallies in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Saturday.
Pashtun Tahafuz Movement PTM peaceful demonstration in Bannu,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
اہلیان پشتون وطن
پی ٹی ایم بنوں جلسہ ۔#PaahtunRejectStateTerrorism #PashtunLongMarch2Bannu#Bannu#PTM#DaSangaAzadiDa pic.twitter.com/I4HkBWP3PN— Manzoor Pashteen (@ManzoorPashteen) October 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/mehsud_qasim/status/1056563219173699584
On 26 October, a day before the PTM rally, the government had imposed section 144 of CrPC in Bannu for 30 days, restricting all kinds of rallies in the area. However, thousands of people joined the PTM long march, demanding their social rights and seeking justice for their missing family members.
Journalist Bashir Ahmad Gwakh tweeted, “Govt says no one is allowed to hold rallies in sports grounds”, but PTM members say “it’s their right to carry on with non-violent protests”.
Govt says no one is allowed to hold rallies in sports grounds but #PTM says it’s their right to carry on with non-violent protests. Local officials have watered the ground in bid to stop #PashtunLongMarach2Banuu a couple of times but ppl still flocking to Bannu Sports Complex. pic.twitter.com/Rneh1MOZNM
— Bashir Ahmad Gwakh (@bashirgwakh) October 28, 2018
Some twitter accounts also pointed out how Pakistani media completely ignored the rally.
Politician and technocrat Farhatullah Babar alleged that the PTM march was blacked out by all the television channels except one, which too showed a very short clip of the rally.
PTM mammoth jalsa in Bannu today blacked out by channels. Only KTV showed a short clip of few seconds, then all quiet. Well done Manzoor Pashteen for giving voice to Pushtun grievances fearlessly. Words uttered with conviction more powerful than guns &bullets
— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) October 28, 2018
Another politician Afrasiab Khattak alleged that the Pakistani media did not cover the long march. “Mainstream Pak media is bad but worse is the normalisation of stifling censorship. Constitutionally a federal democratic system is practically run like an undeclared martial law,” he tweeted.
That huge PTM public meeting in Bannu yesterday is not covered by the “mainstream” Pak media is bad but worse is the “normalisation “ of stifling censorship. Constitutionally a federal democratic system is practically run like an undeclared martial law.
— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) October 29, 2018
No more Indian content on Pakistan television
The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan reinstated the ban on the broadcast of Indian content on the country’s television channels Saturday, reports Dawn. In 2016, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had prohibited the broadcasting of Indian shows in Pakistan. However, in June 2017, the Lahore High Court struck down the ban saying that content can be censored, but there was no need of a complete ban.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar ruled in favour of United Producers Association, which had filed a case regarding the broadcast of foreign content on Pakistani television channels.
In his judgment, Justice Saqib Nisar said, “They are trying to [obstruct the construction] of our dam and we cannot even ban their channels.” As per the report, the Chief justice looked visibly angry while giving the orders of shutting down Indian TV shows on Pakistani television. He also said, authorities should, “only air appropriate content”.
PCB alleges hefty expenses during Najam Sethi’s tenure as board chief
Former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Najam Sethi, has dismissed claims made by PCB pertaining to the money spent during his tenure, reports Cricket Pakistan. PCB released details about the expenses and benefits made when Sethi was in charge of the office — from 2014 to 30 September 2018. According to the report, during his period as PCB chief and also as chairman of executive committee, Sethi spent over 70 million Pakistani rupees.
Denying all such claims, Sethi Sunday tweeted, “Clearly motivated by new mafia at PCB. Distortion of facts and figures. This defamation will not go unchallenged.”
Clearly motivated by new mafia at PCB. Distortion of facts and figures. This defamation will not go unchallenged. https://t.co/kJH42uLXbp
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) October 27, 2018
2,200 cars registered in the name of Pak judge who claims to own only one
An 82-year-old Pakistani judge, Sikanadar Hayat, who is alleged to have more than 2,200 cars registered in his name, claims he owns only one vehicle, reports Dawn.
Hayat’s lawyer Mian Zafar has informed the Supreme Court Saturday that the judge has received a fine a few days ago for a car that he does not even own.
After hearing the case, the Pakistan SC has asked the Punjab’s Excise and Taxation Department to submit a report on the issue within a week.
When the newspaper contacted the taxation department, it was told that a total 2,224 vehicles had been registered in Hayat’s name.
Israeli plane was never allowed to land in Pakistan, says President Alvi
President Arif Alvi said Sunday that the news of Israeli plane landing in Pakistan is fake, reports Samaa TV.
The statement came after the editor of English edition of Israeli daily Haaretz, Avi Scharf, claimed that an Israeli aircraft flew from Tel Aviv to Islamabad Wednesday.
Alvi denied all claims saying that Israeli plane was never allowed to land in Pakistan. He said the government is not working on strengthening relations with the country, adding that Pakistan has always been critical of atrocities carried out in Palestine and Kashmir.