Latest news with #AftabAlam
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ties local government polls to Punjab
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has decided to hold fresh local government (LG) elections instead of extending the tenure of the current bodies. However, K-P's position is that the new polls will be linked to similar elections in other provinces. On the other hand, the Local Council Association (LCA), the representative body of LG members, has announced it will move the court if the elections are not held within the constitutional timeframe. Local body elections in K-P were conducted in two phases. The first phase took place on December 19, 2021, with the local governments formed on March 31, 2022. The second phase, covering the hilly districts, was held in June 2022. Under the existing schedule, LGs in the plains will complete their term on March 31, 2026, while those in the hilly districts will expire in June 2026. Local representatives argue that during their tenure they have neither been provided development funds nor given defined powers, and therefore their term should be extended. The provincial government, however, has no such plan. Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam stated that no proposal to extend the tenure is under consideration, adding that K-P will hold LG elections if Punjab does so, as local bodies in Punjab are currently inactive. Meanwhile, LCA Chairman Himayatullah Mayar stressed that under the Constitution, the tenure of LGs starts from the day representatives take oath. "If elections are not held after the dissolution of LGs, we will approach the court," he warned. LCA Coordinator Intizar Khalil added that local representatives were neither given funds nor allowed to work according to the law. The association has demanded a tenure extension and is holding negotiations with the K-P chief minister in this regard.
Express Tribune
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Assembly forms law & order panel
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has decided to form a parliamentary committee to address the province's deteriorating law and order situation, calling for collective efforts to restore peace. The committee will oversee measures taken for maintaining peace and stability across the province. Rules and terms of reference for the committee will be finalized in the next session, and an official notification will be issued accordingly. During Friday's assembly session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, Law Minister Aftab Alam proposed suspending the routine proceedings to hold a debate on the worsening security situation. A prayer was also offered for victims of recent terrorist attacks. Leader of the Opposition, Dr Ibadullah, said the House must conduct discussions that restore public trust. He stressed that unless lawmakers show seriousness about public issues, they cannot earn people's confidence. "We must unite on a single-point agenda for peace, but unfortunately, we remain divided," he said, adding that the lack of unity opens the door for other forces to intervene. He criticized the chief minister's inconsistent statements on security matters and said 95 per cent of debates in the House are irrelevant. "India has now taken the CM's remarks to FATF, threatening Pakistan's hard-earned exit from the grey list," he warned. PPP Parliamentary Leader Ahmad Karim Kundi said that people from Chitral to Waziristan are protesting, yet the provincial government has failed to restore peace. "This government is the product of political generals," he said, accusing the CM of backtracking on the Peace Jirga's charter. "By morning, his statements change," he added. Government MPA Ajmal Khan said that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is passing through a historically difficult time. "There is a climate of fear in Bajaur," he said, calling for implementation of promises made during the FATA merger. He emphasized the need for dialogue with Afghanistan and for providing shelter and necessities to displaced residents. PTI's Shafiullah criticized repeated military operations in tribal and border regions. "Why are only our people turned into IDPs whenever foreign interests need to be satisfied?" he asked. "Despite a heavily funded border fence, why are terrorists still returning to our land?" He condemned the decades-long suffering of the Pashtun people and stressed that peace must come through negotiation, not force. ANP MPA Arbab Usman said parliamentarians are being disrespected. "Our job isn't to build drains or streets; it's to legislate," he said. "We should compare ourselves with nations like Bangladesh or Afghanistan, but first, we must act like Pakistanis. Our human capital is our greatest asset." The K-P Assembly session ended with a rare display of cross-party consensus on the need for unified political action to restore peace in the province.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Staged assault, fake injuries and extortion: Muz'nagar cops bust plot to derail rape case; CHC man among 2 held
The Muzaffarnagar police exposed a meticulous conspiracy involving a fake attempt-to-murder case, forged injuries, and extortion - all to weaken the investigation in an ongoing rape case. Two persons, including a staff member of the community health centre (CHC) in Bhopa, have been arrested in connection with the plot. Accused Aftab Alam along with CHC staffer Mohd Khalid was arrested by Muzaffarnagar police (HT Photo) According to senior superintendent of police (SSP), Sanjay Kumar Verma, the case unfolded on July 27, when a man named Ammar, son of Mohammad Hasan, filed a complaint at Bhopa police station. He alleged that his elder brother, Aftab Alam, was shot at while inspecting their sugarcane fields. The complaint named Gul Sanvwar and Savir, sons of Shamsher, along with an unidentified third person as the attackers. A case was registered under BNS Section 109(1) (attempt to murder). However, what seemed to be a straightforward case of violence soon turned out to be a calculated hoax. During the investigation, police uncovered that Ammar's brother Mujammil was in jail in a rape case filed two months ago by the wife of one of the accused in the fake firing case, Gul Sanvwar. With his bail already rejected, the family of the accused allegedly began pressuring the rape survivor to withdraw the case. When the survivor refused to agree to a settlement, Ammar and his associates devised a scheme to file a false firing case to frame the rape victim's husband and his family members. A crucial player in this plan was Khalid, a ward boy posted at the CHC in Bhopa, who created a fake medical report to show Aftab as injured in the firing. On July 27, Aftab was inflicted with fake injuries using anaesthetic and surgical tools. He was then taken to a forested area where blank aerial shots were fired to simulate a crime scene. The police were informed via emergency helpline Dial 112, and a false FIR was subsequently lodged. Meanwhile, Ammar allegedly extorted ₹50,000 from the rape survivor's husband and was demanding an additional ₹5 lakh under threats of further false cases and harassment. The truth came to light when police examined the medical report and found glaring discrepancies. Upon deeper probe, the entire conspiracy was unravelled. Acting swiftly, police arrested Aftab Alam and CHC staffer Mohd Khalid. From their possession, police recovered ₹30,000 in cash, surgical equipment, anesthetic drugs, a blood-soaked vial used to mimic bullet wounds, and a burnt kurta used to stage the fake attack. Both accused were arrested on Wednesday, and further legal proceedings are underway. The police are also examining the role of others involved in the conspiracy, including whether any more government employees were complicit.
Business Recorder
14-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
KP presents Rs192.7bn supplementary budget
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government here Friday presented a supplementary budget of over Rs192.74billion for the current fiscal year. According to the budget documents, the largest expenditure, Rs150 billion, was made under government investment. Similarly, the documents said a sum of Rs10.86 billion was allocated to the Department of Social Welfare and Special Education, a huge chunk of Rs2.5 billion was paid to the federal government for repayment of foreign loan principals, and Rs. 3.10 billion for advance loan payments. Provincial Finance and Law Minister Aftab Alam presented the supplementary budget in the provincial assembly. He said the Department of Administration received a total of Rs. 545.5 million in additional funds for employee salaries, utility allowance, executive allowance, house rent, POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants), electricity bills, and vehicle purchases. The Department of Planning and Development received Rs. 61 million, Home Department got Rs. 260 million, and Prison Department was allocated Rs. 1.58 billion for prisoner food expenses. According to the budget documents, the Judiciary received a total of Rs. 2.73 billion, Higher Education Department got Rs. 1.93 billion, Communications Department Rs. 1.60 billion, Public Health Rs. 1.09 billion and the Local Government Department was given Rs. 2.87 billion in additional funds. Furthermore, an extra Rs. 590 million was paid as subsidy for inter-provincial wheat transportation. During the current fiscal year, the provincial government has released Rs. 2.5 billion to the federal government for foreign loan principal repayments and Rs3 billion for loan and advance payments, the Minister added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Qatar Tribune
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Qatar Tribune
PISQ students shine in video making competition at Blyth Academy
Pakistan International School Qatar (PISQ) celebrated the outstanding achievements of its students in both sports and creative arts, proving once again the school's commitment to fostering holistic development and talent across multiple disciplines. In a parallel celebration of artistic expression, three talented students from the Girls' Wing brought further recognition to PISQ by winning first place in the Blyth Academy Video Making Competition held under the theme 'Discover Qatar.' Guided by Aftab Alam and Mahjabeen Baloch, the students impressed the judges with their creativity, technical skills, and compelling storytelling: • Eshaal Imran – First Prize (Junior Category) • Javeria Sarfraz – First Prize (Senior Category) • Tasmia Ali – First Prize (Senior Category) Their videos thoughtfully captured Qatar's culture, beauty, and diversity, reflecting a deep understanding of both creative media and national identity. PISQ Principal Ch Muhammad Afzal hosted a special award ceremony, where the achievers were honoured with certificates and words of praise. He lauded their commitment, discipline, and the balance they maintained between academics and co-curricular excellence. The principal emphasized that this success embodies the school's vision to nurture talent in every field—from athletic excellence to digital storytelling—fostering well-rounded students who contribute positively to both national and global communities.
