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Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Prisoners celebrate Independence Day in Karachi
Preparations for Independence Day and Marka-e-Haq are in full swing at Karachi Central Jail. The jail has been vibrantly decorated with lights, green crescent flags, and buntings. Walls are adorned with slogans celebrating Independence Day, Marka-e-Haq, and expressing support for the Pakistan Army. Jail Superintendent Abdul Karim Abbasi and other officials attended various events that have been organised. Quran recitation ceremonies were held, accompanied by prayers for the country's progress. Sports competitions are also being arranged inside the jail as part of the celebrations. Over the decades, as part of the ongoing jail reforms, the provincial governments in the country are focused on making the prisons reformatories. 'Hate crime not the criminal,' is written in bold letters at the entrance of the Karachi Central Jail as well as other penitentiaries of Sindh. Besides conducting schools and skills classes for the prisoners, the jail administrations celebrate national days and religious festival in grand manner to bring some light to the otherwise dreary routine of the jailhouse. Apart from the ongoing Independence Day celebrations at the Karachi Central Jail, Defence Day and Pakistan Day are celebrated with national fervour. Similarly, Eidul Fitr, Eidul Azha and Miladun Nabi are celebrated behind bars with solemnity and festive mood. On all these occasions, special meals like biryani, qorma and kheer are cooked for the inmates.
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First Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
History Today: How Pakistan got its national flag
Three days before gaining independence, Pakistan formally adopted its national flag on August 11, 1947. The design, inspired by the original flag of the All-India Muslim League, was created by Syed Amir-uddin Kedwaii and approved by Pakistan's Constituent Assembly on this day read more A member of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) rehearses flag masting at the mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah before the Defence Day ceremonies, or Pakistan's Memorial Day, in Karachi, Pakistan. File Image/Reuters India and Pakistan have a long history together. While India had adopted a national flag in July, Pakistan made its choice just three days before Independence Day. So, on August 11, 1947, Pakistan formally adopted its national flag, which became a powerful emblem representing the nation's Islamic identity, cultural heritage, and commitment to unity. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today, will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On this day in 1934, the first group of federal prisoners arrived at Alcatraz Island, marking the beginning of its infamous era as America's most secure federal penitentiary. Here is all that took place on this day. Pakistan adopted its national flag Pakistan formally adopted its national flag, which represented the nation's Islamic identity, cultural heritage, and commitment to unity. The design was inspired by the original flag of the All-India Muslim League. A man waves Pakistan's flag as he along with others gather in support of Pakistan Army in Islamabad, Pakistan. Reuters Created by Syed Amir-uddin Kedwaii and approved by Pakistan's Constituent Assembly on this day, it features a dark green field, symbolising the Muslim majority, and a white vertical stripe on the hoist side, representing religious minorities and the country's pledge to protect their rights. At the centre of the green section sits a white crescent and star, the crescent representing progress, and the five-pointed star symbolising light and knowledge. The green pays homage to Islamic traditions, while the white stripe emphasises Pakistan's foundation as a homeland for Muslims that also respects diversity and inclusion. The crescent and star are widely recognised as symbols of the Islamic world, but in the Pakistani context, they also convey aspirations for growth, enlightenment, and hope for the future. Federal prisoners landed on Alcatraz The first group of federal prisoners arrived at Alcatraz Island, which housed America's most secure federal prison. Located in the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz had previously served as a military prison, but in the early 1930s, it was converted into a high-security federal facility intended to hold the nation's most dangerous and escape-prone criminals. That morning, 137 prisoners were transferred under tight security from Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas and other institutions. They travelled by train to San Francisco and then by guarded boat to 'The Rock.' The list included bank robbers, murderers, and notorious gangsters including men considered too difficult to manage elsewhere. Later, Alcatraz would house infamous figures like Al Capone, George 'Machine Gun' Kelly, and Robert Stroud, the 'Birdman of Alcatraz.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Alcatraz Island is seen in San Francisco Bay in San Francisco, California. Reuters The prison's location was its greatest defence. Surrounded by frigid, fast-moving waters and strong currents, it was believed to be escape-proof. Cells were small and conditions intentionally harsh, with strict discipline, minimal privileges, and a focus on security over rehabilitation. Inmates spent most of their time in isolation or performing labour under close supervision. The arrival of the first prisoners was a highly coordinated operation involving dozens of armed guards, US Marshals, and Coast Guard patrols to prevent any escape attempt during transit. This tight control set the tone for how Alcatraz would operate for the next 29 years. This Day, That Year In 1964, the Beatles' first feature film, 'A Hard Day's Night' had its US premiere in New York City. Germany declared a republic on this day in 1919.
Express Tribune
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Only 14% MNAs attend all sittings of 16th NA session
Two supplementary resolutions were adopted by the house which were about paying tributes to the sacrifices of the armed forces on Defence Day and condemning terrorism in Quetta and Mardan. PHOTO: FAFEN The 16th session of the National Assembly that spanned over 13 sittings between May 5 and 22, 2025, saw only 14% members making 100% attendance, while 9% of the members were absent during the entire session, the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) said in its report on Thursday. Fafen is a civil society network focused on strengthening democracy. It said in its latest report that consistent with the previous sessions, female attendance was generally higher than that of their male counterparts during the session last month. "The highest attendance was recorded during the first sitting, with 237 members (76%) present. During this sitting, the House suspended its regular agenda to discuss the recent Pakistan-India conflict," the report said. The lowest attendance was recorded during the last sitting, with 174 members (55%) present. This sitting was initially adjourned after just 13 minutes because of the lack of quorum. The House reconvened after 15 minutes and passed The Off the Grid (Captive Power Plants) Levy Bill, 2025. Fafen said that 150 members of the National Assembly (MNAs) skipped sittings without advance leave request; 118 (44%) submitted a leave application, including 25 (21%) in advance and 37 (31%) applied ex-post facto after returning from their leave. It added that 268 members (86%) missed at least one sitting during the current session. The report said that 16 female MNAs, including 14 on reserved seats, attended all the sittings, while five female MNAs, including two on the reserved seats, recorded zero attendance. Region-wise, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad Capital Territory lawmakers recorded the highest percentage of MNAs attending more than half of the sittings, it said, adding that majority of lawmakers from the SIC, the PML-N, the JUI, and independents attended more than half of the sittings. A lack of ministerial presence weakened legislative oversight, Fafen said in the report. Among the 29 federal ministers, who were expected to be present during the Question Hour to respond to queries from lawmakers, only 15 (52%) were marked present during the sittings.
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Over 37% of election petitions decided
Two supplementary resolutions were adopted by the house which were about paying tributes to the sacrifices of the armed forces on Defence Day and condemning terrorism in Quetta and Mardan. PHOTO: FAFEN Between February 1 and April 20, 2025, election tribunals ruled on 24 petitions related to last year's general elections, bringing the total number of decided cases to 136about 37 per cent of all petitions currently being heard across the four provinces. According to the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), which has been systematically tracking 372 petitions filed with 23 election tribunals after the polls, decisions have been reached on 26 per cent of the challenges to National Assembly constituencies and 42 per cent of those concerning provincial assemblies. Of the 24 petitions decided, 21 were from Punjab, two from Balochistan and one from Sindh. In Punjab, two tribunals in Lahore decided eight cases, one in Rawalpindi decided seven, and one in Bahawalpur decided six. The two tribunals in Quetta disposed of one case each, while a tribunal in Karachi disposed of only one case. Meanwhile, no petitions from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were decided during this period. Despite an increase in the number of petitions decided in Punjab as compared to previous months, the overall pace of decisions slowed down. The network observed that the slower pace of decisions may be attributed to four largely dysfunctional tribunals during the reporting period, including two in K-P, one in Punjab and the sole tribunal in the Islamabad Capital Territory. To date, Balochistan's three tribunals have collectively decided 43 (83 per cent) of the total 51 petitions filed for National and provincial constituencies in the province. Punjab's eight tribunals have decided 66 (34 per cent) of 192 petitions. Sindh's five tribunals have decided 18 (22 per cent) of 83 petitions. KP's six tribunals have decided nine (21 per cent) of 42 petitions. Out of 124 petitions challenging the results of NA constituencies, 33 (26 per cent) have been decided so far. Of these, 19 were from Punjab, eight from Balochistan, four from Sindh, and two from K-P. Out of 248 petitions challenging the results of provincial assembly constituencies, 103 (42 per cent) have been decided. These include 47 from Punjab, 35 from Balochistan, 14 from Sindh and seven from K-P. Out of the 136 petitions decided so far, 133 were dismissed and three were accepted. Among the 133 dismissals, 52 were dismissed on the grounds of non-maintainability, including 10 related to NA constituencies and 42 to provincial assemblies' constituencies. Another 21 were dismissed because the allegations could not be proven during the trial. These 21 included two for NA and 19 for provincial assemblies. Nine petitions were withdrawn, including four for the NA and five for provincial assemblies.
