Latest news with #Kayani
1724319076-0%2FUntitled-design-(5)1724319076-0.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Imran tells LHC facing political vendetta
Former prime minister Imran Khan told the Lahore High Court (LHC) that he was in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on May 9, 2023, when violent protests erupted across Pakistan, and claimed that his nomination in the rioting cases is part of a political vendetta. On Monday, a division bench of the LHC, comprising Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi and Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, resumed hearing Imran bail applications in eight May 9 cases including the Corps Commander House attack case. The counsel for the PTI founder, Salman Safdar, told the bench that he had presented his argument at the last hearing of the case. In his petition, Imran stated that he was falsely accused that he and his party leaders hatched a conspiracy prior to May 9, 2023 to attack state institutions in the event of his arrest. He urged the court to grant him bail in all May 9 cases and order his release. The bench will resume hearing the case on April 17. Earlier, on November 27, 2024, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) dismissed all his bail applications. Meanwhile, an ATC in Islamabad on Monday reserved its order on bail applications of 86 PTI members who were booked in cases of vandalism after the party's November 26 protest. The ATC presided over by Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain held a hearing on the bail petitions filed by PTI workers, who were represented in court by Advocate Sardar Muhammad Masroof, Advocate Amna Ali, Zahid Bashir Dar, Ansar Kayani, Murtaza Turi, and Fatehullah Burki. Advocate Kayani argued that none of the accused were originally nominated in the case; they were identified later through an identification parade, which was conducted five months after the incident. He also pointed out that the identification procedure was conducted entirely in English. "Could the police officials speak English? Could the accused understand English?" he asked. The lawyer said no recovery was made from the accused. He lamented that when PTI workers are released in Rawalpindi after five- to six-month detention, they are implicated in cases in Islamabad. Kayani argued that statements given in police custody carry no legal weight and there is no specific role attributed to any accused, no recoveries, and no evidence. He requested the court to grant bail, noting that the court had already granted bail to some accused in related cases. Advocate Sardar Muhammad Masroof Khan stated that no accused was arrested from the scene by police; all were taken from their homes. The defense lawyer added that the bails previously granted by the court had also been upheld by the Islamabad High Court. He noted that recoveries mentioned in the FIRs had already occurred in Rawalpindi.
Express Tribune
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
British Kashmiris stage protest outside Indian Consulate
In a powerful show of solidarity, British Kashmiris gathered outside the Indian Consulate in Birmingham to protest against the oppressive actions of the Indian government in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir. The demonstrators, who were carrying placards and raising slogans, expressed their outrage over the continued Indian occupation of Kashmir and the Modi-led government's oppressive policies towards the Muslim-majority population of the region. The protest was led by Fahim Kayani, president of the All Parties International Kashmir Coordination Committee and Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK. Kayani addressed the crowd outside the consulate, condemning the actions of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and calling attention to what he described as a systematic campaign to alter the demographic makeup of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law. Protesters condemned the Modi government for its increasing restrictions on the Muslim population of Kashmir, particularly in relation to religious freedom during the holy month of Ramazan. Of particular concern was the restriction placed on Eid celebrations in occupied Kashmir. Occupation forces prevented Kashmiri Muslims from offering Eid prayers at Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid, one of the most revered religious sites in the region. The forces also raided the homes of prominent pro-freedom leaders and activists, intensifying the sense of repression felt by Kashmiris under Indian rule. Fahim Kayani, during his speech, highlighted that the Modi regime had been implementing policies aligned with the ideology of Hindutva, which he described as a racist, neo-fascist, and neo-Nazi political movement. Kayani accused Modi of deliberately attempting to change the demographic composition of the region by enacting new laws that allow non-Kashmiri Hindus to settle in the region, while marginalizing the local Muslim population. These actions, Kayani argued, are part of a larger scheme to turn the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir into a Muslim-minority state, thus violating the Fourth Geneva Convention and international human rights laws. Alongside Kayani, several other prominent figures from the Kashmiri diaspora and human rights groups expressed their concerns. They issued a joint statement during the protest, accusing India of being the "biggest violator" of United Nations resolutions and international law. In their statement, the group called for the urgent international recognition of the war crimes being committed by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir. They condemned the arbitrary detention of political leaders, the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters, and the ongoing restrictions on basic freedoms in the region.
Express Tribune
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Security of Balochistan trains beefed up
Minister of State for Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani on Friday told the National Assembly that Pakistan Railways has increased security for trains in Balochistan after recent tragic incidents. During the question hour, he explained that the Railway Police, includes 2,802 personnel. According to their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), two to four Railway Police officers are usually assigned to regular trains in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. Kayani said that earlier, 13 security personnel were deployed on each train in Balochistan - five from the Railway Police and eight from the Frontier Corps (FC). However, after the recent incidents, security has been further tightened. "Now, each train traveling to Balochistan will have 22 security personnel onboard — 11 from the FC and 11 from the Railway Police," he added. He also spoke about improved security at the Quetta Railway Station. "The fencing project there has been finalized, and security is being strengthened," he said. New walk-through gates and scanners are being installed to replace old equipment and improve passenger screening. Kayani mentioned that a bomb disposal squad is already in place, but its capabilities are being enhanced. He also said that faulty communication systems are being upgraded to ensure smooth operations. Additionally, sniffer dogs are checking Balochistan-bound trains. The minister said Pakistan Railways has significantly increased its revenue by outsourcing the commercial management of multiple trains to private contractors. Responding to questions during question hour, he said that through strategic outsourcing and service enhancements, Pakistan Railways' revenue rose from Rs3.36 billion to Rs6.21 billion — an increase of 84.71%. The minister highlighted the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the improved performance of Pakistan Railways. "Outsourcing catering services, the renovation of dining cars, and value-added services have led to a noticeable improvement in passenger satisfaction," he said. He said the introduction of RABTA — a digital platform for integrated services — and the addition of pay-to-use washrooms as measures that have enhanced customer convenience. Catering services and renovations were carried out on key trains, including, Hazara Express (11UP/12DN), Khyber Mail (1UP/2DN), Zakaria Express (25UP/26DN), Tezgam Express (7UP/8DN). Kayani also informed about upcoming commercial outsourcing for seven more trains, including Karachi Express, Bahauddin Zakaria Express, Farid Express, Sukkur Express, Mohenjo Daro Passenger, and Rawalpindi Passenger, to further improve efficiency and revenue generation. "Pakistan Railways' punctuality rate has improved from 63% in 2019 to 82% in 2025," he informed the House. Revenue has increased from Rs47.58 billion in 2019-20 to Rs88.73 billion in 2023-24, reflecting an 86.5% growth. "This remarkable progress underscores improved governance and service quality across the board," Kayani said. Kayani acknowledged that Pakistan Railways operates on an aging 10,633 km track network, posing serious challenges to repair and maintenance. "Delays in maintenance and operational inefficiencies stem largely from this outdated infrastructure," he said.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Thief breached curfew to steal vapes and chocolate
A serial thief who broke his curfew to burgle a shop and steal hundreds of vapes and chocolate bars has been jailed for nine months. Asim Kayani, 44, smashed a window at Heron Foods in Wallsend and stole £1,100 worth of goods in the early hours of 7 December, Newcastle Crown Court heard. When he was arrested at his home barely an hour later, he told police it could not possibly have been him as he was subject to an electronically monitored curfew. A quick check with the monitoring service revealed he had left the property that night. He admitted burglary. At the time of the break-in, Kayani, of Grosvenor Gardens in Wallsend, was just two weeks into a curfew as part of a community order given for shop thefts, prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said. A member of Heron Foods' staff got an alert on their phone to say someone had smashed their way into the shop at about 01:40 GMT, the court heard. They discovered Kayani had stolen 160 vapes worth £800 and 150 chocolate bars worth £300, while causing up to £400 worth of damage. Kayani, who had 41 convictions for 112 offences on his criminal record, including many thefts and burglaries, was quickly identified on CCTV by police and arrested at his home at 03:00. A large portion of the chocolate bars were found there but none of the vapes were recovered, the court heard. After he told officers he was on curfew, it was quickly discovered he left his home at about 01:00 that morning and returned an hour and 18 minutes later. Kayani, a cocaine and heroin addict, was in "blatant and flagrant breach" of his curfew, Mr Wardlaw said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here. HM Courts and Tribunals Service
BBC News
07-03-2025
- BBC News
Wallsend thief breached curfew to steal vapes and chocolate
A serial thief who broke his curfew to burgle a shop and steal hundreds of vapes and chocolate bars has been jailed for nine Kayani, 44, smashed a window at Heron Foods in Wallsend and stole £1,100 worth of goods in the early hours of 7 December, Newcastle Crown Court he was arrested at his home barely an hour later, he told police it could not possibly have been him as he was subject to an electronically monitored curfew. A quick check with the monitoring service revealed he had left the property that night. He admitted burglary. At the time of the break-in, Kayani, of Grosvenor Gardens in Wallsend, was just two weeks into a curfew as part of a community order given for shop thefts, prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said. 'Blatant breach of curfew' A member of Heron Foods' staff got an alert on their phone to say someone had smashed their way into the shop at about 01:40 GMT, the court discovered Kayani had stolen 160 vapes worth £800 and 150 chocolate bars worth £300, while causing up to £400 worth of who had 41 convictions for 112 offences on his criminal record, including many thefts and burglaries, was quickly identified on CCTV by police and arrested at his home at 03:00.A large portion of the chocolate bars were found there but none of the vapes were recovered, the court he told officers he was on curfew, it was quickly discovered he left his home at about 01:00 that morning and returned an hour and 18 minutes a cocaine and heroin addict, was in "blatant and flagrant breach" of his curfew, Mr Wardlaw said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
