Latest news with #Peca
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
IHC issues last warning to respondents in PECA case
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued last warning to the ministries of law and information technology, the FIA and the PTA to submit their replies in petitions challenging the controversial amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas stated that the court would proceed with the case even if responses were not filed. The IHC heard joint petitions filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), anchorpersons and journalist bodies. During the hearing, Justice Minhas remarked he believed that this case would take a long time and suggested scheduling it after Eid. Advocate Imran Shafique argued that the federal government had only submitted replies through the ministries of interior and information but not from the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs or the PTA. He further noted that the government had filed an unusual reply questioning the court's jurisdiction, claiming that after the 26th Constitutional Amendment, only a constitutional bench of the high court could hear this case. Advocate Shafique rejected the government's argument, calling it an attempt to delay the proceedings. He pointed to a second objection that cited a Quranic verse, suggesting that one should verify information before sharing it. "People are being booked in FIRs and the court should expedite the case," he argued. Justice Minhas questioned whether journalists were currently able to report news freely. He asked whether any news was being blocked or anyone was stopping from giving or publishing news. Advocate Raisat Ali Azad requested the court to issue a stay order to prevent journalists from being arrested or having FIRs registered against them for reporting news.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Under Jeff Blashill, a new era has emerged with Michael Peca's appointment as assistant coach of the Chicago Blackhawks
Michael Peca, a name well-known to NHL fans for his stellar two-way style of play, is taking the next step down the coaching path. In transitioning under newly appointed head coach Jeff Blashill, the Blackhawks have afforded Peca the opportunity to lend that experienced voice on the bench as assistant coach. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A player who has been known for his defensive style and a coach who has developed in a gentle stead, Peca's experience could have provided the structure and veteran presence the rebuilding Blackhawks team so dearly needs. Bringing strategic depth to Jeff Blashill's staff During his playing days, Michael Peca was widely respected as an elite two-way player. Since retiring in 2009, he has slowly made a name for himself in coaching. Considered a native of Toronto, Peca changed his post-playing career from playing to coaching by first serving as a Junior-level coach for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. He took a direct interest in player development, which encouraged him to move to the Washington Capitals as a player development coach. He developed his reputation further at the Rochester Americans, AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, where his leadership skills and development work with young players were highly praised. Most recently, Peca was promoted to a bigger NHL assistant coaching role with the New York Rangers under Peter Laviolette. However, despite leading the Rangers to a playoff appearance, the entire coaching staff, including Peca, was let go at season's end. Currently aged 51, Peca is setting off on his newest sojourn with the Chicago Blackhawks, in a franchise undergoing much transformation. Peca's appointment almost directly followed on the heels of Jeff Blashill's appointment as the weekend coach. Now also 51, Blashill has not wasted time shaping his coaching staff, and in quick succession, committed to Jimmy Waite as goaltending coach, kept Anders Sorensen's title from his interim period, and signed Peca for some added experience and structure on the bench. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Balancing Peca's approach in managing seasoned players with young talent will be essential during the Blackhawks' rebuilding phase with prospects such as Connor Bedard. In terms of tactics, Peca would emphasize defensive discipline, his trademark during his playing days, where he won two Selke Trophies complementary style to Blashill's efforts on system coaching. Together, this pair hopes to create a more unified and competitive Athletic Chicago brand that can then offer the viability for long-term success. Also Read: Jeff Blashill returns as Blackhawks head coach to lead NHL rebuild Michael Peca's arrival on the Chicago Blackhawks bench is much more than another coaching shuffle; instead, it is a culture change. A coach possessing NHL and developmental experience is the type of coach Jeff Blashill is bringing in to hopefully inaugurate a new era. Peca may very well be the dust-off the Blackhawks need to help them push on their way back to relevance in the NHL.
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt initiates talks on canals controversy
The government initiated face-to-face talks with stakeholders in Sindh regarding the Indus canals issue. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, while a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) delegation visited protesting lawyers in Babarloi, Khairpur district. According to Express News, Shah met with Shehbaz at the Prime Minister'd House, where he expressed concerns about the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus river. Sources said both sides shared their respective positions on the matter. Earlier in the day, PML-N Sindh President Bashir Memon visited the protesting lawyers who had blocked the National Highway in Babarloi, Khairpur, and held talks with Karachi Bar Association (KBA) President Aamir Nawaz Warraich and other lawyer leaders in an effort to end the sit-in. The latest development is seen as a follow-up to the contacts initiated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Adviser on Political Affairs with various political parties to address the widespread protests across Sindh. Memon and Rana Sana had reached out to Sindh Bar Council President Barrister Sarfaraz Metlo by phone, offering to initiate dialogue. Rana Sanaullah also spoke with Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon and various nationalist party leaders. The negotiations between the protesting lawyers and the PML-N delegation concluded in Sukkur, according to sources. The lawyers presented four demands to the federal government representatives, with the cancellation of the canal project being the top priority. Other demands included concerns over corporate farming, the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), and the 26th constitutional amendment. The PML-N delegation invited the lawyers to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The lawyer accepted the offer and a 14-member delegation would meet Shehbaz, it was agreed. "Our key demand is the issuance of a notification of scrapping the canal project. Our sit-in will continue until that happens. It would be ideal if the prime minister comes to Sukkur for the talks," Warraich said. Memon stated that they had received the lawyers' four-point list, which would be presented to the prime minister. "The next meeting will be held directly between the lawyers and the prime minister, where all matters will be resolved," he said, expressing hope for a positive outcome. Meanwhile, PML-Functional leader, Sardar Abdul Rahim, told reporters in Ranipur that Memon visited the protest site with a message from his party leadership. "The legal fraternity responded clearly: cancel the canal project, issue the notification, and then we will talk," he said.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JIT to quiz PTI leaders over smear campaign today
Listen to article Five PTI leaders are supposed to appear today (Monday) before a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing a smear campaign launched on social media against state institutions. The JIT has directed Hammad Azhar, Aliya Hamza, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Muhammad Kamran and Farrukh Habib to appear in person at 11am before it. The JIT will convene its meeting at the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cybercrime Wing Headquarters in Islamabad. According to the notices issued by JIT member and Inquiry officer Mobin Zafar on April 9, there is sufficient material available with the JIT to assume that the PTI leaders are involved or closely acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the matter at hand. "In case of non-appearance, it will be assumed that you have nothing to present or state in your defense. Non-compliance to the matter is punishable under law. Therefore, your willful non-obedience of the order will render you liable for criminal proceedings u/s 174 PPC, 1860," it added. The PML-N led federal government constituted the JIT in terms of Section 30 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016 under the convenership of the FIA Cyber Crime Wing additional director general. The JIT is investigating alleged misuse of social media "for highly intimidating contents/ tweets to create fear/ unrest among the general public and discord against state institutions".
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI protest overshadows proceedings
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a noisy protest, raising slogans and waving placards to disrupt the joint session on Monday, as President Asif Ali Zardari delivered his eighth address to parliament. The PTI protest started as soon as the president began his speech. Thumping desks in defiance, the opposition members kept raised slogans in favour of party founder Imran Khan. National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub repeatedly slammed a book on his desk. However, despite the protest, Zardari remained composed and continued his speech, occasionally, smiling towards the opposition benches. To counter the noise, both Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with some others wore headphones. The joint session also had some lighter moments, as former PTI stalwart, Pervez Khattak, who has recently been inducted in federal cabinet, mistakenly walked toward the PTI benches before realising his misstep. Khattak, once a closest confidant of former prime minister Imran Khan, was seen laughing at how his former colleagues were protesting to disrupt the president's address. Khattak was sitting with another former PTI member, Raja Khurram Nawaz. On one occasion, a few PTI members showed a poster to both Khattak and Nawaz, which demanded release of Imran. However, they both dismissed it with their hand gestures and kept refuting such gestures later in the session. The only time Khattak stood up from his seat was when he saw Sher Afzal Marwat, who was recently expelled from the PTI, came in, sat behind the PTI protesting members and started using his mobile phone. They hugged, exchanged pleasantries and sat on different sides of the aisle. Later, speaking at a press conference alongside PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other party leaders, Ayub lambasted the president and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), accusing them of "record-breaking corruption in Sindh" and "planning to privatise the province's water resources". He dismissed Zardari's presidency as illegitimate. "We do not recognise this installed government. Asif Ali Zardari did not say a single constructive thing today," he said. "Whether it's Asif Zardari or Bilawal Bhutto [Zardari], both are on the verge of selling Sindh's water," he alleged. Ayub also slammed the PPP's role in supporting the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) amendments and "Form-47 manipulation" in the last elections. He also took aim at the Punjab government, calling them a "gang of professional dacoits". He accused the current government of "economic failure," arguing that despite widespread corruption, it was falsely celebrating economic stability. "They claim inflation has decreased, let them step outside and see for themselves whether prices have gone down or up," he said. The opposition leader also slammed the government's performance in attracting foreign investments, particularly in the information technology sector and criticised the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). He also accused the government of failing in maintaining the law and order. He reiterated PTI's support for the armed forces, saying, "Our founder [Imran Khan] has always said that the military is ours, but he and Bushra Bibi are being dragged into bogus cases." He Lamented the state of political repression, leading to massive emigration from the country. Speaking on the occasion, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar criticised Zardari's leadership, saying that the president, during his address, failed to prove that democracy existed in the country. He also slammed the president for bypassing the opposition chambers in parliament. "Zardari remains a controversial president even today," Gohar said, adding: "Decisions in this country have always been made outside parliament, not within it." He said that the PTI's protests would "continue in the same manner as today". Meanwhile, Senate Opposition Leader Senator Shibli Faraz rejected the legality of recent legislation. "None of the laws passed in this Senate hold any moral or legal authority," he said, pointing out that one province was completely unrepresented in the upper house. "How can elections be conducted and bills be passed without representation from an entire province?" Faraz questioned, further raising concerns about the legitimacy of the government's parliamentary actions.
