Latest news with #PunjabAssembly
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Industries to pay for pollution
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a comprehensive plan for the restoration, management and reform of the drainage systems throughout the province. The environmental protection department and district administrations have been strictly directed to ensure legal enforcement of the Punjab Drainage and Local Government Acts. A province-wide operation has been approved to prevent the discharge of toxic water and chemicals into Punjab's drains. Under environmental protection guidelines, the 'polluters pay' principle will be strictly enforced, holding polluting industries accountable for environmental damage. A ban has been imposed on the disposal of industrial and municipal waste into all drains across Punjab, including the Hadyara Drain. As a Drainage Restoration and Management Committee commenced implementation of the measures, in the first meeting chaired by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, a detailed briefing was given on the Hadyara Drain. The environmental protection department was tasked with strict enforcement actions around the Hadyara area. A crackdown will be initiated against factories that fail to install water treatment plants and continue to discharge chemical waste into the drain. The health department was instructed to submit a report and plan regarding public health conditions around Hadyara. WASA, along with the departments of industry and irrigation were directed to take immediate action to improve the conditions. A survey of the drainage system across the province will be conducted to identify flaws and propose solutions. Approval was granted for a plan to repair and upgrade the drainage system. Moreover, it was decided to enhance the wastewater management infrastructure through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The provincial senior minister said key environmental projects have been included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP). Meanwhile, during a meeting with Punjab Assembly Members Muhammad Ahmed Khan Leghari and Naeem Akhtar Khan Bhabha to discuss welfare projects, public problems and development issues of their constituencies, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz termed education and financial independence of the youth her top priorities. She said, "We want to bring benefits of development to every section of the province." The MPAs thanked the chief minister for starting the construction and expansion project of the Multan-Vehari road. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to start classes in the Vehari Girls College after the summer break. She also directed the authorities to launch a water supply scheme for Fort Munro. In her message on the Global Day of Parents, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, "Today, do remember those children whose parents sacrificed their precious lives for the security of our beloved homeland." She added, "I also pay tribute to those parents whose children were martyred."
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First Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
It's a legit terror nexus: How terrorists draw crowds in Pakistan by spewing anti-India hate
Pakistan claims to be a victim of terrorism. But the ground reality proves otherwise. Time after time, terrorists have addressed rallies, spewing anti-India rhetoric, all in the presence of government officials. One such instance took place on Wednesday (May 28), when Hafiz Saeed's son, Talha Saeed, and alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, Saifullah Kasuri, addressed an event in the presence of ministers read more In most countries, sport stars, celebrities, influencers and politicians attract huge crowds at rallies and appearances. But not in Pakistan. In the neighbouring country, a different type of individual is a crowd puller — the terrorist belonging to groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba or the Jaish-e-Mohammed. Many would point out that these terrorists holding rallies out in the open, with government officials often in the crowds, is a reflection of the nation's duplicity and a clear sign of its terror nexus. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In fact, there are multiple instances when terrorists have held rallies in Pakistan — the latest example surfacing on Wednesday (May 28) when Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Saifullah Kasuri addressed the crowds in the presence of Pakistan's Food Minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. LeT commander and Pahalgam attacker's massive rally On Wednesday, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Saifullah Kasuri , who is the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 Indians, mostly civilians, lost their lives, appeared at a rally, sharing the sharing with Pakistani political leaders and other wanted terrorists. Speaking at the event in Kasoor in Punjab province, Kasuri brazenly said, 'I was blamed as being the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, now my name is famous in the entire world.' He also announced plans to build a centre, road, and hospital in Allahabad in the name of 'Mudassir Shaheed.' Mudassir was reportedly one of several high-profile terrorists killed in May 7 strikes by the Indian Air Force on nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He further stated that he wasn't afraid of bullets, a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier speech. 'Narendra Modi samajhta hai hum goliyon se darne wale hain? Ye uski bhool hai (Modi is mistaken if he thinks we are scared of bullets).' Incidentally, the Lashkar-e-Taiba, of which Kasuri is a member, has been added to a United Nations sanctions list since 2005. Also, it has been deemed a terrorist organisation by the US since 2001. What is even more shocking that a terrorist holding a rally was the presence of Pakistani security forces as well as government officials. As per an India Today report, Pakistan's Food Minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan were both present in the crowd while Kasuri continued to make anti-India comments. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In fact, the ministers personally welcomed the Kasuri to the stage and embracing him. The India Today report further stated that Minister Malik Rasheed openly declared that '24 crore Pakistanis are today represented by men like Hafiz Saeed and Saifullah Kasuri.' Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, of the Lashkar-e-Taiba at a rally on Wednesday. Image Courtesy: Facebook Along with Kasuri, the rally on Wednesday also saw UN-proscribed terrorist Talha Saeed – son of 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed. In 2022, India had designated him as an individual terrorist under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). In fact, he is ranked 32nd on India's most wanted terrorist list today. Almost 50-years-old, Talha is a senior leader of the LeT and is the head of the cleric wing of the banned outfit. India has found that he is actively involved in recruitment, fund collection, planning and executing attacks by LeT in India and Indian interests in Afghanistan. In the Wednesday rally, he is heard saying, 'Today there is a message for India from Pakistan. We have won 'Operation Bunyan al-Marsus' and God should accept our presence here. I'm thankful to Malik Ahmad Khan, speaker of Punjab Assembly, Malik Rashid Khan and Saifullah Khalid for their presence here on stage. I also salute the people of Pakistan on behalf of my father Hafiz Saeed. I am here to tell you God loves those who do jihad.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Talha also deemed the Pahalgam terror attack as 'drama', adding that his father was under the peaceful protection of the state, exposing Pakistan's terrorism scam. Talha has also appeared at other rallies in Pakistan in the past. Earlier in February, he delivered a provocative speech at a rally in Lahore on Pakistan's so-called 'Kashmir Solidarity Day', vowing to 'liberate Kashmir from India at any cost'. In that same address, he called Prime Minister Modi a 'shaitan' (devil), adding: 'I want to warn PM Modi that Kashmir belongs to Muslims, and we will take Kashmir from you. It will be a part of Pakistan Muslim India soon.' Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, addressing a crowd in Pakistan. File image/Reuters Hafiz Saeed's anti-India outbursts But before Kasuri and Talha Saeed's rally, Pakistan's double-face on terror has been exposed when 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed has been permitted to take the stage and rant against India. Over the years, in 2018 and 2019, Hafiz Saeed has held multiple rallies, urging his followers to stand up against India's alleged 'crackdown on Kashmiris'. He has also been seen sharing public space with Pakistani ministers; for instance, in September 2018, Pakistan's Religious Affairs and Interfaith Minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri shared a platform with Saeed, and in December of the same year, Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi had openly expressed support of his government to Hafiz Saeed and his terror outfit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If that's not enough in September 2013, the terrorist, who carries a US bounty of $10 million, appeared openly at a rally in Islamabad, denouncing India as a terrorist state. Speaking to over 10,000 people, he was quoted as saying, ''The United States and India are very angry with us. This means God is happy with us.' 'We are ready for every sacrifice for the liberation of Kashmir,' he added in the speech. Jaish-e-Mohammed's Masood Azhar surrounded by armed guards and Pakistan police. File image/Reuters JeM's Masood Azhar calls for jihad against India In February 2014, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar , the man behind the 2001 Parliament attack in India, also spewed venom against the country in a rally in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir capital Muzaffarabad. According to multiple reports, the rally saw thousands of his supporters in attendance, who were bussed to the venue. When India raised the issue with Islamabad, the Foreign Office sought to play down his appearance as a 'one time event'. Following Azhar's appearance, intelligence agencies sounded an alarm, stating that it 'does not seem accidental'. They described the phenomenon as a 'disturbing development' for the world community and Pakistan's national security. With inputs from agencies
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Pakistan's terror nexus exposed: Ministers share stage with LeT commanders
In an alarming display of state complicity with terror, senior ministers of Pakistan's federal and Punjab governments were seen sharing the stage with some of India's most wanted terrorists during an event held in Kasur District, Punjab province, on May 28 — marked in Pakistan as Youm-e-Takbeer, commemorating its nuclear unfolded on that stage has raised serious concerns globally: Pakistan's Food Minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan — both close confidantes of PM Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz — were seated alongside LeT-linked terrorists like Saifullah Kasuri, Talha Saeed (son of Hafiz Saeed) and Amir Hamza, spewing venom against India and glorifying terrorism. Ministers greet terrorists, call them 'symbols of Pakistan'advertisementRather than distancing themselves from extremist figures, the ministers personally welcomed the terrorists to the stage — embracing them, applauding them, and delivering speeches glorifying their role in what they described as 'defending Pakistan.' Minister Malik Rasheed openly declared that '24 crore Pakistanis are today represented by men like Hafiz Saeed and Saifullah Kasuri,' equating terror figures with national identity. He even announced that the Shehbaz Sharif government would offer a job to the brother of Mudasir, a Lashkar commander killed in India's airstrike on the group's Muridke calls himself famous post Pahalgam-attackOne of the most shocking appearances was that of Saifullah Kasuri, accused mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, who had gone underground after the strike. In a 24-minute-long hate-filled speech, Kasuri proudly proclaimed, 'I was blamed for Pahalgam and now the whole world knows my name.'advertisementHis appearance confirms intelligence inputs that Kasuri had been sheltered by Pakistan's ISI in Bahawalpur, and his re-emergence in public alongside state ministers further validates India's longstanding accusation of official patronage to and videos from the event are now circulating widely, showcasing what many experts are calling 'visual proof of Pakistan's unholy alliance with terror outfits.' At the end of the program, when Kasuri began thanking individual ministers by name, security personnel were seen signaling the media to stop filming, further revealing the state's desire to hide — but inability to contain — its covert terror rants, Khalistani slogans echoIn what can only be described as dangerous provocation, Amir Hamza, Lashkar-e-Taiba co-founder and designated global terrorist, raised pro-Khalistan slogans from the stage. His presence and open speech signal a renewed effort by Pakistan's deep state and LeT to stoke separatism and unrest in India's Punjab. This confirms the growing ISI-LeT propaganda nexus, using state events and official platforms to launch ideological warfare against in Karachi and Rawalpindi, Hafiz Saeed's political front — the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) — organised multiple rallies marking Youm-e-Takbeer. In Rawalpindi, the rally titled 'Ummah's Backbone, Strong Pakistan' moved from Press Club to Chandni Chowk. Several participants carried posters of Hafiz Saeed, Army Chief Asim Munir, and other senior defence officials — again blurring the lines between terror networks and the Pakistani India-Pakistan peace talks still hold ground?These developments pose an urgent question for India's policymakers: Can any peace process or dialogue proceed when Pakistan's ministers are seen embracing India's most wanted terrorists?The public glorification of terror, particularly of Saifullah Kasuri — linked to the Pahalgam massacre — is not only deeply offensive but a direct challenge to international norms on curtain drops in KasurThis is no longer about covert links or intelligence estimates. What happened in Kasur was caught on camera: senior Pakistani politicians embracing terror accused, giving them legitimacy, and allowing them to preach violence against India — all on a public the world needed visual evidence of Pakistan's state-terror symbiosis, May 28 delivered it loud and can no longer play victim while nurturing villains. The time for double-speak is InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Operation Sindoor
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Sidhu Moosewala's Mother Breaks Down On Singer's 3rd Death Anniversary
Last Updated: Sidhu Moosewala, who unsuccessfully contested the Punjab Assembly elections on a Congress ticket from Mansa in 2022, was tragically murdered on May 29, 2022. Sidhu Moosewala's fans gathered in Punjab's Mansa district on Thursday to mark singer's third death anniversary. A prayer meet was held at the farmhouse where Moosewala's mortal remains were consigned to flames. Among others, the later singer's family also attended the gathering. In a video that surfaced on social media, Sidhu Moosewala's mother, Charan Kaur, was seen arriving at the venue to pay tributes to her son. She was also seen holding her newborn, Shubhdeep in her arms. Moosewala's mother was seen getting emotional during the prayer meet. Videos of her getting teary-eyed are being widely circulated online now. While one of the clips shows Charan Kaur breaking down, the other shows women consoling her. Watch it here: #3Years_Of_Ignorance #JusticeForSidhuMooseWala What was the mother's fault in all this?Her only child was brutally shot d€ad without any fault or mistake‼️ Moosewala parents Deserves Justice‼️ — ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????? (@pragatisingh295) May 29, 2025 Sidhu Moosewala, who unsuccessfully contested the Punjab Assembly elections on a Congress ticket from Mansa in 2022, was tragically murdered on May 29, 2022. He was shot dead by assailants in his car in Jawaharke village of Mansa district. Even though he was rushed to a hospital immediately, he succumbed to his injuries before receiving medical attention. Following Moosewala's murder, his parents also lead a movement to seek justice for their son. A music video was also released prominently displaying a flag with the message 'Justice for Sidhu Moosewala". Sidhu Moosewala was very popular, particularly among the youth, and was known for composing and producing his own songs. He was regarded as one of the wealthiest Punjabi singers. Despite his untimely demise, many of his songs have been released posthumously and have raked in millions of views. Two years after Moosewala's death, i.e. in 2024, his brother, Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was born. The baby boy was born to Sidhu Moosewala's parents, Balkaur Singh and Charan Kaur, through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Charan Kaur was 58 years old at the time of birth, sparking controversy over the use of IVF technology. The family has since shared pictures and videos of the baby boy, including his first public appearance on a billboard at Times Square, New York. First Published:
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'Youm-e-Takbeer' hailed as golden chapter in history
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of the country and the Ummah on the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer, calling it a day of pride, power and unwavering national resolve. In a message she said, "Youm-e-Takbeer is not just a date on the calendar, it is a powerful reminder of Pakistan's historic decision to become a nuclear power, a decision that continues to inspire pride and confidence in the nation." She said 27 years had passed, yet the people of Pakistan continue to hold their heads high and they will continue to do so. "This is the day when Pakistan's leadership, under prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, chose national interest and public aspiration over global pressure." The CM said, "Pakistan's nuclear capability is not only a strategic asset for the country but a symbol of strength and pride for the entire Muslim world. "By the grace of Almighty Allah, Pakistan earned the historic distinction of becoming the first Muslim nuclear power," she said. The CM emphasised that "the enemy no longer dares to cast an evil eye on our land, because of the bold and visionary decision taken on May 28, 1998. The foundation for the victory on May 10 was laid on May 28. Our nuclear programme remains a key pillar of Pakistan's defence strategy." CM Maryam Nawaz praised the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, saying that the nation remains indebted to him for his brave and historic decision. Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan also extended warm congratulations to the people of Pakistan and the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer, describing it as a golden chapter in the nation's defence history. In a statement, Speaker Khan said, "Youm-e-Takbeer is not merely a date on the calendarit is a day that reaffirms our unwavering commitment to national sovereignty, pride, and defence." Recalling the events of May 28, 1998, Khan said the successful nuclear tests conducted on that day sent a decisive message to Pakistan's adversaries.
