Latest news with #TajHaider
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
12,000 Afghans caught with fake passports
The Senate Standing Committee on Interior was informed on Thursday that over 12,000 Afghan nationals were caught in the last five years while travelling to Saudi Arabia on fake Pakistani passports. The committee, which met with its chairman Faisal Saleem in the chair, deferred a briefing on the law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) as the provincial home secretary and the inspector general (IG) of police did not attend the meeting. At the onset of the meeting, the participants offered Fateha for the departed soul of the late senator Taj Haider. While, taking up the agenda items, the participants showed reservations over the absence of the K-P officials. The chair postponed the briefing until the next meeting. Director General Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi informed the meeting that 12,000 people reached Saudi Arabia on fake Pakistani passports. Of them, 3,000 had photo-swapped passports, while 6,000 passports were issued by tampering with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) data. "Most of the people who travelled on these fake documents were deported to Afghanistan. None of them is now in Pakistan, Qazi told the committee. He added that action had been taken against several NADRA and Passport Department officials, involved in the fake passport case. When a committee member asked whether action was taken any officers or just low-ranking officials were punished, the Passports DG replied that 35 assistant directors were also included among those people who faced the action. The Passport DG also raised the issue of the financial problems of his department. He said that they earn Rs50 billion annually for the government, yet they had make rounds of the government offices to ask for the budget. Meanwhile, the issue of vehicles with tinted windows was also taken up in the meeting. The Excise Department Director, Muhammad Bilal, told the committee that since August, several arrests were made and Rs33 million was imposed in fines on the vehicles with tinted windows. The committee members raised the question under which law action was being taken against such vehicles. On that an Interior Ministry officials told the participants that there was no specific law on this issue. The chair proposed to the department concerned to set a fee for this purpose. Also, the committee expressed serious concern over the illegal activities in the guesthouses of Islamabad. The chair revealed that many guesthouses in the federal capital become shisha cafes, bars and drug dens. The Islamabad IG assured the committee of taking action against illegal guesthouses and drug dealers. The chair emphasised a zero tolerance policy on drugs. He sought a list of all guesthouses in Islamabad and a complete report on the actions taken against them.
Express Tribune
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PPP Secretary General Senator Taj Haider passes away at 83
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Secretary General and senior politician Senator Taj Haider passed away at the age of 83 after a brief illness. According to his family, the PPP leader was undergoing treatment at a local hospital. His janaza prayer will be held on Wednesday after Zuhrain prayers at Imbargah Yasrab in Phase IV DHA, Karachi. Taj Haider was born on March 8, 1942, in an academic family in Kota, Rajasthan. He received his early education from Government Boys High School, Ranchhor Line Karachi. He entered the field of fine arts and also wrote for television. He also played the role of Professor Audiwala in his drama serial "Abla Paa". He also wrote columns in various newspapers. Taj Haider attended the 1967 Socialist Convention and formally joined PPP in the same year. He was one of the founding members of the Party, who was also awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for scientific services in 2012. In 2006, he was also awarded the 13th PTV Award for Best Drama Serial Writer. According to the family, the deceased had been undergoing treatment at a local hospital. PPP leader Waqar Mehdi expressed deep sorrow over his passing, saying, "He was a long-time companion and an outstanding political worker.
Express Tribune
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senior PPP leader Senator Taj Haider passes away in Karachi
Listen to article Senator Taj Haider, a founding member of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and a veteran politician, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 83 following a brief illness. According to family sources, Taj Haider had been receiving treatment at a local hospital. Details regarding his funeral and burial will be announced later. Born on March 8, 1942, in Kota, Rajasthan, Taj Haider belonged to a scholarly family and completed his early education at Government Boys High School in Ranchor Line, Karachi. In addition to his political career, Taj Haider was also active in the arts and media. He wrote for television and newspapers and played the role of Professor Audiwala in the TV drama Aabla Pa. He was a recipient of several accolades, including the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2012 for his contributions to science and the 13th PTV Award for Best Drama Serial Writer in 2006. Taj Haider became involved with the socialist movement in 1967 and officially joined the PPP the same year. He was one of the original members of the party, founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed his condolences, calling Taj Haider's death a deep loss for the party. 'Taj Haider was a wise, composed, and visionary political leader. He dedicated his life to democracy and public service,' Murad Ali Shah said. PPP leader Waqar Mehdi also paid tribute, stating, 'Taj Haider was a long-time comrade and a committed political worker. He was one of the party's foundational and ideological members. His services will not be forgotten.'
