Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) for its employees, including pilots and engineers, and asked them to apply for it till Dec 22. A PIA spokesman said on Monday that the VSS package had been prepared for employees in two categories: those with over 18 years of service and below. He said the …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition seeking contempt proceedings against some government functionaries for appointing Flight Lieutenant Khaqan Murtaza as director general of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The court, however, asked the petitioner to file a separate plea against the appointment of Mr Murtaza as such a matter could not be taken up under …

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Athar Minallah on Monday sacked additional district and sessions judge Mohammad Jahangir Awan over the Sept 14 Red Zone scuffle incident. An order issued by the IHC stated: “I, therefore, as an Authority am satisfied that the misconduct on the part of Answering Judge stands established and consequently in exercise of powers conferred …

ISLAMABAD: A new crisis gripped the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) on Monday after newly appointed chairman of the board of directors Naeem Bokhari signed an order terminating the services of eight contractual officers of the state-owned organisation. The order has been signed by the director PTV admin and personnel, but there is no counter-signature by PTV managing director Amer Manzoor. As per the order, services of …

A local journalist was shot dead by unidentified persons inside his house in Dera Ismail Khan on Monday night, police said on Tuesday. According to the first information report (FIR), lodged at the Cantt police station today on the complaint of the deceased’s cousin, Qais Javed had entered his house and was in his front yard when unidentified persons on …

The Punjab Primary and Secondary Health Department on Tuesday enforced ‘smart lockdowns’ in several areas of Lahore – Punjab’s capital with a population of over 11 million – that have been identified as Covid-19 hotspots. The move comes a day after the health department told a meeting of the Punjab apex committee that the current coronavirus situation was the same as it …

ISLAMABAD: Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has observed that the expression “same bench” under relevant laws governing hearing of review petitions means the same numeric strength of a bench with same judges who have decided an earlier dispute. “The expression ‘same bench’ leaves little room to speculate on the constitution of a bench. The ‘same bench’ means the same judges, …

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi says confusion exists within the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) over various issues, including tendering resignations from the assemblies. “If they are really determined to resign, they should do it at the PDM meeting which is going to be held on Dec 8. Nobody will stop them from doing so,” he challenged the 11-party opposition …

LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday approved a special development package for Lahore that includes construction of a hospital, two overhead bridges, an underpass and 10 underground water tanks to store rainwater. With the chief minister in the chair, the Lahore Development Authority’s governing body meeting decided to start the mega projects for providing relief to the Lahorites. According …

KARACHI: Sindh Culture Day was celebrated in the metropolis and other major towns of the province with jubilant crowds wearing Sindhi caps and Ajraks and singing and dancing to music and songs sung by popular vocalists. The main event was held at the Karachi Press Club, but this time the venue was spread to Fawara Chowk on Abdullah Haroon, to …