IHC summons Pemra’s acting chief on June 9

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s acting chairman on June 9 over a plea of a private member of the authority.

Mian Shams, the private member, filed a petition with the IHC, calling the Pemra’s Friday meeting a violation of the court orders. The authority, in a meeting attended by only government members, on Friday suspended the licence of the Geo News for 15 days and imposed a fine of Rs 10 million over a complaint of the defence ministry.

Pemra member Israr Abbasi, after announcement of the decision, said the government had interfered in the functioning of the authority. He said the Pemra members were intimidated, adding that the decision would be challenged in the court. He called the Pemra meeting held on Friday illegal.

Altaf Hussain in high spirits, upbeat mood: acting Pak HC

 

LONDON: The acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, Imran Mirza, has said that MQM leader Altaf Hussain is in “high spirits” and hopes that he will “come out of the situation.”
After meeting Altaf Hussain for about 20 minutes at the Wellington Hospital in West London, Imran Mirza said that Altaf was thankful to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for expressing concern and for asking the Pakistan High Commission to arrange consular access to him.

Imran Mirza spoke to the media after Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office on on Thursday granted consular access to the MQM. Mirza visited Altaf Hussain in London’s Wellington Hospital and spent 20 minutes with him.

According to the Foreign Office in Islamabad, the Pakistan High Commission also sought details of the case against the MQM chief. The Foreign Office added that all possible legal assistance would be provided to the MQM leader.

“Altaf Hussain is not well. He will undergo more tests, doctors have to keep him under further observation and then the next decision will be made. I cannot say much more on this situation,” the Pak diplomat said.

Imran Mirza said: “Altaf Hussain was in high spirits. He has faith in the British justice system. He will come out of it. He was upbeat psychologically. He thanked PM Sharif for showing solidarity with him. We are also thankful to the British government for allowing us access to Altaf Hussain on short notice. It does not normally happen so quickly. Altaf Hussain is confident that he will be fine.”

Mirza said the MQM leader had not asked for any consular help but he said the Pakistan High Commission would continue to liaise with the FCO and Scotland Yard on the issue. “Altaf Hussain has told us that he is being looked after well and his needs are being fulfilled. It was a cordial meeting and he has told his workers not to worry.”

MQM leaders Babar Ghauri, Khawaja Sohail, Saleem Zaidi, Qasim Ali Raza, Saleem Danish, Arshad Vohra and many others visited the hospital where Altaf Hussain is being kept. They were carrying bouquets and cards.

However, MQM leader Wasay Jalil said the delegation was not allowed to meet Altaf Hussain.Answering the questions from The News, Babar Ghauri said the MQM was thankful to the PM of Pakistan for standing by the MQM in this “difficult hour.”

He thanked Nawaz Sharif for taking personal interest in the case and for arranging consular access. Ghauri said: “All our workers in the UK and around the world are saddened by what has happened. Altaf Hussain should not have been arrested. Whatever the reasons, only the UK authorities know, legally this was not fair, this action should not have been taken.”

Ghauri said that Altaf Bhai is loved by millions of people. “There is always a reaction to an action but MQM has controlled the situation. I salute our workers. There is a legal way of doing everything and we believe in the supremacy of the law.”

He told The News that Altaf’s heart beats for his people and he is always concerned about them. “Nothing can separate him for his people. When he spoke, he said he has been through many tribulations but he will stand by his people and will face off all the challenges. We will deal with every situation accordingly and will not bow to any undue pressure.”

Ghauri said that the money recovered from the MQM office and Hussain’s home are not really such “big amounts.” He said it is normal for people to have properties of millions and billions and huge cash amounts. “We have legal proof and justification of how these amounts were in our possession, we have receipts and confirmations and we will prove this in court. It’s a conspiracy that Hussain has been arrested. We will present our case if it goes to the court.”

Ghauri confirmed to The News that MQM officials are in touch with British officials and are doing their best to get the situation resolved. “Our leader is not alone, the whole nation is with him.”

NNI adds: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) continued staging sit-ins to show solidarity with its chief Altaf Hussain. MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that reports of Hussain’s medical tests will arrive soon following which the decision to record a statement to the police will be made.

He said that the sit-in protests would continue until assurance of Hussain’s health is received. While talking to media persons, Dr Farooq Sattar said that life in Karachi would continue as normal. He said that Altaf Hussain was still receiving treatment in hospital, adding that the doctors performed some medical examination on the MQM chief. The MQM leader said that Altaf Hussain also met his 11-year-old daughter.

Online adds: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad said Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain would emerge as victorious from this critical situation spawned as a result of his arrest by British police.

Addressing the participants of the Numaish sit-in moments after midnight, the governor said he thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his persistent cooperation, adding the federal government was in constant liaison with the high commission in Britain for the purpose.

Sindh governor Ebad also thanked federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, former president and co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari and all other political leaders who extended sympathies towards the Muttahida, its workers and Altaf Hussain.

Katrina Kaif’s sister steps into acting with Salman Khan’s help

Slow and steady seems to be the course of Katrina Kaif’s younger sister Isabel’s career.

She has been signed for the second lead opposite British Indian actor Kunal Nayyar in French director Jean-Francois Pouliot’s Dr Cabbie. The film co-produced by Salman Khan,features Vinay Virmani who played one of the title roles in Bejoy Nambiar’s undervalued David.

The story goes that Salman wanted to cast Isabel opposite Virmani. But by the time the decision was taken to cast her,it was too late.

Says a source close to the project,”The G I Joe actress Adriane Palicki had already been signed opposite Vinay. So Isabel stepped in to co-star with the film’s second lead Kunal Nayyar who has worked in the hit British series The Big Bang Theory.”

Sources from Canada where the film is being shot say co-producer Salman Khan is taking a keen interest in the project and in Isabel’s role.

According to sources,Isabelle would make her full-fledged Bollywood debut in 2014 in a film that may be jointly co-produced by Salman and Katrina.

Speaking from Canada,the film’s leading man Vinay Virmani said,”Isabel has joined our project. She’s a really sweet girl,very easy-going and fun to work with.”

I learnt acting through car accidents: Veena Malik

Veena Malik

Veena Malik has been involved in a lot of car accidents till date. Here, she reveals the shaitaan behind the calm, composed Veena. "The people who look calm and cool when they grow up are usually involved in a lot of badmashi in their childhood. I am one such case. I got my independence when I was 14. My first film was a blockbuster, so I got fame, money and success at a very early age. I bought my first car — a Range Rover — when I was 15. So, though maine bahut si gadiyan todi hai, I feel the worst for that car."

She added that initially she was involved in a lot of accidents. "Maybe that is how I became an expert in acting — all these accidents required me to tell so much lies! There was this black colour car which I damaged so badly in a huge accident that it couldn't get repaired beyond a point. But all this has made me so experienced that I can drive any car, anywhere, anytime." She also revealed that she would take out her dad's four- wheeler stealthily and take a drive in it. "I am a big fan of SUVs. I also love driving Land Cruisers, Range Rovers and jeeps," she added.