Pak Urdu Media Digest- Nov 25, 2023

Police have sealed a madrasa and arrested two teachers in Chakwal (Punjab) following alleged abuse of madrassa children. One of the accused, according to SHO Malik Azhar, investigating the case, initially admitted to touching the children inappropriately and making ‘Z’ marks on their back with a knife. He also confessed that he enjoyed the act. Children were allegedly raped at Jamia Al-Mustafa madrassa. SHO Malik Azhar while talking to Voice of America said that total 68 children were studying at the madrassa. Out of them, 15 children made complaints of child abuse or rape. According to a madrassa student, he was abused and a teacher had threatened him with a knife. He was taken to hospital for examination. After this incident came to light last week, Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Chakwal and met the affected children and their parents. (Urdu Voice of America)

Terrorists attacked the Lala Kandao check post in Jamrud, Khyber Agency, late at night, and killed a police man. As soon as the attack was reported, a heavy police force reached the check post, cordoned off the area and started a search operation. The terrorists had escaped by then. (Ummat)

A convoy of security forces was attacked in the Razmak area of North Waziristan, according to a statement by the Public Relations Department of the Pakistan Army (ISPR). In the exchange of fire that followed, 33-year-old Lance Naik Ehsan Badshah from Karak district and 30-year-old Lance Naik Sajid Hussain from Karam district were martyred. ISPR said that the security forces are taking action to eliminate any terrorist presence in the area. (Himalya Today Daily)

The Islamabad High Court has summoned the Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar on November 29 in the missing persons’ case. The Defence Minister, Defence Secretary, and Home Secretary were also asked to appear. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani rejected the report of the Committee formed to find the missing persons in Balochistan. The Judge said if the 55 missing persons are not presented before the court, then the Prime Minister should appear in the court on November 29 to answer for the non-recovery. (Qudrat Daily)

A loud explosion took place in the Pashtu area of Khar Tehsil, in which one person was killed. According to the police, a vehicle was completely destroyed in the explosion. (Qudrat Daily)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over Pakistan’s decision to deport illegal foreign nationals because the orders also affect registered refugees and other Afghan nationals with valid documents. UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Philippa Kendler, told the media in Geneva that the large-scale return was adding to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan because winter temperature drops to minus 4 degrees Celsius in some places. “You see, many people returning to Afghanistan are unsafe, including women and children who could die in the extreme cold if left without adequate shelter”, she said. And added that the Afghans interviewed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan said they were leaving in a hurry due to fear of arrest and detention. Though registered and properly documented Afghan citizens are not included in the deportation process, the announcements and actions have created a sense of panic among them, said the UNHCR Representative adding that the UN agency had repeatedly told Pakistan that regardless of their legal status, the return to Afghanistan should be voluntary, safe, and dignified. (Dawn Daily)

The Provincial President of Pashtunkhawa Milli Awami Party, Nasrullah Khan Zere, said all the characters who are enjoying with Government power will face will be held accountable for their insulting behaviour towards Pashtun Afghans. “These worthies are displaying insulting behavior towards the Afghan Kadwal people and are indulging in inhumane actions of forced eviction. “When the time comes, they will be held accountable”. (Urdu Point)

A protest was held by the residents of Goth Baqa Halipota in Tando Allahyar against the abuses of the local landlord, Wadera. Later, addressing the media, Nasir Ahmed Halipota, Allah Bachayo Halipota, and Nek Mohammad Behrani – all from Goth, said they are the old residents of Goth Baqa Halipota. But Wadera Alhadno Halipota wants to evict them and occupy the agricultural land. He is threatening and harassing them through criminals. They have moved the court against the Wadera injustice. (Urdu Point)

The killers of martyred journalist Jan Muhammad Mehr are still untraced. Journalists continue to stage a protest a demo at Sukkur Press Club demanding the arrest of the killer. (Urdu Point)

The worst loadshedding of electricity continues in the border city of Chaman. Electricity is provided for 3 to 4 hours in 24 hours that too at low voltage. The WAPDA authorities are harassing the citizens by using the excuse of electricity theft, even as the unannounced load shedding has made life difficult for the people. Business is also affected. (Urdu Point)

An explosion in the Wana area of South Waziristan has left four dead and three others injured. The dead include highly decorated tribal chief Aslam Noor and his two sons. According to the police, the explosion took place in a shop located in Darza Ghondi area of Wana. At that time the tribal Chief was going home in a car from Wana Bazaar. The car driver is amongst the injured. (Daily Pakistan)

For the last one year, the electricity companies have repeatedly imposed additional burden on the public due to which the common man is not able to pay the electricity bill. Every month the power companies submit a request for tariff hike to NEPRA on the pretext of fuel adjustment; they put in the request in advance of next month’s bills. This puts a double additional burden on the consumers. It is known that CBA has sought permission from NEPRA to raise the tariff by 3.53 rupees per unit from October 2023. This means that the additional bill of the previous month will also have to be paid due to which the additional burden of about 40 billion rupees will be on the shoulders of the poor. In our opinion, the government should announce a special package for electricity consumers in the 200 -300 unit slab so that even a laborer is able to pay his house bill. It would be better if the extra burden is placed on the big and rich people instead of the common man. (Edit, Daily Khabrain)

After the protests by students against exorbitant rise in fees, Karakoram University is closed for an indefinite period under the pretext of the deteriorating law- and – order situation. The administration told the students to study by online classes. Why did the administration close the University, instead of improving the situation? If the situation is so bad then why the so-called Vice Chancellor and other responsible officials are not resigning? This is the basic question. The financial crisis of the University and the regular students’ protests are badly affecting the future of students. History has proved that if a nation has to be destroyed its education institutions should be destroyed first. The entire education system in Gilgit-Baltistan has been paralyzed for the last many decades. The plight government schools, colleges, and the two universities -Baltistan and Karakoram is apparent to everyone. All the Vice-Chancellors appointed so far were controversial. Mismanagement, corruption, and scandals have badly tarnished the image of these two important universities. The huge rise in fees is closing the doors of education for youth. Closing the university under the pretext of poor law-and-order situation is not a proper step. On the contrary, it is aggravating the situation further. (Edit-Himalya Today Daily) ####