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Pakistan SC disqualifies Nawaz Sharif as PM over Panama Papers case

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Pak SC debarred Nawaz Sharif as PM on Panama Papers case

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In a unanimous verdict, 5-judge Bench says case of Sharif family’s dubious financial dealings will be referred to an accountability court within six weeks; Sharif’s finance minister Ishaq Dar also dismissed

In a landmark decision that will no doubt have far reaching consequences in Pakistan’s political and social churning over the next few days, a five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, on Friday, disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office in a case related to last year’s Panama Papers exposé which had revealed how the country’s first family amassed wealth through dubious means and invested it through shady deals.

The unanimous verdict, passed by a Bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan and comprising justices Ejaz Afzal Khan, Gulzar Ahmed, Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Ijazul Ahsan, recommended that all material collected by the joint investigation team (JIT) tasked with probing the Sharif family’s financial dealings would be sent to an accountability court within six weeks.

The JIT had been constituted in April after the Supreme Court Bench failed to reach a unanimous verdict on Sharif’s disqualification and it submitted its finding to the top court earlier this month, stating that the charges of financial impropriety were found to be true.

Further, the court also said that proceedings on the references made to the National Accountability Board (NAB) of Pakistan on the allegations of dubious financial dealings of Sharif and his family members, including his sons Hussain and Hassan Nawaz and daughter Maryam, should be wrapped up within six months. Besides the Sharif family, the cases will also be opened against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Captain Muhammad Safdar , a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan. Both Dar and Captain Safdar have also been dismissed from their posts.

In a packed courtroom – filled largely with supporters of Sharif and an army of lawyers and journalists – Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan read out the verdict shortly after 12 noon, saying: “He (Nawaz Sharif) is disqualified as a member of the Parliament so he has ceased to be holding the office of Prime Minister.”

Pakistani media reports immediately began speculating that Sharif could also face arrest over the next few days considering the grave charges that have been made out against him – which, besides allegations of financial misconduct, also include misleading the nation and being dishonest to the Parliament and the court.

The court also asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to de-notify the prime minister from his National Assembly seat – effectively meaning that Sharif election now stands void and he can’t contest again till the court allows him to do so – to fulfill the technicalities of implementing the order. The Supreme Court said the ECP should “de-seat the PM for not disclosing his role in the Dubai-based Capital FZE company in his nomination papers” and in doing so he was “not honest and truthful”.

Soon after the verdict was pronounced, the Pakistan establishment signalled that it would make a last ditch effort to help Sharif stay on as Prime Minister despite the top court’s reference to the ECP for de-notifying his election. Although the Supreme Court specifically urged Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain “to ensure a smooth transition for the democratic process”, Attorney General of Pakistan, Ashtar Ausaf Ali, told mediapersons in Lahore that “the Prime Minister still holds the office and will continue to do so until the President asks him otherwise”.

The Pak Attorney General quoted Article 190 of the Pakistan Constitution which says that it is the prerogative of the President to decide on whether a sitting prime minister should be asked to step down or not.

However, there is a legal precedent in Pakistan of the Supreme Court dismissing a Prime Minister from holding office. In 2012, then Premier Yousaf Raza Gilani was disqualified over contempt of court charges for refusing to re-open a corruption case against then President Asif Ali Zardari.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1501236988306{margin-bottom: 20px !important;border-bottom-width: 20px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;background-color: #a2b1bf !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Khawaja Asif to be made interim PM till Shahbaz can take over?

Khawaja Asif and Nawaz ShahbazThis is for the third time that Sharif would be unable to complete his term as Prime Minister of Pakistan. Although Sharif’s dismissal from office was largely seen as a foregone conclusion, there is no clarity yet on who will take over as Prime Minister now. Local media reports from Pakistan suggest that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif could be elevated as the interim PM. In the run up to Friday’s court hearing, banners urging Sharif’s younger brother and current chief minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Shahbaz Sharif, to take over as the PM had sprung up all across Lahore and sources say that though Asif could for now be made the interim PM, Shahbaz would eventually be appointed to the office and serve out the remained of the term till the 2018 general elections in Pakistan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1501237125162{margin-bottom: 20px !important;border-bottom-width: 20px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;background-color: #a2b1bf !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Panama papers case against Nawaz Sharif and family

Panama Papers CaseHussain and Hasan Nawaz Sharif, and Mariam Safdar, the sons and daughter of the Pakistan Prime Minister allegedly set up at least four offshore companies in British Virgin Islands (BVI). These companies are said to own at least six upmarket properties overlooking London’s Hyde Park. The Sharif family reportedly mortgaged four of these properties to the Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA for a loan of GBP 7 million and the Bank of Scotland part financed the purchase of two other apartments. Nawaz Sharif has denied ownership of all these properties and dismissed the allegations against him and his family.

Nescol Limited and Nielson Holdings Limited were incorporated in BVI in 1993 and 1994, respectively, and were held by one bearer share each. In February 2006, Mariam Safdar signed a resolution of Nescol Limited as the “sole (bearer) shareholder”. Mossack Fonseca was appointed as the registered agent through Minerva Trust which described Mariam Safdar as the beneficial owner of both companies, the Indian Express-International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) joint investigation into the Panama papers had revealed.

The Panama Papers investigation saw multiple news organizations from across the world, including The Indian Express from India, join their efforts in 2016 on the issue of unearthing unaccounted wealth of some of the world’s most rich and famous politicians and businessmen, after the ICIJ shared files from the database of the world’s fourth biggest offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca. The records had been obtained from an anonymous source by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1501237200570{padding-top: 20px !important;background-color: #a2b1bf !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Joint Investigation Team

On April 20, 2017, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan had pronounced its verdict in the Panama Papers case against Sharif. However, the verdict was split as three of the five judges ruled in favour of forming a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to find out whether the allegations against the Pakistan Prime Minister and his family were true or not. Only two judges – Justices Asif Saeed Khosa and Gulzar Ahmed – ruled for Sharif’s disqualification from office. The top court had then set up a six-member JIT to investigate the charges against Sharif and his family and had asked the first family of Pakistan to appear before the JIT as and when summoned.

The JIT members, during a seven-week period, interrogated eight members of the Sharif family – PM Nawaz Sharif, his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif, sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz, daughter Maryam Nawaz, son-in-law Captain Safdar, cousin Tariq Shafi and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, among others.

The six-member JIT included Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Wajid Zia, Military Intelligence’s Brigadier Kamran Khurshid, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director Irfan Naeem Mangi, State Bank of Pakistan’s Amer Aziz, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Executive Director Bilal Rasool and Inter-Services Intelligence’s Brigadier Muhammad Nauman Saeed.

In its report submitted to the apex court on July 10, the JIT said that the Sharif family led a lifestyle that was beyond its known and declared sources of income and charged them with concealment of facts and being beneficial owners of multiple offshore companies. The JIT also recommended initiation of reference against the PM and members of his family in the NAB while highlighting their failure in providing a money trail for their London apartments. Sharif, however, maintained that the JIT report was a “bundle of baseless allegations.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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YouTuber Zara Dar clarifies misconceptions, denies being Pakistani, and explains decision to quit PhD for OnlyFans

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Zara Dar clarifies her background and career change in a social media post

YouTuber Zara Dar, who sparked significant attention after revealing she was leaving her PhD studies to pursue a full-time career on OnlyFans, has addressed a series of misconceptions circulating about her. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Dar clarified the misinformation and took the opportunity to set the record straight on several points, particularly regarding her background and career shift.

The controversy began when Zara posted a video explaining her decision to quit her PhD in engineering and focus on adult content creation. The video quickly went viral, with some viewers misinterpreting or distorting the details of her story. One of the most prevalent rumors was that Zara Dar was of Pakistani origin.

In her clarification, Zara stated, “With all due respect, I am not Pakistani. I am American, born and raised, with a mixed background: American, Persian, Southern European, Middle Eastern, and Indian.” She explained that her name, “Darcy,” which she shortens to “Dar,” led to confusion, as it resembled that of a different Pakistani influencer, Zara Dar.

Zara also addressed the emergence of fake content under her name, including deepfake videos, and vehemently denied any associations with such material. She emphasized that, despite the false claims, she had not given any exclusive interviews and had only used social media to share her story.

Regarding her decision to leave academia, Zara shared that her shift to OnlyFans, while financially rewarding, also provided her with the freedom she felt was missing in her academic career. “It has given me the freedom to learn and share new content,” she stated, adding that while she had stepped away from her PhD, she would still continue to create educational content on her YouTube channel.

The announcement sent shockwaves across her fanbase, as many were surprised by her drastic career change. However, Zara explained that the decision was motivated not only by financial viability but also by her desire for personal autonomy outside the rigid structures of academia.

As Zara Dar continues to navigate the shift from academia to content creation, she remains committed to building her brand while tackling the misinformation surrounding her. Through her candid social media posts, she aims to keep her followers informed and provide clarity on her personal and professional choices.

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Festivals

Where is Santa this Christmas Eve? Track his journey with NORAD and Google Santa Tracker

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Santa tracking on Christmas Eve with NORAD and Google Santa Tracker

As Christmas Eve arrives, excitement fills the air for families worldwide, eager to track Santa’s magical journey across the globe. Thanks to modern technology, families can now follow Santa’s global trek in real time, a cherished tradition that has been made even more special by NORAD and Google Santa Tracker. These two platforms bring the joy of the season to life with live updates, interactive features, and educational content.

NORAD tracks Santa: A legacy of tracking Santa Claus

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been tracking Santa Claus since 1955, starting from a simple mix-up. A Sears department store advertisement listed the wrong phone number for Santa, leading a child to call the military command. When Air Force Commander Harry Shoup answered, he reassured the child, and thus, a global tradition was born. NORAD has since embraced cutting-edge radar and satellite technology to track Santa’s journey, with Rudolph’s glowing red nose marking his path through the night sky.

This year, NORAD’s Santa Tracker goes live on Christmas Eve at 6 a.m. ET, offering real-time updates on Santa’s location until 2 a.m. ET on Christmas Day. Families can access the official NORAD Tracks Santa website, download the Santa Tracker app (available on both iOS and Android), or follow NORAD on social media. For a more personal touch, NORAD’s hotline (1-877-HI-NORAD) is available from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. ET on Christmas Day, offering families a chance to speak with volunteers about Santa’s journey.

Google Santa Tracker: Interactive fun for the whole family

Google’s Santa Tracker also offers a way to follow Santa’s travels in real time, but with a twist. In addition to tracking Santa, the platform features a variety of interactive experiences, including holiday games, videos, and educational content about Christmas traditions around the world. Google’s Santa Tracker provides a countdown to Christmas Eve and a chance to explore Santa’s Village, where families can engage in festive activities before tracking his journey.

How to track Santa this Christmas Eve

  • NORAD Tracks Santa: Visit noradsanta.org for live updates, videos, and interactive features. The website includes a countdown to Santa’s departure and real-time tracking of his global journey.
  • Google Santa Tracker: Head to santatracker.google.com to play games, watch videos, and track Santa in real time.

The tradition of tracking Santa

Tracking Santa has become a beloved holiday tradition, bringing joy and excitement to children and families around the world. Whether through NORAD’s precise tracking or Google’s interactive features, these services offer a unique way to experience the magic of Christmas. For over 65 years, NORAD’s Santa Tracker has allowed kids to track Santa as he makes his way across the globe, adding an extra layer of excitement to Christmas Eve. According to NORAD, its fighter jets have “intercepted Santa many, many times,” with pilots even tipping their wings to say, “Hello Santa. NORAD is tracking you again this year.”

How does Santa travel so Fast?

One of the most intriguing aspects of tracking Santa is how he manages to deliver presents to every corner of the globe in just one night. According to NORAD, Santa operates in a time-space continuum of his own. While it appears that Santa completes his journey in 24 hours, NORAD suggests that he experiences time differently. “Santa does not experience time the way we do,” says the agency. In Santa’s world, his trip could span days, weeks, or even months, making his speed and efficiency even more magical.

A global tradition of Christmas magic

This Christmas Eve, families can once again join in the holiday fun by tracking Santa’s extraordinary journey. Whether using NORAD’s detailed tracking system or exploring Google’s interactive features, the Christmas spirit comes alive in real-time. So, as you prepare for Christmas Day, don’t forget to check in and see where Santa is — it’s a joyful part of the holiday season!

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India News

Bangladesh requests India’s assistance for Sheikh Hasina’s return amid turmoil

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Bangladesh requests India to facilitate Sheikh Hasina's return amid political crisis

Bangladesh has formally requested India to facilitate the return of Sheikh Hasina, the deposed Prime Minister of the country, who has been residing in India since August 5, 2024. The interim government in Dhaka has sent a diplomatic note to the Indian government, urging the extradition of the 77-year-old leader, who fled Bangladesh following mass protests that led to the downfall of her 16-year-long regime.

Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, has been living in exile in India since she was forced to leave amid growing political unrest in Bangladesh. In the wake of her departure, the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants against Hasina, her ministers, advisors, and former military and civil officials, accusing them of “crimes against humanity and genocide.”

Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government, confirmed the diplomatic communication, saying, “We have sent a note verbale to the Indian government requesting her return for the judicial process in Bangladesh.”

In addition to the note, Jahangir Alam, the Home Advisor, revealed that the government has also sent a formal letter to India’s External Affairs Ministry, emphasizing the need for Hasina’s extradition. He mentioned that there is an existing extradition treaty between the two countries, which could be invoked to facilitate her return.

The diplomatic request comes in the wake of a visit by India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, to Bangladesh. During his visit, Misri engaged in candid and constructive discussions with Nobel laureate and Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus. Misri also raised concerns over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, and discussed the increasing tensions between the two countries. According to reports, the issue of Hasina’s stay in India was one of the topics of discussion during Misri’s visit. Yunus reportedly expressed concern over the political statements made by Hasina from her location in India, which have reportedly been exacerbating tensions.

Sheikh Hasina, speaking in a virtual address to Awami League supporters in London, criticized the interim government of Bangladesh and accused Yunus of running a “fascist regime.” She alleged that the new regime under Yunus’s leadership had led to increased attacks on religious minorities and accused the interim government of undermining Bangladesh’s democratic progress. Hasina also lamented the reversal of her administration’s achievements in poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and the strengthening of democracy.

The political climate in Bangladesh remains fraught with tension as the interim government faces mounting pressure, both domestically and internationally, over its treatment of opposition leaders and political dissent. The unfolding situation continues to capture attention both within Bangladesh and abroad, particularly with regard to the potential return of Sheikh Hasina.

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