Latest news with #Sattar
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Issue new number plates for free'
Issue the new Ajrak-themed number plates for free or stop legal action for non-compliance, said Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior leader Dr. Farooq Sattar on Sunday. Sattar strongly criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), accusing it of running a feudal form of democracy in Sindh for the past 17 years. He warned that Karachi, the province's economic backbone, was being systematically exploited, while its citizens were being pushed to the wall. Addressing a press conference at MQM-P's Bahadurabad headquarters alongside senior leaders Syed Amin-ul-Haque, Zahid Mansoori, Shakil Ahmed, and others, Sattar said "there is a smoldering anger in Sindh's cities. Karachi is being looted in the name of culture, and the feudal rulers have shown unprecedented arrogance," he said. He questioned the recent promotion of Ajrak-themed number plates, claiming that behind this cultural facade lies a "new avenue of exploitation." He alleged that thousands of traffic policemen from interior Sindh have been deployed in Karachi and are extorting money from citizens under the pretext of enforcement. "Governor Sindh has rightly pointed out that Ajrak will lose its sanctity if it is used to loot people," he added. Sattar pointed out that while in interior Sindh more than 95% of vehicles reportedly operate without number plates, no action is taken there. "Karachi, the golden goose, is being slaughtered," he said, calling for either free issuance of number plates or a halt to arbitrary penalties. He also criticised the recent transfer of 40 employees from the Sehwan Development Authority to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), terming it an "injustice" to Karachi's youth. "Karachi and Hyderabad domicile holders are being sidelined in government institutions," he said. The MQM leader said that the collapse of buildings in Lyari and failure to implement policies on dangerous structures reflect the PPP-led provincial government's negligence. He demanded that former chief ministers and local government ministers be named in FIRs for allowing illegal constructions during their tenure. "The Minister for Local Government is obligated to convene meetings on dangerous buildings every three months — but they have shown complete disregard," he noted. Touching on education, Sattar claimed that in the recent NED University entrance exam, 90% of students from Sindh's rural boards failed, while 76% from Karachi passed, showing a glaring disparity. "I feel sorry for these children. They are being made dependent on crutches by a broken system," he remarked. Sattar also criticized the Karachi mayor and the Jamaat-e-Islami's nine town chairmen, blaming them for poor city conditions. "The mayor says he is not responsible for lanes and neighborhoods. Then who is?" he asked.
Broadcast Pro
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Saudi comedy ‘Alzarfa' tops local box office, outperforming global hits
Alzarfa attracted 184,000 admissions and generated a box office gross of $2.4m within its first three days of release, according to data from the Saudi Film Commission. Saudi comedy Alzarfa: Escape from Hanhounia Hell has taken the lead at the Saudi Arabian box office over the weekend, outperforming major international releases Jurassic World Rebirth and F1: The Movie. The film, a wild heist adventure about three friends attempting to steal a treasure known as 'The Golden Rashrash' from a museum owned by an eccentric billionaire, claimed the number one spot with 213,000 admissions and a box office haul of $2.7m in its first three days, according to figures from leading regional distributor Italia Film. In comparison, Jurassic World Rebirth trailed significantly, landing in third place with 55,000 admissions and earnings of just over $800,000 in its debut weekend. Meanwhile, F1: The Movie, now in its second week, secured the second spot with 70,000 admissions and a $1.2m weekend total, pushing its cumulative gross in the kingdom to $3.8m. Alzarfa, produced by Saudi production companies Alshimaisi Films and Telfaz11 in partnership with Big Time Fund and distributed by Qanawat, is the latest local hit following their previous blockbuster Sattar, which grossed over $10m in 2023, becoming the highest-earning Saudi film since commercial cinemas reopened in 2017 after a 35-year ban. Blending elements of a heist film with a metafilm twist, Alzarfa follows the three protagonists from a failed robbery attempt to a surprising turn of events in which they become part of a film being produced by the same tycoon they had targeted. The fictional movie, depicting the tycoon's family history, is shot in the very locations tied to the treasure they had hoped to steal. Marking the feature directorial debut of Abdullah Majed—known for his short film Safraa's Night and the TV drama Ureem: Balcony Hotel—Alzarfa features a cast including Mohammed Shaif, Hamed Sharari, Ahmed Al-Kaabi, and Ibrahim Alkhairallah, along with a cameo from American actor Robert Knepper of Prison Break fame. Following its successful Saudi launch, the film is set to roll out across the region in the coming weeks. Its strong local performance reflects a growing trend in Saudi Arabia's evolving film industry, where homegrown titles are increasingly dominating box office charts. Earlier this year, Abdulaziz Alshlahei's period drama Hobal similarly outshone Hollywood competitors like Mufasa: The Lion King, Flight Risk, and Den of Thieves 2: Pantera in Saudi cinemas. With the country's annual box office stabilizing at around $200–$250 million, Saudi productions are proving they can compete head-to-head with international franchises. In a statement, executive producer and Alshimaisi Films CEO Ibrahim Alkhairallah said: 'It's incredibly exciting to see another Saudi film take the lead during a packed summer slate. Following the success of Sattar, Alzarfa is further proof that audiences are craving locally-rooted stories told in our own voice but on a scale that can rival the biggest global titles.'
Business Recorder
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Justice Babar objects to IHC Establishment Rules
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Justice Babar Sattar raised objections to the newly notified Islamabad High Court Establishment (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2025. In the letter addressed to all 10 IHC judges, Justice Sattar asserted that they lack legal authority as they were not approved by a full court. He stated that he was not aware of any full court meeting convened to consider the enactment of the Rules or the repeal of the rules. He added, 'The Rules are; therefore, devoid of legal authority and have been issued in breach of the requirements of Article 208, as well as, those of the Lahore High Court Rules and Orders, as adopted by the Islamabad High Court.' Justice Sattar said that if rules are challenged or it otherwise emerges that the high court has itself purported to enact rules in breach of requirements of Article 208 of the Constitution and the Lahore High Court Rules and Orders, 'it will cause great embarrassment to this high court.' He added that it would also prejudice 'the rights and entitlements of the employees of this Court.' The judge stated that he received SRO 585 1)/ 025 dated March 25, 2025, which was published in the Gazette of Pakistan on April 10, 2025, notifying the Islamabad High Court Establishment (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2025. He added the preamble stated that the Rules have been enacted in exercise of authority under Article 208 of the Constitution, which says that 'the Supreme Court, the Federal Shariat Court and the Islamabad High Court, with the approval of the President and a High Court, with the approval of the Governor concerned, may make rules providing for the appointment by the Court of officers and servants of the Court and for their terms and conditions of employment.' Justice Sattar argued that constitutional authority under Article 208 rests with the full high court. He wrote, 'The authority under Article 208 of the Constitution is vested in the High Court which is defined in Article 192 of the Constitution as consisting of a Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court. The power created by Article 208 can neither be delegated nor be exercised in any manner other than by the High Court itself; i.e., all Judges of the High Court in a collegiate manner.' He pointed to legal limitations regarding the delegation of such powers, noting that it was a settled proposition that discretionary authority cannot be sub-delegated unless the law which creates such authority provides for its further delegation. Justice Babar continued that no such delegation exists under the existing provisions. 'In any event, the power under Article 208 of the constitution has not been delegated as is evident from the provisions of Rule 5(2) of Chapter 10, Part A of Volume-V of the Lahore High Court Rules and Orders, adopted by the Islamabad High Court,' maintained the judge. He also said, 'The manner in which the High Court can exercise authority in terms of Article 208 of the Constitution has also been explained in Muhammad Shabbir vs. Registrar, Islamabad High Court and another (Judicial Service Appeal No. 03 of 2026).' He mentioned, 'I am not aware of any full court meeting that was convened to consider the enactment of the Rules or to consider the repeal of the Islamabad High Court Establishment Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules. 2011.' He urged the fellow judges that corrective action be undertaken immediately as the Rules will affect the rights and entitlements of employees of IHC. The judge concluded that in the event that Rules are challenged or it otherwise emerges that the High Court has itself purported to enact Rules in breach of requirements of Article 208 of the Constitution and the Lahore High Court Rules and Orders, it will cause great embarrassment to this High Court, other than prejudicing the rights and entitlements of the employees of this Court. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
IHC judge disputes legality of new court rules
Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Justice Babar Sattar has raised objections to the newly notified Islamabad High Court Establishment (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2025, asserting they lack legal authority as they were not approved by a full court. In a letter addressed to all ten IHC judges, Justice Sattar stated that he was not aware of any full court meeting convened to consider the enactment of the Rules or the repeal of the rules. "The Rules are, therefore, devoid of legal authority and have been issued in breach of the requirements of Article 208 as well as those of the Lahore High Court Rules and Orders, as adopted by the Islamabad High Court," he argued. The letter, along with a copy of the new rules, has been submitted to the Supreme Court during hearings on a petition filed by five IHC judges challenging the transfer of three judges from other high courts to the IHC. Justice Sattar urged his fellow judges to undertake corrective measures without delay, stressing the potential consequences for IHC staff. He noted that if rules are challenged or it otherwise emerges that the high court has itself purported to enact rules in breach of requirements of Article 208 of the Constitution and the Lahore High Court Rules and Orders, "it will cause great embarrassment to this high court". He added that it would also prejudice "the rights and entitlements of the employees of this Court". He noted having received S.R.O. 585(1)/2025 dated March 25, 2025, which was published in the Gazette of Pakistan on April 10, 2025, notifying the Islamabad High Court Establishment (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2025. "The preamble states that the Rules have been enacted in exercise of authority under Article 208 of the Constitution, which says that the Supreme Court, the Federal Shariat Court and the Islamabad High Court, with the approval of the President and a High Court, with the approval of the Governor concerned, may make rules providing for the appointment by the Court of officers and servants of the Court and for their terms and conditions of employment." Justice Sattar contended that constitutional authority under Article 208 rests with the full high court. "The authority under Article 208 of the Constitution is vested in the High Court which is defined in Article 192 of the Constitution as consisting of a Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court. The power created by Article 208 can neither be delegated nor be exercised in any manner other than by the High Court itself i.e. all Judges of the High Court in a collegiate manner." He further pointed to legal limitations regarding the delegation of such powers, noting that it was a settled proposition that discretionary authority cannot be sub-delegated unless the law which creates such authority provides for its further delegation. Justice Sattar added that no such delegation exists under the existing provisions. "In any event, the power under Article 208 of the constitution has not been delegated as is evident from the provisions of Rule 5(2) of Chapter 10, Part A of Volume-V of the Lahore High Court Rules and Orders, adopted by the Islamabad High Court." He also cited case law on the matter. "The manner in which the High Court can exercise authority in terms of Article 208 of the Constitution has also been explained in Muhammad Shabbir vs. Registrar, Islamabad High Court and another (Judicial Service Appeal No. 03 of 2026)," he added. Meanwhile, another IHC judge, Justice Saman Riffat, also submitted her own letter to the SC. In her May 5 letter to the IHC registrar, Justice Riffat refers to the earlier notification regarding the Islamabad High Court Practice and Procedure Rules, 2025, published via Gazette Notification No. S.R.O.169(1)/2025 dated February 18, 2025. "As the letter dated 25-4-2025 informed her that the Islamabad High Court Practice and Procedure Rules, 2025 have been published vide gazette Notification No.S.R.O.169(1)/2025 dated 18.02.2025." She referred to previous correspondence contradicting the registrar's claim. "Please recall that vide Letter dated 11-3-2025 you were informed that contrary to your assertion the Rules & Orders of the Lahore High Court. Lahore were in fact adopted by the Honourable Chief Justice and Honourable Judges of this Court vide Notification No. 354/Legis/IHC dated 28-08-2019 and not by the Administration Committee. You were directed to provide all the amendments that have been made to the Rules & Orders of the Lahore High Court, Lahore by the Administration Committees of this Court as claimed by you as well as the date on which the purported Islamabad High Court Practice and Procedure Rules, 2025 were framed and the names of the Members of the Administration Committee who framed the same." She further noted the absence of a reply. "Neither such information nor copy of the Rules has been provided despite lapse of 10 days since your last letter confirming their publication," she added. Justice Riffat reiterates her demand. "Once again you are directed to provide the information and documentation as well as the purported Islamabad High Court Practice and Procedure Rules, 2025," she added.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Media Prima holds 'korban', distributes meat to the needy
KUALA LUMPUR: Media Prima Bhd (MPB) staff carried out the 2025 'Ibadah Korban' programme today in a meaningful show of faith and unity. Organised by Surau MPB, it began at 9am and ended around 3pm, with 145 staff and volunteers taking part in the annual event. A total of 20 cows and five goats were sacrificed this year – a significant increase from 12 cows last year – reflecting strong staff support and the ease of participation via monthly salary deductions coordinated through the Human Resources Department. The animals had been slaughtered beforehand, and participants gathered to help clear the meat from the bones and pack it for distribution. Korban programme manager Mohd Sattar Mat Yusoff said the response from staff had grown steadily over the years, with 140 people contributing their shares for the sacrifice of cows and five others for the goats. "This is our first time hosting the korban here in Bangsar since relocating from Sri Pentas, and the participation has been overwhelming. "A total of 145 employees and volunteers were involved in various roles, from coordination to distribution," he said. Sattar said the meat was distributed according to Islamic guidelines – one-third for contributors, one-third for asnaf (eligible recipients of zakat, including the poor and needy), and one-third for the wider community. This year, 10 asnaf and welfare homes across the Klang Valley received meat, including Pusat Jagaan Titian Kaseh, Asrama Darul Falah under the Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organisation (Perkim), Persatuan Kebajikan Rumah Anak-Anak Yatim Damai Kuang, Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) Seksyen 24 Shah Alam, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim dan Miskin Baitu Saidati Khadijah, Rumah Kebajikan Baitul Ehsan Al-Khairi, Maahad Tahfiz Saidatina Aisyah Lil Banat, Maahad Al Ihya Li Tahfiz Al Quran, Rumah Pertubuhan Anak-Anak Yatim Al Nasuha, and selected families under the care of Masjid Kampung Nakhoda's welfare unit. Volunteer and senior manager of strategy and organisational excellence at MPB's Human Resources Department, Dona Siti Zawina Don Najib, said the event held special meaning for many employees. "Of course it brings joy and a sense of purpose to contribute in this way. "What makes it even more special is that this is our first korban event held at Balai Berita since everyone moved into Bangsar. "It feels truly historic," she said. She said the programme always received strong support from employees, who looked forward to volunteering each year. MPB Islamic Affairs manager and senior manager of employee relations, Fauzi Hashim, said the scale of this year's korban reflected the unity and commitment of staff. "We are grateful to see this level of participation. "It is the largest korban initiative we've organised so far, made possible through the generous contributions and teamwork of everyone involved," he said. He thanked the committee and volunteers for their efforts and reminded them to carry out their duties – cutting, weighing, packing, and distributing the meat – with care and sincerity. "May all our sacrifices be accepted as righteous deeds and continue to benefit us in the hereafter," he said. The programme aims to strengthen community ties while fostering the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and unity among MPB staff.
