Imran Khan to give call for Islamabad march after floods ease

by Argus News

Islamabad, Sep 4: Lashing out at the coalition government over soaring inflation and its alleged plan to impose further taxes worth Rs 608 billion on the masses, former Pak interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Sunday announced that PTI Chairman Imran Khan will give a call for a march on Islamabad once the floods recede, Geo News reported.

The statement by the Awami Muslim League (AML) chief comes a day after Imran Khan, at a public rally warned the PM Shehbaz Sharif-led government to stop the "persecution" of his party workers with court cases, saying that he will otherwise head for the federal capital once more with his supporters.

"The IMF struck yet another deal with the government for recovery of Rs 608 billion. First they robbed the national treasury and now they are looking to pick people's pockets," said the former interior minister, Geo News reported.

Referring to the flood situation in Sindh, Sheikh Rasheed said that the flash floods have "opened the eyes" of the people of Sindh. "The floods have destroyed the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) reputation," he said.

He asked how other countries will give aid to a nation where the people refuse to donate to "these money launderers?"

Khan's aide said that people are not able to pay electricity bills and buy petrol "and yet the government is planning to increase taxes".

A day earlier, former Pak prime minister Imran Khan warned the government to stop the "persecution" of his party workers otherwise he will again march on Islamabad.

He said the government would have "no place to hide" in the event he comes to Islamabad, Geo News reported.

(IANS)

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IPL 2024: Sanjay Bangar Appointed Punjab Kings' Head of Cricket Development

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Dec 8: Former India allrounder Sanjay Bangar has been appointed the head of cricket development at Punjab Kings (PBKS), the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise said on Friday.

The appointment marks Bangar's return to PBKS, having previously been the franchise's assistant coach in 2014 before assuming the role of head coach in 2015 and 2016.

"We are delighted to announce the return of our sher, Sanjay Bangar as the new Head of Cricket Development at Punjab Kings. Bangar brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our organization, and we are confident that under his leadership, our cricket development programs will reach new heights," PBKS said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

Under Bangar in 2014, PBKS (then Kings XI Punjab) finished runners-up which remains their best performance to date. However, they have not managed to reach the playoffs since that season.

Following his previous stint with the PBKS, Bangar went on to serve as the batting coach for the Indian team, contributing to their journey to the semi-finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup.

Read more Sports News

He subsequently took on the role of batting consultant for Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2021 before being appointed as their head coach for the succeeding two years. (IANS)

PM Modi Targets Opposition After Rs 200 Crore Seized In IT Raids On Liquor Traders In Odisha

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, Dec 8: As the Income Tax (IT) sleuths seized over Rs 220 crore in cash during raids on Odisha-based distillery group till Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at those involved in corruption saying every penny looted will have to be returned.

The Prime Minister was apparently referring to Opposition leaders who allegedly have links with the liquor firm.

"The countrymen should look at the pile of these notes and then listen to the honest 'speeches' of their leaders…..Whatever has been looted from the public, every penny will have to be returned, this is Modi’s guarantee," PM Modi said in a Hindi post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Prime Minister also attached a photo of a Hindi newspaper in which the cash recovered by the IT department was shown stacked.

देशवासी इन नोटों के ढेर को देखें और फिर इनके नेताओं के ईमानदारी के 'भाषणों' को सुनें... 😂😂😂

जनता से जो लूटा है, उसकी पाई-पाई लौटानी पड़ेगी, यह मोदी की गारंटी है।

❌❌❌💵 💵 💵❌❌❌ pic.twitter.com/O2pEA4QTOj — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2023

IT officials first raided BDPL on December 6 on allegations of tax evasion, and later searched the premises of Baldeo Sahu and Group of Companies, from where they claim to have recovered 156 bags of cash. Subsequently, simultaneous raids were conducted in Titlagarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh and Bhubaneswar in Odisha and in a few places in Jharkhand, said official sources.

Also Read: BJP Demands CBI Inquiry Into Seizure Of Rs 500-Cr From Liquor Trader

The IT department has so far seized over Rs 220 crore in simultaneous raids conducted at around 25 premises in Odisha and Jharkhand linked to Baldeo Sahu and Group of Companies Ltd, a country-liquor manufacturing and selling firm with operations across Odisha’s western districts.

The total seized amount is likely to go up as the counting process is still on, sources in the IT department said.

According to IT sources, the group is allegedly linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand Dhiraj Sahu, whose family members run the business. It’s a partnership firm of Boudh Distilleries Private Limited (BDPL) and a leading country-liquor manufacturing firm, IT sources said.

Read More Odisha News

Free Travel For Women In Telangana RTC Buses From Dec 9

by Hemanta Pande

Hyderabad, Dec 8: Women in Telangana will be able to travel free in state-owned TSRTC buses from Saturday as the new Congress government in the state has decided to implement two of the six guarantees.

Day after assuming office, the Congress government issued an order to roll out the facility under the Mahalakshmi scheme promised during the elections for empowerment of women.

From Saturday (December 9) afternoon, girls and women of all age groups and transgender persons who are domicile of Telangana, can travel free in Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) buses within the state borders.

Also Read: Once A Gun-Wielding Maoist, Seethakka Is Now A Telangana Minister

The state government issued modalities for implementation of the scheme, which is being launched on the birthday of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

Women, girls and transgenders can travel in Palle Velugu, Express, city ordinary and city Metro buses, announced TSRTC Managing Director, V. C. Sajjanar.

Travel in inter-state Express and Palle Velugu buses will be free up to the borders of Telangana State.

“They can travel by showing any of the identity cards like Adhaar, voter ID, driving licence, PAN card or passport. There will be no restriction. They can travel any distance within the state,” he said, adding that they will be issued zero tickets after 5-6 days.

The scheme will be launched at 1.30 p.m. from Assembly premises in the presence of ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and boxing champion Nikhat Zareen.

The TSRTC MD said a total of 7,292 buses can be used by beneficiaries under the scheme.

He said the travel pattern of TSRTC shows that 40 per cent of its passengers are women. This number is expected to go up to 50-55 per cent with the implementation of the scheme.

Sajjanar said based on the number of beneficiaries of the scheme, TSRTC will seek reimbursement from the government.

TSRTC’s current daily revenues are Rs 14 crore. “With the implementation of this scheme, it will automatically come down by 50 per cent. We will request the government to fill the gap,” he said.