[Current Affairs] September 02,2020 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for PPSC Test Preparation

What’s going on? The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the alleged threats against journalist, Ahmad Noorani, after he published this investigative piece about retired army general, Asim Saleem Bajwa. Noorani is also posting about the threats against him on Twitter. Basically, Noorani tried to unveil the Bajwa family’s offshore properties and businesses.

The details: Bajwa is currently chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information. In his article, Noorani made claims about the Bajwa family’s business interests abroad. Bajwa’s brother, Nadeem, was a delivery driver for Papa John’s Pizza before working his way up to operating multiple Papa John’s locations. Bajwa’s younger brothers reportedly opened their first Papa John’s Pizza restaurant in 2002. Now, according to Noorani, the Bajwa family owns a massive business empire, which includes 99 companies in four countries, and a pizza franchise with 133 restaurants.

Tell me more: When signing his declaration of assets and liabilities, Bajwa reportedly said he and his wife don’t have immovable property or business capital outside of Pakistan. However, according to Noorani’s report, the Bajwa family’s companies (i.e. Bajco Group) spent an estimated $52.2 million to develop their businesses, and $14.5 million to purchase properties in the US. According to Noorani, official documents show Bajwa’s wife as an equal shareholder in the businesses of Bajco Group, along with Bajwa’s five brothers.

Looking ahead: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is encouraging a probe into Noorani’s report. Bajwa denied the allegations and called the report “a malicious propaganda story.” Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said it’s common for news to come out without any confirmation, and that the report’s authenticity will be clarified soon. Bajwa’s brother and president of Bajco Group, Malik, claimed that Bajwa and his sons are not involved in Bajco. Bajwa will address Noorani’s news report in the next few days.

The bottom line: PBC, HRCP, and PFUJ leaders called on human rights organizations and civil society to take note of how critical voices are allegedly silenced through brute force or abductions. They are convinced that freedom of expression is under threat in Pakistan.

• Backstory: PTA has been targeting online platforms that allegedly circulate “immoral content.” Nearly two months ago, PTA banned live-streaming app, Bigo, and gave a final warning to video-sharing app, TikTok, citing “explicit content” on the platforms. However, PTA lifted the ban on Bigo after a company representative reiterated Bigo’s commitment to moderate immoral and indecent content in accordance with Pakistani laws. Last week, PTA even asked video-sharing platform, YouTube, to immediately block vulgar, indecent, immoral, nude and hate speech content in Pakistan.

4. Pakistani court issues warning to Ex-PM, Nawaz Sharif

Former PM, Nawaz Sharif, might be out of sight, but he’s definitely not out of mind. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) court told Sharif to come back to Pakistan by September 10, since he still has to face a corruption hearing. If he doesn’t listen, he could be declared a fugitive. Sharif has been in London since November last year, when authorities let him travel abroad to get medical treatment. At the time, the Lahore High Court (LHC) allowed Sharif to leave the country for four weeks. Sharif’s daughter, Maryam Nawaz, said her father would come back after he recovers, or when doctors give him the go-ahead. However, critics are accusing him of manipulating his medical reports to show that he was critically ill, since he has reportedly spent most of his time at the family’s apartment.