LAHORE: Former minister for railways Khwaja Saad Rafiq said on Tuesday the meeting of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) at Minar-i-Pakistan was an ‘unprecedented’ gathering.

“I have not seen such a big jalsa in my political career,” he insisted, responding to the journalists at the judicial complex where he arrived to attend the hearing of Paragon City reference before an accountability court.

Advising the journalists not to fall prey to the government’s propaganda, he maintained that the crowd at the PDM meeting was huge with an overwhelming participation of the Lahorites.

He also rejected the news, aired by some sections of the media, as if he showed his resentment over low turnout of the workers in the meeting from Lahore. He said these ‘engineered’ news stories were part of the government’s propaganda.

During the hearing of the reference, Presiding Judge Jawadul Hassan expressed displeasure over the NAB for not presenting a prosecution witness.

A prosecutor told the court that the witness namely Aqsa Jabeen was not available due to a marriage function in her immediate family.

The judge observed that it seemed the prosecution had no interest in presenting its witnesses.

The judge adjourned further hearing till Dec 18 and directed the prosecution to present three witnesses.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Stalled talks
Updated 25 Jan, 2025

Stalled talks

It would have been wiser for PTI to not react to the provocation. However bitter their differences, both parties need something from each other.
Bureaucratic approach
25 Jan, 2025

Bureaucratic approach

WHEN bureaucrats fancy themselves as scholars, universities suffer. It’s a pity this is a lesson the Sindh...
West Bank’s turn
25 Jan, 2025

West Bank’s turn

MERE days after pausing the Gaza genocide, Israel has turned its guns on the occupied West Bank. Though Israel had...
Digital dragnet
24 Jan, 2025

Digital dragnet

The Pakistani state must stop inflicting wounds on itself and learn to resolve its internal issues through social and political means.
USC closure
24 Jan, 2025

USC closure

THE PML-N government seems to have finally firmed up its mind on the future of the Utility Stores. The cabinet has...
Hindu exodus
Updated 24 Jan, 2025

Hindu exodus

The state cannot absolve itself of the responsibility to protect Hindu citizens, and assure them of safety.