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She was granted bail against surety bonds worth Rs10 million.

During today's hearing, the court asked NAB's additional prosecutor general Jahanzaib Bharwana if the bureau was done interrogating Talpur. Bharwana responded in the affirmative.

In response to the court's inquiry regarding Talpur's involvement in the case, NAB's counsel insisted that money, allegedly transferred to Zardari Group's bank account from a fake bank account, was withdrawn later by a cheque signed by Talpur.

NAB had taken the PPP leader into custody earlier this year to interrogate her in the case. She was kept in Adiala jail.

Talpur had filed a bail application earlier this month, maintaining that she is the mother of a differently-abled child. In order to care for her child, she asked the court to grant bail until the completion of the trail. Her appeal was meant to be heard last week but was adjourned until today as NAB had not submitted a response.

Her brother Asif Ali Zardari was also granted bail by the IHC last week on medical grounds.

Zardari, Talpur, and others accused face charges of corruption through fake bank accounts and embezzlement in the financial facility for Park Lane Private Limited and Parthenon (Pvt) Limited. NAB alleged that the national exchequer suffered a loss of Rs3.77 billion because of the irregularities.

PPP stalwart Khursheed Shah was also released on bail by an accountability court in Sukkur. The court ordered him to pay Rs5m in surety bonds for his release.

Shah was brought to the court via ambulance from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) today after a five-day judicial remand granted to NAB expired.

The PPP leader was arrested by NAB's Sukkur and Rawalpindi teams in September this year and was later shifted to Sukkur.

Multiple corruption cases against him are under investigation with NAB. In 2012, an accountability court had directed NAB to file a reference against him on a complaint pertaining to alleged accumulation of illegitimate assets.

In 2013, NAB had reopened two corruption cases against Shah under the directives of the Lahore High Court.

In July this year, NAB Chairman retired justice Javed Iqbal had approved nine inquiries against different personalities, including Shah.

"An ex-army chief, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and President of Pakistan, who has served the country for over 40 years, fought wars for the defence of the country can surely never be a traitor," the military's public relations wing said in a statement.

Statement on decision by Special court about General Pervez Musharraf, Retired. pic.twitter.com/C9UAMT1E4W

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 17, 2019

It said that the due legal process seemed to have been ignored including the constitution of a special court, denial of fundamental right of self-defence, undertaking individual specific proceedings and concluding the case in haste.

"Armed forces of Pakistan expect that justice will be dispensed in line with the Constitution in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan," read the statement.

The reaction from the military spokesperson comes after a special court handed the death punishment to the former military dictator for abrogating the constitution and imposing a state of emergency on November 3, 2007.

A three member court headed by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth announced the verdict today.

The court had reserved judgment in the case on the 19th of last month.

The former military chief is currently in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The high treason trial for imposing the state of emergency on Nov 3, 2007, had been pending since December 2013.

Musharraf was indicted on March 31, 2014.

He is presently admitted at a hospital in Dubai in a serious condition.

Earlier, former president Pervez Musharraf consented to record his statement under section 342 in breach of constitution case against him.

A counsel of Musharraf submitted a petition in the special court today.

According to a PIA spokesman, the flight schedule was affected due to heavy fog and the domestic flights schedule was affected due to low visibility. The flight scheduled to land at the Lahore airport from Damam was diverted to the Islamabad airport due to dog.

Lahore to Islamabad bound flight PK-8385 and Karachi bound flights PK-316 and PK-313 from Lahore were cancelled due to dense fog.

The spokesman asked the passengers to register their numbers with the authorities in ticket booking section so that they could be informed regarding any delays.

On November 21, air pollution in the shape of smog engulfed Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport forcing diversion of three flights to Islamabad.

According to airport sources, flight number QR 628 from Doha to Lahore was diverted to Islamabad airport due to poor visibility caused by intense smog.

The flights from Damam and Urumqi were also diverted towards Islamabad from Lahore for the same reason.

Moreover, flight number PK 650 from Islamabad to Lahore was stopped from taking off, while flight number SV 735 from Jeddah to Lahore also facing delay due to visibility problem caused by smog.

The Prime Minister was received by Permanent representative of Pakistan to UN Geneva, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi and Representatives of Swiss Government and UN High Commissioner for Refugees at the airport.  

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Switzerland are co-hosting the forum.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with Turkish President Erdogan, and leaders from Costa Rica, Ethiopia and Germany, have been invited to co-convene the Forum in recognition of their exemplary role for the protection and well-being of refugees.

The Global Refugee Forum is the first major meeting on refugees of the 21st century.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will articulate Pakistan’s perspective, experience and contribution to the Afghan refugees.  

The Prime Minister, during his stay in Geneva, will also have bilateral interaction with his counterparts and the UN leadership, and attend a luncheon hosted by the UN Secretary General.

The premier met the king at the Sakhir Palace. Prime Minister Imran is visiting on the invitation of King Hamad to attend the country's National Day celebrations as a guest of honour. This is his first visit to Bahrain since he assumed office.

Upon his arrival, the premier was received by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa and accorded a guard of honour.

The premier had earlier held a meeting with Crown Prince Salman during which discussions were held on Pakistan-Bahrain bilateral issues and the regional situation, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

They also witnessed the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding in the fields of higher education, scientific research, sports and medical sciences.

The premier is accompanied by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari.

During the visit, Prime Minister Imran is expected to hold one-on-one meetings with the Bahraini king as well as delegation talks with the crown prince.

During these meetings, the prime minister will discuss bilateral relations between the two countries as well as matters concerning regional and international issues, the press release added.

PM @ImranKhanPTI arrives at Manama, Bahrain on his first visit since assuming office. SAPM @sayedzbukhari is accompanying the PM.
Crown Prince HRH Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa received the Prime Minister with a red-carpet welcome.

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— Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & HRD (@mophrd) December 16, 2019

In a statement, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) noted that the visit "will enable the two sides to explore ways and means to further deepen bilateral trade and investment ties".

It will "impart a strong impetus to both sides’ endeavours to forge a closer, multifaceted bilateral relationship," the statement added.

According to a press release issued by the PM Office earlier, a delegation including members of the cabinet and senior government officials will accompany the prime minister.

Taking to Twitter today, Bukhari apologised for not being able to accommodate a gathering organised by Bahrain-based Pakistanis.

The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting presided over by Minister of Kashmir Affair and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, an official source.

The meeting was held on the other day to discuss way forward for carrying out the development projects under Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).

Sharing the details of the projects, he said 34.5MW Harpo Hydro Power, located in Skardu, would be materialized with cost of Rs 9.5 billion.

The project would provide adequate facilities for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Skardu

Construction work on 16-Megawatt (MW) hydropower project at Naltar area of Gilgit was in progress. The project would be completed by June 2020 with a cost of Rs2.90 billion.

32.5 MW Attabad hydropower project costing Rs9.75 billion was being set up at Attabad that would eventually help end load shedding from Hunza and Nagar districts after its completion.

The official said that Gilgit Baltisan region had great potential for the hydro power generation, and could attract huge foreign investments.

"Generation of electricity through water sources and development of tourism sector can bring development, progress and prosperity in the region," the official remarked.

Justice Khosa in his address to the National Police Academy in Islamabad talked about the incidents that compelled the state to introduce major changes in its policy.

“Both these tragic events have some lessons for us,” the CJP said.

The CJP highlighted that APS tragedy shook the whole country and led the nation to look into the approaches that were being used by the state.

“That [APS massacre] was the incident we realised enough is enough,” said CJP Khosa, adding that the massacre also led to the formulation of National Action Plan against terrorism.

The CJP said another lesson was that when the country gets together on a single agenda then it can achieve anything.

The top judge said that there was a need for the country to once again look for the areas that unite the country and work on those areas.

On the fall of Dhaka, the CJP said, “if the state starts asserting itself too much then people breakaway from the social contract.”

The top judge told the police officers that this is what they have to teach to the under training officers.

“Time has come to rethink the approach of the police. Police should be perceived as a protector,” remarked Justice Khosa.

The CJP also spoke about the reforms required to change the police and the reforms undertaken by the police reforms committee.

On November 28, the top court, in its short order, had allowed the federal government to grant a six-month extension to COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

In the detailed verdict penned by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and issued today, the court states that SC bench "explored the scope of Article 243 of the Constitution, reviewed the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, the Pakistan Army Act Rules, 1954".

The court "found that the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 falls deficient of the structural requirements for raising and maintaining an Army under clause (3) of Article 243 of the Constitution".

The verdict noted that "no tenure or age of retirement for the rank of General is provided under the law. As per the institutional practice a General retires on completion of a tenure of three years. Although an institutional practice cannot be a valid substitute of the law."

"There is no provision in the law for extending service of a General for another tenure; nor is there any consistent and continuous institutional practice of granting such extension," Justice Shah wrote, adding that the summaries for the reappointment, extension and fresh appointment of General Bajwa were "meaningless" in absence of the relevant law.

The verdict further stated that in the light of the attorney general's assurances as well as the importance of the responsibilities of the COAS, it is appropriate that the incumbent COAS may continue for a period of six months.

However, the court warns that in the absence of legislation on the matter within six months, the institutional practice of retirement of a General on completion of the tenure of three years "shall stand enforced".

Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, in his additional note in the verdict, said that "in our peculiar historical context Chief of the Army Staff holds a powerful position in ways more than one," adding that "unbridled power or position, like unstructured discretion, is dangerous."

The chief justice further said that "it has been a shocking revelation to us that the terms and conditions of service of Chief of the Army Staff, the tenure of his office, extension in the tenure of his office or his reappointment have remained unregulated by any law so far."

Justice Khosa, ended his note by saying that "the democratic maturity of our nation has reached a stage where this Court can proclaim that, as declared by Chief Justice Sir Edward Coke of England in the Commendam case in the year 1616 regarding the powers of King James I, “Howsoever high you may be; the law is above you”.

During the meeting, matters pertaining to bilateral relations and regional situation came under discussion.

Earlier, Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa received the Prime Minister with a red carpet welcome at Manama airport of Bahrain.

 On the invitation of King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Imran Khan is visiting the Kingdom to attend the National Day of Bahrain as Guest of Honor.

Bahrain's highest civil award will be conferred upon the Prime Minister.

Special Assistant Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari and senior officials are accompanying the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister's visit to Bahrain will enable the two sides to explore ways and means to further deepen bilateral trade and investment ties. The visit is of special significance and will impart a strong impetus to both sides' endeavors to forge a closer and multifaceted bilateral relationship.Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived at Al-Qudaibiya Palace in Manama on Monday for official meeting with Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa.

During the meeting, matters pertaining to bilateral relations and regional situation came under discussion.

Earlier, Crown Prince of Bahrain Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa received the Prime Minister with a red carpet welcome at Manama airport of Bahrain.

On the invitation of King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Imran Khan is visiting the Kingdom to attend the National Day of Bahrain as Guest of Honor.

Bahrain's highest civil award will be conferred upon the Prime Minister.

Special Assistant Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari and senior officials are accompanying the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister's visit to Bahrain will enable the two sides to explore ways and means to further deepen bilateral trade and investment ties. The visit is of special significance and will impart a strong impetus to both sides' endeavors to forge a closer and multifaceted bilateral relationship.

As per the DG ISPR Asif Ghafoor’s tweet, the COAS said, “Five of the involved terrorists have been hanged through military courts. Salute to martyrs and their families.”

“APS carnage will never be forgotten. Five of the involved terrorists have been hanged through military courts. Salute to martyrs and their families. We have come a long way in failing terrorism as a nation. United we move towards lasting peace and prosperity of Pakistan”, COAS. pic.twitter.com/Swv1ocF3gO

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 16, 2019

“We have come a long way in failing terrorism as a nation. United we move towards lasting peace and prosperity of Pakistan,” he said.

On Dec 16, 2014, six terrorists carried out the horrific attack on the Army Public school at Versak road, Peshawar and killed 150 people including the principal Tahira Qazi, staff members and innocent students.

During the visit, the prime minister will have a one-on-one meeting with King Khalifa and hold delegation-level talks with Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.

The meeting between the leaders would cover the entire gamut of bilateral relations and matters pertaining to regional and international issues, the statement added.

Bahrain's highest civil award will be conferred upon the prime minister on the occasion. The news was confirmed by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Zulfikar Bukhari earlier this week to Arab News.

Sources said, the PPP stalwart has been asked to appear before the NAB Rawalpindi chapter today, in appointment of Yousuf Baig Mirza as MD PTV, what NAB thinks was out of turn.

During a five-day campaign in Punjab 19 million children under the age of five years will be administered anti-polio vaccine.

In Sindh over 2.3 million children while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan over six point seven million and 2.5 million children up to five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops respectively.

Earlier, on December 13, Prime Minister Imran Khan urged parents to actively take part in the administration of anti-polio drops to their children in an order to eradicate the virus from the country.

Addressing the launching ceremony of the Nationwide Polio Eradication Campaign in Islamabad, the prime minister urged the nation to eradicate polio from the country as it is a ‘matter of shame’ that Pakistan is still among the countries in the world where polio continues to exist.

On this day in 2014, more than 150 people, including 134 children and staff members lost their lives in a blatant act of terrorism in Army Public School Peshawar.

APS attack

Prime Minister Imran Khan in a message on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attack on Peshawar’s Army Public School reiterated the nation’s resolve towards national, regional and world peace.

In a message, the premier said education is the only weapon with which extremism and terrorism could be defeated permanently.

In his message on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said the students and teachers of the APS had written history with their blood to make Pakistan secure and peaceful.

He said that the great sacrifices given by students and teachers will bear fruits who embraced martyrdom during the APS tragic incident.

The day of 16th December will always refresh the memories of great sacrifices being rendered by the martyrs of APS and the nation will never forget everlasting and unforgettable sacrifices of the children and teachers of APS, he added.

Pakistan People’s Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid rich tribute to the innocent martyrs of Army Public school, Peshawar on the 5th anniversary.

In his message, the PPP leader said that extremism and terrorism were the enemies of peace and human development.

A number of activities and functions will be held across the country today to remember the sacrifices of the innocent children.

A special function has also been arranged in Army Public School Peshawar to pay homage to the martyred students and teachers of the school.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including members of the cabinet and senior government officials.

This is Prime Minister Imran Khan's first visit to Bahrain since assuming office in August last year.

During the visit, he will have one-on-one meeting with King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa and hold delegation-level talks with Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.

The exchange of views would cover the entire gamut of bilateral relations and matters pertaining to regional and international issues.

Bahrain's highest civil award will be conferred upon the Prime Minister on the occasion.

The Prime Minister's visit to Bahrain will enable the two sides to explore ways and means to further deepen bilateral trade and investments ties.

The PPP chairman was addressing a gathering of party supporters in Quetta. Bilawal said that he was about to give masses the message from Liaquat Bagh that people were the source of power.

“We do not accept any selector or selected,” he said. “For us, only the will of the people is acceptable. Not an umpire’s finger,” he added.

Bilawal said that it was time to end the reign of puppets and bring to power those who had the support of the masses. He said that confronting the prime minister will not be difficult.

“We [PPP] has faced dictators. Who is this puppet,” he asked, referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Bilawal said that if opponents thought they could frighten the son of Benazir, they were wrong.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including members of the cabinet and senior government officials.

This is Prime Minister Imran Khan's first visit to Bahrain since assuming office in August last year.

During the visit, he will have one-on-one meeting with King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa and hold delegation-level talks with Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. The exchange of views would cover the entire gamut of bilateral relations and matters pertaining to regional and international issues.

Bahrain's highest civil award will be conferred upon the Prime Minister on the occasion.

Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy close cordial ties based on commonalities of faith and culture and marked by mutual trust and understanding.

The bilateral relationship is broad-based and multifaceted, covering diverse fields including political, trade, commercial, defence, people-to-people contacts. Frequent high-level exchanges are a hallmark of the relationship. Pakistan and Bahrain closely coordinate in multilateral fora including the UN, OIC and GCC.

The two countries have established institutional mechanisms, including Bilateral Political Consultations and Joint Ministerial Commission, to bolster bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

Both Pakistan and Bahrain also enjoy close inter-parliamentary cooperation. Over 100,000 Pakistani expatriate community, which contributes to the socio-economic development of Bahrain, acts as a strong human bridge between the two countries.

The Prime Minister's visit to Bahrain will enable the two sides to explore ways and means to further deepen bilateral trade and investments ties.

While addressing the inaugural ceremony of “Hunarmand Nujawan Programme” at Expo Centre, Lahore on Saturday, he said, “Foreign investment to the tune of $2 billion has been witnessed in Faisalabad Industrial Estates.”

He said that industries of around $1 billion have been set up and agreements with foreign companies have been inked for $1 billion additional investment. The minister revealed that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the Allama Iqbal Industrial City Faisalabad on January 3, 2020.

The minister added that the implementation of price control mechanism bore positive results and prices of essential items had been stabilised.

He added that a target of imparting technical education to 2.5 million children was set under the Punjab Growth Strategy 2023 and the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) would impart trainings to 875,000 students under this strategy.

“Presently, Tevta trains 90,000 students every year and under the Hunarmand Nujawan Program, it will train additional 100,000 students annually,” he said.

While addressing the inaugural ceremony of “Hunarmand Nujawan Programme” at Expo Centre, Lahore on Saturday, he said, “Foreign investment to the tune of $2 billion has been witnessed in Faisalabad Industrial Estates.”

He said that industries of around $1 billion have been set up and agreements with foreign companies have been inked for $1 billion additional investment. The minister revealed that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the Allama Iqbal Industrial City Faisalabad on January 3, 2020.
The minister added that the implementation of price control mechanism bore positive results and prices of essential items had been stabilised.

He added that a target of imparting technical education to 2.5 million children was set under the Punjab Growth Strategy 2023 and the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) would impart trainings to 875,000 students under this strategy.

“Presently, Tevta trains 90,000 students every year and under the Hunarmand Nujawan Program, it will train additional 100,000 students annually,” he said.