The India's tech hub has lost 79% of its bodies of water and 88% of its green cover over 40 years, while areas covered by concrete have increased 11-fold
asia1 hour ago
In an unprecedented move, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif dismissed 12 army officers, including a three-star general, from service over alleged corruption on Thursday.
These officials include Lt-Gen. Obaidullah Khattak and Maj-Gen. Ejaz Shahid besides five brigadiers, a colonel and three Lt. Colonels, and a major, a statement by military spokesman said. Most of them belong to the Frontier Constabulary who served in Balochistan.
Here are some of the names:
Lt-Gen. Obaidullah, Maj-Gen. Ejaz Shahid, Brigadier Rasheed, Brigadier Asad Shahzada, Brigadier Saifullah, Brigadier Amir, Lt-Col Haider and Maj. Najeeb.
Lt-Gen Obaidullah served as Inspector General Arms and Weapons at General Headquarters. He reportedly brought under his personal use a Ferrari car on which no customs duty was paid. The vehicle was at one stage driven by his two junior officers for domestic purpose when they met an accident, both of them were killed.
Maj-Gen. Ejaz Shahid served as chief of the all-powerful Frontier Constabulary in Balochistan which wields immense administrative, political and financial pre-eminence in the province.
The development comes two days after the COAS said "across the board accountability is necessary for the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of Pakistan", adding that the war against terror cannot be won unless "the menace of corruption is uprooted".
Gen. Raheel said "Pakistan's armed forces will fully support every meaningful effort in that direction which would ensure a better future for our next generations."
Gen. Raheel's statement was widely acclaimed in the country amid hopes that the process would also cover the military.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi commenting on the dismissals said Gen. Raheel has demonstrated that there is no "sacred cow" as is being doubted in the country. Gen. Raheel's statement was generally linked to current national debate on Panama Papers in which names of about 200 prominent Pakistani personalities including two sons and a daughter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have figured.
PML-N's Zubair Umar said that although the army chief's move was laudable, only the PML-N and prime minister should not be targeted. He called for holding "corrupt elements" within the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) and PPP accountable as well.
PTI's Shah Mahmood Qureshi appreciated the development, terming the move a signal that Operation Zarb-i-Azb and the war against corruption will not stop. "This action will bring more credibility to the state's security in carrying out an across-the-board operation."
"It's an extraordinary development," retired general Talat Masood said.
"The military has taken the lead in punishing corrupt officials and has set an excellent example. It will have a very serious impact and very positive impact in the future. Those who are corrupt should be worried now."
Some of the officers dismissed
> Lt Gen. Obaidullah, Inspector General Arms and Weapons at General Headquarters
> Maj Gen Ejaz Shahid
> Brigadier Rasheed
> Brigadier Asad Shahzada
> Brigadier Saifullah
> Brigadier Amir
> Brigadier Haider
> Lt Col Haider, Commandant Chaman Scouts
> Maj Najeeb
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