Aleema Khan is the sister of Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. While she doesn’t hold an official, elected position within the formal leadership structure of PTI (such as Chairman or Secretary-General), she plays a significant role as a close confidante and representative of her brother, particularly during his imprisonment.
Her activities within the party often involve:
* Conveying Imran Khan’s messages and directives: She frequently speaks to the media outside of Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is imprisoned, delivering his instructions and views to the public and party members. This includes announcing protest plans and discussing the party’s strategies.
* Advocacy for Imran Khan: She is a prominent voice in highlighting the conditions of his imprisonment, claiming he is being denied basic facilities and legal rights.
* Political statements and commentary: Aleema Khan makes public statements on various political issues, often reflecting the party’s stance and criticizing the government or other political entities. She has, for instance, commented on a “minus-Imran” campaign, later clarifying it referred to the government’s attempts to isolate her brother.
* Allegations of power struggles: Reports indicate that she has been involved in internal power struggles within the PTI, particularly concerning her attempts to consolidate power and her relationship with Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi.
In essence, Aleema Khan acts as a key informal leader and a crucial communication channel for Imran Khan, especially given his current incarceration.

The sale of fake smartphones in Pakistan’s mobile markets is a significant issue. Fortunately, various measures are being taken to protect the public, and consumers can also take proactive steps.
Here’s how the public can be protected:
I. Government and Regulatory Measures:
* PTA’s Device Identification, Registration & Blocking System (DIRBS): The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has implemented DIRBS to register all legitimate mobile phones in the country by matching them with their unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers.
* Blocking of unregistered/fake phones: The PTA actively blocks devices with cloned, duplicate, or unverified IMEI numbers from operating on Pakistani mobile networks. They issue SMS alerts to users to verify their IMEI numbers, and failure to do so can result in permanent phone blocking.
* Crackdowns and Raids: The PTA, often in conjunction with agencies like the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), conducts raids on shops involved in the illegal sale of cloned or unregistered devices, leading to confiscation and arrests.
* Public Advisories: The PTA regularly issues warnings to the public against purchasing fake or fraudulent mobile phones.
* Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025: While broader in scope, this act aims to strengthen legal frameworks against cybercrimes, which can indirectly help combat the sale of illegal devices used in fraud.
* FBR Taxed Phones: Authorities advise consumers to only buy phones that are taxed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to ensure their legality.
II. Consumer Due Diligence and Awareness:
* Verify IMEI Number: This is the most crucial step. Before purchasing a phone, always:
* Dial *#06# on the phone to display its IMEI number.
* Check the IMEI number on the phone’s packaging box.
* Verify the IMEI number through the PTA’s official channels:
* Visit the PTA website: http://dirbs.pta.gov.pk/
* Send the IMEI number via SMS to 8484.
* Use the official PTA DVS (Device Verification System) app.
* Ensure the IMEI matches across all sources and that the PTA verification confirms the phone is approved.
* Purchase from Reputable Sellers: Buy phones only from authorized dealers, official brand stores, or well-known retail chains. Avoid street vendors or unofficial shops offering suspiciously low prices.
* Insist on a Warranty: Always demand a valid warranty with your purchase. Fake phones rarely come with genuine warranties.
* Check for PTA Stamp/Seal: Look for the official PTA stamp or seal on the phone’s box.
* Original Packaging: Ensure the phone comes in its original, sealed packaging.
* Be Wary of Suspiciously Low Prices: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Counterfeit phones are often sold at significantly lower prices than genuine ones.
* Inspect the Device: Carefully examine the phone’s build quality, logos, and software. Fake phones often have shoddy craftsmanship, misspelled brand names, or unusual software interfaces.
* Check Manufacturer’s Website: Some manufacturers (like Vivo and Oppo) offer their own IMEI authentication services on their websites.
III. Reporting and Grievance Mechanisms:
* Federal Investigation Agency (FIA): If you suspect you’ve been scammed with a fake phone or encounter illegal sales, report the issue to the FIA.
* PTA: The PTA encourages the public to report any suspicious activity related to mobile phone cloning or tampering.
* Consumer Protection Organizations: Organizations like “The Network for Consumer Protection” (www.thenetwork.org.pk) work to advocate for consumer rights and may offer guidance or assistance with complaints against fraudulent products or services.
By combining stringent regulatory actions with increased public awareness and proactive consumer behavior, Pakistan can work towards significantly curbing the sale of fake smartphones and protecting its citizens from this fraudulent trade.

In Pakistan’s unique automotive market, investors or individuals who book new vehicles often look to earn profits primarily through a phenomenon known as “own money” or “premium.” This practice is a direct result of the chronic demand-supply gap and other market inefficiencies.

Here’s how those who invest in new vehicles through booking in Pakistan typically try to earn profits:

1. Selling with “Own Money” (Premium):
   • The Core Strategy: This is the most common and significant way profits are made. Due to long delivery times for new cars (sometimes months or even over a year, depending on the model and demand) and limited production by local assemblers, there’s a strong demand for immediate delivery.
   • How it Works:
     1. An individual or investor books a new car from an authorized dealer by paying the initial booking amount.
     2. They receive an estimated delivery date, which is often far in the future.
     3. Before the car is delivered, or immediately upon receiving it, they sell the booking or the newly delivered car to an eager buyer who is unwilling to wait for the official delivery period.
     4. This buyer pays the original car price plus an additional amount, known as “own money” or “premium,” for immediate delivery.
     5. The “investor” pockets this “own money” as profit.
   • Factors Contributing to “Own Money”:
     • Long Delivery Times: This is the primary driver. People need cars quickly for personal use, business, or rental purposes.
     • Limited Production Capacity: Local manufacturers often operate below their full capacity, leading to a shortage of vehicles.
     • High Demand: A growing middle class, rising income levels (at times), and changing lifestyles fuel demand.
     • Frequent Price Increases: Automakers in Pakistan frequently increase car prices due to currency devaluation (Pakistani Rupee depreciating against the US Dollar, as many components are imported), rising input costs, and new taxes. An investor booking a car at an older, lower price can sell it at a higher “market price” (inclusive of “own money”) when prices inevitably rise by the time of delivery.
     • Speculation: The expectation of “own money” itself fuels more speculative bookings, further exacerbating the demand-supply imbalance.
     • Government Policies/Taxes: Changes in government duties, taxes (like GST hikes), or import policies can instantly make existing bookings more valuable.
2. Rental Business / Ride-Hailing Services:
   • Some investors purchase multiple vehicles, not for immediate resale with “own money,” but to establish or expand a car rental business or to operate them through ride-hailing platforms like Uber or Careem (though these platforms might have specific vehicle requirements and profitability varies greatly based on driver performance, fuel costs, and maintenance).
   • This is a longer-term investment where profit is earned through monthly rental income, but it involves operational costs and management.
3. Capitalizing on Price Fluctuations (Less Common for New Bookings):
   • While “own money” is about immediate demand for new cars, some might try to profit from general car market trends. If they anticipate a significant price hike or a supply crunch, they might book a car with the intention of selling it later at a higher official price (if allowed by booking terms) or with an even higher “own money” premium.

Impact and Criticisms:

This “own money” phenomenon is widely criticized in Pakistan for several reasons:

• Exploitation of Consumers: It forces genuine buyers to pay inflated prices.
• Market Distortion: It creates an artificial demand and contributes to price instability.
• Unfair Practices: It raises questions about ethical business practices within the automotive industry and dealership networks.
• Tax Evasion: The “own money” component is often transacted unofficially, leading to undeclared income and tax evasion.
• Hindrance to Local Industry: While local assemblers often benefit from the high demand, the practice of “own money” also highlights their failure to meet market demand efficiently, leading to consumer dissatisfaction and calls for increased imports or production.

The government and regulatory bodies have attempted to curb the “own money” practice through various measures, such as requiring buyers to be filers (taxpayers) for car purchases, increasing booking periods, and making it harder to transfer bookings, but the underlying supply-demand gap and economic instability often lead to its persistence.