Aleema Khan, sister of founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, took to X (formerly Twitter) on May 15 to express concerns about the safety of her brother whilst he is incarcerated in Adiala Jail.
Aleema Khan wrote, “Imran Khan informed us in jail: “I am concerned that they have suddenly changed my security guards at midnight.” When asked, he was told they that they had gone on leave for 2 months.”
She also stated that a family meeting with Imran Khan was cancelled by jail authorities and the same thing happened with Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s family meeting on Monday.
“This evening, we were informed that Al-Qadir case in jail court has also been cancelled. Quite simply, we are very concerned about his safety and well-being and can never rule out the threat to his life. There have already been several assassination attempts on him in the past few years,” she wrote on X.
Social media reactions were mostly sympathetic to Khan’s post.
Kashif Abbasi, a prominent journalist at ARY News, was conducting his political talk show, which airs from 8 PM – 9 PM, when it was allegedly taken off air mid-transmission around 8:42 PM on May 7.
The guests in the program were Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) senior leader Mian Javed Latif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Salman Akram Raja.
When the show was taken off air, Raja and the journalist were discussing the recent press briefing by DG ISPR and the events of May 9.
Kashif Abbasi emphasised that the press briefing had made it clear that the ‘military was not ready for any talks with PTI’ and remarked “PTI needs to decide whether they want to hold dialogue with political parties or not.”
After this, the show was taken off air. The part that did air is available on YouTube.
Social media reactions were mostly critical of the show being taken off the air.
It’s been a tough month for Aftab Iqbal. After actor and comedian Sohail Ahmed publicly criticised Iqbal for the way he allegedly treats his team, another famous name has accused the television host of high-handed behaviour.
On April 24, Lahore-based journalist Ambreen Fatima revealed a shocking story by asking T.V. host and comedian Shafaat Ali whether Aftab Iqbal had locked him in a room to force him into signing a contract to appear on his program.
Ambreen Fatima wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Is it true that Aftab Iqbal locked you in a room in Express office, and the condition to get out of the room was that you signed a contract to work with him even though you didn’t want to do it, then your life was spared with the intervention of a big journalist?”
Shafaat Ali confirmed the event and said that it took place in 2016.
The Current reached out to Ali to seek details about the incident. Ali recounted, “It was November 2016 and he [Aftab Iqbal] wanted me to sign on for his show but I had already appeared on four shows with him. I sent him a text that I would not be appearing anymore and would decide later if I wanted to.”
Ali told The Current that he didn’t feel like doing more shows because “Punjabi language wasn’t my forte back then,” and that previous shows were “sort of pro bono”.
He also recounted how his mother was apprehensive about him working with Aftab Iqbal because of the way he talked to him [Shafaat Ali] and how “he looked down upon everyone else”. “My mother said that Beta, it’s your career, your choice but I don’t get any good vibes from this,” Ali recalled. Until then, according to Ali, he had not signed any contract with Iqbal or the network Iqbal was working for.
Ali said that when he informed Iqbal’s team of his decision, he received a call from the producer of the show to attend a farewell party that night.
When Ali reached the office, “Aftab Iqbal joined and started telling me that I can’t leave the show because he has bigger plans with the show and he was going to make a movie,” Ali recalled. “He told me he was going to make a movie. I said well, best of luck but I can’t sign up. He asked why, I said because I can’t.”
Ali recounted that when he refused Iqbal’s offer he was furious probably because “no one had ever said NO to him.”
Aftab Iqbal asked his associate producer to bring a contract and asked him to sign it. According to Ali, they locked him in a room and it was a “pretty awful” experience for him.
Ali called up senior journalist Saleem Safi from the room to get his help and it worked. “I think it worked and the room opened. I came out shook his hand and took off.”
Ali says that after his harrowing experience, Iqbal has done a few shows against him as well.
Aftab Iqbal’s version
The Current reached out to Aftab Iqbal to ask about his version of the story.
Aftab Iqbal said he did not lock Shafaat Ali in a room and it would be “ridiculous” to claim such a thing.
He said that there were two rooms at the Express News office beside the reception and “it is incomprehensible to even suggest that one could lock a person there.”
According to Aftab, Ali had “problems with his salary package and told us that he cannot do any more shows even though we had an agreement.”
He said he remembers when Ali said, “My mother told me that it is a verbal agreement and nothing has been written so I want to leave.”
He recounted that “this was shocking to hear because as soon as Shafaat brought up his mother then I said the matter is concluded.”
When asked about how Saleem Safi came in between the matter, Aftab said “Saleem Safi called me and inquired about the event.”
“I asked Saleem Safi if Geo is trying to take him away because you are calling me,” said Iqbal.
When The Current asked Iqbal about the purpose of Saleem’s call, he recounted that “Safi said that Shafaat called me and said Aftab bhai is pressurising him to sign a contract.”
When asked about the agreement whether it was a verbal or a written agreement, Aftab confirmed that it was indeed a verbal agreement and ‘it holds the same importance’.
Saleem Safi’s version
The Current reached out to senior journalist and talk show host Saleem Safi to ask him about the entire incident. However, upon inquiry, Saleem Safi said he could not recount the details of the above-mentioned event at all.
According to a surprising notification issued by the Cabinet Division on April 28, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, a position not recognised in the Constitution.
Dar was appointed as the country’s foreign minister after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) formed a coalition government after the general elections this year.
Historically, there is only one person who held the same position as Dar does now – Pervaiz Elahi in 2012 after Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) allied with the then-ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Interestingly, X (formerly Twitter) users pointed out that the constitution of Pakistan makes no mention or reference to “deputy prime minister” at all.
Predictably, people on social media had some things to say about Dar’s new appointment.
The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has sent a summary to the Ministry of Energy, proposing to impose taxes on domestic and commercial solar panels.
Geo reported that it has been proposed to collect a tax of Rs. 2000 per Kilowatt from domestic and commercial solar panels that are in use.
Furthermore, the summary suggested that tax be levied on 12 Kilowatt solar panel grids. According to sources, Rs. 24,000 would be charged to customers who are using a 12-kilowatt solar panel.
It is not clear as yet whether this tax will be a one-time expense or a monthly expense.
The summary has been sent to the Prime Minister for approval.
Social media reacted angrily to the news.
Meanwhile, reportedly the rates of solar panels are also under consideration and if the summary is approved, NEPRA will be requested to reduce the rates of solar panels further.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has stated that ‘negotiations’ is the only way to move forward in dealing with terrorism.
Addressing a press conference, the CM KP said, “Imran Khan stated that we should not become a part of somebody else’s war and that negotiations are the only solution.”
Gandapur also added that “whatever we have done before has not yielded any results but rather we have suffered.”
It should be noted that the Imran Khan-led government, after the Afghan Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, pursued infamous “peace deals” with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which failed.
Historically, Pakistan has tried to negotiate at least a half dozen of these ‘peace deals’ with the TTP and every single one has failed.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the former Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa and the ex-spymaster General Faiz Hamid should be held accountable for their policy of allowing the Taliban to return to Pakistan.
According to Asif, ‘generals painted a rosy picture’ of a new era if the TTP were allowed back in the country.
The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) annual report revealed that more than 1500 people lost their lives in 2023 due to terror attacks.
Pakistan has witnessed a stark increase in terror attacks since the Afghan Taliban came into power in the neighbouring country.
Pakistan continues to blame Afghanistan for their inaction against anti-Pakistan elements and even conducted surgical strikes inside Afghanistan in March 2024 targeting hideouts of commanders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Social media reactions were mostly mixed regarding the CM KP’s statement.
On Saturday, three people, including two Customs officials, were murdered in an attack near Bannu Road when unknown gunmen opened fire targeting their vehicle at the Yarak toll plaza in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
This is the second attack on Pakistan Customs officials in less than a week in Dera Ismail Khan.
Previously on April 18, seven people, including a child, were slain in an attack out of which five were Custom officials. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, reiterating Pakistan’s resolve to fight terrorism.
The Khorasan Diary had reported that “Customs had tightened the noose around smuggling around this area as it was frequented by militant networks who were involved in smuggling weapons and vehicles used in attack in urban centres,” a senior customs official said.
The special situation report of the April 18 incident was released by the Deputy Commissioner
Moreover, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the heinous attack.
It should be noted that Dera Ismail Khan is an infamous route for illicit trade and smuggling as there have been many instances when the authorities have foiled bids to smuggle goods including arms, Iranian fuel and more.
As Pakistan navigates through tough economic waters, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered strict action against smugglers and urged law enforcement agencies to expedite their campaigns.
Illicit activities such as black market and smuggling cost Pakistan $23 billion per year, according to the report by ACE Money Transfer, a UK-based company.
Previously, the caretaker administration started the anti-smuggling drive in the country to protect the feeble foreign exchange and stop the devaluation of local currency (PKR).
The FBR released a statement offering condolences to the victims’ families.
A video emerged over the weekend on social media of a man, seemingly a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter, waving a poster with Imran Khan’s picture inside the holiest Muslim site- The Ka’ba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The footage was shared by a user on X, formerly Twitter while condemning his actions.
Originally, the video was posted on Tiktok by a PTI supporter, Jameelrehmani24, himself displaying the poster at the holy site.
Social media reactions were mixed with some users saying there is nothing wrong with doing so and others condemning the move.
Interestingly in 2018, two Indian nationals were held by Saudi authorities for waving and taking pictures with the tri-colour Indian flag inside the Kaaba in Mecca.
Following the incident, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah released a statement that it is illegal to display flags in the area.
On April 17, social media was in an uproar with the news of Advisor to the Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Mashal Yousafzai requesting the government for luxury cars worth more than Rs 27 million on provincial government’s expenditure.
Social media users were quick to criticise the move as the government is implementing austerity measures due to poor economic environment.
Geo News reported on the issue, led by their Peshawar reporter Nadia Saboohi who sent Yousafzai messages on whatsapp to ask about her version. Soon after Geo reported on the story, Yousafzai alleged in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Saboohi tried to extort money from her and when Yousafzai refused to give in, ‘propaganda’ was done against her.
The Current spoke with Saboohi to find out what happened.
“I had access to the document detailing the request for luxury cars, but since there are many fake documents on social media, I waited to get a confirmation from the relevant authorities about the authenticity of the document,” Saboohi said over the phone. “After the document was authenticated by proper authorities, I reached out to advisor sahiba for an explanation and her point of view.”
Interestingly, according to the document, Yousafzai had asked for a Toyota Fortuner for herself, listed at a price of over Rs. 1.7 crore and a KIA Sportage for her secretary worth Rs. 73 lakhs.
DOCUMENT
Saboohi remarked that she simply asked the advisor for her perspective, saying that she also asked if the move was wise in such a difficult economic climate, adding that “Even advisor sahiba’s own department has not paid seven to eight hundred employees their salaries.”
Saboohi also pointed out that the Chief Minister of KP Ali Amin Gandapur, implemented an austerity program and no government official is allowed to get any new cars or go abroad for medical treatment.
“In the beginning of our conversation, advisor sahiba flatly denied the existence of any such summary,” Saboohi recalled, “When she was sent the document, she changed her statement and said, ‘This summary is from March 29 and I stopped it.’”
When Geo News broke the story, it went viral, generating immense backlash against Yousafzai. The advisor then tweeted that she had taken back the request for luxury cars.
TWEET
But the issue did not die down. Yousafzai took to X again and criticised the journalist and posted a serious allegation on X against Saboohi.
‘You’re taking money from the ‘boys’ and Muazzam Butt,” read Yousafzai’s tweet.
She also posted screenshots of the conversation she had with the journalist and revealed Saboohi’s phone number to the public. However, in the screenshots posted in her tweet, there is no evidence that Saboohi had extorted money from the advisor.
Yousafzai later deleted the tweet.
Deleted Tweet
“I made it clear to advisor sahiba that, being a journalist, I have no interest in taking sides,” Saboohi said. “I also told her that I have no personal grudge against you but the story was important to break because given the tough socio-economic environment the people of KP are facing, people deserved to know that luxury vehicles might be purchased using taxpayers’ money.”
According to Saboohi, Yousafza has issues within her own party, specifically with senior advocate Muazzam Butt in Insaf Lawyers Forum. Butt was also mentioned in the tweet against Saboohi, as someone who Yousafzai alleged, was paying off the journalist. Yousafzai said to Saboohi, “Because Muazzam was unable to become the advocate general so he started propaganda against me with your help.”
Saboohi said that it was her job as a journalist to report stories about the government in KP and the CM had said that he wanted news outlets to openly report and criticise his government’s actions if needed. In return, “[Yousafzai] released my contact information on social media just because she didn’t approve of my story”.
KP GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE
“The CM house rejected the summary when it was sent to them as told by the CM social media wing representative Yar Muhammad Niazi,” revealed Saboohi. Niazi told her that the document might have been circulated but it was always going to be rejected.
Saboohi also pointed out that the advisor neither holds the authority to send such a document nor put a stop to it because the ministry belongs to CM.
“The spokesperson of KPK government, Barrister Saif, said that the document was given by Yousafzai in her individual capacity, when I asked him about the issue,” Saboohi said, “after which I asked him if that meant that any common person can request the government to buy them cars? Because this was an official government document”.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
Khyber Union of Journalists Peshawar Press Club condemned the advisor for making unsubstantiated remarks and sharing the female journalist’s information on social media.
According to Saboohi, a Jirga in her community has also vowed to support her, adding that, “anyone is welcome to prove these kinds of allegations in her entire 26 years of career.”
Peshawar Press Club had given Yousafzai 24 hours to delete the tweet or provide evidence of her claims. Yousafzai has since deleted that tweet.
When asked about problems she’s faced due to her contact information being publicised by the KPK official, Saboohi remarked, “I am facing a lot of harassment and threats due to this and she [Yousafzai] is responsible for this.”
SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSE
Interestingly, PTI supporters on X are also criticising the advisor on her tweet.
The Current has reached out to Yousafzai for her version of the story and a comment and have not heard back yet.
