Category: Politics

News stories of Politics, for the topics that matter the most to young professionals and college students, political news reported with a different angle.

  • Reserved seats uncertainty: ECP again approaches Supreme Court

    Reserved seats uncertainty: ECP again approaches Supreme Court

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has challenged the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan’s September 14 detailed verdict regarding the allotment of women and non-muslim reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The ECP explained in its plea that the apex court’s July 12 ruling came before the Election Amendment Act 2024; on this amendment, the ECP sought clarification from the apex court on whether to follow the amended parliamentary law or the top court’s September 14 detailed verdict.

    The 8-5 majority ruling of the Supreme Court’s verdict on reserved seats read, “Withdrawal of election symbol cannot disqualify a political party from elections.”

    It further read, “The PTI was and is a political party.”

    On September 14, the top court issued the detailed verdict of its July 12 ruling, directing the ECP to allot reserved seats to PTI.

    Meanwhile, the Election Amendment Act 2024 stated, “A candidate who does not submit the party certificate before obtaining the election symbol will be considered an independent candidate. If the list of candidates for reserved seats is not submitted within the specified period, no political party will be entitled to those seats.”

  • ‘No intention of accusing anyone’; IT minister clarifies recent statement about PayPal deal

    ‘No intention of accusing anyone’; IT minister clarifies recent statement about PayPal deal

    Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, was quoted by Business Recorder as saying that former caretaker federal minister Dr Umar Saif sabotaged a deal to bring PayPAYal to Pakistan by leaking the news before time.

    As per Business Recorder, the IT Minister told a presser, “Bringing PayPal to Pakistan was a private deal, which Dr Saif leaked before time. This action annoyed PayPal and he (Dr Umar) sabotaged it”.

    IT Minister released her response in a tweet to the viral statement: “I have been quoted out of context.” She further elaborated that her intention was never to name or blame anyone.

    The Current talked to Shaza Khawaja about her statement. “The comment was mainly that he deal was private and it didnt go through with no intention of accusing anyone,” she stressed. While mentioning her tweet, in which she said, “I have always respected Dr. Umar’s contribution to the sector,” she added that she had tweeted about it and made an official statement about it as well.

    The Current inquired her if she meant that the deal was made privately by Dr Umar, but she declined. “I just said that PayPal was a deal between two private entities that didnt go through,” she emphasised.

    Notably, a year ago, on October 25, it was reported that Umar Saif, the then Minister for IT and Telecommunication, had shared that Pakistan would hear “good news” regarding Paypal in the near future.

    However, the Current reached out to Dr Umar Saif, who refused to comment on it.

  • ‘Establishment ke log right dikha kar left marte hain’: Imran Khan

    ‘Establishment ke log right dikha kar left marte hain’: Imran Khan

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has said that the party decided to turn the pre-scheduled September 28 rally in Rawalpindi into a protest.

    Speaking to journalists at Adiala jail Rawalpindi, former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that they (party leadership) are withdrawing a petition from the Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court that was filed earlier for the pursuit of No Objection Certificate (NOC), and added: “I know the permission will be declined.”

    He further added that even if the incumbent government gave permission to PTI for the rally at Rawalpindi, the venue would be far from the city.

    Responding to PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hassan’s claims of “inevitable” dialogue with the establishment, he cleared, “He is misunderstood; dialogue with the establishment won’t work.”

    He also advised Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur not to hold dialogue with the establishment.

    “Establishment kay log right dikha kr left martay hain,” he sarcastically added.

    Earlier, Raoof Hassan had declared on ARY News’ programme ‘11th Hour’, “PTI is prepared to engage with the establishment at every cost.”

  • ‘Pakistan’s economy is doing well,’ says Asad Umar

    ‘Pakistan’s economy is doing well,’ says Asad Umar

    Former Finance Minister Asad Umar has declared that Pakistan’s new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is beneficial, adding that there was no other option for the country other than to approach the lender.

    Appearing on Dunya News’ programme Dunya Meher Bokhari Kay Saath, he said, “Financially, Pakistan’s economic condition is better than the previous year, and the country shows a lot of positive indicators as foreign reserves and remittance are increasing.”

    He optimistically stated that economic growth will also become better in the next three to four months.

    “Political instability is the biggest threat to Pakistan’s economy, and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s tough decision was taken for the public.”

    Earlier, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board approved the long-delayed $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan.

    An initial tranche of $1.1 billion is expected to be released by the global lender on September 30.

    As per reports, the loan carries an interest rate of less than five percent.

  • ‘Defence par baat karne se pehle ISPR clearance kyun zaroori hai?’; High Court questions army control on defence analysis

    ‘Defence par baat karne se pehle ISPR clearance kyun zaroori hai?’; High Court questions army control on defence analysis

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to present the original noting file upon which the eligibility of a defence analyst is processed and recommended.

    Hearing a petition filed by Colonel (retd) Inamul Rahim Advocate, who challenged PEMRA’s April 4, 2019 notification, Justice Babar Sattar questioned the legal standing of Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) over their exclusive right to determine which defence analyst can appear on Pakistan TV.

    The April 4, 2019, notification stated that retired army officers could analyse defence matters on television news and current affairs programmes after obtaining ISPR clearance.

    The Islamabad court asked PEMRA’s counsel what the military media wing has to do with the pre-clearance of defence analysts with Pakistan’s sovereignty and how PEMRA can impose a prior restraint on speech.

    Citing section 20 of the PEMRA ordinance, the Counsel said that the provision assures responsibility of TV channels to protect national security, integrity and sovereignty.

    However, the case was adjourned until November 20.

  • Sindh govt unaware: NAB recovers Rs 6 trillion worth of land

    Sindh govt unaware: NAB recovers Rs 6 trillion worth of land

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered 90 per cent of 18 lac acres of land in Sindh of which the provincial government was reportedly unaware.

    Prominent journalist Asif Bashir Chaudhary has revealed on a YouTube show ‘Talk SHOCK’ that NAB sent notices to the occupants of the land, ordering them to show the documents as proof of ownership. However, they failed to produce the required documents.

    “Possession land belongs to Sukkur and Karachi forest reserves,” he revealed, adding that the Ministry of Forest did not have a record of land.

    He revealed that Chairman NAB Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmad, who had complete documents of recovered 16,200,00 acres, presented to Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah.

    The CM Sindh was, reportedly, unaware of the news.

    “The estimated cost of recovered land is six trillion rupees,” he concluded.

  • Imran Khan calls for PTI protest on Thursday

    Imran Khan calls for PTI protest on Thursday

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has announced that the party will hold a protest for judicial independence on the coming Thursday.

    Speaking to journalists in Adiala jail Rawalpindi, he stated, “We have our own protest on Friday and will hold a rally in Rawalpindi on Saturday. We will protest if it is not allowed.”

    Lambasting the incumbent government, Imran Khan said that the country has become a police state and declared that this “martial law” is even tougher than that of former dictators General Zia Ul Haq and General Parvez Musharraf.

    Talking about the Practice and Procedure Amendment Act, he said, “Now everything has been exposed and veils removed. The Practice and Procedure Act was aimed at hearing cases in an undemocratic manner.”

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur met Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

  • PTI seeks dialogue with establishment, says Raoof Hassan

    PTI seeks dialogue with establishment, says Raoof Hassan

    Information Secretary Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Raoof Hassan has firmly stated that PTI is clear in its policy on engaging with the establishment.

    Appearing on the ARY News programme ‘11th Hour’, Raoof Hassan declared dialogue between PTI and the establishment “inevitable”, adding, “We (party) shouldn’t delay this matter.”

    Ruling out any speculation PTI having an anti-establishment stance, he clarified, “PTI is prepared to engage with the establishment at every cost.”

    He further said that the establishment also wanted to engage with PTI and revealed that they had done so before. “Mahool ko sazgaar banana hu ga taakay dono table par baith kr muzaaqraat kr sakain or mulk k baary mein soch sakain.”

    Talking about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, he wished for dialogue to be held between provincial officials and the establishment.

  • Bilawal hon aur memes na hon, aisa kaisay ho sakta hai?

    Bilawal hon aur memes na hon, aisa kaisay ho sakta hai?

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari unintentionally created a hilarious moment while talking to the media in Karachi on Monday.

    Replying to a question about the possibility of a Constitutional Court, he said, “We should think about that. Woh kehtay hain na, aap ungli daitay hain, woh poora….”. He then smilingly made a gesture that depicts length but could also be interpreted as an obnoxious one.

    It was only after the room erupted into laughter that he realised his mistake. “No, in angraizi. I’m not talking about…” he laughingly said as more laughs rang across the press conference. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson then smilingly put his hand to his forehead.

    He said that he was referring to the English saying, ‘If you give an inch, they will take a mile.’

    Bilawal then started talking about Article 186 of the Constitution but broke off mid-sentence to say, “Taubah, jo memes bannain gay.” Members of the media again burst into laughter.

    Expect a deluge of memes in the coming days on the slip of the tongue.

  • Jerusalem Post article is ‘propaganda’, says Imran Khan

    Jerusalem Post article is ‘propaganda’, says Imran Khan

    Founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has rejected the accusation that he supports dialogue with Israel and declared a The Jerusalem Post article which said he is central to establishing good relations between the countries propaganda against him.

    Speaking with journalists at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, the former Prime Minister clarified that critics misinterpreted the article due to a “lack of understanding of English.”

    He asserted, “They (critics) are making it seem like I am the biggest supporter of talks with Israel.”

    He remarked that Israel, before considering dialogue, must announce a ceasefire in Gaza first and strive for a two-state solution.

    Responding to questions about PTI’s next rally to be held in Rawalpindi, he said that if permission were denied, they (the party) would stage protests.

    Criticising the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), he claimed, “They are giving extensions to the very people ensuring that the truth about the May 9 CCTV footage and electoral fraud never comes to light.”

    The Jerusalem Post, one of Israel’s most widely-read newspapers, declared Imran Khan a central figure in normalising Pak-Israel ties.

    An article written by Harry Richer asserted, “Figures like Khan could very well be central in changing both public opinion and military policy” for Pak-Israel ties.