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.

  • Bushra Bibi files petition to avoid possible arrest

    Bushra Bibi files petition to avoid possible arrest

    Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, has moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) to stop authorities from arresting her, asking for details of all the cases including undisclosed first information reports (FIRs) registered against her.

    The petition, filed through Advocate Mushtaq Ahmad Mohal on Monday, states that after the illegal removal of the petitioner’s husband from the office of the prime minister, political victimization of the petitioner, her husband and other family members has been initiated by federal and provincial governments as well as law enforcement agencies, all of whom are respondents in the petition.

    Bushra Bibi has pleaded that FIRs against her have been kept secret by the respondents to bar her from seeking pre-arrest bail. The respondents include the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Anti Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab, and police.

    “That act of the respondents regarding lodging false, frivolous, baseless and concocted FIRs against the petitioner and to conceal the FIRs numbers, police stations, districts, dates and provinces clearly indicates that the respondents intend to arrest the petitioner without providing an opportunity to get the relief from competent courts of law in the shape of anticipatory bails and pre-arrest bails and to get the FIRs secret against the petitioner at the behest of the respondents is not warranted by law, so law and justice demand that the respondents be directed to submit list of all criminal cases registered against the petitioner throughout in Pakistan, so that the petitioner may approach the competent courts of law, for redress of her grievances,” the petition read.

    It further requested for an order against arresting Bushra Bibi in any case till the provision of the details of case. The hearing of the petition is fixed before the court of Justice Alia Neelum.

    READ MORE: PDM is not ready to talk with Imran

  • Action taken against those who attacked Ahmaddiya place of worship

    Action taken against those who attacked Ahmaddiya place of worship

    Journalist Arshad Yousafzai took to X (formerly twitter) on Monday to share a video where a charged mob can be seen vandalizing The Ahmadiyya Hall, a place of worship for the Ahmaddiya community in Karachi. The mob was breaking the minarets of the building in Saddar, just a few streets away from Preedy Police Station. Around two hours after the post, Mayor Karachi, Murtaza Wahab announced that action has been taken and three people have been arrested.

    The constitution of Pakistan and Pakistan Penal Code ensures that all citizens have the right to practice their religion in peace. Interim Prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar also offered assurances after the Jaranwala incident that all minorities, including Ahmedis, will be protected by the state.

    X user Samrina Hashmi reminded everyone how targeting anyone’s place of worship goes against constitution and religion.

    Fahad Desmukh wrote how the same building was attacked a few months ago.

    ShaRzyeea talked about her childhood memories linked to this place, “So many of my childhood memories are in this place that is connection and safety.”

  • DC Peshawar issues detention orders of 11 PTM activists

    DC Peshawar issues detention orders of 11 PTM activists

    The district administration of Peshawar has issued orders to detain 11 activists of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), on allegations of provoking the public against the government’s policies and the armed forces of the country.

    According to the detention order, SSP operations wrote a letter to the deputy commissioner stating that the Gulberg police station SHO provided a list of the PTM activists who provoked the public against the Pakistan Army and other institutions of Pakistan.

    The latter, issued by the SSP operations, informed the district administration that the individuals on the list pose a risk to the stability and peace of the country. They violated the writ of the government and the law and order situation in the area. 

    “The activities of the said individuals are against the law, and there is apprehension that they may continue their activities in the future,” the detention orders issued by the deputy commissioner said, adding that the administration considered the activities prejudicial to public safety and might create a law and order situation in the district.

  • Election Commission adamant about ensuring timely elections

    Election Commission adamant about ensuring timely elections

    After completing consultations with political parties, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday announced that the delimitation process will be finalised by November 30. 

    A statement issued by the electoral body said the purpose of reducing the duration of the delimitation process is to ensure elections are held as early as possible.

    The ECP also said that a date for the elections will also be announced keeping in view the schedule for the delimitation process, adding that the date was announced after deliberation with the parties. 

    A day earlier, the Election Commission said that polls would be held by mid-February at the most or by January end if the delimitation of constituencies is completed earlier. 

    The Election Commission has held consultations with political parties including Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Muttahida Qoumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Jamiat Ulema Islam-Faiz (JUI-F) and others regarding the road map to general elections. 

    On August 17, the ECP announced the schedule of new delimitations to be carried out as per the new census approved by the Council of Common Interest (CCI) last month. 

    According to the schedule, the new delimitation of the constituencies was expected to be completed in December. However, the date has now been shortened to November. 

    Earlier, the ECP schedule had shown that the fresh delimitation would take nearly four months. 

    Last month, the CCI meeting chaired by then-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the final results of the 7th Population and Housing Census 2023 reporting the country’s population at 241.49 million with a growth rate of 2.55%.

    The CCI approval made it constitutionally mandatory for the ECP to hold elections following fresh delimitations in the light of the results of the 7th census.

    According to Article 51 (5) of the Constitution, the seats of the National Assembly to each province and the federal capital shall be allocated on the basis of population in accordance with the last preceding census officially published.

  • Court throws out ECP review petition against May 14 election decision

    Court throws out ECP review petition against May 14 election decision

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday threw out the review petition of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) about the May 14 polls order, The News has reported.

    “The court will intervene whenever there is a constitutional violation,” Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said.

    In April 2023, a three-member bench of the apex court headed by CJP Bandial, comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar declared the decision of the ECP to hold elections on October 8 instead of April 30 “illegal” and directed the ECP to hold elections in Punjab on May 14.

    In its 14-page petition, ECP said that the apex court should review its decision as the court “doesn’t have the authority to give the date of elections”.

    “Such powers exist elsewhere under the Constitution but certainly not lie in a court of law,” the ECP had said, citing various legalities and reasons behind its statement.

  • More than 60 government officials close to PPP added to stop list

    More than 60 government officials close to PPP added to stop list

    The names of more than 60 Sindh government officials close to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have been out on the stop list, Azaz Syed has reported for The News. The name of Mukesh Chawla, a PPP leader and former provincial minister, is also on the list.

    According to the report, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is conducting an investigation against Sindh PPP leader Mukesh Chawla, asking that he be added to the stop list.

    These officials will be investigated by NAB Karachi, Azaz Syed has said.

    On the other hand, according to a report filed by Hasnaat Malik in The Express Tribune, the gap between PPP and the security establishment has grown after the dissolution of Sindh Assembly.
    PPP was unhappy to see that government officials on prominent posts were being transferred during the caretaker government, the report said.

  • Imaan Mazari handed to police on three day physical remand

    Imaan Mazari handed to police on three day physical remand

    An anti-terrorism court has handed over Imaan Mazari, the daughter of former federal minister Shireen Mazari, to the police on a three-day physical remand.

    Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abual Hasanat heard the case against Imaan Mazari in which prosecutor Raja Naveed appeared in court while Zainab Janjua appeared on behalf of Iman Mazari.

    During the hearing, prosecutor Raja Naveed argued that a case had been registered against Imaan Mazari in Bara Kahu police station. The plaintiff accused Imaan Mazari of inciting the youth and instigating them against the state, alleging that he received threats when he broke away from Imaan Mazari’s party.

    Prosecutor Raja Naveed requested the physical remand, which was opposed by her lawyer, saying that a new case was made on the same day that Imaan was supposed to get bail. He asked how can three cases be registered on the same incident.

    She said that a drama is being constructed against Imaan Mazari, while the real purpose of the prosecution against her is something else.

    Imaan’s lawyers requested to discharge her from the case.

    After listening to the arguments of the parties, ATC judge Abual Hasnat reserved the decision, after which she was handed over to the police on a three-day physical remand.

  • PTI files a petition in court to conduct elections within 90 days of National Assembly dissolution

    PTI files a petition in court to conduct elections within 90 days of National Assembly dissolution

    Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) asking for general elections to be conducted in Pakistan within 90 days of the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA), Geo has reported.

    The petitioner, Omar Ayyub, who is also PTI’s Secretary General, requested the court to direct President of the country Dr Arif Alvi to announce a date for the elections and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue an election schedule accordingly.

    On the other hand, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has asked the electoral body to issue an election schedule along with the delimitation schedule in order to avoid any confusion. On Monday, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) supported the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding elections after the delimitation of constituencies.

    According to the ECP’s official statement issued after the meeting, both parties made their stances clear in front of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, who was also part of the meeting.

  • TV, 29 books, four pillows and so much more: list of things provided to Khan in jail

    TV, 29 books, four pillows and so much more: list of things provided to Khan in jail

    The details of a report submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the facilities available in Attock Jail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, who was arrested after his conviction in the Toshakhana case, have come to light.

    On the orders of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial, the Attorney General submitted a report to the apex court regarding the facilities provided to the PTI Chairman in jail.

    The report states that Chairman PTI has been kept in the most secure high observation block in Attock Jail and the adjoining barracks of Chairman PTI have also been kept vacant.

    Chairman PTI is kept in a barrack measuring 9 by 11, the wall of the washroom of Chairman PTI is 6 feet high and the size of the washroom is 7 by 4. The walls of Khan’s washroom have also been plastered and distempered. 

    The report states that being a prisoner of a better class, Chairman PTI has also been given the facility of mattress, air cooler, four pillows, a table and a chair. Apart from this, Imran Khan has also been provided with four English translations of the Holy Quran and 25 historical books.

    The Attorney General’s report states that Khan has been provided with a 21-inch TV and a daily newspaper; he is also provided with staff for the check-in barracks, washrooms and cleaning of clothes, and additional 54 officers have been assigned duty in jail for his security.

    The report states that according to the law, the prisoner’s family can meet for two to three hours on Tuesday, while the prisoner’s lawyers can meet for two to three hours on Wednesday. Khan’s wife and lawyers have met him three times. Chairman PTI is examined by a team of five doctors.

    It also states that Imran Khan is served desi chicken cooked in desi ghee on his request and is also provided mutton prepared in desi ghee.

    The PTI chief has been provided better class facilities in jail, the report stated, adding that the suspect has been given all the facilities according to the jail manual, rules and law.

    Imran Khan is allowed to walk in the corridor in front of the jail, as per the report.

  • ‘Bijli k mehngay bills ki handi PDM hakoomat ny pakai’, says Saira Bano

    ‘Bijli k mehngay bills ki handi PDM hakoomat ny pakai’, says Saira Bano

    Senior leader of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Saira Bano, has asked in her video why parties who have been in government for the past 16 months, are calling for protests against high electricity bills, terming the action “incomprehensible”.

    The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government is responsible for inflation as well as the “handi” of high electricity bills, Bano stated.

    She further said in her video that every citizen is facing difficulty paying their electricity bill, stressing that the situation is the same for rich and poor in Pakistan due to inflation.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has directed party workers to take part in the protests against exorbitant electricity bills and become the “people’s voice,” Geo News has reported.

    Secretary General (SG) of PPP, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, instructed workers on Sunday to protest at the union council and tehsil levels.

    According to Nayyer Bokhari, every citizen of the country is worried about the electricity bill. He further added, ” PPP workers should become the voice of the people and start protesting against inflated electricity tariffs”.

    The protests started across the country because of exorbitant electricity bills, with protesters demanding a reduction in their electricity bills as well as the removal of extra taxes on utility bills. The protesters also mentioned that they would not pay their bills if their demands were not met.

    Earlier, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced on Saturday that it would stage a protest against the exorbitant electricity bills.

    Read More: PM Kakar sets 48-hour deadline for relief plan amid electricity bill protests

    Addressing a seminar in Lahore, JI Ameer Sirajul Haq lashed out at political opponents and the caretaker government, saying, “The caretaker government is following the footsteps of the previous governments in terms of taking wrong decisions for the sake of the country.”