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.

  • Khaqan Abbasi thinks it’s ‘ethically wrong’ for PM to engage Farogh Nasim

    Khaqan Abbasi thinks it’s ‘ethically wrong’ for PM to engage Farogh Nasim

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said in a TV show that he is not aware of the appointment of former law minister Barrister Farogh Naseem as a lawyer for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    He further said on Sawal Yeh Hai that he doesn’t know who makes the appointment, but firmly declared that it is ethically wrong to engage a person as a lawyer if he has been accused by the same government.

    Farogh Naseem, a law minister in the previous government, will represent Shehbaz Sharif in a case pertaining to civilian trials in military courts.
    The Premier has chosen Naseem to be his attorney in the matter. Following the arrest of their party chairman, angry protestors from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vandalised army installations, prompting the government to decide to try civilians under army laws.

    Special Assistant to PM Shehbaz, Malik Ahmad Khan, also said that he has disagreement with the political position of Farogh Naseem.

  • EU, UNAOC and OIC condemn act of burning Quran

    The European Union (EU), The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the UN Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC) has condemned the heinous act of burning the Holy Quran in Sweden on on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

    In a statement, the EU has condemned the act, terming it offensive.

    “It is even more deplorable that such act was carried out on the important Muslim celebration of Eid al Azha,” the statement said.

    The OIC in a statement said that such an act contradicted “international efforts to spread the values of tolerance, moderation, and renunciation of extremism.”

    Miguel Moratinos, UNAOC, official said that “such a ‘vile act’ is disrespectful to Muslims.”

    Salwan Momika, an Iraqi living in Sweden, set fire to a copy of the Quran in front of Stockholm’s central mosque

  • Heart surgeries on health cards at private hospitals halted in Punjab

    Heart surgeries on health cards at private hospitals halted in Punjab

    Heart surgeries, including the insertion of stents, on health cards at private hospitals in Punjab have been put on hold indefinitely until it is established who is deserving and in need.

    A notice stating that private institutions in the province will not provide care to heart patients with health cards has been issued.

    The Punjab government has suggested charging 30% of the cost of therapy for all cardiac patients.

    Cardiovascular services listed on the health card won’t be made available until Punjab’s deserving residents are identified.

    The warning clarified that any private hospital providing care for cardiac conditions after July 1 would not be compensated.

  • What is happening in France?

    What is happening in France?

    Protests have erupted in France after police shot dead Nahel M, a 17-year-old boy of Algerian descent, on Tuesday for allegedly driving his car towards police.

    Police said that the teenager was driving his car towards them, but footage emerged on social media on Wednesday contradicting their narrative. A video clip showed a police officer pointing his weapon through the window and appearing to fire at point-blank range, with a voice saying “You are going to get a bullet in the head.”

    The protests started on Wednesday soon after the video of the incident started circulating on social media.

    French government’s stance:

    French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday the shooting was “inexplicable” and “unforgivable”.

    “Nothing can justify the death of a young person,” said Macron, adding that the incident had “moved the entire nation”.

    However, the Macron government is rejecting accusations of racism among police.
    “Any accusation of racism or systemic discrimination in the police force in France is totally unfounded,” the foreign ministry said.

  • Pakistan condemns burning of Quran in Sweden on Eid-ul-Azha

    Pakistan’s foreign office has condemned the burning of the Holy Quran by a protester in Sweden on Wednesday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

    “Such wilful incitement to discrimination, hatred and violence cannot be justified under pretext of freedom of expression and protest”, read the statement issued by the foreign office.

    “Under international law, States are duty bound to prohibit any advocacy of religious hatred, leading to incitement of violence,” it added.

    Salwan Momika, said to be an Iraqi living in Sweden, set fire to a copy of the Quran in front of Stockholm’s central mosque.

    Turkey has also condemned the desecration, calling it a “heinous act.”

    “It is unacceptable to allow these anti-Islamic actions under the pretext of freedom of expression. To turn a blind eye to such heinous acts is to be complicit in them,” a statement issued by Turkey’s foreign minister read. 

    Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the Quran burning was “legal but not appropriate”.

  • Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    Public Accounts Committee summons religious affairs officials on lack of facilities for Hajj pilgrims

    The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on July 4, over lack of facilities provided to Pakistani Hajj pilgrims.

    Chairman Noor Alam Khan, while presiding over a PAC meeting, criticised the performance of Religious Affairs Minister Talha Mehmood, emphasising that being a minister requires effective performance, not just holding the position.

    Noor informed the committee that he had personally witnessed the plight of the pilgrims and had received videos and written complaints highlighting their difficulties.

    Noor Alam said that not a single complaint had been received during the tenure of the pervious minister, late Mufti Abdul Shakoor, who died in a car accident.

    “This year, the situation is totally messed up. The President and the Federal Minister Talha Mehmood have also gone for Hajj but pilgrims are suffering. The President and the Minister should see what the condition of the pilgrims is,” he added

  • Piracy, copyrights: How will Pakistan’s first music policy help musicians?

    Piracy, copyrights: How will Pakistan’s first music policy help musicians?

    Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb, has released a statement announcing that Pakistan’s first music policy is being designed to help boost the industry and address issues like copyrights, pirating as well as artist rights.

    According to Aaj news, Aurangzeb pointed out how Pakistani artists have suffered from theft of intellectual rights because of weak policy planning.

    “Since the 1970s, no policy parameters, including legislative and administrative, for the music industry have been introduced,” the PMLN politician lamented in a statement. “The new policy will fully protect the copyright, which [will] help compose quality music for masses.”

    Aurangzeb revealed that the music policy has been prepared according to international music law standards, and will address issues like piracy, copy rights as well as artists’ public performance, production , adaptation, duration and communication rights.

    The rights of Pakistani singers, song writers, composers and producers will fall under this policy as Aurangzeb said that all issues and demands of music stakeholders, especially copyrights will be resolved.

    Aurangzeb also stressed that the policy will work to protect classical musicians, as well as set up initiatives to promote more regional musicians by providing incentives. The policy will address how Pakistan’s musical legacy can be preserved as it is, “rich, being a unique combination of Sufi poetry, with classic and modern music”.

  • Senator Sherry Rehman schools CDA Chairman on Twitter

    Senator Sherry Rehman schools CDA Chairman on Twitter

    Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman is not one to hold back when it comes to calling out audacious ideas. Earlier this week, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Noor Ul Amin Mengal tweeted a suggestion for alleviating traffic congestion on the road to Daman e Koh and Peer Sohawa on Margalla Hills. He pondered planning a road from Peer Sohawa to Barri Imam and 3rd Avenue to make it a loop to facilitate traffic movement.

    Rehman clapped back today, reminding the Chairman of his domain of authority:

    Correcting the Chairman, Rehman stated that planning infrastructure through a Wildlife Board-protected green area is not under the CDA’s domain of authority. She reiterated that the plan is against Pakistan’s existing wildlife laws and goes against the country’s international commitments to preventing climate change. 

    Other Twitter users also chimed in with their opinions:

    Many users supported Rehman’s sharp response:

    Pakistan’s climate promise

    As part of UNDP’s Climate Promise, Pakistan intends to set a cumulative ambitious conditional target of an overall 50% reduction of its projected emissions by 2030, with a 15% reduction from the country’s own resources and a 35% reduction subjected to the provision of international grant finance.

    Cutting down trees in order to build concrete infrastructure stands decidedly against Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the Climate Promise.

  • Civilian martyred in Indian army LOC firing: ISPR

    Civilian martyred in Indian army LOC firing: ISPR

    According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Indian troops engaged in unjustified gunfire on a group of shepherds in the Sattwal Sector across the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in the death of one civilian and injury to two others.

    According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, “Indian Army, in a display of its usual inhumane approach towards innocent Kashmiris, opened indiscriminate fire onto a group of shepherds in the Sattwal Sector.”

    As a result of the firing, one civilian embraced martyrdom, and two others are in critical condition.

    “Driven by a newfound geo-political patronage, Indian forces have embarked on a plan to take innocent lives to satiate their false narratives and concocted allegations”, the military said.

  • Miftah Ismail resigns as General Secretary of PML-N Sindh, leaves all committees

    Miftah Ismail resigns as General Secretary of PML-N Sindh, leaves all committees

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Miftah Ismail has resigned as General Secretary of the Sindh chapter of the party. The former finance minister has also resigned from all party committees, Geo has reported.

    “Given the upcoming reorganisation of the party structure, I think it’s time for me to make official what is already true and move on”, wrote Miftah in a letter to PML-N General Secretary and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

    “I therefore tender my resignation as General Secretary of PML-N Sindh and also resign from all party committees.”

    Earlier, PML-N, Senior Vice President, Maryam Nawaz, while talking to senior party leaders, expressed disappointment with the performance of Miftah.

    Maryam Nawaz further said that Miftah will not be given any important party position in the future.