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.

  • PM decides to form judicial commision to investigate the Arshad Sharif killing

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to form a judicial commission to probe the death of senior journalist Arshad Sharif. The judicial commission will be headed by a high court judge, Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed on Tuesday.

    “The judicial panel can also seek assistance from civil society and media in this regard,” she said.

    The government is required to keep journalist organisations on board while conducting an investigation by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Shoaib Razzaq had filed a petition in IHC, requesting the court that a judicial commission must be formed to probe the death of Sharif.

    According to reports, local police in Kenya shot and killed Sharif on Sunday night. A police statement afterwards expressed “regrets on the tragic occurrence” and said an investigation was ongoing.

  • US urges Kenya to investigate Arshad Sharif’s killing

    US urges Kenya to investigate Arshad Sharif’s killing

    On Tuesday, the United States of America urged Kenya to conduct an open investigation into the killing of Pakistani journalist and anchor person Arshad Sharif.

    “We’re deeply saddened by the death of Arshad Sharif,” said the US State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

    “We encourage a full investigation by the Government of Kenya into his death. It’s not entirely clear that we know all the circumstances at this point regarding what led to his death, but we do urge a full investigation,” the spokesperson added.

    “And it’s clear through his work that Arshad Sharif was dedicated to that fundamental right of freedom of expression – took him around the world. His work was known around the world.”

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday urged Kenya to ensure fair and transparent investigations into the murder of senior Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif.
    Taking to Twitter, the Premier said that he had made a telephone call to Kenyan President William Ruto about the killing.
    “I requested him to ensure fair & transparent investigation into the shocking incident,” he wrote on Twitter.

  • Case of mistaken identity or assassination? Kenyan media raises questions

    Case of mistaken identity or assassination? Kenyan media raises questions

    Kenyan media is raising question on the death of Pakistani Journalist Arshad Sharif.

    “Was it a case of mistaken identity or was it a case of assassination of a journalist known as a sharp critic of the Pakistani government?” a television news report broadcasted on a Kenyan news channel asked.

    The report states that on the night of October 23, Arshad Sharif, accompanied by his ‘brother’ Khurram Ahmed, left a farm owned by his friend.

    At Kamukuru Road, the car he was travelling was shot at. The police statement admitted that they had opened fire on the vehicle, stating that the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

    The Questions the report asked:

    Did the police attempt to stop the vehicle and did the occupants defy the orders?

    Why did the police open fire even though the occupants of the car were not shooting at that time?

    Why did not the police shoot at the tyres to immobilize the car instead of using lethal force?

    Why did the police aim at the passenger and not the driver?

    Why did the police open fire when they suspected that a child was on board the vehicle that was reportedly carjacked?

    If the vehicle was commonly seen on that road then what caused the mistaken identity?

    How did the police confuse KDG 200M and a KDG 700F number plates? What was the colour and model of the vehicle that was carjacked?

    Arshad Sharif died on Sunday night in Kenya in a reported shooting incident. He was killed after being hit by a bullet in the head as his car crossed a police blockade. Admitting to the killing, Kenyan police has called it an incident of ‘mistaken identity’.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called Kenya’s President  William Ruto and asked for a conclusive investigation into the incident.

  • Arshad Sharif’s body to reach Pakistan today, burial on Thursday

    Arshad Sharif’s body to reach Pakistan today, burial on Thursday

    The body of journalist Arshad Sharif, who was killed by Kenyan police on Sunday, will be transferred to Pakistan today, his family and government officials have confirmed, reports Samaa.

    The last remains of the senior journalist will first be transported to Doha, Qatar, and then and will arrive in Pakistan late on Tuesday.
    In a tweet, his wife Javeria Siddique has stated that he will be buried in Islamabad’s H-11 graveyard on Thursday.

    Arshad Sharif died on Sunday night in Kenya in a reported shooting incident. He was killed after being hit by a bullet in the head as his car crossed a police blockade. Admitting to the killing, Kenyan police has called it an incident of ‘mistaken identity’.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called Kenya’s President William Ruto and asked for a conclusive investigation into the incident.

  • Arshad Sharif 1973-2022

    Arshad Sharif 1973-2022

    Senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif died on Sunday night in Kenya in a reported shooting incident. His wife Javeria Siddique, confirmed the news.

    Arshad was born in Karachi on February 22, 1973.

    Family:

    Arshad Sharif’s father Commander Muhammad Sharif was in the Navy and died of a heart attack in May 2011. His younger brother, Major Ashraf Sharif, served in the army and was killed on his way to attend the funeral of their father in May 2011.

    Arshad Sharif has five children, one daughter and four boys. He was married to Journalist Javeria Siddiqui. Arshad Sharif’s mother is alive.

    Education:

    Arshad did his BA from Government Gordon Graduate College Rawalpindi. He did a degree in Business of Administration from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. His Masters was in Media Studies from Ulster University.

    Career:

    He specialised in investigative journalism and covered many political events in the country for national and international news organisations, including in the United Kingdom.

    Sharif was the host of the programme ‘Power Play’ on ARY News. He served on AAJ News as News Director. Prior to joining AAJ, he was leading the news team of Dunya News as Director News, and was the host of program ‘Kyun’.

    In 2011, he worked in Dawn News as Bureau Chief in that capacity. His first media job was working for a weekly journal called Pulse.

    In 1999, he contributed to the publication as a writer, a reporter, and as the managing editor. In 1999, Arshad Sharif became a member of The News, and in 2001, he joined Daily Dawn.

    Awards:

    He was the recipient of Pride of Performance Award in 2019 by the President of Pakistan.

  • PM Shehbaz urges Kenyan President for fair and transparent into Arshad Sharif’s killing

    PM Shehbaz urges Kenyan President for fair and transparent into Arshad Sharif’s killing

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday urged Kenya to ensure fair and transparent investigations into the murder of senior Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif.

    Taking to Twitter, the premier said that he had made a telephone call to Kenyan President William Ruto about the killing.

    “I requested him to ensure fair & transparent investigation into the shocking incident,” he wrote on Twitter.

    Sharing more details, the prime minister said that the Kenyan president promised all-out help including fast-tracking the process of the return of the deceased’s body to Pakistan.

    Earlier today, Minister for Information, Marriyum Aurangzeb, visited slain senior journalist Arshad Sharif’s family to condole with them for their loss.

    Aurangzeb gave Sharif’s family her word that the government would not stop pursuing the matter until justice was served.

    “Sharif’s body has been positively identified. The Prime Minister has issued official directives for the interior __ to dig into the matter, tasking relevant authorities to repatriate the remains of the journalist as soon as possible,” the minister said adding that nothing can be said with certainty before Kenya’s official response to the matter.

  • ‘No shame in going down while putting up a valiant fight’: Politicians react to Pakistan’s defeat

    ‘No shame in going down while putting up a valiant fight’: Politicians react to Pakistan’s defeat

    After a nail-biting match, the Indian cricket team managed to defeat Pakistan by four wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

    A crucial partnership between Indian master batsman Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya sailed India to victory. Before Pandya’s (40) dismissal, he and Kohli (82) shared scored 113 runs off 78 balls.

    At the end of the match, India stood at 160 with the loss of eight wickets. Kohli was awarded the Man of The Match award.

    On Pakistan’s side, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets each, while Naseem Shah was able to get one.

    While there is disappointment over the Green shirts’ defeat, Pakistani politicians have come forward to support them.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif praised the “brilliant effort” by the team, saying it was a “great game”.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President, Maryam Nawaz, was of the view that “there’s no shame in going down while putting up a valiant fight”.

    “The match was an absolute cliffhanger and could’ve gone anywhere. Buck up Boys and gear up for the next fight!,” she said in a tweet.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry praised Kohli who nearly scored a century. In a tweet, Chaudhry also asked the Indian PM Narendra Modi to let the Indian cricket team come to Pakistan.

    Apart from these politicians, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, PTI’s Senator Faisal Javed, PML-N’s Hina Parvez Butt, and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Saeed Ghani applauded Pakistan’s performance and wished them good luck for the upcoming T20 World Cup matches.

  • Azam Swati granted bail in case of controversial tweets

    Azam Swati granted bail in case of controversial tweets

    A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Friday granted post-arrest bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati in a case related to controversial tweets against Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    Special Judge Central, Raja Asif Mehmood, announced the verdict today which was reserved a day ago. The court directed Swati to deposit surety bonds worth Rs10,000.

    PTI senator Azam Swati was taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agenc’s (FIA) Cybercrime Wing (CCW) from his home in Islamabad on October 13 after registering a case against him over the tweets.

    In his concluding arguments, Swati’s counsel Baber Awan said that his client had used the right of freedom of expression through his tweet.

    Swati was tortured and humiliated during the custody, Awan alleged.

    After listening to arguments, the court reserved the decision and adjourned the case till today.

    Swati had tweeted, “Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you. Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country. With these thugs getting free, you have legitimised corruption. How you predict now the future of this country (sic).”

    Swati said that he was arrested for “taking one name — of Bajwa — and that is the violation”.

  • ‘Qanoon ke saamnay sar jhukay’: PM and others react to IK’s disqualification

    ‘Qanoon ke saamnay sar jhukay’: PM and others react to IK’s disqualification

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan under Article 63(1)(p) of the constitution in the Toshakhana reference.

    Article 63 (1)(p) of the Constitution states that an individual is, “for the time being, disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) or of a provincial assembly under any law for the time being in force”.

    According to the verdict, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran for misdeclaration.

    A four-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, unanimously announced the verdict. The PTI chairman is no more a member of the National Assembly.

    The commission stated that Imran Khan submitted a false affidavit and was found involved in corrupt practices in the reference.

    Following the announcement, Khan’s party leaders and the coalition government parties reacted to this major ruling.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that PTI should refrain from violence and bow its head before the law.

    “The Election Commission did justice in the Toshakhana reference. The nation has seen that the post of Prime Minister has been made a source of personal income through corrupt practices. The idol of honesty and trust was shattered,” the premier added.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz spoke to the media in London. She said, “Khan is Pakistan’s first certified liar with irrefutable evidence of theft.”

    She added that after this verdict criminal proceedings should start against Khan and he should be punished for his theft.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Khan has been caught “red-handed”. In a tweet, he stated: “He who would spread lies about the alleged corruption of his political opponents has been caught red-handed.”

    The former planning minister, Asad Umar, made an announcement, saying: “The decision will be challenged in court. The dream of ‘minus Imran Khan’ will never come true.”

    Umar’s party mate Fawad Chaudhry asked the people to come out of their houses for their rights.

    He called the ECP’s ruling a “slap on the face of 220 million people”.

    “Not just anyone cannot disqualify Imran Khan. Only the public can do that,” the PTI leader said.

    He alleged that today’s verdict was “written by Nawaz Sharif and signed by his servants”.

    Alongside him, PTI leader Shahbaz Gill said the PTI would approach “every forum” against the verdict. “Imran has been disqualified from just one seat, not politics,” he added.

    Minister for Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman, took to Twitter to say that Imran Khan’s disqualification case is no different as he is not the only one who has been disqualified.

    In a series of tweets, she said, “Those who claim to bring a neutral umpire want the umpire to decide in their favour, otherwise the decision will not be accepted.”

  • ECP verdict: PTI Chairman Imran Khan disqualified

    ECP verdict: PTI Chairman Imran Khan disqualified

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in a consensus verdict, disqualified former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and ruled that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman is no more a member of the National Assembly (NA).

    Khan is disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) for misdeclaration.

    Article 63 (1) (p) of the Constitution states that an individual is, “for the time being, disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) or of a provincial assembly under any law for the time being in force”.

    What happened today?

    A four-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, announced the verdict at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad.

    The decision was taken unanimously by the five-member bench. However, the member from Punjab was not present for today’s announcement.

    According to the verdict, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran for misdeclaration.

    The verdict was announced amid tight security in the Red Zone where at least 1,100 police officials were deployed under the command of a senior superintendent of police to control the law and order situation in the area. The officer was assisted by five superintendents and six deputy superintendents of police.

    Ahead of the verdict, PTI leaders intensified their criticism of the ECP, repeating their allegations of the electoral watchdog being partial against them.

    What is the case?

    The ECP had reserved its verdict in the Toshakhana case on September 19 after arguments were completed from both sides. A five-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case.

    In August 2022, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf sent a reference to the ECP under Articles 62A, 63A, and 223, seeking former prime minister Imran Khan’s disqualification in the light of the Toshakhana scam.

    The disqualification reference was filed by Ali Gohar Khan, PML-N’s Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, and five others.

    The 28-page reference identified 52 gift items of Toshakhana received by the former prime minister Khan, violating the law and rules, taken away at nominal prices and most of the gifts were sold in the market, including some precious watches.

    The assessed value of the gifts has been put at Rs 142,042,100. The gifts were received between August 2018 and December 2021.

    What is Toshakhana?

    Established in 1974, the Tosha­khana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries.

    According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.