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.

  • ‘Can be arrested’: Law minister says Nawaz will have to surrender if he fails to secure transit bail

    ‘Can be arrested’: Law minister says Nawaz will have to surrender if he fails to secure transit bail

    Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar said Tuesday that if Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif does not secure transit bail while coming back to Pakistan, he can be arrested.

    The law minister said that if Nawaz fails to secure transit bail, then he will have to surrender himself and the “courts should provide [relief] to the people who are handing themselves over to the law voluntarily”.

    Speaking on the issue, Tarar said that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto also secured transit bail when she came back to Pakistan.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the Lahore High Court (LHC) allowed Nawaz to go to London for medical treatment in November 2019.

  • CM Punjab Hamza owns over Rs410 million assets: ECP report

    CM Punjab Hamza owns over Rs410 million assets: ECP report

    The Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) has revealed the details of assets held by lawmakers of the Punjab Assembly.

    Hamza Shehbaz

    The ECP reported that Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Hamza Shehbaz owns assets worth more than Rs410 million, out of which Rs130 million is attributed to 11 houses that the CM owns.  He also owns 3 agricultural properties that are valued at Rs30 million with another 2 gifted to him by his brother, Suleman Shehbaz.

    The CM’s first wife Mehrunnisah owns assets worth Rs3.5 million while his other wife, Rabia owns assets worth Rs37.5 million. Hamza, according to the documents submitted to ECP, is also in debt of nearly Rs100 million.

    Sardar Usman Buzdar

    The former chief minister of Punjab, Sardar Usman Buzdar, has over a dozen properties to his name valued at Rs35 million reports the ECP. He is also the owner of 3 tractors and 2 cars, one that was passed down from his father.

    Aleem Khan

    Ex-provincial minister Aleem Khan has assets valued at over Rs700 million to his name.

    Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi

    The ECP reports that Punjab Assembly speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi owns assets worth over Rs200 million and non-agricultural land valued at over Rs60 million. According to the documents submitted to the ECP, Pervaiz Elahi owns a flour mill that was valued at Rs9.9 million while his wife holds assets worth Rs100 million.

  • PM Shehbaz decides to continue targeted subsidy on five essentials items

    PM Shehbaz decides to continue targeted subsidy on five essentials items

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday decided to continue a targeted subsidy on five essential items — wheat flour, sugar, ghee/edible oil, pulses, and rice — at Utility Stores for the next financial year.

    The prime minister also approved the expansion of a network of Utility Stores in Karachi.

    “The small number of Utility Stores in Karachi is not acceptable in any way and a comprehensive plan for raising the number of Utility Stores in the megacity should be presented within two weeks,” tweeted PM Shehbaz.

    The decision was taken at a high-level meeting regarding Utility Stores in the country, with the PM in the chair. Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail, Minister for Industries and Production Murtaza Mahmood, and other senior officials were also in attendance.

  • Considering significant medical, legal, and security challenges: Musharraf’s family

    Considering significant medical, legal, and security challenges: Musharraf’s family

    Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s family on Sunday said that they are reviewing the medical, legal, and security challenges before deciding on his return to Pakistan.

    Musharraf’s family said that Pakistan lacks the required medicines and medical facilities, adding that a continuous supply of a drug called ‘daratumumab’ and treatment of amyloidosis is needed which is currently not available in the country.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chief Nawaz Sharif and Inter-Services Pub­lic Relations (ISPR) Director-Gen­eral (DG) Major General Babar Iftik­har both appear to be on the same page regarding Musharraf’s return to Pakistan.

    READ MORE: ‘Military leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return’: DG ISPR

    DG ISPR said, “In such a situation, the institution and leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return,” said DG ISPR in Dunya News programme, ‘On The Front with Kamran Shahid’.

    “Musharraf Saab is seriously ill. We have contacted his family. Once his family responds and the doctors allow him to travel, we can make the required arrangements.”

    On the other hand, Nawaz said, “I have no personal enmity or animosity towards Pervez Musharraf. I don’t want anyone else to suffer the traumas I have had to endure for my loved ones. I pray to Almighty Allah for his health. If he wants to return to Pakistan, the government should facilitate him.”

    Musharraf, 78, is critically ill these days as he is suffering from a condition called amyloidosis, his office said earlier this month.

  • US agrees to help Pakistan negotiate a deal with IMF

    US agrees to help Pakistan negotiate a deal with IMF

    The United States (US) has agreed to help Pakistan negotiate a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    According to media reports, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan met Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for South and Central Asia Christopher Wilson to discuss expanding trade relations between the two countries and encouraging US investments in Pakistan.

    Pakistan has not yet received the first draft of a memorandum of financial and economic policies (MEFP) from the IMF as targeted earlier because certain matters remained unsettled. “We are working very closely with the IMF and will soon reach some conclusion,” a top finance ministry official told Dawn.

    Pak govt asks US to help with IMF deal

    Last week, Pakistan asked for the support of the US for the revival of the IMF programme, reports Shahbaz Rana for The Express Tribune.

    The Shehbaz-led government’s economic team met with US Ambassador Donald Blome and sought Washington’s support and acknowledgement of the actions taken.

    According to the news outlet, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and Minister of State for Finance Dr Aisha Pasha met with the US envoy. 

    The government is making all-out efforts to revive the programme and has taken many unpopular steps, but still remains short of the IMF’s expectations.

    The IMF not only wants a reversal of the cut in the income tax rates for the salaried class but is seeking to pass on an additional burden of Rs125 billion on the salaried people. The government has now worked out a new proposal that entails reversing Rs47 billion tax relief and then passing on an additional burden of Rs18 billion to the salaried class, reports Shahbaz Rana.

    The Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led- government had committed to increasing the taxes on the salaried class with effect from July and also agreed to share the draft of the personal income tax reforms with the IMF by end of February 2022. However, PTI did not fulfil its commitments.

    Minister of State for Finance Dr Aisha Pasha said that there was now more clarity to the IMF on the new budget, hoping to sign a deal very soon.

    On Wednesday, the federal government increased the price of all petroleum products, including Rs24 per litre for petrol and Rs59.16 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD). In less than a month, this is the third hike.

    Miftah Ismail criticised the previous PTI government for reaching an erroneous agreement with the IMF, which tied the incumbent’s hands and forced it to raise oil prices to get the economy back on track.

  • Punjab govt to declare rape emergency after rise in cases

    Punjab govt to declare rape emergency after rise in cases

    Punjab Home Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Sunday that the Punjab government will declare an emergency following an increase in rape and sodomy cases in the province.

    Tarar said that the increase in rape cases is a cause of concern for both society and government officials.

    “Four to five cases of rape are being reported daily in Punjab due to which the government is considering special measures to deal with the cases of sexual harassment, abuse and coercion.”

    Read more: Pakistan Railways will help train gang-rape survivor get a job

    Tarar said that to combat these issues, stricter legislation would be introduced along with a separate helpline dedicated to victims seeking out help. The number of DNA samples on a fast-track will also be increased. The Punjab Home Minister added that academia, women’s rights organisations, lawyers, and civil society will be consulted regarding this issue and the process will be completed within a fortnight.

    He also urged parents to not leave their children at home unattended, as perpetrators of most sexual abuse cases were close relatives and neighbours. An awareness campaign will also be run in schools about sexual harassment, added Tarar. 

    The Current records the tally of rape cases that are reported in news outlets on a daily basis to highlight the alarming situation. We have used many different sources as listed. When will it stop?

  • ‘Free and fair’ elections, demands Khan

    ‘Free and fair’ elections, demands Khan

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan on Sunday demanded free and fair election and revealed that he expects match-fixing in Punjab by-elections.

    PTI took out countrywide protests against rising inflation at Khan’s call on Sunday. Khan addressed his supporters via video-link.

    On Monday, Khan thanked his supporters for coming out across Pakistan yesterday, especially those “who braved difficulties & in some cities rain, to join our protest against massive inflation & clearly reject Imported Govt of crooks imposed by US regime change conspiracy”.

    No free lunch, warns Khan

    Imran Khan warned that Pakistan can become the next Sri Lanka. He said that Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has asked for the support of the United States (US) for the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. “I want to tell Miftah Ismail and Shehbaz Sharif that the Americans have a philosophy, which is that there is no free lunch. Everything has a price. The US will extract our sovereignty as a price.” Khan said that the new government seems ready to pay this price.

    Recognising Israel part of foreign conspiracy agenda: Khan

    Khan also mentioned Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Saleem Mandviwalla’s statement on the potential of Pakistan having diplomatic ties with Israel. “This is part of the same agenda due to which there was a regime change. The agenda is to follow what Israel, India and the US want,” said Khan.

    However, Mandviwalla clarified on Sunday that his words were being taken out of context. “I never wanted Pakistan to further ties with Israel or indulge in trade with it,” said Mandviwalla, adding that recognising Israel was not in Pakistan’s interests.

    Match-fixing in Punjab by-polls on the cards

    “We have to struggle together. Get ready. I will soon give another call for protest, which will continue until we are given a date for free and fair elections. Not just elections but free and fair elections,” said Khan.

    He reiterated that there is a plan of rigging by-elections in Punjab through ‘match-fixing’. By-polls in Punjab are set to take place next month in July.

    Imran Khan’s full address can be seen here:

  • ‘First time in history’: PM Shehbaz approves task force for protection of minority rights

    ‘First time in history’: PM Shehbaz approves task force for protection of minority rights

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has approved the formation of a task force that will look after the implementation of minority rights in Pakistan.

    An official notification in this regard states, “In light of the resolution passed by the National Assembly on May 9, 2022, the prime minister has been pleased to approve the constitution of the task force on minorities to oversee the implementation of rights of minorities in light with the decision of the apex court.”

    The task force will be headed by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani. It comprises 23 parliamentarians, senators and ex-officio members.

    As chairman of the task force, Dr Vankwani tweeted that such a step had been taken “for the first time in the history of Pakistan”.

    In another tweet, he said, “Recommendations will be made for the solution of the problems faced by the minorities and we will take people from all the segments of the society along with us.”

    In 2014, the Supreme Court (SC) issued an order that there should be monitoring of the practical realisation of the rights and safeguards provided to the minorities under the Constitution and law.

    However, the governments over the years could not implement the SC orders.

    In 2020, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concern over the surge in blasphemy cases against religious minorities, and the potential for sectarian violence.

  • Sikh Gurdwara in Kabul attacked, Daesh claims responsibility

    Sikh Gurdwara in Kabul attacked, Daesh claims responsibility

    The Islamic State (IS), also known as Daesh, has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Sikh Gurdwara in Kabul that killed at least two people and injured seven on Saturday (June 18). Reuters reported that on an affiliated Telegram channel, the local branch of Daesh said the attack was in response to the derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) by BJP spokespersons in India.

    The attack on Karteparwan Gurdwara killed one Sikh worshipper and a Taliban fighter. A Taliban interior ministry spokesman told Reuters that the attackers had laden a car with explosives but it had detonated before reaching its target.

    Karteparwan Gurdwara was the only operational Sikh temple in Kabul of the four Gurudwaras in the Afghan capital. This is not the first attack by Daesh on a Gurdwara. In 2020, the militant group attacked a 400-year-old Gurudwara in Kabul, which left 25 dead.

    Read more- ‘We will hunt you down and make you pay’: Biden reacts to 85 killed in Kabul blasts

    There has been a rise in attacks on religious minorities in Afghanistan. Most of these attacks have been claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K), the regional branch of ISIL/Daesh.

  • ‘Waiting for DG ISPR’s response to Dastagir’: Asad Umar

    ‘Waiting for DG ISPR’s response to Dastagir’: Asad Umar

    Responding to Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir’s revelations why Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government came into power, senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar said that he is waiting for a statement by Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in response to such serious allegations.

    “Dastagir has alleged that in November when a new army chief would have been appointed by Imran Khan, the new chief would have violated the Constitution and would have helped Imran Khan make false cases against his opponents in order to disqualify them. I have been wondering why DG ISPR has not given a statement about these serious allegations even though a couple of days have passed.”

    Asad Umar said that he believes that Dastagir is lying but is still waiting for DG ISPR’s statement because these are very serious allegations and the from the military spokesperson should respond to them.

    Asad Umar also said that in reality, the government knew that the PTI government would start delivering on the economy and thus Khan had to be ousted through a conspiracy.

    READ MORE: PTI’s Asad Umar responds to DG ISPR’s recent interview

    Last week, Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir revealed why the coalition government came into power.

    “Mass disqualifications would have taken place had Imran Khan remained in power,” said Dastgir when anchorperson Syed Talat Hussain asked why the sitting government chose to come into power for a year and a half.

    “This is based on information. Imran Khan and his followers would have stayed in power for 15 years. The entire Opposition would have been disqualified. He [Imran Khan] was of the point of view that he will remove everyone and will not spare anyone.”

    “From Shehbaz Sharif to Khaqan Abbasi to Ahsan Iqbal, everyone of us would have been disqualified. We made a coalition government for that very reason. Imran Khan had fascist plans.”

    The joint Opposition’s candidate Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan. Imran Khan was voted out of office through a no-confidence motion on April 9.