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.

  • ‘Never want to slip into this again’: Hina Rabbani Khar on FATF grey list

    ‘Never want to slip into this again’: Hina Rabbani Khar on FATF grey list

    Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Saturday addressed a press conference following the announcement by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

    “Pakistan’s positive and speedy progress was greatly appreciated and welcomed by FATF members,” she said. “All action plans items have been ticked off, largely addressed, and nothing is pending.”

    “It marks the beginning of the end process that will eventually culminate in the exit of Pakistan from FATF’s grey list, InshaAllah and hopefully forever,” added Khar.

    “Pakistan is one step away from exiting the grey list,” she added. “I also want to stress that Pakistan’s cooperation with FATF and the international community is grounded in our strategic objective of strengthening our economy and improving its integration in the international financial system.”

    Talking about the requirement of on-site visit Khar said, “When you authorise a country’s removal from the grey list, the first step is to authorise an on-site technical evaluation, which has been done in this plenary.”

    “Never again will we want to be part of any list that will require us to divert our attention from our national requirements to [international] reporting requirements. We never want to slip into this again. This is the biggest lesson,” she said while talking about lessons Pakistan had learned during meetings with FATF.

    The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced on Friday (June 17) that it has begun the process of removing Pakistan from the grey list. FATF monitored Pakistan for four years and now the financial watchdog has expressed its satisfaction with Pakistan’s performance. The announcement comes after FATF’s four-day plenary session in Berlin.

    “Pakistan has substantially completed its two action plans, covering 34 items, and warrants an on-site visit to verify that the implementation of Pakistan’s AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained,” said a statement by FATF.

    However, Pakistan will be placed out of the grey list once the FATF team would conduct an on-site visit of Pakistan.

    Director-General Inter Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) in a tweet termed the development as a “great achievement”.

    The tweet further added: “Core cell @ GHQ which steered the national effort & civil – military team which synergised implementation of the action plan made it possible, making Pak proud, COAS.”

    Hina Rabbani Khar tweeted: “Congrats Pak! FATF declares both Action Plans complete. Intl community has unanimously ack our efforts. Our success is the result of 4 yrs of challenging journey. Pak reaffirms resolve to continue the momentum and give our economy a boost. Well done Pak Team FATF. Pak Zindabad!”

    Pakistan was placed on FATF’s grey list in 2018.

  • Clash between political parties kills one in Karachi

    Clash between political parties kills one in Karachi

    NA-240 by-elections were held in Karachi on Thursday (June 16). The seat had fallen vacant after the death of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) MNA Iqbal Muhammad Ali in April. MQM-P’s Mohammad Abu Bakr won the seat yesterday. MQM-P had won the seat in the 2018 general elections with a huge margin but this time the contest was won just by a few votes. MQM-P candidate bagged 10,683 votes, while Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) candidate Shahzada Shahbaz ended up second with 10,618 votes.

    However, TLP rejected the results and decided to challenge the outcome in court.

    Violence during by-polls

    The by-polls in Karachi left at least one dead and several injured. The person who died belonged to Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP).

    According to media reports, three major parties —  MQM-P, TLP and PSP — were primarily involved in the violence, both as alleged perpetrators and victims.

    On Twitter, PSP accused TLP workers of firing at its party chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal. A bullet reportedly grazed Kamal.

    Talking to Dawn, MQM-P Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Khawaja Izharul Hassan alleged that his eight party workers were “brutally tortured” by PSP. He also alleged that PSP party members barged into polling stations and beat up polling staff.

    It was reported that during the violence, three bullets hit the Edhi Foundation ambulance. The ambulance was there to pick up the injured.

    Following the incident, a total of four cases have been registered at the Landhi police station and Korangi police station, reports Geo News.

    According to the First Information Report (FIR), Kamal entered a polling station in Landhi 6 accompanied by 50 to 60 men and created chaos.

    Moreover, the report stated that 400-500 people belonging to a political party entered a polling station all at once. The staff of the polling station was beaten up and election materials damaged. Subsequently, the police raided the polling station and took five men into custody.

    The situation was extremely tense till late at night when a heavy contingent of police and Rangers reached the area after the disruption.

    Election Commissioner takes notice

    Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja took a “serious notice” of the episode. He directed Sindh’s provincial election commissioner to ensure strict action and asked for a comprehensive report to be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    Similarly, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah also took notice of the violence.

  • Richest politicians in Pakistan: ECP releases data

    Richest politicians in Pakistan: ECP releases data

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday released the data on the assets owned by Pakistani politicians and their spouses.

    Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s assets for the year 2021 have witnessed an increase of Rs60 million as compared to the year 2020.

    Khan owns assets worth Rs142.1 million while he has inherited houses in Zaman Park and Mianwali and three in Bhakkar. He has a bank balance of more than Rs63 million and he has $329,000 in his two other accounts. The PTI chief has also declared four goats worth Rs200,000 in his assets.

    Bushra Bibi

    Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi’s net worth is Rs142.11million. Bushra Bibi owns 52 kanals of land in Pakpattan while she also has 379 kanals of land in Pir Ghani and 267 kanals of land in Okara. She is also the owner of a three-kanal house in Bani Gala.

    Asif Ali Zardari

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s wealth increased by around Rs40 million to Rs714.23 million in 2019-20 compared to the previous year. He owns thousands of acres of agricultural land, 20 horses, hundreds of camels, cows, and buffaloes as well as other valuables. The arms he possesses are worth Rs16.6 million.

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

    PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is a declared billionaire, having a total wealth worth of Rs1.6 billion. However, the bulk of his wealth remains outside the country.

    Bilawal has more assets in the UAE than in Pakistan and his 25 properties and other assets in Dubai are worth Rs1.44 billion, whereas in the country he has 19 agriculture and non-agriculture properties, around Rs122.14 million cash in hand or banks and arms valued at Rs3 million.

    Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif owns assets worth more than Rs245 million, and he also owes Rs140 million. The prime minister has Rs2 million in his bank account.

    “PM Shehbaz has borrowed Rs63.9 million from his son Suleman Shehbaz, however, his bank account in London is empty,” stated the document, adding that he is indebted with Rs140 million.

    Shehbaz Sharif also declared the assets of his wives.

    Nusrat Shehbaz

    Nusrat Shehbaz has wealth worth Rs230.29 million and owns nine agricultural properties and one house each in Lahore and Hazara divisions.

    Tehmina Durrani

    Shehbaz’s second spouse Tehmina Durrani has Rs5.6 million.

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    Former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and his wife own two houses in Islamabad and 40 tolas of gold. He gifted his shares in Air Blue airline worth Rs60 million to his son.

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi 

    Former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi turned out to be the owner of assets worth Rs219.6 million – even more that those of his party chief, Imran Khan.

    Raja Pervez Ashraf 

    National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf declared the value of his assets as Rs23.6 million while his wife owned 100 tolas of gold.

    Hammad Azhar 

    Hammad Azhar owns assets worth Rs402 million.

  • Rs720 million money laundering case: Moonis Elahi appears before FIA

    Rs720 million money laundering case: Moonis Elahi appears before FIA

    Former Federal Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi appeared before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after the agency filed a Rs720 million money laundering case against him.

    After his appearance, the former federal minister said the FIA gave him a questionnaire, claiming that its “purpose” was not to conduct an investigation but to arrest him.

    “The government did all this so attention could be diverted from the budget in the Punjab Assembly. If I tell the PML-N today that we will support you, all cases will end,” the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader further said.

    He added that all information regarding his finances is available in his tax returns. According to Moonis Elahi, the FIA has not issued a notice till date but he would appear again if summoned.

    The investigation agency also arrested two of Elahi’s close associates – Nawaz Bhatti and Mazhar Iqbal – on the charges that both of them used to facilitate Elahi to embezzle money.

    After the case was filed, Moonis rushed to the FIA’s office on Wednesday night but he was told to appear the next morning.

    Prior to this, a special central court in Lahore dismissed Elahi’s pre-arrest bail plea in this case.

    ‘Will not abandon Imran Khan’: Moonis Elahi

    When the case was registered earlier, Moonis denied receiving any notice. He said, “I would have come to the FIA office if I had received the notice. I came to know about the FIR from the media. They have skipped a legal step.”

    Moonis said that he is coming to Lahore to appear before the FIA and they can arrest him if they want to.

    “The PML-N is at a loss to understand that it can pressure me to change my loyalty towards former premier and PTI chairman Imran Khan. We will not abandon Khan, come what may,” he said.

    Moonis added that he never heard of the two other persons named in the FIR. However, he admitted to investing in the Rahim Yar Khan (RYK) Sugar Mills, calling it his “declared investment”.

    What is the case?

    According to the FIA’s First Information Report (FIR), the case against Elahi was registered on Tuesday in which the state has been named as the complainant. The agency said that it has “solid evidence” against the PML-Q leader.

    According to media outlets, the FIA was also investigating suspicious transactions worth Rs250 million involving the PML-Q leader’s sugar mills. Moonis is a shareholder in Alliance Sugar Mills.

    According to the FIR, proceedings against Moonis under the Money Laundering Act started during former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s tenure. Last year, Khan had tasked the FIA to investigate the sugar crisis throughout the country and find out who benefitted from it.

    Following this, FIA released a report claiming that some of Khan’s own party members and Moonis were among those who had allegedly gained from the sugar crisis in Pakistan.

  • ‘Will DG ISPR decide if there was any conspiracy or not?’: Imran Khan

    ‘Will DG ISPR decide if there was any conspiracy or not?’: Imran Khan

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan responded to Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Babar Iftikhar’s statement on the alleged foreign conspiracy and asked if he would decide whether the conspiracy was hatched or not.

    “Will DG ISPR decide if there was any conspiracy or not? He can only explain his point of view but can’t decide himself. Therefore, if you want to probe the conspiracy, ask the chief justice of Pakistan to probe and decide,” he said.

    Khan said that when he was PM, he had decided to form a commission to probe the conspiracy behind the no-trust motion, but proper investigation was not done.

    “Now there is only one way: the chief justice of Pakistan should conduct an open hearing to probe the ‘Lettergate’ conspiracy,” he added.

    Did not make any political statements, but clarified on behalf of the services chiefs of the Pakistan armed forces: DG ISPR

    Major-General Babar Iftikhar said that he “did not issue political statements” when he commented on the outcome of the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting.

    DG ISPR said he did not make any “political statements”, rather it was a clarification on behalf of the services chiefs of the Pakistan armed forces.

    He also responded to the claims of former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed that “none of the services chiefs in the NSC meeting said that there was a conspiracy”.

    “He was in a way trying to convey that he was speaking on their behalf,” the DG ISPR said, stating that he was the spokesperson of the services chiefs, not Sheikh Rasheed.

    “I am the spokesperson of the services chiefs. If someone speaks something about the services chiefs, then I will have to clarify it — there is nothing political about this,” he said.

    DG ISPR further said that the services chiefs had provided detailed input in the meeting and they had presented information based on intelligence reports, not mere speculation or opinion.

    “This cannot be considered as someone’s opinion; it was a proper briefing based on intelligence reports,” he said.

     The military was ready to support the investigation in any way possible

    On the demands of the formation of a judicial commission to probe the matter, the DG ISPR said the military was ready to support the investigation in any way possible.

    “By all means, judicial commission or whatever forum the government of the day decides […] the institution will provide complete assistance,” the military’s spokesperson said.

    Intelligence agencies clarified in NSC meeting that there was no conspiracy against Khan: DG ISPR

    DG ISPR while talking to a private news channel said that no conspiracy was hatched to oust Khan. He said that the military leadership was present in the NSC meeting and the participants were clearly briefed by the intelligence agencies.

    “[They were] briefed that there was no conspiracy or evidence of any kind [against the then government], nothing like that happened. Participants were told in detail that there was no evidence of any conspiracy,” said the DG ISPR.

  • Ambassador Masood Khan met President Biden in Washington

    Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington Sardar Masood Khan met United States (US) President Joe Biden at the White House for a “meet and greet”.

    The Pakistani embassy said that Khan also went to have a official photograph with the US President, which is an established tradition in Washington DC for a newly appointed envoy.

    During the meeting, President Biden and Ambassador Khan had a brief conversation on building a strong basis to move US-Pakistan ties forward.

    According to the embassy statement, the official photograph has completed all formalities hence formalising Khan’s position as Pakistan’s envoy to the country.

    Apart from Masood Khan, ambassadors from 46 other countries were also present at the White House to get their official photographs with Biden. Previously, due to Covid restrictions, like Khan, they were also unable to meet the US President.

    Ambassador Khan was sent to Washington in March by the previous government. Following the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, it was speculated that it would impact Masood’s appointment.

    But Pakistan’s envoy to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Munir Akram clarified that current ambassadors continue to represent the country in foreign capitals unless specifically asked by the new government to return home.

  • PTI’s Asad Umar responds to DG ISPR’s recent interview

    PTI’s Asad Umar responds to DG ISPR’s recent interview

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) General-Secretary Asad Umar in a press conference along with former Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari demanded the formation of a judicial commission on the alleged “foreign conspiracy” to oust former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan from power.

    Umar said that it would be better for the army and the country if the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General (DG) Major-General Babar Iftikhar doesn’t find it necessary to interpret political affairs again and again.

    Umar said Khan will again write to Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial to constitute a judicial panel and hold a transparent inquiry into the matter.

    “It was a clear threat. It was written that if the no-confidence motion fails, Pakistan would have to pay the price and if Imran Khan is shown the door, then Pakistan will be forgiven.”

    He said that it is the people’s right to know the facts and who was behind the move.

    Umar said that the party still wants this to be investigated by a judicial panel and an open hearing conducted.

    “[The] DG ISPR is right in saying that some of the military leadership representatives actually said that they cannot see any evidence of a conspiracy. Most of the civilian leadership said there was a conspiracy,” Umar said.

    Ever since Imran Khan said ‘absolutely not’ to the air bases, the conspiracy started: Mazari

    Meanwhile, Mazari said, “Ever since Imran Khan said ‘absolutely not’ to the air bases, the conspiracy started.”

    Mazari asked why the US diplomats met PTI MNA Noor Alam Khan.

    “We are compiling a list of who the US envoy met in Pakistan. Why did the ambassador meet Raja Riaz? Was it to discuss foreign affairs?”

    Military’s opinion on national security issues is not final word: Asad Umar

    Umar on Tuesday while speaking on Hum News political talk show with anchorperson Meher Bokhari said, “At the outset, you were asking me a question that since it is a matter of national security so the army has a final word on the issue, [but] with due respect, I don’t agree with this.”

    Umar’s comments were relevant to DG ISPR’s statement that no conspiracy was hatched to oust Khan. He said that the military leadership was present in the National Security Council (NSC) meeting and the participants were clearly briefed by the intelligence agencies.

    “[They were] briefed that there was no conspiracy or evidence of any kind [against the then government], nothing like that happened. Participants were told in detail that there was no evidence of any conspiracy,” said the DG ISPR.

  • An unusual day: two budget sessions to be held in Punjab today

    An unusual day: two budget sessions to be held in Punjab today

    Two separate budget sessions have been called in Punjab on Wednesday (today). Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman has called for a 2pm session at Aiwan-i-Iqbal while Speaker Punjab Assembly (PA) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has called for a 1pm session at the provincial assembly.

    The session at Aiwan-i-Iqbal will be presided over by PA Deputy Speaker Dost Mohammad Mazari.

    According to news reports, Elahi has termed the session at Aiwan-i-Iqbal “illegal”.

    However, according to Geo News, legal experts say that session cannot be resumed when prorogued by the Governor, as he is the head of the province, and the Speaker cannot summon another session. Therefore, the session summoned by Governor Punjab is the legitimate one.

    Responding to the crisis, former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry said, “Even in the martial law governments, it was never said that the assembly would be subordinate to the administration. The PML-N and PPP alliance has done a strange thing today; the Ordinance issued by the Governor is a martial law proclamation.”

    Delay of budget session for two days

    For two days, the Assembly was unable to present the budget for the new fiscal year (2022-23). On Tuesday, when the PA proceedings could not continue, Governor Rehman cancelled the ongoing session and summoned another one, which has started. However, despite the Governor’s orders, Speaker Elahi declared that the session would continue.

    At that point, Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz announced he would come up with another strategy to deal with the problem.

    On Monday, Speaker Elahi refused to conduct the budget session and demanded that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) should apologise to him for what took place on April 16 and withdraw all cases lodged against the PTI and Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) members.

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

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

    Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar said on Tuesday that the military’s leadership believes that former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Pervez Musharraf should return to Pakistan.

    “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.”

    Nawaz Sharif urges govt to facilitate Musharraf’s return

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif urged the government to facilitate Musharraf’s return to the country.

    “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,” said Nawaz in a tweet.

    Intelligence agencies clarified in NSC meeting that there was no conspiracy against Khan: DG ISPR

    The military’s spokesperson expressed regret over the propaganda initiated against the army and the military leadership on social media. 

    DG ISPR once again reiterated that no conspiracy was hatched to oust former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. He said that the military leadership was present in the National Security Council (NSC) meeting and the participants were clearly briefed by the intelligence agencies.

    “[They were] briefed that there was no conspiracy or evidence of any kind [against the then government], nothing like that happened. Participants were told in detail that there was no evidence of any conspiracy,” said the DG ISPR.

  • Joe Biden to visit Saudi Arabia after calling Kingdom ‘isolated’

    United States (US) President Joe Biden will make his first Presidential trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Israel and the Palestinian West Bank next month from July 13-16, confirmed by the White House, reports Associated Press (AP).

    During this visit, Biden will meet Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in KSA, Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem and Palestinian Authority leaders, including Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.

    Announcing the Middle East trip, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “King Salman invited Biden to visit the kingdom during a gathering in the port city of Jeddah of the six Gulf Cooperation Council nations.”

    The Saudi Embassy has said that Biden’s visit is “to strengthen the historical bilateral relations and the distinguished strategic partnership between” the two countries.

    In a statement, the Saudi Embassy stated: “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks forward to welcoming President Biden and defining the next chapters of our partnership. At a time of global challenges related to the global economy, health, climate and international conflict, the partnership between our two countries are as critical as ever to the promotion of peace, prosperity and stability around the world.”

    As a presidential candidate, Biden said the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — a Saudi-born US resident who wrote critical articles about Saudi rulers in The Washington Post — had made KSA a “pariah.” When Biden took charge of the presidency, his administration made clear the president would avoid direct engagement with the crown prince and instead focus on his engagements with King Salman.