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.

  • Fact Check: Sri Lankan ministers were not stripped and interrogated

    Fact Check: Sri Lankan ministers were not stripped and interrogated

    Claim: Sri Lankan ministers were stripped down, beaten and harassed by the public.

    Fact: This video shows Sri Lankan inmates of an open prison who are being interrogated for allegedly attacking protesters

    On May 13, 2022 several social media users in Pakistan tweeted a video showing a group of half-naked men pleading a larger crowd as the people making the video seemed to be humiliating them. This video was shared extensively on WhatsApp. Some of these posts and tweets on social media can be seen here, here, here, here and here.

    However, The Current Check observed that this video was being used out of context, with the caption that it depicts Sri Lankan ministers being humiliated by the public for participating in widespread corruption.

    Through a reverse image search of six different keyframes of the video, we discovered that it was first tweeted on May 10, 2022 by Sri Lankan Twitter users claiming that this was a video of prisoners who attacked the protesters at Gota Go Gama. Soon after the video was first posted on Twitter, several Sri Lankan news channels including Daily Mirror, News First and others such as NDTV also started covering it and reporting it to belong to an instance of interrogating prisoners who attacked protesters. According to a translation of the video shared by India Today it becomes clear that these prisoners were from Watareka Open Prison Camp and a jailer had taken them to the protest site. This was a protest against former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who along with his family is on the run as Sri Lanka slips deeper into economic downfall and political turmoil.

    VERDICT: FALSE [OUT OF CONTEXT]

  • ‘Don’t want to hand over government vehicles and houses to thieves’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Don’t want to hand over government vehicles and houses to thieves’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry was recently asked about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members who resigned but have yet to hand over government vehicles and houses back to the administration.

    While talking to the media, Fawad responded, “[We] did not want to hand over government vehicles and houses to thieves.”

    Fawad was also asked about the possible arrest of the PTI chairperson Imran Khan, and Chaudhry said that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah would be mad if he arrested Imran Khan. “Whoever will arrest Imran Khan, it will be difficult for him to stay in Pakistan.”

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Sunday warned that if Imran Khan is arrested, Pakistan will turn into Sri Lanka.

    Rasheed said that if Khan is arrested, PTI has already devised a strategy to deal with the situation, adding that the country would plunge into a political crisis and would witness a situation like the one in Sri Lanka. 

  • ‘Establishment ne tumhara number block keeya hai’: Maryam Nawaz tells IK

    ‘Establishment ne tumhara number block keeya hai’: Maryam Nawaz tells IK

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Sunday took a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and said that the way Khan was “crying” shows that the “establishment has blocked [his] number”.

    “Let me tell you that the number you are trying to call has been changed. Whenever you try to call on that number, you get a message that you do not have access to this facility anymore”, said Maryam.

    Maryam’s comments come after Imran Khan’s claim that the establishment is messaging him but he is not ready to talk to them. Khan said that he has blocked their numbers. 

    “This liar [Imran Khan] has crossed all limits of dishonesty. Allah Almighty humiliated him and removed him from power.” 

    “This inflation-monger Khan is saying today that inflation has gone up. In fact, when he says that inflation has increased, he is presenting a charge sheet against himself. When he says that the dollar has gone up, he presents a charge sheet against himself as [this is his government’s fault],” she said.

    “If you have a video, don’t wait for any accident. You will see that Nawaz Sharif will provide you more security than even Shehbaz Sharif,” said Maryam to Khan.

  • PM Shehbaz directs Interior Ministry to provide tight security to Imran

    PM Shehbaz directs Interior Ministry to provide tight security to Imran

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Interior Ministry to provide water-tight security to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan at his home in Islamabad and during political rallies.

    A statement given by a spokesperson of the Interior Ministry said that the police and other law enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure the complete deployment of security personnel assigned to the former PM.

    94 security personnel of police and FC have been deployed for the security of Khan’s Bani Gala House. In addition, 36 personnel of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and six personnel of Gilgit-Baltistan Police have also been deployed by their governments for Khan’s security.

    35 personnel of two security companies are also deployed for the security of Bani Gala House.

    During the movement of Imran Khan outside Islamabad, four vehicles and 23 personnel of Islamabad Police while one vehicle and five personnel of FC always accompany him.

    Under the supervision of the Interior Ministry, the threat assessment company is constantly reviewing matters pertaining to the security of Imran Khan.

    ‘I will tell you about poison added to food that causes heart attack’: Khan

    Imran Khan on Sunday said that if anything happened to him, the Pakistani nation will seek justice on his behalf. 

    Addressing a jalsa in Faisalabad, Khan said that the Supreme Court (SC) must take suo motu on the heart attack of Dr Rizwan, former director of the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA), who died of a heart attack. Dr Rizwan was an investigating officer in PM Shehbaz’s money laundering case.

    “I want the SC to take suo motu on the heart attack of Dr Rizwan. I will also tell you about the poison that causes a heart attack when mixed with food.”

     Khan claimed that he had recorded a video of the characters behind the “conspiracy” against his government, and if something happens to him, it will be released. 

    “If anything happens to me, the Pakistani nation will seek justice on my behalf,” said Khan.

    Criticising Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Khan said that since he is now going to meet United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he will “beg him for money” so that “Imran Khan could not come back into power,” adding that the US never helps any country without seeing its own interest.

    “The US will tell Pakistan to stop talking about Palestine,” he said, adding that the US cannot dare to dictate India because it is a free country. 

    “The US has made Pakistan a slave without having to invade it,” Khan said. “The people of Pakistan will never accept this imported government.”

  • PM Shehbaz condemns the killing of Sikh citizens in Peshawar

    PM Shehbaz condemns the killing of Sikh citizens in Peshawar

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the killing of two Sikh citizens in Peshawar.

    “Strongly condemn the killing of our Sikh citizens in Peshawar, KP. Pakistan belongs to all its people. Have ordered a high level inquiry to ascertain facts. The killers will be arrested & meted out exemplary punishment. My most sincere sympathies to the bereaved families,” PM said in a tweet.

    Unknown assailants killed two persons of the Sikh community at Sarband area in Peshawar. According to the police, two persons riding on motorbike opened fire on two shopkeepers of the Sikh community selling spices at Bata Tal Bazaar. They succumbed to their injuries on the spot.

    The deceased were identified as Kanwaljeet Sigh and Ranjeet Singh. According to journalist Iftikhar Firdous, the Islamic States Khurasan (ISKP) chapter says it carried out the attack targeting two Sikhs. In October 2021, ISKP also claimed another such attack in Peshawar.

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also condemned the killing of Sikh citizens.

  • PTI’s Usman Dar arrested for planning jalsa on minority’s private property

    PTI’s Usman Dar arrested for planning jalsa on minority’s private property

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Usman Dar and other party members were arrested on Saturday after a police crackdown at the party’s rally venue in Sialkot.

    Dar shared a video on Twitter, saying he was speaking from a “prison van”. Others could also be seen with him.

    Dar said, “We will bear imprisonment but remain loyal to our leader Imran Khan. And listen closely, we will come out of the jails and again hold a rally in Sialkot. Our leader will again come to Sialkot. And under the leadership of Imran Khan, we will bury this imported government, these puppets of America forever.”

    Earlier, in the day police launched a crackdown on PTI’s activists and got the rally venue vacated after they tried to hold a public meeting at the CTI ground, a property belonging to the Christian community, without their consent. However, now the party has changed the venue to the public VIP Ground in Sialkot.

    The Christian community lodged a protest as PTI had not taken prior permission from them for the rally. When the police arrived to stop the arrangements, many PTI workers showed resistance, however police baton-charged and used tear gas to disperse PTI workers.

    Sialkot District Police Officer (DPO) Hasan Iqbal, who was present at the site, told reporters, “As you know we are right now standing on a ground that belongs to the Christian community. They had filed a writ [petition] in the high court, asking that no political rally be held on the grounds.”

    He added that the “political party’s leaders” sought permission to hold the rally but the Christian community refused. “Then we came here and told them that we can help you with regards to an alternative venue. What has happened after that is there for you to see,” he added.

    In a video, Iqbal can be heard talking to PTI members. He said, “No one is stopping you. This land is private. You didn’t take permission from them. Your party talks about rule of law. Does the law allow you to do a jalsa on this land without the Christian community’s consent?”

    “We have been trying to tell your this for two days. Try to understand it”, he added.

    Following the situation, former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan claimed, “What imported govt did in Sialkot against our leadership & workers is outrageous, but not unexpected. This bunch of criminals out on bail and their convict mafia boss in London have always used fascist tactics against opponents when they are in power.”

    In a press conference, Shafqat Mehmood, Ejaz Chaudhry, and Firdous Ashiq Awan blamed Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for the police action and urged the administration to release PTI leaders who have been arrested.

  • Journalist turned politician, Fahd Husain appointed as SAPM to PM Shehbaz

    Journalist turned politician, Fahd Husain appointed as SAPM to PM Shehbaz

    Senior journalist and columnist Fahd Husain has been appointed as Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    The Cabinet Division issued the notification following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s approval on Friday.

    Image of notification

    “The Prime Minister, in terms of rule 4(6) of Rules of Business, 1973, has been pleased to appoint Syed Fahd Husain as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister with the status of Federal Minister, with immediate effect,” read a notification of his appointment.

    Fahd Hussain will have the portfolio in Public Policy and Strategic Communication.

    Husain has previously served as the Resident Editor of Dawn newspaper in Islamabad.

    He has spent three decades in the field of journalism. Husain has been a newspaper reporter, editor, columnist, television anchor, and news director during his time as a journalist.

  • Twitter reacts to Shahbaz Gill’s wife’s PhD controversy

    Twitter reacts to Shahbaz Gill’s wife’s PhD controversy

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill’s wife Izza Asad Rasool is reportedly found to be owing around Rs18.6 million to the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) University of Islamabad.

    According to Geo News‘ reporter Azaz Syed, a show-cause notice has been sent to Rasool in this regard. The university has demanded the payment of official expenses worth $99,000 and Rs86,000, spent on account of Rasool’s tuition fees, her living allowance and airfare.

    According to the notice, Rasool went to the United States (US) in 2011 to pursue an MS leading to PhD studies in the field of Labour and Industrial Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She was supposed to complete her studies by 2016 and come back to the country but she didn’t. She has been living there since she left for the US.

    Moreover, the notice stated that Rasool could not complete her studies by the due date and she was also irregular in submitting her academic progress reports.

    It is pertinent to mention that at the time when Rasool left for her studies, she was not married to Gill who is an employee of the same American university.

    COMSATS has warned Rasool to respond to the notice within 15 days or they will initiate legal and administrative action against her.

    As per the media outlet, GIll has allegedly been using his influence to threaten COMSATS’ administration in order to avoid action against his wife.

    Responding to the news, Gill termed the news as false. He said that her wife’s PhD is still going on and she will be back as soon as her degree finishes.

    “There is a campaign going on against me and this news is also a part of it. I know who is doing it”, he claimed.

    Following the news, Twitter questioned the unusually long period of Rasool’s degree completion.

  • Hangout in London: PML-N leaders show off pictures from their trip

    Hangout in London: PML-N leaders show off pictures from their trip

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his party members have gone to London to meet Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif.

    PM Shehbaz’s 10-member delegation includes Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Power Minister Khurram Dastagir, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, among others.

    The PML-N leaders shared some special moments from their London trip with their followers on social media platforms.

    PML-N leaders who are currently in London remained tight-lipped about their discussions with the party’s supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.

    It is being said that the PML-N delegation took an oath “not just once but twice” to ensure that the issues that came under discussion before Mian Nawaz Sharif would not be revealed outside under any circumstances.

    The delegation did not share what policy direction was given by the Nawaz during the meeting at Stanhope House in London and stressed that any decision taken would only be announced after consultation with the government’s coalition partners.

  • One killed, at least nine injured in Karachi’s Saddar blast

    One killed, at least nine injured in Karachi’s Saddar blast

    One person was killed and at least nine were injured in a blast that rocked the Saddar area of Karachi late Thursday night when a a vehicle of Pakistan Coast Guards was passing by. Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA), an outlawed nationalist party, claimed the responsibility of the blast through social media. It said that the target was Pakistan Coast Guards.

    According to the initial report submitted to Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Murad Ali Shah by the DIG South, an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a bicycle. The blast occurred near the United Bakery.

    According to the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) officials, explosive material was planted in the carrier of the bicycle that was detonated using a time device.

    “The bomb was made locally and about 2 to 2.5-kilogrammes of explosive material was used in it,” said BDS, adding that “ball-bearings were used in the explosive material”.

    Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon has said that those responsible for the incident will not be spared.

    He said there was no threat of a blast at any particular place. Replying to a question, he said that the blast at the University of Karachi was a suicide bomb blast; however, it is too early to comment whether the two had any links.

    Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab said that the police and other law enforcement agencies were assessing the situation.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow after the terror attack.

    https://twitter.com/PMO_PK/status/1524832321492373522

    Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed his sorrow and sent heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. He directed authorities concerned to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the blast and also sent his condolences.