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.

  • Heard it but know it? Who are Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq?

    Heard it but know it? Who are Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq?

    Former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan at many instances hit out at the opposition by calling them the ‘Mir Jafars and Mir Sadiqs’ of present time.

    Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq are two people from 18th-century India who are symbolised as the subcontinent’s ultimate sin of ghaddari (treason), like a South Asian version of Brutus, the man who betrayed Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. But who were they really? Let’s find out.

    Who Was Mir Jafar?

    Mir Jafar was born in the late 17th century. He served as a Bengal crown major general. Jafar replaced Siraj-Ud-Daulah as the eighth Nawab of Bengal with the help of the British under Robert Clive. Mir Jafar was forced to cede some area around Calcutta in exchange for British assistance in the conspiracy that brought him to the throne, to confirm and expand British economic advantages, and to make large public and private payments as rewards and indemnities to his British supporters. These payments bankrupted the state, and his power was quickly lost.

    Who was Mir Sadiq?
    Tipu Sultan of Mysore appointed Mir Sadiq as a minister in his cabinet. He supposedly betrayed Tipu Sultan during the Siege of Srirangapatana in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1798–99, clearing the door for a British triumph. He betrayed Tipu by assassinating Tipu’s loyalist Ghazi Khan and then trapping Tipu behind sealed doors. Following the loss, Sadiq was assassinated by some of the bewildered Mysorean forces as he attempted to cross the border to greet the Brit

  • Who is going to be the next governor of Sindh?

    Who is going to be the next governor of Sindh?

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led government has decided to appoint their party ally Muttahida Qaumi Move­ment-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) senior leader Nasreen Jalil as the governor of Sindh.

    If Jalil becomes the next governor, she would be the second female governor in the province’s history after the first Prime Minister (PM) Liaquat Ali Khan’s wife Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan who served in the 1970s.

    The office of the Sindh governor fell vacant on April 12 when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Imran Ismail resigned, hours before PM Shehbaz Sharif took oath as the premier of Pakistan.

    Nasreen Jalil was born in Lahore but she spent most of her time in Karachi. In her childhood, she lived in London. She went to Paris for her education. She joined MQM and started her political career in Karachi. She served as a senator two times. Nasreen Jalil had been elected as chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights in 1994 and 2012.

    Following the news, the former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter, saying the “crime minister” has proposed the name of Nasreen Jalil as Sindh governor. He claimed that Jalil had written a letter to the Indian high commissioner on June 18, 2015, and sought ‘help’ against Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies.

    Similarly, PTI’s Imran Ismail and former Sindh governor said that it appears that in order to become part of the present government it has become ‘imperative’ that one should be on bail or an “expert of vicious attacks” on security institutions.

    Responding to Ismail’s tweet, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Senator Faisal Subzwari cleared that the letter was written to all diplomats.

    He admitted that it was the party office’s mistake that the name of the Indian diplomat was not excluded from the list of diplomats. However, this letter surfaced in 2015 and its contents were before everyone.

  • Legal action to be taken against Imran’s anti-state speech, PM Shehbaz Sharif

    Legal action to be taken against Imran’s anti-state speech, PM Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has decided to take legal action against former PM Imran Khan’s speech during a rally in Abbottabad held on Sunday. PM Shehbaz termed Khan’s address a grand conspiracy against Pakistan.

    PM Shehbaz said those concocting a narrative against national institutions were the real Mir Jaffars and Mir Sadiqs. He said the state of Pakistan, the Constitution of Pakistan, and the respected institutions of Pakistan were challenged by Imran Khan in Abbottabad on Sunday.

    Shehbaz said what Khan was doing could only be categorised as a conspiracy, not politics and this conspiracy was not against any political rivals but against the country.

    “Pakistan cannot be surrendered and compromised over one person’s ego, arrogance, and blatant lies. Imran first conspired to destroy the economy of the country and is now planning to trigger a civil war in Pakistan”, said the premier.

    PM Shehbaz pledged that these nefarious designs of Imran Khan would be crushed. “Imran is this era’s Mir Jaffar and Mir Sadiq who wants Pakistan to face the same fate as Libya and Iraq,” added Shehbaz.

    The premier went on to say that Imran Khan was digging holes in the very boat he is riding and biting the hand that feeds him.

    “The people of Pakistan, the Constitution, and the institutions of Pakistan are not slaves of Imran Niazi, nor can he hold them hostage.” He slammed Imran’s speech and said he would not be allowed to become the Hitler of Pakistan.

    ‘Extremely damaging’, army condemns practice of defamatory remarks about them

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a press release on Sunday, noted that “intensified and deliberate attempts have recently been made to drag Pakistan Armed Forces and their leadership by some political leaders, journalists and analysts into the ongoing political discourse in the country”.

    The military’s media wing termed this practice as “extremely damaging”.

    “This practice of unsubstantiated, defamatory and provocative statements/remarks is extremely damaging,” the ISPR condemned while adding that army takes “strong exception to such unlawful and unethical practices”.

    “These attempts are manifest through direct, insinuated, or nuanced references to the armed forces as well as their senior leadership, made by some political leaders, a few journalists and analysts on public forums and various communication platforms, including social media”, the statement reads.

    Moreover, it said that the army “expects all to abide by the law and keep the armed forces out of political discourse in the best interest of the country”.

    Since the episode of the removal of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, on several occasions, the establishment has urged the public not to drag them into political matters and clearly said that there is no involvement from their side in politics.

    The statement came hours after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s statement about the concept of neutrality, saying that God hadn’t permitted human beings to remain neutral when the time comes to stand up for justice and support the good.

    This is not the first time that Khan has made such comments. He once claimed that only animals can stay neutral and that humans either side with good or evil.

  • US First Lady makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

    US First Lady makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

    US First Lady Jill Biden paid a surprise visit to Ukraine on Sunday to demonstrate solidarity for the war-torn country in its struggle against Russia. Olena Zelenska, her Ukrainian counterpart, was also present.

    Before meeting in private, the two first ladies met in a tiny classroom, sitting across a table from one another and greeting each other in front of the media. Zelenska and her children have been kept safe in an undisclosed location.

    The school where they met has been turned into transitional housing for Ukrainian migrants from elsewhere in the country.

    “Because we understand what it takes for the US First Lady to come here during a war when the military actions are taking place every day, where the air sirens are happening every day, even today,” Olena Zelenska told Jill Biden.

    “I wanted to come on Mother’s Day. I thought it was important to show the Ukrainian people that this war has to stop and this war has been brutal and that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine,” she said while talking to reporters.

    According to UN estimates, at least 1,964 people have been killed and 2,613 injured in Ukraine since the conflict began on February 24, with the true figure expected to be far higher.

  • PML-N does not have any video of Khan: Ahsan Iqbal

    PML-N does not have any video of Khan: Ahsan Iqbal

    Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) believed in serving the masses and not politics of revenge and agitation.

    Speaking about the rumours of compromising videos soon to be launched against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Iqbal said that PML-N does not have such videos nor does it have any intention but we have a record of Khan’s government’s performance.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Iqbal said that we consider such politics as inferior and third-degree politics. He said that Imran Khan’s incompetence and corruption are mountains of K2, and there is no need for anything else. “If Imran Khan or any minister has damaged the national treasury and there is evidence, they will go to jail.”

    Regarding the allegations of a foreign conspiracy against Imran Khan, Ahsan Iqbal said that the inquiry regarding letter gate will be presented to the nation in a transparent manner. He further added that the government cannot form a commission of inquiry.

    Iqbal said that Imran Khan can approach the court if he wants to form a judicial commission. “A letter has already been sent to the chief justice. If he thinks so, he can set up a commission.”

  • Shahid Afridi responds to ‘criticism of Khan’ by PTI supporters

    Shahid Afridi responds to ‘criticism of Khan’ by PTI supporters

    Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi responded to social media criticism he has been receiving after he expressed his views about PTI’s government in a recent interview.

    In a video posted on YouTube with the caption, ‘Pakistan’s sovereignty above all’, Afridi said that he wanted to respond to “negative criticism” on social media. He started by saying that he is grateful that he was born in Pakistan and will continue to serve his country in every way that he can.

    Afridi stated he has always admired Imran Khan’s leadership in cricket and politics.

    “Imran Bhai is my ideal. I started cricket only because of him as Khan inspired me. He showed leadership in the 1992 World Cup and that’s why we won the World Cup.” Afridi also lauded Shaukat Khanum Hospital and said it is a huge contribution to our society by the former premier.

    “I have always said that whoever comes to power should complete five years in government. I have always praised Imran Khan as a leader but it’s my right to disagree with his policies and views. Do not convert difference of opinion into hatred. In a civilised society, difference of opinion is tolerated.”

    He also praised PTI government’s Sehat Card.

    “I spoke as a common Pakistani regardless of any political ideology,” he added. “when I congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Prime Minister, I knew that I would be criticised for it. I didn’t do it due to any vested interest. Whoever becomes a leader of this country should be respected as he/she represents us all over the world.”

    Afridi also thanked and praised overseas Pakistanis.

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1522657700575907843?s=20&t=CRGRnGTIHNrGjT5jo24pFQ

    Previously, Afridi in an interview said Imran Khan committed numerous blunders during his time as Pakistan’s premier. He went on to say that Imran should own up to his mistakes and be held accountable for them. Afridi added that he and his family had high expectations for Imran Khan, but that he did not deliver.

    Social media users criticised Afridi for voicing his political opinion and congratulating Prime Minister Shebaz Shairf.

  • Imran Khan meets accused sexual abuser Zia Chishti at Bani Gala

    Imran Khan meets accused sexual abuser Zia Chishti at Bani Gala

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan met Sitara-i-Imtiaz (third-highest honour and civilian award in Pakistan) holder and founder of a software company “Afiniti” Zia Chishti at Bani Gala. Chishti was accused of sexually abusing Tatiana Spottiswoode, a former Afiniti employee, and Zia’s friend’s daughter last year.

    Chishti stepped down from his position as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Afiniti, effective immediately following the allegations of sexual assault by a 23-year-old against him.

    The news of the meeting between the two came to the surface when the official Twitter handle of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tweeted a picture of the meeting at Khan’s residence.

    Zia Chishti along with former Special Assistant to the prime minister Sayed Zulfi Bukhari were seen meeting Khan.

    However, the party’s Twitter account later deleted the tweet.

  • ‘Rana, rethink decision’, PPP tells govt not to lodge case on Masjid-e-Nabwi incident

    ‘Rana, rethink decision’, PPP tells govt not to lodge case on Masjid-e-Nabwi incident

    Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has said that cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) should not have been lodged in Pakistan.

    According to Shah, action should only be taken against the people who took the law into their hands in Pakistan. He added that if somebody had shown disrespect to the sacred place, only Allah and His Prophet (PBUH) would punish him for that.

    Shah further said that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah should rethink the issue seriously. However, the interior minister defended the registration of cases against PTI leaders.

    In a tweet, Sanaullah said that there was no justification to not register a case against those who violate the sanctity of Roza-e-Rasool.

    Pilgrims were instigated under a plan, the minister said, adding that some of the people had travelled to Saudi Arabia from Britain. “There can be no forgiveness for what these people have done,” he said.

    Talking about the ongoing protest led by PTI Chairperson Imran Khan, Shah said that we will never object to Khan’s democratic right to protest.

    “Whoever wishes to bring millions of people in long march should not be barred and protesters should not be arrested for taking part in a peaceful protest. The government should be careful while issuing statements about PTI’s long march. It should take decisions with consensus as we are their partners in the coalition government,” added Shah.

    Last week, Faisalabad police registered a case under ‘blasphemy laws’ against the PTI chairman and over 150 others following the Masjid-e-Nabwi incident.

    Top leaders of the PTI and Imran’s close associates, including Fawad Chaudhry, Shahbaz Gill, Qasim Suri, Sahibzada Jahangir, Aneel Musarrat as well as Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and his nephew Sheikh Rasheed Shafiq were nominated.

  • Videos being prepared for my character assassination, says Khan

    Videos being prepared for my character assassination, says Khan

    Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday claimed that the Sharif family is preparing to launch a campaign against him after Eid.

    Expressing his views during an interview with actor Shaan Shahid on Hum News, Khan said, “Now that Eid is over, you will see they [Sharif family] are fully prepared for my character assassination. They have hired companies that are readying the material.”

    “I had to face mafias, the biggest of which is the Sharif mafia […] they always attack on a personal level because they are indulging in corruption for the past 35 years. When someone [points out] their corruption, they attack a person’s character,” said Khan.

    “Instead of responding to the theft of billions of rupees, the Sharif family will focus on immorality,” Khan said, adding that they had previously pursued a fake case against his ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith.

    “What was Jemima’s crime? She was my wife. Now they have Farah Khan because she is close to Bushra Bibi,” he added.

    He went on to say that the Sharifs had also made further preparations and “made videos” similar to the ones of former Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar and late Judge Arshad Malik.

    “This is mafia style. I only want the nation to understand that if you want to smear anyone’s name, there are companies that can help you achieve this.”

    He added that the PTI had announced its long march to Islamabad by the end of May due to which the Sharifs wanted to lower his respect in the eyes of the public and assassinate his character.

    He added that 60 per cent of the federal cabinet was out on bail. “The father (Shehbaz) is on bail and so is the son (Hamza). Maryam is also out on bail and Nawaz Sharif has been convicted [while] his sons have fled abroad. So what [other] defence will they have?”

    He said that in a democracy, they were required to give an answer for the allegations levelled against them. “You can’t come up in any democracy if you are out on bail; you can’t get any position.”

  • Govt considering suspending Nawaz Sharif’s sentence

    Govt considering suspending Nawaz Sharif’s sentence

    Interior minister Rana Sanaullah said that the federal government is considering suspending former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s sentence.

    During an exclusive interview with Samaa News’ correspondent Asim Naseer, Rana Sana said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif was convicted on wrong grounds. “An innocent man has been wrongly accused, he [Nawaz Sharif] should be granted the opportunity to plead his case before a court,” the minister added.

    He also stated that the government has the authority to commute, decrease, or postpone the sentence of anyone.

    Sanaullah added that the PML-N chief should be involved in the next election campaign, while Maryam Nawaz would be in charge of leading it.

    In 2019, courts granted Nawaz permission to leave the country for medical treatment on the condition that he would return to Pakistan as soon as the treatment was completed to fulfill his ten-year sentence.