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’t show their face in public places’: Imran Khan breaks silence over Masjid-e-Nabwi incident

    ‘Can’t show their face in public places’: Imran Khan breaks silence over Masjid-e-Nabwi incident

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan termed the incident of hooliganism in Masjid-e-Nabwi a public reaction, saying it was the “consequence” of their [rulers] own deeds.

    In an interview with Arshad Sharif on ARY programme ‘Power Play’, Imran Khan pointed out that the masses have never reacted in such a manner in the entire history of the country, which has been observed outside Masjid-e-Nabwi. “We are not asking people to come out and the public is taking to the streets on their own as they are in pain and anger. However, I can challenge they [the rulers] won’t be able to show their faces in any public place,” the PTI chairman claimed.

    This week, a group of Pakistani protesters violated the sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabwi in Madina by chanting ‘chor chor’ slogans against newly-elected PM Shehbaz Sharif and members of his delegation.

    Following the incident, several personalities condemned the incident.

    “Neither can I think of inciting people to hooliganism at Masjid-e-Nabwi, nor can a true lover of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) think of doing this,” he said.

    “The place I have in my heart for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), I don’t need to prove it, and I have raised my voice around the world against islamophobia,” the PTI chairman said, adding, “I believe that Iman [faith] cannot be completed until you love Prophet (PBUH).” 

  • Prominent personalities condemn ‘chor chor’ slogans in Madina

    Prominent personalities condemn ‘chor chor’ slogans in Madina

    Prominent personalities have come forward to condemn the chanting of “chor chor” slogans in Masjid-e-Nabawi against the visiting Pakistani delegation. In videos that are being widely shared on social media, Marriyum Aurangzeb can be seen surrounded by people yelling “chor chor” and another abusive words. Someone can be seen pulling Shahzain Bugti’s hair as well.

    Many prominent personalities including politicians, religious leaders and others have expressed their anger and disappointment over the incident.

    Maulana Tariq Jamil while condemning the incident said that disrespect of Haram Sharif is not acceptable in Islam.

    Former cricketer Shahid Afridi also came forward to condemn the incident. The star cricketer said the incident has damaged Pakistan’s image. 

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1519781042873421825

    PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan also condemned the incident and called it “against the sanctity of the holy place”.

    PTI’s Asad Umar also spoke up against the incident.

    “I ask forgiveness to Allah for what has happened today at Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH),” Mohammad Yousaf tweeted.

    Kamran Akmal wrote, “Very shameful act done by some of our countrymen in #masjidnabawi Those who violated the sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabawi for political purposes should be banned.I condemn it. Sanctity of the holy place of the Prophet (PBUH)is a must & obligatory for all Muslims. Stop spreading Anarchy.”

  • Saudi court jails man for recording Masjid-e-Nabawi incident

    Saudi court jails man for recording Masjid-e-Nabawi incident

    A Pakistani national named Muhammad Tahir has been sentenced to three years in prison by a court in Saudi Arabia for filming a video inside Masjid-e-Nabawi and sharing it on TikTok. He will have to pay a fine of SAR10,000.

    He was traced by his audio.

    The incident took place in April. Responding to the incident in Saudi Arabia, federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said that there is a specific group who chanted those slogans. She also said that she prayed for those people at Masjid-e-Nabawi. In videos that were widely shared on social media, Pakistani delegation including Marriyum Aurangzeb was seen surrounded by people yelling “chor chor”.

    PM Shehbaz Sharif went on a three day visit in Saudi Arabia. He was warmly received by the Governor of Madina Prince Faisal Bin Salman and high level Saudi officials.

    Federal Ministers Bialwal Bhutto-Zardari, Miftah Ismail, Shahzain Bugti, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Khawaja Asif, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and MNAs Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mohsin Dawar accompanied the Prime Minister.

  • Confusion over CM Punjab oath-taking today, Speaker says Buzdar is still CM

    The Punjab Assembly (PA) session, with a no-confidence motion against Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari on agenda, was adjourned by Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi till 11:30am on May 16.

    Later talking to the media, Ch Pervaiz Elahi blamed harassment of the assembly’s officials by police officers as the reason for postponing the session. “The assembly officials are being harassed and intimated by police officers. Some of them have been arrested while the police have been carrying out raiding on the houses of other staffers,” he added.

    Regarding the confusion over the oath-taking ceremony of Chief Minister (CM) Punjab, Elahi said that Buzdar is still the CM.

    However, in the light of the Lahore High Court (LHC) orders to Punjab Governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema regarding oath-taking from CM-elect Hamza Shehbaz, there is some probability that Hamza may take oath today (Thursday).

    Voting on the no-confidence motion was scheduled for Thursday and it was supposed to be held through a secret ballot. No Member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA) was allowed to bring their cellphone to the House. Women lawmakers were also barred from carrying their handbags.

    Security around the House was quite strict after the PA session on April 16 witnessed unprecedented violence which left many lawmakers injured.

    According to Dawn, a PML-N MPA told the news outlet that PML-N, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf  (PTI)’s dissident lawmakers agreed to support Deputy Speaker Mazari in the no-confidence motion.

    The no-confidence against the deputy speaker was submitted on April 7 when he summoned the assembly session early on April 6 instead of April 16— a development that was opposed by PML-Q and PTI.

    Mazari’s sudden change of heart to hold the session earlier was termed the ‘handiwork’ of the PML-N leadership that allegedly wooed him through a ‘good offer’.

  • Boris Johnson greets PM Shehbaz, hopes to meet him soon

    Boris Johnson greets PM Shehbaz, hopes to meet him soon

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Prime Minister of Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reports.

    According to a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Britain’s Prime Minister wrote PM Shehbaz a letter on April 26 in which he stated that the UK and Pakistan have enjoying deep relations, bolstered by strong people-to-people contacts. In his letter, Boris Johnson noted that the United Kingdom and Pakistan have been locked in bonds supported by strong people-to-people links.

    “He also recalled their meeting in 2016 during his visit to Pakistan and the discussions held on a number of shared interests including girls’ education, health, economics and trade relations,” the statement issued by the ministry read.

    “PM Johnson looked forward to working together including in addressing global challenges,” the statement read.

  • Former CJP advices Imran not to ‘criticise judiciary’

    Former CJP advices Imran not to ‘criticise judiciary’

    Former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar met Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and advised him not to criticise the judiciary.

    The meeting took place at the latter’s Lahore residence in Zaman Park on Wednesday wherein they deliberated the judiciary’s role vis-à-vis the ongoing political crisis and constitutional matters among other issues.

    According to media reports, the PTI chief had invited former CJP Saqib Nisar to his Zaman Park residence with the aim to `consult’ legal experts on various prevailing constitutional as well political issues.

    The PTI chief discussed with the former CJP legalities regarding oath-taking by the Punjab chief minister-elect since the Lahore High Court had advised the governor to administer oath on Thursday (today).

    Talking to ARY News following the meeting, Justice (r) Saqib Nisar lauded the country’s judiciary for doing “great work”.

    He said he advised the former prime minister to not criticise the judiciary. He said he also discussed with Khan the constitutional crisis in Punjab, as well as the issue of the oath-taking of the newly elected Punjab chief minister.

    Earlier, addressing PTI workers’ convention in Lahore on Wednesday, Imran Khan said that his party will observe Ramadan 27 (a possible Shab-e-Qadr) as “Shab-e-Dua” (Night of Prayers) and urged all Pakistanis to join PTI’s Shab-e-Dua for the “real freedom of Pakistan”.

    He also asked party representatives to launch a public campaign at UC level in their constituencies for preparations regarding the party’s Islamabad march. “I want two million people to reach Islamabad on my call,” he added.

  • Female suicide bomber is a double masters, mother of two: Who is Shari Baloch?

    Female suicide bomber is a double masters, mother of two: Who is Shari Baloch?

    The 30-year-old Shari Baloch committed a suicide bombing near the Confucius Institute of Karachi University on April 26. In the suicide attack, she targeted four people including Chinese nationals and a van driver, reports Independent Urdu.

    She was an educated woman who belonged from Kech, Balochistan. She had been with Balochistan Students Organisation-Azad (BSO Azad) since college. She later joined the separatist movement of the Majeed Brigade of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). She completed her master’s degree in education from Allama Iqbal Open University in 2014

    However, as per Urdu news reported that he completed a bachelor’s in Education (B.Ed) in 2014 and earned a Master’s degree in education in 2018. Later, she also earned a master’s degree in Zoology. As per her allegedly Twitter account, she has done M.Phil in education as well. She was married to a doctor and have two children together, one son and a daughter. She was teaching in a government school in Balochistan but the school did not confirm it yet.

    Her relative revealed to a reporter that most of the family members are part of the bureaucracy.

    According to her relative, “It is being said on social media that some members of Shari Baloch’s family went missing so she took such a step to take revenge but not a single person in her family has gone missing to date. She was ideologically committed to it, so maybe she took such a step.”

    Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Raja Umar Khattab also confirmed that it was the suicide attack that was carried out by a female clad-in-burqa. Police also released CCTV footage in which Shari Baloch was standing near the gate of the Confucius Institute. She blew up when a van was about to enter the institute at 1:52 pm.

    [TRIGGER WARNING] VIDEO MAY BE SENSITIVE TO SOME AUDIENCE

    https://twitter.com/Irumf/status/1518929328502890496

    Four people lost their lives including three Chinese nationals and a driver while three people survived from injuries including Ranger personnel, one Chinese national, and a security guard. The injured people were taken to a nearby hospital

    The deceased three Chinese nationals are identified as Prof. Huang GuiPing, Ding Mufang, and Chen Sai while Wang Yuqing received injuries.

    Later, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) took the responsibility for the suicide attack near the Confucius Institute.

    A spokesperson of BLA spokesman said, “Shari joined the Majeed Brigade two years ago and six months ago she confirmed that she was determined to carry out the attack. She has been active in her mission ever since.”

    A tweet from her husband, Habitan Bashir Baloch also came to light for appreciating his wife’s selfless act.

    He penned down, “Shari Jan, your selfless act has left me speechless but I am also beaming with pride today. Mahroch and Meer Hassan will grow into very proud humans thinking what a great woman their mother was. You will continue to remain an important part of our lives.

    https://twitter.com/HabitanB/status/1519041873691791362?t=-m4FM_PQuDEQQYY2WTSe1g&s=08

    “The police had received reports regarding security threats to Chinese nationals and security was also provided to them, however, no intelligence report of suicide attack through a female bomber was received,” the top police official said while speaking on Geo News program Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath.

    China has strongly condemned the recent suicide attack on Karachi University and extended deep condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims.

    In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, “The government of the People’s Republic of China expresses strong condemnation and indignation over this major terrorist attack and extends deep condolences to the victims and sympathies to the injured and bereaved families.”

    Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao called the Pakistan Ambassador to China Moinul Haque and demanded that Pakistan should immediately make a thorough investigation into the tragic incident, and apprehend and punish the perpetrators to the full extent of the law. “We expect that Pakistan will take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens living across Pakistan and to avoid the recurrence of such cowardice incidents happening again.”

    Moin ul Haque, in a message, said, “The entire nation is in shock and mourns the loss of these precious lives including our Chinese friends.”

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif also visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad after the incident to offer condolence over the incident.

    PM said, “The blood of the Chinese people should not be shed in vain, and those behind this incident will surely pay the price.”

  • 4th bench: Maryam Nawaz withdraws passport return plea

    4th bench: Maryam Nawaz withdraws passport return plea

    PML-N Vice President on Wednesday withdrew her petition filed in Lahore High Court (LHC) for the return of her passport so that she could travel abroad to perform Umrah.

    According to ARY News, the fourth bench – special division bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Sardar Ahmed Naeem had taken up the petition Wednesday morning.

    During the hearing, Counsel for Maryam Nawaz Advocate Amjad Pervez, told the LHC that the PML-N leader wished to withdraw her plea.

    Maryam’s withdrawal comes after four benches were formed to hear the petition due to judges recusing themselves one after the other.

    Last week, a bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Farooq Haider was hearing the petition when the former remarked that his colleague was not willing to hear the case due to unknown reasons.

    The matter was then sent to Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti to place it before another bench. Later, another bench was constituted under the stewardship of Justice Najafi and comprising Justice Asjad Javed Ghural as a member.

    Shortly after the proceedings started, Justice Najafi said that Justice Ghural was not willing to proceed ahead with the case. The matter was once again sent to the LHC chief justice with a request to constitute a new bench.

    Before that, a two-judge bench headed by Justice Shehbaz Rizvi had refused to hear the case on April 21.

    It is worth mentioning here that former premier Nawaz Sharif’s daughter had submitted her passport in the court after it approved her bail in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case.

  • Exclusive: PM Shehbaz says next army chief will be appointed as per rules, regulations

    Exclusive: PM Shehbaz says next army chief will be appointed as per rules, regulations

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called the PM House a ‘Jamhoori House’ (Democratic House) and said that his government believed in media freedom. In an interaction with journalists at the PM House on April 26, Sharif said that the previous government was not just incompetent and corrupt but had damaged the country’s economy and foreign relations. PM Shehbaz talked about several issues.

    New army chief

    PM said that he has the constitutional right to appoint a new army chief. He added that he will appoint the new army chief as per the constitution and rules and regulations when the time comes for his appointment. This was in response to a question about the appointment of a new army chief since General Bajwa will not take an extension as per DG ISPR.

    Pak-US relations

    While answering a question about Pakistan’s relationship with the US, PM said that the US is a superpower so we need to maintain good relations with them. “Amreeka dushmani hamaaray waaray nahin” (we cannot afford enmity with the US). He added that we need to do some stock-taking regarding Pak-US ties and improve relations with the US.

    Foreign Policy

    Talking about foreign relations, PM Shehbaz said that the previous government had alienated allies and friends. “How can we say that we can raise the Kashmir issue without Saudi Arabia?”

    PM said that the members of the previous government had lied about loans on 8% by China apart from allegations of corruption against Chinese investment by Pervez Khattak and several others in PTI. “China helped us get rid of load shedding by investing in power plants.”

    Saudi Visit

    PM will be visiting Saudi Arabia tomorrow (April 28-30) on the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. PM Shehbaz said that he is likely to meet the Saudi leadership during his visit.

    Load shedding

    He said that there there is no other reason for frequent load shedding other than the negligence of previous government for not buying LNG and furnace oil on time. He also criticised the previous government for its baseless allegations against the LNG contract signed by the previous PML-N government. He said that Qatar must have been amazed that instead of thanking them for such a good deal, PTI indulged in “ilzaam taraashi” [allegations].

    Economic crisis

    “Pakistan is going through one of the most difficult times. We are trying to take the country in the right direction. We have seen how Japan and Germany rebuilt their economies after tough times. We have the examples of South Korea and Bangladeshi economies too. Once upon a time, Pakistan had a better per capita income than China but look at us now. Our currency was better than India’s. When India was ahead of us in the steel industry, we were ahead of them in textiles.”

    “There is no point crying over spilt milk but now it is time to rebuild our economy,” said PM Shehbaz. He said that it will be a difficult challenge but is not impossible to bring back our lost place in the comity of nations by strengthening our economy. “Rome was not built in a day.”

    “If we were economically strong, our foreign policy would have been stronger.”

    PECA

    The PM was asked if roll back of PECA was on the cards, to which he said that his government believes in freedom of media and media will not have to face any curbs but they need to differentiate between truth and fake news. “Media should highlight our mistakes. We welcome that. But it should not spread fake news.”

    Missing files

    When asked that there are reports that some files have been taken by the previous government from the PM House regarding sugar scandal and other scandals, Shehbaz said that if he is given evidence about the missing files, he will find them.

    Accountability

    He said that in the name of accountability, there will be no revenge. “Ehtesaab ke naam par intiqaam nahin leinge,” said PM Shehbaz. He said that businessmen say they will not invest here because the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will either arrest them or harass them. “Businessmen kehte hain ya NAB giraftaar kar leinge ya zaleel kareinge unko.”

    Elections

    The PM said that we will go for elections after carrying out necessary reforms, especially electoral reforms.

    Threat letter

    PM Shehbaz said that the National Security Committee meeting issued a clear statement that there was no conspiracy. “The punchline of the statement was that there is no saazish, no conspiracy.”

    Shehbaz said that if the threat letter was received on March 7, why did the PTI government talk about it on March 28? “March tak moonh mein taalay kyun laga kar baithay thay?” He asked when did the previous government turn this letter into a conspiracy. “When they knew they were going to lose in parliament. There is no question of a conspiracy whatsoever.”

    Karachi attack

    “The attack in Karachi University is a huge tragedy where three Chinese nationals died. China is our friend. I went to the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad for solidarity,” said PM. He added that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah will go to Karachi on Wednesday (today) and help and coordinate with the Sindh government. “After our Saudi visit, we will hold a comprehensive meeting on security.”

    Afghanistan

    Afghanistan is not just our neighbour but our “baraadar mulk” (brother country). “If there is peace in Afghanistan, there will be peace in Pakistan. What is good for Afghanistan is good for Pakistan.”

    PTI resignations

    PM said that they have found out that many resignations were taken by force from PTI MNAs and were not given voluntarily. “We will know the truth when the legal process has been completed.” He was asked whether the government could convince PTI to take back its resignations to be an effective Opposition.

    PTI long march

    While answering a question about Imran Khan’s call for march to Islamabad, PM said that if they won’t do anything unlawful, nothing will happen to them but he won’t allow anyone to spread anarchy on the roads.

    Pak Army

    The PM said that the Pak Army has given a lot of sacrifices for this country. “It is wrong to say anything negative about Pakistan’s army. It is condemnable,” said the PM when responding to a question about social media trends against the army.

  • LHC to Punjab governor: Either administer oath to Hamza or appoint anyone

    LHC to Punjab governor: Either administer oath to Hamza or appoint anyone

    Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti on Wednesday directed Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema to either administer oath to Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz or appoint anyone for it.

    According to ARY News, the chief justice while announcing a reserved verdict over delay in oath taking of the newly-elected chief minister directed the governor Punjab to hold oath-taking ceremony by tomorrow.

    The LHC CJ declared that the court’s order should immediately be conveyed to the governor and president, regretting that the province is being run without a chief executive for 25 days.

    The court further said in its order that currently Usman Buzdar is acting as chief minister and the governor as per the Constitution is bound to take oath from the newly elected chief minister.

    Earlier, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had directed President Arif Alvi to nominate another official to take oath from Punjab Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz after Governor Omar Sarfraz refused to administer oath to him.

    The court ruled that the governor could not refuse to administer oath to the chief minister-elect and the president should appoint another person to administer oath to Hamza Shehbaz.

    The court also directed to send a copy of the decision to the president for implementation on the orders within 24 hours.

    The PML-N had approached the LHC in a bid to have the governor of Punjab administer the chief minister’s oath to Hamza Shehbaz, the newly-elected chief executive of the province.

    Hamza Shehbaz stated that he had been elected as the Punjab chief minister on April 16, during a provincial assembly session held under the LHC’s direction and that he had secured 197 votes out of 371.