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.

  • ‘Conflict not in anyone’s interest,’ PM Khan tells President Putin

    ‘Conflict not in anyone’s interest,’ PM Khan tells President Putin

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had a Summit meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday. The two leaders held wide-ranging consultations on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, stated the PM Office.

    ​”The Prime Minister regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict. The Prime Minister stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically in case of conflict. He underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” read the statement.

    “The Prime Minister reaffirmed the importance of the Pakistan-Stream Gas Pipeline as a flagship economic project between Pakistan and Russia and also discussed cooperation on prospective energy-related projects. The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s commitment to forging a long-term, multidimensional relationship with Russia.”

    “PM Khan underlined the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis and preventing potential economic meltdown in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international community for a stable, peaceful, and connected Afghanistan. In this regard, he underscored the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and Russia at various international and regional fora, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),” said PMO.

    ​”On the situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in IIOJK and underscored the imperative of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The Prime Minister also highlighted the developments detrimental to regional peace and stability and stressed the need for measures that would help keep the regional balance.”
    ​
    “Expressing concerns on rising trends of extremism and Islamophobia in the world, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for interfaith harmony and coexistence. Appreciating President Putin’s understanding of the respect and sensitivities that the Muslims attach to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the Prime Minister said that interfaith harmony and respect for all religions were imperative for peace and harmony within and among the societies.”

    PM Khan, along with members of the cabinet and senior officials, was on a two-day visit to Russia.

  • DG ISI tells all officials that no interference in politics would be tolerated

    DG ISI tells all officials that no interference in politics would be tolerated

    Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant-General Nadeem Anjum, has made it clear to all officials of the ISI that no interference in politics and political matters would be tolerated, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News.

    The incumbent DG ISI is said to have decided soon after he joined the office to keep the institution away from politics.

    Lt-Gen Nadeem Anjum had conveyed to all the concerned authorities not to release to the media his pictures or video footage taken during official meetings.

    In relevance to the directives, none of his pictures or video footage taken during official meetings has so far been published or shown on TV channels.

    Last week, a picture was released by the Prime Minister’s (PM) Office of a luncheon hosted by PM Imran Khan in honour of Bill Gates. The picture in which PM Khan and Bill Gates are sitting with Fawad Chaudhry, Asad Umar, Mahmood Khan, Azam Khan, Shaukat Tarin, Shah Farman, Khalid Khurshid, and several others at the main table.

    If one looks at the picture closely, someone between Dr Faisal Sultan and Mahmood Khan seems to be ‘missing’.

    The Current reached out to its sources and confirmed that it was the DG ISI Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum who had been photoshopped from the luncheon meeting picture.

  • Security forces seize arms, ammunition during intelligence operation in North Waziristan

    Pakistani security forces conducted an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in North Waziristan district and recovered a large number of arms and ammunition.

    The IBO was conducted by the security forces on the reported presence of weapons and ammunition in the area. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a large number of weapons and ammunition were recovered during the search operation.

    According to ISPR recovered weapons and ammunition including submachine guns, light machine guns, RPG-7s, hand grenades, RPG-7 rockets, and hundreds of multiple caliber rounds.

    “Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the area,” the ISPR said.

  • NAB writes to DC Lahore to sell Ishaq Dar’s house worth millions

    NAB writes to DC Lahore to sell Ishaq Dar’s house worth millions

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has issued a letter to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore to sell Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar’s house in Gulberg, estimated to be worth millions of rupees, reports Geo News.

    Dar’s wife, Tabassum, had reportedly approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the decision. Her lawyer argued that the house belongs to Tabassum. It was given to her on February 14,1989, and Lahore’s accountability court issued an order without investigating the matter.

    However, the high court rejected her plea. Earlier, the bureau had withdrawn Rs500 million from the former finance minister’s bank account and deposited it with the national treasury in a corruption reference against him. He was also declared an absconder in the case.

    Dar had earlier expressed his willingness to take his oath to Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani as a member of the Senate “virtually” from the United Kingdom (UK) as he can’t come back to Pakistan due to his illness.

    However, Sanjrani declined Dar’s request to be administered oath as a senator either virtually or through the Pakistan High Commission in London, declaring that the Constitution and the rules do not allow him to do so.

  • Ukrainian President imposes martial law as Putin declares war

    Ukrainian President imposes martial law as Putin declares war

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed martial law in the country in response to Russian invasion.

    President Zelensky said to his people “not to panic and be strong”.

    “Today each of you should keep calm. Stay at home if you can. We are working. The army is working. The whole sector of defense and security is working”, the Ukrainian president added.

    Andrew Simmons, Al Jazeera’s reporter, revealed, “The whole sky was awash with red and orange when these missiles struck – some of which were apparently cruise missiles. And the main international airport did come under attack – it is not clear what the damage is there, but all air space is closed.”

    As per Zelensky’s Twitter account, several nations are in contact with Ukraine. In a tweet, he noted that “the world is with us”.

    Prior to this, Donetsk and Luhansk — collectively known as Donbas — was recognised by Russia as separate nations. The region consists of separatists and is pro-Russia.

    Background:

    The history goes back to 1991 when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) disintegrated, resulting in the independence of Ukraine. It was the Ukrainian revolution when things got out of hand, Russian-favoured former President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by popular protests and his own parliament in February 2014. He fled to Russia, where he is living in exile. Later, a new government was formed, which had United States (US) favour.

    This all led to a conflict in eastern Ukraine that began in April 2014 with low-level fighting between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatist rebels in Donbas who seized some towns in predominantly Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine. For the time being, a ceasefire was signed between the two parties.

    Last year, there were speculations that Ukraine is making progress toward gaining North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership. However, NATO has always denied this. Russia argued that western military presence represents an existential threat to Russia. 

    Since then, Russia has been sending its troops towards the Ukrainian border. The estimated number of Russian troops deployed in and around Ukraine has ranged from 100,000 to 190,000 in recent weeks.

    According to the New York Times, there are both geopolitical and historical reasons behind Moscow’s endless pressure on Kyiv, which was the birthplace of the first Russian state in the 9th Century. The Russian language is still widely spoken in the country despite Ukraine’s own language.

    It is pertinent to mention that Ukraine is the European Union’s (EU) fourth-biggest external food supplier. It provides the bloc with about a quarter of its cereal and vegetable oil imports, including almost half of its corn.

    According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global food prices reached a 10-year record in 2021 and the war would only make that a lot worse.  

  • Violence after blasphemy accusation is against Islam: Council of Islamic Ideology

    Violence after blasphemy accusation is against Islam: Council of Islamic Ideology

    The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has stated that violence against any person on a blasphemy accusation contradicts Shariah, humanity, and the constitution. CII made an official statement in the Wednesday session presided by Chairperson of CII, Dr Qibla Ayaz.

    The council also advised the constitution of a national commission to formulate recommendations to prevent such incidents.

    The statement said, “again declared that subjecting any person to violence on allegations of dishonouring religion, desecration of the Holy Quran and Namoos-i-Risalat was against Shariah, inhumane and contrary to Islamic principles.”

    The statement added, “This meeting once again staunchly condemns such incidents and expresses deep sorrow over them. Such brutal torture by a violent mob is neither logical nor in line with the injunctions of the religion.”

    CII members also recommended that hadiths and verses related to humanity and protection of lives and property need to be displayed with translation in mosques, imambargahs, monasteries, and educational institutions.

    CII members also suggested that there should be a discussion on TV programmes on such verses of the Holy Quran and hadiths.

    “This special meeting suggests to the government that a national commission be formed, with psychologists and experts of sociology, law, and religion as its members, that will make short-term and long-term recommendations for the prevention of such incidents (that involve violence over blasphemy allegations) so as to end them,” the statement said.

    In a press conference after the meeting, Chairperson of CII condemned the incidents referring to Sialkot and Khanewal in which a violent mob took the law into their hands over alleged blasphemy charges.

    He said the delay in punishment for people involved in insulting Holy Prophet (PBUH) give rise to the lynching incidents of Sialkot and Khanewal.

    He also emphasised that the culprits of the Sialkot incident should be penalised at the earliest.

  • ‘Every responsible country needs to voice concern on Putin’s actions’: US reacts to PM Khan’s visit to Russia

    ‘Every responsible country needs to voice concern on Putin’s actions’: US reacts to PM Khan’s visit to Russia

    United States (US) State Department Spokesperson Ned Price responded to a question related to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Russia visit.

    “We believe it’s the responsibility of every responsible country around the world to voice concern and to voice objection to what Putin appears to have in mind for Ukraine,” said Price.

    Price’s comments in relevance to PM Khan’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

    PM Khan landed in Moscow for a two-day visit — from February 23-24 — to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies.

    World leaders have also voiced their concern about Russia’s action on Ukraine.

    President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky said, “Ukraine is launching its own defensive measures.” He urged Ukrainians to stay calm and stay home. He says he spoke to President Biden.

    “A minute ago I spoke to President Biden. The USA has started to unite international support,” said Zelensky.

    “Today we need each of you to stay calm. If you can, stay at home. We are working. The army is working. The whole security and defence sector of Ukraine is working,” said Zelensky.

    Prime Minister United Kingdom (UK) Boris Johnson tweeted, “President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”

    President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen tweeted, “In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men, and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives.”

    Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) António Guterres said, “President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia. This conflict must stop now.”

  • Opposition united to remove PM Khan, Fazl and Zardari visit Shehbaz Sharif for no-confidence motion

    Opposition united to remove PM Khan, Fazl and Zardari visit Shehbaz Sharif for no-confidence motion

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman visited Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif at his residence upon Sharif’s invitation for a lunch.

    Sharif had invited Fazl along with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to the lunch, to discuss the current political situation and the no-confidence motion against the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

    https://twitter.com/pmln_org/status/1496427330281091075

    It is being reported that Fazl will visit the Chaudhry brothers’ residence in Gulberg, Lahore for dinner today.

    Zardari met Sharif on Tuesday (February 22). The meeting was held at Bilawal House, Lahore. In a joint declaration after the meeting, it was announced that all-out efforts would be made to rid the country of the present government.

  • Civil society, political collectives condemn PECA Ordinance

    Civil society, political collectives condemn PECA Ordinance

    Civil society organisations and political collectives have issued a joint statement, condemning the enactment of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022.

    “The Ordinance runs afoul of Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution of Pakistan which guarantees freedom of expression. Furthermore, the process by which the amendments have been made, arbitrarily and via Ordinance bypassing parliament, is an affront to democratic value,” said the statement.

    The statement also addressed the misuse of Section 20 against “journalists, political opponents and survivors of gender-based violence”.

    It further added that it is “obvious that the sole purpose of this Ordinance is to make it criminally punishable to criticise the state and its officials, against settled jurisprudence that extends protections through defamation to private persons as opposed to public figures who lesser protections.”

    The statement called on citizens of Pakistan to recognise this Ordinance as an attack on their constitutional right to free expression and access to information.

    It demanded that the government immediately withdraw the Ordinance and refrain from presenting it for assent once the three-month lifespan of the
    Ordinance lapses. “Instead, we call upon all political parties to repeal Section 20 should be done through the parliament given that it runs afoul the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression.”

    Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ahsan Bhoon has announced to challenge the Ordinance.

    In a joint statement, the Opposition termed PECA “fascist and dictatorship”. The statement was released after a meeting between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership.

  • National Assembly ‘not available’ for no-trust move against PM Khan

    The National Assembly (NA) Hall and its lobbies are currently being renovated for the March 23 meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

    The Opposition may not be able to move the no-trust motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan due to the ongoing renovation.

    It is being said that the renovation will take another month to complete.

    Senior journalist Nasim Zehra tweeted about the renovation and added, “So no NA session. Some plan.”

    NA Speaker Asad Qaiser said that the National Assembly Hall is being prepared for the upcoming meeting of the OIC, which is going to be held on March 23, reports The News. 

    When asked what would happen if the Opposition parties move the no-trust motion in the next coming days, he said that he would ask his secretariat to consider where the session could be held in case of the non-availability of the National Assembly hall and its lobbies, reported the news outlet.