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.

  • Pemra issues show-cause notice to News One for airing ‘derogatory’ remarks about Murad Saeed

    Pemra issues show-cause notice to News One for airing ‘derogatory’ remarks about Murad Saeed

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Friday issued a show-cause notice to News One for airing “derogatory/demeaning remarks” about federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed “without any editorial check” in a programme.

    On Thursday, News One aired a show, ‘G for Gharidah’, at 10:05pm in which anchorperson Gharidah Farooqi questioned the decision of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to award appreciation certificate to Murad Saeed as the top minister in his team for his outstanding performance.

    Gharida asked the panelists on her show: “The Prime Minister seems satisfied with Murad Saeed. He is in the top position, what could be the reason?”

    Analyst Mohsin Baig responded, “The reason [for Murad Saeed being at the top place] is written in Reham Khan’s book. I don’t really know about the projects.”

    Senior journalist and analyst Iftikhar Ahmed said, “You took the name of the person on the top position,” Gharida interjected and said, “Murad Saeed Saab,” Ahmed continued, “Yes, everyone is aware of his [Murad Saeed’s] performance and the accusations against him.”

    Journalist and analyst Tariq Mehmood said, “Two people are serious in this, one Imran Khan Sahib, second Murad Saeed Sahib. We shouldn’t be so serious about this. One conducted the ceremony, second came on the first place,” adding, “Some things are self-explanatory, Pemra will be keeping a close eye, don’t make us say all the things. A book has been mentioned.”

    “He [Murad Saeed] is a very hardworking minister and very close to the prime minister. Once again he has proved through his performance and left everyone behind,” said Mehmood.

    Senior defence analyst General (retired) Amjad Shoaib said, “I have not read the book that was being discussed. However, I will agree with Mohsin Baig’s analysis, which he just made.”

    Twitterati started a debate with trends against the host of the show. Some questioned why was Gharidah Farooqi the subject of criticism as she had not said anything but just asked a question.

    However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf official Twitter handle shared a clip of the show and wrote, “Extremely shameful on Ghareeda Farooqi’s part to lead a program with such derogatory language.”

    Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) condemned “PEMRA for taking News One off-air on cable networks without following due process“.

    Several political parties condemned News One being taken off-air.

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi ka dil toot gaya, doesn’t like being placed at 11th spot

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi ka dil toot gaya, doesn’t like being placed at 11th spot

     Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi has questioned the performance evaluation criteria of federal ministries.

    Qureshi, who is also the vice president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), wrote a letter to Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Establishment Arbab Shahzad, expressing serious reservations over placing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the 11th spot.

    In his letter, Qureshi expressed reservations over both the performance of ministers and the distribution of certificates among them.

    Letter written by FM Qureshi
    Letter written by FM Qureshi

    The foreign minister wrote that in the first quarter set in the nine-month performance agreement, the Foreign Ministry achieved 22 out of the 26 targets assigned. Out of the remaining four, one of the targets was completed 99 per cent, and the reasons for delaying the remaining three projects were mentioned in a letter written on Oct 27, 2021, he stated in the document that is also being widely shared on social media.

    The minister claimed that the performance of his ministry in achieving targets in the first quarter – first three months of the fiscal year — remained by 70 per cent, while that of the rest of the ministries was 62 per cent. In the second quarter, the ministry achieved 18 targets out of 24. He raised questions and said no written guidelines were issued for the third quarter.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday, taking a jibe at Qureshi, said that Imran Khan had committed a ‘great injustice’ to Multan for not conferring a certificate on Qureshi while distributing performance certificates.

    Earlier this week, Prime Minister Imran Khan awarded appreciation certificates to the “top 10 best performing federal ministries” under his government, with the communications ministry, planning ministry, and poverty alleviation division getting top honours of first, second and third respectively.

  • Pakistan declared hybrid regime, ranks 104 out of 167: Democracy Index

    Pakistan declared hybrid regime, ranks 104 out of 167: Democracy Index

    Global democracy continued its decline in 2021, according to the latest edition of the Democracy Index, for The Economist Intelligence (EIU).

    The annual survey, which rates the state of democracy across 167 countries on the basis of five measures—electoral process and pluralism, the functioning of government, political participation, democratic political culture, and civil liberties—finds that more than a third of the world’s population lives under the authoritarian rule while just 6.4 percent enjoy full democracy.

    According to The Economist’s new intelligence index, Democracy Index 2021, Pakistan ranks 104th out of 167, and Pakistan’s overall score in 2021 is 4.31. India is 46th while Bangladesh is 75th. Norway ranks first in the index, followed by Norway, and Afghanistan ranks 167th.

    Democracy in Pakistan is declining compared to 2016 and previous years. Pakistan was included in the list of countries with a hybrid system because there is neither complete democracy nor dictatorship. Only three countries in Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, have full democracy.

    Poor democracies in 10 Asian countries, hybrids in six countries, and dictatorships in seven countries. The report also mentions the negative effects of code, measures such as lockdowns and travel restrictions, hindering civil liberties in developed democracies and dictatorial regimes. The situation of democracy in 167 countries of the world was reviewed.

    According to this, only 21 countries in the world including Norway, New Zealand, Finland, and the UK have full democracy.
    In addition, 34 countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, where the electoral process is not transparent, while civil society and the rule of law are very weak. These countries are considered hybrid democracies. One-third of the world’s population, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, and North Korea, face authoritarian regimes or dictatorships, and the index ranks 59 countries without democracy.

  • Avenfield trust deed can’t be called forged, says Islamabad High Court

    Avenfield trust deed can’t be called forged, says Islamabad High Court

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday observed that the Avenfield trust deed involving Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and her brother Hussain Nawaz can’t be called forged or fake.

    A two-judge bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the appeals of Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar against their conviction in the Avenfield properties reference.

    The court observed that since both Maryam and Hussain never disowned the Avenfield trust deed, it could not be a forgery.

    “The trust deed can be termed back-dated or that the font used in the said document was different, but this cannot be called forgery,” said Justice Farooq.

    The IHC judge made the observation when the bench was informed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that they had proved forgery in the trust deed. The IHC stated that a lack of evidence would result in a different verdict.

    It mentioned that if the father made the property illegally and gave it to the son, would the daughter be found guilty? The court said that the petitioner should just prove that NAB could not prove the case, nothing else is required.

    Maryam Nawaz’s counsel, Irfan Qadir, said that NAB did not complete the basic details of the case, the actual value, and source of the assets were not mentioned in advance. Also, it does not meet the requirements of Section 9-A of the NAB Ordinance. If the court wants, it can give bail to Maryam Nawaz.

    NAB prosecutor Sardar Mazhar mentioned that Maryam Nawaz claimed to be the trustee of the property.

    “NAB has proved through evidence that Maryam was their beneficial owner and forgery in the trust deed, which was confirmed by the trust deed deposited in the Supreme Court before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).”

    The court directed all the parties to look into the case papers and adjourned the hearing till February 17.

  • PML-N Ishaq Dar appeals to take Senate oath virtually from UK

    PML-N Ishaq Dar appeals to take Senate oath virtually from UK

    Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) senior leader and former finance minister Ishaq Dar has reportedly written a letter to Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani in which he expressed his willingness to take his oath as a member of Senate “virtually” from the United Kingdom (UK) due to his illness, states Dawn.

    The letter, dated February 2nd reads, “It is requested that arrangements may please be made to enable me [Dar] to take the required oath, virtually, through any electronic mode as you may deem convenient; the same being within the applicable legal framework and being used by the apex court of Pakistan.”

    The former finance minister attached his medical report along with his appeal. He stated that because of his “prolonged illness and ongoing medical treatment” in the UK, he cannot return to Pakistan to take the oath in person.

    In 2018, following the elections, Dar’s rival candidate, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ‘s (PTI) Nawazish Ali Pirzada, approached the Supreme Court (SC) against Dar’s selection as a senator. At the time, the top court suspended the Election Commission Pakistan (ECP) notification, which declared the PML-N leader’s victory. However, on January 10, the SC gave its verdict in favour of Dar.

    Dar has been living in London since 2017 (before the 2018 general elections). He went there at a time when the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was dealing with a corruption case against him.

  • Priyantha Kumara lynching trial case shifts to Lahore Kot Lakhpat Jail

    Priyantha Kumara lynching trial case shifts to Lahore Kot Lakhpat Jail

    The government has decided to transfer the Srilankan manager, Priyantha Kumara lynching case to Lahore Kot Lakhpat Jail from Gujranwala.

    The government issued the notification on Thursday that the trial would now be conducted in the Lahore Kot Lakhpat Jail. Previously, an anti-terrorism court of Gujranwala was hearing the case.

    Special Prosecutor General, Abdur Rauf Watto has been leading a three-member special prosecution team that has been pursuing the trial.

    The government has given directions to the team to submit the daily progress report of the trial to Prosecutor General Punjab.

    The police arrested more than 100 people including one of the main culprits, Farhan Idrees who were involved in the heinous act.

    In December, last year, Priyantha Kumara was tortured to death on the alleged charges of blasphemy by an angry mob. He was working as a manager at a private sportswear manufacturing factory in Sialkot.

  • PM cannot read his oath correctly in Urdu, PPP responds to PM Khan’s comment on BBZ

    PM cannot read his oath correctly in Urdu, PPP responds to PM Khan’s comment on BBZ

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday mocked Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s Urdu accent without mentioning his name.

    The premier said, “It has been 13 years and you [Bilawal] still cannot speak in Urdu,” he said and repeated Bilawal’s infamous dialogue “barish ata hai tou paani ata hai [more water accumulates when it rains more].”

    “He (Bilawal) claims that his government will spend money on hospitals and not on health insurance,” the premier said. “You have been in power for the 13 years in your province, so who is stopping you from visiting villages and seeing people’s living conditions?”

    Responding to PM Khan, PPP leader Manzoor Ahmed while speaking on Dawn News programme, ‘News Eye with Absa Komal’ said, “I have never commented on someone personally but I am disappointed today. He [PM Khan] is making fun of Bilawal Bhutto and he himself does not know how to pronounce ‘roohaniyat [spirituality]’, he does not know how to pronounce ‘Khatam-an-Nabiyyin [Seal of the Prophets]’.”

    “He [PM Khan] does not know how to read his own oath in Urdu. He cannot pronounce ‘khatarnak [dangerous]’ correctly in Urdu, and he is mocking others for speaking in Urdu,” said Manzoor.

    “I can take several words which he [PM Imran Khan] speaks incorrectly every day. He should at least have some mercy on himself. When he will talk about others, people will talk about his wrongdoings as well,” said Manzoor

  • Pakistan announces ‘Solidarity Day’ to support Indian Muslim women

    Pakistan announces ‘Solidarity Day’ to support Indian Muslim women

    Pakistan’s government announced a ‘Solidarity Day’ to show support to Indian Muslim women which will be observed on Friday. This announcement was made by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony, Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi on Wednesday.

    The decision was made after an incident with an Indian Muslim girl, Muskan Khan who was harassed and bullied by saffron-wearing Hindu boys in the Indian state, Karnataka on her college premises.

    He also condemned the discrimination and brutal treatment against the Muslim community on a basis of religion.

    Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said, “One daughter bravely challenged the violent mob and she made proud all the Muslims.”

    While giving an interview to NDTV, Muskan Khan revealed that she only came to college to submit an assignment.

    She was praised for her bravery and courage in standing against saffron-wearing boys across the border by several Pakistani politicians and journalists.

    Last week, the Indian state, Karnataka, banned religious clothes in educational institutions amid a controversy over the hijab and saffron scarves.

  • PM Khan gives ‘appreciation certificates’ to 10 ministers for their outstanding performance

    PM Khan gives ‘appreciation certificates’ to 10 ministers for their outstanding performance

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has given appreciation certificates to the best-performing ministers.

    The premier presented “appreciation certificates” to 10 ministers for their outstanding performance in their respective ministries.

    Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Shehzad Arbab, has submitted the report to the Prime Minister’s Office.

    A ceremony to distribute appreciation certificates was held in the Prime Minister’s office today, while ministers and concerned officials from the ministries have been invited to attend the ceremony.

    The top 10 ministries recognised for their performance at a ceremony held in Islamabad were as follows:

    Ministry of Communications (Murad Saeed)

    Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (Asad Umar)

    Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (Dr Sania Nishtar)

    Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (Shafqat Mahmood)

    Ministry of Human Rights headed (Dr Shireen Mazari)

    Ministry of Industries and Production headed (Khusro Bakhtiar)

    National Security Division headed (Dr Moeed Yusuf)

    Ministry of Commerce (Abdul Razak Dawood)

    Ministry of Interior (Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed)

    Ministry of National Food Security and Research (Syed Fakhar Imam)

    The premier hailed the initiative as a “great opportunity” since every ministry would get to know how much the others worked. “Our ministries will get incentives to work hard, the more we publicise this,” he added.

    The prime minister said that when “marks” — referring to a story from his own days as a student — would be publicised and there would be a corresponding system of rewards and penalties, it would bring an improvement in the governance system’s performance.

  • Pakistan slams Modi’s fascist government’s planned ‘ghettoisation of Muslims’

    Pakistan slams Modi’s fascist government’s planned ‘ghettoisation of Muslims’

    Pakistani politicians and journalists have expressed their concern and called out Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s fascist government amid the hijab ban in the Indian state Karnataka.

    The backlash on Modi is coming after a Muslim student, Muskan Khan, wearing a burqa was surrounded by Hindutva mob on Tuesday within her college premises.

    In a video, it can be seen that the mob with saffron shawls are shouting at her, chanting “Jai Shri Raam”. Khan fearlessly retaliated by shouting back “Allah Hu Akbar” (God is Great).

    In an interview with NDTV, Khan said, “Since I started studying here, I’ve always worn the burqa and hijab.” Asked if she knew the men who bullied and harassed her, Khan responded, “Some were familiar faces from the college. Others I couldn’t recognise. My college principal and lecturers were very supportive after the incident took place.”

    Reacting to her video, Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi strongly condemned the banning of Hijab at educational institutions in India. He said, “World must realise this is part of Indian state plan of ghettoisation of Muslims.”

    He has also urged Indian Muslims to stand up for their rights in the neighbouring country, reports Radio Pakistan.

    Praising Muskan Khan for her courage, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif said, “A young Muslim Indian girl is a symbol of resistance against the Hindutva mindset.”

    Several other politicians and journalists also highlighted the fascism of the Modi government.

    Last week, the Indian state, Karnataka, banned religious clothes in educational institutions amid a controversy over the hijab and saffron scarves.