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.

  • After lawyers, journalists also resort to violence after alleged rigged election

    After lawyers, journalists also resort to violence after alleged rigged election

    The National Press Club (NPC) elections were held on January 28. The group, ‘Journalist Panel’ swept the National Press Club (NPC) elections held for the year 2022 by securing all 11 executive posts.

    However, opponent panels boycotted the vote count, alleging massive vote fraud, and asked for conducting a vote count under police supervision.

    The election results turned into a violent situation at Islamabad Press Club. The winning journalist panel got into a fight with all other groups.

    All other groups argued that the election was rigged and rigging was the reason the journalists’ panel won.

    In the video, the journalist can be seen creating a ruckus and having a physical fight.

    As per reports, the video of the alleged rigging has come to the surface. It was for the first time that the votes casted were counted in the presence of police in the Islamabad Press Club.

    Apart from a large number of independent contenders, there were four panels in the contest, but the competition was between the Journalist panel and the alliance of three PFUJs and three former Presidents of the Azad Journalist Panel.

    In December 2019, a violent protest by lawyers at Lahore’s Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) occurred, during which three patients lost their lives.

  • Taliban fighters no longer allowed to carry weapons in amusement parks

    Taliban fighters no longer allowed to carry weapons in amusement parks

    Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid announced on Wednesday that Taliban fighters will no longer be allowed to carry their weapons in amusement parks in Afghanistan.

    In a tweet, Mujahid said, “Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate are not allowed to enter amusement parks with weapons, military uniforms and vehicles. They are obliged to abide by all the rules and regulations of amusement parks.”

    Taliban fighters have spent most of their lives in a 20-year insurgency against the United States (US) and its backed government in Afghanistan.

    After their takeover, Reuters spoke to Taliban fighters and they revealed that they had never been to Kabul until the Taliban took control of the capital [Kabul] on August 15. Some were eager to visit amusement parks before returning to duties around the country.

    In October, some pictures of the Taliban with machine guns in an amusement park went viral on social media.

  • PM Khan visits China, ‘pitch book’ prepared to convince China to invest in Pak

    PM Khan visits China, ‘pitch book’ prepared to convince China to invest in Pak

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has left for China on a four-day official on Thursday to attend the ceremony of the Olympic Games Beijing 2022 where he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. PM Khan is accompanied by a high delegation including China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Special Assistant Khalid Mansoor.

    Prime Minister Office (PMO), in a tweet, said, “The visit would mark the culmination of celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between and with more than 140 events organized to showcase the resilience of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”

    This visit would be PM Khan’s fourth visit to China. Previously, he went on a two day (October 8-9) visit to China in 2019, before the Covid pandemic.

    Prior to the premier’s departure, cabinet members who are accompanying him termed this visit to China of great significance.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi revealed that many Chinese companies are “desirous” of investing in Pakistan. According to him, the visit will further expand bilateral relations and promote high-level exchanges.

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin stated that it is a “very important” trip politically and economically. He added that China would be asked to relocate some of its required industry needs to Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusuf stressed that the trip is important in regards to solving the Afghan crisis. He said that the issue will be discussed during the visit as well.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, while highlighting the years of friendship between both countries, said “Pak-China relations are deeper than the oceans and higher than the Himalayas.”

    Planning Minister Asad Umar said the trip has come at a “very important time”. A special book has been prepared which will explain why Pakistan is a prime destination for investment and will be presented to the Chinese leadership, Umar shared via Twitter.

  • ‘Doctors recommend Nawaz Sharif to get married, suffers from broken heart syndrome’, Twitter reacts to Shahbaz Gill

    ‘Doctors recommend Nawaz Sharif to get married, suffers from broken heart syndrome’, Twitter reacts to Shahbaz Gill

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill took to Twitter and made fun of Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz’s (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s medical reports.

    Gill tweeted, “Dr Sahib [Fayaz Shawl] has indirectly tried to recommend that Nawaz Sharif should get married.”

    Gill’s remark comes after Nawaz Sharif’s latest medical report was submitted in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on February 1, which said that he suffers from broken heart syndrome possibly caused by the demise of his wife, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, who passed away on September 11, 2018 in London after a long battle with cancer.

    The three-page medical report – authored by Dr Fayaz Shawl, advised Sharif against undertaking any travel “without undergoing a definitive treatment in London”.

    “If he [Sharif] returns to solitary confinement, he may develop what we call the takotsubo syndrome due to stressful environment” and it could have “devastating consequences”, Dr Shawl warned in the report.

    Twitterati reacted to Gill’s tweet. Here are some reactions.

    Dr Osama Siddique said, “This man does have one qualification that no one can beat. And that qualification is that he is deeper than anyone breathing. Which is to say that he routinely sinks lower than anyone else conceivably can.”

    https://twitter.com/DrOsamaSiddique/status/1488573184001855488

    Amber Danish wrote, “Public’ll never forget that PM let Nawaz Sharif go. Now Why such hues and cry?Kindly make a note that PTI Govt is solely responsible for it.”

  • ‘Mushkil, museebat se bachaye’: Hareem Shah meets Altaf Hussain in London

    ‘Mushkil, museebat se bachaye’: Hareem Shah meets Altaf Hussain in London

    TikTok Star Hareem Shah has met MQM founder Altaf Hussain in London. Hareem, while talking to Geo News said that “Altaf Hussain is a respected elder for me, and his prayers mean a lot,” she told Geo News. “I also pray for his acquittal [in the hate-speech trial].”

    “I have only learned about him through the media, and we shouldn’t blindly trust everything [projected on the media],” but the way he treated me, he earned my respect,” she said.

    “But Altaf Hussain stood up from his chair and told the guard not to stop me. He then talked to me for a long time and prayed to God to ease my difficulties,” she added.

    Altaf Hussain prayed for Hareem Shah’s prosperous future and gave her blessings. “Allah apko Har mushkil, har masly, har musbeet aur paresshani say Bache,” said Altaf to Hareem. “May God bless you and may God give you a prosperous future,” he continued.

    Read more- Money Laundering: Sindh High Court stops FIA from taking action against TikToker Hareem Shah

    Hareem Shah, recently made to news after she landed in a legal mess after her latest snack video released on the platform in which she can be seen sitting down with two stacks of British pounds. Showing the money, the social media star said that this was the first time she had carried a “heavy amount” from Pakistan to London.

  • IMF approves one billion dollar loan tranche for Pakistan

    IMF approves one billion dollar loan tranche for Pakistan

    The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board has approved the $1 billion loan tranche of their programme for Pakistan.

    Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin taking to Twitter confirmed the news.

    “I am pleased to announce that IMF Board has approved 6th tranche of their programme for Pakistan,” he wrote.

    https://twitter.com/shaukat_tarin/status/1488928059562545159

    The sixth review was scheduled for January 12, 2022, and later January 28, but was postponed twice on Pakistan’s request, to attain more time for implementing IMF conditions.

    In order to meet another condition of the IMF, the government had successfully managed to get the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2021, cleared from the Upper House of Parliament — which was the last stumbling block in reviving the stalled programme.

  • Taliban deny reports of involvement in Kazakhstan unrest

    Taliban deny reports of involvement in Kazakhstan unrest

    A spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, has rejected all media reports of their involvement in fuelling the unrest in the Central Asia country, Kazakhstan, reports The Express Tribune.

    “We strongly reject such allegations and reports,” Mujahid claimed.

    He further added, “We have reiterated many times that the Afghan soil wouldn’t be used against any country, and we believe in zero interference in the affairs of other countries.”

    The Taliban spokesman also demanded a peaceful solution to the unrest in the country.

    “We believe in and demand a peaceful solution to the unrest of Kazakhstan and assure that we will not pose any threat or danger to the peaceful environment of the neighbourhood.”

    In January, several people were killed in the clash with security forces during a protest over a high price of the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Almaty city, Kazakhstan.

    Initially, the protest began in the western region of Mangystau province and spread to other parts of the country.

    President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev imposed a state of emergency in the Almaty city and hydrocarbon-rich western region of Mangystau effective from January 5 until January 19.

  • If PML-N has support within NA from PTI, it should bring motion of no-confidence against PM Khan: BBZ

    If PML-N has support within NA from PTI, it should bring motion of no-confidence against PM Khan: BBZ

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took a jibe at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying that if they have [PML-N] the support of 34 members of the National Assembly (NA) from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), then they should bring a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister (PM) Imran khan.

    Previously, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had claimed that he knows “22 members of the NA who don’t want to remain part of the incumbent government anymore and PTI would lose majority in Lower House if those 22 people step aside.”

    Bilawal said his party “always” acts for the betterment of the Parliament and democracy in the country, saying that the party would opt for a no-confidence motion against PM Khan and not besiege the Parliament.

    Further, the Chairperson said he believes that an extreme step from political parties against the government could lead to a crisis in Pakistan. “In our agreement with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a no-confidence motion was the last option.”

    “We will not hold prolonged sit-ins and attack the institutions; we will conduct political business in the Parliament. If we wish to remove the government, then we will do it in line with the Constitution.”

    Talking about the party’s relation with the establishment, Bilawal said: “We have never been interested in forging relations with the establishment, and we never will be,” adding that relations with the establishment are based on media speculation.

    PPP is set for a long march from Karachi to Islamabad on February 27 while PDM had announced its March on Pakistan Day.

  • ‘Burden of pending cases needs to be lightened, lawyers come prepared’: CJP Bandial

    ‘Burden of pending cases needs to be lightened, lawyers come prepared’: CJP Bandial

    Justice Umar Ata Bandial after being sworn in as the 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan, in an oath-taking ceremony at the Presidential Palace, made his first appearance in a courtroom as the CJP and conversed with lawyers.

    “We need to lighten the burden of pending cases. Lawyers should come prepared and avoid seeking extensions,” he said.

    The lawyers welcomed and congratulated the newly appointed top judge.

    At this, Justice Bandial thanked them and said it was a pleasure for him to be with them.

    A day earlier, Justice Bandial while speaking at a full-court reference held in honour of the outgoing chief justice, criticised mainstream and social media alike for resorting to attacking judges rather than criticising their judgements.

    “The differences in judges’ opinions in matters of law arise from our individual perceptions and this diversity brings richness to our understanding,” said Justice Bandial.

    Justice Bandial will continue as the chief justice till his retirement on September 18, 2023.

  • Justice Umar Ata Bandial becomes 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan, ceremony held in Islamabad

    Justice Umar Ata Bandial becomes 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan, ceremony held in Islamabad

    Justice Umar Ata Bandial took oath as the 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) at a ceremony at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad today (Wednesday). He was administered the oath of office by President Arif Alvi.

    Justice Bandial will serve in the top judicial office until September 16, 2023. He has previously served as chief justice of the Lahore High Court.

    A day earlier, Justice Bandial while speaking at a full-court reference held in honour of the outgoing chief justice, criticised mainstream and social media alike for resorting to attacking judges rather than criticising their judgements.

    “The differences in judges’ opinions in matters of law arise from our individual perceptions and this diversity brings richness to our understanding,” said Justice Bandial.