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.

  • Asad Qaiser apologises for Gen Bajwa’s extension

    Asad Qaiser apologises for Gen Bajwa’s extension

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser apologised to the people of Pakistan on July 20 for extending the tenure of former Army Chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    “I apologise to the nation for granting an extension to General Bajwa. It was a mistake that we deeply regret,” said Qaiser on Samaa TV.

    In 2019, former Prime Minister Imran Khan approved an extension of then-Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure for another three years in a notification which stated, “The decision has been taken in view of the regional security environment.”

    The former Speaker of the National Assembly admitted that the decision backfired on the party. Qaiser also hinted at starting peaceful protests if party founder Imran Khan faces a military trial.

    He further suggested that legal international avenues like the International Court of Justice (ICJ) could be explored if the situation arises.

  • ‘It is not short-term relief but two months’: CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz

    ‘It is not short-term relief but two months’: CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has strongly criticised Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah’s remarks against the Punjab government’s decision to raise electricity prices, calling it “foolish.”

    On Monday, while addressing a ceremony, Murad Ali Shah said that such “strange announcements” put them (Sindh govt) in a fix. “We (Sindh government) find it difficult how to respond to these foolish statements. But I don’t want to get into politics,” he added.

    Likewise, another Sindh minister, Saeed Ghani, also questioned the Punjab government’s policy, asking, “What will happen after two months of relief to the people of Punjab?”

    However, Maryam Nawaz expressed disbelief at the Sindh CM’s comments, remarking, “I laughed when I heard someone say it’s foolish to reduce electricity prices. Isn’t it foolish to pocket money from corruption and spend it on protocol, planes, helicopters, and convoys while denying relief to the public?”

    Last week, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif announced a relief package for the people of Punjab: Rs 14 per unit of electricity will be reduced for two months.

  • ‘Low chance of PTI Islamabad rally’: Atta Tarar

    ‘Low chance of PTI Islamabad rally’: Atta Tarar

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has responded to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat’s claim of holding a rally on August 22 in Islamabad, saying that there are low chances that the opposition will be granted permission for the rally.

    Talking on Geo News’ ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Tarar stated, “Considering their violent track record, I don’t think they will be allowed to rally in the federal capital.”

    Tarar also blamed PTI for not holding a peaceful protest, citing the context of the May 9 riots. He added, “One has to prove that they are peaceful.”

    “They also came here when Pervaiz Khattak was Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with heavy machinery aiming to remove obstacles,” the minister concluded.

    Earlier, Marwat said, ‘’We will show the High Court’s permission if the police file a case against us after the August 22 power show.”

  • Pakki dosti: Former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar admits to chatting with Gen Faiz

    Pakki dosti: Former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar admits to chatting with Gen Faiz

    Former Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar on Monday confirmed that he had been in contact with former ISI Chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed; however, journalist Ansar Abbasi revealed that he categorically denied any wrongdoing or connection with May 9 riots.

    “I swear that I have nothing to do with May 9, PTI and its politics,” revealed Saqib Nisar.

    He said that the allegations against him are “totally nonsensical.” The former CJP also clarified that he attended Gen Faiz’s daughter’s wedding ceremony and has been exchanging routine pleasantries and wishes on various occasions.

    He recalled that when he and his family visited northern areas of the country, the general was “very kind to look after them.”

    The CJP also recounted that Gen Faiz used to meet his registrar besides occasionally sending him “for eyes only” messages during his tenure as the Chief Justice.

    “I have nothing to worry about,” he said, revealing that he is returning to Pakistan on September 5th.

  • PPP leader Saeed Ghani terms Punjab govt’s relief in bills a ‘political stunt’

    PPP leader Saeed Ghani terms Punjab govt’s relief in bills a ‘political stunt’

    Sindh Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani mocked the Punjab government’s recent move to give relief to the masses by reducing electricity prices for just two months, terming it a “political stunt.”

    He said this in response to Punjab’s government’s decision to provide relief to the public by rescuing Rs 14 per unit on electricity bills for two months (August and September).

    Ghani remarked that it was the federal government’s responsibility to provide people with cost-efficient electricity, saying, “Rs 45 billion are being expended for relief for two months only, while scores of relief works could be done with that Rs 45 billion.”

    “The question is what will happen after two months. The consumers will be paying the same [high] prices,” the PPP leader stated.

    Interestingly, Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori asked Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday to announce a Punjab government-like relief in electricity bills.

  • Former officer suspected of killing Ali Raza Abidi was close to Gen Faiz: Absar Alam

    Former officer suspected of killing Ali Raza Abidi was close to Gen Faiz: Absar Alam

    Journalist Absar Alam has revealed in the Samaa Podcasts series that a retired officer who is allegedly suspected of being involved in the assassination of ex-MQM leader Syed Ali Raza Abidi in 2018 was very close to former spymaster Gen Faiz Hameed.

    “Many orders were given to kill people; some were executed while some escaped. The details will emerge with time, whether these orders were given by Imran Khan or his boss [Gen Bajwa] or if he followed his own whims,” alleged Absar Alam.

    In 2018, Syed Ali Raza Abidi was shot dead in Karachi’s DHA when two unknown men riding a bike opened fire on Abidi’s car near his home.

    MQM at that time called it a “coldblooded assassination” that was “part of a crackdown on the party by Pakistan’s military establishment.”

    Absar opined that the details coming to light depends upon whether Faiz cab prove if he was given orders and by whom to conduct these activities.

  • Senior police officer suspended after PML-N, PTI supporters clash in Murree

    Senior police officer suspended after PML-N, PTI supporters clash in Murree

    The City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi, Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani, has suspended Station House Officer (SHO) Murree following an inquiry into the disorder on August 14.

    A crowd in Murree chanted slogans in support of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Independence Day and targeted a poster of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which was plastered on a hotel, by throwing shoes at it.

    In response, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters threw firecrackers from the hotel rooftop, which intensified the situation. The police then resorted to a baton charge to control the crowd.

    Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz held an emergency meeting and issued strict directives to prevent similar incidents in the future, according to Express News.

    The CPO Rawalpindi has also issued a charge sheet against the SHO.

    The police have registered a terrorism case in light of the destruction caused by party supporters.

  • Gen. Faiz, former Chief Justice Saqib Nasir were in contact with each other in the past, claims Ansar Abbasi

    Gen. Faiz, former Chief Justice Saqib Nasir were in contact with each other in the past, claims Ansar Abbasi

    Journalist Ansar Abbasi has claimed in his op-ed today that official investigations have confirmed that former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar and ex-ISI Chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed were in contact with each other, however, the nature of the connection is unclear.

    Ansar revealed that authorities have gathered some evidence against the former CJP, but contrary to social media rumours, his sources did not indicate that he would be arrested.

    Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar addressed a press conference on Saturday, in which he stated, “Whether it is Saqib or Nisar, the scope of the investigation will be widened due to what has come out after General Faiz’s arrest.”

    Recently, social media was abuzz with speculation that former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar had fled to London and may be arrested in connection with the wider inquiry.

    However, earlier, Saqib Nisar dismissed all rumours that he left the country due to Faiz’s recent arrest and confirmed that he is in London on a planned leave.

  • Aun Ali Khosa returns home

    Aun Ali Khosa returns home

    Aun Ali Khosa, a comedy skit YouTuber who was allegedly abducted on August 15, has returned home, his lawyer Khadija Siddiqui has confirmed.

    Khosa’s wife Binish Iqbal had filed a petition at the Lahore High Court (LHC) stating that her husband was ‘’in the unlawful and illegal custody of the law enforcement authorities”.

    “Digital content creator, a writer, and a dignified comedian/artist having a massive following of 137,000 subscribers on YouTube”, the petition read
    It further stated that men with masked faces in plain clothes entered an apartment after breaking the front door and confiscated Aun’s phone, camera and laptop.

  • Maryam Nawaz invites British institutions to invest in Nawaz Sharif IT City

    Maryam Nawaz invites British institutions to invest in Nawaz Sharif IT City

    Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz invited British institutions to invest in Nawaz Sharif Information Technology (IT) City.

    British High Commissioner Jane Marriott met Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif in Murree where the three discussed education, health, climate change, and the government’s initiatives for Digital Punjab. They also reviewed the issue of increasing opportunities for higher education in British universities for Punjabi students.

    Meanwhile, CM Punjab informed the British High Commissioner about the government’s measures to eliminate environmental pollution and invited British institutions to invest in Nawaz Sharif IT City.