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.

  • ‘New Prime Minister?’: Who will replace Imran Khan if there is a coup in the party?

    ‘New Prime Minister?’: Who will replace Imran Khan if there is a coup in the party?

    Is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) pitted against itself? Are there signs of trouble ahead? Fingers are being pointed towards the leader from within the party. Blame and questions are being allegedly hurled at the premier. Something is up in the capital and people have started talking. They’re saying that it is possible that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan can be replaced as prime minister by someone else in the party itself.

    PM Khan and Defence Minister and former Chief Minister (CM) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pervez Khattak on Thursday allegedly exchanged bitter words during the parliamentary party meeting chaired by the premier himself.

    Reports of a clash between the premier and the PTI leader spread like wildfire within the media. It was reported that Pervez Khattak during the meeting said, “we have made you the prime minister.”

    “Gas is banned in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we generate gas and electricity and we are the ones who are suffering,” said Khattak, adding, “We will not be able to get votes if this is your attitude.”

    Khattak told media persons after the meeting that he neither talked harshly to the prime minister nor hurled any threat of not voting for PM Khan.

    “No one spoke harshly, I spoke for my right,” said Khattak.

    The damage had been done and to remove a prime minister, a no-confidence motion has to be brought in Parliament. Some analysts think that the wheels are already in motion.

    The Current reached out to political analysts and senior journalists to ask their opinion as to who could replace PM Khan if the rumours of a change in command were true.

    Senior journalist Hamid Mir shedding light on the recent squabble within the party leadership said, “Imran Khan will remain head of the PTI because the party is registered in his name but the revolt of Khattak may break the party. Khattak can muster support from the Opposition easily.”

    Resident Editor Dawn Fahd Husain terming a coup within PTI an ‘unlikely scenario’ said, “A coup in PTI is an unlikely scenario at this moment. It seems unlikely that the party can coalesce behind any one person except PM Imran Khan.”

    Journalist and Analyst Asma Shirazi talking about the dynamic political milieu in Pakistan said, “Will be too early to guess, things are changing every moment.”

    Analyst Mehmal Sarfraz commenting on the recent rift in the PTI said, “There may be many contenders for the PM slot — as there are in other political parties — but there is no PTI without Imran Khan. I don’t think PM Khan can be replaced. Whoever tries to ‘replace’ him will have to leave the party first.”

    Senior journalist and anchorperson Sabir Shakir responding with a Persian quote said, “ہنوذ دِلی دُور اَست [The heart is still far away].

    Columnist Hafeezullah Niazi while commenting on the verbal altercation between the PTI leaders said, “In case of change within PTI, Pervez Khattak will replace Imran Khan,” adding, “Establishment is already tipping Pervez Khattak to replace Imran Khan as prime minister.”

  • Maryam hits at PM Khan after clash with Pervez Khattak, says this is just the beginning

    Maryam hits at PM Khan after clash with Pervez Khattak, says this is just the beginning

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz took a jibe at Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday after reports about his bitter clash with Defence Minister Pervez Khattak surfaced on the media. 

    Taking to Twitter, the PML-N leader called PM Khan a “liar, conspiratorial and cruel person.”

    Maryam said that the treatment of some Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members towards the premier was a clear reversal of fortunes. 

    She further criticised the PM and said that “getting your hands dirty for a few days of premiership is an utter loss”.

    Referring to the events that unfolded during the PTI’s parliamentary meeting earlier today, the PML-N vice-president wrote that “this is just the beginning” for the [prime minister].

    Earlier, Maryam while speaking to journalists after inquiring after party leader Bilal Yasin at his residence said that seeing the “misery of the people” at the hands of the ruling PTI had changed her mind and now she wanted the government to be sent home immediately.

    Later in the day, PM Khan and Khattak had an exchange of bitter words during a parliamentary party meeting chaired by the premier himself.

    It was reported that Pervez Khattak said in the meeting that, “we have made you the prime minister.”

    “Gas is banned in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we generate gas and electricity and we are the ones who are suffering,” said Khattak, adding, “We will not be able to get votes if this is your attitude.”

    After hearing Khattak, PM Khan got up to leave and said that if you are not satisfied with me then he will give the government to someone else.

    Later while talking to journalists Khattak said, “No one spoke harshly, I spoke for my right.”

    When asked why Khattak got up and walked out of the meeting, he said that he was not angry with anyone during the meeting but went out to smoke.

  • Committee summons ex-CJP Saqib Nisar to ask how Khan won the election

    Committee summons ex-CJP Saqib Nisar to ask how Khan won the election

    

    
    A requisition has been submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat for the meeting of the Standing Committee on Information of the National Assembly (NA).
    

    Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar has been issued a notice to appear before the committee once again while the committee has also summoned ex-chief judge of Gilgit Baltistan Rana Shamim for the next meeting.
    

    Committee chairman Javed Latif also summoned former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), President Javed Hashmi, to the meeting and directed him to provide details of revelations regarding the removal of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.
    
    

    The committee has sought details from Javed Hashmi about Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s statement paving the way for the PM post. Javed Hashmi has also been asked to provide details about Saqib Nisar’s role in this regard.
    
    

    Journalist Ansar Abbasi, analyst Hassan Nisar, and Chairman Pemra have also been summoned for the next meeting. The committee has also taken notice of Hassan Nisar’s statement to shoot the person who took the name of democracy.
    

    It may be recalled that earlier, the Information Committee of the National Assembly had summoned Saqib Nisar and Rana Shamim on December 29, 2021.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
    Court declares NDMA responsible for Murree tragedy
    
			
    Court declares NDMA responsible for Murree tragedy
    
			
    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) responsible for the Murree tragedy which killed 23 people, including children due to carbon monoxide poisonous gas in their cars.
    

    The NDMA Chairman is Lieutenant General Akhtar Nawaz since 2020.
    

    During the hearing, the court asked the NDMA whether a letter had been written to the Opposition leader to call a meeting of the commission. At this, the official said the Opposition leader had not asked them to call a meeting, reports Geo News. 
    

    “You have failed, it was your responsibility to call a meeting, you were responsible for providing a national management plan to the area,” the justice told the management member.
    

    Justice Minallah said that had the NDMA ensured that everyone followed the law, such incidents would not have happened.
    

    It is also revealed that NDMA held its last meeting on March 28, 2018. To this court chief Justice Athar Minallah questioned that, “It is a powerful body. How come no meeting took place since 2018.”
    

    The court ordered Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan to call a meeting of the commission next week and directed the NDMA member to submit a report on the incident by next Friday.
    

    The hearing was called because of a petition by Hammad Abbasi, a Murree resident. According to him, on their way to Murree neither were they stopped and nor were they warned of the danger.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
    Justice Umar Ata Bandial to take oath as new chief justice on Feb 2
    
			
    Justice Umar Ata Bandial to take oath as new chief justice on Feb 2
    
			
    Supreme Court (SC) Justice Umar Ata Bandial will reportedly take oath as Pakistan’s 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on February 2, reports Geo news.
    

    Justice Bandial will replace the current CJP Justice Gulzar Ahmed. Justice Ahmed will retire after working in the top judicial position for more than two years. He assumed office on December 21, 2019, replacing ex-CJP Justice Asif Saeed Khosa
    

    The Law and Justice Secretary have sent the summary to President Arif Alvi to appoint Justice Bandial as the next CJP. After the president’s nod, the ministry will issue a notification.
    

    The to-be-appointed CJ will remain in position till September 18, 2023.
    

    After Justice Bandial, Justice Qazi Faez Isa will become the chief justice to serve the office for over one year till October 25, 2024.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
			
    Bilawal in Parliament says not expected from a player like Imran Khan to impose taxes on condoms
    
			
    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during his speech in the National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday lamented how the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has imposed taxes on the people of Pakistan.
    

    Talking about a list of items on which the government-imposed taxes, Bilawal said that the people of Pakistan are in pain. He said, “It is always said [by the goverment] that Pakistan does not have inflation, this is not based on reality. If you see the statistic, Pakistan has the most inflation as compared to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and India.”
    

    Asking for the Speaker’s attention, Bilawal said, “Speaker Sahib, tax on contraceptives has been imposed as well.”
    

    “It was not expected from a khiladi [player] like [Prime Minister (PM)] Imran Khan to impose a tax on contraceptives as well,” said Bilawal.
    

    “Sir, contraceptives are not a laughing matter. There is a population explosion in regions of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. You [PM Khan] are not even providing basic needs to the [people] in terms of food, sufficient jobs, education, and health. The entire world is supporting this sector and you are imposing a tax on contraceptives,” said Bilawal.
    

    The PPP chairman further said, “There is a crisis of HIV and AIDS, which is not being informed to the people. This a very serious matter.”
    

    “Through this mini-budget, by imposing a tax on contraceptives, you have proved to the nation that Imran Khan Sahib has imposed a tax on everything and did not leave [contraceptives] out of it. Khan Sahib is imposing a tax on an infant’s food, milk this is a direct hit on the weakest class in our society. You [Imran Khan] have literally snatched food from a child’s mouth.”
    

    “You are damaging women’s empowerment. You are damaging the right of choice and independence of women,” said the PPP leader.
    

    “Both your [Imran Khan] decisions [to impose a tax on contraceptives and milk, food products of infants] will have historic damage,” said Bilawal Bhutto.
    

    However, it is pertinent to mention here that the most common contraceptives that are available in the market which are being taxed are condoms. 
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
    Three year prison sentence, fine for false moon-sighting witnesses: bill
    
			
    Three year prison sentence, fine for false moon-sighting witnesses: bill
    
			
    The moon-sighting issue in Pakistan is a socio-religious challenge as many religious events(Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha) are directly related to it. In a bid to put an end to the moon sighting controversies around key festivals like Eid, the Pakistan government is imposing a three years imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 fine for anyone who announces the false moon sighting before the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
    

    Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan introduced the Pakistan Ruet Hilal Bill 2021 on behalf of the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noorul Haq Qadri.
    

    The proposed bill mainly aims to tackle the formation of a Federal Ruet Hilal committee, led by recognised Ulema and scholars from all sects and schools of thought which has a history of announcing Eid and the start of Ramazan.
    

    The bill authorises only the chairperson of the federal committee or his nominee to make an announcement regarding the sighting of the moon. The bill proposes a fine of up to Rs50,000 for anyone violating the law.
    

    The federal committee, according to the bill, will comprise 16 members, including the chairperson. The federal committee will consist of two Ulema from each province and Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir; a grade-20 officer from Met Office, a science and technology expert and a representative of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and an officer of the level of director general from the Ruet Hilal Affairs division of the ministry, who will act as the secretary of the committee.
    

    The bill has suggested a complete ban on any other committee formed by individuals under any name for sighting of the moon for commencement of each Islamic Hijri calendar month.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
			
    KP government wants harsher sentences for those convicted in Mashal Khan case
    
			
    The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday accepted for hearing a set of appeals by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government seeking to enhance the sentences of the convicts involved in the 2017 lynching of Mardan university student Mashal Khan, reports Dawn.
    

    Additional Advocate General (AAG) for KP Nisar Khan, told Dawn that the appeals were filed against the November 2020 verdict in which the Peshawar High Court had commuted the death sentence awarded to primary accused Imran Ali in Mashal Khan lynching case, but maintained the jail terms handed down to 32 others.
    

    Mashal Khan, a 23-year-old student of the Department of Mass Communication at Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, was lynched by a mob and shot over allegations of blasphemy on April 13, 2017.
    

    In June 2017, a 13-member joint investigation team concluded that the allegations of blasphemy against Mashal Khan were unfounded and were used as a pretext to incite a mob against him.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
    What can the govt do, will have to go to IMF again if exports don’t increase, says PM Khan
    
			
    What can the govt do, will have to go to IMF again if exports don’t increase, says PM Khan
    
			
    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 14th International Chambers Summit 2022 organised by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that tax collection and exports are the main drivers of boosting the economy. 
    

    Saying that Pakistan has an “improving economy”, PM Khan said that all economic indicators were showing upward trends despite inherited economic crunch and the impact of Covid-19.
    

    “Will have to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) again if we do not enhance our exports,” said PM Khan.
    

    “In the past, no attention was paid to these sectors of the economy which are vital for wealth creation. The exports sector was stagnant in the past, but the incumbent government is providing all facilitation to the exporters,” he said.
    

    “We realise that people are worried, there is imported inflation in our country, dollar rate has gone up due to smuggling of dollar to Afghanistan, still Pakistan is a cheap country, US President Joe Biden has also been criticised by Donald Trump on inflation in the country.”
    

    PM Khan said commodity prices have increased all over the world and Pakistan also imported inflation which hurt its people badly but asked what the government could do in the circumstances.
    

    Claiming that the steps taken by his government to combat coronavirus and keep businesses open were being followed by United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson. “We did not let people die due to Covid-19 and lockdowns,” he added.
    

    The prime minister said corruption would assume the role of cancer. “Corruption is a symptom of lack of rule of law in society. Our fight is for the rule of law in Pakistan. It is a difficult one because of different cartels and mafias which do not want the rule of law,” he said, terming it a jihad against the mafias to secure the future of the country.
    

    Contrary to the claims, Pakistan lost $250m worth of textile exports in December 2021 when the gas supply was suspended for 15 days in the Punjab textile sector. Executive Director of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Shahid Sattar also confirmed the loss of millions of dollars by saying that it will “never be recovered.”
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
  • 
		
		
    
			
    ‘Thook chaato, bolo Jai Shri Ram’: Muslim man assaulted by BJP workers
    
			
    ‘Thook chaato, bolo Jai Shri Ram’: Muslim man assaulted by BJP workers
    
			
    A 32-year-old Muslim, Zeeshan Khan, suffering from bipolar disorder was assaulted, made to lick his own spit, and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by suspected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Dhanbad on Friday, reports Indian Express.
    

    The incident took place at a protest by the BJP against the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Punjab. The party’s Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha and Dhanbad MP P N Singh were among the leaders present at the protest.
    

    Zeeshan was passing by the spot when he allegedly used abusive words for one of the BJP leaders. He was immediately surrounded by a group of suspected BJP workers and supporters who started assaulting him. He was then made to squat, spit on the road and lick it and chant Jai Shri Ram.
    

    

    


    

    

    

    After a video of the incident went viral on social media, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Singh said, “We are inquiring into the matter and Dhanbad police are investigating it and have registered an FIR. One person has been arrested.” He said it was not immediately clear whom Zeeshan abused.
    

    The FIR was filed on the complaint of Zeeshan’s younger brother Rehan Khan.
    

    Speaking to The Indian Express over the phone, Rehan said his brother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 10 years ago. “What kind of society is this. Even if my brother said something, did he deserve to be treated like this – made to lick his spit and forced to say Jai Shri Ram. My brother has been suffering from mental illness since 2012,” Rehan, 28, said.
    

    In his complaint to the police, Rehan said, “…My elder brother Zeeshan Khan was passing by the city center between 1-2 pm where BJP members were protesting at the Gandhi statue area. My brother was chased and beaten by the mob… and was forced to lick spit and asked to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’… My brother is injured… I plead that legal action be taken and justice be done with my brother.”