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.

  • Shibli Faraz escapes attack on vehicle at Darra Adam Khel

    Shibli Faraz escapes attack on vehicle at Darra Adam Khel

     Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz on Sunday escaped an attack unharmed as he was on his way from his ancestral town of Kohat to Peshawar city.

    Unidentified assailants attacked his car, shattering the windows.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry tweeted moments after the news broke, saying that Faraz had been attacked by gunmen at Darra Adam Khel.

    “Thankfully, he remained safe but unfortunately the driver is seriously injured and has been transported to the hospital.

    “We strongly condemn this incident,” wrote Fawad.

    Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kohat Tahir Ayub, while speaking to Geo News, said that it wasn’t a firing incident and that the minister’s vehicle was pelted with stones.

    “Shibli Faraz was returning to Peshawar after casting his vote in his constituency,” the DIG said.

    DIG Ayub said that due to the pelting of stones, one police personnel was injured and has since been ruled to be out of danger. The front windscreen of Faraz’s vehicle was damaged, he added.

  • ‘Decision on political alliance with TLP will be made by PM Khan’: Punjab Law Minister

    ‘Decision on political alliance with TLP will be made by PM Khan’: Punjab Law Minister

    Punjab Law Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja says any decision on political alliance with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) will be made by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    Raja, while talking to reporters at the Punjab Assembly said, “There is no worth of personal opinion of an individual who is affiliated with a party and is a part of the cabinet. But I can say with clarity that any decision on the subject (TLP) will be made by none other than Prime Minister Imran Khan.”

    Talking about the political strategies, Raja said that the federal government was taking steps to bring back Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif from London where he had gone for his medical treatment in November last year.

  • ‘It’s fake news’: Hammad Azhar says govt never promised gas supply three times a day

    ‘It’s fake news’: Hammad Azhar says govt never promised gas supply three times a day

    Federal Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, while discussing Pakistan’s gas crisis on the Geo News‘ programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, said that the media reports stating that the government had ordered gas supply only three times a day was “fake news”.

    “First of all, this fake news [was associated with me] that gas will only be supplied three times a day,” he stated. “I was asked in the Senate about it to which I said the government never made any such commitment simply because it is not possible to do so.”

    The minister said it is not “logistically possible” to cut off gas supply connections in people’s homes numerous times during the day to ensure that gas is available three times a day.

    “We did, however, tell the gas companies to try and prioritise gas pressure for domestic consumers three times a day when people prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” he clarified.

    Earlier in November, the government decided to provide gas to the residential sector only three times a day for cooking purposes throughout December to March to minimise gas shortages in Pakistan.

    “Gas to residential sector shall be provided three times a day for cooking only,” the meeting was informed by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Divi­sion), who added that Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) diversion to domestic consumers is to be made bare minimum for stability.

    This was all decided by Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) during a meeting presided over by Minister for Planning and Develop­ment Asad Umar. This is part of the Gas Load Management Plan for winter 2021-22, which was presented to the committee.

  • PML-N retains PP-206 Khanewal seat

    PML-N retains PP-206 Khanewal seat

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) retained Khanewal district’s PP-206 constituency.

    PML-N’s candidate Rana Muhammad Saleem emerged victorious, according to unofficial results. Saleem bagged 47,649 votes, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s (PTI) Noreen Nishat Daha got 34,030 votes, while Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Syed Wisaq was able to gain 15,059, according to unofficial results from all the 183 polling stations.

    The voting count ended at 5pm after polling began at 8am as the seat fell vacant due to the death of PML-N leader Nishat Ahmed Daha. However, his wife Noreen was contesting on PTI’s ticket.

    PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, congratulating the winner, tweeted, “Congratulations to the lions of Khanewal. Nawaz Sharif’s name is enough.”

    Taking to Twitter, Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President of Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat), shared a few statistics in relevance to the election in Khanewal.

    Mehboob tweeted, “PP206, Khanewal4 is a second by-election in Punjab in a row where PPP vote share significantly went up, from 5.86 per cent in 2018 to 13.53 per cent yesterday.”

    “Winner PMLN vote slightly decreased from 45 to 42.8 per cent. PTI vote slipped significantly from 41.9 to 30.58 per cent. TLP vote went up from 5 to 8.64 per cent.”

    PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari too congratulated the party candidate contesting in the elections. Taking to Twitter Bilawal wrote, “Good work south Punjab team #PPP.”

  • Fawad tells Shahzeb to talk to the mirror, Shahzeb tells him to go to a comedy show

    Fawad tells Shahzeb to talk to the mirror, Shahzeb tells him to go to a comedy show

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had a fiery exchange of words while conversing with anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News’ political talk show, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.

    The issue under discussion was the allegation of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed, who claimed that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s monthly household expenses were once catered by PTI’s disgruntled leader Jahangir Tareen.

    Khanzada while asking questions in relevance to the comments of Justice Wajihuddin could not get a clear answer from the minister, leading to a fiery exchange of words.

    “If you have to talk continuously, you can sit in front of the mirror and talk,” Fawad told Khanzada.

    Fawad told Khanzada that he doesn’t let him speak while Khanzada interjected and said that Fawad goes off-topic and said “I am looking for an answer, you start making a speech.”

    Responding to Khanzada’s comments said, “There is a context and background to questions. If you say something out of context it will turn out ridiculous, just like our questions [regarding Justice Wajih’s allegations] are ridiculous.”

    “You are finding the questions ridiculous because they are based on reality, and you trying to interpret them as such. If you want to do comedy, I will tell you to go to Khabarnaak which [airs] at 11 o’clock. This is a serious show, give us answers seriously,” responded Khanzada.

    “You think your programme is serious, maybe others have a different point of view regarding this,” said Fawad.

    Khanzada responded, “We have called you may be that is the reason you are finding [my show] a comedy show but trust me it’s a serious [political talk] show. Now that you are the information minister we have called you, otherwise, it’s a serious show.”

    Twitterati reacted to this rather interesting exchange of words.

  • ‘Foreigners will come to Skardu’:PM Khan inaugurates international airport

    ‘Foreigners will come to Skardu’:PM Khan inaugurates international airport

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the inauguration of Skardu International Airport would benefit tourism in Pakistan and foreigners would come to this area to find jobs.

    During a day-long visit to the region on Thursday, PM Khan inaugurated the Skardu International Airport and Jaglot-Skardu road.

    He predicted that tourists, including overseas Pakistanis and domestic tourists, would arrive in large numbers after the upgrade to the airport as well as the road.

    “We can make at least $30-$40 billion from tourism just in Gilgit Baltistan,” PM claimed.

    Explaining his vision, PM said that “no country can truly develop until it elevates its poor and improves its backward and neglected areas”.

    “It is my desire that by the time our five years are complete, the life in backward areas is better and the lives of people below the poverty line are improved,”he added.

    The airport in Skardu was previously only operational for domestic flights. However, its status was elevated on December 2 when it began welcoming international flights.

    A spokesperson for the National Highway Authority (NHA) said that the 167-kilometre Jaglot-Skardu road is the “main strategic road” that connects GB with the Karakoram Highway at Jaglot.

  • Shahbaz Gill says Captain Safdar looks like a waiter at son’s wedding

    Shahbaz Gill says Captain Safdar looks like a waiter at son’s wedding

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Political Communication, Shahbaz Gill criticised the outfit Captain (R) Safdar was wearing at his son, Junaid Safdar’s wedding.

    The wedding ceremony of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s son took place on December 14 in Islamabad. Pictures and videos of the events went viral on social media. Netizens praised the singing skills of Junaid Safdar and Maryam Nawaz and political figures from the ruling government shared their thoughts on the wedding festivities. Among them, Shahbaz Gill did not waste time to comment on the outfits worn by the Sharif’s family.

    During a press conference in Lahore, Shahbaz Gill said, “Our nephew Junaid Safdar looked good and our sister Maryam Nawaz’s outfit didn’t fail to impress either”.

    However, Gill made fun of the outfit Captain Safdar was wearing at his son’s wedding.

    He said, “He looked like a waiter. He should have worn something nice.”

    Gill also raised his eyebrows on the singing of Indian songs at the events.

    “Everyone sang Indian songs at Junaid’s wedding event; They could’ve sung Pakistani songs as well,” Gill objected.

    While further discussing the wedding celebrations, Gill said that he is not against singing but they should have sung Pakistani songs. He added that he does not care even if they sing Pakistani songs on a “beat of Tabla” or to the “tune of a harmonium.”

    The reception of Junaid Safdar is set to be scheduled for December 17 in Lahore.

  • New Zealand honours Pakistani Naeem Rashid for sacrificing life in Christchurch attack

    New Zealand honours Pakistani Naeem Rashid for sacrificing life in Christchurch attack

    Pakistan-origin doctor, Dr Naeem Rashid has been honoured with the most prestigious bravery award, the New Zealand Cross. Rashid sacrificed his life to save others during the Christchurch mosque massacre in 2019. His award was received by his wife, Ambreen Naeem.

    Ten people, who risked their lives to protect innocents during an attack, are awarded various bravery awards in New Zealand.

    New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern said, “The courage demonstrated by these New Zealanders was selfless and extraordinary. They have our deepest respect and gratitude for their actions on that day.” she added, “Each of them put their life on the line to save others. If not for their collective actions, the loss of life could have been even greater.”

    On March 15, 2019, a white supremacist gunman, Brenton Tarrant killed 44 people at Al Noor Mosque during Friday prayers. The attacker went to another mosque, Linwood Mosque, and took seven innocent lives. He broadcasted the whole attack on Facebook.

    Dr Naeem Rashid challenged the attacker in Al Noor Mosque, disregarding his own safety. When the gunman entered and began firing in the main prayer hall, people started to flee but Rashid ran towards him.

    “In so doing, he enabled others to escape and paid the ultimate price with the loss of his own life. I want to acknowledge Dr Rashid’s wife and family particularly, who will know all too well that his acts that day were a reflection of who he was as a person,” Ardern said.

    Rashid’s wife, Ambreen Naeem, expressed gratefulness while receiving an award and said, “Today we can’t see him, but he has spread his message of peace and love, all over the world.”

    Another survivor, Abdul Aziz who is an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.

    Abdul Aziz, an Afghan refugee was also honored with the New Zealand Cross award.

    He said, “It feels good, like you’ve done something good in your life.”

    New Zealand also has given “New Zealand Bravery Decoration” and “New Zealand Bravery Medal” to eight people who have shown great courage to safeguard innocent lives in the Christchurch attack 2019.

  • ‘Pakistan is bankrupt’: Former FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi

    ‘Pakistan is bankrupt’: Former FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi

    Former FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi, while speaking on Pakistan’s economic condition at Hamdard University, said on Thursday that Pakistan is bankrupt at the moment and that the country was not in a state of “going concern” — an accounting terminology referring to a business that is operating and making a profit.

    “We keep saying that everything is good, the country is running well, we have achieved great success and we brought tabdeeli (change) but this is wrong,” said Zaidi.

    “It is better if you decide first that we have reached bankruptcy and we have to move forward compared to saying everything is running well and I will do this and that. These are all things to deceive the people,” Zaidi said.

    After receiving a lot of backlash, Zaidi tweeted, “My speech in Hamdard University is being misreported. There was a presentation of half & hour. Only three minutes have been cherry-picked.”

    “Yes I said that with this constant current account & fiscal deficit there are issues of bankruptcy & going concern but look at the solution,” tweeted Zaidi.

    Zaidi further wrote, “What I said was with a basis & conviction. I only want to say that whole speech is to read and listened.”

  • ARY News paid Rs1 million to forensics firm to check Saqib Nisar’s audio: Dawn

    ARY News paid Rs1 million to forensics firm to check Saqib Nisar’s audio: Dawn

    Primeau Forensics, the United States of America’s (USA) forensic audit company, confirmed on Wednesday that inspected the leaked audiotape of former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar forwarded by a private news channel of Pakistan, ARY News, reports Dawn.

    “It was a specific thing that we did for our client and we are not discussing it with anyone,” a company representative told Dawn. “We have no press release.”

    He said the client, ARY News, had the report, and “only they can share the details with others”.

    ARY asks for forensic audit:

    “According to ARY News, the audit of this 45-second file showed two reverberences in the voice as the person spoke from two different locations. The voice was clearer during the last 20 seconds as it came from a closer range.”

    “ARY News claimed that when it asked Primeau Forensics if the recording was of the original conversation or came from an edited tape, the company said the two parts of 20 and 25 seconds each were recorded in a different environment.”

    “Primeau Forensics told ARY News that it believed the unknown Fact Focus clip was generated from at least two different sources”.

    “They observed two different reverberences, indicating that the first portion of the audio was likely recorded in a different environment than the second portion”.

    Primeau Forensics, an audio-video image forensic expert- has more than 30 years of experience in the field. As per their official website, their experts have processed over 5,000 audio, video, and image forensic investigations and provided expert testimony in over 500 cases in local, state, and federal courts.

    ARY News claimed that it had paid Rs1 million for the audit.

    The US-based company has worked for attorney generals of multiple US States, CNN, AP, and other major organisations. ARY News claimed that it had paid Rs1 million for the audit.

    ‘Please run the news in UK/USA. Only in Pakistan, these news channels can lie & defame’: Ahmed Noorani

    Ahmed Noorani, the journalist who broke the news of the leaked audio of Saqib Nisar, tweeted, “Anxiously waiting for the ARY to air news against me and my expose of Saqib Nisar audio in UK & USA so I can send a legal notice & proceed against it.”

    “I am disappointed so far. Please, run the news in UK/USA. Only in Pakistan, these news channels can lie & defame. Stop being cowards.”

    Leaked audio of Saqib Nisar:

    In November, leaked audio of a conversation allegedly claimed that Saqib Nisar was the person who passed on the directions of handing down conviction to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz only because the “institutions” wanted the former prime minister penalised in order to bring ahead Imran Khan.

    As per the leaked audio, reported by Ahmed Noorani for Fact Focus, Chief Justice Nisar instructed that Mian Sahib (Nawaz Sharif) and his daughter (Maryam Nawaz) must be sentenced even though it is unfair.

    “Whether it is fair or not, it has to be done,” he conveyed to the person on the other end. “Regardless of the merit, we will have to do it (sentence Nawaz Sharif), and even to his daughter,” said Justice Nisar.

    Saqib Nisar denies the audio clip, says never contacted any judge

    While speaking to Fact Focus, Justice Saqib Nisar said that he never contacted any judge of accountability court to order him to pass any verdict against Nawaz Sharif or his daughter. “Why I would do that,” Saqib Nisar questioned adding, “I have no grudges against Mian Nawaz Sharif.” He said that no one from the Pakistan Army or the ISI ever contacted him or pressured him on this count.

    Samaa News claims CJP Nisar’s leaked audio ‘pieced together’

    Later, Samaa TV, a private news channel ran a news story and claimed that the former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar’s clip appears to be pieced together from two separate speeches of former CJP.