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.

  • Cabinet rejects audit report of Rs40 billion irregularities detected in PM’s Covid package

    Cabinet rejects audit report of Rs40 billion irregularities detected in PM’s Covid package

    Minister of Information Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday rejected the recently released audit report, which shows Rs40 billion irregularities detected in PM’s Covid package.

    “The cabinet rejected the audit report on Covid-19 spending and asked three relevant organisations to give their presentations in this regard,” revealed Fawad in a press conference after the cabinet meeting.

    Fawad said the finance ministry had already rejected the audit report and prime minister’s aide Dr Sania Nishtar had also clarified the position of her organisation, Ehsaas programme.

    The audit report was released last week as Pakistan gave in to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) pressure by releasing the audit report of expenditures incurred on Covid-19.

    The release of the report by the Ministry of Finance was one of the five prior actions that the IMF has asked Pakistan to implement if it wanted to get the $1 billion loan tranche by January next year.

  • ‘Sorry’: Model apologises after criticism on photo-shoot at Kartarpur

    ‘Sorry’: Model apologises after criticism on photo-shoot at Kartarpur

    Pakistani model Sauleha, who received immense amount of criticism after she posed ‘bareheaded’ in Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, has apologised for her actions as it hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.

    Taking to Instagram, Sauleha posted her apology, saying that she did not intend to hurt anyone and the pictures were supposed to be a memory of her visit to Kartarpur Sahib.

    “Recently I posted a picture on Instagram that was not even a part of a shoot or anything. I just went to Kartarpur to learn about the history and know about the Sikh community. It wasnt done to hurt anyone sentiments or anything for that matter. However, if I have hurt anyone or they think that I dont respect there culture. I am Sorry,” she wrote.

    Both the brand and the model also clarified that the pictures were not part of a photo-shoot.

    In her apology note, Sauleha also said that she “respects the Sikh culture” and will be more mindful and responsible in future.

    Shiromani Akali Dal spokesperson Manjinder Singh Sirsa and other users shared the photos pointing that the model was bareheaded.

    Covering one’s head in a gurdwara is mandatory and considered as a way of showing respect for the revered place.

    Following the tweet by Sirsa, police initiated a probe into the incident. The police said that they are investigating all aspects relating to the photo-shoot and will take strict legal action against those responsible.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also said that the designer and model must apologise to the Sikh community.

    “Kartarpur Sahib is a religious symbol and not a film set,” he tweeted.

  • ‘Poor judgment’, President Alvi reacts to promoting own family business

    ‘Poor judgment’, President Alvi reacts to promoting own family business

    President Dr Arif Alvi has regretted the choice of the place where his son Dr Awab Alvi signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bringing Smiles Unites States of America (USA) signatory ceremony. The MoU was signed at the Governor’s House.

    Taking to Twitter Alvi said, “For the signing ceremony of an MOU between Dr Awab [his son] and his friend in my presence, the venue selection was a matter of poor judgment.”

    Taking the president’s side, federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “The President is a very respected person, his honesty and personality is witnessed by everyone who knows him.”

    Earlier today, President Alvi’s son announced about the MoU on social media along with a picture in which Dr Arif Alvi and his wife can be seen standing along with their son.

    Despite Dr Awab’s clarification, an online debate was generated on whether there was a conflict of interest for the president or not.

    When the official website “Alvi Dentals” was checked, the president is still enlisted as a dentist and part of the Alvi Dental team. The website also provides an option to “schedule an appointment” with the president.

  • ‘Law did not allow land meant for defence purposes to be used for commercial gains’: CJP Gulzar

    ‘Law did not allow land meant for defence purposes to be used for commercial gains’: CJP Gulzar

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed on Tuesday said that the law did not allow land meant for defence purposes to be used for commercial gains, reports Dawn.

    CJP Gulzar further said that such land should be returned to the government once its strategic use has ended. He said this during the hearing on the issue of military lands being used for commercial purposes.

    Grilling Defence Secretary Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Mian Mohammad Hilal Hussain, CJP Gulzar said, “The law’s intention is not that defence land is used for any other purpose,” Justice Gulzar reiterated. “If [the land] is not being used for defence then it will go back to the government.”

    “This is government land,” CJP Gulzar said, further taking notice that cinemas, petrol pumps, housing societies, shopping malls and marriage halls were being constructed on land meant for defence.

    “General sahib, these are not defence purposes,” he told the defence secretary, asking the attorney general to explain how the defence ministry would “limit the land’s use to defence”.

    Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmed, one of the judges present on the bench during the hearing, said, “The army should not compromise on its bigger objectives for petty business.”

    The CJP further said that “allotting houses to senior army officers does not fall under defence purposes”.

    “How can the army carry out commercial activities on state land?” he questioned, emphasising that state land should not be “exploited”.

  • ‘Affidavit was sealed, don’t know how it was leaked’: Rana Shamim’s response on Saqib Nisar

    ‘Affidavit was sealed, don’t know how it was leaked’: Rana Shamim’s response on Saqib Nisar

    The former chief judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim on Tuesday told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the affidavit he had signed accusing former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar was leaked.

    “My affidavit was sealed and only [kept] with my family. I don’t know how it was leaked,” said Rana Shamim.

    Chief Justice IHC Justice Athar Minallah had previously taken notice of the story published in The News, in which Judge Shamim in a signed affidavit wrote that he was a witness to Nisar giving directions to a high court judge, not to release Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz on bail at any cost before the 2018 general elections. The report was written by senior journalist Ansar Abbasi.

    IHC judge had directed the ex-judge to submit his response.

    Presiding over the hearing, Justice Minallah said the case was related to his court and its accountability, adding, that the judiciary’s freedom was dependent on the freedom of the press.

    Justice Minallah asked Shamim whether he had submitted his response as asked by the court earlier to which the latter replied that there had been a tragedy in his family and requested the court to give him time till December 12 and schedule the next hearing after that.

    The IHC chief justice gave Shamim five days to submit his written response.

    “I have not yet seen my affidavit,” the ex-GB judge informed the court.

    “You must have recorded the affidavit for some purpose. You will inform in the written response how the affidavit was revealed after three years,” pressed IHC judge, inquiring whether Shamim had given the affidavit or not.

    Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan, who was also present in today’s hearing, requested the court to direct Shamim to present the “original” affidavit in the IHC, stating, “This case is related to Article 19 and Article 19-A of the Constitution. The media’s role is secondary, responsibility lies on Rana Shamim.”

    “Maybe his son leaked the affidavit,” he contended, referring to Ahmed Hassan Rana, Shamim’s son and lawyer.

    Shamim said he had only one son, reiterating that he had not seen the affidavit himself.

    At this, Justice Minallah directed Shamim to submit his affidavit in court.

    When Shamim sought time to submit the affidavit, the AGP countered that the document was not 10 years old.

    The former GB chief judge repeated his statement that he had not seen the affidavit, and read it in the news report published.

    “Does he not remember [what happened on] November 10? If he has not written [the affidavit], who has?” the AGP questioned. “Every day is very important,” he added, referring to Shamim’s requests for more time.

    The IHC chief justice remarked that he does “not believe in contempt of court”, adding that judges should be held in higher regard.

    “Rana Shamim’s statement today has further complicated the case. Judges should not be used for political narratives,” said Minallah.

    The IHC adjourned proceedings of the case till December 7.

  • Twitterati say President Alvi promoting own family business is ‘conflict of interest’

    President Dr Arif Alvi’s son, Awab Alvi took to Twitter to announce that Alvi Dental [ a family business] signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bringing Smiles Unites States of America (USA).

    He further added, “[We will] open a chain of dental practices, bring affordable dental care to Pakistan with no compromise in quality of treatment or sterilisation but focus on the best treatment possible at affordable rates.”

    President Alvi congratulating his son tweeted, “Congratulations @DrAwab Wish you success in this collaboration with your friends who are also bringing in foreign investment.”

    In the picture shared on Twitter, president Alvi along with his wife can be seen standing along with their son as he signs the MoU.

    Reacting to the news, Twitter reminded the president of a conflict of interest that this promotion has with his holding the position he does in Pakistan.

    Journalist Adil Shahzeb took to Twitter and wrote, “As a President of Pakistan, I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct.”

    Journalist Waseem Abbasi tweeted, “Is [it] not [a] conflict of interest for the President to promote his family business in official capacity??”

    Journalist Bashir Chaudhry tweeted, “Keep in mind that the private business function of the President was held at Governor House, Sindh.”

    A Twitter user wrote, “Why is this guy using a public office for his personal matters?”

    Adeel a Twitter user wrote, “@ImranKhanPTI sir, with all due respect how is that even legal? Personal business is thriving under the supervision of excellency?”

  • PM Khan takes offence at Nawaz Sharif’s presence at conference

    PM Khan takes offence at Nawaz Sharif’s presence at conference

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan while talking about the Asma Jahangir (AJ) Conference that took place in Lahore last week, pointed out how the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo was allowed to address the event, reports Geo News.

    Speaking at the inauguration ceremony PM Khan further said, “Unfortunately, due to colonialism, Muslims suffered from mental slavery around the world,” he said.

    He further added that Pakistan’s youth was confused about it in today’s world and said that the young Pakistanis studied the Western culture and were misled by it.

    The premier urged universities to research the disastrous effects that Western culture was having on family life, and spoke out against how pornographic material was widely available on smartphones these days.

    PM Khan said, “A seminar happened in Lahore where Supreme Court (SC) judges were invited. But the chief guest there was an absconder, convicted by the very judges present there.”

    “This person had escaped abroad after lying,” he said while adding that if our society doesn’t consider corruption an evil, it can’t progress.

    However, the AJ Foundation in a press statement clarified the rumours surrounding Sharif’s closing speech.

    “Nawaz Sharif, has addressed gatherings previously and it is entirely regrettable not to say embarrassing, that internet cables were disabled to blackout his speech. This act in itself is an indication of the state of freedom of expression in the current regime where Pakistan is ranked as 145 out of 180 countries,” reads the statement.

    They also revealed that several prominent members of the ruling party were invited to all three conferences, many of whom spoke at all three conferences, and others declined the invitation.

    Furthermore, they argued that the “ruling regime is diverting attention from the real threat to institutions, the state of the economy and freedom of expression in the country” while adding that the platform will not follow vendettas of political parties when inviting speakers and they will remain an open and uncensored platform.

    In response to this, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari termed the foundation’s statement “bizarre” and tweeted, “AJ Foundation claiming that convict Sharif being asked to address the conference did not show a political bias because I [Mazari] had been invited to the first conference to address closing session is absurd. I was invited as Human Rights Minister. I was not and am not a convict or a fugitive.”

     

  • ‘Who has the capability to record the chief justice of Pakistan?’ Asks Justice Athar Minallah

    ‘Who has the capability to record the chief justice of Pakistan?’ Asks Justice Athar Minallah

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that the courts cannot risk “opening up of the floodgates” by ordering inquiries into “anything that goes viral on social media”, remarking that vigorous judicial activism had caused a lot of damage to the judiciary, reports Dawn.

    “Anything goes viral on social media. How many can the court order inquiries into?” the high court chief justice questioned during a hearing on Monday.

    Justice Minallah’s remarks come during a hearing of a petition asking for a Commission of Inquiry to investigate an alleged audio clip of former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar.

    The judge wondered who was behind the audio leak. “Who has the capability to record the chief justice of Pakistan? Did that person release it or someone sitting in America?”

    Questioning the petitioner,  Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) President Salahuddin Ahmed, Justice Minallah asked, “Tell [the court] how this petition is maintainable. What writ should we issue?”

    To the question asked on the writ of the state, Ahmed responded that the court’s power regarding the enforcement of fundamental rights was very extensive and it could exercise this right under Article 199-C of the Constitution.

    “The court cannot play into the hands of political entities trying to build narratives rather than approach the court themselves,” responded Justice Minallah.

    “When they do not approach the court, the court also has to see what their intentions are,” he added. “Who released the audiotape and to whom?”

    Questioning the authenticity of the audio clip, Justice Minallah remarked: “Suppose this audio is legitimate, where is the real clip? Tomorrow, anybody will bring a clip and ask for an inquiry.”

    The court subsequently issued a notice to Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan to argue on the maintainability of the petition and adjourned the hearing till December 8.

  • ‘Nafrat Jeet Gai’, Indian Muslim comedian quits after 12 shows cancelled in 2 months

    ‘Nafrat Jeet Gai’, Indian Muslim comedian quits after 12 shows cancelled in 2 months

    Indian Muslim stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui has hinted that he won’t be doing any shows from now on saying, “Nafrat jeet gai, Artist haar gaya. Im done! Goodbye! INJUSUSTICE.” Faruqui’s statement came after the comedian’s Bengaluru show was cancelled on Sunday due to threats from right-wing groups.

    “Aaj Bangalore show cancel ho gaya (under the threats of venue vandalism). We sold 600+ tickets. Month back my team called late Puneeth Rajkumar sir organisation for charity which we will be going to generate from this show in Bangalore. We agreed to not sell the show on the name of charity as suggested by the noble organisation,” Munawar Faruqui tweeted.

    “Putting me in jail for the joke I never did to cancelling my shows, which has nothing problematic in it. This is unfair. This show has gained so much love from people in India irrespective of their religion. This is unfair. We do have censor certificate of the show and it’s clearly nothing problematic in the show.”

    At least 12 of Faruqui’s shows were cancelled in the last two months due to threats from right-wing groups.

    “I think this is the end. My name is Munawar Faruqui and that’s been my time. You guys were wonderful audience. Goodbye, I’m done,” he concluded.

    Earlier this year in January, Faruqui was forced to to stop his performance at a café in Indore by Hindu right-wing nationalists, who accused him of insulting Hindu gods during the rehearsals of his show. He was then handed over to the police with four others. He spent 37 days under police custody.

  • PTI sends notice to member over false ‘fight’ allegations against Zartaj Gul

    PTI sends notice to member over false ‘fight’ allegations against Zartaj Gul

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a show-cause notice to PTI Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Riaz Fatyana for making “false” allegations against two members of the federal cabinet, reports Dawn.

    Fatyana alleged that the Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam got into an argument during the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.

    The notice was sent on the complaint of Aslam by the PTI’s Standing Commi­ttee on Accountability and Disci­pline (SCAD).

    “Upon your return, as a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), you have made some absurd and totally fabricated and false assertions in the meeting held on November 25, including that there was a brawl between two senior officials and Zartaj Gul which led to her leaving the conference early, whereas she had left early only to attend the joint session [of parliament],” reads the show-cause notice.

    In the notice, Fatyana has been asked to submit a written statement by December 4 along with documents and evidence. He has also been offered to be heard in person to elaborate his written statement.

    Aslam, in his complaint, alleged that the MNA had come to Glasgow to attend the conference funded by a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) during his visit he made some “unreasonable demands” such as becoming a part of the official delegation.

    Last week, both cabinet members issued a joint statement denying any fight or misunderstanding at Conference of the Parties (COP)-26 and termed the allegations made by Riaz Fatyana “baseless”.

    On Friday, during a session of PAC, Fatyana alleged that the argument between Zartaj and Aslam made the former leave the conference and return to Pakistan.