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.

  • Twitter demands govt to disclose agreement made with TLP

    Various people on Twitter have demanded and questioned the government following the state’s claim about reaching an ‘agreement’ with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in order to end the nearly two-week-long protests.

    The details of the negotiations have yet not been made public.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar tweeted: “The people of this country have a right to know about the agreement made with a proscribed group, which caused loss of life and property and disrupted citizens’ lives for weeks.”

    While recalling the Hazara community’s protest, he demanded to know whether the martyrdom of Punjab police officials was in vain and if the perpetrators will be punished.

    PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman questioned the decision to disclose details at an appropriate time. “Peace with the state on what terms?” she tweeted.

    Former Member of National Assembly (MNA) and rights activist Bushra Gohar said: “Yet another surrender agreement to be signed with the alleged Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) funded banned religious extremist group TLP,” with hashtag #GayaPakistan.

    Lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir asked the media and all stakeholders to question the government why TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi was not formally arrested.

    He expressed his concerns on Twitter and said, “TLP is being kept alive and will be kept alive to be the political nuisance it was intended to be, a variable in Punjab used as a when establishment wants it to.”

    Legal adviser for the International Commission of Jurists, Reema Omer tweeted: “Nothing in this press conference inspired confidence, least of all the ‘secret’ agreement”

    Journalist Yusra Askari mocked the government and labelled the agreement between the state and banned outfit as “horrors of this Halloween” that will haunt us forever.

    The protests by the banned outfit led to the deaths of five police officials and injured more than 250 others.

  • Govt successful in negotiating with TLP, maintain secrecy over details

    Govt successful in negotiating with TLP, maintain secrecy over details

    Officials from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government on Sunday claimed that they had reached an ‘agreement’ with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in order to end the nearly two-week-long protests.

    The government’s negotiating team members Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan, along with Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman were present at the press conference.

    “The government of Pakistan and the TLP held detailed negotiations in an environment of mutual trust and an agreement has been reached between the two sides,” said Mufti Muneeb.

    The details of the negotiations have yet not been made public, Mufti Muneeb said its details would be made public at an ‘appropriate time’. He, however, said its ‘positive results’ would be visible to the nation next week or during the next 10 days.

  • Govt negotiating with Saad Rizvi to end banned TLP’s protest

    Govt negotiating with Saad Rizvi to end banned TLP’s protest

    In a press release by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), it is reported that the government is negotiating with the banned outfit head Saad Hussain Rizvi.

    The government delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Asad Qaiser, and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Ali Muhammad Khan.

    According to the press release, the final decision will be made later today.

    Prior to this, President Dr Arif Alvi reportedly asked for the Ulema’s help in addressing the ongoing chaos in the country due to TLP’s protests.

    In a meeting with a delegation of Ulema of Ahle-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat, President Alvi stated that the Ulema have always played a significant role in providing moral and religious guidance to people besides standing with the state in difficult times.

    The meeting deliberated upon various options to address the current situation peacefully and emphasised resolving the matter through negotiations.

    At the meeting, the Ulema expressed concern over the reports of violence which have caused harm to the general public.

    The consultative meeting at the President’s House had taken place after a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting in Islamabad, which resolved to guard the sovereignty of the state from all internal and external threats.

  • Ex-General’s son convicted of provoking rebellion in Army

    Ex-General’s son convicted of provoking rebellion in Army

    A military court has convicted the son of a retired major general of the Pakistan Army to a five year prison term for trying to incite anarchy in the army. He wrote a letter questioning the extension given to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and demanded his resignation, reported BBC Urdu.

    BBC reports that Hassan Askari, son of Maj Gen (R) Zafar Mehdi Askari, a computer engineer by profession, was convicted under Section 131 of Pakistan Penal Code for criticising Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extension in a letter to him. The conviction was served by the Field General Court Martial in Gujranwala Cantt.

    Askari was defended by a military officer deputed by the military court. The trial was conducted in July and he was shifted to the high-security prison in Sahiwal.

    Section 131 of the Pakistan Penal Code covers inciting army officers to treason. The First Investigation Report (FIR) charges Askari of criticising the army’s top command and senior officers to spread anarchy in the army at the behest of external enemies, reports BBC.

  • Right-wing Hindus arrested for disrupting Jummah prayer in India

    Right-wing Hindus arrested for disrupting Jummah prayer in India

    Dozens of people, many from Hindu right-wing groups, were arrested on Friday in India for disrupting Friday Muslim prayer, reports Dawn.

    Hindu groups have been pressuring authorities for weeks in Gurgaon to stop Muslims from offering Friday prayers in open spaces.

    Critics have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of oppressing minorities.

    However, Modi’s government rejects having a Hindu agenda and insists that people of all religions have equal rights.

    In September, a harrowing video went viral on social media, where Indian police officers could be seen beating Muslims in Assam. In the video, several Assam cops were beating a man with sticks even as he lay motionless on the ground.

    In October, another video went viral where a mob in India forced a Muslim woman to remove her burqa in public.

    The mob harassed the girl for wearing the burqa, after which she was forced to take it off.

    “Take the burqa off, you are giving a bad name to the nation,” one of the members from the group could be heard telling the woman.

  • ‘TLP’s actions have boosted morale of other terrorist outfits seeking to challenge state’s writ’: National Security Committee

    ‘TLP’s actions have boosted morale of other terrorist outfits seeking to challenge state’s writ’: National Security Committee

    The National Security Committee (NSC) was convened under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday.

    The NSC received a detailed briefing on the country’s internal security situation and the ongoing agitation by the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP).

    The Prime Minister stressed that “no group or entity will be allowed to cause public disruption or use violence to pressure the government”.

    Taking serious note of the unprovoked violent attacks committed by TLP members, the Committee resolved not to tolerate any further breach of law by this proscribed group.

    While emphasising that the government recognised the right of peaceful protest of all Pakistanis, NSC members were unanimous that TLP was deliberately employing violence against public property, state officials, and ordinary citizens to create instability in the country and that this shall not be tolerated.

    All organs of the state stood ready to act as per the law to protect the life and property of citizens.

    The Prime Minister and Committee members expressed condolences at the loss of life of policemen and committed to compensating and looking after their families.

    Participants decried TLP’s misuse of religion and the issue of Namoos-e-Risalat for political gains, which was misleading the common man and creating internal discord within society.

    Participants recalled that TLP had adopted the ploy of violent street agitation on numerous occasions since 2017 and made unrealistic demands each time, solely as a tool to gain political strength.

    In the process, TLP’s actions have caused public disorder, serious economic losses to the country, besides boosting the morale of other terrorist outfits seeking to challenge the state’s writ.

    The Committee unanimously resolved to guard its sovereignty from all internal and external threats and to not allow TLP to challenge the writ of the state in any way.

  • Pemra restricts all media outlets from covering banned TLP

    Pemra restricts all media outlets from covering banned TLP

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has restricted all television channels and other media outlets from covering any activity of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

    While issuing the orders in a notification, Pemra referred to the April 15 letter of the Interior Ministry, which had declared the TLP a proscribed outfit, as well as its earlier notification about banning its coverage. It was in April that Pemra first placed a ban on the TLP after it was banned by the government.

    Read more – ‘Go back or things will be out of my hands,’ Sheikh Rasheed warns TLP protesters

    The official notification says, “It is reiterated that regulation 18(h) of Pemra (Television Broadcast Station Operation) Regulation, 2012 and clause 16 of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 requires that the programmes shall conform to the laws of the country. Further, Clause 3 (3) of Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 prohibits media coverage of proscribed organisations.”

    “Keeping in view the reasons stated above, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 27 of Pemra Ordinance, 2002 as amended by Pemra Amendment Act, 2007 all satellite TV channels, FM radio stations and distribution service networks (Cobb TV Operators, IPTV) are hereby directed to stop the media coverage of proscribed organisation TLP,” read the statement.

    Read more – ‘Will not allow facts to be distorted’: TLP asks Sheikh Rasheed to reveal details of negotiations

    Currently, TLP is determined to continue with its long march to the federal capital, Islamabad.

    Recent clashes between the banned organisation and the government resulted in at least five officials’ death and more than 200 injuries.

  • ‘Go back or things will be out of my hands,’ Sheikh Rasheed warns TLP protesters

    ‘Go back or things will be out of my hands,’ Sheikh Rasheed warns TLP protesters

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, while speaking on Geo News‘ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said: “Things will be out of my hands”, adding that Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) should stick to the promises it had made with the government.

    “Your loss is the government’s loss. But we will not allow Pakistan’s loss at any cost,” the minister said, adding that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will not allow Pakistan to be held hostage by anyone.

    “Pakistan is an atomic power, therefore, internal powers are trying to weaken the country,” Rasheed maintained. “Pakistan is the defensive line of Islam.”

    The prime minister had shown as much flexibility as was possible on the matter, the minister said. He added that the government couldn’t be forced to do something.

    “Our agreement with you still stands, but if you keep moving [towards Islamabad], the government will have to establish its writ,” he said while addressing the protesters.

    “The government is being mocked across the world [for not establishing its writ],” he said, adding that “matters should not reach a point of no-return”.

    “This time, PM Imran has decided that enough is enough.”

    Commenting on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda’s statement that PM Khan was not aware of the government’s agreement with TLP, which was signed in November 2020, Rasheed said, “I have told Faisal Vawda that what you have said is wrong. The agreement I signed with TLP was in line with the Prime Minister’s directives.”

    “We are ready to go through with our agreement with the TLP,” the minister said, warning the TLP of consequences if it didn’t follow through with its commitments. “I don’t want matters to worsen, and if that happens, those out on the road would be harmed.”

  • ‘Will not allow facts to be distorted’: TLP asks Sheikh Rasheed to reveal details of negotiations

    Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has asked the Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed to reveal the negotiations [between the government and the banned organisation] saying that they will “not allow the facts to be distorted”, reports Geo News.

    The banned outfit’s spokesman Saddam Bukhari said, “One side of the picture should not be shown regarding negotiations with the government. Our only demand from day one was that the French ambassador be deported.”

    Previously, Rasheed, rejecting this demand stated, “TLP’s demand of expelling the French Embassy and ambassador has a lot of complications attached to it. We are the largest nuclear force in the Islamic world. The world is conspiring to sanction us.”

    According to Bukhari, the rest of the demands were put forward by the group due to a clash with the law enforcement agencies and claimed that the talks between the state and TLP will continue in Islamabad. Moreover, he added that their caravan is on its way to Islamabad.

    A TLP activist claimed that the protests are the beauty of democracy and that ministers should avoid bullying. According to him, they always have been peaceful but the government has always used force.

    Bukhari blamed the government for creating difficulties for the public. He also alleged that militants are those who staged a sit-in in the capital Islamabad for 126 days and attacked the Pakistan Television (PTV) and Parliament buildings.

    As per the media outlet sources, earlier, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had said that the government “will not allow violence for political purposes.”

    During the meeting, the premier was briefed on the march then the government decided not to allow protesters to march beyond Jhelum.

    Prior to this, the interior minister said that the Rangers were being called in Punjab for 60 days to maintain law and order in the province.

  • ‘PM Khan was not aware of government’s agreement with TLP in November 2020’: Faisal Vawda

    ‘PM Khan was not aware of government’s agreement with TLP in November 2020’: Faisal Vawda

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda, while speaking on Samaa News programme, ‘Nadeem Malik Live’, revealed that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was not aware of the government’s agreement with Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which was signed in November 2020.

    Faisal Vawda’s comments come in reference to the TLP announcement in November 2020 that the government accepted all its four demands and released a copy of the handwritten agreement carrying signatures of Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Qadri, then-Interior Minister Ijaz Shah, and Islamabad deputy commissioner.

    Faisal, while speaking to anchorperson Nadeem Malik, said, “PM was not informed. PM’s consent was not in this agreement. I am referring to the first agreement, I don’t know the details of the second one.”

    Malik questioned Vawda, “Why wasn’t he [PM] aware?”

    “If I have been sent for negotiations, I will do as I see fit as per the situation and inform PM later of what happened,” added Vawda.

    “This can only happen if the PM has empowered you, otherwise you can’t,” interjected Malik.

    “No, why did I go to negotiate then? If I am bogus, I cannot do anything, why did I go?” responded Vawda.

    Later, Faisal Vawda took to Twitter and said, “The ministers who went for the negotiations with the TLP should take the responsibility themselves, rather than putting it on the prime minister.”

    However, the PTI leader deleted the tweet after some time.