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.

  • Video: ‘International sadiq, ameen’, Shehbaz gives high-five to Maryam Nawaz

    Video: ‘International sadiq, ameen’, Shehbaz gives high-five to Maryam Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his niece Maryam Nawaz share a light-hearted moment.

    In the video, Shehbaz can be seen sitting in the front seat of a car with the door open. Maryam walks up to him and says: “Congratulations uncle. Allah has made you an international sadiq (honest) and ameen ( trustworthy).”

    Shehbaz laughs and the two then high-five.

    Maryam’s comments come after a United Kingdom (UK) court ordered to unfreeze Shehbaz Sharif and his family’s bank accounts for lack of evidence of corruption and money laundering.

    UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) had conducted a 17-month long probe in which it examined Shehbaz Sharif’s financial transactions over the past 20 years. It said that no evidence of money laundering or criminal activities against the PML-N president or his family was found.

  • PM Khan assures ulema that no law against Islamic guidelines will be made in his rule

    PM Khan assures ulema that no law against Islamic guidelines will be made in his rule

    Prime Minister Imran Khan during his meeting with Islamic scholars in Karachi said the controversial government bills — including one apparently addressing the issue of domestic violence and another drafted to check forced conversions — will not be enacted as they have provisions that are ‘in direct conflict with the teachings of Islam’, Ansar Abbasi reports for The News.

    Prime Minister assured the religious scholars that no such law would be enacted during his rule. The premier requested the ulema to keep him informed about any such activities so that he could intervene in time and ensure that no policy or law which conflicts with Islam is made.

    “Some non-governmental organisations are working hard to get such laws and policies legislated that promote westernisation and seriously hurt our family system and socio-religious values,” said PM Khan.

    The premier pointed out that the spread of indecency and obscenity through social media seriously threatens our family system, which must be protected.

    PM Khan also talked about the Turkish drama ‘Diriliş: Ertuğrul’
    and said that he made PTV air it. He said that it became instantly popular and broke all records.

    The premier said earlier he was being told that producing indecent and vulgar dramas and films was the only choice to make them sell and earn money. He, however, said that the Turkish drama, which shows Islamic history and has no indecent and vulgar parts, has negated this excuse of depending on vulgarity for successful productions.

    Domestic Violence Bill, is a bill that will establish an effective system of protection, relief, and rehabilitation of women, children, elders, and any vulnerable person against domestic violence.

    Forced Religious Bill, is a bill where no person shall convert or attempt to convert or abet the conversation of, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religion to another by use of force, allurement, or any fraudulent means.

  • ‘Reality of alleged video a matter between Muhammad Zubair and Allah’: Maryam Nawaz

    ‘Reality of alleged video a matter between Muhammad Zubair and Allah’: Maryam Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz, in a statement, said that the PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair has been receiving threats for a long time, reports Geo News.

    “What the reality of the alleged video is, is a matter of Muhammad Zubair and Allah but Muhammad Zubair will remain my spokesperson,” says Maryam Nawaz.

    Earlier this week, Muhammad Zubair’s leaked video, where he is allegedly seen in compromising acts with women, went viral on social media.

    The former governor of Sindh has categorically denied the video and termed it to be a “new low in politics” along with claiming that the video is “fake and doctored”.

    “Whoever is behind this has done an extremely poor and shameful act. I have served my country with honesty, integrity and commitment. Will continue to raise my voice for betterment of Pakistan,” Zubair wrote on Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/Real_MZubair/status/1442237405432463364
  • ‘Ongoing negotiations between US and Pak for airspace’: US General

    ‘Ongoing negotiations between US and Pak for airspace’: US General

    The United States Central Command (Centcom) Chief, General Frank McKenzie said that the United States (US) and Pakistan were involved in ongoing negotiations over the use of a vital air corridor to access Afghanistan, reports Dawn.

    “Over the last 20 years we’ve been able to use what we call the air boulevard to go in over western Pakistan and that’s become something that’s vital to us, as well as certain landlines of communication,” he said.

    “And we’ll be working with the Pakistanis in the days and weeks ahead to look at what that relationship is going to look like in the future.”

    “We estimated an accelerated withdrawal would increase risks of regional instability, the security of Pakistan, and its nuclear arsenals,” Chairman of the Joint Chief General Mark Milley told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

    “We need to fully examine the role of Pakistan sanctuary,” the general said.

    “I believe Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban is going to become significantly more complicated as a result of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan,” said General McKenzie.

    However, in June, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, Pakistan will “absolutely not” allow the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to use bases on its soil for cross-border counter-terrorism missions after American forces withdraw from Afghanistan.

  • Environmental activist Greta Thunberg mocks world leaders for being ‘blah, blah, blah’ on climate action

    Environmental activist Greta Thunberg mocks world leaders for being ‘blah, blah, blah’ on climate action

    Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg mocked and criticised world leaders — including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister (PM) Boris Johnson — over their promises to address the climate emergency, dismissing them as “blah, blah, blah”.

    While addressing the Youth4Climate summit in Milan, she said, “When I say climate change, what do you think of? I think jobs. Green jobs. Green jobs,” referring to Biden’s speeches on the climate crisis.

    Referring to a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron, she said, “We must find a smooth transition towards a low carbon economy. There is no Planet B. There is no Planet Blah. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.”

    She quoted statements by Boris Johnson: “This is not some expensive, politically correct, green act of bunny hugging”, and PM Narendra Modi’s: “Fighting climate change calls for innovation, cooperation and willpower” but said that science did not lie.

    “Build back better. Blah, blah, blah. Green economy. Blah blah blah. Net zero by 2050. Blah, blah, blah. This is all we hear from our so-called leaders. Words that sound great but so far have not led to action. Our hopes and ambitions drown in their empty promises,” she added.

    https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg/status/1442860615941468161?s=20

    Climate justice activist Vanessa Nakate from Uganda, Thunberg and hundreds of other young people from across the world attended the summit. The event was held two days before dozens of ministers gather in Milan for a meeting before the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow at the end of October, reports CNN.

    Greta is an 18-year-old young environmental activist who became famous in 2018 when she skipped school for a strike against climate change.

  • Captain Safdar on ‘video leaks’, urges people with films ‘to own it’

    Captain Safdar on ‘video leaks’, urges people with films ‘to own it’

    Journalist Gharidah Farooqi shared a video of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, Captain Safdar, on Twitter, where Safdar is seen commenting on ‘video leaks’.

    The date of the video is unclear but talking to The Current, Farooqi said, “even if old, it’s most relevant today”.

    In the video, Captain Safdar said, “Don’t be scared people, films [compromising videos] will not do anything.”

    “A film has been made on everyone once in their life. Say it with courage, yes there is a film, own it and ask [them to] bring it on, and then everyone will sit calmly,” said Safdar.

    Earlier this week, PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair’s leaked video, where he is allegedly seen in compromising acts with women, went viral on social media.

    The former governor of Sindh categorically denied the video and termed it to be a “new low in politics” along with claiming that the video is “fake and doctored”.

  • US wants to investigate Pakistan’s role in Taliban takeover of Afghanistan

    US senators have introduced a bill in the US Senate calling for an investigation into the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan and those groups, and people, who helped oust the Ashraf Ghani-led government, Geo News has reported.The bill was presented by 22 Republican senators.

    The ‘Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act’ also seeks to establish a task force that will focus on continued evacuation of American citizens, legal permanent residents and Special Immigrant Visa holders from Afghanistan.

    The presented bill states that the “support by state and non-state actors, including the Government of Pakistan, for the Taliban between 2001 and 2020, provision of sanctuary space, financial support, intelligence support, logistics and medical support, training, equipping, and tactical, operational, or strategic direction” should be investigated.

    The bill also seeks to investigate the support provided to Taliban allegedly by non-state actors and the government of Pakistan into the Panjshir Valley operation by the Taliban. The bill further seeks to place restrictions on non-humanitarian foreign assistance to Afghanistan.

    Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, while reacting to the bill, tweeted, “So again Pak will be made to pay heavy price 4 being an ally of US in its War on Terror.”

  • ‘Photoshopped image’, New York Times issues correction about PM Modi’s fake picture

    ‘Photoshopped image’, New York Times issues correction about PM Modi’s fake picture

    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s ‘fake image’ started doing the rounds on social media.

    In the picture, which seems to be a cover photo for the New York Times (NYT), Modi can be seen writing something. The headline of the cover photo glorifying Narendra Modi is, “LAST, BEST HOPE OF EARTH”.

    Indian and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) followers shared the fake image so many times that the New York Times had to give a clarification.

    Taking to Twitter, NYT wrote, “This is a completely fabricated image, one of many in circulation featuring Prime Minister Modi.”

    “Resharing or circulating photoshopped images online only adds to misinformation and uncertainty, at a time when truthful, trusted journalism is needed most,” read the statement.

    Twitterati reacted to the fake image even more after the clarification was issued.

    Columnist and writer, Ashok Swain tweeted, “Nothing hurts when you have no shame left!”

    https://twitter.com/ashoswai/status/1442958821031174151

    Indian journalist, Rana Ayyub took to Twitter and wrote, “What an embarrassment !! If nothing, the photoshop skills of our politicians is making international news.”

    Congressman Saral Patel tagging PM Modi on Twitter wrote, “One more feather in @narendramodi’s hat.”

    Journalist Swati Chaturvedi tweeted, “I feel embarrassed as an Indian at this persistent fakery is @narendramodi embarrassed or not?”

    A Twitter user wrote, “Modi has made India the laughing stock of the world, with his IT Cell !!”

  • Taliban ban women from teaching, attending Kabul University until Islamic environment is created

    Taliban ban women from teaching, attending Kabul University until Islamic environment is created

    Newly Taliban-appointed Kabul University Chancellor Mohammad Ashraf Ghairat announced that women would be banned from the institution either as instructors or students.

    In a tweet, Ghairat said, ” I give you my words as the chancellor of Kabul University, as long as a real Islamic environment is not provided for all, women will not be allowed to come to universities or work. Islam first.”

    https://twitter.com/MAshrafGhairat/status/1442385192824487937?s=20

    While speaking with New York Times, one female lecturer said, “Presidents, teachers, engineers and even mullahs are trained here and gifted to society. Kabul University is the home to the nation of Afghanistan.”

    Earlier, the chancellor tweeted in Pashto that the university was working on a plan to accommodate teaching female students.

    “Due to shortage of female lecturers, we are working on a plan for male lecturers to be able to teach female students from behind a curtain in the classroom. That way an Islamic environment would be created for the female students to get an education,” he wrote.

    https://twitter.com/MAshrafGhairat/status/1442127895204442112?s=20

    Upon this Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid said that the ban on women would stay until there is a safer transportation system and an environment where female students are protected.

    The Taliban replaced the previous serving president of the university with Mr. Ghairat, a 34-year-old devotee of the movement who has referred to the country’s schools as “centers for prostitution,” reports CNN.

    Thousands of public university students are staying home. The American University in Afghanistan, in which the U.S. invested over a hundred million dollars has been abandoned completely and taken over by the Taliban.

  • Govt vs PML-N: Clash over UK’s unfreezing of Shehbaz’s accounts

    Govt vs PML-N: Clash over UK’s unfreezing of Shehbaz’s accounts

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have said that the government’s claims that it was not involved or pursuing the money laundering cases against PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif have been exposed. 

    Addressing a press conference, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said, “The government had embarrassed itself in front of the world with the National Crime Agency (NCA) probe.”

    “The standard set by this government, when it comes to lying, is totally unique. The prime minister of this country, in his own office, creates an Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) that has no legal basis. And what has that ARU done?” Abbasi questioned. 

    “Time and again, the NCA told the court that it has the complete support and cooperation of the Pakistani government and its agencies,” added Abbasi.

    PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said the government is failing the masses as it is busy registering fake cases against the Opposition. “However, your failure is becoming a matter of life and death for the public,” he said.

    PML-N leader Atta Tarar on Tuesday shared on Twitter the letter written by the office of the prime minister’s adviser on accountability to the NCA in the UK.

    “For [three] years [you] have levelled false allegations; ARU’s letter to NCA written on December 11, 2019, by your office is attached,” Tarar wrote, addressing Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar, whose office had sent the letter to NCA.

    However, in a virtual press conference on Tuesday, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar pointed out that there was no asset freezing order (AFO) against Shehbaz in the UK.

     He also shared the document on Twitter and said: “Cheap tricks won’t work. Shehbaz still need[s] to answer in courts in Pakistan.”