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.

  • ‘Set Election Commission on fire,’ PTI’s Azam Swati accuses ECP of taking bribes

    ‘Set Election Commission on fire,’ PTI’s Azam Swati accuses ECP of taking bribes

    Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati on Friday accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of taking bribes and being on the payroll of ‘someone’.

    Swati said that the ECP was responsible for destroying Pakistan’s democracy and for rigging all elections. Swati added that such institutions should be “set on fire”. This happened when the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs met today to vote on two key election bills.

    When the meeting started, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said that the government would like to respond to the ECP’s 37 objections to the proposed introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs). While Awan was giving the government’s answers point-by-point to the ECP’s objections, suddenly Azam Swati interjected and accused the ECP of taking money. Opposition members present in the meeting strongly objected to this accusation and protested.

    As the Opposition members were protesting, ECP representatives present in the meeting all got up and said that they will not tolerate such behaviour and are boycotting the meeting. ECP representatives then walked out.

    Chair Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs Senator Taj Haider asked a few Opposition members to go and talk to the ECP representatives so as to bring them back to the meeting. By the time Senator Kamran Murtaza went to bring them back, the ECP delegation had left the building.

    Meanwhile, Azam Swati kept hurling accusations at the ECP even after the constitutional body’s representatives had left. Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and other Opposition members condemned Swati’s remarks and said that he cannot accuse a constitutional body of taking bribes, and asked for proof.

    Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar asked Swati: “Kis se paisay pakrray hain ECP ne? Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) se ya Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) se?”

    [Translation: Tell us who has given money to the ECP? PPP or PML-N?]

    Swati and Khokhar then had a heated exchange.

    “I told Swati that the government should stop browbeating the ECP. It is a constitutional body. How can the government accuse a body of taking bribes without any proof — only because the ECP does not agree with the government on EVMs? Such accusations are shameful,” Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar told The Current. Senator Khokhar added that the government must apologise to the ECP.

    After things calmed down, Babar Awan asked for permission to continue with his answers to the ECP objections. He was then told that since the ECP members are not present anymore, he cannot continue in their absence. The standing committee then decided to vote on the amendments but the government raised objections as Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri was not present in the meeting. Due to her absence, the Opposition members were in majority today. The government asked that she should be allowed to vote via video link.

    According to sources, Senator Zehri had missed her flight from Karachi in the morning. The government wanted to delay the voting till she could take a flight and reach Islamabad after the Friday prayers. It should be noted that Senator Samina Zehri had been included in the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs by Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani in order to tilt the balance towards the government in the Senate panel, as per Dawn.

    The Senate panel rejected the government’s proposed amendments but the government members walked out and did not take part in the voting process and walked out.

    Babar Awan tweeted that the government will get the two election bills passed through a joint session of parliament.

  • ‘You are lucky you weren’t beheaded’, Journalists open up about Taliban beatings

    Adding to a list of Taliban atrocities, two Afghan Journalists were left with immense bruises in Kabul. Their crime: covering protests in the Afghan capital.

    According to Taqi Daryabi and his colleague Nematullah Naqdi, of the daily newspaper Etilaat Roz (Information Daily), the Taliban separated them into two rooms, insulted, and flogged them with cables after accusing them of organising the protest as per Agence France-Presse (AFP).

    https://twitter.com/lnajafizada/status/1435818054332653576?s=21

    The two were reporting on a protest by women demanding the right to work and education in front of a police station.

    Naqdi said he was stopped by a Taliban fighter as soon as he started taking pictures.

    “They told me that you cannot film’,” he told AFP. Moreover he said that Taliban fighters insulted him and kicked him in the head and that a Taliban fighter placed his foot on his head and crushed his face against the concrete. When he was asked why he was being beaten, he was told, “you are lucky you weren’t beheaded.”

    Zaki Daryabi, the daily newspaper publisher told Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ) via phone that the Taliban subjected the reporters to severe physical abuse that he described as “torture” for four hours that each lost consciousness at least four times in custody. However, CPJ could not independently confirm allegations of torture.

    According to the BBC, their journalists were also prevented from filming. Not only this, Al-Jazeera reported that three of their reporters said that Taliban fighters pushed, slapped them and took their belongings.

    Over the last days, the Taliban detained and later released at least 14 journalists covering protests against the group, At least nine of these journalists were subject to violence during their detention.

  • He’s not coming back yet, PML-N backtracks on Nawaz return

    He’s not coming back yet, PML-N backtracks on Nawaz return

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will only return to Pakistan “when doctors will give a clean bill of health allowing him to travel and when the party decides”.

    PML-N leader Mian Javed Latif claimed on Thursday that Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan this year.

    Mian Javed Latif talked to the media after he appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Lahore. He claimed that Nawaz Sharif will come to Pakistan this year. He added that those who disqualified Nawaz also realised that there was no option except to have him back.

    “Those who had brought him the third time will allow Nawaz Sharif to be elected prime minister for the fourth time,” Latif said.

    “Those who had expelled him from government knowing that only he can guide the country out of these problems,” PML-N leader said.

    Nawaz has been living in London since November 2019 after he was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment.

  • Justice Ayesha not elevated to the Supreme Court

    The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has not approved the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik as a Supreme Court (SC) judge.

    “As a lawyer, I feel that the JCP needed to set a transparent criteria for appointment, failing which has resulted in what we have seen today. And I feel that the more unstructured this becomes, more transparency is lost within the judicial system,” lawyer Noor Ejaz told The Current.

    “As a woman, I am disappointed. Women in law have rarely been given high ranks without being under strict scrutiny. I hope Justice Ayesha serves as the CJ of the Lahore High Court and is elevated to the Supreme Court soon and I hope the JCP implements a structure so that other women can aspire towards higher office without fearing how discretion might treat them,” added Noor Ejaz

    “It is a dark day because first-time nominee of a woman judge’s elevation to the Supreme Court could not be approved,” senior journalist Hasnaat Malik told The Current.

    He also added that if Justice Ayesha is not elevated to the SC, then she will become Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court. “Justice Ayesha’s name can be initiated anytime for the SC,” said Hasnaat.

    Read more- In-depth analysis: Everything you need to know about Justice Ayesha Malik’s SC appointment

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) welcomed the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. However, lawyers across the country recorded their protest today.

    As per the Lahore High Court website, Justice Ayesha Malik completed her education from Paris and New York and did her Senior Cambridge from the Karachi Grammar School in Karachi. She did her A-Levels from the Francis Holland School for Girls in London. She assumed office in March 2012

  • ‘Puppet PM will lose the govt if we get rid of puppet Buzdar in Punjab’:Bilawal

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Prime Minister Imran Khan himself will lose the government if the Opposition de-seats puppet Cheif Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar in Punjab.

    Addressing a gathering in Rahim Yar Khan, Bilawal reiterated that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) needs to understand the role of the Opposition. He said that his party is doing its part and that the PML-N will need to topple the government by sending both PM Khan and Buzdar home.

    Criticising the PML-N, Bilawal said, “It is not possible that you talk about ‘vote ko izzat do’ [give respect to the vote] and run away the moment one has to use the power of the vote.”

    “It is not possible that you [PML-N] talk about respecting the vote and then you boycott the by-elections and the Senate elections. Because of you, people are angry with us as well. If you talk about respecting the power of the vote, then you need to start practicing that power yourself as well,” said Bilawal.

    “I urge you [PML-N] to get courage, work together, think about the people, don’t think about ego or personal preferences. We need to save Punjab together,” said Bilawal reminding the PML-N that if they are not ready, the people will not forgive them.

    “When we were with you [PML-N], you used to say that nothing can happen without resignation. I challenge you here to work with us or start implementing your own words and resign,” added Bilawal.

    Bilawal said, “You [PML-N] will have to do either of the two things, otherwise the people of Punjab will know that you are neither revolutionary nor ready for reconciliation but a hypocrite.”

    “The people of Punjab will reject the politics of hypocrites. We politely tried to explain to you but now we will show you how things are done through our hard work and political acumen and hold PM Khan accountable,” said Bilawal accusing the PML-N of being a facilitator of the government.

    Bilawal Bhutto claimed that the PPP will form the government in the Centre and provinces.

  • CIA chief meets Gen Bajwa, evolving situation in Afghanistan discussed

    CIA chief meets Gen Bajwa, evolving situation in Afghanistan discussed

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa along with Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed held a meeting with Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Joseph Burns.

    During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, and the current situation in Afghanistan were discussed, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

    “It was reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to cooperating with its international partners for peace in the region and ensuring a stable and prosperous future for [the] Afghan people,” the ISPR said.

    The CIA chief appreciated Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan, including the successful evacuation operation, efforts for regional stability, and pledged to play a role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.

  • Afghan journalist confuses Aamir Liaquat as dead Pak Army soldier in Panjshir

    Afghan journalist confuses Aamir Liaquat as dead Pak Army soldier in Panjshir

    An Afghan journalist, Noor Quraishi, claimed that Pakistani commando Colonel Adil was killed in Panjshir Valley and shared a picture of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Aamir Liaquat.

    He shared the picture on his Twitter account, claiming that he [Amir Liaqat] was killed in the clashes with anti-Taliban forces. His tweet translated to, “The first casualty of Pakistani commandos: Colonel Adil died during the fighting in Panjshir.”

    Shortly after the tweet, netizens started mocking the journalist for a faux pas.

    Fake and misleading news regarding Pakistan’s involvement in Taliban takeover in Afghanistan has been making rounds on social media.

    Earlier, a Twitter user had shared a picture of a fighter jet, claiming that a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) plane was shot down in Afghanistan’s Panjshir valley. Later, a fact check by Dawn showed that the picture is actually from 2018 in the United States.

    Apart from this, Indian News Channels, Republic TV and Zee Hindustan, ran footage from a video game Arma-3 as visuals stating that it was the PAF attacking the anti-Taliban fighters.

  • Taliban announce interim cabinet, Mullah Hasan Akhund to lead new Taliban government

    Taliban announce interim cabinet, Mullah Hasan Akhund to lead new Taliban government

    Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday announced members of the new interim government in Afghanistan.

    Afghanistan will be led by Mohammad Hasan Akhund while the group’s co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar will be the deputy Afghan leader.

    Taliban’s deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani will be the acting interior minister, political chief Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai will be the deputy foreign minister and Mullah Yaqoob will be the defence minister, he added. Mullah Yaqoob is Mullah Omar’s son.

    Qari Fasihuddin will be the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Mullah Abdul Haq Wasiq head of National Directorate of Security (NDS).

    The heads of various other ministries will be appointed soon, Mujahid added.

    The heads of various other ministries will be appointed soon, Mujahid added.

    The Taliban spokesperson said Afghanistan had “gained freedom”, stressing that “only the will of Afghans” will be applicable in the country.

    “After today, no one will be able to interfere in Afghanistan,” he emphasised.

  • CM Buzdar’s recommendation appointed as seventh IGP, fifth Punjab chief secretary

    CM Buzdar’s recommendation appointed as seventh IGP, fifth Punjab chief secretary

    The federal cabinet has approved the appointment of Kamran Ali Afzal as the Punjab chief secretary and Sardar Ali Khan as Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) with immediate effect, reported Dawn.

    Afzal is the fifth Punjab chief secretary while Khan is the seventh IGP during the three years of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

    According to official sources, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had recommended three names each for the new Punjab chief secretary and the IGP to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    For the chief secretary, CM Buzdar had reportedly recommended the names of Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera, Afzal, and Babar Hayat Tarrar and for IGP his picks were Khan, Zafar Iqbal and Mohsin Butt.

  • ‘Justice is necessary to uplift the common person’: PM Khan

    ‘Justice is necessary to uplift the common person’: PM Khan

    Addressing a ceremony at the groundbreaking of the Islamabad District Courts’ building on Tuesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “Justice is necessary to uplift the common person.”

    “If you want to uplift the common person […] then it is necessary to provide them justice as well and a society becomes free when it gets justice,” said PM Khan.

    PM Khan attributed Pakistan’s decline to a lack of rule of law.

    “Whatever banana republics are there aren’t because of lack of resources but because of the rule of power instead of rule of law,” he said, adding that “two Pakistans” were created in the country with different treatment between the people.

    “The biggest injustice Gen Musharraf did to the country was giving NRO,” the premier said, adding that Musharraf didn’t have a right to give NRO to the powerful because the looted money was not his but the nation’s.

    “Only a society that upholds the rule of law is prosperous,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said.

    “I was saying 25 years ago that the country can only progress when the courts are free,” he added.