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.

  • FO condemns ‘malicious smear campaign against Pakistan’ by former Canadian minister

    FO condemns ‘malicious smear campaign against Pakistan’ by former Canadian minister

    The Foreign Office (FO) strongly objected to the remarks made by a former Canadian minister, saying his comments betrayed a lack of understanding of the Afghan peace process as well as showed ignorance about facts on the ground.

    In a series of tweets, the Foreign Office addressed the matter and said, “We strongly condemn the unwarranted comments by former Canadian minister Chris Alexander, making unfounded & misleading assertions about…Pakistan’s role in #AfghanPeaceProcess.”

    Chris Alexander, former Canadian minister posted on Twitter, “Taliban fighters waiting to cross the border from Pakistan to Afghanistan… anyone still denying that Pakistan is engaged in an ‘act of aggression’ against Afghanistan is complicit in proxy war & war crimes.”

    The FO also reiterated Pakistan’s policy on Afghanistan and said that international powers had begun to appreciate what Prime Minister Imran Khan had been saying for a long time. “Now when the world has acknowledged what…Pakistan & PM @ImranKhanPTI has consistently maintained abt there being no military solution to the conflict in #Afghanistan & the need for an inclusive, broad-based & comprehensive political settlement, such gratuitous commentary is deplorable,” it added.

    The FO further said that Pakistan had taken up the matter with the government of Canada. “The matter has been taken up with the Canadian side. We have urged the Canadian authorities to take steps to address this motivated and malicious smear campaign.”

  • Female politicians demand public hanging of rapists and murderers

    Female politicians demand public hanging of rapists and murderers

    Almost all the women lawmakers of the National Assembly, both from treasury and opposition benches, on Friday unanimously demanded the public hanging of all rapists, reported Dawn.

    The demand was made in the National Assembly by women members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

    Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said the government had recently passed a law against rape cases, but laws will not work alone. There is a need to change the mindset of our society about women.

    She said that the government has to protect all women as women will no more accept their humiliation and suffering.

    Mehnaz Akbar Aziz of PML-N said the killer of Noor Muqaddam must be hanged in public so that such incidents do not take place in the future.

    “If Pakistan has to be run, then rapists and killers must be hanged in public. We will not let the country be run in the way it is being run,” said PTI lawmaker Asma Qadeer who broke into tears while speaking on the floor of the house.

    Asma Qadeer talked about the rising cases of rape of women and children and the recent beheading of Noor Mukadam.

    PPP’s Shamim Ara Panhwar said that in the light of increasing incidents of child abuse and rape of women, there was no other option but to hang rapists and killers in public.

  • Mehwish Hayat set to play Benazir Bhutto in her biopic, ‘the deal is signed’

    Mehwish Hayat set to play Benazir Bhutto in her biopic, ‘the deal is signed’

    National Award-winning actress Mehwish Hayat is all set to play the role of Pakistan’s first and only female Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in her forthcoming film.

    The Load Wedding actress appeared on Geo’s ‘Aik Din Geo Ke Sath’ on which she confirmed the news that “the deal is signed”.

    A few years back the actress had shown interest in doing a biopic of the late Benazir Bhutto.

    When the host asked Mehwish if the news of her playing Benazir is true, Mehwish said, “InshAllah. It is a huge subject and a very complicated one, her story is so inspirational. [I think] that our current generation and the one that is to come, need to see her contributions, struggles, progress, her life.”

    The Jawani Phir Nahi Aani star added, “She was the first woman Prime Minister of the country. The world needs to know about her.”

    The announcement received polarizing response on social media. Benazir’s daughter, Bakhtawar, slammed the idea stating that no consent was sought from the family for the project.

    On the work front, Mehwish will be seen next in Humayun Saeed’s London Nahi Jaunga.

  • ‘Jaahil’ Sindhis, Firdous Ashiq under fire for her racist comments

    ‘Jaahil’ Sindhis, Firdous Ashiq under fire for her racist comments

    Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Punjab on Information and Culture, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the people of Sindh “are jaahil and lack political consciousness [for repeatedly electing the Pakistan People’s Party]”.

    Firdous Ashiq Awan was speaking on ARY News programme,’11 Hour’.

    Twitterati did not take the words of Firdous Awan well and criticised her remarks.

    A Twitter user wrote, “This is a common mentality of Punjab against Sindh flourished due to national exploitation and establishment’s behaviour towards two nationalities.”

    Another user said, “Sindh has a history of political awareness, democratic traditions, opposing the dictatorial rule.”

    A Twitter user reminded the government of their opinions and said, “With this mindset, If PTI believes that they can make any inroads in Sindh then they live in the fool’s paradise.”

    One man demanded an apology from Dr Firdous, saying, “It’s an insult to the Sindhis and they must demand an apology from her.”

    https://twitter.com/Dawoodk06/status/1421271911833735168

    Last month, a video of Firdous Ashiq Awan slapping PPP MNA Qadir Khan Mandokhel went viral. The incident took place off-air after the two were seen brawling with each other on Express News‘ talk show, ‘Kal Tak with Javed Chaudhry’.

  • Wildfires sweep Turkey, Pakistan extends support

    Wildfires sweep Turkey, Pakistan extends support

    Prime Minister Imran Khan and several other politicians have showed solidarity with the Turkish government over the loss of lives in Turkey as wildfires sweep the country.

    PM Khan, in his tweet, stated that Pakistan is ready to offer any help at this difficult time. “We stand with the govt & people of Turkey & share in their sorrow at the tragic loss of life in the wildfires tragedy”, he further added.

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed his grief and said, “We send our prayers & best wishes 2 our Turkish brothers & sisters as firefighters are busy putting down fire.”

    Moreover, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Quershi, tagging Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Turkey stated, “Pakistan extends support to the government of Turkey and to our Turkish brothers and sisters over the loss of lives.”

    In addition to this, PML-N’s MPA Hina Parvez Butt and PTI’s Abdul Aleem Khan have also extended their support.

    Support and help are pouring in from throughout the world as planes from Russia and Ukraine helped battle the flames.

    About 70 wildfires have broken out across 17 provinces on the country’s coasts this week resulted in four deaths and the evacuation of thousands, reports Reuters.

    #PrayforTurkey is the top trending hashtag on Twitter in Pakistan today.

  • PM Khan shares throwback childhood picture from cousin’s wedding

    PM Khan shares throwback childhood picture from cousin’s wedding

    Prime Minister Imran Khan shared a childhood picture of the wedding ceremony of his cousin, Jamshaid Burki — a former diplomat of Pakistan.

    PM Khan took to Instagram to post a picture with the caption: “Wedding of my cousin Jamshaid Burki Year 1962.”

    Earlier, the premier shared a photo of him standing with his uncle at his cousin’s wedding.

    Prime Minister keeps sharing photos from his archives with the hashtag, #MemoriesFromPast.

    Read More: PM Khan remembers his past in unseen photos

    PM Khan is very active on social media platforms with 5.1 million followers on Instagram. He also has 14 million followers on Twitter, which is the highest number of followers for any Pakistani politician.

  • Petrol price to be raised Rs1.71 per litre on Aug 1

    Petrol price to be raised Rs1.71 per litre on Aug 1

    Prime Minister Imran Khan’s aide on political communication, Dr Shahbaz Gill, announced that the government has raised the price of petrol by Rs1.71 per litre, starting August 1.

    According to Gill, the decision was made as per the recommendation of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). Petrol will consequently cost Rs119.80 per litre.

    Gill said that it was decided that the rate of high-speed diesel be kept constant, as a hike in this commodity impacts the “common man and farmers more”. Thus, diesel will continue to be priced at Rs117.53 per litre.

    Similarly, no change has been made to the price of light diesel oil.

    Meanwhile, Kerosene, starting August 1, will cost Rs0.35 dearer, at Rs85.75 per litre.

    It was rumoured that OGRA recommended a Rs1.71 per litre increase in the price of petrol and a Rs2.27 per litre increase in the price of diesel.

    Gill asked the nation to “bear in mind” that the majority of the 27 countries that have petrol prices lower than the rate in Pakistan are “self-sufficient in petroleum products”.

    “At this time, the government is collecting a nearly zero per cent tax on petroleum products,” Gill said, adding: “Right now, the whole world is in the grip of inflation due to corona.”

  • Shehbaz Sharif threatens to quit PML-N presidency

    Shehbaz Sharif threatens to quit PML-N presidency

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif has threatened to quit party leadership, reports Daily Jang.

    Shehbaz has shown anger after his strategy for the Azad Kashmir elections was ignored, resulting in the party’s loss.

    Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz has reportedly stopped his father from stepping down.

    “Hamza has also assured Shehbaz of taking up this matter with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.”

    It is also being said that PMLN-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz will remain inactive for at least one year.

    When contacted for a comment, senior PML-N leaders, chairperson Raja Zafarul Haq, secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal, spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Ata Tarrar, did not attend phone calls.

    In May, senior anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada revealed that Shehbaz Sharif wants Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz to take a backseat from political activities and stay quiet. The focus should only be on the 2023 general elections. If Nawaz agrees to give full control to Shehbaz, then he will take all Opposition parties on board. He will then also hold a dialogue with the establishment. If Nawaz does not agree, Shehbaz will quit politics. He will not take part in any political activities after that.

  • Who will be the next AJK PM?

    Who will be the next AJK PM?

     Prime Minister Imran Khan has started interviewing some of the elected members of the Azad Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly for the slot of AJK prime minister, reports Dawn. 

    Barrister Sultan Mahmood, Khawaja Farooq, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, and Azhar Sadiq had separate meetings with PM Imran.

    PM Khan is expected to announce the name of the new AJK premier before August 5.

    Speaking with Dawn,  Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said, “Yes, the prime minister has started interviews of candidates and now no one can call himself as the most favourite one.”

    Chaudhry said four to five candidates for the office of AJK premier met PM Khan on Thursday and almost the same number of people would meet him on Friday.

    “The prime minister is taking lengthy interviews of the candidates in which he is asking questions about the environment, tourism, economy, border issues, and their future plans,” he added.

    Fawad said PM Khan would also finalise the names of the president and speaker and deputy speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly.

  • Two-week lockdown likely to be imposed in Sindh

    Two-week lockdown likely to be imposed in Sindh

     A decision on whether a two-week lockdown will be imposed in Karachi or not will be taken today during the provincial task force on coronavirus meeting at the Cheif Minister (CM) House on Friday.

    The Sindh health department has recommended clamping a two-week complete lockdown to contain the spread of the pandemic in Karachi as the positivity rate has gone beyond an alarming 30 per cent in the megacity.

    Given the unsettling circumstances of the COVID-19 cases in Karachi, the task force has received a strong proposal to impose a complete lockdown in the metropolis.

    Medical experts and the health department suggested halting inter-city and intra-city commute for two weeks.

    It has been proposed that the educational institutes also remain closed for two weeks.