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.

  • Shehbaz ‘endorses national dialogue’ in meeting with govt ally

    Shehbaz ‘endorses national dialogue’ in meeting with govt ally

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif is in favour of a dialogue with the government instead of mass resignations and long marches, said a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) after a meeting with him in prison.

    Muhammad Ali Durrani, the PML-F secretary general, called on Shehbaz at Kot Lakhpat Jail to hold “fruitful discussions” on the political scenario of the country. Durrani, who is an ally of the government, said he visited the PML-N chief on the directions of his party president Pir Sibghatullah because the “political leadership of the country wanted to see the nation united”.

    He said the purpose of this visit was to assert the need for talks, functioning of parliament, and end a deadlock between the opposition and the government to avert en masse resignations and march on Islamabad. He told reporters that they also discussed the union of all factions of the Muslim League.

    According to Durrani, the factions of the Pakistan Muslim League and the like-minded people should join hands — a suggestion endorsed by Shehbaz.

    He also said that his visit to the jail was for a “national cause” and he met Shehbaz, not other party leaders, because he was the “president”. In an apparent reference to Maryam Nawaz, who is the de-facto president of the PML-N, Durrani said at this point there was no need to meet “sidekicks” as Shehbaz will soon have the control of his party.

    The PML-N president, who represents the moderate group in the party, is in prison over graft charges. In his absence, the party is being run by Maryam Nawaz.

  • Middle East Monitor apologises for report on Zulfi Bukhari; Israel confirms ‘no ties with Pakistan’

    Middle East Monitor apologises for report on Zulfi Bukhari; Israel confirms ‘no ties with Pakistan’

    Not-for-profit press monitoring organisation Middle East Monitor has apologised for a report claiming that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s aide Zulfi Bukhari visited Israel, whereas a minister in Tel Aviv has also clarified that the country in Asia that could soon normalise relations with his country is not Pakistan.

    As per the details, Bukhari, who is the premier’s special assistant on overseas Pakistanis, tweeted some documents, including a letter by the news media outlet wherein it had categorically acknowledged the reporting error and apologised.

    “We have removed the offending item,” the letter read, saying that it had been sourced from several foreign media outlets.

    “We accept Mr Bukhari’s refutation of the claims made in the report and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience it has caused,” concluded the letter dated December 23.

    The development was followed by an Israeli cabinet minister also confirming that there was a fifth Muslim-majority country in Asia that was likely to soon normalise relations with Tel Aviv, but it was not Islamabad.

    Speaking to the Israeli news outlet Ynet TV, Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis acknowledged that there is a potential for two more countries to normalise relations with Israel. He predicted that “there will be an American announcement about another country that is going public with the normalisation of relations with Israel and, in essence, with the infrastructure for an accord — a peace accord”.

    One of those countries is reportedly in the Gulf, but he ruled out Saudi Arabia, therefore leaving many to believe it could be Oman. The other country is further to the east of Israel towards Asia, and is a “Muslim country that is not small”.

    Okif dismissed the possibility of it being Pakistan, however, which many have suspected following PM Imran Khan admitting that “friendly” nations had been pressuring Islamabad to establish diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv.

    Those “friendly” nations are thought to be Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly after Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told the UAE earlier this week that the country “will not and cannot establish a relationship with Israel until a concrete and permanent solution to the Palestine issue is found”.

    The attributes described by Okif leave Afghanistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh as the only remaining Muslim-majority countries that are “not small” and do not already have open ties with Israel.

  • PM paid Rs1.2m fine for regularisation of Banigala house

    PM paid Rs1.2m fine for regularisation of Banigala house

    Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a fine to the tune of Rs1.2million to get his 300-kanal residence in Banigala, Islamabad, approved by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) under the new bylaws.

    It was approved under the amended regulation on March 5 this year but was not disclosed publicly. The Islamabad Capital Territory Residential Sectors Zoning (Building Control) Regulations 2020 were finalised by a commission constituted by the cabinet in Dec 2018 for revision of Islamabad’s master plan, according to a report in Dawn.

    However, the master plan was supposed to be revised by a consultant firm, which hasn’t happened as of yet.

    As per CDA, the residence is situated in sub-zone B of zone IV, where construction took place without permission but “falls in the permissible area” where houses can be regularised.

    The CDA officials said the move was not “discriminatory treatment” and complied with the new bylaws.

     According to the CDA officials, the house was regularised only after the PM fulfilled all the requirements for its legalisation. The approval letter issued by the CDA said that the PM “paid Rs1.206 million to the CDA on account of approval charges and scrutiny fee”.

    “CDA is pleased to approve the building plans for the building be constructed on Khasra No. 1939, Khewat no, 960, Khatooni no, 1652,1654,1656,1658,1660 & 1674 Mouza Mohra Noor, Islamabad,” read the approval letter quoted by the newspaper.

  • ‘Pakistan, Israel on cusp of making ‘secret ties’ official,’ claims journalist Ahmed Quraishi

    ‘Pakistan, Israel on cusp of making ‘secret ties’ official,’ claims journalist Ahmed Quraishi

    Amid controversial reports that Pakistan was mulling to establish ties with Israel, Pakistani journalist Ahmed Quraishi claimed that Pakistan and Israel are on the “cusp of making their decades-old secret ties public” by the establishment of the diplomatic ties on the official level.

    Pakistan has repeatedly denied the existence of ties with Israel and called such reports “baseless”. It says that there will be no normalisation of ties with Tel Aviv till the resolution of the Palestinian issue.

    Speaking to an Israeli TV channel, Quraishi said that he knew “for a fact that it was just a matter of time” before the two countries announced the formation of the ties.

    “It is a long history that goes back at least quarter of a century,” he said, adding that Islamabad and Tel Aviv have cooperated on international forum even though they do not enjoy official relations.

    He said that Pakistan and Israel don’t have any sort of “strategic conflict”, adding that because of the Palestinian issue their relationship is “suffering”. He also called it a “story of missed opportunities”.

    In 2005, the governments of both countries “established a very public, formal, political, and diplomatic contact in Ankara” that was mediated by then prime minister of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan.

    He said then president Gen Pervez Musharraf also called for a dialogue between the Jewish people and Muslims, adding that it was time to “revive” that.

    In response to question, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan is probably open to this idea, but he is caught up in the religious-dominated politics over the past few years. “I think he needs a little push to take this step,” the journalist claimed, adding that this push can from “within the country” or some friendly country can ask him to take this step.

    “The PM must be weighing his options, given Pakistan and Israel have same friends –the US, Gulf countries, Turkey, China, Nato, Azerbaijan — and share similar views on many security issues, e.g. Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict,” he added.

    In a recent interview with a TV channel, PM Imran denied all reports regarding talks of setting up ties with Israel. “Pakistan will refuse to recognise Israel until Palestinian rights are guaranteed,” he told the interviewer.

    “Pakistan is a democratic society — and our entire nation stands with the Palestinians,” he had said, denying reports of a meeting between his adviser and Israeli officials. “Why would anyone go from Pakistan when it’s our policy that we don’t recognize Israel?” he had questioned.

    “What’s a minister going to do there? This is absolutely fake news.”

  • Firdous says ‘ready for boxing match’ with Maryam Nawaz

    Firdous says ‘ready for boxing match’ with Maryam Nawaz

    Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that she was ready to have a boxing match with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz.

    In a press conference in Lahore alongside British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan, Firdous said she was ready to fight anyone.

    “I want to have a match with people who will come up to my level,” said the Punjab CM’s aide. At this, Amir Khan, who is in Pakistan on a visit, challenged the politician to defeat Maryam Nawaz in a boxing match. Firdous accepted the challenge, likening the PML-N vice president to a “broiler chicken”.

    The comments by Firdous irked the PML-N. “Baji, you’re quite aware that she is a Rajkumari,” PML-N’s Azma Bokhari tweeted in reply to Firdous’s comments. “Also, she is protecting the masses from your punches of inflation, unemployment and corruption.”

    Earlier this month, Firdous Ashiq Awan broke a stack of tiles with a punch, saying it was her response to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). “The PDM has been throwing punches at Imran Khan’s government, so now this was her response to them,” she had said.

    “I was afraid that I would be made fun of in front of the media if I don’t punch through [the tiles],” she said. “I don’t know Karate nor have I ever done anything like this. Of course, my knuckles were in severe pain… they aren’t made of steel after all,” she told Samaa TV in a subsequent interview.

  • Indian troops target UN vehicle from across LOC: ISPR

    Indian troops target UN vehicle from across LOC: ISPR

    The Indian Army has deliberately targeted a United Nations (UN) vehicle carrying military observers along the Line of Control (LoC), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said.

    ISPR tweeted that the Indian Army resorted to unprovoked firing in Chirikot sector of the LoC and “deliberately targeted a UN vehicle with two military observers on board”. “The military observers were en route to interact with victims of the ceasefire violations (CFVs) in Polas village in Chirikot sector,” it added.

    UN vehicles are clearly recognisable due to their distinct make and type and clearly visible markings, but they were still targetted. “While the vehicle was damaged, the two UNMOs luckily remained unharmed. They were safely rescued and evacuated by the Pakistan Army to Rawalakot,” the ISPR said.

    According to the ISPR, “Such illegal and unlawful acts against all established international norms, signify malintent of the Indian Army to target not only innocent civilians residing along the Line of Control but also the UN peacekeepers.”

    “This act only goes to show the Indian army’s complete disregard to principles enshrined in UN charter. It is indeed a new low for Indian Army,” it added.

    The media wing said that Pakistan Army stands in solidarity with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India And Pakistan (UNMOGIP) officials and appreciates the selfless services rendered by all members of UNMOGIP in the discharge of their UN-mandated duties.

    Yesterday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that India was planning to undertake a surgical strike against Pakistan to divert the attention of the world from its worsening domestic situation.

    Addressing a press conference in Abu Dhabi, Qureshi had said that India’s irrational approach was driven by its frustration emanating from internal unrest due to the RSS-BJP regime’s policies.

    “India is planning a false flag operation … we are well aware of the Indian designs. We have intelligence reports about a potential false flag operation,” the FM said. “I want to share all this information with the UAE government and the rest of the world,” Qureshi had added.

  • Qureshi in UAE: India planning ‘surgical strike’ against Pakistan, says FM

    Qureshi in UAE: India planning ‘surgical strike’ against Pakistan, says FM

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said India was planning to undertake a surgical strike against Pakistan to divert the attention of the world from its worsening domestic situation.

    Addressing a press conference in Abu Dhabi, Qureshi said that India’s irrational approach was driven by its frustration emanating from internal unrest due to the RSS-BJP regime’s policies.

    “India is planning a false flag operation … we are well aware of the Indian designs. We have intelligence reports about a potential false flag operation,” the FM said. “I want to share all this information with the UAE government and rest of the world,” Qureshi added.

    “Pakistan is a peaceful country, but it would give a befitting response in case India tried a military misadventure,” he warned. “We will do it […] as we did respond immediately and effectively in February 2019,” he added.

    Qureshi urged upon the world to take notice of India, which was playing a “dangerous game of targeting peace in the region”.

    He said the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir had further deteriorated due to India’s oppression of Kashmiri people.

    He also mentioned the country-wide protest of Indian farmers and mishandling of coronavirus pandemic, that led to the agitation of citizens against the incumbent BJP government.

    Qureshi mentioned that Pakistan had exposed the nefarious designs of India to create instability and presented before the world the credible evidence in this regard.

    He said the Indian Chronicles report by EU DisInfo Lab was proof that India was misusing the platforms of international bodies, such as the United Nations and the European Union.

    The FM is on a visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he held meeting with his counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

    The FM said he held a wide-ranging meeting with his Emirati counterpart and discussed issues of bilateral importance. He said Pakistan and the UAE enjoyed close relations and stood by each other in difficult times.

  • Only Allah can bring Nawaz Sharif back: interior minister

    Only Allah can bring Nawaz Sharif back: interior minister

    As the debate surrounding convicted former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif’s extradition to Pakistan from the United Kingdom (UK) intensifies, Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed has said that “only Allah can bring Nawaz back to Pakistan”.

    Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, the minister said that the current government could bring neither Nawaz nor former finance minister Ishaq Dar back to Pakistan because there existed no extradition treaty between the two countries.

    “Now, only Allah can bring them back,” he said while speaking of the former chief executive of the country, Nawaz, and his finance minister, Dar.

    Dar had left the country for “medical treatment” in the midst of investigations by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against him, whereas his ex-boss, ailing Nawaz, had left the country after bail on medical grounds while serving a jail term.

    While the government has been trying its best to bring the two back, they have managed to remain in London and appear on talk shows or at anti-government public gatherings via video link.

    Earlier this week, it was reported by a local English daily that British Home Secretary Priti Patel had written to PM Imran Khan’s adviser on accountability, Shahzad Akbar, pointing out that the UK government was subject to international law in the case of Nawaz.

    The home secretary had reportedly confirmed that the British government would give Pakistan’s extradition request full attention under the provision of UK law if a formal request were received. At the same time, Patel had stressed that the UK was subject to international law and could not go against the established legal principles.

    The report had quoted sources as saying that Pakistan had asked for the deportation of Nawaz in a letter sent via British High Commission but a formal extradition request had not been filed. The home secretary’s letter to Pakistan meant that the UK would not consider deporting Nawaz, acting on the deportation request made by Pakistan.

  • Impossible to conduct Senate polls via ‘show of hands’, says attorney general

    Impossible to conduct Senate polls via ‘show of hands’, says attorney general

    Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan has said that the government cannot hold the Senate election via ‘show of hands’ as it is not possible to conduct the polls through such an exercise.

    The top lawyer said that the government does want to abolish the secret ballot system, but it will bring in an ‘open ballot’ system for free and fair elections instead of opting for the ‘show of hands’ method being reported by the media.

    The comments from AG Khan came amid reports that the government has decided to approach the Supreme Court for advice on the issue. It was being reported that the government would seek the top court’s help and introduce the ‘show of hand’ system in the elections.

    On Tuesday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said that the government was striving to make the Senate elections “free and fair”.

    “Controversies have always surrounded the Senate elections. It is such an old practice that it is assumed that in the elections, [horse trading] will surely take place,” he had said.

    He said the government has decided to move the apex court regarding the reforms in Senate elections. “The government seeks an election that is conducted through a “show of hands”, Faraz had said, adding that the government expects to get guidance from the SC long before the elections.

    “This is in favour of all parties,” he had said.

    The opposition, however, opposes the idea. It claims that the government’s decision to hold the Senate polls a month early reeks of a “conspiracy”.

    Maryam Nawaz, the PML-N vice president, has said that the party didn’t oppose the open ballot system, but it would resist the change of the elections’ date.

  • ‘Dear Mian Sahib’: Modi’s letter to Nawaz emerges

    ‘Dear Mian Sahib’: Modi’s letter to Nawaz emerges

    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi wrote a letter to former premier Nawaz Sharif to offer his condolences after the death of the latter’s mother Begum Shamim Akhtar, it has emerged.

    Begum Shamim passed away last month.

    The letter, dated November 27, was delivered to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad last week. Charge d’ Affairs of Indian High Commission Gaurav Ahluwalia asked her to convey the letter to her father Nawaz.

    In the letter itself, Modi shared a personal memory of meeting Sharif’s late mother during his visit to Jati Umra residence back in 2015.

    “I am deeply saddened to learn about the demise of your mother Begum Shamim Akhtar on November 22 in London. My heartfelt condolences are with you in this hour of intense grief,” wrote the Indian premier.

    “I recall my interaction with her during my brief visit to Lahore in 2015. Her simplicity and warmth was indeed very touching,” Modi wrote, expressing his personal bond with the Sharif family.

    “In this moment of profound grief, I pray to the Almighty to bestow strength upon you and your family to bear this irreparable loss. May the departed soul rest in peace,” Modi added.

    It may be noted that it was Nawaz who started developing a personal relationship with Modi soon after he was elected PM in 2014 by personally making a visit to his oath-taking. Nawaz also sent a white sari for Modi’s mother, who had gifted a shawl to Nawaz’s mother when he had visited India.