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.

  • Hapless KP government paid Rs 5 crore to TTP for freeing abducted judge

    Hapless KP government paid Rs 5 crore to TTP for freeing abducted judge

    Sessions Judge Shakirullah Marwat, who was abducted by unidentified kidnappers on Dera Ismail Khan’s Tank Road, returned home safely on Monday. However, senior journalist Azaz Syed has revealed that the “Judge was released after the KP government paid five crores to terrorists as extortion.”

    According to Syed, “The Marwat clan played a positive role in getting the hostage back, especially, Sher Afzal Marwat.”

    He said the Marwat clan reached the “shadow governor of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)” and they initially demanded seven crores but settled on five crores as the extortion payment.

    Azaz Syed asserted that this is the most unfortunate circumstance that the provincial government was held hostage by the banned TTP and the group has appointed their representatives or shadow governors in every district.

    The journalist remarked that this is an extremely alarming situation that the TTP is operating so freely in DI Khan and can abduct a serving judge.

    He said, “They’re extorting the common people there as well.”

  • PTI’s Shehzad Akbar set to take legal action against Pakistani government over acid attack in UK

    PTI’s Shehzad Akbar set to take legal action against Pakistani government over acid attack in UK

    Former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Shehzad Akbar is taking legal action against the Pakistani government in the UK after he got injured in an acid attack that left him “scarred for life,”  Geo News reported on Monday.

    On November 26, 2023, an unknown person threw acid on the former federal minister’s face when he opened his door to a visitor at his home in Royston town, England.

    His slamming the door shut and his glasses saved him from going blind.

    On Monday afternoon, Akbar submitted a copy of his legal action to the Pakistan High Commission in London. The document directly accuses multiple officials of involvement in the attack.

    The PTI member also claimed in a document that the government of Pakistan is responsible.

    Akbar sent the Pakistani government a letter outlining the claim that he intends to bring against it at the High Court in London.

  • ‘PM Shehbaz works 26 hours a day’ says Senator Irfan Siddiqui

    ‘PM Shehbaz works 26 hours a day’ says Senator Irfan Siddiqui

    During a talk show on Neo News, Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) recounted an exchange where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, when questioned about his work routine, quipped, “I operate on a 26-hour day.”

    The senator was impressed with the dedication and work ethic of Prime Minister Shehbaz and when he asked the PM about an extra two hours a day then PM replied, “I sleep in those two hours”.

    The senator then stated that given the work discipline of PM Shehbaz, it is logical that he depends on assistants.

    People on social media have some things to say about the 26-hour day of Prime Minister Shehbaz.

  • Ishaq Dar: Wazir-e-Kharja Se Deputy Wazir-e-Azam Tak Ka Safar

    Ishaq Dar: Wazir-e-Kharja Se Deputy Wazir-e-Azam Tak Ka Safar

    According to a surprising notification issued by the Cabinet Division on April 28, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, a position not recognised in the Constitution.

    Dar was appointed as the country’s foreign minister after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) formed a coalition government after the general elections this year.

    Historically, there is only one person who held the same position as Dar does now – Pervaiz Elahi in 2012 after Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) allied with the then-ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

    Interestingly, X (formerly Twitter) users pointed out that the constitution of Pakistan makes no mention or reference to “deputy prime minister” at all.

    Predictably, people on social media had some things to say about Dar’s new appointment.

  • ‘Saqib Nisar acted as messenger in judiciary for Imran Khan’, reveals Azaz Syed

    ‘Saqib Nisar acted as messenger in judiciary for Imran Khan’, reveals Azaz Syed

    Azaz Syed, senior journalist of The News, revealed on Geo’s ‘Report Card’ that Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was in contact with a few judges from Lahore and Islamabad during the past few years.

    Referring to Faisal Vawda’s recent statement on Samaa News where he stated, “There were two judges who called Imran Khan when he was in the container and one of those judges is still serving.”

    Azaz claimed that Faisal Vawda’s statement was indeed true.

    Furthermore, Syed narrated, “The former Chief Justice of Lahore High Court, Amir Bhatti, directly contacted a judge in Islamabad and pressured him to take a decision in favour of Imran Khan.”

    Azaz Syed implicated former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Saqib Nisar, who used to act as a liaison between the federal and Punjab judiciary on behalf of Imran Khan.

  • ‘Members of TTP are in contact with me’, Barrister Saif wants dialogue with banned group

    ‘Members of TTP are in contact with me’, Barrister Saif wants dialogue with banned group

    Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information, has once again reiterated the need to start a dialogue with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as the country reels from a surge in terror attacks.

    Saif stated that the recent significant loss of lives on “both sides” should prompt Pakistan to opt for a peaceful way to get out of this mess.

    “We must consider the possibility of dialogue if terrorists are willing to renounce terrorism. The situation must be approached realistically. Lives are being lost on both sides, and the only way to halt this is to pursue peaceful means. This does not imply any form of surrender to the terrorists.”

    The statement comes a few days after CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur also said that the country needs to open a dialogue with terrorists because “Whatever we have done has gained us nothing.”

    The Advisor also revealed that the terrorists are in contact with him, “Members of the TTP have been in contact with me, discussing their issues. At times, when the TTP has issues with the Pakistan army, they communicate it through me.”

    Social media reactions were mostly critical of Barrister Saif.

  • ‘I served them for 40 years and look what they did to me’, Pervaiz Elahi on establishment

    ‘I served them for 40 years and look what they did to me’, Pervaiz Elahi on establishment

    Moonis Elahi, exiled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, gave an interview with BBC News Urdu and said that his father, Pervaiz Elahi, was downhearted by the establishment’s behaviour toward him.

    When Pervaiz Elahi asked Moonis whether he had any interaction with the establishment, Moonis replied in the negative then Elahi stated, “Don’t connect with them either, because I served them for 40 years and look what they did to me.”

    Journalist Hussain Askari asked Moonis whether he was the reason the father-son duo chose to stick with PTI even though all matters had been settled with Asif Ali Zardari, Moonis replied, “I convinced him in the beginning but after that, all the decisions were his own.”

    Askari then asked Moonis if former Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was involved in their decision to lean towards Imran Khan, he replied, “When we got offers from both sides my father called General Bajwa and asked what he should do. When Bajwa said that he should do whatever he wanted Pervez Elahi reiterated that he would do whatever General Bajwa wanted and then finally Bajwa replied that it was his wish that he [Pervez Elahi] support Imran Khan.”

  • What are the 50 places in Lahore where WiFi is free?

    What are the 50 places in Lahore where WiFi is free?

    The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has initiated a pilot project to provide free WiFi services at 50 spots in Lahore. The project aims to promote connectivity by giving citizens access to the internet.

    “Free WiFi started at the following (50 spots) in Lahore. Rest of Lahore is being done too. Alhamdolillah! We promise, we deliver,” CM Maryam said in an X (formerly Twitter) post. 

    During a high-level meeting with Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) officials held in March, the chief minister approved the launch of the free WiFi pilot project in Lahore.

    Maryam Nawaz directed the IT department officials to begin offering free WiFi service, focusing on educational institutions, airports, railway stations, and bus stands. In Lahore, the Punjab government will provide free WiFi at 516 locations in total.

  • If Nawaz had even a one percent desire to be PM, could anyone stop him? PMLN Senator

    If Nawaz had even a one percent desire to be PM, could anyone stop him? PMLN Senator

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senator Irfan Siddiqui said on Friday that neither an “unseen power” nor Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blocked the way of the former prime minister’s return to the PM house.

    Speaking during Geo News programme ‘Geo Pakistan’, Siddiquie said that he rejects the idea that an “unseen power” or PM Shehbaz blocked Nawaz Sharif from becoming prime minister for the fourth time.

    The senator said that when he met Nawaz before the election, he felt that Nawaz was not eager to take the role.

    “I was present in the meeting where Nawaz Sharif announced to give the premiership to Shehbaz Sharif. Even if Nawaz had even 1% desire to become PM, is there any power that could stop him from becoming PM?” he asked.

  • Rana Sanaullah wants dosti between Khan and establishment

    Rana Sanaullah wants dosti between Khan and establishment

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah has urged significant political figures in the country to talk to each other, stressing that “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan should also communicate with the establishment.”

    Speaking on Samaa TV’s show ‘adeem Malik Live’, he said that the current political situation unfolded because of May 9 riots. “Imran Khan is the cause of political instability in the country and he should accept this.”

    The PML-N leader urged political parties and party leaders to give space to each other for open dialogue, as it is essential to understand the political environment.
    When questioned about the possibility of direct contact between Imran Khan and the establishment, Sanaullah maintained that the “modality of communication would be determined by the involved parties.”
    He asserted while addressing concerns about interference in March 2021 Senate polls that “There is no evidence of establishment intervention.”