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.

  • US isn’t happy, warns Pakistan of sanctions after Iran President visit

    US isn’t happy, warns Pakistan of sanctions after Iran President visit

    The United States State Department on Tuesday warned, without naming Pakistan, against the “potential risk of sanctions” amidst the background of a recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pakistan and Iran, following the visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan.

    “We advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions,” said a State Department spokesperson.

    The spokesperson also mentioned the beneficial economic ties between Pakistan and the United States and said that the US remains Pakistan’s biggest export market.

    “We have also been a leading investor in Pakistan for the past 20 years. Pakistan’s economic success is in both of our interests, and we look forward to continuing our partnership,” they added, stressing the significance of economic relations between both countries.

    Previously, the US warned Pakistan of sanctions after it signalled that it would complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.

    Meanwhile, Iranian President Raisi revealed that both Pakistan and Iran have agreed to increase the trade volume to $10 billion in coming years.

  • 11 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

    11 terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday that security forces have eliminated 11 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan districts.

    During an operation in DI Khan, security officials killed 10 terrorists after a heavy exchange of fire. In North Waziristan, they killed another terrorist in a skirmish.

    “The killed terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area against security forces as well as innocent civilians. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from them,” said the military’s media wing. 

    The ISPR also said that locals from the area appreciated the action of security forces against terrorism. However, security forces are determined to eliminate terrorism from the country.

  • Pakistan, London aur ab China: Nawaz to get medical checkup on personal visit

    Pakistan, London aur ab China: Nawaz to get medical checkup on personal visit

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will leave for a “personal visit” to China today, as per Geo News.

    PML-N’s internal sources confirmed that the party head is going to China for a medical checkup.

    Party sources also confirmed to Geo that the former prime minister will also hold meetings on development projects in Punjab, adding that the former premier will meet owners of Chinese companies there.

    Nawaz will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

    This will be the first international visit of Nawaz Sharif since his return to Pakistan in October last year after spending almost four years in self-imposed exile in London.

  • PIA by June, then all major airports, privatisation will mark 2024

    PIA by June, then all major airports, privatisation will mark 2024

    Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Saturday that the process of privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will be completed by June this year. Islamabad airport might also be privatized shortly after.

    “The government has no business being in business,” the minister declared at a Saturday afternoon news briefing, explaining the government’s plan to divest from state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

    “We expect the bids for PIA to come in the next two to three weeks, and by the end of June or early July, we can move it to the investors,” he said. “The Islamabad airport would be the next,” he added, “followed by the airports in Karachi and Lahore.”

    The finance minister didn’t respond on a question when asked if Pakistan is selling its skies to prospective buyers.

    Mr Aurangzeb didn’t give an explanation when a journalist asked if the government will keep some shares in PIA after privatisation or sell all its shares.

    The minister wrapped up his visit to Washington DC on Sunday with 62 meetings in a week. During these meetings, he explained decisions, made pledges, and sought understanding from both multilateral and bilateral donors.

  • Crackdown against $23 billion black market results in attacks on custom officials

    Crackdown against $23 billion black market results in attacks on custom officials

    On Saturday, three people, including two Customs officials, were murdered in an attack near Bannu Road when unknown gunmen opened fire targeting their vehicle at the Yarak toll plaza in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    This is the second attack on Pakistan Customs officials in less than a week in Dera Ismail Khan.

    Previously on April 18, seven people, including a child, were slain in an attack out of which five were Custom officials. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, reiterating Pakistan’s resolve to fight terrorism.

    The Khorasan Diary had reported that “Customs had tightened the noose around smuggling around this area as it was frequented by militant networks who were involved in smuggling weapons and vehicles used in attack in urban centres,” a senior customs official said.

    The special situation report of the April 18 incident was released by the Deputy Commissioner

    Moreover, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the heinous attack.

    It should be noted that Dera Ismail Khan is an infamous route for illicit trade and smuggling as there have been many instances when the authorities have foiled bids to smuggle goods including arms, Iranian fuel and more.

    (Image taken from APP report)

    As Pakistan navigates through tough economic waters, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered strict action against smugglers and urged law enforcement agencies to expedite their campaigns.

    Illicit activities such as black market and smuggling cost Pakistan $23 billion per year, according to the report by ACE Money Transfer, a UK-based company.

    Previously, the caretaker administration started the anti-smuggling drive in the country to protect the feeble foreign exchange and stop the devaluation of local currency (PKR).

    The FBR released a statement offering condolences to the victims’ families.

  • PM Shehbaz congratulates newly elected lawmakers in by-polls

    PM Shehbaz congratulates newly elected lawmakers in by-polls

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated newly elected members of the national and provincial assemblies for winning the by-polls on Sunday.

    He said that the victory of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates in by-polls is a sign of people’s trust on the party. “We sincerely thank people who voted for the Muslim League-N in the by-election.”. The PM also assured Pakistanis that his party will do every possible things to server them.

    He observed that along with clear signs of economic progress, people were starting to notice a shift in public opinion. The victories of PML-N candidates were seen as the public recognizing the government’s efforts in fixing the economy, lowering inflation, and enhancing foreign relations. He hoped that as the economy continued to improve and public satisfaction grew, people’s opinions would keep changing positively.

    He also said international financial institutions, news agencies, and surveys covering economic improvement have a positive impact on public opinion.

    The PM said that the non-political behaviour of the opposition after the February 8 elections had also left its supporters confused and disappointed.

  • Sanaullah says by-polls results a ‘big message’ for PTI

    Sanaullah says by-polls results a ‘big message’ for PTI

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Rana Sanaullah, commenting on the recent by-polls, said that the low voter turnout is a big message for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    “PTI voters have not come out today [during by-elections],” Sanaullah claimed while speaking on Geo News programme Naya Pakistan.

    Sanaullah also said that any complaints regarding the election process should be brought before the relevant forums.

    Stating that Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N used to raise complaints about the election results “within the system”, he said it was the former prime minister Imran Khan who always tried to “bulldoze” the system.

    Rana Sanaullah expressed satisfaction over the by-polls and opined that voter turnout is usually low in by-polls.

    Meanwhile, PTI’s leader Ali Muhammad Khan alleged that these by-polls were rigged the same way as the February 8 general elections.

    Furthermore, the PTI member expressed satisfaction with the election results of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

  • PML-N claims win on most seats in by-polls

    PML-N claims win on most seats in by-polls

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers and supporters celebrated on Sunday as they won most of the seats in the April 21 by-elections as per the unofficial results so far.

    PML-N claimed that, according to unofficial results, the party has won two seats out of the five National Assembly seats, and 10 provincial assembly seats out of 16.

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid have won one seat each in the provincial assemblies. 

    Adnan Afzal Chattha from PML-N won the PP-36 Wazirabad seat against Fayyaz Chattha from PTI.

  • By-Polls: 60-year-old PML-N worker killed during clash in Zafarwal

    By-Polls: 60-year-old PML-N worker killed during clash in Zafarwal

    A clash between rival political groups turned into a violent fight that resulted in the death of one Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) worker.

    Workers from the PML-N and PTI clashed in Zafarwal’s PP-54 constituency. During the brawl, a 60-year-old man died when he was hit on the head with a rod.

    Polling was subsequently stopped at the Kot Naju polling station. 

    The 60-year-old man was shifted to a hospital, where he died during treatment.

    Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari expressed condolences over the death of a PML-N worker. She also criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), calling it a thug political party. At the same time, she also demanded the immediate arrest of the killers.

    Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal met with the family of the deceased PML-N worker and condoled his death. “We will never tolerate the politics of bullying and violence,” he declared, vowing that the culprits will be brought to justice soon.

  • PML-N’s Chaudhry Nawaz, Moonis Elahi competing in by-polls from PP-158

    PML-N’s Chaudhry Nawaz, Moonis Elahi competing in by-polls from PP-158

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Chaudhry Nawaz and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad council candidate Chaudhry Moonis Elahi are competing in the by-polls from PP-158.

    Chaudhry Moonis Elahi is the son of the former chief minister of Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    Earlier in March, an appellate tribunal of the Lahore High Court (LHC) allowed Moonis Elahi to contest by-polls.