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.

  • Sirajul Haq warns against privatising state institutions   

    Sirajul Haq warns against privatising state institutions   

    Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq has warned against the privatisation of state institutions on Friday, as per SAMMA.

    Sirajul Huq criticised the newly-elected government by saying that “the government is holding talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on more slavery rather than securing the next tranche.”

    “The privatisation of state institutions is unfair to the masses. The country’s economy cannot afford the privatisation,” Haq said.

    He also called on the global community to play a role in the Gaza ceasefire. “No strategy has been formulated in the assembly for the protection of the people of Gaza.”

    “I was of the view that Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif would do something to save the people of Gaza.”

  • Property transfers for overseas Pakistanis to be made easier by CM Punjab

    Property transfers for overseas Pakistanis to be made easier by CM Punjab

    In a bid to protect expatriates from fraud, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has announced the launch of a property transfer service tailored for overseas Pakistanis.

    Chairing a special meeting of the Punjab Board of Revenue (BoR) focusing on reform, the chief minister outlined key features of the service.

    The newly introduced property transfer service aims to streamline the process for Pakistani diaspora, offering facilities such as mutation, e-filing, and land registration.

    CM Maryam ordered launching the service at the earliest for Pakistanis residing in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries.

    Asserting strict adherence to timelines in property transfer services, CM Maryam urged for meticulous record-keeping of government land across the province. The meeting also delved into discussions regarding the Punjab Land Record Authority, with the chief minister directing measures to establish roadside small gyms and parks on government land, alongside the setup of land facilitation centers in every district.

    Plans were unveiled to establish land facilitation centers in 11 divisions by June 30, with the online availability of land records for 5,798 Mauza anticipated by December 2024.

    Additionally, the initiative intends to kickstart online land record projects in 10 districts of the province, utilizing 811,044 acres of government land for corporate farming.

    Maryam directed to take measures for building roadside small gyms and parks on the government land. She also ordered the establishing of land facilitation centers in every district.
    The meeting was told the land facilitation centers would be set up in 11 divisions by June 30. The participants were also told that land records of 5,798 Mauza would be available online till December 2024.
    Earlier engagements saw CM Maryam presiding over a meeting on the Urban Unit in Lahore, where she emphasized the importance of comprehensive planning for the Regional Economic Corridor in Punjab. Directives were issued to draft a mapping plan for industrial zones, with a focus on assisting small industrialists and controlling smog through data-driven strategies.

    Maryam Nawaz affirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating investors, highlighting the dedication to fostering a conducive environment for economic growth and development in Punjab.

  • Ali Amin Gandapur’s brother to contest NA-44 by-poll

    Ali Amin Gandapur’s brother to contest NA-44 by-poll

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur has chosen to allow his brother Faisal Amin Gandapur to run for the National Assembly seat from Dera Ismail Khan, which Ali won in the February 8 general elections.

    The KP’s CM, who also leads the provincial chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced that his brother will run in the by-elections for the NA-44 constituency. He is vacating the seat after winning the PK-113 Dera Ismail Khan-III seat.

    Speaking about handing over the coveted KP constituency ticket to his brother in a video statement on Friday, the chief minister said he has conveyed the decision to party founder Imran Khan as well after he inquired where Gandapir plans to “adjust” his brother in the provincial cabinet.

    “He did not know that my brother was yet to contest the elections,” he said.

    The KP CM stated that he won the general elections on February 8 on two seats personally, keeping one and giving up the other.

  • FIA Cybercrime Wing summons Sher Afzal Marwat over March 9 tweet

    FIA Cybercrime Wing summons Sher Afzal Marwat over March 9 tweet

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and newly-elected MNA Sher Afzal Marwat has been summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cybercrime Wing on Friday.

    The agency summoned the politician on March 18 for questioning on a tweet he posted on March 9. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Barrister Aqeel Malik filed a complaint against Marwat in FIA.

    The prominent lawyer has made several posts on X (previously Twitter), but it’s not clear on which specific tweet he has been summoned.

    One of his tweets was about claims of being assassinated by paid assassins at Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s behest.

    “It is imperative to publicly acknowledge that ‘Maryam Nawaz Sharif’ poses a threat to my life, as she has orchestrated an ‘assassination attempt against me,’ which can take place at any time,” Marwat wrote in his post on the aforementioned date.

    He added: “An amount of $100,000 has been allocated by Maryam Nawaz Sharif to these assassins for the “execution of my murder.”

  • US diplomat Donald Lu to testify on Feb 8 polls before Congress

    US diplomat Donald Lu to testify on Feb 8 polls before Congress

    The Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, has been asked to appear before a congress panel to testify whether the February 8 polls in Pakistan were fair or not.  

    Lu will testify during a hearing on March 20 as the former prime minister Imran Khan accused him of playing a part in overthrowing his government in 2022.

    The subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia will hold a hearing called “Pakistan After the Elections: Analysing the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship.”

    State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, during a press briefing on Thursday, responded to a query, saying that any number of State Department officials testify all the time before Congress.

    “We see it as an important part of our jobs to help Congress do its job, both from a policymaking perspective and from an oversight perspective,” said Miller. 

    He stated that the State Department eagerly anticipates engaging in both informal and formal discussions with Congress, as well as the actual testimony provided by officials.

  • PTI instructs leaders to boycott five political talk shows

    PTI instructs leaders to boycott five political talk shows

    PTI’s core committee has barred party leaders from taking part in political talk shows hosted by five news anchors belonging to four different media channels in the country.

    According to a circular issued by PTI’s central media department, party leaders have been instructed to boycott the following anchors and shows:

    Kamran Shahid, Dunya News (Off The Front)

    Adil Shahzeb, Dawn News (Live with Adil Shahzeb)

    Muneeb Farooq, Samaa TV (Mera Sawaal with Muneeb Farooq)

    Shahzab Khanzada, Geo News (Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath)

    Saleem Safi, Geo News (Jirga)

  • PTI paying cost of two wrong decisions: Sher Afzal Marwat

    PTI paying cost of two wrong decisions: Sher Afzal Marwat

    PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat has said the party is paying the cost of two wrong decisions.

    Speaking on Geo News show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, he said the first major mistake was committed when party founder Imran Khan gave instructions for a political alliance with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Sherani.

    He said the second major mistake was the announcement of the inclusion into the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, adding that some people gave a sectarian colour to the issue and gave threatening messages to the PTI leadership.

    Later, Marwat said, the PTI suddenly decided to join the Sunni Ittehad Council.

    “These are two wrong decisions and their culprits should be determined because we lost more than 80 seats due to them.”

  • Maryam Nawaz slammed on social media over ‘defamation’ law

    Maryam Nawaz slammed on social media over ‘defamation’ law

    Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister Punjab, took to X (former Twitter) and announced that she is making a defamation law for Punjab.

    X user Faisal Ranjha asked in a tweet whether this government will be able to make a strong defamation law to counter lies and fake news. In response to that, Maryam quote tweeted, “I am making that law for Punjab.”

    Social media users reacted by mentioning how such laws already exist and are misused against political rivals and journalists.

    Lawyer and co-founder of Bolo Bhi, Farieha Aziz, said, “And it begins. ‘We need more laws’ to counter “fake news” & strengthen defamation narrative. Because Defamation Ordianance, 499 & 500 of PPC & 20 of PECA don’t already exist? Laws are implemented through same broken system. Malicious proceedings swift, genuine ones face delays.”

    Member of Awami Workers Party Ammar Rashid said, “While their overlords block X to shut down criticism, PMLN leadership openly announcing its intention to further criminalize attempts to hold public officeholders to account using the bogeyman of defamation & fake news. We must all shut up b/c our ruling elite is too insecure.”

    Film maker Arafat Mazhar said, “No “I” will be allowed to make that law. only a “we”, that too which represents democratic will, can make that law (unless it is to protect marginalised people from Tyranny of majority) Also this proposed defamation law is a disaster. Please maafi deh du. Aur Kitni awaz dabao gey?”

  • Peshawar High Court rejects SIC’s plea regarding reserved seats

    Peshawar High Court rejects SIC’s plea regarding reserved seats

    The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has rejected a petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) verdict on reserved seats.

    “Petitions are unanimously rejected,” the court maintained.

    Earlier today, PHC chief justice Mohammad Ibrahim Khan resumed the hearing and five members of the bench, including Justice Ijaz Anwar, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Justice Shakeel Ahmad, and Justice Arshad Ali, heard the petition.

    SIC’s lawyer, Barrister Ali Zafar, argued during the hearing that it’s not mentioned in the constitution that a party should submit any list to the ECP for reserved seats.

    “It is not written anywhere that you cannot resubmit the list or when it has to be submitted,” the barrister argued, adding that there is no restriction on providing a second list and that the ECP could have issued a second schedule, as it did for the general elections.

    “As per the law, those who participate in elections will get seats,” Justice Anwar remarked.

    The court then questioned Barrister Zafar if it wasn’t clearly stated anywhere that the second schedule cannot be issued.

    “The law does not prevent the Election Commission from issuing another schedule,” the lawyer responded.

    Justice Arshad remarked that Section 104 explains the mechanism for reserved seats as it states that when a list is submitted then another list can be given.

    “Section 104 says that if a political party participates in an election, it will give a list,” the lawyer argued.

    He earlier argued that whoever wins the number of seats, they get reserved seats in the same proportion. 

    “Their seats cannot be increased.”

    “If these seats are not given, the parliament will not be complete,” remarked the chief justice, responding to which the lawyer requested the court to interpret the Constitution in a way that there remains no gap in its interpretation.

    Barrister Ali Zafar also told the court that the ECP has authority to maintain justice, adding that there should be transparency in the election for reserved seats.

  • ECP issues schedule for senate polls set to take place on April 2

    ECP issues schedule for senate polls set to take place on April 2

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday issued a schedule of upcoming senate elections set to take place on April 2.

    As per schedule, the returning officers will issue a public notice for all prospective candidates to submit their nomination papers. The electoral body will then scrutinise nomination papers and handle appeals. 

    The development comes as the ECP, on Monday, announced holding the election for Senate seats that were vacated after the expiration of the six-year term of the incumbent senators on March 11. However, elections will only be held on 48 seats as four reserved seats for the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) have been abolished after the 25th Constitutional Amendment.

    Members of the Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan assemblies will vote to elect members for seven general seats, two women, and two seats for technocrats, including Ulema.

    However, Punjab and Sindh assembly members will cast their votes for one seat each for non-Muslims.

    As per the ECP’s schedule,

    March 15 to 16 — Submission of nomination papers.

    March 17 — Publication of nominated candidates.

    March 19 — Last date for scrutiny of nomination papers.

    March 21 — Last date for filing of appeals against acceptance, rejection of nominations.

    March 25 — Last date for disposal of appeals by the tribunal.

    March 26 — Publication of revised list of candidates.

    March 27 — Date for withdrawal of candidature.

    April 2 — Polling day.