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  • ‘Set Election Commission on fire,’ PTI’s Azam Swati accuses ECP of taking bribes

    ‘Set Election Commission on fire,’ PTI’s Azam Swati accuses ECP of taking bribes

    Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati on Friday accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of taking bribes and being on the payroll of ‘someone’.

    Swati said that the ECP was responsible for destroying Pakistan’s democracy and for rigging all elections. Swati added that such institutions should be “set on fire”. This happened when the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs met today to vote on two key election bills.

    When the meeting started, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said that the government would like to respond to the ECP’s 37 objections to the proposed introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs). While Awan was giving the government’s answers point-by-point to the ECP’s objections, suddenly Azam Swati interjected and accused the ECP of taking money. Opposition members present in the meeting strongly objected to this accusation and protested.

    As the Opposition members were protesting, ECP representatives present in the meeting all got up and said that they will not tolerate such behaviour and are boycotting the meeting. ECP representatives then walked out.

    Chair Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs Senator Taj Haider asked a few Opposition members to go and talk to the ECP representatives so as to bring them back to the meeting. By the time Senator Kamran Murtaza went to bring them back, the ECP delegation had left the building.

    Meanwhile, Azam Swati kept hurling accusations at the ECP even after the constitutional body’s representatives had left. Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and other Opposition members condemned Swati’s remarks and said that he cannot accuse a constitutional body of taking bribes, and asked for proof.

    Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar asked Swati: “Kis se paisay pakrray hain ECP ne? Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) se ya Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) se?”

    [Translation: Tell us who has given money to the ECP? PPP or PML-N?]

    Swati and Khokhar then had a heated exchange.

    “I told Swati that the government should stop browbeating the ECP. It is a constitutional body. How can the government accuse a body of taking bribes without any proof — only because the ECP does not agree with the government on EVMs? Such accusations are shameful,” Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar told The Current. Senator Khokhar added that the government must apologise to the ECP.

    After things calmed down, Babar Awan asked for permission to continue with his answers to the ECP objections. He was then told that since the ECP members are not present anymore, he cannot continue in their absence. The standing committee then decided to vote on the amendments but the government raised objections as Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri was not present in the meeting. Due to her absence, the Opposition members were in majority today. The government asked that she should be allowed to vote via video link.

    According to sources, Senator Zehri had missed her flight from Karachi in the morning. The government wanted to delay the voting till she could take a flight and reach Islamabad after the Friday prayers. It should be noted that Senator Samina Zehri had been included in the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs by Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani in order to tilt the balance towards the government in the Senate panel, as per Dawn.

    The Senate panel rejected the government’s proposed amendments but the government members walked out and did not take part in the voting process and walked out.

    Babar Awan tweeted that the government will get the two election bills passed through a joint session of parliament.

  • ‘You are lucky you weren’t beheaded’, Journalists open up about Taliban beatings

    Adding to a list of Taliban atrocities, two Afghan Journalists were left with immense bruises in Kabul. Their crime: covering protests in the Afghan capital.

    According to Taqi Daryabi and his colleague Nematullah Naqdi, of the daily newspaper Etilaat Roz (Information Daily), the Taliban separated them into two rooms, insulted, and flogged them with cables after accusing them of organising the protest as per Agence France-Presse (AFP).

    https://twitter.com/lnajafizada/status/1435818054332653576?s=21

    The two were reporting on a protest by women demanding the right to work and education in front of a police station.

    Naqdi said he was stopped by a Taliban fighter as soon as he started taking pictures.

    “They told me that you cannot film’,” he told AFP. Moreover he said that Taliban fighters insulted him and kicked him in the head and that a Taliban fighter placed his foot on his head and crushed his face against the concrete. When he was asked why he was being beaten, he was told, “you are lucky you weren’t beheaded.”

    Zaki Daryabi, the daily newspaper publisher told Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ) via phone that the Taliban subjected the reporters to severe physical abuse that he described as “torture” for four hours that each lost consciousness at least four times in custody. However, CPJ could not independently confirm allegations of torture.

    According to the BBC, their journalists were also prevented from filming. Not only this, Al-Jazeera reported that three of their reporters said that Taliban fighters pushed, slapped them and took their belongings.

    Over the last days, the Taliban detained and later released at least 14 journalists covering protests against the group, At least nine of these journalists were subject to violence during their detention.

  • Shahbaz Gill misquotes Forbes article, says Pak safe for women instead of women travelers

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill recently appeared in Meher Bokhari’s show, in which he defended the Single National Curriculum, the government’s controversial initiative to have one syllabus across Pakistan. To defend his argument, Gill said that the internationally reputable magazine, Forbes listed 20 most dangerous places for women and Pakistan’s name is not on the list. He even went on to mention the names of all the 20 countries. Gill also criticised Pakistan’s media and accused Pakistan’s media of being “dishonest.”

    However, the article that Gill shared was about women traveling to countries and not on the safety of women living in the country. The article analyses countries that are unsafe for single women travelers, adding that the list, “ranked 50 countries with the most international tourists.”

    Pakistan does not make the list because it is not in the list of the countries with the most international tourists.

    According to a report published in Reuters in 2018 Pakistan was listed as sixth in the world’s 10 most dangerous countries for women.

    “Sixth most dangerous and fourth worst in terms of economic resources and discrimination as well as the risks women face from cultural, religious and traditional practices, including so-called honor killings. Pakistan ranked fifth on non-sexual violence, including domestic abuse.”

    Four years later the situation is even more dire as the latest The Global Gender Gap Report 2021 by World Economic Forum lists Pakistan at 153 out of 156, above Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan in the The Gender Gap Index 2021. It ranks Pakistan has second worst in gender disparity in South Asia after Afghanistan.

    The report also lists Pakistan at 152 out of 156 in the list of the countries based on Economic Participation and Opportunity, and at number 153 out of 156 on the basis of Health and Survival.

  • He’s not coming back yet, PML-N backtracks on Nawaz return

    He’s not coming back yet, PML-N backtracks on Nawaz return

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will only return to Pakistan “when doctors will give a clean bill of health allowing him to travel and when the party decides”.

    PML-N leader Mian Javed Latif claimed on Thursday that Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan this year.

    Mian Javed Latif talked to the media after he appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Lahore. He claimed that Nawaz Sharif will come to Pakistan this year. He added that those who disqualified Nawaz also realised that there was no option except to have him back.

    “Those who had brought him the third time will allow Nawaz Sharif to be elected prime minister for the fourth time,” Latif said.

    “Those who had expelled him from government knowing that only he can guide the country out of these problems,” PML-N leader said.

    Nawaz has been living in London since November 2019 after he was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment.

  • Video: Umer Shareef requests PM Imran Khan to ‘urgently’ send him abroad for treatment

    Legendary comedian Umer Shareef has requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to send him abroad for his treatment. Journalist Waseem Badami shared a video message of Shareef, which he aired on his show 11th hour. In the video, the Zameen Aasman star also mentioned, “Doctors have asked me to go abroad for better treatment,” said Umar adding, “I received my treatment as per my fate from Imran Khan’s Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital but the doctors have now told me that I can receive better treatment in America.”

    Anchor Waseem Badami told in his show that the issue of the finances is secondary, the major issue right now is the kind of treatment that is required for Umer is not available in Pakistan.

    He added that the treatment is only available in three countries, “USA, Germany and Saudi Arabia”, and the doctors suggest that the treatment should be done in two to three weeks, but due to covid’19 restrictions it is very difficult to go abroad in such a short period of time without the state’s facilitation.

  • Sarfaraz Ahmed spotted riding bike, locals offer cricket match

    Sarfaraz Ahmed spotted riding bike, locals offer cricket match

    Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Sarfaraz Ahmed was recently spotted riding a bike on the roads of Karachi while some fans offered him a cricket match in the video.

    A video went viral on social media in which Sarfaraz can be seen on a bike with probably his daughter when two boys on a bike went near to him and offered a cricket series at a local ground.

    “Saifi Bhai, series khelein kia? New Zealand ka squad toh gaya, Star Ground aajayein, series khelte hain,” the boys were quoted saying to Sarfaraz in the video. “Haan ab yehi reh gaya hai,” the cricketer replied.

    [Translation: “Saifi Bhai, should we play a series? You’re not in the New Zealand squad, so come to Star Ground and we will have a series there.”

    Sarfaraz replied: “Sure, now this is what is left for me to do.”]

    It must be noted here that Sarfaraz was dropped from ODI and T20I squad against New Zealand. The announced T20I squad for the home series against New Zealand is the same that will play against England and in T20 World Cup.

  • Saboor Aly surprises beau Ali Ansari with multiple extravagant parties on his birthday

    Actor Ali Ansari thanked fiancée Saboor Aly for making his birthday special with “four back-to-back surprises.”

    “Another year down another year stronger,” wrote the Kamzarf star. “Thank you Saboor Aly for making the start to the new year of my life so wonderful,” he added.

    “Four back to back surprises and that too on the same day, I’m impressed.”

    Earlier, this year in May Saboor Aly announced her ‘baat pakki’ with Ali Ansari.

    On the work front, Saboor is set to feature in Amanat opposite Imran Abbas, whereas Ali is currently featuring in Rang Mahal opposite Sehar Khan.

  • Justice Ayesha not elevated to the Supreme Court

    The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has not approved the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik as a Supreme Court (SC) judge.

    “As a lawyer, I feel that the JCP needed to set a transparent criteria for appointment, failing which has resulted in what we have seen today. And I feel that the more unstructured this becomes, more transparency is lost within the judicial system,” lawyer Noor Ejaz told The Current.

    “As a woman, I am disappointed. Women in law have rarely been given high ranks without being under strict scrutiny. I hope Justice Ayesha serves as the CJ of the Lahore High Court and is elevated to the Supreme Court soon and I hope the JCP implements a structure so that other women can aspire towards higher office without fearing how discretion might treat them,” added Noor Ejaz

    “It is a dark day because first-time nominee of a woman judge’s elevation to the Supreme Court could not be approved,” senior journalist Hasnaat Malik told The Current.

    He also added that if Justice Ayesha is not elevated to the SC, then she will become Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court. “Justice Ayesha’s name can be initiated anytime for the SC,” said Hasnaat.

    Read more- In-depth analysis: Everything you need to know about Justice Ayesha Malik’s SC appointment

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) welcomed the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. However, lawyers across the country recorded their protest today.

    As per the Lahore High Court website, Justice Ayesha Malik completed her education from Paris and New York and did her Senior Cambridge from the Karachi Grammar School in Karachi. She did her A-Levels from the Francis Holland School for Girls in London. She assumed office in March 2012

  • ‘Puppet PM will lose the govt if we get rid of puppet Buzdar in Punjab’:Bilawal

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Prime Minister Imran Khan himself will lose the government if the Opposition de-seats puppet Cheif Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar in Punjab.

    Addressing a gathering in Rahim Yar Khan, Bilawal reiterated that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) needs to understand the role of the Opposition. He said that his party is doing its part and that the PML-N will need to topple the government by sending both PM Khan and Buzdar home.

    Criticising the PML-N, Bilawal said, “It is not possible that you talk about ‘vote ko izzat do’ [give respect to the vote] and run away the moment one has to use the power of the vote.”

    “It is not possible that you [PML-N] talk about respecting the vote and then you boycott the by-elections and the Senate elections. Because of you, people are angry with us as well. If you talk about respecting the power of the vote, then you need to start practicing that power yourself as well,” said Bilawal.

    “I urge you [PML-N] to get courage, work together, think about the people, don’t think about ego or personal preferences. We need to save Punjab together,” said Bilawal reminding the PML-N that if they are not ready, the people will not forgive them.

    “When we were with you [PML-N], you used to say that nothing can happen without resignation. I challenge you here to work with us or start implementing your own words and resign,” added Bilawal.

    Bilawal said, “You [PML-N] will have to do either of the two things, otherwise the people of Punjab will know that you are neither revolutionary nor ready for reconciliation but a hypocrite.”

    “The people of Punjab will reject the politics of hypocrites. We politely tried to explain to you but now we will show you how things are done through our hard work and political acumen and hold PM Khan accountable,” said Bilawal accusing the PML-N of being a facilitator of the government.

    Bilawal Bhutto claimed that the PPP will form the government in the Centre and provinces.

  • ‘Nawaz Sharif will come back to Pakistan this year’: PML-N leader Javed Latif

    ‘Nawaz Sharif will come back to Pakistan this year’: PML-N leader Javed Latif

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mian Javed Latif claimed on Thursday that former Prime Miniter Nawaz Sharif will come back to Pakistan this year.

    Javed Latif appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Lahore. The PML-N leader talked to the media after this and claimed that Nawaz Sharif will come to Pakistan this year. He added that those who disqualified Nawaz also realised that there was no option except to have him back.

    “Those who had brought him the third time will allow Nawaz Sharif to be elected prime minister for the fourth time,” Latif said.

    “Those who had expelled him from government knowing that only he can guide the country out of these problems,” PML-N leader said.

    Javed Latif said an impression was being given that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will come to power. However, he added, if PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto comes to power in a democratic way, then the PML-N would have no objection.