Tag: Fawad Chaudhry

  • ‘Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his own umpires’: Imran Khan

    ‘Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his own umpires’: Imran Khan

    The legal saga surrounding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s jail trial and the controversial cipher case took center stage in Islamabad this week.

    On Tuesday, three witnesses provided their testimonies against the PTI chief and his party’s Vice Chairman, Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

    Judge Zulqarnain presided over the proceedings at Adiala jail under the special Official Secrets Act court. PTI legal representatives included Barristers Salman Safdar, Taimur, and Gohar Ali Khan, while special prosecutors comprised of Shah Khawar, Zulfikar Abbas Naqvi, and Raja Rizwan Abbasi.

    During the proceedings, PTI’s lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, representing Khan, raised concerns over the trial’s confined space within the jail premises, emphasizing that it wasn’t in line with legal protocols.

    Family members met the two leaders before witnesses’ statements and cross-examination were conducted; legal teams consulted with Khan and Qureshi. The PTI chief met with his wife Bushra Bibi and sisters Aleema Khan, Noreen Khanum, and Uzma Khan, within the jail premises.

    Qureshi’s daughter, Meharbano, was also present during the trial. She also spoke with the media outside the jail, and demanded justice and a fair trial for her father.

    “Let the family in; no one can have security concerns from their family. Fair trial is my father’s right and as a daughter, I have the right to see the trial,” she added.

    Contempt of court petition

    Adiala jail superintendent responded to the contempt of court petition filed by Khan on Wednesday, requesting the court to dismiss the contempt of court petition.

    “Can’t even think of disobeying the court order,” he stated in his reply.

    The superintendent told the court there is no permanent facility to make phone calls abroad on WhatsApp. He informed the court that the PTI chief spoke with his children on October 18, after the jail took special measures to make the call possible.

    “Arrangements are made for prisoners to speak with family and lawyers at the jail PCO,” he said, adding that the court can direct the Punjab Home Department to amend the rules with regard to making phone calls.

    The court, meanwhile, adjourned the hearing of the contempt petition till Monday due to the absence of Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain.

    Islamabad High Court

    Islamabad High Court’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb asked the Attorney General of Pakistan to ensure that the cipher case trial was not conducted in an inappropriate manner, otherwise, it might collapse like a house of cards.

    An IHC bench, comprising Justice Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, heard the intra-court appeal filed by Khan against his jail trial and the appointment of the special court’s judge in the cipher case.

    The court adjourned the proceedings to November 14, allowing time for the attorney general to present arguments.

    Nawaz wants his own umpires

    Talking to media persons outside Adiala Jail, Imran Khan’s lawyer Barrister Umair Niazi said the PTI chief had criticised PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and also rejected the trial of civilians in military courts.

    The PTI lawyer quoted Mr Khan as saying that Nawaz Sharif cannot play without his own umpires and is again looking towards them. All political parties, except the PML-N, are calling for a level playing field, he added.

    Khan expressed concern over the fresh wave of terrorism in the country and said this was because of a “weak” Afghan policy as Mr Bhutto-Zardari, being the foreign minister, did not visit Kabul to address the issue of terrorism.

  • Fawad Chaudhry arrested again from Islamabad

    Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s wife, Hiba Chaudhry, and brother, Faisal Chaudhry, have claimed on Saturday that he has been arrested from his home in Islamabad by police.

    In a tweet posted on X (formerly Twitter), Hiba wrote, “Fawad arrested and taken to unknown place.”

    Geo News has reported in its bulletin that Fawad was arrested from home in front of his children and his wife by police and other officials in plain clothes.

    Hiba Chaudhry told Geo News that she was not shown an arrest warrant by the police officials.

    Hiba Fawad also said in her tweet that “Islamabad police taken Fawad. I need the Case information in which he is nominated.”

    Fawad became one of the first famous names to leave Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf after the events of May 9, joining Istehkaam Pakistan Party (IPP), a joining political analysts consider a reluctant decision.

    This would make it the third arrest within the year for Fawad Chaudhry.

  • ‘If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections’: Election Commission

    ‘If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections’: Election Commission

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) faced a setback on Tuesday as PTI Chairman Imran Khan couldn’t make it to a hearing due to security concerns. The Interior Ministry and Islamabad police were worried about the risks involved in bringing him to the commission, as he’s currently in jail for cipher case.

    Although the commission had earlier ordered that Imran Khan’s appear in person, the police and the ministry raised serious concerns about the safety of such a move.

    The commission was hearing a defamation case against the PTI chief, Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhry. A four-member commission headed by Nisar Durrani adjourned the hearing till November 13.

    Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar appeared before the commission, while Imran Khan was not brought to the election commission from Adiala Jail.

    PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen said the real insult to the election commission has taken place today.

    The operations assistant inspector general of police (AIG) submitted a report regarding Imran Khan, stating that Rawalpindi was a densely populated area, which is not without dangers.

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan has himself said there are threats to his life, the report stated.

    ECP’s member from Sindh, Nisar Durrani, asked the AIG if he believed whatever Imran Khan said was true.

    The Interior Ministry suggested that the election commission go to Adiala Jail to conduct the hearing to which the commission questioned how the ministry ordered them, ordering the interior secretary to appear before the commission.

    The commission asked the ministry to get it in writing from Imran Khan that he was sorry.

    “If the Ministry of Interior cannot provide security to one person, how will it conduct elections?” the commission questioned.

    ECP’s production order stated, “Since the respondent is in Adiala Jail […] and his personal appearance is mandatory to proceed further with the matter. In such view of the matter, there is no alternate except to issue production order of respondent namely Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi.”

  • India lands on moon; Pakistanis celebrate neighbour’s success

    India lands on moon; Pakistanis celebrate neighbour’s success

    As India became the fourth country to land on the moon and the first to land on its south pole, Pakistanis took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate their neighbor’s success.

    Fawad Hussain, former federal minister of science and technology, celebrated by saying, “What a great moment for #ISRO as #Chandrayaan3 lands on the Moon.”

    Pakistani actress and model Mara Hocane was fascinated by watching fiction turning into reality.

    Former Pakistan cricket team captain, Muhammad Hafeez, also known as “professor”, posted a congratulatory message.

    Shahmir Iqbal remarked how ‘Congratulations Neighbors’ is trending on X in Pakistan.

    Adnan Javed reminded the world of the importance of educating women for success.

    Ali Rajput congratulated India while mentioning that Pakistan was among the first countries to send a mission to space but chose a different path after 60s.

    Sara Taseer celebrated India’s success with a little fun.

    Anas Tipu also had a funny take on India’s success as he posted a meme stating, “Chand pe hai apun.”

  • India landing on the moon makes us miss Fawad Chaudhry and his wadaa

    India landing on the moon makes us miss Fawad Chaudhry and his wadaa

    India’s space agency has shared pictures of their spacecraft Chandrayaan-3, as the rover gets closer and closer to the surface of the planet. BBC revealed that by August 23, Chandrayaan’s rover and lander are due to reach the surface of the earth. It was released from the Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota in the Andhra Pradesh state on July 14.

    This would be the second time after thirteen years that the country has launched a spacecraft to the moon. The first time was in 2008 after which the discovery of the presence of water molecules in the moon’s atmosphere was made.

    Scientists from the Indian Space Research Agency (ISRO) spoke to the media, stating that Chandrayaan-3 was in “good health”, adding that this was the third time in succession that ISRO had successfully injected a spacecraft into a lunar orbit.

    If the mission is successful this would make India the first country to perform a controlled soft landing near the south pole, and the fourth country after USA, China and the former Soviet Union to achieve a soft landing on the moon.

    Congratulations to India but we do remember how a certain promise was made by the former Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry, whol announced in a tweet in 2019 that by the year 2022, Pakistan will send their first person to space. He even mentioned that selection for the project was to begin by Feb 2020 after which 25 people will be selected. Kya hua tera wada, wo qasam wo iraada?

  • Fawad Chaudhry apologises to ECP in contempt case

    Fawad Chaudhry apologises to ECP in contempt case

    Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry, now associated with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), has rendered an apology to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a contempt case filed against him, Geo News has reported.

    The case against Fawad Chaudhry was initiated last year in August, for using inappropriate language against the ECP and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

    The ECP, a constitutional body, issued notices to Fawad Chaudhry and other members of the PTI, including Imran Khan and Asad Umar, for using foul language against the CEC and ECP.

    A four-member commission headed by the CEC heard the contempt case against Fawad Chaudhry and others on Thursday.

    Fawad Chaudhry appeared before the ECP and apologised to the commission. He further requested it to withdraw the show-cause notice issued to him.

    Fawad Chaudhry said that whatever he said at that time was the party’s narrative.

    “It was the party’s position that I described. I respect institutions, including the ECP,” the former information minister said.

    The ECP asked him to submit a written apology, adjourning the hearing till August 1.

  • Fawad Chaudhry’s 2019 video misrepresented by Indian media as response to Chandrayaan-3

    Fawad Chaudhry’s 2019 video misrepresented by Indian media as response to Chandrayaan-3

    A video of former information minister, Fawad Chaudhry, has been circulating on Indian media, purportedly showing him responding to India’s Chandrayaan-3 moon mission. In the video, Fawad is heard saying that Pakistan did not feel the need to work hard and send a moon mission, which has led to ridicule from Indian social media users.

    However, it is important to clarify the context of this video. The video is dated back to May 26, 2019, during which Fawad Chaudhry served as the Minister of Science and Technology in Pakistan. He was discussing disputes over sighting the Ramzan and Eid moons and announcing the release of a 5-year lunar calendar with the assistance of the science ministry. His statement was related to the moon sighting for the Islamic festivals and was not a direct response to India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission.

    During the TV show in May 2019, Chaudhry was referring to the Ministry of Science and Technology’s viewpoint on the sighting of the Eid moon. He stated, “We have a point of view in the Ministry of Science and Technology. Wherever the moon is, it is visible. Its location is known. It is known when the moon birth is taking place. Where it will be at what altitude, it is known exactly.” This statement had no connection to Chandrayaan-3, as it predates the mission by more than 4 years.

    Unfortunately, some Indian media outlets published this old video without proper research and presented it as a recent interview related to the Chandrayaan-3 mission. This led to misinterpretation and ridicule of Fawad Chaudhry on Indian social media platforms.

    In summary, the viral video of Fawad Chaudhry is not related to India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, but rather pertains to moon sighting for Islamic festivals and dates back to May 2019. The claims of his recent mocking of the Chandrayaan-3 mission are not accurate and should be treated with caution to avoid misrepresentation.

  • PTI leaders who have been arrested so far

    PTI leaders who have been arrested so far

    After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest from Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday, authorities have not spared his party members either.

    Following is the list of all leaders of the former ruling party who have been arrested so far:

    1- Asad Umar

    On Wednesday, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar was arrested from the premises of the IHC — the same court from where his chief was taken into custody.

    According to eyewitnesses, PTI lawyers fought with the police to prevent Umar’s arrest, but the law enforcers overpowered them and took the PTI leader away. He was booked in two cases registered against him and other PTI leaders following the protests that ensued after Khan’s arrest.

    2- Shah Mahmood Qureshi

    On Thursday morning, PTI senior Vice President Shah Mahmood Qureshi was arrested for “inciting violent protests” after Khan’s arrest.

    PTI also shared a video of Qureshi’s arrest. The party claimed that the ex-foreign minister had been taken to an undisclosed location.

    3- Fawad Chaudhry

    Chaudhry was finally apprehended by the police as he emerged from the Supreme Court building late on Wednesday night, where he had sought refuge for over 12 hours in an attempt to evade his impending arrest.

    4- Omar Cheema

    Former Punjab Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema was arrested on Wednesday during a raid at his house by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab.

    5- Aliya Hamza

    According to ARY News, former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Aliya Hamza Malik was arrested in Islamabad from her residence on Wednesday.

    6- Maleeka Bokhari

    According to reports, authorities have picked up former MNA Maleeka from Islamabad

    Other than this, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Falaknaz Chitrali and Musarrat Jamshed Cheema have been arrested so far.

    7- Ejaz Chaudhry

    Senator got arrested on Thursday after Khan’s arrest.

    8- Ali Muhammad Khan

    On Thursday, Ali Muhummad Khan got arrested.

    9- Shireen Mazari

    In the early hours of Friday, the former human rights minister was arrested from her home in Islamabad. According to reports, she has been taken to Adiala Jail.

    10- Dr Yasmin Rashid

    Similarly, around the same time, the former provincial minister was arrested from Lahore. Her whereabouts are unknown.

    This is a developing story as it is feared that more leaders may get arrested soon.

  • Rare show of unity as PTI calls out Indian FM for remarks about Bilawal

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Twitter strongly called out Indian Foreign Minister (FM) S. Jaishankar after he used undiplomatic language for Pakistan and its FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari post an important moot of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

    In a media conference, a visibly rattled Jaishankar called Bilawal a “promoter, justifier and spokesperson of a terrorism industry.”

    “Victims of terrorism do not sit together with its perpetrators to discuss terrorism,” he said, adding that “as a member of SCO, Bilawal was treated accordingly.”

    PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry put aside political differences to respond that the Indian FM should be ashamed for passing such remarks.

    “Pakistan has made great sacrifices in the war against terrorism, now the foreign minister of a Hindu extremist group, who is involved in the worst terrorism against its own citizens, should be ashamed of himself for speaking such nonsense.”

    Similarly, Zulfi Bukhari called this a petty act and reminded India of its values.

    He pointed out, “Whatever happened to mehman bhagwan hota hai? Or has that idea gone down the drain just like a secular India.”

    When Bilawal returned back to the country, he held a press conference to brief members of the media about his visit. He also responded to the remarks made by India’s FM, saying that he can’t do anything if their hatred has risen this much.

    Asking if he ever sat with any terrorist, Bilawal was of the view that India not only wants to declare every Muslim a terrorist but also him.

    The minister added that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and is against any appeasement with terrorist organisations.

  • Fawad or Marriyum: Whose idea was PTV Flix anyway?

    Federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday announced the launch of the online platform PTV Flix, which will allow users to access thousands of movies, television shows and documentaries online. In a tweet, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) politician revealed that the was an initiative quite close to her heart, as countless iconic shows like ‘Dhoop Kinaray’, ‘Tanhaiyaan’ and ‘Ainak Wala Jin’ can now be easily accessed online.

    Aurangzeb also thanked the team at PTV and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, who had helped in making this idea in to a reality:

    “I would like to thank and congratulate the team at PTV and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for all their hard work which has made this idea a reality. I would also like to thank our entertainment legends Bushra Ansari Sba, Javed Sheikh Sb and Khalid Abbas Dar Sb for joining me at the launch event.”

    However, many tweeps began tagging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry, crediting him for the initiative. Chaudhry later put up a tweet revealing that this was a project he had began during his tenure.

    To which Aurangzeb had a cheeky response, but really who was the person to kickstart PTV Flix?

    If we look back, it was Chaudhry who during his tenure as the Minister of Science and Technology, had announced in 2020 in a tweet that his team was working on setting up Pakistan’s version of Netflix, and had already asked regulatory authorities to draft a guideline about the content.