Tag: home-politics

  • Nawaz to fly to London today if name taken out from ECL

    Nawaz to fly to London today if name taken out from ECL

    Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been granted bail on health grounds in the multiple cases against him, is scheduled to fly out to London for treatment Monday morning.

    According to the tickets booked in his name, Sharif will be flying out from Lahore on a commercial flight of Qatar Airways and 09:05 am in the morning. He will be accompanied by his brother Shehbaz Sharif and his personal doctor Dr Adnan Khan.

    Nawaz’s daughter Maryam Nawaz will not be able to accompany her father abroad as she had to surrender her passport in order to secure her release on bail in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case.

    The return ticket has been booked for November 27.

    Despite the booking of tickets, media reports suggest that Nawaz’s name is still on the Exit Control List (ECL) and both the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Ministry of Interior couldn’t arrive at a decision regarding the removal of the name of the PML-N supremo from the ECL for one reason or another.

    Chairman PML-N Raja Zafarul Haq speaking to a private media outlet said, “All the arrangements for his [Nawaz Sharif’s] treatment abroad have been finalized, and we are now just waiting for the government to remove his name from the ECL [Exit Control List.”

    However, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi denied these allegations and said that the government had not created any hurdles to prevent Nawaz from travelling, adding that Sharif was allowed to go anywhere for his medical treatment.

    PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb asserted that Sharif’s condition was critical and it was pertinent that he be sent abroad for treatment. She revealed that a high dose of steroids had been administered to Nawaz in preparation for his expected departure on Monday.

    “Doctors have warned against giving him such high doses of steroids repeatedly,” she said. “They cannot risk any further damage in trying to get his platelet levels to rise.”

    Aurangzeb said that the drop in the former premier’s platelet levels continues to worry doctors and that if Nawaz’s health worsens any further, it will be “almost impossible to take him abroad”.

    Nawaz — who was previously hesitant to go abroad for treatment — is reportedly only going on the insistence of his ageing mother. As far as him flying out Monday morning is concerned, we’ll have to wait and watch.

  • Aneel Mussarat didn’t get a selfie with Manmohan but guess who all he did get one with

    Aneel Mussarat didn’t get a selfie with Manmohan but guess who all he did get one with

    One of PM Khan’s best friends, UK millionaire Aneel Mussarat is incredibly fond of taking selfies – whether the person with him knows or not. Aneel was also present at the Kartarpur Inauguration and in a widely circulated video of Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Aneel is seen trying to take a selfie with Manmohan and is pushed aside by Manmohan’s guards.

    WATCH: Imran’s aide ridiculed by Manmohan’s guards

    If Aneel couldn’t get Manmohan he did find others.

    CM Punjab Usman Buzdar is all smiles (as smiley as he can get) for a picture with Aneel.

    Doesn’t qualify as a selfie but he got a money shot

    The picture with Indian Actor Sunny Deol isn’t a selfie but at least he got one big shot Indian in his stash of selfies on this trip

    The Bus Selfie with the PM and the foreign minister and is that Navjot Sidhu behind Imran Khan?

    Standing on the bus

    A smiling foreign minister on the side and the PM on the left, Aneel covered all the stars in this trip.

  • VIDEO: Imran’s millionaire aide ridiculed by Manmohan Singh’s guards

    VIDEO: Imran’s millionaire aide ridiculed by Manmohan Singh’s guards

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s aide and British-Pakistani businessman Aneel Mussarat on Saturday was ridiculed by former Indian prime minister (PM) Manmohan Singh’s security as the former approached the Indian National Congress (INC) leader for a selfie.

    In a video, widely being shared over the internet, Mussarat was seen introducing himself to Singh as he shakes his hand. He, however, is stopped from taking a selfie by the ex-Indian premier’s guards who push him back.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    KARTARPUR INAUGURATION:

    Earlier in the day, PM Imran Khan, his team, ex-Indian PM Singh, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol among other prominent Pakistanis and Indians reached the Kartarpur to attend the opening ceremony of the much-awaited corridor.

    Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, situated in Kartarpur, is the second holiest place for the Sikh community. Located 120 km away from Lahore, it is at a distance of only 4 kilometres from the Pakistan-India border.

    It has been said in the agreement reached between Pakistan and India — to fulfill the much-awaited demand of the Sikh community — that 5,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims will be allowed to visit the Gurdwara through the Kartarpur Corridor on a daily basis.

  • Sidhu stopped from entering Pakistan through Wagah despite having a visa

    The Indian government on Saturday stopped Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu from entering Pakistan through Wagah border despite having a five-day visa, a private media outlet reported.

    According to reports, Sidhu will now enter Pakistan from Kartarpur.

    The Indian government on Thursday finally allowed cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu to attend the inauguration of the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Corridor after the latter wrote his third letter to the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday requesting permission to visit Pakistan.

    Pakistan has already issued a visa to Sidhu after Prime Minister Imran Khan invited him to attend the historic opening of the corridor, which has been built for Indian Sikh pilgrims travelling to the holy Gurdwara Darbar Sahib temple from a visa-free border crossing.

    Indian media, quoting official sources, reported on Thursday evening that Sidhu had been given political clearance by the government to take part in the Kartarpur Corridor inauguration ceremony on the Pakistani side.

    However, quoting sources, Indian media reported that Sidhu was granted permission only to travel as part of the first group coming from India for the pilgrimage to the Kartarpur Gurdwara, the world’s largest Sikh shrine and the final resting place of Sikhism founder Baba Guru Nanak.

    The permission from the Indian government has come through after Sidhu wrote three letters requesting to Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar asking for the government’s clearance for his visit.

    In his third letter, Sidhu pleaded to Jaishankar for a reply, saying he would proceed to Pakistan other Sikh devotees if the minister doesn’t respond.

    “Despite repeated reminders, you have not responded to whether or not the government has granted me permission to go to Pakistan for the inauguration ceremony of Gurdwara Darbar Sahid Kartarpur Corridor. The delay and no response is a hindrance to my future course of action,” the former cricketer wrote in his letter.

    “I categorically state that if the government has any inhibitions and say no then, as a law-abiding citizen, I will not go. But if you don’t respond to my third letter, then I will proceed to Pakistan as millions of Sikh devotees go on eligible Visa,” he added.

  • Babri Masjid case: Indian SC decides in favour of Hindus

    Babri Masjid case: Indian SC decides in favour of Hindus

    Putting to rest the decades-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, the Indian Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday decided in favour of Hindus as it allotted Ayodhya land to Ram Janambhoomi Nyas (Ram Birthplace Trust).

    Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas is an organisation to promote and oversee the construction of a temple in Ayodhya at the Ram Janmabhoomi, the reputed site of the birth of Rama, the seventh and one of the most popular avatars of Hindu God Vishnu.

    With a five-judge bench pronouncing its unanimous judgment that was reserved last month on the Ayodhya case involving the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid, it ordered allotment of five-acre alternative land to Muslims for setting up of a mosque while deciding in favour of Hindus.

    The ruling said the Indian government will formulate a scheme in three months to set up a board of trustees for the construction of the temple at the disputed structure.

    “This court must accept faith and accept the belief of worshippers. The court should preserve balance,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi said while reading out the judgement.

    The court said Hindus believe that Lord Ram was born under the dome, adding that faith is a matter of individual belief.

    It said there is evidence that Ram Chabutra, Sita Rasoi was worshipped by the Hindus before the British came. The court said evidence in the records shows that Hindus were in the possession of outer court of the disputed land.

    “Arguments were made on archaeology report. Archaeological Survey of India’s credentials are beyond doubt and its findings can’t be neglected,” the court said.

    The court said that titles can’t be decided on faith and belief but on claims. The judgement stated that historical accounts indicate the belief of Hindus that Ayodhya was the birthplace of Lord Ram.

    The Indian SC dismissed the plea of Shia Waqf Board on a claim to the Babri Masjid, saying there was no evidence that Muslims abandoned the mosque. Hindus always believed the birthplace of Lord Ram was in the inner courtyard of the mosque, the verdict added. 

    According to the court, it is clearly established that Muslims offered prayer inside the inner courtyard and Hindus offered prayers in the outer courtyard.

    Ahead of the verdict, appeals for peace were made by the Hindu and Muslim organisations and various political leaders, including Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.

    Meanwhile, Delhi Police said it will initiate strict legal action against mischief-mongers or those found indulging in any activity that may adversely affect peace and public order.

    “Activities on social media platforms will be under observation,” said the police.

    Earlier, authorities banned the assembly of more than four people at one place in and around Ayodhya, a town in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh while the government ordered all schools and colleges to remain closed until Monday.

    BABRI MASJID DESTRUCTION:

    Babri Masjid was a mosque in Ayodhya, India. Located in Ayodhya district, at a spot believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of Hindu deity Rama, it has been a bone of contention between the Hindu and Muslim communities since the 18th century.

    The destruction of the mosque in 1992 sparked massive Hindu-Muslim violence that left around 2,000 people dead.

    Hindu hardliners say the mosque was built after a temple dedicated to the Hindu god was destroyed by Muslim invaders. After the demolition of the mosque, Hindus and Muslims took the issue to a lower court, which, in 2010 ruled that the disputed land should be divided into three parts — two for Hindus and one for Muslims.

  • WATCH: Maulana Fazl angrily shrugs off innocent supporter trying to get selfie

    WATCH: Maulana Fazl angrily shrugs off innocent supporter trying to get selfie

    A video of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman brushing off a supporter trying to get a selfie with his leader has gone viral on the internet.

    JUI-F supremo with his thousands of followers and opposition support has been protesting against the incumbent government since the last week of October. Maulana and the opposition have demanded Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s resignation.

    However, it seems that the continuous meetings, prolonged journey and stay in the capital have taken a toll on JUI-F chief.

    Watch Video:

    In a recent video clip, Fazl can be seen impatiently brushing off a supporter, whose only crime was to wish to be pictured with the JUI-F supremo.

    In the video, Fazl strikes an indignant pose and hastily shrugs off the supporter who has his phone ready to take a selfie with his leader.

    Following the move, Fazl continues to move forward in a bad mood while the supporter backs off completely.

    Meanwhile, the Defence Minister Pervez Khattak has alleged that Maulana Fazl considered negotiations with the government committee as “time pass”.

    “They [opposition] are not even ready to listen. Maulana sahib says that this jirga is a time pass. Fine, then we are also passing time with you,” Khattak said.

  • India revokes journalist Aatish Taseer’s overseas ID because of ‘Pakistani father’

    The Indian government has revoked the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card of journalist Aatish Taseer over his alleged attempt to “conceal information” that his father, Salmaan Taseer, was of Pakistani origin, Dawn reported.

    According to the details, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, in an official statement, has said that Aatish “failed to dispute the notice” it had sent, asking him to explain the lapse, however, Aatish has denied this claim.

    The statement further said that Aatish had only provided details of his mother, who is a veteran Indian journalist, Tavleen Singh.

    Disputing the government’s version, Aatish on Thursday tweeted the picture of an email exchange with the Indian consul general, wherein he had objected to the ministry’s claim.

    He said that he would not be able to travel to India now, even on a tourist visa, adding, “They have accused me of fraud. They have blacklisted me. I cannot come to India as an ordinary citizen. My grandmother is 90 years old and lives in India and I may never see her again.”

    Aatish also said that cancellation of his Indian overseas citizenship was part of a “sinister plan”. “First they ruined my reputation by getting one of their men to call me a radical Islamist and then they moved against me after leaking the story to the press,” he added.

    He said he had lived in India between the ages of two and 10, and then 26 to 35. “I have local bank accounts, a biometric identification number and have paid taxes in the country.”

    Aatish, who grew up in Delhi and studied at the Kodaikanal International School in Tamil Nadu, now lives in New York. He had received his Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card in 2000.

    PIO is a facility that provides visa-free travel to India, which in Aatish’s case, had later converted into an OCI card.

    In his OCI application, he had referred to his mother as an Indian national and his father, former Pakistani Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, who was assassinated in 2011, as a “British national” as, to the “best of his knowledge”, his father held a British passport.

  • Govt to remove Nawaz’s name from ECL: sources

    Govt to remove Nawaz’s name from ECL: sources

    After months of denying reports regarding relief to ailing former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL), The Current has learnt.

    “His name will be removed from the no-fly list within the next 72 hours,” sources said and added that the convicted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo would subsequently be allowed to travel abroad.

    The development comes hours after Nawaz’s brother and PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif approached the Interior Ministry for the removal of the former premier’s name from the ECL.

    Nawaz, who was discharged from Lahore’s Services Hospital two days ago, was taken to his residence, Jati Umra, on Wednesday — 16 days after he was shifted to the hospital from jail in critical condition. With a precarious drop in his platelet count, the premier was also granted bail during his stay at the hospital.

    On Thursday, media reports claimed that the former premier had been convinced by his brother to leave the country for some time and seek medical treatment abroad.

    With Nawaz reportedly agreeing to leave, his daughter and PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, who was also granted bail earlier this month, on Friday was seen agreeing with the decision.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    In an informal conversation with journalists outside an accountability court, she had said that her father’s health was critical and he must be allowed to travel abroad if that was the only option.

    “Politics will go on, but parents will not always be around. I am only focused on Nawaz Sharif’s health for now,” she said while responding to a question regarding her plans to join Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s sit-in in Islamabad.

    Commenting on whether she would accompany her father if he leaves the country for medical treatment, Maryam said that she could not travel immediately as her passport was with the court.

  • Viral image: Woman commando guards Indian Sikh pilgrims

    Viral image: Woman commando guards Indian Sikh pilgrims

    An old image of a woman commando guarding Indian Sikhs as they arrive in Pakistan for a religious tour has gone viral over the internet.

    Captured at Wagah Railway Station back in 2015, the startling picture reflects many things, but respect is the common emotion one can feel out of it.

    Serving two purposes, while the image dissolves religious differences between the two countries, it also buries stereotypes about Pakistan regarding women.

    Thousands of Indian pilgrims arrive in Pakistan every year by a special train to participate in the three-day festival marking the birth anniversary of their spiritual leader Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

    KARTARPUR CORRIDOR:

    Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary is being observed this year and thousands of Sikhs from across the globe have converged in Nankana Sahib. What makes the occasion special this year is that it also marks the opening of Kartarpur Corridor between Pakistan and India.

    Notwithstanding a chill in bilateral ties over occupied Kashmir, the two countries, after tough negotiations, signed a landmark agreement last week, to operationalise the corridor allowing Indian pilgrims to visit the holy Sikh shrine.

    The three-day event will be held from November 10 to 12 in the Punjab district — the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak — located around 80km from Lahore.

    According to The Express Tribune, it will coincide with a separate event in the border town of Kartarpur, which also houses a historic Gurdwara — Sikh house of worship — where Guru Nanak settled and died in 1539.

    The two neighbouring countries have decided that 5,000 pilgrims from India can visit this shrine daily without showing travel permits.

  • Imran’s PTI reluctant to let ECP audit its foreign funding

    Imran’s PTI reluctant to let ECP audit its foreign funding

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is reluctant to let the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) audit its foreign funding as the ruling party has petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the top election watchdog’s decision.

    According to Dawn, through a petition filed in the IHC on Thursday, the ruling party has requested the court to restrain the scrutiny committee formed by the ECP from probing its foreign funding.

    On October 10 a three-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (r) Sardar Mohammad Raza, had rejected four applications filed by the PTI against the audit of its accounts by the scrutiny committee and directed the panel to continue its work and submit a report as soon as possible.

    Akbar S Babar, a founding member of the PTI, had filed the case in 2014, alleging that the party had illegally collected about $3 million through two offshore companies, and that the money was sent through illegal channels from the Middle East to certain accounts of “PTI employees”.

    He also alleged that the foreign accounts used to collect the funds were not mentioned in the annual audit reports submitted to the ECP by the PTI.

    The party, in one of its petitions, took the plea that since the ECP which comprised the CEC and four members, was incomplete, an order passed by it lacked legal force.

    The scrutiny committee was formed last year to investigate the issue of foreign funding of the PTI in a month, but later the time-limit was extended to an indefinite period.

    During the hearing on October 1, a conversation took place between the CEC and the PTI’s counsel over the disclosure that the party was operating numerous undeclared accounts.

    The party’s lawyer argued that some of the PTI’s accounts might not be in the knowledge of the party’s central office and that the PTI could not be held responsible for its account in Azad Kashmir as it fell under another legal jurisdiction.

    On Aug 22, President Arif Alvi had appointed Khalid Mehmood Siddiqui from Sindh and Munir Ahmed Kakar from Balochistan as ECP members on the posts that had fallen vacant after the departure of Abdul Ghaffar Soomro and retired Justice Shakeel Baloch.

    However, the ECP chief refused to administer oath to the new members on the ground that the appointments had been made without fulfilling constitutional requirements.

    The ECP’s scrutiny committee is headed by the director general law and also comprises two auditors from the defence establishment.

    The ECP was of the view that President Alvi had made these appointments “in violation of clauses 2A and 2B of Article 213 of the Constitution” that made it mandatory for these appointments to be made with the consensus of the prime minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

    However, the committee could not make any significant progress as the PTI did not submit financial documents, particularly statements of its bank accounts, sought by the committee.