Tag: Imran Khan

  • New FIR filed against Khan for violating Section 144

    New FIR filed against Khan for violating Section 144

    A new First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his other party members at the Abpara police station in Islamabad.

    Asad Umar, Murad Saeed, Fawad Chaudhry, Faisal Javed Khan, Sheikh Rasheed and others have also been booked over violation of Section 144 and named in the FIR. 

    The FIR states that Khan along with his party leaders violated Section 144. It adds that the PTI leaders and their almost 1,000 supporters blocked the road at Imran Khan’s instructions. The FIR says that the party used loudspeakers as well.

    Earlier, an FIR was filed against Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for “threatening” Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and senior police officers during his speech on August 20. However, he was granted transit bail till August 25.

    Read more: IHC to initiate contempt proceedings against Imran for controversial remarks regarding sessions judge

    On Monday (August 22), the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decided to initiate contempt proceedings against Imran Khan for passing controversial remarks about Judge Zeba Chaudhry.

    A day later, the IHC issued a show-cause notice to Imran Khan and summoned him on August 31 in contempt proceedings.

  • Can a ‘power hungry mad man’ trample the law, asks Zardari

    Can a ‘power hungry mad man’ trample the law, asks Zardari

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is “mad for power” ands said that the judiciary must see “whether this person is above the law”.

    “He is now targeting the judiciary and has threatened a woman judge in Islamabad. The judiciary has to see whether this person is above the law,” said Zardari.

    Zardari said that at the moment, one man’s hunger to be back in power is driving him mad with each passing day.

    “This man is subjecting our army to criticism on a daily basis and the same army is battling terrorists and sacrificing their lives for the country,” the PPP co-chairperson said.

    Zardari called upon the government to establish its writ.

    “Otherwise institutions will continue to be under attack from him,” warned Asif Zardari.

    Addressing a political gathering at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Sunday (August 21), Khan said that according to the reports he had received, the neutrals were responsible for the crackdown against his party.

    Read more: ‘Neutrals ka pressure tha’: Imran Khan blames the establishment for crackdown on PTI

    “On May 25, when the police used violence against us, I was told by insiders that the police were ordered from above, which means that neutrals pressurised them to give PTI workers a thrashing,” said Khan. 

  • Islamabad High Court issues show-cause notice to Khan, summons him on Aug 31

    Islamabad High Court issues show-cause notice to Khan, summons him on Aug 31

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday (August 23) issued a show-cause notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and summoned him on August 31 in contempt proceedings for his controversial remarks about Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry, who had approved Shahbaz Gill’s physical remand in a sedition case.

    During today’s hearing, Islamabad Advocate General Jahangir Khan Jadoon informed the court that he had filed a miscellaneous application seeking permission to put Imran’s controversial statements against state institutions on record.

    In his application, the advocate general pleaded to the court that he wanted to submit the record of anti-judiciary remarks and speeches made by Imran Khan in the past.

    “I want to put Imran Khan’s video clip on record,” said the applicant.

    “In these circumstances, it is humbly prayed that [the court] allow to display the aforementioned material in this honourable court via USB or other digital gadgets, and consider this material as part of the case,” he said in his application.

    He pleaded with the court to allow the petitioner to play the video showing the anti-judiciary and anti-state institution remarks made by the PTI chairman in the past.

    IHC to initiate contempt proceedings against Imran for controversial remarks regarding sessions judge

    On Monday (August 22), the IHC decided to initiate contempt proceedings against Imran Khan for passing controversial remarks about Judge Zeba Chaudhry.

  • US refuses to comment on Imran Khan’s terrorism charges

    US refuses to comment on Imran Khan’s terrorism charges

    The United States (US) refused to comment on the terrorism case registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    “This is a matter for the Pakistani legal and judicial system”, said US State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

    “It is not directly a matter for the US and that’s because we don’t have a position on one political candidate or party versus any other political candidate or party.”

    Ned Price added that the US supports the “peaceful upholding of democratic, constitutional, and legal principles in Pakistan and around the world”.

    Read more: Rejected: White House says they have nothing to do with Khan’s allegation of a US-backed ‘foreign conspiracy’

    Imran Khan was booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) after he threatened Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and senior officers of the Islamabad Police. However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted transit bail to Khan till August 25.

    The IHC also issued a show-cause notice to the PTI chairman today (August 23) and summoned him on August 31 in a contempt of court case.

  • ‘Yes, it’s true’: Shahbaz Gill confirms he was sexually assaulted in police custody

    ‘Yes, it’s true’: Shahbaz Gill confirms he was sexually assaulted in police custody

    Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shahbaz Gill’s room in Parliament Lodges was raided late Monday.

    The Islamabad police recovered weapons, a satellite phone and foreign currency. A pistol was recovered during the operation; however, Gill refused to take ownership of the weapon.

    “My wallet was usually carried by my driver and the room from where the pistol has been recovered was in use of my guards,” he said. 

    Replying to the questions of journalists, Gill confirmed he was sexually assaulted in police custody. 

    “Yes, it’s true”, said Gill in response to the question about Imran Khan’s statement.

    “I see some changes in my room, my passport wasn’t found at its usual place…this means that somebody came here during the time I was in custody,” he added.

    Read More: Islamabad court approves two-day physical remand of Shahbaz Gill

    Earlier on Monday, a district and sessions court in Islamabad granted a two-day physical remand of Gill after reviewing his medical report. Shahbaz Gill was taken into custody on August 9 from Bani Gala Chowk for inciting the public against state institutions.

    ‘Gill was tortured both mentally and physically, including sexual abuse’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman demanded justice for his Chief of Staff Dr Shahbaz Gill and claimed that he was sexually abused while in police custody.

    In a series of tweets Khan said, “All the pictures and videos show clearly Gill was tortured both mentally and physically, including sexual abuse — most too gruesome to relate.”

    “ICT police says it did not inflict any torture. So my question is: Who tortured Gill?” Khan asked.

    The PTI chairman added that there is a general perception in the public at large and in “our minds too as to who could have carried out the gruesome torture”.

    “Remember the public will react. We will leave no stone unturned to find out those responsible and bring them to justice,” he added.

    Rallies in solidarity with Shahbaz Gill

    In a video message, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said that nationwide rallies to show solidarity with Shahbaz Gill will be taken out tomorrow.

    Imran reaches PIMS

    Khan reached Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) to meet Gill.

    Khan barred from meeting Shahbaz

    Imran Khan announced nationwide rallies to show solidarity with Shahbaz Gill, after the former premier claimed his party leader faced “sexual abuse” in police custody.

    “I will lead a rally in Islamabad tomorrow […] and rallies will be held in all divisional headquarters across the country,” the PTI chairman told journalists.

    Khan’s brief presser came after he was barred from meeting Gill at the PIMS hospital in the federal capital.

  • ‘Neutrals ka pressure tha’: Imran Khan blames the establishment for crackdown on PTI

    ‘Neutrals ka pressure tha’: Imran Khan blames the establishment for crackdown on PTI

    Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan blamed the ‘neutrals’ for the crackdown against his party.

    Addressing a political gathering at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Sunday (August 21), Khan said that according to the reports he had received, the neutrals were responsible for the crackdown against his party.

    “On May 25, when the police used violence against us, I was told by insiders that the police were ordered from above, which means that neutrals pressurised them to give PTI workers a thrashing,” said Khan. 

    “The chief election commissioner is giving every decision against us … [He] is fully trying to disqualify me. I got information from the inside that he [the CEC] was not doing anything on his own but there was pressure of the boot.”

    Khan further accused the authorities of harassing visitors to Bani Gala, his residence in Islamabad, and said the people who came to meet him “received calls from the intelligence agencies” and are asked why did they go there.

    “People who come to visit my home, police outside my house takes off their shoes. Police is not doing all this. They tell us that we have orders from neutrals.”

    “So I ask you, whether you are neutral or not? If you stand with these people [PDM government], will the nation stop thinking of them as thieves? And now that you are standing with them, will they start considering them pious?”

    YouTube blackout

    After Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed a ban on the live telecast of speeches of PTI Chairman Imran Khan after he threatened the police, bureaucracy, and Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry, YouTube services in parts of the country reportedly faced disruptions during Imran Khan’s speech at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh.

    NetBlocks, which tracks network disruptions and shutdowns, confirmed reports of YouTube being “briefly” blocked on multiple internet providers during Khan’s speech on Sunday.

    “Real-time network data show the disruption in effect on some but not all mobile and fixed-line internet providers in Pakistan during the live-streamed speech. Access was restored after the speech concluded. The study is taken from a sample size of 100 measurements from 14 vantage points across Pakistan,” a statement issued by the watchdog read.

  • ‘Imran Khan hamaari Red Line’: PTI

    ‘Imran Khan hamaari Red Line’: PTI

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan filed a pre-arrest bail application in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday (August 22) to avoid arrest in a terror case filed against him last night.

    However, Khan has been granted a three day transit bail till August 25.

     PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry and Babar Awan filed the plea on Khan’s behalf, who maintained in the plea that the former prime minister is ready to appear before the court whenever summoned.

    “There is no chance of fleeing or damaging evidence presented by the prosecution. Imran Khan is also ready to submit money as surety against his bail,” the plea stated.

    A first information report (FIR) was filed against Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for threatening a judge and two top police officials during his speech on August 20. 

    “Imran Khan hamaari Red Line”

    “Imran Khan hamaari Red Line” [Imran Khan is our red line] started trending on Twitter after reports of Khan’s likely arrest surfaced on Sunday.

    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that he was at Bani Gala with a number of workers at Khan’s residence.

    Ali Amin Gandapur threatened taking over Islamabad, warning the police not to be a “part of this political war anymore”.

    “If Imran Khan is arrested by the imported government we will take over Islamabad,” he warned. “And my message to the police is that don’t be part of this political war anymore, otherwise we will deal [with] you as PDM workers. Let PTI and PDM leadership and workers fight and decide once and for all.”

    Interior Ministry seeks permission for arrest from PM Shehbaz

    According to The News, the interior ministry has sought written permission from PM Office for the arrest of the PTI chairman. Khan will be arrested with the consensus of all parties in the ruling alliance.

    However, Pakistan People’s Party leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari has opposed the arrest of Imran Khan. He believes that the arrest will be politically damaging for the government.

    Read more: PEMRA imposes ban on live telecast of Imran Khan’s speeches

    Earlier, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed a ban on the live telecast of speeches of PTI Chairman Imran Khan after he threatened the police, bureaucracy, and Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry.

  • PEMRA imposes ban on live telecast of Imran Khan’s speeches

    PEMRA imposes ban on live telecast of Imran Khan’s speeches

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed a ban with immediate effect on the live telecast of speeches of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Khan after he threatened the police, bureaucracy, and Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry.

    PEMRA issued a six-page notification stating it has been observed that Imran Khan is continuously levelling baseless accusations in his speeches and statements against national institutions and spreading hatred in his speeches.

    According to PEMRA, the ban has been put in place under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002. PEMRA also warned news channels of strict action if the directives were not followed. 

    According to various news reports, the government has lodged a first information report (FIR) against Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for threatening a judge and two top police officials during his speech yesterday (August 20). 

    Be ready, we will take action against you: Khan

    On August 20, addressing a party rally in the federal capital’s F-9 park to express solidarity with Shahbaz Gill, Khan threatened Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry.

    “Zeba! Be ready, we will take action against you.”

    ADSJ Zeba Chaudhry had approved Gill’s two-day physical remand at the request of the capital police.

    Khan threatened that he would “not spare” Islamabad’s inspector-general (IG), deputy inspector general (DIG).

    “IGP and DIG! We will not spare you.” 

    He further said that if a case can be registered against Gill, then Fazlur Rehman, Nawaz Sharif, and Rana Sanaullah will also face judicial proceedings.

    “They [coalition government] are trying to scare us by torturing Gill,” he said, adding that this is a “decisive moment” for the people of the country.

    We did nothing: Police tells Khan

    Khan again called on the “neutrals” (military establishment) to stand with the nation rather than the “gang of thieves”, in reference to the ruling coalition. He said he wanted to ask the neutrals if they were “really neutral”. He also alleged that the Islamabad police was taking orders for action against his party leaders from ‘someone’.

    “When I asked the police to tell me what did they do to Shahbaz Gill’ they said: ‘We did nothing, we got a boot from behind to follow orders’,” Khan said while announcing to move the Supreme Court against the alleged torture of Gill.

  • ‘Pervaiz Elahi and Punjab government being controlled through remote control from Bani Gala’: Tarar

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Punjab government that “all of you” will be arrested if a single PML-N worker is sent behind bars.

    Tarar, who was speaking to the media, warned Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Pervaiz Elahi’s government that they “will face the consequences of the trend of revenge they had set”.

    “Pervaiz Elahi sahib, you and your son (Moonis Elahi) will face the consequences of this new trend that you have set,” warned Tarar, claiming that Moonis had been issuing instructions for action against PML-N leaders despite not having any official authority.

    “Pervaiz Elahi and his Punjab government are being controlled through remote control from Bani Gala. This is his old habit. For God’s sake, stop this, the country has already borne much loss.”

    He also linked the action against his party’s members to the “promotion of an anti-state narrative”, alluding to PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s remarks against institutions.

    Tarar alleged that CM Elahi had “fully facilitated [former Prime Minister] Imran Khan in promoting this anti-state narrative”, adding that Elahi was “at the forefront of exacting revenge from us”.

    He went on to claim that Elahi and Moonis had directed jail officials not to hand over Gill to Islamabad police even when the court had approved his remand in police custody.

    Court issues arrest warrants for Ata Tarar, 11 other PML-N leaders

    A judicial magistrate Friday, August 19, issued the arrest warrants for a dozen PML-N leaders, including prime minister’s special assistant Atta Tarar, in relation to a ruckus created at the Punjab Assembly.

    A case was registered against the PML-N leaders over the ruckus which took place in April during the chief minister’s election — when Hamza Shehbaz was elected to the top office.

  • ’We never tried to oppress the media’: Imran Khan

    ’We never tried to oppress the media’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in his interview with The Guardian spoke at length about media freedom during his time as prime minister, forced disappearance in Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

    ‘We never tried to oppress the media’: Khan

    “In my time, we never tried to oppress the media. The only problem was that sometimes the … security agencies — three or four times we found out that picked someone up and immediately when we found out we would immediately have them released,” said Khan.

    They [security people] were responsible for picking up people: Khan

    “They [security forces] were responsible for picking up people, but according to them they were involved in this insurgency, which was going on in Balochistan and the tribal area bordering Afghanistan. So they would blame that, with some justification, because you could not convict terrorists in the courts because you wouldn’t get witnesses,” said Khan while speaking about forced disappearances and missing persons.

    Eventually Afghan women, the Afghan people, will assert their rights: Imran Khan

    “Eventually Afghan women, the Afghan people, will assert their rights. They are strong people,” he said. “But if you push the Taliban from the outside, knowing their mindset, they will just put up defences. They just hate outside interference,” said Khan about Afghanistan.