Tag: Imran Khan

  • ‘Punish disobedient Imran Khan’: Russia lashes out at US for ‘plotting against Pakistan’

    ‘Punish disobedient Imran Khan’: Russia lashes out at US for ‘plotting against Pakistan’

    Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday declared that Russia is well aware of the events that led to the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA) in Pakistan.

    In a statement, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, “Immediately after the announcement of the upcoming working visit of Imran Khan to Moscow on February 23-24 this year. The Americans and their Western associates began to exert rude pressure on the Prime Minister, demanding an ultimatum to cancel the trip.”

    “When he nevertheless came to us, United States (US) Deputy Secretary of State for South Asia D Liu [Donald Lu] called the Pakistani ambassador in Washington and demanded that the visit be immediately interrupted, which was also rejected.”

    “According to the Pakistani media, on March 7 this year. in a conversation with Pakistani Ambassador Asad Majeed, a high-ranking American official (presumably the same D Liu) sharply condemned the balanced reaction of the Pakistani leadership to the events in Ukraine and made it clear that partnerships with the United States are possible only if Imran Khan is removed from power.”

    Zakharova further added, “The situation leaves no doubt that the United States decided to punish the ‘disobedient’ Imran Khan: a group of deputies of the same party of the prime minister ‘suddenly’ went over to the Opposition and the question of a no-confidence motion against the head of the incumbent government (Prime Minister) was immediately tabled in the parliament, the vote on which was scheduled for April 3rd.”

    “There is another attempt of shameless US interference in the internal affairs of an independent state for its own selfish purposes. The above facts eloquently testify to this. The Pakistani Prime Minister himself has repeatedly stated that the conspiracy against him was inspired and financed from abroad.”

    “We hope that Pakistani voters will be informed about these circumstances when they come to the elections, which should be held within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly,” read the statement.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan is in a state of political chaos as the no-confidence motion against Khan was dismissed abruptly on Sunday. Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri said that the no-confidence motion, presented on March 8, should be according to the law and the Constitution. “No foreign power shall be allowed to topple an elected government through a conspiracy,” he said, adding that the points raised by the minister were “valid”.

  • ‘You heard from me last week’, US repeats stand on Pakistan political situation

    ‘You heard from me last week’, US repeats stand on Pakistan political situation

    The US State Department on Tuesday once again rejected Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s allegations that the United States of America (USA) has aided and abetted the Pakistani opposition in tabling a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly to topple the PTI government.

    US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that there is absolutely no truth in that allegations as “you heard from me last week.” “We [US] support the peaceful upholding of constitutional democratic principles in Pakistan.”

    “We do not support one political party over another, we support the broader principles, the principles of rule of law, and equal justice under the law,” he added.

    Last week, Washington reacted to the allegations levelled by Imran Khan. White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield said, “There is absolutely no truth in these allegations.”

    At the time, US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price also seconded Kate’s statement saying, “We are closely following developments in Pakistan. We respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law. But when it comes to those allegations, there is no any truth.”

    On March 27, Khan accused the US of interfering in Pakistan’s politics and plotting to oust him through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly (NA). In a public gathering, he also brandished a ‘threat letter’ [which he claimed is from the US].

    Following this, based on this ‘threat letter’, the deputy speaker Qasim Suri rejected the no-trust motion against the PM. Later, acting on the PM’s advice, President Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly.

    This act of the government, however, plunged Pakistan into a constitutional crisis as the matter is being heard by the Supreme Court (SC) currently.

  • #BushraFarahNexus: Who’s Farah Khan, why is she the talk of the net?

    #BushraFarahNexus: Who’s Farah Khan, why is she the talk of the net?

    The #BushraFarahNexus has been trending on Twitter and other social media platforms for the past 24 hours, following a press conference by dissenting PTI leader and former Punjab senior minister Abdul Aleem Khan about the alleged corruption by Farah Khan.

    In a crowded press conference, Abdul Aleem Khan accused Farah Khan of corruption with the connivance of her “contacts in the power corridors”. Reports and rumours started making rounds suggesting that Farah Khan has left for Dubai on Sunday in the wake of the no-confidence motion.

    On the other hand, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz dubbed Farah Khan “mother of all scandals” and also accused her of receiving huge money for transfers and postings. “I dare to name Farah, a friend of Bushra Bibi who is involved in receiving millions of rupees in transfers and postings and these are directly connected to Banigala (residence of Prime Minister Khan),” said Maryam Nawaz.

    Who is Farah Khan?

    She is a close friend of Bushra Bibi.

    She joined PTI four years ago.

    Farah Khan was also present at the Nikkah cermoney of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.

  • Name your candidate: President asks Khan, Shehbaz to give names for caretaker Prime Minister

    Name your candidate: President asks Khan, Shehbaz to give names for caretaker Prime Minister

    President Dr Arif Alvi has sent letters to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif to seek suggestions for the appointment of a caretaker PM.

    The letter states that the caretaker PM will be appointed after the mutual consultation of the President, current PM, and Leader of the Opposition.

    The letter also mentions that if consultations fail, both government and the Opposition will nominate one person for the seat to a committee comprising both Govt and the Opposition.

    However, responding to the letter, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari questioned the President, saying that if there is no Assembly, then how can the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition exist name any caretaker prime minister? What would be the status of consultation between them?

    Bilawal also asked the Supreme Court (SC) to stop this ‘coup’.

    A day earlier, Deputy Speaker National Assembly (NA) Qasim Suri dismissed the no-confidence motion against Khan, terming it “unconstitutional”, saying that it was backed by “foreign powers” under Article 5.

    Following this development, Executives [Khan and Alvi] announced the dismissal of the National Assembly under Article 58. However, Imran Khan will remain seated as PM till the appointment of a caretaker PM.

  • All eyes are on the Supreme Court: What can we expect today?

    With what seems like an uncalled-for use of power, the abrupt dismissal of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan is being termed an “unconstitutional trump card”. Citizens of Pakistan have serious reservations over how Article 5 has been used as an ‘excuse’ by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to effectively subvert the constitution.

    Pakistan is in a state of constitutional crisis and all eyes are on the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP). The main question is which way will the SCP direct the future of Pakistan? The two options that seem likely to emerge after the hearing will primarily shape the future politics and state of democracy in Pakistan.

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan is scheduled to hold a hearing on the suo motu notice taken by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial. A five-member Supreme Court bench will hear the case for and against the dismissal of the no-confidence motion yesterday. CJP Bandial will head the session starting at 1pm on Monday.

    If the apex court decides in favour of the Opposition

    If the five-member bench decides in favour of the Opposition, the NA session will reconvene and the Lower House will have to continue with the voting on the no-confidence motion tabled against PM Khan. If Khan loses the majority, he can no longer hold office. And that the apex court will call for a fresh election in a time period of six months.

    If the apex court decides in favour of the government

    If the honourable judges of the Supreme Court decide in favour of the government, then fresh elections will be called in a time of 90-120 days. Meanwhile, it is also being speculated that the apex court will remark that it has nothing to do with the parliament and that what does goes inside the assembly strictly stays within the assembly.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Deputy Speaker of National Assembly Qasim Suri, on Sunday, April 3, dismissed the no-trust motion against Khan, terming it “unconstitutional”, saying that it was backed by “foreign powers”.

  • ‘Master stroke’: Sana, Feroze, Faysal and others laud Imran Khan after dismissal of no-confidence motion

    ‘Master stroke’: Sana, Feroze, Faysal and others laud Imran Khan after dismissal of no-confidence motion

    The much-awaited and crucial NA session started after a delay to hold the vote on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.. After the National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri on Sunday “dismissed” the no-confidence motion against (PM) Imran Khan, terming it against Article 5 of the Constitution, the legal war began.

    PM Khan then addressed the nation, saying he had advised the President to dissolve the National Assembly, which the President approved. Khan preferred early elections after dodging a vote of no confidence.

    Many prominent Pakistani celebrities have advocated for Imran Khan’s decision.

    Faysal Qureshi, Saba Qamar, Samina Peerzada, Shan Shahid, Shahroz Sabzwari, and Shahveer Jafry among other artists extended support to Khan.

    You can get exclusive details in our new show, Maslay Aur Masala:

    Check some of the reactions here:

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    Feroze Khan, Saba Qamar and other celebs react to PM Imran Khan ‘surprise’
    Feroze Khan, Saba Qamar and other celebs react to PM Imran Khan ‘surprise’
    Feroze Khan, Saba Qamar and other celebs react to PM Imran Khan ‘surprise’
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  • Parts of the ‘threatening letter’ may have been forged: claims Hamid Mir

    Parts of the ‘threatening letter’ may have been forged: claims Hamid Mir

    Journalist and Anchorperson Hamid Mir, while appearing on Geo News, has claimed that sources in the Foreign Office told him parts of the ‘threatening letter’ may have been forged.

    “The document on the basis of which Prime Minister Imran Khan has dissolved assemblies and President has notified it, that document is not original,” said Mir while talking about the ‘threatening’ letter.

    Senior Journalist Asma Sherazi took to Twitter to question who would be responsible for Pakistan being ridiculed all over the world and who will fix the country’s reputation?

    Journalist Hasan Zaidi referred to the claim by Hamid Mir as a “new twist.”

  • ‘Chaos’: Indian media coverage of Pakistan’s constitutional crisis

    ‘Chaos’: Indian media coverage of Pakistan’s constitutional crisis

    The current political situation of the country is changing very rapidly after the dismissal of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly session, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s advice to President Dr Arif Alvi to dissolve the assemblies and the subsequent dissolution of the National Assembly by President Alvi.

    The Indian media has also been covering the political situation in Pakistan.

    NDTV referred to Imran Khan’s advice to President Dr Arif Alvi to dissolve the assemblies as a “Googly”.

    Another story by NDTV said, “Opposition Says Government Violated Constitution.”

    Times Now shared a clip from their show in which a PPP member is saying, “‘Foreign hand’ conspiracy claim by the PTI is a lie.”

    Have a look at the coverage:

  • Legal Battle: Is what Prime Minister Imran Khan did today, legal?

    Legal Battle: Is what Prime Minister Imran Khan did today, legal?

    After the National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri on Sunday “dismissed” the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, terming it against Article 5 of the Constitution, the legal war began. PM Khan then addressed the nation, saying he had advised the President to dissolve the National Assembly, which the President approved. The country is in a state of shock and the main question is: Is what is going on, legal?

    BUT FIRST, WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ASSEMBLY SESSION?

    Loyalty to the state is the basic duty of every citizen under Article 5: Fawad Chaudhry

    The much-awaited and crucial NA session started after a delay to hold the vote on the no-confidence motion against Khan.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said, “On March 7, our official ambassador was invited to a meeting attended by the representatives of other countries. The meeting was informed that a motion against PM Imran was being presented,” he said, adding that this happened a day before the Opposition filed the no-trust move.

    “We were told that relations with Pakistan were dependent on the success of the no-confidence motion. We were told that if the motion fails, then Pakistan’s path would be very difficult. This is an operation for a regime change by a foreign government,” he alleged.

    NA speaker dismisses no-confidence motion against PM Imran, terms it contradictory to Article 5

    After Fawad Chaudhry spoke, Deputy Speaker Suri agreed with Fawad and said that the no-confidence motion was presented on March 8 and should be according to the law and the Constitution. “No foreign power shall be allowed to topple an elected government through a conspiracy,” he said, adding that the points raised by the minister were “valid”.

    He dismissed the motion, ruling that it was “contradictory” to the law, the Constitution, and the rules. The session ended and the government representatives walked out.

    LET’S GET LEGAL: What is Article 5?

    According to Article 5, “Loyalty to the State is the basic duty of every citizen.”

    “Obedience to the Constitution and law is the [inviolable] obligation of every citizen wherever he may be and of every other person for the time being within Pakistan.”

    THEN WHAT HAPPENED: On PM Imran Khan’s advice, President Arif Alvi approved the dissolution of the assembly

    In a surprise move, the premier on Sunday said that he has advised President Alvi to dissolve all the assemblies.

    President Dr Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly on the proposal of PM Khan.

    In a brief address to the nation after the no-confidence motion was rejected, the premier congratulated the nation and said that he had sent a proposal to the President to dissolve the NA and the nation should prepare for the next election.

    WAS WHAT HAPPENED LEGAL?

    What do the legal experts have to say?

    The Current reached out to legal experts to understand and get better clarity on the constitutional process in relevance to dismissing the no-trust move against PM Khan.

    Senior Lawyer and Journalist Muneeb Farooq terming the dismissal of the no-trust move “absolute nonsense” said, “The court will decide if what the speaker did is illegal and the no-confidence motion will likely move on. Today the court is closed, they [the Opposition] will take it to the court tomorrow.”

    Farooq further said, “Article 69 says that the court cannot question parliament proceedings, but there are exceptions,” adding that certain things were taken to court and the Supreme Court has ruled on them.

    WHAT’S FAROOQ’S MAIN POINT?

    Farooq said that the Prime Minister does not have the right to ask the President to dissolve the national assembly when there is a motion of no-confidence against him. He also added that the Speaker cannot dismiss a motion against the PM when the motion is already a part of the agenda. He added that Article 5 cannot be used in this situation, the way the government has used it.

    THE OTHER SIDE:

    Supreme Court Lawyer Chaudhry Faisal Hussain said, “The Deputy Speaker gave the ruling to dismiss the no-confidence motion. It is in his power to discard the no-confidence motion against the prime minister. Hence the motion gets dismissed and PM Khan still remains the prime minister.”

    WHAT’S HUSSAIN’S MAIN POINT?

    “Since Imran Khan is still Prime Minister, he can call for fresh elections, after dissolving the assembly, which he has done. The issue now will be that PM Khan has already moved past the no-confidence motion. If the assembly had not been dissolved, then perhaps the Supreme Court could make a ruling on the no-confidence issue.”

    ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW

    Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) Salman Akram Raja speaking to Geo News said that what happened in the National Assembly today was “highly unconstitutional”.

    He further said that SCP will look into the ruling given by the deputy speaker and could decide on allowing early elections or letting the no-confidence motion vote happen.

    The Joint Opposition had submitted the no-confidence motion to kick out PM Khan on March 8. According to reports, Chief Justice Umar Bandial has called his fellow justices to his place to discuss what is going on in the country.

    Meanwhile, sources say the Supreme Court may hold special proceedings today as well.

  • Opposition reacts to rejection of No-Confidence Motion, to approach SC

    Opposition reacts to rejection of No-Confidence Motion, to approach SC

    The opposition has reacted to the dismissal of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly session and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s advice to President Dr Arif Alvi to dissolve the assemblies. After PM Khan announced that he had asked Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly, the President dissolved the National Assembly.

    In an address to the nation, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the country will move towards early elections. “Prepare for elections. No corrupt forces will decide what the future of the country will be. When the assemblies will be dissolved, the procedure for the next elections and the caretaker government will begin,” he added.

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the opposition will approach the Supreme Court against the dismissal of the no-confidence motion, “Government has violated the constitution. did not allow voting on a no-confidence motion. The united opposition is not leaving parliament. Our lawyers are on their way to Supreme Court. We call on ALL institutions to protect, uphold, defend & implement the constitution of Pakistan,” he said.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted: “No one should be allowed to distort the constitution of Pakistan to save his seat. She also referred to PM Khan as a “crazy” and “obsessive person”.

    PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Senator Sherry Rehman has said, “All actions today are unconstitutional, illegal and will take the country straight into a dangerous constitutional crisis.”

    Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari has also reacted to the news. “All he has left is unconstitutional, illegal and treasonous methods because this is the reality of Imran Khan’s popularity with neutrality.”

    Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal has said that Article 6, which applies to treason, will be applicable to Imran Khan and Qasim Khan Suri for “unconstitutional” acts.

    Other politicians have also reacted to the dismissal of the no-confidence motion: