Tag: Imran Khan

  • Shehbaz-led government finds little support from allies

    Shehbaz-led government finds little support from allies

    As the federal government announced yesterday to ban the main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ruling government’s key ally, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), distanced itself from the unexpected and controversial decision.

    PPP’s Information Secretary Shazia Atta Marri has clarified the party’s position by saying that PPP wasn’t consulted on the decision to ban PTI. Her remarks came after the Shehbaz Sharif-led government decided to ban the PTI and start high treason references against their leaders, including Imran Khan.

    Elaborating on the PPP’s stance, Marri said the party would discuss the government’s decision to ban the PTI.

    Meanwhile, Sindh Planning & Development and Energy Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said that the PPP “is not in favour of banning any political party”.

    PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman also confirmed Marri and Shah’s remarks about not being consulted and noted that the party had no idea that such a move by the Centre would be taken and that the party

  • Govt to ban PTI, initiate treason references against Khan & Alvi

    Govt to ban PTI, initiate treason references against Khan & Alvi

    The federal government of Pakistan has decided to go all in against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leadership as the Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar announced on Monday that the Shehbaz Sharif administration plans to ban the PTI as well as file treason cases against Imran Khan and former President Arif Alvi.

    “PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist,” Tarar told a press conference in Islamabad, saying that the federal government will move the apex court to file a petition to ban the party.

    Tarar stated that the decision to take these actions was taken in view of PTI’s alleged involvement in the May 9 riots and its leaders’ attempts to sabotage IMF’s bailout package deal with Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, Shah Mahmood Qureshi was indicted in cases related to May 9 events today.

  • ‘Only parliament can alter constitution, not SC’; Sanaullah on reserved seats ruling

    ‘Only parliament can alter constitution, not SC’; Sanaullah on reserved seats ruling

    The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political & Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, commented on the recent Supreme Court verdict on the reserved seats case, saying, “The judiciary cannot alter the constitution, but parliament can.”

    In a significant legal victory for the Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the “party is eligible for the allocation of reserved seats”.

    Sanaullah criticised the top court’s verdict, saying that it “violated Article 51” and relevant clauses that clearly bound independent candidates to join political parties within three days after elections.

    He also disapproved of the ruling granting an additional two weeks to process the independent candidates’ affiliations to their desired political parties.

    The senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader also stated that the verdict would be “opening the front gate for horse-trading.”

  • After major relief by SC, trouble for Khan in May 9 case

    After major relief by SC, trouble for Khan in May 9 case

    A day before the Supreme Court granted major relief to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the reserved seats case, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) affirmed the allegations of Imran Khan’s involvement in the May 9 conspiracy against the state in its verdict.

    Senior journalist Ansar Abbasi has stated that while Friday’s SC verdict was a major political victory for PTI and Khan, the verdict by ATC Lahore is a major setback for them.

    Lahore’s anti-terrorism court has become the first judicial forum to uphold that Imran Khan and senior PTI leaders hatched an anti-state conspiracy on May 9.

    Justice Khalid Arshad of the ATC Lahore upheld the prosecution’s view that Khan, in collusion with PTI’s top leadership, was involved in a conspiracy and war against the state on May 9 of last year.

    The court also rejected Khan’s bail application while pointing out that the court was not convinced by founder PTI’s allegation that he was being targeted with politically motivated case.

  • No intention to form government with PPP, says Barrister Gohar Ali Khan

    No intention to form government with PPP, says Barrister Gohar Ali Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on reserved seats put a dead stop to predictions of a ban on PTI, ARY News reported.

    Khan told journalists that his party has no intention of forming a coalition government with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

    “This option was also available to us on February 09,” Barrister Gohar remarked.

    “We will act as a strong opposition party,” the PTI chairman said.

    Gohar Khan also clarified that the party’s top leadership didn’t decide anything about the no-confidence motion.

    “The option of talks still is open,” Gohar stated.

    Previously, the top court on Friday announced its verdict about reserved seats and allowed PTI to obtain their reserved seats in National and provincial assemblies.

  • PTI Wins: What does the Supreme Court verdict mean?

    PTI Wins: What does the Supreme Court verdict mean?

    In a significant political and symbolic win for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a thirteen-member bench of the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the party has the legal and constitutional right to reserved seats.

    It was Justice Mansoor Ali Shah who, with his announcement of the 8-5 majority verdict, dismissed the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) order that had upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) ruling denying reserved seats to the Sunni Ittehad Council, which was backed by PTI.

    Geo News reported that eight Justices, Justices Athar Minallah, Shahid Waheed, Muneeb Akhtar, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Ayesha Malik, Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, and Irfan Saadat Khan supported the verdict.

    The Supreme Court, in its verdict today, declared that a party’s lack of electoral symbol does not affect its legal rights to participate in an election.

    The Supreme Court also stated that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ‘misinterpreted’ its January 13 verdict of taking away PTI’s bat symbol and they never ruled that PTI could not participate in the elections.

    “PTI was and is a political party, which secured general seats in the national and provincial assemblies in the general elections of 2024,” emphasised the verdict.

    The ruling said that PTI should present a list of eligible candidates for the reserved seats to the electoral body within 15 days after the verdict.

    TIMELINE

    On 13 January 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decision to revoke PTI’s electoral symbol ‘bat’. PTI leadership called the decision “unfair and damaging to democratic constitutionalism.”

    Following this landmark decision, PTI members contested the general elections as the party-backed independent candidates with their own allotted electoral symbols.

    Following the February 8 elections, PTI-backed independents won the highest number of seats, making history in the country.

    To get the reserved seats according to proportional representation, PTI-backed independents joined the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) because the laws dictated that only a political party could be eligible for the allocation of reserved seats.

    The SIC then approached the ECP on February 21 seeking allocation of reserved seats. However, the PTI suffered a setback after the electoral body, citing the party’s failure to submit its list of candidates, denied allocating the reserved seats to the SIC via its 4-1 majority verdict on March 4.

    The party then approached the Peshawar High Court on March 6, which, in yet another setback to the party, upheld the electoral body’s decision on the matter in its March 14 ruling.

    Subsequently, on April 2, the SIC moved the SC seeking to set aside the PHC verdict.

  • Khan wins, X goes crazy

    Khan wins, X goes crazy

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) announced a reserved verdict on Friday, declaring that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is eligible to obtain reserved seats. The SC also dismissed the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) decision to deny the reserved seats of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

    After the court’s decision, people reacted to it on X (formerly Twitter).

    Journalist Gharidah Farooqi posted, “PTI is not present in the parliament, but they have to submit a list of their candidates for reserved seats in the next 15 days as per the court’s orders.”

    PTI’s official account wrote, “Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja must IMMEDIATELY resign after violating the constitution of Pakistan.”

    Several PTI leaders also expressed their support for the court’s decision on reserved seats.

    Prominent party leader, Zulfi Bukhari posted, “Congratulations to the entire nation for the massive win in the revered seats case. Not only did PTI win 8-5 in the Supreme Court but 11 judges declared PTI a political party and allowed it to contest elections. More than us, this case was for the survival of the Supreme Court and hope of justice in the country.”

    Journalist Shehzad Iqbal said while speaking on Geo News that the court’s decision benefits PTI but is not good news for the coalition government.

    The famous journalist Asad Toor wrote in a post on X, “No extra seats for government.”

    On the other hand, users on X posted memes about today’s verdict.

    One user posted an image with the caption, “Itni Jaldi Mithai Nahi Khani Chahye.”

    PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill posted the picture of journalist Hassan Ayub with the caption, “Aida ki Karna hai?”

  • From thrills to romance: Ten dramas that defined the year

    From thrills to romance: Ten dramas that defined the year

    Looking for something different from the usual love triangles, family feuds, and predictable comedies? Enter Green Entertainment! This channel has freshen up the Pakistani drama scene with new, exciting content. With its captivating teasers, Green Entertainment made us ask, ‘Is this what we were waiting for?’ And the answer was a resounding ‘Yes!’

    Green Entertainment stands out for its diverse array of shows, including family dramas, crime thrillers, horror series, love stories, and unique scripts that challenge the industry norms. Competing with seasoned players in the field was no small feat, but Green Entertainment’s bravery paid off.

    Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore 10 standout dramas from Green Entertainment – from love stories to thrillers and more!

    Tumhare Husn Ke Naam: This drama brought a touch of vintage romance, captivating fans of classic Pakistani dramas. Starring Saba Qamar and Imran Abbas as Salma and Sikandar, it tells the story of enduring love and following one’s passion. Set against the charming architecture of Lahore’s National College of Arts, this drama highlights societal norms about remarriage and the power of true love.

    22 Qadam: This drama focuses on Fari, a college student passionate about cricket, played by Hareem Farooq. It highlights female empowerment and the pursuit of dreams. With a cast including Wahaj Ali and dynamic characters, “22 Qadam” challenges gender stereotypes and celebrates women’s aspirations.

    Serial Killer: Starring Saba Qamar as SP Sarah, this drama introduces viewers to a murder mystery filled with forensic investigations and intricate plots. Written by Umera Ahmed, it keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with its meticulous attention to detail.

    Breaking News: This drama delves into the manipulation of media and politics, exposing the dark side of the industry. It raises important questions about media responsibility and political influence, offering a gripping and thought-provoking narrative.

    Kabli Pulao: ‘Kabli Pulao’ tells the story of Haji Mushtaq and Barbeena, highlighting cultural expectations and personal sacrifices. Their journey, symbolised by the popularity of Kabli Pulao, reflects resilience and the power of human connection.

    Standup Girl: Zara Noor Abbas stars as Zara, a stand-up comedian navigating life’s challenges. This romantic comedy, set in Lahore, explores themes of identity, humour, and the pursuit of artistic fulfilment, making it a refreshing tale of love and laughter.

    Gentleman: Influenced by Pakistan’s socio-political landscape, this drama blends love stories with deep-seated issues. Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar’s portrayal highlights the complexities of governance, justice, and the morality of love, offering a cinematic experience on TV screens.

    Pas-e-Deewar: Set in rural Pakistan, this drama follows Ujala and Iftikhar as they navigate financial hardships and societal pressures. With themes of resilience, integrity, and love, it explores the clash between tradition and modernity.

  • KP to provide free solar panels to low-income families

    KP to provide free solar panels to low-income families

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to provide two KV solar panels to poor families in the province, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

    Muzammil Aslam, the provincial advisor for Finance, told journalists that the KP government will provide one lakh solar systems to poor families.

    “The government will also provide electric wires and inverter fans with panels in a package,” Muzammil Aslam said.

    The advisor also stated that more than 90 power plants have been installed in the province, with electricity for six to seven rupees per unit.

    “Wapda is demanding Rs 27 per unit price for supplying electricity to consumers,” the provincial advisor stated. “We will also lay down the province’s own electricity transmission line,” he remarked.

  • HRCP condemns government’s decision to allow phone tapping

    HRCP condemns government’s decision to allow phone tapping

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised concerns about the government’s “unconstitutional notification”, which gives immense power to security agencies to trace calls of any citizen.

    “HRCP is deeply concerned by the recent unconstitutional notification issued by the federal government giving intelligence personnel carte blanche to intercept and trace the calls of any citizen in the interest of ‘national security’,” the commission wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

    On Monday, the federal government gave the authority to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to trace the calls and messages of citizens to deal with terrorism in the country.