Tag: Imran Khan

  • Imran Khan will contest elections from three constituencies

    Imran Khan will contest elections from three constituencies

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Wednesday that imprisoned founding chairman Imran Khan will contest elections from at least three constituencies on February 8 next year.

    PTI senator Ali Zafar told journalists that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) will soon announce its decision regarding the ToshaKhana case against Imran Khan, as the election schedule has already been released.

    “We want to inform you that Imran Khan will contest elections from at least three constituencies, and we hope that the IHC will announce its judgement soon in the Toshakhana case, as the election schedule has been issued,” he added.

    PTI’s petition requests the temporary halt of the former PM’s conviction in the Toshakhana case.

    The senator also encouraged party workers to submit their nomination papers, stating that the party will prioritise imprisoned workers.

    “Those [workers] who rendered sacrifices for the party, facing cases and braving difficulties will be allotted [party] tickets 100 per cent,” the PTI senator said.

    The PTI leader clarified that the final decision on ticket allocation will be made by the incarcerated party founder.

  • Hassaan Niazi is up for contesting elections

    Hassaan Niazi is up for contesting elections

    Hassaan Niazi, prominent leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s nephew, has officially declared his intention to participate in the upcoming general elections.

    The decision was revealed as his mother filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, seeking approval for his nomination papers.

    The petition argued that, with the Election Commission having announced the election schedule, Hassan Niazi remains eligible, having neither faced disqualification nor conviction; he is presently in custody.

    The legal plea urged the court to grant permission for the completion of Hassan Niazi’s nomination paper for the submission process.

    It further proposes a meeting between the court commissioner and Hassan Niazi to facilitate the verification or rejection of the nomination papers.

    The move sets the stage for a potentially dynamic political scenario, with Hassan Niazi’s candidacy poised to shape the unfolding electoral landscape.

    The Case

    A Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday granted the police two-day transit remand of the focal person of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassaan Niazi.

    The police had produced Niazi in the court seeking his transit remand to take him to Karachi, where he is wanted in connection with sedition charges registered against him.

    The case against Niazi was registered on the complaint of a citizen named Muhammad Iqbal at the Jamshaid Quarters police station.

    According to the first information report (FIR), Niazi was involved in inciting people to revolt against national institutions and attempting to provoke disharmony in a video on social media.

    The statement had allegedly created anger and distress among the masses.

    During the hearing, the prosecution argued that Niazi’s presence was required in Karachi for further legal proceedings.

    Therefore, the court approved the request for a two-day transit remand, allowing the police to take Niazi to Karachi for progress in the case.

  • Government blocks CNICs of 18 PTI leaders

    Government blocks CNICs of 18 PTI leaders

    The caretaker federal government has blocked the CNIC of former minister Hammad Azhar and 18 other leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The party leaders are facing legal charges following the May 9 riots. The list of leaders with blocked CNICs consists of Ali Amin Gandapur, Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, Malik Karamat Khokhar, Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Zubair Khan Niazi, Malik Nadeem Abbas, and Ghulam Mohiuddin Dewan.

    According to officials, the CNICs have been blocked at the request of the police and will remain suspended until investigation is completed.

    Authorities also said that if PTI leaders do not appear before the court, they will be deprived of their legal rights.

    Earlier On Sunday, PTI conducted its first virtual jalsa through various social media platforms, amid accusations of an alleged ‘internet crackdown’ aimed at stopping the event’s impact,.

    Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Khan spoke to approximately one million social media users globally, reaching audiences in Asia, Europe, and America.

  • Qasim Suri, Kumar Sanu or Hamid Mir? Who was THAT MAN at PTI virtual jalsa?

    Qasim Suri, Kumar Sanu or Hamid Mir? Who was THAT MAN at PTI virtual jalsa?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had a virtual jalsa on Sunday night and the internet is in fits after seeing the new look of one central leader.

    Qasim Suri, central senior vice president, member of the core committee of PTI, and the former deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, made a public appearance after a long time and people can’t accept that he looks like a different man.

    Netizens compared him to Indian singer Kumar Sanu.

    “Kal space mein Qasim Suri Ki Jagah Kumar Sanu Aagae Thy Ghalti Se.”

    Others thought he looked like Geo anchor Hamid Mir.

    “Qasim Suri looking like a Mexican Drug Cartel Kingpin.”

    “If he is Qasim Suri then I am Alexandra Daddario”

    “Looking at Qasim Suri’s pictures, I’m convinced ke jo kaam aurton k liye makeup karta ha mardon ke liye wo kaam Beard krti ha Cutie came from Metaverse”

    https://twitter.com/Burqaa_Avenger/status/1736645635091366209?s=20
  • Watch Khan’s AI version that was live at the virtual jalsa last night

    Watch Khan’s AI version that was live at the virtual jalsa last night

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held the first-ever virtual jalsa in Pakistan amid a crackdown and unsaid ban on their on-ground jalsas.

    Former Prime Minister and founding chairman of PTI Imran Khan addressed his supporters using an audio clip generated by artificial intelligence (AI) during the virtual jalsa.

    The AI-generated audio, played alongside photographs and videos of Khan, garnered over 1.4 million views on YouTube and drew a live audience of tens of thousands on various social media platforms.

    PTI social media lead, Jibran Ilyas, took to X (former Twitter) and wrote, “Founding Chairman Imran Khan’s speech in AI voice. Can’t stop praising Dr Asma for staying up 36 hours to get this done in time, Nausheen for translations and Intazar Bhai for getting notes from the Legend Imran Khan! #PTIVirtualJalsa.”

    In his address, Khan lamented the restrictions on public rallies imposed on his party, emphasizing the alleged abduction of party members and harassment of their families.

    “Our party is not allowed to hold public rallies,” Khan stated, urging his supporters to actively participate in the upcoming general elections. “Our people are being kidnapped, and their families are being harassed.”

    Officials from Khan’s party revealed that the AI-generated speech was derived from a written version approved by Khan himself while he remains incarcerated. PTI organized the virtual rally in response to Khan’s media blackout.

    Murtaza Solangi, the information minister in Pakistan’s caretaker government tasked with overseeing the elections, did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comments.

    Internet services faced serious disruptions on Sunday night as a large number of people complained about difficulties in accessing social media sites where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was holding a virtual election rally.

    Users from different parts of the country reported slow internet speed all across the country, especially in Karachi, Lahore, Mir Pur Khas, and Rawalpindi.
    Downdetector confirmed that website versions were down since around 7 pm in the evening.

    Imran Khan, convicted and sentenced to three years on graft charges on Aug. 5, has been entangled in numerous court cases, some of which are conducted behind closed doors in prison.

  • PTI had a virtual jalsa last night and the internet shutdown all over Pakistan: here is how people are reacting

    PTI had a virtual jalsa last night and the internet shutdown all over Pakistan: here is how people are reacting

    Internet services faced serious disruptions on Sunday night as a large number of people complained about difficulties in accessing social media sites where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was holding a virtual election rally.

    Users from different parts of the country reported slow internet speed all across the country, especially in Karachi, Lahore, Mir Pur Khas, and Rawalpindi.

    Downdetector confirmed that website versions were down since around 7pm in the evening.

    However, PTI supporters have implied that the government deliberately ‘slowed’ the service to thwart people from joining the jalsa.

    It is important to note that PTI says that it has been banned from holding public gatherings and rallies across post May 9 riots. However, as elections loom closer, supporters and party leadership are the making most of modern technology and social media to gain momentum.

    TV Host, Owais Mangalwala, wrote on X, “The speed of the internet has slowed down to the point that nobody can attend the virtual jalsa”.

    Different accounts shared screenshots of the number of responses #PTIVirtualJalsa has garnered all across social media.

    The meme brigade also jumped in to spin the whole situation funnily.

    Taking a jibe at the opposition Usama Ghazi posted a meme:

    Some of the netizens showed their commitment to the party by posting videos of them being part of the jalsa even though virtually. Singer Annie Khalid posted on X.

    The Internet Observatory Authority, NetBlocks, also confirmed internet blockades in various parts of the country.

    The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has said that it is looking into reports that internet services witnessed disruption in “some parts” of the country, reports The News.

    In a statement on Monday, the PTA said the overall situation of internet access across the country was normal.

  • PPP’s Sardar Latif Khosa joins PTI

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) aggrieved leader Sardar Latif Khosa has officially joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday “on the wish” of former prime minister and founder PTI Imran Khan.

    “I have made the decision not only in the interest of the country and democracy, but also to raise my voice vigorously for the truth,” he said.

    Sardar Khosa announced during a press conference in Lahore that he is joining PTI, expressing hope that the politics of hatred would end.

    Khosa also said that a country’s constitution is supreme, adding that it has all the characteristics of a welfare state.

    “The motherland can become prosperous if we follow the Constitution. The Constitution has a solution for everything if it is implemented in its true spirit,” he said.

    He also mentioned that a barrister (Allama Muhammad Iqbal) came up with the idea of Pakistan, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah completed it.

    “I have dedicated my services to PTI. I am free to join a party of my choosing,” Khosa said, adding that he would not talk about what he lost or gained in the PPP.

  • Who is contesting elections from where?

    Who is contesting elections from where?

    A day after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced the schedule for general elections, political parties are yet to announce lists of candidates.

    Former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz PML-N, will reportedly contest polls from Lahore.

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, another former Prime Minister, who hails from Murree but was elected from Lahore, has opted to not contest the upcoming elections.

    Two ex-PMs from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf will be contesting from Multan and Gujar Khan respectively.

    PML-N Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz will be contesting from Lahore and Karachi, while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be a candidate from Karachi and Larkana.

    Former President and PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari will try his luck from Nawabshah.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman will be contesting from Dera Ismail Khan.

    Jamat e Islami Ameer Siraj-ul-Haq will contest polls from Peshawar.

    PML-N is expected to finalise the list of all its candidates next week, The News has reported.

    As per sources, PML-N has concluded work on more than 70% of constituencies for choosing candidates and the list of the first batch of ticketholders might be made public tomorrow (Sunday).

    The party’s parliamentary board conducted 10 meetings to finalise candidate names from various areas and is expected to complete the task on Monday (December 18).

    The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Awami National Party (ANP), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and regional parties will issue the list of their candidates by the mid of next week.

    They are engaged in seat adjustment with other parties while the fate of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is still hanging in the balance as the ECP gives its verdict on its intra-party elections on Monday.

  • NAB arrests Fawad Chaudhry in corruption case

    NAB arrests Fawad Chaudhry in corruption case

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in a corruption case on Saturday, Geo News has reported.

    NAB Chairman Lt-Gen. Nazir Ahmed Butt issued the arrest warrant for the former federal minister, while NAB took him into custody from Adiala jail, where he is imprisoned in a fraud case.

    According to the details of the arrest warrants, he will be presented before the court.

    Earlier, Fawad Chaudhry was arrested from his Islamabad residence in a case pertaining to a five million rupee bribe in exchange for a job. The complainant registered an FIR against Chaudhry at Aabpara Police Station.

    The politico’s wife, Hiba Chaudhry, had said that Fawad was arrested without any reason. “Fawad has been arrested and taken to an unknown place,” she said.

    In January, Fawad was taken into custody from his home following public statements where he allegedly “threatened” members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) during a media talk outside the residence of former PTI chief Imran Khan in Zaman Park.

  • ‘PTI may withdraw stay order against ECP’, says PTI Senator Ali Zafar

    ‘PTI may withdraw stay order against ECP’, says PTI Senator Ali Zafar

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has confessed that it was a misstep to secure a stay order from the Lahore High Court (LHC) against Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on appointing District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) from the bureaucracy for upcoming general elections.

    PTI senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said while speaking on Geo News’ ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ that PTI can approach LHC to request the removal of the stay order against the appointment of DROs and ROs for the forthcoming election set to take place on February 8, next year.

    “The PTI may withdraw the stay order to speed up the case hearing on merits to decide the fate of the appointment of DROs and ROs,” he remarked.

    The senator also said that the impression and criticism that PTI’s petition is delaying polls seems correct.

    However, the PTI leader also stated that the party’s stance on filing the petition against the appointment of officers from bureaucracy is right.

    “Even though we want elections to be held by judicial officers and the ECP probably wants them to be conducted by bureaucracy, whatever the results are, we should accept them as it is the mandate of the masses,” he said.