Tag: interior ministry

  • Interior Ministry likely to block CNICs, degrees of students participating in PTI protest

    Interior Ministry likely to block CNICs, degrees of students participating in PTI protest

    In a worrying development, Pakistan’s state-owned broadcaster PTV News posted a news alert yesterday on its official X (formerly Twitter) page, informing the public that the Interior Ministry has warned students that if they “participate in the 24th November protest, their educational certificates, admissions and CNICs could be blocked.”

    The News Alert further stated: “The federal government has started geo-fencing Afghan Muhajireen camps within the federal capital and nearby cities. The government is considering blocking the CNICs, degrees and admission of students who engage in violent protests. The interior Ministry is also considering blocking the passports, CNICs, and SIMs of those who participate in protests.”

    The statement follows a call by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, for nationwide protests while also warning party leaders to either participate in the upcoming protest or leave the party.”

    In a recent statement, Khan stated that those unable to join the planned “power show” should “disassociate themselves” from the PTI, calling it a critical moment in the party’s struggle for freedom and justice.

    Khan, in his announcement on November 13, also denounced what he described as a “stolen mandate,” unjust arrests, and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he claimed strengthened a “dictatorial regime.” 

    In a statement shared on X, Imran reiterated the importance of the November 24 protests. He framed the event as “a golden opportunity to secure genuine freedom for Pakistan” and warned that “enslaved nations eventually die away.”

    The PTV News alert also noted that the federal government is ready to “deal with strictness” on the upcoming November 24 protest by PTI. 

    “Islamabad’s deputy commissioner has imposed Section 144 for two months,” read the news alert by PTV News. 

    Upset social media users reacted over the Interior Ministry’s policy, with one user writing, “Foreigners may find it wild: Pakistan state TV is broadcasting this government message threatening: – surveillance of Afghan refugee camps (fuelling ethnic tensions) – cancellation of ID cards, passports and degrees of students. All to stop PTI protests.”

    Another X user, Ammar Rashid, posted: “Unelected regime thugs inciting racial fears & openly threatening Pakistani students with stripping of their citizenship & right to education for attending a protest. No depth to which this dictatorship will not sink to cling on to power.  Meanwhile, the spineless gaggle of PDM frontmen & their mindless acolytes in the media & social media will clap at these violations of the constitution as if they’re markers of democratic progress & ‘resistance to fascism’.”

  • Is Mohsin Naqvi going to leave Interior Ministry?

    Is Mohsin Naqvi going to leave Interior Ministry?

    Azaz Syed, a senior journalist at The News, invited reporter Asif Bashir Chaudhry on his YouTube show.

    Asif claimed that according to his sources, Interior Minister of Pakistan Mohsin Naqvi might be leaving the ministry portfolio.

    Journalist Asif Bashir Chaudhry said some other sources have also confirmed, “Rana Sanaullah’s name is being seriously considered for this [Interior Minister].”

    Chaudhry stated, “Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and coalition parties have objected to the fact that despite being the interior minister of the country, he [Mohsin Naqvi] does not defend party’s policies.”

    Asif further explained, “The job of the interior minister is to defend, explain, elaborate, and discuss the government policy decisions which is not happening at the moment.”

    Journalist Asif Bashir also stated that some friendly countries have also objected to Naqvi’s conduct with them.

    Azaz Syed said he thinks there is a very low probability of this happening although he credited his story.

  • Fawad Chaudhry to be investigated in relation to May 9 cases

    Fawad Chaudhry to be investigated in relation to May 9 cases

    Lahore police decided to involve former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in an ongoing investigation linked to vandalism that occurred on May 9 last year. The Express TRIBUNE reported on Wednesday. 

    The police said in their statement that they will investigate the former federal minister as the detained people in the May 9 cases gave statements against him. The investigation will be based on evidence provided by detained individuals.

    Police officials also stated that although Fawad Chaudhry has interim bail in all cases but they can include the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader in probe for May 9 vandalism case.

    Fawad’s involvement will be examined in Case No. 97/23, filed at the Sarwar Road police station, as well as in Case No. 366/23 registered in Model Town. Besides, he will be incorporated into the investigation of Case No. 103/23, lodged at the Sarwar Road police station.

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sent a notice to the interior secretary and other officials for not providing correct information regarding cases filed against Fawad Chaudhry.

  • Your mobile SIM will be blocked if registered on invalid CNIC

    Your mobile SIM will be blocked if registered on invalid CNIC

    Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) to block all phone SIMs that are registered on an invalid or expired identity card.

    The security czar visited the NADRA headquarters on Thursday in Islamabad and directed authorities to establish NADRA offices all over Pakistan, just as the model police stations were established in Punjab.

    He also stated that by establishing model NADRA offices, service delivery will be enhanced.

  • Sanaullah says party cannot keep promises to people because ‘they didn’t give us majority’

    Sanaullah says party cannot keep promises to people because ‘they didn’t give us majority’

    In a talk show on Public News, anchorperson Iqrah Haris asked former Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah given the promises the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) made during its election campaigns, would it be ready to suffer the consequences if the government is unable to deliver.

    Rana Sanaullah remarked that the N-League would not be responsible for any promises made to the public simply because it is a coalition government.

    “We are not making any promises now, the promises we made were dependent on us getting a simple majority and PML-N making its own government under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif.”

    The PML-N’s senior leader asserted that had the government been granted a majority, it would have borne the responsibility of steering the country out of this economic turmoil.

  • Government says X is a national security threat

    Government says X is a national security threat

    The Federal Interior Ministry’s joint secretary told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that “content uploaded on the internet” is a “threat” to Pakistan’s national security.

    Journalist Ehtesham Abbasi had filed a petition in IHC against the closure of X, formerly Twitter.

    X has been inaccessible in the country since February 17 and millions of users have been deprived of their basic rights.

    Justice Aamer Farooq heard the plea and asked the interior ministry about any written communication of the closure. “What is this method? What is this attitude? Assist the court,” said the IHC CJ, adding that everything is “closed and jammed”.

    The court expressed reservations that if the matter is as serious as national security then it should have been given in official writing. “Show us the documents. There will be no verbal conversation,” asserted Justice Farooq.

    “You closed X on the Intelligence Bureau’s (IB) report. There are no reasons written in it, only a report based on speculation,” he added.

  • Nationwide crackdown launched against electricity and gas theft

    Nationwide crackdown launched against electricity and gas theft

    Pakistan authorities have issued a directive to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch a comprehensive operation targeting electricity and gas theft nationwide.

    Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the commencement of this initiative via social media platform X on Thursday, stating, “Starting today, the FIA launches a massive crackdown against electricity and gas theft across the nation.”

    Minister Naqvi said that no individual or entity will be exempt from scrutiny. Those found responsible will face legal repercussions.

    Describing the initiative as a proactive measure, the minister highlighted its objective of combating the prevalent theft of essential utilities, thereby ensuring equitable distribution and access for all citizens.

    Electricity theft remains a significant challenge in Pakistan, manifesting through illegal connections, meter tampering, and non-payment of bills.

    Current estimates depict substantial annual losses in revenue, amounting to billions of rupees, due to this illicit activity.

    These losses not only strain the financial resources of energy providers but also contribute to frequent power outages.

    Similarly, gas theft poses a formidable concern, with illegal connections and meter tampering being common methods employed to siphon natural gas unlawfully.

    This illicit practice not only results in revenue losses for gas distribution companies but also poses safety hazards. Unauthorised diversion of gas leads to supply shortages, impacting both domestic and industrial consumers.

    Recognising the urgency of the situation, the interim government initiated a significant crackdown last year to address the escalating issue of power theft and to enforce stringent measures against those involved in such activities.

  • Who Banned X (former Twitter) in Pakistan? We finally have an answer

    Who Banned X (former Twitter) in Pakistan? We finally have an answer

    Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) disclosed to the Sindh High Court (SHC) that the nationwide ban on the social media platform X, implemented on February 17, was executed upon directives from the Ministry of Interior, citing intelligence agency reports.

    Since February 17, the X website and application have remained predominantly offline, with sporadic service restorations, primarily occurring following statements made by former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatta alleging election irregularities.

    PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman announced his intention to address the disruption of X with the interior ministry during a telephonic conversation with Dawn.com.

    Rehman emphasized the need for clarity or accountability regarding the platform’s closure, highlighting that such actions are typically directed by the Interior Ministry.

    During a hearing, a two-member SHC bench, comprising Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi and Justice Abdul Mubeen Lakho, consolidated four petitions filed by lawyer Jibran Nasir, journalist Zarrar Khurho, and others concerning internet disruptions at various instances.

    In court, the PTA presented a copy of a letter dated February 17 from the Ministry of Interior instructing the telecommunication authority to block social media platform X.

    The letter sent by Muhammad Hashim Shah, section officer FIA, to The Chairman PTA stated, “It is, therefore, social media platform i.e. X (formerly Twitter) may be blocked immediately till further orders.”

    The PTA further revealed that these orders stemmed from intelligence agency reports.

    Expressing dissatisfaction over the interior ministry’s failure to provide a written response, Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi urged Deputy Attorney General Khaleeq Ahmed to submit a “serious response,” prompting the latter to later present a written reply on behalf of the interior ministry. The response stated that services were disrupted on May 9, following orders from all provincial governments, citing concerns for state and citizen security. However, it refrained from commenting on other aspects of the case.

    Following the inclusion of the ministry’s response in the case record, the bench adjourned the hearing until April 17, awaiting further proceedings.

  • ‘Zia-ul-Haq ko Sadar Nahi Maanta’: Chief Justice of Pakistan

    ‘Zia-ul-Haq ko Sadar Nahi Maanta’: Chief Justice of Pakistan

    Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Qazi Faez Isa gave an unexpected but strongly worded statement during the hearing of the Faizabad sit-in case, stating that he doesn’t recognize the late military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq as president, as per Neo News.

    During the hearing of the Faizabad sit-in case, Justice Faiz Isa, addressing Ijaz-ul-Haq’s lawyer, said that he does not consider Zia-ul-Haq the President of Pakistan.

    When the Attorney General revealed that Ijaz-ul-Haq’s lawyer had been asked to provide a written reply with an affidavit to withdraw the statement, the lawyer of countered the Attorney General’s statement, denying that he had been asked to retract the statement.

    Ijaz-ul-Haq’s lawyer informed the court that his client had merely stated that his name should be removed from the verdict, to which Chief Justice Justice Faiz Isa remarked that Ijaz-ul-Haq’s name was only mentioned in the report by intelligence agencies, and it was not included in the verdict.

    During the same conversation, when Chief Justice Justice Faiz Isa mentioned that Ijaz-ul-Haq is the son of former army chief Zia-ul-Haq, his lawyer replied that his father was also the President of Pakistan. In response, the Chief Justice stated, “I do not consider Zia-ul-Haq the President of Pakistan. No one can become the President by the force of arms. Do not call Zia the President again in this court.”

    The lawyer of Ijaz-ul-Haq, the son of former military ruler Zia-ul-Haq, asserted that it is documented in the constitution that Zia-ul-Haq was the president. Chief Justice Justice Faiz Isa responded by remarking that Zia-ul-Haq had written in the constitution that he was the president for five years.

    Earlier today, the Supreme Court of Pakistan issued summons for the chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) following allegations of “media coercion” during the 2017 Faizabad sit-in.

    The summon was initiated by a three-member bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, and including Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah.

    The hearing, part of a series of nine review petitions against the Supreme Court’s February 6, 2019 verdict on the Faizabad sit-in case, was marked by significant developments.

    Authored by Justice Isa years before he took oath as the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), the searing judgement had instructed the defence ministry and the tri-services chiefs to penalise personnel under their command who were found to have violated their oath.

  • Faizabad sit-in: What is happening in court?

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued summons for the chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) following allegations of “media coercion” during the 2017 Faizabad sit-in.

    The summon was initiated by a three-member bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, and including Justice Aminuddin Khan, and Justice Athar Minallah.

    The hearing, part of a series of nine review petitions against the Supreme Court’s February 6, 2019 verdict on the Faizabad sit-in case, was marked by significant developments.

    Authored by Justice Isa years before he took oath as the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), the searing judgement had instructed the defence ministry and the tri-services chiefs to penalise personnel under their command who were found to have violated their oath.

    Notably, the court addressed the allegations made by Justice Isa in a prior judgment, emphasizing the importance of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.

    Former PEMRA chairman, Absar Alam, alleged that the then-Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), General Faiz Hamid, and his subordinates exerted undue influence on media policies.

    In his written reply, Alam said, PEMRA officials were under pressure from “serving officers”, adding that he himself “received calls” from the then DG(C) Major General (retd) Hamid and or his subordinates complaining that their requests were not acceded to by him.

    “The Applicant-in-Person had been asked to: i) to take action against Najam Sethi a prominent senior journalist; and ii) to completely blackout Hussain Haqqani from TV Channels, however, both illegal/unlawful demands remained unmet,” read the affidavit, seen by Geo News.

    According to the ex-Pemra chairman, Gen (retd) Hamid and or his subordinates “controlled TV Channel policy through illegal/unlawful means by changing their numbers and moving them at the tail end, when they refused to follow instructions”.

    He further said that the situation became “untenable” in April 2017, adding that he addressed the matter in writing to then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, then-chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar and then-Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Qamar Bajwa, to inform that due to grave threats by unknown persons to Pemra officials for not following instructions fear had paralysed the latter.

    Chief Justice Isa, expressing concern over the government’s handling of the matter, noted that the investigation committee formed by the government was inadequate.

    The fact-finding committee was constituted by the government, on Friday, to investigate the “role and directions” of all “concerned” officials in the management and handling of the sit-in in 2017.

    During the hearing today, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said the apex court wanted to know who was behind the Faizabad sit-in.

    “We want to know who was the mastermind of the Faizabad sit-in,” he remarked, expressing annoyance over the decision not being implemented since its issuance on February 6, 2019.

    “Our job is to order, and your job is to implement,” he stressed, underlining the need for a comprehensive and transparent inquiry.

    In response to these developments, the Supreme Court rejected the government’s fact-finding committee, urging the Attorney-General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, to swiftly form a new inquiry commission to ensure the implementation of the court’s verdict on the Faizabad sit-in case.

    The Faizabad sit-in, which occurred in 2017, disrupted daily life in Islamabad for 20 days, resulting in six casualties and numerous injuries.

    The sit-in was organized by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to protest alleged modifications to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath during the passage of the Elections Act 2017, later rectified by an act of Parliament.