Tag: islamabad

  • The State VS. Imran Khan

    The State VS. Imran Khan

    For almost an entire week, we have witnessed violent clashes between the police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in Punjab’s capital, Lahore. And on Saturday, the same visuals could be seen in both Lahore and the country’s federal capital, Islamabad. The state vs PTI Chairman Imran Khan paints a sorry picture for both politics and the writ of the state. It is as if no one cares about the consequences these clashes will lead to. The visuals on our television screens and on social media can lead one to think that no one is bothered about civility, be it the police or Khan loyalists. The past few days, we have seen lawlessness, desperation and disarray.

    It could all have been avoided had Imran Khan presented himself before the court in the Toshakhana case on March 13. He had been summoned numerous times, but Khan refused to show up. After his non-bailable arrest warrants were issued by the court, the police acted on it and tried to arrest Khan. However, Khan refused to budge. Eventually, there was only chaos and mayhem. There was drama, disruption and disorder yet neither the state nor Khan and his party took a step back. We saw petrol bombs thrown at the police by PTI workers, tear gas and heavy shelling by the police. Yesterday, Khan’s non-bailable arrest warrants were finally cancelled by the court when he went to Islamabad. Though he could not go inside the court due to the clashes in the judicial complex between the PTI workers and the Islamabad Police, the court still accepted his ‘appearance’ while he was inside his car.

    On the other hand, when Khan was on his way to Islamabad, the police in Lahore went to his Zaman Park residence to conduct a search operation. From bulldozing walls to throwing paintings here and there, the police claims to have allegedly recovered weapons and petrol bombs from Zaman Park. PTI will move the court for contempt proceedings against the police for alleged violence against PTI workers, Khan’s staff and for violating the sanctity of Khan’s home. Both the use of force by the police and the way that Khan resisted his arrest through violence have raised several questions.

    What could have been done to avoid all the unrest that Lahore had to bear? Khan should have followed the rule of law and appeared before the court on March 13. The state’s response when its writ was challenged was shelling, rubber bullets, tear gas and breaking the gate of Khan’s residence at Zaman Park. What we have seen is that when titans collide, everything gets destroyed and no one really wins. Both ends lose and there is nothing to celebrate. We hope that after this episode, there will not be a repeat of what we saw last week. We hope that party workers and state institutions show patience, civil ways to support their leaders and not create law and order situation. We hope to see less political chaos and more stability in the coming days.

  • After fights, chaos in Islamabad, Police book Imran and others on terror charges

    After fights, chaos in Islamabad, Police book Imran and others on terror charges

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and party senior leadership have been booked under terrorism charges for allegedly injuring Islamabad police officials and creating chaos outside the Federal Judicial Complex where Khan arrived to present himself before the court in the Toshakhana case.

    Ramna Police Station House Officer (SHO) registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Islamabad Counter Terrorism Department against Imran and other PTI leaders.

    It named PTI Secretary General Asad Umar, former deputy speaker Asad Qaiser, leaders Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed, Shibli Faraz and others.

    SHO Ahmed claimed that PTI workers were armed with stones which they threw at a checkpost. They also burnt down barriers and tents at the checkpost.

    The FIR added that another group of PTI leaders set fire to 16 government and police vehicles and four motorcycles.

    In a tweet posted early Sunday morning, the Islamabad Police said: “Fifty-two policemen were injured from incited workers pelting stones at the officials of Islamabad Capital Police and other assisting forces at the appearance of PTI Chairman Imran Khan at the Judicial Complex.”

    It added that 12 vehicles of the Islamabad police and three belonging to the Punjab police and Frontier Constabulary were damaged, among which four of the Islamabad police’s were “completely burned”.

  • Khan’s arrest warrants finally cancelled

    Khan’s arrest warrants finally cancelled

    After much chaos, drama in Lahore and Islamabad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest warrants in Toshakhana case were cancelled on Saturday by the Islamabad sessions court.

    The hearing was adjourned till March 30 (Thursday) due to the turbulence and chaos witnessed today, with the judge ordering Imran to appear in personal capacity in the next hearing.

    Imran Khan allowed to mark attendance in car

    Prior to this, Khan arrived at the Islamabad Judicial Complex but didn’t go inside due to security concerns.

    Amid unruly crowds and security concerns, the judge gave permission that Khan can mark his attendance while sitting in the car which he did and then left for Lahore.

    After Lahore, clashes erupt in Islamabad

    PTI supporters started throwing stones at the Islamabad police in the capital when Imran Khan made his way to court for a hearing of the Toshakhana case.

    In the video, supporters carrying sticks can be seen attacking police cars.

    ‘Part of London plan’: Imran lashes out after police raids his Zaman Park residence

    Khan lashed out at Punjab police for raiding his house in Zaman Park, Lahore.

    “Meanwhile Punjab police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone,” he said in a tweet.

    “Under what law are they doing this? This is part of London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment.”

    The operation is over, however, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah alleged that contraband was discovered at Khan’s residence

    Police broke into the house in Zaman Park, Lahore, after claiming that they were fired at from inside the house. Using heavy machinery, police smashed the entrance of the house and entered into the premises.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, in a tweet, accused Khan of using people as human shields.

    He said that “from using people as human shields to throwing petrol bombs at police to leading ‘jathas’ to intimidate judiciary, he has taken a leaf out of the RSS book.”

    Where is Bushra Bibi?

    Later in the evening, Khan’s sister came forward to give her side of the story of the unfolding situation after police raided her brother’s house in Zaman Park.

    She said that Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi is still inside the house in Zaman Park.

    Khan’s sister said that police aggressively broke into Khan’s house and they even took away some children who were present at home at the time.

    ‘Inhon ne pura plan banaya huva hai mujhe arrest karne ka’: Imran Khan

    Earlier in the day, when Imran was en route to Islamabad, he claimed that he is aware that the government will arrest him.

    “I am going to court despite knowing they’ll arrest me because I believe in the rule of law.”

    He mentioned being delayed due to an accident and claimed that a premeditated plan to arrest him is in place, alleging that it is part of a larger “London Plan” orchestrated by former PM Nawaz Sharif.

    In line with PTI’s insistence that Khan’s life is in danger and he needs security, Islamabad Chief Commissioner shifted the hearing from F-8 Court Complex to the Judicial Complex in G-11.

  • Zalmi baazi le gaye, isloo ko bheja ghar, Peshawar Zalmi register 50th win in PSL

    Zalmi baazi le gaye, isloo ko bheja ghar, Peshawar Zalmi register 50th win in PSL

    Peshawar Zalmi registered their 50th win in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), defeating Islamabad United on Thursday night, becoming the first team to reach the milestone.

    Karachi Kings, holders of the record for most losses in PSL have lost in 50 out of 85 matches that they have played for all eight seasons.

    So far, Peshawar Zalmi have played 92 matches and won 50 of those. Out of the 50 victories, Zalmi had clear wins in 49 of those games while one was decided in a super over.

    According to Geo news, Peshawar Zalmi has a success rate of 54.39% in the PSL and is the only team that has reached the playoff stage of all eight editions of the marquee event.

    Last night, Zalmi knocked Islamabad United out of the tournament during the first eliminator of the eighth season of the PSL and lived to fight another day.

    Zalmi set a 184-run target for United in the match played at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.

    They will now take on Lahore Qalandars and fight for a spot in the final. The second eliminator will be played at the same venue today.

  • DAY 2: Khan still not arrested, court tells police to stop operation until tomorrow

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan hasn’t still arrested by the police, which has created an extremely chaotic and tense situation in Lahore.

    Now, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the police to delay its operation to arrest Imran Khan till 10am on Thursday.

    Jazba-e-Imran koyi Murad Saeed se seekhay

    Currently, the face-off has cooled down, however, in the video Khan’s followers and prominent members of PTI including Murad Saeed, Qasim Suri and Zulfi Bukhari can be seen celebrating.

    A large gathering of PTI supporters resisted attempts to arrest Imran Khan against rangers and police.

    Yasmin Rashid’s audio leak

    Amidst the clash between police, rangers and PTI supporters, another alleged audio leak has surfaced online.

    This time around, one can allegedly hear former Health Minister Yasmin Rashid and former Federal Minister for Narcotics Ejaz Shah in conversation about the plausible arrest of Khan.

    In the alleged audio, Rashid told Shah that Khan Sahib has said at that it is time to call all MNAs and MPAs.

    On hearing this, Shah replied that they were doing it. Rashid then gave Khan’s instructions to the former minister and said that the party head is asking to bring people and reach there.

    According to Rashid, Khan is telling them to come immediately, or he will not give party tickets to those who do not come.

    ‘Those who claim they are neutral, is this your idea of neutrality’: Khan ka neutrals se sawaal

    Imran Khan has questions for the establishment.

    In a series of tweets earlier today, Khan said that after a day of facing tear gas, cannons with chemical water, rubber bullets and live bullets, “we now have Rangers taking over and are now in direct confrontation with the people”.

    “My question to the establishment, to those who claim they are ‘neutral’: Is this your idea of neutrality, Rangers directly confronting unarmed protestors & leadership of the largest political party when their leader is facing an illegal warrant & case already in court & when govt of crooks trying to abduct & possibly murder him?” he asked.

    Khan, in another tweet, wrote, “My house has been under heavy attack since yesterday afternoon. Latest attack by Rangers, pitting the largest pol party against the army. This is what PDM and the enemies of Pakistan want. No lessons learnt from the East Pakistan tragedy.”

    “Clearly arrest claim was mere drama because real intent is to abduct & assassinate. From tear gas & water cannons, they have now resorted to live firing.”

    “I signed a surety bond last evening, but the DIG refused to even entertain it. There is no doubt of their mala fide intent,” tweeted Khan.

    Don’t worry, you didn’t miss Imran Khan’s arrest overnight. He’s still in Zaman Park

    If you slept early last night, and missed Imran Khan’s arrest, don’t worry. Because the police failed to take the PTI Chairman into custody on Tuesday.

    After clashes left 54 policemen and eight civilians injured, Rangers have now moved towards Zaman Park to arrest Khan, who has warrants issued against him for not appearing at court hearings.

  • Agar mujhe kuch hota hai, toh aap ne jiddojehad karni hai, says Imran Khan before possible arrest

    Agar mujhe kuch hota hai, toh aap ne jiddojehad karni hai, says Imran Khan before possible arrest

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, has said in a video message said that even if he gets arrested his supporters have to continue fighting for Haqeeqi Azadi.

    He said that he might get arrested or killed because the police have arrived to arrest him.

    It is pertinent to mention that an arrest warrant was issued for Khan on Monday in the Toshkhana case because of his continuous absence from the hearing of the case.

    ‘Aaj issay giraftar kareinge’: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that Imran Khan will get arrested and be presented before the court.

    Addressing a rally in Sheikhupura, the minister said that the arrest is taking place on the court’s orders.

    ‘Halaat mat kharaab karein, DIG Operations aap mujhse aakay baat karain: Qureshi

    PTI Leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the DIG Operations should come and talk to him.

    Talking to the media, Qureshi said that the tense environment should not be allowed to worsen, adding that PTI doesn’t want any loss of life or material.

    “I am requesting the DIG to show me the warrant, I will read it, and discuss it with the party chairman, so that we can reach a mutual consensus,” he said.

    ‘Inshallah’; Police determined to arrest Imran Khan today

    Talking to the media, one of the Islamabad police officials who arrived in Lahore to arrest Imran Khan said that they won’t go back until they implemented the court’s order and arrest the PTI chairman.

    He stated that PTI’s supporters are unnecessarily resisting the arrest and taking the law into their hands.

    PTI workers ka police par pathrao

    Earlier, a heavy contingent of police reached Zaman Park to arrest Imran Khan in the Toshakana case — the only case in which his arrest warrant is not suspended.

    A large number of PTI supporters gathered at Zaman Park and tried to stop the police by throwing stones at them.

  • Islamabad High Court upholds Zahir Jaffer death sentence

    Islamabad High Court upholds Zahir Jaffer death sentence

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has announced its verdict on appeals filed against the sentences awarded to the convicts and the acquittal of co-accused in the Noor Mukadam murder case, upholding the death sentence given to prime accused, Zahir Jaffer.

    The IHC reserved its verdict on appeals in the high-profile case in which Jaffer was sentenced to death after a long-drawn-out trial of over four months.

    27-year-old Noor was found dead at the residence of the prime suspect, Jaffer, in Islamabad’s F-7/4 Sector on July 20, 2021, beheaded by her murderer.

    The gruesome murder sent shockwaves across the country and sparked nationwide outrage and calls for justice for Noor, cumulating in a sensational trial and eventual convictions.

  • ‘Stop lying’: Imaan Zainab, Aurat March protesters criticize Sherry Rehman for tone-deaf tweet

    At the Aurat March protest held in Islamabad on March 8, police officers were caught on camera assaulting female protestors and pushing them back by installing barbed wires.

    Politicians like the Minister of Climate Change, Sherry Rehman, condemned the clashes in a tweet and called for an inquiry on the conduct of the police officers who had brutally beaten the female protesters.

    Lawyer and activist Imaan Zainab Mazari-Haazir called Rehman out, writing in a tweet that the Minister had done nothing to prevent the police from preventing the peaceful protest from going on.

    “You came to the march for a photo-op and left after creating complete chaos which we were then dealing with for the next hour. You were rude to us in our meeting with you on 6 March and were aware of all the risks we were taking. Please save this drama for someone who believes it. Too little, too late.”

    Rehman responded to Mazari-Hazir’s tweet saying that she had left early due to a distress call, and offered an opportunity to meet all year round rather than just for a “one year episodic march”.

    “Oh please. I did not need your “photo op”; left a fully scheduled press con at PID (anyone can check) at 2.40 becoz I got a distress call. In my office I offered u a safe space thru the year to meet and build traction, not just a one year episodic march. With my broken shoulder I stood there but many were caught up in angry sloganeering. Have been the butt of many laathi charges but never behaved like this. Rudeness is never going to get u allies or grow solidarity. All the best”

    Mazari-Hazir then criticized Sherry Rehman for reducing Aurat March to a “one year episodic march”.

    “Calling it ‘just a 1 year episodic march’ shows what you really think of it. That in itself is sad. This ‘one year episodic march’ is a global practice- doesn’t mean collectives (or even individuals within them) are not working year round. Could have criticized what I said without punching down on movement.”

    Other Aurat March protestors also criticized the minister, calling her “condescending” for interrupting the trans performers present at the march.

    This user wrote: “You were extremely condescending to all of us whn we met u. You interrupted the Trans persons’ perfrmance by standing over them knowing fully well tht the media will follow u. U brought out the inner transphobes in the media persons who thn started strampling the trans performers”

    Another activist, Fauzia Yazdani tweeted how Rehman had refused to condemn the police officers who had started harassing and pushing back the protestors

  • Saudi prince aims to create over 1,000 jobs with $100 million tech house investment in Pakistan

    Saudi prince aims to create over 1,000 jobs with $100 million tech house investment in Pakistan

    A Saudi tech company owned by Prince Fahad bin Mansour Al-Saud has announced the launch of a Saudi-Pakistan Tech House in Islamabad on Monday.

    The initiative was first announced by the prince in January at Pakistan’s largest tech event, Future Fest 2023, and aims to forge partnerships with information technology (IT) companies and enterprises in Pakistan to promote greater ease of doing business between the two countries.

    Prince Fahad is the co-founder of ILSA Interactive, which was established in 2009 by Pakistani entrepreneur Salman Nasir with offices in Riyadh and Lahore, reflecting the determination of both Pakistani and Saudi leaders to deepen an existing strategic relationship in all fields.

    The company plans to forge partnerships with IT companies, universities, and large enterprises in Pakistan. The launch ceremony took place on Monday, March 6, and Prince Fahad intends to create more than 1,000 jobs and undertake 300 projects valued at $100 million in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.

    Future Fest 2023 saw leading entrepreneurs, startups, policymakers, and investors from around the world participate, and a delegation of Saudi business leaders attended the event, taking part in keynote addresses, roundtable conferences, and discussions on various topics related to the future of business and startups.

  • ‘Inka leader toh ghar baitha huva hai’: Justice Nasira Iqbal slams Jail Bharro Tehreek

    Justice (R) Nasira Iqbal has criticised the ongoing Jail Bharro Tehreek (voluntary arrest movement) initiated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying that she is unable to understand the purpose behind it.

    Justice Nasir, mother to incarcerated PTI leader Waleed Iqbal, was asked by Voice.pk whether she will file bail for her son, said: “Did I ask him to go? I told him that this act is not appropriate”.

    Not mincing her words when it came to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Justice Nasira said, “Jo leader in ka bana huva hai, woh toh ghar betha huva hai bail before arrest li huvi ha” (Their leader is sitting at home and has obtained bail before arrest).

    She quoted Gandhi as an example, stating that he was an actual leader who gave his arrest first. She said that while Imran himself is at home, he has asked others to present themselves for arrest.

    The judge was of the view that instead of the movement, they all should be focusing on campaigning for elections. She predicted that elections are going to take place in the next 40 days.

    She also talked about the other PTI leaders who are being kept in different jails. She said that at first, they all were in Kot Lakhpat Jail, however, later they were transferred because of space constraints.