Tag: islamabad

  • Toshakhana case: Court records ECP official’s statement against Imran Khan

    Toshakhana case: Court records ECP official’s statement against Imran Khan

    A District and Sessions court in Islamabad on Tuesday heard the statement of an official of the Election Commission Pakistan’s (ECP)—District Election Commissioner Waqas Malik—during the hearing of a Toshakhana reference against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    The proceedings were initiated on an ECP complaint after the commission found him guilty of “false statements and incorrect declaration” in his election papers and disqualified him for concealing information about Toshakhana gifts he received during his tenure as prime minister.

    During the hearing, the district election commissioner said he had been authorised to pursue the case. He added that the ECP is an independent institution that functioned under the Constitution and ensured that corrupt practices are curtailed.

    Malik further said members of the National Assembly submitted their returns to the ECP annually. Similarly, Khan also submitted his returns from 2018 to 2021, he said.

    After listening to the statement, the court adjourned the hearing till December 8.

    Last week, the ECP sent the reference to court, asking it to proceed against Imran under criminal law for allegedly misleading officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the prime minister. The commission seeks a three-year jail term and imposition of fine as the punishment.

  • Risk of violence in PTI long march, police tells IHC

    Risk of violence in PTI long march, police tells IHC

    There is a risk of violence during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march, the federal police stated in a report submitted to Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    Citing PTI leader Amin Ali Gandapur, the report says, “He has threatened that they [protesters] will gather at Islamabad with arms and persuaded its [PTI] workers to bring their weapons during the long march at Islamabad”.

    Moreover, it stated that some PTI leaders had extended death threats to Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and PTI chief Imran Khan has admitted that some of his supporters were armed with pistols during the party’s May 25 march.

    The report alleged PTI workers usually participated in the march on vehicles, motorcycles and cranes and “spread terror amongst the public”.

    The police, in its report, also detailed precautionary measures taken by them ahead of the long march, including ensuring that no procession or activity by a political party was allowed into the Red Zone, the extension of Red Zone, imposition of Section 144 in the capital and a ban on displaying, carrying or bringing firearms in the Red Zone.

    Currently, the PTI is marching toward the capital and has sought approval from the authorities to stage a protest/sit-in there.

  • Intelligence reports that Imran may be attacked again, IHC says

    Intelligence reports that Imran may be attacked again, IHC says

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday said that intelligence reports have identified that there may be danger of another attack on Imran Khan, former Prime Minister and Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Chief Justice of IHC, Aamer Farooq, passed the remarks during the hearing of two merged petitions — PTI’s plea seeking a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for a protest sit-in in Islamabad and traders’ petition for ensuring the citizens’ rights to access the roads during the prolonged political demonstrations, reports Geo News.

    During the hearing, the police presented a report before the court, stating that there is a possibility of another bid on Imran Khan’s life during the protest.

    To this, the Chief Justice remarked that it is the government’s responsibility to address the issue.

    About the protest in Islamabad, Justice Farooq said the administration should take a decision on PTI’s request in accordance with the law and ensure that roads are not blocked. He also added that the government will decide on the venue for the PTI and where they can protest in Islamabad.

    During the hearing, the chief justice also noted the blockage of roads caused by PTI, stating, “You [PTI] blocked the GT Road, the motorway, and other important highways. You should also have shown some responsibility.”

    Earlier this month, the PTI chief survived an assassination attempt in Wazirabad during his party’s long march. Khan sustained multiple bullet injuries in his legs.

  • PTI submits petition to Supreme Court to look into attack on Imran Khan

    PTI submits petition to Supreme Court to look into attack on Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has on Monday approached five registries of the Supreme Court (SC) in different cities across the country to seek the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the assassination attack on PTI chief Imran Khan in Wazirabad, the secret recording of PTI Senator Azam Swati and his wife and the killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya.

    In the plea filed in the Lahore registry, former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar is the applicant.

    The petition about the assassination attempt on Imran Khan maintains that following the incident, another “grave injustice” continues to fester as the police have “refused to register the FIR according to the request submitted by the complainant”.

    After the former Prime Minister was shot at during his party’s Long March, an First Information Report (FIR) was not registered. Imran Khan had nominated PM Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah and Major-General Faisal Naseer as the conspirators behind the firing incident. However, later, on the SC’s orders, an FIR was registered by the Punjab police on November 8. PTI rejected the report as it did not contain the names of the people whom Khan wanted to nominate.

    The petition also sought the formation of a judicial commission into the “illegal private video recording” of Senator Azam Swati and his wife which was allegedly recorded while they were staying at an official rest house in Quetta.

    Additionally, the party has also raised the matter of slain journalist Sharif’s murder with the court. The petition said it is crucial that an independent commission inquires about the circumstance that compelled Sharif to flee the country and eventually end up in Kenya.

    In a press conference after submitting the petition to the SC’s Lahore Registry, PTI Vice President Shah Mahmood Qureshi also made an announcement regarding the petitions.

    He hoped that the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Umar Ata Bandial, would consider his party’s pleas.

    In Karachi, PTI leaders Ali Zaidi and Imran Ismail along with other party members reached the SC registry to file the petition. Meanwhile, former National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri and others moved the plea in Quetta.

    Earlier, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif had also written letters to the CJ to form judicial commissions on two issues — the attack on Khan and Arshad Sharif’s murder.

  • Visuals of an elderly man in anguish left us all shaken, wondering: are any of us safe?

    Visuals of an elderly man in anguish left us all shaken, wondering: are any of us safe?

    PTI Senator Azam Swati made some shocking revelations on Saturday when he broke down in front of the media while narrating how his wife was sent a private video of the couple by an unknown number. Swati said that his wife was not even able to tell him what had happened, and his daughter had to finally let him know what his wife could not. He said that after this incident, his wife, his daughter-in-law and his three granddaughters left the country.

    Swati alleged that the video was recorded when he and his wife had visited Quetta where he stayed at the Supreme Court Judicial Lodges. According to Swati, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani had arranged his stay. However, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a clarification on Sunday stating that Senator Azam Swati “never used/stayed in Supreme Court Judges Rest House at Quetta”, adding that according to the Balochistan Special Branch, Swati stayed at the Balochistan Judicial Academy (Judicial Complex Quetta), which is not under the SC’s control. Chairman Sanjrani had also issued a statement where he condemned the video and also said that he provided Swati and his wife with the best and safest accommodation as guests in Quetta.

    The visuals of an elderly Swati in tears left everyone shaken. After Swati’s press conference, there was widespread condemnation. PTI Chairman Imran Khan tweeted that he wants to apologise on behalf of Pakistan to Mrs Swati “for the pain, anguish and sense of humiliation she is having to suffer”. He requested Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to take suo motu notice of this harrowing incident. It was also encouraging to see that despite being in other political parties, PPP’s Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar condemned this violation of privacy in the strongest possible words, as did PPP’s Nadeem Afzal Chan, PML-N’s Miftah Ismail and Musadik Malik.

    However, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has termed the video circulating on the internet as “fake” and added that the agency has analysed the video forensically as per international forensic analysis standards and found it to be fake. In a press release, FIA stated: “Initial forensic analysis revealed that the video has been edited and different video clips have been joined with defaced faces. Further analysis revealed that faces have been swapped in the images using photoshop.” Some journalists have also alleged that Swati’s wife received a fake and edited video. Whether the video is fake or not needs to be investigated properly.

    Chairman Sanjrani formed a 14-member special to probe the alleged video. If the video is not fake, it is deeply disturbing that private videos of parliamentarians are being recorded to blackmail them.

    To violate someone’s privacy like this is disgusting and shameful to say the least. It is not as if there’s no history of recording private audios and videos in Pakistan. We are aware of how politicians, members of the judiciary, journalists, activists and many others have been blackmailed over the years due to ‘files’, ‘videos’, ‘audios’, etc. But recording a man and his wife is the lowest of the low that one can possibly imagine. But if the video turns out to be fake, it is equally worrying that at a time when emotions are high after the assassination attempt on Khan, someone sends a fake video to Swati’s wife, knowing fully well how distressing it will be for their family and lead to further political chaos. A high-level investigation must take place in order to ascertain the facts. It is important that the perpetrators must face the penalty for their horrendous act.

  • ‘No one will be allowed to defame us’: Army lashes out at Imran Khan

    ‘No one will be allowed to defame us’: Army lashes out at Imran Khan

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has named PM Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and an army officer, Major General Faisal Naseer, as the conspirators behind the assassination attempt on him in Wazirabad.

    The Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also demanded resignations from all three.

    Following the accusations, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) condemned the allegations and said: “The baseless and irresponsible allegations by chairman PTI against the institution and particularly a senior army officer are absolutely unacceptable and uncalled for.”

    Calling PTI chief Imran Khan’s allegations regrettable, the ISPR said honour and safety of its rank and file were being “tarnished by vested interests”. The institution will safeguard its officers and soldiers no matter what, the statement read.

    “No one will be allowed to defame the institution or its soldiers with impunity. Keeping this in view, the government of Pakistan has been requested to investigate the matter and initiate legal action against those responsible for defamation and false accusations against the institution and its officials without any evidence whatsoever,” added the army’s military wing in the statement.

    From the government’s side, federal ministers also called out Khan for accusing institutions without any evidence.

    Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said, “Not only was Imran Khan making false accusations without any evidence, but the fact is that the attacker was in Punjab police’s custody and investigation was the responsibility of the Punjab government, not the federal government.”

    “For Almighty’s sake, I plead not to play the religion card. This is a dangerous path and could lead to serious consequences,” she stressed.

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Khan is a compulsive liar and said his whole media talk on Friday was nothing more than “baseless allegations”.

    In a press conference, the minister also said it is “very saddening” that Khan has named people for his attempted assassination without any investigation or proof.

    The minister added that the attack on the PTI march is an incident of religious extremism. However, he was of the view that, “PTI’s attitude towards the incident is also regrettable and condemnable.”

  • ‘Phir call doonga, dobara sarkon pe nikloonga’: Imran Khan breaks silence after his attempted assassination

    ‘Phir call doonga, dobara sarkon pe nikloonga’: Imran Khan breaks silence after his attempted assassination

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan addressed the nation for the first time since his attempted assassination in Wazirabad. Khan is currently hospitalised in Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore from where he spoke to the nation.

    In the beginning, Dr Faisal Sultan, the former assistant to Khan on health, gave some details on Khan’s injuries. He showed X-rays of Imran’s right leg, he said that the tibia was damaged and was in fact fractured.

    ‘They had planned to kill me either in Wazirabad or in Gujrat’: Imran Khan

    After Dr Faisal’s briefing, Khan claimed that he was aware of the danger and of the plot to kill him. He said that he already had information about the attack and he knew that they had planned to kill him either in Wazirabad or Gujrat.

    ‘Our MPAs were threatened and told that we have your dirty videos’: Imran Khan

    While talking about a handler in Islamabad, Khan said that his party’s Member of Provisional Assemblies (MPAs) were threatened.

    According to Khan, the handler said that “they need to stop supporting Imran Khan and the party, as they have dirty videos of them.”

    ‘Aik handler ajata hai Islamabad mein Major General Faisal, he says he will handle it all’: Imran Khan

    During his address, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan took a jibe at Major General Faisal.

    He said that ever since General Faisal was posted in Islamabad, attack on PTI leaders started. “Media officials covering or speaking for PTI were stopped from doing so,” Khan said.

    ‘I have a video with four names who made decisions behind closed doors against me’: Imran Khan

    Moreover, Khan claimed that four people plotted to kill him. He stated that the “handlers” were taking the decisions at the back but the people were turning out to his rallies in record numbers.

    “I have friendships within the institutions, I know people. I know what they did in these six months. I recorded a video with four names of people planning behind the doors against me,” said the former prime minister in his first address after being shot.

    ‘There were two shooters’: Imran Khan

    PTI chief Imran Khan described the attack on his life in Wazirabad. He said he was on the container when a “burst of bullets” was directed at him, causing him to get shot in the leg and fall down.

    “There was a burst of gunfire. I fell after being hit in the leg. Then there was another round of gunfire. If the two shooters had synchronised, I wouldn’t have survived,” revealed Imran Khan.

    ‘Had planned to murder me like Salman Taseer’: Imran Khan

    The former premier alleged that the “government and its handlers” had planned to get him murdered in the same way former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was killed.

    “Firstly, they accused me of blasphemy, they made tapes and released them and PMLN projected it, I knew who was doing it.”

    “It is very easy to find out because this is a digital world. So first it was projected that I disrespected religion and then their plan was what they did in Wazirabad, that a religious extremist killed Imran Khan,” the PTI chief claimed.

    ‘Mai aaj General Bajwa se sawaal poochta hoon’: Imran Khan

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan urged Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to hold the “black sheep” in his institution accountable.

    Questioning Gen Bajwa, Khan asked whether the honour of the army would go up if this violence continues. He said there are black sheep dishonouring the army, which will not benefit the people of Pakistan.

    “Mr Y in Multan is the one who is calling my MPs and telling them to leave Imran Khan. Bajwa sahab, I am asking you to wake up. These people are after us all. I want to ask: Who is a traitor in Pakistan?,” said the PTI chief.

    ‘Mein Zardari aur Nawaz ko challenge karta hoon, dono ko haraaoonga’: Imran Khan

    Imran Khan challenged former President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif “to try and contest the next general election against him”.

    “I will make sure that they will lose their constituencies”, he said.

    ‘My house helpers were paid to conspire against me, our donors were scared, my phone lines were tapped’: Imran Khan

    Imran Khan said that several means were used against him like he was some enemy.

    “I asked FIA, police, election commissioner, and they all said someone else is calling the shots. My house help was tipped off, my phone calls being a prime minister were tapped and our donors were scared, ” he said.

    ‘Pakistanis should keep protesting till these three people resign’: Imran Khan

    The former premier said that three others, separate from the ones who he had named in a tape stashed abroad, had plotted to kill him.

    “How did I find out? Insiders told me. The day before Wazirabad, they planned to kill me as they saw the number of people increasing using the script of religious extremism.”

    Khan named “Rana Sanaullah, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Major General Faisal” behind his attempted assassination however Khan provided no evidence in this regard. He also demanded their resignations.

    “I have decided when I get well, I will be on the road and will give a call for Islamabad. These three people will have to resign. And I want all Pakistanis to protest till these three [Sanaullah, Shehbaz and General Faisal] hand in their resignations because otherwise, no investigation of my attack will take place as they call the shots, ” Khan concluded his address.

    On November 3, Imran Khan survived an assassination attempt on Day seven of PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Long March’ as his container moved through Punjab’s Wazirabad.

    Following the incident, the suspect/shooter, caught by police on the scene, said that he wanted to kill Khan because “he was misleading the public”.

    Condemnations started pouring in for Khan from his opponents as well as from the international community.

  • ‘PM Shehbaz visiting Khan is under discussion’: Rana Sanaullah

    ‘PM Shehbaz visiting Khan is under discussion’: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has once again strongly condemned the assassination attempt on former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan which took place on November 3 in Wazirabad during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.

    In a press conference, the minister called the incident an act of “religious extremism”. However, he was of the view that “PTI’s attitude towards the incident is also regrettable and condemnable.”

    He revealed that so far four deaths have been reported due to the unfortunate incident, adding that PM Shehbaz Sharif has announced compensation for the people who have lost their lives.

    He said that the federal government has asked the Punjab government to form a Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

    He, further said that “we consider Khan a political opponent and not an enemy, but he [Khan] considers us his enemies.”

    About the accusations made by the PTI chief, implicating Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah himself and Major General Faisal Naseer of plotting the assassination attempt, the Interior Minister said that it is “very saddening” that Khan has named people without any investigation or proof.

    Talking about the alleged confession video of the shooter, the minister said that the allegations levelled by him are extremely alarming.

    The minister also hinted at the possibility of PM Shehbaz visiting Imran Khan to inquire about his health.

    “If the environment gets better, PM Shehbaz might visit Khan but right now we have been blamed. So the discussion is under consideration, PM Shehbaz will decide this matter,” he stated.

  • Social media hater? You could go to prison for seven years

    Social media hater? You could go to prison for seven years

    The federal cabinet has approved an amendment seeking seven-year imprisonment for those who spread hateful content on social media.

    Under the amendment, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been authorised to take action against such people. The final approval of the amendment will be taken by Parliament.

    However, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah decided to consult journalists and other stakeholders on the amendment. The minister said that if the amendment leads to restrictions on people’s freedom of expression, then the government will withdraw the bill

    The interior minister also stressed that if the bill is against the freedom of expression then “we won’t pass it”.

    Sanaullah said people’s private lives are being affected due to social media which is a “serious matter”.

    He further added that the issue is an important one, therefore, the government is hoping that the amendments will not create hurdles in the way of people’s right to freedom of expression.

    Earlier this year, during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tenure, President Arif Alvi approved an ordinance of a similar nature proposing amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, (PECA) 2016. It proposed a five-year sentence for criticising state institutions, including the Pakistan Army and judiciary on electronic media

    At the time, Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared the ordinance “unconstitutional” and directed the federal government to probe abuse of the law and submit a report. The law also faced backlash from the media fraternity.

  • District administration Rawalpindi cracks down on cash & carry stores that overcharge customers

    District administration Rawalpindi cracks down on cash & carry stores that overcharge customers

    The district administration of Rawalpindi has launched a major campaign against megastores and cash-and-carry businesses, fined them Rs100,000, filed three police reports, and detained five persons for looting the public by overcharging for basic food items.

    On Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner Dr Zunera Aftab conducted raids on a number of megastores and cash & carry establishments, including marriage halls, according to The News.

    Additionally, the Rawalpindi district government issued warning letters to shopkeepers for allegedly participating in hoarding and faking a shortage of necessities.

    According to Assistant Commissioner Zunera Aftab, strong action has been taken against hoarders and profiteers. She said, “We cannot spare hoarders and profiteers at any cost. She added that hoarders are attempting to create a fake shortage while profiteers are attempting to make a 100 per cent profit on every item. “I will never spare them at any cost,” she threatened.