Tag: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)

  • Pervez Khattak thrown out of PTI

    Pervez Khattak thrown out of PTI

    Once one of the most important members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pervez Khattak has on Wednesday been thrown out of the party for failing to respond to a show-cause notice issued on June 21.

    Khattak, who became a powerful Chief Minister and the President of the party in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), had been asked in the show cause notice to explain why he was asking workers to quit the party.

    A termination letter was sent to Khattak by PTI General Secretary Omar Ayub Khan while a copy of the same was also posted on the party’s social media handles.

    “Your membership from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has been terminated with immediate effect,” said the letter.

    Khattak himself had resigned from the post of KP party president after May 9 riots.

  • ‘Stop body shaming’: Twitter gets ugly over politics

    As the political crisis in the country continues, social media has been set ablaze with feuds between users and public figures. One such recent altercation took place between Iffat Omar and Sara Taseer.

    Taseer, who has been a staunch supporter of Imran Khan, had tweeted in favor of the former cricket player by asking him to pack his bags and escape the country to avoid her late father Salmaan Taseer’s fate.

    However, actress and former model Iffat Omar, who has publicly condemned Imran Khan on social media, mocked the tweet.

    To which Taseer responded by saying

    “Someone get this C grade “has been” model @OmarIffat off my case. May the excessive lip filler causing her mouth to look like a giant balloon help her to float off into the sunset, far away from civilised society where she doesn’t belong.”

    Iffat Omar retorted:

    “Was not taking to u ugly woman just asked your mad leader to listen to pathetic woman like u so chill and lay of, criticizing my lips you have some nerves woman. I mean just look at u.”

    Twitter users criticised the response to Omar as the incorrect way to respond to someone whose political beliefs are different from yours.

    https://twitter.com/Bubbleskhanum/status/1661801548249169920?s=20
  • Footage shows unidentified men breaking into Jemima Khan’s house

    Footage shows unidentified men breaking into Jemima Khan’s house

    Activist, screenwriter and producer Jemima Khan has shared a picture of two unidentified men who were caught trying to break into her London flat a few days ago. Khan asked her followers to identify the men so they could be reported to the police.

    Speaking to Geo News, Khan said that she had immediately called the police and a report was registered with Scotland Yard.

    “And then these two guys captured on camera trespassing a few weeks later in the day,” Khan revealed about the men whose pictures she had shared online.

    This is not the first time Khan’s house has been targeted by critics, as last year she shared a picture of the protests organized by PMLN supporters outside her home, who were targeting her and two children, Suleiman and Kasim, with anti-semitic slurs.

  • Twitter users, activists condemn Mahira Khan, Anwar Maqsood’s sexist remarks about Maryam Nawaz, Marriyum Aurangzeb

    Social media was enraged yesterday at the comments made by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senator Afnan Ullah Khan who remarked that Mahira Khan had mental health problems and Anwar Maqsood was a drunkard, in a tweet which celebrities and feminist activists slammed as sexist.

    What had prompted this reaction? It was a conversation at a session titled ‘An Evening With Mahira Khan’ held at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi. In a clip that went viral, Mahira Khan was seen commenting about two females fighting and poisoning each other. To which Maqsood responded by saying that these two women were PML-N leaders Marriyum Aurangzeb and Maryam Nawaz.

    “I am restricted from talking about politics, I can’t say anything about anyone. Hopefully the situation will get better soon. What you said about poisoning, abusing each other so I gave an example, it is also happening in real life. Also both are actors, not character actors.”

    Can we condemn the disparaging comment made by the PML-N senator, whose party is currently under the leadership of a woman, and is also the one ruling the country? Absolutely, because how a politician comments about their critics reveals how thin-skinned and shallow-minded they are, especially when the critic is a woman.

    But to completely sideline the fact that Khan, who has been outspoken about gender inequality and the need to improve the way media represents women on screens, especially sitting next to a renowned leftist screen writer, could resort to making sexist jokes about female politicians whose views she doesn’t agree with? Twitter users could not over look this fact, and criticised Khan’s sexist behavior for directly targeting female politicians of the opposite party as a way to score points.

    Feminist activist Leena Ghani mentioned that it was male politicians who are consistently over-emotional, and behave in a horrible manner, but it’s astounding why Khan chose to overlook them and target Aurangzeb and Nawaz

    The Twitter page of Aurat March condemned Khan’s and Maqsood’s comments as ‘cringe’

    Twitter users like journalist Gharidah Farooqi criticised these comments as ‘shameful’:

    Zebunnisa Burki criticised both Khan and Maqsood for making such disgusting comments

    Another user wrote that it wasn’t proper for a woman to mock another woman politician in this manner

  • 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.

  • ‘Another lie of Faisal Vawda has been exposed’: PTI leader used expired passport to prove single nationality

    ‘Another lie of Faisal Vawda has been exposed’: PTI leader used expired passport to prove single nationality

    Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the Supreme Court (SC) Wednesday remarked that another lie of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda has been caught as the court took up the former federal minister’s petition against a lifetime ban imposed on him by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    A three member-bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha Malik heard the petition.

    Justice Ayesha Malik remarked that the cancelled passport which the counsel was relying upon expired in 2015 but was shown to the RO in 2018.

    “When you get the new passport, the older one is stamped cancelled. How can a cancelled passport be evidence of renouncing the nationality,” she asked.

    To this, CJP Bandial said that the issue has become very serious.

    Justice Mansoor Ali Shah then said, “Another lie of Faisal Vawda has been exposed”.

    The hearing was adjourned for two weeks after Faisal Vawda’s counsel, Wasim Sajjad asked for more time for preparation.

    At this, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said, “You will not get answers of these queries even after a week.

  • Unidentified men hurl grenade at PTI’s Shehryar Afridi’s home

    Unidentified men hurl grenade at PTI’s Shehryar Afridi’s home

    Unidentified men hurled hand grenade at the ancestral home of former minister of state and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shehryar Khan Afridi’s in Kohat on late Thursday, September 23.

    Taking to Twitter, PTI leader Senator Ejaz Chaudhry said that there was a cracker bomb attack at the house of Shahryar Afridi. May Allah protect him and destroy the enemies of Pakistan, he prayed.

    The police officials said four unidentified men riding on two motorbikes hurled a hand grenade at the residence of the former minister and managed to escape from the scene. The grenade exploded outside the residence.

    No loss of life was reported while the gate and wall have been partially damaged.

    Meanwhile, a first information report (FIR) has been registered against the unidentified men at the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

    Kohat District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur visited the crime scene and said that the accused will be arrested soon with the help of CTD.

  • ‘PTI MNAs can return to Assembly if PM announces elections’: Asad Qaiser

    ‘PTI MNAs can return to Assembly if PM announces elections’: Asad Qaiser

    Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) can return to the House if Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif announces date for general elections.

    Speaking to Dawn News’ Adil Shahzeb on Thursday, the PTI leader said, “I am telling you about the party policy. But first, they need to decide on a date for elections and dissolving the assemblies.”

    “But the date of elections must not be too far away”, he added.

    It is pertinent to mention that PTI leaders had tendered their resignations together after former PM Imran Khan’s government was ousted through a no-confidence motion in April of this year. Since then, most of the resignations remain with the current Speaker, Raja Pervez Ashraf.

    Discussing another possibility, Asad Qaiser said the party can consider rejoining the NA if there is a need for legislating or passing amendments regarding election reforms, stressing that his party chairman Imran Khan is also of the same view.

    About the dissolution of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies, where PTI is in power, Qaiser revealed that the option is “still alive” and that discussions are taking place regarding this matter.

    Talking about PTI long march, he said whatever steps are taken would be within constitutional limits.

    Asad’s remarks came after Supreme Court (SC) suggested on Thursday that PTI should go back to the lower house as voters had elected them for five years.

    ‘Return to the National Assembly’: CJP Bandial says PTI should play its role in parliament

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial reminded PTI that public had elected their representatives for a term of five years.

    “People have elected [PTI lawmakers] for five years. The party should play its role in parliament. Playing a due role in parliament is the actual obligation,” said CJP Bandial.

    Initially, PTI had moved the IHC and challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) acceptance of the resignations of 11 MNAs and not accepting a “piece-meal” resignation of all 123 lawmakers.

    But the IHC dismissed the plea on September 6.

    During today’s hearing, the top court said that the IHC has given a clear ruling on the phase-wise acceptance of MNAs’ resignations.

    “The speaker has the legal right to accept the resignations of MNAs. Prima facie, if the speaker’s rights are infringed upon, it will attract Article 69,” the court said.

    “Convince the court that the high court’s decision had some drawbacks,” it said, telling PTI’s counsel Faisal Chaudhry that the people elected his clients for a term of five years and the party should play its role in parliament.

    “Your [PTI] real responsibility is to play your role in parliament. Millions of people have been affected by floods,” the CJP told the counsel, drawing light on the country’s grim situation.

    “You will also have to look at the country’s economic situation. Does the PTI have any idea how much it will cost to hold by-elections on 123 seats?” he asked.

    The CJP said one should conduct themselves in a dignified manner and exercise “tolerance in matters of the state”.

    “We are giving you another chance to think. Take instructions from the party,” he told the PTI’s counsel.

    The CJP asked, “Why do you want the court to issue a stay order on by-polls on the 11 National Assembly seats?”

    The PTI’s counsel replied that elections cannot be held in selected constituencies.

    “Have you ever asked the speaker why is he not confirming the resignations?” inquired the CJP.

    The chief justice observed that they cannot interfere in the jurisdiction of the speaker.

    “Every institution has its own limitation,” the CJP remarked.

    Turnout in by-elections is low, CJP Bandial said, adding that expenses for by-elections in 123 constituencies at a time will be very high.

    According to the Constitution, the first duty of elected members is to join the assembly, observed the CJP.

    “It is possible that you will gain political advantage from the elections, but prima facie, the procedure adopted by the speaker is not wrong,” remarked the CJP.

    Meanwhile, the court adjourned the case for an indefinite period.

  • Khan pleads innocence: ‘Threats to female judge don’t fall under terrorism’

    Khan pleads innocence: ‘Threats to female judge don’t fall under terrorism’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Friday that the threats he issued to a female judge in a rally do not fall under “terrorism” and the case should be dismissed as he is “innocent”.

    “I am the chairman of Tehreek-e-Insaf, I have been the prime minister of Pakistan. This government tortured [my aide] Shahbaz Gill due to political opposition. The report filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) proved that Gill had been tortured,” Khan told the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), calling for the dismissal of his case in the written reply submitted.

    Khan was asked to appear before the JIT at the Margalla Police Station on Friday but he did not show up.

    Last week, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad extended the interim bail of the PTI chairman till September 12 in the terrorism case related to his controversial remarks about the female sessions court judge Zeba Chaudhry and the capital city police.

    The court directed the ex-prime minister to submit Rs100,000 as surety against the bail.

    A case was registered against the former prime minister under the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening the additional sessions judge and senior police officers of the Islamabad Police during a public rally.

  • Khan files new plea ahead of court hearing in contempt case

    Khan files new plea ahead of court hearing in contempt case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is scheduled to resume hearing on Thursday the contempt of court case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for threatening a female District and Sessions Judge, Zeba Chaudhry

    A five-member bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah will hear the case at 2:30 pm. The PTI chairman will appear before the court in person amid strict security.

    Hours before the proceeding, Khan filed a new plea at the high court. He argued that the high court cannot exercise suo moto jurisdiction as per the Constitution. The arguments on the inadmissibility of the contempt case should be kept on record.

    “The written arguments will also be explained in the oral arguments during the course of the proceedings,” read the plea.

    A day earlier to the proceedings, Khan submitted a fresh response to the contempt of court case, in which in he expressed deep regret for his words.

    In a 19-page-long document, Khan told the court that it should discharge the notice based on his explanation and follow the Islamic principles of forgiveness.

    “That the purpose of the contempt law is not to punish anyone but to uphold the majesty of law. The respondent [Khan] believes in the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution,” the response said.

    “The respondent takes this opportunity to express his deep regrets over his unintentional utterances during the course of his speech at a rally which was taken out in response to the shocking news of the physical torture of Shahbaz Gill.”

    However, the submitted reply fell short of offering an unconditional apology.

    IHC on August 31 had directed the former prime minister to resubmit his response, giving him seven days to hand in the new draft. During the proceedings, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had said he was “disappointed” by the written response submitted by Khan. He asked him to review it and submit it once more.