Tag: Pakistan Tehreek e insaf

  • Trouble for Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry as ECP issues arrest warrants for all three

    Trouble for Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry as ECP issues arrest warrants for all three

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, along with two party leaders, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry.

    The warrants were issued by ECP’s four-member bench headed by member Nisar Durrani hearing a contempt case against the electoral body and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Sikander Sultan Raja.

    The bench, while rejecting the PTI leaders’ pleas for exemption, directed them to appear before it on the next hearing which is scheduled for January 17. The commission had reserved the verdict on their pleas on January 3.

    During the hearing today, the ECP rejected the pleas of PTI leaders seeking an exemption from appearing before the commission and issued arrest warrants for them against surety bonds worth Rs50,000 each.

    The bench, subsequently, adjourned the hearing till January 17.

    Both Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and showed their disapproval towards the the issuance of the bailable arrest warrants.

    In August last year, the ECP had issued a contempt notice to PTI leaders for insulting the election commission during various public meetings, press conferences and several interviews.

    The notice charged that they insulted and passed unparliamentary, intemperate and contemptuous remarks against the electoral body on various occasions.

  • ‘Meray dost ko 2 Vigo daalay utha ke le gaye’: Moonis Elahi

    ‘Meray dost ko 2 Vigo daalay utha ke le gaye’: Moonis Elahi

    Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) leader Moonis Elahi took to Twitter on January 7 to inform his followers that friend was kidnapped by two Vigo pick up trucks in Lahore.

    Moonis further wrote that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is swearing that it is not involved in any way.

    “Now after a few days suddenly the FIA will be delivered and they will be forced to register an First Information Report (FIR),” tweeted Moonis.

    Moonis Elahi, the son of Punjab’s Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, is considered to be quite close to Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), PML-Q’s collation partner in the Punjab government.

  • ‘Will not join politics after [the] two-year bar nor afterwards’: Gen Faiz Hameed

    ‘Will not join politics after [the] two-year bar nor afterwards’: Gen Faiz Hameed

    Former Director-General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), General (retd) Faiz Hameed clarified that all speculations about his joining politics or leading the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were false. “I will not join politics after two-year bar nor afterward,” he categorically said, reports The News.

    On Thursday, a video of the former spy chief went viral on social media, showing the General attending a gathering in his native village Latifal in Chakwal. An unidentied person, addressing the gathering, praised the retired general for his services in the military and for all he did for the development of the area. The speaker requested the retired Faiz Hameed to join politics and play a role in the development of the country.

    “We will be with you throughout, and we practically want you to join politics and serve the people like you did when you were in service. We want that once you join politics, people should know that you are back and are helping the people way more than they can imagine,” said the unknown man in the video. The retired General, who is seated on a sofa, smiles back.

    Lt Gen (retd) Faiz had retired from service after General Asim Munir took command of the Pakistan Army as the chief of army staff.

    The former DG ISI had requested early retirement after the prime minister had approved Gen Asim Munir and Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza’s elevation to the four-star rank.

    His application for early retirement was approved on December 2 after the Defence Ministry forwarded his request to the premier.

  • From ‘Pinky Peerni’ to ‘Hum qabrain khodain ge agar hamaray gharon tak gaye’: PTI, PML-N’s heated debate on talk show

    From ‘Pinky Peerni’ to ‘Hum qabrain khodain ge agar hamaray gharon tak gaye’: PTI, PML-N’s heated debate on talk show

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Attaullah Tarar got into a heated debate during Dunya News programme, ‘On the Front with Kamran Shahid’.

    As the discussion veered towards corruption, Usman Dar said that he does not have prove the corruption allegations against his leader, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, as he is an honest man unlike Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N’s supremo Nawaz Sharif.

    The debate then turned quite heated when Tarar called the former First Lady, Bushra Bibi, “Pinky Peerni”. Dar called out Tarar for referring to the former First Lady as Pinky Peerni.

    “Have some shame, my brother, have some shame. Don’t act like this and [call her pinky peerni]. If I start taking on homes/families, I will not spare any person from PML-N. Don’t go to my leaders family. Don’t commit this mistake,” said Dar.

    Kamran Shahid, the host of the programme interjected and with a smile on his face, said, “He has blackmailed you [Tarar].”

    “I cannot tell you the background of Maryam Nawaz on the talk show, come and meet me privately, I will tell you everything. Are you listening to me,” asked Dar, continuing in the same vein.

    Kamran Shahid interjected yet again and said that the past and present of Maryam Nawaz is not relevant, however, the question here is on corruption. “Neither of you should say such things,” he admonished.

    Dar kept speaking while Shahid was talking and said, “I will beat you in your own house. Never even think about any of this. That woman does not do politics; she observes pardah [veil]. You guys don’t have any argument; that’s why you enter people’s homes.”

    Tarar reiterated that he took Bushra Bibi’s name because her name was present in the documents presented by the Prime Minister’s Office.

    In response, Dar said, “Bring the lists which have the name of late Kalsoom Nawaz [wife of Nawaz Shairf].”

    Tarar said someone observing or not observing pardahh shouldn’t be part of the debate.

    “If you guys go into our houses, we will start digging graves in this country,” replied Usman Dar, adding that Tarar should have addressed Bushra Bibi as First Lady.

  • ECP verdict: PTI Chairman Imran Khan disqualified

    ECP verdict: PTI Chairman Imran Khan disqualified

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in a consensus verdict, disqualified former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and ruled that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman is no more a member of the National Assembly (NA).

    Khan is disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) for misdeclaration.

    Article 63 (1) (p) of the Constitution states that an individual is, “for the time being, disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) or of a provincial assembly under any law for the time being in force”.

    What happened today?

    A four-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, announced the verdict at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad.

    The decision was taken unanimously by the five-member bench. However, the member from Punjab was not present for today’s announcement.

    According to the verdict, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran for misdeclaration.

    The verdict was announced amid tight security in the Red Zone where at least 1,100 police officials were deployed under the command of a senior superintendent of police to control the law and order situation in the area. The officer was assisted by five superintendents and six deputy superintendents of police.

    Ahead of the verdict, PTI leaders intensified their criticism of the ECP, repeating their allegations of the electoral watchdog being partial against them.

    What is the case?

    The ECP had reserved its verdict in the Toshakhana case on September 19 after arguments were completed from both sides. A five-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case.

    In August 2022, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf sent a reference to the ECP under Articles 62A, 63A, and 223, seeking former prime minister Imran Khan’s disqualification in the light of the Toshakhana scam.

    The disqualification reference was filed by Ali Gohar Khan, PML-N’s Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, and five others.

    The 28-page reference identified 52 gift items of Toshakhana received by the former prime minister Khan, violating the law and rules, taken away at nominal prices and most of the gifts were sold in the market, including some precious watches.

    The assessed value of the gifts has been put at Rs 142,042,100. The gifts were received between August 2018 and December 2021.

    What is Toshakhana?

    Established in 1974, the Tosha­khana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries.

    According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.

  • Fact Check: Sharif family ki corruption par independent documentary toh ban rehi hai, lekin it isn’t confirmed if it’s on Netflix/Amazon

    Fact Check: Sharif family ki corruption par independent documentary toh ban rehi hai, lekin it isn’t confirmed if it’s on Netflix/Amazon

    Claim: Several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) politicians and multiple social media users on Twitter are claiming that an upcoming documentary, about the alleged corruption of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and his family, will be released on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

    The trailer of the new documentary, titled “Behind Closed Doors” was released on social media on Monday, October 18.

    The trailer was shared across platforms, raking up views.

    The trailer features, amongst others, Imran Khan, the former prime minister, as well as several investigative journalists including Tom Stocks and John-Allan Namu.

    Former Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari tweeted, “Soon on Netflix and Amazon. A must-watch documentary on corruption very relevant as Sharifs also feature in it.”

    PTI’s Finance and Health Minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Taimur Jhagra tweeted, “A film about corruption. Coming soon to Netflix / Amazon Prime. The truth is out there. In Pakistan, sadly it just seems to lead back the same people to corridors of power, again and again.”

    Fact: According to the official website of Behind Closed Doors, the documentary highlights “Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), people who hold a public function and as a result present higher risks of being involved in bribery or corruption.” It also mentions offshore leaks which have revealed that PEPs use the British financial system and offshore jurisdictions to launder, hide and re-invest their wealth into the global financial system.

    “But what happens when a developing country fights back and attempts to get Britain to return the money that it claims has been stolen?” question the documentary makers.

    The film is produced and directed by Michael Oswald and Murtaza Mehdi. The IMDb website states that Oswald is a UK-based director, writer and editor.

    The webpage names all of Netflix’s upcoming releases till January 2023. Behind Closed Doors has not been listed.

    The website of Prime Video by Amazon Studios also does not name the documentary as an upcoming release.

    While several members of the PTI camp have claimed Behind Closed Doors will be featured on Netflix, the streaming service has made no such announcement nor have the makers of the documentary mentioned it on their website or YouTube channel.

    Verdict: FALSE

  • ‘You have to spoon-feed people’: Imran Khan in another explosive audio leak

    ‘You have to spoon-feed people’: Imran Khan in another explosive audio leak

    Another alleged audio of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been leaked on Friday, purportedly featuring him and his former ministers Asad Umar and Shireen Mazari discussing the United States (US) cipher once again.

    Context of the audio:

    Asad Umar: Another point is, in hindsight, that whatever we are doing now should have been done at least ten days ago.

    Imran Khan: The impact of this letter is far-reaching and it has reached all over the world, more than we expected.

    Shireen Mazari: The Chinese have issued an official statement, condemning US intervention in the internal affairs of Pakistan.

    Imran Khan: The public is with us and we must ensure that the pressure must be at such a height that whoever goes to the assembly for voting must be branded for life and you have to brand them as Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq. You have to spoon-feed people as their minds are currently fertile grounds.

    Both the former ministers can be heard agreeing with their party chief. Earlier in the day, another audio clip leaked that suggested Khan was involved in horse trading during his tenure at the country’s highest office.

    It is pertinent to mention here that this alleged audio leak is part three of PTI’s audio leak series regarding the US cipher.

    In the previous US cipher audio leaks, Imran Khan when he was Prime Minister, is directing his close aides not to take America’s name while talking about the US cipher in public.

    The PTI chief also told his then-principal secretary Azam Khan that, “We have to play with it [cipher]”.

    ‘Making a few moves of my own which we cannot make public’: Khan’s new audio leak

    Another alleged audio of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was released on Friday, purportedly featuring the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief talking about horse-trading in parliament.

    In the audio recording, a voice believed to be Imran’s says: “You have a misunderstanding that now the number game is complete […] don’t think this is over.”

    The voice in the audio, allegedly of the PTI chairman, can be heard strategising on horse-trading in parliament.

    It is being suggested that the recording is from before the vote of no-confidence against Khan.

    Context of audio:

    Imran Khan: You are greatly mistaken that the number game is now complete.

    Imran Khan: It’s not like that…don’t think that it’s over because 48 hours from now is a long time.

    Imran Khan: Big things are happening. I am making some moves of my own which we cannot make public.

    Imran Khan: I am buying five, I have five. [We need] to give the message that the five are very important.

    Imran Khan: And tell him if he secures five more and it turns to 10, the game will be in our hand.

    Imran Khan: The nation is alarmed right now.

    Imran Khan: Across the board people want us to win in any way possible, so no one needs to worry if this is right or wrong – whatever the tactic.

    Imran Khan: Even if someone breaks one, it will have a big impact.

    The audio clip released on Friday is the third such leak featuring the PTI chairman. Last week, an audio clip purportedly revealed a conversation between Imran and then principal secretary Azam Khan about the cipher — shared by Asad Majeed, the then envoy to the US — which Imran has used to peddle his foreign conspiracy narrative.

    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry on Friday did not disavow the contents of the latest audio clip but said that “Everyone knows where and how the audios are being made”.

    In a tweet, the former minister asked: “By joining together voices such as these will you prove NRO 2 to be valid?”

  • ‘Judges ko chaahiye Imran Khan ko izzat dein’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Judges ko chaahiye Imran Khan ko izzat dein’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has said that party Chairman Imran Khan is the most popular and respected leader of Pakistan and should be treated with respect.

    While talking about the possible outcomes of the contempt of court proceedings against Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry said that the on-going case is between the contemnor and the court and they are not letting Khan speak.

    On being asked if Khan will “unconditionally apologise” today, Chaudhry said, “He can, there is no harm in it.”

    He further said that Khan’s lawyer, Hamid Khan, doesn’t know anything as he is “Ghuggu ghorra” [a person who doesn’t speak]. “I have told Khan saab many times that you yourself should speak [in the court]. Hamid Khan doesn’t know anything,” said Chaudhry.

    “If Allah Almighty gives respect to someone, it becomes obligatory on people to give that person respect as well. Imran Khan is the leader of millions of Pakistanis, so judges must also give him respect,” said Chaudhry.

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is scheduled to formally indict Khan in a contempt of court case today (Thursday), for his controversial remarks about Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry during a rally in Islamabad on August 20.

  • Aap Imran Khan ko hataayeinge, kaisay khud reh paayeinge, asks Fawad

    Aap Imran Khan ko hataayeinge, kaisay khud reh paayeinge, asks Fawad

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has said that if Imran Khan in any way gets disqualified, then those those who make this decision should think how will they survive.

    “It is for those who can disqualify Imran, not for the PTI, to think that how would they survive (in their positions) if they oust Imran Khan,” said Chaudhry on HUM News.

    “Pakistan is at the edge of revolution. If a judgement is given against Imran Khan Sahib, the people of Pakistan will decide the fate,” said Chaudhry.

    Fawad said that when Bhutto was ousted out of power, he was not at the peak of his popularity. But on the contrary, massive public support is with Imran Khan today.

    Speaking on another political programme aired on Dunya News, Chaudhry said that he found a commonality in the cases of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Yusuf Raza Gilani and Nawaz Sharif, as all these leaders had lost their popularity among the masses when they were ousted.

    “Imran Khan is at the pinnacle of his popularity. No one can afford that politics in Pakistan runs without him,” said Chaudhry. When the anchorperson asked Fawad if he means that the courts cannot penalise a popular leader, Fawad said they could not punish (a popular leader) in political cases. His comments were in relevance to the contempt of court case against Khan.

    The anchorperson told Fawad that the courts had convicted popular leaders like Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Talal Chaudhry and Nehal Hashmi, Fawad advised the anchor against comparing Imran Khan with the likes of Talal or Nehal.

  • Imran Khan’s fund raising telethon secures Rs5 billion in pledges

    Imran Khan’s fund raising telethon secures Rs5 billion in pledges

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan held an international telethon for the flood-affected. In three hours, Khan collected Rs5 billion in pledges.

    Khan said entire Pakistan had been affected by the floods due to relentless rains. “More than 1,000 people have died due to devastating floods and the damages are expected to cross Rs1,000 billion,” he said.

    “The sole solution to prevent the catastrophes caused by a flood is to construct dams.”

     Read more: IK back on live TV: High Court suspends ban on IK’s speeches

    Khan also said that he is struggling for real independence besides assisting the flood victims across the country. 

    The PTI chairman took Twitter and thanked the people of Pakistan, and expats for donating so generously.