Tag: Pakistan

  • Not so fast, Supreme Court: Election Commission to hold meeting today to discuss response to verdict

    Not so fast, Supreme Court: Election Commission to hold meeting today to discuss response to verdict

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is to hold another meeting today to consult a legal expert on how to respond to the Supreme Court’s (SC) recent verdict regarding the allocation of reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies.

    The Commission has been conducting meetings on a daily basis since last week to discuss the legal quandary arising after the parliament passed the Election Amendment Act 2024, Informed sources told Dawn.

    It further claimed, “But the situation has changed after the announcement of the detailed judgement of the Supreme Court, and the commission will meet again on Tuesday to seek the opinion of the legal expert.”

    Earlier, the ECP’s law wing claimed that PTI had no organisational structure and refused to allocate reserved seats to PTI.

    On August 8, President Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari signed the Election Amendments Act 2024, which ultimately clashes with the Supreme Court’s July 12, 2024 reserved seats verdict.

    Election Amendment Act 2024 stated, “If a political party fails to submit its list for reserved seats within the prescribed time, it will not be entitled to reserved seats of women and non-muslims candidates.

    Last week, Speaker of National Assembly (NA) Ayaz Sadiq penned a letter to Chief ECP Sikander Sultan Raja, which reads, “The amended Elections Act is in the field and, therefore, it is the statutory obligation of the ECP to honour the laws made by Parliament and uphold the principles of democracy and parliamentary supremacy.”

  • Ali Amin Gandapur charged under Anti Terrorism Act

    Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur has been charged with thirteen provisions, including the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATC), for resorting to violence near the Sialkot interchange on the Motorway.

    The First Information Report (FIR) filed at the Manawan police station in Lahore reads that an armed mob led by CM Ali Amin Gandapur attempted to set fire to vehicles parked at the Sialkot toll plaza on the order of a politician.

    The FIR further states that an armed mob confronted police with AK-47 rifles while Gandapur, Shahid Khattak and other politicians moved ahead during the riot.

    On September 21, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a rally at Punjab’s provincial capital, Lahore. However, CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur was unable to reach the rally venue within the time allotted by the district administration from 3 PM to 6 PM.
    A video circulated on social media showed Gandapur smashing a truck window with a rifle.

  • PTI leaders clash in Punjab Assembly over credit for September rally

    PTI leaders clash in Punjab Assembly over credit for September rally

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders had an altercation at the Punjab Assembly amongst themselves after having a heated debate over the party rally at Kahna on September 21.

    PTI’s Lahore President, Shiekh Imtiaz Mehmood and Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Farukh Javed Moon fought over the credit for the party rally, while the opposition leader of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmed Khan, was also present, Public News reported.

    MPA Firdous Shamim Naqvi cited poor performance, adding that the event did not live up to expectations and criticised PTI leadership for not carrying the rally beyond 6 PM.

    Shiekh Imtiaz, in response, said that with hindrances, it is an achievement to have held a rally; adding that it cost 35 lac.

    While questioning this cost, Moon pointed out that rallies had been held in the past as well, but why did it cost this much now? This infuriated Imtiaz, and both the members ended up in a physical fight.

  • Govt warns IPPs to end Power Purchase Agreement or face forensic audit

    Govt warns IPPs to end Power Purchase Agreement or face forensic audit

    Owners of four Independent Power Producers (IPPs) set up under both 1994 policy 2002 policy have been directed to voluntarily discontinue the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and go into ‘pay-and-take mode’, an official privy to the dealings told The News.

    Official privy further said, “The government will not pay capacity payments anymore in the range of Rs139-150 billion per annum to the said IPPs for the next 3-5 years; this has been told to the proprietors of the said five IPPs. They have also been categorically told that the government has already made excess payments to the said IPPs in the form of capacity payments and returns on equity and has also paid the loans for the IPPs.”

    Meanwhile, the owner of IPP, the official said, responded that if the government pays RS 55 billion to his company, he will not only be ready to terminate the contract but also hand over the plant to the government.

    The main member of the task force has told IPP owners that there is no other option for them; if they don’t act, a forensic audit will initiate and recover extra profits they made in the past through wrongdoings.

    The 1994 governmental agreement with IPPs states that whether these power producers work at a hundred per cent efficiency or fifty per cent efficiency, they will be paid for their installed capacity.

    The agreement was based on a ‘take or pay’ policy (the government was bound to pay to IPPs even if no electricity was produced or supplied), not a “take and pay” policy.

  • ‘Afghan diplomat 14 August ko national anthem ke ihteraam mein khare hoye thay,’ Faisal Kundi reveals double standards

    ‘Afghan diplomat 14 August ko national anthem ke ihteraam mein khare hoye thay,’ Faisal Kundi reveals double standards

    Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Faisal Karim Kundi, while recalling the Afghan diplomat’s refusal to stand up for the Pakistan anthem in the presence of Chief Minister (CM) KP Ali Amin Gandapur, has claimed that the same Afghan diplomat stood up for the anthem on August 14 during a flag hoisting ceremony.

    Appearing on the Samaa News programme ‘Mere Sawal With Absar Alam,’ Kundi revealed that the Afghan diplomat, along with an Iranian diplomat and an American diplomat, stood up for the national anthem as a respectful gesture.

    He said, “14 August ko mein nay bulaya thaa, tab inhain koi takleef nahi thi or national anthem kay ihteraam may kharay b huway thay.”

    Lambasting CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur’s stance of showing no objection to the disrespect, Kundi said he appeared to be the provincial CM of Afghanistan.

    Earlier, during an official event in Peshawar to commemorate 12th Rabi ul Awal, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), two Afghan diplomats deliberately refused to stand up for Pakistan’s anthem.

    After strong discontent from Pakistan, Afghan Consulate Peshawar spokesperson Shahid Ullah clarified, “The Consul General did not stand due to the music in the anthem. We have even banned our own national anthem for the same reason.”

  • Jerusalem post article declares Imran Khan a central figure in Pak-Israel ties

    Jerusalem post article declares Imran Khan a central figure in Pak-Israel ties

    The Jerusalem Post, one of Israel’s most widely-read newspapers, has declared former Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan a central figure in normalising Pak-Israel ties.

    An article written by Harry Richer asserts, “Figures like Khan could very well be central in changing both public opinion and military policy” for Pak-Israel ties.

    While reviewing the state of Muslim countries trying to normalise ties with Israel for their self-interest, Richer asserted that despite Khan’s pro-Palestine stance, the former PM had hinted at shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy towards Israel.

    Richer predicted, “Normalisation with Israel would bring about significant economic benefits, including technological support in agriculture, cybersecurity, and defence.”

    Richer added, “A change in leadership would most probably also be needed for any resolution to move forward, and figures like Khan could very well be central in changing both public opinion and military policy.”

    Pakistan does not recognise Israel and has long been an ardent and very vocal supporter of Palestine. The ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza has strengthened public opinion in Pakistan against Israel.

    As of October 7, more than 41,000 people, the majority of whom are women and children, have been slaughtered by Israel since October 7. Lancet, the respected medical journal, puts the figure at close to 180,000 dead.

  • Maulana Fazlur Rehman warns of instability if Constitution overlooked

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman warns of instability if Constitution overlooked

    The Chief of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam- Fazl (JUI-F), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has warned that failure to adhere to the Constitution will lead the country towards instability and unrest.

    Speaking at an event in Karachi, he talked about this year’s general elections, labeling the incumbent constituent assembly a product of the establishment.

    Responding to the government’s proposed controversial constitutional amendments, Fazlur Rehman asserted, “Neither the opposition has a draft [of the proposed amendments], nor do the people know about any such document. Here, every institution wants to interfere in the other’s mandate. These can’t be called reforms by any means.”

    The head of JUI-F suggested that institutions operate within their own paradigm and strengthen themselves and expressed a wish to see a robust parliament, judiciary, and military.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman has been a formidable challenge for the government as he resisted the so-called twenty-sixth constitutional amendments despite having only five Senate votes, proving himself to be the decision-maker.

  • Ali Amin Gandapur’s arrest warrant issued

    Ali Amin Gandapur’s arrest warrant issued

    An Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur over a Federal Judicial Complex vandalism case.

    ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, while turning down CM’s bail petition, stated that bail can not be given every time without a justified reason.

    The defendant’s lawyer informed the judge that the court should grant “one (more) chance,” assuring that “Ali Amin will [definitely] appear before the court.”

    Upon this, Judge Sipra reminded the lawyer that previously, a date for a hearing was fixed according to Gandapur’s availability, but he never showed up.

    ATC later adjourned the hearing of the case till October 3.

    ATC court also issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for former Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Aamer Mehmood Kiani and PTI leader Raja Rashid Hafeez in a Federal Judicial Complex vandalising case.

    On March 18, 2023, PTI workers allegedly pelted stones at the authorities inside the premises of the Federal Judicial Complex during founder PTI Imran Khan’s hearing in court.

  • Baba jee stuck in time; Azma Bokhari addresses disinformation

    Baba jee stuck in time; Azma Bokhari addresses disinformation

    Minister of Information and Culture in Punjab, Azma Zahid Bokhari, has pointed out the false information posted by YouTuber Imran Riaz’s fan page.

    In 2022, a video was posted on Imran Riaz’s official account showing an old man urging the public to attend a PTI rally for the country’s future. However, in 2024, the same video was posted on the Imran Riaz fan page account, claiming that the old man was urging citizens to attend the rally to be held today in Lahore.

    In her tweet, Ms Bokhari wrote, “Baba G aik hi libaas main 2 saal pehly B wohi baatien kr rhy thy or aaj bhii wohi keh rahy hain.” She then jokingly advised the PTI, “Baba badal lain ya unhain bitha dain.”

    “Chor chori se jayee magar Hairaa pherii se Na Jayee,” she added

    Tweep Rab Nawaz Baloch, claimed, “The elderly man who was chanting ‘neutral’ slogan was seen leaving Youtuber Imran Riaz’s house in 2022 wearing the same costume.”

    Another netizen said, “Baba G abhii Naya Pakistan k raasty main hain.”

  • ‘Rejected amendments over concerns about military expansion,’ Maulana Fazlur Rehman clarifies

    ‘Rejected amendments over concerns about military expansion,’ Maulana Fazlur Rehman clarifies

    Chief Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman, while criticising the twenty-sixth constitutional amendments draft, said he rejected the controversial constitutional amendments due to fears of expansion of military rule.

    Speaking to the media in Multan on Friday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the proposed amendment provides exemptions to the military and limits the scope of basic rights.

    Showing concerns over the secrecy of the constitutional amendments draft, the Chief of JUI-F remarked, “Eventually, they (incumbent government) gave us a copy, but I cannot say for sure whether both copies are identical. We do not know if there have been additions or subtractions in the new version.”

    He added, “We told the government that this is merely a headline; show us the actual draft first, and then we will discuss.”

    Lambasting the incumbent government, Maulana alleged that modifications in the constitution were introduced to protect the coalition government, predicting, “This government is unlikely to complete its tenure.”

    Meanwhile, appearing on the Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the government will continue to pursue Maulana Fazlur Rehman over constitutional amendments.

    The Defence Minister advised JUI-F “Not to doubt the [ruling parties]’s intentions.”