Tag: Pakistan

  • Reserved seats uncertainty: ECP again approaches Supreme Court

    Reserved seats uncertainty: ECP again approaches Supreme Court

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has challenged the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan’s September 14 detailed verdict regarding the allotment of women and non-muslim reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The ECP explained in its plea that the apex court’s July 12 ruling came before the Election Amendment Act 2024; on this amendment, the ECP sought clarification from the apex court on whether to follow the amended parliamentary law or the top court’s September 14 detailed verdict.

    The 8-5 majority ruling of the Supreme Court’s verdict on reserved seats read, “Withdrawal of election symbol cannot disqualify a political party from elections.”

    It further read, “The PTI was and is a political party.”

    On September 14, the top court issued the detailed verdict of its July 12 ruling, directing the ECP to allot reserved seats to PTI.

    Meanwhile, the Election Amendment Act 2024 stated, “A candidate who does not submit the party certificate before obtaining the election symbol will be considered an independent candidate. If the list of candidates for reserved seats is not submitted within the specified period, no political party will be entitled to those seats.”

  • 46 dead in Kurram clashes so far

    46 dead in Kurram clashes so far

    Clashes between rival tribes in Kurram district have been ongoing for eight days now, with 46 people dead and 96 injured so far.

    On Friday, fresh clashes left five more people dead and 15 injured, Dawn News reported.

    Earlier, clashes started between the Bushehra tribe and the Ahmedzai tribe in the Kurram district following the construction of trenches on disputed land.

    Viewing the ongoing clashes at Kurram district, former Senator and tribal leader Sajid Turi had claimed that a grand jirga tried to resolve the dispute but ended in vain.

    Meanwhile, on Thursday, in a statement issued from the CM’s secretariat, Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur said that serious efforts were being made to maintain public order in the province.

    He added, “After the improvement of the law and order situation in southern districts, more checkposts will be handed over to the police. However, before that happens, there is a need to enhance the capabilities of police.”

  • ‘Establishment ke log right dikha kar left marte hain’: Imran Khan

    ‘Establishment ke log right dikha kar left marte hain’: Imran Khan

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has said that the party decided to turn the pre-scheduled September 28 rally in Rawalpindi into a protest.

    Speaking to journalists at Adiala jail Rawalpindi, former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that they (party leadership) are withdrawing a petition from the Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court that was filed earlier for the pursuit of No Objection Certificate (NOC), and added: “I know the permission will be declined.”

    He further added that even if the incumbent government gave permission to PTI for the rally at Rawalpindi, the venue would be far from the city.

    Responding to PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hassan’s claims of “inevitable” dialogue with the establishment, he cleared, “He is misunderstood; dialogue with the establishment won’t work.”

    He also advised Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur not to hold dialogue with the establishment.

    “Establishment kay log right dikha kr left martay hain,” he sarcastically added.

    Earlier, Raoof Hassan had declared on ARY News’ programme ‘11th Hour’, “PTI is prepared to engage with the establishment at every cost.”

  • Pakistan to sell JF-17 aircrafts to Azerbaijan

    Pakistan to sell JF-17 aircrafts to Azerbaijan

    Pakistan has signed a contract with Azerbaijan on Thursday to sell sophisticated JF-17 block three fighter jets, although prices and quantity of jets are unknown as of yet.

    According to a Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the deal was part of Pakistan’s effort to enhance and boost defence cooperation with friendly countries and strengthen the air power capabilities of Azerbaijan.

    ISPR added, “JF-17 Thunder Block-III is an AESA Radar and Long Range BVR equipped 4.5 generation Multi-Role fighter aircraft which is capable of undertaking a wide array of combat missions providing contemporary airpower employment options thus strengthening the National Security Paradigm of Azerbaijan.”

    The aircraft is co-produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and developed jointly with China.

    Pakistan is a key supporter of Turkiye, which supports Azerbaijan in its standoff with Armenia when clashes erupted between the two South Caucasus countries last year, resuming decades-old hostilities.

  • ‘Pakistan’s economy is doing well,’ says Asad Umar

    ‘Pakistan’s economy is doing well,’ says Asad Umar

    Former Finance Minister Asad Umar has declared that Pakistan’s new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is beneficial, adding that there was no other option for the country other than to approach the lender.

    Appearing on Dunya News’ programme Dunya Meher Bokhari Kay Saath, he said, “Financially, Pakistan’s economic condition is better than the previous year, and the country shows a lot of positive indicators as foreign reserves and remittance are increasing.”

    He optimistically stated that economic growth will also become better in the next three to four months.

    “Political instability is the biggest threat to Pakistan’s economy, and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif’s tough decision was taken for the public.”

    Earlier, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board approved the long-delayed $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan.

    An initial tranche of $1.1 billion is expected to be released by the global lender on September 30.

    As per reports, the loan carries an interest rate of less than five percent.

  • ‘Defence par baat karne se pehle ISPR clearance kyun zaroori hai?’; High Court questions army control on defence analysis

    ‘Defence par baat karne se pehle ISPR clearance kyun zaroori hai?’; High Court questions army control on defence analysis

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to present the original noting file upon which the eligibility of a defence analyst is processed and recommended.

    Hearing a petition filed by Colonel (retd) Inamul Rahim Advocate, who challenged PEMRA’s April 4, 2019 notification, Justice Babar Sattar questioned the legal standing of Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) over their exclusive right to determine which defence analyst can appear on Pakistan TV.

    The April 4, 2019, notification stated that retired army officers could analyse defence matters on television news and current affairs programmes after obtaining ISPR clearance.

    The Islamabad court asked PEMRA’s counsel what the military media wing has to do with the pre-clearance of defence analysts with Pakistan’s sovereignty and how PEMRA can impose a prior restraint on speech.

    Citing section 20 of the PEMRA ordinance, the Counsel said that the provision assures responsibility of TV channels to protect national security, integrity and sovereignty.

    However, the case was adjourned until November 20.

  • Sindh govt unaware: NAB recovers Rs 6 trillion worth of land

    Sindh govt unaware: NAB recovers Rs 6 trillion worth of land

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered 90 per cent of 18 lac acres of land in Sindh of which the provincial government was reportedly unaware.

    Prominent journalist Asif Bashir Chaudhary has revealed on a YouTube show ‘Talk SHOCK’ that NAB sent notices to the occupants of the land, ordering them to show the documents as proof of ownership. However, they failed to produce the required documents.

    “Possession land belongs to Sukkur and Karachi forest reserves,” he revealed, adding that the Ministry of Forest did not have a record of land.

    He revealed that Chairman NAB Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmad, who had complete documents of recovered 16,200,00 acres, presented to Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah.

    The CM Sindh was, reportedly, unaware of the news.

    “The estimated cost of recovered land is six trillion rupees,” he concluded.

  • Imran Khan calls for PTI protest on Thursday

    Imran Khan calls for PTI protest on Thursday

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has announced that the party will hold a protest for judicial independence on the coming Thursday.

    Speaking to journalists in Adiala jail Rawalpindi, he stated, “We have our own protest on Friday and will hold a rally in Rawalpindi on Saturday. We will protest if it is not allowed.”

    Lambasting the incumbent government, Imran Khan said that the country has become a police state and declared that this “martial law” is even tougher than that of former dictators General Zia Ul Haq and General Parvez Musharraf.

    Talking about the Practice and Procedure Amendment Act, he said, “Now everything has been exposed and veils removed. The Practice and Procedure Act was aimed at hearing cases in an undemocratic manner.”

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur met Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

  • Bilawal Bhutto calls for establishment of federal constitutional court

    Bilawal Bhutto calls for establishment of federal constitutional court

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has stressed the need to form Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to address disparities among Pakistan’s provinces.

    Addressing the Sindh High Court Bar Association, Bhutto stated that the 18th Amendment was threatened to be overturned while the 19th Amendment was passed under pressure.

    He pointed out that the details for the 19th Amendment have not been disclosed to-date.

    “The judicial reforms would be undertaken in line with the Charter of Democracy (COD), come what may,” he vowed.

    Bilawal Bhutto explained that PPP is considering to form a Constitutional Court in every province to address constitution-related cases, but he also clarified that no consensus has been reached on this proposal.

    “Agar Pakistan ka nizaam theek kerna hai tou Charter Of Democracy (COD) par amal kerna parega,” he added.

  • Jerusalem Post article is ‘propaganda’, says Imran Khan

    Jerusalem Post article is ‘propaganda’, says Imran Khan

    Founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has rejected the accusation that he supports dialogue with Israel and declared a The Jerusalem Post article which said he is central to establishing good relations between the countries propaganda against him.

    Speaking with journalists at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, the former Prime Minister clarified that critics misinterpreted the article due to a “lack of understanding of English.”

    He asserted, “They (critics) are making it seem like I am the biggest supporter of talks with Israel.”

    He remarked that Israel, before considering dialogue, must announce a ceasefire in Gaza first and strive for a two-state solution.

    Responding to questions about PTI’s next rally to be held in Rawalpindi, he said that if permission were denied, they (the party) would stage protests.

    Criticising the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), he claimed, “They are giving extensions to the very people ensuring that the truth about the May 9 CCTV footage and electoral fraud never comes to light.”

    The Jerusalem Post, one of Israel’s most widely-read newspapers, declared Imran Khan a central figure in normalising Pak-Israel ties.

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