Tag: PML-N

  • PML-N moves resolution in Punjab Assembly to ban PTI

    PML-N moves resolution in Punjab Assembly to ban PTI

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Muhammad Fayyaz has submitted a resolution in the Punjab Assembly secretariat, seeking a ban on arch-rivals Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

     

    The resolution demands stringent action against former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s PTI, labelling the party a “disruptive group” operating under the guise of a political party, and calls for those responsible for the November 24 protests to be brought to justice.

     

    A similar resolution was introduced in the Balochistan Assembly on Thursday, accusing PTI of committing acts of violence and taking on the form of a “political anarchist group”.

     

    The resolution was moved by Balochistan Minister for Communications and Works Mir Saleem Ahmad Khosa, provincial ministers Mir Sadiq Umrani, Mir Asim Kurd Gelo, Raheela Hamid Khan Durrani, Bakht Mohammad Kakar and parliamentary secretaries against the PTI’s actions during the recent protests.

     

    The resolution read, “This kind of anarchist agenda of the PTI has badly affected every system and school of thought in the country, including the judiciary, the media and the country’s economy.”

     

    The opposition in the Balochistan Assembly staged a walkout in protest, decrying the mistreatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party.

     

    The resolution accused the PTI of orchestrating violent demonstrations, including assault on public and military installations during the May 9 protests last year. It also criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for allegedly using state resources to challenge federal authority, describing such actions as part of a “non-political agenda.”

     

    PTI’s recent “do-or-die” protest in the federal capital ended abruptly after a government crackdown that resulted in the apprehendation of 1,151 protesters, including 64 Afghan nationals. Authorities claimed to have confiscated weapons, ball bearings, and spiked clubs from the detained Afghans. 

     

    Meanwhile, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja alleged that 20 protesters were killed during the demonstrations—a claim that the authorities have denied.

    Earlier, Senator Faisal Vawda, while appearing on the Geo News programme Capital Talk on Wednesday, had claimed that former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s party will be banned.


    Faisal Vawda stated, “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister [Ali Amin Gandapur] will not be arrested, but Bushra Bibi [Imran Khan’s wife] will.”

    Faisal Vawda also pointed out the absence of PTI’s big names during the recent protest: “Where was Omar Ayub Khan, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly?”


    He alleged that the former First Lady has a “major role” in bringing founder Imran Khan’s party to a “dead end.”
     

    It should be mentioned here that PTI marched towards Islamabad on the “final call” of party founder Imran Khan.


    PTI demanded the reversal of the recently passed 26th Constitution Amendment, the “stolen mandate,” and the release of all party political prisoners, including Imran Khan.

  • Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on claims of ‘scheme to oust PML-N govt’

    Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on claims of ‘scheme to oust PML-N govt’

    Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has responded to the allegations and conspiracies against him regarding the possible ouster of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had he been appointed as the next chief justice of Pakistan (CJP).

    Reports quoted a source close to Justice Shah as “categorically denying” any intentions or plans to remove the incumbent government if he had become the top judge.

    It may be noted that Justice Mansoor Ali Shah was the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court (SC) and next in line to become the CJP after the retirement of then-CJP Qazi Faez Isa.

    However, with the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the scenario for the appointment of the senior-most judge as the CJP was scratched, paving the way for the nomination and subsequent appointment of the third senior-most judge, Yahya Afridi, as the top judge.

    The News also quoted the source as saying that a federal minister’s recent claims regarding the possible ouster of the government and Justice Shah bringing Imran Khan back to power was a “pack of lies”.

    “Justice Mansoor Ali Shah wants everyone to understand that he is totally apolitical. His interest is in promoting the constitution, rule of law and democracy, and nothing comes in the way of him in achieving this.”

    They also said that Justice Shah was not responsible for the actions of previous chief justices and he did not approve of their conduct.

    “He has even written against them. It’s unfair to generalise all judges this way. His judgments stand as his record. Read them,” the source added in response to Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan’s recent remarks on “judicial monarchy”.

    According to the report, the source skipped a question regarding Justice Mansoor Ali Shah’s stern letter to former CJP Qazi Faez Isa during the latter’s farewell reference. “Let’s discuss that another time,” they said.

    Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on October 25 had refused to attend Friday’s full court reference in honor of the outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa.

    “To stand a Reference and celebrate such a tenure would send a message that a Chief Justice can betray his institution, erode its strength, act petty and low and still be celebrated as an honorable servant of justice. I am sorry, I in good conscious, cannot stand at a reference for such a Chief Justice,” opined Puisne judge Mansoor Ali Shah in a in a letter of refusal on the record of the reference proceedings,

  • Nawaz recites poetry but butchers the sher; Maulana Fazlur Rehman corrects him

    Nawaz recites poetry but butchers the sher; Maulana Fazlur Rehman corrects him

    In a historic yet controversial move, the coalition government successfully passed the 26th Amendment on the dawn of October 21, aimed at judicial reforms, with the Prime Minister calling it a “historic achievement.”

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif was also present on the floor of the National Assembly. However, instead of giving a long speech, the former Prime Minister recited a couplet to express his feelings.

    Addressing the floor, he said, “The suffering I’ve been subjected to at the hands of judiciary can only be described through this poetry: Naazo Andaaz se kehte hain ke jeena hoga, zehr bhi dete hain tu kehte hain ke peena hoga, jab main peeta hu tu kehte hain ke marta bhi nai aur jab main marta hu tu kehte hain ke jeena hoga.”

    Nawaz sat down after reciting the stanza amidst smiles from lawmakers. However, in a funny turn of events, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazal ur Rehman, while laughing, addressed the floor: “ You [Nawaz Sharif] have quoted wonderful poetry, but you’ve made a mistake. The word ‘tu’ should never be added for emphasis because then the poetry gets ruined.”

    The bill was initially presented in the National Assembly during a late-night session beginning at 11:36 PM, but it was extended past midnight, and the bill was finally passed at 5 AM.

    The coalition government required 224 votes to pass the bill. As the voting began, 225 MNAs supported the motion, with 12 members from the PTI and the SIC opposing the motion.

  • Govt’s efforts fail, Senator Irfan Siddiqui confirms constitutional amendments postponed indefinitely

    Govt’s efforts fail, Senator Irfan Siddiqui confirms constitutional amendments postponed indefinitely

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui has confirmed that the government’s late-night hustling and manoeuvring to get JUI-F president Fazal ur Rehman onboard to pass the constitutional amendments have failed, and the amendments have been postponed indefinitely.

    Siddiqui, while talking to Geo News, revealed that the government might take a week or ten days to pass the amendments.

    It should be noted that the draft constitutional amendments were to be presented in yesterday’s parliament session, but the government failed to get the magic number to pass the legislation, so the sessions were adjourned for today.

    While today’s sessions of both houses of parliament will be postponed indefinitely, Siddiqui said, “Our numbers are complete, and not being able to pass the amendments is certainly not a failure.”

    “I do not see any big difference in it, and even if the amendments do not take place, it won’t be a doomsday,” said the senior senator.

    He also said that the problem isn’t with the number of votes but some difference of opinion on some points in the proposed amendments, “which is the right of each political party.”

    Irfan Siddiqui confirmed that Fazal ur Rehman has asked for some time to study the details of the draft.

  • Warning sign? Dar says govt can perform well if ‘invisible hands’ don’t pull the rug

    While visiting the shrine of Ali Hajveri on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan can progress if “invisible hands” do not pull the rug from under the government.

    Dar recalled that Pakistan became a nuclear power during Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s era, vowing that the government will make the country an economic power as well.

    “(We) can work wonders and make the country great, treading fast on the path of progress provided the invisible hands do not again pull the legs (of the government),” stated the senior PML-N leader.

    Ishaq Dar also stated that when PML-N was elected in 2013, the country’s economy and international standing were poor, but the PML-N government worked wonders in just four years.

    According to Dar’s claim, Pakistan became the 24th economy in the world at the time, and it was soon to join the G-20 club when the Nawaz government was toppled.

    He then criticised the PTI government, which, according to him, pushed the country to 47th rank economy-wise.

  • ‘It’s not possible’; Reporting in internet-challenged Pakistan

    ‘It’s not possible’; Reporting in internet-challenged Pakistan

    With the primary shift from newspapers to television channels and now to digital media applications, the dissemination of information has become increasingly competitive for newsrooms, with the latest updates just a click away.

    “Delays can be managed with newspapers, but today everything is in your hands—specifically, mobile phones,” says Raees Ansari, Bureau Chief of Geo News in Lahore.

    “Every single second is crucial in reporting now; some footage needs to be sent and put on air instantly. But due to poor network conditions and slow WhatsApp, content is not being sent on time, which is affecting our professional activities,” he reveals.

    Over the past week, internet users across Pakistan have reported network disruptions, with WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram experiencing slowdowns, hindering online activities. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has denied any connection between these issues and the alleged firewall installation.

    Since the ban on X (formerly Twitter) on February 17, 2024, many have turned to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The ongoing disturbances, however, have complicated internet usage, which is crucial for a number of professions.

    Sumaira Raja, an investigative reporter, who is mostly found out on the field, complains of encountering issues with not only the internet but also phone signals which often prevents her from conveying news on time.

    “I also experience delays with receiving beepers, as head office frequently reports that the number is not available due to poor signals. This situation makes it very difficult to do my job. I’ve tried using a VPN, but it hasn’t worked,” Raja says.

    Sports journalist Faizan Lakhani recalls when javelin champion Arshad Nadeem returned to Pakistan on August 17 after winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, all the visuals sent through WhatsApp by reporters were delayed, and they struggled to download them unless they used a VPN.

    “This situation is very challenging and affects our workflow. When reporters are working on a story or covering an event, they need to stay connected with the desk. We usually rely on voice notes to pass instructions, but since we started encountering this issue, we are struggling with that method too,” he says.

    “We have been told that the network disruption is because of the firewall installation. While things are becoming easier around the world, it has been getting harder for us. Everything is happening with the help of technology and the current situation is a major challenge.” says Ansari.

    What’s happening?

    A highly placed source in the IT industry identifies that filtering of content delivery networks (CDNs) through Firewall is causing content to be routed via internet backbone rather than CDNs.

    “This means that around 4 TBs of internet traffic previously served through CDNs, hosted in Pakistan, is becoming ineffective. When all traffic goes on backbone bypassing CDNs, it’s causing massive slowdown at many western destinations that’s happening now,” he explains.

    Recently, Fiverr, an online marketplace for freelance services, warned clients that Pakistani freelancers may experience delays due to internet issues and the use of VPNs to change their locations.

    “Brace for impact. God save the internet in Pakistan”, says the IT expert.

    Background

    It all started on February 17, 2024, about a week into the new government, when X (formerly Twitter) was banned.

    Initially, amid the uproar, the government remained silent on the matter while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) seemed aloof until the High Courts of Sindh and Islamabad intervened. The PTA eventually admitted that the ban on X was imposed on the orders of the Ministry of Interior based on reports from intelligence agencies.

    The government eventually justified the ban by attributing it to national security concerns, citing ‘digital terrorism‘ and online propaganda as among the threats.

    Earlier in August, Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that the government is not against social media but wants to focus on rules and regulations, which, if enforced, could lead to the removal of the ban on X.

    The disruption has now extended beyond X, affecting other widely used apps along with the internet.

    Ironically, since the February 2024 election, the new government has emphasised the need to grow the tech industry in Pakistan.

    In March, Lahore Knowledge Park (a science park) was handed over to the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority with the approval of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, with the goal of establishing Pakistan’s largest IT city.

    In June, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Shenzhen— the tech hub in China— in hopes of future collaboration. Ironically, he posted on X (Twitter), expressing how “impressed” he was by the “city’s skyline and development that symbolizes modern-day China.”

    Given the lack of proper infrastructure in the country amid burgeoning surveillance, how will Pakistan evolve in the rapidly transforming digital world? It remains to be seen – but likely we won’t be able to download it.

  • X will be restored whenever government signals, says PTA chairman

    Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, stated that social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which is currently banned on government request, will be restored only if the government authorises so.

    Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman reaffirmed that there have been no cyber attacks on telecom infrastructure in the past two years. He stated that the PTA engages platforms on complaints related to social media content violating Pakistani laws and can block social media platforms upon government directive. He noted TikTok’s prompt response to complaints compared to X (formerly Twitter), which acts on only seven per cent of reported violations.

    Responding to Senator Abdul Qadir’s query about unblocking X, Chairman PTA reiterated that the decision rests with the government. He also discussed the licensing process for IoT technology, revealing recent initiatives.

    Federal Minister of Law and Justice Nazir Tarar expressed concerns over posts on social media platforms that could provoke religious sentiments, emphasizing that protests often follow such incidents. He differentiated government actions on YouTube and TikTok from those on X, highlighting differing approaches.

    Chairman PTA addressed VPN usage in Pakistan, acknowledging a significant decline in X users (70%) due to VPN restrictions. He mentioned plans to whitelist specific VPNs for legitimate use in Pakistan.

    Chairman PTA also highlighted the tax burden on telecom users in Pakistan (34.50%), comparing it with rates in neighboring countries like Sri Lanka (20-40%), Bangladesh (21-33%), India (18.5%), and Nepal (26%).

  • PML-N is incapable of running government, says Asif Zardari

    PML-N is incapable of running government, says Asif Zardari

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab leadership has expressed concerns against the federal and provincial governments in a meeting with Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

    PPP Punjab leaders stated after a huddle that provincial and federal governments are not cooperating with the party and that it is not getting its rights.
    Ticket holders told Zardari that the issues of their constituencies are not being solved.

    “We also received votes, and the people of our constituencies have to be satisfied,” the leaders told the President who remarked that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) cannot run the government.

    “Now I have returned to the ground myself, and uplift works will be carried out from Islamabad to Lahore. No political party can compete with the PPP,” Asif Zardari remarked.

  • Nawaz Sharif to resume political activities after Muharram

    Nawaz Sharif to resume political activities after Muharram

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif has decided to restart political activities after the holy month of Muharram. Party insiders confirmed that the former Prime Minister is set to travel across the country to strengthen his political presence.

    Sharif will initially visit multiple districts in Punjab to mobilize the party at the district level and revive the party at grassroot level to support it in upcoming political challenges.

    Beyond Punjab, the former Prime Minister will also visit Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and other provinces of the country. Leaders of PML-N, including Rana Sanaullah and Anusha Rahman, will schedule Nawaz Sharif’s visits

  • NAB’s existence will keep country paralyzed, says Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    NAB’s existence will keep country paralyzed, says Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) continued existence will keep the country immobilized.

    The former leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) told journalists that the government had promised to end NAB after coming into power, but they have empowered it with an ordinance.

    “Javed Iqbal (former NAB chief) was saying that the PTI’s founder has been behind NAB cases, while PTI founder’s partymen are saying Qamar Bajwa was registering cases,” Khaqan Abbasi said.