Tag: politics latest

  • ‘Nawaz was given assurances PTI would be crushed’: Khan lashes out after security chief’s arrest

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s security chief, Iftikhar Rasool Ghumman in a case pertaining to charges of money laundering.

    Condemning the arrest, the PTI chief said people close to him were being harassed, abducted and tortured.

    Taking to his official Twitter account, Imran wrote: “When Ali Amin was abducted, the DPO told sessions judge in DIK [Dera Ismail Khan] that he would take a contempt charge but had to take custody of Ali Amin as orders came from above.

    “Today, my security in-charge Iftikhar Ghumman has been abducted. This is all part of the London Plan where Nawaz Sharif was given assurances PTI would be crushed.”

    “So now people close to me, along with my leadership, are being harassed, abducted, tortured and confronted with sham cases across Pakistan in total violation of the Constitution and rule of law.”

  • Govt vs Supreme Court: Ruling alliance rejects ‘controversial’ bench constituted to hear pleas on SC bill

    Govt vs Supreme Court: Ruling alliance rejects ‘controversial’ bench constituted to hear pleas on SC bill

    The ruling alliance on Thursday rejected the eight-member bench constituted earlier in the day to hear petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023.

    In a harshly worded statement, the coalition government vowed to resist attempts to remove parliament’s authority and interfere in its constitutional scope. The ruling parties further said, “such a move was never seen in the history of Pakistan and the Supreme Court”.

    The statement mentioned that top court judges — Justice Faez Isa and Justice Aminuddin Khan  — had in their earlier judgments openly expressed their objection to the “one-man show”, biased and dictatorial behaviour and the formation of special benches, while criticising the unchecked powers the Chief Justice of the apex court holds.

    “The constitution of the controversial bench in haste and fixing the bill for hearing, apart from the will and intent, also clearly expresses the decision to come, which is sad and tantamount to murder of justice,” the ruling alliance maintained.

    “With the formation of the eight-member controversial bench, the facts stated in the judgments of these honourable judges have become clearer,” the statement read.

    “The constitution of the controversial bench in haste and fixing the bill for hearing, apart from the will and intent, also clearly expresses the decision to come which is sad and tantamount to murder of justice,” the ruling alliance maintained.

    The bench set to hear plea against the bill comprises of Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bnadial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed.

    The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, is aimed at depriving the office of the CJP of powers to take suo motu notice in an individual capacity. It was initially passed by both houses of parliament and sent to the president for his assent. However, President Dr Arif Alvi had sent it back, saying that the proposed law travelled “beyond the competence of parliament”.

    The formation of the bench was met with surprise from the legal fraternity as the bill is yet to become law.

  • She grabbed, squeezed, and threatened, claims woman from Maryam’s viral video

    Journalist Waqas Ahmed has posted an unedited statement by the woman who allegedly harassed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz.

    A viral video that surfaced on the internet a few days ago showed the woman asked Maryam Nawaz for a selfie. When the PML-N leader posed with her, she made a video of her ridiculing the politician publicly.

    Maryam Nawaz was taken aback when the woman, after taking a selfie with her, asked her to repeat after her “My family are thieves”.

    In an email sent to the journalist, the woman has written, “I have seen the video of Maryam Nawaz going viral and would like to let you know that I am the girl in the video. First and foremost, I would like to stay anonymous as that video was a private video taken months ago meant only for close family but unfortunately it was leaked by someone, which I never intended.”

    “Secondly, I would never have felt the need to speak out however, have grown annoyed with the so called comments regarding, ‘her grace and patience’. My actions were not respectful and that’s exactly how I intended for them to be, I have no respect for corrupt politicians no matter what party or country they belong to, my heart will always be with people who are suffering, and when I can see that the legal system is not working in their favour, I have no issue with public ridicule. I also have no affiliation with the PTI party or Pakistani politics, so that is a nonsense narrative. I have no care for those individuals who are coming out to ‘condemn’ me for my actions, they mean nothing to me, I didn’t even know they existed.”

    “As I said, my actions were not intended to be respectful and Maryam’s further actions were not either, which is not an unexpected response given the situation, but her blissfully ignorant supporters seem to assume she is the most well composed woman. In the video you can see she grabs my shoulder to which she then squeezes my arm and threateningly tells me to delete the video, what you don’t see in that video are the three bodyguards surrounding me.”

    “To note, I was by myself. All of them, with Maryam grabbing me, refused to let me go until they had seen proof that the video was deleted. The grown men demanded that they go through, not just my camera roll but also my recently deleted photos, to which I stood my ground and refused. It was only until they began to become more aggressive and I eventually became uncomfortable that I had shown them that I had, ‘deleted’ the video, that too, was to Maryam’s daughter because I refused to show the men at Maryam’s request.”

    “There was an attempt of a power play in demanding that I delete the video, when I had the right to do what I did, I did not physically touch her like she did to me nor did I feel the need to. Freedom of speech is a human right here. A politician is a public job and thus public criticism/scrutiny should be expected. In that moment, when Maryam and her guards tried to overpower and intimidate me, I felt for a minute the helplessness thousands of Pakistani’s feel for being unable to freely speak and live how they want.”

    “And to those who have criticised me for being an obnoxious overseas Pakistani, they are right that I am far from Pakistan, yet why do I feel more hurt for the way Pakistanis are being treated than some of those who actually live there? Privilege is a gift, and I intend to use mine to raise the voice of those who are suffering and not to suppress them. Regardless of whether or not it garners attention, which in this case, was not the intention. You are free to share this on social media.”

    Where many criticised the lady for her act, several people praised Maryam Nawaz for her composure.

  • ‘I did not chose to sit there’: Justice Faez Isa speaks up on criticism

    ‘I did not chose to sit there’: Justice Faez Isa speaks up on criticism

    Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court has spoken up about why he was present at the National Assembly’s (NA) special session on Monday in honour of the 50 years of the Constitution.

    The future Chief Justice was criticised by certain sections of the political class and legal fraternity for attending the celebration.

    There was much talk on why Justice Isa was seated in the front row in the National Assembly. Issuing a clarification on his presence, speech and seating arrangement, the justice said that he accepted the invitation because he wanted to show solidarity with the Constitution.

    Talking about the backlash he received, Isa said, “I would have preferred to sit in the hall on one side or in the gallery but respect was shown to a member of the judiciary by seating me at the centre; I did not chose to sit there.”

    The justice also said that prior to accepting the invitation, inquires were made as to whether there would be political speeches, and assurances were extended that only the Constitution and its making would be spoken about; the programme sent to him also confirmed this.

    “I had been asked if I would like to speak and I had declined. However, when political statements were made [in a few of the speeches), I requested to speak to correct any misconceptions that may arise, and I did so,” said Justice Isa

    “The Golden Jubilee of the Constitution is a celebration of all citizens; it is not exclusive domain of any political party or institution,” said Justice Isa.

    Justice Faez Isa’s presence in National Assembly triggers heated debate

    Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s presence at the National Assembly triggered a heated debate among politicians, lawmakers and analysts.

    Speaking on the occasion, Justice Isa said — on behalf of the Supreme Court — that the apex court “stood by the Constitution”.

    “After God, we are under the protection of the Constitution,” he said. “As you are experts in politics, the law is my field,” the Justice of the apex court stated, adding, “You can comment and criticise when you deem it right as you have done, and that critique was heard.”

    Holding a booklet of the constitution of Pakistan in his hand, Justice Isa said: “This book is the identity of Pakistan and its people.”

    Emphasising that there was a need to truly cherish the Constitution, “Not because it guarantees my salary, but because it is essential for us and safeguards our rights,” he made is clear that he will speak about the constitution and will not endorse political views.

    However, being seen sitting in the front row along with the politicians belonging to the ruling coalition created stir on social media, where politicians, lawmakers and analysts in equal parts criticised and appreciated his presence in the NA moot.

    https://twitter.com/RealWaqarMaliks/status/1645373259267883009?s=20

    Talking to The News, Supreme Court lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said: “First of all, the issue is that Justice Qazi Faez Isa does not represent the SC; it is always the CJP [who does so]. 

    “And Justice Isa was not nominated by the CJP to represent the SC either. And then it seems other judges opted not to go to the event so it was not a wise decision [for Justice Isa] to go there at such a charged time. And then they made him sit right with all these politicians. The problem is: when you go to political events, it invites political commentary. Why make things controversial?”

    SAPM on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar said, “I don’t understand what this criticism is about. Had he spoken about politics or political parties, they could have criticised him in whatever manner they deemed fit. But here a judge is speaking just about the constitution and is not endorsing any political views.

    Anchorperson Muneeb Farooq while speaking with The News said that he does “not have any objection with regard to Justice Isa’s presence at the convention. It was a day to celebrate and he gave a decent speech [during which] not once but twice he distanced himself by saying he did not subscribe to any of the political speeches being made in parliament.”

  • Kya Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan ko aglay jummay iftari pe bula rahay hain?

    An important figure in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Barrister Zafarullah Khan, has suggested to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif that he invite bitter rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for Iftar next Friday.

    Speaking on Geo News programme, ‘Capital Talk’, Zafarullah said that Imran Khan should go and meet the prime minister. “If he [Imran Khan] turns up, well and good. If not, then it should be bye-bye.”

    Journalist Hamid Mir said that he has information that backdoor efforts are being made to establish contacts between the government and PTI. However, Mir said that according to what he knows Shahbaz and Khan are not ready to sit together.

    Meanwhile, President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Abid Zuberi said that if the prime minister calls, Khan must go to Iftar.

    Speaking in the same program, the Chairperson Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Hina Jilani said that if Khan really wants dialogue, he should go to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

  • Husain Haqqani kaun hain aur Khan kyun unhein PTI govt giraanay ka zimmedaar samajhtay hain?

    Husain Haqqani kaun hain aur Khan kyun unhein PTI govt giraanay ka zimmedaar samajhtay hain?

    Husain Haqqani, a name we have often heard but most recently has been in limelight since Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan blamed him for being a key figure behind the foreign conspiracy to remove him from power as prime minister.

    So the question remains; who is Haqqani, and why is he the recent target of Khan’s blame game?

    Who is Hussain Haqqani?

    Haqqani is Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States of America (USA), serving from 2008 to 2011. He currently serves as Director of South and Central Asia at Hudson Institute.

    Haqqani was a central character in the Memogate controversy wherein, in May 2011, it was claimed that he played a central role in the drafting of a memo of a message from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government which was seeking the Obama administration’s support to reign in the Pakistan military after the Osama bin Laden raid in Abbottabad. The controversy eventually led to Haqqani resigning as ambassador and significantly weakening the PPP government.

    Why does Khan blame Haqqani for his ouster?

    After one year of being ousted from power, Khan blamed Haqqani for conspiring with Gen Bajwa and removing his government.

    Background:

    In January, Khan accused former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa of hiring the services of Haqqani for lobbying in the US while he was army chief. He also said Haqqani launched a campaign against him and had been promoting the former army chief in the US.

    Last year in December, it was reported that a former CIA station manager in Islamabad, Robert Grenier, and Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US, Haqqani, were hired to lobby for PTI in Washington. Soon this information changed course and many PTI insiders claimed that these men were lobbying against their own government and played a key role in bringing it down.

    According to media reports PTI officials in the US also claimed that both men — Grenier and Haqqani — were working for a senior figure in the military establishment. Dawn reported that the two men were hired to lobby by a Pakistani government official, Iftikhar Durrani, who had served as a special assistant to then-prime minister Imran Khan.

    Journalist Waqas Ahmed claimed in December 2022 that Haqqani met a top Pakistani official in Dubai months before the PTI government was toppled, but the former ambassador denied the claim. The meeting which Ahmed reported was allegedly with the then COAS Gen Bajwa.

    Backing Ahmed’s claims, PTI’s Senior Vice President Shireen Marzari said that the Haqqani-Bajwa files, now in public, clearly indicated that the whole project of regime change conspiracy was done covertly, and that “Haqqani was hired to undermine the PTI government.”

    What does Haqqani say about Khan’s blame game?

    The former ambassador has finally addressed the allegations on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’. “It is stupid to say that I ended his [Imran Khan] government. I am neither a lobbyist nor have I received any payment in this regard. I have good relations with people in the US,” he said.

    Stating firmly that the US does not need him to evaluate Imran Khan’s image, Haqqani said, “My research is related to the politics in Pakistan.”

    Calling out Khan for having paranoid delusions, Haqqani said that the PTI chief says things without any proof and if he has evidence, he should very much bring it to light rather just blaming people.

    “I don’t take U-turns like Khan sahib,” said Haqqani, adding that a lot of people contact think tanks in the US for research. He added that the role of lobbies, journalists and scholars are different from each other.

    Pointing out that Khan even called him a traitor because of his stance, Hussain Haqqani stressed that the former Premier was removed from power through the votes of 174 members of the assembly and that he has “nothing to do with any of these MNAs”.

    In the last 26 years, Haqqani said Khan created his anti-American image, adding, “I did not stand on a container and swore at anyone, later asking for forgiveness.”

    The former ambassador further said that Gen (retd) Bajwa and his organisation convinced the nation for many years that his opinion is “anti-Pakistan”. 

    “You [Khan] should accept the vote of no-confidence why are you dragging me into it,” asked Haqqani on the show. “I haven’t been to Pakistan for 11 years and if someone came to meet me then they should be questioned,” said Haqqani regarding the meeting with Gen Bajwa, adding that he himself was appearing on a Pakistani news channel after 11 years.

  • ‘One year in power’: PM Shehbaz talks about challenges and difficulties

    ‘One year in power’: PM Shehbaz talks about challenges and difficulties

    On the one-year anniversary of assuming power as the head of the coalition government, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that this has been a successful tenure that resulted in Pakistan’s restored credibility and overcoming of the country’s financial and energy challenges.

    In a series of tweets, the Premier wrote, “Today marks the completion of one year since I took oath as PM of a coalition government. This has been a time of massive challenges & difficulties. Here’s my perspective on this year.”

    “The passage of No-Confidence Vote against Imran Niazi’s government was unprecedented not because PDM came into power but because almost all of Pakistan’s political forces came together to use the forum of Parliament to vote out an unpopular govt through constitutional means,” tweeted Shehbaz.

    The premier further said that the coming together of political parties with different manifestos for a common national cause represented a major step forward in the country’s political evolution. “Reconciliation & cooperation, not confrontation & vendetta mark the new politics post-April ’22,” tweeted Shehbaz.

    He said that despite the economic landmines laid by Imran Khan and disruptions in global fuel and food supply lines, Pakistan’s economy continued to stay afloat. “All predictions of default have turned out to be false alarms. Sincere efforts are underway to revive the economy,” wrote the premier.

    “Coalition govt has been at pains to repair, rebuild & deepen Pakistan’s diplomatic relations that were dealt a severe blow by Niazi regime. I can inform people that over the last one year, we have largely succeeded in establishing Pakistan’s credibility as a partner & friend.”

    Talking about challenges, PM Shehbaz said, “Pakistan faced unprecedented floods last year. The decisiveness with which the government undertook rescue, relief & rehabilitation efforts, provided social protection to millions of people & mobilized international community has been acknowledged by the world as outstanding.”

    “Government employed climate diplomacy to present Pakistan’s case on the international stage. As Chair of G77 plus China, we were instrumental in the establishment of loss & damage fund. Pledges of USD 9 billion at Geneva moot are evidence of our successful diplomacy.”

    “In the last one year, we have made efforts to diversify the energy mix with an aim to provide relief to the citizens. The renewed focus on solar, hydel, and coal power projects is aimed at replacing the costlier sources of power generation with cheaper ones.”

    “Inflation has hit people hard globally. Geo-strategic rivalries, increase in prices of the fuel & food commodities & historic floods are some of the key factors responsible for inflation. Mindful of its impact, govt has expanded social safety net & provided targeted subsidies,” tweeted Shehbaz.

    “Under the watch of the PDM government, Pakistan managed to exit the FATF grey list, thanks to the excellent inter-ministerial coordination as well as support extended by our military leadership. It was a long journey but sustained efforts made it possible.”

    “Building on the public transport infrastructure, govt., since its inception in April last year, focused on early completion of the development and transport infrastructure projects in Islamabad.”

    “Idea was to provide ease, comfort & affordable mobility to the people Pakistan,” said PM Shehbaz.

  • Shehbaz, Bilawal heap glowing praises on golden jubilee of the 1973 Constitution

    Shehbaz, Bilawal heap glowing praises on golden jubilee of the 1973 Constitution

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion of golden jubilee of the 1973 Constitution, took to Twitter and said that the ‘sacred document had weathered many storms over the past 50 years and held the federation together.’

    “The nation today commemorates the Golden Jubilee of the 1973 Constitution, a sacred document that has weathered many storms over the past 50 years & held the federation together. We pay our rich tribute to the framers of the Constitution for their political foresight,” tweeted the PM.

    “Constitution of Pakistan continues to be central to shaping our national character, identity & future trajectory. Time has come to place Parliament at the core of national life both in letter & spirit. Rules of the game framed in light of the Constitution show us the way forward.”

    Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that April 10 has always been a historic day for Pakistan.

    “It is the day in 1973 when we got our constitution. In 1986 SMBB received her historic welcome in Lahore. It is the day in 2022 when for the first time VONC was successful; selected was rejected & ejected by parliament,” tweeted Bilawal.

    The National Assembly (NA), under the leadership of Speaker Raja Pervez Asharf, is all set to celebrate 50 years of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973.

    The month-long celebrations are set to commemorate the country’s charter with a series of events that will commence on April 10. The celebrations will be followed by a joint session of the Parliament, scheduled for 2pm.

  • Cabinet approves bill seeking parliament validation for election funds

    Cabinet approves bill seeking parliament validation for election funds

    The federal cabinet on Monday approved a summary prepared by the Ministry of Finance seeking to release funds for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in Punjab on May 14 as ordered by the Supreme Court, which will now be forwarded to the parliament.

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar presented the bill before parliament today.

    Earlier today, a meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, decided to send the matter to the parliament, observing that the Lower House was supreme and whatever decision it would make, would be acceptable.

    On Sunday the cabinet decided to refer to parliament the issue of the release of funds to the ECP for holding elections in Punjab.

    The cabinet asked Dar to prepare a summary for the guidance of the Parliament.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the SC has ordered that federal government to release Rs21 billion by April 10 for holding polls in Punjab.

  • PTI issues ‘white paper’ on Shehbaz led govt’s one year performance

    PTI issues ‘white paper’ on Shehbaz led govt’s one year performance

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday issued a “white paper” on the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government’s “one-year dark period”.

    The 51-page “white paper” has been divided into six sections. PTI highlighted the incumbent government’s “poor governance, economy, rising inflation, constitution, democracy, the rule of law, political exploitation of state institutions, attack on the judiciary, chained foreign policy, and law and order.

    The party has dedicated the white paper to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, party workers, and the people of Pakistan, who are “fighting and facing torture for real independence” and democracy.

    Khan — in a video address marking one year since his ouster — threatened to take to the streets if the elections are not held in the country.

    “There is no other way except the elections,” he said.

    Khan accused former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Genereal Qamar Javed Bajwa of hatching a conspiracy alongside Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to topple his government with the help of former envoy Hussain Haqqani.

    Khan asked, “Would anyone question the man (Bajwa) who ravaged the country’s all indicators for his extension which was promised by present PM Shehbaz Sharif.”

    The PTI Chairman admitted that the conspiracy to overthrow his government was not hatched in the US. It was actually Gen Bajwa who had orchestrated the conspiracy with the help of Shehbaz Sharif and then hired Hussain Haqqani to launch propaganda that “Gen Bajwa was pro-America and Imran Khan was anti-America”. “The cipher made entry came only after the conspiracy had taken its roots,” the former premier acknowledged.

    Giving a message to the “all-powerful” and Nawaz Sharif for making a ‘London Plan’, the PTI chief said political parties could not be crushed by violence, torture, and harassment tactics. 

    It is pertinent to mention here that Khan’s government was toppled on April 9 last year through a vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly.