Tag: politics latest

  • ‘Pakistani institutions have been making this Frankenstein’: Bilawal’s fiery speech on Khan

    ‘Pakistani institutions have been making this Frankenstein’: Bilawal’s fiery speech on Khan

    In a fiery speech delivered on Wednesday on the floor of the National Assembly, Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that for the past 30 years, “Pakistani institutions have been making this Frankenstein”, referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    “This happens all the time,” he said in a speech that took aim at Imran Khan, the establishment and the judiciary. “Some Einsteins sit in our institutions; they make the decisions for the country. They manufacture these strategic assets, and then the assets come back to haunt the rest of us,” said Bilawal.

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman reminded the members that the nation bravely fought against terrorists and eradicated terrorism from the country.

    It was unfortunate that the terrorism eliminated due to sacrifices of the Pakistan Army, police and common masses had been revived by Imran Khan, the minister remarked.

    Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who lost his mother- former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto – to a terrorist attack, also said that militants “played Holi” with the blood of the Pakistani nation for years yet the former prime minister pardoned the terrorists and brought them back to resettle them.

    “There is no example in the world of how our tribal people fought with terrorists,” he added.

    Taking aim at the former heads of Inter-Services Intelligence, the PPP head said that General Hameed Gul held [Imran’s] finger, while the role of General Pasha, General Zaheerul Islam, and General Faiz Hameed is obvious to everyone.

    “Dictatorship in the Supreme Court (SC) was started by Iftikhar Chaudhry, and he was also a part of this hybrid war, his aim was the end of the Constitution; General Faiz and General Pasha are gone but Imran remains,” he added.

    The foreign minister said that they have been talking about the supremacy of the Constitution and free media, but undemocratic steps were taken in response to their democratic step.

    He said that they did not do anything undemocratic by expelling an “undemocratic prime minister” and it is not appropriate to remain silent for the sake of democracy.

    “The nation must be told why such situations have happened,” he added.

    He further said that in response to the no-confidence motion, the then-prime minister, the-then speaker of the lower house, and the current president of the country “broke the Constitution”. “What did Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif do in response to this? If the constitution and law have been broken, file a case,” he demanded.

  • ‘Haramda’, PML-N’s education minister makes sickening remarks about Khan his father, wife

    Education Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain took to the floor of the house in the National Assembly (NA) yesterday and passed disparaging remarks in a speech directed at former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    Talking about how police had forcefully entered the hotel room in which Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz was staying during Imran Khan’s tenure to arrest her husband, Captain (retd) Safdar, Tanveer said, “Wasn’t our daughter Maryam alone in the hotel when the doors of her room were broken? Why are there different standards for your [Imran Khan] wife [Bushra Bibi], did she not elope with you? This is far bigger family than you.”

    Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif can be seen in a video banging the desk and laughing on Tanveer’s comment.

    “You [Imran Khan] are the son of a corrupt man. I remember there was a wedding I [Rana Tanveer] attended and his [Imran Khan] father was there too. Imran Khan was sitting there too. A person asked his father if he was his son? Khan’s father replied that kehnay ko tu mera baita par hai haramda [Yes he is my son but he is illegitimate]. These were his [Khan’s father’s] words.”

    Twitter rebuked Tanveer and schooled the education minister, saying that he should give up his position in the government with due respect for passing such remarks.

  • ‘ECP ne kaisay election ki date di?’: Justice Mandokhail drops bombshell in court, sticks to detailed order

    ‘ECP ne kaisay election ki date di?’: Justice Mandokhail drops bombshell in court, sticks to detailed order

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday resumed hearing PTI’s petition against the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) to delay polls for Punjab Assembly.

    A five-member larger bench — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Aminuddin Khan — is hearing the case.

    During the hearing yesterday, Justice Bandial obser­ved that the ECP did not have any right or legal backing to extend the election date till October 8 and asked the Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) to get instructions from the federal government in this regard.

    However, when hearing resumed today, Justice Mandokhail, explaining yesterday’s remarks, said that there was a lot of confusion on his comments and he wanted to clarify them. “I stand by my detailed order. One part of the judgement is related to the rules of administrative powers, and that the Chief Justice will be asked to form a committee of judges to look at the rules, the committee of judges will look at the rules of administrative powers, in the second part of the judgment, we four judges have automatically rejected the notices and petitions,” said Mandokhail.

    Justice Mandokhail stated that according to him the verdict of the four judges in the suo motu case was the ‘order of the court’. “The CJP has not issued an ‘order of the court’ to date.

    Justice Mandokhail said that the decision of the four judges is the order of the court. “The Chief Justice of Pakistan did not issue this order of the court. How did the president give the election date when there was no decision? Has the ECP released the schedule? Today bring in court record file; it [will not] have the order of the court; all the judges sign the order of the court.”

    He said that he stands by the brief and detailed decision he gave.

    The judge also said that the decision on who will take a suo motu case was an “internal matter” of the court.

    Here, the CJP noted that Justice Mandokhail had given his explanation but the latter interjected him, saying that he was still speaking.

    Subsequently,  PPP lawyer Farooq H. Naek demanded that a full court bench be constituted to hear the case to which Justice Mandokhail said: “Why full court? The same seven-member bench should hear the case.”

    However, the PPP lawyer contended that the current situation called for the formation of a full court bench. He also highlighted that clarification was needed regarding the SC’s March 1 verdict.

    At that, the chief justice told Naek to submit a written request in court.

    Bill:

    The government on Tuesday tabled a bill titled “The Supreme Court (Practice and Protection) Bill, 2023” in the National Assembly and adopted a resolution holding “undue interference by the judiciary in political matters as a cause of political instability in the country”.

    It is expected that the standing committee will pass the bill in its meeting scheduled for today.

    The bill proposes a committee of three judges headed by the chief justice which will be empowered to take suo motu notice as opposed to the earlier practice, which allowed the CJP to initiate proceedings under Article 184(3) in an individual capacity.

    According to the proposed law, every cause, appeal, or matter before the Supreme Court shall be heard and disposed of by a bench constituted by the committee comprising the CJP and two senior-most judges in order of seniority. It added that the decisions of the committee shall be by majority.

    In the bill, the right of appeal is being given to the accused party for the first time, which will be allowed to file an intra-court appeal within 30 days from the date of suo motu notice.

  • ‘Ready to sit with anyone’: Khan willing to attend MPC if election date on agenda

    ‘Ready to sit with anyone’: Khan willing to attend MPC if election date on agenda

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has shown readiness to attend a Multi-Party Conference (MPC) if it is convened to discuss mechanisms and dates for elections.

    “I am ready to sit with anyone and all of those who are prepared to hold elections within the Constitution,” said Khan while talking to Kazim Khan, president of the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors.

    Talking about Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Khan said, “Rana is more of a terrorist than an interior minister and this coward would be proceeded against for hurling threats on my life.”

    “He [Rana Sanaullah] is preparing the ground for my political or physical elimination as he is the key player. He is one of the three characters, who are after my life: both political and physical. I have already named other two (Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a high-ranking official of intelligence setup) and the interior minister has been cast as third character, who is now (mentally) preparing people for the eventuality,” said Khan.

    In a televised address, Khan said if elections are delayed beyond April 30, even for a day, it would mean there is no constitution or law in the country and his party would resist any such move. “I have told PTI candidates to continue their campaign for elections as if polls are going to held on April 30.”

  • Govt ministers come forward to aid elephant Noor Jehan, address poor facilities at Karachi Zoo

    Social media got together to raise its voice for Noor Jehan, one of the elephants at Karachi Zoo, who was suffering from a joint and bone disease which had left her hind legs completely paralyzed. Pictures of the distressed elephant emerged on Twitter, prompting animal rights activists to demand that the government help with proper treatment and for her to be sent to an elephant sanctuary.

    Government officials have responded with Salman Sufi, Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms, and Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah pledging to provide immediate medical aid, as well as monitor reports of poor facilities at Karachi Zoo.

    Sufi shared a screenshot of Noor Jehan’s medical test on Twitter, writing that Karachi administration was keeping in touch with Four Paws, a global animal welfare organization that focuses on improving the living conditions of animals.

    “Thank you to everyone who keeps raising voice for #NoorJehan Her tests are being conducted regularly and so is the checkup. Karachi administration has assured of their cooperation with four paws. Team from Punjab wildlife is also arriving this week. We will keep pursuing.”

    The Current reached out to Sufi to ask how Noor Jehan is being provided with medical treatment and his response was:

    “Four Paws have been invited to assess the elephant and Wildlife Punjab has also been sent to assist them. Safari Park Karachi special room is also being constructed for her and regular tests are also being conducted.”

    When asked about whether the government is taking action on reports of negligence, especially food supply because of which many animals and birds were reportedly left to starve, Sufi said:

    “We are monitoring those reports and have requested the Karachi administration. Government of Sindh is actively pursuing this issue as well.”

    In regards to the vocal call by activists to shift Noor Jehan to an elephant sanctuary, Sufi responded that they would be following the doctor’s orders on what is best for the elephant.

    Nasir Hussain Shah visited Karachi Zoo on Monday, where he stated that an inquiry regarding the reports that food supply for animals had been cut off had been initiated and revealed that no such issues were found. He said that a team of doctors is arriving from Vienna. The government is in contact with them to provide the elephant with all the resources she needs.

    Yesterday, The News reported that Sindh Governor Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori made a visit to Karachi Zoo, where he told reporters that allegations regarding political support to the zoo staff was false, and action shall be taken against anyone found guilty for spreading this rumor. Moreover, Tessori also revealed that the government was holding an inquiry over the treatment and care of Noor Jehan.

  • ‘Azhar Mashwani PTI ke paas hai’: Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that Pakistan Thereek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Azhar Mashwani has not been picked up by the government, implying that he is with PTI.

    Talking in Geo News programme, ‘Naya Pakistan’, Sanaullah said that PTI is carrying out fake propaganda, reiterating that Mashwani has not been abducted by the authorities.

    “He [Azhar Mashwani] is with them [PTI]. They have a way of churning fake narratives, and then they keep on beating around those lines,” said Sanaullah.

    Sanaullah further said that matters have not just reached the point of no return but far beyond the point of no return, stressing that whatever the outcome, PTI Chairman Imran Khan will be solely responsible.

    Read more: ‘Enough is enough’: Khan demands immediate release of PTI activist Azhar Mashwani

    Mashwani was picked up last week by unknown persons. Blaming the authorities for abducting Mashwani, Khan took to Twitter and wrote: “Enough is enough. Police in Punjab and Islamabad are breaking all laws with impunity as they target PTI. Today Azhar Mashwani was abducted in the afternoon from Lahore and his whereabouts are unknown.” Khan demanded the immediate release of Mashwani.

  • Pervaiz Elahi ko humnay aisay rakha hai jaisay handi mein masala, says Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry spoke disparagingly against party president Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

    Fawad Chaudhry said that Elahi is not a public favourite, rather he is someone who does politics with the powerful.

    Fawad further said that every party has a ‘handi’ [cooked dish] in which different spices are added, and he [Pervaiz Elahi] is also an important spice.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the former Chief Minister of Punjab, Elahi, has recently parted ways with Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and joined PTI.

    The rift between Elahi and Chaudhry seems to continue as in the past the party president had spoken in favour of Fawad’s arrest and later apologised for his statement.

  • Maryam Nawaz to unmask Khan’s handlers next week: report

    Maryam Nawaz to unmask Khan’s handlers next week: report

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President and chief organiser Maryam Nawaz will unveil the identities of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s local and international handlers next week. 

    According to media reports, Maryam Nawaz will address a rally in Kasur on Monday, where she will reveal the facts.

    Earlier, addressing a PML-N workers’ convention in Rawalpindi, Maryam said that certain people were still supporting Khan as he did not appear before courts while hearings against him were being delayed.

    She said she was not talking about honest judges but those who were part of the Lt General (retd) Faiz Hameed legacy.

    Maryam said that while Khan could go to Rawalpindi for his party’s gathering with his injured leg, he “cannot appear before the court”.

    While addressing the crowd during her party’s convention in Gujranwala, Maryam claimed that the “facilitators” still wanted to save a person [Imran Khan] who had “already drowned”. 

    “I want to ask the facilitators why they want to save a person because of whom the country’s fate has sunk. That person drowned himself, but why are you people bent on [losing] your jobs?” she said.

  • ‘Ensure Punjab, KP polls to avoid contempt of court’: President tells PM to safeguard rights of citizen

    ‘Ensure Punjab, KP polls to avoid contempt of court’: President tells PM to safeguard rights of citizen

    President Dr Arif Alvi in a letter written to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, has urged him to ensure the implementation of Supreme Court’s orders about the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    Alvi in his letter emphasised that all relevant executive authorities of the federal and provincial governments should be directed to refrain from abuse of human rights and assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold the election in two provinces within the constitutional time-frame, in compliance of orders of the apex court, to avoid further complications, including contempt of court.

    The president said that the prime minister, being head of the government, was responsible for safeguarding human rights as well as the fundamental rights of every citizen of Pakistan as enshrined in the Constitution.

    President Alvi maintained that elections of provincial assemblies, in case of their dissolution under Article 105 or Article 112, were required to be held within 90 days under Article 224 (2) of the Constitution.

    The top court in its order dated March 1, had directed the electoral watchdog to propose date(s) to the president for holding the poll within 90 days or on a date that deviates to the barest minimum from the aforesaid deadline, he added.

    The president said that KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali was also directed by the SC to appoint a date for holding the general election for the provincial assembly as per the time frame.

    “Subsequently, ECP had proposed holding of general elections between 30th April – 7th May, 2023 and general elections for the Provincial Assembly of Punjab were announced to be held on 30th April, 2023 and the same was notified by the ECP,” read the letter.

  • ‘Enough is enough’: Khan demands immediate release of PTI activist Azhar Mashwani

    ‘Enough is enough’: Khan demands immediate release of PTI activist Azhar Mashwani

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Social Media Activist Azhar Mashwani was picked up on Thursday, prompting party Chairman Imran Khan to condemn his arrest.

    Blaming the authorities for abducting Mashwani, Imran Khan took to Twitter and wrote: “Enough is enough. Police in Punjab and Islamabad are breaking all laws with impunity as they target PTI. Today Azhar Mashwani was abducted in the afternoon from Lahore and his whereabouts are unknown.” Khan demanded the immediate release of Mashwani.

    On March 18, Senator Shibli Faraz and Omar Sultan were “badly beaten” by Islamabad police, Khan said, insisting that they both had permission to be inside the Judicial Complex, where the PTI chief went to attend a hearing in the Toshakhana case day.

    Talking about his nephew, Khan said. “Hassaan Niazi was abducted immed after getting bail & later charged with sham FIRs to keep him lcoked up.”

    “I am sending pictures of IGs [inspectors generals] of Punjab and ICT [Islamabad Capital Territory] and of all officers indulging in this criminal behaviour” to international human rights organisations, he said, “so they can identify those working for the state and indulging in abductions, illegal break-ins into homes, custodial torture and violence against political leaders and unarmed workers of PTI.”

    Mashwani’s wife, Mahnoor, also tweeted about her husband’s disappearance, writing, “My husband @MashwaniAzhar is missing from 2.51 pm from home.. He went out for Zaman park And his last seen is 2.51 pm.. If Anyone knows anything.. Let me know..”