Tag: politics latest

  • Normalisation of ties with Israel puts Mohammad Bin Salman’s life at risk

    Normalisation of ties with Israel puts Mohammad Bin Salman’s life at risk

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) is at risk of assassination amid his normalisation of ties with Israel, reports Politico, a U.S.-based publication.

    MBS reportedly told a U.S. Congress member that he is risking his life for a significant deal with the U.S. and Israel.

    Posing a question to the U.S., he said, “What did they do to protect Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat, who was assassinated after making a peace deal with Israel?”

    The crown prince, however, is reportedly determined to pursue the mega-deal with the U.S. and Israel despite the threats, deeming it pivotal to his country’s future.

  • Pakistan approaches international community on radioactive smuggling in India

    Pakistan approaches international community on radioactive smuggling in India

    Pakistan has reached out to the international community over the arrest of a gang charged with smuggling radioactive substances called ‘californium’ in India.
    Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) has questioned how hazardous Sealed Radioactive Source (SRS) material was stolen.

    The Bihar Police have arrested a member of a gang smuggling californium, a radioactive chemical that is used to cure cancer. It is reportedly worth RS 17 crore a gram, Indian Media report

    “It is dangerous for such sensitive material in India to be routinely found in the wrong hands. Pakistan reiterates its call for a thorough investigation of these incidents and for adequate measures to prevent their recurrence. Pakistan is gravely concerned at the reports of recurring incidents of theft and illicit sale of nuclear and other radioactive materials in India,” said the Foreign Office.

    Quoting last month’s incident where five individuals with a radioactive device reportedly stolen from Bhabha Atomic Research Center were also found from Dehradun, the FO expressed strong reservations on the developments.

  • ‘Good news’ coming soon on electricity prices: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘Good news’ coming soon on electricity prices: Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that he will give the nation “good news” regarding reduced electricity costs and a new economic reform plan.

    “Today, there is inflation. People are worried about electricity bills and other problems. However, if not all is good in the country, not all is bad,” said the PM.

    “Our primary focus is on reducing power prices to provide relief to domestic consumers, agriculture, industry, exports, and business sectors. This is essential to navigate the current economic challenges. The competitiveness of our exports is directly linked to affordable electricity,” stated the premiere in an address to newly appointed officials of power distribution companies (DISCOS) on Tuesday.

    He highlighted that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was committed to lowering energy costs, which have placed a significant burden on the debt-ridden nation.

    He pointed out DISCOS’s inefficiencies and corruption, which have led to power theft costing around Rs 500 billion annually.

    “This is your greatest challenge. The government has deliberated on how to improve the system. You must give your best,” the PM stated, stressing that DISCOS officials’ appointments have been made on merit.

  • Imran Khan demands judicial council if Faiz’s arrest linked to May 9

    Imran Khan demands judicial council if Faiz’s arrest linked to May 9

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has suggested that a judicial commission be formed if Gen Faiz’s arrest is related to May 9 events.

    His lawyer, Intezar Panjutha, addressed the media on Tuesday after holding a meeting with Khan.

    In an unprecedented move, the country’s former spymaster, Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, was detained by military authorities and court martial proceedings were initiated against him on charges of corruption, misuse of authority and violating the Pakistan Army Act as announced by the ISPR on Monday.

    PTI has been unusually quiet on the entire matter, with Khan saying that it is an ‘internal matter’ of the Army distancing his party from it.

    Panjutha also stated that Khan believed it was time for the CJP Isa to step back, emphasising that PTI’s three seats were stolen and given to PML-N on Monday.

  • Four soldiers embrace shahadat, six terrorists killed in South Waziristan

    Four soldiers embrace shahadat, six terrorists killed in South Waziristan

    Four soldiers embraced martyrdom while six terrorists were killed when a skirmish broke out between security forces and terrorists in South Waziristan, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    The ISPR statement stated, “On night 12/ 13 August 2024, a fire exchange took place between the security forces and Khwarij in South Waziristan District.”

    Havildar Nisar Hussain, 34, a resident of District Kurram; Naik Rashid Gul, 34, a resident of District Kurram; Naik Irfan Ullah Khan, 30, a resident of District Lakki Marwat; and Sepoy Usman Rafaqat, 21, a resident of District Haripur, fought bravely to defend the motherland, embracing martyrdom.

    Since the Taliban regime came to place in Afghanistan, the security situation in Pakistan has worsened, with Pakistan repeatedly calling on Kabul to reign in TTP in its territory.

  • Gen Asim Munir denounces foreign-funded digital terrorism

    Gen Asim Munir denounces foreign-funded digital terrorism

    Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir on Tuesday night stressed that a wave of ‘digital terrorism’ funded by foreign powers was aimed at creating a gap between state institutions and the public of Pakistan.

    Speaking at a parade at Pakistan Military Academy to mark Independence Day, the top general addressed vital issues, including the limitations of freedom of speech.

    The military is using the term digital terrorism increasingly to label its harsh critics on social media, which includes PTI activists.

    General Munir also quoted a verse from Surah Al Hujurat, stressing the importance of investigating and verifying information so it doesn’t cause panic.

    Moreover, he also discussed the security situation of the country and called on its neighbour, Afghanistan, to not choose TTP over Pakistan.

    The COAS referred to TTP as Fitna al-Khawarij for its “anti-state and anti-Sharia activities.”

  • BLF commander killed by own comrade

    BLF commander killed by own comrade

    A top commander of the banned terrorist organisation, Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), identified as Shambeen alias Shahak, has reportedly been killed by his own comrade due to internal strife, Express Tribune has reported.

    Shahak was a highly wanted militant, alleged to be involved in multiple terrorist activities in the country. His assassination highlights the factions within the militant organisation.

    The BLF is said to be embroiled in an internal power struggle over authority and finances. Tribune reported that these internal conflicts are believed to be escalating.

    Meanwhile, Shahhak was directly involved in numerous attacks on security forces in Balochistan, including target killings of former associates who had surrendered to the state.

  • PTI office raid revealed Gen Faiz’s role in facilitating PTI, alleges Omar Cheema

    PTI office raid revealed Gen Faiz’s role in facilitating PTI, alleges Omar Cheema

    Journalist Omar Cheema revealed last night on his YouTube channel, Omar Cheema Exclusive, that when authorities raided the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretariat last month, they found evidence of former spymaster Lt Gen (retd) Faiz’s “role in facilitating PTI.”

    On July 13, former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid was taken into custody by the army over allegations of land grabbing and snatching valuables from the owner of a private housing society

    Omar alleged, “Gen Faiz was connected to PTI leadership and trained them to bypass intelligence agencies’ supervision because he was the inside man.”

    The journalist further claimed, “The problem that the army is facing is the involvement of its own people with PTI. And the leader of all these internal dissenters is Gen Faiz.”

    He stated that the founder of PTI, Imran Khan, was getting some facilities in jail that nobody could explain until now.

    Cheema claimed that the Top City Case in which Gen Faiz was found guilty was just for optics, while the real reason was his cooperation with PTI and Imran Khan.

    “This is a big setback for Imran Khan because his biggest supporter has been arrested,” said Cheema.

    He said this indicates where the relationship between the army and the PTI is going.

  • Imran warns of protests if Chief Justice Pakistan given extension

    Imran warns of protests if Chief Justice Pakistan given extension

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has warned of a nationwide protest if the government attempts to extend the tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faiz Isa.

    The former Prime Minister has said that protests will be held if the CJP-led bench fails to implement the verdict on reserved seats.
    The former premier alleged that the CJP and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) worked together, with the military supporting them, while talking to the media in Adiala jail.

    Mr Khan further said: “All these things have been witnessed in Pakistan as well. Before elections, a crackdown was launched against the PTI on the pretext of May 9 violence”, while terming the situation in Pakistan worse than Bangladesh.

  • ‘Waade, tarle, minnaten,’ What did Gen Faiz do to become the next Army Chief?

    ‘Waade, tarle, minnaten,’ What did Gen Faiz do to become the next Army Chief?

    The arrest of former spy master General (retd) Faiz Hameed came as a surprising development on Monday evening, taking most analysts by surprise. Geo’s Shahzeb Khanzada asked the Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Asif, whether Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid sent messages to Mian Nawaz Sharif about his ambitions of becoming the army chief. In reply, Asif revealed, “He offered numerous assurances to Mian sb and was constantly sending messages in a bid to gain power.”

    “I cannot even tell you what kind of promises and oaths he undertook to assure them [Nawaz Sharif] – all in the lust of power and ambition,” said Asif.

    Asif lamented that when “people become blind in a bid to get power, it always ends badly,” referring to the detention of the former spymaster and court martial proceedings against him for misuse of authority.

    “They [General Bajwa & General Faiz] resisted till the last moment when the government appointed General Asim Munir. General Bajwa presented many options for the next COAS while General Faiz was campaigning for himself. Bajwa had abandoned Faiz in the last days,” revealed the defence minister.

    Khawaja Asif also stated that Faiz Hameed was involved in political events following his retirement in 2022.

    “Knowing him a little bit, he never refrains from muddling the waters. Especially [in Faiz’s case] a person who has exercised unlimited power and he has to take the back seat,” he said.

    “We can say he [Faiz] had the role of strategic adviser in the May 9 events. I can’t say that with certainty but the events and circumstances are pointing towards him,” he added.