Tag: politics latest

  • ‘After the sun sets, terrorists rule the area’: ANP’s Mian Iftikhar Hussain

    ‘After the sun sets, terrorists rule the area’: ANP’s Mian Iftikhar Hussain

    In an interview with Aaj News, President of the Awami National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mian Iftikhar Hussain sounded alarm bells over the precarious security situation in KP province, saying, “In southern districts, terrorists rule once the sun goes down.”

    He stressed that the government has no writ in the areas. “Police hide in their stations in the evening. They [militants] come out openly on the roads as the sun goes down and prove to people that they’re the ones ruling.”

    The ANP leader stressed that the security environment of the province was deteriorating with increasing cases of target killings, extortion, and religious extremism.

    “They do whatever they want to do at night. As the sun rises, the writ of state comes back,” criticised Hussain.

  • Wave of Terror: Pakistan mourns eight killed in separate attacks across KP

    Wave of Terror: Pakistan mourns eight killed in separate attacks across KP

    The security situation in Pakistan has gotten grim as eight people – five security officials and three children – lost their lives in three separate terror attacks in Lakki Marwat, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan yesterday.

    In North Waziristan, Captain Muhammad Osama Bin Arshad, 24, who belonged to Rawalpindi district, embraced martyrdom during an intense clash between forces and terrorists.

    The military’s media wing has stated that a sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any remaining militants in the area.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir attended the Captain’s funeral on Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, in South Waziristan, three soldiers lost their lives, and 12 others were injured in a militant attack in the district.

    A police officer and his three minor nephews lost their lives in Lakki Marwat district.

  • Nobody has whined as much as Qaidi no 804 on facing cases: Bilawal Bhutto

    Nobody has whined as much as Qaidi no 804 on facing cases: Bilawal Bhutto

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressed a press conference yesterday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor House, criticising former Prime Minister Imran Khan for “whining so much” about his incarceration.

    “Shouldn’t the law be the same for everyone in the country? Who was that person who used to say, ‘If NAB files a case against me, I’ll fight it myself,’” said Bilawal, referring to Imran Khan.

    “When he’s [Khan] in power, he tries to catch everyone, but when you [Khan] yourself are caught [in legal cases], then you make so much of a hue and cry that we can hear your cries from the USA to Pakistan,” remarked the PPP Chairman.

    Bhutto argued that there isn’t a politician in Pakistan, from Union Council members to prominent political party leaders, that haven’t faced legal cases but “Nobody has whined as much as your Qaidi 804.”

  • US opposes ‘violent actions, looting, arson’ during May 9 riots

    US opposes ‘violent actions, looting, arson’ during May 9 riots

    United States’ State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday that the US supported the right of the public to protest, adding that it opposes violent actions, looting, and arson, while addressing a news briefing in Washington, DC.

    “We support legitimate, free expression, including the right to protest, the right to peaceful assembly, and we oppose violent actions, we oppose vandalism, looting, arson,” the spokesperson added.

    Miller replied to a journalist’s question on May 9 riots, saying, “Governments should deal consistently with the rule of law and free speech.”

    On May 9, 2023, riots were triggered across the country when former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    Following the attacks on military and civilian installations, scores of PTI workers and leaders were put behind bars for their involvement in thr violence.

  • Punjab govt to give solar panels to households using 50-500 units

    Punjab govt to give solar panels to households using 50-500 units

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the provision of solar panels to households consuming 50 to 500 units of electricity monthly under the provincial government’s “Roshan Gharana Programme.”

    The Chief Minister presided over a meeting of the Energy Department on Monday, saying, “The Punjab government will provide solar systems to crores of consumers consuming electricity from 50 to 500 units, and 90 percent of the solar panels’ cost will be paid by the provincial government and 10 percent by consumers.”

    Furthermore, she also said that the government will not leave people alone in difficult situations. “Programme beneficiaries will pay the government-provided amount in easy instalments in five years,” she stated.

    “Through a transparent procedure, solar systems will be given to the poorest families in phase-I”, the Chief Minister clarified.

  • Govt determined to ban X, a threat to ‘national security’

    Govt determined to ban X, a threat to ‘national security’

    The federal Interior Ministry has categorically stated that X (formerly Twitter) cannot be restored due to “national security” reasons, keeping it suspended indefinitely.

    The ministry said in a written response submitted to the Sindh High Court that there was content on the social media platform that targeted national institutions, which undermined the national security of Pakistan.

    It has also doubled down in its defence of banning the social media platform saying, “The job of the Ministry of Interior is to protect the rights of the people of Pakistan.”

    According to the ministry, the ban on X does not violate Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression.

  • Army to be deployed across country during Muharram

    Army to be deployed across country during Muharram

    The federal government has approved the deployment of Pakistan Army across the country due to the sensitive security situation in Muharram.

    According to the notification issued by the federal government, the Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces have been approved for deployment in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The armed forces have deployed indefinitely.

    Ashura holds significant religious importance for Muslims, marking the day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at the Battle of Karbala.

  • Pakistani scientist Dr. Mehmood Khan receives Saudi citizenship under Vision 2030

    Pakistani scientist Dr. Mehmood Khan receives Saudi citizenship under Vision 2030

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has granted Saudi citizenship to Pakistani scientist Dr. Mehmood Khan. A royal decree was issued under Vision 2030 to confer nationality upon scientists, medical doctors, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished talents with unique expertise and specialization in their respective fields.

    Dr. Khan currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Hevolution Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing aging-related treatments, accelerating drug development timelines, and improving access to therapeutics that extend human lifespans.

    Saudi Arabia initiated Vision 2030 to attract and retain exceptional global talent, thereby enhancing the country’s economic and social development.

  • PTI’s Omar Ayub escapes arrest in Islamabad

    PTI’s Omar Ayub escapes arrest in Islamabad

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Omar Ayub evaded arrest when his residence in the F-10 Sector was raided by Islamabad police, along with Mianwali police, on Sunday following the issuance of his warrants by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Sargodha.

    Following the incident, Mianwali police clarified that their assistant sub-inspector (ASI) had not gone to Ayub’s residence with the intention of arresting the opposition leader. Instead, he was there to serve the bailable warrants.

    Ayub went into hiding after successfully escaping the raid and criticized the authorities for being so “desperate” to arrest him.

    The PTI leader took to X (formerly Twitter) to lash out at the government, saying, “The federal government, Punjab government, and agencies must be very desperate to arrest the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.”

    PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan spoke to Dawn, stating, “Some of the policemen were in uniform while some were in plainclothes… fortunately, the PTI secretary general was not at home.”

  • No room for your second or third wife at Islamabad Club

    No room for your second or third wife at Islamabad Club

    In an interesting development, the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Divisions debated diverse topics this week, including the Cabinet Division’s luxuries, restrictions on the entry of its members’ second wives into the Islamabad Club, and Chahat Fateh Ali Khan’s charisma.

    The committee was informed that the Cabinet Division had 18 bullet-proof vehicles and six helicopters, an aviation squadron, Toshakhana gifts as well as the power to declare national public holidays.

    Saleem Mandviwala pointed out the apparent unfair rule by an Islamabad Club, which doesn’t recognise a member’s second or third wife and hence doesn’t allow them to enter the premises. The committee recognised the “significance” of the issue because Islam permits men to have four marriages.

    The members were informed about the government’s changes in the procedure for giving away civil awards.

    “For civil awards, it is evaluated now that the recipient has done more than usual work in his or her field,” the Cabinet Division special secretary told the committee. “Singers are also considered for awards based on the views of their YouTube videos,” he added.

    Reacting to this, Committee member Aamir Chishti asked the Secretary whether famous internet personality Chahat Fatteh Ali Khan’s song ‘Bado Badi’ would be considered for an award – given its number of views on YouTube.

    In a hilarious moment, Aamir Chishti then turned to the committee chair, Rana Mahmoodul Hasan and asked him if he had heard the song, to which he replied, “I have. It gave me a headache.”