Tag: politics latest

  • Reserved seats uncertainty: ECP again approaches Supreme Court

    Reserved seats uncertainty: ECP again approaches Supreme Court

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has challenged the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan’s September 14 detailed verdict regarding the allotment of women and non-muslim reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The ECP explained in its plea that the apex court’s July 12 ruling came before the Election Amendment Act 2024; on this amendment, the ECP sought clarification from the apex court on whether to follow the amended parliamentary law or the top court’s September 14 detailed verdict.

    The 8-5 majority ruling of the Supreme Court’s verdict on reserved seats read, “Withdrawal of election symbol cannot disqualify a political party from elections.”

    It further read, “The PTI was and is a political party.”

    On September 14, the top court issued the detailed verdict of its July 12 ruling, directing the ECP to allot reserved seats to PTI.

    Meanwhile, the Election Amendment Act 2024 stated, “A candidate who does not submit the party certificate before obtaining the election symbol will be considered an independent candidate. If the list of candidates for reserved seats is not submitted within the specified period, no political party will be entitled to those seats.”

  • ‘Establishment ke log right dikha kar left marte hain’: Imran Khan

    ‘Establishment ke log right dikha kar left marte hain’: Imran Khan

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has said that the party decided to turn the pre-scheduled September 28 rally in Rawalpindi into a protest.

    Speaking to journalists at Adiala jail Rawalpindi, former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that they (party leadership) are withdrawing a petition from the Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court that was filed earlier for the pursuit of No Objection Certificate (NOC), and added: “I know the permission will be declined.”

    He further added that even if the incumbent government gave permission to PTI for the rally at Rawalpindi, the venue would be far from the city.

    Responding to PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hassan’s claims of “inevitable” dialogue with the establishment, he cleared, “He is misunderstood; dialogue with the establishment won’t work.”

    He also advised Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur not to hold dialogue with the establishment.

    “Establishment kay log right dikha kr left martay hain,” he sarcastically added.

    Earlier, Raoof Hassan had declared on ARY News’ programme ‘11th Hour’, “PTI is prepared to engage with the establishment at every cost.”

  • ‘Defence par baat karne se pehle ISPR clearance kyun zaroori hai?’; High Court questions army control on defence analysis

    ‘Defence par baat karne se pehle ISPR clearance kyun zaroori hai?’; High Court questions army control on defence analysis

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to present the original noting file upon which the eligibility of a defence analyst is processed and recommended.

    Hearing a petition filed by Colonel (retd) Inamul Rahim Advocate, who challenged PEMRA’s April 4, 2019 notification, Justice Babar Sattar questioned the legal standing of Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) over their exclusive right to determine which defence analyst can appear on Pakistan TV.

    The April 4, 2019, notification stated that retired army officers could analyse defence matters on television news and current affairs programmes after obtaining ISPR clearance.

    The Islamabad court asked PEMRA’s counsel what the military media wing has to do with the pre-clearance of defence analysts with Pakistan’s sovereignty and how PEMRA can impose a prior restraint on speech.

    Citing section 20 of the PEMRA ordinance, the Counsel said that the provision assures responsibility of TV channels to protect national security, integrity and sovereignty.

    However, the case was adjourned until November 20.

  • Sindh govt unaware: NAB recovers Rs 6 trillion worth of land

    Sindh govt unaware: NAB recovers Rs 6 trillion worth of land

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has recovered 90 per cent of 18 lac acres of land in Sindh of which the provincial government was reportedly unaware.

    Prominent journalist Asif Bashir Chaudhary has revealed on a YouTube show ‘Talk SHOCK’ that NAB sent notices to the occupants of the land, ordering them to show the documents as proof of ownership. However, they failed to produce the required documents.

    “Possession land belongs to Sukkur and Karachi forest reserves,” he revealed, adding that the Ministry of Forest did not have a record of land.

    He revealed that Chairman NAB Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmad, who had complete documents of recovered 16,200,00 acres, presented to Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah.

    The CM Sindh was, reportedly, unaware of the news.

    “The estimated cost of recovered land is six trillion rupees,” he concluded.

  • Imran Khan calls for PTI protest on Thursday

    Imran Khan calls for PTI protest on Thursday

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has announced that the party will hold a protest for judicial independence on the coming Thursday.

    Speaking to journalists in Adiala jail Rawalpindi, he stated, “We have our own protest on Friday and will hold a rally in Rawalpindi on Saturday. We will protest if it is not allowed.”

    Lambasting the incumbent government, Imran Khan said that the country has become a police state and declared that this “martial law” is even tougher than that of former dictators General Zia Ul Haq and General Parvez Musharraf.

    Talking about the Practice and Procedure Amendment Act, he said, “Now everything has been exposed and veils removed. The Practice and Procedure Act was aimed at hearing cases in an undemocratic manner.”

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur met Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

  • PTI seeks dialogue with establishment, says Raoof Hassan

    PTI seeks dialogue with establishment, says Raoof Hassan

    Information Secretary Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Raoof Hassan has firmly stated that PTI is clear in its policy on engaging with the establishment.

    Appearing on the ARY News programme ‘11th Hour’, Raoof Hassan declared dialogue between PTI and the establishment “inevitable”, adding, “We (party) shouldn’t delay this matter.”

    Ruling out any speculation PTI having an anti-establishment stance, he clarified, “PTI is prepared to engage with the establishment at every cost.”

    He further said that the establishment also wanted to engage with PTI and revealed that they had done so before. “Mahool ko sazgaar banana hu ga taakay dono table par baith kr muzaaqraat kr sakain or mulk k baary mein soch sakain.”

    Talking about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, he wished for dialogue to be held between provincial officials and the establishment.

  • ‘Afghan diplomat 14 August ko national anthem ke ihteraam mein khare hoye thay,’ Faisal Kundi reveals double standards

    ‘Afghan diplomat 14 August ko national anthem ke ihteraam mein khare hoye thay,’ Faisal Kundi reveals double standards

    Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Faisal Karim Kundi, while recalling the Afghan diplomat’s refusal to stand up for the Pakistan anthem in the presence of Chief Minister (CM) KP Ali Amin Gandapur, has claimed that the same Afghan diplomat stood up for the anthem on August 14 during a flag hoisting ceremony.

    Appearing on the Samaa News programme ‘Mere Sawal With Absar Alam,’ Kundi revealed that the Afghan diplomat, along with an Iranian diplomat and an American diplomat, stood up for the national anthem as a respectful gesture.

    He said, “14 August ko mein nay bulaya thaa, tab inhain koi takleef nahi thi or national anthem kay ihteraam may kharay b huway thay.”

    Lambasting CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur’s stance of showing no objection to the disrespect, Kundi said he appeared to be the provincial CM of Afghanistan.

    Earlier, during an official event in Peshawar to commemorate 12th Rabi ul Awal, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), two Afghan diplomats deliberately refused to stand up for Pakistan’s anthem.

    After strong discontent from Pakistan, Afghan Consulate Peshawar spokesperson Shahid Ullah clarified, “The Consul General did not stand due to the music in the anthem. We have even banned our own national anthem for the same reason.”

  • Jerusalem post article declares Imran Khan a central figure in Pak-Israel ties

    Jerusalem post article declares Imran Khan a central figure in Pak-Israel ties

    The Jerusalem Post, one of Israel’s most widely-read newspapers, has declared former Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan a central figure in normalising Pak-Israel ties.

    An article written by Harry Richer asserts, “Figures like Khan could very well be central in changing both public opinion and military policy” for Pak-Israel ties.

    While reviewing the state of Muslim countries trying to normalise ties with Israel for their self-interest, Richer asserted that despite Khan’s pro-Palestine stance, the former PM had hinted at shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy towards Israel.

    Richer predicted, “Normalisation with Israel would bring about significant economic benefits, including technological support in agriculture, cybersecurity, and defence.”

    Richer added, “A change in leadership would most probably also be needed for any resolution to move forward, and figures like Khan could very well be central in changing both public opinion and military policy.”

    Pakistan does not recognise Israel and has long been an ardent and very vocal supporter of Palestine. The ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza has strengthened public opinion in Pakistan against Israel.

    As of October 7, more than 41,000 people, the majority of whom are women and children, have been slaughtered by Israel since October 7. Lancet, the respected medical journal, puts the figure at close to 180,000 dead.

  • Maulana Fazlur Rehman warns of instability if Constitution overlooked

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman warns of instability if Constitution overlooked

    The Chief of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam- Fazl (JUI-F), Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has warned that failure to adhere to the Constitution will lead the country towards instability and unrest.

    Speaking at an event in Karachi, he talked about this year’s general elections, labeling the incumbent constituent assembly a product of the establishment.

    Responding to the government’s proposed controversial constitutional amendments, Fazlur Rehman asserted, “Neither the opposition has a draft [of the proposed amendments], nor do the people know about any such document. Here, every institution wants to interfere in the other’s mandate. These can’t be called reforms by any means.”

    The head of JUI-F suggested that institutions operate within their own paradigm and strengthen themselves and expressed a wish to see a robust parliament, judiciary, and military.

    Maulana Fazlur Rehman has been a formidable challenge for the government as he resisted the so-called twenty-sixth constitutional amendments despite having only five Senate votes, proving himself to be the decision-maker.

  • Ali Amin Gandapur’s arrest warrant issued

    Ali Amin Gandapur’s arrest warrant issued

    An Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur over a Federal Judicial Complex vandalism case.

    ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, while turning down CM’s bail petition, stated that bail can not be given every time without a justified reason.

    The defendant’s lawyer informed the judge that the court should grant “one (more) chance,” assuring that “Ali Amin will [definitely] appear before the court.”

    Upon this, Judge Sipra reminded the lawyer that previously, a date for a hearing was fixed according to Gandapur’s availability, but he never showed up.

    ATC later adjourned the hearing of the case till October 3.

    ATC court also issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for former Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Aamer Mehmood Kiani and PTI leader Raja Rashid Hafeez in a Federal Judicial Complex vandalising case.

    On March 18, 2023, PTI workers allegedly pelted stones at the authorities inside the premises of the Federal Judicial Complex during founder PTI Imran Khan’s hearing in court.