Tag: politics latest

  • One dead, four injured in multiple blasts in Balochistan

    One dead, four injured in multiple blasts in Balochistan

    At least one person was killed and four injured as multiple blasts occurred on Thursday in different areas of Balochistan, including the provincial capital, Quetta, the police confirmed.

    The blast took place in the Spinny Road area of Quetta. Police have cordoned off the area and are figuring out what caused the explosion.

    Blasts also happened in Turbat and Naseerabad district.

    According to the police, at least three people were injured when a hand grenade exploded at the Dera Allah Yar Bhatti gate area in Naseerabad, while one person was injured in a grenade blast in Turbat’s main market.

    Bomb disposal squads and rescue teams have arrived at the site of the blast in Quetta, where, according to police, at least one person has died in the explosion.

    According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Quetta, Tariq Jawad, eight to 10 kg of explosives were used in the blast in Quetta.

  • PTI will hold new intra-party polls

    PTI will hold new intra-party polls

    The central media department of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced on Thursday that the party has issued the official schedule for its intra-party elections, set to take place on February 5.

    The party’s spokesperson has been named as the federal election commissioner.

    “The PTI Federal Election Commission is pleased to announce the Election Schedule for the Intra-party Elections (IPE) of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to elect the Chairman, Central and Provincial Organisations,” the statement read.

    According to the released statement, all party members registered before January 31 will be allowed to vote for their favourite panel as well as for the chairman candidate. Party members can use the ‘Raabta Application Intra Party Election Module’ to record their votes.

    Details regarding all the panels participating in the intra-party elections as well as the procedure of the elections are explained in the Election Rules, 2020, which will be available on the party’s official website and Raabta application.

    The polling will begin at 10am and end at 4pm.

    The last date for submission of nomination papers will be February 2, 2024, until 10pm. Candidates can submit their nomination papers at central and provincial secretariats and also digitally through email.

  • ECP calls emergency meeting over worsening law and order

    ECP calls emergency meeting over worsening law and order

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to conduct a crucial meeting today, focusing on the worsening state of law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, as general elections are set to take place on February 8, The News reported on Thursday.

    In the past few weeks, there has been a significant increase in attacks on political rallies, camp offices, and candidates, as well as terror incidents, especially in the two restive provinces.

    The ECP directed KP’s chief secretary and inspector general of police to submit a detailed report on the murder of independent candidate, Rehan Zeb Khan, contesting for the National Assembly (NA) seat from NA-8 Bajur.

    The unidentified persons gunned down the young political activist on Wednesday in his hometown while he was canvassing for votes.

    An ECP notification stated that “The scheduled meeting in Islamabad on Thursday at 3pm will be attended by the minister and secretary of interior, chief secretaries, inspectors general of KP and Balochistan, and officials from intelligence agencies.”

    ECP also asked for an immediate report from the Balochistan chief secretary and inspector general of police on the bomb attack at a political party’s election office.

  • General Syed Asim Munir presides 262nd Corps Commanders’ Conference

    General Syed Asim Munir presides 262nd Corps Commanders’ Conference

    General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) presided over the 262nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held at GHQ, today. Forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of Shuhadas including officers and men of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies and the citizens who have laid their lives for ensuring peace and stability in the country.

    Forum resolved that terrorists, their facilitators and abettors, working on behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan, will be dealt with full might of the state. COAS stated that Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are sacrosanct and inviolable. Pakistan believes in peaceful co-existence with all states, however, there would never be any compromise over country’s sovereignty, national honour and aspirations of Pakistani people.

    The forum was briefed on the callous Indian campaign of extra-territorial and extra-judicial killings, perpetuating state-sponsored terrorism and targeting Pakistani citizens. The forum agreed that blatant violation of international laws by India and its real face be exposed to the world. The international community has already shown serious concerns over the criminal behaviour of India and its use of state apparatus for killing spree around the world.

    The forum reiterated unequivocal support for Palestine and the people of Gaza while noting the extremely negative fallout of the conflict and the potential to spill over in the wider region. The immediate need for a permanent ceasefire and enduring solution to the Palestinian question was unanimously recognised. In the same vein, Pakistan’s resolve to support the people of IIOJK for their right of self determination was reiterated.

    Pakistan would continue to morally, politically and diplomatically support Kashmir brothers and sisters till justice is served in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions. The forum also discussed deployment of Pakistan Army to assist Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the peaceful conduct of General Elections 2024.

    Pakistan Army will perform assigned duties as per the Constitutional mandate, under the guidelines of ECP. No one would be allowed to indulge in violence in the name of political activity and sabotage the quintessential democratic exercise of conduct of free and fair elections. The forum acknowledged and appreciated the steps taken against spectrum of illegal activities and criminal mafias including smuggling, hoarding, money laundering, power theft and illegal aliens. The participants emphasised that such actions and their positive impact on the economy and well being of the people need to continue without any let up. The forum was briefed on operational preparedness of the formations. COAS asked formation commanders to continue their focus on the training, administration and morale of the soldiers.

  • Bushra Bibi surrenders herself at Adiala jail for arrest

    Bushra Bibi surrenders herself at Adiala jail for arrest

    After being sentenced by the Accountability Court in the Toshakhana case, former First Lady Bushra Bibi reached the jail to surrender herself for arrest.

    The Accountability Court has earlier todat sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife to 14 years imprisonment with hard labor in the Toshakhana case, while the court has also disqualified Imran Khan for 10 years.

    According to sources in Geo, Bushra Bibi is currently sitting in the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Jail, and she has not been arrested yet.

    A day earlier, Imran Khan and senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each in the cipher case.

    Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the cipher case and delivered the verdict at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

  • Asif Zardari promises PPP will take Pakistan out of crisis

    Asif Zardari promises PPP will take Pakistan out of crisis

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Zardari has said that his party knows how to take Pakistan out of the crisis it is currently facing.

    While addressing an election rally in Kahuta, the former President said that the PPP will build a medical college in the city.

    The PPP co-chairman also said, “We will solve the problems of people and also provide gas facilities in the area.”

    He told the people of Kahuta that he will keep coming to them.

    Earlier, the former president said in an interview that the Bilawal Bhutto-led party could even clean sweep Karachi and win from all constituencies of the metropolis if not for certain hindrances.

  • ‘Vote ko Izzat Do’ with a new twist

    ‘Vote ko Izzat Do’ with a new twist

    In a recent appearance on the Hum News program ‘Faisala Aap Ka with Asma Shirazi,’ Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif stated that ‘Vote Ko Izzat Do’ has a different meaning.

    When asked why the civilian supremacy narrative of ‘Vote ko Izzat do’ can’t be heard anymore, he said, “It means respecting the person who voted for me and fulfilling the trust they have shown in me.”

    He claimed that the May 9 riots were a deliberate conspiracy against Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, masterminded by Imran Khan, the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and his party.

    Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the distinction between statements and conspiracies. He alleged that on May 9, the founder of PTI and his team conspired to create divisions within the military, leading to betrayal against Pakistan. He criticized PTI for diverting the nation from progress to chaos.

    Sharif expressed his views on various matters, including the loss of PTI’s iconic electoral symbol ‘Bat,’ attributing it to the party’s missteps. He also commented on Imran Khan’s recent 10-year jail sentence, emphasizing that the issue is about upholding the law, irrespective of whether decisions are perceived as good or bad.

    Responding to a question about PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s invitation for a public debate, Shehbaz Sharif said, “I’m in favor of Bilawal’s debate challenge but let him extend the invitation in his province for a fair comparison.”

    Regarding political decisions, Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that if the majority is not attained through elections, consultations would be held. He confirmed that Nawaz Sharif would be the candidate for the premiership, subject to consultation, and the decision on the Chief Executive of Punjab would be made through consultation with Nawaz Sharif. The decision for the presidency would be made by the parliament.

    Stressing the importance of political and economic negotiations, Shehbaz Sharif called for the completion of the five-year term in Parliament. He recounted an incident during tensions with India, where the founder of PTI allegedly refused to attend a meeting, leading the then head of the army, General Bajwa, to return in disappointment.

  • Nawaz Sharif says he never revealed diplomatic document to save his government

    Nawaz Sharif says he never revealed diplomatic document to save his government

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif criticised former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was given a 10-year sentence in the cipher case, by saying that he had never revealed any diplomatic document to save his government.

    Sharif used strong words to slam Khan in an election rally in Bahawalnagar district on Tuesday, accusing him of plotting a “conspiracy” that compromised national security.

    The PML-N supremo also praised the people of Haroonabad for coming out in large numbers to welcome him.

    “Despite being subjugated, I had never revealed any state secret nor compromised national security,” Nawaz said while pointing fingers at Khan, adding that he “attacked” the country’s integrity to save his rule.

    “I am still standing before the nation despite facing cruel oppression. I had been ousted from the premiership for not receiving a salary from my son. I was removed from the premiership thrice which also resulted in losses to the country.”

    Nawaz Sharif also said that inflation was under control as well as farmers and common people were happy in his previous tenures.

    The PML-N supremo blamed Khan for shaking the foundations of the country during his four-year rule.

  • Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 14 years in Toshakhana case

    Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 14 years in Toshakhana case

    An accountability court on Wednesday morning sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, to 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana reference.

    The Accountability Court’s Judge Muhammad Bashir announced the verdict and disqualified Imran Khan for 10 years, imposing a fine of Rs1.573 billion (787 million each) on the couple.

    At the last hearing, which took place at Adiala jail, the court recorded Bushra Bibi’s statement under Section 342.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Khan also told the court that his wife has nothing to do with the case and is being dragged into it against her will.

    At the beginning of today’s hearing, Judge Muhammad Bashir asked Imran Khan if he had submitted his statement. To this, Imran Khan said he will submit his statement once his lawyers arrive.

    “I have been deceived, as I was only called to mark my attendance for the hearing,” said the PTI founder.

  • ‘Getting teary-eyed upon mention of my mother is my trauma response’, Bilawal opens up about mental health

    ‘Getting teary-eyed upon mention of my mother is my trauma response’, Bilawal opens up about mental health

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari talked about mental health, climate change, politics and other issues in The Centrum Media’s podcast with Talha Ahad. Bilawal’s conversation about mental health and climate change was the most relatable by any Pakistani politician.

    When asked how he copes with the trauma of losing so much, especially his mother Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated, and if it has had any impact on his mental health, Bilawal responded candidly. He related the events that unfolded on December 27, 2007. He was in Dubai for his winter break from Oxford when his mother went to Pakistan for the election campaign. He was in Dubai with his father Asif Ali Zardari and his siblings when he heard the news about the attack on television. He was shocked and afraid. It was traumatic. He said he doesn’t even remember the conversation he had with his sisters about this.

    Bilawal Bhutto said that mental issue is a real issue but we do not take it seriously like we do with other diseases. “Your mind is just like any other part of your body,” he emphasised.

    Bilawal said he never went to seek therapy or even talked to a counsellor after having lost so much. He moved on from it like a traditional Pakistani, thinking he should just ‘man-up’ and face it without seeking help. He acknowledged that it was years later that he started reading and understood what he was going through. It was partially because of the “macho” attitude of a typical Pakistani.

    Bilawal admitted he feels the loss of his mother every day but he has learned to make this feeling of loss his strength instead of a shortcoming.

    Bilawal went on to explain his vision for dealing with mental health issues in Pakistan. He wants an “update” in the system. He wants to set up facilities through public-private partnership if he comes in power after elections.

    When asked if he meditates, Bilawal admitted that he tried it but hasn’t done it consistently because he lacks consistency. He watches Netflix shows in his free time. When asked when was the last time he cried, Bilawal said he does not remember.