Tag: politics latest

  • Imran Khan’s message to the nation from Adiala Jail

    Imran Khan’s message to the nation from Adiala Jail

    In a message to the nation released from Adiala Jail, the Founder Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, talked passionately about the upcoming general elections, highlighting the significance of February 8 as a day that symbolizes the dichotomy between freedom and slavery.

    Expressing confidence in the resilience of the nation, Khan stated, “I believe that my people stand united with the cause of freedom. Through their votes, they will safeguard Pakistan’s liberty.”

    Drawing attention to electoral manipulation on February 8, the Chairman voiced concern that a faction seeks to shackle the nation in chains of slavery.

    He pointed out that under what he calls the London Plan, a certified criminal was brought back to the country unjustly, wreaking havoc on the judicial system and trampling on the principles of justice and the constitution.

    Khan emphasized that efforts to manipulate the electoral process and undermine the rule of law have jeopardized the nation’s democratic foundations.

    Khan lamented that despite snatching the ‘bat’ from PTI to accommodate rivals, worst rigging is happening.

    Acknowledging the resilience and courage displayed by mothers, sisters, daughters, and party workers in facing injustice, the Chairman pledged to defeat all criminals within the bounds of the law and constitution, with the support of Allah and the nation.

    From his jail cell, the Chairman asserted that, with the blessings of Allah and the support of the people, all these criminals would be defeated, maintaining the integrity of the legal system.

    He urged citizens to exercise their right to vote on February 8, endorsing the movement for governance by law, supremacy of the constitution, and the restoration of democracy.

    The former Premier cautioned against unconstitutional forces attempting to subjugate the nation, warning that if these anti-constitutional powers succeed on February 8, they will establish a regime of theft and plunge the country further into turmoil.

    He called upon the people to exercise their voting power on February 8, making a decisive choice between freedom and slavery.

    “I want every individual in the nation to prepare, cast their votes, and ensure the protection of their votes, securing Pakistan’s path to constitutional governance on February 8,” Khan said.

  • Former Principal Secretary to Imran Khan testifies in court

    Former Principal Secretary to Imran Khan testifies in court

    Azam Khan, the former principal secretary to ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan, has testified that the diplomatic cipher provided by the foreign ministry to the ex-Premier had not been returned to the ministry by the time he left the office after a Vote of No Confidence.

    He told the court on Thursday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder kept a copy of the contentious cipher and later said it had gone missing.

    Five witnesses named Anis-ur-Rehman, Javed Iqbal, Hadayat Ullah Muhammad Ashfaq, and Azam testified before the court in the cipher case in Adiala Jail. The court adjourned the hearing till January 22.

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had previously booked Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi under the OSA, 1923, last August on charges stemming from the alleged misuse of a diplomatic cipher at the end of the PTI’s rule in March 2022.

    Imran Khan and Qureshi, currently detained in Adiala Jail, were present in the courtroom as Khan appeared to give his deposition.

    Both PTI leaders insisted that Khan swear on the Holy Quran before providing his testimony.

    Azam Khan took a solemn oath on the Holy Quran during the hearing.

    During his statement, Azam Khan revealed that, as Imran’s principal secretary, he was informed by the foreign secretary about a cipher telegram.

    His office provided him with a copy, which he later shared with the then-Prime Minister. Imran, in turn, informed Khan that Qureshi had discussed the content of the telegram with him.

    The cipher telegram pertained to meetings between the Pakistan ambassador to the US and American officials.

    “The former PM stated that American authorities had interfered in Pakistan’s internal affairs. He said it seems the message was intended for internal actors to change the elected government through a vote of no confidence.

    “The former premier retained the copy of the cipher with him and instructed the military secretary, DC, and other staff to look into the matter. He also emphasized taking the public into confidence on the matter,” he said.

    Azam Khan recommended a formal meeting with the foreign ministry and suggested having the foreign secretary read the message from the master cipher. The federal cabinet, after discussing the matter, decided to present it before the National Security Committee (NSC), which then issued a demarche on foreign interference.

    According to Khan, it is customary to return the copy of a cipher to the foreign ministry, but this did not happen in this case.

    “I informed the PM, the PM Office, and staff multiple times that the cipher copy should be returned, but it was not returned until I left my charge,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Interior Secretary on the petitions against the prison trial of Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case and the £190 million NAB references.

  • Pak-Iran tension will not affect February 8 elections, confirms ECP

    Pak-Iran tension will not affect February 8 elections, confirms ECP

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the caretaker government have said that the border clash between Pakistan and Iran will not affect the upcoming general polls set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    On a question regarding border tensions erupting between Iran and Pakistan, the spokesperson of the ECP affirmed that the upcoming general elections will be held on the announced date.

    “The ECP is busy in preparation for the elections, and there is no proposal or consideration about reviewing the election date because of the Pak-Iran tension.

    “We are working as usual and all set to hold elections on February 8,” he said.

    Caretaker information minister Murtaza Solangi said that elections will be held on time. He said that the Pakistan-Iran tension will not affect the elections and its schedule.

    When asked about the security requirements needed to hold the elections, the information minister said that the government will provide the required security to the ECP for the holding of elections in a peaceful manner. “There is now no backstepping from general elections on the announced date,” assured the minister.

  • Murad Saeed is not contesting elections this year

    Murad Saeed is not contesting elections this year

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed withdrew from the general elections 2024 on Thursday.

    During the hearing of the petition filed against his nomination papers in the Peshawar High Court (PHC), Murad Saeed’s lawyer told the court that he had returned the ticket and he was not participating in the elections.

    The Peshawar High Court bench, comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Justice Aijaz Anwar, and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah, entertained a plea regarding the rejection of Murad Saeed’s nomination papers and subsequently rendered its decision.

    However, it was revealed during the proceedings that the petitioner had withdrawn the application, informing the court that the ticket had been voluntarily returned.

    On Wednesday, the bench reserved its decision on the petition against the rejection of the PTI leader’s nomination papers.

    Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim remarked in yesterday’s hearing regarding what the law says when a person is declared a fugitive and does not surrender before the law.

    When a person does not appear in front of the law, how can the papers be approved, he will be elected again and legislate, he asked.

    The Advocate General said in his arguments that when a person becomes a fugitive, he loses some basic rights and he has no right to vote or contest election.

    The court stated in its remarks that, “It will then be used as a weapon to prevent anyone from the election”.

    While reserving the decision on Murad Saeed’s appeal, the court declared the documents of Shehram Tarkai and Atif Khan to be correct in this regard.

    A three-member bench of PHC upheld the decision of the Election Tribunal and rejected the petitions against the approval of Shahram Tarkai and Atif Khan’s papers.

  • Fawad Chaudhry sent to Adiala jail on judicial remand

    Fawad Chaudhry sent to Adiala jail on judicial remand

    An accountability court on Thursday sent former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry to Adiala jail on judicial remand in a case related to corruption in construction projects, Geo has reported.

    Islamabad Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Basheer heard the case. During the hearing, Chaudhry asked Judge Muhammad Basheer about his health.

    In response to Fawad’s question, the judge said that “I am completely fine.”

    Fawad’s council requested the court to keep the former federal minister in the B-class category in jail.

    Meanwhile, a bail application was also filed on behalf of Fawad Chaudhry.

  • Nawaz Sharif will decide the next Chief Minister of Punjab, says Shehbaz Sharif

    Nawaz Sharif will decide the next Chief Minister of Punjab, says Shehbaz Sharif

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif has said that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif will decide who will be the next Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab.

    In a meeting with senior journalists in Lahore, Shahbaz Sharif said that if PML-N comes to power, it will reduce unemployment, inflation, and electricity prices on an emergency basis.

    He said that Nawaz Sharif was overthrown by the former chief justice Saqib Nisar, adding that his party has never been pampered. “The credit goes to 13 parties for saving Pakistan from bankruptcy and restoring diplomatic relations.”

    The former prime minister said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has poisoned society, and it is a big challenge to end this hatred in a couple of years.

    He further said that Nawaz Sharif will decide who will be the next chief minister of Punjab.

    He also said that Nawaz Sharif is of the firm opinion that Pakistan should be taken forward through consultation.

  • We have plan C for February 8 elections, says Imran Khan

    We have plan C for February 8 elections, says Imran Khan

    The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has said that a plan C has been prepared for the upcoming general elections, set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    While talking to the media in Adiala Jail, the former Prime Minister said that democracy is being trampled under the “London Plan”, pointing out that people affiliated with PTI are being picked up despite the start of the election campaign, stressing that women and children were imprisoned for the May 9 incidents.   

    The former prime minister said, “Our plan C is prepared. They will be shocked on February 8.”

    On the question regarding PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat, Imran Khan called the lawyer emotional, but added that he is playing from the front.

    “I told [former army chief Gen (r) Qamar Javed] Bajwa that free and fair election is the only solution,” he claimed.

    He demanded that the jail trial in cipher case be shown live, saying, “I want the nation to know what is happening.”

  • What is going on in PTI as leaders clash publicly?

    What is going on in PTI as leaders clash publicly?

    In a surprising turn of events within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), party founding chief Imran Khan has reportedly instructed senior vice chairman Sher Afzal Marwat to suspend all political activities in Sindh.

    Disagreements between Marwat and other party leaders, including Raoof Hasan and Barrister Hamid Khan, have escalated, leading to a temporary halt in political engagements.

    Hamid Khan endorsed the statements of Raoof Hasan.

    https://twitter.com/BrHamidKhan/status/1747182074191360492?s=20

    The directive from Imran Khan came a day after Marwat initially announced the suspension of the election campaign in Sindh, citing an alleged “attack” by party leaders Raoof Hasan and Hamid Khan.

    “Keeping in view the statements against me by sick-minded people like Hamid Khan and Rauf Hassan, I am calling off my campaign in Sindh,” said Marwat.

    However, conflicting statements emerged later after Marwat declared his intention to continue the polls campaign.

    “Workers are right and I will continue campaigning for PTI in Sindh. I will not be distracted,” wrote Marwat.

    In a social media post, he expressed his determination to continue campaigning for PTI in Sindh, urging party activists to confront what he referred to as “satanic forces” independently.

    The internal strife unfolded after Marwat launched the PTI’s election drive in Sindh but later called it off due to statements against him by party leaders.

    The controversy intensified as Marwat accused President Arif Alvi of being a “wrong number” and alleged a conspiracy against the party.

    In response, Hasan and Hamid disowned Marwat’s statements, asserting that he did not represent the party’s position and had no official post within PTI.

    Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of PTI, addressed the media, emphasizing the party’s commitment to democratic values and calling for unity among party members. Despite internal disagreements, he expressed confidence in Marwat’s candidacy for the upcoming elections from Lakki Marwat.

    The ongoing disputes raise questions about Marwat’s purported meetings with Imran Khan in jail, with conflicting statements from PTI leaders.

    While Hasan claimed no political leader was allowed to meet Imran, Gohar Ali Khan affirmed Marwat’s continued affiliation with the party.

    As PTI works towards finalizing its candidate list for the February 8 elections, the internal conflicts underscore the challenges inherent in the democratic process. PTI members are urged to set aside personal differences for the party’s success in the upcoming polls.

  • What election-related matters are Pakistanis searching on Google?

    What election-related matters are Pakistanis searching on Google?

    As the much-anticipated general elections in 2024 draw near, Google has taken a noteworthy step to provide insight into the search pattern of Pakistanis.

    In preparation for the polls scheduled for February 8, 2024, the technology giant has unveiled the “Google Trends Pakistan General Election” page.

    Search interest of people in Pakistan in the last 14 days indicate that 77 per cent searched for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, 14 per cent searched for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and only 3 per cent searches were related to Pakistan Peoples Party.

    The innovative platform aims to offer valuable insights into the questions actively being searched by people in Pakistan concerning political parties, election topics, and general interests.

    The most searched questions include, what is the date of the election in Pakistan, will the caretaker minister be changed, and how to get into politics.

    The dedicated trends page not only highlights the top election-related topics but also categorizes them based on regions, providing a comprehensive view of concerns and interests prevalent across the country.

    It is important to note that Google emphasizes that the trends page is not a survey or a reflection of voting behavior. Instead, it serves as a dynamic tool showcasing evolving interests and search queries.

    “While it is a valuable resource for understanding what people are searching for, it’s crucial to clarify that a spike in a particular search query does not indicate the popularity or success of a political party. It is not a measure of voting intentions but rather a reflection of the evolving search interests of the public,” stated Google in its official announcement.

  • ECP fears delay in polls as independent candidates want to change electoral symbols

    ECP fears delay in polls as independent candidates want to change electoral symbols

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) showed concern that the upcoming polls could be delayed in the case of changing candidates’ symbols, despite the fact that symbols have already been allocated to them.

    Pakistan’s general elections have already been postponed for several months, while some major figures are calling for additional delays for a variety of reasons. On the other hand, the Supreme Court has instructed officials to guarantee that elections are held on February 8.

    In a statement, ECP said that the election symbols have already been allotted to election candidates, but politicians are “having them changed through various forums”.

    “It should be noted that after the allotment of the election symbols, the election commission has ordered the printing of ballot papers to the three printing corporations and the printing work has started,” the statement said.

    According to Geo News, if the high court allows independent candidates to change their electoral symbols, the ECP will postpone general polls in those specific constituencies.

    The official version was along the lines as the ECP said: “If the process of changing the election symbols continues, then on the one hand, there is a fear of delay in the election because the ballot papers will have to be reprinted, for which the time is already limited, and on the other hand, the special paper ballot papers will be wasted.”