Tag: politics

  • Two terrorists killed by security forces in Gwadar, Balochistan: ISPR

    Two terrorists killed by security forces in Gwadar, Balochistan: ISPR

    According to the army’s media affairs division, security forces have killed two terrorists after they attacked a military convoy in Gwadar, Balochistan, early on Sunday.

    In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the terrorists attacked the convoy at 10 a.m. using hand grenades and small guns.

    “However, due to the efficient and swift response, two terrorists were sent to hell with no harm to any military or civil persons,” the statement said, with the military expressing its resolve to “thwart efforts of the enemies of peace and prosperity in the country”.

    One militant was killed and three others were hurt during the exchange of fire with security personnel, according to an earlier statement by the ISPR, which added that an operation was initiated in the region after reports of the presence of terrorists.

    On the other hand, according to China’s consulate in Karachi, there were Chinese workers in the attacked convoy.

    “A Chinese convoy from the Gwadar port project was hit by roadside bombs and gunfire on its way back to the port area from the Gwadar Airport,” it said in a statement on its website, adding that “no Chinese citizens were killed or injured”.

    A statement released by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and former President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack.

  • ‘We will fight internal and external challenges,’; General Asim Munir’s message on Independence Day

    The Azadi Parade was held on Sunday at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, serving as the chief guest.

    The cadets presented a spectacular display of drill parade, while a special tribute was paid to the martyrs who laid their lives for the motherland.

    The army chief commended Commandant Ifthikhar Hassan Chaudhry for an inspiring parade on August 14.

    Reminding his audience that Pakistan was created as a result of the tremendous vision of its forebears and their sacrifices, General Munir then raised the slogan, “Pakistan ka matlab kya, La ilaha illallah.” [What is the meaning of Pakistan? There is no God but Allah.]

    He also mentioned that Pakistan is the land of opportunities, and the nation should struggle hard for the progress of the country.

    “We will continue to rise in line with the aspirations of our forefathers and the people of Pakistan, for the bright future of coming generations,” Gen. Asim Munir vowed.

    “We will fight our internal and external challenges,” he added.

    The COAS said that the Pakistan Army will never think twice about making a sacrifice to protect the nation’s territorial integrity, all-encompassing security, and national development initiatives.

  • Who said NO to a civil award this year?

    Who said NO to a civil award this year?

    On June 18, Dawn News’, Snaullah Khan tweeted that a senior anchor has refused the presidential award being offered by the government, stating that it goes against his professional responsibilities. He then asked his followers to guess, the name of the TV host, including Kamran Khan, Hamid Mir, Sohail Warraich, Nadeem Malik, Shahzeb Khanzada, Saleem Safi, Chauhdary Ghulam Hussain in his list of probables.

    On August 13, Sanaullah mentioned while quoting his previous tweet that he has been following the process of awarding of civil honours for a long time and has observed that a lot of journalists use their connections to be nominated for the award, but Geo’s Shahzeb Khanzada refused the prestigious award after it was offered to him, stating that it might impact his neutrality.

    Sources told The Current that Shahzeb Khanzada was informed about his name being recommended for the civil awards back in May. He politely declined, saying he doesn’t want his impartiality to be questioned as he is a professional and would like his work to remain professional and unbiased.

    Khanzada’s fellow journalists are applauding him on the decision.

    Dunya’s Ajmal Jami called Khanzada’s refusal “commendable”.

    Journalist Asad Ali Toor stated in a tweet that he is proud of Shahzeb Khanzada.

    Editor Investigation at Hum News, Zahid Gishkori, commended Khanzada’s decision while mentioning that something similar was done by his executive former editor Zia ud Din.

    Journalist and Columnist Shahnila Ammar Sikandar mentioned that journalist Talat Hussain also refused to take Pride of Performance award during Nawaz Sharif’s government.

  • Fact-check: Is the legislator being teased by a colleague in this viral video Caretaker PM Kakar?

    Fact-check: Is the legislator being teased by a colleague in this viral video Caretaker PM Kakar?

    Many accounts on X (formerly Twitter) are claiming that someone in parliament literally snapped Anwaar ul Haq Kakar’s ear.

    Fact

    PPP MNA Ehsan ur Rehman Mazari was teasing his fellow MNA Pir Ameer Ali Shah Jeelani.

    PML-N leader Khawaja Asif also tweeted that the caretaker PM is a senator, and this video is of a PPP MNA in the National Assembly.

    Nitizen Saad Kaisar tweeted that “Whoever did this to the caretaker PM, woh abh apni khair manaye” to which Deputy Secretary General PMLN Pakistan Ataullah Tarar replied that “This isn’t Kakar sb.”

    This is just the beginning, let’s see how many fact-checks will be needed during Anwaar ul Haq Kaakar’s tenure as Interim Prime Minister.

  • Chronology of Events Leading to No-Confidence Motion Vote

    Chronology of Events Leading to No-Confidence Motion Vote

    Despite the PTI-led government’s efforts to make the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan unsuccessful, the vote occurred on April 10, aligning with the Supreme Court’s orders.

    However, the voting on the motion wasn’t a sudden decision made shortly after an opposition leader’s move. It comprised months of extensive planning to set the motion against the Prime Minister into reality.

    By the end of 2021 — PPP begins convincing PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif to initiate a vote of no confidence against PM Imran Khan.

    November 28, 2021 — PPP’s Khursheed Shah hints at a possible internal shift within the Parliament, stating that the opposition would possess sufficient numerical strength to remove Imran Khan from office.

    December 24, 2021 — Ayaz Sadiq, a leader of PML-N, also endorses that the opposition is inpreparations for an internal shift in power.

    January 11, 2022 — Khawaja Asif, a leader of PML-N, maintains that the government had lost its majority, indicating that a change within the legislature was about to happen.

    January 18, 2022 — PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari states that a vote of no confidence against the senate chairman wouldn’t result in the power shift. He emphasizes that the opposition intends to bring change in leadership at the highest level by aiming to remove the Prime Minister from his office.

    January 21, 2022 — Ayaz Sadiq remarks that the opposition is prepared for a vote of no confidence against the PM, and the timing of this action will be determined at a later stage.

    February 7, 2022 — PML-N and PPP formally consult on a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister. PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif assures the party’s readiness for this step under the guidance of Nawaz Sharif. Subsequently, both parties initiate communication with other opposition groups and government allies.

    February 8, 2022 — Shahbaz Sharif introduces the idea of a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister to MQM-P; Amir Khan, leader of MQM-P, declares to present the proposal to the party’s committee for further discussion.

    February 11, 2022 — Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), speaking on behalf of the opposition, declares the intention to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister.

    In the middle of these developments, the government remained dismissive of the risk and openly challenged the opposition to formally present the no-confidence motion.

    February 14, 2022 — Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi shares the intention of the government to counter the no-confidence motion through political means, emphasizing the impartiality of the process as the “umpire” is also neutral.

    February 18, 2022 — PMLQ leader Pervaiz Elahi, who was the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly at the time, and MQM-P leader Amir Khan meet to jointly announce their decision to remain aligned with the government and not withdraw their support.

    February 22, 2022 — Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed challenges the opposition, daring them to gather the support of 172 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) in their ranks.

    February 23, 2022 (When the Prime Minister departed for his visit to Russia) — Defense Minister Pervez Khattak expresses confidence that the supposed no-confidence motion would not be presented, stating that it was a challenging task to have PTI MNAs in favor of it.

    Assessing the statements, one can conclude that the government did not take the no-confidence motion with a substantial level of seriousness.

    March 8, 2022 — The opposition tables a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    March 9, 2022 — Prime Minister Imran Khan remarks that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is hin “gun’s crosshairs”, expressing eagerness for the opposition to bring forth a no-confidence motion against him.

    March 10, 2022 — Bilawal responds to PM Imran Khan’s warning towards Zardari, describing it as “intolerable” and warning the Prime Minister to prepare for the potential repercussions.

    March 10, 2022 — Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry states that the armed forces are aligned with the government.

    March 10, 2022 — Islamabad police starts an operation in Parliament Lodges, resulting in the arrest of over a dozen Ansar-ul-Islam workers and two Members of the National Assembly (MNAs).

    March 11, 2022 — After the release of JUI-F workers and leaders, the party’s leader Fazlur Rehman cancels nationwide protests.

    March 11, 2022 — Sheikh Rasheed announces that the security of Parliament House and Parliament Lodges will be under paramilitary Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) on the day of the National Assembly vote regarding the no-confidence motion.

    March 11, 2022 — Prime Minister Imran Khan verbally attacks three prominent opposition figures – Fazl, Zardari, and Shahbaz.

    March 12, 2022 — Nawaz Sharif and aggrieved PTI leader Aleem Khan discuss the no-confidence motion in London.

    March 12, 2022 — Sheikh Rasheed and PML-Q leader Moonis Elahi get into verbal exchanges, highlighting growing tensions within the government’s coalition as signs of division become apparent.

    March 13, 2022 — Key ally MQM-P states that they are considering all possible “options” regarding the no-confidence motion.

    March 14, 2022 — PPP and MQM-P reach an agreement to collaborate and work together for the country’s “greater interest.”

    March 15, 2022 — PM Imran Khan declares that the nation is willing to face challenges alongside him instead of endorsing what he referred to as the “three stooges,” indicating someopposition leaders.

    March 16, 2022 — Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Pervaiz Elahi, asserts that 10-12 lawmakers from the government are under the “safe custody” of the opposition.

    March 18, 2022 — It comes to light that approximately 24 members of the PTI were residing at the Sindh House. The PTI declares it will issue show-cause notices to the dissenting MPs. In response, PTI supporters engaged in violent behavior, forcefully entering Sindh House premises.

    March 21, 2022 — The government submits a reference to the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the interpretation of Article 63(A).

    March 27, 2022 — PM Imran Khan alleges that the opposition’s motion of no-confidence is part of a “foreign-funded conspiracy” designed to remove him from power. These claims were made at a PTI-organized rally in Islamabad.

    March 28, 2022 — The leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Shahbaz Sharif, officially tables a no-confidence resolution against PM Imran Khan.

    March 28, 2022 — PTI secures assurance of support from PML-Q as Usman Buzdar steps down, making way for Pervaiz Elahi to be the new chief minister. Meanwhile, the government’s ally BAP sides with the opposition.

    March 28, 2022 — Independent Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from Balochistan, Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, resigns from the ruling coalition and aligns with the opposition.

    March 30, 2022 — PTI’s majority in the National Assembly significantly reduces as MQM-P announces its decision to discontinue its alliance with the government.

    March 31, 2022 — The National Assembly session scheduled for the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan postpones till April 3rd.

    March 31, 2022 — PM Imran Khan mentions the US as the sender of a “threatening letter” during a speech to the nation, which he later clarifies as “a slip of the tongue.”

    April 1, 2022 — Both the State Department and the White House jointly reject PM Imran Khan’s allegations.

    April 2, 2022 — On the eve of the no-confidence motion, PM Imran Khan appeals to the youth to demonstrate against what he considers as a “foreign conspiracy.”

    April 3, 2022 — NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri dismisses the no-confidence motion, statingit to be “unconstitutional,” and concludes the proceedings. President Arif Alvi dissolves the National Assembly based on PM Imran Khan’s orders. The Supreme Court initiates suo motu notice of the political situation. PM Imran Khan attributes the “threat letter” to US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu.

    April 7, 2022 — The Supreme Court reinstates the National Assembly, ruling that the government’s dissolution of the assembly and Qasim Suri’s decision were unconstitutional. The court directs NA Speaker Asad Qaiser to convene a session of the assembly on Saturday.

    April 8, 2022 — Just a day before the scheduled vote on the no-confidence motion, the Prime Minister states that he wouldn’t tolerate the establishment of a “foreign government” and would seek public support if any such thing happens.

    April 9-10, 2022 — PTI’s elected speaker, Asad Qaiser, convenes the session for the vote on the no-confidence motion at 10:30 am. PTI attempts to hinder the vote proceedings throughout the session. However, moments before midnight, Qaiser resigns from his position and passes the speaker’s seat to Ayaz Sadiq, who then presides over the session for the no-confidence motion. Following Sadiq’s assumption of the speaker’s role, 174 members of the opposition cast their votes in favor of the motion, resulting in the removal of Imran Khan from the position of Prime Minister.

  • Sunny Deol wants Pakistan and India to put aside their differences

    Sunny Deol wants Pakistan and India to put aside their differences

    Bollywood actor Sunny Deol wants peace between Pakistan and India. The action star was speaking at the trailer launch of his upcoming film ‘Gadar 2’ where he called for both India and Pakistan to put aside their differences and not allow what he termed “the political game” to keep creating rifts between the two countries.

    “The essence lies in humanity, not in taking or giving. A conflict between the two sides should not prevail. There is love on both sides. It is the political blame game that creates hatred between India and Pakistan, a theme reflected in this film. Both nations comprise of people who seek peace, as we are essentially one and the same.”

    On Twitter, reactions from Indian users were mostly negative, who felt that the actor, who was also a member of the hardliner BJP, had spent most of his career making anti-Pakistani movies but now was flipping the narrative.

    https://twitter.com/dontwannashar3/status/1684314493449297922?s=20

    Yesterday, it was actor Adnan Siddiqui who called for peace between India and Pakistan, while speaking to the Indian Express:

    “Art has no boundaries, but artistes have a certain boundary, which shouldn’t be there. There should be healthy cultural exchange. I believe that the kind of tolerance–pardon me for being so blunt–but our tolerance, in comparison to Indian audience is much higher. We accept Indian artistes, Indian cricketers, we accept everything good about India. But when this thing goes across the border, it becomes very political. I don’t know why.”

    Read more: ‘Our tolerance is much higher’: Adnan Siddiqui thinks Pakistanis are more accepting than Indian audiences

  • Fact Check: Were liquor bottles recovered from Saad Rizvi’s car?

    Fact Check: Were liquor bottles recovered from Saad Rizvi’s car?

    Claim: Bottles of liquor were recovered from the car of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Chief Saad Rizvi.

    A screenshot of 24 News HD has been circulating online, stating that bottles of liquor were recovered from Saad Rizvi’s car.

    It has been clarified by 24 News that no such information was shared by the channel and the screen shot is fake. “The news about Saad Rizvi is based on lies… False propaganda against 24 News,” clarified the channel.

    Many on Twitter have also shared the fabricated screenshot, wondering if the news is true, while some used a sarcastic tone. One person tweeted, “According to a news report, 5 bottles of alcohol were stolen from Saad Rizvi’s car #ChalochaloLahoreChalo.”

    On the other hand, some termed it as ‘another horrendous political’ hoax. “Another horrendous politics is being played by the ones who are in power in #Pakistan Whatsoever you do, remember one thing! We don’t believe you. I am not a supporter of #SaadRizvi, but this can’t be truth,” tweeted another.

    Verdict: 24 News screenshot being randomly shared on social media with claims of alcohol recovered from TLP chief Saad Rizvi’s car is fabricated. No such incident took place.

  • Pervez Khattak thrown out of PTI

    Pervez Khattak thrown out of PTI

    Once one of the most important members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pervez Khattak has on Wednesday been thrown out of the party for failing to respond to a show-cause notice issued on June 21.

    Khattak, who became a powerful Chief Minister and the President of the party in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), had been asked in the show cause notice to explain why he was asking workers to quit the party.

    A termination letter was sent to Khattak by PTI General Secretary Omar Ayub Khan while a copy of the same was also posted on the party’s social media handles.

    “Your membership from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has been terminated with immediate effect,” said the letter.

    Khattak himself had resigned from the post of KP party president after May 9 riots.

  • ‘Pyaar kiya toh daarna kia’, Pakistani woman marries Indian PUBG love

    ‘Pyaar kiya toh daarna kia’, Pakistani woman marries Indian PUBG love

    They say love is crazy and limitless. According to Seema Haider, a 27-year-old Pakistani woman and mother of four, love was the reason behind her decision to move to India and start a new life with an Indian man.

    The news of the across-the-border love story has been making rounds on social media. “You only live once then you get old and die, so I chose love over everything,” says Seema.

    Seema is now married to Sachin Meena and lives in a two-room house 70 kilometers from India’s capital New Delhi. She has refused to come to back to Pakistan. “I’ll die here but never return,” Seema stated.

    In an interview shared by BBC, Seema and Sachin opened up about how the romance began for them and what they mean to each other. They started talking on PUBG in 2020, becoming close friends in a span of seven months. According to the lovers, they met in March in Nepal for the first time and it was Seema who got Sachin a ticket.

    Seema told the interviewer that it’s a wondrous feeling when you are talking to someone from across the border. She said, “I used to show him Pakistan and he used to show me India.”

    On being asked that Pakistan is demanding for counselor access to Seema, she was pretty clear that she is never coming back to Pakistan. “I don’t hate Pakistan. It’s not like I don’t miss the country. I have spent my childhood there. My family is there and my parents are buried in Pakistan, but I won’t go back,” she said. Sachin was also very local about not letting Seema go back, he said, “I won’t let her leave till I’m alive.”

    Seema’s first Pakistani husband Ghulam Haider, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, has appealed to the Saudi government to help him in getting his wife and four children back, to which Sachain responded that Seema is also his wife now, and he has accepted her with the children. Seema further added that Haider has claimed that she is still his wife, but she is not. Haider had divorced her verbally. It’s not on papers yet. She said verbal divorce is considered divorced in Pakistan.

    “A woman can also file for divorce. I’ll send him a notice to make it official,” she added.

    When asked about changing her religion, Seema expressed that she willingly converted to Hinduism and there was no pressure on her as claimed by her ‘ex-husband’.

    She was questioned that Sachin works at a shop, do you think you along with your four kids will be offered a good life with him. “Yes, he respects me, loves my kids and that’s enough. It means nothings when one gives you money, but no respect,” she replied.

  • Jahangir Tareen will be PM if IPP wins upcoming election: Aleem Khan

    Jahangir Tareen will be PM if IPP wins upcoming election: Aleem Khan

    During an appearance on Express News programme Kal Tak, Aleem Khan, the president of newly established Istehkam-e-Pakistan (IPP) Party, has said that Jahangir Tareen would be their candidate for premiership in the next general election.

    “[We] will contest against PTI and PDM in the next election because people are against both these parties. IPP will not make seat adjustments with any party in the polls,” he revealed.

    Aleem also confirmed that he invited Asad Umar to join the party, adding that many lawmakers will join IPP after Eid.

    At present, IPP comprises of more than 100 former legislators and leaders of PTI.

    Tareen himself was once considered one of the key figures in PTI, largely credited for getting independent candidates to join the party in 2018, paving the way for the formation of a coalition government.