Tag: Prime Minister Imran Khan

  • DAY 2: Khan still not arrested, court tells police to stop operation until tomorrow

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan hasn’t still arrested by the police, which has created an extremely chaotic and tense situation in Lahore.

    Now, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the police to delay its operation to arrest Imran Khan till 10am on Thursday.

    Jazba-e-Imran koyi Murad Saeed se seekhay

    Currently, the face-off has cooled down, however, in the video Khan’s followers and prominent members of PTI including Murad Saeed, Qasim Suri and Zulfi Bukhari can be seen celebrating.

    A large gathering of PTI supporters resisted attempts to arrest Imran Khan against rangers and police.

    Yasmin Rashid’s audio leak

    Amidst the clash between police, rangers and PTI supporters, another alleged audio leak has surfaced online.

    This time around, one can allegedly hear former Health Minister Yasmin Rashid and former Federal Minister for Narcotics Ejaz Shah in conversation about the plausible arrest of Khan.

    In the alleged audio, Rashid told Shah that Khan Sahib has said at that it is time to call all MNAs and MPAs.

    On hearing this, Shah replied that they were doing it. Rashid then gave Khan’s instructions to the former minister and said that the party head is asking to bring people and reach there.

    According to Rashid, Khan is telling them to come immediately, or he will not give party tickets to those who do not come.

    ‘Those who claim they are neutral, is this your idea of neutrality’: Khan ka neutrals se sawaal

    Imran Khan has questions for the establishment.

    In a series of tweets earlier today, Khan said that after a day of facing tear gas, cannons with chemical water, rubber bullets and live bullets, “we now have Rangers taking over and are now in direct confrontation with the people”.

    “My question to the establishment, to those who claim they are ‘neutral’: Is this your idea of neutrality, Rangers directly confronting unarmed protestors & leadership of the largest political party when their leader is facing an illegal warrant & case already in court & when govt of crooks trying to abduct & possibly murder him?” he asked.

    Khan, in another tweet, wrote, “My house has been under heavy attack since yesterday afternoon. Latest attack by Rangers, pitting the largest pol party against the army. This is what PDM and the enemies of Pakistan want. No lessons learnt from the East Pakistan tragedy.”

    “Clearly arrest claim was mere drama because real intent is to abduct & assassinate. From tear gas & water cannons, they have now resorted to live firing.”

    “I signed a surety bond last evening, but the DIG refused to even entertain it. There is no doubt of their mala fide intent,” tweeted Khan.

    Don’t worry, you didn’t miss Imran Khan’s arrest overnight. He’s still in Zaman Park

    If you slept early last night, and missed Imran Khan’s arrest, don’t worry. Because the police failed to take the PTI Chairman into custody on Tuesday.

    After clashes left 54 policemen and eight civilians injured, Rangers have now moved towards Zaman Park to arrest Khan, who has warrants issued against him for not appearing at court hearings.

  • ‘As a woman, it is insulting that I have to take Imran Khan’s name’: Maryam Nawaz

    ‘As a woman, it is insulting that I have to take Imran Khan’s name’: Maryam Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz has said that she, too, has faced harassment even though she hails from a privileged background and has a powerful father.

    Addressing a PML-N women workers convention in Lahore on International Woman’s Day, Maryam said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his party has always targeted her with “personal attacks” when she says something political.

    “They talk about my marriage. My wedding was done with alot of love and festivities by my parents and grandparents. And I am still married to the same person. I don’t want to attack anyone personally,” said Maryam.

    “As a woman, it is insulting that I have to take Imran Khan’s name. Due to the current situation in the country, I have to take his name. Being a woman, I have said this many times, I would never let a person like Imran Khan inside my house,” said Maryam, adding that when Imran is asked about politics, he never gives a political answer. Instead, he, in his jalsa says, “Maryam Nawaz, you say my name so many times, be careful; your husband might get angry with you.”

    Khan in May last year made misogynistic remarks about Maryam Nawaz.

    “In that speech, she took my name with such passion that I would like to tell her: Maryam, please be careful, your husband may get upset because you were constantly repeating my name,” said IK during the speech.

    “I am like a daughter to him [Imran Khan], and now because of the fear of arrest, he has become old and is 72 years old, but when it comes to slurs and personally attacking me, where does his old age go?” questioned Maryam.

  • Non-bailable warrants issued for Imran Khan Toshakhana case; bail granted in prohibited funding, terrorism cases

    Non-bailable warrants issued for Imran Khan Toshakhana case; bail granted in prohibited funding, terrorism cases

    An Islamabad court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case.

    The district and sessions court heard the Toshakhana case where Khan’s lawyer Ali Bukhari and Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) lawyer Saad Hasan were present in court. The hearing of the case was conducted by judge Zafar Iqbal.

    Khan’s lawyer informed the court that PTI chief will not be able to appear in the court today. Bukhari requested the court to adjourn the hearing for five days. The court had repeatedly asked Khan to appear at the hearing. However, Khan failed to do so, citing his injured leg and security reasons.

    The Election Comission of Pakistan’s (ECP) counsel opposed the request, saying the PTI chief did not want to appear before the court. “It is not the court’s concern how far the party head is travelling from to reach the court.”

    He pointed out that Imran could also appear before that court if he was coming to the judicial complex.

    The PTI lawyer said his client could come to the court when he was free of the other two cases within the judicial operational timings.

    “He should also come here as indictment is pending. Once indicted, he can head to the other courts,” the judge responded.

    Khan arrived at Islamabad’s judicial complex on Tuesday afternoon to attend two separate hearings of prohibited funding and terrorism cases filed against him.

    Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Raja Jawad Abbas approved Khan’s interim bail until March 9 in the terrorism case, while banking court Judge Rakhshinda Shaheen confirmed bail for the PTI chief in the prohibited funding case.

    Khan was required to appear in person in four different cases in Islamabad courts today. The foreign funding case is in a banking court and the terrorism case is in an anti-terrorism court located inside the judicial complex, while Toshakhana and attempted murder cases will be heard at a sessions’ court in F-8 Kacheri.

    A large number of PTI workers entered the judicial complex with Khan’s entourage, knocking down its gate and creating chaos as the former Prime Minister’s car arrived at the Complex.

    Security arrangements at Sector G-11 of the Judicial Complex were disrupted as PTI workers removed all barriers. Meanwhile, security has also been tightened at the F-8 kachehri.

    Islamabad Police also took to Twitter and said, “A suspicious person was identified in the crowd. The man was wearing a camouflage jacket and a black cap and was near Imran Khan’s car. People are requested not to form a crowd. Otherwise tear gas can be used.”

    The banking court postponed the proceedings scheduled for all the cases against Khan, citing security concerns. 

    The court had summoned the PTI chief to appear before it today in the prohibited funding case.

    An anti-terrorism court granted interim bail to the PTI chair in the terrorism case filed against him after countrywide protests following his disqualification in the Toshakhana reference.

    ATC judge Raja Jawad heard the case and granted bail till March 9.

  • Justice first, then elections; Maryam Nawaz wants ‘balanced scale’ before polls

    Justice first, then elections; Maryam Nawaz wants ‘balanced scale’ before polls

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Monday once again criticised the judiciary, stating that there justice has to be delivered first, and then elections will be held.

    Addressing a workers’ convention in Sahiwal, Maryam Nawaz demanded redressal of “injustice” against the party’s supremo, Nawaz Sharif. She said that first the accusations of “Sicilian mafia” and “Godfather” will have to be withdrawn and then elections will be held.

     “The scales of justice must be balanced,” she said, before unleashing a furious verbal attack on former Chief Justices Saqib Nisar and Asif Saeed Khosa. She emphasised that polls would be conducted in the country when the vote is given respect.

    Talking about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Maryam said, “Elections will be held after Imran Khan will be measured on the same standards of justice set for Nawaz Sharif.”

    The PML-N senior vice president said Khan has been kept around to damage Pakistan, adding that he must be brought to justice.

    Maryam claimed Khan was running away from courts, making excuses about his plastered leg every time he was summoned.

    Khan is still being saved by the “remnants” of former spy chief Lieutenant General (retired) Faiz Hameed in the judiciary, she alleged.

    She then sought answers from the judges on the “Panama bench”, pointing the finger for its creation at ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed.

    “Why was Pakistan’s development put at stake?” she asked.

    She also blamed the “Panama bench” and its creators for inflation, and the country’s dependence on the IMF. She remarked that former prime minister Imran Khan’s alleged facilitators knew he was incompetent, incapable and damaging for the country. “They imposed him and destroyed Pakistan in Nawaz Sharif’s hatred,” she told the crowd.

  • PPP, PML-N, JUI-F request SC to constitute full bench minus judges Ijaz ul Ahsan, Mazhar Naqvi

    PPP, PML-N, JUI-F request SC to constitute full bench minus judges Ijaz ul Ahsan, Mazhar Naqvi

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Jamat-e-Ulema Islami-Fazl (JUI-F) on Saturday requested the Supreme Court (SC) to constitute a full bench to hear the suo moto proceedings of election date for Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    However, as per their request, the three parties have asked that Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan & Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi are excluded from the full bench.

    PDM asks Justice Ahsan, Justice Naqvi to recuse themselves from SC bench

    Earlier, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition government has on Friday asked Supreme Court’s Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi to “recuse themselves” from a larger bench that is hearing suo motu

    The request was presented in a joint statement by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamat-e-Ulema Islami-Fazl (JUI-F), read by lawyer Farooq H Naek, on behalf of the three parties when the nine-member bench resumed the hearing of the suo motu notice today. 

    “All three political parties respectfully request that the two-member bench’s order of suo motu notice is available. Hence, both judges should not sit on the bench in the context of the provision of justice and fair trial,” Naek told the court.

    The PDM lawyer requested Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi to recuse themselves from the nine-member bench currently hearing the suo motu notice.

    Naek replied that he did not want to go into the details, adding that he also believed that the case should be heard by a full-court bench.

    At that, CJP Bandial said that the court will first discuss the admissibility of the request.

    Supreme Court raises questions on dissolution of Punjab and KP assemblies

    Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday raised questions on the dissolution of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial said that the SC will not tolerate the violation of the Constitution as the top court began its suo motu hearing to determine who has the constitutional responsibility to announce the date for elections of a provincial assembly.

    At the outset of the hearing, the court observed that the authority for giving the date of the elections after the dissolution of the assembly needs clarification.

    It stated that the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies were dissolved on January 14 and 17, respectively, and the elections have to be held in 90 days after the assembly dissolution under Article 224/2.

    The SC remarked that Punjab Governor Baligh ur Rehman says that he has not dissolved the provincial assembly on the chief minister’s advice.

    “It will be determined through the suo motu case that who has the authority to give the election date,” the court remarked.

    It said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had also complained about not getting the funds for polling day.

    The Chief Justice observed that elaboration was needed on the issue of elections and assured all the parties that the court would listen to their arguments.

    “We have suspended our schedule for the next week so that we can hear this case,” CJP Bandial said.

    CJP Bandial said that the court will restrict itself to essential things, adding that the detailed hearing of the case will be held on Monday.

    CJP Bandial initiates suo motu action, constitutes nine-judge bench on Punjab, KP polls today

    A nine-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial will hear the suo motu notice of an apparent delay in the elections of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies today (Thursday).

    CJP Bandial on Wednesday evening initiated a suo motu proceeding to determine who has the constitutional responsibility and authority to announce the date for elections for a provincial assembly.

    The bench, headed by CJP Bandial, will consist of Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah. The case will be taken up on Thursday (today) at 2pm.

    According to the apex court’s statement, the bench will assess who is eligible to issue the date for polls, the constitutional responsibility of the federation and provinces and who will fulfil the constitutional responsibility of conducting elections and when.

    “It is the government’s responsibility to conduct elections in Punjab and KP according to the Constitution,” the top court’s statement read.

    The Supreme Court added that the two provincial assemblies were dissolved on January 14 and 18, respectively. 

    “Under Article 224 (2), polls should be held within 90 days of the assembly dissolution. The Constitution mandates that polls be held within 90 days.”

    The Supreme Court had taken suo motu notice on Wednesday two days after President Dr Arif Alvi fixed April 9 as polling day for the provincial assemblies.

     

  • ‘Now watch the spoilt brat checkmate you’: Maryam trades barbs on Twitter with ‘King of Conspiracies’ Khan

    ‘Now watch the spoilt brat checkmate you’: Maryam trades barbs on Twitter with ‘King of Conspiracies’ Khan

    Senior Vice President Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz hit back at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Twitter after he called her a spoilt brat in a tweet.

    “Shameless & calculated attacks on SC judges by PDM & spoilt brat Maryam, nurtured on corruption money, have one purpose only – to run away from elections even by violating Constitution,” tweeted Imran Khan in the afternoon.

    “By attacking SCP, they are damaging the Federation & ensuring law of jungle prevails in Pak,” he wrote.

    Responding to Khan’s accusations, Maryam tweeted, “Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Your squeals are not amiss as you have been the king of conspiracies,thriving & surviving on them with the help of your Godfather Faiz & his vestiges.”

    “Now watch the ‘spoilt brat’ checkmate you so Godsons & pawns like you are relegated to irrelevance,” tweeted Maryam.

    On Thursday, February 23, Maryam Nawaz Sharif showed pictures of the “cabal of five” she blames for conspiring against her father Nawaz Sharif. Among the photos were two pictures of serving judges of the Supreme Court- Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Mazahir Naqvi. The next day, PML-N leader and federal minister Khwaja Asif criticized the judiciary during a speech on the floor of the National Assembly.

  • ‘Do not create controversies’: Khawaja Asif’s lashes out at judiciary on NA floor

    ‘Do not create controversies’: Khawaja Asif’s lashes out at judiciary on NA floor

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday demanded that the Supreme Court (SC) form a full court bench to hear the case pertaining to provincial elections and review past cases, starting with the Panama case in which former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified for life.

    In a fiery speech on the floor of the National Assembly (NA), Khawaja questioned why some judges were not criticised and raised concerns about judges intervening in parliament’s jurisdiction.

    The minister said he doesn’t want to cross the line in criticism and added that the election date suo motu case should be heard by the full court.

    “It has complained that parliamentarians criticise judges by naming them. I want to ask why some judges are not criticised?”

    Asif said that when judges intervene in the parliament’s jurisdiction, politicians will raise questions about it.

    “Why former justices Saqib Nisar and Asif Khosa are criticised and not Justice Nasir ul Mulk and Tassaduq Hussain Jillani’s name should be raised as well?” he asked.

    Taking a jibe at PTI’s Jail Bharo Tehreek, Khawaja said Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s son came to bail his father out one day after his arrest. 

    “No one came for us when we were arrested for several days. We were sent to 90 days remand. PM and his daughter served jail sentences for numerous days. No one got bail for this. On the other side, they [PTI] get instant bail,” said the minister. 

    “They carry out photo sessions in front of a police van and then leave for home. Jail Bharo Tehreek has flopped. Now it should be doob maro film (Drown in Shame),” said Asif.

    “Imran does not come out of his home, gets pre-arrest bail and then directs his party workers to offer their arrests. Imran’s medical record has not been done yet as he went to his own hospital,” said Asif. He added that the PTI chief considers the people of Pakistan fools. 

    Khawaja questioned how the treatment meted out to Nawaz Sharif justified.

    “Rewriting the Constitution is not the judiciary’s job. This is the outcome of the way Article 63 was rewritten. The way Nawaz Sharif’s government was removed was unfair.”

    Asif urged the judiciary to “prove its gracefulness”. 

    “I would say, correct the mistakes of the past which you have made so that the structure of the state could rely upon a strong foundation that no one can ever dare to challenge it. Do not generate controversies. Do not rewrite Article 63. If such would continue to happen God forbid, an unfortunate incident could take place,” warned Asif.

  • ‘Why order investgation on hearsay’; Justice Faiz Isa says cipher investigation is govt’s job

    ‘Why order investgation on hearsay’; Justice Faiz Isa says cipher investigation is govt’s job

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday has rejected all three pleas seeking an investigation into a cipher — presented by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)- endorsing objections raised by the apex court’s registrar.

    Justice Qazi Faiz Isa heard the in-chamber appeals filed by the PTI against the registrar’s objections to the petitions seeking an investigation into the cipher — the cable from the United States of America, allegedly threatening that Imran Khan’s government should be overthrown.

    Asking if dealing with foreign affairs the court’s job, the judge said, “Did Imran Khan make any decision to investigate the matter as the prime minister?”

    He added: “Imran Khan had all the powers to have an investigation conducted. All authorities are under the prime minister.”

    He asked what the court could do in the cipher matter.

    “How can we order an investigation based on hearsay? We do not believe in speculations,” Justice Isa stated.

     “Why do you bring such cases before us? We already have so much on our plate,” the judge asked the petitioners.

    Categorically stating that he will not interfere in state matters, Justice Isa dismissed the three appeals and upheld the registrar’s objections.  

    “How can the judiciary interfere in government affairs? I will not interfere in state matters and neither will allow the government to interfere in judicial matters,” said Justice Isa.

    The judge observed that the Parliament is right beside the Supreme Court, telling the petitioners to “go ask them Parliament” to give them the “authority to intervene into state matters.”

  • PTI’s ‘Jail Bharo Tehreek’ begins today

    PTI’s ‘Jail Bharo Tehreek’ begins today

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has announced that the party’s ‘Jail Bharo Tehreek (court arrest movement)’ is set to start today.

    Taking to Twitter, Khan shared two main reasons behind starting the Jail Bharo Tehreek.

    “One, it is a peaceful, non-violent protest against the attack on our constitutionally-guaranteed fundamental rights. We are facing sham FIRs and NAB cases, custodial torture, attacks on journalists and social media people,” wrote Khan.

    Khan went on to say that the second reason is the economic meltdown brought on by a “cabal of crooks who have money laundered billions in looted wealth and gotten NROs for themselves while crushing the people, especially, the poor and the middle class, under the burden of spiralling inflation and rising unemployment.” 

    The former prime minister also released a video message, urging his followers to “fill up prisons and shatter the idols of fear”.

    In the first phase of the movement, the party’s senior leaders — Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Asad Umar — will voluntarily surrender themselves to the authorities on Tuesday.

    It is unclear what offense party leaders and followers are expected to commit to initiate arrest proceedings.

  • NAB summons Khan and wife on March 9 in Toshakhana case

    NAB summons Khan and wife on March 9 in Toshakhana case

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi on March 9 in connection with the Toshakhana reference.

    The anti-graft watchdog’s Rawalpindi branch summoned the PTI chief hours after NAB Chairman Aftab Sultan tendered his resignation after reportedly refusing to “toe the line”.

    In its notice to Khan, NAB wrote: “The competent authority has taken cognizance of an offence allegedly committed by the accused persons under the provisions of NAO, 1999.”

    The questions on gifts included in the notice are on six Rolex watches and an iPhone given by the Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces.

    On November 19, NAB had taken notice of the alleged non-disclosure of the actual value of gifts received by the former prime minister, his wife, and other cabinet members.