Tag: PTI

  • Social media hater? You could go to prison for seven years

    Social media hater? You could go to prison for seven years

    The federal cabinet has approved an amendment seeking seven-year imprisonment for those who spread hateful content on social media.

    Under the amendment, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been authorised to take action against such people. The final approval of the amendment will be taken by Parliament.

    However, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah decided to consult journalists and other stakeholders on the amendment. The minister said that if the amendment leads to restrictions on people’s freedom of expression, then the government will withdraw the bill

    The interior minister also stressed that if the bill is against the freedom of expression then “we won’t pass it”.

    Sanaullah said people’s private lives are being affected due to social media which is a “serious matter”.

    He further added that the issue is an important one, therefore, the government is hoping that the amendments will not create hurdles in the way of people’s right to freedom of expression.

    Earlier this year, during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tenure, President Arif Alvi approved an ordinance of a similar nature proposing amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, (PECA) 2016. It proposed a five-year sentence for criticising state institutions, including the Pakistan Army and judiciary on electronic media

    At the time, Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared the ordinance “unconstitutional” and directed the federal government to probe abuse of the law and submit a report. The law also faced backlash from the media fraternity.

  • ‘Deny Imran face saving’: Nawaz instructs Shehbaz

    ‘Deny Imran face saving’: Nawaz instructs Shehbaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Monday prohibited his younger brother, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, from accepting the demands of Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    Taking to Twitter, Nawaz taunted Imran Khan for the relatively sparse crowds in the march. “The one who claimed to bring one million people out on the streets couldn’t even manage to gather 2,000 workers,” the former Prime Minister wrote.

    He said that he has instructed PM Shehbaz not to bow before Khan’s demands at any cost. “Whether he instigates a mob of 2,000 people or 20,000 people, neither to listen to any demand of this fitna (rabble-rouser) nor to give him any chance to save face.”

    He added that the prime minister should “focus all of his energy on serving the public”.

    Nawaz went on to say that ever since Khan’s lies have been exposed, the nation has become apathetic to his narrative. “He told one lie after another so brutally and brazenly that the DG ISI [Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum] was forced to break his silence and tell the truth to the nation”.

    He said that despite the passage of many days, Khan could not come up with a clarification. “That is why all his emphasis is habitually limited to swearing.”

    On the other hand, Imran Khan, in an interview has said , “Let them impose martial law.” On the fourth day of his long march, his statement was addressed to the establishment in reply to a question asked by journalist Imran Riaz Khan.

    “Impose martial law. If they want to impose, It doesn’t affect me,” said Khan.

    Khan further added that the current political scenario in the country was worst than former President and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Pervez Musharraf’s martial law. Khan added that when PTI leaders Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gill were tortured they were told that, “Imran would face the same.”

  • ‘Do khaas, teen saanp’: Vawda points fingers within PTI in Arshad Sharif’s murder

    ‘Do khaas, teen saanp’: Vawda points fingers within PTI in Arshad Sharif’s murder

    Faisal Vawda, ex-member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has made the revelation that people within his former party could be involved in the murder of renowned journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya.

    On Samaa News’ programme “Nadeem Malik Live” which aired on Monday, Vawda said, “The assassination was planned in Pakistan by those who could benefit from it,” adding that the murder better suits “three snakes and two VIPs”.

    He said that the “three snakes” belong to the PTI, however, the other two VIPs are non-political and are trusted by Imran Khan. He claimed that he himself had warned Khan several times about them.

    About Arshad Sharif, who was killed on October 23 by two gunshot wounds, the former PTI member said, “He had no issue in coming back to Pakistan”.

    When asked if the establishment supported PTI in the 2018 elections, he said, “If anyone says that the establishment had no role in elections, it will be a lie.”

    He reiterated that the long march which his former party is carrying out right now, would be a bloody march and PTI is heading right toward it.

    On October 26, Vawda dismissed the version of the Kenyan police about Arshad being killed in a case of “mistaken identity”.

    Vawda had made claims that the party’s long march would “witness bloodshed, death, and funerals”. The same day, the PTI suspended Vawda and said that he would not be allowed to hold any party office or represent the party in the media as he had “grossly violated discipline by giving statements against party policies and guidelines”.

    Last week, PTI Chairman Imran Khan announced that Vawda’s membership stands terminated for failing to respond to the show-cause notice issued to him on October 26.

  • Husband of reporter killed in PTI long march gives up pursuing legal action, Govt alleges husband pressurised to give statement

    Husband of reporter killed in PTI long march gives up pursuing legal action, Govt alleges husband pressurised to give statement

    Sadaf Naeem, a reporter with Channel Five, died on Sunday in an unfortunate accident near Sadhoke while reporting on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.

    The late reporter’s husband has decided not to pursue “any kind of legal action”, according to a statement submitted to the police on Sunday night.

    “When the long march […] started to move gradually, my wife — who was standing on the divider — fell and was trapped beneath the container and died on the spot,” her husband stated.

    “This was an accident,” he added, further saying that he did not want to take any legal action, “nor do I want to get a postmortem examination conducted”.

    He requested that “The dead body be handed over to us immediately so that the burial can be done in a timely manner.”

    However, Railway Minister, Khawaja Saad Rafique, shared a video purportedly showing Naeem’s husband signing his statement in the presence of PTI leaders including Aslam Iqbal.

    Rafique alleged that the deceased reporter’s husband was “surrounded” by PTI members to make him sign the statement.

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Naeem’s fellow journalists were alleging that she was “pushed”.

    He called for the “person who pushed her” to be arrested as “after this witness account, it was necessary that investigations of the incident are carried out.”

  • ‘Imran Khan zindabad’: A retired Indian Army major publicly shows support to IK for criticising establishment

    ‘Imran Khan zindabad’: A retired Indian Army major publicly shows support to IK for criticising establishment

    A retired Indian Army Major, Gaurav Arya, has posted a tweet on his account, offering support to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for his anti-establishment narrative.

    Talking to Twitter, Major Gaurav, infamous for being very critical of Pakistan, applauded Khan for speaking against the country’s army, the prime minister, as well as the country’s intelligence agency.

    “He calls Pak Army Chief an animal, Pak PM a thief, people of Pakistan slaves (ghulam) and Election Commissioner a traitor. He publicly threatens to expose ISI”, he said. He also expressed his wish to donate to PTI with the hashtag of ImranKhanZindabad.

    A few days ago, the PTI chief directly addressed Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum.

    “DG ISI, listen carefully, the things I know…I am staying silent for my institutions and the country. I don’t want to damage my country,” Khan publicly said during the first day of his party’s ongoing long march.

    This is not a first time that someone from across border lauded Khan. Since the former Prime Minister’s outburst against the establishment, an Indian journalist has also said that Imran Khan Khan is her favourite.

    ABP News’ journalist Rubika Liyaquat said: “[Imran Khan] has become my dear most as he has his eyes set on exposing ISI’s secrets.”

  • PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq appointed as the new law minister

    PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq appointed as the new law minister

    Ayaz Sadiq, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader and incumbent federal minister for Economic Affairs, has been appointed as the new Federal Minister of Law and Justice.

    In an official allocation notice, it is stated, “In terms of rule 3(4) of the Rules of Business, 1973, the Prime Minister has been pleased to allocate the portfolio of Law and Justice to Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the federal Minister for Economic Affairs, with immediate effect.”

    The development has come a week after the unexpected and dramatic resignation of Azam Nazeer Tarar as the law minister.

    Sadiq began his career with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and joined PML-N in 2001. He has been elected twice for the slot of National Assembly (NA) speaker. He was also the acting President of Pakistan in 2014.

    Azam Nazeer Tarar steps down as law minister, citing ‘personal reason’

    On October 24, Federal Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar resigned from his post for “personal reasons”.

    In his resignation letter, addressed to President Dr Arif Alvi, Tarar wrote: “I have had the great honour and privilege to serve my country as the Federal Minister for Law and Justice under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”

    Citing the reason for his resignation, the PML-N leader said, “Due to personal reasons, I am unable to discharge my duties as the federal minister”.

    “Therefore, in terms of Clause (3) of Article 92 of the Constitution of the Republic of Pakistan, I hereby resign from my office,” his resignation letter added.

    Prior to this, Tarar supported Chief Justice (CJ) Umar Ata Bandial’s nominations of junior judges for elevation to the Supreme Court on the instructions of the federal government.

    However, it was being speculated that he was not comfortable with the government’s decision, therefore, he decided to tender his resignation, reports Express Tribune.

    Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ahsan Bhoon welcomed Tarar’s resignation. He said that Tarar showed loyalty to the party by following the government’s instruction, but he stood with the bar by resigning.

    Moreover, some media reports said that some powerful circles were upset at the sloganeering during the Asma Jahangir Conference the other day, in his presence. This resignation is seen in the context of that episode.

    Tarar is a senior PML-N leader, a lawyer, and a bar representative who assumed the responsibilities of Federal Minister for Law and Justice in April 2022.

  • Politicians express condolences after reporter’s death, IK stops march for a day

    Sadaf Naeem, a reporter with Channel Five, died in an unfortunate accident near Sadhoke while reporting on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.

    She reportedly fell from the container after which she was crushed by the vehicle and passed away on the spot.

    Shortly after the incident, Khan announced that the long march has been postponed for the day and extended condolences to the bereaved family.

    “I say this with utmost regret that due to an accident we are postponing the march today. We pray for the patience and strength of the woman’s family to deal with the tragedy,” he told his supporters.

    The PTI chief also took to Twitter to extend his condolences. “I have no words to express my sorrow. My prayers and condolences go to the family at this tragic time. We have cancelled our march for today”, he said.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif also expressed regret over the death, saying that he was “deeply saddened” by the incident.

    Extending his condolences to the reporter’s family, PM Shehbaz praised Naeem as a “dynamic and hardworking reporter”.

    The President of Pakistan’s official Twitter handle said that President Dr Arif Alvi expressed regret over the death of Naeem and extend his sympathies to the deceased family.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif prayed for the departed soul.

    “I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of the precious life of a TV reporter Sadaf in the line of duty. My prayers are for the bereaved family. May she rest in eternal peace,” she said in a tweet.

    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, who was also present along with his party chairman during the long march, recalled the last interview between Sadaf and Imran which was recorded yesterday.

    He said: “I have rarely seen a more courageous and hardworking reporter than Sadaf, a brave girl, after an interview with Imran Khan yesterday, when Sadaf was introduced as the bravest and hardworking reporter in Lahore, her eyes lit up. Who knew that this meeting would be the last one, God bless you.”

    Fawad also requested the public to take caution while walking along Imran’s container, adding that the lives of all people contributing to the march were “precious and respected”.

  • ‘Let’s appoint army chief together’: Shehbaz says Khan wanted to make a secret deal with him

    ‘Let’s appoint army chief together’: Shehbaz says Khan wanted to make a secret deal with him

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has made a claim that Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) offered to conduct talks with the government through a mutual businessman friend, reports Geo News.

    During a meet-up with vloggers in Lahore, the premier said that the PTI chief approached him a month ago and wanted to settle two issues through dialogue.

    PM Shehbaz said, “The first matter was the army chief’s appointment and the second was holding elections. However, I refused,” he stated.

    Shehbaz Sharif said that he instead offered Imran Khan a discussion on the Charter of Democracy and the Charter of Economy.

    The prime minister shared that Khan offered to send him three names for the Chief’s slot and sought three from him to appoint the next army chief. The Premier said that Khan told him through the intermediary, “Let’s appoint the army chief together.”

    “I sent a message to him [Khan] that is a constitutional duty that the prime minister has to perform,” said PM Shehbaz.

    About the press conference by Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief Nadeem Anjum, the premier said: “General Nadeem Anjum held the press conference with my permission.”

    Earlier this month, Khan himself said that COAS appointment should be on merit. “COAS should neither be my man nor someone else’s”, said Khan.

    This revelation has come at a time when the retirement date of current COAS, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, looms closer.

    General Bajwa will be completing his extended term in November this year. He was appointed to this position in 2016.

    COAS Bajwa has reiterated his promise to leave office after completing his second three-year term in November.

  • Rana Sanaullah shares alleged audio of PTI’s Gandapur talking about bringing guns during long march

    Rana Sanaullah shares alleged audio of PTI’s Gandapur talking about bringing guns during long march

    During a press conference on Saturday, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah played an audio purportedly of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Amin Gandapur in which the PTI leader can be heard talking about bringing guns and men to the long march.

    In the audio clip, a man believed to be Gandapur is heard asking an unidentified person named “Asad Ali” about the number of available guns and individuals.

    Citing the audio, Sanaullah alleged that the PTI intends to spread “violence” and “chaos” during its long march to Islamabad.

    He further claimed that as per initial investigations, details of this conversation have been secured by the ministry, however, he refused to reveal the identity of the unknown person allegedly speaking to the PTI leader.

    Sanaullah said that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) should immediately arrest Gandapur and the unknown person.

    The script of the audio goes as follows:

    Asad Khan: Yes, Ali Khan?

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Mr president, what’s the position?

    Asad Khan: Sir, the position is A-one, what about you?

    Ali Amin Gandapur: How many guns are there?

    Asad Khan: There are several.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: License?

    Asad Khan: There are several licenses also.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Men?

    Asad Khan: There will be as many men as required, sir.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Okay. We are camping here in a nearby colony.

    Asad Khan: Yes.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: What is the nearest place here at the end here? Which colony is adjacent to it?

    Asad Khan: At ours?

    Ali Amin Gandapur: At the border… at the border… at the Islamabad-Pindi border.

    Asad Khan: Top [City] is also there, Capital is also there. There are several.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Top is at the airport.

    Asad Khan: Top is on the airport’s side, right… I sent you the entire map.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: I received it, I have it. You just keep the men and equipment ready there.

    Asad Khan: Sir, no problem, Insha’Allah.

    Ali Amin Gandapur: Just stay in contact then, Insha’Allah.

    Asad Khan: Okay sir, Insha’Allah.

  • Asad Umar responds to viral video of heated conversation with Hammad Azhar

    Asad Umar responds to viral video of heated conversation with Hammad Azhar

    Senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Asad Umar, has issued a clarification after a video of him having a ‘heated’ conversation with his party fellow Hammad Azhar during the party’s long march went viral.

    In a tweet, Umar said that he was “Only angry because the generator had broken down”.

    “They are shocked to see yesterday’s Lahore show solidarity with their captain [Imran Khan] and determination for real freedom. There is a clip circulating about possible differences. I was only angry because the generator had broken down and the second one was taking longer to arrive,” he said.

    In the viral video, Umar can be seen having a ‘heated’ discussion with Azhar. PTI Chairman Imran Khan and the party’s vice president Shah Mahmood Qureshi can also be seen standing at the back.

    It was speculated that there may be a rift between Azhar and Umar but now the latter has put rest to the rumours.