Tag: PTI

  • ‘Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega’: Imran Khan

    ‘Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he knows the names of those who were involved in the conspiracy to oust his government but said he is quiet for the sake of the country as he doesn’t want to harm Pakistan.

    Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Khan claimed that he has recorded a video that involves information about those who have committed “treason”. He said, “Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega“, (I have recorded a video. If something happens to me, it will be made public). He added that if “they keep sidelining and harassing us, I will tell everything”.

    About the cases registered against Khan and his party members, he said this is being done to “shut them up”.

    “I have never seen such fascism in Pakistan, such a situation is leading Pakistan towards anarchy,” he said. Khan further added that the government can control the media but not social media. “Everyone has a voice now.”

    Khan also condemned the recent incidents of attacks on journalists. He posed a question, ” I ask the judiciary, has martial law been imposed? I ask them whether human rights have been suspended in the country?” Khan said that terrorism cases have been registered against them to keep them quiet.

    Criticising the incumbent government, the PTI Chairman said, “They will accept Israel as a state, will provide Pakistan’s bases to the United States, and will discard the Kashmiri people to establish better relations with India.”

    Moreover, Khan urged the public to come out to vote on July 17 in the Punjab by-elections. “PTI has to win the by-elections despite the election rigging,” adding that this is “jihad ” for the country.

    Khan said that Pakistan can only be saved from this crisis through transparent elections while saying that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot be trusted.

  • ‘Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala Fitna Khan ke mega projects hain’: Maryam on Khan

    ‘Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala Fitna Khan ke mega projects hain’: Maryam on Khan

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s politics will end after July 17 by-polls, while addressing an election rally in PP-156, Dharampura on July 3.

    “Punjab will never vote for Imran Khan again”

    Maryam addressing the rally said that Punjab will never vote for Imran Khan again. The people of Punjab understood Imran Khan now.

    “Fallen on his face without crutches”

    Maryam, speaking of Khan, said that he had fallen on his face without crutches. “Now he knows that people have found him out and will no longer vote so now he is calling out [for help] He calls out to neutrals at rallies but nobody pays any heed.”

    Maneka’s children have become billionaires in Imran Khan’s tenure”

    Alleging corruption, Maryam claimed that Khawar Maneka’s children have become rich while the nation has become poor. “They gave grief to the people of Pakistan and relief to their own family members.”

    Referring to the recent alleged audio tape leak of Bushra Bibi, Maryam said that Bushra Bibi instructed that everybody who questioned her corruption be called a “traitor”.

    “Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala Fitna Khan ke mega projects hain”

    Criticising the alleged corruption in Imran Khan’s tenure, Maryam said once again Imran Khan is after the province of Punjab. “Fitna Khan ke mega projects kya hain? Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala. [What are the mega projects of Fitna Khan? (Imran Khan) Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni and Money Gala.”

    “Farah Gogi swindled the entire province of Punjab and she’s a “bachi” [young girl]?”

    Talking about the recent allegedly leaked audio tape in which Bushra Bibi called Farah Gogi a “bachi”, Maryam questioned after all of Farah Gogi’s crimes in Punjab, why is she still considered a child?

  • ‘Made a mistake, want to fix matters’: Khawaja Asif says Khan wants to make amends with the US

    ‘Made a mistake, want to fix matters’: Khawaja Asif says Khan wants to make amends with the US

    The United States (US) State Department restated its claim that there is no truth to the allegations that Washington was involved in a conspiracy to oust the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

    The reiteration came on Sunday after media reports that PTI’s Secretary of the Office of International Chapters (OIC) Dr Abdullah Riar had contacted the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and asked him to forget the past and move forward.

    A US State Department spokesperson, when asked about Riar’s reported contact with Lu, said: “As a standard practice, we do not comment on private diplomatic meetings,” reports Dawn.

    Imran Khan’s claim of the US involvement in ousting him reiterated: “As we have said before, there is no truth to these allegations.”

    Khan wants to fix matters with America

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that there was evidence of a meeting of the PTI leader and an apology to the US government.

    Speaking on Geo News’ programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Khawaja Asif said: “We [the coalition government] have obtained all records regarding PTI’s apology to Lu. Evidence has been received regarding PTI leaders’ meeting with the US government where they tendered an apology.”

    Asif said that Imran Khan has sent a message to America that we have made a mistake, he wants to fix matters with America and the process should start from where it was broken.

    ‘Let’s move on’: Is PTI trying to be friends with Donald Lu?

    Reports suggest that Dr Abdullah Riar sent a message to Donald Lu.

    According to media reports, Riar in a message to Lu has said, “Let’s move on.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that Lu is the same person who has been accused by the PTI Chairperson Imran Khan of being behind the conspiracy to remove him from power. Khan accused Lu of using undiplomatic language to threaten his government in the wake of the no-confidence motion.

    Khan in his interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson said that Lu should be sacked for his sheer arrogance.

    The PTI chairman said that the US diplomat told Pakistan’s ambassador that unless “you get Imran Khan removed in a vote of no-confidence — which was not tabled but he seemed to know about it — Pakistan will suffer consequences”.

    “And then goes on to say, of course, if you get rid of him through the vote of no-confidence, all will be forgiven — such arrogance […] by the way Becky, this guy should be sacked for bad manners and sheer arrogance,” said Khan.

  • COAS Bajwa directs army officials to stay away from politics, avoid politicians: report

    COAS Bajwa directs army officials to stay away from politics, avoid politicians: report

    Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has issued fresh directives to all his commanders, and officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to stay away from politics and avoid interacting with politicians, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News.

    “These directions have been given in the wake of Imran Khan-led PTI propaganda against the establishment alleging certain ISI officials of having been involved in political engineering to manipulate the upcoming by-elections in Punjab to the disadvantage of PTI.”

    The security establishment is of the view that the PTI should share evidence of the claims they are making. The establishment claims that even if an iota of evidence is provided, strict action would be initiated against those responsible.

    Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “The desire of the army chief is commendable but in my personal opinion, the army needs to make a three-year project through which the army can separate itself from politics.”

    Director-General (DG) ISI, Lieutenant-General Nadeem Anjum, made it clear in February to all officials of the ISI that no interference in politics and political matters would be tolerated.

    The incumbent DG ISI decided soon after he joined the office to keep the institution away from politics.

    Lt-Gen Anjum had conveyed to all the concerned authorities not to release to the media his pictures or video footage taken during official meetings.

  • ‘Prove them traitors’: Bushra Bibi’s audio leak out

    ‘Prove them traitors’: Bushra Bibi’s audio leak out

    An alleged audio of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has been leaked in which she is instructing Khan’s focal person for Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid to make a statement against Khan’s opponents and run a campaign to ‘prove them traitors’.

    In the alleged leaked audio, Bushra Bibi can be heard saying, “Khan Sahib told you to run a hashtag of treason. I have been getting calls from people that your social media was very active but after a week, it is not. You should have been very active nowadays.”

    She also allegedly said that Aleem Khan and others will talk filth about Khan, her friend Farah and her as well. “They will make so much fuss and they will also give testimonies of the people but you don’t have to make any issue of it just link them all with treason,” says Bushra Bibi.

    In the audio clip, Bushra can be reportedly heard instructing Khalid to build a narrative that all the PTI dissidents had joined foreign conspirators to save themselves.

    The former first lady allegedly asks Khalid to direct his team to take up the issue of the government not buying oil from Russia and link it with how Imran Khan was being betrayed.

    “You cannot let this matter die down,” Bushra Bibi allegedly says to him, asking him to make a trend so people know that the country and Khan are being betrayed.

    “I am only telling you this, you don’t have to discuss this issue with anyone. They are after him [Imran Khan] because of this. But you have to link it with treason,” she concludes.

    Responding to Bushra Bibi’s audio, PTI’s Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan condemned saying that is it unethical. He further said that there is nothing wrong in it if Bushra Bibi has linked conspiracy to treason.

    This is not the first time an audio clip has surfaced on social media involving Bushra Bibi.

    Earlier this month, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders played an audio tape between Bahria Town chief Malik Riaz and his daughter, revealing how allegedly Farah Gogi “demanded a gift” for former first lady Bushra Bibi.

  • ‘Will get fresh tear gas if needed,’ Rana Sanaullah warns PTI

    ‘Will get fresh tear gas if needed,’ Rana Sanaullah warns PTI

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said if the need arises, fresh, effective and updated tear gas will be used against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters who are ready to hold a rally at Islamabad’s Parade Ground today.

    Meanwhile, it has been reported that a pistol was recovered from a man who was present at the rally venue.

    The police have arrested the man and he is now being investigated.

    In a press conference today (Saturday), Sanaullah said that the expired tear gas, which he claimed was bought by his “predecessors”, had finished. “Now they [police] will get everything effective, fresh and updated if the need arises.” However, he advised participants at PTI rally not to cause chaos. “It would be better if they don’t create a situation.”

    He said that in the future, any such “seditious” rallies won’t be tolerated in the capital.

    Regarding a question about PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the federal minister said he should “correct” his matters and refrain from “creating rebellion and instability” in Pakistan.

    “All the political parties in the country at the moment are on one side, trying to solve the ongoing crises, while Imran Khan is busy abusing everyone and playing the politics of hatred,” the interior minister added.

    Prior to this, PTI alleged that the Islamabad police had used expired tear gas against them on May 25. Later, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan had stated that expired tear gas shells were not used.

    On Friday, the Staff Duties Directorate at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi permitted PTI to organise its jalsa at Parade Ground in the federal capital.

    The permission is only valid for July 2. The NOC was given on the condition that the public gathering shall not disturb or disrupt the fundamental rights of the citizens of Islamabad and adjoining areas nor shall it block Islamabad Expressway or any other road. The gathering shall end at midnight.

  • GHQ allows PTI to use Parade Ground for jalsa

    GHQ allows PTI to use Parade Ground for jalsa

    The Staff Duties Directorate at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi on Friday permitted the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to organise its jalsa at Parade Ground in the federal capital.

    PTI Central Secretariat President Ali Nawaz Awan was informed that permission to use Parade Ground had been granted by the GHQ.

    A letter issued to Awan by the deputy commissioner said: “With reference to clause xlii mentioned in the NOC, you are hereby intimated that permission to use the venue i.e Parade Ground, Islamabad has been granted by the concerned quarters.”

    The NOC was given on the condition that the public gathering shall not disturb or disrupt the fundamental rights of the citizens of Islamabad and adjoining areas nor shall it block Islamabad Expressway or any other road. The gathering shall end at midnight.

    The permission shall only be valid for July 2. It was reiterated that Section 144 had been imposed on the gathering of persons within a one km radius of the Red Zone and the organisers will ensure that no participant entered there.

  • ‘What has my Mum got to do with Pakistani politics?’ Jemima lashes out at PML-N for staging protest again

    ‘What has my Mum got to do with Pakistani politics?’ Jemima lashes out at PML-N for staging protest again

    The ex-wife of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Jemima Goldsmith, lashed out at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for organising a protest outside her 88-year-old mother’s house this weekend.

    In a tweet on Thursday, she said, “What the hell is wrong with these people (PML-N)? Another mass demonstration was announced outside my 88-year-old mother’s house this weekend.”

    She pointed out that this is the third time that such a protest is being organised outside her mother’s home. She called out the ruling party members for dragging her mother into Pakistani politics: “What has my Mum got to do with Pakistani politics? It’s disruptive for her and a total waste of police time.”

    Jemima tweeted after the PML-N announced a protest in response to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) call to gather in Hyde Park on July 2 and then march to Nawaz Sharif’s London residence.

    Since the removal of Imran Khan through a vote of no-confidence, several times PTI protested in London outside PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s residence. Similarly, PML-N workers have protested in front of Goldsmith’s residence and her mother’s in response.

    Back in April, a video shared by Jemima on Twitter showed a man threatening to break into a bedroom in her house. She had stated that her children were being targeted by protesters and that she was facing anti-semitic abuse on social media.

    After the incident, the act was widely condemned on social media as people were of the view that Jemima is not related to Pakistani politics anymore and she shouldn’t be dragged into this matter.

    It is pertinent to mention that after her divorce from Khan, Jemima moved to London and since then she has been living there with her sons.

  • Will Punjab select its new CM today?

    Will Punjab select its new CM today?

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) moved the Supreme Court (SC) to challenge Lahore High Court’s verdict to recount the votes cast in the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) elections excluding the votes that were cast by 25 dissident PTI lawmakers.

    The SC accepted PTI’s plea for an immediate hearing earlier in the day and formed a three-member bench. The hearing is currently underway by the bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial.

    During the hearing, PTI’s lawyer Babar Awan requested to wait for seven days for the election process. To this, the court questioned, “Do you want Punjab to remain without a Chief Minister for seven days?”

    Moreover, the apex court has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to send notice to five reserved seats. As in the petition, PTI pointed out that lawmakers on five reserved seats in the Punjab Assembly had still not been notified in accordance with the LHC’s earlier directives.

    PTI leader and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry announced the development on his Twitter handle. He said, “An appeal has been filed in the SC against the decision of the LHC. It is hoped that the SC will hold a hearing today in view of this crisis and the session of the Punjab Assembly will be adjourned.”

    The petitioners urged the court to remove Hamza as CM and requested to issue directives for holding a “free and fair” election for the post of the province’s chief executive. Moreover, they requested the court to suspend the election process till the pendency of their petition.

    In the petition, the party also said that some of their Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) are currently not in Pakistan as they have gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. The party also argued that many PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) members are busy with political campaign in their constituencies for the upcoming by-elections in Punjab.

    The magic number required to show the majority is 186. According to the verdict of the LHC, after recounting the votes today (Friday), the tally of the incumbent CM Hamza Shehbaz will come down to 172 votes after the exclusion of 25 votes of PTI dissident MPAs. The session will take place today at 4pm as per the LHC order.

    ‘Going to Supreme Court over LHC decision on Punjab CM polls’: Imran Khan

    On Thursday, LHC accepted the appeals of PTI filed against the election of CM Hamza and ordered a recount of votes with the exclusion of the 25 defecting party members who voted for him.

    A five-member larger bench of the LHC headed by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan announced the verdict.

    After the verdict, Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the party would be going to the apex court tomorrow (Friday) and challenge the verdict.

    Verdict:

    As per the verdict, the votes will be recounted and the candidate securing a majority of votes will be declared the chief minister of Punjab.

    Article 130(4) of the Constitution of Pakistan governs the election of chief ministers, under which there is an obligation of a majority of 186 votes.

    Hamza will no longer be the chief minister if he doesn’t retain the required majority after the exclusion of 25 votes, while the second round of polls will be held as per Article 130(4) in case no one gets the majority after a recount.

    Reactions:

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar said that the PML-N is happy and content because it has the required numbers. He said that the PML-N has 177 votes, which means a majority of nine votes even if the dissidents’ votes are not counted.

    “The court neither nullified the previous elections nor ordered fresh elections,” Tarar said.

    The politician said that PTI is unable to understand what the verdict states “in English”.

    Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “The decision of the High Court has further aggravated the political crisis in Punjab. There are many flaws in this decision.”

    Hamza Shehbaz was elected CM Punjab on April 16 with 197 votes, while PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) candidate Pervaiz Elahi received no votes.

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Zardari to be new neighbours?

    Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Zardari to be new neighbours?

    Former President Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly bought two bungalows of 14 kanal in one of the elitist areas of Gulberg in Lahore, reports The News.

    According to media reports, discussions to purchase another bungalow of 6 kanal for residential purposes in Lahore are ongoing. This bungalow is situated in front of PPP’s rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s house near Gaddafi Stadium.

    If the deal finalises, Zardari and Qureshi would become neighbours. It is pertinent to mention that Qureshi left PPP in 2011 after almost two decades of serving under the leadership of Benazir Bhutto. Since then, he is on bitter terms with PPP.

    Zardari and his son Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s current residence in Baharia Town in Lahore will be converted into a farmhouse.

    Earlier, the former president hinted at buying a residence in Gulberg so that he can hold more meetings with people, as it gets difficult for people to come to his residence in Bahira Town.

    Stronghold in Punjab

    According to Geo Urdu, Zardari is currently in Islamabad. However, he will later visit Lahore and hold meetings to discuss the political crisis in Punjab.

    Prior to this, the PPP co-chairman claimed that his party will form the next government in the Centre after winning the next general elections.

    “The next government (in the Centre) will be the PPP’s. I promise if I get a chance to return to power, I will turn around Pakistan 110 degrees. The PPP has the capability to help the country negotiate all the challenges,” said Zardari.

    Talking about politics in Punjab, Zardari said, “The PPP has to sacrifice its politics to save Pakistan. I will myself look into the party affairs in Punjab and ensure its revival here.”

    “We will strengthen our party in Punjab and ensure we get our fair share in the province,” he said.

    Criticising former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Zardari said that the policies of the “anokha laadla” (favourite) had caused price hike and inflation in the country.

    The PPP is currently ruling Sindh, where it is in power for the third time in a row, while it is also a major stakeholder in the incumbent federal government.