Tag: PTI

  • ‘X is banned amid security concerns,’ reveals Attaullah Tarar

    ‘X is banned amid security concerns,’ reveals Attaullah Tarar

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaulah Tarar reiterated on Friday that the ban on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been imposed amid security concerns in Pakistan.

    Speaking to Voice of America in New York, he cleared that this particular step taken by the previous interim government should not be perceived as an attempt to curb freedom of expression.

    The Information Minister pointed out that X was being used by separatist and terrorist groups, which were propogating against the country.

    “Terrorists broadcast their terrorist activities on social media,” he said.

    Tarrar stressed on the need to establish a mechanism to regulate social media to avoid its misuse.

    “As Pakistanis, we can request the management of X to remove anti-state content uploaded by terrorists,” he added.

  • Gandapur clarifies ‘barat and dhol’ comment at Islamabad rally ‘meant nothing’

    Gandapur clarifies ‘barat and dhol’ comment at Islamabad rally ‘meant nothing’

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has stated that his controversial Islamabad rally speech on September 8 was taken “out of context” and misinterpreted.

    Speaking to a delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that the “color being given to my speech on social media is not correct in Islam and Shariat, I will tell my supporters to avoid immorality in social media posts.”

    On September 8, Gandapur gave a controversial speech targeting journalists and CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz, saying, “We will go to Lahore with Barat and music.”

    He further said, “Media is the fourth pillar of the state with significant responsibilities. I will always take media’s criticism in a positive way and reform.”

    The CM KP also said that the armed forces and police are making daily sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

  • Shehbaz Sharif slams Israel, warns India of decisive response over Kashmir in hard hitting speech

    Shehbaz Sharif slams Israel, warns India of decisive response over Kashmir in hard hitting speech

    During a hard hitting address on Friday, Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif slammed Israel at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, highlighting the brutal assault on Gaza, the Ukraine conflict and India’s violent actions in occupied Kashmir.

    Declaring Israel’s actions in Gaza a “merciless genocide”, he said, “This is a systematic slaughter of the innocent people of Gaza.”

    Warning the world of Israel’s crimes against humanity, he said, “Failure to implement UN resolutions could engulf the entire Middle East, and its consequences would be beyond imagination.”

    He stressed the need for Palestine to be admitted as a full member of the United Nations.

    Commenting on India’s absurd assertion of invading Azad Kashmir, he clearly stated, “Pakistan will respond decisively to any Indian aggression.”

    He also raised concerns about New Delhi’s ruthless occupation that crushes Kashmiri’s lives under an iron fist.

    Citing New Delhi’s heinous efforts to turn Kashmir into a playground for exploitation, he said that India always avoids the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions over Kashmir.

    He added, “Since August 5, 2019, India has taken unilateral, illegal actions to impose what its leaders ominously call a ‘Final Solution’ for Jammu and Kashmir.”

    He urged the implementation of a UN Security Council resolution in Kashmir.

    Citing India’s blatant act of aggression, he said, “The UN has failed to counter India’s prolonged curfew, abduction of numerous young Kashmiris and extra-judicial killing.”

    The Premier also highlighted the dangers of climate change that Pakistan is currently facing. “Pakistan was devastated by the flood in 2022, which cost 30 billion dollars in damages despite the country contributing less than one per cent to global carbon emissions.”

    On SDGs in nearly 100 underdeveloped countries, he concluded his speech by calling it a “death trap” rather than a “debt trap.”

  • Khan lashes out at Qazi Faez Isa, questions his mental stability

    Khan lashes out at Qazi Faez Isa, questions his mental stability

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has lashed out at the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, questioning his mental stability during a conversation with journalists on Friday.

    “No Chief Justice in the world has acted the way Pakistan’s Chief Justice is behaving. He does not seem mentally sound to me,” exclaimed Khan, accusing the CJP of biased behaviour.

    He also criticised the January 2024 Supreme Court ruling stripping the PTI of its electoral symbol ‘bat’ calling it biased because the “the SC verdict in the reserved seats case has vindicated our stance.”

    The former Prime Minister further alleged that the CJP was involved in “election fraud” and was trying to punish PTI for extending his tenure.

    “The so-called third umpire also seeks an extension, and for that, they need PDM’s support. They are destroying democracy and the rule of law to maintain power while the nation begs for a single dollar,” stated Khan.

  • Reserved seats uncertainty: ECP again approaches Supreme Court

    Reserved seats uncertainty: ECP again approaches Supreme Court

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has challenged the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan’s September 14 detailed verdict regarding the allotment of women and non-muslim reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The ECP explained in its plea that the apex court’s July 12 ruling came before the Election Amendment Act 2024; on this amendment, the ECP sought clarification from the apex court on whether to follow the amended parliamentary law or the top court’s September 14 detailed verdict.

    The 8-5 majority ruling of the Supreme Court’s verdict on reserved seats read, “Withdrawal of election symbol cannot disqualify a political party from elections.”

    It further read, “The PTI was and is a political party.”

    On September 14, the top court issued the detailed verdict of its July 12 ruling, directing the ECP to allot reserved seats to PTI.

    Meanwhile, the Election Amendment Act 2024 stated, “A candidate who does not submit the party certificate before obtaining the election symbol will be considered an independent candidate. If the list of candidates for reserved seats is not submitted within the specified period, no political party will be entitled to those seats.”

  • ‘Establishment ke log right dikha kar left marte hain’: Imran Khan

    ‘Establishment ke log right dikha kar left marte hain’: Imran Khan

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has said that the party decided to turn the pre-scheduled September 28 rally in Rawalpindi into a protest.

    Speaking to journalists at Adiala jail Rawalpindi, former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that they (party leadership) are withdrawing a petition from the Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court that was filed earlier for the pursuit of No Objection Certificate (NOC), and added: “I know the permission will be declined.”

    He further added that even if the incumbent government gave permission to PTI for the rally at Rawalpindi, the venue would be far from the city.

    Responding to PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hassan’s claims of “inevitable” dialogue with the establishment, he cleared, “He is misunderstood; dialogue with the establishment won’t work.”

    He also advised Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur not to hold dialogue with the establishment.

    “Establishment kay log right dikha kr left martay hain,” he sarcastically added.

    Earlier, Raoof Hassan had declared on ARY News’ programme ‘11th Hour’, “PTI is prepared to engage with the establishment at every cost.”

  • Imran Khan calls for PTI protest on Thursday

    Imran Khan calls for PTI protest on Thursday

    Founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has announced that the party will hold a protest for judicial independence on the coming Thursday.

    Speaking to journalists in Adiala jail Rawalpindi, he stated, “We have our own protest on Friday and will hold a rally in Rawalpindi on Saturday. We will protest if it is not allowed.”

    Lambasting the incumbent government, Imran Khan said that the country has become a police state and declared that this “martial law” is even tougher than that of former dictators General Zia Ul Haq and General Parvez Musharraf.

    Talking about the Practice and Procedure Amendment Act, he said, “Now everything has been exposed and veils removed. The Practice and Procedure Act was aimed at hearing cases in an undemocratic manner.”

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur met Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

  • PTI seeks dialogue with establishment, says Raoof Hassan

    PTI seeks dialogue with establishment, says Raoof Hassan

    Information Secretary Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Raoof Hassan has firmly stated that PTI is clear in its policy on engaging with the establishment.

    Appearing on the ARY News programme ‘11th Hour’, Raoof Hassan declared dialogue between PTI and the establishment “inevitable”, adding, “We (party) shouldn’t delay this matter.”

    Ruling out any speculation PTI having an anti-establishment stance, he clarified, “PTI is prepared to engage with the establishment at every cost.”

    He further said that the establishment also wanted to engage with PTI and revealed that they had done so before. “Mahool ko sazgaar banana hu ga taakay dono table par baith kr muzaaqraat kr sakain or mulk k baary mein soch sakain.”

    Talking about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, he wished for dialogue to be held between provincial officials and the establishment.

  • Jerusalem Post article is ‘propaganda’, says Imran Khan

    Jerusalem Post article is ‘propaganda’, says Imran Khan

    Founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has rejected the accusation that he supports dialogue with Israel and declared a The Jerusalem Post article which said he is central to establishing good relations between the countries propaganda against him.

    Speaking with journalists at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, the former Prime Minister clarified that critics misinterpreted the article due to a “lack of understanding of English.”

    He asserted, “They (critics) are making it seem like I am the biggest supporter of talks with Israel.”

    He remarked that Israel, before considering dialogue, must announce a ceasefire in Gaza first and strive for a two-state solution.

    Responding to questions about PTI’s next rally to be held in Rawalpindi, he said that if permission were denied, they (the party) would stage protests.

    Criticising the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), he claimed, “They are giving extensions to the very people ensuring that the truth about the May 9 CCTV footage and electoral fraud never comes to light.”

    The Jerusalem Post, one of Israel’s most widely-read newspapers, declared Imran Khan a central figure in normalising Pak-Israel ties.

    An article written by Harry Richer asserted, “Figures like Khan could very well be central in changing both public opinion and military policy” for Pak-Israel ties.

  • Not so fast, Supreme Court: Election Commission to hold meeting today to discuss response to verdict

    Not so fast, Supreme Court: Election Commission to hold meeting today to discuss response to verdict

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is to hold another meeting today to consult a legal expert on how to respond to the Supreme Court’s (SC) recent verdict regarding the allocation of reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies.

    The Commission has been conducting meetings on a daily basis since last week to discuss the legal quandary arising after the parliament passed the Election Amendment Act 2024, Informed sources told Dawn.

    It further claimed, “But the situation has changed after the announcement of the detailed judgement of the Supreme Court, and the commission will meet again on Tuesday to seek the opinion of the legal expert.”

    Earlier, the ECP’s law wing claimed that PTI had no organisational structure and refused to allocate reserved seats to PTI.

    On August 8, President Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari signed the Election Amendments Act 2024, which ultimately clashes with the Supreme Court’s July 12, 2024 reserved seats verdict.

    Election Amendment Act 2024 stated, “If a political party fails to submit its list for reserved seats within the prescribed time, it will not be entitled to reserved seats of women and non-muslims candidates.

    Last week, Speaker of National Assembly (NA) Ayaz Sadiq penned a letter to Chief ECP Sikander Sultan Raja, which reads, “The amended Elections Act is in the field and, therefore, it is the statutory obligation of the ECP to honour the laws made by Parliament and uphold the principles of democracy and parliamentary supremacy.”