Tag: PTI

  • ‘Never seen such a thing’: Armeena Khan slams PML-N for sharing photo of her holding her baby

    Actor Armeena Khan has slammed Pakistan Muslim League Noon (PML-N) for harassing her by sharing a picture of her with her newborn daughter from the party’s media Twitter account. Khan had defended people’s right to call out politicians, in response to the viral video where a woman was seen trolling Maryam Nawaz. The actress wote that freedom of speech was an essential right, because in Pakistan people are kidnapped for holding politicians accountable.

    “Had this happened in Pakistan, the selfie lady would’ve ‘disappeared.’ ;),” wrote Khan. “I’m glad we have such freedoms in the U.K where we hold our politicians to account. If you’re going to live on British soil then it is OUR rules. We have freedom of speech.”

    https://twitter.com/ArmeenaRK/status/1645020915124649985?s=20

    In response to this comment, an account associated with PMLN shared a picture of Khan with her daughter with a huge cross drawn around it, with the caption saying “How will the sick minded youthias train the coming generation and the fifth generation youthia will be at the lowest level.”

    Khan slammed PMLN supporters for harassing her by what she said was an attempt at invading her personal life, especially by targeting her daughter, saying that she had never seen such a vile act committed by a political party before.

    “Maryam Nawaz hates babies I guess. Poor thing couldn’t take it with her thin skin so sent her official goons to harass a private citizen of another country. I’ve never seen such a thing before from a mainstream political party before,” Khan tweeted.

    https://twitter.com/ArmeenaRK/status/1645059402242686978?s=20

    Khan’s husband, Fesl Raza-Khan critcised PML-N and demanded that the political party send them an apology for targeting their daughter.

    “PMLN leadership, you are responsible for this account. You have posted a photo of my infant, just to troll my wife, thus crossing all bounds of decency. My daughter & I have no interest in PK politics. But as a Father I will protect my child. Apologise immediately,” he wrote.

    Twitter users criticised PMLN politicians for refusing to condemn this heinous act, and for choosing to stoop so low to even target an infant child of a critic. Because political opinions aside, choosing to target the personal life of an individual is completely wrong and demonstrates how classless and disgraceful your morals are.

  • PTI issues ‘white paper’ on Shehbaz led govt’s one year performance

    PTI issues ‘white paper’ on Shehbaz led govt’s one year performance

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday issued a “white paper” on the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government’s “one-year dark period”.

    The 51-page “white paper” has been divided into six sections. PTI highlighted the incumbent government’s “poor governance, economy, rising inflation, constitution, democracy, the rule of law, political exploitation of state institutions, attack on the judiciary, chained foreign policy, and law and order.

    The party has dedicated the white paper to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, party workers, and the people of Pakistan, who are “fighting and facing torture for real independence” and democracy.

    Khan — in a video address marking one year since his ouster — threatened to take to the streets if the elections are not held in the country.

    “There is no other way except the elections,” he said.

    Khan accused former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Genereal Qamar Javed Bajwa of hatching a conspiracy alongside Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif to topple his government with the help of former envoy Hussain Haqqani.

    Khan asked, “Would anyone question the man (Bajwa) who ravaged the country’s all indicators for his extension which was promised by present PM Shehbaz Sharif.”

    The PTI Chairman admitted that the conspiracy to overthrow his government was not hatched in the US. It was actually Gen Bajwa who had orchestrated the conspiracy with the help of Shehbaz Sharif and then hired Hussain Haqqani to launch propaganda that “Gen Bajwa was pro-America and Imran Khan was anti-America”. “The cipher made entry came only after the conspiracy had taken its roots,” the former premier acknowledged.

    Giving a message to the “all-powerful” and Nawaz Sharif for making a ‘London Plan’, the PTI chief said political parties could not be crushed by violence, torture, and harassment tactics. 

    It is pertinent to mention here that Khan’s government was toppled on April 9 last year through a vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly.

  • PPP wants to talk to PTI while PML-N and JUI-F oppose idea

    PPP wants to talk to PTI while PML-N and JUI-F oppose idea

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is reportedly ready to hold talks with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) have rejected the idea.

    Stressing the importance of resolving conflicting court verdicts promptly and without impinging on the judiciary’s honour and prestige, PPP, in the interest of fair and free elections, called for general elections for all assemblies to be held on the same day.

    JUI-F leader Asad Mahmood, in a statement on Friday, said that no negotiations will take place with Imran Khan and called for imposing Article 6 on him. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on multiple occasions has also rejected the idea of holding talks with the PTI.

    On the contrary, it seems like the former ruling party is ready to talk, albeit only on the matter of elections.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that the “ideal” situation to deal with the crisis surrounding Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) elections is for the ruling parties, establishment, and the PTI to hold a meeting together. 

    “The parties will have to sit together and bring a constitutional amendment with consensus to conduct elections at one time,” said Fawad.

  • Govt demands resignation from Chief Justice Bandial

    Govt demands resignation from Chief Justice Bandial

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, in a press conference on Friday, demanded Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial’s resignation after Justice Athar Minallah’s hard-hitting note that said that the suo motu case of the delay in holding polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab was dismissed by 4-3.

    Calling the CJP “controversial”, Aurangzeb stated that when the court’s proceedings become controversial with judges of the top court refusing to accept the judgement, how will the people accept the verdict.

    “Justice Minallah’s note is a question mark,” she said.

    Without naming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, the minister said that it is not acceptable for the government that a breacher of the constitution is facilitated by the judiciary.

    She added that parliament will decide about elections, not Imran Khan.

    It is pertinent to mention that CJP Bandial is set to retire by September this year, after which Justice Qazi Faez Isa will become the new chief justice.

  • ‘Party ka secretary-general’: Sherry Rehman lashes out at Alvi for returning SC bill to parliament for review

    President Dr Arif Alvi has sent back the Supreme Court bill for revision.

    The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, which aims to clip the powers of the chief justice of Pakistan, sailed through both houses of parliament and was sent to the president to be signed into law.

    However, the president sent the bill back to parliament for revision under Article 75 of the Constitution.

    In his detailed reply, which he also posted on Twitter, the president said that he thought it fit and proper to return the bill, in accordance with the Constitution, with “the request for reconsideration in order to meet the scrutiny about its validity (if assailed in the court of law)”.

    Alvi pointed out several aspects that need consideration after an in-depth consideration.

    President Alvi said that SC Rules 1980 had been “made and in force duly validated and adopted by the Constitution itself” under enabling provisions such as Article 191 of the Constitution which empowers the top court to make rules regulating the practice and procedure of the court.

    “These time-tested rules are being followed ever since the year 1980 —any tinkering with the same may tantamount to interference with the internal working of the Court, its autonomy and independence,” the letter stated.

    The purpose of the proposed bill is to provide a procedure for exercising preliminary jurisdiction and appealing.

    “It may be admirable, but can it be done without a constitutional amendment?” President Alvi questioned.

    He further said it is a settled law that constitutional provisions cannot be amended by ordinary legislation. “The Constitution is the supreme law; the father of all laws,” he added.

    The president further maintains that the Constitution is not a general law, but an embodiment of laws above fundamental principles, supreme law and other laws.

    Article 191 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to make rules to regulate judicial proceedings and procedure.

    Calling out the President, Federal Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman tweeted, “President Arif Alvi sent the bill back to the Supreme Court for review and proved that he is not the President of the country but is still the Secretary-General of Tehreek-e-Insaaf. He has seen every decision of Parliament from Tehreek-e-Insaaf’s point of view. Even before receiving the bill, he had given his stand on it in an interview.”

    “He is following his party policy, not the constitutional position of the President. The President is saying that this bill is beyond the power of the Parliament. For three and a half years, he has been running the President’s House like an ordinance factory. How can he know the powers of the parliament? President, do not teach the Parliament how to legislate,” tweeted Rehman.

  • PM Shehbaz congratulates ISI for arresting BNA founder

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Agency for carrying out a brilliant operation that resulted in the arrest of Baloch National Army’s (BNA) founder, Gulzar Imam alias Shambay.

    Taking to Twitter, the premier wrote, “This operation speaks of outstanding professionalism of our institutions. The arrest will help suppress militancy in Balochistan & usher in a new era of peace.”

    The ‘high-value target’ has been a “hardcore militant as well as founder and leader of the banned outfit BNA which came into being after the amalgamation of Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and United Baloch Army (UBA)”, read a statement released by the military media wing,  Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    ISPR elaborated that the BNA has been responsible for many violent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including attacks on installations of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Panjgur and Noshki.

    ISPR further stated that the “apprehension of a militant leader of this stature demonstrates the capability and resolve of LEAs to uproot the menace of terrorism,” emphasizing that it speaks volumes about the successes garnered through supreme sacrifices of unsung heroes.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the National Security Committee (NSC) on Friday approved a multi-pronged comprehensive operation with the support of the government and the nation to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country with a new resolve, determination and valour.

  • All-out comprehensive operation so Pakistan can get rid of terrorism: NSC

    All-out comprehensive operation so Pakistan can get rid of terrorism: NSC

    A National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on Friday agreed to launch an “all-out comprehensive operation” so the country can get rid of terrorism.

    The moot agreed to initiate the operation with [the participation of] the entire nation and government to rid the country of the menace of terrorism with renewed vigour and determination.

    The operation is to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in all its forms from Pakistan and would incorporate measures at political, diplomatic, security, economic and social levels.

    The participants of the meeting emphasised the need for “comprehensive national security”, with a focus on relief for the people. They were informed that the government is taking necessary steps in this regard.

    The NSC concluded that the recent spate of terrorism in the country is a consequence of a “soft corner” for the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and a “thoughtless policy” towards the terror outfit, both of which were “contrary to the public’s expectations”.

    PM Shehbaz chairs NSC meeting amid political chaos and security issues

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif chaired a two-hours-long of NSC on Friday.

    The meeting takes place at a time when pressing security issues and heightened political tensions between the government and its rival political parties are reaching a crescendo.

    According to media reports, the meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC), heads of armed forces, federal ministers for defence, finance and information and senior military leadership. Director General of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum gave a detailed briefing on the ongoing operations against terrorism and the security situation of the country.

    According to Dawn, the government once again asked the top brass for a briefing on potential threats from militants in case elections were held in Punjab on May 14 as per the Supreme Court’s order.

    The news outlet also reported that military authorities had given a detailed briefing to the government that terrorist outfits have regrouped in tribal districts bordering Afghanistan due to which conditions were not conducive for electioneering.

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also briefed the NSC on the economic situation of the country. 

    The detailed statement on the NSC meeting is yet to be issued.

  • Crisis in SC deepens as Athar Minallah says that election suo motu case was dismissed by 4-3

    Crisis in SC deepens as Athar Minallah says that election suo motu case was dismissed by 4-3

    The crisis in the Supreme Court of Pakistan has deepened after another judge said that the suo motu case of delayed polls in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was dismissed by 4-3.

    Former Islamabad High Court (IHCJ) Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Athar Minallah released a detailed note, agreeing with Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah “particularly regarding the final outcome of the petitions and the suo motu assumption of jurisdiction by a majority of 4 to 3 because this was the understanding in the meeting held in the anteroom on 27.02.2023. It is noted that I had not recused nor had any reason to dissociate myself.”

    Justices Shah and Mandokhail had argued against the decision of taking suo motu by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial.

    Following are the main points given by Minallah in his note:

    • He said that he read Mansoor Ali Shah and Mandokhail’s notes and agreed that the SC verdict was 4-3.
    • Referring to Munib Akhtar’s own judgment saying CJP’s power to take suo motu and form benches has “created imbalance, which ought to be corrected,” he noted that CJP’s power to form benches under SC Rules must be exercised transparently and fairly.
    • He pointed out that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) itself went to Lahore High Court (LHC) first, which allowed petitions and directed election in 90 days. So then why should SC wade into dispute, he asked.
    • Justice Minallah wrote that the court is being dragged into a political crisis, emphasising that the crisis escalated when PTI chose to resign from National Assembly instead of sitting in Opposition. He further said that the dissolution of the provincial assemblies was part of a political strategy.
    • Says SC has the duty to inspire public trust and not appear politically partisan. Everyone (including SC) has to take a step back and not stand on ego.
    • He called the political climate in the country “toxic”, saying that “it is inconceivable that political parties will even agree to have a dialogue, let alone arriving at a consensus.”
    • He said: “It is the duty of the Court to ensure that political stakeholders are not encouraged to bring their disputes to the courts for judicial settlement by bypassing the institutions and forums created under the Constitution. It weakens the Majlise-Shoora (Parliament) and the forums meant for political dialogue and, simultaneously, harm the judicial branch of the State by prejudicing public trust in its independence and impartiality.”
    • “When politicians do not approach the appropriate forums and bring their disputes to the courts, the former may win or lose the case, but inevitably the court is the loser”, he ended the note.
  • Faisal Subzwari reveals MQM-P was forced to rejoin Khan’s govt in 2020

    Faisal Subzwari reveals MQM-P was forced to rejoin Khan’s govt in 2020

    Senator Faisal Subzwari of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) revealed on Thursday that his party was forced to rejoin the cabinet of the then prime minister Imran Khan in March 2020.

    Speaking on the Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’, Subzwari revealed how his party was coerced to take a U-turn on their decision and rejoin the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cabinet despite reservations and unfulfilled promises.

    “In December 2019, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui resigned in protest from Khan’s cabinet after which negotiations continued between the PTI and the MQM-P from January till the following March. Then MQM-P suddenly got an order to rejoin the cabinet,” said Sabzwari.

    He added that after MQM-P refused to comply with the order, seven of their workers were detained and tortured, which forced the party to rejoin Khan’s cabinet.

    “In September 2020, I told Imran Khan in Governor House that this is what we went through and now I am sitting with you merely because of helplessness and not by choice,” said Sabzwari.

  • ‘If you want to understand the living example of narcissism, it is Imran Ahmed Niazi’: Shazia Marri

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MNA Shazia Marri on Thursday criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the National Assembly (NA), by calling the former prime minister a “narcissist”.

    Calling Khan a “Manchurian candidate”, Marri referred to Imran Khan’s previous statement and said that he was of the view that it was better to throw an atom bomb on Pakistan than let the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rule the country.

    “He is the one who says ghabrana nahi hai [don’t worry] and turns up in courts covering his head with a protection box,” the head of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) said. Marri further questioned whether anyone has ever seen any leader going to court wearing a protective box on their head. “He loves his face. He is obsessive about himself,” said Marri.

    “If you want to understand the living example of narcissism, it is Imran Ahmed Niazi,” she stated. “He loves himself… he loves everything about himself. He doesn’t love his children. He doesn’t love his family, and anybody for me who doesn’t love his family, children does not love anyone,” said the federal minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety.

    “He lies to everyone. He is misleading everyone. He keeps asking the youth to turn up and show up, first he should bring back his children. Why are you including our children in your fight. You should set an example,” said Marri.

    Reading our Khan’s statement in the NA, where the PTI chairman had said that if the government tires to sabotage the elections and you [PTI supporters] don’t come out in the streets, then even God will not forgive you, the federal minister said, “We don’t need morality lessons from him [Khan].”