Tag: The Current

  • PTI’s Shehzad Akbar set to take legal action against Pakistani government over acid attack in UK

    PTI’s Shehzad Akbar set to take legal action against Pakistani government over acid attack in UK

    Former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Shehzad Akbar is taking legal action against the Pakistani government in the UK after he got injured in an acid attack that left him “scarred for life,”  Geo News reported on Monday.

    On November 26, 2023, an unknown person threw acid on the former federal minister’s face when he opened his door to a visitor at his home in Royston town, England.

    His slamming the door shut and his glasses saved him from going blind.

    On Monday afternoon, Akbar submitted a copy of his legal action to the Pakistan High Commission in London. The document directly accuses multiple officials of involvement in the attack.

    The PTI member also claimed in a document that the government of Pakistan is responsible.

    Akbar sent the Pakistani government a letter outlining the claim that he intends to bring against it at the High Court in London.

  • ‘Baat hogi tou sirf army chief aur DG ISI say’: Shehryar Afridi

    ‘Baat hogi tou sirf army chief aur DG ISI say’: Shehryar Afridi

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shehryar Afridi claimed on Friday that his party will soon hold dialogue with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) instead of talking to individuals who he believes were rejected and reached parliament through Form 47.

    Afridi gave his statement during an interview with the Geo News show Naya Pakistan when he was asked for his opinion on how to achieve political stability in the country.
    The PTI stalwart criticized the PML-N led government, claiming that they are a group of “rejected people” who are being “controlled remotely” and got into parliament through “Form 47”. He also accused the ruling parties of being “backed by the establishment”.
    Responding to calls for reconciliation, he said that there was no benefit for the former ruling party to hold dialogues with the “people rejected by the nation”.

    “My leader doesn’t want any NRO. We want dialogue for the betterment of Pakistan,” Afridi said, adding that PTI founder Imran Khan wants to engage all stakeholders for a better country.

  • What are the 50 places in Lahore where WiFi is free?

    What are the 50 places in Lahore where WiFi is free?

    The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has initiated a pilot project to provide free WiFi services at 50 spots in Lahore. The project aims to promote connectivity by giving citizens access to the internet.

    “Free WiFi started at the following (50 spots) in Lahore. Rest of Lahore is being done too. Alhamdolillah! We promise, we deliver,” CM Maryam said in an X (formerly Twitter) post. 

    During a high-level meeting with Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) officials held in March, the chief minister approved the launch of the free WiFi pilot project in Lahore.

    Maryam Nawaz directed the IT department officials to begin offering free WiFi service, focusing on educational institutions, airports, railway stations, and bus stands. In Lahore, the Punjab government will provide free WiFi at 516 locations in total.

  • If Nawaz had even a one percent desire to be PM, could anyone stop him? PMLN Senator

    If Nawaz had even a one percent desire to be PM, could anyone stop him? PMLN Senator

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senator Irfan Siddiqui said on Friday that neither an “unseen power” nor Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blocked the way of the former prime minister’s return to the PM house.

    Speaking during Geo News programme ‘Geo Pakistan’, Siddiquie said that he rejects the idea that an “unseen power” or PM Shehbaz blocked Nawaz Sharif from becoming prime minister for the fourth time.

    The senator said that when he met Nawaz before the election, he felt that Nawaz was not eager to take the role.

    “I was present in the meeting where Nawaz Sharif announced to give the premiership to Shehbaz Sharif. Even if Nawaz had even 1% desire to become PM, is there any power that could stop him from becoming PM?” he asked.

  • Rana Sanaullah wants dosti between Khan and establishment

    Rana Sanaullah wants dosti between Khan and establishment

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah has urged significant political figures in the country to talk to each other, stressing that “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan should also communicate with the establishment.”

    Speaking on Samaa TV’s show ‘adeem Malik Live’, he said that the current political situation unfolded because of May 9 riots. “Imran Khan is the cause of political instability in the country and he should accept this.”

    The PML-N leader urged political parties and party leaders to give space to each other for open dialogue, as it is essential to understand the political environment.
    When questioned about the possibility of direct contact between Imran Khan and the establishment, Sanaullah maintained that the “modality of communication would be determined by the involved parties.”
    He asserted while addressing concerns about interference in March 2021 Senate polls that “There is no evidence of establishment intervention.”

  • Ali Amin Gandapur threatens to take over Islamabad

    Ali Amin Gandapur threatens to take over Islamabad

    Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Amin Gandapur has threatened to take over the capital city of the country if the KP government does not get its rights.

    While addressing a ceremony on PTI’s foundation day on Thursday, he also declared Imran Khan innocent and said that the PTI founder has not done any illegal acts during his government.

    “People who are in power should be in jail,” he thundered, adding that “they stole mandates in the February 8 elections.”

    He said in a threating tone that “No one in this country can keep PTI founder Imran Khan in jail anymore.”

    He stated that PTI is not issuing a call for protests across the country because “we care about the people of Pakistan.”

  • Court orders Khan, wife to avoid making negative statements against state institutions

    Court orders Khan, wife to avoid making negative statements against state institutions

    An accountability court in Islamabad has instructed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, to avoid making negative comments about the military and the judiciary. The court also directed the media not to highlight “political or inflammatory” statements made by the couple.

    Judge Rana Nasir Javed barred the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and his wife from speaking against state institutions while he disposed of a petition seeking a fair trial in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

    According to the court order, the former prime minister made a proactive statement against senior officials of state institutions, including the army and judiciary. The statements not only disturbed the court’s decorum but were also an obstacle to providing justice.

    The court directed the prosecution, the accused, and their defence counsel to avoid statements that disrupt the decorum of the court.

  • Maryam Nawaz wants more women in police department

    Maryam Nawaz wants more women in police department

    Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Maryam Nawaz addressed the passing-out parade ceremony at Chuhng Police Training College, giving in a speech in which she said that the government wants more women in the police department.

    “I salute you all. I am happy the first sword of honour has been awarded to a woman police officer. I am proud of you. I was waiting for this event since taking the oath as chief minister,” she remarked.

    She stated that she is happy to see 530 women passing out, adding that “When I wore the police uniform for the first time, I realised it is a big responsibility.”

    The newly elected chief minister also said that right now, 7,000 women police officials are performing their duties in Punjab.

    “I want to increase women’s participation in Punjab police. Lady cops are superhuman. Women are softhearted, so they forgive,” she added.

  • Fawad Chaudhry to be investigated in relation to May 9 cases

    Fawad Chaudhry to be investigated in relation to May 9 cases

    Lahore police decided to involve former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in an ongoing investigation linked to vandalism that occurred on May 9 last year. The Express TRIBUNE reported on Wednesday. 

    The police said in their statement that they will investigate the former federal minister as the detained people in the May 9 cases gave statements against him. The investigation will be based on evidence provided by detained individuals.

    Police officials also stated that although Fawad Chaudhry has interim bail in all cases but they can include the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader in probe for May 9 vandalism case.

    Fawad’s involvement will be examined in Case No. 97/23, filed at the Sarwar Road police station, as well as in Case No. 366/23 registered in Model Town. Besides, he will be incorporated into the investigation of Case No. 103/23, lodged at the Sarwar Road police station.

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sent a notice to the interior secretary and other officials for not providing correct information regarding cases filed against Fawad Chaudhry.

  • Millions of wheat farmers in South Punjab caught in difficult situations

    Millions of wheat farmers in South Punjab caught in difficult situations

    Millions of farmers in South Punjab face difficulties as the government, although it set the price of wheat at Rs 3,900 per maund, hasn’t started buying it yet. On the other hand, the price of wheat in the local market is also very low, even though the harvesting season is ending in the South Punjab region.

    Farmers feel trapped with tough choices on both sides in this situation.