Tag: The Current

  • PPP’s Sardar Latif Khosa joins PTI

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) aggrieved leader Sardar Latif Khosa has officially joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday “on the wish” of former prime minister and founder PTI Imran Khan.

    “I have made the decision not only in the interest of the country and democracy, but also to raise my voice vigorously for the truth,” he said.

    Sardar Khosa announced during a press conference in Lahore that he is joining PTI, expressing hope that the politics of hatred would end.

    Khosa also said that a country’s constitution is supreme, adding that it has all the characteristics of a welfare state.

    “The motherland can become prosperous if we follow the Constitution. The Constitution has a solution for everything if it is implemented in its true spirit,” he said.

    He also mentioned that a barrister (Allama Muhammad Iqbal) came up with the idea of Pakistan, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah completed it.

    “I have dedicated my services to PTI. I am free to join a party of my choosing,” Khosa said, adding that he would not talk about what he lost or gained in the PPP.

  • NAB arrests Fawad Chaudhry in corruption case

    NAB arrests Fawad Chaudhry in corruption case

    The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in a corruption case on Saturday, Geo News has reported.

    NAB Chairman Lt-Gen. Nazir Ahmed Butt issued the arrest warrant for the former federal minister, while NAB took him into custody from Adiala jail, where he is imprisoned in a fraud case.

    According to the details of the arrest warrants, he will be presented before the court.

    Earlier, Fawad Chaudhry was arrested from his Islamabad residence in a case pertaining to a five million rupee bribe in exchange for a job. The complainant registered an FIR against Chaudhry at Aabpara Police Station.

    The politico’s wife, Hiba Chaudhry, had said that Fawad was arrested without any reason. “Fawad has been arrested and taken to an unknown place,” she said.

    In January, Fawad was taken into custody from his home following public statements where he allegedly “threatened” members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) during a media talk outside the residence of former PTI chief Imran Khan in Zaman Park.

  • Sarfraz Bugti kis party kay ticket par election larrain gay?

    Sarfraz Bugti kis party kay ticket par election larrain gay?

    Sarfraz Bugti, former interim interior minister, sent his resignation to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on December 13, which was accepted Friday night.

    He cited personal reasons for stepping down from his position.

    Interior Ministry spokesperson Qadir Yar Tawana confirmed the report on Friday when contacted for the version of the ministry by Geo News.

    Close aides of Bugti said he had decided to resign from the office about two months ago to take part in the upcoming general elections. His resignation was accepted hours before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced the schedule of the general elections in 2024.

    As per sources of Geo News, Sarfaraz Bugti resigned to contest the election on a Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N)’s ticket.
    They said he was expected to call on the PML-N leadership in a few days.

    He is currently associated with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

    Bugti had been elected as a senator from Balochistan in 2021.

    The 42-year-old had previously served as interior minister for Balochistan after winning a seat in 2013 as an independent candidate, but later joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    In a related development, Balochistan caretaker Minister for Sports and Culture, Nawabzada Jamal Raisani and Adviser to the Chief Minister on Mines and Minerals, Mir Umair Muhammad Hasni, also resigned from the interim provincial cabinet on Friday.

  • ECP releases election schedule after Supreme Court order

    ECP releases election schedule after Supreme Court order

    After the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) suspended a Lahore High Court (LHC) order staying the appointment of Returning Officers (ROs) from the executive branch, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) released the much-awaited election schedule on Friday night, affirming that general polls in Pakistan are set to take place on February 8 next year.

    ECP will now resume training ROs and District Returning Officers (DROs).

    The election programme extends to reserved seats for women and non-Muslims in the National Assembly (NA) as well as the four provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

    The election schedule was released late at night in accordance with the directives of the SC.

    Earlier, the Lahore High Court (LHC) stayed the notification of the appointment of DROs and ROs from the bureaucracy and halted their training.

    The LHC announced its judgement in response to a petition submitted by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

  • ‘PTI may withdraw stay order against ECP’, says PTI Senator Ali Zafar

    ‘PTI may withdraw stay order against ECP’, says PTI Senator Ali Zafar

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has confessed that it was a misstep to secure a stay order from the Lahore High Court (LHC) against Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on appointing District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs) from the bureaucracy for upcoming general elections.

    PTI senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said while speaking on Geo News’ ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ that PTI can approach LHC to request the removal of the stay order against the appointment of DROs and ROs for the forthcoming election set to take place on February 8, next year.

    “The PTI may withdraw the stay order to speed up the case hearing on merits to decide the fate of the appointment of DROs and ROs,” he remarked.

    The senator also said that the impression and criticism that PTI’s petition is delaying polls seems correct.

    However, the PTI leader also stated that the party’s stance on filing the petition against the appointment of officers from bureaucracy is right.

    “Even though we want elections to be held by judicial officers and the ECP probably wants them to be conducted by bureaucracy, whatever the results are, we should accept them as it is the mandate of the masses,” he said.

  • At least four security officials martyred in KP terror attacks

    At least four security officials martyred in KP terror attacks

    Two different attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Friday have resulted in the martyrdom of four security officials, as per the report of Geo News on Friday.

    In the terrorist attack at the Nala Joint Post in Khyber district, two security personnel have been martyred and seven injured.

    The terrorists used heavy weapons, including hand grenades, to attack.

    The administration of Hayatabad Medical Complex Hospital confirmed that the injured security officials are out of danger now. All seven injured have also been shifted to the neurosurgery, surgical, and orthopaedic wards of the hospital.

    On the other hand, at least two police officials have been martyred and three are injured in a terrorist attack in police line in Tank, KP.

    The terrorists attacked in the wee hours of Friday.

    One terrorist was also killed in retaliation by the police. The search operation is in progress to clear the area.

    According to the police, the injured officials have been shifted to the hospital.

  • After court blocks appointment of DROs, ROs, election date could be delayed

    After court blocks appointment of DROs, ROs, election date could be delayed

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued an order on Wednesday to decline a notification to appoint Returning Officers (ROs) from bureaucracy. General elections, set to take place on February 8 2024, could be delayed as a result of the decision.

    Former secretary of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and current caretaker Punjab CM’s Adviser on Law, Kanwar Dilshad, told The News that polls are likely to be late after the LHC verdict, stating that a few days delay in the polls is expected as the issue regarding suspension of ECP notification for appointments of ROs and District Returning Officers (DROs) will soon be taken up and decided by a larger bench of the LHC.

    He also said that after the LHC judgment, ECP declined its December 11 notification regarding the appointment of DROs and ROs.

    The LHC, in its order, said, “On factual ground, the apparent absence of a level playing field for the political party of the petitioner is visible to all and has also been seriously noted by many independent groups. With top political leadership locked inside the jail or gone underground, the electioneering by his political party would be a big question mark. The apprehension of the petitioner of avoiding fair and free elections by the Election Commission of Pakistan appears to be well founded as some District Returning Officer, Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers are appointed from the presently posted members of administration throughout the country with whom the petitioner’s political party does not inspire any confidence.”

  • Friendship ended with PPP, now PML-N and IPP are best friends

    Friendship ended with PPP, now PML-N and IPP are best friends

    The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) took a significant step on Thursday by submitting a list to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) committee, outlining its demands for seat adjustment ahead of the upcoming elections.

    The IPP is pushing for seat adjustments in 45 constituencies of the Punjab Assembly and 27 constituencies of the National Assembly.

    The deliberations unfolded during a joint meeting of the committees from both parties, hosted at the residence of former Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq. The meeting saw the participation of prominent PML-N figures including Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Atta Tarar, and Malik Ahmed Khan, while IPP was represented by Ishaq Khakwani, Aun Chaudhary and Nauman Langriyal.

    The discussions primarily revolved around seat adjustments for the National Assembly constituencies, with the IPP formally handing over its list to the PML-N committee. Both parties explored various options during the joint meeting, demonstrating a commitment to finding common ground.

    IPP has decided to field Jahangir Tareen from Lodhran, Aleem Khan and Aun Chaudhry from Lahore, Farrukh Habib from Faisalabad, Ghulam Sarwar Khan from Taxila, Aamir Kiyani and Ali Nawaz Awan from Islamabad, Firdous Ashiq Awan from Sialkot and Imran Ismail, Mahmood Maulvi will be party’s candidates from PML-N.

    Both parties agreed to continue talks on seat adjustment while another meeting is scheduled for Friday.

  • ‘You yourself are the judge’; Nawaz appeals to followers in address

    ‘You yourself are the judge’; Nawaz appeals to followers in address

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif has addressed the nation today for the first time after his victory in all the corruption cases against him.

    “My people, you don’t need to reach out to any court as you yourself are the judge,” the former premier said as he addressed his supporters for the first time since his legal victory in the form of exoneration from major corruption cases.

    The former prime minister also thanked the nation for standing by his side in difficult times.

    “I am hopeful that you [the people] will announce your judgements on February 8 [2024] and end the punishments meted out to you,” Nawaz said in a recorded message to the nation, aired live on television channels.

    Nawaz, who returned to Pakistan in October after a four-year self-exile in London, has consistently emphasised the need to hold accountable those involved in the removal of his government in 2017.

    The three-time former prime minister is hoping to come into power for the fourth time, as he has no corruption charges against him now.

    The lifetime ban on Nawaz Sharif as a parliamentarian is the only hurdle for him to contest election on February 8 next year.

  • Bilawal gives interesting answer to question about marriage

    Bilawal gives interesting answer to question about marriage

    In an informal conversation with journalists in Peshawar, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was asked about marriage, prompting him to give an interesting answer.

    Talking to senior journalists in Peshawar, the former Foreign Minister was asked when he was getting married. “I have to get married, or you? What is your problem? Do you have a girl in your sights that you are asking about marriage,” Bilalwal replied. .

    He said that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa wrote in the decision that the date of the election is a line in stone, and we have faith in his word.

    The PPP Chairman Bilalwal, also stated that his party is trying to reduce the fever of hate in the political charged climate, adding that unfortunately, some parties are still involved in politics of hatred.