Tag: The Current

  • ‘Nawaz Sharif will start a new era of progress and peace’: Maryam

    ‘Nawaz Sharif will start a new era of progress and peace’: Maryam

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz has ended uncertainty about three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan by stating that he will return on October 21 with even greater strength.

    Maryam Nawaz further said that “He will start a new era of progress, peace, and employment for the youth and rid [the nation] of inflation.”

    “An individual is not returning on October 21, but the country’s progress and peace,” she added.

    Maryam Nawaz shared her thoughts while addressing a public gathering organised by the PML-N Youth Volunteer on Sunday.

    Last month, former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the date of his brother’s return to Pakistan, saying, “Nawaz Sharif will reach Pakistan on October 21.”

    The PML-N supremo got permanently disqualified in 2017 for not declaring an outstanding salary. After that, Nawaz Sharif went to London in 2019 for a medical checkup and hasn’t come back yet.

    The PML-N, with the assistance of its legal team, intends to petition the Lahore High Court (LHC) for Nawaz’s bail prior to his arrival in Pakistan. This decision has been made in order to prevent Nawaz from being arrested at Lahore airport, as he has been declared a proclaimed offender.

  • PML-N worker announces valuable prize for bringing people to welcome Nawaz

    PML-N worker announces valuable prize for bringing people to welcome Nawaz

    The Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) is preparing for the return of party head and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on October, ending a four year long stay in London.

    One of the PML-N’s workers has announced that a brand new Honda 125 motorcycle will be given to those individuals who bring more people to welcome their leader.

    A video that has gone viral on social media, shows an unidentified party worker making the announcement during a public event.

    While addressing a political gathering, he said, “This is a big announcement. I hope my team will win. You are all being told that whoever brings more people to welcome Nawaz Sharif on October 21 will get a Honda 125″.

    Furthermore, the unnamed party worker clarified the geographical scope of the prize by stating, “This is NA 135, and it covers two provincial constituencies.”

  • FIA submits challan against PTI leaders in cipher case

    FIA submits challan against PTI leaders in cipher case

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed a challan against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case on Saturday.

    The agency asked the court to hold the two at trial and sentence them, claiming that the former prime minister and vice chairman were found guilty in the matter.

    According to Geo’s sources, Asad Umar, former PTI secretary-general, was not included on the list of suspects. Azam Khan, formerly Imran Khan’s principal secretary, has been referred to as a “strong witness” in the case.

    The FIA also included Azam Khan’s confessions made under Sections 161 and 164 with the challan that Imran Khan keep the cipher to himself and used against the state.
    Last month, FIA booked Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi under official secret act for misusing and misplacing classified document for their political interests.

    “Consequent upon the conclusion of the enquiry No. 111/2023 dated 05.10.2022, registered in the CTW, FIA Islamabad, it transpired that former prime minister namely Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi, former foreign minister namely Shah Mahmood Qureshi and their other associates are involved in communications of information contained in the secret classified document (Cipher Telegram received from Parep. Washington dated 7th March, 2022 to Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to the unauthorised person (i.e. public at large) by twisting the facts to achieve their ulterior motives and personal gains in a manner prejudicial to the interests of state security,” read the first information report (FIR) registered against the PTI leaders.

  • Former FIA chief joins PML-N

    The ex-Director General (DG) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Bashir Memon joined Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday.
    The former FIA chief has assumed the role of convener for the 12-member committee established by Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz within the PML-N Sindh. This committee’s purpose is to facilitate Nawaz Sharif’s welcome arrangements upon his return home next month.

    Apart from Memon, the committee tasked with ensuring the attendance of party workers in welcoming the PML-N leader includes Muhammad Zubair, Nehal Hashmi, and Kheeal Das Kohistani.

    The party is preparing for a grand reception for Nawaz — who is set to return to Pakistan on October 21 — and plans to hold a massive rally of one million people in their stronghold — Lahore.
    The development comes after Raja Riaz, who was formerly the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly (NA), made the decision to join the Nawaz-led party, after meeting the former Prime Minister in London.

  • Four dead, 12 Injured in a suicide blast in Hungu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    Four dead, 12 Injured in a suicide blast in Hungu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

    An explosion in a mosque in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has caused four fatalities, including a police officer, and injuries to 12 individuals on Friday, local authorities have confirmed.

    The incident took place within the confines of Doaba Police Station during the Friday sermon, when a large number of worshippers gathered at the mosque for their weekly prayers.

    Hangu District Police Officer (DPO) Nisar Ahmed reported that a group of 30–40 individuals is currently trapped beneath the debris after the mosque’s roof collapsed, and an operation is underway to rescue them.

    Ahmed said two suicide bombers were involved in the attack; one targeted the gate of the police station, and the other blew himself up inside the mosque.

    He mentioned that the 12 individuals who were saved from the debris have been transferred to a nearby hospital.

    Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken notice and instructed officials to declare a state of emergency in all city hospitals.

  • 50 martyred in Mastung mosque blast

    50 martyred in Mastung mosque blast

    An explosion in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Friday has resulted in the deaths of at least 50 individuals, including a police officer, and left over dozens others injured. This marks the second major blast in the district in September.

    Mastung Assistant Commissioner Atta Ul Munim has stated that the explosion occurred near the mosque where individuals had gathered to commemorate Eid Miladun Nabi, which is the celebration of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

    The AC stated that the explosion, believed by law enforcement to be a suicide blast, took place near the Madina Mosque. He also mentioned that there were plans for people to participate in a procession afterward.

    Provincial Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said that “the provincial government will bear all the expenses for the treatment of the injured”.

    This marks the second significant blast that has struck fear into the Mastung region in the past 15 days. In the previous blast on September 14, Hafiz Hamdullah, a leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), and numerous others sustained injuries.

    UK high commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott has condemned the blast in Mastung and she said in her tweet on X that ” Balochistan. Violence has no place in our world. My heart goes out to the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time”.

    https://twitter.com/JaneMarriottUK/status/1707694012365246686
  • Same people who conspired against Nawaz Sharif brought the protesters to Faizabad, says Khawaja Asif

    Same people who conspired against Nawaz Sharif brought the protesters to Faizabad, says Khawaja Asif

    As the Supreme Court began to consider review petitions related to the Faizabad sit-in verdict, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former defence minister Khawaja Asif claimed on Thursday that the protesters of the sit-in were brought to Islamabad by the “same people” who were involved in a plot against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    “If there was any flaw in the decision of the Faizabad sit-in case, all these things would not have happened. The Faizabad sit-in case decision should be implemented,” the PML-N stalwart said during Geo News show Capital Talk.

    Government officials distributed money in a video, and that is “proof” of who was responsible for bringing the protesters to Faizabad, he added.

    The PML-N leader also said that “the purpose of the sit-in was to somehow block the return of Nawaz Sharif”.

    The former defence minister stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was handed a victory in 2018 while Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were in jail.

  • 55 percent of polling stations ‘sensitive’, what does that mean?

    55 percent of polling stations ‘sensitive’, what does that mean?

    According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), 55 percent of polling stations have been termed ‘sensitive’ for the upcoming general elections next year.

    ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan said, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee, that around 55 percent of polling stations to be established are sensitive.

    A ‘sensitive polling station’ usually refers to a voting site that is disputatious or requires more attention due to specific circumstances or factors that could become hurdles in a free and fair voting process. 

    A sensitive polling station could be one located in an area with a history of political unrest, violence, or security threats. In such cases, the voting process can be made free and fair by providing extra security by the caretaker government.

    If a polling station is located in an area with a history of political unrest, violence, or security threats, it can be considered a sensitive polling station. On the other hand, if a polling station serves a vulnerable population, like elderly citizens or people with disabilities, it could also be counted as a sensitive polling station.

    Similarly, if any polling station is located in remote or difficult-to-reach areas, it can also be considered sensitive because of logistical challenges.

    “A total 91,809 polling stations will be established, of which 49,919 have been designated as sensitive or highly sensitive,” Omar Hamid Khan said.

    The ECP secretary stated that 17,411 polling stations are highly sensitive, 32,508 are justly sensitive, and 41,809 are designated as ‘normal’.

    Omar Hamid Khan also told the senate standing committee that there are 266 National Assembly constituencies and 593 provincial assemblies. He also observed that one million polling staff would be required for the general election next year.

  • ‘Imran more popular than rivals’: Miftah Ismail cites survey

    ‘Imran more popular than rivals’: Miftah Ismail cites survey

    According to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Miftah Ismail, the chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, is more popular than his political rivals, The News has reported.

    The PML-N leader also disclosed that he conducted a survey in July to get public opinion, and according to that survey, Imran Khan is more popular than his political rivals.

    Miftah Ismail also said that PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former member of the Senate Mustafa Nawaz Khokar agreed that there is space for a new political party in the country. “The question now is whether they have the capacity to attract people to join a new political party or not,” he added.

    However, the PML-N leader told The News that no decision has been taken about the launch of a new political party, stating that they are seriously thinking about the matter.

    Miftah Ismail also criticised the policies of former finance minister Ishaq Dar, alleging that his criticism of Dar’s policies alienated him from the Sharifs.

    Earlier, PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that there is a space for a new political party in Pakistan.

    According to the sources of The News, Mustafa Nawaz Khokar is more keen to launch a new political party than Abbasi and Miftah. The other two are not completely sure yet whether to go for it or not.

  • Shahid Khaqan Abbasi criticises Rana Sanaullah’s warning to Sarfraz Bugti

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi criticises Rana Sanaullah’s warning to Sarfraz Bugti

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has denounced the statement of former interior minister Rana Sanaullah against interim security czar Sarfraz Bugti.

    “Rana Sanaullah is a sensible man but he should not have said something which has multiple meanings,” Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said while responding to a question on Geo News’ Capital Talk show programme on Tuesday.

    The caretaker interior minister had angered PML-N ranks by stating that if Nawaz Sharif is not granted bail, authorities will arrest him from the airport on October 21, when he arrives back in Pakistan.

    PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah took exception to the statement, responding to Bugti’s remarks by saying, “Sarfraz Bugti should see the fate of former interior minister Sheikh Rashid before issuing such remarks.”

    However, Abbasi also criticised Sarfraz Bugti, stressing that it’s not the responsibility of the interim interior minister to arrest someone. The caretaker security czar is only responsible for ensuring the implementation of the law in the country, Abbassi said.

    “If you want to arrest Nawaz Sharif and there is also a court order [regarding arrest], then you will have to implement it,” he maintained.