Tag: The Current

  • ‘Potli main raakh aur taweez milay’; DIG who arrested Imran reveals details of strange findings

    ‘Potli main raakh aur taweez milay’; DIG who arrested Imran reveals details of strange findings

    Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Lahore, Imran Kishwar, has said in an interview that after receiving the order to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan, when police reached Zaman Park, the doors were locked, thus requiring the need to break them down.

    The DIG told Geo News that while searching the premises, he found ash and taweez in a box. He further said that when I touched them, Imran Khan’s wife, former First Lady Bushra Bibi, resisted and said, “You should not touch them; they are sacred things”. 

    Bushra Bibi misbehaved with the police officials and said, “Police walay hain, Paisy lainy aye hoon gay,” [They are policemen. Must have come to take money], the DIG narrated. 

    Imran Khan got arrested in the Toshakhana case on August 5 and was transferred to Attock jail for a 3-year sentence on the same day.

  • Ali Mardan Domki will be the interim CM of Balochistan

    Ali Mardan Domki will be the interim CM of Balochistan

    Balochistan’s Chief Minister, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, and the Leader of the Opposition, Malik Sikandar, have mutually decided to appoint Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki as the caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan, Geo News has reported. 

    Balochistan Assembly was dissolved on August 12 when Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar signed the summary of dissolution.

    Ali Mardan Domki is the son of Mir Hazor Bakhsh Domki, who served as senator from 1975 to 1977. The interim CM belongs to the Lahri area of Balochistan.

    After the dissolution of the Sindh and National Assembly, the Balochistan Assembly was the last one to be dissolved.

    Governer Sindh, Kamran Tessori, signed the summary of dissolution moved by CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah on August 11, a day before the completion of the assembly’s constitutional term.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is expected to announce the federal interim cabinet in the next few days.

  • Rana, Raja say general elections will be held next year in February

    Rana, Raja say general elections will be held next year in February

    Former interior minister Rana Sanaullah and ex-opposition leader Raja Riaz have said that it is probable that general elections will be held next year in February, Geo News has reported.

    Rana Sanaullah, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has said that PML-N supremo and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan very soon and will lead his party’s electoral campaign.

    While speaking in Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, Rana Sanaullah stated that the establishment also wanted general elections to be held in 90 days, however, due to the delimitation of constituencies, the polls will be held in February next year.

    On the other hand, Raja Riaz has also said that general elections will be held at the start or middle of February next year.

    He also mentioned that there are chances that elections could be delayed due to the present economic situation in the country.

    “It is time to save the country, not politics,” he added.

    Without explaining much, he said that “elders” had decided to conduct elections next year.

    On the other hand, the president of the PML-N, Shehbaz Sharif, has high hopes from caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, expecting him to conduct transparent, free, and impartial elections.

  • Two terrorists killed by security forces in Gwadar, Balochistan: ISPR

    Two terrorists killed by security forces in Gwadar, Balochistan: ISPR

    According to the army’s media affairs division, security forces have killed two terrorists after they attacked a military convoy in Gwadar, Balochistan, early on Sunday.

    In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the terrorists attacked the convoy at 10 a.m. using hand grenades and small guns.

    “However, due to the efficient and swift response, two terrorists were sent to hell with no harm to any military or civil persons,” the statement said, with the military expressing its resolve to “thwart efforts of the enemies of peace and prosperity in the country”.

    One militant was killed and three others were hurt during the exchange of fire with security personnel, according to an earlier statement by the ISPR, which added that an operation was initiated in the region after reports of the presence of terrorists.

    On the other hand, according to China’s consulate in Karachi, there were Chinese workers in the attacked convoy.

    “A Chinese convoy from the Gwadar port project was hit by roadside bombs and gunfire on its way back to the port area from the Gwadar Airport,” it said in a statement on its website, adding that “no Chinese citizens were killed or injured”.

    A statement released by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and former President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack.

  • ‘We will fight internal and external challenges,’; General Asim Munir’s message on Independence Day

    The Azadi Parade was held on Sunday at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, serving as the chief guest.

    The cadets presented a spectacular display of drill parade, while a special tribute was paid to the martyrs who laid their lives for the motherland.

    The army chief commended Commandant Ifthikhar Hassan Chaudhry for an inspiring parade on August 14.

    Reminding his audience that Pakistan was created as a result of the tremendous vision of its forebears and their sacrifices, General Munir then raised the slogan, “Pakistan ka matlab kya, La ilaha illallah.” [What is the meaning of Pakistan? There is no God but Allah.]

    He also mentioned that Pakistan is the land of opportunities, and the nation should struggle hard for the progress of the country.

    “We will continue to rise in line with the aspirations of our forefathers and the people of Pakistan, for the bright future of coming generations,” Gen. Asim Munir vowed.

    “We will fight our internal and external challenges,” he added.

    The COAS said that the Pakistan Army will never think twice about making a sacrifice to protect the nation’s territorial integrity, all-encompassing security, and national development initiatives.

  • What are Pakistani politicians saying on Independence Day?

    As Pakistan celebrates its 76th Independence Day, let’s take a look at what the country’s leaders chose to highlight in their messages.

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has congratulated the nation on Independence Day in a prerecorded video, filmed before his arrest on August 5. He has also gave a message to Pakistan’s youth that they need to struggle hard to achieve success, adding that there is no need to go abroad to earn money.  Iman Khan has also said that Pakistan was Allama Iqbal’s dream, and as a nation, we need to struggle hard for its success.

    On the other hand, the outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his best wishes to the nation on Independence Day.

    He also paid tributes to Quaid-e-Azam in a tweet posted on Monday:

    “On the 76th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence, I join the nation in paying rich tributes to the Quaid-i-Azam, and hundreds of thousands of unsung heroes of the freedom movement for their selflessness, sacrifices, and devotion to the cause of Pakistan. The Quaid’s statesmanship was a critical factor in shaping Pakistan’s story”.

    The vice president of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Maryam Nawaz Sharif, wrote “Pakistan Zindabad” in her tweet.

    Interim Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, has said in his tweet, “Happy Independence Day. Honoured to join the 14th August function alongside Cabinet members, Judiciary, Army, Administration, and Police officers”. Senator Sherry Rehman has also said in her tweet “Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Pakistanis”.

    On the other hand, former finance minister Ishaq Dar also wrote in his tweet “Happy Independent Day”.

  • ‘I’ve been establishment ki aankh ka taara for 30 years’: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘I’ve been establishment ki aankh ka taara for 30 years’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Talking to journalists in Islamabad on Saturday, outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he has never denied his links with the establishment, calling himself the apple of their eyes. “When was my relationship with the establishment not good?”

    Last week, Shehbaz lamented being touted as an “establishment’s man”.

    “I was called the establishment’s man, but I did not care about those taunts. I never met army chiefs for personal reasons; the only motive behind those meetings was to ensure that the establishment and governments take the country forward together.”

    Shehbaz Sharif said this during a farewell ceremony at the Prime Minister’s house. Senior reporters, journalists, and anchors came to the event.

    On this occasion, the prime minister was questioned about why, in addition to encouraging investment in the nation, he was attributing General Asim Munir’s leadership to the Bhara Kahu Bypass project’s success

    He said in response that the army chief was to be credited for ensuring the project’s prompt completion.

    On the other hand, Former Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has explained that Shehbaz Sharif’s statement about being the apple of the establishment’s eye, he said it satirically. 
    Maryam Aurangzeb further clarified that Shahbaz Sharif said, “If I am the apple of the eye, then why was I in Attock Fort, Attock Jail, Adiala Jail, and Kot Lakhpat Jail.” She added that Shahbaz Sharif went to jail during both General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s time and General Musharraf’s time.

  • Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan

    The suspense is over. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, who belongs to Balochistan Awami Party, has been made caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan.

    Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, elected to the Pakistani Senate from Balochistan in March 2018, previously worked as the advisor to Chief Minister of Balochistan’s information department from January to March 2018 and as the government of Balochistan’s spokesperson from December 2015 to January 2018.
    He has often spoken about on academic and policy-making platforms as an avid book reader and ardent thinker with an understanding of the problems faced by Pakistan’s restive Baloch province.

    Senator Kakar holds a hopeful vision for a powerful Balochistan, committed to the Pakistani nation.

    He graduated from the National Defence University in Islamabad with a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology. English, Urdu, Persian, Pushto, Balochi, and Brahvi are all spoken by him with ease.

  • ‘Governor Raj laga tou shehr band krna hoga’; Sensational revelations from Bushra Bibi’s alleged diary

    ‘Governor Raj laga tou shehr band krna hoga’; Sensational revelations from Bushra Bibi’s alleged diary

    The influence of Bushra Bibi, wife of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in her husband’s politics is much speculated on, however no substantial proof has come to light.

    That all changed on Friday, when a private diary, purportedly written by the former First Lady, turned up in news reports.

    The diary has shocking revelations, including methods of dealing with the administration, military, and judiciary.

    It can be seen clearly from the content of the diary that Bushra Bibi was guiding Chairman Imran Khan in political matters. The matter has generated a debate about the boundaries of spousal involvement in political matters.

    The most shocking finding from the diary is that Bushra Bibi made a plan to mold Imran Khan’s mindset through prayers and persuasive language.

    Furthermore, it appears that Bushra Bibi was involved in formulating PTI’s political strategy based on passages of her diary that were released. According to the diary entries, Bushra Bibi gave instructions to Chairman PTI about how to pray and what phrases to use in order to create an environment that would support PTI’s goals.

    Tactics to put pressure on the military and establishment are mentioned including one sentence that said, “Governer Raj Laga tou Shehr Band Krna Hoga” [If Governor Raj is imposed, cities must be shut down.]

    The diary also calls General Bajwa “Mamu” and suggests ways to put pressure on significant figures and organizations.

  • SC strikes down Review of Judgement law two days after NA dissolution

    SC strikes down Review of Judgement law two days after NA dissolution

    The Supreme Court (Review of Judgments and Orders) Act 2023 was declared “unconstitutional” by the apex court’s unanimous decision on Friday, just two days after the National Assembly was dissolved.

    The law was interpreted by some legal analysts as a way back into active politics for former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Khan Tareen.

    Both Nawaz Sharif and Jahangir Tareen were disqualified under Article 62 of the Constitution. After today’s decision, both politicians can’t challenge their disqualification in the apex court.

    Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial headed the three-member bench, comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Munib Akhtar. The bench announced the decision today (Friday) after six hearings dating from June 7 to June 19.

    During the hearing of the case, Pakistan’s Attorney General (AGP), Mansoor Usman Awan, requested that the court rejects pleas against the law. On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Ali Zafar, said that changes in the court’s power were not possible only through legislation but also required constitutional amendments.

    The CJP read out the verdict while the AGP and other lawyers were present in court.

    CJP Umar Atta Bandial said that the Supreme Court Review Act is “unconstitutional”. He further added that the detailed order would be issued later.

    The detailed 87-page long order said, “repugnant to and ultra vires the Constitution, being beyond the legislative competence of the Parliament.”

    It is also mentioned in the order that “It is accordingly struck down as null and void and of no legal effect”.

    Hamid Mir has also said that “From the timing of the decesion, it seems that Nawaz Sharif has been targeted”.