Tag: The Current

  • PM Shehbaz says didn’t care about ‘taunts’ of being called establishment’s man

    PM Shehbaz says didn’t care about ‘taunts’ of being called establishment’s man

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that he did not care about taunts labelling him “establishment’s man”.

    At the inauguration ceremony of the Barha Kahu bypass project in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said, “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.”

    Acknowledging that in his 38 year long political career, he met many army chiefs but only to ensure that, “Islamabad’s government and Rawalpindi’s establishment remain on the same page.”

    Mentioning rumors that he was close to former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and military dictator, the late General Pervez Musharraf, Shehbaz asked what did he get.

    “Nawaz Sharif was thrown into jail and so was I. He went to Attock, so did I. He went to Landhi jail, so did I. Nawaz Sharif was exiled, so was I. Even my family was exiled,” he commented.

  • Sindh government initiates training women to drive pink buses

    Sindh government initiates training women to drive pink buses

    The Sindh government has decided to start a programme to train women to drive its pink buses, The News has reported.

    In the 10th board meeting of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) on Wednesday, provincial minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon approved the decision to train women to drive the pink buses in Karachi.

    According to the provincial minister, this initiative would not only be good for gender equality but also perfect in terms of women’s safety and security during their commutes.

    He also said that empowering women is the vision of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

    The introduction of an environment-friendly electric taxi was also discussed as aninitiative, as it would create a positive environmental impact and provide people with employment opportunities.

    The Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project was also discussed during the SMTA board meeting.

  • Central leader Iftikhar Durrani ‘abducted’, PTI claims

    Central leader Iftikhar Durrani ‘abducted’, PTI claims

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has said that a central leader of the party, Iftikhar Durrani, went “missing” from Islamabad on Thursday.
    PTI said in a statement that the core member of the party was “kidnapped” from the capital city of the country.

    Iftikhar Durrani, a former special assistant on media to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was considered a close aide of the PTI chairman.

    Despite the passage of multiple hours, as yet there is still no information about the PTI leader’s whereabouts.

    PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari strongly condemned the “abduction” of Iftikhar Durrani.

  • PTI may be considered ineligible for election symbol, warns ECP

    PTI may be considered ineligible for election symbol, warns ECP

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has cautioned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that it may be found ineligible to receive an election symbol due to its failure to hold intra-party elections.

    ECP summoned PTI Chairman Imran Khan to appear before it on August 4 (Friday) at 10 am, “failing which the Commission under Section 215 (5) of the Elections Act, 2017, may declare your political party ineligible to obtain election symbol for future election(s)”.

    According to previous notices, the PTI’s intra-party elections were scheduled for June 13, 2021, according to the party’s constitution. PTI was informed/reminded to hold intra-party elections within the timeframe specified in sections 208, 209, and 215 of the Elections Act of 2017, but the party failed to “provide the requisite certificate to this effect.”

    The ECP had instructed parties to include a list of symbols they prioritize with their applications, as well as the signature of the party head.

    “Every application must include the address of the head office of the political party,” the election commission said.

  • ‘Serving Army officers involved in May 9 attacks’: Shehbaz Sharif reveals startling details

    ‘Serving Army officers involved in May 9 attacks’: Shehbaz Sharif reveals startling details

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed startling details of the May 9 riots on Tuesday while speaking to Asma Shirazi in “Faisla Aap Ka” on Aaj News, stating that serving Army officers were involved in the chaos.

    He added that May 9 would always be remembered as a “Black Day” and that Imran Khan and his supporters had acted as “foes disguised as friends.”

    On a question related to the upcoming general elections, Shehbaz Sharif said that the elections should be held according to the latest census. He also mentioned that it is necessary for transparent elections.

    However, he also stated that defining the boundaries of the constituencies and managing a matter related to elections is the job of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

    The Prime Minister has also mentioned that this government is going to complete its tenure on August 12.

    He also added that the matter would be transferred to the chief election commissioner, if the arrangements for the upcoming election were not finalised.

    He said that a committee has been formed to talk with all the stakeholders in politics for the caretaker government, including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He also said that the names of the caretaker government will be shared with opposition leader Raja Riaz.

  • Constable’s rampage on Jaipur-Mumbai train leaves officer and three Muslim passengers dead

    Constable’s rampage on Jaipur-Mumbai train leaves officer and three Muslim passengers dead

    In a shocking incident onboard the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express, an RPF constable allegedly fired shots resulting in the demise of his superior officer and three other passengers. The incident took place on Monday morning and the accused has since surrendered to the police.

    The alleged perpetrator, identified as Chetan Singh, is reported to have triggered the train’s alarm chain and disembarked at Borivali station in a bid to evade capture. The victims of the shooting spree have been identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Tikaram Meena, Abdul Qadir(48), Akhtar Abbas Ali(48), and Sadar Mohammed Hussain.

    Sources from Western Railway suggest that the altercation leading to the shootings had escalated from an argument that assumed a communal dimension. P C Sinha, Inspector General cum Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Western Railway, attributed Singh’s actions to his mental health issues. “Constable Chetan Singh had just returned from leave and shot his superior first and then those who were in his path,” stated Sinha.

    After shooting a Muslim man Singh said “If you wish to stay in India, then just Modi and Yogi”.

    Authorities have apprehended Singh and handed him over to the railway police for further investigations. The motive behind the tragic incident is still being investigated. This unsettling incident has shaken the railway community and raised questions about mental health checks and firearm access for railway personnel.

  • Bajaur bombing death toll climbs to 54

    Bajaur bombing death toll climbs to 54

    The number of deaths in the suicide bombing that ripped through a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl ( JUI-F) workers conventions on Sunday had climbed up to 54, Samaa has reported.

    Officials have told the news channel that more than 200 people are wounded while dozens are still receiving treatment in various hospitals.

    While 38 bodies have been handed over for burial to families after identification, eight bodies are still in morgues as they are not identifiable. Doctors fear that the number of dead may rise even more.

    As relatives search for loved ones in different hospitals, the district grapples with brief as funerals take place.

    Meanwhile, the Counter Terrorism Department and police investigative units continue their investigation of the suicide bombing.

  • ‘China will always stand firmly with Pakistan’; Xi Jinping vows to stand with ally

    “No matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Pakistan,” President Xi Jinping has said in a statement reiterating China’s steadfast support for Pakistan.
    The statement was given as part of a congratulatory message at the CPEC celebration ceremony held in Islamabad on Monday, where the Chinese Vice-president He Lifeng was also present as part of a three day visit to Pakistan.

    Talking about mutual ties, President Xi also stressed that China and Pakistan will keep enhancing overall planning. China will work with Pakistan to further develop CPEC into an exemplary project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, he stated.
    “Since its launch in 2013, China and Pakistan have been advancing CPEC under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and have achieved a number of early harvests,” he added.

    Earlier today, both the countries signed six agreements to promote mutual cooperation.
    The document establishing the joint cooperation committee of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed by China’s Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reforms Commission and Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal.

  • Tariq Bashir Cheema refutes son’s involvement in Bahawalpur University scandal

    Tariq Bashir Cheema refutes son’s involvement in Bahawalpur University scandal

    Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Tariq Bashir Cheema, has said in a press conference that his son, Walidad Cheema, has no involvement in the Bahawalpur University scandal. He further said that his political rivals are using this case as a tool to defame him.

    A major scandal involving illicit activities, such as the use and sale of drugs, illegal medications and prohibited videos of female students and staff, at the Islamia University in Bahawalpur, surfaced earlier this month.

    Tariq Bashir Cheema, a senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), also demanded that a commission of high court judges be set up to properly investigate the matter.

    Stating that he is willing to cooperate with every inquiry committee along with his son, Cheema stated that he would throw out his son from his house if Walidad had any involvement in the matter.

    On the other hand, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that the people who are involved and responsible for this incident will be severely punished.

    Earlier, Islamia University Bahawalpur’s Chief Security Officer was apprehended by police on charges of drug possession and possession of objectionable material, including videos and pictures of the university’s female officials and students.

  • Senate drops bill to outlaw ‘violent, radical’ groups in politics

    Senate drops bill to outlaw ‘violent, radical’ groups in politics

    Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani has dropped the controversial Prohibition of Extremism bill that could potentially ban “any extremist or violent” organisation in the political sphere.

    The bill, presented by State Minister Shahadat Awan, was dropped when members expressed anger over the legalisation.

    The Senate Chairman said, “The government can decide whether it wants to pursue this bill or not […] but for now, I am dropping it”.

    A majority of Senators, including the Balochistan National Party’s (BNP) Tahir Bizenjo, opposed the bill, expressing their displeasure that such choices are taken only at the wish of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) without any consultations.

    A sizable chunk of senators have said that the bill is “dangerous for democracy”.

    Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said that “This bill will be the last nail in democracy’s coffin.”