Tag: trending

  • ‘Sir thora sa Islami touch bhi de dein’: PTI’s Suri instructs Khan during speech

    ‘Sir thora sa Islami touch bhi de dein’: PTI’s Suri instructs Khan during speech

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Qasim Suri instructed PTI Chairman Imran Khan to use the ‘Islamic touch’ in his speech during the party’s Azadi March towards the federal capital.

    Suri can be seen standing next to Khan along with other party members.

    He said, “Sir thora sa Islami touch bhi de dein.” [Sir give some Islamic touch to your speech.]

    Khan immediately acted in accordance with Suri’s words and said, “I am a follower of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).”

    Khan addressed the protesters at Islamabad’s 9th Avenue and gave a six-day deadline to the government for announcing elections and dissolving assemblies.

    “I had decided that I will sit here until the government dissolves assemblies and announces elections, but of what I have seen in the past 24 hours, they (govt) are taking the nation towards anarchy,” he said, claiming that the government was also trying to create a divide between the nation and the police.

  • Hira & Mani’s European concert gets polarising reviews by netizens

    Hira & Mani’s European concert gets polarising reviews by netizens

    Celebrity couple of Hira Jamal and Salman Saqib was recently seen vacationing in Manchester. The pair used their Instagram accounts to serve their fans and followers a sneak peek at their Manchester arrival.

    The duo staged a performance in London. Hira was spotted impressing the audience with her singing abilities and dance capabilities.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEVOjjBMW0E

    The Sun Yaara star sung her chartbuster OSTs of Meray Paas Tum Ho and Do Bol.

    After the video went viral on social media, the public began to criticize the pair. Hira Mani’s concert video has gotten mixed response from netizens, while some praised her for representing Pakistan internationally and for confidently singing despite being an actor, others mocked her for her questionable dance antics and singing abilities.

    Here are the comments from the audience:

  • PTI Azadi March: Khan leaves D-Chowk, says will come back in 6 days if no election announced

    PTI Azadi March: Khan leaves D-Chowk, says will come back in 6 days if no election announced

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan addressed the protesters at Islamabad’s 9th Avenue and gave a six-day deadline to the government for announcing elections and dissolving assemblies.

    “I had decided that I will sit here until the government dissolves assemblies and announces elections, but of what I have seen in the past 24 hours, they (govt) are taking the nation towards anarchy,” he said, claiming that the government was also trying to create a divide between the nation and the police.

    “The government tried every method to crush our Azadi March. They used teargas on peaceful protests, our homes were raided and our privacy was violated. However, I have seen the nation free itself of [the] fear of slavery,” said Khan addressing his caravan.

    He claimed that five PTI protesters were killed in clashes after the PTI’s march, saying that one had fallen off the Attock bridge amid tear-gas shelling and the other was pushed into Ravi river. He said he had also received information that three were killed in Karachi.

    Addressing the Supreme Court (SC), he asked, “What crime were we committing?”

    He said he “wants justice for the people of Pakistan from Supreme Court judges and the lawyers’ community”.

    “I am again asking the judiciary to save your FIA (Federal Investigation Agency). In the future, no FIA officer will investigate the powerful if he will meet the same end as Dr Rizwan and Asghar,” he added. Imran said peaceful protest was the right of every Pakistani and no one “gives you [the government] to treat the people in the manner that you treated them”.

    People have completely rejected the riot: Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, meanwhile, said the people “have completely rejected the riots”. In a statement posted on PML-N’s official Twitter account, Sanaullah was quoted as saying he had been personally monitoring the security situation.

    “Imran Niazi entered the city after getting permission from the Supreme Court to hold a rally at a designated place in Islamabad and broke his promise by announcing plans to go to D-Chowk.”

    Read more: PTI Azadi March: Imran sets out to lead party caravan, tensions escalate

    Army summoned to control the situation

    As the situation turned chaotic in Islamabad after Khan and his convoy entered the federal capital and started marching towards the city’s D-Chowk, the government decided to seek the help of the army to control the situation and protect the government’s offices located in the Red Zone.

    The government, in a notification, said that the army was summoned to control the situation under Article 245 of the Constitution.

    PTI, govt negotiations fail

    Following the Supreme Court’s order for the government and the PTI to hold negotiations in a bid to control the situation at 10pm Wednesday, the government’s team headed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq, reached the commissioner’s office in Islamabad but the PTI team, led by Bawar Awan, returned without holding the talks due to the late arrival of the government’s team.

    Sadiq said it was decided to meet at 10pm but “due to the closure of roads, the government’s team reached the Islamabad commissioner’s office 25 minutes late”.

    “We were gathered here on SC’s orders but now leaving as a sign of protest,” he told journalists. The PML-N leader added that the purpose of the dialogue was to select a place and set a guideline for PTI’s protest.

    “Following the court’s order, we have removed obstacles but the city was set on fire,” he added. “The chief commissioner had been continuously calling the PTI team but they were not responsive. However, we will wait here a little longer for them.”

    SC directs govt to provide PTI with ground between H-9, G-9 areas to hold jalsa

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the federal government to provide the PTI with a ground between the H-9 and G-9 areas of Islamabad to hold its public gathering.

  • ‘Khuda ka khauf karo, PML-N chali jayegi’: Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar schools Punjab police

    ‘Khuda ka khauf karo, PML-N chali jayegi’: Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar schools Punjab police

    Writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar took to his social media handle to school Punjab police for their conduct with the protestors.

    While posting a video of a protestor, Qamar penned a heartfelt note.

    The Mere Paas Tum Ho writer stated that “the government will eventually go but you (police) will only be left with hatred in your kitty.”

    Large-scale skirmishes between the Punjab police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers erupted in the provincial metropolis on Wednesday when the law-enforcers blocked their routes for their participation in the ‘Azadi March’, announced by party chairman Imran Khan.

    Dozens of PTI workers and leaders were arrested including former Punjab health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Andaleeb Abbas, Zubair Niazi, Mian Mamunur-Rasheed, Ejaz Chaudhry, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, and former vice chairman Chief Minister’s Complaint Cell Nasir Salman. However, most of the leaders were released soon after their arrest.

    The party workers responded to the call given byImran Khan, who had been demanding immediate dissolution of assemblies and announcement of date for general election. The government’s plan that not a single vehicle should get out of Lahore,however, failed.

    Police tear-gassed and lathi-charged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf marchers at Batti Chowk and Bhatti Gate area whenthey attempted to remove containers, placed on roads. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaflawyers and workers had scuffles with the police outside Aiwan-e-Adl and Post Master General Office. Police subjected lawyers to torture outside the Aiwan-e-Adl. A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader, Zubair Niazi,was injured during a scuffle with the police. He was also arrested, but lawyers managed to rescue him from police. Lawyers also removed barriers from in front of Aiwan-e-Adl.

    The lawyercaravan clashed with the police, broke barriers and left for Islamabad. Police damaged busses, hired by lawyers for the marchers. The marchers were also intercepted at Shahdara. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers removed all containers at Batti Chowk, Ravi Bridge, Niazi Chowk and Shahdara and cleared the roads to move towards Islamabad.

    Meanwhile, another Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf caravan, led by Hammad Azhar, managed to overcome obstacles and leave Lahore for Islamabad. However, he received a minor injury. The police stopped the PTI workers about 100 metres before the Ravi Bridge.

    Police refused to allow Dr Yasmin Rashid to move towards Batti Chowk. When she tried to move ahead, the policemen hit her vehicle with a heavy stick,damaging badly the windscreen. Shahdara and Farrukhabad areas were turned into battlefield where the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers offered resistance and managed to cross the city by removing the obstacles.

    The marchers threw tear-gas shells back at police and threw stones and bricks. Police resorted to baton-charge and fired tear-gas shells from Ravi Toll Plaza to Shahdara Chowk, which forced the PTI workers to disperse for some time.

  • Pakistani rupee drops to Rs202 as market ambiguity extends

    Pakistani rupee drops to Rs202 as market ambiguity extends

    Pakistani currency slid to another historic low of Rs202 versus the US dollar on May 25 and lost ground in the interbank market.

    It fell 0.25 per cent against the US dollar today, closing at Rs201.92 after losing 51 paisas in the interbank market. During today’s open market session, the rupee hit an intraday low of Rs202.12 against the US dollar. In two weeks, the dollar has gained Rs15.23 against the rupee, and Rs18.98 since the new regime took power.

    The political situation in Pakistan also played a significant role in keeping the forex market on its toes, as players on both sides of the fence intensified their narratives against one another. Riots have broken out across the country after the month-old government shut down roads leading to Islamabad, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party is planning a large rally calling for the removal of the incumbent and immediate general elections.

    International oil prices maintained Monday’s gains as concerns about tight global supply continued to outweigh short-term trade forecasts. Brent crude rose to $114 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude in the United States rose to $111.

    Today, the PKR fell further against the majority of the other major currencies in the interbank market. It fell two paisas against the Pound Sterling (GBP), 13 paisas against the Saudi Riyal (SAR), and 38 paisas against the Australian Dollar (AUD).

    In today’s interbank currency market, it gained 12 paisas against the Canadian Dollar (CAD) and 17 paisas against the Euro (EUR).

    It is worth noting that the PKR reported losses against the greenback for the fourteenth day in a row.

  • PTI Azadi March: Imran sets out to lead party caravan, tensions escalate

    PTI Azadi March: Imran sets out to lead party caravan, tensions escalate

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Azadi March began on Wednesday, tensions rose across the country as police made use of tear gas and arrested several PTI marchers headed toward Islamabad.

    Khan’s message for PTI supporters

    PTI Chairperson Imran Khan called on his supporters to join his freedom march.

    In a video message, Khan said, “I will lead the Azadi March caravan from Peshawar, and God willing, we will head to Islamabad from there. I want each and everyone to leave because this is a defining moment.”

    Khan waves to supporters from a truck

    Imran Khan arrived at the Wali Interchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by helicopter.

    Khan, later, departed for Islamabad from the Wali Interchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    ‘Defining moment’ for Pakistan

    Imran also urged protesters to carry the Pakistani flag, calling today a “defining moment” for Pakistan.

    ‘No blockade can stop us’

    After reaching Swabi, Khan delivered a speech to supporters. In it, he said that “we are going to D-Chowk and no one can stop us” as the crowd cheered.

    Khan said that the PTI government did not bar any of them from staging protests as they “did not fear the people”.

    He said that the government was afraid as they had been plundering national wealth for the past 30 years. “I want to give the people a message from Swabi Interchange: whatever you do, we will cross all obstacles and reach D-Chowk. Our protest will be peaceful as it has always been.”

    “I want to give the people a message from Swabi Interchange: whatever you do, we will cross all obstacles and reach D-Chowk. Our protest will be peaceful as it has always been.”

     “This nation does not accept this imported government,” he declared, calling on the people to come out for what he has described of late as a “jihad” for “true freedom”.

    “All Pakistanis, women, children, families, youth, lawyers, retired army officers, everyone has to come out for real independence,” he said.

    No agreement has been reached

    Following the directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the two sides have agreed on PTI holding a jalsa instead of a long march, Geo News reported. Talks between the government and PTI continued for two-and-half hours.

    Khan in relevance to the news tweeted, “Absolutely not! We are moving towards Islamabad & no question of any deal. We will remain in Islamabad till announcement of dates for dissolution of assemblies & elections are given.”

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also said that no agreement has been reached between the federal government and PTI. She said news of negotiations and an agreement between the government and PTI is “baseless”.

    Detention expected of Khan

    The government has decided to detain PTI Chairman Imran Khan with the top party leadership on its way to Islamabad from Peshawar today for the Azadi March, reports The News.

    Rangers deployed in Islamabad

    On Tuesday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah announced that the federal government will not allow any riots in the name of the PTI long march. Section 144 has been imposed in Lahore, Karachi and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and the roads leading up to the capital city from different parts of the country have been blocked. Rangers have been called in by the government to help protect Islamabad’s, Red Zone.

    https://twitter.com/RashidK10425837/status/1529329373781934081?s=20&t=BqLkjo0MNs35Ix8fAEpfsg
    PTI workers clash with police at Lahore’s Batti Chowk

    PTI workers marching towards Islamabad from Lahore engaged in a clash with the police at Batti Chowk in Lahore as they tried to remove the barricades on the roads. Policemen stopped PTI supporters from moving forward and used tear gas.

    According to PTI’s official Twitter account, the marchers were also stopped at the Shahdara area.

    Dr Yasmin Rashid’s car attacked by police

    PTI supporters came forward and verbally abused the police officials. Meanwhile, Dr Yasmin Rashid tried stopping the police from taking away her car keys.

    Hammad Azhar tried to be arrested

    PTI leader Hammad Azhar tweeted, the impediments and containers on Bati Chowk, Ravi Bridge, and Shahdara have been removed and the roads have been cleared by “the public”.

    https://twitter.com/azammaalik/status/1529380891247755266?s=20&t=38SnfKGvZmlJ1vwGCvqC0w
    Weapons and ammunition recovered

    Meanwhile, police said that they have recovered heavy ammunition and weapons from the residences of PTI leaders Bijash Niazi and Zubair Niazi.

    DIG Operations Sohail Chauhdry in a press conference shared that the raids were conducted at Nawan Kot and Multan Road areas from where three persons were arrested. However, Zubair Niazi fled from the scene. Giving details of the arms recovered, the police officer said that six 223 bore guns, 13 rifles, 96 SMG rifles, and 26 magazines of pistols were found.

  • ‘Can still hear you, Calibri queen’: Khaled Anam slams Maryam Nawaz for removing ARY’s mic

    ‘Can still hear you, Calibri queen’: Khaled Anam slams Maryam Nawaz for removing ARY’s mic

    Senior actor Khaled Anam took to his Instagram stories to taunt the Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz for removing ARY channel’s mic at a press interaction. She also referred to the channel as a blackmailing channel.

    Earlier this month he grilled veteran cricketer Shahid Afridi for his recent statements regarding former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    He sarcastically pointed out how Shahid at times used to get out with zero runs on the cricket field.

    In a recent interview with his family, Afridi stated, “I’ve liked Shehbaz Sharif since the beginning. Show me an administrator like him in Pakistan, you can’t because there is none,” countered the cricketer.

    “I didn’t congratulate an Israeli prime minister, I congratulated a Pakistani prime minister. No matter who it was, I’d congratulate them,” he argued. “In my congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif, there was a protest as well, a personal protest between me and Imran Bhai,” he said. In his tweet, he wrote, “Congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on being elected the 23rd prime minister of Pakistan and I hope that he will be able to use his management skills to bring Pakistan out of the current economic and political crisis.”

    Afridi said Imran has been a role model for him since 1989 or 1990. “I wanted to become like him,” he said. “When he entered politics, I supported him. When he set up Shaukat Khanum, I supported him. Until he was in government, I supported him. But, I, my family my children, the whole of Pakistan had a lot of hopes for him,” he said.

    The cricketer revealed that the 2013 election was the first time he had ever voted in his life. “A lot of educated people were inspired by Imran Bhai to go vote,” he said.

    “I said everything as a Pakistani citizen. I did not have any political motives. And I will continue to say what I want. We have the right to do this and we should remember that,” he said.

    The cricketer said he knew he would be criticised for congratulations PM Shehbaz but there were no political motives behind his message. He reiterated that he would have congratulated whomever was the premier because the position itself deserves respect. “We must respect our leaders so the world respects us,” he said.

    “But if Imran Bhai says the [Durood Sharif], so do we every day in our prayers. But the fact of the matter is, God gives and God takes away. God gave Imran Khan and then He took it away. And He took it away because Imran Bhai made a lot of mistakes. And he should accept those mistakes,” said Afridi.

    “If he accepts those mistakes, he will be able to create a good political party and come back stronger. I’ve always thought Imran Khan’s vision has been superb. It’s the vision of a leader. But to implement a vision, you need a team and he doesn’t have that team,” he criticised.

    “The people he had were sidelined. Why were they sidelined? What things happened that Imran Bhai could improve? I feel like you should never leave the ground and for him, the ground is parliament. He should never leave parliament. After leaving it, you’re again coming out on the streets and on top of containers. Why are you doing this, friend?” he asked.

    Once the video of his comments was uploaded online, it went viral, inviting a lot of criticism and hate from supporters of the former premier.

    Earlier the Yeh Na Thi Hamari Kismat star shared his take on the new government’s decision to rescind the 10% increase on paycheck. He took to Instagram to share his stance.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WhatsApp-Image-2022-04-14-at-3.57.44-AM.jpeg

    Meanwhile actress Ayesha Omar liked his statement on a portal’s feed, showing her agreement.

    While interacting with the media after his victory, the Prime Minister-elect announces 10% raise in salaries for those government employees who are receiving pay up to Rs100,000 per month. He also announces to jack up pension of retired civil, and military officials by 10% from April 1. Meanwhile, he also announces to increase the minimum wage of workers to Rs. 25,000 per month.

  • ‘Agar Bushra Bibi garelu aurat hai to jo jalsay pe jaati hain wo kya hain?’: Iffat Omar blasts Imran Khan

    ‘Agar Bushra Bibi garelu aurat hai to jo jalsay pe jaati hain wo kya hain?’: Iffat Omar blasts Imran Khan

    Actor Iffat Omar took to her twitter handle to slam former PM Imran Khan for his recent statement that his wife Bushra Bibi is a domesticized woman and hence she doesn’t attends political rallies.

    The London Nahi Jaunga star asked a sarcastic question to Imran that if Bushra Bibi is a homely woman than what to do you call to women who attend Jalsas?

    Receently she grilled Khan for his sexist comments about the Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz.

    During his speech at the Multan jalsa, Mr Khan said: “Someone sent me a clip on social media of Maryam’s speech, somewhere. She took my name so many times and with so much passion, I want to tell her that Maryam, please be careful, your husband might get upset the way you call my name again and again.”

    Earlier she stated that former Khan is responsible for the offensive slogans and misconduct against PML-N leaders. The Aangan star said that Khan should be arrested for instigating hatred amongst Pakistanis.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Madinah on a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia yesterday.

    As seen in a video going viral on social media, people started chanting slogans of ‘chor chor’ upon seeing the Shehbaz Sharif-led delegation.

    After the pilgrims expressed outrage over the delegation including Shahzain Bugti and Marriyum Aurangzeb, the security guards surrounded the vehicle of Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders.

    A crowd followed the government delegation and kept raising slogans against them.

    Upon arrival, Prime Minister Sharif was received by Governor Medina Prince Faisal Bin Salman Al Saud and high-level Saudi officials. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, and other federal ministers are accompanying the prime minister.

    This is PM Sharif’s first foreign trip after assuming office earlier this month.

    During the visit, the premier will hold talks with the Saudi leadership, with particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties and creation of greater opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in the kingdom.

    Earlier this week she slammed Khan and his supporters for prototyping women, men and journalists who do not support him.

    The Aye Musht-e-Khaak star said that if a woman speaks against him, she is termed as characterless, if a man speaks he is deemed as disloyal and if a journalist does it he is termed as “Paid journalist”.

    In November 2021, when she appeared on Naumaan Ijaz’s talk show, G Sarkar on which she got candid about her political views.

    “We grew up in Zia-ul-Haq’s era and then even saw Pervez Musharraf’s regime, itnay buray halaat nahi thay”, both were much better in comparison and the economic situation wasn’t as worse as in Imran Khan’s regime.

    “He lied, PM Imran showed us dreams and then just shattered them.”

    She also stated that she will never become a politician, even if she gets offered as politicians lie a lot and she cannot do that.

    The Dour diva revealed that netizens often troll her and say that she has received money from Mariyam Nawaz or PML-N leaders.

    Earlier Iffat tweeted sarcastically about PM Imran Khan.

  • Maryam Nawaz removes ARY mic from news conference, Kashif Abbasi asks where PML-N’s press freedom slogan has gone now?

    Maryam Nawaz removes ARY mic from news conference, Kashif Abbasi asks where PML-N’s press freedom slogan has gone now?

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz before starting her press conference in Lahore on Tuesday, removed ARY News’ mic from the table, accusing the media house of propaganda against state institutes and PML-N.

    “Whoever is here from ARY, I completely respect you, but there is no way a media house can run a campaign against state institutes or start working on someone else’s agenda,” she added.

    Senior journalist and anchorperson Kashif Abbasi of ARY News took to Twitter and said that ARY News has been removed from cables across Pakistan. It is being reported that ARY has been taken down in parts of Pakistan following the orders of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to the cable operators.

    Abbasi blamed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb as the main reason for the orders. Abbasi tweeted, “Ary removed from cables across pakistan.Maryam nawaz ne jalsa main ary pe tanqeed shuru ker aur ab Marium ne channel band ker dia.opposition main jamhooriat ka dard hai ke sone nahin deta.hukoomat main asliyat Nazar aati in sab ki.” [Maryam Nawaz criticised ARY during her jalsa and Marriyum Aurangzeb later shut down the channel. When they’re in Opposition, they want democracy but when in power, their reality is exposed.]

    The Current reached out to Kashif Abbasi, who asked the sitting government why they shut down ARY News.

    Abbasi said, “A news channel covers both the Opposition and the government, which is what ARY is doing. Covering the Opposition is not an issue, and there is nothing new in this. But how can you shut down a news channel on the basis of the coverage it is providing? When they are in Opposition, they represent themselves as being the biggest democrats and supporters of press freedom. Where has their press freedom gone now? All I want to know from the sitting government is why have they shut down the channel.”

    Nayatel, which is an internet service and streaming platform, has moved ARY from channel 7 to channel 66.

    “All licensed operators of Pakistan have shifted the position of ARY News channel. It’s available at 66 positions on Nayatel’s Basic Cable TV,” tweeted Nayatel.

    Following the shutdown of ARY News, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that ARY News has been taken off the air in various areas, adding that the fascist government thinks censorship will succeed in the 21st century.

  • Govt says will not allow PTI’s long march, calls it ‘fitna’; Khan vows to continue

    Govt says will not allow PTI’s long march, calls it ‘fitna’; Khan vows to continue

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah announced on Tuesday that the federal government will not allow any riots in the name of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march, which is due to take place tomorrow (May 25).

    He said the government will not allow the PTI to spread “chaos and disorder”.

    “They will be stopped so they cannot propagate their misleading agenda,” he said while adding that PTI’s long march is not democratic.

    Sanaullah said everyone has the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest. However, he said that PTI doesn’t want a peaceful protest.

    ‘PTI has moved from abuses to bullets’: Interior Minister says no to PTI march

    “Had they not spread anarchy, we would not have stopped them. These people [PTI] have moved from abuses to bullets. A police constable was killed in Lahore.” Rana Sana vowed to protect the lives and properties of the capital’s people “at all costs”.

    The announcement has come after a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) political committee meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif where it was reportedly decided to stop Imran Khan-led Azadi March in the federal capital.

    “Such tactics are equal to ruining the economy,” PM Shehbaz was reported as saying in reference to the long march while addressing the meeting.

    ‘We will lead the biggest procession in history on May 25’: Imran Khan

    Meanwhile, despite the government’s decision, addressing a press conference in Peshawar, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that he will lead the biggest procession in Pakistan’s history on May 25.

    He went on to say that the PTI has a right to stage a protest against the “imported conspiracy”.

    “Did we protest when Bilawal staged a long march? Did we arrest him? Fazlur Rehman also staged a march, we said we would help them,” said Khan.

    Khan lashed out at the government for conducting raids in Lahore, and for barging into homes of “innocent citizens”.

    Long March: Khan asks judges and ‘neutrals’ to do the right thing

    Addressing “those who call themselves neutral”, he said that they had taken an oath to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. “You need to understand that the public is looking at you, and you will also be judged. You will be equally responsible if the country goes towards destruction.”

    PTI’s long march: Islamabad likely to be fully closed on May 25

    According to Geo News, after the decision to stop the long march, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah summoned the Pakistan Army for the security of the Red Zone in Islamabad.

    Section 144 has also been imposed in the federal capital for two months. According to a notification, the restrictions have been extended up to one kilometre of the Red Zone.

    Raids at PTI leaders’ house in Lahore

    On Monday night and early morning on Tuesday, Punjab Police raided the houses of several PTI leaders, including former Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, Usman Dar, and Babar Awan.

    In a video, the mother of PTI leader Walid Iqbal and daughter-in-law of Allama Iqbal Justice (retd) Nasira Iqbal shared the harassment her staffers had to through at the hands of the police.

    During a raid of a PTI leader’s house in Lahore’s Model Town, police constable Kamal Ahmad was shot in the chest and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.

    A first information report (FIR) was filed, stating that a police party, during a search operation in Model Town, rang the doorbell of Major (retd) Sajid Hussain’s house at 1:40am.

    “Hussain asked his son Bukhari to fire straight at the police party. Bukhari, with the intention of killing, fired straight at the police party. A bullet struck the chest of Constable Kamal Ahmad, who was standing outside the house”, the FIR reads.

    Both Hussain and his son Bukhari were arrested later.

    The current Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz on Tuesday attended the janaza (funeral) of Ahmad and blamed PTI for the constable’s death.

    ‘Azadi March is not against the government but the establishment’: Maryam Nawaz

    Later in the evening, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said his “Azadi March” is not against the government, “but the establishment”.

    She said the PTI chairman also launched “a malicious campaign targetting the judiciary, in which abusive words were used against the judges” 

    Speaking further about the long march, Maryam said the government was worried about PTI’s “nefarious designs”, and it has intel about the party amassing weapons for use against law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

    The PML-N vice president pointed out that the PTI chairman should call his children to Pakistan for leading the “Azadi March”, instead of instigating Pakistan’s youth to lay their lives for him.

    “Since they are Imran Khan’s sons, they will live abroad, and no one will touch them. They will remain in a safe and sound environment, while the sons of the soil — who spent their entire lives serving the country — will take bullets to their chests just because a person’s desire for power does not end?”