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Category: National

  • Sher Afzal Marwat to file £5 million defamation case against Adil Raja

    Sher Afzal Marwat to file £5 million defamation case against Adil Raja

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat claimed on Tuesday that he will file a five-million-pound defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Adil Raja.

    Speaking to a private news channel, Marwat revealed that he will soon visit the United Kingdom (UK) to file cases against those involved in editing his fake videos, saying, “In Pakistan, I might meet DG FIA tomorrow […] it will take two to three days to initiate probe (against individuals involved in spreading AI video).”

    YouTuber Adil Raja and Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Sher Afzal Marwat have previously exchanged a war of words over party policy.

    In November 2023, Raja and Haider Raza Mehdi were handed 14 and 12 years of jail sentence, respectively, following their Field General Court Martial for “inciting sedition”, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

    The military media wing, in a statement, said that both retired officers were convicted and sentenced “under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 for the charges of inciting sedition among army personnel from the discharge of duties and violation of the provisions of Official Secrets Act, 1923 related to espionage and acts prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state”.

    To a question on whether Marwat responded to the show cause notice on social media or submitted it to party leaders, he stated, “I will ask Barrister Gohar Sahab (party chairman) about it. If he (Barrister Gohar) leaves it up to me, then I will share my response on social media.”

    Marwat, however, stated that sharing the show-cause answer on social media would create many new controversies. “I will respond as a lawyer,” he added.

    PTI Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi recently issued a show cause notice to Marwat over violating party policy by making “adverse and disparaging remarks” about the party’s Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and the ongoing negotiations with the government.

    “You have, amongst others, made disparaging remarks against the Secretary General of PTI and even made adverse comments on the ongoing negotiations. This is clear violation of the Party Policy and Instructions issued by Founding Chairman, Imran Khan,” the notice reads.

    Earlier this month, while appearing on a private news channel, Marwat challenged Salman Akran Raja’s position in the party when the latter downplayed Marwat’s remarks on the party founder the same day.

    Marwat had said that according to the party constitution, Salman Akram Raja cannot become the party’s secretary general. “Only an elected person who has contested the intra-party election is eligible for the position of party secretary-general,” he explained.

    He went on to say that Gohar Khan and Firdous Shamim Naqvi are public officeholders and that “Salman Akram Raja is a stranger [to the party].”

  • I don’t disown my people who made mistakes on May 9: Ali Amin Gandapur

    I don’t disown my people who made mistakes on May 9: Ali Amin Gandapur

    Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Ali Amin Gandapur, stated in an interview on ARY News that he does not disown Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who made “mistakes,” referring to their involvement in the May 9 events.

    “There are many of our [PTI] people who were uninformed or made mistakes, but I never disown them. They were my people. They were our party’s workers,” stated the CM KP.

    Programme host Waseem Badami then asked Gandapur whether he believed those individuals should be punished or forgiven, to which Gandapur replied, “It is straightforward. Whatever the law says, the punishment should be according to the crime committed. 

    “I own them because if my worker has crossed a red line for any reason, whether it is ignorance, immaturity or emotions, there is a relative punishment in the law for crossing that line. That lawful punishment should be given to them.”

    The Chief Minister, however, asserted that fairness does not justify unjust punishments, which must not be handed out to innocent people.

    Badami also asked why Gandapur and his party did not publicly apologise for the May 9 accused if he accepted that they were “his people. “

    CM KP replied with a stern expression, recalling that “my leader,” Imran Khan, had stated he was ready to be arrested. However, the manner of his arrest by the Rangers on May 9, 2023, within the court premises, was bound to provoke a reaction.

    He added, “He is an internationally renowned leader, and they broke the windows, grabbed Imran Khan by the collar in front of everyone, and dragged him to the vehicle. This was a deliberate provocation, playing with the emotions of the people. It’s natural that, in such a protest, some individuals might cross a few lines. But does that mean they should be labelled as terrorists?”

    As many as 25 civilians allegedly involved in the May 9 riots were sentenced by the military courts in December 2024. The sentences ranged from two to ten years and were handed out following the civilians’ court martial.

    Previously, the seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on December 13 had allowed military courts to announce the decision of under custody civilians about the May 9 incidents.

    “On May 9, the nation witnessed politically provoked violence and arson at multiple places, marking a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan,” announced the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) following the military courts’ verdict.

  • ‘Ridiculous’: Imran Khan breaks silence on Al-Qadir verdict delays

    ‘Ridiculous’: Imran Khan breaks silence on Al-Qadir verdict delays

    The official page of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has reacted to the third deferment of the Al Qadir Trust case against him and former First Lady Bushra Bibi.

    In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the official page of incarcerated Khan stated that the verdict for the Al Qadir Trust case could have been announced without his presence. He noted, “Delaying the decision under the pretence of my absence is utterly ridiculous and makes a mockery of the judicial system.”

    “In two previous cases, judges Abul Hasanat and Muhammad Bashir announced verdicts in my absence,” it read.

    The accountability court deferred the case on Monday, citing Khan and Bibi’s failure to appear before the court on time, marking the third delay in the verdict.

    Judge Nasir Javed Rana said he had been present in the court since 8:30 am; however, “neither the suspects nor their lawyers appeared […] the decision was fully ready and signed.”

    Rana claimed that the PTI founder had been informed twice to appear before the court.

    The post, however, rebutted the claims by saying, “The trial for the Al-Qadir Trust case always begins between 11:30 am and 12:00. Yesterday, the hearing was scheduled for 11:00 am, but even before my lawyers arrived, I was informed around 9:00 am that the judge had already arrived.”

    It has also been asserted that Khan’s movements have been restricted to jail, and it is his legal right to appear in court alongside lawyers.

    Previously, the decision was postponed twice, on December 23, 2024, and January 6, 2025, and the decision will now be announced on January 17 (Friday).

    The case alleges that Khan and Bushra Bibi obtained billions of rupees and land worth hundreds of canals from Bahria Town Ltd. to legalise Rs50 billion that the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (NCA) identified and returned to the country during the PTI government.

    Khan’s official page posted, “The Al-Qadir Trust has no connection to this money; the trust was established a year before the arrival of these funds.”

    The post dismissed the claims of accepting any deal with the government and establishment, saying, “Let me make it clear that I will not make any deals, no matter what tactics are used.”

    Khan described the country’s economy as being in “dire” condition and stated that he believes foreign investment is currently at a historic low.

    “The SIFC and Udaan programs have failed miserably. With no growth in the growth rate, unemployment is rising in the country. Brilliant minds and capital are leaving the country rapidly because no one has faith in the country’s stability,” he added.

  • 2.8 million tola gold reserve discovered in Punjab

    2.8 million tola gold reserve discovered in Punjab

    The Punjab government has announced the discovery of gold reserves worth Rs800 billion in the province.

    Punjab’s Minister for Mines and Minerals, Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, stated that approximately 2.8 million tolas of gold reserves were found during a geological survey in Attock.

    The Geological Survey of Pakistan reported the discovery of these gold reserves, and the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) confirmed it through corroboration.

    Elaborating on the location of the gold reserves, the minister explained that they are located at the confluence of the Kabul and Indus Rivers, spanning a 32-kilometer-wide area in Attock.

    The provincial minister further revealed that a high-level committee has been formed to auction the project next month. However, this will only be possible after approval from the provincial cabinet, with the plan set to be presented at the next cabinet meeting. He added that the ministry aims to attract bidders through an international advertisement campaign.

    While speaking to a private news outlet, the provincial minister mentioned that NESPAK and other firms will be hired for further verification of the reserves’ value.

    The auction committee is expected to be chaired by the Attock deputy commissioner.

    Addressing incidents of illegal gold extraction in the area, the minister revealed that the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 to prevent theft. He assured that the situation is now under control, with no recent reports of unauthorized activities in the region.

    Gorchani also stated that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif will be briefed about this major breakthrough in the coming days.

    Former Minister for Mines and Minerals Ibrahim Hassan Murad also posted about the discovery on X (formerly Twitter). “This revelation, validated by the Geological Survey of Pakistan, highlights the immense potential of Punjab’s natural resources,” Murad wrote while adding that the Geological Survey Pakistan had conducted sampling from 127 sites in the area.

    Murad remarked enthusiastically, “This milestone marks a significant step towards unlocking Pakistan’s mineral wealth, setting the stage for economic revitalisation and new opportunities for future generations.”

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  • ‘I have seen judges shivering, falling sick’: Bushra Bibi’s argument with judge makes headlines

    ‘I have seen judges shivering, falling sick’: Bushra Bibi’s argument with judge makes headlines

    Bushra Bibi, the wife of incarcerated PTI leader Imran Khan, recently appeared in the Anti-Terrorism Court for a hearing, where she had an exchange of arguments with the judge. She claimed, “I have seen judges shivering and falling sick in front of me.”

    Bushra Bibi appeared in court in a case related to the killing of Rangers personnel during PTI’s Islamabad protest.

    Judge Tahir Abbas Supra heard the case in the ATC, and the exchange between him and Bushra Bibi took an interesting turn. The judge commented that the court had taken some time, but the legal procedures had been fulfilled. Bushra Bibi replied, “No, it is not a point of concern now, as our trust in the courts has already been lost.”

    Judge Abbas interjected, “It is not like that; there is no loss of trust anywhere,” while cautioning, “In whatever way the justice system works, if it ends, then society will end.”

    The ATC judge also reminded Bushra Bibi that she had appeared before him in court in the past. In response, Bushra Bibi exclaimed, “I have seen judges falling sick and trembling. One judge’s blood pressure even rose to 200 points, but he had to give a verdict against us.”

    She added, “There is law in the country but no justice.”

    Bushra Bibi asserted, “The founder of PTI is imprisoned in jail for the supremacy of the constitution. After what happened to us, faith in the law has been lost.”

    The court, however, granted interim bail to Bushra Bibi until February 7 in the case registered at the Ramna police station regarding the killing of Rangers personnel in Islamabad.

    CCTV footage had dismissed the claims of four Rangers personnel being crushed by security vehicles amid violent protests by PTI supporters in and around Islamabad.

    Senior journalist Azaz Syed, in his vlog on YouTube, stated that not only did law enforcement agencies apprehend the driver of the car who ran over the Rangers personnel, but they also reached his home, where they discovered that the driver had a history of mental health issues and drug abuse.

    Moreover, the ATC approved Bushra Bibi’s bail in 13 D-Chowk protest cases.

  • PIA looking for new graphic designer after Paris flights memefest?

    PIA looking for new graphic designer after Paris flights memefest?

    Days after Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was trolled by netizens from Pakistan as well as around the globe over its announcement of resumption of flights to the European Union (EU), a social media post has claimed the national carrier is looking for a new graphic designer.

    PIA on January 10 announced the resumption of direct flights to France after four years as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted the ban on its flights to the region. The national carrier had been banned by the EU over safety concerns following 2020’s Karachi crash and then-aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar’s claims that around 40 percent of Pakistani pilots had fake licences. 

    Though last week’s development was positive, the official handle of PIA on X was brutally trolled for uploading a picture that seemed more like a “threat” than an announcement.

    “PIA please change the angle of your plane. It’s looking like 9/11 here,” wrote one user. “I think every Pakistani should clarify that this plane isn’t aiming for the Eiffel Tower. And the designer should be fired ASAP,” wrote another.

    ” ‍♂Who approved this graphic? Delete it!! [sic]” said a social media user while others could not believe it was an actual ad. Some users also uploaded a PIA advertisement in a French newspaper from the 20th century wherein a PIA plane’s shadow could be seen on the Twin Towers in New York.

    “Keep the plane a little to the side. Flights have resumed with great difficulty,” wrote journalist Waseem Abbasi.

    With the post going viral globally and reports by foreign media outlets also taking digs at the national carrier, another post by a LinkedIn user on Tuesday suggested the PIA had let go of its designer and was now looking for someone to fill the vacant position.

    “We’re hiring a graphic designer,” said the post shared by one Jaffar Nisar.

    However, following an investigation into the viral post and speaking to an official concerned, The Current can confirm that the post was actually a meme. The same was also confirmed by Nasir, a graphic designer, who said so in a comment on the post on his LinkedIn profile.

    On Friday, PIA’s flight PK 749 took off to Paris from the Islamabad International Airport, carrying 330 passengers and 14 crew members.

    The inaugural flight ceremony was attended by a multitude of high-profile senior officials such as PIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and director generals of both the Civil Aviation Authority as well as the Pakistan Airport Authority.

    Addressing media at the occasion, the minister commended the hard work PIA officials had displayed for Europe to reopen its airports to Pakistan. He also expressed great dissatisfaction with his predecessor, the former aviation minister, whose statements Asif believed negatively impacted the aviation sector.

  • Once Imran is released, I will not be seen anywhere, says Marwat

    Once Imran is released, I will not be seen anywhere, says Marwat

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat stated on Sunday that his support for other leaders of the party will end once former Premier Imran Khan is released from jail.

    Appearing on the private media outlet, Marwat remarked, “I promise the entire nation that the day Khan Sahib is released, I will not be seen anywhere.”

    Asked whether Marwat was quitting politics after Khan’s release, the PTI firebrand said, “I step into politics solely for Khan,” adding that he is not seeking any benefits.

    His remarks followed a highly public spat between the party’s Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Sher Afzal Marwat on a private television on Thursday.

    While Raja had downplayed the Marwat remarks about the party founder, the latter challenged Salman Akram Raja’s position in the party.

    Marwat had said that according to the party constitution, Salman Akram Raja cannot become the party’s secretary general. “Only an elected person who has contested the intra-party election is eligible for the position of party secretary-general,” he explained.

    He went on to say that Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and PTI Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi are public officeholders. “Salman Akram Raja is a stranger [to the party],” he added.

    Marwat, on Sunday, while responding to the former PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hassan’s remarks about him, stated that he did not want to comment about Hassan since he faced physical assault previously.

    Earlier, reacting to the heated exchange between Marwat and Raja, former PTI spokesperson Raoof Hassan, while speaking to a private news channel on Friday, sternly said, “I’ve stopped talking about him [Sher Afzal Marwat] because no one has been spared his wrath, including me.”

    Without taking the names of specific persons, Marwat stated that they were concerned about his frequent appearance on media channels, adding, “They [party leaders] wish that I must not appear on any news channel.” In the same breath, Marwat avowed that he will continue to appear on screen and cause them discomfort.

    He said that except for Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur, party chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and Ali Muhammad Khan, he is not answerable to anyone in the party. “They are my well-wishers,” he added.

    Meanwhile, PTI served a show cause notice to Marwat on Monday after he assailed Secretary General Salman Raja.

    “You have, amongst others, made disparaging remarks against the Secretary General of PTI and even made adverse comments on the ongoing negotiations. This is a clear violation of the Party Policy and Instructions issued by Founding Chairman Imran Khan,” the notice reads.

    As per the notice, the PTI maverick has been given seven days to respond and explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. During this period, Marwat has been advised to avoid appearing in the media.

  • ‘Faiz Hameed was in contact with 51 politicians, including PML-N leaders, after retirement’

    ‘Faiz Hameed was in contact with 51 politicians, including PML-N leaders, after retirement’

    Senior journalist and analyst Mansoor Ali Khan has quoted sources as saying that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general (DG) Lieutenant General (r) Faiz Hameed was in contact with 51 politicians, including leaders of the now ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), after his retirement.

    In a video on his YouTube channel, Khan claimed that as per the data recovered from the phone of the former spymaster, who is currently facing court martial proceedings under multiple charges including political involvement, of the 51 politicians, 60 percent belonged to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) while the rest belonged to other political parties, including the PML-N.

    On names of the PML-N leaders in contact with Hameed, the journalist said sources had refused to disclose their names, however, some leaders of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) were also in contact with the former ISI chief.

    Khan also revealed details of alleged kickbacks received by Hameed. “He had a park built in front of his property in Chakwal with Bahria Town’s assistance…. he only paid Rs24 lacs rather than the demanded Rs2 crores.”

    The journalist quoted sources as claiming that secret documents were also found on the former intelligence chief’s devices, which he kept with him even after retirement.

    The military arrested Faiz Hameed in August last year on a petition filed by Top City Housing Society’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kanwar Moeez Khan in the Supreme Court (SC). In the complaint, Hameed was accused of being involved in land grabbing besides stealing diamonds and gold jewellery during a raid.

    In September, it was reported that court martial proceedings against the former spymaster had been initiated based on “concrete evidence” following a detailed probe. Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had said the Pakistan Army had no political agenda as it believed in self-accountability.

    In a 48-minute media briefing, the ISPR chief had spoken at length about Hameed’s trial as an example of the military’s self-accountability.

    On December 10, 2024, the ex-spymaster was formally indicted on multiple allegations, including engaging in political activities, the ISPR reported.

    Hameed was charged with engaging in political activities, violations of the Official Secret Act detrimental to the safety and interest of the state, misuse of authority and government resources and causing wrongful losses to individual(s), the military’s media wing had said.

  • Sherry Rehman lambasts California governor over LA fires statement

    Sherry Rehman lambasts California governor over LA fires statement

    Senator Sherry Rehman, known for her advocacy on the effects of climate change, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise California Governor Gavin Newsom’s statement about the LA fires.

    Rehman posted a picture of The Express Tribune newspaper, which featured a photo of the California Governor on the front page, along with his statement.

    The statement was made against the backdrop of wildfires that ravaged the Hollywood neighbourhood in California. It read, “The fires [in LA] could end up being the worst natural disaster in US history.”

    Rehman’s caption highlighted the lack of acknowledgement on Gavin’s part concerning the worsening effects of global warming, which are playing out in the form of fires in LA. 

    She wrote, “Except what is happening in the #LosAngelesFires is NOT a natural disaster. Climate triggered disasters are not natural disasters. Calling them natural absolves human action of all responsibility. The lack of water may be human inaction, as may other civic responses, but this is the new reality the big fossil fuel emitters have created. The #RedPlanet was not nature’s creation. #GlobalWarming.”

    The official figures state that the expensive Pacific Palisades neighbourhood faced a contained fire of 11 percent, but it grew to 23,600 acres, while the fire at Eaton was at 14,000 acres and 15 percent contained.

    As the fire spread through the wealthy Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, the homes of Hollywood A-listers, like Paris Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, and Billy Crystal, were destroyed by fires.

    When asked in an interview if the region would be ready to host a Super Bowl, World Cup, or any such event in the near future, Newsom pledged to rebuild an “LA 2.0” post-fire.

    AccuWeather, a weather forecasting agency, estimated the total economic damage to land between $52 and $57 billion. However, JPMorgan analysts have estimated that insured losses could reach $20 billion.

    The wildfires have damaged over 40,300 acres of land across Los Angeles. International media reports that at least 24 people have died, and more than 12,300 structures have been burnt to ashes.

  • Sri Lankan team attack: Cop nominated for gallantry award was not even there

    Sri Lankan team attack: Cop nominated for gallantry award was not even there

    Prominent journalist Shahid Aslam on Sunday, while citing an Intelligence Bureau (IB) report, revealed that the government withdrew from awarding gallantry awards to Director Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Sarfaraz Virk after finding that he was falsely nominated for the awards.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shahid Aslam quoted an IB report as saying that the director of FIA Lahore had claimed that he, as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), escorted the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009 when terrorists attacked them in Lahore. 

    “He [Sarfaraz Virk], as ASP, claimed to have escorted the guest team out of the attack venue by exposing himself to danger. The government announced a gallantry award for him. Later, it was proved that neither was he present at the scene nor he had done anything remarkable. The announcement of the said award was later withdrawn,” the report said.

    On March 3, 2009, militants with rocket launchers, grenades and rifles attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team bus when they were headed towards Lahore Qaddafi Cricket Stadium for day three of their second test match against Pakistan.

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    The militant attack had left seven people killed, including six policemen, and another 20 wounded. Seven members of the visiting cricket team, including the assistant coach and umpire, were injured.

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    The report accused the director of FIA Lahore of various crimes, including malpractice and illegally acquiring money from Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO).

    Under the chairmanship of Sarfaraz Virk, FIA was allegedly involved in acquiring money from LESCO under kickbacks, Aslam said while citing an IB report.

    The journalist claimed that the report was forwarded to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on 13 September 2024. In response, the PM ordered  an inquiry against him. 

    According to a notification issued from the PM Office in September 2024, under the subject ‘Corrupt Practice – Connivance of LESCO & FIA Officials,’ the Interior Division was directed to take action against the officers/officials pointed out in the enclosed report within a week and submit a compliance report.

    “Establishment division to place the report in the dossiers of the officers identified and keep a watch on their performance in future,” the PMO notification reads.

    However, Shahid Aslam claimed that the secretary of the interior, who was responsible for initiating the inquiry against the Sarfraz Virk, has not yet taken any action.