Current Final

Category: National

  • Barrister Gohar refutes Aleema’s claim that govt offered Imran Khan’s release to PTI

    Barrister Gohar refutes Aleema’s claim that govt offered Imran Khan’s release to PTI

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Sunday refuted Aleema Khan’s recent claim that her brother, party founder Imran Khan, was to be released within 20 days by the government as part of a deal in exchange for ending the recent sit-in at the federal capital.

    “I had neither mentioned anything about the release nor did the government promise to release Imran Khan within 20 days,” Barrister Gohar Ali Khan told Geo News.

    The PTI chairman clarified that he had not been in contact with anyone in this regard on November 24 or before, and no discussion was held with the government about meeting Imran. 

    Former premier Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khanum, on Saturday (November 7), claimed that the government offered to release the incarcerated former prime minister (PM) if the party shifted its Islamabad protest from D-Chowk to Sangjani, outskirts of Islamabad.

    “They [the government] panicked after seeing so many protesters in Islamabad and sent [PTI chief] Barrister Gohar and [KP govt adviser] Barrister Saif to meet Khan in jail,” Aleema said while speaking to reporters outside an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore.

    PTI’s “decisive” march on the federal capital last month ended inconclusively after a massive crackdown by law enforcement at D-Chowk. The grand clearance operation had come as PTI leaders and workers continued with their protests amid deadly clashes with police and Rangers, rejecting the government’s offer to shift the demonstration to Sangjani.

    During the former ruling party’s three-day-long protest march, demonstrators and security officials had clashed, leading to three Rangers personnel, one police cop death and multiple wounded.

    According to PTI, 12 party followers were dead. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government denied that there were casualties.

    Opposition biggest party, on the “final call” of party founder Imran Khan, initiated the protest march on November 24, which was led by CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur and former First Lady Bushra Bibi, demanding the repeal of the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, release of the political prisoners, including Imran Khan, and return of the “stolen mandate” believing that the February 8 General election was unfair and rigged.


    Weeks after PTI led an apparently failed protest march to the federal capital, founder PTI Imran Khan, on Thursday (November 5), warned the federal government on X (formerly Twitter) that his party would begin a civil disobedience movement if two demands—the formation of a judicial commission for a transparent investigation of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, and the release of under-trial political prisoners are not met.

    “If these two demands are not accepted, a civil disobedience movement will be launched from December 14,” the founder of the former ruling party warned, adding that the government would be responsible for the results of the movement.

  • Non-bailable arrest warrants issued for Rana Sanaullah

    Non-bailable arrest warrants issued for Rana Sanaullah

    Judicial Magistrate Sidra Gul Nawaz has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, in connection with a case registered at the Satellite Town police station in Punjab’s Gujranwala district.

    The 2020 First Information Report (FIR) in the case stated that four Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) members attending a PDM rally in Gujranwala on October 16, and then attempted to ram their vehicle into law enforcement officers.

    Sanaullah was accused of removing a container and ramming a vehicle into police officers. The case was filed by the police themselves during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in 2020.

    The court has ordered his arrest and presentation before the judge on December 12.

    Former minister Khurram Dastgir, city president Salman Khalid, and Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Imran Khalid Butt had already been acquitted in the case.

    The police had submitted a report under Section 173, declaring Rana Sanaullah innocent. However, the court rejected the report and summoned the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political and Public Affairs for proceedings.

  • ‘Govt offered Imran Khan’s release for moving protest to Sangjani’

    ‘Govt offered Imran Khan’s release for moving protest to Sangjani’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, has claimed that the government offered to release the incarcerated former prime minister (PM) if the party shifted its Islamabad protest from D-Chowk to Sangjani.

    PTI’s “decisive” march on the federal capital had last month ended inconclusively after a massive crackdown by law enforcement at D-Chowk. The grand clearance operation had come as PTI leaders and workers continued with their protests amid deadly clashes with police and Rangers, rejecting the government’s offer to shift the demonstration to Sangjani on the outskirts of the capital city. The abrupt end to the protests had also prompted party supporters to train guns at the leadership for “giving into” pressure and “fleeing” Islamabad.

    “They [the government] panicked after seeing so many protesters in Islamabad and sent [PTI chief] Barrister Gohar and [KP govt adviser] Barrister Saif to meet Khan in jail,” Aleema said while speaking to reporters outside an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore Saturday.

    She added that the government offered to “release Khan in 20 days” if the protest was shifted. However, Aleema clarified, that the offer to release her brother was not part of any “negotiations”.

    Earlier, the former premier’s sister appeared before the court in the case pertaining to attack on Jinnah House on May 9, 2023, securing an extension in bail till January 18.

    During the course of proceedings, Aleema told the court that she, along with other PTI leaders and workers, had been appearing in courts for the past one-and-a-half year in connection with different cases.

    “Earlier, the investigation officers (IOs) did not show up and now judges are being transferred. Due to this, our bails are not confirmed,” she complained.

    Aleema went on to say that she had been nominated even in cases registered on October 4, which was much after her arrest. “Why was I nominated when I was in jail?” she asked.

    “We don’t want bail… we seek a trial on May 9. The prosecution doesn’t have any evidence against us. Even the police don’t know about our role,” she asserted.

    “People are rotting in jails. The truth of the matter is that the prosecutor does not have any evidence of our involvement.”

    Aleema also expressed sorrow over the “destruction of democracy,” emphasising that democracy rested on three pillars, the judiciary, the legislature and media. “All three have been dismantled,” she said.

  • ‘Decision on charges against Gen (r) Faiz Hameed likely next week’

    ‘Decision on charges against Gen (r) Faiz Hameed likely next week’

    Decision on charges against ex-spymaster General (r) Faiz Hameed will be announced before December 14, senator and former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda has predicted.

    Appearing on ARY News programme ‘Aiteraz Hai’ on Friday, Vawda said that PTI founder Imran Khan had “miscalculated” the date of framing of charges against the former chief of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). “I’d say big news regarding him will soon be out,” he added.

    Vawda went on to predict that the former ISI chief would be found guilty of mutiny among other charges.

    It merits a mention that ex-director general (DG) of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, Faiz Hameed, was taken into military custody on August 12, 2024. Following the arrest of the ex-spymaster, court martial proceedings were initiated against him.

    “Multiple instances of violation of the Pakistan Army Act have been established [against him],” the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) had said in a statement issued after the arrest.

    On Friday, Vawda also responded to question regarding ex-prime minister Imran’s possible military trial along with Faiz. “I won’t be surprised if it happened,” he said.

    Senator Vawda’s remarks come soon after incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan announced launching a civil disobedience movement if his party’s demands weren’t met by December 14.

    The demands include the formation of a judicial commission for transparent investigation into May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024 incidents, besides the release of under-trial political prisoners arrested in connection with violent protests by the PTI.

    Advisor to the PM on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, on the other hand, has ruled out holding “conditional talks” with the PTI.

    “We haven’t shut the door on negotiations,” he said, adding that they were ready for political talks with the opposition party to resolve disputes on contentious matters.

    Meanwhile, political analyst Muneeb Farooq claimed that the establishment had communicated to the Shehbaz Sharif-led government that it would not hold a dialogue with the PTI under any circumstances.

    He explained that if the dialogue ever takes place, it would be between the incumbent government and former premier Imran Khan’s party.

    Citing the official statement of the 84th Formation Commanders Conference issued by the military’s media wing, the political analyst claimed that there was no room left for the PTI, adding, “The best bet is Ali Amin Gandapur because he maintained occasional contact with the establishment at different levels.” 

    During the conference, the attendees expressed concern over the “malicious propaganda” carried out in the aftermath of the lawful deployment of the Pakistan Army in the federal capital to “secure key government buildings and provide a safe environment for the valued visiting delegations,” Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

  • Imran Khan’s prison cell had no electricity for five days, Fawad Chaudhry reveals

    Imran Khan’s prison cell had no electricity for five days, Fawad Chaudhry reveals

    Former federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while appearing on the Geo News programme Naya Pakistan on Friday, revealed that former Premier Imran Khan had no electricity for five days last month.

    The former member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) further claimed that party founder Imran Khan has no access to newspapers and television.

    Chaudhry revealed the details of his meeting a day after he met with the PTI founder in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi on Thursday.

    Commenting on PTI demands to establish a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 24, the former Minister said that Prime Minister’s Advisor on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah does not want to form the commission, adding, “Rana Sanaullah will leave thorns for Mohsin Naqvi in the future.”

    “If Mohsin Naqvi has some wisdom, he should form the commission,” he advised.

    Responding to host Shahzad Iqbal’s question about whether the party founder’s recent call for civil disobedience movement succeeds, Chaudhry said, “The civil disobedience movement had been very effective in the past and has many layers.”

    Founder PTI Imran Khan on Thursday warned the government on X (formerly Twitter) that his party will begin a civil disobedience movement if the two demands remain unmet.

    He demanded the formation of a judicial commission for a transparent investigation of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, and the release of under-trial political prisoners. 

    “If these two demands are not accepted, a civil disobedience movement will be launched from December 14,” the founder of the former ruling party warned, adding that the government would be responsible for the results of the movement.


    Fawad Chaudhry opined that in last month the settlement with the government regarding the release of Imran Khan was very close. However, the party negotiating team’s lack of experience shattered the opportunity.

    Recalling his meeting with the party founder, Chaudhry highlighted that party founder Imran Khan was in his “2018-19 fitness.”

    Meanwhile, speaking outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi, Awami Muslim League Chief and former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that he also met Imran Khan at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi on Thursday, adding, “Imran Khan greeted me with a warm hug.”

    Sheikh Rasheed said that Imran Khan mostly engaged in conversation with the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omer Ayub Khan, and it was not appropriate to disclose the conversation to the media.

    “He [Imran Khan] said to me that we are the same,” the former Interior Minister said.

  • Absar Alam lashes out at YouTuber Imran Riaz for lies, theft

    Absar Alam lashes out at YouTuber Imran Riaz for lies, theft

    Senior journalist Absar Alam has lashed out at YouTuber Imran Riaz in the Samaa News podcast, saying, “Imran Riaz is a liar, and those who made him who he is today are also thieves, liars, and without any conscience because they took salaries from our taxes and made these people famous.”

    According to YouTuber Imran Riaz’s recent allegations on Absar Alam, “Absar Alam was present in D-Chowk during PTI’s final call march, when he heard the gunfire, but he stated on live TV that they did not fire.”

    Absar Alam replied on November 6: “I am challenging him to prove that I said this. I never said that security forces did not open fire.”

    Another allegation that Imran Riaz put forth against Absar Alam was that “during Absar’s tenure as the Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), he used his power to send me a notice because of his bias.”

    Absar Alam revealed the reason behind the notice sent to Imran Riaz a few years ago, saying, “ I think it’s been nine years since I left PEMRA, and I am answerable to the people for every action I took during my tenure. Today, I am exposing him.”

    Absar Alam also showed a screenshot of the PEMRA notification on the podcast, which was dated September 6, 2016.

    “The notification was about a car theft case in which Imran Riaz and his brother were involved while he was an anchorperson in Express TV. An FIR was lodged against them in Lahore and Sheikhupura. Whenever a police official used to go near them for recovery of the car, Imran Riaz used his power as a crime reporter to transfer that cop. It is a fact that journalists also have power, and he abused that power to steal. He was this kind of a reporter,” revealed Absar Alam.

    Alam stated: “A complaint was filed against Imran Riaz in PEMRA about this, and obviously, that is why we sought a reply from him through this notification.”

    Absar Alam also said, “I am appealing to those people who actually listen to him that make him [Imran Riaz] prove these allegations against me. Ask him why he keeps lying.”

    Alam also lashed out at those who allegedly “raised Imran Riaz”, saying: “Imran Riaz was brought up by those people who used to give him files and he never questioned them even though he was a journalist. Whatever they used to tell him, he used to forward that propaganda for the people. People who used to give him false briefings to create civil unrest in the country.”

  • Cold wave about to hit the country

    Cold wave about to hit the country

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that a cold wave will hit many parts of the country starting tomorrow (December 8). 


    Dawn’s Aamir Yasin reports that snowfall is expected in Murree and upper mountainous regions, along with rain in Northern areas of the country and the plains of Central Punjab.


    The westerly wind is likely to enter the upper parts of the country from December 7, PMD has confirmed. Under the influence of this system, a cold wave is likely to affect most parts of the country from December 8-14.


    Resultantly, a significant drop in day and night temperatures will be seen.


    The press release delineates that the day temperature is predicted to drop four to six degrees celsius in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.


    Whereas, in Balochistan and Sindh, a 5°-7°C drop in temperature is likely.


    Cold winds are likely in Sindh, Balochistan and southern parts of Punjab. 


    Plains might even experience frosty conditions.


    PMD’s press release states that the cold wave/frost conditions are likely in the country during the next week. 


    Additionally, rain-wind/thunderstorms (snowfall over hills) are also expected to hit the upper parts of the country.


    Moderate rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Buner, Shangla, Manshera, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Astore, Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Kotli, Haveli and Bagh from the night of December 7 to December 11 with occasional gaps.


    Moreover, light to moderate rain, wind and thunderstorm with snowfall over hills is expected in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Sialkot, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad and Jhang from the night of December 7 to mid-day December 8.


    The press release also advised farmers to manage their activities keeping in view the forecast, particularly frost conditions. 


    It also warned tourists and travellers visiting mountainous areas to remain cautious during the period as the popular tourist resort Murree is going to experience the first snowfall of the season in the coming days. 


    Meanwhile, Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Shiraz said that traffic police and local police have deployed additional forces in the hill station to manage traffic during snowfall, while the district administration has made facilitation centres to coordinate with the provincial government and the army.


    Further, he said that the rescue and relief equipment received from the Pro­vincial Disaster Management Authority included search and rescue jackets, tyre snow chains, mechanical saws and winter tents.

  • Establishment won’t hold dialogues with PTI, claims Muneeb Farooq

    Establishment won’t hold dialogues with PTI, claims Muneeb Farooq

    Political analyst Muneeb Farooq on Thursday claimed that the establishment had communicated to the Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif-led government that it will not hold a dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) under any circumstances.

    Appearing on the Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Muneeb Farooq explained that if the dialogue ever takes place, it would be between the incumbent government and the former premier Imran Khan’s party.

    Citing the official statement of the 84th Formation Commanders Conference issued by the military’s media wing, the political analyst claimed that there is no room left for the PTI, adding, “The best bet is Ali Amin Gandapur because he [Gandapur] maintained occasional contact with the establishment at different levels.”

    The conference was held at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on November 5, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir and was attended by corps commanders, principal staff officers, and all formation commanders of the Pakistan Army.

    During the conference, the attendees expressed concern over the “malicious propaganda” carried out in the aftermath of the lawful deployment of the Pakistan Army in the federal capital to “secure key government buildings and provide a safe environment for the valued visiting delegations,” Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.


    As per ISPR’s statement, the attendees condemned the coordinated efforts by certain political elements to undermine the Army’s reputation and its relationship with the public. The forum labelled this attempt as part of a larger, externally-fueled plot, which it vowed would fail.

    “This pre-planned coordinated and premeditated propaganda reflects the continuity of a sinister design by certain political elements as an attempt to drive a wedge between the public [and] armed forces and institutions of Pakistan,” the ISPR statement read.

    Responding to the programme host Shahzeb Khanzada’s observation that Imran Khan’s wife’s bail was not the result of the understanding between the government and Bushra Bibi, Muneeb Farooq asserted that Bushra Bibi was “100 per cent released through understanding.”

    “It was a surprise factor for the establishment and Mohsin Naqvi that she did not honour the commitment and agreement on which she came out,” Farooq added.

    Recalling Bushra Bibi’s insistence on marching towards the D Chowk last week, Farooq mentioned that Bushra Bibi’s decision was outside the syllabus for the establishment and the government.

    Bushra Bibi, on her imprisoned Imran Khan “final call,” had marched towards Islamabad along with Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur on November 24.

  • ‘Civil disobedience if demands are not met,’ warns Imran Khan

    ‘Civil disobedience if demands are not met,’ warns Imran Khan

    Days after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led a failed protest march to the federal capital last week, founder PTI Imran Khan, on Thursday, warned the government on X (formerly Twitter) that his party will begin a civil disobedience movement if two demands are not met.

    He demanded the formation of a judicial commission for a transparent investigation of May 9, 2023, and November 26, 2024, and the release of under-trial political prisoners. 

    “If these two demands are not accepted, a civil disobedience movement will be launched from December 14,” the founder of the former ruling party warned, adding that the government would be responsible for the results of the movement.

    Pakistan’s biggest opposition party ended its three-day-long march on Tuesday (November 26) after security forces initiated a crackdown on PTI demonstrators. However, after the protest march concluded, several casualties were reported, including the three Rangers personnel and a police official.

    According to PTI, 12 party followers were dead. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government denied that there were casualties.

    On May 9, 2023, hours after Imran Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Al Qadir Trust case, his supporters came out across the country. However, the demonstrations shortly turned violent, which lasted more than 24 hours.

    Reportedly, ten individuals died, and approximately 40 public buildings and military installations, including Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), Askari Tower in Lahore and General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, were damaged.

    However, after the protest concluded, thousands of rioters were arrested in connection with the violence.

    On May 7, 2024, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif, in a press conference at Rawalpindi, asserted, “There is only one way back for such political anarchists that it (PTI) asks for an earnest apology in front of the nation and promises that it will forgo politics of hate and adopt constructive [style of] politics. In any case, such dialogue should take place between political parties. It is not appropriate for the army to be involved.”

    Additionally, the former premier on Thursday post also announced a “grand gathering” in Peshawar on December 13 to “pay homage to the martyrs” that PTI believe were the victims of the state offensive grand operation during last week’s party protest at Islamabad, adding, “all opposition parties will be invited to attend.”

    Imran Khan claimed that hundreds of his party workers were “still missing,” urging the Supreme Court to take notice of the incidents and “play its constitutional role.”

    “We approached the Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court over serious violations of human rights, but no action was taken,” he added.

  • Trump might tweet about Imran Khan in coming days: Nusrat Javed

    Trump might tweet about Imran Khan in coming days: Nusrat Javed

    Senior journalist Nusrat Javed has said on the Public TV programme Khabar Nashar that strong sources that he has access to claim that United States President-elect Donald Trump “might tweet about Imran Khan in the future.”

    “There is a person named Sajjad Barki in Texas who is a member of the overseas PTI community who has met with Donald Trump recently. A very well-informed diplomat told me that a high-placed government official had told him about a meeting between overseas PTI leader Sajjad Barki and Donald Trump,” stated Nusrat Javed.

    Programme analyst Adnan Haider asked Nusrat: “What’s the big deal about that? It’s just a meeting.”

    Nusrat replied, “The news is that Donald Trump might make a post on Twitter which is now known as X. Obviously, this post can be about only one person.”

    It is worth mentioning that on April 25 this year, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf officially appointed Mr. Sajjad Barki as the Secretary of Organisations of the International Chapter (OIC). PTI’s official page on X made the announcement, saying the appointment had been made “as per the instructions of the Founder Chairman Imran Khan.”

    “Sajjad Barki has allegedly told the PTI leadership or whoever he’s in contact with usually that he has held a meeting with Donald Trump and told them to stop worrying,” remarked Nusrat Javed.

    Interestingly, ever since Donald Trump won a landslide victory in the Presidential election, PTI leaders have pinned all their hopes on Trump to take their party out of the doldrums. 

    Ironically, PTI blamed the US for conspiring against its government when Imran Khan was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion in 2022. Imran Khan, in an infamous rally, waved a page in front of a charged crowd, which was allegedly the cypher sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington.

    The Intercept, a US-based news website, in August 2023 published what it claimed to be the “cypher” that hinted the US administration wanted to remove Khan from power. 

    However, later, Khan and his party changed their narratives multiple times while the American-Pakistani community continuously lobbied among US politicians to pressure the Pakistani government to release Imran Khan.

    The PTI overseas leadership also endorsed Donald Trump in last month’s presidential elections, calling out the Biden-Harris administration for not listening to their concerns.