Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Sirajul Haq warns against privatising state institutions   

    Sirajul Haq warns against privatising state institutions   

    Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq has warned against the privatisation of state institutions on Friday, as per SAMMA.

    Sirajul Huq criticised the newly-elected government by saying that “the government is holding talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on more slavery rather than securing the next tranche.”

    “The privatisation of state institutions is unfair to the masses. The country’s economy cannot afford the privatisation,” Haq said.

    He also called on the global community to play a role in the Gaza ceasefire. “No strategy has been formulated in the assembly for the protection of the people of Gaza.”

    “I was of the view that Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif would do something to save the people of Gaza.”

  • Property transfers for overseas Pakistanis to be made easier by CM Punjab

    Property transfers for overseas Pakistanis to be made easier by CM Punjab

    In a bid to protect expatriates from fraud, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has announced the launch of a property transfer service tailored for overseas Pakistanis.

    Chairing a special meeting of the Punjab Board of Revenue (BoR) focusing on reform, the chief minister outlined key features of the service.

    The newly introduced property transfer service aims to streamline the process for Pakistani diaspora, offering facilities such as mutation, e-filing, and land registration.

    CM Maryam ordered launching the service at the earliest for Pakistanis residing in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries.

    Asserting strict adherence to timelines in property transfer services, CM Maryam urged for meticulous record-keeping of government land across the province. The meeting also delved into discussions regarding the Punjab Land Record Authority, with the chief minister directing measures to establish roadside small gyms and parks on government land, alongside the setup of land facilitation centers in every district.

    Plans were unveiled to establish land facilitation centers in 11 divisions by June 30, with the online availability of land records for 5,798 Mauza anticipated by December 2024.

    Additionally, the initiative intends to kickstart online land record projects in 10 districts of the province, utilizing 811,044 acres of government land for corporate farming.

    Maryam directed to take measures for building roadside small gyms and parks on the government land. She also ordered the establishing of land facilitation centers in every district.
    The meeting was told the land facilitation centers would be set up in 11 divisions by June 30. The participants were also told that land records of 5,798 Mauza would be available online till December 2024.
    Earlier engagements saw CM Maryam presiding over a meeting on the Urban Unit in Lahore, where she emphasized the importance of comprehensive planning for the Regional Economic Corridor in Punjab. Directives were issued to draft a mapping plan for industrial zones, with a focus on assisting small industrialists and controlling smog through data-driven strategies.

    Maryam Nawaz affirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating investors, highlighting the dedication to fostering a conducive environment for economic growth and development in Punjab.

  • Ali Amin Gandapur’s brother to contest NA-44 by-poll

    Ali Amin Gandapur’s brother to contest NA-44 by-poll

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur has chosen to allow his brother Faisal Amin Gandapur to run for the National Assembly seat from Dera Ismail Khan, which Ali won in the February 8 general elections.

    The KP’s CM, who also leads the provincial chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced that his brother will run in the by-elections for the NA-44 constituency. He is vacating the seat after winning the PK-113 Dera Ismail Khan-III seat.

    Speaking about handing over the coveted KP constituency ticket to his brother in a video statement on Friday, the chief minister said he has conveyed the decision to party founder Imran Khan as well after he inquired where Gandapir plans to “adjust” his brother in the provincial cabinet.

    “He did not know that my brother was yet to contest the elections,” he said.

    The KP CM stated that he won the general elections on February 8 on two seats personally, keeping one and giving up the other.

  • Asif Zardari declares Shehbaz, Gandapur meeting a ‘good beginning’

    Asif Zardari declares Shehbaz, Gandapur meeting a ‘good beginning’

    Newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari has said on Thursday that the meeting between the prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Ali Amin Gandapur, is a “good beginning.” 

    Shehbaz Sharif’s government came into power this month after making an alliance with multiple parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

    However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is in power in KP, and it also allegedly accused PML-N of stealing PTI’s mandate in general elections. 

    President Zardari has welcomed the interaction between the prime minister and the chief minister.

    “It is high time we start thinking of working towards healing the divisions Pakistan has been going through,” he added.

    “This outreach is a good beginning,” he stated.

  • FIA Cybercrime Wing summons Sher Afzal Marwat over March 9 tweet

    FIA Cybercrime Wing summons Sher Afzal Marwat over March 9 tweet

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and newly-elected MNA Sher Afzal Marwat has been summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cybercrime Wing on Friday.

    The agency summoned the politician on March 18 for questioning on a tweet he posted on March 9. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Barrister Aqeel Malik filed a complaint against Marwat in FIA.

    The prominent lawyer has made several posts on X (previously Twitter), but it’s not clear on which specific tweet he has been summoned.

    One of his tweets was about claims of being assassinated by paid assassins at Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s behest.

    “It is imperative to publicly acknowledge that ‘Maryam Nawaz Sharif’ poses a threat to my life, as she has orchestrated an ‘assassination attempt against me,’ which can take place at any time,” Marwat wrote in his post on the aforementioned date.

    He added: “An amount of $100,000 has been allocated by Maryam Nawaz Sharif to these assassins for the “execution of my murder.”

  • US diplomat Donald Lu to testify on Feb 8 polls before Congress

    US diplomat Donald Lu to testify on Feb 8 polls before Congress

    The Assistant Secretary of the US Department of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, has been asked to appear before a congress panel to testify whether the February 8 polls in Pakistan were fair or not.  

    Lu will testify during a hearing on March 20 as the former prime minister Imran Khan accused him of playing a part in overthrowing his government in 2022.

    The subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia will hold a hearing called “Pakistan After the Elections: Analysing the Future of Democracy in Pakistan and the US-Pakistan Relationship.”

    State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, during a press briefing on Thursday, responded to a query, saying that any number of State Department officials testify all the time before Congress.

    “We see it as an important part of our jobs to help Congress do its job, both from a policymaking perspective and from an oversight perspective,” said Miller. 

    He stated that the State Department eagerly anticipates engaging in both informal and formal discussions with Congress, as well as the actual testimony provided by officials.

  • France interested in Pakistan’s energy sector

    France interested in Pakistan’s energy sector

    A French delegation, led by its Deputy Head of Mission Guillaume Dabouis, showed keeness in investing in Pakistan’s energy sector in a meeting with Pakistan’s Minister of Energy, Musadik Malik in Islamabad, ARY news has reported.

    The French officials showed interest in investing in a number of domains of Pakistan’s energy sector, including LNG cargo provision, energy resource exploration, and projects aimed at improving energy trading, distribution, and transmission within the country.

    They also indicated interest in initiatives focused on lowering line losses and reviving Pakistan’s energy sector overall.

    The energy minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the nation’s longstanding energy challenges. He emphasized the shift from piecemeal strategies and assured that the new government would present a thoroughly prepared plan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

  • PTI instructs leaders to boycott five political talk shows

    PTI instructs leaders to boycott five political talk shows

    PTI’s core committee has barred party leaders from taking part in political talk shows hosted by five news anchors belonging to four different media channels in the country.

    According to a circular issued by PTI’s central media department, party leaders have been instructed to boycott the following anchors and shows:

    Kamran Shahid, Dunya News (Off The Front)

    Adil Shahzeb, Dawn News (Live with Adil Shahzeb)

    Muneeb Farooq, Samaa TV (Mera Sawaal with Muneeb Farooq)

    Shahzab Khanzada, Geo News (Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath)

    Saleem Safi, Geo News (Jirga)

  • PTI paying cost of two wrong decisions: Sher Afzal Marwat

    PTI paying cost of two wrong decisions: Sher Afzal Marwat

    PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat has said the party is paying the cost of two wrong decisions.

    Speaking on Geo News show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, he said the first major mistake was committed when party founder Imran Khan gave instructions for a political alliance with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Sherani.

    He said the second major mistake was the announcement of the inclusion into the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, adding that some people gave a sectarian colour to the issue and gave threatening messages to the PTI leadership.

    Later, Marwat said, the PTI suddenly decided to join the Sunni Ittehad Council.

    “These are two wrong decisions and their culprits should be determined because we lost more than 80 seats due to them.”

  • Maryam Nawaz slammed on social media over ‘defamation’ law

    Maryam Nawaz slammed on social media over ‘defamation’ law

    Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister Punjab, took to X (former Twitter) and announced that she is making a defamation law for Punjab.

    X user Faisal Ranjha asked in a tweet whether this government will be able to make a strong defamation law to counter lies and fake news. In response to that, Maryam quote tweeted, “I am making that law for Punjab.”

    Social media users reacted by mentioning how such laws already exist and are misused against political rivals and journalists.

    Lawyer and co-founder of Bolo Bhi, Farieha Aziz, said, “And it begins. ‘We need more laws’ to counter “fake news” & strengthen defamation narrative. Because Defamation Ordianance, 499 & 500 of PPC & 20 of PECA don’t already exist? Laws are implemented through same broken system. Malicious proceedings swift, genuine ones face delays.”

    Member of Awami Workers Party Ammar Rashid said, “While their overlords block X to shut down criticism, PMLN leadership openly announcing its intention to further criminalize attempts to hold public officeholders to account using the bogeyman of defamation & fake news. We must all shut up b/c our ruling elite is too insecure.”

    Film maker Arafat Mazhar said, “No “I” will be allowed to make that law. only a “we”, that too which represents democratic will, can make that law (unless it is to protect marginalised people from Tyranny of majority) Also this proposed defamation law is a disaster. Please maafi deh du. Aur Kitni awaz dabao gey?”