Current Final

Category: Politics

  • PEMRA nay laga dee TV channels pay aik aur pabandi

    PEMRA nay laga dee TV channels pay aik aur pabandi

    Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has barred television channels from airing anything that casts doubt on the electoral process.

    The notification, issued on November 3, states, “All the satellite TV channel licensees were directed vide this office directives dated 3* November, 2023 to strictly comply with the PEMRA’s Code of Conduct 2015 and ensure that no speculative, doubtful and false information/content with reference to electoral process or conduct of General Elections is aired, broadcasted or televised in any manner, whatsoever, which may subsequently hamper smooth conduct of the General Elections 2024.”

    It further says that all the licensees, while airing their transmission before General Elections 2024, must be mindful of the fact that no such content/discussion / comment is aired which may create doubts or an impression in the minds of the public about the polls or may sabotage elections through any negative/false news, information or report aired on any satellite TV channel, inadvertently.

    Anchor Person Mohammad Malick took to X (former Twitter) and wrote, “Has Pemra gone absolutely bonkers? media barred from even discussing the possibility of flawed election process by EC. All media outlets & journo orgs must outrightly reject this ridiculous ‘unholy commandment’. this is brazen censorship and must be resisted.”

    Secretary General South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) Imtiaz Alam said, “Indeed, Election Commission of Pakistan should be respected, but it must earn respect by ensuring even-playing field fo all and transparently conducting electoral process. However, PEMRA order must be rejected. Media must critically evaluate the conduct of elections and ECP.”

  • Sindh government allots 52,000 acres for corporate farming, Geo reports

    Sindh government allots 52,000 acres for corporate farming, Geo reports

    The interim Sindh government has alloted 52,000 acres of state land for corporate cultural farming, disclose official documents.

    As per a report filed by Geo’s Benazir Shah and Rasheed Memon, the caretaker government of Sindh gave ultimate approval last week to allot 52,713 acres of state land for the project, out of which 28,000 acres will be rendered in Khairpur, 10,000 in Mithi, 9,305 in Dadu, 3,408 in Sujawal, 1,000 acres in Thatta, and 1,000 in Badin.

    The land is being allotted under the authority of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). SIFC is a top military body that was established in June this year to attract foreign investment in the country.

    According to state documents seen by Geo.tv, earlier this year, the chief secretary of Sindh issued a directive to the provincial Land Utilisation Department and the Board of Revenue to explain the availability of land in the province.

    The documents even recommend that the land be leased out to the Pakistani army, insisting that the latter had “well-trained manpower” for the job.

    The minutes of a cabinet meeting in Sindh on December 1st imply that the interim government in Sindh is considering leasing state-owned land to a private company affiliated with the Pakistan military.

    The agenda read: “…approval of a joint venture agreement for the corporate agro-farming initiative in Sindh between the Land Utilization Department and Green Corporate Initiative Pvt Ltd”.

  • Manzoor Pashteen to be exiled from Balochistan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following arrest

    Manzoor Pashteen to be exiled from Balochistan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following arrest

    Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Pashteen was arrested by the police in Chaman, Balochistan on Monday. Consequently, the Interior Ministry has decided to shift him to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. With this, Pashteen has been banned from Balochistan, Caretaker Information Minister Balochistan Jan Achakzai has said.


    Pashteen was arrested yesterday from Chaman when he was going to speak to a massive sit-in, protesting against the alleged murder of a Baloch student at the hands of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), in Turbat.

    The Deputy Commissioner of Chaman has claimed that Pashteen was arrested after armed men from his vehicle allegedly opened fire at a police vehicle. PTM leaders have accused law enforcement officers of initiating the gunfire, saying that Pashteen emerged unharmed from the shooting incident. In a video released by PTM on Youtube, member central committee Haji Abdul Samad Khan can be seen relating the incident where people inside their vehicle were also injured, including a woman.


    Jan Achakzai stated that Pashteen had addressed the Chaman sit-in without the approval of the administration, referring to PTM as “an anti-state organisation”, reports Express Tribune.

    He also stated that an FIR had been lodged against Pashteen by police in Chaman, noting that four people were injured as the PTM chief’s guards opened fire on them.

    Renowned Journalist Azaz Syed criticised the arrest as a move against the freedom of speech.


    Fellow PTM leader Ali Wazir reasserted his determination to the cause they stand for in face of the oppression of the state.


    Salma Khan, member of the PTM, called out the state for using disruptive tactics to create chaos.

    v


    Anchor and Journalist Sanna Ejaz condemned the attack and arrest.

  • ARY News ordered to issue apology to Asma Shirazi

    ARY News ordered to issue apology to Asma Shirazi

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed ARY News to apologise and pay Rs50,000 in damages to senior journalist Asma Shirazi for misreporting against her.

    Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC issued a verdict on Shirazi’s appeal against the December 21, 2022, verdict of the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) Council of Complaints.

    “The court is of the view that editorial side and the airing committee of the licensee/respondent No.3 [the TV channel] is not vigilant enough that picture of the appellant was wrongly placed along with the news content, when she has nothing to do with that particular news item on aired by respondent No.3 […],” the verdict stated.

    “The facts were deliberately concocted to make the viewers’ believe that the appellant’s journalism was criticised during the [SC] proceedings,” the journalist had contended in her appeal against the TV channel.

    Shirazi said that Pemra rejected her complaint against the TV channel as non-maintainable, stating that “no legal point had been made by the complainant in the instant matter as a proper forum for defamation was available” to her.

    The IHC, in its decision, said that TV channels are obligated by Pemra laws to disseminate news and reports in an accurate manner.

    It is also mentioned in the decision that a senior journalist has a right to damages; however, it is not the duty of the court to determine the extent of damages when there is no information available on record.

    It also stated that Shirazi still has the right to approach the competent court to seek damages under defamation law.

  • London sy Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif ka mask naak sy neechay kyun?

    London sy Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif ka mask naak sy neechay kyun?

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif has come back to Pakistan from a four year-long stay in United Kingdom, but he has brought a constant with him. And that is his mask, which is always worn in a manner that leaves his nose uncovered.

    Here are some pictures of Nawaz Sharif wearing a mask on his chin.

    In the picture above, the PML-N supremo is talking to journalists in front of Avenfield House in London.

    Nawaz Sharif can be seen in this picture sitting next to his grandson, Junaid Safdar, at his nikah ceremony in London.

    In this above picture, Nawar Sharif can be seen wearing a mask on his chin while visiting a factory in the UK with former finance minister Ishaq Dar.

    Here, Nawaz Sharif is in Jeddah, and his nose is still not covered with a mask.

    In this picture, the former prime minister can be seen with his daughter and PML-N’s senior vice president, Maryam Nawaz, performing Umrah while his mask is still underneath his nose.

    In this picture, Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shehbaz Sharif are together at their Avenfield House in London.

    In this above picture, the PML-N head reaches Pakistan after almost four year, on October 21.

    Oh, surprisingly, Nawaz Sharif can wear a mask properly, as seen in this rare picture taken in London.

  • 1.8 million Palestinians internally displaced, have no where to escape

    1.8 million Palestinians internally displaced, have no where to escape

    With about 1.8 million Palestinians already displaced across Gaza, the Israeli military has now called to evacuate areas in Khan Younis.

    On October 13th, Israel directed one million Gazans in the north to move south. But now, the internally displaced as well as the local residents have been asked to evacuate the south with no place to escape to for protection.

    Israeli air raids have been targeting refugee camps and residential buildings, having killed more than 15,500 people and injuring more than 41,300 since October 7.

  • ‘Nawaz Sharif responsible for May 9 riots,’ Imran Khan

    ‘Nawaz Sharif responsible for May 9 riots,’ Imran Khan

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently under arrest, has said that he will ask the court to summon General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, former Army Chief, in connection with the cipher case. Imran Khan shared this information during an informal conversation with journalists at Adiala Jail.

    Imran Khan explained the circumstances of his arrest, stating that it was all part of London’s plan. He drew a parallel with Nawaz Sharif, stating that after the London plan, Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan. He further claimed that Nawaz Sharif is responsible for 9 May incidents.

    Journalist Azaz Syed posted in a tweet that, “Imran Khan while talking to reporters in the jail (during the jail trial) said that I will summon Gen Bajwa to the court , he (Bajwa) did all on the directions of Donald Lu , I will also bring US Embassy officials and Gen Bajwa in doc (as witness).He said that Donald Lu took the cypher to Gen Bajwa, it was meant for Bajwa. “They wanted to remove me. They are trying to do with me what they did with Sheikh Mujib,” Imran reportedly said. He added that he can give in writing that his party will win the elections.

    Imran Khan, also the former Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleged that General Bajwa had acted on the instructions of US diplomat Donald Lu, asserting that he would ensure that General Bajwa faced the court for his actions.

    Responding to a question, Imran Khan emphasized that he had not engaged in any negotiations for a deal, declaring his readiness to submit a written statement affirming that PTI would emerge victorious in the elections.

    He further stated that he has faced no difficulties in jail and considers incarceration a form of worship.

    In response to queries about PTI leaders leaving the party, Imran Khan expressed gratitude for those departing, considering it a positive development.

    It’s important to note that a special court, established under the Secret Act, has set December 12 as the date to formally charge Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the Safdar case. The case involves the alleged altercation with law enforcement at the Quaid’s mausoleum during Maryam Nawaz’s rally.

    Former prime minister Imran Khan has claimed that neither he met anyone in jail nor did somebody negotiate with him. He also stressed that the PTI will win the elections.

    Khan made these remarks while answering a reporter’s question, in his first interaction with the media since being imprisoned, about whether someone held negotiations with him.

    Recalling the events of May 9, the former PTI chairman said Dr Yasmin Rashid can be clearly seen asking people not to go inside the Lahore Corps Commander House. He added that CCTV footage could be seen to check who led the miscreants inside.  

    Furthermore, Khan said false accusations had been made through Khawar Maneka, adding that these were morally corrupt people. 

    “I can say on oath that I saw Bushra Bibi on the day of the marriage,” he insisted.

    Imran Khan said he wanted to convey a message that the “kaptaan” was ready to fight till his last breath. He further alleged that the so-called London Plan was meant to bring back PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, jail all PTI officials and finish the party.

    “I am making it clear to you today that the PTI will win the elections,” the former PTI chief said, adding that looking at the situation, it was feared they would run away from elections.

    He further commented on the economy, saying that growth has dropped from 6.17 to zero. “People are not mad; they know what these people have done.”

    On the other hand, Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a reporter he did not need any office within the party. The former minister was responding to a journalist’s statement that Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had been made the PTI chairman.

    “I stood by Khan yesterday; I am standing today and will continue to do so in the future,” Qureshi asserted. He added that he was at a stage where he did not need a position.

    He further urged the supporters of the former PTI chairman to go out of their houses and cast their votes. He added that he was in the hearts of Imran Khan and the people of the PTI.

  • EU will not send full observation team for upcoming elections

    EU will not send full observation team for upcoming elections

    The European Union (EU) has told the government of Pakistan that it will not be possible to send a full election observation mission to Pakistan as it did last time in the 2018 elections, The News has reported on Monday.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had invited an EU observation mission for upcoming election on February 8 next year. The EU observation mission has already monitored polls five times in the country.

    In 2018, a team of 10 observers and 60 analysts from the EU visited Pakistan. On Election Day, it deployed a total of 122 observers.

    After that, the mission shared its final report in October 2018 and provided 30 recommendations to make the election process better in the future. The eight recommendations were identified as priorities among  30.

    “Only a small mission of experts will visit Pakistan during the elections in 2024, while no recommendations or political assessments of the voting will be presented to the Pakistan government. The EU will not be sending a full-blown election observation mission. Those need several months in advance to plan and budget for,” EU Ambassador to Pakistan Ms Riina Kionka told The News.

    The ECP has encouraged the Foreign Office to take necessary steps to invite international observers to observe the transparency of the upcoming general elections.

    The ECP also said that it believes in an open-door policy and embraces the presence of an observation team during the forthcoming general elections.

  • Attack on passenger bus in Chilas; Protests Erupt, Bus Service Suspended

    Attack on passenger bus in Chilas; Protests Erupt, Bus Service Suspended

    In a tragic incident in the Chilas area of Gilgit-Baltistan’s(GB) Diamer district, a passenger bus en route to Rawalpindi was targeted by unknown assailants on December 2. The attack resulted in the loss of at least nine lives, including two soldiers, and injuries to 21 passengers.

    The attackers fired from nearby hills, causing the bus to collide with a goods truck.

    Six people have been arrested in connection with the attack, according to a local police official as per Dawn.

    The bus (Number BLN 4647) was traveling from Gahkuch, the district headquarters of Ghizer, operated by K2 Travels, a private transportation company.

    This isn’t the first time passenger buses have been attacked on the KKH by terrorists. Unlike the past attacks, in which passengers from the Shia community were targetted, this time the victims are not from a particular faith group.

    Contrary to previous incidents in the region, GB Home Minister Shams Lone emphasized that this attack was not sectarian but rather a terrorist act that claimed lives from various backgrounds.

    The local community in Diamer has reportedly rejected such acts, and the government has assured the public of taking tough measures against the perpetrators.

    The minister said that the GB government has taken “tough decisions” to deal with militants and “all culprits will be arrested soon”.

    He added that religious scholars from all sects, civil society and political parties have condemned the attack.

    GB Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, along with other top officials, attended the funeral of the victims and announced compensation of Rs1 million for the deceased, Rs500,000 for the seriously injured, and Rs300,000 for other injured passengers.

    The government has also implemented security measures, including daytime travel for passenger vehicles through Diamer in convoys escorted by security personnel.

    Protests

    Protests erupted across Chilas, Gilgit, Skardu, and Hunza, with the transporters’ association calling for protection for vehicles traveling on the Karakoram Highway (KKH).

    Bus Service Suspended

    In response to the incident, bus services from Rawalpindi to Gilgit-Baltistan remain suspended until foolproof security is provided, as stated by Malik Shahbaz, the general secretary of the Pakistan Transporter Welfare Association.

    Malik Shahbaz, the general secretary of the Pakistan Transporter Welfare Association, told Dawn that 150 to 200 coaches and buses operate from Rawalpindi to 10 GB districts daily.

    He claimed that only one security official on a motorcycle is deputed to escort the convoy of buses along the 50-kilometer-long stretch of the KKH in Chilas.

    “The public transport service will remain suspended until the provision of foolproof security to Gilgit-bound buses,” Mr Shahbaz said.

    The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators also condemned the attack and said the act of violence not only resulted in the loss of innocent lives but had a profound impact on the tourism industry as well. “Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy.”

    Security Enhanced

    Meanwhile, Islamabad Capital City Police Officer(ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan issued directives to enhance security measures in the Diplomatic Enclave following the attack.

    “Police remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining a peaceful environment and ensuring the protection of the lives and property of the citizens within the federal capital,” he said.

    “Citizens are urged to cooperate with the police and report any suspicious activities or items by dialling helpline Pucar 15 or at ICT-15 app,” he said.

  • JUI-F claims that Maulana Fazlur Rehman will be the president of Pakistan

    JUI-F claims that Maulana Fazlur Rehman will be the president of Pakistan

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) claimed on Sunday that party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will become the president of Pakistan whether the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) or Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) win the upcoming elections on February 8 next year.

    Currently, Dr. Arif Alvi is the head of the state under Article 44 of the Constitution, which allows the president to work in the absence of provincial and national assemblies, which were dissolved early this year in January and August, respectively.

    Alvi is the fourth head of state to complete his full term. The previous three presidents who completed their five-year terms were the fifth president Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry (1973–1988), the 11th president Asif Ali Zardari (2008–2013), and the 12th president Mamnoon Hussain (2013–2018).

    In an interview, JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah said that if Fazlur Rehman can be the head of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), then he can also be the president of the country as well.

    Hafiz Hamdullah also criticised PML-N and PPP for “keeping an eye” on Balochistan.  

    “Father-son and father-daughter duos keep an eye on Balochistan’s [politics], let’s see what results it bears [in future],” he said.