Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Awam ka kitna paisa laga hai Mohsin Naqvi ki publicity par?

    Awam ka kitna paisa laga hai Mohsin Naqvi ki publicity par?

    The Lahore High Court on Monday expressed concerns about the utilization of public funds in advertisement campaigns showcasing caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi for various development projects.

    Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad, while presiding over the case, voiced concerns that taxes collected from the public should be spent judiciously and not misused for self-promotion.

    A citizen, Hafiz Israrul Haq, filed a writ petition on November 17, challenging the actions taken to promote the caretaker chief minister on the construction of flyovers in the city.

    The judge declared that those who promoted themselves with public money would be held accountable.

    The petition stated, “The Govt. of Punjab designed a plan in order to construct a flyover at Shahdara Chowk to facilitate the public and started to construct the Fly over at Shahdara Chowk Lahore to make smooth flow of traffic as it is the duty of the Govt. to create easiness in the life of the inhabitants and to facilitate them but the Govt. of Punjab after completion of Construction of project of Fly Over started to advertise on electronic, Print Media and by displaying flexes/ sign board to make publicity with the name and style of “MUHSIN SPEED” which they are not authorized as if they have completed the work before time it is not permitted to advertise the same from the public exchequer rather they may advertise for publicity from their pockets not form the public money.”

    The judge summoned a complete record of the expenses incurred for an advertisement campaign for the construction of flyovers featuring the caretaker chief minister.

    Additionally, the Court directed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to present a thorough record of the construction of the flyovers at the upcoming hearing.

    The move underscores the court’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the expenditure of public funds.

    A similar issue arose in 2018 when then Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, took suo motu notice against media advertisements by the provincial government featuring images of then Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the lead-up to the general elections.

    Subsequently, the Supreme Court ordered Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to reimburse the national exchequer Rs5.5 million on March 8, 2018.

    A Punjab government newspaper advertisement carrying his photograph was displayed in court during the hearing.

  • ‘We are close to reaching a deal on a truce’, claims Hamas

    ‘We are close to reaching a deal on a truce’, claims Hamas

    In a significant development in Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza that has killed over 13,000 people, Hamas has reportedly claimed a possible ceasefire might be achieved today.

    Israel has not yet confirmed the deal which is said to be mediated by Qatar.

    According to Al Jazeera, Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq said the agreement will include a ceasefire, supply of aid into Gaza and shifting the injured to other countries for treatment.

    The deal is also said to include exchange of captives in efforts to release Palestinian women and children in Israeli prisons.

    Al-Rishq adds that the talks have been going on for weeks but PM Netanyahu “was stalling”, further stating that all the brigades in the Palestinian resistance approved of the deal.

    Previously, on Sunday, the Qatari PM said a deal to free some of the captives in return for a temporary ceasefire hinged on “minor” practical issues

    On the contrary, Israel’s Channel 12 reported the country’s war cabinet had discussed on Sunday that it is eager to negotiate on the hostages and wants to send a message to Qatar that it is ready to reach a deal.

    Israeli captives under Hamas

    Israel claims at least 237 people were taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.

    Among the hostages are nationals from more than 40 countries including at least 20 Thai farm workers and allegedly 33 children.

    Hamas has released four hostages – two Israeli citizens and two US citizens, while one was recovered during an operation in Gaza.

    Israel also claims that the bodies of two female hostages were recovered near the Al-Shifa Hospital complex.

    Palestinians captives under Israel

    About 5,200 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons before October 7 attacks.

    Since the attacks, Israel has arrested at least 2,960 more Palestinians during raids across the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

    These include at least 95 women and 37 journalists.

    Most of the people being held under laws and military orders that allow detention without trial or charge.

    Rights and monitoring groups report that at least 145 of them are reportedly children.

    While other reports claim that currently more than 200 children are held in Israeli prisons, including 26 on administrative detention.

  • Resolution supporting military trials against civilians is unconstitutional, says Raza Rabbani

    Resolution supporting military trials against civilians is unconstitutional, says Raza Rabbani

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior leader Raza Rabbani said on Monday that a resolution in favour of military trials against civilians is unconstitutional, promising that he will continue opposing it.

    Last week, the Senate passed a resolution against the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on civilian trials in military courts, calling for halting implementation of the judgment “unless it is considered by a larger bench”. 

    Jamaat-e-Islami’s Mushtaq Ahmed and PPP’s Rabbani opposed the resolution against the apex court’s decision.

    Speaking in the Senate on Monday, Raza Rabbani said that he voted for setting up military courts in the country in 2015 as he was bound by his party’s discipline.

    He also said that he voted in support of the resolution at the time on behalf of PPP. “I was ashamed for voting for the bill,” he said, adding that he, even today, was ashamed.

    After voting in favour of setting up military courts in January 2015, the senator was in tears.

    Rabbani said that he “never felt as ashamed” as he was on that day.

  • General elections 2024: Candidates allowed to spend up to Rs10 million on campaigns

    General elections 2024: Candidates allowed to spend up to Rs10 million on campaigns

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has recently finalised the Code of Conduct for political parties in preparation for the upcoming general elections in 2024.

    In a collaborative effort with political parties, the Election Commission of Pakistan has meticulously drafted the code of conduct, incorporating valuable suggestions from various political entities.

    According to reliable sources, the code includes provisions preventing political parties from undermining the sovereignty of Pakistan during the election campaign.
    Additionally, parties are expected to refrain from disparaging the ECP in the course of their campaigns.

    The code of conduct emphasises ethical practices, urging political parties and candidates to abstain from offering gifts, inducements, or bribes to encourage the withdrawal of other candidates.

    Ensuring the safety of election staff and polling agents is paramount, as outlined in the draft.
    A noteworthy feature of the code is the commitment to implementing a 5 per cent women’s quota in the upcoming general elections in 2024. This underscores the importance of gender inclusivity in the political landscape.

    The code unequivocally discourages violence on polling day, strictly prohibiting the display of weapons during election campaigns.
    Aerial shootings and the use of firecrackers in public gatherings are also prohibited, promoting a peaceful electoral environment.

    Addressing the eligibility of election agents, the code stipulates that the appointed agent must be a registered voter in the relevant constituency.

    Furthermore, financial regulations have been established, allowing National Assembly candidates a spending limit of up to Rs10 million for their election campaigns, while Provincial Assembly candidates are capped at a maximum of Rs4 million.

    In adherence to transparency, successful candidates are required to submit detailed reports of their election expenses to returning Officers, fostering accountability in the electoral process.


    The comprehensive nature of the Code of Conduct reflects the Election Commission’s commitment to conducting fair, transparent, and violence-free elections in 2024.

  • ‘Imran Khan ruined my 28-year-long marriage with Bushra’; Khawar Maneka

    ‘Imran Khan ruined my 28-year-long marriage with Bushra’; Khawar Maneka

    Khawar Maneka, the former husband of Bushra Bibi, the current wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has disclosed private details of the circumstances that led to his divorce.

    During an interview with Geo News’ ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath,’ Khawar Maneka claimed that Imran Khan used to visit his house without his consent, adding that he was not happy with the frequent meetings between Khan and his ex-wife.

    He narrated an incident where he asked his servant to escort Imran Khan out of his house when the former Prime Minister visited his home.

    He also revealed that Bushra and Imran used to talk over the phone for hours. Farah Gogi, Bibi’s close friend and the central character in an alleged corruption probe, provided them with “private cell phones” on Imran’s behest.

    Maneka further revealed that during PTI’s sit-ins in Islamabad, Bushra’s sister, Maryam Watto, arranged a meeting between his wife and Imran.

    He stated that his marriage with Bushra lasted for 28 years, and they had a happy life until Imran Khan, driven by spiritual pursuits, allegedly ruined their household.

    Maneka claimed that his mother warned him not to let Imran Khan into their house, as she considered him to be a bad person.

    However, secret phone conversations between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi began, and they continued to communicate extensively.

    Maneka disclosed that he had his own house in Bani Gala, but Bushra Bibi used to visit Imran Khan’s house without informing him.

    According to him, six months before their divorce, Bushra Bibi left him and went to live at her own home.

    He visited her in Pakpattan and asked her to come with him but she responded in the negative.

    He claimed that one day, Farah sent him a message on the phone, asking him to divorce Bushra Bibi. Maneka said that he went to his wife, asking her if she wanted to end the marriage. When she remained silent, he sent divorce papers on November 14, 2017.

    Bushra married Imran within 1.5 months of divorce and a controversy arose regarding her Iddat period.

    Later, Farah Gogi and Zulfi Bukhari called him and requested to change the date of the divorce.

    He also claimed that Gogi and Bukhari told him to stay silent citing Imran Khan’s upcoming premiership. He perceived this as a moderate threat but later realised that they might cause harm to his children.

    Maneka emphasised that he had no knowledge of Bushra Bibi’s marriage to Imran Khan and was unaware of the development until Geo News and Dunya News broke the story, casting doubt on the authenticity of their marriage.

    He further claimed that he never used any influence, alleging that Farah Gogi and her husband Ahsan Jameel Gujjar became self-procaimed parents of his children and used all their powers to favour them.

    Interestingly, whenever Maneka was questioned with counter facts by Shahzeb, he would fumble, while appearing distressed.

    Gondal Case

    Shahzeb Khanzada then moved on to allegations of misuse of the first lady’s position by Maneka, citing the Gondal case.

    In 2018, Pakpattan’s former district police officer (DPO) Rizwan Umar Gondal’s men stopped Maneka’s car as he was travelling towards Pir Ghani on the night of August 23.

    Controversy sparked when Punjab’s former Chief Minister Usman Buzdar allegedly transferred Gondal on the complaint of Khawar Maneka.

    Police officials claimed that Maneka refused to stop at the policemen’s request and misbehaved with them.

    Subsequently, Maneka demanded that the DPO of the area should visit his dera to personally apologise to him.

    When Gondal’s transfer orders started making the rounds, it was widely speculated in news and social media that the police officer was transferred because of the August 23 episode.

    DPO Gondal revealed details of his meeting with the Punjab CM on August 24. He said Ahsan Jameel was sitting along with the CM when he was summoned to Lahore. Gondal said he then thought Jameel to be a senior official.

    Gondal said he told the Punjab CM that after police officials’ altercation with the Manekas at Pakpattan, Manika’s son Ibrahim was invited to the DPO house to redress his grievances but he refused to come.

    However, Gondal claimed, it was Jameel who addressed him in ‘an overbearing manner’ but he did not go to Maneka’s residence to offer apologies despite repeated instructions.

    “Don’t take this issue lightly. This time we may exercise restraint but the next time things shall go out of control and you all will suffer,” Gondal quoted Jameel as saying.

    When asked about this case by Shahzeb, Maneka categorically refused any use of influence or any sort of connection with Jameel.

    When asked about allegations of corruption, making money, increased assets beyond means, and a significant shift in lifestyle, Maneka claimed that everything is out in the open and he is willing to cooperate with any sort of investigation. He also credited his parents for his lifestyle.

    ‘Imran Khan denies’

    Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan’s lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat stated that Imran Khan has refuted claims made by Khawar Maneka about Khan’s marriage to Bushra Bibi.

    Marwat asserted that there is no legal validity of a person who gives contradictory statements and Maneka’s claims are baseless. “Khawar Maneka was also an abducted person. He was arrested under corruption charges but is being used in the iddat case for mala fide statements,” he said.

    He emphasised that Maneka’s and Khan’s opponents’ acts are inhumane, generating controversies around Khan’s kids, his marriages, his wives, and his family, and Khan’s opponents use any opportunity to malign him.

    “We could’ve said a lot of things around Junaid Safdar’s issue for political point-scoring but we believe that doing this when someone’s home is being broken is disgusting,” he said.

    He also said that anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada, who conducted Khawar Maneka’s interview, should’ve thought about his reputation before doing such an interview.

    Nawaz Sharif Reacts

    Former Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, has reacted to Khawar Maneka’s recent interview where he detailed the circumstances that led to his divorce.

    Maneka’s recent interview where he detailed the circumstances that led to his divorce.

    Nawaz Sharif briefly addressed media at Islamabad High Court, where he was asked about Khawar Maneka’s revelations. When questioned if he had watched the interview, Sharif responded in the affirmative.

    The reporter then inquired about Rana Sanaullah’s remarks ‘Dur Fittay Mu’ following the interview, asking if they were accurate. In response, the former Prime Minister stated that after the statements (by Maneka), Riasat e Madina shouldn’t have been mentioned (by Imran).

    Upon further questioning about whether the real face has now been revealed and Imran’s secrets have been disclosed, Nawaz Sharif replied that he had already spoken on the matter, and subsequent to those statements, the emphasis should have been on not mentioning Riasat e Madina.

  • PML-N rejects reports that it will change 18th Amendment

    PML-N rejects reports that it will change 18th Amendment

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) rejected a report that the party will bring changes to the 18th Constitutional Amendment, if it came back to power.

    PML-N’s manifesto committee chief, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, a close aide of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, and the party’s Information Secretary, Marriyum Aurangzeb, both have rejected the report.

    Senator Siddiqui also said that “We have not received any such recommendations.” He further stated that party leadership didn’t ever discuss the matter in internal meetings.

    “We reject the false report related to changes in the 18th Amendment,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb.

    According to a report published in DAWN today, the PML-N’s manifesto committee received several proposals, including the swing in the 18th Amendment to change the distribution structure of budget among provinces.

    “There’s a very strong feeling, rather conviction, among the party’s top leadership that the current arrangements of financial resources distribution among the provinces [under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution] has created unsustainable financial problems,” PML-N source had told the publication on the condition of anonymity.

    “So far, it’s believed that the party would not go for an outright reversal of the 18th Amendment, but it would address its key features and reshape the distribution mechanism of financial resources among the provinces. You would hopefully see it as part of the PML-N manifesto,” the source had explained.

    Two party leaders, who had spoken to the publication anonymously, had also confirmed the development.

    Earlier in the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in April 2020 that the “18th Amendment should be revisited to run the country’s affairs effectively.”

  • Supreme Court will hear petition against deportation of Afghan refugees

    Supreme Court will hear petition against deportation of Afghan refugees

    In a significant development on Monday, the Supreme Court decided to entertain a petition challenging the government’s move to force out Afghan refugees from the country. The decision comes after the Supreme Court Registrar’s Office initially raised objections to the petition’s maintainability, putting a temporary halt on its progress.

    Despite the decision to entertain the petition, a specific date for the hearing is yet to be announced. According to sources, Justice Yahya Afridi of the Supreme Court heard the appeal against the objections in his chamber on Monday, as confirmed by a counsel for the petitioners.

    Mohsin Dawar took to X (former Twitter) and said, “We appeared before Justice Yahya Afridi for the Chamber Appeal against the Registrar’s objection on our petition against the mass deportation of Afghan Refugees. Our appeal has been accepted and the petition will be heard by the Supreme Court.”

    The petition, returned by the Supreme Court Registrar’s Office on November 8, faced objections related to its maintainability. One notable objection was the absence of a specific question of public importance regarding the enforcement of fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Constitution, warranting the invocation of Article 184(3).

    In response to the objections, the petitioners contended that their case raised critical issues pertaining to fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. The appeal, filed by Umer Ijaz Gillani on behalf of human rights activists and politicians, argued that the issues presented in the petition are essential for safeguarding the rights guaranteed in the Constitution.

    “The issues raised in the petition are critical for securing the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution,” stated the appeal. It emphasized the need to prevent constitutional promises from becoming mere rhetoric, asserting, “The promises contained in the Constitution must never be allowed to become mere verbiage, the harbingers of false hope.”

    The petitioners include prominent figures such as Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, Human rights activist Amina Masood Janjua, National Democratic Movement Chairman Mohsin Dawar, lawyer Jibran Nasir, Rohail Kasi, Syed Muaz Shah, Pastor Ghazala Parveen, lawyer Iman Zainab Mazari, Ahmad Shabbar, Advocate Imran Shafiq, Luke Victor, and Sijal Shafiq.

    The petitioners stated in their press release on Sunday, “After 18 days of eager wait and continuous legal struggle, the Supreme Court has finally fixed our Case against the Caretaker Government’s Mass Deportation drive for a preliminary hearing. The hearing will be conducted by a 1-member bench comprising Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi inside his Chamber. It is scheduled for 1:00 pm on Monday, 20th November, 2023.

    Needless to say that under Article 184(3), the principal responsibility for taking charge of the situation and preventing systemic violation of fundamental rights vests in the Court itself. The petitioners’ role is that of informants who apprise the Court about what is happening and prick its judicial conscience.

    What has been happening to scores of people since October 3, when this draconian Deportation Drive was launched by a government lacking all mandate, is clear to all and sundry. However, in order to assist the Court in discharge of its sacred duty, the counsel for the Petitioners will appear before the bench.”

    The government of Pakistan decided to deport all the illegal aliens from the country early in October.

    A vast majority of them are Afghans who were given a deadline of November 1 to leave the country voluntarily or else there would be a crackdown.

    The government has identified phases in which these Afghan immigrants will be repatriated under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.

    There is a large number of 1.7 million Afgan refugees which the government aims to repatriate in the first phase of the plan. More than 200,000 of them have been repatriated until now.

    Aurat March protests

    Aurat March Lahore reiterated its demand that the Government of Pakistan immediately halt deportations of Afghan refugees, during a protest on Saturday.

    The protestors further stated that the hastily imposed 1 November expulsion deadline is an authoritarian decision that exceeds the caretaker government’s limited constitutional mandate. It effectively overturned decades of refugee policy overnight without accountability or transparency.

    Furthermore, the ill-thought-out decision has resulted in the denial of Afghan refugees’ rights to liberty,due process, and, in many cases, citizenship.

    On 29 October 2023, Aurat March chapters from across the country marked their protest and addressed an open letter urging the caretaker Prime Minister, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, to reverse his decision.

    However, this caretaker government has failed to yield to these demands and has since doubled down on its decision by announcing that the second phase of deportations will be of “documented” refugees.

    Aurat March stated, “We refuse this insidious distinction between “documented” and “undocumented” refugees; all refugees have the non-derogable right to non-refoulement and deserve support, not persecution.”

  • JUI-F opposes rigging of elections, even if it’s in party’s favour, says Fazlur Rehman

    JUI-F opposes rigging of elections, even if it’s in party’s favour, says Fazlur Rehman

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Monday that he is strictly against political engineering and rigging of elections, adding that his party will oppose this “heinous crime.”

    While addressing a two-day general council meeting, Fazlur Rehman said that “rigging of elections is the most heinous crime. We would not allow it even if it is in our favour, adding that his party has differences with state institutions, but it doesn’t want permanent rivalry with them.

    “We would continue to speak against wrongs. We know how to protect our mandate, and we will never tolerate rigging at any cost,” the former-ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief said.

    Fazal stated this after he was chosen as JUI-F central chief and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri as general secretary for another five-year term.

    The upcoming election on February 8 was also on the agenda of a two-day central general council huddle.

  • ‘Our rivals see Nawaz Sharif becoming next PM’: Marriyum Aurangzeb

    ‘Our rivals see Nawaz Sharif becoming next PM’: Marriyum Aurangzeb

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that the party’s political rivals can see that Nawaz Sharif will become the next prime minister.

    While talking to journalists, the former Information Minister said that PML-N’s manifesto is to provide relief to the people of the country.

    “We have to rise above our personal interests. Our political rivals can also see that Nawaz Sharif will become the next prime minister,” said Marriyum, adding that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s statement about free and fair elections is “encouraging”.

    “The country is moving towards transparent elections,” Bilawal said on Sunday.

    Marriyum Aurangzeb also showed confidence in Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure transparent elections on February 8.

    “We are not worried by any words or taunts; we have to give relief to the people,” said Marriyum during the presser.

  • Al Shifa hospital forcefully evacuated within hours on Israeli orders

    After days of attacking Al Shifa hospital in Gaza and raiding it room by room, the Israeli military has now forcefully evacuated premises on Saturday.

    The hospital’s Director, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, told Al Jazeera that the hospital is now “completely deserted” while the few patients and victims left are lying in corridors.

    He added that those in dire conditions, including newborns and kidney patients, “will die imminently if they are not evacuated,” further stating that Israeli soldiers “are in total control” and that the remaining medical staff “cannot move freely”.

    Earlier today,the Israeli military had ordered everyone — including doctors, patients and displaced people — to evacuate in an hour.

    This, as reported by Al Jazeera, created a sense of panic as it is impossible to flee Al Shifa in such a brief period. A Palestinian health official said that evacuees were “ordered at 9am [7:00 GMT] to leave while waving a white handkerchiefs and walk in a single-file line.”

    Medical staff and others present at Al Shifa revealed that there are patients who cannot be abandoned, including those who cannot walk.

    Munir al-Barsh, director-general of Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that about “450 patients were evacuated, while about 120 patients were left behind with five doctors, including the director and a few nurses, because they were immobile.”

    Additionally, a list of critical patients has been given to the Red Cross so they can be taken to Egypt for treatment.

    Adnan al-Barsh, head of orthopaedics at al-Shifa Hospital, stated that Israeli snipers are in and around the hospital compound, saying that “We were adamant on not leaving without our patients … we were forced to leave at gunpoint.”

    The Israeli army denied issuing the evacuation order, however, all officials and other people at Al Shifa have described the total opposite of Israeli claims.