Current Final

Category: Politics

  • PTI seeks dialogue with establishment, says Raoof Hassan

    PTI seeks dialogue with establishment, says Raoof Hassan

    Information Secretary Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Raoof Hassan has firmly stated that PTI is clear in its policy on engaging with the establishment.

    Appearing on the ARY News programme ‘11th Hour’, Raoof Hassan declared dialogue between PTI and the establishment “inevitable”, adding, “We (party) shouldn’t delay this matter.”

    Ruling out any speculation PTI having an anti-establishment stance, he clarified, “PTI is prepared to engage with the establishment at every cost.”

    He further said that the establishment also wanted to engage with PTI and revealed that they had done so before. “Mahool ko sazgaar banana hu ga taakay dono table par baith kr muzaaqraat kr sakain or mulk k baary mein soch sakain.”

    Talking about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, he wished for dialogue to be held between provincial officials and the establishment.

  • Bilawal Bhutto calls for establishment of federal constitutional court

    Bilawal Bhutto calls for establishment of federal constitutional court

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has stressed the need to form Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to address disparities among Pakistan’s provinces.

    Addressing the Sindh High Court Bar Association, Bhutto stated that the 18th Amendment was threatened to be overturned while the 19th Amendment was passed under pressure.

    He pointed out that the details for the 19th Amendment have not been disclosed to-date.

    “The judicial reforms would be undertaken in line with the Charter of Democracy (COD), come what may,” he vowed.

    Bilawal Bhutto explained that PPP is considering to form a Constitutional Court in every province to address constitution-related cases, but he also clarified that no consensus has been reached on this proposal.

    “Agar Pakistan ka nizaam theek kerna hai tou Charter Of Democracy (COD) par amal kerna parega,” he added.

  • Bilawal hon aur memes na hon, aisa kaisay ho sakta hai?

    Bilawal hon aur memes na hon, aisa kaisay ho sakta hai?

    Bilawal Bhutto Zardari unintentionally created a hilarious moment while talking to the media in Karachi on Monday.

    Replying to a question about the possibility of a Constitutional Court, he said, “We should think about that. Woh kehtay hain na, aap ungli daitay hain, woh poora….”. He then smilingly made a gesture that depicts length but could also be interpreted as an obnoxious one.

    It was only after the room erupted into laughter that he realised his mistake. “No, in angraizi. I’m not talking about…” he laughingly said as more laughs rang across the press conference. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson then smilingly put his hand to his forehead.

    He said that he was referring to the English saying, ‘If you give an inch, they will take a mile.’

    Bilawal then started talking about Article 186 of the Constitution but broke off mid-sentence to say, “Taubah, jo memes bannain gay.” Members of the media again burst into laughter.

    Expect a deluge of memes in the coming days on the slip of the tongue.

  • Jerusalem Post article is ‘propaganda’, says Imran Khan

    Jerusalem Post article is ‘propaganda’, says Imran Khan

    Founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has rejected the accusation that he supports dialogue with Israel and declared a The Jerusalem Post article which said he is central to establishing good relations between the countries propaganda against him.

    Speaking with journalists at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, the former Prime Minister clarified that critics misinterpreted the article due to a “lack of understanding of English.”

    He asserted, “They (critics) are making it seem like I am the biggest supporter of talks with Israel.”

    He remarked that Israel, before considering dialogue, must announce a ceasefire in Gaza first and strive for a two-state solution.

    Responding to questions about PTI’s next rally to be held in Rawalpindi, he said that if permission were denied, they (the party) would stage protests.

    Criticising the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), he claimed, “They are giving extensions to the very people ensuring that the truth about the May 9 CCTV footage and electoral fraud never comes to light.”

    The Jerusalem Post, one of Israel’s most widely-read newspapers, declared Imran Khan a central figure in normalising Pak-Israel ties.

    An article written by Harry Richer asserted, “Figures like Khan could very well be central in changing both public opinion and military policy” for Pak-Israel ties.

  • Not so fast, Supreme Court: Election Commission to hold meeting today to discuss response to verdict

    Not so fast, Supreme Court: Election Commission to hold meeting today to discuss response to verdict

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is to hold another meeting today to consult a legal expert on how to respond to the Supreme Court’s (SC) recent verdict regarding the allocation of reserved seats to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies.

    The Commission has been conducting meetings on a daily basis since last week to discuss the legal quandary arising after the parliament passed the Election Amendment Act 2024, Informed sources told Dawn.

    It further claimed, “But the situation has changed after the announcement of the detailed judgement of the Supreme Court, and the commission will meet again on Tuesday to seek the opinion of the legal expert.”

    Earlier, the ECP’s law wing claimed that PTI had no organisational structure and refused to allocate reserved seats to PTI.

    On August 8, President Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari signed the Election Amendments Act 2024, which ultimately clashes with the Supreme Court’s July 12, 2024 reserved seats verdict.

    Election Amendment Act 2024 stated, “If a political party fails to submit its list for reserved seats within the prescribed time, it will not be entitled to reserved seats of women and non-muslims candidates.

    Last week, Speaker of National Assembly (NA) Ayaz Sadiq penned a letter to Chief ECP Sikander Sultan Raja, which reads, “The amended Elections Act is in the field and, therefore, it is the statutory obligation of the ECP to honour the laws made by Parliament and uphold the principles of democracy and parliamentary supremacy.”

  • Ali Amin Gandapur charged under Anti Terrorism Act

    Ali Amin Gandapur charged under Anti Terrorism Act

    Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur has been charged with thirteen provisions, including the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATC), for resorting to violence near the Sialkot interchange on the Motorway.

    The First Information Report (FIR) filed at the Manawan police station in Lahore reads that an armed mob led by CM Ali Amin Gandapur attempted to set fire to vehicles parked at the Sialkot toll plaza on the order of a politician.

    The FIR further states that an armed mob confronted police with AK-47 rifles while Gandapur, Shahid Khattak and other politicians moved ahead during the riot.

    On September 21, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a rally at Punjab’s provincial capital, Lahore. However, CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur was unable to reach the rally venue within the time allotted by the district administration from 3 PM to 6 PM.
    A video circulated on social media showed Gandapur smashing a truck window with a rifle.

  • PTI leaders clash in Punjab Assembly over credit for September rally

    PTI leaders clash in Punjab Assembly over credit for September rally

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders had an altercation at the Punjab Assembly amongst themselves after having a heated debate over the party rally at Kahna on September 21.

    PTI’s Lahore President, Shiekh Imtiaz Mehmood and Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Farukh Javed Moon fought over the credit for the party rally, while the opposition leader of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmed Khan, was also present, Public News reported.

    MPA Firdous Shamim Naqvi cited poor performance, adding that the event did not live up to expectations and criticised PTI leadership for not carrying the rally beyond 6 PM.

    Shiekh Imtiaz, in response, said that with hindrances, it is an achievement to have held a rally; adding that it cost 35 lac.

    While questioning this cost, Moon pointed out that rallies had been held in the past as well, but why did it cost this much now? This infuriated Imtiaz, and both the members ended up in a physical fight.

  • ‘Afghan diplomat 14 August ko national anthem ke ihteraam mein khare hoye thay,’ Faisal Kundi reveals double standards

    ‘Afghan diplomat 14 August ko national anthem ke ihteraam mein khare hoye thay,’ Faisal Kundi reveals double standards

    Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Faisal Karim Kundi, while recalling the Afghan diplomat’s refusal to stand up for the Pakistan anthem in the presence of Chief Minister (CM) KP Ali Amin Gandapur, has claimed that the same Afghan diplomat stood up for the anthem on August 14 during a flag hoisting ceremony.

    Appearing on the Samaa News programme ‘Mere Sawal With Absar Alam,’ Kundi revealed that the Afghan diplomat, along with an Iranian diplomat and an American diplomat, stood up for the national anthem as a respectful gesture.

    He said, “14 August ko mein nay bulaya thaa, tab inhain koi takleef nahi thi or national anthem kay ihteraam may kharay b huway thay.”

    Lambasting CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur’s stance of showing no objection to the disrespect, Kundi said he appeared to be the provincial CM of Afghanistan.

    Earlier, during an official event in Peshawar to commemorate 12th Rabi ul Awal, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), two Afghan diplomats deliberately refused to stand up for Pakistan’s anthem.

    After strong discontent from Pakistan, Afghan Consulate Peshawar spokesperson Shahid Ullah clarified, “The Consul General did not stand due to the music in the anthem. We have even banned our own national anthem for the same reason.”

  • Jerusalem post article declares Imran Khan a central figure in Pak-Israel ties

    Jerusalem post article declares Imran Khan a central figure in Pak-Israel ties

    The Jerusalem Post, one of Israel’s most widely-read newspapers, has declared former Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan a central figure in normalising Pak-Israel ties.

    An article written by Harry Richer asserts, “Figures like Khan could very well be central in changing both public opinion and military policy” for Pak-Israel ties.

    While reviewing the state of Muslim countries trying to normalise ties with Israel for their self-interest, Richer asserted that despite Khan’s pro-Palestine stance, the former PM had hinted at shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy towards Israel.

    Richer predicted, “Normalisation with Israel would bring about significant economic benefits, including technological support in agriculture, cybersecurity, and defence.”

    Richer added, “A change in leadership would most probably also be needed for any resolution to move forward, and figures like Khan could very well be central in changing both public opinion and military policy.”

    Pakistan does not recognise Israel and has long been an ardent and very vocal supporter of Palestine. The ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza has strengthened public opinion in Pakistan against Israel.

    As of October 7, more than 41,000 people, the majority of whom are women and children, have been slaughtered by Israel since October 7. Lancet, the respected medical journal, puts the figure at close to 180,000 dead.

  • Supreme Court’s verdict takes election commission to cleaners for ‘failure’ to perform its role

    Supreme Court’s verdict takes election commission to cleaners for ‘failure’ to perform its role

    In a damning judgment, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on September 23 issued a detailed verdict of the reserved seats case once again, calling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) a “political party” and rightful recipient of their reserved seats’ quota.

    Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, next in line to become the CJP, wrote the 70-page detailed order days after the NA speaker Ayaz Sadiq wrote to ECP to not implement the top court’s July 12 verdict.

    On July 12, in a significant political and symbolic win for PTI, a thirteen-member bench of the Supreme Court ruled that PTI had the legal and constitutional right to reserved seats.

    The detailed judgement emphasised that lack of political symbols does not devoid any political party of its constitutional rights to take part in elections.

    In today’s verdict the Supreme Court strongly criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for failure to play its lawful role in the February 8 elections.

    “The Commission must uphold democratic principles and the integrity of electoral processes by ensuring that elections truly reflect the will of the people, thereby preserving the democratic fabric of the nation. Unfortunately, the circumstances of the present case indicate that the Commission has failed to fulfil this role in the General Elections of 2024,” observed the majority judgment.

    Furthermore, Justice Shah’s verdict points out that the Supreme Court was “surprised” how the ECP behaved as a “primary contesting party against SIC and PTI”.