Category: Politics

  • Two terrorists killed by security forces in Gwadar, Balochistan: ISPR

    Two terrorists killed by security forces in Gwadar, Balochistan: ISPR

    According to the army’s media affairs division, security forces have killed two terrorists after they attacked a military convoy in Gwadar, Balochistan, early on Sunday.

    In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that the terrorists attacked the convoy at 10 a.m. using hand grenades and small guns.

    “However, due to the efficient and swift response, two terrorists were sent to hell with no harm to any military or civil persons,” the statement said, with the military expressing its resolve to “thwart efforts of the enemies of peace and prosperity in the country”.

    One militant was killed and three others were hurt during the exchange of fire with security personnel, according to an earlier statement by the ISPR, which added that an operation was initiated in the region after reports of the presence of terrorists.

    On the other hand, according to China’s consulate in Karachi, there were Chinese workers in the attacked convoy.

    “A Chinese convoy from the Gwadar port project was hit by roadside bombs and gunfire on its way back to the port area from the Gwadar Airport,” it said in a statement on its website, adding that “no Chinese citizens were killed or injured”.

    A statement released by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman and former President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack.

  • ‘We will fight internal and external challenges,’; General Asim Munir’s message on Independence Day

    The Azadi Parade was held on Sunday at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, serving as the chief guest.

    The cadets presented a spectacular display of drill parade, while a special tribute was paid to the martyrs who laid their lives for the motherland.

    The army chief commended Commandant Ifthikhar Hassan Chaudhry for an inspiring parade on August 14.

    Reminding his audience that Pakistan was created as a result of the tremendous vision of its forebears and their sacrifices, General Munir then raised the slogan, “Pakistan ka matlab kya, La ilaha illallah.” [What is the meaning of Pakistan? There is no God but Allah.]

    He also mentioned that Pakistan is the land of opportunities, and the nation should struggle hard for the progress of the country.

    “We will continue to rise in line with the aspirations of our forefathers and the people of Pakistan, for the bright future of coming generations,” Gen. Asim Munir vowed.

    “We will fight our internal and external challenges,” he added.

    The COAS said that the Pakistan Army will never think twice about making a sacrifice to protect the nation’s territorial integrity, all-encompassing security, and national development initiatives.

  • Imran’s nephew, Hassan Niazi arrested in Abbotabad

    Imran’s nephew, Hassan Niazi arrested in Abbotabad

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Imran Khan’s nephew Hassan Niazi got arrested in Abbotaabad late on Sunday night. Hassan Niazi’s father, political analyst Hafeez Ullah Niazi, confirmed the arrest in a tweet.
    Sources have told Daily Pakistan that Hassan Niazi, who is also a lawyer, got arrested from his friend’s house in Abbotabad. Hassan Niazi had been in hiding since May 9, to avoid arrest.
    In footage recorded outside Lahore’s Corps Commander’s House, aka Jinnah House, Hassan Niazi could be seen holding the Corp Commander’s uniform that he had stolen from inside the premises.

    Two of Imran Khan’s sisters and Hassan Niazi were named as declared offenders in a case involving the attack on the Jinnah House by a court last month.
    Hafeez Ullah Niazi, Hassan’s father, has said in a tweet that he “hopes no law would be violated.”


    Following Imran Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court on May 9, a mob of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters set fire to and vandalised the Corps Commander House in Lahore. The house, originally a property of Quaid-e-Azam, is also known as Jinnah House.

    Hassan Niazi has been handed over to Quetta Police by Abbottabad Police. Lahore police have also written a letter to the Ministry of Interior Quetta office to bring the accused to Lahore in light of the cases against him regarding the May 9 incidents.

    According to the details provided by ARY News, Hassan Niazi’s case has now been forwarded to the military court. However, police have said that Hassan Niazi was transferred from Quetta to Rawalpindi to face the military trial.

    The court directed the IG, CCPO, and SHO to present Hassan Niazi before the court if they had him.

    Hassan’s father, Hafeezullah Niazi, had requested the Lahore High Court to seek the release of his son. It is mentioned in the petition that Hassan Niazi should be presented before the court.



  • Hina Parvez Butt’s son protects her after she is attacked in London

    Hina Parvez Butt’s son protects her after she is attacked in London

    Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hina Parvez Butt has been attacked by supporters of political arch-rivals Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during a trip to London. The former legislator took to X (formerly known as Twitter) on August 14, at 1:13am PST, posting a video in which she can be seen coming under attack by PTI supporters in front of her son, as they threw bottles at her and hurled abuses. She questioned whether such people are defaming Pakistan or not.

    In the video she shared, her son can be seen protecting her by holding her and gently patting her back.

    She has decided to take the matter of assault in London up with the city’s police and press charges against the harassers today as reported by Murtaza Ali Shah.

    Journalist Ailia Zehra condemned the act of violence by mentioning that attacking a woman in front of her child is a despicable act.

    Broadcast Journalist Najia Ashar stated this act is disgusting and there is no justification for such behavior.

    Digital Journalist Saadia Ahmed also questioned the act.
    https://twitter.com/khwamkhwah/status/1690887290590314497?s=20

    No matter what one’s political ideologies are or what political party one supports, attacking and abusing has no justification ever.

  • Who said NO to a civil award this year?

    Who said NO to a civil award this year?

    On June 18, Dawn News’, Snaullah Khan tweeted that a senior anchor has refused the presidential award being offered by the government, stating that it goes against his professional responsibilities. He then asked his followers to guess, the name of the TV host, including Kamran Khan, Hamid Mir, Sohail Warraich, Nadeem Malik, Shahzeb Khanzada, Saleem Safi, Chauhdary Ghulam Hussain in his list of probables.

    On August 13, Sanaullah mentioned while quoting his previous tweet that he has been following the process of awarding of civil honours for a long time and has observed that a lot of journalists use their connections to be nominated for the award, but Geo’s Shahzeb Khanzada refused the prestigious award after it was offered to him, stating that it might impact his neutrality.

    Sources told The Current that Shahzeb Khanzada was informed about his name being recommended for the civil awards back in May. He politely declined, saying he doesn’t want his impartiality to be questioned as he is a professional and would like his work to remain professional and unbiased.

    Khanzada’s fellow journalists are applauding him on the decision.

    Dunya’s Ajmal Jami called Khanzada’s refusal “commendable”.

    Journalist Asad Ali Toor stated in a tweet that he is proud of Shahzeb Khanzada.

    Editor Investigation at Hum News, Zahid Gishkori, commended Khanzada’s decision while mentioning that something similar was done by his executive former editor Zia ud Din.

    Journalist and Columnist Shahnila Ammar Sikandar mentioned that journalist Talat Hussain also refused to take Pride of Performance award during Nawaz Sharif’s government.

  • What are Pakistani politicians saying on Independence Day?

    As Pakistan celebrates its 76th Independence Day, let’s take a look at what the country’s leaders chose to highlight in their messages.

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has congratulated the nation on Independence Day in a prerecorded video, filmed before his arrest on August 5. He has also gave a message to Pakistan’s youth that they need to struggle hard to achieve success, adding that there is no need to go abroad to earn money.  Iman Khan has also said that Pakistan was Allama Iqbal’s dream, and as a nation, we need to struggle hard for its success.

    On the other hand, the outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his best wishes to the nation on Independence Day.

    He also paid tributes to Quaid-e-Azam in a tweet posted on Monday:

    “On the 76th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence, I join the nation in paying rich tributes to the Quaid-i-Azam, and hundreds of thousands of unsung heroes of the freedom movement for their selflessness, sacrifices, and devotion to the cause of Pakistan. The Quaid’s statesmanship was a critical factor in shaping Pakistan’s story”.

    The vice president of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Maryam Nawaz Sharif, wrote “Pakistan Zindabad” in her tweet.

    Interim Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, has said in his tweet, “Happy Independence Day. Honoured to join the 14th August function alongside Cabinet members, Judiciary, Army, Administration, and Police officers”. Senator Sherry Rehman has also said in her tweet “Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Pakistanis”.


    On the other hand, former finance minister Ishaq Dar also wrote in his tweet “Happy Independent Day”.

  • ‘I’ve been establishment ki aankh ka taara for 30 years’: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘I’ve been establishment ki aankh ka taara for 30 years’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Talking to journalists in Islamabad on Saturday, outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he has never denied his links with the establishment, calling himself the apple of their eyes. “When was my relationship with the establishment not good?”

    Last week, Shehbaz lamented being touted as an “establishment’s man”.

    “I was called the establishment’s man, but I did not care about those taunts. I never met army chiefs for personal reasons; the only motive behind those meetings was to ensure that the establishment and governments take the country forward together.”

    Shehbaz Sharif said this during a farewell ceremony at the Prime Minister’s house. Senior reporters, journalists, and anchors came to the event.

    On this occasion, the prime minister was questioned about why, in addition to encouraging investment in the nation, he was attributing General Asim Munir’s leadership to the Bhara Kahu Bypass project’s success

    He said in response that the army chief was to be credited for ensuring the project’s prompt completion.

    On the other hand, Former Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has explained that Shehbaz Sharif’s statement about being the apple of the establishment’s eye, he said it satirically. 
    Maryam Aurangzeb further clarified that Shahbaz Sharif said, “If I am the apple of the eye, then why was I in Attock Fort, Attock Jail, Adiala Jail, and Kot Lakhpat Jail.” She added that Shahbaz Sharif went to jail during both General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s time and General Musharraf’s time.

  • Who is Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar?

    Who is Anwaar-Ul-Haq Kakar?

    Taking whole of the country by surprise, Senator Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has been declared the next Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan, assuming the highly sought-after position in a stunning turn of events. Raja Riaz, the opposition leader, made the declaration on Saturday after holding talks with the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif.

    Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, also signed the summary of the appointment, making the appointment official.

    The recently chosen interim premier was born in Balochistan’s Muslim Bagh neighborhood of Killa Saifullah district in 1971.

    After finishing elementary school at St. Francis School in Quetta, he attended Cadet College in Kohat, but after the death of his father, he moved back to the provincial capital of Balochistan.

    The Senator graduated from the University of Balochistan with a Master’s degree in political science and sociology.

    In order to begin his profession, Senator Kakar worked as a teacher in his hometown.
    He was appointed in 2018 to serve as the primary spokesperson for the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and is also one of its founding members.
    The interim prime minister is also a chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis.
    In 2008, he contested elections for a seat in the National Assembly from Quetta on a Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) ticket.

    Geo News’ Hamid Mir has said about him, “Though he has been involved in politics, Kakar is widely regarded as a great intellectual in the country.”

    A clip of the caretaker PM immediately went viral in which he had said in a press conference held after May 9, “A section of the public made Imran Khan. A section of Pakistan’s judiciary made Imran. A section of Pakistan’s establishment also contributed. I am not condemning anyone, I am condemning only Imran. The people did not make Imran what he is to attack state institutions.”
    He also said, “May 9 is the darkest day in the history of Pakistan’s politics”.

  • Fact-check: Is the legislator being teased by a colleague in this viral video Caretaker PM Kakar?

    Fact-check: Is the legislator being teased by a colleague in this viral video Caretaker PM Kakar?

    Many accounts on X (formerly Twitter) are claiming that someone in parliament literally snapped Anwaar ul Haq Kakar’s ear.

    Fact

    PPP MNA Ehsan ur Rehman Mazari was teasing his fellow MNA Pir Ameer Ali Shah Jeelani.

    PML-N leader Khawaja Asif also tweeted that the caretaker PM is a senator, and this video is of a PPP MNA in the National Assembly.

    Nitizen Saad Kaisar tweeted that “Whoever did this to the caretaker PM, woh abh apni khair manaye” to which Deputy Secretary General PMLN Pakistan Ataullah Tarar replied that “This isn’t Kakar sb.”

    This is just the beginning, let’s see how many fact-checks will be needed during Anwaar ul Haq Kaakar’s tenure as Interim Prime Minister.

  • Anwaar ul Haq Kaakar is the caretaker PM; here’s what we see on Twitter

    Anwaar ul Haq Kaakar is the caretaker PM; here’s what we see on Twitter

    Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, who belongs to the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), has been made caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, and here’s what Pakistani politicians and journalists are saying about it.

    Former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry welcomed the decision and declared it good news for Pakistan.

    PMLN leader Marriyum Aurangzeb mentions that the advice has been sent to the president of Pakistan after being signed by the prime minister and opposition leader.

    Politician and spokesperson ANP Markaz Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Samar Haroon Bilour shared how they’re related and tweeted: “Who knew a decade ago when our siblings got married, life would turn out like this.”

    Senator Sehar Kamran tweeted that his nomination is well-deserved.

    Former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador of Pakistan to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani wishes him good luck.

    Journalist and anchorperson Absa Komal mentioned how Kaakar is a well-read person.

    Analyst Fahd Hussain applauded the decision while commenting on Kaakar that “he commands respect across the political divide”.

    Journalist and columnist Asma Shirazi has a witty take on this announcement.

    Journalist and analyst Zarrar Khuro references a season “The Boys.”

    Journalist and author Azaz Syed said Kakar has a good understanding of regional and global issues and mentioned Kakar’s close links with the establishment.

    Anwaar ul Haq Kaakar’s prime responsibility is to make sure that the upcoming general elections are conducted timely and fairly.