Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has rejected any possibility of a delay in general elections, stating that polls will be held in October.
“The assemblies will complete their five-year term in August and polls will take place within the next 60 days. Elections will be held on time,” Asif said on Sunday while talking to The Express Tribune.
When asked what he meant by “on time”, the minister clarified that he meant October.
The federal government is readying up to present the budget for the next fiscal year, scheduled to be tabled on June 9 before the National Assembly.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, while talking to Reuters on Saturday, said that he tried to contact the military for talks but got no response. He further said that he did not know why Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir is ‘fixated’ on sidelining him.
Khan said that he thinks that Asim Munir has a grudge against him because he asked him to resign as the head of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), adding, “I don’t know.”
“He shouldn’t have issues with that now because he is the army chief,” Khan said, wondering, “So why would he harbour that grudge?”
Talking about the crackdown on his party, Imran said, “It is completely the establishment,” adding that “They are really now openly – I mean, it’s not even hidden now – they’re just out in the open.” While talking about the events of May 9, Imran Khan said that it was a false flag operation that was meant to target him. “That’s the only way they are going to get me into prison,” he added. “So their only hope, and because they are determined to get me out of the way, I think they will, their whole charade of military courts is to imprison me.” Stating that he has no doubt that the military courts are meant for him, the former Prime Minister said that ISI was involved in the crackdown against his party.
Earlier, in an interview with Independent Urdu, Imran said, “A semi-martial law is already in place in the country” and “everything is happening on the wishes of those in power”. He passed the remarks while talking about the use of the Army Act against civilians.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in Friday’s horrific train accident in Odisha, India.
Deeply saddened by the loss of hundreds of lives in a train accident in India. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. Prayers for speedy recovery of the injured.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also sent condolences to the families of the victims.
“Saddened to learn of the high death toll in the tragic train accident in Odisha, India. Our condolences for the families of the victims. Wish speedy recovery to the injured,” the foreign minister tweeted.
Saddened to learn of the high death toll in the tragic train accident in Odisha, India. Our condolences for the families of the victims. Wish speedy recovery to the injured. #BalasoreTrainAccident
— Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 3, 2023
At least 233 people have been killed as the result of the train accident, while scores more are injured.
As per local authorities, the death toll is expected to rise.
“Officials said several carriages from the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed in Balasore district, hit a stationary goods train and several of its coaches ended up on the opposite track”, BBC has reported.
“Another train – the Howrah Superfast Express travelling from Yesvantpur to Howrah – then hit the overturned carriages.”
The exact reason for the accident is still unclear.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has reached Turkey for a two day visit to attend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s inauguration, scheduled to take place today, Saturday.
The PM is attending the ceremony on the invitation of Erdogan.
“The fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkey are set to deepen further in line with our shared resolve and common destiny, wrote PM in a tweet before leaving for the visit.
Leaving for Türkiye 🇹🇷 today at the invitation of my brother, H.E. President @RTErdogan, to attend his inauguration ceremony. I will convey our warmest greetings to the President on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan 🇵🇰 on his re-election. The fraternal ties between…
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi are also accompanied the Prime Ministers on the Turkey visit.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, was arrested again by Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Gujranwala moments after he was released on Friday afternoon.
He was arrested again from outside a district court in Lahore. He has been arrested in a corruption case registered against him in Gujranwala. The district court earlier let Elahi go in the corruption case after he was arrested yesterday. “Pervaiz Elahi should be released if he is not wanted in any other case,” the verdict announced by Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk read.
Earlier today, in a video message recorded inside the court, the former Chief Minister said that he has done no harm and trusts the judiciary. “I have always been a supporter of the Pakistan Army. However, they should observe the people around them, and reflect on the direction in which they are taking the country.” While addressing PTI supporters, Elahi said, “You are on the side of truth, you are standing for what is rig
Civil rights activist and lawyer Mohammad Jibran Nasir was picked up by armed individuals on Thursday, from Karachi, his wife, actress Mansha Pasha, has confirmed.
Pasha has revealed that she and her husband were coming back from dinner when a white Vigo almost crashed into their car. Fifteen men armed with guns came out and took Nasir with them.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of abduction.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the abduction of Lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir.
The FIR states that the lawyer has been picked up by unidentified people.
The case has been registered at the Clifton Police Station under two sections of the Pakistan Penal Code — 365 and 34. The FIR has been registered on the complaint of Jibran’s wife Mansha Pasha.
Social media users are calling for Nasir’s immediate release.
@MJibranNasir is a good and brave man who has fought all the right battles. Picking him up helps nobody's cause. He should be released immediately.
🚨 ATTENTION: Lawyer & activist Jibran Nasir has been abducted by na maloom afraad from inside his car. We strongly condemn his abduction (which is a clear violation of citizen rights) & urge the govt & LEAs to ensure his immediate + unconditional safe release.#FreeJibranNasir
— Aurat March – عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) June 1, 2023
Very disturbing to hear about @MJibranNasir abduction.Hope Sindh police will assist his family and locate him immediately. Jibran has always spoken against violent extremism and rioting. Hoping for his safe and immediate return
Jibran Nasir is a lawyer by profession, a human rights activist and an independent politician.
Jibran Nasir participated in 2013 and 2018 general elections as an independent candidate from NA-247 and PS-111 constituencies of Karachi.
Jibran is known for his strong stance against hate speech and the lawyer has always been vocal about human rights violations.
Jibran has also worked with different non-profit organizations including, Elaj Trust, advocacy, Never Forget Pakistan.
After the Army Public School attack in 2014, Jibran took a stand against Taliban apologists. He was among the four people who held a candlelight vigil in front of Lal Masjid against then-chief cleric Abdul Aziz for refusing to condemn the attack.
Jibran has been at the forefront in different cases of human right violations such as the Khadija Siddiqui stabbing case. He has been part of the counsel for the father of slain aspiring model Naqeebullah Mehsud and against Shahrukh Jatoi.
He was the creator of the famous #ImagineKashmir campaign.
In 2021, Jibran tied the knot with actress Mansha Pasha.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said in an interview to Independent Urdu, “A semi-martial law is already in place in the country” and “everything is happening on the wishes of those in power”. He passed the remarks while talking about the use of Army Act against civilians.
When asked whether he is hopeful that he will get the result of an inquiry into the May 9 events, Imran said that it is a simple matter. “CCTV cameras are everywhere.”
He continued by saying that peaceful protest is everyone’s constitutional right, adding, “The way the army picked me up from the High Court like I was a terrorist, the reaction of the people was expected.”
He further said that peaceful protest in front of GHQ is not a crime. However, while referring to May 9 events, Imran said that there is no justification of violent protests and neither is it his party’s policy.
Elaborating further, Khan said that it is very difficult to point out the real culprits in a mob, adding that the events gave a chance to the government to launch a crackdown against PTI.
Talking about his party members leaving the fold, Imran said that they have been pressured to leave.
The former prime minister was adamant that there is no law in Pakistan and no one is following the constitution.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday adjourned a hearing on a set of petitions against the Supreme Court (Practice & Procedure) Act 2023, aimed at limiting the powers of the head of the apex court.
The hearing was adjourned after Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan told Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial that the government has decided to review the bill as certain provisions within the law exhibit overlapping aspects.
The hearing was conducted by an eight-judge bench comprising the CJP, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed.
On May 29, during the hearing of the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) review petition with regard to elections in Punjab, Mansoor Awan told the apex court that President Arif Alvi has passed the Supreme Court (Review of Judgements and Orders) Bill, 2023.
“The president has signed the Supreme Court (Review of Judgements and Orders) Bill, 2023. Under the new law, a larger bench will hear review petitions,” he told the three judges bench hearing the petition.
The bill has been the center of debate since it was first presented, as it led to speculation that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be able to appeal against his disqualification.
Following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9 in connection with a corruption case, the country saw violent protests as his supporters clashed with law-enforcement agencies. The protests also targeted state and military installations, which resulted in a severe crackdown on the party.
Many prominent PTI leaders were arrested including Shireen Mazari, Fawad Chahudry, Asad Umar and Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
The arrests and the criticism of the party led many PTI members to quit. Most of them left the party after holding press conferences or releasing video messages condemeing the events of May 9. At least 100 Members of PTI have left the party.
Here is a list of prominent members of PTI who have until now left the party:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Babar Awan has expressed concern over a possible ban on airing pictures and names of Party chairman Imran Khan.
“Due to fear of Imran Khan, there is news of banning his name and picture on TV channels,” Babar tweeted on Wednesday.
He further said that the government should file a review appeal against the results of the 1992 World Cup. “if Shehbaz and Maryam will not mention Imran in their speeches what else will they talk about?” his tweet added.
عمران خان کے خوف سے، اُن کا نام اور تصویر، ٹی وی چینلنز پر چلانے پر پابندی کی خبر آرہی ہے۔ پھر تو حکومت کو 1992 ورلڈ کپ کے نتائج کے خلاف نظرِ ثانی اپیل دائر کرنی چاہیے۔ ویسے شہباز اور مریم، عمران خان کا نام نہ لیں تو اُن کی تقریر ہوگی کیا؟
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) PEMRA has urged TV channels to boycott people “damaging peace” and not to promote people “inciting hatred” in relevance to the incidents of May 9 when PTI supporters clashed with law enforcement agencies. However, the media regulatory authority did not specifically mention Imran Khan’s name.
It is being assumed by commentators that the notification was referring to the PTI chairman.
“As per Article 19 of The Constitution of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence,” the notification issued by PEMRA read. “It is crucial to strike a balance between protecting freedom of speech and maintaining public order,” the notification added.
