Category: Politics

  • It is our responsibility to get our workers out from jails: Fawad Ch

    Former Pakistan Tehreek–e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail and Mahboob Maulvi held a press conference outside Central Jail Rawalpindi (also known as Adiala Jail) on Wednesday, after meeting Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

    Former PTI leader Aamir Kiani was also present in the meeting in which reportedly, the four leaders asked Qureshi to leave the party.

    However in the presser, Fawad said that he had a detailed discussion with Qureshi regarding the current political situation, adding that “we” have to find a solution.

    The former minister said that many PTI supporters are in jail, and it is their responsibility to get them out.

    “We cannot leave open ground for the opposition in present circumstances,” he remarked, adding that the group had also had discussions with Asad Umar, Parvez Khattak, Asad Qaiser, Hammad Azhar and Ali Zaidi.

  • HRCP expresses concern over conducting trials of civilians in military courts

    HRCP expresses concern over conducting trials of civilians in military courts

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in a statement has warned all political stakeholders that unless they desist from any further measures that could imperil the country’s fragile democracy, they may find themselves unable to steer the country safely through the multiple crises it is facing.

    “HRCP has closely monitored the ongoing political crisis and notes with great alarm that civilian supremacy has emerged as the greatest casualty. The government’s inability—or unwillingness—to safeguard civilian supremacy or to preserve the dignity of Parliament has proven tremendously disappointing. At the same time, the political opposition’s history of hostile politics and contempt for the rule of law has played no small part in triggering the wanton destruction of property during 9–10 May. These were not peaceful protests. The evidence points to acts of arson, rioting, looting, vandalism and trespass onto state and private property,” the statement issued by the human rights watchdog of Pakistan read.
    HRCP also expressed its disappointment in the judiciary. “HRCP regrets that the failure of the judiciary to credibly maintain its independence and impartiality has exacerbated the rule-of-law crisis in the country.”

    HRCP also demanded an independent investigation of the allegations of violence against PTI workers.

    HRCP reminded authorities that torture or any form of degrading treatment of persons in custody are serious violations of human rights. The disappearance of at least two journalists must also be investigated in a transparent manner, the findings made public and the perpetrators held strictly to account.
    The human rights organization also expressed concern for conducting military trials of civilians. “While those responsible for the destruction of public and private property must undoubtedly be held accountable, there is ample provision in civilian laws for this. Any government seriously committed to upholding civilian supremacy would strongly consider repealing Article 2(1)(d) of the Act, which allows civilians to be tried in military courts, thereby denying them their constitutional right to a fair trial. HRCP also objects to the arbitrary manner in which certain cases are selected to be tried by military courts, thereby violating the principle of equality before the law and equal protection of the law,” read the statement

  • Imran Khan says he is not naraaz with Arif Alvi

    Imran Khan says he is not naraaz with Arif Alvi

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has denied reports of cutting off contacts with President Dr Arif Avli. When asked by Geo News reporter Haider Sherazi, Imran Khan said, ”Arif Alvi kia kisi se naraz hoskta ha? (Can Arif Alvi be angry at anyone?)”

    On Tuesday, a reporter of We News claimed that Imran Khan is leaving President Alvi’s messages on seen, suggesting that the former PM has cut off ties with the President. The reporter also said that both were last in contact on May 24.


    He further said that two days after the last contact, on May 26, President Arif Alvi signed the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023.

  • Imran Khan’s medical reports do not hint at use of alcohol and cocaine: NAB

    Imran Khan’s medical reports do not hint at use of alcohol and cocaine: NAB

    The medical reports of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan with National Accountability Bureau (NAB) do not hint at alcohol and cocaine use, Ansar Abbasi has reported for The News.


    The source quoted by the reporter claimed to have reviewed the medical records, and said that Imran Khan’s health was normal.


    He said that Imran’s blood and urine samples were taken while he was in NAB’s custody.

    “The medical reports as available with NAB do not endorse what the health minister alleged,” the news report quoted a source.


    Imran Khan on Tuesday sent a Rs10 Billion defamation notice to Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel for sharing details about an alleged medical test conducted during his arrest, stating that the PTI chief had faked his fracture and that he is mentally unstable.


    Imran Khan asked the minister through the legal notice to, “retract his statements in the same mode and manner in which he made them in the first place”.


    The private medical reports of the tests that the government is said to have conducted on PTI leader Imran Khan earlier this month while he was under arrest were made public on Friday.


    The reports stated that Imran Khan’s mental stability was under question and that while no leg fractures were found, there was evidence of alcohol and an illicit substance in his urine.

  • Saqib Nisar son’s audio leak: ‘Who records these audios?’ IHC asks government

    Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday heard a plea filed by Najam Saqib, son of former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, against a special committee formed by the National Assembly speaker to probe into audio clips allegedly featuring his voice.

    During the hearing Babar Sattar asked the federal government, “Who records these audios?”, while suspending the summon notice issued to Najam by the special committee.

    “There is no relevant ministry in this matter, but we will do so,” Khosa said.

    “We only challenged that the speaker and the assembly do not have the authority to look into private matters. The petition does not challenge the matter which is pending in the Supreme Court,” said Latif Khosa, on behalf of the petitioner.

    “The audio leak is an alleged conversation between two private individuals that Parliament has no right to see,” he added.

    Sattar further said, “You have also been a governor. Tell me, who records these audios?”

    “Let the parties answer first, then everything will be clear,” Latif responded.

    On May 2, the National Assembly passed a motion demanding formation of a special parliamentary committee to investigate the audios, while on May 3, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf constituted the committee.

  • Women not being mistreated in Punjab jails: IG Punjab

    Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar held a joint press conference with SSP Dr Anoush Chaudhry on Tuesday, to dismiss allegations of mistreatment of women in jails.

    He said that people should have trust in their institutions, adding that there are more than 150 cameras inside Kot Lak Pat jail.

    Dr Anoush said that women were being provided facilities as per rules. She said that she had met with the detained women herself and inquired about any issues they were facing.

    The IG also said that old pictures and videos were being posted to propagate a false narrative.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan, in a televised address to the nation on Sunday, claimed that he had received reports that women belonging to his party are being harassed in jails.

    He requested the judiciary to take suo motu action against the arrests.

  • Abrar ul Haq apologises for London concert

    Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and singer Abrar ul Haq has apologised for performing at a property expo held in London, two days after he quit the party.

    “I shouldn’t be in London if Pakistanis are unhappy,” said Abrar.

    The singer stated that he went to the London ceremony for a hospital’s charity fundraising.

    Denying media reports that he was mobbed by PTI workers, Abrar said that the miscreants who targeted him were planted people.

    Haq further said that he is sorry if anyone’s sentiments were hurt.


    During the show, the anchor played a video chunk of Abrar’s 2019 statement in which he justified assassination attempt on his constituency rival Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal. The host then asked Abrar if he regretted his statement. To which Abrar said that such acts should be condemned.

    Abrar ul Haq had announced on Friday that he is parting ways with PTI, saying he didn’t see any purpose in staying with the party. He was in tears as he made the announcement.

  • Imran Khan sends defamation notice to Abdul Qadir Patel for accusations of mental instability

    Imran Khan sends defamation notice to Abdul Qadir Patel for accusations of mental instability

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has sent a Rs10 Billion defamation notice to Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel for sharing details about an alleged medical test conducted during his arrest, stating that the PTI chief had faked his fracture and that alleging that he is mentally unstable.

    Imran Khan asked the minister through the legal notice to, “retract his statements in the same mode and manner in which he made them in the first place”.

    The private medical reports of the tests that the government is said to have conducted on PTI leader Imran Khan earlier this month while he was under arrest were made public on Friday.

    The investigations stated that Imran Khan’s mental stability was under question and that while no leg fractures were found, there was evidence of alcohol and an illicit substance in his urine.

  • ‘Should be held accountable for militant actions’: PM says resounding no to negotiations with PTI

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has refused to negotiate with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after Imran Khan constituted a committee to hold dialogue with the government. The PM, in a tweet referred to the events of May 9, stating that ‘anarchists and arsonists’ who attack state symbols do not qualify for dialogue.

    “Dialogue is deeply embedded in the political process, which helps democracy mature & evolve. Many political & constitutional breakthroughs occurred when political leaders sat across the table to craft a consensus,” he tweeted.
    “However, there is a major difference here, the anarchists & arsonists who wear the garb of politicians and attack the symbols of the State do not qualify for a dialogue. They should rather be held to account for their militant actions. This is the prevalent practice even in developed democracies,” the tweet added.

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday, while talking about the possibility of negotiating with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said that negotiations with Imran Khan can be held if he took “corrective measures: apologises to the nation, admits his mistake and promises not to do anything like May 9 in the future.”


    Imran Khan on May 27 constituted a seven-member negotiation committee for talks with the incumbent government over elections.

  • Imran Khan decides not to present himself before Jinnah House JIT

    Imran Khan decides not to present himself before Jinnah House JIT

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has decided to not presnet himself before a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the attack on Lahore Corps Commander House (Jinnah House) on May 9.

    Media reports have said that the former Prime Minister made the decision after consulting his lawyers.


    Instead of the PTI chairman, his lawyers Naeem Panjotha and Ali Ijaz Buttar will appear before the JIT.

    Imran Khan had been called to appear before the JIT at the police station in Qilla Gujjar at 4pm today.


    “Imran Khan is required to attend the office of the DIG Investigation to join the investigation proceedings entrusted to the JTI formed by the Punjab government,” read the summon notice issued by Lahore DIG (investigation) Kamran Adil, who is heading the JIT.

    The Punjab Home Department created the JIT on May 27.