Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Dil toots: Chief Justice isn’t happy with criticism for saying ‘good to see you’ to IK

    Dil toots: Chief Justice isn’t happy with criticism for saying ‘good to see you’ to IK

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has clarified that he uses the phrase “good to see you” to greet everyone.

    During a hearing of another case, the CJP had an interaction with lawyer Asghar Sabzwari on Tuesday afternoon. He initiated the exchange by saying, “I am pleased to see you as you have appeared in my court after a considerable period.”

    The remark came after the judge was heavily criticised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), analysts and commentators for saying “good to see you” to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan when he appeared before the court after being arrested.

    Bandial then said that he says “good to see you” to everyone, not just to Imran Khan. He said that he had faced a lot of criticism for using the phrase. Justice Bandial said he holds a deep respect for everyone, adding that “etiquette and manners” are necessary for everyone.

    PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, however, remained unimpressed with the Chief Justice’s explanation. Addressing Justice Bandial in a tweet, she asked if he says ‘good to see you’ to everyone who has stolen billions.

    She went on to ask, “Do you send everyone to rest houses,” adding another question about whether the Chief Justice allows every suspect to meet friends in the guest house as he did for Imran Khan.

    Last week, when Imran Khan appeared before Supreme Court to get relief against his arrest, the CJP said “good to see you”. His comment became a point of controversy with many arguing that special treatment was given to Khan.

     

  • ‘If not Army Act, then should we try them under hooliganism act?’: Khawaja Asif on taking action against PTI protesters

    ‘If not Army Act, then should we try them under hooliganism act?’: Khawaja Asif on taking action against PTI protesters

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appeared on Geo News’ programme ‘Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ on Monday. During the programme, Asif said that the decision to try Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers under the Pakistan Army Act was yet to be made.


    While talking about charging the protesters, the minister said, “If not the Army Act, then should we try them under ‘hooliganism act’?”


    “They will face the law for whatever they have done. No one will go scot-free, not even Imran Khan,” he added.


    The minister also clarified that the government has no plans to ban PTI.


    A Corps Commander Conference held in Rawalpindi on Monday, decided that the rioters who attacked military installations and buildings during the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, will be tried under the Army Act and Official Secret Act.

  • US urges India to condemn religious violence

    US urges India to condemn religious violence

    The State Department of the United States on Monday released an annual report on religious freedom which listed attacks against religious minorities including Muslims and Christians in India, AFP has reported.

    According to the State Department study, Muslims in Gujarat have had their homes demolished and have been publicly flogged by police after being accused of hurting Hindus. The department collected this information from both direct research and reports from media and advocacy groups.

    “Regarding these concerns, we’re continuing to encourage the government to condemn violence and hold accountable (those) who engage in rhetoric that’s dehumanizing towards religious minorities,” a senior US official said while talking to AFP.
    The official said they will talk directly to Indian officials. “We’ll continue to work very closely with our civil society colleagues on the ground (and) with courageous journalists that are working every day to document some of these abuses.”

  • Turkey to have runoff elections for first time in history

    Turkey will have a runoff for the first time in its history, as none of the presidential candidates could secure an absolute majority in elections.

    The second round of voting will take place on May 28.

    Tayyip Erdogan received 49.51 per cent of the vote, while his main rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, came in second at 44.88 per cent.

    The third presidential candidate, Sinan Ogan, a nationalist politician, finished third at 5.17 per cent.

    Erdogan needs to win this election to extend his 20-year rule.

    “I wholeheartedly believe we will continue to serve our people in the coming five years,” said Erdogan on Monday.

  • National Assembly wants to remove Chief Justice

    National Assembly wants to remove Chief Justice

    The National Assembly on Monday unanimously adopted a motion seeking the formation of a special committee to file a reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) for “misconduct and deviating from oath”.

    During a fiery session, lawmakers strongly condemned attacks on military installations and state buildings across the country.

    Speaking on the floor of the house, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the time had come for the Parliament to play its constitutional role in the prevailing political crisis.

    “The time has come for the Parliament to send a reference of misconduct to the Supreme Judicial Council, under the authority and law given to it by the Constitution,” Asif stated unequivocally.

    He stressed that recently a section of the judiciary had started supporting a political party.

    The reference motion was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Dr Shazia Sobia.

    The parliamentarians also demanded that PTI Chairman Imran Khan be tried under the Army Act.

    Last week, Khan’s arrest from Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday, prompted his supporters to come out on roads in support of their leader. They have been alleged to have not just damaged properties but also use inappropriate language for top military officials.

  • Chief Justice asks govt and PTI to sit together again on elections matter

    Chief Justice asks govt and PTI to sit together again on elections matter

    While hearing the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) plea to revisit its April 4 order on Punjab polls, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Umar Ata Bandial, said on Monday that both government and Pakistan Tehreeke-e-Insaf (PTI) should resume talks.

    Justice Bandial said that the constitution guaranteed political rights. “We don’t want to get into political matters and we don’t want to hear anything. We hope that negotiations will start anew and a solution will be reached.”

    The hearing is now adjourned till next Tuesday.

    On April 4, the SC said that Punjab polls will be held on May 14, however, the date has passed without elections taking place.

    It is pertinent to mention that prior to this govt and PTI tried to talk this matter out but no consensus took place.

  • Amid political chaos, UAE President telephones army chief

    Amid political chaos, UAE President telephones army chief

    United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has telephoned Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

    According to media reports, bilateral defense and military relations were discussed, with both emphasising the need to further promote mutual defense and military cooperation.

    The conversation has taken place while the country is gripped in political chaos. Recently, after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest, his supporters attacked military installations.

    Khan has also openly named COAS Munir for his arrest and accused him of spreading anarchy just to save his seat.

  • PM Shehbaz will visit Corps Commander House in Lahore to show unity

    PM Shehbaz will visit Corps Commander House in Lahore to show unity

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif will visit Lahore today to examine the aftermath of the protests Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held in the Cantt area.

    Along with Interim Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi, he will visit the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore, with the PM scheduled to go to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) to meet injured officials in order to show his support to the army.

    It is pertinent to mention that after PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, many of his supporters barged into the Corps Commander’s House and damaged the property, burning the building and looting personal possessions.

    The Corps Commander House is Jinnah House, a property owned by the founder of the country which he willed to the state.

    In an unusually harsh-worded statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that May 9 would go down in history as a “dark chapter”.

  • Neither martial law nor emergency, army and govt clear rumours

    Neither martial law nor emergency, army and govt clear rumours

    Amid the violent protests and political chaos, many political commentators feared that either the army will take over or an emergency would be imposed by the government.

    However, federal ministers and Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry laid the rumors to rest on Friday evening.

    Talking on Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, the DG ISPR said that the imposition of martial law is out of the question as the whole army wholeheartedly supports democracy and will continue to do so.

    In response to unverified reports that army officers have resigned due to the ongoing chaos, the spokesperson snubbed the speculations, categorically stating that not one person had resigned.

    After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters attacked army installations, the ISPR said that May 9, 2023, would go down in history as a “dark chapter”.

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also rebutted news regarding the “imposition of emergency” in the country.

    “The reports circulating in the media regarding the imposition of emergency in the country are baseless,” she said, adding that no such decision was taken in the meeting of the Federal Cabinet, the minister said in news statement.

    The information minister urged the media to verify facts before airing or publishing any news.

    A day earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that an emergency is a constitutional option but there is no chance of imposing martial law.

    According to media reports, the cabinet proposed an emergency to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif but no final decision took place.

  • ‘Aik aadmi faislay kar raha hai iss mulk ke’: Imran Khan blames Army Chief for his arrest

    ‘Aik aadmi faislay kar raha hai iss mulk ke’: Imran Khan blames Army Chief for his arrest

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan— who is currently facing charges on multiple counts in various cases—has said that there is only one man who is deciding every matter.

    Without naming Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Imran said that one person fears that if he comes into power, his seat will be gone, however, he has no intention of doing that.

    According to the PTI chief, this one man has harmed the country more than any enemy did. “He is pushing the country towards disaster”, said Khan.

    Sitting inside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) as he waits for written orders, he thanked the judiciary for releasing him.

    He once again claimed that he didn’t know about the violent protests going on across the country as he was under arrest at the time.

    According to him, the attacks on Corps Commander House by protestors are not his fault because he was put in jail as a terrorist.

    He revealed that no deal with the government has taken place.

    Khan has been given relief as he can’t be arrested as per court orders till Monday morning.

    On Tuesday, the former PM was arrested from IHC by NAB authorities in the Al-Qadir case, however, two days later Supreme Court termed the arrest illegal.

    In March, after the Zaman Park operation episode took place, Khan accused the establishment of interfering in politics, emphasising that nothing happens in the country without the permission of COAS Munir.