Current Final

Category: Politics

  • ‘No shame in going down while putting up a valiant fight’: Politicians react to Pakistan’s defeat

    ‘No shame in going down while putting up a valiant fight’: Politicians react to Pakistan’s defeat

    After a nail-biting match, the Indian cricket team managed to defeat Pakistan by four wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

    A crucial partnership between Indian master batsman Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya sailed India to victory. Before Pandya’s (40) dismissal, he and Kohli (82) shared scored 113 runs off 78 balls.

    At the end of the match, India stood at 160 with the loss of eight wickets. Kohli was awarded the Man of The Match award.

    On Pakistan’s side, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz took two wickets each, while Naseem Shah was able to get one.

    While there is disappointment over the Green shirts’ defeat, Pakistani politicians have come forward to support them.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif praised the “brilliant effort” by the team, saying it was a “great game”.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President, Maryam Nawaz, was of the view that “there’s no shame in going down while putting up a valiant fight”.

    “The match was an absolute cliffhanger and could’ve gone anywhere. Buck up Boys and gear up for the next fight!,” she said in a tweet.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry praised Kohli who nearly scored a century. In a tweet, Chaudhry also asked the Indian PM Narendra Modi to let the Indian cricket team come to Pakistan.

    Apart from these politicians, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, PTI’s Senator Faisal Javed, PML-N’s Hina Parvez Butt, and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Saeed Ghani applauded Pakistan’s performance and wished them good luck for the upcoming T20 World Cup matches.

  • Islamabad police books PTI’s Senator Faisal Javed and others on terrorism charges for protesting after Khan’s disqualification

    Islamabad police books PTI’s Senator Faisal Javed and others on terrorism charges for protesting after Khan’s disqualification

    The Islamabad police have registered cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Senator Faisal Javed Khan and others on terrorism charges for protesting against Friday’s Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) verdict which disqualified PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

    A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against PTI leaders on Friday on the complaint of Subinspector Inamullah at Islamabad’s I-9 police station.

    The FIR said police officers in an official vehicle were posted at Faizabad to maintain the law and order and security situation. It said that around 8pm on Friday, a large PTI rally of around 1,000 to 1,200 people carrying sticks and rods started moving towards Faizabad.

    The complaint named PTI leaders Amir Kiani, Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Faisal Javed Khan, Raja Rashid Hafeez, Umer Tanveer Butt, Rashid Naseem Abbasi and Raja Majid.

    It added that the demonstrators advanced while running over the police contingent with vehicles with the “intent to kill”.

    It is pertinent to mention that PTI workers across Pakistan came out of the streets protesting against their party chairman’s disqualification, however later at night, Imran Khan called for an end to the protests.

  • ‘Certified liar and a thief’: PM Shehbaz berates Khan after his disqualification

    ‘Certified liar and a thief’: PM Shehbaz berates Khan after his disqualification

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has said that his predecessor, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, had been proven to be a “certified liar and a thief”. However, he cautioned that this was not a moment of happiness, but one of “reflection”.

    The Premier’s comments came after Khan’s disqualification in the Toshakhana reference for making “false statements and incorrect declaration”.

    Addressing a news conference in Lahore alongside Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and adviser Attaullah Tarar, Shehbaz Sharif said that Friday was a “lucky day”, as the country received “great successes”.

    “This is not my success but Pakistan’s collective success,” he reiterated, thanking and congratulating those who worked day and night to achieve this result, as Pakistan exited from the Financial Action Task Force’s so-called grey list.

    He also specifically congratulated Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, and the officials of the Foreign Office who worked tirelessly to achieve their goal.

    “Imran Khan has been proven to be a certified liar. He has been disqualified due to corruption,” PM Shehbaz said, advising the PTI chairman that ongoing issues cannot be resolved through jalsas and rallies.

    “Imran Khan was made the prime minister through rigging. His conversation about the judiciary is in front of everyone,” the premier remarked.

    He alleged that Imran came into power after the “worst rigging”, adding that the PTI chief auctioned off state gifts after claiming the proceeds would go to the treasury.

    “The nation would have saluted you if you had deposited money from selling state gifts in the treasury. I, too, would have despite being your political opponent,” he said, adding that Imran had disrespected Pakistan.

    Comparing himself to Imran, PM Shehbaz said that he had once received a letter from the Cabinet Division about being able to buy a state gift after paying a certain amount.

    “I answered back to the letter saying, ‘No, thank you and deposited [the gift] in the Toshakhana.”

    He said state gifts were now being displayed at the Prime Minister’s House to dispel the impression that they go missing. “Now, I have them [displayed] in PM House so the people know who sold the gifts and pocketed the money.”

    “We were mocked saying we were seeking a NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) […] but we bore it and did not compromise on Pakistan’s interest.”

    “Imran Khan should fear God; this should be a lesson for him to [remember],” PM Shehbaz said.

  • Punjab, KP CMs give Khan authority to dissolve assemblies: report

    Punjab, KP CMs give Khan authority to dissolve assemblies: report

    After the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s disqualification in the Toshakhana case, the Chief Ministers (CM) of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) authorised Khan to dissolve their respective assemblies, reports Geo News.

    According to the details of the news report, CM KP Mehmood Khan and Punjab CM Pervaiz Elahi attended a meeting through a video link and gave the former prime minister the authority to dissolve both provincial assemblies.

    A PTI leader told Geo News that dissolving provincial assemblies is more necessary than a long march as the purpose of the long march is new elections.

    “Therefore, if assemblies get dissolved, a new election will have to be called,” said the PTI leader.

    In a major legal victory for the ruling coalition on Friday, the ECP, in a consensus verdict in Toshakhana reference, disqualified former prime minister Imran Khan and ruled that the PTI chairman is no more a member of the National Assembly.

    Criminal proceedings will be initiated against the PTI chairman for misdeclaration, the verdict said.

    The ECP stated that Imran Khan submitted a false affidavit and was found involved in corrupt practices under Article 63(1)(p).

  • ‘Insaaf ka nizam aik hota hai, mumkin nahi ke Nawaz ke liye dusra nizam hai, Imran ke liye dusra’: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    ‘Insaaf ka nizam aik hota hai, mumkin nahi ke Nawaz ke liye dusra nizam hai, Imran ke liye dusra’: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader talked about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s disqualification on October 21.

    Discussing the topic on Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath‘, Abbasi said: “The one who accused others of corruption has been proven corrupt himself. It is a test for the Supreme Court now. Let’s see what it decides “

    He said that it is clear that Imran Khan was found involved in corrupt practices. Abbasi was of the view that it is inappropriate to be happy about making false statements and concealing facts while being the prime minister.

    During the show, he stressed on the fact that Khan’s Toshakhana case is far more legitimate than Nawaz Sharif’s case on the basis of which the three-times former Prime Minister was disqualified for life.

    Recalling his party chief’s disqualification, Khaqan Abbasi said, “Supreme Court (SC) deposed a prime minister and disqualified Sharif for lifetime on minor charges as compared to Khan’s Toshakhana matter.”

    When asked about the seeming recent change of heart in the SC about disqualifying a politician for life, the PML-N leader responded: “Insaaf ka nizam aik hota hai, mumkin nahi ke Nawaz ke liye dusra nizam hai, Imran ke liye dusra.” (Justice is the same for all. It is not possible that the justice system is different for Khan and different for Sharig. Law should be the same for all.”

    While talking about PTI’s planned long march, he criticised Imran Khan, accusing him of destabilising the country for his own sake.

    On October 21, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in a consensus verdict in the Toshakhana reference, disqualified Imran Khan and ruled that he is no longer a member of the National Assembly. The Election Commission also directed criminal proceedings to be initiated against Imran for misdeclaration.

    The ECP ruled that Imran Khan submitted a false affidavit and was involved in corrupt practices under Article 63(1)(p).

  • Azam Swati granted bail in case of controversial tweets

    Azam Swati granted bail in case of controversial tweets

    A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Friday granted post-arrest bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati in a case related to controversial tweets against Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    Special Judge Central, Raja Asif Mehmood, announced the verdict today which was reserved a day ago. The court directed Swati to deposit surety bonds worth Rs10,000.

    PTI senator Azam Swati was taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agenc’s (FIA) Cybercrime Wing (CCW) from his home in Islamabad on October 13 after registering a case against him over the tweets.

    In his concluding arguments, Swati’s counsel Baber Awan said that his client had used the right of freedom of expression through his tweet.

    Swati was tortured and humiliated during the custody, Awan alleged.

    After listening to arguments, the court reserved the decision and adjourned the case till today.

    Swati had tweeted, “Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you. Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country. With these thugs getting free, you have legitimised corruption. How you predict now the future of this country (sic).”

    Swati said that he was arrested for “taking one name — of Bajwa — and that is the violation”.

  • ‘Qanoon ke saamnay sar jhukay’: PM and others react to IK’s disqualification

    ‘Qanoon ke saamnay sar jhukay’: PM and others react to IK’s disqualification

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday disqualified Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan under Article 63(1)(p) of the constitution in the Toshakhana reference.

    Article 63 (1)(p) of the Constitution states that an individual is, “for the time being, disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) or of a provincial assembly under any law for the time being in force”.

    According to the verdict, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran for misdeclaration.

    A four-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, unanimously announced the verdict. The PTI chairman is no more a member of the National Assembly.

    The commission stated that Imran Khan submitted a false affidavit and was found involved in corrupt practices in the reference.

    Following the announcement, Khan’s party leaders and the coalition government parties reacted to this major ruling.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that PTI should refrain from violence and bow its head before the law.

    “The Election Commission did justice in the Toshakhana reference. The nation has seen that the post of Prime Minister has been made a source of personal income through corrupt practices. The idol of honesty and trust was shattered,” the premier added.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz spoke to the media in London. She said, “Khan is Pakistan’s first certified liar with irrefutable evidence of theft.”

    She added that after this verdict criminal proceedings should start against Khan and he should be punished for his theft.

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Khan has been caught “red-handed”. In a tweet, he stated: “He who would spread lies about the alleged corruption of his political opponents has been caught red-handed.”

    The former planning minister, Asad Umar, made an announcement, saying: “The decision will be challenged in court. The dream of ‘minus Imran Khan’ will never come true.”

    Umar’s party mate Fawad Chaudhry asked the people to come out of their houses for their rights.

    He called the ECP’s ruling a “slap on the face of 220 million people”.

    “Not just anyone cannot disqualify Imran Khan. Only the public can do that,” the PTI leader said.

    He alleged that today’s verdict was “written by Nawaz Sharif and signed by his servants”.

    Alongside him, PTI leader Shahbaz Gill said the PTI would approach “every forum” against the verdict. “Imran has been disqualified from just one seat, not politics,” he added.

    Minister for Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman, took to Twitter to say that Imran Khan’s disqualification case is no different as he is not the only one who has been disqualified.

    In a series of tweets, she said, “Those who claim to bring a neutral umpire want the umpire to decide in their favour, otherwise the decision will not be accepted.”

  • ECP verdict: PTI Chairman Imran Khan disqualified

    ECP verdict: PTI Chairman Imran Khan disqualified

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in a consensus verdict, disqualified former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and ruled that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman is no more a member of the National Assembly (NA).

    Khan is disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) for misdeclaration.

    Article 63 (1) (p) of the Constitution states that an individual is, “for the time being, disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) or of a provincial assembly under any law for the time being in force”.

    What happened today?

    A four-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, announced the verdict at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad.

    The decision was taken unanimously by the five-member bench. However, the member from Punjab was not present for today’s announcement.

    According to the verdict, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran for misdeclaration.

    The verdict was announced amid tight security in the Red Zone where at least 1,100 police officials were deployed under the command of a senior superintendent of police to control the law and order situation in the area. The officer was assisted by five superintendents and six deputy superintendents of police.

    Ahead of the verdict, PTI leaders intensified their criticism of the ECP, repeating their allegations of the electoral watchdog being partial against them.

    What is the case?

    The ECP had reserved its verdict in the Toshakhana case on September 19 after arguments were completed from both sides. A five-member bench of the ECP, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case.

    In August 2022, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf sent a reference to the ECP under Articles 62A, 63A, and 223, seeking former prime minister Imran Khan’s disqualification in the light of the Toshakhana scam.

    The disqualification reference was filed by Ali Gohar Khan, PML-N’s Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, and five others.

    The 28-page reference identified 52 gift items of Toshakhana received by the former prime minister Khan, violating the law and rules, taken away at nominal prices and most of the gifts were sold in the market, including some precious watches.

    The assessed value of the gifts has been put at Rs 142,042,100. The gifts were received between August 2018 and December 2021.

    What is Toshakhana?

    Established in 1974, the Tosha­khana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries.

    According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.

  • ‘Chaar saal haath nahin milaya, abb aakay kehtay hain hamaaray sath baat karein’: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘Chaar saal haath nahin milaya, abb aakay kehtay hain hamaaray sath baat karein’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has said that Imran Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), did not shake hands with the Opposition for four years while he was in power but now he wants to talk.

    Shehbaz Sharif was referring to reports of the government holding talks with the PTI chief.

    The Premier, while addressing an event of the Planning Division, said that he and the government were ready to take tough decisions for the sake of the country and its betterment.

    Without talking Khan’s name, the Prime Minister said, ” You labeled us as thieves and corrupt. Had you taken steps for the betterment of our youth, and introduced innovative programmes for their improvement, I would be standing here and praising you instead.”

    Accusing the former prime minister of dividing the country, Shehbaz Sharif said that this is not how great nations are made. “For four years, you said you don’t want to shake hands with the Opposition, but now, in present times and conditions, you say that we should talk,” said the prime minister.

    “For how long will this duplexity continue? For the national interest [of the country] we are ready [to hold talks]. I am not going into details here, but what I am saying here is that I am ready to give any sacrifice for my country,” he stated.

    Journalist Saleem Safi has also revealed that the PTI Chairman Imran Khan has sent a message to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Shairf.

    “They contacted Nawaz Sharif,” Safi said about PTI. “Imran Khan sent a message to Nawaz Sharif to team up against the establishment. However, Nawaz Sharif did not accept the proposal,” said Safi while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Report Card.’

    “Khan Saab sent a messenger to Nawaz Sharif, you heard this in Khan’s [leaked audio] as well that no matter what happens, whether it is fair, legal or illegal, so he will continue to do such things. He will continue to blackmail,” stated Safi.

    When the anchor asked what was the message sent to the elder Sharif, Safi replied, “The message was that we two should shake hands, including [Asif Ali] Zardari and that we all team up against the establishment. However, he [Sharif] rejected the offer.”

  • Pakistani and Indian officials participated in ‘off the record’ sessions

    Pakistani and Indian officials participated in ‘off the record’ sessions

    Senior serving and retired Pakistani and Indian officials participated in a conference organised recently by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IIS) in Oman, reports Rezaul Hasan Laskar for Hindustan Times.

    The 15th edition of the Southern Asia Security Conference saw officials from both sides participating in “off the record” sessions that were held behind closed doors.

    The conference, which was held in Muscat from September 17 to September 18, saw the participation of an Indian delegation that included the external affairs ministry’s pointperson for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, joint secretary J P Singh, and at least two former officials from the external intelligence setup who continue to be active in tracking Pakistan-related issues, writes Laskar.

    “The Pakistani side was represented by former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, the special representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, and Brig Zulfiqar Ali Bhatty, the director of strategic communications in Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Haneef Atmar, the foreign minister in the former Afghan government led by president Ashraf Ghani, also participated in the conference.”

    The conference was held at a time when there are virtually no bilateral contacts between India and Pakistan, with relations having plummeted since New Delhi scrapped Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019.