Current Final

Category: Politics

  • High Court orders that terror charges against Imran Khan be dropped

    High Court orders that terror charges against Imran Khan be dropped

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered government authorities to drop terror charges against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in a case pertaining to alleged threats made against police officials and a female judge.

    Khan was booked in a case under the section of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for threatening remarks against Additional Sessional Judge Zeba Chaudhry and officials of the Islamabad Police during a rally in Islamabad on August 20.

    Earlier, PTI approached the high court to grant Khan transit bail, but at the time the court had directed the former premier to approach an ATC since it was a terror case.

    On September 14, Khan appeared before Islamabad Police’s Joint Investigation Team (JIT) for questioning in connection with a terrorism case registered against him.

    Talking about the case there, he said, “This is a joke in front of the entire world. Why? Because everyone knows me, there have been headlines across the world that an FIR (first information report) has been registered against Imran Khan on terrorism charges.”

    Last week, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) extended Khan’s interim pre-arrest bail till September 20 in the terrorism case.

    It is pertinent to mention that the PTI chairman, since the registration of the case, has repeatedly been granted bail by the court.

  • ‘Don’t bypass me’: IK warns party members against meeting the establishment without his knowledge

    ‘Don’t bypass me’: IK warns party members against meeting the establishment without his knowledge

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has warned his party members to not “bypass” him to meet the establishment.

    His remarks came during the PTI core committee meeting, in which he said that he is aware that some PTI members are in contact with the establishment and issued the warning that no one should bypass him.

    It has been reported that Imran Khan was visibly angry at the meeting, lashing out at the unnamed party members.

    He instructed his party members to clearly inform and get approval from him before establishing any contact.

    The PTI chairman directed core committee members to tweet according to PTI policy. He gave charge of implementing party policy to senior leader and former minister Shireen Mazari.

    “People are more active in the campaign against the government than party’s bodies,” Imran Khan said adding that there is a possibility that people may outpace the efforts of PTI bodies.

    He instructed core committee members to play an effective role in the upcoming long march in Islamabad.

  • PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb, Javed Latif booked in terror case

    PML-N’s Marriyum Aurangzeb, Javed Latif booked in terror case

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and PML-N central leader Javed Latif, have been booked in terror cases in Punjab.

    The two have been accused of allegedly “using religion to instill and spread hatred” against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former prime minister Imran Khan.

    Punjab Home Minister Hashim Dogar shared on Twitter the First Information Report (FIR) filed against the PML-N leaders.

    Pakistan Television Managing Director Sohail Khan and controller programme Rashid Baig have also been nominated in the case. The complaint said that a press conference in which Imran Khan was accused, was shown on national television.

    Taking to Twitter, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said, “Using religion card against PML-N and other opponents is as bad by any PTI follower as it is for others.”

    “We demand not to use religious hatred campaigns against our leadership or opponents,” tweeted Fawad.

    Latif had accused the PTI chief of “attacking the basic principles of Islam” by “supporting” the Ahmediyya community during his tenure.

    “When Imran made Naya Pakistan, units of Qadianis became active in Karachi […] Did Imran not give interviews to the foreign media in which he said that Qadianis will be given religious freedom,” Latif had asked.

  • ‘Elections, appointment of new COAS, Punjab govt’: Sharif brothers discuss it all in London

    ‘Elections, appointment of new COAS, Punjab govt’: Sharif brothers discuss it all in London

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo, Nawaz Sharif, in London on Sunday, September 18.

    According to media reports, both brothers had a thorough discussion on various matters, ranging from a time frame of general elections, to the appointment of the next army chief and to the Punjab government.

    The Sharif brothers agreed that the present coalition government will complete its constitutional term. Despite being under pressure from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to announce snap polls, PML-N leadership decided that general elections “should be held at the stipulated time”.

    Both Nawaz and Shehbaz pondered over making changes to the Punjab government, and the name of former Chief Minister Punjab and son of Shehbaz, Hamza Shehbaz, among other possible candidates, was considered for the post of the province’s chief minister. The provincial capital of Lahore has been awash with rumors of a change within Punjab parliament that could derail PTI and PML-Q coalition government.

    The matter of important appoi­nt­ments due in November also came under discussion, including the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The current COAS, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, is due for retirement at the end of November this year.

    The Sharifs had a three-hour meeting at Hussain Nawaz’s office in Stanhope House. The meeting, the brothers’ second in London since Shehbaz became PM, was also attended by former finance minister Ishaq Dar and Shehbaz’s son Suleman.

    According to reports, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb did not participate in the meeting.

  • Today marks one year since Afghan girls were banned from attending school

    Today marks one year since Afghan girls were banned from attending school

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took to Twitter to urge Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to revoke the ban on girls’ education that was implemented a year ago.

    He said, “Sunday marks one year since girls were banned from attending high school in Afghanistan. A year of lost knowledge and opportunity that they will never get back. Girls belong in school. The Taliban must let them back in.”

    “It is profoundly damaging to a generation of girls and to the future of Afghanistan itself”, said Markus Potzel, the acting head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The UN has called the ban ‘tragic and shameful.

    According to UNAMA, more than a million teenage girls have been deprived of education across the county.

    Earlier this month, dozens of girls protested in an eastern Afghan city due to the closure of schools for girls.

    When the Taliban seized power in August last year, they did reopen high schools for boys on September 18 but banned secondary school girls from attending classes.

    Education Minister Noorullah Munir termed this act a “cultural issue”. He said that many rural people do not want their teenage daughters to attend school.

    Earlier this year, the Taliban said that schools for girls would be opened after March 21 with the caveat that girls and boys must be completely segregated in schools

    However, schools were opened for a small period of time and again were shut down

    At the time, the Ministry of Education said that the schools would be closed until a plan was drawn up in accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture.

    Despite the fact that the international community has on multiple occasions made the education of girls a key demand for any future recognition of the Taliban administration, the group has barred Afghan girls and women with certain restrictions including covering themselves from head to toe and not to travelling alone.

  • ‘Workers should await a final call in September’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has said that party organisations across the country have been ordered to come out and protest against rising inflation.

    Chaudhry said, “If the government doesn’t move towards elections, then wait for a final call in these two weeks as consultation continues. We think workers should await a final call in September.”

    “General elections will take place, whether the government wants them or not. The ultimate arbiter is the nation and until it doesn’t get the right to make political decisions, the PTI won’t step back from its struggle,” he warned.

    Chaudhry further said that any technocrat or interim government had no room in the Constitution and such a setup would in effect be considered a martial law.

    “Everything that has to happen will happen this month,” said Chaudhry.

    Two days prior to Chaudhry’s statement, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, in an address to the nation once again demanded early elections, warning that PTI’s patience was wearing thin.

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    “If we want to save the country from discord and chaos, free and fair elections need to be announced immediately,” he said.

    “Our patience won’t last long if you continue like this, we will have to give a call to the nation,” said Khan, addressing the government.

    “If there is no political stability, the economy won’t stabilise. So I want to tell my people today that we need to have elections quickly to save Pakistan from this quagmire,” the former Prime Minister insisted, adding that it was his fear that there will be no economic progress without political stability.

  • Shehbaz, Nawaz to meet for three hours in London

    Shehbaz, Nawaz to meet for three hours in London

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is set to leave for a two-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) on Sunday, September 18, during which he will represent Pakistan at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and meet Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif.

    The premier is scheduled to have a three-hour-long meeting with his elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, in London.

    According to news reports, PM Shehbaz will return to Pakistan on Monday soon after attending the state funeral for the late Queen — who died at the age of 96 on September 8 at her Balmoral Castle residence.

    It is pertinent to mention here that senior analyst Suhail Warraich had recsbtly revealed that Nawaz Sharif is not satisfied with the performance of his brother Shehbaz Sharif or Finance Minister Miftah Ismail. Warraich said Nawaz wants Shehbaz to review his policies.

    “Nawaz had already said that they should not take over the government and move towards elections. It seems like he [Nawaz Sharif] has made up his mind that he wants economic policies reviewed, and he would want Ishaq Dar to manage it. He [Nawaz Sharif] does not trust Miftah Sahib,” said Warraich on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’.

  • ‘Jimmy Jimmy Aja Aja’, other desi songs played at Shangai Cooperation Organisation

    ‘Jimmy Jimmy Aja Aja’, other desi songs played at Shangai Cooperation Organisation

    Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) came to an end on Friday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan where at one point, eight world leaders attended the summit to the sounds of 80s Bollywood songs.

    A video was posted by journalist Sidhant Sibal on Thursday in which Indian songs “Jimmy Jimmy Aja Aja” and “I’m a disco dancer” were being played to welcome the SCO delegates.

    This year’s summit was hosted by Uzbekistan from September 15-16. Many historic meetings took place at the SCO including the one between Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time. Other memorable moments included PM Shehbaz interacting with officials in Tajiki, before starting a formal meeting with the country’s president.

    A highly anticipated meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin also took place. Xi called Putin his “old friend”, but the mutually endorsing speeches of the two authoritarian heavyweights were muted.

    As expected, Indian PM Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif did not have a one-on-one meeting as relations between the rival neighbors remained cold.

  • PM Shehbaz likely to meet US President Biden this month

    PM Shehbaz likely to meet US President Biden this month

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit the United States of America (USA) this month from September 19- 24 to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    During this visit, he may have a meeting with US President Joe Biden. Both PM Shehbaz and Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will attend the dinner reception hosted by President Biden for heads of state and government of countries attending the General Assembly.

    Apart from this, PM will meet the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the President of the World Bank (WB) in New York. He will also address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 23.

    It is pertinent to mention that this year’s UNGA session is significant because this will be the first in-person summit of world leaders since 2019. For the last two years, sessions were held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Since US President Biden’s election, relations between Pakistan and the US have cooled down. Former PM Imran Khan also has repeatedly accused the US of outsing him from power, a charge denied repeatedly by US officials and Pakistan’s establishment.

  • PM Shehbaz uses international platform to plead for action against climate change

    PM Shehbaz uses international platform to plead for action against climate change

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif talked about the ongoing climate change devastation that has been caused by unprecedented floods across Pakistan at Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

    In his speech, the premier stressed that his country’s contribution to the global carbon commission is only 1 per cent. “Our carbon emission is less than one per cent. Yet nature had this in store for us,” Shehbaz Sharif said.

    Moreover, he urged the world to formulate a well-thought-out and sustainable plan to prevent devastating episodes of climate change destruction in the future. “We are going to stand on our own feet but will this be the last time a country is going to fall victim to this devastation”, he asked, as he appealed to the SCO to “build a wall” against the menace of climate change.

    He concluded his speech by reaffirming Pakistan’s “strong and unwavering commitment” to advancing the objectives of the SCO.

    At the international forum, the premier urged the leaders not to ignore Afghanistan at this time.

    He stated that the world would have to work together to support all “good initiatives” in Afghanistan. “It will be a big mistake if we ignore Afghanistan this time around”, he warned.

    Moreover, PM Shehbaz asked the international community to support efforts to build a sustainable Afghan economy. “Unfreezing Afghanistan’s financial assets remains a crucial need in this regard”, he stressed.

    PM Shehbaz meets Chinese President Xi Jinping

    On Friday, PM Shehbaz met Chinese President Xi Jinping at SCO in Uzbekistan.

    In an official statement, the Chinese foreign ministry said that during the meeting, Xi pointed out that China and Pakistan are close neighbours “linked by mountains and rivers and with a shared future”.

    The two countries have all along stood with each other through thick and thin. No matter how the international situation evolves, China and Pakistan are always each other’s trustworthy strategic partners, the statement added.

    President Xi stressed that the two sides must continue to firmly support each other, foster stronger synergy between their development strategies, and harness the role of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to ensure smooth construction and operation of major projects.

    On Thursday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that PM Shehbaz had “very successful” talks with Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi.

    “Both of them have officially invited Shehbaz Sharif to visit their countries. The prime minister has accepted both invitations. There will be a visit to China in November 2022,” the minister confirmed in a tweet.

    Earlier, it was reported that PM Shehbaz would meet Xi Jinping, the Chinese President. However, no plans have been announced of a meeting between the Pakistani Prime Minister and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, who is also attending the SCO.

    Shehbaz Sharif was also scheduled to meet Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev later in the day.

    On Thursday, the prime minister met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iran’s Ebrahim Raisi. He also met with the president of Tajikistan and Kagystan.

    Shehbaz Sharif declared his meetings with the world leaders on Thursday as “productive”.

    “It was a long but productive day in Samarkand. In my meetings with leaders of friendly countries, we agreed on enhancing trade and investment. I explained the flood ravages due to climate change. Food and energy shortages present a real challenge to our shared development agenda,” he tweeted.

    During the meeting with Putin, the Russian president said that pipeline gas supplies to Pakistan are possible, and that part of the necessary infrastructure is already in place.

    After the meeting with Putin, the premier also held a bilateral meeting with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon.

    The two leaders held wide-ranging talks covering all aspects of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation, including regional and international issues.

    Shehbaz Sharif thanked Tajikistan for its support to flood affectees in Pakistan and shared details of the devastation caused by the massive floods.

    Since becoming a full member of SCO in 2017, Pakistan has been actively contributing and participating in the activities of the organisation.