Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Govt to conduct forensic audit of audio call between PTI leaders

    Govt to conduct forensic audit of audio call between PTI leaders

    Federal Law Minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, has confirmed on Wednesday, (August 31) that the government will be conducting a forensic audit of two leaked audio calls between former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Punjab Finance Minister Mohsin Leghari and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra.

    “Tarin did not obey his oath and attempted to prioritise politics over the state. This case falls under the category of rebellion against the state,” said Tarar, referring to the leaked audio call.

    Tarar also said that action will be taken according to the law once the forensic report is released.

    Read more: Leaked audio: PTI’s Shaukat Tarin allegedly advising finance ministers in Punjab, KP to sabotage IMF deal

    It is pertinent to mention here that on August 29, in a leaked audio, Tarin allegedly instructed Leghari and Jhagra in two separate calls, to write letters withdrawing from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) deal. At the time, the federal government was in talks to finalize the terms of a $1.6 billion bailout package for the country from IMF.

    Read more: ‘Yeh ab tai hogaya hai Imran Khan Pakistan aur 22 crore logo se zyada eham hain’: Twitter reacts to leaked audio

    Tarin, while speaking on a political talk show on Express News, said that he wants to tell Pakistanis that now their WhatsApp calls are also being tapped.

    “It was a WhatsApp call. I am disappointed that a WhatsApp call was being recorded. We can take up this matter legally,” said Tarin.

    Read more: ‘WhatsApp calls are being tapped’: Shaukat Tarin

    However, it remains unclear who recorded and released the alleged audio recording.

  • Govt to waive fees, give scholarships for university students in flood-affected areas

    Govt to waive fees, give scholarships for university students in flood-affected areas

    Federal Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain has said on Thursday that the government has decided to provide relief to university students in flood-affected areas by waiving their fees and giving them scholarships.

    In a tweet, he said that he held a meeting with the Chair Higher Education Commission (HEC) and decided to facilitate the university students in calamity-struck zones.

    Under the relief package, the government would defer current/due university fee payments, devise a mechanism/possibility for a fee waiver and announce a special scholarship program (undergraduate and graduation) for students.

    Tanveer stated that in these pressing times the government stands firm with the people and would do whatever it takes for rehabilitation of flood victims.

    “Doing fund-raising, providing food and tents, and setting up medical camps and transitional schools is our top priority,” he added.

    In another tweet, the federal minister said that “Our Government under the able leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is fully committed to provide maximum relief to our people suffering from flood calamity. In these pressing times, we stand firm with our people and will do whatever it takes for rehabilitation.”

    Earlier today, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif announced that he will not be taking a scheduled official trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to focus on relief and rescue operations. Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also cancelled his scheduled visit in late August to four European countries. Separately, the media wing of the armed forces, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also announced that Defense Day celebrations will be postponed to express solidarity with flood victims.

    Heavy monsoon rains in the country have triggered massive floods that have submerged a third of the country and killed at least 1,191 people. 27 more people died in the previous 24 hours on Thursday.

    Approximately 116 districts across the four provinces have been affected. Infrastructure, including bridges, roads, schools, homes and hospitals. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), 888 health facilities have been inundated with flood water.

  • PM Shehbaz postpones UAE visit to ‘focus on rescue & relief’

    PM Shehbaz postpones UAE visit to ‘focus on rescue & relief’

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has on Thursday postponed his upcoming trip to United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to focus on relief and rescue activities for flood victims in Pakistan.

    “I was set to visit the UAE on Sept 3 on the invitation of HH the President. We mutually decided to postpone the visit so that I could focus on the ongoing rescue & relief activities,” tweeted the PM.

    “We will forever be indebted to our brothers & sisters who have stood by us in this challenge,” wrote the premier thanking the Arab country for sending the first disbursement of relief goods worth $50 million for flood victims.

    Earlier, Foreign Minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari postponed his official visit to four European countries in August to focus on relief and rescue operations in disaster-hit zones.

    The Pakistan Army has also postponed Defense Day ceremony to express solidarity with flood victims.

    As a result of the devastating floods, the death toll stands at 1,191, with an estimation that nearly one-third of the country is swamped with flood waters leaving more than 30 million people displaced from their homes. Approximately 116 districts across the country have been affected.

    The unprecedented floods have wreaked havoc on the country’s infrastructure as well, with bridges, roads, dams, power lines, schools and houses damaged by raging waters.

    World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that 6.4 million people are in need of urgent help while 888 health facilities have been damaged by the floods.

  • Army postpones Defence Day ceremony in solidarity with flood victims

    Army postpones Defence Day ceremony in solidarity with flood victims

    The Pakistan Army on Wednesday (August 31) postponed the Defence Day ceremony — to demonstrate solidarity with flood-affected Pakistanis. The ceremony is held every year on September 6 at GHQ in Rawalpindi.

    The announcement was made by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Major General Babar Iftikhar, in a tweet from his twitter account.
    “In solidarity with the flood-affected people of Pakistan, central ceremony at GHQ to commemorate Defence & Martyrs Day on 6 September has been postponed,” he wrote.


    “Pakistan Armed Forces shall continue serving our brothers and sisters struck by unprecedented floods,” he added.

    Devastating floods have left Pakistan reeling, with the death toll now standing at 1,191. According to the data issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 422 people have lost their lives in Sindh, 253 in Balochistan and 264 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    It has been estimated that nearly one-third of the country is submerged in flood waters with more than 30 million people displaced from their homes. The raging waters have also wrecked havoc on the country’s infrastructure, with a number of roads, houses, schools and bridges damaged by the floods.

    The armed forces are engaged in rescue and relief operations along with provincial and federal administrations.

  • UN chief to visit flood-affected areas on Sept 9

    UN chief to visit flood-affected areas on Sept 9

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres will pay a ‘solidarity visit’ to the flood-affected areas of Pakistan on September 9.

    “With the tragic situation facing millions of men, women and children impacted by historic floods in Pakistan, the Secretary-General will travel to the country next week for a solidarity visit,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

    According to Dujarric, the UN secretary-general will arrive in Islamabad and will go to the areas most impacted by the unprecedented climate catastrophe. He will also have conversations with displaced families and humanitarian agencies working on the ground.

    He is expected to remain in the country for two days and will leave on September 11.

    Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said it will contribute in a big way to our collective effort to highlight the impact of this disaster.

    On Tuesday, the UN appealed to the world to collect $160 million in aid for the Pakistani flood victims.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres called upon the international community to take more steps to fight global warming and its impacts.

    “Let’s stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of our planet by climate change. Today, it is Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country.”

    During the ongoing monsoon season, Pakistan received about 186 per cent higher rainfall than its 30-year national average.

    One-third of Pakistan has been completely submerged by unprecedented floods and the overall death toll is now more than 1,100.

  • Disappointed by IK, High Court directs Khan to submit his response again

    Disappointed by IK, High Court directs Khan to submit his response again

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to resubmit his response in the contempt of court case within the next seven days.

    IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said he was “disappointed” by the written response submitted by Khan in the case. He asked him to review it and submit it once more.

    The court adjourned the hearing till September 8.

    Khan reached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in reference to contempt of court case against him. Police set security on high alert around the IHC.

    Last week, Khan was given pre-arrest bail in the terror case filed against him for threatening Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and senior police officers at a public rally, shortly after he appeared before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad.

    The ATC accepted the former premier’s bail plea against a surety of Rs100,000, stopping the police from arresting Khan till September 1.

    Khan appeared in the ATC in person where Judge Raja Jawwad Abbas heard his plea.

    Head to Islamabad if Imran Khan arrested

    PTI asked its supporters to take to the streets and head to Islamabad if their leader gets arrested.

    “If Imran Khan is arrested, come out on the streets and then head to Islamabad the next day. Clear directions from the party given,” tweeted PTI’s official account.

    Prior to this, Khan had secured transit bail till August 25 from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    Read more: IHC to initiate contempt proceedings against Imran for controversial remarks regarding sessions judge

    On August 21, a first information report (FIR) was registered against the former prime minister under the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening an additional sessions judge and senior police officers of the Islamabad Police at a rally in the federal capital’s F-9 Park on August 20.

  • Aap Imran Khan ko hataayeinge, kaisay khud reh paayeinge, asks Fawad

    Aap Imran Khan ko hataayeinge, kaisay khud reh paayeinge, asks Fawad

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry has said that if Imran Khan in any way gets disqualified, then those those who make this decision should think how will they survive.

    “It is for those who can disqualify Imran, not for the PTI, to think that how would they survive (in their positions) if they oust Imran Khan,” said Chaudhry on HUM News.

    “Pakistan is at the edge of revolution. If a judgement is given against Imran Khan Sahib, the people of Pakistan will decide the fate,” said Chaudhry.

    Fawad said that when Bhutto was ousted out of power, he was not at the peak of his popularity. But on the contrary, massive public support is with Imran Khan today.

    Speaking on another political programme aired on Dunya News, Chaudhry said that he found a commonality in the cases of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Yusuf Raza Gilani and Nawaz Sharif, as all these leaders had lost their popularity among the masses when they were ousted.

    “Imran Khan is at the pinnacle of his popularity. No one can afford that politics in Pakistan runs without him,” said Chaudhry. When the anchorperson asked Fawad if he means that the courts cannot penalise a popular leader, Fawad said they could not punish (a popular leader) in political cases. His comments were in relevance to the contempt of court case against Khan.

    The anchorperson told Fawad that the courts had convicted popular leaders like Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Talal Chaudhry and Nehal Hashmi, Fawad advised the anchor against comparing Imran Khan with the likes of Talal or Nehal.

  • Last USSR Leader Mikhail Gorbachev dies

    Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, died at the age of 91. He ended the Cold War without bloodshed but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union.

    “Gorbachev died this evening after a serious and long illness,” the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow said late on Tuesday. He died after a long illness.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed “deep sympathies” over Gorbachev’s death.

    The official news agency of Russia reported Gorbachev will be buried at Moscow’s Novodevichy Cemetery next to his wife.

    United Nations (UN) chief Antonio Guterres in a statement praised Gorbachev as “a one-of-a-kind statesman who changed the course of history” and “did more than any other individual to bring about the peaceful end of the Cold War”.

    The spokesperson of the Russian government said that Putin had an ambiguous relationship with Gorbachev. Putin had referred to the end of the Soviet Union as “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century”.

    Gorbachev led the USSR from 1985 until its collapse in 1991 and is seen as one of the most important figures of 20th century history. However, while he enjoys a positive reputation outside of the country, he is viewed differently inside Russia. 

    In a 2021 poll, more than 70 per cent of Russians said their country had moved in a negative direction during Gorbachev’s rule, while he was previously ranked as the most unpopular Russian leader of the past century, a state-run pollster said.

  • Toshakhana case: ECP directs Khan to submit reply by Sept 7

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday to submit his reply in the Toshakhana case against him by September 7.

    Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the counsel for the PTI chairman, appeared before an ECP bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and appealed for some more time to file a reply.

    He said that Khan’s lead counsel Barrister Ali Zafar is in Lahore, which is why he was unable to consult with him regarding the case. He assured the ECP bench of submitting a reply at the next hearing.

    The CEC observed that since everything was part of the record, it must not take so much time to submit a reply.

    However, the bench granted a week’s time to the PTI chief and the hearing was adjourned till September 7.

    Earlier this month, National Assembly (NA) Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf sent a reference to the ECP seeking Imran Khan’s disqualification. In the reference, it was stated that Khan did not declare the gifts taken from Toshakhana in his assets and the detail of the amount he had received by selling those state gifts.

    In April, an investigation by news organisation Fact Focus revealed that Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi kept all 112 presents worth Rs142.02 million from the Toshakhana of Pakistan.

  • ‘WhatsApp calls are being tapped’: Shaukat Tarin

    ‘WhatsApp calls are being tapped’: Shaukat Tarin

    Former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has said that he wants to tell Pakistanis that now their WhatsApp calls are also being tapped.

    “It was a WhatsApp call. I am disappointed that a WhatsApp call was being recorded. We can take up this matter legally,” said Tarin while speaking on a political talk show on Express News.

    His remarks were in relevance to his recent audio leaks where he asked Punjab Finance Minister Mohsin Leghari and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister Taimur Jhagra to write letters withdrawing from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) deal.

    Read more: ‘Yeh ab tai hogaya hai Imran Khan Pakistan aur 22 crore logo se zyada eham hain’: Twitter reacts to leaked audio

    Tarin was questioned that primarily a WhatsApp call cannot be recorded, so is there a possibility that the people he was conversing with leaked the call.

    Read more: Leaked audio: PTI’s Shaukat Tarin allegedly advising finance ministers in Punjab, KP to sabotage IMF deal

    “There is an institution [behind this]. The conversation cannot be leaked from either Leghari, Taimur or myself. So Pakistanis should know that now WhatsApp calls are being tapped,” said Tarin.