Current Final

Category: Politics

  • PTI moves August 13 rally to Lahore from Islamabad

    PTI moves August 13 rally to Lahore from Islamabad

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to move the venue of its August 13 public rally to Lahore from Islamabad.

    The rally will be held at Lahore Hockey Ground on the night of August 13. PTI’s focal person Azhar Mashwani said, “PTI and the proud Pakistanis of Lahore will celebrate the 75th Independence Day in a grand manner at Hockey Stadium Lahore,” adding that Imran Khan will specially attend and address the occasion.

    PTI leader Omar Ayub stated the PTI had been given permission for the rally at Islamabad’s Parade Ground. “But at the last moment, we found out that the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) wanted to hold a protest there and it could have created problems.”

    “Hence, we came to the conclusion that Lahore is the best location for the rally,” he added.

    The development came after Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned the PTI leadership that they will not be allowed to create chaos and that only a peaceful rally in Islamabad will be allowed.

    He said that PTI will be allowed to stage a peaceful rally, otherwise it will face treatment far worse than May 25.

    On Monday, it was reported that TLP is set to gather at Faizabad on August 13 the same day as PTI was holding its public rally.

    PTI plans to stay overnight at Parade Ground on Independence Day

    Earlier, PTI said that the party would stay overnight at Islamabad’s Parade Ground between August 13 and 14.

    The decision was made by PTI political committee that the public gathering will be held at Parade Ground on August 13.

    Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the PTI workers would gather at the Parade Ground in the evening on Saturday (August 13) for the rally and will stay there until August 14 to commemorate Independence Day.

    Taking to his Twitter handle, Chaudhry said that the “imported government” is running away from elections but the people will not let them run away.
    

    “On August 13, the entire nation will gather at Parade Ground in support of Imran Khan to hear the future roadmap,” he wrote, urging the party supporters to gear up for the final level. “It is either election or revolution.”

    The public gathering was reportedly being held to pressurise the government into announcing fresh elections in the country.

    Last week, PTI staged a protest at Islamabad’s F9 Park against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.

  • Youm-e-Ashur being observed today: President, PM share messages

    Youm-e-Ashur being observed today: President, PM share messages

    Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, is being observed today with reverence and religious fervour throughout the country. Every year, this day is observed to remember the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions. Mourning processions will be taken out in all cities and towns of the country.

    Mourning processions:

    In Lahore, main Shabih-e-Zuljinah procession of 10th Muharram will be carried out from Nisar Haveli inside Mochi Gate of Old Walled City and will culminate at Karbala Gaamay Shah on Tuesday evening, where Shaam-e-Ghareeban will be held.

    In Karachi, Youm-e-Ashur’s main procession will be carried out from Nishtar Park after Majalis in the morning, which will conclude after passing through the traditional routes at Imam Bargah-e-Hussainan Iranian at Maghrib.

    Security:

    Strict security arrangements have been put up along the routes of the procession.

    In Punjab, more than 900 CCTV cameras have been installed along routes of main processions and other sensitive areas to keep a strict check on any doubtful activity and more than 10,000 police officers and security personnel, including 370 female authorities are on duty today.

    Pakistan Rangers Sindh, Police and other law enforcement agencies personnel have been deployed on the routes to provide security, while the roads and streets have been sealed in the procession route.

    Cellular services have also been partially suspended in different cities

    President, PM’s messages:

    President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister (PM) Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have shared separate messages to mark Ashura.

    President Alvi in his message remembered the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions.

    The Prime Minister in a tweet said, “As humanity navigates multiple challenges & seeks to break the logjam it finds itself in, it must seek guidance from the exemplary character of Imam Hussain (RA) & his companions. The virtues of patience, loyalty, unity & tolerance can defeat the forces of division, chaos & anarchy.”

    Other Politicians:

    Other politicians including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Pervaiz Elahi shared messages on the day of Ashura.

  • Lt Gen Faiz appointed as Bahawalpur Corps Commander

    Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed has been appointed as Bahawalpur Corps Commander, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Monday.

    He was previously appointed as the commander of the Peshawar Corps last year. It is pertinent to mention that when his appointment took place, it was speculated that he had former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s favour, however, Khan himself has denied it several times.

    In his place, the military’s media wing said Lieutenant General Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat has been posted as the commander of the Peshawar Corps.

    During Khan’s tenure, Lt Gen Hameed was given the post of Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan in 2019. He had previously served in the ISI as the head of internal security and comes from the army’s Baloch Regiment.

    Last week, Lt Gen Asif Ghafoor was appointed as the Commander XII Corps (Quetta), after Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali was martyred in a helicopter crash. Lt Gen Ghafoor had previously served as the ISPR head.

  • ‘Your value is not more than an SHO of Kohsar police station’: Fawad Chaudhry lashes out at Rana Sanaullah

    ‘Your value is not more than an SHO of Kohsar police station’: Fawad Chaudhry lashes out at Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on August 7 said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) announcement to hold public gatherings across the country was a mere “political stunt”, adding that PTI Chairman Imran Khan was trying to divert attention from his theft.

    The interior minister said that the PTI is allowed to stage a public gathering at the Parade Ground.

    “Whoever will not cooperate with the FIA relating to an inquiry into the prohibited funding case [against PTI] will be arrested,” warned the interior minister.

    Reacting to Sanaullah’s statement, former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry advised the interior minister to be careful while giving remarks about PTI’s leadership.

    “Your value is not more than an SHO of the Kohsar Police Station,” Chaudhry told Sanaullah as the ruling PML-N has no government in any province of the country.

    On Saturday, the PTI’s political committee decided to hold a power show in Islamabad on August 13.

  • UK agencies start investigation against Pakistani charities for misuse of funds

    The United Kingdom (UK) National Charity Commission (NCC) and National Crime Agency (NCA) have launched an investigation into the misuse of funds by Pakistani charity organisations for political purposes, Naeem Hanif reports for Samaa News.

    The investigation is being done to find out whether these charity organisations misused charity for political purposes in Pakistan or not.

    Both agencies launched the investigation after receiving several complaints. It is being reported that complainants also provided evidence to both agencies.

    The evidence includes the verdict of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in foreign funding case, a report by the Financial Times that revealed the party’s foreign funding sources, and details of its bank accounts.

    Last week, the top electoral body ruled that the former ruling party did indeed receive prohibited funding

    and issued a show-cause notice to the party.

    The ECP said that the party, in violation of the Constitution, had received funds from 34 foreign entities. The party received funds from the United States, Australia, and the UAE. The ECP added that 13 unidentified accounts also surfaced during the probe in the PTI funding case.

  • FIA constitutes team to probe social media campaign after Balochistan helicopter crash

    FIA constitutes team to probe social media campaign after Balochistan helicopter crash

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has constituted a team to probe those running a negative social media campaign after the tragic incident of an army helicopter crash while carrying out flood relief operations in Balochistan. Six military personnel were martyred in the tragic incident.

    On Sunday, August 7, the FIA constituted a four-member team and tasked it with pointing out, arresting, and taking legal action against those involved in running a negative social media campaign on the tragic incident of the helicopter crash.

    “Belittling & ridiculing the sacrifices of our martyrs was horrifying,” said Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    “This is what self-righteous political narratives do: they poison the minds of the youth & weaponise hate speech. Which way are we headed? The moment calls for a deep reflection,” tweeted the PM.

    The military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday, August 5, condemned a social media campaign after the tragic Pakistan Army helicopter crash in Balochistan.

    “The regretful social media campaign after the unfortunate helicopter crash on August 1 has caused deep anguish and distress among Shuhada families and rank and file of the armed forces,” said the ISPR.

    “While the whole nation stood with the institution in this difficult time, certain insensitive quarters resorted to hurtful and derogatory comments on social media, which is unacceptable and highly condemnable,” said Director General (DG) ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, DG ISPR emphasised that this should not happen and that the elements spreading negative propaganda and rumours should be rejected.

    “Insensitive behaviour is unacceptable and should be condemned at every platform,” added DG ISPR.

    “We have been distressed since the accident on August 1. The propaganda has caused immense pain, particularly to the families of the martyrs.”

  • ‘Nation is proud of you’: PM Shehbaz, President Alvi and others congratulate Arshad Nadeem

    ‘Nation is proud of you’: PM Shehbaz, President Alvi and others congratulate Arshad Nadeem

    Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal in the javelin throw competition at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday (August 7).

    The 25-year-old won with a massive throw of 90.18m to beat defending world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who took Silver with 88.64m throw.

    The Pakistani athlete hailing from Mian Channu participated in the event despite elbow and knee injuries.

    “My preparation is really good despite elbow and knee injury, for which treatment is ongoing,” said Arshad Nadeem while talking to Samaa News before the final.

    Arshad Nadeem earned Pakistan its first track and field gold medal after 60 years.

    It was Pakistan’s second gold in the ongoing Commonwealth Games. Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt bagged the first gold for Pakistan.

    Prominent personalities, including President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, congratulated Arshad Nadeem for bringing a gold medal home.

    Read more – Hey Pak govt, aren’t we sporty enough for you?

    “What amazing news to wake up to early this morning! Arshad Nadeem has done Pakistan proud by winning the first gold medal in Commonwealth Games,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a tweet.

    President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi also congratulated Arshad Nadeem for “making history”.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also congratulated Nadeem.

    Have a look at other congratulatory messages:

  • Dynastic politics: PTI slammed for giving ticket to Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter

    Dynastic politics: PTI slammed for giving ticket to Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice President Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter Meher Bano Qureshi is contesting the upcoming by-polls for a National Assembly (NA) seat vacated by her brother Zain Qureshi.

    She will contest the election from NA-157, Multan. Addressing a press conference, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that they had filed nomination papers after the approval of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

    “Meher Bano has a sense of the next generation. If we want to get our country out of this difficult situation, then mothers and daughters have to play a role because a mother has more sense of what will be the future of her child.”

    Meher Bano said that she has been working with the social media team of PTI since 2018.

    “My father has chosen me to keep Imran Khan’s narrative alive, contrary to tradition.”

    However, in Multan, PTI workers came to protest against their own party’s candidate, Meher Bano Qureshi, outside the Election Commission office and raised slogans of disapproval for dynastic politics. They argued that Mahmood couldn’t find anyone within the party for the candidacy.

    “First Mahmood gave a party ticket to his son, now her to his daughter,” they complained.

    A local PTI member, Engineer Waseem, who was also a part of the protest, said that if the party does not give him a ticket, then he would contest the election as an independent candidate.

    People on social media are expressing their disappointment over PTI continuing with the tradition of dynastic politics.

    https://twitter.com/Zara75520916/status/1555522618228445184?s=20&t=nDRe3scpPcj4cUJJzB3taA
    https://twitter.com/__Mugal/status/1555581107739004929?s=20&t=nDRe3scpPcj4cUJJzB3taA

    Reacting to the backlash, Meher Bano tweeted: “I have come across so many spreading fake news, doctored images and posters and attributing false statements to me. I wonder if it would have been different had I been a man. Anyhow, happy to work hard and prove myself.”

    Shah Mahmood’s son Zain Qureshi won PP-217 in the Punjab by-polls held on July 17. After becoming a member of the Punjab Assembly, he vacated his NA seat. His sister will now contest the election for the NA seat vacated by him.

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan himself has condemned and attacked the Pakistan Muslim-League (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for dynastic politics on multiple occasions.

  • ‘Name the neutrals, have some courage’: PML-N’s Malik Ahmad challenges Imran Khan

    ‘Name the neutrals, have some courage’: PML-N’s Malik Ahmad challenges Imran Khan

    Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) leader Malik Ahmad Khan challenged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and said that he should show some courage and name the neutral who gave him the guarantee that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja will remain neutral.

    “You [Imran Khan] said that the neutral said to you that they take to guarantee that CEC will remain neutral. Now name the neutral if you have the courage to do so. Did Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa say this to you or your DG ISI General Faiz Hameed? Have some audacity and courage and name him. You claim to be a fighter, then name the person who said this to you.”

    “Show some courage and take names,” said Malik Ahmad to Imran Khan.

    Malik Ahmad’s comments came after the PTI chairman’s recent interview on Express News.

    Talking about CEC Raja, the former prime minister said that the neutrals guaranteed that the new ECP chief would remain neutral.

    “We were in a deadlock situation, that’s when the neutrals approached us and said that they will provide us with a candidate for the position of election commissioner and no will oppose him. We agreed to it. It was the neutrals who suggested Sikander Sultan’s name, I didn’t even know him. The moment his [Sikander Sutan Raja’s] name came out, people told us he is associated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz [PML-N],” said the PTI chairman.

    “I approached the neutrals again and told them that he is associated with the PML-N, to which they said we take guarantee of him that he will remain neutral,” said Imran Khan, adding that we made a huge mistake.

  • Hurtful and derogatory comments on social media unacceptable: ISPR

    Hurtful and derogatory comments on social media unacceptable: ISPR

    The military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday condemned a social media campaign after the tragic Pakistan Army helicopter crash in Balochistan during a flood relief operation. Six military personnel were martyred in the tragic incident.

    “The regretful social media campaign after the unfortunate helicopter crash on August 1 has caused deep anguish and distress among Shuhada families and rank and file of the armed forces,” said the ISPR.

    “While the whole nation stood with the institution in this difficult time, certain insensitive quarters resorted to hurtful and derogatory comments on social media, which is unacceptable and highly condemnable,” said Director General (DG) ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, DG ISPR emphasised that this should not happen and that the elements spreading negative propaganda and rumours should be rejected.

    “Insensitive behaviour is unacceptable and should be condemned at every platform,” added DG ISPR.

    “We have been distressed since the accident on August 1. The propaganda has caused immense pain, particularly to the families of the martyrs.”

    “The derogatory and insensitive remarks were very hurtful. Especially when everyone was grieving. It was necessary to say this because we know everyone is standing with the Pakistan armed forces and supporting us. It is because of this support that the Pakistan Army is standing and is serving the nation day and night. Our people and their support are our pride,” said DG ISPR.

    “We need to look into these things in our society. The way campaigns start on social media is not right. We collectively need to dismiss and reject such elements from our society,” said DG ISPR.

    DG ISPR was also asked about reports and rumours if President Dr Arif Alvi’s absence from the funeral of the martyred military personnel was because he was stopped by families of the Shuhada from attending due to the “false and negative propaganda created by social media trolls”.

    “I think it is better that I don’t comment on this,” responded Maj Gen Babar.

    ‘Unnecessary controversy’: President Alvi

    President Dr Arif Alvi clarified his absence from the funeral of the martyred military personnel and tweeted, “There is unnecessary controversy on why I did not attend Janaza of the Shaheeds recently.”

    The president said that he is taking the opportunity to condemn, in unequivocal terms, the despicable tweets by those who are “neither aware of our culture [nor] our religion”.

    President Alvi said that he has called hundreds of families, attended funerals, and visited them to offer his condolences — stressing that he does not keep away during such occasions.

    “When the family members have cried, I have cried. There is no doubt in my mind that Pakistan is safe only because of their ultimate sacrifices. That is what makes me proud of Pakistan.”

    However, his tweets did not specify why he did not attend the funeral.