Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Sindh local govt elections turn into a bloody ground with two deaths

    Sindh local govt elections turn into a bloody ground with two deaths

    The first phase of Sindh local government in 14 districts has been completed. According to unofficial results, the provincial ruling party Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is ahead of all the parties with the highest number of winning candidates as 885 out of 946 representatives were already elected unopposed when the polling started.

    The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) came second, independents third, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) fourth, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) secured the fifth position.

    According to media outlets, several complaints of missing ballot papers and changes in the election symbols were reported from many districts of the province, which eventually led to chaos.

    However, the provincial government ruled out such a possibility and described the demand as an “escape” from Opposition parties after they “failed” to field candidates in all districts, reports Dawn.

    Voting started at 9am and ended at 5pm on Sunday. The elections in the rest of the districts of Sindh will be held next month, i.e. July 24.

    Violence at the scene:


    During the election polling when clashes broke out between political parties, it led to deaths and multiple injuries. Two people, including the brother of a PTI candidate, were killed and at least 20 people were injured.

    PTI’s divisional president from Tando Adam, Mushtaq Junejo, said, “I can confirm the death of Qaiser, the brother of our party’s candidate Asghar Gandapur in Tando Adam.” The candidate was contesting in ward-13 of the Tando Adam municipal committee.

    In Nawabshah, the situation became tense when a group of armed people attacked social security. Later, the group fled the polling station along with the election material.

    Kashmore was among the most-affected districts in terms of violence.

    In Durrani Mahar, reports were received that around 10 polling staff members were kidnapped. However, the issue was resolved and police tried to cover up the issue as the polling staff was only released after successful negotiations between the police and the kidnappers.

    Misprinting of ballot papers:



    On Sunday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced that some districts had incorrect candidate names printed on the ballot papers. In a tweet, the ECP said that polls in these regions would be postponed and a new schedule would be presented for them.

  • PM Shehbaz Sharif to host dinner for PML-N and coalition party MNAs

    PM Shehbaz Sharif to host dinner for PML-N and coalition party MNAs

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has invited the MNAs of coalition parties to dinner at Prime Minister’s Office tonight (June 27).

    Members of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and coalition parties will attend the dinner, where the current political situation and matters related to the budget for fiscal year 2022-23 will be discussed.

    Earlier this month, former President Asif Ali Zardari hosted a dinner for leaders and members of the coalition government. During the dinner, Zardari was also lauded by the coalition leaders and members for his efforts to unite the parties together. PM Shehbaz who was also in attendance received advice from members and leaders present at the dinner.

  • Man caught installing spy device in Khan’s bedroom

    Man caught installing spy device in Khan’s bedroom

    Staff at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s Bani Gala residence on Saturday night caught a man red-handed while installing a spy device in his bedroom.

    ARY News reported that an employee of Bani Gala was paid to install a device in the former prime minister’s bedroom. However, the spying attempt was foiled after another employee informed the security team about the installation of the device.

    PTI leader and the chief of staff of the former premier, Dr Shahbaz Gill, handed over the suspect, an employee of Bani Gala, to the police.

    Shahbaz Gill claimed, “An employee – who cleans the former premier’s room – was paid to install a spy device,” terming the act ‘ heinous and unfortunate’.

    “Our people are being threatened to get information. Such shameful acts should be avoided,” he added. The PTI leader further said that the ‘arrested’ employee has made several revelations – which he refused to share at the moment.

    Many from PTI have been asserting that Imran Khan’s life is in danger. “In this regard, we have informed all relevant agencies, including the government,” Gill said.

    However, Islamabad police said that a media person had handed over the alleged spy to the police but the suspect was not able to speak properly.

    “The suspect could not be identified as he cannot speak properly. It has been decided that a medical test will be conducted on him to ascertain his physical and mental condition. The suspect was kept in Bani Gala house for a day. The person who handed over the suspect to the police has not provided any evidence or proof of spying. Police are investigating the matter and will soon reach the conclusion,” said the police.

  • Gen Bajwa receives medal for his contributions by Saudi Arabia

    Gen Bajwa receives medal for his contributions by Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, first deputy Prime Minister (PM) and minister of defence, decorated Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa with the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class for making “significant contributions in defence cooperation” between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

    The medal was named after Saudi Arabia’s founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud and is considered the highest civilian honour in KSA. Recently, it was given to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    Pakistan’s army chief visited Saudi Arabia on an official tour met with the Crown Prince in Jeddah on Saturday. They reviewed bilateral relations, especially in the military fields, and opportunities for developing them. They also discussed a number of issues of common interest.

    Following this, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the COAS for being conferred the honour. “It is a great honour for the people and the armed forces of Pakistan,” he said in a tweet.

    In another tweet, he said Pakistan considers the security of Saudi Arabia “as our own and are completely resolved to further cementing our multifaceted bilateral relationship including excellent defence cooperation”.

    COAS Bajwa meets Musharraf:

    COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his wife also paid a visit to former President and Army Chief General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in Dubai, reports emerged on Saturday.

    Gen Qamar and his wife were accompanied by top physicians of the Pakistan Army. They spent some time with Gen Musharraf and his family while the army doctors examined the former military ruler, reports The Express Tribune.

    Earlier this month, Musharraf’s family revealed that he is going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible as his organs are malfunctioning.

    After this, the establishment and politicians, including Nawaz Sharif, came forward and were of the view that he should be brought back to Pakistan.

  • ‘Below my dignity to respond to such a liar’: Ex-brigadier to Imran Khan

    ‘Below my dignity to respond to such a liar’: Ex-brigadier to Imran Khan

    Former Director-General (DG) of the Anti-Corruption Establishment, Punjab, Brigadier (retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha responded to the allegations made by former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan that Ranjha manipulated the 2013 general elections in favour of Nawaz Sharif.

    In an interview with Lahore Rang, the retired brigadier called Khan a compulsive liar, saying: “These are baseless allegations from a liar. But since he has publicly made these allegations, I am compelled to respond.”

    “He [Imran Khan] is a morally, financially, intellectually, and socially corrupt person. I am a respectable person. It’s below my dignity to respond to such a pathological liar,” he added.

    While replying to the question that why is Khan bringing up this issue, Ranjha said that he believes that Khan has lost his mind after losing power.

    “This man [Khan] has never been in favour of the armed forces. He only flirted with the military. Now, since the military has detached itself from politics, he is randomly hurling allegations.”

    “If he [Imran] opens his mouth again, then I’ll go to a public forum and spill the beans”, Ranjha said, adding that Imran should know that he knows everything about him as he has also served as an intelligence officer.

    During the interview, Ranjha offered Imran to agree to the formation of a commission that should investigate the vote-manipulation charges.

    The former DG also challenged Khan to contest elections against him.

    It is pertinent to mention that Ranjha was removed from his office by the Punjab interim government just before the 2018 elections.

  • Khan challenges NAB amendments in Supreme Court

    Khan challenges NAB amendments in Supreme Court

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan approached the Supreme Court (SC) to challenge the recent amendments to the National Account­ability (NAB) Ordinance, contending that they will “virtually eliminate any white-collar crime committed by a public office holder”.

    In the petition filed today (June 25), Khan named the Federation of Pakistan through its secretary Law and Justice Division, and the NAB through its chairman as respondents in the case.

    Khan had said his party would challenge the recent amendments to the NAB law in the SC.

    Addressing a press conference at his Banigala residence, Imran Khan expressed hope that the top court would take notice of the development, adding that if such moves were allowed then it would be detrimental to the country.

    Earlier in June, President Dr Arif Alvi refused to sign the bills seeking amendments in NAB and election laws.

    The bill was returned back to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif as the president said he “was not informed” about the “legislative proposal” under Article 46 before they were tabled in parliament.

  • Mumbai attacks’ alleged mastermind arrested by FIA

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested suspect Sajid Mir with the help of law enforcement agencies, in the investigation of the Mumbai attacks, reports Wajahat S. Khan for Nikkie Asia.

    “According to the FBI, Mir allegedly served as the chief planner of the [Mumbai] attacks, directing preparations and reconnaissance, and was one of the Pakistan-based controllers during the attacks,” writes Wajahat.

    The deputy foreign minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, told Nikkei Asia that she would not comment on this particular case. Senior police officials and investigators from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), also did not comment on the arrest but did not deny it.

    The United States (US) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had placed Mir on its most-wanted criminal list. It offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

    Mir is allegedly the mastermind behind the Mumbai attacks. Rumours of his death had persisted for a long time.

  • PM Shehbaz in Karachi: What is he planning to do today?

    PM Shehbaz in Karachi: What is he planning to do today?

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Karachi today (Saturday) on a day-long visit.

    During this visit, he will meet a delegation of leaders of the government’s allied party Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).

    According to Geo News, the premier will discuss the MQM-P’s agreement with Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N).

    When former PM Imran Khan was ousted, an agreement was signed to confirm MQM-P leaving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) coalition and joining hands with the then-opposition parties [PML-N, PPP, JUI-F and others]. The MQM-P decided to part ways with PTI almost a week before the no-confidence motion against Khan and announced its final decision on March 30.

    Other than this, discussions on the census, electoral reforms and upcoming local body elections will also take place between PM Shehbaz Sharif and MQM-P.

    PM Shehbaz also paid a visit to Nawabshah to offer condolence to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari on his mother’s demise.

    The premier’s first stop was Pakistan Naval Academy Manora where he attended the passing out parade of the 25th Short Service Commission.

    In his speech during the ceremony, PM Shehbaz expressed happiness over witnessing women cadets in the passing out parade.

    On Friday, PM Shehbaz made a visit to the port city of Gwadar.

  • Khan in court, granted pre-arrest bail in 10 cases against him

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been granted pre-arrest bail till July 6 by the court of a district and sessions judge in Islamabad today (Friday). He got bail in 10 cases related to vandalism during his party’s Azadi March in the federal capital which happened on May 25.

    He is booked on charges involving interference in state affairs and damaging public property.

    Khan appeared in court with strict security arrangements. The court directed Khan to submit Rs5,000 as surety in each of the cases and directed the police to submit a record of cases in the next hearing which is on July 6.

    Prior to this development, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) granted transit bail to PTI Chairman till June 25 in different cases registered against him in connection with his party march.

    Bail to PTI leaders:

    Earlier, police had booked around 11 PTI leaders including Imran Khan, Asad Umar, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhry and others in a case pertaining to violence at the Kohsar police station. However, an Islamabad court granted interim bail to them in this case on June 20.

    Similarly, last week, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) granted interim bail till June 28 to more than a dozen PTI leaders for vandalism in the case pertaining to violence at the Bhatti Gate police station, Lahore. The bail was granted to Hammad Azhar, PTI Central Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Aslam Iqbal and others.

  • Bilawal urges UN to create task force to tackle disinformation

    Bilawal urges UN to create task force to tackle disinformation

    Bilawal urges UN to create task force to tackle disinformation

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in his virtual address to the Group of Friends on Countering Disinformation urged that a United Nations (UN) backed task force be set up to counter disinformation.

    “We should agree on an international plan to counter disinformation online and offline, in the public and private domain,” said Bilawal.

    He urged that the UN department of information set an international standard of guidelines that countries can follow to tackle disinformation.

    FM Bhutto put forth some of his own suggestions on how disinformation can be dealt with ranging from creating public awareness campaigns about disinformation to increasing the capacity of governments to filter and limit hate speech.

    “Misinformation is the biggest problem of this era,” Bilawal said. “An effective strategy has to be formulated to tackle the issue of disinformation.”