Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Supreme Court bars transfers, appointments in high-profile cases

    Supreme Court bars transfers, appointments in high-profile cases

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) is barring authorities from making new appointments and transferring officials involved in “high-profile” and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases as well as those cases which are being heard by special courts, reports Dawn.

    The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) observed that special courts in Karachi and Lahore lack judges while three accountability courts in Islamabad are also empty.

    The court issued notices to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman and the interior secretary. The court asked the parties concerned to give an explanation as to why there was “interference” in criminal cases, and stopped the NAB and FIA from withdrawing cases till further orders.

    The court also asked to be informed about the steps being taken to protect the record of criminal cases and directed for the record of high-profile cases to be checked and sealed. When Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf protested against this, the CJP said that the record of ongoing cases would not be sealed, only that of the prosecution.

    During the hearing, the CJP also observed that there should be “no interference in the prosecution process or the prosecution wing”.

    The CJP also noticed that FIA’s former director Mohammad Rizwan, who was probing money laundering charges against Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shahbaz, was also transferred and later died of a heart attack.

    “We are concerned over these developments,” the CJP said. Justice Bandial, indirectly pointing out at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also stated that according to news reports, “thousands” of people had benefitted after their names were removed from the no-fly list.

    At one point, CJP Bandial remarked that the court was only concerned with ensuring justice and adjourned the hearing till May 27.

  • Bush mistakenly described the invasion of Iraq by ‘one man’ as ‘brutal and unjustified’

    Bush mistakenly described the invasion of Iraq by ‘one man’ as ‘brutal and unjustified’

    Former United States (US) President George W. Bush mistakenly described the invasion of Iraq by “one man” as “brutal” and “unjustified” before correcting himself to say he meant to refer to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    “The result is an absence of checks and balances in Russia, and the decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq,” Bush said, before correcting himself and shaking his head. “I mean, of Ukraine.”

    He jokingly blamed the mistake on his age as the audience burst into laughter.

    In 2003, when Bush was president, the United States led an invasion of Iraq over weapons of mass destruction that were never found. The prolonged conflict killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced many more.

    Bush’s remarks quickly went viral on social media, gathering over three million views on Twitter alone after the clip was tweeted by a Dallas News reporter.

  • ‘Khan wants to destroy Pakistan for his ego’: CM Hamza Shehbaz

    ‘Khan wants to destroy Pakistan for his ego’: CM Hamza Shehbaz

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Hamza Shehbaz on Thursday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was “trying to divide the army”.

    “I want to tell you today that what Imran Khan Niazi is doing is not politics. He is spreading hatred in the name of politics,” said Hamza, addressing a press conference in Lahore. “What does he want to do with this country? I, as a Pakistani, want to warn the nation: don’t be misled with his fake demeanour.”

    He urged people and the institutions to “keep an eye” on Imran and his tactics.

    “He is trying to destroy Pakistan for his ego, just like he trampled upon the Constitution and the law for his ego. Keep politics aside. First decide what this man is trying to do with the nation. The people and institutions will have to take notice.”

    Hamza said he would stay on the post of CM “as long as God wills it” and vowed to continue working for the welfare and well-being of the people of the province “without wasting any moment”.

    “The way these people are creating problems in Punjab, whether it is the former governor [Omar Sarfraz Cheema] or the president [Arif Alvi] … The way they are spreading propaganda among the public … I have decided not to waste a second in making things easier for the people.”

    “I won’t let anything hinder my resolve in working for the people of Punjab.”

    “But I want to tell you today that the government of Punjab is standing with its people,” he pledged, announcing a relief package for the province in which the price of a 10kg bag of wheat flour, which earlier cost Rs650, has been reduced to Rs490. “In 36 districts of Punjab, people will be able to buy flour at this price,” the CM said. “We are giving a relief of Rs160 under the Rs200 billion subsidy for the province.”

    Hamza also said that he will ensure that everyday medicines and especially the ones used for cancer will be given free to people.

  • Pakistan wants to ensure rights to the women of Afghanistan: Bilawal Bhutto

    Pakistan wants to ensure rights to the women of Afghanistan: Bilawal Bhutto

     Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that Pakistan wants to ensure rights to the women of Afghanistan.

     The foreign minister in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour said, “I see women’s rights or women’s rights to education as rights granted to us in Islam. We’ll be emphasising that the Taliban keep their international commitments and ensure rights to the women of Afghanistan because these are rights guaranteed to women in Islam,” Bilawal said when he was asked if Islamabad had engaged with the Afghan Taliban on how Muslim countries can give rights to women.

    The minister said it wasn’t an issue of the West. He also said that the first word in Quran is ‘Iqra’, which means to read. “Nowhere is it written that only men should read. We are all meant to pursue our path to education.”

    FM Bilawal said that Islamabad is looking to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to play its role in discouraging the increase in terrorist activity on Pakistan’s side of the border.

    “We continue to not only monitor this situation but work on our side to ensure that we can try to tackle the threat of terrorism and hope that the regime in Afghanistan lives up to their international commitment to not allow their soil to be used for terrorism.”

    “We must prioritise, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, ensure there’s no economic collapse and hold the Taliban regime to the international commitments. It was not Pakistan, but the United States who had direct communication with the Taliban regime before their takeover of Kabul. Pakistan and the international community believe it will not serve any of our interests if we abandon the people of Afghanistan once again,” said Bilawal.

    “We all believe, Pakistan believes and the international community believes, they will not serve any of our interests if we abandon the people of Afghanistan, once again,” said Bilawal.

  • Khan accuses Maryam Nawaz of wanting to ‘lie down’, so an American lady could ‘pass over her’

    Khan accuses Maryam Nawaz of wanting to ‘lie down’, so an American lady could ‘pass over her’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday in his jalsa in Gujranwala criticised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

    Khan said, “Once a woman from the American Embassy came to [Pakistan], Maryam called her at her house, opened the door of her car, and brought her inside. The way she was walking besides the American lady, the only thing left was for Maryam to lie down and tell the lady to pass over her so that her shoes don’t get dirty.”

    Maryam responded to Khan’s comments and tweeted, ” Poor guy, he has become irrelevant.”

    Khan was talking about United States (US) Charge d’ Affaires Angela Aggeler, who visited Jati Umrah on October 14, 2021. On her arrival, she was received by Maryam Nawaz.

    The PTI chairman hit at Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif as well and said, “Shehbaz Sharif you have worked really hard. You have polished many boots. Whoever came from the American Embassy you used to polish their boots.”

    Berating the Sharif brothers, Khan said: “Shehbaz Sharif is asking what to do after becoming the prime minister. He said that inflation is rising and foreign exchange is tumbling. The two brothers (Shehbaz and Nawaz Sharif) are now trapped and they are wondering what to do.”

  • ‘Want to get access to his Peer’: Usman Buzdar’s expected comeback sparks a meme fest

    ‘Want to get access to his Peer’: Usman Buzdar’s expected comeback sparks a meme fest

    The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday in its decision on a presidential reference seeking interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution, which is related to the status of defecting lawmakers, said the votes of defecting lawmakers will not be counted.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters started celebrating the ‘expected’ comeback of Usman Buzdar by removing the current Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz.

    The memes in relevance to Buzdar are hilarious.

    Seems like the Peer baba’s business is about to boom.

    Some questioned the short tenure of Hamza Shehbaz.

    Some declared Buzdar as the real danger.

    Some said Hamza might be a good player but Buzdar is the real coach.

    Some wished for the same luck as that of Buzdar.

    Some showed how Buzdar will make an entry at the CM House.

  • Economic crisis: Finance minister in Doha to hold talks with IMF

    Economic crisis: Finance minister in Doha to hold talks with IMF

    Finance Minister Miftah Ismail along with his team left for Doha on Tuesday to hold talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    The ministry said that talks with the IMF mission started today (May 18).

    The review talks are expected to continue for a week and will focus on striking a staff-level agreement for the release of a $1 billion tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

    It has been reported that Pakistan will have to convince the IMF to revive the stalled $6 billion programme at a time when the government had not started eliminating the unfunded fuel subsidy after making a commitment with the forum.

    The dollar rate is at its peak in the country. Currently, the rupee touched 200 against the US dollar in the open market. This spell of the dollar’s persistent rise against the rupee began last week.

  • Govt to stay in power till August next year: report

    Govt to stay in power till August next year: report

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif-led government has decided to complete its constitutional tenure till August 2023.

    The decision was reached during a meeting of the coalition partners, where the country’s overall political situation was discussed with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

    As per media reports, the meeting expressed its readiness to take the unprecedented economic crisis head-on and not give up till the country saw economic stability.

    The participants of the meeting decided that the government would complete its constitutional tenure in a bid to take the country out of the current economic turmoil.

    On Tuesday, Shehbaz Sharif approved the formation of a committee headed by the Law Minister to amend the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law.

    During the cabinet meeting, it was pointed out that “NAB’s black law” was used only for political revenge, and harassment of government officials and the business community.

  • Bilawal reaches New York, expected to meet Secretary of State Blinken

    Bilawal reaches New York, expected to meet Secretary of State Blinken

    Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari reached New York on Tuesday on his first official visit to the United States (US).

    The foreign minister has gone for a three-day official visit to attend a global food security meeting at the invitation of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

    According to the Foreign Office (FO), Bilawal will have other important engagements today (Wednesday) including a bilateral meeting with Blinken.

    The FM will also participate in an open discussion at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting. He is likely to meet the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the president of the UNSC.

    Bilawal was received by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Ambassador Munir Akram and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Masood Khan.

    As per FO, the meetings will bring together a regionally diverse group of countries, including those most affected by food insecurity and those in a position to take action to address it. Bilawal will highlight Pakistan’s perspective and policy priorities in the two meetings. 

    “Pakistan will continue to play a proactive role in supporting international efforts to advance the shared objectives of a peaceful and stable world – free of conflict, poverty and hunger,” said the foreign office.

  • ‘Shehryar Afridi, tumhara intazam kamzor hai’: Khan scolds Afridi at a jalsa

    ‘Shehryar Afridi, tumhara intazam kamzor hai’: Khan scolds Afridi at a jalsa

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan during his jalsa in Kohat scolded Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Shehryar Afridi, and said that the arrangements he made for the jalsa were weak.

    “Shehryar Afridi, tumhara intazam kamzor hai. Lights hi nahin hain, loug nazar nahin aa rahay,” said Khan. [Shehryar Afridi your arrangements are so weak. There are no lights, I can’t see people properly].

    “I cannot see half the stadium, so give the arrangements to someone else from now on,” added Khan.

    The PTI chairman praised the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on 63-A and said the apex court with the verdict has ensured Pakistan’s morality does not diminish.

    “I am thankful that the Supreme Court rejected the votes of the people who sell their vote and betray their constituents and democracy,” the ex-prime minister said.

    Khan said that “Allah has not given us the choice to remain neutral” and stressed that there was no intermediate way.