Current Final

Category: Politics

  • PTI Punjab Governor refuses to take oath of Hamza’s cabinet

    PTI Punjab Governor refuses to take oath of Hamza’s cabinet

    Omer Sarfraz Cheema, the governor of Punjab, has decided not to swear in the newly-formed provincial cabinet. According to him, the resignation of Usman Buzdar is illegal.

    “Yesterday, a crime was committed at Governor House. My official residence was held under siege to hold the illegal oath-taking ceremony of a ‘fake’ chief minister,” said Cheema, while addressing a press conference.

    In his statement he repeated that Buzdar’s resignation was addressed to the Prime Minister, not the governor, adding that the former governor Sarwar could not accept a resignation which was not addressed to him, he added.

    “The oath-taking of Hamza Shahbaz was illegal after I rejected the resignation of Usman Buzdar on legal grounds.”

    He questioned how Hamza’s cabinet could be legitimate when his election and swearing-in are both ‘unlawful’. He further added that he cannot endorse anything beyond the ambit of the constitution.

  • ‘Can’t show their face in public places’: Imran Khan breaks silence over Masjid-e-Nabwi incident

    ‘Can’t show their face in public places’: Imran Khan breaks silence over Masjid-e-Nabwi incident

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan termed the incident of hooliganism in Masjid-e-Nabwi a public reaction, saying it was the “consequence” of their [rulers] own deeds.

    In an interview with Arshad Sharif on ARY programme ‘Power Play’, Imran Khan pointed out that the masses have never reacted in such a manner in the entire history of the country, which has been observed outside Masjid-e-Nabwi. “We are not asking people to come out and the public is taking to the streets on their own as they are in pain and anger. However, I can challenge they [the rulers] won’t be able to show their faces in any public place,” the PTI chairman claimed.

    This week, a group of Pakistani protesters violated the sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabwi in Madina by chanting ‘chor chor’ slogans against newly-elected PM Shehbaz Sharif and members of his delegation.

    Following the incident, several personalities condemned the incident.

    “Neither can I think of inciting people to hooliganism at Masjid-e-Nabwi, nor can a true lover of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) think of doing this,” he said.

    “The place I have in my heart for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), I don’t need to prove it, and I have raised my voice around the world against islamophobia,” the PTI chairman said, adding, “I believe that Iman [faith] cannot be completed until you love Prophet (PBUH).” 

  • Governor says Usman Buzdar still CM but Hamza to take CM oath today

    Governor says Usman Buzdar still CM but Hamza to take CM oath today

    Punjab Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema has rejected the resignation of Usman Buzdar. The development has come a few hours before PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz Sharif was set to be sworn in. Lahore High Court on Friday, directed National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to administer the oath to the CM-elect after President Arif Alvi and Punjab Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema failed to obey earlier court orders.

    Omar Sarafraz Cheema, in his letter to Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, stated that the March 28 resignation letter of Usman Buzdar was not in accordance with the rules as it was addressed to the prime minister and not to the governor, which was mandatory as per sub-section 8 of Article 130 of the Constitution.

    Governor Cheema then said the resignation was unconstitutional and so rejected, and according to him, Usman Buzdar is still Chief Minister.

    Hamza took oath today as Chief Minister Punjab. He was administered the oath by National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on the directives of the LHC as the CM-elect had sought the high court’s intervention on the matter.

  • Fact check: Has Turkey tightened visa policy for Pakistanis?

    Fact check: Has Turkey tightened visa policy for Pakistanis?

    Claim: Turkish government has tightened the visa policy for Pakistanis after viral social media posts claiming Pakistanis’ involvement in a kidnapping

    Fact: Pakistani embassy in Turkey has refused any changes in Turkey’s visa policy for Pakistanis

    On 29 April 2022, Arab News reported that Turkey had tightened its visa policies for Pakistanis after a Pakistani group allegedly abducted Nepalis at gunpoint while they were wandering in Taksim Square, one of the significant landmarks of the city.

    The abducted people were tortured and their videos were made, with a kidnapping demanding a ransom of 10,000 euros for their release.

    “The Turkish government has tightened the visa policy for Pakistanis after crimes reportedly involving Pakistanis,” a local media news report read. However, the Pakistani Embassy has denied the news reports of changing Turkish visa polices for Pakistanis.

    “In response to various media reports, it is clarified that Turkey has not made any changes in its policy of issuing visas and residence permits specific to Pakistan nationals. The Embassy remains in close contact with the Turkish authorities on all consular related matters,” the Pakistan Embassy in Turkey wrote in a tweet.

    VERDICT: FALSE

  • Govt to file high treason case against PTI leaders

    Govt to file high treason case against PTI leaders

    The government has started preparing a high treason case against the former and the current PTI government officials on the basis of Article 6 for violating the Constitution, confirmed Deputy Secretary General PML-N Attaullah Tarar.

    According to Geo News’ sources, the people who are being named are President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi, Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Former National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri and Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema.

    As per the news outlet, currently, the government is consulting legal experts. The current ministries of interior and law have started gathering evidence related to the case.

    Article 6 of Constitution of Pakistan, says any person who “abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance the Constitution shall be guilty of high treason”.

    On April 3rd, Deputy Speaker Suri “dismissed” the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan, terming it against Article 5 of the Constitution. Then, Khan addressed the nation, saying he had advised President Alvi to dissolve NA, which the President approved.

    Later, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) declared the act unconstitutional, restored the assemblies and directed to hold the no-confidence motion in the House, which resulted in the removal of Khan’s government.

    A couple of weeks ago, PML-N Hamza Shehbaz was elected as the new CM of Punjab. However, his oath-taking ceremony is still hanging as the Governor of Punjab Omar Sarfraz Cheema declined to administer the ceremony multiple times. Despite Lahore High Court’s (LHC) order to do the ceremony, it is yet to take place.

    Many legal experts have argued that Punjab’s governor cannot decline to administer the oath to the chief minister-elect under any circumstances and termed it illegal.

  • PM Shehbaz might meet Turkish President Erdogan in Saudi Arabia

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is likely to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, states Geo News’ sources.

    Erdogan, who also reached KSA yesterday conveyed a message to PM Shehbaz to meet him. The message reads, “I would like to meet you.”

    The premier is on a three-day visit while the Turkish president is on a two-day visit. Shehbaz held a brief meeting with Madina’s governor, where both the leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations.

    Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said that the prime minister will have bilateral interaction with the Saudi leadership, with a particular focus on advancing economic, trade and investment ties, and creating greater opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in KSA.

    Erdogan met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday to mend relations between the two countries in his first visit since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

    It is pertinent to mention that ties between the two nations were strained after Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

  • Prominent personalities condemn ‘chor chor’ slogans in Madina

    Prominent personalities condemn ‘chor chor’ slogans in Madina

    Prominent personalities have come forward to condemn the chanting of “chor chor” slogans in Masjid-e-Nabawi against the visiting Pakistani delegation. In videos that are being widely shared on social media, Marriyum Aurangzeb can be seen surrounded by people yelling “chor chor” and another abusive words. Someone can be seen pulling Shahzain Bugti’s hair as well.

    Many prominent personalities including politicians, religious leaders and others have expressed their anger and disappointment over the incident.

    Maulana Tariq Jamil while condemning the incident said that disrespect of Haram Sharif is not acceptable in Islam.

    Former cricketer Shahid Afridi also came forward to condemn the incident. The star cricketer said the incident has damaged Pakistan’s image. 

    https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1519781042873421825

    PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan also condemned the incident and called it “against the sanctity of the holy place”.

    PTI’s Asad Umar also spoke up against the incident.

    “I ask forgiveness to Allah for what has happened today at Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH),” Mohammad Yousaf tweeted.

    Kamran Akmal wrote, “Very shameful act done by some of our countrymen in #masjidnabawi Those who violated the sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabawi for political purposes should be banned.I condemn it. Sanctity of the holy place of the Prophet (PBUH)is a must & obligatory for all Muslims. Stop spreading Anarchy.”

  • PTI’s Qasim Suri attacked in Islamabad restaurant

    PTI’s Qasim Suri attacked in Islamabad restaurant

    Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Qasim Khan Suri was attacked in the early hours of Friday at a private hotel in Islamabad. In the incident, Qasim Suri was unharmed, but his friend suffered a slight injury.

    Following the incident, Qasim Suri stated in a video statement saying that he was sitting in a hotel when a bunch of people suddenly appeared and attacked them.

    In his message on Twitter after the incident, Qasim Suri alleged that ‘PML-N goons’ allegedly carried out the attack. Suri has filed an application to register an FIR at the Kohsar police station.

    In a separate incident yesterday, the Pakistani delegation in Saudi Arabia was surrounded by people yelling “chor chor” when they made their way to Masjid-e-Nabwi in Madina.

  • Saudi court jails man for recording Masjid-e-Nabawi incident

    Saudi court jails man for recording Masjid-e-Nabawi incident

    A Pakistani national named Muhammad Tahir has been sentenced to three years in prison by a court in Saudi Arabia for filming a video inside Masjid-e-Nabawi and sharing it on TikTok. He will have to pay a fine of SAR10,000.

    He was traced by his audio.

    The incident took place in April. Responding to the incident in Saudi Arabia, federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said that there is a specific group who chanted those slogans. She also said that she prayed for those people at Masjid-e-Nabawi. In videos that were widely shared on social media, Pakistani delegation including Marriyum Aurangzeb was seen surrounded by people yelling “chor chor”.

    PM Shehbaz Sharif went on a three day visit in Saudi Arabia. He was warmly received by the Governor of Madina Prince Faisal Bin Salman and high level Saudi officials.

    Federal Ministers Bialwal Bhutto-Zardari, Miftah Ismail, Shahzain Bugti, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Khawaja Asif, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and MNAs Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mohsin Dawar accompanied the Prime Minister.

  • Imran Khan lands in trouble for calling Chief Election Commissioner ‘planted agent’

    Imran Khan lands in trouble for calling Chief Election Commissioner ‘planted agent’

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s remarks against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have landed him in trouble as the ECP took notice of the remarks on Thursday.

    The ECP has sought from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) a copy of his speech made at the workers’ convention in Peshawar on April 26.

    In his address to the convention, the PTI chairman called Cheif Election Commissioner as “planted agent” of the PML-N. “Raja has lost all his credibility and he should immediately resign,” the IK had demanded.

    He also asked his supporters to start a signature petition drive against the chief election commissioner on the internet.

    The electoral body has also sought a record of statements made by PTI lawmakers – Haleem Adil Sheikh, Khurram Sher Zaman and Ejaz Chaudhry during the past few days.