Current Final

Category: Politics

  • FIA picks up 24 over social media campaign against Pak Army

    FIA picks up 24 over social media campaign against Pak Army

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested more 24 persons on charges of launching a smear campaign on social media against the Pakistan Army. According to officials, the arrests were made during raids conducted in 11 cities.

    According to the FIA officers, the arrested people have been accused of initiating a “hate trend” against Pakistan Army on Twitter. Until now, 19 people have been charged under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Pakistan Electronic Crime Prevention Act  (PECA) for unleashing a smear campaign against the Army on social media.

    On Monday, the FIA carried out raids in various cities including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad to arrest people who were behind targetting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the Army.

    According to media reports, the cases will be heard by the authority concerned under the anti-terrorism laws. All cases have been shifted from the cyber crime wing to the anti-terrorism wing.

    The Counter-Terrorism Wing Director Humayun Sindhu is leading the investigation process under anti-terrorism laws.

    On April 12, FIA arrested six people under similar charges to propagate a propaganda campaign against COAS and Army across the social media.

  • ‘Bedroom tak jaayeinge’: PML-N supporters hurl threats at Jemima

    ‘Bedroom tak jaayeinge’: PML-N supporters hurl threats at Jemima

    PML-N supporters staged a protest outside the house of Jemima Goldsmith’s mother in Surrey, England. During the protest, the PML-N activists said:”If Jemima and her children don’t come down there, they will enter her bedroom.” They also said if you will protest outside Mian Nawaz Sharif’s house, they also reserve the democratic right to outside your house.

    “This is a video of hundreds of persons protesting for hours outside house of Jemima’s 88-year-old in Surrey yesterday. The man with the tannoy is threatening – If Jemima and her children don’t come down here, then we will enter her bedroom.”

    Read more- UK distances from Pak ‘political affairs’ after Khan’s ex-brother-in-law extends support

    Jemima, has not commented on former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ouster. However, her brother Ben Goldsmith announced support for Imran Khan on Twitter following Khan’s ouster. He said: “My brother-in-law @ImranKhanPTI is a good and honourable man, motivated only by a strong desire to do good for his country.”

  • Long-awaited 34 members federal cabinet takes oath

    Long-awaited 34 members federal cabinet takes oath

    The long-awaited 34-member cabinet of newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif finally took oath today (Tuesday) after the cabinet division issued a list of the first phase of ministers on Tuesday.

    According to ARY News, the list includes names of 30 federal ministers, four ministers of state and three advisers to the Prime Minister.

    Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani administered the oath to the new federal cabinet of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after President Arif Alvi excused from administering oath to the lawmakers.

    The swearing-in ceremony of the federal cabinet was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad where members belonging to PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, MQM-P and other allied parties took oath as ministers in the federal cabinet.

    The PPP members who took oath as ministers in first phase are: Naveed Qamar, Shazia Marri, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Syed Khursheed Shah, Qadir Patel and Hina Rabbani Khar.

    The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also got two ministries in the new set-up.

    A list of the federal cabinet members:

    Khawaja Muhammad Asif, MNA

    Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, MNA

    Rana Sana Ullah Khan, MNA

    Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, MNA

    Rana Tanveer Hussain. MNA

    Khurrum Dastagir Khan, MNA

    Marriyum Aurangzeb, MNA

    Khawaja Saad Rafique, MNA

    Mian Javed Latif, MNA

    Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada. MNA

    Murtaza Javed Abbasi, MNA

    Azam Nazeer Tarar, Senator

    Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, MNA

    Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA

    Sherry Rehman, Senator

    Abdul Qadir Patel, MNA

    Shazia Marri, MNA

    Syed Murtaza Mahmud, MNA

    Sajid Hussain Turi, MNA

    Ehsan ur Rehman Mazari, MNA

    Abid Hussain Bhayo, MNA

    Asad Mahmood, MNA

    Abdul Wasay, MNA

    Mufti Abdul Shakoor, MNA

    Muhammad Talha Mahmood, Senator

    Syed Amin-ul-Haque, MNA

    Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari, Senator

    Muhammad Israr Tareen, MNA

    Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, MNA

    Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema, MNA

    Ministers of state

    Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha, MNA

    Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju, MNA

    Hina Rabbani Khar, MNA

    Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Senator

    ADVISERS TO THE PM

    Miftah Ismail

    Amir Muqam

    Qamar Zaman Kaira

  • ‘Establishment offered us three options, not us’, Imran Khan maintains his stance

    ‘Establishment offered us three options, not us’, Imran Khan maintains his stance

    While talking to reporters, former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan insisted that the establishment gave him three options, contradicting the Pakistan military’s statement that the options were presented by Khan himself.

    Khan said, “The establishment gave me three options, so I agreed with the election proposal. How could I accept the resignation and no-confidence suggestion?”

    Last week, Director-General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar said that the PM Office had contacted the military leadership to help resolve the ongoing political crisis. He added that the army chief and DG ISI visited the PM office at “their” request to play the role of “mediator”.

    The former prime minister said that the military was onboard over the Russia visit. He said, “Gen Bajwa said we must visit Russia.” The army has also confirmed that they agreed with the decision to visit Russia.

    Responding to the recent Toshakhana (state gifts) controversy, the PTI chairman said they were his gifts, so it was his choice whether to keep them or not. “Meray tohfay, meri marzi [my gift, my choice],” he added.

    According to media reports, the former PM received gifts worth more than Rs140 million from world leaders during his tenure and he kept them all either by paying a minor amount or without any payment.

    “Whatever I took from Toshakhana is on record. I purchased the gifts after paying 50 per cent of the cost,” Khan said.

    Regarding Farah Khan, he said that she had no position or ministry, how could she take money, if anyone has any evidence, bring it forward.

    About his party’s rallies in Peshawar and Karachi after the removal of his government, Imran Khan said: “I have never seen such a large number of people coming out in Pakistan.”

    He maintained his stance that the PTI government was removed as part of an “international conspiracy” and urged the nation to not accept this.

    The former prime minister also admitted that the filing of a reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa was a “mistake”. The reference against the SC judge should not have been filed, I have no personal enmity with anyone, it was sent by the law ministry”, the PTI chairman cleared.

  • PTI’s Shahzad Akbar leaves for Dubai after name removed from ‘no-fly list’

    PTI’s Shahzad Akbar leaves for Dubai after name removed from ‘no-fly list’

    Special Assistant to former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar left for Dubai on Sunday after his name was removed from the FIA’s ‘stop-list’ on the order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

    According to Express Tribune, Akhbar departed via Islamabad International Airport for Dubai on an international airline at 3:30 am, from where he is expected to depart for the United Kingdom (UK).

    Last week, the FIA had put names of four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members including former aides — Shahzad Akbar and Shahbaz Gill on “no-fly list.”

    However, on April 12 the Islamabad High Court suspended the notification. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the court has already declared the blacklist illegal.

    He said, “We have already issued a verdict that no one’s name can be placed on this list.”

    IHC also suspended the ban on three other persons— former principal secretary Azam Khan, Khan’s ex-focal person on Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid and Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment Chairman Mohammad Nafees Gohar.

  • ‘We still want immediate elections,’ Maulana Fazl tells the new govt

    ‘We still want immediate elections,’ Maulana Fazl tells the new govt

     Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has demanded immediate elections.

    Addressing his party workers in Islamabad, Maulana said that the maximum time this new government would be in power for is a year.

    “In this new setup, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam has its own identity and we are telling them [new government] that we still want immediate elections.”

    READ MORE: Zardari, Nawaz, Maulana have all been ruined by one man: Saleem Safi

    Maulana said that continuing to stay in power unnecessarily is not his party’s stance. The new government, he added, can take some time for electoral reforms but Maulana said that Imran Khan was ousted so that the people of Pakistan could be given their mandate back.

    “Now it is our responsibility to give back the nation what we promised.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also been demanding early elections. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that elections cannot be held before October as it needs four months to complete the process of delimitation of constituencies.

  • Disheartened: PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat might quit politics

    Disheartened: PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat might quit politics

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has been reportedly considering quitting politics after being shocked by the aggressiveness and hooliganism staged during the Punjab Assembly session on Saturday, reports Geo News’ sources.

    According to the news outlet, Jamaat-e-Islami Central Vice-Chief Liaquat Baloch visited the residence of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to enquire about his well-being where he also met Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

    During the conversation, Baloch urged Ch Shujaat to suggest effective steps for the elimination of aggressiveness and extremism from politics. The PML-Q chief, however, in a dispirited tone expressed that he was now considering whether or not to stay in politics.

    Baloch also suggested to Ch Shujaat to tell people that aggression and violence is in nobody’s interest and will benefit no one in any form. The report quoting sources said that Ch Shujaat told Baloch that he will speak to him about his future line of action after making up his mind.

    Chaudhry Shujaat’s cousin Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, who was a candidate for the slot of CM Punjab, was injured during a fight in Punjab Assembly.

  • IHC rejects plea against issuance of diplomatic passport to Nawaz Sharif

    IHC rejects plea against issuance of diplomatic passport to Nawaz Sharif

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a plea against issuance of a diplomatic passport to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif by the incumbent government.

    According to ARY News, the IHC reserved its verdict on the petition earlier in the day and said that it could not decide on the matters without having any evidence of it. The court said that the petitioner could not provide any notification to prove his point.

    The court rejected the plea and also imposed a fine of Rs5,000 against the petitioner. “It is mandatory for an absconding convict to surrender himself to jail authorities,” the court said in its verdict.

    On April 15, a petition was filed in the IHC by Naeem Haider who asked the court to ensure arrest of Nawaz Sharif upon his return to Pakistan. “Nawaz Sharif is an absconding convict and therefore authorities should be barred from issuing diplomatic passport to him,” it said.

    The petitioner while making Nawaz Sharif, secretary interior and foreign affairs’ secretary as respondents in the case asked the Islamabad High Court to take up the matter today and issue arrest warrants for the PML-N supremo.

    The registrar IHC admitted the petition and formed a bench for the hearing to be headed by Chief Justice Athar Minallah.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the interior ministry to issue a diplomatic passport to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

    However, the diplomatic staff said only Nawaz Sharif can be issued a diplomatic passport, not Ishaq Dar, on which PM Shehbaz Sharif directed to issue a normal Pakistani passport to Dar.

  • PTI rejects PM Shehbaz letter of regional peace, security to Modi

    PTI rejects PM Shehbaz letter of regional peace, security to Modi

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter in response to Indian PM Narendra Modi’s letter. In his letter, Modi had expressed his desire for developing constructive relations with Pakistan.

    “Reciprocating your sentiments, I wish to convey that Pakistan remains committed to the maintenance of regional peace and security. Our sacrifices and contributions in fighting and eliminating terrorism are well known and globally acknowledged,” wrote PM Shehbaz.

    PM Shehbaz added that peaceful and cooperative ties between Pakistan and India are “imperative for the progress and socio-economic uplift of the people of the two countries as well as for the region”.

    “This can be best achieved through meaningful engagement and peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, including the core issue of Jammu & Kashmir,” wrote PM Shehbaz. “Let’s secure peace and work for the progress and prosperity of our people.”

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised Shehbaz Sharif’s letter to Modi.

    “We reject this letter. We will not let imported government to bargain away Kashmir. Until and unless Modi restores Kashmir’s status, any offer to talk will tantamount to betraying the people of Kashmir.”

  • Pakistan extends time for transportation of Indian wheat, medicines to Afghanistan

    Pakistan extends time for transportation of Indian wheat, medicines to Afghanistan

    The Pakistani government extended by two months the time for transportation of Indian wheat and lifesaving medicines to Afghanistan on a humanitarian basis through Attari-Wagah border crossing.

    According to Dawn News, in a statement the Foreign Office spokesperson said that the extension manifests Islamabad’s sincere efforts towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

    The Indian government recently sought an extension in the time period to complete the transportation process.

    In November 2021, the Pakistani government had allowed transportation of 50,000 MTs of wheat and life-saving medicines as humanitarian assistance from India to Afghanistan via Wagah border on exceptional basis for humanitarian purposes.

    The time period granted for transportation of the humanitarian assistance expired on March 21.

    All the modalities will remain the same as earlier communicated to the Indian side. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad has been informed of the decision in this regard.