Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Imran Khan’s horoscope is spot on today

    Imran Khan’s horoscope is spot on today

    The recent political episodes have put the ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in a tight position and it seems like stars aren’t really in favour of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    PM Khan has always done the unusual and it is no surprise that he has two birth dates. According to several websites, Khan was born on November 25, 1952, which makes him a Sagittarius. While some reports suggest that he was born on October 05, 1952, which makes Khan a Libra.

    According to The Current’s newsletter, all Libras should “take control now”. Point people in the right direction, and let them go, it states.

    Meanwhile, Sags have been warned of a struggle and distractions.

    Since the government is in trouble, the horoscopes fit exactly on PM Khan’s situation.

    But the question remains: What is Khan’s right birth date? Simply, one can never know for sure, but many say it’s the one in November.

  • 44% say Khan should resign before no-confidence motion: survey

    44% say Khan should resign before no-confidence motion: survey

    According to a survey conducted by Ipsos, 44 per cent of respondents are of the view that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan should resign ahead of the no-confidence motion while 33 per cent think he should fight it, reports Geo News.

    42 per cent of respondents are of the opinion that the no-trust motion would succeed against PM Khan while 26 per cent say the government would successfully defeat the motion and 31 per cent say that they are unsure about the outcome.

    To a question that if the no-confidence motion becomes successful, 27 per cent think Leader of the Opposition and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif should be the PM until new elections, 17 per cent say PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto and 6 per cent prefer PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the new premier.

    However, after the general elections, 18 per cent want PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to become PM, 16 per cent voted for Imran Khan, and 14 per cent for Shehbaz Sharif.

    According to the survey, a significant number of 48 per cent think that PTI’s allies should support the party’s rival, while only 27 per cent of the respondents said that the PTI coalition partners should come back to Khan.

  • PM refuses to accept ‘minus Imran Khan’ policy

    PM refuses to accept ‘minus Imran Khan’ policy

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Friday refused to accept the “minus Imran Khan” policy proposed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), reports Geo News.

    “This cannot happen in any scenario,” said the PM according to media reports.

    Chairing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) political committee, PM Khan said that the parties think this “minus one” formula will save the PTI-led government from falling. 

    “Fortunately, they are requesting […] this will boost our morale,” the premier was quoted.

    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad said that there was a rumour circulating that “everything is okay but Imran Khan. Everything can be saved if we go towards minus one.”

    The minister declared that there is “no room for minus one” in the PTI, adding that if anyone had any misunderstanding, they should remove it.

    MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, during an interview in Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath“, said, in the light of current developments, he thinks there was no chance for PM Imran Khan to stay in the office any longer.

    “After today’s events, PTI government can survive but the prime minister’s survival is unlikely,” Siddiqui said.

    Speaking on the same show after Maqbool, PML-Q leader and Federal Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema agreed with the MQM-P leader’s views.

    “Instead of opting for a new adventure, the prime minister should select a member from within the PTI who will be acceptable to all,” said the PML-Q leader — whose party is an ally in Punjab and the Centre.

    “He has time till the [National Assembly votes on the] no-confidence motion,” Cheema said.

  • Fawad Chaudhry says govt to file reference in SC for interpretation of Article 63 (A)

    Fawad Chaudhry says govt to file reference in SC for interpretation of Article 63 (A)

    Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said on Friday that the government would file a reference in the Supreme Court, asking it to interpret Article 63 (A) of the Constitution.

    The minister took to Twitter and in a series of tweets said, “The Supreme Court will be asked about the legal status of the vote of party members when they are clearly involved in horse-trading and changed their loyalties in exchange for money.”

    Fawad said that the government would seek the apex court’s guidance on whether a person, who shifts loyalty for monetary benefit, should be ineligible for lifetime to become a lawmaker or whether they could contest polls again and be elected to parliament.

    “The Supreme Court will be requested to hear the case on a daily basis,” he said.

    Fawad’s words come a day after several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers, who were staying at the Sindh House in Islamabad, revealed that they were in the Opposition camp now.

    Article 65-A

    According to Article 63 (A) of the Constitution, a parliamentarian can be disqualified on grounds of defection if he “votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to any direction issued by the parliamentary party to which he belongs, in relation to election of the prime minister or chief minister; or a vote of confidence or a vote of no-confidence; or a money bill or a Constitution (amendment) bill”.

    The article says that the party head has to declare in writing that the MNA concerned has defected but before making the declaration, the party head will “provide such member with an opportunity to show cause as to why such declaration may not be made against him”.

    After giving the member a chance to explain their reasons, the party head will forward the declaration to the speaker, who will forward it to the chief election commissioner (CEC). The CEC will then have 30 days to confirm the declaration. If confirmed by the CEC, the member “shall cease to be a member of the House and his seat shall become vacant”.

    The government has already indicated that it will use Article 63 (A) to “crush” the no-confidence motion against PM Imran.

  • JUI-F announces to place 10,000 Ansarul Islam volunteers in Islamabad for March 25 rally

    JUI-F announces to place 10,000 Ansarul Islam volunteers in Islamabad for March 25 rally

    The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has announced on Thursday that 10,000 members of Ansarul Islam will provide security to marchers coming to Islamabad on March 25, reports Dawn.

    Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and JUI-F Chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman ordered all party workers to reach Islamabad on March 25 for the long march.

    According to the JUI-F media cell, the provincial council of the party held a meeting with Maulana Attaur Rehman, brother of Maulana Fazl ur Rehman, in Peshawar on Thursday. They discussed a plan in detail for the Islamabad rally against the government on March 25.

    Ansarul Islam is a group of volunteers force of the JUI-F that provides security to leaders and party workers during rallies and major events.

    MNAs, MPAs, and other local body members from JUI-F will lead a rally for Islamabad long march that will reach the capital on March 25.

    On March 10, Ansarul Islam members entered the Parliament Lodges to provide security to the Opposition lawmakers. The police raided lodges and arrested dozens of its members, including some prominent parliamentarians. JUI-F party workers blocked the highways in protest but later opened them after police released all members from JUI-F and Ansarul Islam.

  • ‘Crass choice of words’: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemns Shahbaz Gill for giving gaalis on TV

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Dr Shahbaz Gill’s use of foul language towards his fellow party member of National Assembly (MNA) Ramesh Kumar.

    During Dunya News‘ programme “On the Front with Kamran Shahid” on Thursday, Gill verbally abused Kumar multiple times, paying no heed to the fact that he was speaking on national television.

    Earlier in the day, Kumar announced that he is “no longer associated with the party”.

    In a tweet, HRCP said it is “revolted by Shahbaz Gill’s crass choice of words for his colleague Kumar”.

    “What should have been a civilised debate on a politically critical issue crumbled into a litany of abuse.” HRCP also criticised anchor Kamran Shahid for ignoring such a serious matter.

    Another member of the ruling party MNA Aliya Hamza called Sindh House a “brothel” on Dawn News‘ programme “News Eye” hosted by anchorperson Absa Komal.

    Both Gill and Aliya’s words came after it was revealed that around 24 disgruntled members of the PTI were staying at the Sindh House who are likely to vote on no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan despite their party’s decision to “not vote”.

  • ‘Gen Bajwa wanted concessions from India,’ British High Commissioner to Pakistan tells New Delhi

    ‘Gen Bajwa wanted concessions from India,’ British High Commissioner to Pakistan tells New Delhi

    British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner said that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was looking for concessions—among them, the restoration of the Article 35A of India’s Constitution, which gave the state of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir the right to designate “permanent residents” entitled to purchase land, writes Praveen Swami for The Print. The British High Commissioner was speaking at a gathering in New Delhi.

    The news report further states that the Pakistan army chief believes he has helped New Delhi by controlling jihadists and thus ensuring violence in Kashmir remains at historically low levels.

    “The General, in his telling of events to British interlocutors, has resisted pressure from hawks to escalate in Kashmir—among them, Prime Minister Imran Khan,” writes the news outlet.

    In a report published in Dawn on April 25, 2021, it was revealed that India appro­ached Pakistan in December 2020 with an offer to reduce tension and offered backchannel talks on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan reciprocated favourably.

  • Indian cricket board official makes false accusation, says PM Khan involved in match-fixing, deletes tweet later

    Indian cricket board official makes false accusation, says PM Khan involved in match-fixing, deletes tweet later

    Vice-President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Rajeev Shukla yesterday responded to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s tweet about the current political situation of Pakistan.

    Congratulating Pakistan Captain Baber Azam for his performance in the second Test match against Australia, PM Khan hinted at horse-trading by the Opposition parties in his tweet. “Unfortunately I could not watch this match as I am fighting on another front against match fixing where huge amounts of money are being used to lure my players!”

    However, Rajeev Shukla misunderstood Imran Khan’s tweet and wrote, “ICC anti-corruption should take cognisance of this statement and coming from a prime minister who was also a legend cricketer.”

    Shukla also tagged International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the tweet.

    Rajeev, after receiving many comments pointing out that PM Khan’s tweet was about the current political situation in Pakistan, deleted his tweet and said that he was “being sarcastic”.

    “I was also being sarcastic on Imran Khan tweet of political match-fixing on the eve of Holi which is known for humour and colours. Bura na mano holi hai,” wrote Shukla.

    However, Twitter users are not buying Shukla’s explanation.

  • ‘PM Khan will de-seat PTI turncoats before vote on no-trust motion’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘PM Khan will de-seat PTI turncoats before vote on no-trust motion’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said that the decision to summon a National Assembly (NA) session would be taken by NA Speaker Asad Qaiser and not Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    The minister while speaking with Dawn News said that the possible action against what he termed ‘Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) turncoats’, would be that, “PM Khan has decided to de-seat them before voting on the no-trust motion.”

    The minister’s comments came after around 24 members of the PTI were reportedly found to be staying at the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) run Sindh House.

    After the news became public on Thursday, PM Khan called a meeting attended by Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan and the NA Speaker.

    The premier directed Qaiser to commence the sitting of the lower house on March 21 and take action against “PTI’s possible turncoats”.

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said that it is empowered to take action only after receiving a declaration from the NA speaker about the members voting against party policy or crossing the floor.

    In a joint press conference with the information minister and Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said that PM Khan could also throw money at Opposition lawmakers, but would not do so because he does not stand for the “politics of blackmailing and bribery”.

    “Imran Khan is in politics not for himself, but for the nation,” he added. He also claimed some opposition MNAs were also in close contact with the government.

    “We want to make it clear that we will not do any deals and will not disburse ministries to stay in power. We will remain engaged with our allies but there will be no wheeling and dealing,” said Azhar.

  • 24 PTI members at PPP Sindh House, Fawad Chaudhry says ‘lotay’ identified

    24 PTI members at PPP Sindh House, Fawad Chaudhry says ‘lotay’ identified

    Around 24 members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are currently staying at the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sindh House.

    PTI’s disgruntled member of the National Assembly (NA) Raja Riaz, who is part of the Jahangir Khan Tareen Group (JKT) claimed on Wednesday while speaking with senior journalist Hamid Mir said that if Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan assures all MNAs that no action will be taken against those who decided to vote against him on the day of the no-confidence motion, they are ready to go back to the Parliament Lodges.

    As per media reports, PTI members who are currently staying at the Sindh House include Raja Riaz, Nawab Sher Waseer, Rana Qasim Noon, Ghaffar Wattoo, Noor Alam Khan, Riaz Mazari, Basit Bukhari, Khawaja Sheraz, Ahmad Hasan Dehar, Nuzhat Pathan, and Wajeeha Akram. 

    Sources added that a list containing the names of the MNAs staying at the Sindh House has been sent to PM Imran Khan.

    Riaz told journalist Mir that the disgruntled members would vote for the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan in “accordance with their conscience.”

    PTI MNAs Malik Nawab Sher Waseer and Riaz said that around 24 PTI members have been staying in the Sindh House right now. He further said that many other ministers are ready to come here, however, PML-N is unable to accommodate all the members.

    “The disgruntled members fear that the government will take action against them similar to the March-10 raid by police on the Parliament Lodges,” Mir confirmed.

    Reacting to Riaz’s statement, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that some “lotay” have been identified after they feared that action would be taken against them.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the government was “planning strong action” against alleged horse-trading and detention of MNAs at Sindh House.

    In a video shared by the PTI on Twitter, he said the government has received information that a large amount of money had been shifted to Sindh House, which he termed the “capital of horse-trading at the moment”.

    The premier said in a public address on Wednesday that opposition leaders were sitting in Sindh House with “heaps of money” to purchase loyalties of treasury lawmakers and had asked the election commission to take action against the alleged horse-trading.