Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Guess which movie Bilawal Bhutto went to watch in Islamabad yesterday?

    Guess which movie Bilawal Bhutto went to watch in Islamabad yesterday?

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari seemed quite relaxed on Sunday despite high political temperature in the country by taking a little break and going to the movies.

    The PPP chairperson on Sunday went to watch a movie with his party members who are currently in the federal capital because of the no-confidence motion.

    Bilawal Bhutto and PPP stalwarts went to watch “The Batman”, starring Robert Pattison and Zoë Kravitz in the lead.

    PPP leader Nabil Gabol took to Twitter and shared a selfie clicked within the cinema. Bilawal can be seen sitting in between Gabol and Khursheed Shah.

    PPP Senator Sherry Rehman took to her Instagram stories and shared a glimpse of the movie night with Bilawal Bhutto.

    Screenshot of Sherry Rehman’s Instagram story

  • Dosti kar letay hain? Fawad Chaudhry says let’s see what the Opposition gets if they drop no-trust motion

    Dosti kar letay hain? Fawad Chaudhry says let’s see what the Opposition gets if they drop no-trust motion

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry is trying to extend reconciliation offers to the Opposition.

    The minister said, “If the Opposition withdraws the no-confidence motion, let’s see what can be given to them in return.”

    Fawad said that the Opposition should withdraw the no-trust motion as it had caused bitterness in politics. He feared that the soaring political situation could harm the country.

    The minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) upcoming public gathering at Islamabad D-Chowk will turn out to be a “mini referendum” over the no-trust motion.

    He hoped that over one million people will attend the public meeting on the call of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

  • Islamic values being violated in political conflict: Mufti Taqi Usmani

    Islamic values being violated in political conflict: Mufti Taqi Usmani

    Islamic scholar, Mufti Taqi Usmani shared his thoughts on Twitter over the ongoing political conflict among politicians in Pakistan on Monday.

    He issued the statement after a series of heated confrontations was seen between the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and the opposition leaders after a no-confidence motion against PM was submitted last week.

    Mufti wrote, “It is frightening to imagine the extent to which Islamic rules and values are being violated in political disputes. May Allah protect us from its calamity.”

    He continued that the political leadership should show decency while having arguments as it is detrimental to any society.

    “Whether the difference is political or ideological, to make it a matter of taking one’s life and abusing each other is deadly for the society. Criticism is done through arguments and not by vulgar language. Think about where we are going,” he further added.

  • Didn’t join politics to know prices of ‘aaloo, tamatar’ but for country’s youth: PM Khan

    Didn’t join politics to know prices of ‘aaloo, tamatar’ but for country’s youth: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Sunday said that he did not join politics to know the prices of aaloo and tamatar (potatoes and tomatoes) but decided to become a politician for the sake of the country’s youth. 

    Addressing a rally in Hafizabad, the premier promised the people of Punjab that his government will work on the development of the province, something which he claimed would be “unprecedented” in the history of the country.

    I joined politics for the sake of the country’s youth: Khan

    “I didn’t join politics to know the prices of potatoes and tomatoes. I joined it for the sake of the country’s youth,” the premier said. “If we want to become a great nation, we will have to support the truth, and this is what I have been preaching for the last 25 years.”

    The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan wanted equal ties with all the countries. “But as a prime minister of a country with a 220 million population, it is my first and foremost duty to protect people’s rights and interests of the country. I will not allow any policy that harms our motherland. I will not compromise on the national interests just for seeking the pleasure of any country,” he stressed.

    Past PMs of Pakistan used to “shiver with fear” whenever they met a United States president

    Taking a dig at the Opposition and how leaders of different parties criticised him for issuing statements against the European Union (EU) envoys, the premier said that in the past, prime ministers of Pakistan used to “shiver with fear” whenever they met a United States president and used Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal’s slip of the tongue “kaanpein taang rahi hoti thein” as an example. 

    The premier went on to say that when he rebuked the envoys of European countries for asking Pakistan to explicitly condemn Russia for attacking Ukraine, Shehbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari were “trembling”.

    “My criticism of EU was justified,” the premier said, adding that Opposition leaders, including Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Shehbaz Sharif, and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari thought it was “grave injustice” to chide EU envoys.

    The prime minister said that whenever a foreign diplomat came to meet Shehbaz Sharif, he would quickly change into a suit and a tie.

    “Since I know the West better than everyone else, I can assure that they do not respect people who polish their boots,” he said. “They respect nations who stand up for themselves.” 

    On the ‘terrorist’ living in London

    PM Imran Khan also spoke about the US War on Terror and the ensuing drone attacks in Pakistan, calling it a “violation of human rights”. He also talked about a “terrorist” living in London for the last 30 years, saying that this terrorist was responsible for the killing of more people than those killed by US drones. 

    He said he once told a group of European representatives whether they would allow the use of drones against a terrorist and criminal sitting in London who had killed scores of people in Karachi. The premier was apparently referring to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain.

    PM Imran further said the United States carried out 400 drone strikes inside Pakistan from 2008 to 2013 but governments led by PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) never opposed them.

    “We want cordial relations with all countries but will not compromise on national interest… I would not bow down to anyone nor would I allow the nation to give in before anyone.”

    On the contrary, the prime minister said, he had always opposed those attacks, staged sit-ins, and gave statements in the United States and the United Kingdom, calling these attacks a grave violation of basic human rights and global principles.

    ‘One-million-strong’ power show at D-Chowk

    The premier then talked about transforming Pakistan into an exemplary welfare society, based on the model of the State of Madinah.

    “I formed Rehmatul-Lil-Alameen Authority in the country so that every Pakistani child becomes aware of the life and teaching of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and stay on the path of the truth.”

    As part of the PTI-led government’s strategy to thwart the Opposition’s no-trust bid, it was decided during the meeting that a one-million strong rally would be staged at Islamabad’s D-Chowk ahead of the no-confidence motion in the lower house of parliament.

  • ‘I am not one of those who blackmails for chief ministership with five seats in hand’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘I am not one of those who blackmails for chief ministership with five seats in hand’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has categorically said that he is standing like a “rock” with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan amidst the political chaos.

    Commenting on the politics of Punjab, Rasheed said, “I am not one of those who blackmail for chief ministership with five seats in hand.”

    A reporter questioned Rasheed if he was hinting at former Chief Minister (CM) Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan.

    “I am talking about the politics of Punjab. Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) is standing with Imran Khan,” said Sheikh Rasheed during a press conference in Quetta.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Moonis Elahi hit back at Rasheed, alleging that he “used to take money from the party’s elders during his student life”.

    The PML-Q has asked the prime minister to announce Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as the replacement of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar before calling the session of the National Assembly to take up the Opposition’s no-trust motion. The demand is despite the party holding just five seats in the lower house, reports Dawn.

    “The PML-Q leadership has conveyed to the prime minister to announce Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi as the Punjab chief minister forthwith as this will help save the PTI government in Punjab in the face of ‘rebellion’ by the [Jahangir] Tareen group.”

    “Also the PML-Q will announce its open support for the premier and use its clout to scuttle the opposition’s move in the Centre,” reported the news outlet.

  • PTI ministers confirm PM Khan to replace CM Buzdar: PML-Q

    PTI ministers confirm PM Khan to replace CM Buzdar: PML-Q

    Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) Secretary-General Tariq Basheer Cheema, in Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath” revealed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ministers [didn’t mention any name] have told him that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has given the approval to remove Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar.

    Previously, it was reported that Buzdar handed over his resignation to the premier, which he declined. There are also several media reports that suggested that the Tareen group isn’t happy with Buzdar’s position as CM.

    During the show, Cheema also lashed out at Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry. While referring to the meeting between the Chaudhry brothers and Fawad on Friday, Cheema said that the no-confidence motion against PM Khan was not discussed in the meeting.

    Previously, Fawad, after his meeting, had said that PML-Q would formally announce full confidence in PM before the National Assembly (NA) session for the motion.

    “I don’t know why Fawad is giving a false statement about the settlement with PML-Q on the no-trust move”, he said while adding that if he [Fawad] has to take decisions of PML-Q then the Chaudhry brothers should leave politics.

    Moreover, the PML-Q Secretary-General said that the party will make a final decision on the no-confidence matter in the next 24 to 48 hours.

  • ‘Was missile handled by Indian army or rogue elements?’ Pakistan demands ‘joint probe’ into missile incident

    ‘Was missile handled by Indian army or rogue elements?’ Pakistan demands ‘joint probe’ into missile incident

    Pakistan took notice of the clarification by the Indian Defence Ministry regretting the “accidental firing” of the Indian-origin missile into Pakistani territory and demanded a “joint probe to accurately establish the facts surrounding the incident”.

    In a statement issued today (March 12), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the grave nature of the incident raised several fundamental questions regarding security protocols and technical safeguards against the “accidental or unauthorised launch of missiles in a nuclearised environment”.

    “Such a serious matter cannot be addressed with the simplistic explanation proffered by the Indian authorities,” said the Foreign Office (FO) statement.

    Pakistan said some of the questions that need to be answered include:

    • India must explain the measures and procedures in place to prevent accidental missile launches and the particular circumstances of this incident.
    • India needs to clearly explain the type and specifications of the missile that fell in Pakistani territory.
    • India also needs to explain the flight path/ trajectory of the accidentally launched missile and how it ultimately turned and entered Pakistan?
    • Was the missile equipped with self-destruct mechanism? Why did it fail to actualise?
    • Are Indian missiles kept primed for launch even under routine maintenance?
    • Why did India fail to immediately inform Pakistan about the accidental launch of the missile and waited to acknowledge it till after Pakistan announced the incident and sought clarification?
    • Given the profound level of incompetence, India needs to explain if the missile was indeed handled by its armed forces or some rogue elements?

    “The whole incident indicates many loopholes and technical lapses of serious nature in Indian handling of strategic weapons,” said the statement, adding that the Indian decision to hold an internal court of inquiry is “not sufficient since the missile ended up in Pakistani territory”.

    “Pakistan, therefore, calls upon the international community to take serious notice of this incident of [a] grave nature in a nuclearised environment and play its due role in promoting strategic stability in the region,” the FO said.

    Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf tweeted yesterday that it has taken more than two days for India to accept that this was their missile launched ostensibly due to a technical malfunction during maintenance.

    “This raises serious questions about India’s ability to handle such sensitive technology. This missile traveled close to the path of international and domestic commercial airlines and threatened the safety of civilians,” said Yusuf.

  • ‘Neutral tou janwar hota hai’: Opposition reacts to PM Khan’s neutral comment

    ‘Neutral tou janwar hota hai’: Opposition reacts to PM Khan’s neutral comment

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman hit out at Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and said that the premier’s recent use of tone and language was “shocking”.

    “If someone from the Opposition would have translated neutral the way [PM Khan] did, the government would have created a ruckus.”

    “The government has been saying for three and a half years that institutions are neutral,” said Rehman.

    “The prime minister himself says he is not part of any bloc and is neutral. He claims to have introduced a neutral umpire in cricket” said Sherry Rehman.

    She further accused PM Khan of pushing the country towards a crisis in his attempts to avoid the joint Opposition’s no-confidence motion against him.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted, “Imran Sahib has put dirt and filth in politics. By cleaning up this filth and filthiness, we will get rid of the stench and suffocation in society.”

    Aurangzeb even responded to Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s recent comment that democracy is not a system of extreme divisions, it is based on political consensus. Fawad also said, “I don’t think there should be such extreme division that conversations become difficult.”

    “Explain these things to Imran Sahib who has turned politics into enmity. Talks happen with politicians, not abusive thugs.”

    “The one who created division, chaos, and disorder in the society, his name is Imran Khan,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb.

    PM Khan’s recent comments have heightened the political temperature in the country.

    Prime Minister during his address in Lower Dir said, “Humans either side with good or evil. Only animals remain neutral.”

    His remarks had come a day after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (

    DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar categorically stated that the army had nothing to do with politics and called for avoiding unnecessary discussion and speculation about the army’s alleged involvement in political affairs.

  • ‘Fighting isn’t difficult, reconciliation is,’ Fawad Chaudhry trying to bring down political temperature?

    ‘Fighting isn’t difficult, reconciliation is,’ Fawad Chaudhry trying to bring down political temperature?

    Amidst all political chaos and unrest, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “The unintentional no-confidence motion presented by the Opposition has caused bitterness in politics.”

    “Democracy is not a system of extreme divisions, it is based on political consensus,” said Fawad, adding, “I don’t think there should be such extreme division that conversations become difficult.”

    The minister further wrote, “Fighting isn’t difficult, reconciliation is.”

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed’s recent comments on the no-confidence motion suggest mending ways with the Opposition.

    “I think we should go towards making peace with the Opposition,” said Rasheed.

    Fawad and Rasheed’s words come at a time when the political temperature is quite high.

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took to Twitter yesterday and responded to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent criticism hurled at the Opposition.

    “Imran Khan’s abusive language is the biggest proof he knows he’s losing. Have you ever heard a winning captain abuse his opponents?”

    “His reference to the army in public jalsa while no confidence is pending is pathetic, desperate, and will not work,” tweeted Bilawal.

  • Indians call Pakistani response “very, very mature” on accidental Indian missile in Pakistani territory

    Indians call Pakistani response “very, very mature” on accidental Indian missile in Pakistani territory

    Indian journalists, former Indian diplomats, and others have said that the Pakistani response to an accidental Indian missile misfiring into Pakistani territory has been “very, very mature”.

    https://twitter.com/DilliDurAst/status/1502550520070045700

    Many also said that this accident is extremely dangerous and “shocking”.

    Former Indian diplomat K. C. Singh tweeted, “Such gross failure of command & control in a nation with nuclear weapons reflects very poorly on India. Imagine if it had been fired towards China. Retaliation may’ve been in kind or worse.”

    Journalist Sushant Singh wrote, “Nuclear weapon states don’t fire a missile into an adversary’s territory, accidentally or otherwise. Period.”

    Journalist Shekhar Gupta tweeted, “This is so worrying and, frankly embarrassing. A supersonic cruise missile strays from one nuclear weapon power into another. Stuff Cold War nightmares were made of. This could’ve led to unintended disaster. Good the Pakistanis kept their counsel.” He also wrote that Indian “warrior TV channels would’ve gone ballistic—with warheads, of course”.

    Author Jyotsna Mohan tweeted, “If Pakistan had ‘accidentally’ fired a missile 100kms into India, imagine how many would have gone to fight at the border from their couches and twitter.”

    Indian national security analyst Nitin A. Gokhale said the accident “should worry the brass”.

    Journalist Nirupama Subramanian said that Indian should have acknowledged missile fiasco “immediately after it happened instead of keeping quiet for 48 hours after the incident, and making a statement only after Pakistan announced it”. She added, “It’s a zero error job. no room for #galtisemistake.”

    Pakistan’s response to the Indian statement

    Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf tweeted that it has taken more than two days for India to accept that this was their missile launched ostensibly due to a technical malfunction during maintenance.

    “This raises serious questions about India’s ability to handle such sensitive technology. This missile traveled close to the path of international and domestic commercial airlines and threatened the safety of civilians,” said Yusuf.

    Indian Ministry of Defence statement

    The Indian government on Friday (March 11) admitted that “a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile“, which in Mian Channu in Pakistan. The Indian statement came a day after Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Babar Iftikhar held a press conference about the supersonic missile from India. “Whatever caused this incident to happen, it is for the Indians to explain”, said DG ISPR, adding that the incident could have resulted in a major aviation disaster.