Current Final

Category: Politics

  • ‘VIP style’: Governor Sindh attends convocation with dozens armed guards

    The Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail attended a convocation ceremony at the Sindh Madressa-tul-Islam University on Wednesday along with heavily armed guards due to “security concerns”.

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader reached the venue late and the degree-awarding ceremony had to start without him.

    Upon his arrival, guards stood around the stage and directed the teachers and students present there to maintain a certain distance. They told a teacher and a gold-medal student to step down from the stage.

    The Provincial Minister for Universities and Boards Ismail Rahoo also attended the ceremony.

    The university awarded 528 degrees this year. A total of 32 students were awarded Master of Science (MS) degrees, while 37 students were awarded Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees.

  • PM grills KP CM, loss due to candidate selection based on favouritism

    PM grills KP CM, loss due to candidate selection based on favouritism

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday received a brief report on the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) defeat in the recent local government (LG) polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), indicating ‘wrong’ selection of candidates based on ‘favouritism’.

    A source in the Prime Minister Office (PMO) told Dawn that the performance report was presented by KP Chief Minister Mehmood Khan who was also grilled by PM Khan for not fielding ‘deserving’ and ‘poll-winning’ candidates.

    The premier during his visit to Lahore (Thursday) in Punjab will select the best possible candidates and prepare well for the local government polls, which are expected to be held in the province in March or April next year.

    On Wednesday, PM Khan said amidst all the noise over the election result, nobody appreciated the fact that the government had empowered the LG system for the first time in 74-year history of Pakistan.

    The premier took to Twitter and wrote, “Directly elected Tehsil nazims will improve governance & create [a] future leader. Ist time in our 74-yr history we have an empowered LG system.”

    “No one realises these elections are [the] start of modern, devolved LG system as exists in successful democracies,” tweeted PM Khan.

  • ‘Shehbaz Sharif will be at the forefront of the race for the slot of PM after Nawaz Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    ‘Shehbaz Sharif will be at the forefront of the race for the slot of PM after Nawaz Sharif’: Rana Sanaullah

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday said that the PML-N leadership, including Shehbaz Sharif, had authorised the party supremo Nawaz Sharif to make all decisions for the party, including the selection for the prime minister’s candidacy slot in the general elections of 2023. Maryam was talking to journalists after attending the hearing of her appeal by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Avenfield Apartment reference on Tuesday.

    “Shehbaz Sharif is a fatherly figure, he is president of the PML-N, but the decision on his candidature is to be taken by the party leadership.”

    Her comments come after former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had announced that Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif will be PML-N’s candidate for prime minister in the general elections of 2023.

    “Shehbaz Sharif is our president and he will be our next candidate for prime minister,” said Khaqan.

    On the other hand, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said that there is no doubt our workers chant slogans in the name of Nawaz Sharif.

    “If Nawaz Sharif is not available, or does not want to become prime minister then the senior-most member next to Mian Nawaz Sharif is Mian Shehbaz Sharif Sahab.”

    Rana Sanaullah while talking about the disqualification cases against Maryam Nawaz said that even if the cases against her end, Shehbaz Sharif will be at the forefront of the race.

    On being asked if Maryam Nawaz has political ambitions and will she support someone else in the race, Rana said that once a name is announced by the leadership, everyone will fully support the candidate.

  • ECP accepts apologies of PTI’s Azam Swati, Fawad Chaudhry for their disrespectful comments

    ECP accepts apologies of PTI’s Azam Swati, Fawad Chaudhry for their disrespectful comments

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has reportedly accepted the apologies of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Minister for Railways Azam Swati and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry for their remarks against the election body.

    Swati said that the ECP was responsible for destroying Pakistan’s democracy and it should be set on fire. On the other hand, Chaudhry labelled ECP as the mouthpiece of the Opposition. Both ministers later apologised.

    Swati appeared before the ECP, where he was pardoned and warned to exercise caution in the future.

    While questioning his absence from earlier hearings, the ECP inquired, “You are a busy man, why didn’t you appear in previous hearings?”

    Upon this, Swati remarked that he has always advocated for the independence of the ECP.

    “All the institutions are yours; it is not appropriate to talk bad about them,” the ECP remarked.

    Swati expressed gratitude to the ECP for accepting his apology and stated that the commission will make sound judgments regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

    In September, the ECP had sent notices to the ministers. In November, Chaudhry appeared before the ECP and apologised. Swati did not show up at that time.

  • ‘May Allah give a good damaad to everyone as he gave to Nawaz Sharif in my form’: Capt Safdar

    ‘May Allah give a good damaad to everyone as he gave to Nawaz Sharif in my form’: Capt Safdar

    




    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Captain (Capt) Safdar while conversing with reports was asked what did he give his daughter-in-law Ayesha, to which he said he wished his daughter-in-law good health and well-being.
    




    “Just as Allah has given a good wife to my son, I pray he gives it to all, and may Allah give a good damaad (son-in-law) to all the daughters as Allah has given to Nawaz Sharif in my form,” said Capt Safdar.
    




    Talking about his son Junaid Safdar’s wedding, Capt Safdar said, “If I had sung a song at Junaid’s wedding, then maybe all the fun would have been ruined. I have been singing my wedding song for 30 years, I will sing my son’s wedding song for the next three years.”
    




    Capt Safdar even hinted at Junaid ultimately joining politics and said, “Just as a lawyer’s son is a lawyer, a doctor’s son is a doctor, so he is a politician’s son and will definitely enter politics.”
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘PTI tickets are a sign of disgrace’ says Maryam Nawaz, PTI’s Gill fires back
    
			
    

    Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has suffered a dreadful defeat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Local Government (LG) elections.
    




    Maryam, while talking to the media outside of Islamabad High Court (IHC) stated that “In the future, nobody wants to get the PTI party ticket. Their tickets are a sign of disgrace. If anybody gets it, I would suggest that they wear a helmet.”
    




    “When a government performs so badly not only the public but your own party’s Member of National Assembly (MNA) and Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) criticise you”, she added.
    




    “This is the first government in history that has one after the other faced defeat in the by-elections,” PML-N leader said.
    




    Moreover, she said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan should resign and accept the wrong-doings he did to the public.
    




    When asked about PML-N’s performance in KP LG elections she congratulated Maulana Fazlur Rehman and stated that PML-N considers Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) win as their win while claiming that her party has a big vote bank in the province, they just need to focus on it.
    




    While answering about the PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif’s nomination for the seat of PM she said that the decision is yet to be finalised by Nawaz Sharif.
    




    About her hearing, Maryam revealed that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) asked for an adjournment as they had no answers and evidence against her. The hearing is adjourned till January 18.
    




    In response to PML-N vice president’s statement, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill said that Maryam is talking just like Indian PM Narendra Modi.
    




    Talking about the loss in KP local elections, he claimed that “Once official results will be out you will see that PTI is still the biggest party in the province,” while admitting that it was PTI vs PTI.
    




    Gill said,” Unlike you [PML-N] we learn from past mistakes. We don’t abuse the establishment and the institutions like you,” while saying that party gives tickets to people whom their workers like.
    




    Gill also took a jibe at Junaid Safdar’s wedding and claimed that it was a campaign by PML-N as they hijacked all the media because of it.
    




    




    




    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘I am requesting Khan Saab to see how his ministers are making money’: PTI MNA
    
			
    ‘I am requesting Khan Saab to see how his ministers are making money’: PTI MNA
    
			
    

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Noor Alam Khan heavily criticised his government while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’. Alam said, “I have to raise the voice for the people of Pakistan. I don’t care about the political seats, they are temporary.”
    




    Noor Alam Khan further said that he made certain promises to the people of Pakistan. He reiterated the party manifesto of providing sufficient gas, combating load shedding, and said that people voted for the party for the promises it had made in the past.
    




    Talking about competence, Noor Khan said, “You have to deliver, people will reject you if you don’t perform. The people who vote for us require good performance and if we don’t deliver, we are the ones to blame. I am sorry if it’s our incompetence, then we will blame Noor Alam, Shahzeb, or some institution for the shortcomings but not ourselves.”
    




    “The fault and blame will always be directed towards the government, we are the ones who make the policy. [Government] is the provider. Do not pat the ones who curse others and say you did well, pat the ones who serve your people,” said Noor Khan.
    




    


    




    “[PM] Imran Khan should look at the people on his right and left to know about their assets and how they grew their assets,” said the PTI MNA.
    




    “If he closes his eyes [and condones what is happening around him], it will not set the affairs in order. He will have to solve the problems of inflation, power outages, and gas shortage.”
    




    “The people around PM Khan report ‘all is good’ to him. But, all is not well today,” he stressed, urging the PM to shove away those who are corrupt.
    




    


    




    “Who says there is no corruption in the country at present? You can deceive [the] masses once or twice. However, when it is the third time, people will reject you,” said Noor Khan.
    




    “If I vote and forget the people, will I blame others? No one in the party speaks clearly. Everyone is scared.”
    




    “I am requesting Khan Saab to look around and see how his ministers are making money and assets. How did a person shift from car to land cruiser to later a helicopter? How did one person make additional houses and sugar mills?” questioned Noor Alam. 
    




    Replying to a query about the party tickets, Noor Alam said the PTI did not take anyone on board for tickets and doled them out to the members of the family. “So, what happened [in the LG elections] was an evident outcome,” he said.
    




    Commenting on a way out for the PTI from its absolute defeat in the LG elections, the PTI leader said the PTI-led government will have to push down the prices of commodities and utilities.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘I curse you,’ Jaya Bachchan lashes out at the BJP
    
			
    ‘I curse you,’ Jaya Bachchan lashes out at the BJP
    
			
    

    The actor turned politician MP (Member of Parliament) Jaya Bachchan lost her cool in the Rajya Sabha (Senate) over alleged personal remarks against her in the house.
    




    In the video, Bachchan is seen involved in a verbal spat with the treasury benches. She even accused the chair of not listening to the Opposition and favouring the government.
    




    


    




    She alleged that personal remarks were made against her. She argued, “How can they make personal remarks in the House? Aap logon kay burey din aayenge (Your bad days will come soon), I curse you.”
    




    Later, Jugal Lokhandwala, one of the treasury bench MP who apparently made the personal remark told NDTV that he had meant the whole Opposition when he said, “You will not do drama”.
    




    While pointing out the chair presided by Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Bhubaneswar Kalita, Bachchan said, “I don’t want to thank you because I don’t know whether I should remember when you used to walk shouting or today when you are sitting in the chair.”
    




    Samajwadi Party (SP) leader’s remarks came after she was asked to participate in the discussion on the ‘Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances’ Amendment Bill 2021.
    




    When the ruling party lawmaker Rakesh Sinha objected to Bachchan’s remarks against the Chair, things escalated.
    




    




    




    




    




    




    




    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    KP LG polls: Ruling PTI loses mayors to Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F
    
			
    KP LG polls: Ruling PTI loses mayors to Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F
    
			
    

    The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)  faced a major upset on multiple seats in the first phase of local government (LG) elections held in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa (KP) at the hands of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
    




    Mayor seat elections:
    




    Peshawar:
    




    JUI-F’s Zubair Ali won the race with 62,388 votes while PTI’s Rizwan Bangash was second with 50,659 votes.
    




    JUI-F’s Zubair Ali
    




    Mardan:
    




    In Mardan, Awami National Party’s (ANP) Himayatullah Mayar won the seat with 56,458 votes while JUI-F’s Amanat Shah Haqqani was in second place with 49,938 votes.
    




    ANP’s Himayatullah Mayar
    




    Kohat:
    




    Sher Zaman of JUI-F won the mayor seat with 34,434 votes and independent candidate Shafiullah Jan was in second place with 25,793 votes.
    




    Sher Zaman of JUI-F
    




    Bannu:
    




    JUI-F’s Irfanullah Durrani has been declared the winner with 59,844 votes and PTI’s Iqbal Jadoon Khan was second with 47,398 votes.
    




    JUI-F’s Irfanullah Durrani
    




    JUI-F emerges victorious in 16 tehsil council seats, PTI wins 14, as per unofficial results, reports Geo News. 
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    ‘Will personally oversee PTI’s LG election strategy’: PM Khan blames loss on wrong candidate selection in KP
    
			
    ‘Will personally oversee PTI’s LG election strategy’: PM Khan blames loss on wrong candidate selection in KP
    
			
    

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday said his party “made mistakes” as he pinned the blame of the poor performance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on “wrong candidate selection” for the first phase of local government (LG) elections held in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa (KP).
    




    PM Khan tweeted, “PTI made mistakes in 1st phase of KP LG elections & paid the price. Wrong candidate selection was a major cause.”
    




    


    




    Making sure that the same mistake is not repeated, the premier added, “From now on I will personally be overseeing PTI’s LG election strategy in 2nd phase of KP LG elections & LG elections across Pak.”
    




    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif said that the people residing in the KP districts have rejected the ruling party. 
    




    “The ruling party’s defeat is an expression of people’s anger over the back-breaking inflation, crushing price hike & the meltdown of governance,” said Shehbaz Sharif in a tweet.
    




    


    




    “It is the beginning of the end of an experiment that has cost the nation dearly.” 
    




    PM’s remarks come after the Opposition parties have had a combined lead over the ruling PTI in the local body elections.