Current Final

Category: Politics

  • PM Khan says if Sharif and Zardari bring half the money they looted, he will slash prices of all food items by half

    PM Khan says if Sharif and Zardari bring half the money they looted, he will slash prices of all food items by half

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan addressed the nation and announced the “biggest” relief package worth Rs120 billion for the masses.

    “This [poverty alleviation] package, which is worth Rs120 billion, will be offered to Pakistanis by the federal and provincial governments,” he said.

    The premier said oil prices had risen by 100 per cent in the last 3-4 months internationally, while they had increased 33 per cent in Pakistan.

    “When you say petrol is expensive, it is the cheapest in Pakistan, but we will have to increase the price because otherwise our deficit will increase and we will be further burdened by debt,” he added.

    “You will be able to buy flour, ghee, and pulses at 30pc lower prices,” he announced.

    “We are also launching the Kamyab Pakistan [programme] with a funding of Rs1,400 billion to give interest-free loans to 4 million families,” he said.

    The premier then addressed the Opposition, who he said had been protesting against inflation.

    “I ask the two big families to bring half of the money they looted and took outside [Pakistan]. Even if they bring half [the money], I promise you and the nation that I will slash the prices of all food items by half,” he said, in an apparent jibe at the families of Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari.

  • Govt to free more than 2,000 jailed TLP activists after agreement

    Govt to free more than 2,000 jailed TLP activists after agreement

    Pakistan is to free more than 2,000 jailed activists of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)  and the government has allowed the proscribed organsiation to contest elections, under a deal with the government struck to end weeks of violent clashes, reports Reuters.

    TLP has agreed to avoid violence and withdraw its longstanding demand to have France’s ambassador expelled over the publication of blasphemous caricatures by a French satirical magazine, negotiators from both sides told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government banned the TLP after its protests turned violent earlier this year, designated it a terrorist group, and arrested its chief Saad Hussain Rizvi.

    In addition, the government has agreed not to contest the release of the group’s jailed leader as well as nearly 2,300 activists and to remove their names from a terrorist watch list, the three negotiators told Reuters.

    Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat said nearly 1,000 of the activists had already been released.

    Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry did not respond to Reuters‘ request for comment.

  • ‘Not a single part of my brother’s body was left unbroken by TLP’: Policeman’s brother speaks out

    ‘Not a single part of my brother’s body was left unbroken by TLP’: Policeman’s brother speaks out

    A brother of a police officer killed by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) spoke about his pain and blamed Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Usman Buzdar for the brutal death of his brother.

    A video was shared on social media by journalist Zarrar Khuhro, in which the officer’s brother said, “There was not a single part of my brother’s body which was left unbroken by the TLP.”

    “All this is the fault of the government. They [policemen] did not have any weapons, they were provided with sticks just to die,” said the grieving brother.

    “Imran Khan sahib and Usman Buzdar are the ones responsible for all this. They made unarmed citizens go through this ordeal,” he said.

    “They did not spare a single part of my brother’s body, he was completely crushed. The cruelty done by TLP is unmatched,” said the brother.

    “My brother was on duty continuously for four days, he took a break and they caught him. [Two fellow officers were with him] One ran away and they smashed the head of the other and eventually killed my brother,” he added.

    The grieving brother said, “He was completely blue after being beaten up brutally. I want justice from this government. They took away all the weapons from the officers a month before and replaced them with sticks just to get killed in the end.”

    The TLP protest turned violent, killing seven police officers and hundreds more wounded during clashes with TLP demonstrators marching up towards the capital.

  • ‘A party with 2.5 million voters cannot be banned’: PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan

    Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan while referring to the ban put by the government on Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) said that we cannot afford to ban a party that has a 2.5 million vote bank in Punjab.

    Speaking on Geo News‘ talk show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, Ali argued, “Shouldn’t they be a given chance to come into politics?”

    Moreover, he claimed that he met with TLP’s members two days ago along with other government representatives and will welcome the banned organisation into the national mainstream.

    He revealed that the proscribed organisation will accept Parliament’s decision on the issue of the French ambassador’s expulsion from the country.

    While talking about the agreement between TLP and the government the minister said that details of the agreement will come to light within seven to 10 days and hinted at the release of TLP chief Saad Hussain Rizvi in a few days.

    Anchorperson questioned, “Does Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan know about the details of the agreement?” In response, the minister didn’t answer and remained silent.

    “The state struck a deal with its people to restore peace in the country,” he stressed.

    When asked about the involvement of Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi in this matter Ali Muhammad “ignored” the question.

    The minister added that anti-Pakistan elements did not want peace in the country. He said that they wanted bloodshed and another incident of “Lal Masjid” in the country.

    Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government released more than 800 supporters of the party arrested across Punjab under the agreement which details haven’t been disclosed yet.

    Previously, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said, “TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan.”

  • PTI’s Ejaz Chaudhry claims that govt will consider adjusting TLP in Punjab’s seats

    PTI’s Ejaz Chaudhry claims that govt will consider adjusting TLP in Punjab’s seats

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Senator and President of Central Punjab Ejaz Chaudhry has claimed that the government will consider giving seats to the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Punjab constituencies, reports Saama TV.

    He said that other political affairs are also under consideration and the agreement between the government and the proscribed outfit can be very beneficial.

    “Our mission is the same,” said Ejaz Chaudhry. He said that he will meet Saad Hussain Rizvi once he gets free.

    Previously, the PTI government said that they had reached an agreement with TLP. Details of the agreement have not been revealed yet.

    Earlier this year, the government had banned the TLP, which restricted them to participate in the elections. Currently, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has restricted all television channels from covering any activity of the banned outfit.

  • Two dozen Pak journalists prosecuted under Peca in two years

    Two dozen journalists in Pakistan have been prosecuted (2019-21) over the past under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), states a report by the Freedom Network. November 2 marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

    Most complainants against journalists charged under the Peca sought punishment rather than settlement.

    Investigative Journalist Umar Cheema reported for The News that the report’s findings were based on the analysis of cases of 23 journalists and information practitioners who were either sent notices by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under Peca or charged with offenses under the same law.

    The report states: “Opinions or criticism of the military and the intelligence agencies is the most frequent complaint against journalists pursued under the Peca. Criticism in general – whether against the executive or the judiciary triggered the most complaints against journalists pursued under the Peca law. The prime nature of the complaint was alleged defamation.”

    The report provides evidence that Peca has emerged as the primary legal instrument to silence Pakistani journalists because it criminalises online expression.

    The executive director of Freedom Network Jean Bruggeman has said that Pakistani journalists are increasingly using online spaces to share independent news and critical commentary that is suppressed on traditional media.

    According to the report, Punjab has turned out to be the most dangerous region as 10 of the 23 cases were reported in the province. Federal capital Islamabad comes second when it comes to being targeted under the Peca with eight cases.

    Two-third of them are private citizens whereas opinions or criticism of the military and the intelligence agencies is the most frequent complaint pursued under the Peca.

    Furthermore, it found that the cases were registered against 56 per cent of journalists and informational practitioners who were involved in conflict with Peca between 2019 and 2012. Out of the individuals who were formally charged, around 70 per cent were arrested and half of them were tortured in custody.

    Over a third of the freelancers were targeted as they are almost equally likely to be targeted under Peca.

  • Govt releases more than 800 TLP supporters arrested across Punjab after agreement

    Govt releases more than 800 TLP supporters arrested across Punjab after agreement

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has started to implement a secretive agreement signed with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), with reports suggesting that it has released more than 800 supporters of the party arrested across Punjab under the deal, reports Geo News.

    The government had signed an accord with the proscribed outfit last Sunday, under which workers of the organisation who are not facing any formal criminal charges were to be released. The amnesty will also extend to the party’s top leader, Saad Rizvi.

    According to the Punjab Home Department, 860 persons who were not facing any formal charges have been released across Punjab.

    It was also decided to withdraw the government’s appeal filed against the release of TLP leader Saad Rizvi. The government had earlier challenged the order of a Lahore High Court (LHC) bench regarding Rizvi’s release.

  • In pictures: UN chief gets uncomfortable as maskless Modi gives a big hug during #Cop26

    In pictures: UN chief gets uncomfortable as maskless Modi gives a big hug during #Cop26

    Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was once again seen getting too close and hugging United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the opening day of Cop26 — a climate conference — in Glasgow.

    Antonio Guterres was seen visibly uncomfortable and awkward as PM Modi tried to embrace him after he greeted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the start of the Glasgow climate conference.

    Guterres placed an arm on Modi to try and keep him at a safer distance but could do little to stop bear-hugger Modi.

    Modi has been pictured getting close and cosy with PM of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.

    Modi was seen carelessly meeting the world leaders in an atmosphere where Covid-19 SOPs, including wearing face masks, were strongly advised to be followed.

  • Watch: Joe Biden falls asleep during #COP26 speeches

    Watch: Joe Biden falls asleep during #COP26 speeches

    World leaders have gathered in Glasgow for the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference (#COP26) 2021.

    During the conference, United States (US) President Joe Biden can be seen “apparently sleeping” during the #COP26 opening speeches.

    https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1455195062405632007?s=21

    President Biden was not the only one who seemed sleepy. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson while sitting with Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres, and British natural historian David Attenborough, without wearing a mask seemed pretty sleepy as well.

  • ‘You people do not stand together on any issue’: PM Khan shows anger for disunity among PTI leaders

    ‘You people do not stand together on any issue’: PM Khan shows anger for disunity among PTI leaders

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday complained to the members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that they “do not stand together on any issue”, reports Geo News.

    The prime minister reportedly expressed displeasure over the ‘grilling’ of two federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Azam Swati by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and directed other leaders of the ruling PTI to stand by them on the matter. The premier seemed angry over the “disunity” among the PTI leaders.

    The premier told them all to “speak the same language” on national and political issues.

    The prime minister, however, barred PTI leaders from commenting on the government’s latest deal with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

    He expressed these views while presiding over PTI’s core committee meeting, which was held a day after the government signed a secret deal with the TLP.