Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo elected unopposed as new Balochistan chief minister

    Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo elected unopposed as new Balochistan chief minister

    Former provincial assembly speaker, Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, was elected unopposed as the new Balochistan chief minister on Friday.

    Of the 64 members who were eligible to vote in the election, 39 voted for Bizenjo — six more than the minimum needed — while members of three political parties, as well as an independent MPA, did not cast their votes.

    Earlier Bizenjo said, “We will go ahead in consultation with all and take benefit from the experiences of whoever remained the chief minister.”

    Bizenjo’s election as the province’s chief executive came after Jam Kamal Khan tendered his resignation to Governor Balochistan Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha.

    Taking to Twitter, Kamal wrote, “And after many thoughts and reasoning and not let Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) put further cracks in us. I put my resignation with a consensus.”

  • Pemra restricts all media outlets from covering banned TLP

    Pemra restricts all media outlets from covering banned TLP

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has restricted all television channels and other media outlets from covering any activity of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

    While issuing the orders in a notification, Pemra referred to the April 15 letter of the Interior Ministry, which had declared the TLP a proscribed outfit, as well as its earlier notification about banning its coverage. It was in April that Pemra first placed a ban on the TLP after it was banned by the government.

    Read more – ‘Go back or things will be out of my hands,’ Sheikh Rasheed warns TLP protesters

    The official notification says, “It is reiterated that regulation 18(h) of Pemra (Television Broadcast Station Operation) Regulation, 2012 and clause 16 of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 requires that the programmes shall conform to the laws of the country. Further, Clause 3 (3) of Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015 prohibits media coverage of proscribed organisations.”

    “Keeping in view the reasons stated above, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 27 of Pemra Ordinance, 2002 as amended by Pemra Amendment Act, 2007 all satellite TV channels, FM radio stations and distribution service networks (Cobb TV Operators, IPTV) are hereby directed to stop the media coverage of proscribed organisation TLP,” read the statement.

    Read more – ‘Will not allow facts to be distorted’: TLP asks Sheikh Rasheed to reveal details of negotiations

    Currently, TLP is determined to continue with its long march to the federal capital, Islamabad.

    Recent clashes between the banned organisation and the government resulted in at least five officials’ death and more than 200 injuries.

  • ‘Go back or things will be out of my hands,’ Sheikh Rasheed warns TLP protesters

    ‘Go back or things will be out of my hands,’ Sheikh Rasheed warns TLP protesters

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, while speaking on Geo News‘ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said: “Things will be out of my hands”, adding that Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) should stick to the promises it had made with the government.

    “Your loss is the government’s loss. But we will not allow Pakistan’s loss at any cost,” the minister said, adding that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will not allow Pakistan to be held hostage by anyone.

    “Pakistan is an atomic power, therefore, internal powers are trying to weaken the country,” Rasheed maintained. “Pakistan is the defensive line of Islam.”

    The prime minister had shown as much flexibility as was possible on the matter, the minister said. He added that the government couldn’t be forced to do something.

    “Our agreement with you still stands, but if you keep moving [towards Islamabad], the government will have to establish its writ,” he said while addressing the protesters.

    “The government is being mocked across the world [for not establishing its writ],” he said, adding that “matters should not reach a point of no-return”.

    “This time, PM Imran has decided that enough is enough.”

    Commenting on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda’s statement that PM Khan was not aware of the government’s agreement with TLP, which was signed in November 2020, Rasheed said, “I have told Faisal Vawda that what you have said is wrong. The agreement I signed with TLP was in line with the Prime Minister’s directives.”

    “We are ready to go through with our agreement with the TLP,” the minister said, warning the TLP of consequences if it didn’t follow through with its commitments. “I don’t want matters to worsen, and if that happens, those out on the road would be harmed.”

  • Finance Ministry warns public of further increase in inflation

    Finance Ministry warns public of further increase in inflation

    The Finance Ministry of Pakistan has warned the public that the exchange rate, commodity supplies, and seasonality could increase the prices and transportation costs in the country, reports Dawn.

    The fiscal deficit in July-August was recorded at 0.9 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), same as the previous year.

    Economic Adviser’s Wing of the Ministry of Finance in its monthly Economic Update & Outlook states, “The effect of these impulses — surge in international oil prices, exchange rate depreciation and adjustments in administered prices — may intensify the magnitude of prices and transportation cost.”

    The ministry said the country had seen some improvement in economic activities but an unprecedented increase in international commodity prices was putting pressure on domestic prices as well as on the local currency. However, the government’s pro-growth initiative along with efficient monitoring of prices is expected to provide relief to the general public.

    The ministry further explained that the country’s inflation rate was mainly driven by monetary and supply-side factors, including domestic and international commodity prices, dollar exchange rate, seasonal factors.

    As per a report, petrol prices in Pakistan may go up by Rs7 per litre from November 1.

    Earlier, it was reported that inflation in Pakistan has broken a 70-year record in the last three years, with food prices doubling, while the prices of ghee, oil, sugar, flour, and poultry have reached historic levels.

    A couple of weeks ago, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin said that things are becoming more expensive all over the world and the reasons are unknown.

  • ‘Will not allow facts to be distorted’: TLP asks Sheikh Rasheed to reveal details of negotiations

    Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) has asked the Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed to reveal the negotiations [between the government and the banned organisation] saying that they will “not allow the facts to be distorted”, reports Geo News.

    The banned outfit’s spokesman Saddam Bukhari said, “One side of the picture should not be shown regarding negotiations with the government. Our only demand from day one was that the French ambassador be deported.”

    Previously, Rasheed, rejecting this demand stated, “TLP’s demand of expelling the French Embassy and ambassador has a lot of complications attached to it. We are the largest nuclear force in the Islamic world. The world is conspiring to sanction us.”

    According to Bukhari, the rest of the demands were put forward by the group due to a clash with the law enforcement agencies and claimed that the talks between the state and TLP will continue in Islamabad. Moreover, he added that their caravan is on its way to Islamabad.

    A TLP activist claimed that the protests are the beauty of democracy and that ministers should avoid bullying. According to him, they always have been peaceful but the government has always used force.

    Bukhari blamed the government for creating difficulties for the public. He also alleged that militants are those who staged a sit-in in the capital Islamabad for 126 days and attacked the Pakistan Television (PTV) and Parliament buildings.

    As per the media outlet sources, earlier, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had said that the government “will not allow violence for political purposes.”

    During the meeting, the premier was briefed on the march then the government decided not to allow protesters to march beyond Jhelum.

    Prior to this, the interior minister said that the Rangers were being called in Punjab for 60 days to maintain law and order in the province.

  • PM Imran Khan calls National Security Committee meeting on Friday

    PM Imran Khan calls National Security Committee meeting on Friday

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and announced, “In view of the current situation due to the unlawful activities of the banned party [Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP)], Prime Minister Imran Khan will convene a meeting of the National Security Committee tomorrow, Friday.

    Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali on Wednesday called the situation alarming, saying it was a matter of serious concern that the violent protesters of the banned TLP were armed with weapons and opened straight fire on police.

    Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday in a hard-hitting press conference on TLP’s ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”

  • ‘PM Khan was not aware of government’s agreement with TLP in November 2020’: Faisal Vawda

    ‘PM Khan was not aware of government’s agreement with TLP in November 2020’: Faisal Vawda

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda, while speaking on Samaa News programme, ‘Nadeem Malik Live’, revealed that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was not aware of the government’s agreement with Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which was signed in November 2020.

    Faisal Vawda’s comments come in reference to the TLP announcement in November 2020 that the government accepted all its four demands and released a copy of the handwritten agreement carrying signatures of Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Qadri, then-Interior Minister Ijaz Shah, and Islamabad deputy commissioner.

    Faisal, while speaking to anchorperson Nadeem Malik, said, “PM was not informed. PM’s consent was not in this agreement. I am referring to the first agreement, I don’t know the details of the second one.”

    Malik questioned Vawda, “Why wasn’t he [PM] aware?”

    “If I have been sent for negotiations, I will do as I see fit as per the situation and inform PM later of what happened,” added Vawda.

    “This can only happen if the PM has empowered you, otherwise you can’t,” interjected Malik.

    “No, why did I go to negotiate then? If I am bogus, I cannot do anything, why did I go?” responded Vawda.

    Later, Faisal Vawda took to Twitter and said, “The ministers who went for the negotiations with the TLP should take the responsibility themselves, rather than putting it on the prime minister.”

    However, the PTI leader deleted the tweet after some time.

  • ‘I wrote a letter to PM Khan about women’s rights in Afghanistan, have not received any response’: Malala Yousafzai

    ‘I wrote a letter to PM Khan about women’s rights in Afghanistan, have not received any response’: Malala Yousafzai

    Nobel Peace Prize laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai, during a conversation with Dawn News programme, ‘Live with Adil Shahzeb’, said, “I wrote a letter to the prime minister about women’s rights in Afghanistan but so far have not received any response.”

    Anchorperson Adil Shahzeb questioned Malala on girls’ education, a cause she has been advocating and supporting for years. Malala expressed her worry over the situation in Afghanistan.

    “The current temporary restriction on girls’ education [in Afghanistan] shouldn’t turn out to be as long as in their (Taliban’s) first tenure [in the government], when the ban stretched for five years,” she said, adding that she feared something similar. “We don’t want a repeat of their previous rule.”

    When asked about Pakistan’s role for girls’ education in Afghanistan, she said “I am very much hopeful that Prime Minister Imran Khan would … champion [the cause],” she said, urging him to push the Taliban to ensure female education and women’s rights in Afghanistan.

    Speaking about the Taliban in general, the Nobel laureate said, “One should not differentiate between the good and bad [Taliban] as their thinking is the same — of repression [and] forcing their own laws,” further adding, “I do not see any justice system in their governance, but Islam is based on [the principles of] justice,” she said.

  • ‘We will not bow down and let TLP play havoc’: Punjab IGP

    ‘We will not bow down and let TLP play havoc’: Punjab IGP

    Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali on Wednesday called the situation alarming, saying it was a matter of serious concern that the violent protesters of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) were armed with weapons and opened straight fire on police, reports Dawn.

    “We will not bow down and let the proscribed organisation play havoc,” said Sardar Rao.

    “A banned organisation is dictating the government to devise the country’s foreign policy as per its (TLP) wishes forgetting that it was the sole domain of state authorities,” the IGP said.

    “The TLP is a proscribed organisation and its armed men fired straight shots at police besides carrying out violent attacks,” he said.

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday in a hard-hitting press conference on TLP’s ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”

    “TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan. Other institutions [in Pakistan] should also realise their role in this matter. It is the duty of all the institutions to fulfil their duty in this regard,” said Fawad.

    “Just like we dealt with all terrorist organisations, TLP shall be dealt in the same manner,” said the minister.

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said on Wednesday that the Rangers were being called in Punjab for 60 days to maintain law and order in the province.

  • ‘No one has the guts to blackmail the state, TLP will be treated as a militant party in Pak’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘No one has the guts to blackmail the state, TLP will be treated as a militant party in Pak’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry in a hard-hitting press conference on Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) ongoing protests, said, “No one has the guts to blackmail the state.”

    “TLP will be treated as a militant party and not a political party in Pakistan. Other institutions [in Pakistan] should also realise their role in this matter. It is the duty of all the institutions to fulfil their duty in this regard,” said Fawad.

    “Just like we dealt with all terrorist organisations, TLP shall be dealt in the same manner,” said the minister.

    “In today’s cabinet meeting, it was decided that such activities will not be tolerated. We will not tolerate those who challenge the writ of the state,” he said, adding that the Pakistani state had defeated major terrorist organisation such as Al Qaeda.

    “No one should make the mistake of thinking that the state is weak. Those who made this mistake later realised they were wrong.”

    “No one has the guts to blackmail the state. We have acted in a restrained manner and not once used power. This is a matter of respect for our country and the safety of every citizen,” added Fawad.

    Warning the people spreading fake news on the matter, Fawad said, “We will come hard on you. And this will not be tolerated.”

    The minister’s remarks came as fresh violence erupted between law enforcers and TLP supporters near Sadhoke in Punjab’s Gujranwala district on Wednesday. At least four policemen were martyred and dozens injured.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands, reports Geo News.

    “The government will not allow violence for political purposes,” PM Khan.

    “The government and the state are on one page regarding the protests, the protesters will be dealt with severely if they try to enter Islamabad,” said the premier.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said, “If Imran Khan’s sit-in was legitimate when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was in the Opposition, then why isn’t TLP’s long march justified.”