Current Final

Category: Politics

  • PPP distances itself from PML-N’s defamation bill 2024

    PPP distances itself from PML-N’s defamation bill 2024

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Wednesday decided to distance itself from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on the defamation bill 2024, SAMAA has reported.

    PPP leader Ali Haider Gillani has said that “The PPP was not taken on board over the defamation bill. The PPP has never wanted to become a part of the defamation bill.”

    Gilani said that party lawmakers were absent during the bill’s approval.

    “It was the directive of the party leadership for the lawmakers to remain absent during the bill’s approval,” said Gilani.

    Earlier, a few days ago, the Punjab government had proposed the defamation bill 2024 in the Punjab Assembly, which was criticised by masses across the country.

    Punjab Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, said on Wednesday, while addressing a press conference, that “Now, nobody will be allowed to insult others on social media. The affected person can file an application through the tribunal. The defamation case will have to wrap up within 180 days.”

    “Three proceedings will be held in 21 days,” she said.

    She said, “There is a dire need to end the process of hurling allegations against each other.”

  • They wanted to slit my throat, says PTI’s Raoof Hasan

    They wanted to slit my throat, says PTI’s Raoof Hasan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Information Secretary Raoof Hasan survived a dangerous attack in Islamabad earlier this week. He has claimed that the attackers wanted to “slit” his throat.

    Hasan, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad, broke down in tears saying that his party colleagues faced much worse scenarios compared to what he suffered.

    The Secretary Information claimed that “those people threatened me three days ago and warned that they’re after me.”

    PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub along with Hasan and Azam Swati rejected the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Islamabad police after the attack.

    Omar condemned the attack on Hasan and called it an “assassination bid”. He said the party rejected the FIR which was “a police attempt to weaken the case”.

    They demanded a judicial commission to investigate the attack.

    Meanwhile, the federal government has formed a committee to investigate the attack.

  • Dr Yasmin Rashid shifted to hospital from jail

    Dr Yasmin Rashid shifted to hospital from jail

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Dr Yasmin Rashid was shifted on Wednesday to Services Hospital as her health worsened in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail, where she has been incarcerated since months.

    Hospital administration confirmed to Geo News that the senior politician had felt abdominal pain and was then shifted to the hospital for medical tests.

    Doctors will observe the cancer survivor for 24 hours to confirm stability.

    The Kot Lakhpat jail’s medical officer released a document declaring Yasmin Rashid a “critical prisoner.” As per the issued document, the senior politician hasn’t eaten anything since Wednesday morning.

    Dr Yasmin is reportedly also dehydrated due to continuous vomiting at the jail.

    The senior PTI leader has been in jail for months in cases linked with the May 9 violent protests that erupted last year after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case.

  • Is Mohsin Naqvi going to leave Interior Ministry?

    Is Mohsin Naqvi going to leave Interior Ministry?

    Azaz Syed, a senior journalist at The News, invited reporter Asif Bashir Chaudhry on his YouTube show.

    Asif claimed that according to his sources, Interior Minister of Pakistan Mohsin Naqvi might be leaving the ministry portfolio.

    Journalist Asif Bashir Chaudhry said some other sources have also confirmed, “Rana Sanaullah’s name is being seriously considered for this [Interior Minister].”

    Chaudhry stated, “Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and coalition parties have objected to the fact that despite being the interior minister of the country, he [Mohsin Naqvi] does not defend party’s policies.”

    Asif further explained, “The job of the interior minister is to defend, explain, elaborate, and discuss the government policy decisions which is not happening at the moment.”

    Journalist Asif Bashir also stated that some friendly countries have also objected to Naqvi’s conduct with them.

    Azaz Syed said he thinks there is a very low probability of this happening although he credited his story.

  • Islamabad High Court wants missing Kashmiri poet recovered in next four days

    Islamabad High Court wants missing Kashmiri poet recovered in next four days

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the government on Tuesday to safely recover Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad.

    During the hearing, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani accepted Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan’s request to adjourn the hearing for the next four days and give time to the government to utilise resources for Farhad’s recovery.

    Justice Kayani asked the investigative officer about developments in the case. The officer told the court that he went to the spy agency’s office, but the sector commander was not there.

  • Past military leadership considered surrendering Kashmir and missile Program, mulled recognizing Israel: Mushahid Hussain

    Past military leadership considered surrendering Kashmir and missile Program, mulled recognizing Israel: Mushahid Hussain

    Mushahid Hussain Syed, a veteran politician and serving senator from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), recently appeared on a talk show at 92 News channel and alleged that past military high command “was willing to compromise on Pakistan’s missile program, give up Kashmir along with recognition of Israel.”

    When he was asked by the journalist Irshad Ahmad Arif whether relations between Pakistan and China are well, the senator said, “No, because Pakistan’s previous military establishment sent mixed signals despite Chinese support at every international forum, it was playing a double game with China and the US.”

    Hussain stated that the US had clearly given out a statement in its national security strategy in 2022 that India was its strategic partner in this region and China was its enemy.

    According to the senator, “If they [US] consider the Chinese their enemy then how could we play a double game with China despite their consistent support throughout our history?”

    The PML-N leader said that the Chinese are not “children” and they know what Pakistan did to them.

  • IT ministry demands Rs20 billion to improve country’s cybersecurity, social media

    IT ministry demands Rs20 billion to improve country’s cybersecurity, social media

    The federal government has sought Rs20 billion for the next fiscal year to improve the country’s cybersecurity and manage social media. According to the proposal, the government will only allow social media platforms to operate if they establish local offices.

    The Ministry of Information Technology has demanded Rs20 billion for the Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative (DIII) in the 2024-25 fiscal year budget, according to government sources who spoke to The Express Tribune.

    The Express Tribune requested comments from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Information Technology, but they did not respond. Government sources also revealed that Rs15 billion has already been allocated as a technical supplementary grant to the information technology ministry for the current fiscal year.

    However, the total cost of the DIII project, which is equipped with Chinese technology, is Rs38 billion. The government is spending a significant amount this year, and the remaining amount has been requested for the next fiscal year.

  • Security forces killed 29 terrorists over last month: ISPR

    Security forces killed 29 terrorists over last month: ISPR

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Wednesday that security forces have killed almost 29 terrorists over the last month along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area.

    The intelligence-based operations were carried out in response to a “surge in terrorist incidents orchestrated from Afghan soil, wherein terrorists from Afghanistan attempt to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan Border and target security forces as well as the innocent civilians.”

    The military’s media wing also stated that security forces conducted operations in Balochistan’s Zhob district and other border areas.

  • PTI’s spokesperson Raoof Hassan attacked by unknown people in Islamabad

    PTI’s spokesperson Raoof Hassan attacked by unknown people in Islamabad

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central spokesperson, Raoof Hassan, was attacked on Tuesday by transgender people in Sitara Market, Islamabad.

    “Extremely shameful and deplorable,” the party said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, adding: “Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan attacked by unknown persons outside the office of a private channel.”

    It is not known why Hassan was attacked.

    In another statement, PTU said that if the spokesperson of the “largest party” is not safe and can be attacked in the capital city, then “what can we make of the safety of others? ”

    The attackers used a sharp instrument to injure Raoof Hassan and escaped easily after the incident.

    On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and information minister Attaullah Tarar condemned the attack and urged a thorough investigation into the incident.

  • Government to end solar net-metering & introduce gross-metering

    Government to end solar net-metering & introduce gross-metering

    The government has briefed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about plans to change the country’s solar power policy, Geo News has reported.

    According to the government, almost 1938 MW of electricity in the system through roof-top solar system under net metering mode.

    Because of this revenue loss of Rs100 billion in the system has been shifted to consumers by passing a hike of tariff to Rs1.90 per unit on those who have not installed solar systems on their roofs.

    The government intends to introduce gross metering instead of net metering.

    The tariff would be reduced to Rs7.5 to 11 per unit instead of Rs21. They will be provided electricity from the national grid at Rs60 per unit during night or peak hours.

    However, under this new policy, a buyback tariff from solar consumers would be brought down to Rs7.5-11 per unit due to a significant decline in solar panel prices and the government would sell them electricity from the national grid at Rs60 per unit during night time or peak hours.