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Tag: establishment

  • ‘Tomorrow jalsa will be last of our present phase of Haqiqi Azadi Movement’: Imran Khan

    ‘Tomorrow jalsa will be last of our present phase of Haqiqi Azadi Movement’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced on Friday that he will share the “next critical phase” of his party’s “haqiqi azadi movement” (movement for real freedom) during his Gujranwala rally tomorrow.

    “Tomorrow our Gujranwala jalsa will be last of our present phase of Haqiqi Azadi Movement. I will announce the next critical phase at the jalsa,” tweeted Khan.

    Khan claimed that the incumbent government and “its handlers” are “petrified that nation is standing firmly behind PTI” which is why they are moving on a “minus 1 formula”.

    Prior to Khan’s tweet, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry in a press conference said, “There are attempts being made to knock out Imran Khan politically. FIRs are being registered against him at a time when there are floods in the country,” said Fawad, claiming that the incumbent government does not have a “public mandate”.

    Chaudhry said that the government wants to push Imran Khan out of the “political arena”.

    “This government is a dummy and real decisions are being made somewhere else. There is only one political party that is in the opposition,” said Fawad, adding that the ECP delayed the elections when there were no floods.

  • ‘Mainay dekha, suna nahi’: Shah Mahmood Qureshi denies having heard Khan on army

    ‘Mainay dekha, suna nahi’: Shah Mahmood Qureshi denies having heard Khan on army

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, distancing from party Chairman Imran Khan’s anti-establishment remarks has said that he hasn’t seen or heard Khan’s controversial remarks.

    “Mainay bayaan ko suna nahi hai, mainay dekha nahi hai. Main apsay sun raha hon. [I have not heard or seen his comments. I am listening to them from you]. Once I know the background of the story I will be able to comment on this,” he said on a news show. The remark earned him a few smiles from the program host.

    “However, I know he [Imran Khan] knows the importance of this institution. He has always protected this institution as well,” he added.

    Khan on September 4, alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Zardari wanted to appoint their favourite as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) because if a “strong and patriotic army chief” was appointed, they would be questioned about their corruption.

    Earlier today, Khan has said that he has had enough of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) “cabal of crooks” who are trying to launch propaganda against him.

    In a tweet, the PTI chairman said, “Am following intense propaganda launched by PDM cabal of crooks against me.This stems from their being petrified of PTI’s soaring popularity.”

    “Today in Peshawar jalsa I will give proper reply to all those who have deliberately been distorting my words to malign me. Enough is enough,” said Khan.

    President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi has also said that the chairman of his party, Khan “apne bayaan ki khud wazahat karey ke in ka kya maqsad tha”. (Imran Khan should himself clarify what he meant.)

  • ‘Enough is enough’: Khan to reply to ‘PDM crooks’ at 5pm today

    ‘Enough is enough’: Khan to reply to ‘PDM crooks’ at 5pm today

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that he has had enough of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) “cabal of crooks” who are trying to launch propaganda against him.

    Khan on September 4, alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Zardari wanted to appoint their favourite as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) because if a “strong and patriotic army chief” was appointed, they would be questioned about their corruption.

    In a tweet, the PTI chairman said, “Am following intense propaganda launched by PDM cabal of crooks against me.This stems from their being petrified of PTI’s soaring popularity.”

    “Today in Peshawar jalsa I will give proper reply to all those who have deliberately been distorting my words to malign me. Enough is enough,” said Khan.

    Pakistani Army on Monday, August 5, expressed extreme displeasure over Khan’s recent statement against the establishment and said that the institution was “aghast” over it.

    Read more: ‘Disappointing’, Pak Army says Khan should not ‘scandalise’ Army Chief selection

    “Pakistan Army is aghast at the defamatory and uncalled for statement about the senior leadership of Pakistan Army by Chairman PTI during a political rally at Faisalabad. Regrettably, an attempt has been made to discredit and undermine senior leadership of Pakistan Army at a time when the institution is laying lives for the security and safety of the people of Pakistan every day,” said the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

  • ‘Neutrals ka pressure tha’: Imran Khan blames the establishment for crackdown on PTI

    ‘Neutrals ka pressure tha’: Imran Khan blames the establishment for crackdown on PTI

    Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan blamed the ‘neutrals’ for the crackdown against his party.

    Addressing a political gathering at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Sunday (August 21), Khan said that according to the reports he had received, the neutrals were responsible for the crackdown against his party.

    “On May 25, when the police used violence against us, I was told by insiders that the police were ordered from above, which means that neutrals pressurised them to give PTI workers a thrashing,” said Khan. 

    “The chief election commissioner is giving every decision against us … [He] is fully trying to disqualify me. I got information from the inside that he [the CEC] was not doing anything on his own but there was pressure of the boot.”

    Khan further accused the authorities of harassing visitors to Bani Gala, his residence in Islamabad, and said the people who came to meet him “received calls from the intelligence agencies” and are asked why did they go there.

    “People who come to visit my home, police outside my house takes off their shoes. Police is not doing all this. They tell us that we have orders from neutrals.”

    “So I ask you, whether you are neutral or not? If you stand with these people [PDM government], will the nation stop thinking of them as thieves? And now that you are standing with them, will they start considering them pious?”

    YouTube blackout

    After Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed a ban on the live telecast of speeches of PTI Chairman Imran Khan after he threatened the police, bureaucracy, and Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry, YouTube services in parts of the country reportedly faced disruptions during Imran Khan’s speech at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh.

    NetBlocks, which tracks network disruptions and shutdowns, confirmed reports of YouTube being “briefly” blocked on multiple internet providers during Khan’s speech on Sunday.

    “Real-time network data show the disruption in effect on some but not all mobile and fixed-line internet providers in Pakistan during the live-streamed speech. Access was restored after the speech concluded. The study is taken from a sample size of 100 measurements from 14 vantage points across Pakistan,” a statement issued by the watchdog read.

  • ‘Name them’: Marriyum challenges Khan to name agencies that briefed him on PPP, PML-N’s corruption

    ‘Name them’: Marriyum challenges Khan to name agencies that briefed him on PPP, PML-N’s corruption

    Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday challenged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to name the agencies and the people working in them who he claimed had briefed him on the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) alleged corruption.

    Addressing a news conference today, the minister said, “Who used to give you these reports? Who used to tell you all these things? Name them.”

    The information minister recalled that Khan had earlier said that the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja was done after he was given guarantee of his neutrality.

    “You said the agency had given you guarantees about the CEC […] who had given you the guarantees? What did they say? And why were you receiving guarantees?”

    “Did you ask for those reports? And who from the agencies gave you reports?”

    “Imran Khan sahab, stop this drama and lies. If you have the courage, tell us who from what agency used to give you reports on PPP and PML-N […],” she demanded.

    “You slung mud on other people, and you say the agencies were giving you briefings? Do you have any shame?” she questioned. “You made a joke of such a big country’s democracy. Do you think your sins will be forgiven if you say agencies were giving you briefings? Then take their names.”

    Aurangzeb alleged that after the no-confidence vote, Imran “begged the neutrals to protect him”.

    “But when the institutions played the role of neutrals, which is a line sketched by the Constitution […] you are now, once again, asking them to help you and save your false politics”.

    Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday, August 18, wondered about the role of the ‘establishment’ in curbing corruption, saying he always thought that ‘establishment’ was against corrupt rulers.

    “Why did you let these corrupt leaders imposed upon the country when you yourself [establishment] would say that they are corrupt,” added Khan.

    He also revealed that agencies had informed him about the corruption scandals of incumbent rulers when he was the prime minister. Imran also reiterated that attempts were being made to disqualify him and bring back Nawaz Sharif, who was disqualified for life by the Supreme Court, from London to put both of them in the same position.

  • PML-N won’t accept early elections without the return of Nawaz Sharif: report

    PML-N won’t accept early elections without the return of Nawaz Sharif: report

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is currently reviewing the political situation in Pakistan and it is likely that the PML-N chief may return to Pakistan, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News.

    It is also being reported that Nawaz Sharif should restart his interaction, both with the media and the public.  The PML-N did not want the government and were eager to go for fresh elections in May this year but were told to continue in the best interest of the country, stated the report.

    “We won’t accept it without the return of Mian Nawaz Sharif and in the absence of a level-playing field and clear rules of [the] game for all political parties,” revealed a PML-N insider.

    The PML-N wants to see the court decide the appeals against Sharif to give him and the party a fair opportunity to contest the elections.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government will complete it’s constitutional term in August 2023.

    Last week, Ansar Abbasi revealed that the establishment is considering holding elections in October.

    Read more: ‘Soft intervention’ by the Establishment due to political crisis: report

    “A soft intervention by the establishment between the government and the Opposition has raised the prospect of early talks and general elections in the country in October,” said Abbasi.

    Abbasi further said that after the unconditional intervention of the establishment between the government and the Opposition, talks between the political parties are likely to begin soon and the prospect of general elections in October seems imminent.

  • ‘Soft intervention’ by the Establishment due to political crisis: report

    ‘Soft intervention’ by the Establishment due to political crisis: report

    In an exclusive conversation with Geo News, senior journalist Ansar Abbasi revealed that the establishment is considering holding elections in October.

    “A soft intervention by the establishment between the government and the Opposition has raised the prospect of early talks and general elections in the country in October,” said Abbasi.

    In view of the current political and economic instability, the establishment is considering persuading the politicians for negotiations as in the past, but the final decision in this regard has to be taken by the politicians, said Abbasi on Geo News.

    Abbasi further said that after the unconditional intervention of the establishment between the government and the Opposition, talks between the political parties are likely to begin soon and the prospect of general elections in October is starting to look clear.

    DG ISPR has denied the news of an intervention: Kamran Khan

    However, senior journalist Kamran Khan tweeted that Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar has denied the news of a ‘soft intervention’.

    “In a conversation with me, DG ISPR General Babar Iftikhar has strongly denied the news regarding the military leadership’s interest in any political issues, including initiating a political dialogue. He has requested that the media should refrain from such rumour-mongering,” tweeted Kamran Khan.

    Imran Khan ready for talks, likely to write a letter to President Alvi: Suhail Warraich

    Senior journalist Suhail Warraich revealed that in a meeting with PTI Chairman Imran Khan yesterday (July 22) along with senior journalist Mujib-ur-Rahman Shami, it was discussed that politicians should hold talks on three important issues.

    “Number one, elections, including election reforms. Number two, the economic agenda, and number three, the army chief’s appointment. These are the three things that should be discussed before the next elections. Imran Khan is ready for talks. There is a likelihood that he may write a letter to the president, who can then invite all parties for discussions.”

    Suhail Warraich further said that all stakeholders now feel that such discussions should be held between all political parties.

  • Palmist told Khan that a big rock fell on Shehbaz instead of him

    Palmist told Khan that a big rock fell on Shehbaz instead of him

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Monday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been told by a palmist that there was a big rock that was going to fall on Khan but it fell on Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif instead.

    He made these revelations on ARY News in Waseem Badami’s programme 11th Hour.

    Rasheed said that everyone is with Imran Khan so it would be a waste for anyone who stands against him in the elections.

    Talking about his audio leak, Rasheed said since childhood, his [Sheikh] messages and tapes have been going viral.

    He said that after the PTI swept Punjab by-polls, he received messages from top bureaucrats for the first time addressing him as ‘respected sir’.

    During the show, he further revealed that Imran Khan has planned to do a tour of Sindh, especially the interior side of the province.

    Rasheed again stressed that he is of the view that they should be friends with the establishment. He said that Imran Khan has said that we will not talk against the establishment anymore and have to focus on the elections.

    Appearing on the same programme on Tuesday, former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry agreed with Rasheed’s statement and said that they will not talk against the establishment. “We will try to normalise things in the future”, he added.

    Moreover, he said that PM Shehbaz Sharif should dissolve the National Assembly. According to him, election date will be announced within 45 days and the elections are likely to be held in October.

  • ‘Below my dignity to respond to such a liar’: Ex-brigadier to Imran Khan

    ‘Below my dignity to respond to such a liar’: Ex-brigadier to Imran Khan

    Former Director-General (DG) of the Anti-Corruption Establishment, Punjab, Brigadier (retd) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha responded to the allegations made by former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan that Ranjha manipulated the 2013 general elections in favour of Nawaz Sharif.

    In an interview with Lahore Rang, the retired brigadier called Khan a compulsive liar, saying: “These are baseless allegations from a liar. But since he has publicly made these allegations, I am compelled to respond.”

    “He [Imran Khan] is a morally, financially, intellectually, and socially corrupt person. I am a respectable person. It’s below my dignity to respond to such a pathological liar,” he added.

    While replying to the question that why is Khan bringing up this issue, Ranjha said that he believes that Khan has lost his mind after losing power.

    “This man [Khan] has never been in favour of the armed forces. He only flirted with the military. Now, since the military has detached itself from politics, he is randomly hurling allegations.”

    “If he [Imran] opens his mouth again, then I’ll go to a public forum and spill the beans”, Ranjha said, adding that Imran should know that he knows everything about him as he has also served as an intelligence officer.

    During the interview, Ranjha offered Imran to agree to the formation of a commission that should investigate the vote-manipulation charges.

    The former DG also challenged Khan to contest elections against him.

    It is pertinent to mention that Ranjha was removed from his office by the Punjab interim government just before the 2018 elections.

  • ‘Establishment is a political player in Pakistan’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘Establishment is a political player in Pakistan’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry said that the neutral (military) establishment in Pakistan is a political player. He asked how it can be neutral, as it is either on ‘this’ side or ‘that’.

    “They are political players in Pakistan. They have to decide for themselves. The military and the judiciary have been political players in Pakistan’s 75-year history,” said Fawad.

    Speaking on ARY news programme, ‘Off The Record’, Fawad said, “The monopoly on information, which belonged to the intelligence agencies previously, has been ended by social media now. The military and judiciary are powerful institutions, we can’t dictate them. Therefore, now they have to make this decision whether to keep on moving this way or adopt the path of modern institutions.”

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1539655765908066304?s=20&t=9no6LbXJEsbbmC-zlDEqcw

    Talking about neutrals and neutrality, Fawad said that there is a context to being neutral.

    On the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) amendments, Fawad said the neutrals let the NAB laws to be amended. “If this is how the institutions have to remain neutral, then it will be a disaster.”

    https://twitter.com/FawadPTIUpdates/status/1539647626517155842?s=20&t=9no6LbXJEsbbmC-zlDEqcw

    Fawad said that even he was shocked that Shehbaz Sharif was being considered to become prime minister of Pakistan.

    During a seminar on “Regime Change Conspiracy and Pakistan’s Destabilization” on June 22, Imran Khan said, “People ask me if I knew about it, then why didn’t I do anything? Well, I never imagined that they would appoint Shehbaz Sharif as the prime minister.”