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Tag: Imran Khan

  • ECP rejects Nawaz Sharif’s application for recounting in NA-15

    ECP rejects Nawaz Sharif’s application for recounting in NA-15

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rejected an application filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif for the recounting of votes in the National Assembly constituency of NA-15, Mansehra.

    “The petitioner may approach the Election Tribunal,” the verdict said.

    ECP ordered the returning officer to submit the complete results in three days.

    Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer said that the elections were unconstitutional, illegal, and against the election rules.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-supported candidate Shahzada Gustasap Khan won the election in NA-15 by getting 105,249 votes.

    The PML-N supremo was in second position with 80,382 votes in the same constituency.

  • President Alvi made the right decision not to call assembly session: Imran Khan

    President Alvi made the right decision not to call assembly session: Imran Khan

    Imran Khan, the founder chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, has endorsed President Arif Alvi’s choice to abstain from calling the session of the National Assembly.

    Imran conveyed these sentiments during an informal exchange with journalists at Adiala Jail on Tuesday.

    First and foremost, he said, he had personally dictated the letter addressed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    He clarified that, following the drafting of the letter, there have been no meetings with other party leaders.

    However, he said that after consultations with the party’s leadership, the letter would be dispatched to the IMF today (Tuesday). In his discussion on the prevailing political climate, Imran Khan reiterated his call for the resignation of the chief election commissioner, citing concerns over impartiality during elections.

    He accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of engaging in rigging even after the conclusion of elections, stressing the imperative of fair and transparent electoral processes.

    Commenting on the recent developments, the former prime minister lauded the decision of President Arif Alvi to refrain from convening a meeting of the National Assembly. He reiterated concerns about the allocation of specific seats despite the PTI’s electoral victories, alleging efforts to undermine the party’s success.

    “Every attempt was made during the elections to eliminate the PTI,” he alleged.

    “We are gathering all the parties that have been made to lose through rigging. and will hold country-wide protests against rigging,” Imran announced.

    Amidst ongoing challenges and political tensions, the founder of PTI remains steadfast in advocating for fair governance and democratic principles, vowing to address electoral irregularities and promote accountability across all levels of government.

  • Accountability court indicts Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi in £190m reference

    Accountability court indicts Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi in £190m reference

    An accountability court in Rawalpindi on Tuesday charged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi with involvement in the £190 million reference.

    Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the accountability court conducted the hearing at Adiala Jail, where former Prime Minister Imran is invarcerated in multiple cases, including the Toshakhana, cipher and illegal marriage cases. 

    Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were present when Judge Nasir Javed read the charge sheet.

    National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Deputy Prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, along with his team, was also present in court.

    NAB had started investigating Imran Khan, his wife, and others for allegedly getting hundreds of canals of land under the name of Al Qadir University Trust. As a result of the accusation of land, the government faced a loss of 190 million pounds.

  • ‘Lost diamond in search for gold,’ Pakistani Twitter missing Buzdar is a hilarious must-see

    ‘Lost diamond in search for gold,’ Pakistani Twitter missing Buzdar is a hilarious must-see

    Social media in Pakistan never lets go of a chance to have a meme fest, and the appointment of a new Chief Minister in Punjab proved to be the fuel the meme machine needed to churn out hilarious content.

    The newly-elected Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, took the oath of office on Tuesday at Punjab Governor House with Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, Governor of Punjab, administering the oath.

    During the oath ceremony, chief minister Maryam Nawaz was with her father and former prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif. The president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif was also present in the oath ceremony.

    Netizens immediately started reminiscing about former chief minister, Sardar Usman Buzdar, CM of Punjab from 2018 to 2023. Buzdar remained a point of contention for Imran Khan, who’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) appointed him as the Chief Executive of the most populous province.

    At one point, Imran Khan referred to the beleaguered Buzdar as ‘Wasim Akram Plus’, implying that the unassuming South Punjab politician was a better version of the greatest left-arm bowler in history.

    Here are the best Twitter reactions, as people remember Sardar Usman Buzdar:

  • PTI intra-party polls: Barrister Gohar submits nomination papers for party chairman

    PTI intra-party polls: Barrister Gohar submits nomination papers for party chairman

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has submitted his nomination papers for the post of party chairman in the upcoming intra-party elections, days after Barrister Ali Zafar withdrew from the race for the position.

    If Gohar Khan is elected, it will be his second term as party chief, having previously served as PTI chairman after getting elected in intra-party polls conducted on December 2, 2023, as per The News.

    The development comes after the party’s announcement last week they it is holding fresh intra-party elections on March 3 after the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) plea to uphold its decision declaring the PTI’s intra-party elections null and void due to administrative irregularities pertaining to its failure to adhere to its own Constitution and the provisions of the Election Act 2017 and Election Rules 2017.

    The party’s federal election commissioner, Raof Hasan, issued the election schedule, as February 25 was the last date to submit nomination papers for candidates who wanted to take part in intra-party elections.

    However, the final decision on nomination papers will be announced on February 27, and the polling will be held on March 3 at the PTI’s central office as well as provincial secretariats.

  • Ali Amin Gandapur to contest independently for CM KP position

    Ali Amin Gandapur to contest independently for CM KP position

    Ali Amin Gandapur, a prominent leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and perhaps the next Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has opted out of joining the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

    Instead, he has chosen to contest independently for the top provincial post, backed by PTI members aligned with the SIC, as reported by The News on Monday.

    Following general elections, independent winners supported by PTI from KP have affiliated themselves with the SIC to secure designated seats for women and religious minority representatives.

    However, Gandapur, who secured victory from Dera Ismail Khan, will pursue the PTI’s provincial presidency and is actively involved in the party’s intra-party elections scheduled for March 3, having submitted his nomination papers accordingly.

    In parallel, Ali Asghar, another PTI member, has submitted his papers for the position of provincial general secretary, while Aqibullah Khan, nominated by PTI and the brother of senior leader Asad Qaiser, will compete for a KP Assembly office position under the SIC banner.

    The announcement of KP cabinet members is pending final approval from PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, following extensive consultations. Additionally, the PTI is deliberating over several candidates for the deputy speaker position, with the chosen individual’s identity expected to be disclosed imminently.

    On the opposition front, parties have resolved not to concede ground to PTI and have declared intentions to nominate candidates for chief minister, speaker, and deputy speaker roles. The opposition plans to finalize consensus candidates following an imminent meeting.

    Abdul Jalil Jan, the spokesperson for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), confirmed that neither Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nor Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have initiated talks with their party regarding the election of KP Assembly officials.

    With the inaugural session of the KP Assembly scheduled for February 28, the assembly will witness the swearing-in of newly elected members, followed by the election of the speaker, deputy speaker, and chief minister.

    Meanwhile, Ali Amin Gandapur expressed his commitment to democratic principles and serving the people during interactions with elected members, party workers, and various stakeholders.

    He expressed these views during meetings with the members-elect of the national and provincial assemblies, party workers and people from different walks of life, including scholars and lawyers, at the Speaker’s House.

    Gandapur spoke about improving the province’s law and order situation as well as adding health cards, langar khana, shelter homes and police reforms would be restored. He said that the people would be provided with a uniform education system, while the lack of resources would not be a hurdle in the completion of this great mission.

  • Imran Khan confirms writing letter to IMF

    Imran Khan confirms writing letter to IMF

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has said on Friday that he has written a letter to International Monetary Fund (IMF), asking to look at the matter of poll rigging in Pakistan.

    “The letter to the IMF has been written and will be dispatched today. If the country gets a loan in such a situation, then who will return it,” Khan asked the media during a hearing of the £190 million reference at Adiala Jail.

    The former prime minister warned that taking the loan would cause more poverty, adding that unless the country invests in itself, its loans will continue to rise. 

    Khan’s update about the letter comes a day after PTI senator Ali Zafar announced that the party founder had decided to write a letter to the global lender, urging it to call for an audit of the February 8 election before it continues talks with Islamabad for a new loan programme.

    IMF has previously never commented on rigging allegations, nor is probing rigging part of its mandate. The Fund has reportedly said on Friday that it looks forward to working with the new government.

  • Barrister Gohar Khan “removed” as PTI chairman over unsatisfactory performance

    Barrister Gohar Khan “removed” as PTI chairman over unsatisfactory performance

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat said on Friday that Barrister Gohar is not the chairman of PTI anymore as his performance was not satisfactory.

    Marwat announced the party’s decision a day after Barrister Gohar announced that the next party chairman will be Barrister Ali Zafar. However, PTI’s intraparty elections are scheduled to take place on March 3.

    The former ruling party’s top post had been lying vacant for more than a month after not only the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), but the Supreme Court also declared its intra-party elections unlawful and stripped the party of its iconic bat symbol. 

    Talking to Geo News, Marwat said: “Incompetence and poor performance are the reasons behind Gohar’s removal as chairman. Barrister Gohar is a gentleman, but his performance was not satisfactory.”

    The PTI leader also said that Barrister Gohar failed to meet the expectations of party workers.

  • ‘Made false allegations for the money, offer from PTI leader’, Rawalpindi commissioner says he lied about election rigging

    ‘Made false allegations for the money, offer from PTI leader’, Rawalpindi commissioner says he lied about election rigging

    Liaqat Ali Chatha, the ex-Rawalpindi commissioner, who made explosive allegations about the alleged manipulation of the February 8 polls in favour of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates but later withdrew them, has now claimed that PTI’s top leadership planned the entire rigging propaganda.

    He said in his official statement on Thursday that “After the incident of May 9, 2023, as with other leadership of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI), the said prominent leader of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) also absconded from courts, was declared as a Proclaim Offender (PO) and has been hiding. Throughout this time, I had direct contact with him, and I kept on discreetly helping him on various issues. Consequently, my relationship with the prominent Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) leader evolved into a very close friendship based on a high level of trust.”

    Further adding that he also stated, “After the General Elections (“GEs”) of 2024, on 11February 2024 I secretly and discreetly travelled to Lahore and held a meeting with him. It was in this meeting, that he made an offer to me that if I played a role in supporting the Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf’s (PTI) ongoing narrative of rigging in general elections (“GEs”) and maligning state institutions, he would ensure a lucrative position for me in future. He informed me that this entire plan had been formulated after consultation and approval of the senior leadership of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI).”

    He goes on to elaborate that the two had a detailed discussion on the proposed press conference. “He conveyed to me the general direction which was needed to be adopted. Initially it was proposed by me that I would write the entire narrative and submit the same as part of my resignation. However, this proposal was dropped by the said prominent Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) leader as such written resignation would not create any sensations for their narrative building. After detailed discussions, it was agreed that a press conference would be conducted by me at a time and date to be conveyed after consultation and approval of the senior leadership of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI).

    He further mentioned that “The primary aim of this proposed press conference was to create sensations and drama augmenting false narratives being built by the Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI).”

    “The name of the Chief Justice of Pakistan was taken with the aim of creating mistrust in general public against him. The Chief Justice of Pakistan did not have any role in the entire election process. However, I was specifically asked by said prominent leader of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) to name the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). He told me that he had been specifically asked by his top leadership to do so. The aims behind naming the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) were manifold. I was told that it would help in creating the momentum of this entire narrative as Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) had already been sowing seeds of doubts and distrust in the public minds against the Chief Justice of Pakistan  (CJP),” the ex-Rawalpindi commissioner added.

  • Imran Khan to write letter to IMF asking not to give loan to Pakistan over poll rigging

    Imran Khan to write letter to IMF asking not to give loan to Pakistan over poll rigging

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Barrister Ali Zafar said on Thursday that PTI founder Imran Khan will write a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to bring attention to alleged rigging in the general elections held on February 8.

    “IMF, European Union, and other organisations have their charter that says these organisations will work in a country where there is good governance. For good governance, a country needs to have democracy that requires free and fair elections,” Ali Zafar said while speaking to media outside Adiala Jail.

    The PTI leader and lawyer also alleged that the people’s mandate was stolen, and those who were losing on February 8 were declared winners the next morning.

    “Democracy cannot be run with this fake mandate,” he said, adding that “no organization can give loans to a country where elections are rigged.”

    The prominent lawyer also said that, through a letter, the PTI founder will request that the IMF to send a monitoring team to look at the matter of poll rigging first and then give loans to Pakistan.

    He also mentioned that “any loan to the government that doesn’t have people’s mandate will not be in favour of Pakistan.”