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Tag: Imran Khan

  • PPP hopeful of reaching consensus with PML-N on government formation

    PPP hopeful of reaching consensus with PML-N on government formation

    After the fifth meeting of the coordination committees of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) didn’t make much progress, the PPP still hopes they can agree on how to form the government in today’s meeting.

    Faisal Karim Kundi, PPP’s Information Secretary, topd Geo News that the party’s central executive committee’s decision is not to join the federal cabinet in the upcoming government.

    “[Our] experience with the PML-N during the 16-month alliance was not pleasant,” Kundi said while stressing that there’s no formula for holding the office of prime minister for three years and two years by either party’s candidates. 

    He also emphasised that the party has the right to compete for other constitutional positions.

    Bilateral talks between the PPP and the PML-N, after none of the parties was able to secure a simple majority in the February 8 polls, have dragged on for days, with the former maintaining its stance against being included in the cabinet, The News reported on Sunday.

    On Monday, both parties spent three hours in a meeting and were planning to meet again later in the day, but they decided to postpone it until Tuesday (today).

  • Caretaker PM Kakar once again fails to appear in missing Baloch Students’ case

    Caretaker PM Kakar once again fails to appear in missing Baloch Students’ case

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoned Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar for the third time on Monday in the case of the missing Baloch students. The court’s orders came before adjourning today’s hearing until February 28.

    Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, heading the bench, emphasized during the hearing that the caretaker prime minister should not perceive appearing in court as an insult.

    He urged PM Kakar to prioritize appearing before the court rather than attending to other commitments, stating, “No one is above the law here.”

    Expressing disappointment over PM Kakar’s absence, Justice Kayani reminded Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan of the prime minister’s previous failure to attend court proceedings. The judge also inquired about the whereabouts of other caretaker ministers and secretaries.

    The judge highlighted that today was the 24th hearing in the case.

    “The petition was filed in 2022 and a commission had been formed. It took us two years to recover our citizens who did not even have any criminal case registered against them.

    “There was no case against them — including any drug, murder, or theft case — let alone a terror case,” Justice Kayani noted. He observed that “no documents or information” was shared with the court in the past two years.

    Addressing AGP Awan, he said, “You had submitted an affidavit that no person would go missing after today. [Yet] a person is missing from Islamabad’s F-6 without a first information report against him.

    “The purpose of summoning the prime minister was to inquire why the state’s premier is failing in his duties,” the IHC judge said.

    Interior Secretary Aftab Durrani eventually appeared before the court, addressing some concerns raised during the hearing.

    Previously, Justice Kayani issued a written order summoning PM Kakar, along with the defense and interior ministers and their respective secretaries, to ensure their physical presence in today’s hearing.

    During the hearing, Justice Kayani highlighted the ongoing struggle to recover missing individuals in the country, particularly the unresolved case of the 12 missing Baloch students.

    He pressed the Attorney General for details regarding ongoing criminal cases and the responsibility of state institutions in enforced disappearances.

    Concerns were raised about the inability of successive governments to address the issue adequately. Justice Kayani proposed forming an inquiry committee comprising representatives from relevant institutions to investigate the matter thoroughly.

    The judge also criticized the notion of granting exemptions to certain institutions and emphasized the importance of accountability.

    This is the second time PM Kakar has been summoned by the IHC. Previously, he was called upon on November 22, 2023, in a case filed by Advocate Imaan Mazari, but was unable to attend as he was out of the country.

  • Sher Afzal Marwat claims Islamabad police raided his house

    Sher Afzal Marwat claims Islamabad police raided his house

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat claimed on Monday that unidentified people with masks on their faces raided his house in Islamabad.

    The PTI leader told Islamabad High Court (IHC) about the incident while speaking during a hearing on the recovery of Baloch students.

    After hearing about the incident, IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani expressed surprise, pointing out that the PTI leader was not talking about Lakki Marwat, but Islamabad.

    The court asked what will happen to common citizens of Pakistan if such an incident can happen to an elected member of the parliament of Balochistan. 

    Earlier in a tweet, Marwat claimed the CTD police raided his house and broke the doors causing damages. “…they stressed out my family and staff and confiscated my laptop. I managed to run away from my home and now I am at a safe place. This is an illegal raid and I will challenge the IG and SSP operation Islamabad in the court for this criminal act; the confiscation of my laptop is illegitimate. It contains my private and professional data, (that may be) subjected to misuse. These cowardly tactics will not scare me, or force me to step back from our mission, which is for the larger cause — the fight for true democracy in Pakistan,” he wrote on X.

    On the other hand, Islamabad police denied the claim. Fake news was being spread to gain public attention, the police maintained.

  • Government formation: What will kingmaker PPP do?

    Government formation: What will kingmaker PPP do?

    More than 11 days have passed since the general elections took place, yet the country is without a coherent government formation strategy.

    From every side saying they will form the government to every side saying they will sit in opposition, the situation remains unclear, except for one fact: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is in the driving seat as the Kingmakers.

    So what will the party do? Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari revealed on Sunday during a political rally in Thatta, that his party has rejected the power-sharing formula offered to them, but stressed that his father, Asif Ali Zardari, will be the PPP’s candidate for president. “I was told [by PML-N] that let us be the prime minister for three years, and then you can take the premiership for the remaining two years,” Bilawal revealed, adding that he said no to the offer. “I said I do not want to become a prime minister like this. If I become the prime minister, it will be after the people of Pakistan elect me.”

    The PPP chairman also said, without mentioning any names, that his party will align with those who asked for their votes but will not take ministries.

    The former foreign minister also stressed that his father will play a big role in reducing the political tension in the country.

    According to The News, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP are set to hold their fifth meeting today to hash out a formula for the formation of the federal government.

    On the other hand, PPP leader Sarfraz Bugti claimed on Sunday that his party will form the provincial government in Balochistan with the help of PML-N.

    “The PML-N would be our ally in Balochistan [as it has] given us a clear signal to form our government [in the province],” Bugti said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

  • PTI leader Salman Akram Raja arrested in Lahore

    PTI leader Salman Akram Raja arrested in Lahore

    Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) leader and lawyer Salman Akram Raja has been arrested by the police near PTI’s Jail Road office, for participating in the party’s call for nationwide protest against electoral rigging. Salman participated as a PTI backed independent candidate in general elections

    “They’re arrested me illegally, and I’m with the public, we will continue raising my voice for truth” he said while being arrested

    PTI yesterday had called for nationwide protests against electoral rigging.

  • PTI to hold countrywide protests over alleged rigging

    PTI to hold countrywide protests over alleged rigging

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will hit the streets today at 12pm across the country to protest against what they claim is rigging and tampering with election results from February 8th.

    Major parties that won the most seats have been looking for allies and making alliances to form the next governments at both the national and provincial levels.

    The PTI expressed disappointment with the election results, where its affiliated candidates won over 90 National Assembly seats, making them the largest group. They announced plans to hold peaceful protests countrywide against what they called “record-high rigging” in the recent general elections.

    “The PTI has called for country-wide protests against the unprecedented, massive, brazen rigging in general elections 2024, where PTI’s win of 180 National Assembly seats and a two-thirds majority in the parliament, was cut down to half,” the party said in a statement.

  • Fazlur Rehman claims Imran was ousted on Gen Bajwa’s directives

    Fazlur Rehman claims Imran was ousted on Gen Bajwa’s directives

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Thursday that the no confidence motion against Imran Khan’s government was tabled in the National Assembly on the directive of former army chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    In an interview on SAMMA, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that “I was personally against the no-confidence move […] but if I had said no despite the insistence of other parties, then an impression would’ve been given that I ‘saved’ the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.”

    Fazl, during the interview, said: “While the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was running the movement for a no-confidence motion, Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid told me that I could do whatever I wanted, but within the system.”

    The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) removed Imran Khan from government in April 2022 and then a multi-party alliance ruled the country for 16 months before handing over the power to the caretaker set-up.

  • PTI denies news of alliance with PPP, Khattak’s party, announces nationwide protest on Saturday

    PTI denies news of alliance with PPP, Khattak’s party, announces nationwide protest on Saturday

    Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Barrister Gohar Khan, has announced plans for a peaceful protest nationwide on Saturday (Feb 17) to highlight what he perceives as the “marginalization” of the PTI.

    “We are extending invitations to all political parties, including the GDA, JI, JUI-F, TLP, ANP, or any other party that shares our concerns regarding the change in mandate and electoral rigging,” he stated.

    Gohar emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest and urged the public to join in. “These elections were crucial, and we are determined not to let our mandate be usurped,” he asserted.

    Regarding speculation about talks with the PPP, Gohar dismissed such reports.

    Furthermore, he announced that Mian Aslam will be PTI’s candidate for the position of Punjab’s chief minister. He also revealed Salar Khan as the candidate for Balochistan chief minister and Aqibullah Khan as the nominee for the speaker of the KP Assembly.

    Gohar assured the media that announcements of candidates for National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker would follow soon.

    As per Sher Azal Marwat, Imran Khan asked him to tell Pakistanis that their freedom has been taken away from them. He further added that if rigging can be done this way then the public won’t even have the power to vote in upcoming elections.

    He said, “The vote was stolen so that a criminal money laundering syndicate could be imposed on Pakistan.”

    Imran Khan also said that there can be no financial stability without political stability and remittances from overseas Pakistanis can stabilize Pakistan.

    Refuting rumors of forming a government with the PML-N, PPP, PTI-B and MQM-P, Gohar reiterated PTI’s commitment to not engage in power-sharing with these parties. He emphasized that PTI’s politics revolve around serving the public and upholding the mandate and democracy.

    “We will continue to offer strong opposition until we secure the full mandate, although we are in a position to form governments in Punjab, KP, and at the Centre,” Gohar asserted.

    He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan and the judiciary to expedite the PTI’s cases and address what he termed as “fake mandate,” claiming that PTI had won 180 seats according to their records.

  • Firdous Ashiq Awan apologises for slapping a police officer

    Firdous Ashiq Awan apologises for slapping a police officer

    Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has formally apologised for slapping a police officer during the general elections.

    In a hearing held at the Election Commission, chaired by Nisar Durrani, Awan expressed regret for the incident and sought forgiveness in a written statement submitted to the commission. The affected police officer also submitted a written response during the hearing.

    During the inquiry, a member of the Election Commission questioned Awan, asking who she thought she was to take the law into her own hands.

    Awan responded to the inquiry by stating that she apologizes for her actions, clarifying that the polling stations were in a chaotic state and that she was merely trying to ensure order.

    She further stated that the police were a passive spectator and she felt threatened by the crowd.

    The incident, which sparked widespread criticism on social media, has been under scrutiny by the Election Commission.

    The commission has stated that it will issue further directives regarding the hearing at a later date.

    On February 12, Awan said that she slapped a police officer as the person in uniform was facilitating one political party on election day. The IPP leader also said that if the law does not take its course, then citizens will teach corrupt police officers a lesson.
    The video was widely slammed on social media, with users calling out the IPP leader for resorting to violence.


    Read more: ‘Thappay par thappa’, Firdous explains why she slapped a police officer

  • PTI to form KP govt with Pervez Khattak’s Tehreek-e-Insaf-Parliamentarians

    PTI to form KP govt with Pervez Khattak’s Tehreek-e-Insaf-Parliamentarians

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to form the government with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Parliamentarians (PTI-P) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). 

    PTI insiders told Geo News that Imran Khan has given permission to make an alliance with PTI-P in KP, led by Pervez Khattak.

    After Jamaat-e-Islami’s refusal, PTI decided to talk with Pervez Khattak and form an alliance. PTI-P has won two seats in the general elections.

    On the other hand, PTI has also nominated Ali Amin Gandapur for the position of Chief Minister (CM) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.