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Tag: Pakistan

  • Approval of Al-Qadir UNIVERSITY was done in a hidden manner, even we weren’t aware that Khan took watches from Toshakhana: Farrukh Habib

    Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and ex-federal minister Farrukh Habib announced his departure from the party on Monday, pledging allegiance to the Jahangir Tareen-led Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) during a press conference held at the IPP’s head office in Lahore.

    In a significant blow to the PTI, Habib condemned the May 9 riots, attributing the responsibility for the turmoil to former prime minister and Chairman of PTI, Imran Khan. He criticized Imran Khan’s handling of the political situation, alleging that the former premier fueled violence and instigated a confrontation against state institutions.

    Habib said PTI’s “war” with the state institutions was “not a war between believers and non-believers,” lamenting that the ex-premier brought the country to the verge of violence.

    The IPP was formed on June 8 by estranged PTI leaders Tareen and Aleem Khan, who left the ex-PM’s party after severe disagreements, while several Imran loyalists have also joined hands with them.

    “I wasn’t at my house for the past five months […] and for the last few weeks, I wasn’t even in contact with my family,” Habib told journalists.

    “Since May 9, we did not face the law and were away from our houses. For the past five months, I was constantly pondering whether I joined politics for this reason,” he said.

    During the press conference, Farrukh Habib highlighted a series of grievances with the PTI’s leadership, citing instances where he felt the party had deviated from its ethical and moral compass. He criticized the PTI chief for allegedly accepting gifts from the Toshakhana despite previously condemning similar actions by other political leaders.

    “I realised that we took our real struggle to the path of violence. We stepped away from Pakistan which was envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam,” he said.

    Habib recalled that the PTI government was ousted via a vote of no-confidence constitutionally, but regretted that the party did not wait peacefully after that. Expressing his perspective, he said the PTI should have opted for a “democratic struggle” and waited for elections.

    “But you opted for violent resistance. We have faced beatings as youth leaders but we never opted for a violent approach. We used to work so dedicatedly for our vision,” Habib said. “But if you look at that struggle and compare it with the post-May 9 violence, you will see a difference.

    “There were messages for people to take to the streets and their minds were hijacked. Their sentiments were provoked that Pakistan’s institutions are working against them,” he claimed.

    Habib stated that “a message of hatred” was run on television all the time and a “bullet approach instead of ballot approach” was taken.

    Habib’s decision to join the IPP follows a series of similar defections from the PTI in recent weeks, suggesting internal upheavals within the party ranks. The former minister’s remarks resonated with similar sentiments expressed by other estranged PTI members who have found a common cause in the IPP.

  • Court rejects Imran Khan’s petition challenging jail trial in cipher case

    Court rejects Imran Khan’s petition challenging jail trial in cipher case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has said that security concerns justifying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s jail trial in the cipher case are valid.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq announced the verdict on the PTI chairman’s petition, which challenged the decision to conduct his trial at Adiala Jail in a case registered under the Official Secrets Act.

    The IHC directed Imran Khan to bring forth his concerns regarding the matter before the trial court.

    The PTI chairman, whose government was ousted following a vote of no confidence in Parliament last April, has petitioned the IHC to conduct his trial in a courtroom rather than in prison.

    “The jail trial is in favour of the PTI chairman in view of his security,” the court said, adding that Khan has repeatedly expressed fears about his safety.

    On the other hand, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi has submitted a petition to the IHC, contesting his imprisonment trial and urging the court to nullify the trial court’s decision from October 9. In that ruling, the special court announced that both politicians would be indicted in the cipher case on October 17.

  • Bushra Bibi gets bail in Toshakhana, Al-Qadir Trust cases

    Bushra Bibi gets bail in Toshakhana, Al-Qadir Trust cases

    Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has been granted interim bail by an accountability court in Islamabad while barring the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting her in the Toshakhana and GBP 190-million Al-Qadir Trust cases.

    Bushra Bibi appeared in the court of duty Judge Raja Jawab Abbas along with her counsel Latif Khosa for pre-arrest bail.
    The interim bail was granted in exchange for bonds worth Rs500,000 in each case and the hearing was adjourned till October 31.

    ATC adjourns hearing on bail:

    The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad has postponed the bail hearing for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in three separate cases until October 24.

    These cases, two of which were registered at the Khanna police station and one at Bhara Kahu, require the court to carefully examine the details of each case. The court requested the relevant records for further review.

    During the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, appealed for the production orders of his client, emphasizing that the Islamabad High Court had reinstated the bail applications, making Khan’s appearance in court necessary for all three cases.

    Safdar asserted, “Don’t think you have the powers of an Official Secrets Act court also. When a bail application is filed, it is decided on merit. If the court thinks the production cannot be ensured today, then the hearing should be held tomorrow. Whether the client has to be brought by a helicopter or an armored vehicle, it is the responsibility of the prison authorities.”

    Responding to the concerns raised, Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain stated that if the suspect’s appearance posed a challenge, the court would prioritize the bail application where another case was scheduled for the following day. He emphasized that even though the application was for pre-arrest bail, the fact remains that the suspect is currently in jail.

    In response to the lawyer’s request to avoid conducting the bail application hearing within the jail premises the next day, the judge assured him that the appropriate relief would be provided as per the law.

    Cipher Case Updates:

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) has determined that the trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in a cipher case can proceed within the confines of Adiala jail, citing concerns about the leader’s security. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq made the announcement, responding to Khan’s plea challenging the authorities’ decision to hold the trial within the jail premises, under the Official Secrets Act.

    The court directed Khan to take up any reservations he might have regarding the matter directly with the trial court. Khan, whose government was ousted following a vote of no confidence in April last year, had sought for his trial to be conducted in a regular court, rather than within the jail’s confines.

    Citing security as a crucial factor, the court stated, “The jail trial is in favor of the PTI chairman in view of his security,” acknowledging Khan’s repeated expressions of concern about his safety.

    In a related development, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi also filed a petition in the IHC, challenging his own jail trial. He requested the annulment of the trial court’s order and urged for an open trial. The special court had set the date for the indictment of both Khan and Qureshi in the cipher case on October 17, after the copies of the challan provided by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were shared with the accused’s counsels.

    In response to the developments, Khan’s lawyer, Latif Khosa, presented arguments highlighting the former prime minister’s concerns and previous legal history. Khosa emphasized that Khan had previously been sentenced to three years of imprisonment in the Toshakhana case, which was suspended shortly after. He questioned the legality of the jail trial, stating that it took place after the judicial remand and that the accused had not been provided with substantial evidence.

  • Six labourers in Turbat killed in terrorist attack

    Six labourers in Turbat killed in terrorist attack

    Six labourers, natives of Shujaabad, 50 kilometres away from Multan-were killed in their sleep in Turbat, Balochistan in a terrorist attack.

    The victims were all from the same family, including two brothers. They have been identified as Rizwan, Shehbaz, Waseem, Shafiq Ahmed, Mohammad Naeem and Sikander.

    The two survivors of the attack are Ghulam Mustafa and Tauheed.

    Earlier today, their bodies were sent to Multan via Quetta by the Balochistan Government. Caretaker Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki was present at the Khalid Military Airbase to send off the dead bodies via helicopter, brought to Quetta from Turbat last night. He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and stated that, “Everyone in Balochistan is saddened by the killing of innocent workers”.

    The poor labourers were shot by unknown gunmen while they were asleep in an under-construction house, said the police. An investigation has been initiated.

    PM Kakar also condemned the “heinous act” and reasserted the Government’s resolve against terrorism.

  • “The red carpet for his return is not being rolled out by the PML-N but by someone else,” Shah added

    “The red carpet for his return is not being rolled out by the PML-N but by someone else,” Shah added

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Kursheed Shah criticised former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif, alleging that he had engaged in negotiations with powerful quarters to come back to power.

    “If Nawaz Sharif comes to power by dealing with powerful circles at this age, then what would be left of his politics,” he asked rhetorically.

    “The red carpet for his return is not being rolled out by the PML-N but by someone else,” Shah added.

    Observing that despite facing a lot of problems, PML-N is still doing “backdoor politics”, Khursheed Shah stated that he told the PML-N chief that he was committing a mistake by climbing on “someone else’s shoulder” to come into power.

    The former leader of the opposition also questioned how a convict and fugitive could address a public gathering in Lahore.

    “This is a dangerous trap in which the PML-N is trapped. What was the difference between Pakistan Tehran-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman [Imran Khan] and Nawaz Sharif?”

    Shah asserted that Nawaz Sharif is being taken into power, just as PTI chief Imran Khan was given power in 2018.

  • Imran Khan is a virus : Ahsan Iqbal

    Imran Khan is a virus : Ahsan Iqbal

    In a fiery political showdown, senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Hamza Shehbaz and Ahsan Iqbal, launched scathing verbal attacks on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on different occasions on Sunday.

    During a political rally in Kasur, Hamza Shehbaz fiercely criticized the PTI chief, citing his failure to substantiate corruption allegations against Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif.

    Hamza accused the PTI chairman of concealing state gifts in the Toshakhana case, a scandal that has drawn considerable public attention.

    Hamza argued that Imran Khan forced the public to bear the burden of him violating the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    He praised Nawaz Sharif, saying, “In 1990, there was no motorway in Southeast Asia. At that time, Nawaz Sharif envisioned building a motorway from Islamabad to Lahore. The world praised the motorway project when it was completed.”

    Meanwhile, Ahsan Iqbal, another senior figure within the PML-N, branded the PTI chief as a “virus” during a workers’ convention.

    Iqbal said: “The PTI chief is an inept person who harmed the country during his tenure,” adding that the PTI had launched a campaign against the entire country.

    Recounting the tenure of PTI, Iqbal said, “PML-N leaders were jailed in fake cases. We faced bogus cases.”

    He stated, “The PML-N will start its election campaign across the country after October 21.”

  • Father passes away while saving his children from drowning

    Father passes away while saving his children from drowning

    A video featuring a father and his two children struggling in the sea near Defence Phase VIII in Karachi has gone viral.

    Shehbaz Younas, accompanied by his two children, went to the beach to play, however, his children reportedly got stuck in a riptide. Younas jumped in to help his children. Security guards hurried to get them out of the sea and they were taken to the nearby private hospital, as confirmed by DG South.

    In a heart wrenching turn of events, the father could not survive while the children are now out of danger.

  • Murad Saeed successfully escapes arrest

    Murad Saeed successfully escapes arrest

    A police raid on a residence in Peshawar’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) narrowly missed apprehending former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader, Murad Saeed, as confirmed by authorities on Sunday.

    While Saeed managed to slip away, law enforcement officials disclosed that they had successfully detained some of his close associates, including a relative and personal staff members.

    Superintendent of Police (SP) Warsak, Arshad Khan, has revealed that Murad Saeed was purportedly harbored in a residence located in Nasir Bagh, where he received assistance in his escape.

    It was further reported that the relatives of Murad Saeed not only obstructed the police operation but also verbally abused the officers involved in the raid. Shockingly, Saeed managed to flee just minutes before the police’s arrival.

    The trigger for the raid was a tip-off received by the Nasir Bagh police station, suggesting Saeed’s presence at the house of his relative in DHA. The Superintendent of Police (SP) Warsak division, Arshad Khan, confirmed the intelligence and subsequent action taken by the police team.

    The First Information Report (FIR) filed after the incident highlighted Saeed’s alleged involvement in multiple cases, including a violation of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorist Act. The report also accused the individuals present at the scene, including women, of obstructing the police’s efforts, allowing Saeed an opportunity to flee.

    Additionally, the FIR detailed the recovery of firearms and ammunition from the vehicles seized during the operation. Notably, the owner of the house, Ilyas, along with Mohammad Arsalan, Azizur Rehman, and two women, who were identified as relatives of the former federal minister, faced charges under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Arms Act, including 506, 353, 186, 216, 148, 149, and 15.

    It is pertinent to mention that there are ongoing cases against Murad Saeed related to incidents that occurred on May 9 and 10. The situation surrounding this case continues to evolve as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged escape of the prominent PTI leader.

  • Governor KP faces criticism for using state helicopter along with family and friends

    Governor KP faces criticism for using state helicopter along with family and friends

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali is being slammed for using a state helicopter along with his family and friends from the trader community during a recent visit to Swat, as per a report from Geo News.

    A video of the Governor with his grandsons and acquaintances boarding the chopper went viral on social media.

    In the past, the Governor had not signed a bill for blocking unnecessary usage of the state helicopter.

    It is not the first time that this has happened. During the governor’s visit to Bajaur in August , he was seen travelling with minor children, reported to be his grandsons.

    It should also be mentioned that the Governor had a disagreement with the former chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan, over the unnecessary use of the state helicopter.


    The previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), faced significant backlash for utilising state helicopters on what were perceived as unnecessary trips. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan received widespread criticism when he claimed that helicopter outings incurred minimal expenses.

  • Two Palestinian students injured while helping their female Palestinian classmates from Pakistani harassers

    Two Palestinian students injured while helping their female Palestinian classmates from Pakistani harassers

    Two Palestinian students in Gujranwala Medical College were injured by a group of hooligans with a sharp instrument over the weekend, media reports have confirmed. 

    A case has been filed against the group of six whereas the two Palestinians have been provided with medical aid in the hospital.

    According to the police, Khuldoon and Abdul Karim have been living in a rented apartment near the medical college. The group was involved in eve-teasing their fellow female Palestinian students living in a neighbouring apartment. The Arab boys tried to stop the harassers, getting attacked in response. 

    Four of the attackers have been arrested by the police.