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Tag: PTI

  • Islamabad High Court orders release of Shah Mahmood Qureshi

    Islamabad High Court orders release of Shah Mahmood Qureshi

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued an order for the release of senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and declared his arrest illegal under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law.


    The orders were given by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of the IHC while hearing a case pertaining to Qureshi’s arrest.

    The court instructed the PTI leader to produce an undertaking identical to the one provided by former state minister Ali Muhammad Khan when it issued his release orders.
    Following PTI chairman Imran Khan’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case on

    May 9, several PTI leaders, including Qureshi, were detained for “inciting violent protests.

  • Is everyone naraaz with Imran? Another PTI member leaves party

    Is everyone naraaz with Imran? Another PTI member leaves party

    In a major setback to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party’s former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Aamir Kayani has announced that he is quitting the party after the attacks of May 9 on the security forces as he has to “rethink” his politics.

    Addressing a presser in Islamabad, he expressed regret over the May 9 violent protests by PTI leaders, workers and supporters.

    “I made my decision two months ago, but will formally announce it today,” he said.

    “My entire family, including my grandfather and everyone, we belong to an army family,” the MNA said.

    “Our domain is politics, and we should stay in it,” he added.

    Kiani has not only decided to quit PTI but also announced to end his political career. He emphasised that he will not join any political party.

    On Tuesday, the party faced another major blow when Karachi’s Mahmood Baqi Moulvi quit the party.

    In a statement, Moulvi had said he was leaving the party due to “differences with the leadership”.

  • Agar PTI churrwaana chaahtay ho toh goli maar do: Ali Zaidi sheds tears

    Agar PTI churrwaana chaahtay ho toh goli maar do: Ali Zaidi sheds tears

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President Ali Zaidi held a press conference on Wednesday to clear the air about rumours of him resigning from the party.

    Stating clearly that he is not leaving the party, Zaidi said that it is unfortunate that the speculations are coming from within PTI.

    “Agar PTI churrwaana chaahtay ho toh mujhe mathy par goli maar do” (If you want me to leave PTI, shoot me in the head) he said, adding that “no one can force me to take this step.”

    Getting emotional and teary-eyed, he said that he served the party for 23 years and that PTI is his party. “I will leave PTI when Imran does,” he said of his party chairman.

    Talking about May 9, Zaidi said that he also comes from an army background hence the episode that took place after Imran Khan’s arrest was condemnable.

    The PTI leader said that he will never allow violence.

    Zaidi is under house arrest by the Sindh government.

    It was being speculated that special treatment is being given to Zaidi in comparison to his party fellows.

  • Imran Khan condemns ‘arrest, abduction’ of PTI workers, leaders

    Imran Khan condemns ‘arrest, abduction’ of PTI workers, leaders

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has condemned the “arrest” and “abduction” of party leaders, and workers.
    “I strongly condemn the illegal arrests and abduction of our workers and leaders. Our Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Secy General Asad Umar have also been incarcerated for more than a week now. Also, despite court orders journalist Imran Riaz Khan has not been presented in court and there are confirmed reports of torture against him,” wrote PTI chairman in a tweet on Wednesday.


    He demanded the immediate release of all female leaders, workers and the female family members of our leaders and workers of his party.
    “How could Shehrayar Afridi’s wife be jailed? This is purely to spread terror amongst the people so that they don’t stand up for their constitutional rights?,” questioned Khan.


    “I am deeply disturbed after hearing of Dr. Shireen Mazari, the former Human Rights Minister’s treatment and her daughter being physically assaulted by male police officers. After the IHC granted bail to Dr Mazari and Senator Falak Chitrali they were abducted from within Adyala Jail and taken to thana secretariat where Dr Mazari’s screams were heard.,” he added.


    “The video evidence coming forward of the barbaric treatment meted out to our female supporters is reprehensible. Many of our female MNAs, supporters, and workers are being held in jails across Pakistan under inhumane conditions, vulnerable to police excesses. These abductions and the treatment being meted out to women by this fascist government are not only grave human rights violations but are strictly against our culture and Islamic teachings. All these women must be immediately released. Their continued incarceration is unconscionable. I am also raising this with International Human Rights Organizations.”

    Yesterday, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, the daughter of Shireen Mazari, expressed her disappointment in Imran Khan for not speaking up about the arrest, which she labels as an abduction.

    Imran’s tweet did not mention Fawad Chaudhry who last night condemned the May 9 riots while talking yo the media.

  • ‘Black Day’: National Security Committee endorses use of Army, Official Secret Acts against 9 May protesters

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), with the moot being attended by federal ministers, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the three services chiefs, heads of security institutions and senior officers.


    The meeting endorsed the decision to book violent protesters of May 9, under the constitution and relevant laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act.


    The PM, while addressing the meeting said, “Those who planned, executed and abetted the vandalism on May 9 certainly committed an act of terrorism.”


    It was also decided in the meeting that May 09 will be celebrated as Black Day. “Whatever happened on May 9 will be remembered as Black Day in the history of Pakistan,” the PM added.


    A Special Corps Commander Conference held on Monday at the General Headquarters (GHQ), presided by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, decided that the planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators of the attacks on military installations and buildings during the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters will be tried under relevant Pakistani laws, including the Army Act and Official Secret Act.

  • Imran Khan cannot be arrested before May 31: IHC

    Imran Khan cannot be arrested before May 31: IHC

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has extended bail for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan till May 31.

    The decision was made during a hearing of PTI’s plea to provide details of more than 100 cases in which Imran is booked.

    The former Prime Minister was represented by Barrister Gohar in court today. The government’s attorney asked for extra time to disclose details regarding the charges brought against the PTI chief.

    The court, while approving the request of the government’s attorney, postponed the hearing until May 31, passing orders not to arrest Imran Khan until then.

    Earlier IHC, barred authorities from arresting Imran Khan till May 17 in any new case registered against him after May 9.

  • ‘Aik lafz nahin bola’: Shireen Mazari’s daughter disappointed in IK for not speaking up for her mother

    ‘Aik lafz nahin bola’: Shireen Mazari’s daughter disappointed in IK for not speaking up for her mother

    Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, the daughter of Shireen Mazari, appeared on Spot Light at AajTv with Munizae Jahangir on Tuesday, where she expressed her disappointment in PTI chief Imran Khan for not speaking up about the arrest, which she labels as an abduction.

    During the show, the anchor asked Imaan if Imran Khan had shown any support to her upon her mother’s arrest. The human rights activist replied, “I’m very disappointed, even though my mother always stood by Imran Khan, he did not utter a single word at her abduction”.

    During the show Imaan further revealed that instead of releasing her mother from Adiala Jail, the Islamabad police abducted her and took her to another police station.


    She continued by saying that she reached the secretariat police station after she received unverified information about her mother’s location with her lawyer.

    When she reached there, officials asked her to go to and meet G-11 Superintendent, but Imaan said that she entered the police station forcefully screaming her mother’s name and she then saw her mother behind prison shouting that she was being beaten. Imaan said that her mother advised her to leave the police station.

    She told the anchor that officials dragged her out, adding that she is unsure of what really happened.

    Shireen Mazari was arrested by the police in the early hours of the previous Friday. Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday deemed the detention of Shireen under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) as unlawful and ordered her immediate release. However, she was arrested again by police shortly after her release from Adiala Jail. In a tweet, Imaan Mazari said that she does not know about the whereabouts of her mother.

  • Dil toots: Chief Justice isn’t happy with criticism for saying ‘good to see you’ to IK

    Dil toots: Chief Justice isn’t happy with criticism for saying ‘good to see you’ to IK

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has clarified that he uses the phrase “good to see you” to greet everyone.

    During a hearing of another case, the CJP had an interaction with lawyer Asghar Sabzwari on Tuesday afternoon. He initiated the exchange by saying, “I am pleased to see you as you have appeared in my court after a considerable period.”

    The remark came after the judge was heavily criticised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), analysts and commentators for saying “good to see you” to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan when he appeared before the court after being arrested.

    Bandial then said that he says “good to see you” to everyone, not just to Imran Khan. He said that he had faced a lot of criticism for using the phrase. Justice Bandial said he holds a deep respect for everyone, adding that “etiquette and manners” are necessary for everyone.

    PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, however, remained unimpressed with the Chief Justice’s explanation. Addressing Justice Bandial in a tweet, she asked if he says ‘good to see you’ to everyone who has stolen billions.

    She went on to ask, “Do you send everyone to rest houses,” adding another question about whether the Chief Justice allows every suspect to meet friends in the guest house as he did for Imran Khan.

    Last week, when Imran Khan appeared before Supreme Court to get relief against his arrest, the CJP said “good to see you”. His comment became a point of controversy with many arguing that special treatment was given to Khan.

     

  • ‘If not Army Act, then should we try them under hooliganism act?’: Khawaja Asif on taking action against PTI protesters

    ‘If not Army Act, then should we try them under hooliganism act?’: Khawaja Asif on taking action against PTI protesters

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appeared on Geo News’ programme ‘Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ on Monday. During the programme, Asif said that the decision to try Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers under the Pakistan Army Act was yet to be made.


    While talking about charging the protesters, the minister said, “If not the Army Act, then should we try them under ‘hooliganism act’?”


    “They will face the law for whatever they have done. No one will go scot-free, not even Imran Khan,” he added.


    The minister also clarified that the government has no plans to ban PTI.


    A Corps Commander Conference held in Rawalpindi on Monday, decided that the rioters who attacked military installations and buildings during the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, will be tried under the Army Act and Official Secret Act.

  • PDM be warned: allow Army Act trials and some day military laws might be used against you too

    PDM be warned: allow Army Act trials and some day military laws might be used against you too

    A Special Corps Commander Conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) and presided by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has decided that the planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators of the attacks on military installations and buildings during the protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters will be tried under relevant Pakistani laws, including the Army Act and Official Secret Act. The statement released by the ISPR after the Corps Commanders meeting is not just unprecedented but is being seen as a violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.


    In a statement, Aurat March Lahore said: “Use of military laws and courts to try civilians, the complete absence of due process, transparency and accountability flies in the face of the pretence of democracy under the current PDM regime… State institutions and monuments are not more important than people’s fundamental rights and lives. Respect must be earned through actions, not through the force of draconian laws.”


    It must be noted that if convicted under the Army Act, a person can be sentenced to life imprisonment or be handed a death sentence. Pakistan is going through one of its worst crises ever with the entire system tethering on the brink of collapse. From the military establishment to the judicial establishment, all institutions have lost their credibility. It is high time that political parties and parliament take charge of the situation and make sure that the law is followed instead of going down the path of military trials which offer no transparency.

    A word of caution: if the PDM government go down this path and allows civilian rioters to be tried under military laws, the same will one day be applied to their leadership, their supporters and workers. We have seen history repeat itself too many times to not learn a lesson. Democracy is not about punishing your opponents; it is about ensuring that no one is targeted unjustly for their political views. Rioters, when identified, should be prosecuted as per the law of the land in courts, not military courts. If PTI justified arbitrary arrests, detentions and draconian punishments, PDM should refrain from doing so. Politics isn’t about personal enmity.