Current Final

Tag: PTI

  • US refuses to comment on Imran Khan’s terrorism charges

    The United States (US) refused to comment on the terrorism case registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

    “This is a matter for the Pakistani legal and judicial system”, said US State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

    “It is not directly a matter for the US and that’s because we don’t have a position on one political candidate or party versus any other political candidate or party.”

    Ned Price added that the US supports the “peaceful upholding of democratic, constitutional, and legal principles in Pakistan and around the world”.

    Read more: Rejected: White House says they have nothing to do with Khan’s allegation of a US-backed ‘foreign conspiracy’

    Imran Khan was booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) after he threatened Additional District and Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and senior officers of the Islamabad Police. However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted transit bail to Khan till August 25.

    The IHC also issued a show-cause notice to the PTI chairman today (August 23) and summoned him on August 31 in a contempt of court case.

  • ‘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.

  • ’We never tried to oppress the media’: Imran Khan

    ’We never tried to oppress the media’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in his interview with The Guardian spoke at length about media freedom during his time as prime minister, forced disappearance in Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

    ‘We never tried to oppress the media’: Khan

    “In my time, we never tried to oppress the media. The only problem was that sometimes the … security agencies — three or four times we found out that picked someone up and immediately when we found out we would immediately have them released,” said Khan.

    They [security people] were responsible for picking up people: Khan

    “They [security forces] were responsible for picking up people, but according to them they were involved in this insurgency, which was going on in Balochistan and the tribal area bordering Afghanistan. So they would blame that, with some justification, because you could not convict terrorists in the courts because you wouldn’t get witnesses,” said Khan while speaking about forced disappearances and missing persons.

    Eventually Afghan women, the Afghan people, will assert their rights: Imran Khan

    “Eventually Afghan women, the Afghan people, will assert their rights. They are strong people,” he said. “But if you push the Taliban from the outside, knowing their mindset, they will just put up defences. They just hate outside interference,” said Khan about Afghanistan.

  • ‘I’m in trouble’: Gill requests journalists not to take revenge for his past statements

    ‘I’m in trouble’: Gill requests journalists not to take revenge for his past statements

    An Islamabad district and sessions court on Friday (August 19) directed the Islamabad Police to shift Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shahbaz Gill to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for another medical examination and submit a report on the condition of his health.

    “Shahbaz Gill’s condition is not fine,” the court remarked.

    The court issued the directives as it suspended a plea by police seeking the physical custody of Gill for another eight days.

    Gill was presented before the court early morning. He was escorted by the police to court in a wheelchair from PIMS hospital after being deemed “fit” by a medical board.

    ‘For God’s sake, give me my mask back’: Gill

    Shahbaz Gill accused the police of taking his oxygen mask off and said he was unable to breathe when he was shifted out of the ambulance.

    During the hearing, Gill appealed to the court for his mask to be given back.

    “For God’s sake, give me back my mask,” he said.

    At this, the judge asked him if he intends to stay, to which Gill said he will if his mask is provided to him.

    Later, an oxygen cylinder was also brought to court for Gill.

    ‘Don’t take revenge, I’m in trouble right now’: Gill requests journalists

    Siddique Jan shared Gill’s message on Twitter.

    “Shahbaz Gil sahib has told me to tell all journalists not to take revenge from him for the harsh language he had used against them in the past. He said he is in trouble right now.”

    Gill is pretending to be ill and using this as an excuse: Islamabad Police

    The Islamabad Police said Gill is pretending to be sick and using this as “an excuse”, adding that the medical board had declared him “completely fit”.

  • ‘Not liable to answer or provide information to you,’ Khan tells FIA

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday (August 17) asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take back the notice sent to him in the prohibited funding case in two days, further stating that he would take legal action against the organisation.

    “Neither am I liable to answer to you nor is it liable on me to provide information to you. If notice is not taken back in two days, then I will take legal action against you,” said Khan to FIA.

    “ECP [Election Commission of Pakistan] did not give a decision but issued a report. ECP cannot order FIA or any other organisation based on this report,” said the PTI chief. He added that the FIA does not have the authority to act under the Political Parties Order 2002.

    “The notice issued is also contrary to the FIA Act. Supreme Court has declared the ECP as an administrative institution in several decisions,” said Khan, adding that the ECP is neither a court nor a tribunal.

    FIA sought records from Khan regarding the total funds provided to PTI by national and international companies, and business firms.

  • ‘Fragile state of mental & physical health’: PTI reacts to Gill’s physical remand order

    ‘Fragile state of mental & physical health’: PTI reacts to Gill’s physical remand order

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has strongly reacted to Islamabad district and sessions court’s decision of approving a two-day physical remand of PTI leader Dr Shahbaz Gill. The court was hearing a review plea seeking Gill’s remand in a sedition case.

    Fragile state of mental & physical health because of the torture: Imran Khan

    “He is in a fragile state of mental & physical health because of the torture inflicted on him when he was abducted & taken to undisclosed location & then again at the police station,” tweeted PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

    He said that Gill’s remand is a “part of the conspiracy to target me and PTI by forcibly getting false statements against us similar to what they have been doing against social media activists”.

    Handed to police for torture: Fawad

    PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised the order and said that “judges sending political workers in remand for torture while knowing everything are criminals”.

    “Gill is being sent into police custody for torture instead of interrogation,” said Fawad.

    Fawad said that there is no parallel to the way human rights are being “utterly destroyed” in Pakistan.

    He refused to give a false statement against Imran Khan: Asad Umar

    PTI Secretary General Asad Umar said that the reason behind the insistence on the physical remand of Gill is “more torture”.

    “[I] met Shahbaz Gill in Adiala, [his] spirits are high. Despite the worst torture meted out to him in Islamabad, [Gill] refused to make a false statement against Imran Khan,” tweeted Umar.

    Addressing a press conference, Umar said, “They [coalition government] forcefully want to get a statement by torturing Gill and we want to bring it on the record.”

    “The government leaders should be investigated and questioned too,” he demanded.

    “The police were provided Gill’s physical remand so they could get a statement from him. They are abusing him,” Umar reiterated.

    ‘Laws should be equal for everyone’: Faisal Javed

    Senator Faisal Javed Khan said that the authorities may take action against Gill as he “made a huge mistake”.

    However, he further said that the laws “should be equal for everyone”.

    “We condemn the treatment meted out to Gill and this House should also condemn it,” Javed said in a speech in the Senate.

    Shahbaz Gill was taken into custody on August 9 from Bani Gala Chowk for inciting the public against state institutions.

    Read more: Shahbaz Gill behind bars: Islamabad court approves two-day physical remand, again

    Last Friday (August 12), a district and sessions court in Islamabad hearing a sedition case against Shahbaz Gill rejected the prosecution’s request to extend Gill’s physical remand. Instead, the court had sent him to jail on judicial remand. A plea was then filed by Islamabad Advocate General Jahangir Khan Jadoon in the Islamabad High Court on August 13 challenging the order.

  • Imran Khan’s close aides’ names placed on no-fly list

    The federal government placed the names of two of former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s close aides — Mirza Shahzad Akbar and Ziaul Mustafa Naseem — on the no-fly list pertaining to a private housing scheme at the request of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

    According to media reports, the cabinet removed the 22 names from the Exit Control List (ECL) and added the names of 10 people to it.

    Both Akbar and Naseem are presently in the United Kingdom (UK). According to Dawn, as per practice, if a person whose name is placed on ECL is abroad, he is arrested on his return and handed over to the relevant law-enforcement agency.

    Akbar has served as an adviser on interior and accountability to former PM Khan. He left for Dubai on April 17, from where he flew to London five days later, five days after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended FIA orders placing his name on the stop list.

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah accused Akbar and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi of accepting Rs5 billion and hundreds of kanals from a housing developer in return for “providing protection” to the real estate firm in the same case during their term.

    Earlier this month, the coalition government reportedly decided to put the names of Khan and other PTI leaders on the no-fly list to prevent them from leaving the country.

  • ‘He was stripped naked’: Imran Khan reveals Shahbaz Gill was tortured in custody

    ‘He was stripped naked’: Imran Khan reveals Shahbaz Gill was tortured in custody

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has revealed that his chief of staff Shahbaz Gill was stripped naked and beaten up in custody.

    Gill was arrested for inciting the public against the state institutions.

    ‘He should not have said that,’ Khan on Gill’s remarks

    “Yes, he should not have said what he did. It seems like he is inciting rebellion in the armed forces. It was wrong. We want to see a strong military,” said Khan when asked if he condemns Gill’s remarks.

    “Gill was beaten and asked how many times did General Faiz meet Imran Khan and what does Imran Khan eat,” revealed Khan.


    ‘I am a professor, not a criminal’: Shahbaz Gill

    On August 12, Gill told a court in Islamabad that he is being subjected to extreme torture in custody. He added that he is not permitted to sleep and not even allowed to meet his lawyers. He alleged that no medical examination was conducted as claimed by the authorities. The Islamabad Police had earlier claimed that Gill underwent medical examination at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and the medical report revealed that he was not tortured.

    Shahbaz Gill was taken into custody on August 9 from Bani Gala Chowk for inciting the public against state institutions.

    Read more- ’Aqal hai tumhaaray mein,’ CM Punjab Pervaiz Elahi to Shahbaz Gill


    ‘PTI stands with Gill’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Fawad Chaudhry said recently the party is standing with Gill, adding that PTI chief Imran Khan had also raised the issue during Saturday’s rally in Lahore.

    He went on to say that the current government had also used indiscriminate force against children, women and unarmed citizens. “The same is happening with Shahbaz Gill.”

    “This is the policy of Rana Sanaullah which is being practiced in the country,” he added.

    He further claimed that the government wants to recover Gill’s mobile phone and wants custody of him so that they can torture him again. He went on to say that Gill made the controversial comments on Muharram 10 when mobile phone services were suspended.

    “The phone call was made via landline and you have that number. The statement was broadcast live on ARY News and you have that too,” he said.

    He went on to say that the current government had also used indiscriminate force against children, women and unarmed citizens. “The same is happening with Shahbaz Gill.”

    “This is the policy of Rana Sanaullah which is being practiced in the country,” he added.

    He further claimed that the government wants to recover Gill’s mobile phone and wants custody of him so that they can torture him again. He went on to say that Gill made the controversial comments on Muharram 10 when mobile phone services were suspended.

    “The phone call was made via landline and you have that number. The statement was broadcast live on ARY News and you have that too,” he said.

    High court adjourned hearing over his physical remand extension

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a notice to senior PTI leader Shahbaz Gill and adjourned the hearing on the matter of an extension in Gill’s physical remand today (August 15).

    The court adjourned the hearing after seeking a reply from Gill by tomorrow (Tuesday, August 16).

    On August 13, a judicial magistrate rejected the police’s request to extend Gill’s physical remand and sent him to jail on judicial remand. The same day, the prosecution filed an appeal in a sessions court, which was also dismissed. Subsequently, the government filed a petition in the IHC for Gill’s physical custody, arguing that the ongoing investigation against him and collection of evidence could not be completed without it.

    While hearing arguments from the prosecution today, Acting IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq questioned why authorities are seeking PTI leader Shahbaz Gill’s physical custody.

    “You are saying that an extension in the suspect’s physical remand is necessary? What will you do after getting the extension?” Justice Farooq questioned.

    The prosecution maintained that the ongoing investigation against Gill and the collection of evidence cannot be completed without an extension of his remand in police custody.

    Islamabad Advocate General Jadoon informed the judge of the lower courts’ decisions regarding the PTI leader’s physical remand. He added that the government had taken “serious notice” of Gill’s comments on television that “targeted the country’s institutions” and registered a case against him.

    Court seeks Shahbaz Gill’s bail plea matter

    Shahbaz Gill filed a petition before an Islamabad district and sessions judge seeking post-arrest bail on Sunday, August 14, in the sedition case against him.

    On Monday, the court sought arguments on the bail plea. Gill’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry requested the court to issue a verdict on the plea, maintaining that his arguments are ready.

    At this, the judge responded that a similar case is under trial in the IHC as well. Faisal answered that the matter under trial in the IHC is related to the order of the judicial magistrate and, therefore, this court can hear the case regardless of the case in the high court.

    During the hearing, Gill’s lawyer stated, “It is a declared law that no one can be kept in jail for a single minute without reason.”

    At this, the court directed the investigation officer to appear in court with records at 11am. It also ordered the lawyer to submit a power of attorney on Gill’s behalf, and sought arguments from the parties upon resumption of the hearing at 11am.

    However, the hearing was further adjourned till 2pm. Meanwhile, the prosecution has requested the court to keep the case adjourned.

  • Superstar Fahad Mustafa honoured with Superintendent of Police (SP) title this Independence Day

    Superstar Fahad Mustafa honoured with Superintendent of Police (SP) title this Independence Day

    Actor Fahad Mustafa won unanimous acclaim for his portrayal of Inspector Gulab in the hit film Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad . Hence on Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, the actor’s performance and the beloved character have forever been commemorated with an honorable title.

    On the 14th of August, IG Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon honored Mustafa with the title of Honorary Superintendent of Police (SP) at the CCPO office, Karachi.

    Fahad Mustafa awarded honorary police rank, shares special moment

    The Kankar star was recognized for his efforts in unveiling the societal evils of corruption through his film and eventually promoting a positive image of the police force amongst the masses. Fahad also had a discussion with IG Memon over the direction the local police force is headed and shared suggestions for the best outcome.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvbWy3x3Xcw&t=49s

    Directed by Nabeel Qureshi and also starring Mahira Khan, the film focuses on the plague of bribery and how everyone partaking in social evils needs to remember the virtues and the high hopes of the esteemed founder of the country.

    In an Instagram post, the Load Wedding hero also shared a statement about this momentous occasion. “Today, I truly believe Gulab has achieved his biggest dreams. Many many thanks to IG Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon for honouring me with the title of Honorary SSP, this Independence Day, and for bringing Gulab’s ambitions to life. I will never get over the love and support you all have shown to this character and Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, and I hope to continue serving my nation proudly!” he said.

    Mahira Khan, Fahad Mustafa starrer 'Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad' gets a release date

    The commemoration ceremony was also attended by director Nabeel Qureshi, writer-producer Fizza Ali Meerza, Kumail Haider Shah Chairman LCA Sindh, CPLC Chief Zubair Habib along with DIG Headquarters Sindh, DIG Training Sindh, DIG Crime and Investigation Sindh and AIG Operations Sindh.

  • Imran Khan to set record for contesting on 9 NA seats

    Imran Khan to set record for contesting on 9 NA seats

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is set to create a record in the country’s history by contesting the by-elections from nine National Assembly (NA) constituencies.

    Imran Khan will run from Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Kurram, Faisalabad, Nankana, Malir, Korangi, and Karachi South constituencies, i.e. NA-22, NA-24, NA-31, NA-45, NA-108, NA-118, NA-237, NA-239, and NA-246.

    Khan will file his nomination papers today (Saturday) for the three constituencies from Karachi.

    Speaking at a press conference, PTI leader Ali Zaidi said, “The by-elections will once again prove the love of Karachi and its people for Imran Khan.”

    “The PTI will launch an aggressive election campaign and we are very much hopeful that Khan sahib would also visit Karachi very soon,” he added.

    These nine seats were declared vacant after NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf accepted the resignations of PTI MNAs.

    By-elections in nine constituencies will take place on September 25.

    Imran Khan to contest by-elections on 9 vacant NA seats

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan will be contesting by-elections on all nine National Assembly (NA) constituencies that had fallen vacant after NA Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf accepted 11 resignations of PTI members under Article 64(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan.

    The announcement that Khan will contest from all nine constituencies was made on PTI’s official Twitter account.

    During the 2018 general elections, the PTI chairman contested elections from five constituencies and won all of them.

    Election schedule for nine vacant National Assembly seats announced

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on August 5, announced that it will be holding by-elections in nine constituencies of the NA on September 25.

    According to the ECP notification, the elections are to be held in NA-22 Mardan -III, NA-24 Charsadda-II, NA-31 Peshawar-V, NA-45 Kurram-I, NA 108 Faisalabad- VIII, NA-118 Nanakana Sahib-II, NA-237 Malir-II, NA-239 Korangi Karachi-I, NA-246 Karachi South-I.

    After Imran Khan was ousted through a vote of no-confidence, 123 PTI lawmakers resigned en masse from the National Assembly.

    11 PTI MNAs whose resignations were accepted by Speaker NA
    • Ali Muhammad Khan (NA-22)
    • Faisal Muhammad Khan (NA-24)
    • Shaukat Ali (NA-31)
    • Fakhar Zaman Khan (NA-45)
    • Farrukh Habib (NA-108)
    • Ejaz Ahmad Shah (NA-118) )
    • Jameel Ahmad Khan (NA-237)
    • Mohammad Akram Cheema (NA-239)
    • Abdul Shakur Shaad (NA-246)
    • Dr Meher Ansa Shireen Mazari (Reserved Seat)
    • Shandana Gulzar Khan (Reserved Seat)