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Tag: PTI

  • President Alvi advises politicians not to discuss the army

    President Alvi advises politicians not to discuss the army

    President Arif Alvi on Friday, August 12, stressed against making the Pakistan Army “controversial”. He made these remarks in connection to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s comments about the establishment.

    “Time and again, I have been telling politicians not to bring the armed forces under discussion,” said the president, adding that it was the armed forces’ job to win the battle against terrorism; they should be respected.

    It is pertinent to mention here that Gill was arrested on August 9 for inciting the public against state institutions.

    The president, addressing all stakeholders of the country, said that the situation “was not ideal” and that it was crucial for politicians to sit at the talking table.

    “Politicians are not sitting together at the talking table; they have to unite. If I don’t see the situation getting better, I will ask them to sit at the table. As the president, I can only ask, not order,” Alvi noted.

  • Wife of Gill’s driver granted bail

    Wife of Gill’s driver granted bail

    A judicial magistrate in Islamabad on Friday granted bail to Gill’s driver Izhar’s wife, Mehreen, who had been arrested under charges of rioting, assaulting a police party and theft during a raid on the house she was staying in.

    Speaking on Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on Thursday, PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the police was wrong to a arrest a woman. “Rana Sanaullah should take notice of the incident and dispose of the issue by arranging a bail for the woman.”

    PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that she has spoken to Rana Sanaullah that the woman should be released.

    She tweeted: “She should also be released. I have spoken to Rana Sahab. No one should be abused — not even our abusers.”

    Wife of Shahbaz Gill’s driver arrested, Khan condemns ‘fascist illegal abductions’

    The Islamabad Police on Thursday raided the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shahbaz Gill’s driver, Izhar, to recover Gill’s mobile phone. A sedition case was filed against Gill.

    During Gill’s interrogation, he revealed that he had given his mobile phone to his driver/assistant, Izhar. His mobile phone has material related to the case against him

    Read More: Shahbaz Gill behind bars: CCTV footage contradicts claims of torture

    A first information report (FIR) has been filed against Izhar. He was with Gill at the time of his arrest and claimed he had been subjected to violence during Gill’s arrest. The FIR said Gill told the police that Izhar still had his mobile.

    What’s in the FIR?

    “The man identified himself as Izharullah while the woman identified herself as his wife, Mehreen,” reports Dawn.

    The FIR said both Izhar and his wife created a lot of fuss after seeing the police party and called five to six more people from inside the house.

    “All of them attacked the police party, put up resistance, began creating a hue and cry, and threatened the police party. As a result, more people gathered at the scene,” says the FIR.

    According to the FIR, while the suspects were putting up resistance, some of the suspects tore the shirt of a constable, Sajjad Shahid. They also tore buttons off his shirt and snatched his mobile phone and wallet, which contained his ATM card, service card, and Rs15,000 cash.

    Audio of Gill’s driver:

    In an audio clip posted on PTI’s official Twitter account, a man who identified himself as Gill’s assistant said: “The police have raided my house, harassed my wife and family members, and taken away our mobile phones.”

    “They are repeatedly asking me to bring Shahbaz Gill’s belongings. I don’t have anything,” he said.

    Fascist illegal abductions in shadows of late night: Imran Khan

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan “strongly” condemned the arrests, describing them as “fascist illegal abductions in shadows of late night”.

    Raid and arrests were legal: Islamabad Police

    Islamabad police said in a statement on Twitter that the raid and arrests were “legal”.

    “Wherever legal action is needed, the police will do their job.”

    Read More: Shahbaz Gill behind bars: Court approves two-day physical remand

    Gill, who is PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s chief of staff, was taken into custody on August 9 from Bani Gala Chowk for inciting the public against state institutions.

  • ‘I am a professor, not a criminal,’ Shahbaz Gill says he is being subjected to extreme torture

    ‘I am a professor, not a criminal,’ Shahbaz Gill says he is being subjected to extreme torture

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill told a court in Islamabad today (Friday, August 12) that he is being subjected to extreme torture in custody.

    “I am a professor, not a criminal.” Gill said 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.

    A district and sessions court in Islamabad hearing a sedition case against Gill on Friday (August 12) rejected the prosecution’s request to extend Gill’s physical remand. Instead, the court sent him to jail on judicial remand.

    Gill was presented in a court earlier today after the completion of two-day physical remand. On August 10, a court approved a two-day physical remand of Dr Shahbaz Gill in a sedition case.

    Read more – Islamabad court sends Gill to jail on judicial remand

    Strongly condemn the torture being inflicted on Shahbaz Gill: Imran Khan

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan said he strongly condemns the torture being inflicted on Shahbaz Gill.

    “Under what law & under who’s orders is this being done? If he broke any law then he shd be given a fair hearing.”

    Imran Khan added: “A climate of fear is being spread to make ppl kowtow before cabal of crooks.”

  • ’Aqal hai tumhaaray mein,’ CM Punjab Pervaiz Elahi to Shahbaz Gill

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

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi commented on the recent arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s chief of staff Shahbaz Gill in a sedition case.

    Talking on Geo News’ programme ‘Geo Pakistan’, Elahi said, “I have given a statement against him [Shahbaz],” adding that these are honourable institutions.

    “The Pakistan army protects the border of our country, Aqal hai tumhaaray mein (Are you in your senses?).”

    When asked if PTI should distance itself from Shahbaz Gill’s statement, Elahi said, “Definitely yes.”

    He further said Khan himself says that “a person who speaks against the army is not a Pakistani”.

    PTI leaders reactions

    Commenting on Gill’s arrest, Imran Khan termed it an ‘abduction’. He said, “Shahbaz Gill was arrested without any arrest warrant. His driver was tortured and his vehicle was damaged. He should have been given a chance to defend himself.”

    About the rumours about his arrest, Khan said that his arrest is a small thing, he can “sacrifice” his life for haqeeqi azadi.

    “If someone breaks the law, then there must be an action. Has any show-cause notice been issued to ARY News or given any reason for its suspension? The channel’s transmission was suspended without giving any chance to give a clarification. This is not acceptable in a democratic society. Democracy does not allow someone to take a decision solely and close the channel.”

    While Speaking on ARY News, PTI leader Asad Umar said Gill’s words have been misinterpreted.

    He further claimed that personally, he has “never heard Gill giving anti-army statements”.

    Meanwhile, PTI leader Murad Saeed lashed out at the government after the arrest of his fellow party member. He claimed that this is all the government’s propaganda against PTI as they themselves talk against the army and then link it to PTI.

    He further said that the government registers fake FIRs.

    The PTI leader said that “handlers and facilitators” can’t compete with the public as they come out on roads whenever Khan asked them to.

    “Imran Khan is our redline, don’t cross it, or else you will suffer the consequences.”

    ‘Script was prepared under the supervision of Imran Khan’: Rana Sanuallah

    Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, August 9, Interior Minister Rana Snaullah said, “The comments were according to the script prepared under the supervision of PTI Chairman Imran Khan which was carried forward by Fawad Chaudhry and Shahbaz Gill.”

    Sanaullah went on to say that “hateful and seditious” remarks made by Gill were in line with the conspiracy in which a private news channel was also involved.

    “Inquiry will be held regarding who are the people behind Gill and the private channel as no further investigation is needed on Gill’s statement,” he added.

    The interior minister further alleged that the incident proves that the PTI was responsible for running a negative social media campaign on the tragic incident of an army helicopter crash in Balochistan.

  • PTI moves August 13 rally to Lahore from Islamabad

    PTI moves August 13 rally to Lahore from Islamabad

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to move the venue of its August 13 public rally to Lahore from Islamabad.

    The rally will be held at Lahore Hockey Ground on the night of August 13. PTI’s focal person Azhar Mashwani said, “PTI and the proud Pakistanis of Lahore will celebrate the 75th Independence Day in a grand manner at Hockey Stadium Lahore,” adding that Imran Khan will specially attend and address the occasion.

    PTI leader Omar Ayub stated the PTI had been given permission for the rally at Islamabad’s Parade Ground. “But at the last moment, we found out that the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) wanted to hold a protest there and it could have created problems.”

    “Hence, we came to the conclusion that Lahore is the best location for the rally,” he added.

    The development came after Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned the PTI leadership that they will not be allowed to create chaos and that only a peaceful rally in Islamabad will be allowed.

    He said that PTI will be allowed to stage a peaceful rally, otherwise it will face treatment far worse than May 25.

    On Monday, it was reported that TLP is set to gather at Faizabad on August 13 the same day as PTI was holding its public rally.

    PTI plans to stay overnight at Parade Ground on Independence Day

    Earlier, PTI said that the party would stay overnight at Islamabad’s Parade Ground between August 13 and 14.

    The decision was made by PTI political committee that the public gathering will be held at Parade Ground on August 13.

    Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the PTI workers would gather at the Parade Ground in the evening on Saturday (August 13) for the rally and will stay there until August 14 to commemorate Independence Day.

    Taking to his Twitter handle, Chaudhry said that the “imported government” is running away from elections but the people will not let them run away.
    

    “On August 13, the entire nation will gather at Parade Ground in support of Imran Khan to hear the future roadmap,” he wrote, urging the party supporters to gear up for the final level. “It is either election or revolution.”

    The public gathering was reportedly being held to pressurise the government into announcing fresh elections in the country.

    Last week, PTI staged a protest at Islamabad’s F9 Park against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.

  • ‘Your value is not more than an SHO of Kohsar police station’: Fawad Chaudhry lashes out at Rana Sanaullah

    ‘Your value is not more than an SHO of Kohsar police station’: Fawad Chaudhry lashes out at Rana Sanaullah

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on August 7 said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) announcement to hold public gatherings across the country was a mere “political stunt”, adding that PTI Chairman Imran Khan was trying to divert attention from his theft.

    The interior minister said that the PTI is allowed to stage a public gathering at the Parade Ground.

    “Whoever will not cooperate with the FIA relating to an inquiry into the prohibited funding case [against PTI] will be arrested,” warned the interior minister.

    Reacting to Sanaullah’s statement, former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry advised the interior minister to be careful while giving remarks about PTI’s leadership.

    “Your value is not more than an SHO of the Kohsar Police Station,” Chaudhry told Sanaullah as the ruling PML-N has no government in any province of the country.

    On Saturday, the PTI’s political committee decided to hold a power show in Islamabad on August 13.

  • UK agencies start investigation against Pakistani charities for misuse of funds

    The United Kingdom (UK) National Charity Commission (NCC) and National Crime Agency (NCA) have launched an investigation into the misuse of funds by Pakistani charity organisations for political purposes, Naeem Hanif reports for Samaa News.

    The investigation is being done to find out whether these charity organisations misused charity for political purposes in Pakistan or not.

    Both agencies launched the investigation after receiving several complaints. It is being reported that complainants also provided evidence to both agencies.

    The evidence includes the verdict of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in foreign funding case, a report by the Financial Times that revealed the party’s foreign funding sources, and details of its bank accounts.

    Last week, the top electoral body ruled that the former ruling party did indeed receive prohibited funding

    and issued a show-cause notice to the party.

    The ECP said that the party, in violation of the Constitution, had received funds from 34 foreign entities. The party received funds from the United States, Australia, and the UAE. The ECP added that 13 unidentified accounts also surfaced during the probe in the PTI funding case.

  • Dynastic politics: PTI slammed for giving ticket to Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter

    Dynastic politics: PTI slammed for giving ticket to Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice President Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter Meher Bano Qureshi is contesting the upcoming by-polls for a National Assembly (NA) seat vacated by her brother Zain Qureshi.

    She will contest the election from NA-157, Multan. Addressing a press conference, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that they had filed nomination papers after the approval of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

    “Meher Bano has a sense of the next generation. If we want to get our country out of this difficult situation, then mothers and daughters have to play a role because a mother has more sense of what will be the future of her child.”

    Meher Bano said that she has been working with the social media team of PTI since 2018.

    “My father has chosen me to keep Imran Khan’s narrative alive, contrary to tradition.”

    However, in Multan, PTI workers came to protest against their own party’s candidate, Meher Bano Qureshi, outside the Election Commission office and raised slogans of disapproval for dynastic politics. They argued that Mahmood couldn’t find anyone within the party for the candidacy.

    “First Mahmood gave a party ticket to his son, now her to his daughter,” they complained.

    A local PTI member, Engineer Waseem, who was also a part of the protest, said that if the party does not give him a ticket, then he would contest the election as an independent candidate.

    People on social media are expressing their disappointment over PTI continuing with the tradition of dynastic politics.

    https://twitter.com/Zara75520916/status/1555522618228445184?s=20&t=nDRe3scpPcj4cUJJzB3taA
    https://twitter.com/__Mugal/status/1555581107739004929?s=20&t=nDRe3scpPcj4cUJJzB3taA

    Reacting to the backlash, Meher Bano tweeted: “I have come across so many spreading fake news, doctored images and posters and attributing false statements to me. I wonder if it would have been different had I been a man. Anyhow, happy to work hard and prove myself.”

    Shah Mahmood’s son Zain Qureshi won PP-217 in the Punjab by-polls held on July 17. After becoming a member of the Punjab Assembly, he vacated his NA seat. His sister will now contest the election for the NA seat vacated by him.

    PTI Chairman Imran Khan himself has condemned and attacked the Pakistan Muslim-League (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for dynastic politics on multiple occasions.

  • ‘Imran Khan ko ibrat ki alaamat bana dena chaahiye’: Maulana Fazl

    ‘Imran Khan ko ibrat ki alaamat bana dena chaahiye’: Maulana Fazl

    “Imran Khan should be made an example of,” demanded Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday.

    “A reference should be filed against Imran Khan as he is no more Sadiq and Amin,” the PDM leader said.

    “Whether it is Imran Khan or Dr Arif Alvi, [they] should immediately resign from the party because they have proven to be criminals,” said Maulana Fazl, adding that “all the political parties had decided to initiate action” against Imran Khan and his party as they were now “proven criminals”.

    “Whether it is Imran Khan or Dr Arif Alvi, [they] should immediately resign from the party because they have proven to be criminals,” said Maulana Fazl, adding that “all the political parties had decided to initiate action” against Imran Khan and his party as they were now “proven criminals”.

    “But today, we have reached the stage where it is now clear that he was backed by a foreign agenda and tried to harm Pakistan,” said the PDM chief.

    “Imran was a foreign puppet who was brought into politics as [part of] a foreign agenda. He took help from Israel and India […] today all these facts have been unearthed. His fundraisers had links to Israel, India, Denmark, Canada, Finland, and many other countries,” alleged Maulana Fazl.

    ‘Biggest theft in history’: Nawaz Sharif calls out Khan after ECP verdict

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif said that the biggest theft in the country’s history has been committed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Imran Khan.

    Sharif made these comments in London after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced its verdict in the PTI foreign funding case on August 2.

    ECP said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan submitted a false Nomination Form I. The PTI chairman kept accounts hidden, which the ECP said is a violation of the Constitution, and the affidavit provided regarding party accounts was also false.

    The commission noted that “the party knowingly and willfully received funding from Wootton Cricket Limited, operated by business tycoon Arif Naqvi. The party was a willing recipient of prohibited money of $2,121,500”.

    “Khan claims he is an honest leader but the ECP verdict has exposed his lies,” said Nawaz.

    Nawaz urged the coalition government to “take immediate legal action” against PTI and eliminate the ‘fitna’ of Imran Khan forever. He added that Imran Khan should be punished as soon as possible.

    “Khan knew that he had committed the biggest money laundering [in the country’s history]. This is the reason he kept demanding the chief election commissioner’s resignation,” said Nawaz.

    Read more – British journalist Simon Clark says he has evidence to back his claims on PTI foreign funding

    Sharif claimed that Khan was working on a foreign agenda.

    Former CJP Mian Saqib Nisar should be punished

    Talking about the former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, who conferred the titles of Sadiq and Ameen upon Imran Khan, Nawaz said that the judge should also be punished. It is pertinent to mention that Saqib Nisar disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding public office for life.

    “A time will come when Nisar will have to answer these questions,” said Nawaz.

    He also demanded an answer from former CJP Asif Saeed Khosa and alleged that he invited Khan to present his grievances before the court rather than protesting on the streets.

  • ECP verdict: Govt decides to place Imran and other PTI leaders on no-fly list

    ECP verdict: Govt decides to place Imran and other PTI leaders on no-fly list

    After the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) verdict was announced yesterday in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) foreign funding case, the coalition government has reportedly decided to put the names of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and other PTI leaders on the no-fly list to prevent them from leaving the country. The government has also decided to move the Supreme Court (SC) to hear the reference it is going to file in the wake of the ECP verdict.

    The government will put the names of former premier Imran Khan, ex-governors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh and former chairman of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) Zulqarnain Ali Khan on the no-fly list, reports The Express Tribune.

    The government will also request Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to constitute a full court to hear the case, which is yet to be filed, reports Geo News.

    All the government allies were unanimously on board for taking strict legal action in light of the ECP’s verdict.

    PTI to move IHC

    “The PTI will file two different petitions — one contempt of court petition against ECP for violating the Supreme Court and high court’s decisions for not giving verdict against PPP and PML-N together with PTI, whereas the second petition would be filed against the ECP’s decision for having too many loopholes in the verdict,” announced Asad Umar yesterday.

    “People trust Imran Khan and that’s why they sent their money to him when he started the fundraising events. If you block political donations, the only other way is that of powerful people,” he added.

    Just after the decision was announced, PTI leader Fa­­wad Chaudhry said that most of the money was donated by overseas Pakistanis.

    He said that he could not understand why the PML-N, JUI-F and PPP declared overseas Pakistanis as an “enemy”.

    “We consider overseas Pakistanis to be the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and will continue to rely on them for our funding,” said Fawad. About the certificates that were submitted to the ECP by Khan, Fawad said that these certificates were made by the auditors and Khan had just signed them so the responsibility cannot be put on Imran.

    The former premier had personally issued certificates to the ECP in regards to Article 13(2) of the PPO to the effect that PTI “does not receive funds from prohibited sources”, meaning thereby that the PTI is not a foreign-aided political party.

    On Tuesday, the ECP said that PTI received ‘prohibited funds’ from 34 foreign nationals. The PTI was issued a show-cause notice after the unanimous verdict by a three-member bench of the ECP headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.