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Tag: PTI

  • ‘Remorse and embarrassment’: Ahsan Iqbal says family who harassed him apologised

    ‘Remorse and embarrassment’: Ahsan Iqbal says family who harassed him apologised

    Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said on Sunday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, who harassed and chanted slogans at him at a restaurant earlier this week, had come to meet him and apologised for their actions.

    Taking to Twitter, Iqbal said, “The family involved in the incident came to Narowal and apologised for their actions in the meeting, expressed remorse and embarrassment.”

    “We are all Pakistanis and have a right to disagree with each other but that should not turn into hatred and one must maintain mutual respect,” said Iqbal.

    A day earlier, Iqbal said that the incident highlighted the culture PTI Chairman Imran Khan was teaching his followers.

    The planning minister said the “disease of extremism and hatred” in society was affecting Pakistan like “cancer”.

    Read More: Video: Ahsan Iqbal harassed by PTI supporters in restaurant

    Addressing PTI supporters, he urged them to carefully consider if their leader was as sincere to them as they were to him. “Imran has a track record of using people and throwing them away like tissue paper,” he claimed.

    “Since over a decade, Khan has been running his ‘chor’ campaign, however, he could not even prove a single allegation during the four years he was in power,” he said, adding that it is the responsibility of a politician to train their workers; however, Khan has failed to do so.

    “I think Khan needs a psychologist,” he asserted.

  • Video: Ahsan Iqbal harassed by PTI supporters in restaurant

    Video: Ahsan Iqbal harassed by PTI supporters in restaurant

    Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal was harassed by a group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters on Friday when he went to a restaurant.

    Video of the incident took social media by storm where a pro-PTI family could be seen hurling ‘chor chor’ at Iqbal.

    https://twitter.com/waqasakhter077/status/1545479722112524289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1545479722112524289%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geo.tv%2Flatest%2F426815-ahsan-iqbal-heckled-in-restaurant-by-pti-supporters

    Taking to Twitter, Iqbal wrote: “Today, a family — who apparently considered themselves elites and supported PTI — clashed with me.”

    “Instead of holding a dialogue with me they started chanting slogans,” he wrote, adding that other people present at the restaurant also started chanting slogans against the PTI.

    Criticising the PTI Chairman Imran Khan for instilling hatred, Iqbal wrote: “Just like their ignorant leader, his supporters are following suit.”

    Responding to the video, PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry negated Iqbal’s claims that other people present at the restaurant chanted slogans against the PTI.

    “Sir, in this video, only your disrespect could be seen. Stop lying,” he wrote on Twitter, advising Iqbal to “go in public wearing a burqa”.

    Twitterati reacted to the incident and called out the pro-PTI family’s behaviour.

  • PM Shehbaz, Imran Khan wish Hajj Mubarak to Muslims across the globe

    PM Shehbaz, Imran Khan wish Hajj Mubarak to Muslims across the globe

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the ones who have received the blessings of Hajj-e-Akbar.

    In a series of tweets, PM Shehbaz said this is a blessed occasion to pray for the prosperity of mankind and its deliverance from epidemics and diseases.

    He prayed for the freedom of occupied Palestine and Kashmir to save the oppressed people. He also urged the nation to offer special prayers for elevation in the ranks of martyrs.

    “May Allah Almighty bring Pakistan out of its debt situation with the blessings of Hajj-e-Akbar and grant us economic self-reliance,” he added.

    Similarly, former PM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan shared a picture and wished Hajj to the Muslims on his Instagram handle.

    He wrote, “Hajj Mubarak to Muslims across the globe!”

    There are several politicians who are performing Hajj this year, including seven members of PTI and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani is also performing Hajj this year.

    84,000 Pakistanis proceeded to the plains of Arafat today (Friday) to perform the Rukn-e-Azam of the Hajj known as “Waqoof-e-Arafat”.

  • ‘Ghalat keeya Afridi ne’: Fawad Chaudhry says case against Rana Sanaullah was baseless

    ‘Ghalat keeya Afridi ne’: Fawad Chaudhry says case against Rana Sanaullah was baseless

    Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Thursday that the drug case against sitting Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah was baseless and neither the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) nor Bani Gala had any role in lodging the cases against him.

    Speaking on Express News‘ programme, Chaudhry said that Shehryar Afridi ‘ne ghalat keeya’ [had done wrong] when he stated on oath that 15kg of heroin was recovered from Rana Sana’s car.

    “I said it when the case was brought to the cabinet by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) officer that it was baseless,” said Fawad.

    It is to be noted that Rana Sana was arrested in July 2019 under the previous government by the ANF that claimed to have recovered 15kg of heroin from his vehicle.

  • ‘Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega’: Imran Khan

    ‘Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega’: Imran Khan

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Tuesday that he knows the names of those who were involved in the conspiracy to oust his government but said he is quiet for the sake of the country as he doesn’t want to harm Pakistan.

    Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Khan claimed that he has recorded a video that involves information about those who have committed “treason”. He said, “Mai ne video banaayi hui hai, agar mujhe kuch hua toh public ko sab pata chal jayega“, (I have recorded a video. If something happens to me, it will be made public). He added that if “they keep sidelining and harassing us, I will tell everything”.

    About the cases registered against Khan and his party members, he said this is being done to “shut them up”.

    “I have never seen such fascism in Pakistan, such a situation is leading Pakistan towards anarchy,” he said. Khan further added that the government can control the media but not social media. “Everyone has a voice now.”

    Khan also condemned the recent incidents of attacks on journalists. He posed a question, ” I ask the judiciary, has martial law been imposed? I ask them whether human rights have been suspended in the country?” Khan said that terrorism cases have been registered against them to keep them quiet.

    Criticising the incumbent government, the PTI Chairman said, “They will accept Israel as a state, will provide Pakistan’s bases to the United States, and will discard the Kashmiri people to establish better relations with India.”

    Moreover, Khan urged the public to come out to vote on July 17 in the Punjab by-elections. “PTI has to win the by-elections despite the election rigging,” adding that this is “jihad ” for the country.

    Khan said that Pakistan can only be saved from this crisis through transparent elections while saying that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) cannot be trusted.

  • ‘Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala Fitna Khan ke mega projects hain’: Maryam on Khan

    ‘Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala Fitna Khan ke mega projects hain’: Maryam on Khan

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s politics will end after July 17 by-polls, while addressing an election rally in PP-156, Dharampura on July 3.

    “Punjab will never vote for Imran Khan again”

    Maryam addressing the rally said that Punjab will never vote for Imran Khan again. The people of Punjab understood Imran Khan now.

    “Fallen on his face without crutches”

    Maryam, speaking of Khan, said that he had fallen on his face without crutches. “Now he knows that people have found him out and will no longer vote so now he is calling out [for help] He calls out to neutrals at rallies but nobody pays any heed.”

    Maneka’s children have become billionaires in Imran Khan’s tenure”

    Alleging corruption, Maryam claimed that Khawar Maneka’s children have become rich while the nation has become poor. “They gave grief to the people of Pakistan and relief to their own family members.”

    Referring to the recent alleged audio tape leak of Bushra Bibi, Maryam said that Bushra Bibi instructed that everybody who questioned her corruption be called a “traitor”.

    “Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala Fitna Khan ke mega projects hain”

    Criticising the alleged corruption in Imran Khan’s tenure, Maryam said once again Imran Khan is after the province of Punjab. “Fitna Khan ke mega projects kya hain? Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni aur Money Gala. [What are the mega projects of Fitna Khan? (Imran Khan) Farah Gogi, Pinky Peerni and Money Gala.”

    “Farah Gogi swindled the entire province of Punjab and she’s a “bachi” [young girl]?”

    Talking about the recent allegedly leaked audio tape in which Bushra Bibi called Farah Gogi a “bachi”, Maryam questioned after all of Farah Gogi’s crimes in Punjab, why is she still considered a child?

  • ‘Made a mistake, want to fix matters’: Khawaja Asif says Khan wants to make amends with the US

    ‘Made a mistake, want to fix matters’: Khawaja Asif says Khan wants to make amends with the US

    The United States (US) State Department restated its claim that there is no truth to the allegations that Washington was involved in a conspiracy to oust the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

    The reiteration came on Sunday after media reports that PTI’s Secretary of the Office of International Chapters (OIC) Dr Abdullah Riar had contacted the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and asked him to forget the past and move forward.

    A US State Department spokesperson, when asked about Riar’s reported contact with Lu, said: “As a standard practice, we do not comment on private diplomatic meetings,” reports Dawn.

    Imran Khan’s claim of the US involvement in ousting him reiterated: “As we have said before, there is no truth to these allegations.”

    Khan wants to fix matters with America

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that there was evidence of a meeting of the PTI leader and an apology to the US government.

    Speaking on Geo News’ programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Khawaja Asif said: “We [the coalition government] have obtained all records regarding PTI’s apology to Lu. Evidence has been received regarding PTI leaders’ meeting with the US government where they tendered an apology.”

    Asif said that Imran Khan has sent a message to America that we have made a mistake, he wants to fix matters with America and the process should start from where it was broken.

    ‘Let’s move on’: Is PTI trying to be friends with Donald Lu?

    Reports suggest that Dr Abdullah Riar sent a message to Donald Lu.

    According to media reports, Riar in a message to Lu has said, “Let’s move on.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that Lu is the same person who has been accused by the PTI Chairperson Imran Khan of being behind the conspiracy to remove him from power. Khan accused Lu of using undiplomatic language to threaten his government in the wake of the no-confidence motion.

    Khan in his interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson said that Lu should be sacked for his sheer arrogance.

    The PTI chairman said that the US diplomat told Pakistan’s ambassador that unless “you get Imran Khan removed in a vote of no-confidence — which was not tabled but he seemed to know about it — Pakistan will suffer consequences”.

    “And then goes on to say, of course, if you get rid of him through the vote of no-confidence, all will be forgiven — such arrogance […] by the way Becky, this guy should be sacked for bad manners and sheer arrogance,” said Khan.

  • COAS Bajwa directs army officials to stay away from politics, avoid politicians: report

    COAS Bajwa directs army officials to stay away from politics, avoid politicians: report

    Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has issued fresh directives to all his commanders, and officials of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to stay away from politics and avoid interacting with politicians, reports Ansar Abbasi for The News.

    “These directions have been given in the wake of Imran Khan-led PTI propaganda against the establishment alleging certain ISI officials of having been involved in political engineering to manipulate the upcoming by-elections in Punjab to the disadvantage of PTI.”

    The security establishment is of the view that the PTI should share evidence of the claims they are making. The establishment claims that even if an iota of evidence is provided, strict action would be initiated against those responsible.

    Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “The desire of the army chief is commendable but in my personal opinion, the army needs to make a three-year project through which the army can separate itself from politics.”

    Director-General (DG) ISI, Lieutenant-General Nadeem Anjum, made it clear in February to all officials of the ISI that no interference in politics and political matters would be tolerated.

    The incumbent DG ISI decided soon after he joined the office to keep the institution away from politics.

    Lt-Gen Anjum had conveyed to all the concerned authorities not to release to the media his pictures or video footage taken during official meetings.

  • ‘Prove them traitors’: Bushra Bibi’s audio leak out

    ‘Prove them traitors’: Bushra Bibi’s audio leak out

    An alleged audio of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi has been leaked in which she is instructing Khan’s focal person for Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid to make a statement against Khan’s opponents and run a campaign to ‘prove them traitors’.

    In the alleged leaked audio, Bushra Bibi can be heard saying, “Khan Sahib told you to run a hashtag of treason. I have been getting calls from people that your social media was very active but after a week, it is not. You should have been very active nowadays.”

    She also allegedly said that Aleem Khan and others will talk filth about Khan, her friend Farah and her as well. “They will make so much fuss and they will also give testimonies of the people but you don’t have to make any issue of it just link them all with treason,” says Bushra Bibi.

    In the audio clip, Bushra can be reportedly heard instructing Khalid to build a narrative that all the PTI dissidents had joined foreign conspirators to save themselves.

    The former first lady allegedly asks Khalid to direct his team to take up the issue of the government not buying oil from Russia and link it with how Imran Khan was being betrayed.

    “You cannot let this matter die down,” Bushra Bibi allegedly says to him, asking him to make a trend so people know that the country and Khan are being betrayed.

    “I am only telling you this, you don’t have to discuss this issue with anyone. They are after him [Imran Khan] because of this. But you have to link it with treason,” she concludes.

    Responding to Bushra Bibi’s audio, PTI’s Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan condemned saying that is it unethical. He further said that there is nothing wrong in it if Bushra Bibi has linked conspiracy to treason.

    This is not the first time an audio clip has surfaced on social media involving Bushra Bibi.

    Earlier this month, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders played an audio tape between Bahria Town chief Malik Riaz and his daughter, revealing how allegedly Farah Gogi “demanded a gift” for former first lady Bushra Bibi.

  • ‘Will get fresh tear gas if needed,’ Rana Sanaullah warns PTI

    ‘Will get fresh tear gas if needed,’ Rana Sanaullah warns PTI

    Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said if the need arises, fresh, effective and updated tear gas will be used against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters who are ready to hold a rally at Islamabad’s Parade Ground today.

    Meanwhile, it has been reported that a pistol was recovered from a man who was present at the rally venue.

    The police have arrested the man and he is now being investigated.

    In a press conference today (Saturday), Sanaullah said that the expired tear gas, which he claimed was bought by his “predecessors”, had finished. “Now they [police] will get everything effective, fresh and updated if the need arises.” However, he advised participants at PTI rally not to cause chaos. “It would be better if they don’t create a situation.”

    He said that in the future, any such “seditious” rallies won’t be tolerated in the capital.

    Regarding a question about PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the federal minister said he should “correct” his matters and refrain from “creating rebellion and instability” in Pakistan.

    “All the political parties in the country at the moment are on one side, trying to solve the ongoing crises, while Imran Khan is busy abusing everyone and playing the politics of hatred,” the interior minister added.

    Prior to this, PTI alleged that the Islamabad police had used expired tear gas against them on May 25. Later, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan had stated that expired tear gas shells were not used.

    On Friday, the Staff Duties Directorate at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi permitted PTI to organise its jalsa at Parade Ground in the federal capital.

    The permission is only valid for July 2. The NOC was given on the condition that the public gathering shall not disturb or disrupt the fundamental rights of the citizens of Islamabad and adjoining areas nor shall it block Islamabad Expressway or any other road. The gathering shall end at midnight.