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Tag: PTI

  • Mohsin Baig case: Court says FIA misused its power, issues show-cause notice

    Mohsin Baig case: Court says FIA misused its power, issues show-cause notice

    Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued show-cause notice to the Director of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing, Babar Bakht Qureshi, on Monday for misusing FIA’s powers in the arrest case of journalist Mohsin Jamil Baig.

    The FIA cybercrime wing and the police arrested and raided Daily Jinnah and Online news agency Editor Mohsin Baig’s house. He was accused of initiating a debate on News One’s programme ‘G for Gharidah’. He made some controversial references towards Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Minister for Communication Murad Saeed.

    IHC Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah asked, “Why should we not register contempt of court case against the FIA? Do they think they are above the law?”

    During the hearing, Justice Minallah grilled the FIA director, reminding him that the court had told the agency to not make arrests. “This court will take action against you. Your job is to protect people and not to restore the reputation of an elite person.”

    Justice Minallah also posed some questions related to the arrest. He asked Qureshi that when there were four people in the programme, why only Baig was arrested.

    Justice Minallah further said that the agency has always abused its authority, adding that the court will not allow the FIA to infringe on anyone’s fundamental rights.

    When asked about PM Khan’s ex-wife Reham Khan’s book and which reference was given by Baig in the show. Additional Attorney General Qasim Wadood, who was present before the court, replied that he had not read the book.

    “Does everyone know what is written in the book?”, CJ asked.

    Justice Minallah said that this court has repeatedly said that you should be careful but the message being given is that there is no freedom of expression.

    However, the Director of FIA continued his argument that the reference to the book is defamatory and added, “We must discourage obscenity.”

    CJ Minallah stated that the biggest obscenity is not respecting the constitution, adding that prohibition is an abuse of power.

    Responding to contempt of court notice, Quershi pleaded to the CJ, saying we are like your children, have mercy. To which the CJ responded, “You are not my child and I am not your father.”

    Subsequently, the hearing was adjourned and Justice Minallah asked Qureshi to submit his response. The court also summoned Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan in the next hearing on February 24. Previously, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) approved the three-day remand of journalist Mohsin Baig.

  • President Alvi calls off NA session without any official announcement

    President Alvi calls off NA session without any official announcement

    President Dr Arif Alvi called off the National Assembly (NA) session on Friday— the same day when Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif was to appear before a special court in Lahore, reports Dawn.

    A spokesperson for the Presi­dency said that the postponement of the session was not officially notified beforehand. According to the media outlet, Pak­istan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders gathered at NA Speaker Asad Qaiser’s residence several hours before the session on Thursday night and decided to have Friday’s session shelved.

    They believed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz could possibly be arrested on Friday but the court deferred the indictment. The ruling party was of the view that the Sharifs should not be given an opportunity to seek an adjournment on the ground of attending the NA session.

    Upon hearing about the postponement, Sharif said the session had been put off as the government was hoping he would be indicted. He further added that it is unprecedented that a scheduled session of the NA has been shelved in such a manner.

    However, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry dismissed this claim. Chaudhry said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s visit to Russia on February 23 was one of the reasons for the postponement of the session.

    Other than this, some sources claim that the government wanted to promulgate some ordinances for which the session had been shelved.

    Sharif appeared before the court for his indictment in a money laundering case that was registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

    As of yet, no new date has been announced for holding the postponed session of the lower house of parliament.

  • Nawaz Sharif more popular than PM Khan in provinces: survey

    Nawaz Sharif more popular than PM Khan in provinces: survey

    Former Prime Minister (PM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is ahead of all other party leaders in terms of popularity, reveals Gallup Pakistan’s latest survey, which was conducted from December 22, 2021, to January 31, 2022, and includes 5,000 participants from across the country.

    According to the survey, there is a noticeable drop in PM Imran Khan’s popularity in all the provinces.

    In Punjab, PM Khan’s popularity rate has dropped from 51 per cent in December 2018 to 33 per cent in January 2022 while Nawaz Sharif’s popularity has jumped from 35 per cent in December 2018 to 58 per cent in January 2022.

    The survey has also included the popularity statistics of PML-N President and former Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. CM Sharif’s popularity rose from 46 per cent in December 2018 to 58 per cent in January 2022 in Punjab. Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto’s popularity increased in Punjab from 18 per cent back in December 2018 to 24 per cent in January 2022.

    In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), there is a significant increase in the level of satisfaction with PM Khan, which was only five per cent in December 2018 but is now 44 per cent, while Bhutto’s popularity mildly increased from 23 per cent in December 2018 to 24 per cent in January 2022. Nawaz Sharif managed to gain in KP from his 14 per cent approval rating in December 2018 to 46 per cent in January 2022.

    Coming to Sindh, both Sharifs are ahead of the PPP. Nawaz Sharif’s popularity in Sindh increased from 12 per cent in December 2018 to 51 per cent in January 2022. Shehbaz Sharif’s approval rating also went up in Sindh from 12 per cent in December 2018 to 41 per cent in January 2022. Meanwhile, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto’s popularity significantly dropped in Sindh, where the PPP is in power, from 54 per cent in December 2018 to 37 percent in January 2022. PM Khan remained at 33 per cent both in December 2018 and January 2022 but remains the least popular of all four leaders in Sindh.

    According to the survey, this is the first time that the popularity of the former PM has risen after December 2018. Shehbaz Sharif also managed to get similar ratings.


  • ‘Imran Khan the standard you want to set for Bushra Bibi, apply the same for all women’: Maryam Nawaz

    ‘Imran Khan the standard you want to set for Bushra Bibi, apply the same for all women’: Maryam Nawaz

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, in a fiery press conference, fiercely criticised Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    “Yes, your [PM Khan] wife [Bushra Bibi] is of respect to us. The standard you want to set for your wife, the same standards should have been there for the deceased Kalsoom Nawaz [wife of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif]. When I used to go to check on my mother from our London apartment to the hospital, three to four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers used to abuse me. When my son Junaid used to leave, they used to abuse his mother,” said Maryam Nawaz.

    She alleged that some PTI activists had barged into the hospital just to take pictures of an ailing Kulsoom.

    “The standard you set for your wife, apply the same for every woman,” added the PML-N leader.

    “I was innocent and you put me in the death cell. You did the character assassination of a daughter in front of her father. When I was in Gilgit Baltistan and running my political campaign in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, you did not have an answer to my political criticism. So your minister on record hurled below the belt criticism towards me.”

    “I want to request the media to play the footage of the speeches of the PTI ministers where they have made personal attacks against me. Imran Khan Sahib used to praise them for making such comments, clap at them. I too am someone’s daughter. What you have done with Asma Shirazi, Gharidah Farooqi, and Sana Bucha, the country has not forgotten it.”

    “Have the guts to take criticism,” reiterated Maryam.

    Responding to the arrest of journalist Mohsin Baig by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), who is accused of initiating a debate on a television show with obscene references towards PM Imran Khan and Minister for Communication Murad Saeed, Maryam said, ” When Mohsin Saab was with you [Imran Khan], helped you with your political matters, at that time he was very nice. And now that he is criticising you, you should have had the guts to take the criticism. You used FIA against him. I feel sorry for your mental condition Imran Khan Saab.”

    “People are cursing you for the price hike and increase in the petrol prices,” said Maryam, adding, “People don’t have fuel. The people of Pakistan do not travel on government-provided vehicles.”

    “I agree that you [PM Khan] are not eligible, and do not have the qualification but I wish you had a heart which was kind. You have used the hard-earned money of the people of Pakistan just to settle your score with your opponents,” said the PML-N leader.

    “You have made FIA, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) a part of your politics to settle scores with your opponents. Despite the fact that you are a liar and fake, you are sitting on the seat of a prime minister of the country, you should have spent all your time serving the people of Pakistan, instead you utilised all your energy to take revenge on the Opposition,” said Maryam.

    Talking to reporters after appearing at the Islamabad High Court in the Avenfield Apartments case, Maryam was asked if Shehbaz Sharif would resign as PML-N president if the “no-confidence gamble” failed.

    Maryam responded that she was hopeful of the move’s success “because Imran is on his last legs and it’s a risk that should be taken”, adding that the messages sent by her party to disgruntled lawmakers were also applicable to the PML-N itself.

    She did not elaborate on who she was referring to as “disgruntled” lawmakers or what messages were sent to them.

    “If the opposition does not take a united stand here then we will be blamed for it. It’s ultimately the public that we have to go back to at the time of elections.”

    Responding to a question on whether she supported another extension for the army chief, Maryam said “it’s a premature question and we don’t have any details before us”.

  • ‘PM Khan to make significant changes in cabinet within two weeks’: Fawad

    ‘PM Khan to make significant changes in cabinet within two weeks’: Fawad

    Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on Political Affairs Shahbaz Gill have revealed that PM Imran Khan would soon make changes in the federal and Punjab cabinets by including allied parties’ members, reports Dawn.

    While talking to the media outlet, Chaudhry stated that “the premier will make significant changes in the federal cabinet within two weeks”. It has been reported that PM Khan is expected to make changes in five ministers of state, i.e. ministries of defence, planning, education, energy and overseas Pakistanis.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will include leaders from its two major coalition partners — the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

    BAP’s Kauda Babar told Dawn that his party had demanded at least four federal cabinet seats.

    The news has come at a time when the Opposition is gearing up to bring a no-confidence motion against PM Khan in the National Assembly (NA). They recently approached the MQM as well as the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) to support them.

    The government has recently given appreciation certificates to the ten ministers who performed better than others. However, those who were not included in the list are reportedly unhappy.

  • ‘Overseas Pakistanis ki maujain’: Cabinet approves separate judicial system for expats

    ‘Overseas Pakistanis ki maujain’: Cabinet approves separate judicial system for expats

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, while addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has approved a separate judicial system for Overseas Pakistanis.

    Fawad shared that the cabinet has approved the formulation of a separate judicial system for the expats for summary trial.

    The minister further said that the implementation of the laws will come in accordance with PM Khan’s vision to facilitate overseas Pakistanis, who are a precious asset of the country.

    The federal minister further revealed that a similar judicial system will also be established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, where PTI is in power.

    Fawad said that the administrative issues of courts should be dealt with in line with the view of the government.

    “Pakistan is facing an administrative crisis due to stay orders given by the courts,” said Fawad, adding that lawsuits are “cheaper in Pakistan than in the world”.

  • Court reserves decision on PTI’s Faisal Vawda’s appeal against lifetime disqualification

    Court reserves decision on PTI’s Faisal Vawda’s appeal against lifetime disqualification

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its decision on the maintainability of an application filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Faisal Vawda against his lifetime disqualification from parliament, reports Dawn.

    Last week, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified Vawda as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and ordered him to withdraw the notification appointing him as senator for concealing his dual nationality.

    Later, the PTI leader approached the IHC. In his appeal, he stated that Section 8C of the Elections Act, 2017 allowed the ECP to conduct an election but did not empower it to disqualify a candidate. According to him, the commission was directed by the court to “probe the issue of falsity or otherwise of the affidavit expeditiously as per a judgment of the Supreme Court (SC)”.

    The commission said Vawda had submitted a “false affidavit” when submitting nomination papers. However, Vawda’s lawyer, Wasim Sajjad argued in the court that his client [Vawda] did not submit a false affidavit.

    Sajjad maintained that Vawda cancelled his United States (US) passport and acquired a certificate from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and said that he [Vawda] is only a Pakistani citizen.

    Vawda secured the National Assembly seat (NA-249) in July 2018 and got elected as a Senator last year.

    As per the commission, Vawda can approach the Supreme Court (SC) against its verdict.

  • PM Khan says his five-year term will be successful if he ends poverty

    PM Khan says his five-year term will be successful if he ends poverty

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday launched Raast person-to-person payment system for instant digital transactions.

    PM Khan, while addressing the audience, said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) got a second chance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) because the party ended poverty in the province.

    “After five years, we were given a chance again in a province which provides a second chance to no one. A report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) suggested that KP ended poverty the fastest,” said the premier, adding that we were given votes again because we ended poverty.

    “I will consider myself successful by the end of 2023 when my tenure is evaluated if I have ended poverty and lifted the poor,” said PM Khan.

    Sharing features of Raast, the premier said it would create ease for the common man, especially those who were afraid of going to banks because now they would be able to transfer money instantly through their mobile phones.

    In addition, the digital payment system would bring people into the formal economy, he said. “A country progresses when the saving rate increases, we have amongst the lowest,” he said, adding that people would have to become part of the formal economy if the country was to progress and the tax to GDP (gross domestic product) ratio would have to be increased.

    PM Imran said the government was reaching more people to bring them into the tax net, warning defaulters, “We are about to reach you because we are getting data very quickly.”

    Raast is part of Prime Minister Imran’s Digital Pakistan vision to include the poor segments of society in the formal economy. It has been developed by the SBP in collaboration with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Karandaaz, Pakistan.

  • Moonis Elahi tells PTI not to worry, ‘nothing substantial’ in meetings with Opposition leaders

    Moonis Elahi tells PTI not to worry, ‘nothing substantial’ in meetings with Opposition leaders

    Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi said on Monday that the government alliance is not facing any trouble. Elahi said that the political environment was a “bit strange these days” but there is nothing substantial in it. Moonis Elahi was referring to the recent meetings of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leadership with Opposition leaders, which include Shehbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Asif Ali Zardari.

    Moonis Elahi, while addressing the International Symposium on Hydropower Development, said, “A spectacle is going on, whatever talks are being held, we are political people, we meet people and welcome someone who comes to our home. The important thing to understand is that political people form relationships and then see them through.”

    “Just like we have made a relation with Janab [Prime Minister Imran Khan], and we will carry on with this relation,” adding, “I would like to request you [PM Khan] to say it rather firmly to all Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers/supporters that ghabrana nahi hai [no need to worry].”

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, without taking names, criticised Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif and said that in a panic, some people have gone to ask about the health of PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

    PM Khan, responding to the words to Moonis Elahi said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has full confidence in the Chaudhry brothers.

    PM said that hardly anyone has the political skills that Chaudhry Sahib [Shujaat Hussain] possesses.

    PM Khan’s comments come after Shehbaz Sharif met PML-Q’s Chaudhry brothers at their residence after 14 years as the Opposition seeks to mount pressure on the government.

    It is being reported that the Chaudhries of Gujrat will be holding party meetings to discuss the overall political situation and go into further discussions to come up with a consensus plan to move ahead in the current political turmoil.

    It is pertinent to mention here that PML-Q is a key ally of the PTI in the Centre and Punjab.

  • Shehbaz visits Chaudhry brothers after 14 years

    Shehbaz visits Chaudhry brothers after 14 years

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and senior party leaders visited Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi yesterday (February 13, Sunday).

    Shehbaz went to their residence where the leaders of the two rival parties met each other for a formal political meeting after a gap of about 14 years.

    The meeting lasted over an hour, where both sides discussed the current political situation in the country in detail. Sources say that Shehbaz Sharif asked the Chaudhries of Gujrat to support the Opposition in its planned no-confidence move against Prime Minister Imran Khan. However, the Chaudhry brothers told the PML-N leadership that they would adopt a strategy after consultations with their party leaders.

    The News reported that the Chaudhry brothers have asked for the slot of Chief Minister Punjab from 2023 to 2028. Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly conveyed details of the meeting to Mian Nawaz Sharif, who will make the final decision. Currently, the PML-Q is a key ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in both Punjab and the Centre.

    On Saturday (February 12), Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who also heads the Opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), called on the Chaudhry brothers in Lahore. Maulana also asked them for their support against the sitting government.

    Earlier on Monday (February 7), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari also paid a visit to the Chaudhry brothers in Lahore to ask for PML-Q support in ousting the government.

    Last year in December, Nawaz Sharif called Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to ask about the health of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and also invited them to meet him in London.