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Tag: PTI

  • Accountability court indicts Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi in £190m reference

    Accountability court indicts Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi in £190m reference

    An accountability court in Rawalpindi on Tuesday charged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi with involvement in the £190 million reference.

    Judge Nasir Javed Rana of the accountability court conducted the hearing at Adiala Jail, where former Prime Minister Imran is invarcerated in multiple cases, including the Toshakhana, cipher and illegal marriage cases. 

    Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were present when Judge Nasir Javed read the charge sheet.

    National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Deputy Prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, along with his team, was also present in court.

    NAB had started investigating Imran Khan, his wife, and others for allegedly getting hundreds of canals of land under the name of Al Qadir University Trust. As a result of the accusation of land, the government faced a loss of 190 million pounds.

  • Maryam Nawaz takes oath as CM Punjab

    Maryam Nawaz takes oath as CM Punjab

    The newly-elected Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, took the oath of office after being elected as the first female chief executive of the province.

    The ceremony took place at Punjab Governor House in Lahore, where Governor Punjab Baligh Ur Rehman administered the oath.

    Maryam’s father, Nawaz Sharif and uncle Shehbaz Sharif, both former Prime Ministers, were present on the occasion.

  • Sania Mirza says Lahore and Delhi are quite similar

    Sania Mirza says Lahore and Delhi are quite similar

    An old interview of former Indian tennis player Sania Mirza has appeared online with host Kamiya Jani, where she discussed her marriage with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. The pair are now divorced and Malik has gone on to marry again.
    The interview, which took place in October 2022, sheds light on Sania’s experiences visiting Pakistan and the cultural dynamics of marrying someone from across the border.


    “We go there actually once a year because Shoaib’s family still lives there and obviously Izhan goes to meet them, and you know we do meet them every year, once a year, and they come here once a year,” Mirza said about visiting Pakistan.


    Discussing the differences and similarities between India and it’s neighbour, Sania acknowledged both aspects. Drawing on her South Indian background, she admitted feeling a cultural difference but highlighted the resemblance between Lahore and Delhi, saying, “If I was from Delhi, I wouldn’t feel that much of a culture shock. Because Lahore is a lot similar to Delhi. The way they speak, the way they eat, the things they eat, you know, all that kind of… Culturally, they’re just Punjabis, right? So it’s a little more similar.”


    Despite the similarities, she noted, “But they are different in some ways also. You can tell, I mean, at least I can tell when there is a Pakistani speaking or an Indian person speaking…to another person, they might not be able to tell but I can tell the differences.”


    In a surprising development, Shoaib announced his third marriage to Pakistani actor Sana Javed, leading to the revelation of his split with Sania. The newlyweds shared joyous pictures from their wedding ceremony on social media.

    Shortly after, Indian news outlet PTI confirmed that Sania and Shoaib had divorced. Sania’s father Imran Mirza disclosed to PTI that Sania took a khula from Shoaib, officially confirming the end of their relationship. Taking to Instagram, Imran addressed speculation about his daughter’s marriage, emphasizing the need for privacy and confirming their divorce.

  • Ali Amin Gandapur to contest independently for CM KP position

    Ali Amin Gandapur to contest independently for CM KP position

    Ali Amin Gandapur, a prominent leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and perhaps the next Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has opted out of joining the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

    Instead, he has chosen to contest independently for the top provincial post, backed by PTI members aligned with the SIC, as reported by The News on Monday.

    Following general elections, independent winners supported by PTI from KP have affiliated themselves with the SIC to secure designated seats for women and religious minority representatives.

    However, Gandapur, who secured victory from Dera Ismail Khan, will pursue the PTI’s provincial presidency and is actively involved in the party’s intra-party elections scheduled for March 3, having submitted his nomination papers accordingly.

    In parallel, Ali Asghar, another PTI member, has submitted his papers for the position of provincial general secretary, while Aqibullah Khan, nominated by PTI and the brother of senior leader Asad Qaiser, will compete for a KP Assembly office position under the SIC banner.

    The announcement of KP cabinet members is pending final approval from PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, following extensive consultations. Additionally, the PTI is deliberating over several candidates for the deputy speaker position, with the chosen individual’s identity expected to be disclosed imminently.

    On the opposition front, parties have resolved not to concede ground to PTI and have declared intentions to nominate candidates for chief minister, speaker, and deputy speaker roles. The opposition plans to finalize consensus candidates following an imminent meeting.

    Abdul Jalil Jan, the spokesperson for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), confirmed that neither Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nor Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have initiated talks with their party regarding the election of KP Assembly officials.

    With the inaugural session of the KP Assembly scheduled for February 28, the assembly will witness the swearing-in of newly elected members, followed by the election of the speaker, deputy speaker, and chief minister.

    Meanwhile, Ali Amin Gandapur expressed his commitment to democratic principles and serving the people during interactions with elected members, party workers, and various stakeholders.

    He expressed these views during meetings with the members-elect of the national and provincial assemblies, party workers and people from different walks of life, including scholars and lawyers, at the Speaker’s House.

    Gandapur spoke about improving the province’s law and order situation as well as adding health cards, langar khana, shelter homes and police reforms would be restored. He said that the people would be provided with a uniform education system, while the lack of resources would not be a hurdle in the completion of this great mission.

  • Imran Khan confirms writing letter to IMF

    Imran Khan confirms writing letter to IMF

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has said on Friday that he has written a letter to International Monetary Fund (IMF), asking to look at the matter of poll rigging in Pakistan.

    “The letter to the IMF has been written and will be dispatched today. If the country gets a loan in such a situation, then who will return it,” Khan asked the media during a hearing of the £190 million reference at Adiala Jail.

    The former prime minister warned that taking the loan would cause more poverty, adding that unless the country invests in itself, its loans will continue to rise. 

    Khan’s update about the letter comes a day after PTI senator Ali Zafar announced that the party founder had decided to write a letter to the global lender, urging it to call for an audit of the February 8 election before it continues talks with Islamabad for a new loan programme.

    IMF has previously never commented on rigging allegations, nor is probing rigging part of its mandate. The Fund has reportedly said on Friday that it looks forward to working with the new government.

  • Barrister Gohar Khan “removed” as PTI chairman over unsatisfactory performance

    Barrister Gohar Khan “removed” as PTI chairman over unsatisfactory performance

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat said on Friday that Barrister Gohar is not the chairman of PTI anymore as his performance was not satisfactory.

    Marwat announced the party’s decision a day after Barrister Gohar announced that the next party chairman will be Barrister Ali Zafar. However, PTI’s intraparty elections are scheduled to take place on March 3.

    The former ruling party’s top post had been lying vacant for more than a month after not only the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), but the Supreme Court also declared its intra-party elections unlawful and stripped the party of its iconic bat symbol. 

    Talking to Geo News, Marwat said: “Incompetence and poor performance are the reasons behind Gohar’s removal as chairman. Barrister Gohar is a gentleman, but his performance was not satisfactory.”

    The PTI leader also said that Barrister Gohar failed to meet the expectations of party workers.

  • ‘Made false allegations for the money, offer from PTI leader’, Rawalpindi commissioner says he lied about election rigging

    ‘Made false allegations for the money, offer from PTI leader’, Rawalpindi commissioner says he lied about election rigging

    Liaqat Ali Chatha, the ex-Rawalpindi commissioner, who made explosive allegations about the alleged manipulation of the February 8 polls in favour of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates but later withdrew them, has now claimed that PTI’s top leadership planned the entire rigging propaganda.

    He said in his official statement on Thursday that “After the incident of May 9, 2023, as with other leadership of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI), the said prominent leader of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) also absconded from courts, was declared as a Proclaim Offender (PO) and has been hiding. Throughout this time, I had direct contact with him, and I kept on discreetly helping him on various issues. Consequently, my relationship with the prominent Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) leader evolved into a very close friendship based on a high level of trust.”

    Further adding that he also stated, “After the General Elections (“GEs”) of 2024, on 11February 2024 I secretly and discreetly travelled to Lahore and held a meeting with him. It was in this meeting, that he made an offer to me that if I played a role in supporting the Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf’s (PTI) ongoing narrative of rigging in general elections (“GEs”) and maligning state institutions, he would ensure a lucrative position for me in future. He informed me that this entire plan had been formulated after consultation and approval of the senior leadership of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI).”

    He goes on to elaborate that the two had a detailed discussion on the proposed press conference. “He conveyed to me the general direction which was needed to be adopted. Initially it was proposed by me that I would write the entire narrative and submit the same as part of my resignation. However, this proposal was dropped by the said prominent Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) leader as such written resignation would not create any sensations for their narrative building. After detailed discussions, it was agreed that a press conference would be conducted by me at a time and date to be conveyed after consultation and approval of the senior leadership of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI).

    He further mentioned that “The primary aim of this proposed press conference was to create sensations and drama augmenting false narratives being built by the Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI).”

    “The name of the Chief Justice of Pakistan was taken with the aim of creating mistrust in general public against him. The Chief Justice of Pakistan did not have any role in the entire election process. However, I was specifically asked by said prominent leader of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) to name the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). He told me that he had been specifically asked by his top leadership to do so. The aims behind naming the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) were manifold. I was told that it would help in creating the momentum of this entire narrative as Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) had already been sowing seeds of doubts and distrust in the public minds against the Chief Justice of Pakistan  (CJP),” the ex-Rawalpindi commissioner added.

  • Imran Riaz is missing again: Three possible reasons why we don’t know where he is right now

    Imran Riaz is missing again: Three possible reasons why we don’t know where he is right now

    Youtuber Imran Riaz Khan is under arrest once again and Pakistanis have a lot to say

    The reason for YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan’s arrest is currently disputed. The journalist was arrested Thursday night.

    Here are three possibilities behind his arrest:

    1. Earlier, Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cybercrime Wing had summoned Khan and journalist Asad Toor, for allegedly being a part of an anti-judiciary campaign on social media platforms, calling them to appear on February 23.

    2. According to court reporter A. Waheed Murad, Imran Riaz has been summoned by Lahore court to present his defence for taking the Darabi Lake contract along with his father in Lahore court.

    3. While his detention is being condemned, he is being criticised for recently resharing an inflammatory post on X (formerly Twitter) regarding the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision to grant bail to a member of Ahmadiyya community which sparked severe backlash.

    Khan is being criticised for further inciting hate and violence by resharing a hateful post.

    Even though the original post was deleted, his apparent endorsement remains condemnable.

  • Shehbaz, Zardari want a new President before Senate elections

    Shehbaz, Zardari want a new President before Senate elections

    After the power sharing deal, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are thinking about holding the Presidential election before the Senate election, as per The News.

    According to Article 41(5), “…an election to fill a vacancy in the office of president shall be held not later than thirty days from the occurrence of the vacancy; provided that, if the election cannot be held within the period aforesaid because the National Assembly is dissolved, it shall be held within thirty days of the general elections to the Assembly.”

    The newly elected assemblies will take their oaths by February 29, and a new government will be in place by March 2.

    According to sources with The News, PML-N and their allied parties want the presidential election to be conducted on March 8, before the Senate polls.

    On the other hand, PPP leader Senator Farooq H Naek said that according to law, presidential elections can be held 30 days after general polls.

    “This means that the presidential election is to be held before March 9,”  he said

  • Musarrat Cheema rebuked by Imran Khan’s sister in court

    Musarrat Cheema rebuked by Imran Khan’s sister in court

    Rifts within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) became obvious at the Anti-Terrorism Court during the hearing of the Jinnah House attack case. Party chairman Imran Khan’s sisters had a chance encounter with ex-PTI leader Musarat Jamshed Cheema where they scolded her for leaving their brother in his time of need.

    Imran Khan’s sisters had a conversation with Cheema in the courtroom, during which she informed Uzma Khan and Aleema Khan about the cases she faced and the hardships of hiding, upon which both of them scolded her in return. “You were hiding when our brother was in need,” Aleema said, adding that when the party was going through a tough time, Cheema held a press conference against it and when the PTI founder needed her, she left.


    Aleema Khan stressed that Musarrat was considered the closest to Imran Khan and today she is telling them about the constraints.


    Aleema quipped, “Politicians are considered incomplete without jail.” Musrat Jamshed Cheema reportedly went quiet after hearing Aleema Khan’s words.

    The Anti-Terrorism Court has extended the interim bail of Uzma Khan and Aleema Khan in the Jinnah House attack case till March 12.