Hearing on reference against dissidents set, ECP summons lawmakers

By

-

April 26, 2022

ISLAMABAD: Reference against deviant members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been fixed for hearing, as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned the MNAs on April 28 and the Punjab members on May 6.

As per the details, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja. Apart from members of Election Commission, Secretary and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

The meeting considered the letter written by Imran Khan to the Election Commission.

According to the text of the letter, PTI has resigned from all the seats in the National Assembly, therefore the party has no representation in NA. The case against the deviant members has been referred to the Election Commission under Article 63(A).

In this regard, the Election Commission said that it has not received any notification of resignation of any member from the Speaker.

As soon as the case of resignations is received from the Speaker, the Election Commission will take action as per law, added ECP.

On the other hand, after the announcement of protest by PTI outside the Election Commission offices across the country, IG Islamabad reached the Central Secretariat of the Election Commission and met the ECP officials to discuss the security plan.

ECP said that foolproof security arrangements should be made in view of Tuesday’s protest.

Inspector General of Police Islamabad said that PTI rallies would not be allowed to enter the red zone, adding that only PTI members will be able to enter the red zone.

According to police sources, the PTI protest may not be provocative. Considering the security arrangements for PTI’s protest, entry in the red zone will be from Margalla Road.

It was further revealed that, the red zone is being sealed with containers. SPs of Islamabad Police will be deployed at Margalla Road, Serena Chowk and Express Chowk.

Meanwhile, 1500 Islamabad Police and 300 Rangers will be deployed. CTD men will be stationed at checkpoints around the red zone. Prisoners’ vans have also been called while the process of installing barbed wire around the Central Secretariat of the Election Commission has been started.

Advertisment

Islamabad’s Red Zone sealed ahead of PTI protest

By

Tanzeel Ahmed

-

April 26, 2022

ISLAMABAD: District Administration of the federal capital Islamabad has sealed Red Zone by placing containers after Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) wrote a letter to the Interior Ministry for security ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf s (PTI) protest in front of Election Commission offices across the country.

Inpector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad met the officials of the Election Commission at the Central Secretariat of the Election Commission in which they discussed the security arrangements.

The ECP directed IG Islamabad to make foolproof security arrangements in view of the protest. IG Islamabad said that PTI rallies would not be allowed in the red zone. According to police sources, the entrance to the red zone will be through Margalla Road because of PTI s protest.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on April 24 (Sunday) gave a call to its workers to stage a protest outside Election Commission offices across the country on April 26 (Tuesday) against biased attitude of the chief election commissioner (CEC).

PTI leader and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry had said that PTI political committee held a meeting on April 24, in which the matters related to Election Commission were reviewed.

The PTI leader brutally criticized the Chief Election Commissioner expressing that he has reached the extreme in terms of bias and dishonesty.

He said that under the plan, the declaration to end the membership of PTI dissident members was also not issued yet. Therefore, PTI will protest in front of Election Commission offices across the country on Tuesday, April 26 against the behavior of the Election Commissioner.

Advertisment

PPP leaders may attend PDM rally today, but workers will not be called

By

Our Correspondent

-

March 28, 2022

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will participate in Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally to be held in Islamabad today (Monday) May 28. But it will be restricted to the level of the PPP delegations ‘if needed’, and the party workers will not be called to join the long march or PDM public meetings.

Informed sources within the PPP said that the party wants to confine the battle to the parliament instead of focusing on street show.

As the fight against an embattled Prime Minister has entered into a decisive stage the PPP has proposed to other opposition parties to confine the battle to inside the Parliament House and not let a desperate Imran run away from the Parliament and seek refuge elsewhere, PPP sources said.

“Since the numbers game is in our favor and there is no escape for Imran Khan it will be politically prudent and wise to fight it out inside the House instead of outside it”, a senior party leader said on condition of anonymity.

The PPP senior leader was of the opinion that when the number game in the House is in their favor and the prime minister is on the run and doomed to be politically eliminated, why waste energies on the street power. According to the senior leader, the PPP is not part of PDM but the joint opposition has already submitted a no confidence resolution for the removal of PM. “We are working together to remove the selected prime minister through legal and constitutional means in Parliament but we are not in favour of creating chaos as a result of any confrontation,” senior leader of the PPP said.

Moreover, he said organizations like the SCBA, PFUJ, HRCP and HRW have called upon both sides to call off the public meetings for this very reason. “We believe Imran Khan should also avoid inciting people to come on the road and face the no confidence in the Parliament. However, the Party leadership may decide to send some representation if need be,” the PPP leader opined.

It is to be mentioned here that in the PPP long march that concluded in Islamabad’s D-Chowk on March 8, the PDM parties—PML-N and JUI-F had sent delegations to attend the public meeting at D-Chowk as a show of solidarity and the PPP leader believed the party leadership may decide to sent a delegation, if needed.

Advertisment

Pakistan Day: Armed forces show off military might as OIC leaders watch

By

Sara Maqsood

-

March 23, 2022

ISLAMABAD: The country is celebrating Pakistan Day on Wednesday with the armed forces displaying their might in the annual military parade in Islamabad while dignitaries participating in the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) watch as guests of honor.

The main feature of the day is the grand military parade, currently underway, at Islamabad parade ground in which the three wings of the armed forces and other security forces conduct a march while fighter planes present aerobatic manoeuvres.

Pakistan Day commemorates the passing of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, when the All-India Muslim League demanded a separate nation for the Muslims of the British Indian Empire.

The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.

A change of guards ceremony was also was held at the mausoleums of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal in Karachi and Lahore, respectively.

The report added that special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayer for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity.

In his address on the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi said Pakistan was a responsible atomic power that wanted peace with all other nations and respected their sovereignty.

He made it clear that Pakistan would never compromise on its security and sovereignty and would give a forceful response to any aggression directed towards it. “I believe our nation won’t hesitate from any sacrifice for the country’s security,” Alvi added.

The president highlighted extremism and the spread of fake news as among the biggest challenges facing society and called on scholars, parents and teachers to play their part in tackling these societal problems.

Multiple organisations and departments have planned a number of activities including seminars, conferences and discussion programmes to highlight the historical significance of Pakistan Day.

Advertisment

Council of Foreign MInisters of OIC to meet today as Pakistan hosts 48th session

By

Nuzhat Aftab

-

March 22, 2022

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Ministers of Islamic World will meet in Islamabad on Tuesday (today) at the inaugural session as Pakistan is hosting 48th session of Council of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Prime Minister Imran Khan in his keynote address at the inaugural session will highlight Pakistan’s role and contribution towards OIC and deliberate on the challenges faced by the Muslim world.

The theme of the session is ‘Building Partnerships for Unity, Justice, and Development,’ which will be held at the Parliament House.

More than 100 resolutions will be considered during the two-day session of the Foreign MInisters’ of the Muslim World.

The session coincides with the 75th anniversary celebrations of Pakistan’s independence.

On March 23, the visiting foreign ministers will visit the Pakistan Day parade venue and witness the professional capability of Pakistan’s armed forces and the traditional floats of all the provinces, reflecting the national unity.

Later in the day, Foreign Minister Qureshi along with OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha will hold a joint press stakeout following the conclusion of the session.

The summit will also discuss developments in Afghanistan and its humanitarian consequences for the Afghan people and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Many African issues will also be on the summit’s agenda, including the situation in Mali, the Sahel region, and Lake Chad, and the situation in Central Africa and the Republic of Guinea.

The OIC foreign ministers will also discuss developments in Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, and other regions during the summit.

Pakistan has a proud history of hosting major OIC events including Summits and Council of Foreign Minister (CFM) meetings. The country hosted the 2nd OIC Summit in Lahore, in February 1974. An Extraordinary OIC Summit was held in Islamabad in 1997, on the occasion of Pakistan’s Golden Jubilee.

Pakistan also hosted the OIC CFMs on four occasions – 2nd Session in December 1970, 11th Session in May 1980, 21st Session in April 1993 and the 34th Session in May 2007. The 1st and the 17th Extraordinary Sessions of the OIC CFM, were held in Islamabad, in January 1980 and December 2021, respectively.

Advertisment

March towards Islamabad: PML-N braces for tit-for-tat strategy to counter siege

By

Sara Maqsood

-

March 16, 2022

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) finalized strategy for upcoming longmarch towards Islamabad and it started mobilizing workers for public meeting at D-Chowk, Islamabad, and directed them to be fully equipped to counter any untoward situation.

PML-N has directed all the party leaders, MNAs, MPAs, ticket holders and district heads to start mobilizing workers and supporters to reach Jati Umra and Model Town in Lahore to accompany the caravan led by Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz.

Party leadership has intensified its preparations for the upcoming event, adding that the workers of adjoining areas of Islamabad and other cities had been directed to reach D-Chowk a day before the scheduled public meeting.

The PML-N leadership was further directed to make alternative plans in case the government created hurdles on their way to Islamabad. Party stalwarts, including PML-N’s Punjab President Rana Sanaullah, Khwaja Saad Raffique, Pervaiz Rasheed, Ayaz Sadiq, Javed Latif and other central leaders were given different tasks with regard to arrangements for the upcoming event.

Similarly, the local leadership of different cities, such as Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Jhang, Mianwali, Sargodha, Multan and Rawalpindi were asked to setup welcome camps alongside the route of the rally, starting from Lahore.

The party sources said Maryam Nawaz allotted different colours to the female parliamentarians and they were asked to mobilize female workers. The female party leaders who were assigned responsibilities for the upcoming event included MPA Hina Pervaiz Butt, Ayesha Raza, Kiran Dar, Sania Ashiq, Sumbal Malik Hussain, Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Bushra Butt, Kanwal Pervez, Rukhsana Kausar and Rahat Afza.

They added the party leadership has also directed the male parliamentarians, ticket holders and local leaders to bring at least 1,000 males and 250 females workers with them. They further said that all leaders were directed to move in flocks with their workers to avoid any possible arrest and to break any siege. Besides, the workers were also directed to stage sit-in wherever they were stopped.

On the other hand, PMLN Punjab President Rana Sanaullah has also released a video message to the party workers asking them to get ready to reach Islamabad’s D-Chowk on a short notice.

“Use of baton charge or tear gas will worsen the situation and all the responsibility of the possible backlash will be on the shoulders of Imran Khan,” he stated.

Advertisment

CNG stations in Islamabad, Punjab, KP to reopen today

By

Tanzeel Ahmed

-

March 16, 2022

ISLAMABAD: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations in federal capital Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will reopen from 9:00am today (Wednesday) to provide general public gasified fuel.

According to details, the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) has decided to resume gas supply to CNG stations in Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after suspension of more than a month owing to shortage of gas in winter.

All CNG stations will remain open for 24 hours from 9:00am today. The supply was suspended for more than a month to ensure provision of gas to domestic consumers.

Advertisment

Zardari directs PPP MNAs to ensure attendance for voting on no-trust motion

By

Our Correspondent

-

March 15, 2022

ISLAMABAD: Asif Ali Zardari, former President and Co-Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) wrote letters to all his party members in the National Assembly (MNAs) regarding the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

According to details, Asif Ali Zardari, in the letter, has ordered all the members to be present in the Parliament on the day of voting against the PM in the no-confidence motion.

The PPP Co-Chairman also warned that action will be taken according to Article 63-A against those who are absent from the Parliament on voting day.

Advertisment

Opposition to approach IHC for peaceful voting on no-trust motion

By

Tanzeel Ahmed

-

March 15, 2022

ISLAMABAD: Joint opposition parties have decided to approach court for peaceful and uninterrupted voting on no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

According to details, joint opposition has announced to file a constitutional plea and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal and JUI-F’s Maulana Ghafoor Haideri will approach Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Opposition states that no member of National Assembly should be stopped from exercising his constitutional right and a petition in this regard will be filed in the high court tomorrow (Wednesday).

Earlier in the day, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday challenged Prime Minister and his cabinet members to stop lawmakers from entering National Assembly.

Talking to media persons, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that opposition lawmakers are being pressurized through biased accountability drive as notices are being sent to them by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The PML-N leader said Imran Khan is using foul language and PTI instead of taking matters to the parliament has decided to take the matter to streets.

On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Senator Sherry Rehman on Tuesday said that holding a public rally at D-Chowk on the day of no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan is illegal and unconstitutional.

Sherry Rehman, in a tweet, said that rally as well as government’s plans to encircle lawmakers are illegal. She, while saying that government is putting country on track to unrest, added that government will be responsible if clashes erupt between workers of political parties.

The PPP leader said that if PTI has required numbers it should challenge the no-confidence motion in the parliament as the decision to send Imran Khan packing will be taken in the National Assembly instead of D-Chowk.

Politics of PTI started at D-Chowk and will also end at the same place, he claimed.

Advertisment

Woman, three children killed in Gujrat

By

Our Correspondent

-

March 15, 2022

GUJRAT: Four including a woman and her three children were shot dead on a family dispute in Shampur area of Gujrat on Tuesday.

According to details, the brother in law of the woman had murdered the victim and her children after an alleged domestic dispute.

On receiving report, the police reached the spot and arrested the suspect and launched legal action against him.

Advertisment

Tag: islamabad

Adblock Detected!